Abstract
Introduction: Cellular oxidoreductases catalyze thiol/disulfide exchange reactions in susceptible proteins and contribute to the cellular defense against oxidative stress. Oxidoreductases and oxidative stress are also involved in viral infections. In this overview, different aspects of the role of cellular oxidoreductases and oxidative stress during viral infections are discussed from a chemotherapeutic viewpoint.
Areas covered: Entry of enveloped viruses into their target cells is triggered by the interaction of viral envelope glycoproteins with cellular (co)receptor(s) and depends on obligatory conformational changes in these viral envelope glycoproteins and/or cellular receptors. For some viruses, these conformational changes are mediated by cell surface-associated cellular oxidoreductases, which mediate disulfide bridge reductions in viral envelope glycoprotein(s). Therefore, targeting these oxidoreductases using oxidoreductase inhibitors might yield an interesting strategy to block viral entry of these viruses. Furthermore, since viral infections are often associated with systemic oxidative stress, contributing to disease progression, the enhancement of the cellular antioxidant defense systems might have potential as an adjuvant antiviral strategy, slowing down disease progression.
Expert opinion: Promising antiviral data were obtained for both strategies. However, potential pitfalls have also been identified for these strategies, indicating that it is important to carefully assess the benefits versus risks of these antiviral strategies.
Declaration of interest
The research of the authors is supported by the KU Leuven (PF 10/018, GOA 15/19) and the ‘Fonds voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek’ (FWO) (G.0528.12N). L. Mathys is supported by a fellowship from L’Oréal-UNESCO, in collaboration with the Belgian FWO. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.
Notes
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