Researchers have developed an ultrapotent inhibitor of the dengue virus, which causes the tropical disease known as dengue. The antiviral molecule is exceptionally effective against all known dengue variants and could be used for therapeutic and prevention purposes.
Each year, dengue infects up to 400 million people, sickens up to 100 million, and kills thousands. Symptoms of the disease include a high fever and severe muscle and joint pain. Some patients also suffer from subcutaneous bleeding or capillary leakage.
The disease is caused by the mosquito-borne dengue virus, which is found in nearly all (sub)tropical regions, but especially in Latin America and Asia. The frequency of outbreaks continues to grow, and the virus is expected to impact billions more in the coming decades as the virus spreads to other regions due to climate change and other global trends. In 2019, the World Health Organization already included dengue in its list of ten threats to global health.
No antiviral drugs are currently available to prevent or treat dengue. This may change thanks to the breakthrough discovery of teams led by Johan Neyts (Rega Institute at KU Leuven) and Patrick Chaltin (CD3/CISTIM Leuven vzw), which was carried forward in partnership with a team led by Marnix van Loock (Janssen Pharmaceutica, N.V.).
Blocking the ‘copier’ of the virus
The antiviral has a unique mechanism, explains Professor Johan Neyts of the Rega Institute at KU Leuven. «Together with the research group of Professor Ralf Bartenschlager from Heidelberg University, we demonstrated that our inhibitor prevents the interaction between two viral proteins that are part of a kind of copier for the genetic material of the virus. If this interaction is blocked, the virus can no longer copy its genetic material. As a result, no new virus particles are produced.»
Together with Professor Xavier de Lamballerie (Aix-Marseille University), the team proved that the antiviral is very effective against all known variants of the dengue virus.
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Materials provided by KU Leuven. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.