Rhein suppresses African swine fever virus replication in vitro via activating the caspase-dependent mitochondrial apoptosis pathway

In this study, we confirmed that rhein inhibits ASFV replication significantly in a dose-dependent manner in vitro. Moreover, rhein could alter the susceptibility of PAMs to ASFV and promoted the production of superoxide in the mitochondria, which induced the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, leading to the activation of caspase-9, caspase-3, and apoptosis. Mito-TEMPO, a mitochondria-targeted antioxidant, blocked rhein-induced mitochondrial superoxide generation and loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, prevented caspase-9 and caspase-3 activation, alleviated apoptosis, and suppressed the anti-ASFV activity of rhein. Altogether, our results suggested that rhein could play an anti-ASFV role by inducing apoptosis through the activation of the caspase-dependent mitochondrial apoptotic pathway and may provide a novel compound for developing anti-ASFV drugs.PMID:37827302 | DOI:10.1016/j.virusres.2023.199238

Source: Virus Research - October 12, 2023 Category: Virology Authors: Zebu Song Yang Chen Hao Chang Yanchen Guo Qi Gao Zhi Wei Lang Gong Guihong Zhang ZeZhong Zheng Source Type: research