Increased human cytomegalovirus replication in fibroblasts after treatment with therapeutical plasma concentrations of valproic acid.

Martin Michaelis, Nezira Köhler, Alexander Reinisch, Daniel Eikel, Ute Gravemann, Hans Wilhelm Doerr, Heinz Nau, Jindrich Cinatl

Institut für Medizinische Virologie, Klinikum der J.W. Goethe-Universität, Paul Ehrlich-Strasse 40, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany.

Biochemical pharmacology 2004 Aug 1

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Valproic acid (2-propylpentanoic acid, VPA), an effective inhibitor of histone deacetylases (HDAC) is used for the treatment of epilepsia. In this study, structure-activity relationships for the action of structurally modified VPA derivatives on human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) replication and HDAC inhibition were defined. Pretreatment of human foreskin fibroblasts with VPA (0.125-1mM) caused a concentration-dependent increase of HCMV immediate early and antigen late antigen expression. Structure-activity relationships of VPA derivatives for HCMV stimulation were compared to those for teratogenic action and those for HDAC inhibition. Side chain elongation and introduction of a triple bond in 4-position of the other chain caused teratogenicity, stimulated HCMV replication, and increased HDAC inhibition, as demonstrated by enhanced levels of acetylated histones. Teratogenic VPA derivatives with a branched chain in 3-position as well as a non-teratogenic anticonvulsive active VPA derivative did not stimulate HCMV or accumulation of acetylated histones. This demonstrates a strict correlation between inhibition of HDAC and increased HCMV replication.

Citation

Martin Michaelis, Nezira Köhler, Alexander Reinisch, Daniel Eikel, Ute Gravemann, Hans Wilhelm Doerr, Heinz Nau, Jindrich Cinatl. Increased human cytomegalovirus replication in fibroblasts after treatment with therapeutical plasma concentrations of valproic acid. Biochemical pharmacology. 2004 Aug 1;68(3):531-8