A Reliable Multifaceted Solution against Foodborne Viral Infections: The Case of RiLK1 Decapeptide
Emanuela Galatola,
Bruna Agrillo,
Marta Gogliettino,
Gianna Palmieri,
Serena Maccaroni,
Teresa Vicenza,
Yolande T. R. Proroga,
Andrea Mancusi,
Simona Di Pasquale,
Elisabetta Suffredini,
Loredana Cozzi
Affiliations
Emanuela Galatola
Institute of Biosciences and BioResources (IBBR), National Research Council (CNR), 80131 Naples, Italy
Bruna Agrillo
Institute of Biosciences and BioResources (IBBR), National Research Council (CNR), 80131 Naples, Italy
Marta Gogliettino
Institute of Biosciences and BioResources (IBBR), National Research Council (CNR), 80131 Naples, Italy
Gianna Palmieri
Institute of Biosciences and BioResources (IBBR), National Research Council (CNR), 80131 Naples, Italy
Serena Maccaroni
National Reference Laboratory for Foodborne Viruses, Department of Food Safety, Nutrition and Veterinary Public Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy
Teresa Vicenza
National Reference Laboratory for Foodborne Viruses, Department of Food Safety, Nutrition and Veterinary Public Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy
Yolande T. R. Proroga
Department of Food Microbiology, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, 80055 Portici, Italy
Andrea Mancusi
Department of Food Microbiology, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, 80055 Portici, Italy
Simona Di Pasquale
National Reference Laboratory for Foodborne Viruses, Department of Food Safety, Nutrition and Veterinary Public Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy
Elisabetta Suffredini
National Reference Laboratory for Foodborne Viruses, Department of Food Safety, Nutrition and Veterinary Public Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy
Loredana Cozzi
National Reference Laboratory for Foodborne Viruses, Department of Food Safety, Nutrition and Veterinary Public Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy
Food-borne transmission is a recognized route for many viruses associated with gastrointestinal, hepatic, or neurological diseases. Therefore, it is essential to identify new bioactive compounds with broad-spectrum antiviral activity to exploit innovative solutions against these hazards. Recently, antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have been recognized as promising antiviral agents. Indeed, while the antibacterial and antifungal effects of these molecules have been widely reported, their use as potential antiviral agents has not yet been fully investigated. Herein, the antiviral activity of previously identified or newly designed AMPs was evaluated against the non-enveloped RNA viruses, hepatitis A virus (HAV) and murine norovirus (MNV), a surrogate for human norovirus. Moreover, specific assays were performed to recognize at which stage of the viral infection cycle the peptides could function. The results showed that almost all peptides displayed virucidal effects, with about 90% of infectivity reduction in HAV or MNV. However, the decapeptide RiLK1 demonstrated, together with its antibacterial and antifungal properties, a notable reduction in viral infection for both HAV and MNV, possibly through direct interaction with viral particles causing their damage or hindering the recognition of cellular receptors. Hence, RiLK1 could represent a versatile antimicrobial agent effective against various foodborne pathogens including viruses, bacteria, and fungi.
