DOI

https://doi.org/10.25772/CNVY-TJ48

Defense Date

2012

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Department

Microbiology & Immunology

First Advisor

Michael McVoy

Abstract

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections remain a significant problem in congenitally infected infants and immunocompromised individuals. Modest antiviral activities of currently approved drugs coupled with dose-limiting toxicities restrict effectiveness and promote development of resistance. The potential for ribonucleotide reductase (RR) inhibitors hydroxyurea (HU), Didox, and Trimidox to synergize, through reduction of nucleotide pools, with the deoxynucleotide analog Ganciclovir (GCV) was examined. A yield reduction assay that utilizes luciferase expressed by a recombinant virus as a surrogate measure of viral infectious units was developed and used to determine effective dose ranges for each drug. RR inhibitors exhibited intrinsic anti-CMV activities on their own with IC50 values well below toxic levels. Moreover, RR inhibitors significantly synergized with GCV. These findings provide a rationale for exploration of RR inhibitors and deoxynucleotide analogs in anti-CMV combination therapy.

Rights

© The Author

Is Part Of

VCU University Archives

Is Part Of

VCU Theses and Dissertations

Date of Submission

August 2012

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