The extracellular matrix multi-tissue platform (MTP), has broad-spectrum antiviral activity and prevents varicella zoster virus in cells and human skin
Jennifer F. Moffat (PhD), SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse NY, United States
Megan G. Lloyd, PhD, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse NY, United States
Clay Fette, FetTech LLC, Davie, FL, United States
MTP is a blend of extracellular matrix components from animal tissuers, mainly collagen, elastin, and fibronectin. The powdered form is approved for human use as a dressing and treatment for wounds and burns. The gel forms was found to broadly inactivate virions of Duck Hepatitis B virus, Coronavirus OC43, Herpes Simplex Virus 1, West Nile Virus, Rubella virus, and Influenza B virus. It was less active against virions of Rabies virus, Influenza A virus H1N1 and H3N2. We evaluated MTP against Varicella Zoster virus (VZV), which causes chickenpox and herpes zoster (singles), in cells and human skin organ culture. MTP was effective agaist VZV as a pre-formulated gel (EC50 1.1%, CC50 28%, SI 25) and gel extract diluted in tissue culture medium (EC50 4.5%, CC50 75.9%, SI 17). Time-of-addition studies showed that MTP gel (12.5%) and gel extract (25%) inactivated cell-free VZV, blocked attachment and entry, and inhibited cell-cell spread when treatment was delayed up to 5 days post-infection. Histopathological analysis showed that MTP was not toxic to the skin. Studies in NuSkin mice are underway to evaluate MTP gel and gel extract against VZV in vivo. Overall, the Multi-Tissue Platform has the potential to reduce the inefectivity of a wide range of viruses, especially in the skin lesions cause by VZV or herpes simplex viruses. There is a need for topical treatments that speed lesion healing and reduce virus spread. This work was supported by NIAID DMID contract HHSN2722017000301.