Cobalt Protoporphyrin Blocks EqHV-8 Infection via IFN-α/β Production

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Equid alphaherpesvirus type 8 (EqHV-8) infection presents equids with severe respiratory disease, abortions, and neurological syndromes. No vaccines and therapeutic molecules have been reported for EqHV-8 control. In the present study, cobalt protoporphyrin (CoPP) possesses antiviral activity against EqHV-8 via HO-1 (heme oxygenase-1) mediated type I interferon (IFN) response; it will be a novel potential molecule to develop an effective therapeutic drug for EqHV-8 prevention. ABSTRACT: Equid alphaherpesvirus type 8 (EqHV-8) is the causative agent of severe respiratory disease, abortions, and neurological syndromes in equines and has resulted in huge economic losses to the donkey industry. Currently, there exist no therapeutic molecules for controlling EqHV-8 infection. We evaluated the potential antiviral activity of cobalt protoporphyrin (CoPP) against EqHV-8 infection. Our results demonstrated that CoPP inhibited EqHV-8 infection in susceptible cells and mouse models. Furthermore, CoPP blocked the replication of EqHV-8 via HO-1 (heme oxygenase-1) mediated type I interferon (IFN) response. In conclusion, our data suggested that CoPP could serve as a novel potential molecule to develop an effective therapeutic strategy for EqHV-8 prevention and control.