Undaria pinnatifida fucoidan extract inhibits activation of the NF-κB signaling pathway by herpes simplex virus type 1 and prevents amyloid-β peptide synthesis in retinal pigment epithelium cells

GIULIANI, MACARENA; UBOLDI, CAMILA; DELLATORRE, FERNANDO GASPAR; LATOUR, EZEQUIEL; PONCE, NORA MARTA ANDREA; STORTZ, CARLOS A.; LASSALLE, VERÓNICA LETICIA; AYALA-PEÑA, VICTORIA BELEN

ARCHIVES OF VIROLOGY

SPRINGER WIEN

Año: 2025 vol. 170

0304-8608

Neurodegenerative pathologies such as age-related macular degeneration currently have no cure or effective treatment. Inthis type of disease, the presence of amyloid-β peptides, oxidative stress, and inflammation trigger dysregulation of retinalpigment epithelial cells and progression toward the death of these cells, resulting in a loss of vision. The production ofamyloid-β peptides, oxidative stress, and inflammation can be triggered in response to viral infections. Fucoidans are sulfatedpolysaccharides that are present in the cell walls of brown algae. There is a large body of literature reporting a wide rangeof biological properties of these compounds. In this study, we investigated whether Undaria pinnatifida fucoidan extractcan prevent infection with herpes simplex virus type 1 and if the extract has antioxidant activity. We also evaluated whether,under viral infection conditions, the synthesis of amyloid-β peptide and NF-κB activation could be inhibited by the extract.The results showed for the first time that this extract can prevent viral infection in retinal pigment epithelial cells and thatthey can prevent the formation of amyloid-β peptide and the activation of the NF-κB pathway during viral infection. Wealso found that Undaria pinnatifida fucoidan extract has antioxidant activity and reduces the levels of reactive oxygen species.These data suggest that Undaria pinnatifida fucoidan extract might be effective for treating diseases triggered by viralinfections, such as degenerative retinal diseases.