Antiherpetic action of prostaglandin D2.

Several prostaglandins including PGE1, PGE2 and PGF2 alpha affect the course of viral infection. There is no report about the effect of PGD2 on virus infections, although there are reports about its antitumor effect. In the present study, we examined the effect of prostaglandin D2 (PGD2) on the growth of herpes simplex virus (HSV) type 1 in human amnion FL cells. HSV yields were inhibited when FL cells were treated with PGD2 and infected with HSV at various multiplicity of infection (MOI). Treatment with PGD2 after virus adsorption inhibited HSV yields, although treatment of FL cells with PGD2 before virus adsorption did not inhibit them. PGD2 reduced the mortality of the mice infected with HSV. In conclusion, it is suggested that PGD2 has an antiherpetic activity in vitro and in vivo.