Innovative Compounds Enhance Cellular Defense Against Multiple Viruses

Researchers from MIT and collaborating institutions have made a significant breakthrough in antiviral drug development by discovering compounds that activate the cell’s intrinsic defense mechanisms, enabling them to combat a wide variety of viruses. Using an advanced optogenetic screening method, scientists identified molecules that stimulate the host cell's integrated stress response pathway—a natural defense system that, when activated, halts protein synthesis within infected cells, thereby impeding viral replication.

This discovery was achieved through screening nearly 400,000 chemical compounds in human cells engineered to respond to blue light stimulation. The compounds that showed promise were found to enhance the activation of PKR, a key protein that initiates the stress response. When triggered, this pathway not only blocks the replication of viruses such as RSV, herpes virus, and Zika virus but also demonstrated effectiveness in reducing herpes infection in mouse models.

The most promising candidates identified include IBX-200, IBX-202, and IBX-204. These compounds significantly lowered viral loads in infected cells and, notably, IBX-200 was able to decrease viral presence and alleviate symptoms in herpes-infected mice.

This research paves the way for developing broad-spectrum antiviral drugs that operate by modulating host cell responses rather than targeting individual viruses. Such an approach could revolutionize how we combat viral diseases, offering a versatile and powerful tool against emerging and re-emerging pathogens.

The team plans to expand testing against other viruses and explore additional compounds that harness cellular stress pathways. This innovative strategy highlights the potential of host-targeted therapies in the future landscape of antiviral medicine.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-07-newly-compounds-cells-wide-range.html