Limitations of acyclovir and identification of potent HSV antivirals using 3D bioprinted human skin equivalents.

ABSTRACT: Herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection has worldwide public health concerns and lifelong medical impacts. The standard therapy, acyclovir, has limited efficacy in preventing HSV subclinical virus shedding, and drug resistance occurs in immunocompromised patients, highlighting the need for novel therapeutics. HSV manifests in the skin and mucosal epithelium. Here, we found acyclovir significantly less effective in skin-derived keratinocytes than donor-matched fibroblasts. To recapitulate in vivo tissue architecture, we 3D bioprinted human skin equivalents (HSE) in a 96-well plate format amenable for antiviral screening and preclinical testing. We screened a library of 738 compounds with broad targets and mechanisms of action and identified potent antivirals, including 23 known or exper

SUBMITTER: Ellison ST 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11661117 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature