Prostaglandin A1 inhibits avian influenza virus replication at a postentry level: Effect on virus protein synthesis and NF-κB activity

Influenza A viruses (IAV) have the potential to cause devastating pandemics. In recent years, the emergence of new avian strains able to infect humans represents a serious threat to global human health. The increase in drug-resistant IAV strains underscores the need for novel approaches to anti-influenza chemotherapy. Herein we show that prostaglandin-A1 (PGA1) possesses antiviral activity against avian IAV, including H5N9, H7N1 and H1N1 strains, acting at a level different from the currently available anti-influenza drugs. PGA1 acts at postentry level, causing dysregulation of viral protein synthesis and preventing virus-induced disassembly of host microtubular network and activation of pro-inflammatory factor NF-κB. The antiviral activity is dependent on the presence of a cyclopentenone ring structure and is associated with activation of a cytoprotective heat shock response in infected cells. The results suggest that cyclopentenone prostanoids or prostanoids-derived molecules may represent a new tool to combat avian influenza virus infection.