Comparison of Anti-Viral Activity of Frog Skin Anti-Microbial Peptides Temporin-Sha and [K³]SHa to LL-37 and Temporin-Tb against Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1.

Roy M, Lebeau L, Chessa C, Damour A, Ladram A, Oury B, Boutolleau D, Bodet C, Lévêque N

Viruses18 Jan 2019Cited by 39 (Europe PMC)

PMID30669255PMCIDPMC6356695DOI10.3390/v11010077PepBankPUB-30669255

Summary

Temporins are anti-microbial peptides synthesized in the skin of frogs of the Ranidae family. The few studies to date that have examined their anti-viral properties have shown that they have potential as anti-viral therapies. In this work, we evaluated the anti-herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) activity of the temporin-SHa (SHa) and its synthetic analog [K³]SHa. Human cathelicidin LL-37 and temporin-Tb (Tb), previously demonstrated to have anti-HSV-1 properties, were used as positive controls. We observed that SHa and [K³]SHa significantly inhibit HSV-1 replication in human primary keratinocytes when used at micromolar concentrations. This anti-viral activity was equivalent to that of Tb, but lower than that of LL-37. Transcriptomic analyses revealed that SHa did not act through the modulation of the cell innate immune response, but rather, displayed virucidal properties by reducing infectious titer of HSV-1 in suspension. In contrast, pre-incubation of the virus with LL-37 suggests that this peptide does not act directly on the viral particle at non-cytotoxic concentrations tested. The anti-HSV-1 activity of LL-37 appears to be due to the potentiation of cellular anti-viral defenses through the induction of interferon stimulated gene expression in infected primary keratinocytes. This study demonstrated that SHa and [K³]SHa, in addition to their previously reported antibacterial and antiparasitic activities, are direct-acting anti-HSV-1 peptides. Importantly, this study extends the little studied anti-viral attributes of frog temporins and offers perspectives for the development of new anti-HSV-1 therapies.

CC BYText from Europe PMC. Highlighted sentences are the source of results.

Results from this study3

2 results from studies that gave the peptide. No result from this study comes from people.

01LabIn vitro (cells)Mechanism
In suspension tests, pre-incubating HSV-1 with LL‑37 suggested that LL‑37 does not act directly on the viral particle at the non-cytotoxic concentrations tested.
In plain wordsIn lab tests, LL‑37 did not seem to attack the herpes virus particle directly at the doses tested.
Peptide
LL-37
Outcome
No significant changeDirect action on HSV-1 viral particle
Study
humann: not reported in source
Human primary keratinocytes infected with HSV-1
Outcome group
Antiviral activity · Infection
Studied dose
Dose not stated
Source sentences
Summary
In contrast, pre-incubation of the virus with LL-37 suggests that this peptide does not act directly on the viral particle at non-cytotoxic concentrations tested.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Human cathelicidin LL-37 and temporin-Tb (Tb), previously demonstrated to have anti-HSV-1 properties, were used as positive controls.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-3066925502
02LabIn vitro (cells)Mechanism
In HSV-1 infected human primary keratinocytes, the anti-HSV-1 activity of LL‑37 appeared to be due to induction of interferon stimulated gene expression.
In plain wordsIn cells, LL‑37 seemed to fight herpes virus by switching on the cell's own antiviral genes.
Peptide
LL-37
Outcome
IncreaseInterferon stimulated gene expression in infected keratinocytes
Study
humann: not reported in source
Human primary keratinocytes infected with HSV-1
Outcome group
Antiviral activity · Infection
Studied dose
Dose not stated
Source sentences
Summary
The anti-HSV-1 activity of LL-37 appears to be due to the potentiation of cellular anti-viral defenses through the induction of interferon stimulated gene expression in infected primary keratinocytes.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Human cathelicidin LL-37 and temporin-Tb (Tb), previously demonstrated to have anti-HSV-1 properties, were used as positive controls.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-3066925503

Studies that did not test the peptide alone1

In this study, LL-37 was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. These results are not evidence about taking LL-37.

03LabNot a test of LL-37 aloneIn vitro (cells)Activity measurement
In human primary keratinocytes infected with HSV-1, the anti-viral activity of LL‑37 was higher than that of temporin-SHa and [K3]SHa.
In plain wordsIn cells, LL‑37 blocked herpes virus more strongly than the two frog peptides tested.
Peptide
LL-37
Outcome
Not applicableAnti-HSV-1 activity versus temporin-SHa and [K3]SHa
Study
humann: not reported in source
Human primary keratinocytes infected with HSV-1
Comparator
Temporin-SHa and [K3]SHa
Outcome group
Antiviral activity · Infection
Source sentences
Summary
This anti-viral activity was equivalent to that of Tb, but lower than that of LL-37.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Human cathelicidin LL-37 and temporin-Tb (Tb), previously demonstrated to have anti-HSV-1 properties, were used as positive controls.
In this study, LL-37 was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. This result is not evidence about taking LL-37.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-3066925501

AI wrote and checked these results. AI can make mistakes, so check important results against the source.

Version history

PepBank keeps every version of the data on this study. Status changes from Retraction Watch, Europe PMC and Crossref are listed with their source.

Version 3Current
11 Oct 2026, 00:50 UTC
Study results updated
Version 2
9 Oct 2026, 03:03 UTC
Study data updated · source update from Europe PMC
Version 1
9 Oct 2026, 02:57 UTC
First added · source update from Europe PMC

Subjects

Terms as the source lists them.

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