Novel antiviral activities primate theta defensins and mammalian cathelicidins

摘要

The present invention relates to the use of anti-viral peptides in the inhibition and treatment of viral infections, in particular infections caused by enveloped viruses. These anti-viral peptides, some natural and others artificial, adopt either amphiphilic alpha-helical or a theta structure where the homodimeric or heterodimer peptides are joined by both cysteine bonds and circularization of the peptides. These agents may be used alone or in combination with more traditional anti-viral pharmaceuticals.