Evaluation of the effects of Quercetin and Kaempherol on the surface of MT-2 cells visualized by atomic force microscopy

• Published in: Journal of virological methods 2011-06, Vol.174 (1-2), p.47-52
• Main Authors: Coelho-dos-Reis, Jordana Grazziela A., Gomes, Orlando Ab, Bortolini, Dener E., Martins, Marina L., Almeida, Marcia R., Martins, Camila S., Carvalho, Luciana D., Souza, Jaqueline G., Vilela, Jose Mario C., Andrade, Margareth S., Barbosa-Stancioli, Edel Figueiredo
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Antiviral Agents - pharmacology; antiviral properties; atomic force microscopy; Atomic force microscopy (AFM); Biological and medical sciences; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; glass; HTLV-1; Human T-lymphotropic virus 1; Human T-lymphotropic virus 1 - drug effects; Kaempferols - pharmacology; Kaempherol; laminar flow; methanol; mica; Microbiology; Microscopy, Atomic Force; MT-2; polyphenols; Primate T-lymphotropic virus 1; Quercetin; Quercetin - pharmacology; rapid methods; T-Lymphocytes - ultrastructure; T-Lymphocytes - virology; Techniques used in virology; ultraviolet radiation; Virology; Virus Release - drug effects; viruses
• ISSN: 0166-0934; 1879-0984
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jviromet.2011.03.019

This study investigated the anti-viral effects of the polyphenolic compounds Quercetin and Kaempherol on the release of HTLV-1 from the surface of MT-2 cells. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) was used to scan the surface of the MT-2 cells. MT-2 cells were fixed with 100% methanol on round glass lamina or cleaved mica and dried under UV light and laminar flow. The images were captured on a Multimode equipment monitored by a NanoScope IIId controller from Veeco Instruments Inc operated in tapping mode and equipped with phase-imaging hardware. The images demonstrated viral budding structures 131±57nm in size, indicating profuse viral budding. Interestingly, cell-free viruses and budding structures visualized on the surface of cells were less common when MT-2 was incubated with Quercetin, and no particles were seen on the surface of cells incubated with Kaempherol. In summary, these data indicate that HTLV-1 is budding constantly from the MT-2 cell surface and that polyphenolic compounds were able to reduce this viral release. Biological samples were analyzed with crude cell preparations just after cultivation in the presence of Quercetin and Kaempherol, showing that the AFM technique is a rapid and powerful tool for analysis of antiviral activity of new biological compounds.