Assay Method Information

Assay Name:  antiviral activity
Description:  Protection from SARS Infection: Neutral Red Endpoint The ability of compounds to protect cells against infection by the SARS coronavirus is measured by a cell viability assay similar to that described in Borenfreund, E., and Puerner, J. 1985. Toxicity determined in vitro by morphological alterations and neutral red absorption Toxicology Letters. 24:119-124, utilizing neutral red stainipg as an endpoint. Briefly, medium containing appropriate concentrations of compound or medium only is added to Vero cells. Cells are infected with SARS-associated virus or mock-infected with medium only. One to seven days later, the medium is removed and medium containing neutral red is added to the test plates. Following incubation at 37°C for two hours, cells are washed twice with PBS and a 50% EtOH, 1% acetic acid solution is added. The cells are shaken for 1 to 2 minutes and incubated at 37°C for 5 to 10 minutes. The amount of neutral red is quantified spectrophotometrically at 540nm. Data is expressed as the percent of neutral red in wells of compound-treated cells compared to neutral red in wells of uninfected, compound-free cells. The fifty percent effective concentration (EC50) is calculated as the concentration of compound that increases the percent of neutral red production in infected, compound-treated cells to 50% of that produced by uninfected, compound-free cells. The 50% cytotoxicity concentration (CC50) is calculated as the concentration of compound that decreases the percentage of neutral red produced in uninfected, compound-treated cells to 50% of that produced in uninfected, compound-free cells. The therapeutic index is calculated by dividing the cytotoxicity (CC50) by the antiviral activity (EC50).
Affinity data for this assay
 

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