Inhibition of HDV infection by preS1 peptide, heparin, and suramin.

PHH in HGM were exposed to HDV for 3 h. PreS1 peptide (50 nM), heparin (100 µg/ml) or suramin (70 µM) were present for the indicated periods of time. After removal of unattached virus with two washings at +3 h, infections were allowed to proceed out to 6 days at which time total RNA was extracted and analyzed by qPCR for antigenomic RNA. Data are expressed relative to cells not treated with inhibitors, along with the standard error of the mean.