51
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Tang WF, Chang YH, Lin CC, Jheng JR, Hsieh CF, Chin YF, Chang TY, Lee JC, Liang PH, Lin CY, Lin GH, Cai JY, Chen YL, Chen YS, Tsai SK, Liu PC, Yang CM, Shadbahr T, Tang J, Hsu YL, Huang CH, Wang LY, Chen CC, Kau JH, Hung YJ, Lee HY, Wang WC, Tsai HP, Horng JT. BPR3P0128, a non-nucleoside RNA-dependent RNA polymerase inhibitor, inhibits SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern and exerts synergistic antiviral activity in combination with remdesivir. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2024; 68:e0095623. [PMID: 38446062 PMCID: PMC10989008 DOI: 10.1128/aac.00956-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp), a highly conserved molecule in RNA viruses, has recently emerged as a promising drug target for broad-acting inhibitors. Through a Vero E6-based anti-cytopathic effect assay, we found that BPR3P0128, which incorporates a quinoline core similar to hydroxychloroquine, outperformed the adenosine analog remdesivir in inhibiting RdRp activity (EC50 = 0.66 µM and 3 µM, respectively). BPR3P0128 demonstrated broad-spectrum activity against various severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants of concern. When introduced after viral adsorption, BPR3P0128 significantly decreased SARS-CoV-2 replication; however, it did not affect the early entry stage, as evidenced by a time-of-drug-addition assay. This suggests that BPR3P0128's primary action takes place during viral replication. We also found that BPR3P0128 effectively reduced the expression of proinflammatory cytokines in human lung epithelial Calu-3 cells infected with SARS-CoV-2. Molecular docking analysis showed that BPR3P0128 targets the RdRp channel, inhibiting substrate entry, which implies it operates differently-but complementary-with remdesivir. Utilizing an optimized cell-based minigenome RdRp reporter assay, we confirmed that BPR3P0128 exhibited potent inhibitory activity. However, an enzyme-based RdRp assay employing purified recombinant nsp12/nsp7/nsp8 failed to corroborate this inhibitory activity. This suggests that BPR3P0128 may inhibit activity by targeting host-related RdRp-associated factors. Moreover, we discovered that a combination of BPR3P0128 and remdesivir had a synergistic effect-a result likely due to both drugs interacting with separate domains of the RdRp. This novel synergy between the two drugs reinforces the potential clinical value of the BPR3P0128-remdesivir combination in combating various SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Fang Tang
- Research Center for Emerging Viral Infections, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Kweishan, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Hsiu Chang
- Institute of Preventive Medicine, National Defense Medical Center, New Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Cheng-Chin Lin
- Institute of Biochemical Sciences, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Jia-Rong Jheng
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Kweishan, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Chung-Fan Hsieh
- Research Center for Emerging Viral Infections, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Kweishan, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- Department of Neurology, Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Yuan-Fan Chin
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Tein-Yao Chang
- Institute of Preventive Medicine, National Defense Medical Center, New Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Pathology and Graduate Institute of Pathology and Parasitology, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Jin-Ching Lee
- Department of Marine Biotechnology and Resources, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- Department of Biotechnology, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Po-Huang Liang
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Yi Lin
- Research Center for Emerging Viral Infections, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Kweishan, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Guan-Hua Lin
- Research Center for Emerging Viral Infections, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Kweishan, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Jie-Yun Cai
- Research Center for Emerging Viral Infections, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Kweishan, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Li Chen
- Research Center for Industry of Human Ecology and Research Center for Chinese Herbal Medicine, Graduate Institute of Health Industry Technology, Chang Gung University of Science and Technology, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Yuan-Siao Chen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Kweishan, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Shan-Ko Tsai
- Institute of Preventive Medicine, National Defense Medical Center, New Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ping-Cheng Liu
- Institute of Preventive Medicine, National Defense Medical Center, New Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chuen-Mi Yang
- Institute of Preventive Medicine, National Defense Medical Center, New Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Tolou Shadbahr
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Jing Tang
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Yu-Lin Hsu
- Institute of Preventive Medicine, National Defense Medical Center, New Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Heng Huang
- Institute of Preventive Medicine, National Defense Medical Center, New Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Medical Science, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ling-Yu Wang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Kweishan, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- Division of Medical Oncology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Cheng Cheung Chen
- Institute of Preventive Medicine, National Defense Medical Center, New Taipei, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Medical Science, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Jyh-Hwa Kau
- Institute of Preventive Medicine, National Defense Medical Center, New Taipei, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Medical Science, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Jen Hung
- Institute of Preventive Medicine, National Defense Medical Center, New Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Hsin-Yi Lee
- Institute of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Research, Value-Added MedChem Innovation Center, National Health Research Institutes, Zhunan, Miaoli, Taiwan
| | - Wen-Chieh Wang
- Institute of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Research, Value-Added MedChem Innovation Center, National Health Research Institutes, Zhunan, Miaoli, Taiwan
| | - Hui-Ping Tsai
- Institute of Preventive Medicine, National Defense Medical Center, New Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Jim-Tong Horng
- Research Center for Emerging Viral Infections, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Kweishan, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Kweishan, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- Research Center for Industry of Human Ecology and Research Center for Chinese Herbal Medicine, Graduate Institute of Health Industry Technology, Chang Gung University of Science and Technology, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- Molecular Infectious Disease Research Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taoyuan, Taiwan
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Chen Y, Liu C, Fang Y, Chen W, Qiu J, Zhu M, Wei W, Tu J. Developing CAR-immune cell therapy against SARS-CoV-2: Current status, challenges and prospects. Biochem Pharmacol 2024; 222:116066. [PMID: 38373592 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2024.116066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/21/2024]
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-immune cell therapy has revolutionized the anti-tumor field, achieving efficient and precise tumor clearance by directly guiding immune cell activity to target tumors. In addition, the use of CAR-immune cells to influence the composition and function of the immune system and ultimately achieve virus clearance and immune system homeostasis has attracted the interest of researchers. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) triggered a global pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). To date, the rapidly mutating SARS-CoV-2 continues to challenge existing therapies and has raised public concerns regarding reinfection. In patients with COVID-19, the interaction of SARS-CoV-2 with the immune system influences the course of the disease, and the coexistence of over-activated immune system components, such as macrophages, and severely compromised immune system components, such as natural killer cells, reveals a dysregulated immune system. Dysregulated immune-induced inflammation may impair viral clearance and T-cell responses, causing cytokine storms and ultimately leading to patient death. Here, we summarize the research progress on the use of CAR-immune cells against SARS-CoV-2 infection. Furthermore, we discuss the feasibility, challenges and prospect of CAR-immune cells as a new immune candidate therapy against SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yizhao Chen
- Key Laboratory of Anti-Inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Ministry of Education, Anhui Collaborative Innovation Center of Anti-Inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Chong Liu
- Key Laboratory of Anti-Inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Ministry of Education, Anhui Collaborative Innovation Center of Anti-Inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Yilong Fang
- Key Laboratory of Anti-Inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Ministry of Education, Anhui Collaborative Innovation Center of Anti-Inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Weile Chen
- Key Laboratory of Anti-Inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Ministry of Education, Anhui Collaborative Innovation Center of Anti-Inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Jiaqi Qiu
- Key Laboratory of Anti-Inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Ministry of Education, Anhui Collaborative Innovation Center of Anti-Inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Mengjuan Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Anti-Inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Ministry of Education, Anhui Collaborative Innovation Center of Anti-Inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Wei Wei
- Key Laboratory of Anti-Inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Ministry of Education, Anhui Collaborative Innovation Center of Anti-Inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China.
| | - Jiajie Tu
- Key Laboratory of Anti-Inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Ministry of Education, Anhui Collaborative Innovation Center of Anti-Inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China.
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Brady DK, Gurijala AR, Huang L, Hussain AA, Lingan AL, Pembridge OG, Ratangee BA, Sealy TT, Vallone KT, Clements TP. A guide to COVID-19 antiviral therapeutics: a summary and perspective of the antiviral weapons against SARS-CoV-2 infection. FEBS J 2024; 291:1632-1662. [PMID: 36266238 PMCID: PMC9874604 DOI: 10.1111/febs.16662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2022] [Revised: 08/11/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Antiviral therapies are integral in the fight against SARS-CoV-2 (i.e. severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2), the causative agent of COVID-19. Antiviral therapeutics can be divided into categories based on how they combat the virus, including viral entry into the host cell, viral replication, protein trafficking, post-translational processing, and immune response regulation. Drugs that target how the virus enters the cell include: Evusheld, REGEN-COV, bamlanivimab and etesevimab, bebtelovimab, sotrovimab, Arbidol, nitazoxanide, and chloroquine. Drugs that prevent the virus from replicating include: Paxlovid, remdesivir, molnupiravir, favipiravir, ribavirin, and Kaletra. Drugs that interfere with protein trafficking and post-translational processing include nitazoxanide and ivermectin. Lastly, drugs that target immune response regulation include interferons and the use of anti-inflammatory drugs such as dexamethasone. Antiviral therapies offer an alternative solution for those unable or unwilling to be vaccinated and are a vital weapon in the battle against the global pandemic. Learning more about these therapies helps raise awareness in the general population about the options available to them with respect to aiding in the reduction of the severity of COVID-19 infection. In this 'A Guide To' article, we provide an in-depth insight into the development of antiviral therapeutics against SARS-CoV-2 and their ability to help fight COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Drugan K. Brady
- Department of Biological SciencesVanderbilt UniversityNashvilleTNUSA
| | - Aashi R. Gurijala
- Department of Biological SciencesVanderbilt UniversityNashvilleTNUSA
| | - Liyu Huang
- Department of Biological SciencesVanderbilt UniversityNashvilleTNUSA
| | - Ali A. Hussain
- Department of Biological SciencesVanderbilt UniversityNashvilleTNUSA
| | - Audrey L. Lingan
- Department of Biological SciencesVanderbilt UniversityNashvilleTNUSA
| | | | - Brina A. Ratangee
- Department of Biological SciencesVanderbilt UniversityNashvilleTNUSA
| | - Tristan T. Sealy
- Department of Biological SciencesVanderbilt UniversityNashvilleTNUSA
| | - Kyle T. Vallone
- Department of Biological SciencesVanderbilt UniversityNashvilleTNUSA
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Wommack A, Holloway AB, Stallings KA, Lundin PM. Scaling the Process Chemistry of a COVID-19 Antiviral Pharmaceutical Down for a Multistep Synthesis Experiment in the Undergraduate Teaching Laboratory. JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL EDUCATION 2024; 101:1211-1217. [PMID: 38495616 PMCID: PMC10938635 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jchemed.3c00999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2023] [Revised: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024]
Abstract
Molnupiravir is an orally bioavailable direct acting antiviral agent that received emergency use authorization in late 2021 from the FDA for the treatment of patients with mild, moderate, or severe COVID-19. This prodrug is metabolized into a ribonucleoside that is incorporated into the viral RNA during replication. Its tautomerization between cytidine- and uridine-like forms ultimately causes multiple irreversible errors in the genetic code of the virus, which prevents successful viral replication. There are multiple process chemistry routes for molnupiravir synthesis published in the literature that attempt to maximize synthetic yield while minimizing cost and waste, which are goals similar to those of an implementable educational laboratory experiment for the teaching laboratory. We have developed a multiweek laboratory module for undergraduate students in which students conduct a multistep synthesis of molnupiravir. Specifically, our Organic Chemistry II Laboratory students performed the final two steps of molnupiravir synthesis using procedures derived directly from the published process chemistry literature. We utilized this opportunity to introduce students to reading and interpreting these primary experimental sources. Students obtained authentic characterization data via high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy to assess the conversion and purity of their products at each synthetic step. We report our in-lab activities and student generated data as well as suggestions for how this laboratory experiment could be tailored to meet similar learning objectives in other courses, such as medicinal chemistry or capstone laboratory courses, and as a function of available instrumentation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew
J. Wommack
- Department
of Chemistry, High Point University, High Point, North Carolina 27268, United States
- Cambrex, High Point, North Carolina 27265, United States
| | - Aaliyah B. Holloway
- Department
of Chemistry, High Point University, High Point, North Carolina 27268, United States
| | - Kaitlyn A. Stallings
- Department
of Chemistry, High Point University, High Point, North Carolina 27268, United States
| | - Pamela M. Lundin
- Department
of Chemistry, High Point University, High Point, North Carolina 27268, United States
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Haid S, Matthaei A, Winkler M, Sake SM, Gunesch AP, Milke V, Köhler NM, Rückert J, Vieyres G, Kühl D, Nguyen TT, Göhl M, Lasswitz L, Zapatero-Belinchón FJ, Brogden G, Gerold G, Wiegmann B, Bilitewski U, Brown RJP, Brönstrup M, Schulz TF, Pietschmann T. Repurposing screen identifies novel candidates for broad-spectrum coronavirus antivirals and druggable host targets. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2024; 68:e0121023. [PMID: 38319076 PMCID: PMC10916382 DOI: 10.1128/aac.01210-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Libraries composed of licensed drugs represent a vast repertoire of molecules modulating physiological processes in humans, providing unique opportunities for the discovery of host-targeting antivirals. We screened the Repurposing, Focused Rescue, and Accelerated Medchem (ReFRAME) repurposing library with approximately 12,000 molecules for broad-spectrum coronavirus antivirals and discovered 134 compounds inhibiting an alphacoronavirus and mapping to 58 molecular target categories. Dominant targets included the 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor, the dopamine receptor, and cyclin-dependent kinases. Gene knock-out of the drugs' host targets including cathepsin B and L (CTSB/L; VBY-825), the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR; Phortress), the farnesyl-diphosphate farnesyltransferase 1 (FDFT1; P-3622), and the kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (KEAP1; Omaveloxolone), significantly modulated HCoV-229E infection, providing evidence that these compounds inhibited the virus through acting on their respective host targets. Counter-screening of all 134 primary compound candidates with SARS-CoV-2 and validation in primary cells identified Phortress, an AHR activating ligand, P-3622-targeting FDFT1, and Omaveloxolone, which activates the NFE2-like bZIP transcription factor 2 (NFE2L2) by liberating it from its endogenous inhibitor KEAP1, as antiviral candidates for both an Alpha- and a Betacoronavirus. This study provides an overview of HCoV-229E repurposing candidates and reveals novel potentially druggable viral host dependency factors hijacked by diverse coronaviruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sibylle Haid
- Institute for Experimental Virology, Twincore - Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Hannover, Germany
| | - Alina Matthaei
- Institute for Experimental Virology, Twincore - Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Hannover, Germany
| | - Melina Winkler
- Institute for Experimental Virology, Twincore - Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Hannover, Germany
| | - Svenja M. Sake
- Institute for Experimental Virology, Twincore - Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Hannover, Germany
| | - Antonia P. Gunesch
- Institute for Experimental Virology, Twincore - Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Hannover, Germany
| | - Vanessa Milke
- Institute for Experimental Virology, Twincore - Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Hannover, Germany
| | - Natalie M. Köhler
- Institute for Experimental Virology, Twincore - Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Hannover, Germany
| | - Jessica Rückert
- Institute of Virology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research, Hannover-Braunschweig Site, Hannover, Germany
| | - Gabrielle Vieyres
- Junior Research Group “Cell Biology of RNA Viruses”, Leibniz Institute of Experimental Virology, Hamburg, Germany
- Integrative Analysis of Pathogen-Induced Compartments, Leibniz ScienceCampus InterACt, Hamburg, Germany
| | - David Kühl
- Junior Research Group “Cell Biology of RNA Viruses”, Leibniz Institute of Experimental Virology, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Tu-Trinh Nguyen
- Calibr, a Division of The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Matthias Göhl
- German Center for Infection Research, Hannover-Braunschweig Site, Hannover, Germany
- Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Lisa Lasswitz
- Institute for Experimental Virology, Twincore - Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Hannover, Germany
- Department of Biochemistry & Research Center for Emerging Infections and Zoonoses (RIZ), University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Francisco J. Zapatero-Belinchón
- Institute for Experimental Virology, Twincore - Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Hannover, Germany
- Department of Biochemistry & Research Center for Emerging Infections and Zoonoses (RIZ), University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Graham Brogden
- Institute for Experimental Virology, Twincore - Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Hannover, Germany
- Department of Biochemistry & Research Center for Emerging Infections and Zoonoses (RIZ), University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Gisa Gerold
- Institute for Experimental Virology, Twincore - Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Hannover, Germany
- Department of Biochemistry & Research Center for Emerging Infections and Zoonoses (RIZ), University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Virology, 901 87 Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
- Wallenberg Centre for Molecular Medicine (WCMM), 901 87 Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
- Cluster of Excellence RESIST (EXC 2155), Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Bettina Wiegmann
- Department of Cardiothoracic, Transplantation and Vascular Surgery, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- Lower Saxony Center for Biomedical Engineering, Implant Research and Development, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- BREATH (Biomedical Research in Endstage and Obstructive Lung Disease Hannover), German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Carl-Neuberg Str. 1, Hannover, Germany
| | | | - Richard J. P. Brown
- Division of Veterinary Medicine, Paul Ehrlich Institute, Langen, Germany
- Department of Molecular and Medical Virology, Ruhr University, Bochum, Germany
| | - Mark Brönstrup
- German Center for Infection Research, Hannover-Braunschweig Site, Hannover, Germany
- Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Thomas F. Schulz
- Institute of Virology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research, Hannover-Braunschweig Site, Hannover, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence RESIST (EXC 2155), Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Thomas Pietschmann
- Institute for Experimental Virology, Twincore - Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Hannover, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research, Hannover-Braunschweig Site, Hannover, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence RESIST (EXC 2155), Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
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Wong XK, Ng CS, Yeong KY. Shaping the future of antiviral Treatment: Spotlight on Nucleobase-Containing drugs and their revolutionary impact. Bioorg Chem 2024; 144:107150. [PMID: 38309002 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2024.107150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2023] [Revised: 12/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/05/2024]
Abstract
Nucleobases serve as essential molecular frameworks present in both natural and synthetic compounds that exhibit notable antiviral activity. Through molecular modifications, novel nucleobase-containing drugs (NCDs) have been developed, exhibiting enhanced antiviral activity against a wide range of viruses, including the recently emerged SARS‑CoV‑2. This article provides a detailed examination of the significant advancements in NCDs from 2015 till current, encompassing various aspects concerning their mechanisms of action, pharmacology and antiviral properties. Additionally, the article discusses antiviral prodrugs relevant to the scope of this review. It fills in the knowledge gap by examining the structure-activity relationship and trend of NCDs as therapeutics against a diverse range of viral diseases, either as approved drugs, clinical candidates or as early-stage development prospects. Moreover, the article highlights on the status of this field of study and addresses the prevailing limitations encountered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xi Khai Wong
- School of Science, Monash University (Malaysia Campus), Jalan Lagoon Selatan, Bandar Sunway, 47500 Subang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Chen Seng Ng
- School of Science, Monash University (Malaysia Campus), Jalan Lagoon Selatan, Bandar Sunway, 47500 Subang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Keng Yoon Yeong
- School of Science, Monash University (Malaysia Campus), Jalan Lagoon Selatan, Bandar Sunway, 47500 Subang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia.
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Lobinska G, Tretyachenko V, Dahan O, Nowak MA, Pilpel Y. The evolutionary safety of mutagenic drugs should be assessed before drug approval. PLoS Biol 2024; 22:e3002570. [PMID: 38489394 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3002570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Revised: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Some drugs increase the mutation rate of their target pathogen, a potentially concerning mechanism as the pathogen might evolve faster toward an undesired phenotype. We suggest a four-step assessment of evolutionary safety for the approval of such treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela Lobinska
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | | | - Orna Dahan
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Martin A Nowak
- Department of Mathematics & Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Yitzhak Pilpel
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
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Bohmwald K, Diethelm-Varela B, Rodríguez-Guilarte L, Rivera T, Riedel CA, González PA, Kalergis AM. Pathophysiological, immunological, and inflammatory features of long COVID. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1341600. [PMID: 38482000 PMCID: PMC10932978 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1341600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic continues to cause severe global disruption, resulting in significant excess mortality, overwhelming healthcare systems, and imposing substantial social and economic burdens on nations. While most of the attention and therapeutic efforts have concentrated on the acute phase of the disease, a notable proportion of survivors experience persistent symptoms post-infection clearance. This diverse set of symptoms, loosely categorized as long COVID, presents a potential additional public health crisis. It is estimated that 1 in 5 COVID-19 survivors exhibit clinical manifestations consistent with long COVID. Despite this prevalence, the mechanisms and pathophysiology of long COVID remain poorly understood. Alarmingly, evidence suggests that a significant proportion of cases within this clinical condition develop debilitating or disabling symptoms. Hence, urgent priority should be given to further studies on this condition to equip global public health systems for its management. This review provides an overview of available information on this emerging clinical condition, focusing on the affected individuals' epidemiology, pathophysiological mechanisms, and immunological and inflammatory profiles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen Bohmwald
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy. Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Autónoma de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Benjamín Diethelm-Varela
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy. Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Linmar Rodríguez-Guilarte
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy. Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Thomas Rivera
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy. Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Claudia A. Riedel
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andrés Bello, Santiago, Chile
| | - Pablo A. González
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy. Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Alexis M. Kalergis
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy. Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Departamento de Endocrinología, Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
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Standing JF, Buggiotti L, Guerra-Assuncao JA, Woodall M, Ellis S, Agyeman AA, Miller C, Okechukwu M, Kirkpatrick E, Jacobs AI, Williams CA, Roy S, Martin-Bernal LM, Williams R, Smith CM, Sanderson T, Ashford FB, Emmanuel B, Afzal ZM, Shields A, Richter AG, Dorward J, Gbinigie O, Van Hecke O, Lown M, Francis N, Jani B, Richards DB, Rahman NM, Yu LM, Thomas NPB, Hart ND, Evans P, Andersson M, Hayward G, Hood K, Nguyen-Van-Tam JS, Little P, Hobbs FDR, Khoo S, Butler C, Lowe DM, Breuer J. Randomized controlled trial of molnupiravir SARS-CoV-2 viral and antibody response in at-risk adult outpatients. Nat Commun 2024; 15:1652. [PMID: 38396069 PMCID: PMC10891158 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-45641-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Viral clearance, antibody response and the mutagenic effect of molnupiravir has not been elucidated in at-risk populations. Non-hospitalised participants within 5 days of SARS-CoV-2 symptoms randomised to receive molnupiravir (n = 253) or Usual Care (n = 324) were recruited to study viral and antibody dynamics and the effect of molnupiravir on viral whole genome sequence from 1437 viral genomes. Molnupiravir accelerates viral load decline, but virus is detectable by Day 5 in most cases. At Day 14 (9 days post-treatment), molnupiravir is associated with significantly higher viral persistence and significantly lower anti-SARS-CoV-2 spike antibody titres compared to Usual Care. Serial sequencing reveals increased mutagenesis with molnupiravir treatment. Persistence of detectable viral RNA at Day 14 in the molnupiravir group is associated with higher transition mutations following treatment cessation. Viral viability at Day 14 is similar in both groups with post-molnupiravir treated samples cultured up to 9 days post cessation of treatment. The current 5-day molnupiravir course is too short. Longer courses should be tested to reduce the risk of potentially transmissible molnupiravir-mutated variants being generated. Trial registration: ISRCTN30448031.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph F Standing
- Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK.
- Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Trust, London, UK.
| | - Laura Buggiotti
- Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Jose Afonso Guerra-Assuncao
- Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Maximillian Woodall
- Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Samuel Ellis
- Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Akosua A Agyeman
- Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Charles Miller
- Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Trust, London, UK
| | - Mercy Okechukwu
- Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Emily Kirkpatrick
- Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Amy I Jacobs
- Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Charlotte A Williams
- Genetics and Genomic Medicine Department, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Sunando Roy
- Genetics and Genomic Medicine Department, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Luz M Martin-Bernal
- Genetics and Genomic Medicine Department, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Rachel Williams
- Genetics and Genomic Medicine Department, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Claire M Smith
- Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK
| | | | - Fiona B Ashford
- Clinical Immunology Service, Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Beena Emmanuel
- Clinical Immunology Service, Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Zaheer M Afzal
- Clinical Immunology Service, Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Adrian Shields
- Clinical Immunology Service, Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Alex G Richter
- Clinical Immunology Service, Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Jienchi Dorward
- Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA), University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Oghenekome Gbinigie
- Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Oliver Van Hecke
- Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Mark Lown
- Primary Care Research Centre, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Nick Francis
- Primary Care Research Centre, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Bhautesh Jani
- School of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Duncan B Richards
- Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Najib M Rahman
- Respiratory Trials Unit and Oxford NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Ly-Mee Yu
- Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | | | - Nigel D Hart
- School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences. Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK
| | - Philip Evans
- APEx (Exeter Collaboration for Academic Primary Care), University of Exeter Medical School, Exeter, UK
- National Institute of Health and Care Research, Clinical Research Network, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | | | - Gail Hayward
- Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Kerenza Hood
- Centre for Trials Research, Cardiff University, Wales, UK
| | | | - Paul Little
- Primary Care Research Centre, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - F D Richard Hobbs
- Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Saye Khoo
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Liverpool and Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool, UK
| | - Christopher Butler
- Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - David M Lowe
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
- Institute of Immunity and Transplantation, University College London, London, UK
| | - Judith Breuer
- Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK
- Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Trust, London, UK
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60
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Hanna G, Benjamin MM, Choo YM, De R, Schinazi RF, Nielson SE, Hevel JM, Hamann MT. Informatics and Computational Approaches for the Discovery and Optimization of Natural Product-Inspired Inhibitors of the SARS-CoV-2 2'- O-Methyltransferase. JOURNAL OF NATURAL PRODUCTS 2024; 87:217-227. [PMID: 38242544 PMCID: PMC10898454 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jnatprod.3c00875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2023] [Revised: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/21/2024]
Abstract
The urgent need for new classes of orally available, safe, and effective antivirals─covering a breadth of emerging viruses─is evidenced by the loss of life and economic challenges created by the HIV-1 and SARS-CoV-2 pandemics. As frontline interventions, small-molecule antivirals can be deployed prophylactically or postinfection to control the initial spread of outbreaks by reducing transmissibility and symptom severity. Natural products have an impressive track record of success as prototypic antivirals and continue to provide new drugs through synthesis, medicinal chemistry, and optimization decades after discovery. Here, we demonstrate an approach using computational analysis typically used for rational drug design to identify and develop natural product-inspired antivirals. This was done with the goal of identifying natural product prototypes to aid the effort of progressing toward safe, effective, and affordable broad-spectrum inhibitors of Betacoronavirus replication by targeting the highly conserved RNA 2'-O-methyltransferase (2'-O-MTase). Machaeriols RS-1 (7) and RS-2 (8) were identified using a previously outlined informatics approach to first screen for natural product prototypes, followed by in silico-guided synthesis. Both molecules are based on a rare natural product group. The machaeriols (3-6), isolated from the genus Machaerium, endemic to Amazonia, inhibited the SARS-CoV-2 2'-O-MTase more potently than the positive control, Sinefungin (2), and in silico modeling suggests distinct molecular interactions. This report highlights the potential of computationally driven screening to leverage natural product libraries and improve the efficiency of isolation or synthetic analog development.
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Affiliation(s)
- George
S. Hanna
- Department
of Drug Discovery, Biomedical Sciences and Public Health, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina 29425, United States
| | - Menny M. Benjamin
- Department
of Drug Discovery, Biomedical Sciences and Public Health, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina 29425, United States
| | - Yeun-Mun Choo
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Ramyani De
- Center
for ViroScience and Cure, Laboratory of Biochemical Pharmacology,
Department of Pediatrics, Emory University
School of Medicine, 1760 Haygood Drive, NE Atlanta, Georgia 30322, United States
| | - Raymond F. Schinazi
- Center
for ViroScience and Cure, Laboratory of Biochemical Pharmacology,
Department of Pediatrics, Emory University
School of Medicine, 1760 Haygood Drive, NE Atlanta, Georgia 30322, United States
| | - Sarah E. Nielson
- Department
of Chemistry & Biochemistry, Utah State
University, Logan, Utah 84322, United States
| | - Joan M. Hevel
- Department
of Chemistry & Biochemistry, Utah State
University, Logan, Utah 84322, United States
| | - Mark T. Hamann
- Department
of Drug Discovery, Biomedical Sciences and Public Health, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina 29425, United States
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61
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Choi H, Hwang M, Cornelius L, Navarathna DH, Chatterjee P, Jinadatha C. Evolution of a Distinct SARS-CoV-2 Lineage Identified during an Investigation of a Hospital Outbreak. Viruses 2024; 16:337. [PMID: 38543703 PMCID: PMC10974601 DOI: 10.3390/v16030337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2023] [Revised: 02/14/2024] [Accepted: 02/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/23/2024] Open
Abstract
The SARS-CoV-2 virus steadily evolves, and numerous antigenically distinct variants have emerged over the past three years. Tracking the evolution of the virus would help us understand the process that generates the diverse variants and predict the future evolutionary trajectory of SARS-CoV-2. Here, we report the evolutionary trajectory of a unique Omicron lineage identified during an outbreak investigation that occurred in a residence unit in the healthcare system. The new lineage had four distinct non-synonymous and two distinct synonymous mutations apart from its parental lineage. Since this lineage of virus was exclusively found during the outbreak, we were able to track the detailed evolutionary history of the entire lineage along the transmission path. Furthermore, we estimated the evolutionary rate of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant from the analysis of the evolution of the lineage. This new Omicron sub-lineage acquired 3 mutations in a 12-day period, and the evolutionary rate was estimated as 3.05 × 10-3 subs/site/year. This study provides more insight into an ever-evolving virus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hosoon Choi
- Department of Research, Central Texas Veterans Health Care System, Temple, TX 76504, USA; (M.H.); (P.C.)
| | - Munok Hwang
- Department of Research, Central Texas Veterans Health Care System, Temple, TX 76504, USA; (M.H.); (P.C.)
| | - Lisa Cornelius
- Department of Medicine, Central Texas Veterans Health Care System, Temple, TX 76504, USA; (L.C.); (C.J.)
| | - Dhammika H. Navarathna
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Services, Central Texas Veterans Health Care System, Temple, TX 76504, USA;
| | - Piyali Chatterjee
- Department of Research, Central Texas Veterans Health Care System, Temple, TX 76504, USA; (M.H.); (P.C.)
| | - Chetan Jinadatha
- Department of Medicine, Central Texas Veterans Health Care System, Temple, TX 76504, USA; (L.C.); (C.J.)
- School of Medicine, Texas A&M University, Bryan, TX 77807, USA
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62
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Yang M, Li C, Ye G, Shen C, Shi H, Zhong L, Tian Y, Zhao M, Wu P, Hussain A, Zhang T, Yang H, Yang J, Weng Y, Liu X, Wang Z, Gan L, Zhang Q, Liu Y, Yang G, Huang Y, Zhao Y. Aptamers targeting SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein exhibit potential anti pan-coronavirus activity. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2024; 9:40. [PMID: 38355661 PMCID: PMC10866937 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-024-01748-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Revised: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Emerging and recurrent infectious diseases caused by human coronaviruses (HCoVs) continue to pose a significant threat to global public health security. In light of this ongoing threat, the development of a broad-spectrum drug to combat HCoVs is an urgently priority. Herein, we report a series of anti-pan-coronavirus ssDNA aptamers screened using Systematic Evolution of Ligands by Exponential Enrichment (SELEX). These aptamers have nanomolar affinity with the nucleocapsid protein (NP) of Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and also show excellent binding efficiency to the N proteins of both SARS, MERS, HCoV-OC43 and -NL63 with affinity KD values of 1.31 to 135.36 nM. Such aptamer-based therapeutics exhibited potent antiviral activity against both the authentic SARS-CoV-2 prototype strain and the Omicron variant (BA.5) with EC50 values at 2.00 nM and 41.08 nM, respectively. The protein docking analysis also evidenced that these aptamers exhibit strong affinities for N proteins of pan-coronavirus and other HCoVs (-229E and -HKU1). In conclusion, we have identified six aptamers with a high pan-coronavirus antiviral activity, which could potentially serve as an effective strategy for preventing infections by unknown coronaviruses and addressing the ongoing global health threat.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minghui Yang
- School of Life Science, Advanced Research Institute of Multidisciplinary Science, Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Biotherapy, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Chunhui Li
- School of Life Science, Advanced Research Institute of Multidisciplinary Science, Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Biotherapy, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Guoguo Ye
- National Clinical Research Center for infectious disease, Shenzhen Third People's Hospital, Second Hospital Affiliated to Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518112, China
| | - Chenguang Shen
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Huiping Shi
- School of Life Science, Advanced Research Institute of Multidisciplinary Science, Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Biotherapy, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Liping Zhong
- State Key Laboratory of Targeting Oncology, National Center for International Research of Biotargeting Theranostics, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Biotargeting Theranostics, Collaborative Innovation Center for Targeting Tumor Diagnosis and Therapy, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, China
| | - Yuxin Tian
- School of Life Science, Advanced Research Institute of Multidisciplinary Science, Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Biotherapy, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Mengyuan Zhao
- School of Life Science, Advanced Research Institute of Multidisciplinary Science, Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Biotherapy, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Pengfei Wu
- School of Life Science, Advanced Research Institute of Multidisciplinary Science, Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Biotherapy, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Abid Hussain
- School of Life Science, Advanced Research Institute of Multidisciplinary Science, Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Biotherapy, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Tian Zhang
- School of Life Science, Advanced Research Institute of Multidisciplinary Science, Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Biotherapy, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Haiyin Yang
- School of Life Science, Advanced Research Institute of Multidisciplinary Science, Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Biotherapy, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Jun Yang
- School of Life Science, Advanced Research Institute of Multidisciplinary Science, Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Biotherapy, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Yuhua Weng
- School of Life Science, Advanced Research Institute of Multidisciplinary Science, Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Biotherapy, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Xinyue Liu
- School of Life Science, Advanced Research Institute of Multidisciplinary Science, Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Biotherapy, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Zhimin Wang
- School of Life Science, Advanced Research Institute of Multidisciplinary Science, Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Biotherapy, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Lu Gan
- State Key Laboratory of Targeting Oncology, National Center for International Research of Biotargeting Theranostics, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Biotargeting Theranostics, Collaborative Innovation Center for Targeting Tumor Diagnosis and Therapy, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, China
| | - Qianyu Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Targeting Oncology, National Center for International Research of Biotargeting Theranostics, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Biotargeting Theranostics, Collaborative Innovation Center for Targeting Tumor Diagnosis and Therapy, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, China
| | - Yingxia Liu
- National Clinical Research Center for infectious disease, Shenzhen Third People's Hospital, Second Hospital Affiliated to Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518112, China
| | - Ge Yang
- CAMS Key Laboratory of Antiviral Drug Research, Beijing Key Laboratory of Antimicrobial Agents, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100730, China.
| | - Yuanyu Huang
- School of Life Science, Advanced Research Institute of Multidisciplinary Science, Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Biotherapy, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 100081, China.
| | - Yongxiang Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Targeting Oncology, National Center for International Research of Biotargeting Theranostics, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Biotargeting Theranostics, Collaborative Innovation Center for Targeting Tumor Diagnosis and Therapy, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, China.
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63
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Allayeh AK, El-boghdady AH, Said MA, Saleh MGA, Abdel-Aal MT, Abouelenein MG. Discovery of Pyrano[2,3- c]pyrazole Derivatives as Novel Potential Human Coronavirus Inhibitors: Design, Synthesis, In Silico, In Vitro, and ADME Studies. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2024; 17:198. [PMID: 38399412 PMCID: PMC10892497 DOI: 10.3390/ph17020198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2023] [Revised: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic at the end of 2019 had major worldwide health and economic consequences. Until effective vaccination approaches were created, the healthcare sectors endured a shortage of operative treatments that might prevent the infection's spread. As a result, academia and the pharmaceutical industry prioritized the development of SARS-CoV2 antiviral medication. Pyranopyrazoles have been shown to play a prominent function in pharmaceutical chemistry and drug sighting because of their significant bioactive properties. We provide herein a novel sequence of pyranopyrazoles and their annulated systems whose antiviral efficacy and cytotoxicity were explored versus human coronavirus 229E (HCoV-229E) Vero-E6 cell lines as a model for the Coronaviridae family. Fifteen synthetic congeners pointed out miscellaneous antiviral efficacies against HCoV-229E with variable inhibition degrees. Compound 18 showed a high selectivity index (SI = 12.6) that established spectacular inhibitory capacity against human coronavirus 229E. Compounds 6, 7, and 14 exposed moderate efficacies. Compounds 6, 7, 14, and 18 exhibited substantial antiviral action through the replication phase with reduction percentages extending from 53.6%, 60.7%, and 55% to 82.2%, correspondingly. Likewise, when assessed to the positive control tipranavir (88.6%), the inhibitory efficiency of compounds 6, 7, 14, and 18 versus the SARS-CoV2 Mpro provided high percentages of 80.4%, 73.1%, 81.4% and up to 84.5%, respectively. In silico studies were performed to investigate further the biological activity and the target compounds' physical and chemical features, including molecular dynamic (MD) simulations, protein-ligand docking, ADME studies, and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. These inquiries demonstrated that this series of metabolically stable pyranopyrazoles and their annulated systems are effective human coronavirus inhibitors that inhibit the viral Mpro protein and may have emerged as a novel COVID-19 curative option.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdou K. Allayeh
- Environmental Virology Laboratory 176, Water Pollution Research Department, Environment and Climate Change Institute, National Research Centre (NRC), 33 El-Behouth St., Dokki, Giza 12622, Egypt;
| | - Aliaa H. El-boghdady
- Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Menofia University, Shebin El-Kom 32511, Egypt; (A.H.E.-b.); (M.T.A.-A.); (M.G.A.)
| | - Mohamed A. Said
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Egyptian Russian University, Cairo 11829, Egypt;
| | - Mahmoud G. A. Saleh
- Department of Chemistry, College of Science, Northern Border University, Arar 91431, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammed T. Abdel-Aal
- Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Menofia University, Shebin El-Kom 32511, Egypt; (A.H.E.-b.); (M.T.A.-A.); (M.G.A.)
| | - Mohamed G. Abouelenein
- Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Menofia University, Shebin El-Kom 32511, Egypt; (A.H.E.-b.); (M.T.A.-A.); (M.G.A.)
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64
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Kiy RT, Khoo SH, Chadwick AE. Assessing the mitochondrial safety profile of the molnupiravir active metabolite, β-d-N4-hydroxycytidine (NHC), in the physiologically relevant HepaRG model. Toxicol Res (Camb) 2024; 13:tfae012. [PMID: 38328743 PMCID: PMC10848230 DOI: 10.1093/toxres/tfae012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2023] [Revised: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Background β-d-N4-Hydroxycytidine (NHC) is the active metabolite of molnupiravir, a broad-spectrum antiviral approved by the MHRA for COVID-19 treatment. NHC induces lethal mutagenesis of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, undergoing incorporation into the viral genome and arresting viral replication. It has previously been reported that several nucleoside analogues elicit off-target inhibition of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) or RNA replication. Although NHC does not exert these effects in HepG2 cells, HepaRG are proven to be advantageous over HepG2 for modelling nucleoside analogue-induced mitochondrial dysfunction. Therefore, the objective of this work was to assess the mitotoxic potential of NHC in HepaRG cells, a model more closely resembling physiological human liver. Methods Differentiated HepaRG cells were exposed to 1-60 μM NHC for 3-14 days to investigate effects of sub-, supra-, and clinically-relevant exposures (in the UK, molnupiravir for COVID-19 is indicated for 5 days and reported Cmax is 16 μM). Following drug incubation, cell viability, mtDNA copy number, mitochondrial protein expression, and mitochondrial respiration were assessed. Results NHC induced minor decreases in cell viability at clinically relevant exposures, but did not decrease mitochondrial protein expression. The effects on mtDNA were variable, but typically copy number was increased. At supra-clinical concentrations (60 μM), NHC reduced mitochondrial respiration, but did not appear to induce direct electron transport chain dysfunction. Conclusions Overall, NHC does not cause direct mitochondrial toxicity in HepaRG cells at clinically relevant concentrations, but may induce minor cellular perturbations. As HepaRG cells have increased physiological relevance, these findings provide additional assurance of the mitochondrial safety profile of NHC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robyn T Kiy
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Liverpool, Sherrington Building, Ashton Street, Liverpool, L69 3GE, United Kingdom
| | - Saye H Khoo
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Liverpool, Sherrington Building, Ashton Street, Liverpool, L69 3GE, United Kingdom
- Tropical Infectious Diseases Unit, Royal Liverpool University Hospital, Prescot Street, Liverpool, L7 8XP, United Kingdom
| | - Amy E Chadwick
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Liverpool, Sherrington Building, Ashton Street, Liverpool, L69 3GE, United Kingdom
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Abbasi M, Mansourian M, Oskouie AA, Taheri S, Mahnam K. In-silico study MM/GBSA binding free energy and molecular dynamics simulation of some designed remdesivir derivatives as the inhibitory potential of SARS-CoV-2 main protease. Res Pharm Sci 2024; 19:29-41. [PMID: 39006973 PMCID: PMC11244705 DOI: 10.4103/1735-5362.394818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2023] [Revised: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 07/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Background and purpose Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is one of the greatest challenges of the twentieth century. Recently, in silico tools help to predict new inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2. In this study, the new compounds based on the remdesivir structure (12 compounds) were designed. Experimental approach The main interactions of remdesivir and designed compounds were investigated in the 3CLpro active site. The binding free energy of compounds by the MM-GBSA method was calculated and the best compound (compound 12 with the value of -88.173 kcal/mol) was introduced to the molecular dynamics simulation study. Findings/Results The simulation results were compared with the results of protein simulation without the presence of an inhibitor and in the presence of remdesivir. Additionally, the RMSD results for the protein backbone showed that compound 12 in the second 50 nanoseconds has less fluctuation than the protein alone and in the presence of remdesivir, which indicates the stability of the compound in the active site of the Mpro protein. Furthermore, protein compactness was investigated in the absence of compounds and the presence of compound 12 and remdesivir. The Rg diagram shows a fluctuation of approximately 0.05 A, which indicates the compressibility of the protein in the presence and absence of compounds. The results of the RMSF plot also show the stability of essential amino acids during protein binding. Conclusion and implications Supported by the theoretical results, compound 12 could have the potential to inhibit the 3CLpro enzyme, which requires further in vitro studies and enzyme inhibition must also be confirmed at protein levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Abbasi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences, Bandar Abbas, Iran
| | - Mahboubeh Mansourian
- Medicinal Plants Research Center, Yasuj University of Medical Sciences, Yasuj, I.R. Iran
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Yasuj University of Medical Sciences, Yasuj, I.R. Iran
| | - Afsaneh Arefi Oskouie
- Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Paramedical Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, I.R. Iran
| | - Salman Taheri
- Chemistry & Chemical Engineering Research Center of Iran, P.O. Box 14335-186, Tehran, I.R. Iran
| | - Karim Mahnam
- Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Shahrekord University, Shahrekord, I.R. Iran
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Maas BM, Strizki J, Miller RR, Kumar S, Brown M, Johnson MG, Cheng M, De Anda C, Rizk ML, Stone JA. Molnupiravir: Mechanism of action, clinical, and translational science. Clin Transl Sci 2024; 17:e13732. [PMID: 38593352 PMCID: PMC10851176 DOI: 10.1111/cts.13732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2023] [Revised: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Molnupiravir is an oral prodrug of the broadly active, antiviral ribonucleoside analog N-hydroxycytidine (NHC). The primary circulating metabolite NHC is taken up into cells and phosphorylated to NHC-triphosphate (NHC-TP). NHC-TP serves as a competitive substrate for viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp), which results in an accumulation of errors in the viral genome, rendering virus replication incompetent. Molnupiravir has demonstrated activity against SARS-CoV-2 both clinically and preclinically and has a high barrier to development of viral resistance. Little to no molnupiravir is observed in plasma due to rapid hydrolysis to NHC. Maximum concentrations of NHC are reached at 1.5 h following administration in a fasted state. The effective half-life of NHC is 3.3 h, reflecting minimal accumulation in the plasma following twice-daily (Q12H) dosing. The terminal half-life of NHC is 20.6 h. NHC-TP exhibits a flatter profile with a lower peak-to-trough ratio compared with NHC, which supports Q12H dosing. Renal and hepatic pathways are not major routes of elimination, as NHC is primarily cleared by metabolism to uridine and cytidine, which then mix with the endogenous nucleotide pools. In a phase III study of nonhospitalized patients with COVID-19 (MOVe-OUT), 5 days of treatment with 800 mg molnupiravir Q12H significantly reduced the incidence of hospitalization or death compared with placebo. Patients treated with molnupiravir also had a greater reduction in SARS-CoV-2 viral load and improved clinical outcomes, compared with those receiving placebo. The clinical effectiveness of molnupiravir has been further demonstrated in several real-world evidence studies. Molnupiravir is currently authorized or approved in more than 25 countries.
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Persaud KE, Sahu RR, Neary MC, Kapdi AR, Lakshman MK. Two short approaches to the COVID-19 drug β-D- N4-hydroxycytidine and its prodrug molnupiravir. Org Biomol Chem 2024; 22:735-740. [PMID: 38168802 DOI: 10.1039/d3ob02039h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
Molnupiravir, the prodrug for β-D-N4-hydroxycytidine (NHC), is marketed by Merck as Lagevrio™ against mild-moderate COVID-19, under FDA emergency use authorization. It is the first oral drug against the disease. This work describes two synthetic approaches to NHC and molnupiravir by amide activation in uridine with a peptide-coupling agent and with a 4-chloropyrimidinone nucleoside intermediate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin E Persaud
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The City College of New York, 160 Convent Avenue, New York, NY 10031, USA.
| | - Rajesh R Sahu
- Department of Chemistry, Institute of Chemical Technology, Nathalal Parekh Road, Matunga, Mumbai 400019, India
| | - Michelle C Neary
- Department of Chemistry, Hunter College, 695 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Anant R Kapdi
- Department of Chemistry, Institute of Chemical Technology, Nathalal Parekh Road, Matunga, Mumbai 400019, India
| | - Mahesh K Lakshman
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The City College of New York, 160 Convent Avenue, New York, NY 10031, USA.
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Outteridge M, Nunn CM, Devine K, Patel B, McLean GR. Antivirals for Broader Coverage against Human Coronaviruses. Viruses 2024; 16:156. [PMID: 38275966 PMCID: PMC10820748 DOI: 10.3390/v16010156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2023] [Revised: 01/05/2024] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Coronaviruses (CoVs) are enveloped positive-sense single-stranded RNA viruses with a genome that is 27-31 kbases in length. Critical genes include the spike (S), envelope (E), membrane (M), nucleocapsid (N) and nine accessory open reading frames encoding for non-structural proteins (NSPs) that have multiple roles in the replication cycle and immune evasion (1). There are seven known human CoVs that most likely appeared after zoonotic transfer, the most recent being SARS-CoV-2, responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic. Antivirals that have been approved by the FDA for use against COVID-19 such as Paxlovid can target and successfully inhibit the main protease (MPro) activity of multiple human CoVs; however, alternative proteomes encoded by CoV genomes have a closer genetic similarity to each other, suggesting that antivirals could be developed now that target future CoVs. New zoonotic introductions of CoVs to humans are inevitable and unpredictable. Therefore, new antivirals are required to control not only the next human CoV outbreak but also the four common human CoVs (229E, OC43, NL63, HKU1) that circulate frequently and to contain sporadic outbreaks of the severe human CoVs (SARS-CoV, MERS and SARS-CoV-2). The current study found that emerging antiviral drugs, such as Paxlovid, could target other CoVs, but only SARS-CoV-2 is known to be targeted in vivo. Other drugs which have the potential to target other human CoVs are still within clinical trials and are not yet available for public use. Monoclonal antibody (mAb) treatment and vaccines for SARS-CoV-2 can reduce mortality and hospitalisation rates; however, they target the Spike protein whose sequence mutates frequently and drifts. Spike is also not applicable for targeting other HCoVs as these are not well-conserved sequences among human CoVs. Thus, there is a need for readily available treatments globally that target all seven human CoVs and improve the preparedness for inevitable future outbreaks. Here, we discuss antiviral research, contributing to the control of common and severe CoV replication and transmission, including the current SARS-CoV-2 outbreak. The aim was to identify common features of CoVs for antivirals, biologics and vaccines that could reduce the scientific, political, economic and public health strain caused by CoV outbreaks now and in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mia Outteridge
- School of Human Sciences, London Metropolitan University, London N7 8DB, UK; (M.O.); (C.M.N.); (K.D.); (B.P.)
| | - Christine M. Nunn
- School of Human Sciences, London Metropolitan University, London N7 8DB, UK; (M.O.); (C.M.N.); (K.D.); (B.P.)
| | - Kevin Devine
- School of Human Sciences, London Metropolitan University, London N7 8DB, UK; (M.O.); (C.M.N.); (K.D.); (B.P.)
| | - Bhaven Patel
- School of Human Sciences, London Metropolitan University, London N7 8DB, UK; (M.O.); (C.M.N.); (K.D.); (B.P.)
| | - Gary R. McLean
- School of Human Sciences, London Metropolitan University, London N7 8DB, UK; (M.O.); (C.M.N.); (K.D.); (B.P.)
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London W2 1PG, UK
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Lima Neto JX, Bezerra KS, Barbosa ED, Araujo RL, Galvão DS, Lyra ML, Oliveira JIN, Akash S, Jardan YAB, Nafidi HA, Bourhia M, Fulco UL. Investigation of protein-protein interactions and hotspot region on the NSP7-NSP8 binding site in NSP12 of SARS-CoV-2. Front Mol Biosci 2024; 10:1325588. [PMID: 38304231 PMCID: PMC10830813 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2023.1325588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: The RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) complex, essential in viral transcription and replication, is a key target for antiviral therapeutics. The core unit of RdRp comprises the nonstructural protein NSP12, with NSP7 and two copies of NSP8 (NSP81 and NSP82) binding to NSP12 to enhance its affinity for viral RNA and polymerase activity. Notably, the interfaces between these subunits are highly conserved, simplifying the design of molecules that can disrupt their interaction. Methods: We conducted a detailed quantum biochemical analysis to characterize the interactions within the NSP12-NSP7, NSP12-NSP81, and NSP12-NSP82 dimers. Our objective was to ascertain the contribution of individual amino acids to these protein-protein interactions, pinpointing hotspot regions crucial for complex stability. Results: The analysis revealed that the NSP12-NSP81 complex possessed the highest total interaction energy (TIE), with 14 pairs of residues demonstrating significant energetic contributions. In contrast, the NSP12-NSP7 complex exhibited substantial interactions in 8 residue pairs, while the NSP12-NSP82 complex had only one pair showing notable interaction. The study highlighted the importance of hydrogen bonds and π-alkyl interactions in maintaining these complexes. Intriguingly, introducing the RNA sequence with Remdesivir into the complex resulted in negligible alterations in both interaction energy and geometric configuration. Conclusion: Our comprehensive analysis of the RdRp complex at the protein-protein interface provides invaluable insights into interaction dynamics and energetics. These findings can guide the design of small molecules or peptide/peptidomimetic ligands to disrupt these critical interactions, offering a strategic pathway for developing effective antiviral drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Xavier Lima Neto
- Department of Biophysics and Pharmacology, Bioscience Center, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil
| | - Katyanna Sales Bezerra
- Department of Biophysics and Pharmacology, Bioscience Center, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil
| | - Emmanuel Duarte Barbosa
- Department of Biophysics and Pharmacology, Bioscience Center, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil
| | - Roniel Lima Araujo
- Department of Biophysics and Pharmacology, Bioscience Center, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil
| | | | | | - Jonas Ivan Nobre Oliveira
- Department of Biophysics and Pharmacology, Bioscience Center, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil
| | - Shopnil Akash
- Department of Pharmacy, Daffodil International University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Yousef A. Bin Jardan
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hiba-Allah Nafidi
- Department of Food Science, Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences, Laval University, Quebec City, QC, Canada
| | - Mohammed Bourhia
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ibn Zohr University, Laayoune, Morocco
| | - Umberto Laino Fulco
- Department of Biophysics and Pharmacology, Bioscience Center, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil
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Jadhav P, Huang B, Osipiuk J, Zhang X, Tan H, Tesar C, Endres M, Jedrzejczak R, Tan B, Deng X, Joachimiak A, Cai J, Wang J. Structure-based design of SARS-CoV-2 papain-like protease inhibitors. Eur J Med Chem 2024; 264:116011. [PMID: 38065031 PMCID: PMC11194760 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.116011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2023] [Revised: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/25/2023] [Indexed: 12/30/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic is caused by SARS-CoV-2, an RNA virus with high transmissibility and mutation rate. Given the paucity of orally bioavailable antiviral drugs to combat SARS-CoV-2 infection, there is a critical need for additional antivirals with alternative mechanisms of action. Papain-like protease (PLpro) is one of the two SARS-CoV-2 encoded viral cysteine proteases essential for viral replication. PLpro cleaves at three sites of the viral polyproteins. In addition, PLpro antagonizes the host immune response upon viral infection by cleaving ISG15 and ubiquitin from host proteins. Therefore, PLpro is a validated antiviral drug target. In this study, we report the X-ray crystal structures of papain-like protease (PLpro) with two potent inhibitors, Jun9722 and Jun9843. Subsequently, we designed and synthesized several series of analogs to explore the structure-activity relationship, which led to the discovery of PLpro inhibitors with potent enzymatic inhibitory activity and antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2. Together, the lead compounds are promising drug candidates for further development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prakash Jadhav
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ, 08854, USA
| | - Bo Huang
- Department of Chemistry, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, 33620, USA
| | - Jerzy Osipiuk
- Structural Biology Center, X-ray Science Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, IL, 60439, USA
| | - Xiaoming Zhang
- Department Physiological Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, 74078, USA
| | - Haozhou Tan
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ, 08854, USA
| | - Christine Tesar
- Structural Biology Center, X-ray Science Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, IL, 60439, USA; Center for Structural Biology of Infectious Diseases, Consortium for Advanced Science and Engineering, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60667, USA
| | - Michael Endres
- Structural Biology Center, X-ray Science Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, IL, 60439, USA; Center for Structural Biology of Infectious Diseases, Consortium for Advanced Science and Engineering, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60667, USA
| | - Robert Jedrzejczak
- Structural Biology Center, X-ray Science Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, IL, 60439, USA; Center for Structural Biology of Infectious Diseases, Consortium for Advanced Science and Engineering, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60667, USA
| | - Bin Tan
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ, 08854, USA
| | - Xufang Deng
- Department Physiological Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, 74078, USA; Oklahoma Center for Respiratory and Infectious Diseases, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, 74078, USA
| | - Andrzej Joachimiak
- Structural Biology Center, X-ray Science Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, IL, 60439, USA; Center for Structural Biology of Infectious Diseases, Consortium for Advanced Science and Engineering, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60667, USA; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60367, USA.
| | - Jianfeng Cai
- Department of Chemistry, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, 33620, USA.
| | - Jun Wang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ, 08854, USA.
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Li W, Ding T, Chang H, Peng Y, Li J, Liang X, Ma H, Li F, Ren M, Wang W. Plant-derived strategies to fight against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. Eur J Med Chem 2024; 264:116000. [PMID: 38056300 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.116000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2023] [Revised: 11/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023]
Abstract
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has caused an unprecedented crisis, which has been exacerbated because specific drugs and treatments have not yet been developed. In the post-pandemic era, humans and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) will remain in equilibrium for a long time. Therefore, we still need to be vigilant against mutated SARS-CoV-2 variants and other emerging human viruses. Plant-derived products are increasingly important in the fight against the pandemic, but a comprehensive review is lacking. This review describes plant-based strategies centered on key biological processes, such as SARS-CoV-2 transmission, entry, replication, and immune interference. We highlight the mechanisms and effects of these plant-derived products and their feasibility and limitations for the treatment and prevention of COVID-19. The development of emerging technologies is driving plants to become production platforms for various antiviral products, improving their medicinal potential. We believe that plant-based strategies will be an important part of the solutions for future pandemics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenkang Li
- Zhengzhou Research Base, National Key Laboratory of Cotton Bio-breeding and Integrated Utilization, School of Agricultural Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China; National Key Laboratory of Cotton Bio-breeding and Integrated Utilization, Institute of Cotton Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Anyang 455000, China
| | - Tianze Ding
- Zhengzhou Research Base, National Key Laboratory of Cotton Bio-breeding and Integrated Utilization, School of Agricultural Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China; National Key Laboratory of Cotton Bio-breeding and Integrated Utilization, Institute of Cotton Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Anyang 455000, China
| | - Huimin Chang
- Zhengzhou Research Base, National Key Laboratory of Cotton Bio-breeding and Integrated Utilization, School of Agricultural Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China; National Key Laboratory of Cotton Bio-breeding and Integrated Utilization, Institute of Cotton Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Anyang 455000, China
| | - Yuanchang Peng
- Zhengzhou Research Base, National Key Laboratory of Cotton Bio-breeding and Integrated Utilization, School of Agricultural Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China; National Key Laboratory of Cotton Bio-breeding and Integrated Utilization, Institute of Cotton Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Anyang 455000, China
| | - Jun Li
- Zhengzhou Research Base, National Key Laboratory of Cotton Bio-breeding and Integrated Utilization, School of Agricultural Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China; National Key Laboratory of Cotton Bio-breeding and Integrated Utilization, Institute of Cotton Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Anyang 455000, China
| | - Xin Liang
- Zhengzhou Research Base, National Key Laboratory of Cotton Bio-breeding and Integrated Utilization, School of Agricultural Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China; National Key Laboratory of Cotton Bio-breeding and Integrated Utilization, Institute of Cotton Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Anyang 455000, China; National Nanfan Research Institute (Sanya), Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Sanya, 572000, China
| | - Huixin Ma
- Zhengzhou Research Base, National Key Laboratory of Cotton Bio-breeding and Integrated Utilization, School of Agricultural Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China; National Key Laboratory of Cotton Bio-breeding and Integrated Utilization, Institute of Cotton Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Anyang 455000, China
| | - Fuguang Li
- Zhengzhou Research Base, National Key Laboratory of Cotton Bio-breeding and Integrated Utilization, School of Agricultural Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China; National Key Laboratory of Cotton Bio-breeding and Integrated Utilization, Institute of Cotton Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Anyang 455000, China; National Nanfan Research Institute (Sanya), Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Sanya, 572000, China
| | - Maozhi Ren
- Zhengzhou Research Base, National Key Laboratory of Cotton Bio-breeding and Integrated Utilization, School of Agricultural Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China; National Key Laboratory of Cotton Bio-breeding and Integrated Utilization, Institute of Cotton Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Anyang 455000, China; Institute of Urban Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Chengdu, 610000, China
| | - Wenjing Wang
- Zhengzhou Research Base, National Key Laboratory of Cotton Bio-breeding and Integrated Utilization, School of Agricultural Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China; National Key Laboratory of Cotton Bio-breeding and Integrated Utilization, Institute of Cotton Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Anyang 455000, China; National Nanfan Research Institute (Sanya), Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Sanya, 572000, China; Hainan Yazhou Bay Seed Laboratory, Sanya, 572000, China.
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De Luca V, Angeli A, Nocentini A, Gratteri P, Pratesi S, Tanini D, Carginale V, Capperucci A, Supuran CT, Capasso C. Leveraging SARS-CoV-2 Main Protease (M pro) for COVID-19 Mitigation with Selenium-Based Inhibitors. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:971. [PMID: 38256046 PMCID: PMC10815619 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25020971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2023] [Revised: 01/05/2024] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
The implementation of innovative approaches is crucial in an ongoing endeavor to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 pandemic. The present study examines the strategic application of the SARS-CoV-2 Main Protease (Mpro) as a prospective instrument in the repertoire to combat the virus. The cloning, expression, and purification of Mpro, which plays a critical role in the viral life cycle, through heterologous expression in Escherichia coli in a completely soluble form produced an active enzyme. The hydrolysis of a specific substrate peptide comprising a six-amino-acid sequence (TSAVLQ) linked to a p-nitroaniline (pNA) fragment together with the use of a fluorogenic substrate allowed us to determine effective inhibitors incorporating selenium moieties, such as benzoselenoates and carbamoselenoates. The new inhibitors revealed their potential to proficiently inhibit Mpro with IC50-s in the low micromolar range. Our study contributes to the development of a new class of protease inhibitors targeting Mpro, ultimately strengthening the antiviral arsenal against COVID-19 and possibly, related coronaviruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viviana De Luca
- Department of Biology, Agriculture and Food Sciences, National Research Council (CNR), Institute of Biosciences and Bioresources, 80131 Naples, Italy; (V.D.L.); (V.C.)
| | - Andrea Angeli
- Neurofarba Department, Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical Section, Laboratory of Molecular Modeling Cheminformatics & QSAR, University of Florence, Via Ugo Schiff 6, Sesto Fiorentino, 50019 Florence, Italy; (A.A.); (A.N.); (P.G.)
| | - Alessio Nocentini
- Neurofarba Department, Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical Section, Laboratory of Molecular Modeling Cheminformatics & QSAR, University of Florence, Via Ugo Schiff 6, Sesto Fiorentino, 50019 Florence, Italy; (A.A.); (A.N.); (P.G.)
| | - Paola Gratteri
- Neurofarba Department, Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical Section, Laboratory of Molecular Modeling Cheminformatics & QSAR, University of Florence, Via Ugo Schiff 6, Sesto Fiorentino, 50019 Florence, Italy; (A.A.); (A.N.); (P.G.)
| | - Silvia Pratesi
- Department of Chemistry “Ugo Schiff”, University of Florence, Via Della Lastruccia 3-13, Sesto Fiorentino, 50019 Florence, Italy (D.T.); (A.C.)
| | - Damiano Tanini
- Department of Chemistry “Ugo Schiff”, University of Florence, Via Della Lastruccia 3-13, Sesto Fiorentino, 50019 Florence, Italy (D.T.); (A.C.)
| | - Vincenzo Carginale
- Department of Biology, Agriculture and Food Sciences, National Research Council (CNR), Institute of Biosciences and Bioresources, 80131 Naples, Italy; (V.D.L.); (V.C.)
| | - Antonella Capperucci
- Department of Chemistry “Ugo Schiff”, University of Florence, Via Della Lastruccia 3-13, Sesto Fiorentino, 50019 Florence, Italy (D.T.); (A.C.)
| | - Claudiu T. Supuran
- Neurofarba Department, Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical Section, Laboratory of Molecular Modeling Cheminformatics & QSAR, University of Florence, Via Ugo Schiff 6, Sesto Fiorentino, 50019 Florence, Italy; (A.A.); (A.N.); (P.G.)
| | - Clemente Capasso
- Department of Biology, Agriculture and Food Sciences, National Research Council (CNR), Institute of Biosciences and Bioresources, 80131 Naples, Italy; (V.D.L.); (V.C.)
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Strizki JM, Gaspar JM, Howe JA, Hutchins B, Mohri H, Nair MS, Kinek KC, McKenna P, Goh SL, Murgolo N. Molnupiravir maintains antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2 variants and exhibits a high barrier to the development of resistance. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2024; 68:e0095323. [PMID: 38047645 PMCID: PMC10777856 DOI: 10.1128/aac.00953-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Molnupiravir, an oral prodrug of N-hydroxycytidine (NHC), previously demonstrated broad in vitro antiviral activity against multiple RNA viruses and has shown a high barrier to the development of resistance. Here, we present the antiviral activity of NHC against recent SARS-CoV-2 variants and the results of resistance selection studies to better understand the potential for viral resistance to NHC. NHC activity against SARS-CoV-2 variants omicron (BA.1, BA.1.1, BA.2, BA.4, BA.4.6, BA.5, BQ.1.1, XBB.1, and XBB.1.5), alpha (B.1.1.7), beta (B.1.351), gamma (P.1), delta (B.1.617.2), lambda (C.37), and mu (B.1.621) was evaluated in Vero E6 cells using cytopathic effect assays. Resistance selection studies were performed by passaging SARS-CoV-2 (WA1) in the presence of NHC or a 3C-like protease inhibitor (MRK-A) in Vero E6 cells. Supernatants from cultures exhibiting a cytopathic effect score of ≥2 were re-passaged, and IC50 values were estimated. Whole-genome deep sequencing was performed on viral RNA isolated at each passage. NHC demonstrated similar potency against all SARS-CoV-2 variants evaluated. No evidence of SARS-CoV-2 phenotypic or genotypic resistance to NHC was observed following 30 passages. A random pattern of nucleotide changes was observed in NHC cultures, consistent with the drug's mechanism of action. In contrast, resistance was readily selected in all three MRK-A control cultures with the selection of a T21I substitution in the 3C-like protease. In conclusion, molnupiravir maintains antiviral activity across all major SARS-CoV-2 variants. Furthermore, no evidence of viral resistance to NHC was observed, supporting previous reports that NHC has a high barrier to developing resistance.
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Grants
- Merck Sharp & Dohme, LLC, a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA
- Merck Sharp & Dohme, LLC, a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie M. Strizki
- Merck Research Laboratories (MRL), Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, New Jersey, USA
| | - John M. Gaspar
- Merck Research Laboratories (MRL), Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, New Jersey, USA
| | - John A. Howe
- Merck Research Laboratories (MRL), Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, New Jersey, USA
| | - Beth Hutchins
- Merck Research Laboratories (MRL), Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, New Jersey, USA
| | - Hiroshi Mohri
- Aaron Diamond AIDS Research Center, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Manoj S. Nair
- Aaron Diamond AIDS Research Center, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Keith C. Kinek
- Merck Research Laboratories (MRL), Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, New Jersey, USA
| | - Philip McKenna
- Merck Research Laboratories (MRL), Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, New Jersey, USA
| | - Shih Lin Goh
- Merck Research Laboratories (MRL), Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, New Jersey, USA
| | - Nicholas Murgolo
- Merck Research Laboratories (MRL), Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, New Jersey, USA
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Khalifa HO, Al Ramahi YM. After the Hurricane: Anti-COVID-19 Drugs Development, Molecular Mechanisms of Action and Future Perspectives. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:739. [PMID: 38255813 PMCID: PMC10815681 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25020739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2023] [Revised: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a new coronavirus in the Coronaviridae family. The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by SARS-CoV-2, has undoubtedly been the largest crisis of the twenty-first century, resulting in over 6.8 million deaths and 686 million confirmed cases, creating a global public health issue. Hundreds of notable articles have been published since the onset of this pandemic to justify the cause of viral spread, viable preventive measures, and future therapeutic approaches. As a result, this review was developed to provide a summary of the current anti-COVID-19 drugs, as well as their timeline, molecular mode of action, and efficacy. It also sheds light on potential future treatment options. Several medications, notably hydroxychloroquine and lopinavir/ritonavir, were initially claimed to be effective in the treatment of SARS-CoV-2 but eventually demonstrated inadequate activity, and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) withdrew hydroxychloroquine. Clinical trials and investigations, on the other hand, have demonstrated the efficacy of remdesivir, convalescent plasma, and monoclonal antibodies, 6-Thioguanine, hepatitis C protease inhibitors, and molnupiravir. Other therapeutics, including inhaled medicines, flavonoids, and aptamers, could pave the way for the creation of novel anti-COVID-19 therapies. As future pandemics are unavoidable, this article urges immediate action and extensive research efforts to develop potent specialized anti-COVID-19 medications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hazim O. Khalifa
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain P.O. Box 1555, United Arab Emirates;
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kafrelsheikh University, Kafrelsheikh 33516, Egypt
| | - Yousef M. Al Ramahi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain P.O. Box 1555, United Arab Emirates;
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75
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Illingworth CJR, Guerra-Assuncao JA, Gregg S, Charles O, Pang J, Roy S, Abdelnabi R, Neyts J, Breuer J. Genetic consequences of effective and suboptimal dosing with mutagenic drugs in a hamster model of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Virus Evol 2024; 10:veae001. [PMID: 38486802 PMCID: PMC10939363 DOI: 10.1093/ve/veae001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2023] [Revised: 11/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Mutagenic antiviral drugs have shown promise against multiple viruses, but concerns have been raised about whether their use might promote the emergence of new and harmful viral variants. Recently, genetic signatures associated with molnupiravir use have been identified in the global SARS-COV-2 population. Here, we examine the consequences of using favipiravir and molnupiravir to treat SARS-CoV-2 infection in a hamster model, comparing viral genome sequence data collected from (1) untreated hamsters, and (2) from hamsters receiving effective and suboptimal doses of treatment. We identify a broadly linear relationship between drug dose and the extent of variation in treated viral populations, with a high proportion of this variation being composed of variants at frequencies of less than 1 per cent, below typical thresholds for variant calling. Treatment with an effective dose of antiviral drug was associated with a gain of between 7 and 10 variants per viral genome relative to drug-free controls: even after a short period of treatment a population founded by a transmitted virus could contain multiple sequence differences to that of the original host. Treatment with a suboptimal dose of drug showed intermediate gains of variants. No dose-dependent signal was identified in the numbers of single-nucleotide variants reaching frequencies in excess of 5 per cent. We did not find evidence to support the emergence of drug resistance or of novel immune phenotypes. Our study suggests that where onward transmission occurs, a short period of treatment with mutagenic drugs may be sufficient to generate a significant increase in the number of viral variants transmitted.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jose A Guerra-Assuncao
- Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust, Great Ormond Street, London WC1N 3JH, UK
- Infection, Immunity and Inflammation Research and Teaching Department, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Samuel Gregg
- Infection, Immunity and Inflammation Research and Teaching Department, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Oscar Charles
- Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust, Great Ormond Street, London WC1N 3JH, UK
- Infection, Immunity and Inflammation Research and Teaching Department, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Juanita Pang
- Infection, Immunity and Inflammation Research and Teaching Department, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Sunando Roy
- Infection, Immunity and Inflammation Research and Teaching Department, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Rana Abdelnabi
- KU Leuven Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Herestraat 49, Leuven B-3000, Belgium
- The VirusBank Platform, Gaston Geenslaan, Leuven B-3000, Belgium
| | - Johan Neyts
- KU Leuven Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Herestraat 49, Leuven B-3000, Belgium
- The VirusBank Platform, Gaston Geenslaan, Leuven B-3000, Belgium
| | - Judith Breuer
- Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust, Great Ormond Street, London WC1N 3JH, UK
- Infection, Immunity and Inflammation Research and Teaching Department, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK
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76
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Mia ME, Howlader M, Akter F, Hossain MM. Preclinical and Clinical Investigations of Potential Drugs and Vaccines for COVID-19 Therapy: A Comprehensive Review With Recent Update. CLINICAL PATHOLOGY (THOUSAND OAKS, VENTURA COUNTY, CALIF.) 2024; 17:2632010X241263054. [PMID: 39070952 PMCID: PMC11282570 DOI: 10.1177/2632010x241263054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2023] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 07/30/2024]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic-led worldwide healthcare crisis necessitates prompt societal, ecological, and medical efforts to stop or reduce the rising number of fatalities. Numerous mRNA based vaccines and vaccines for viral vectors have been licensed for use in emergencies which showed 90% to 95% efficacy in preventing SARS-CoV-2 infection. However, safety issues, vaccine reluctance, and skepticism remain major concerns for making mass vaccination a successful approach to treat COVID-19. Hence, alternative therapeutics is needed for eradicating the global burden of COVID-19 from developed and low-resource countries. Repurposing current medications and drug candidates could be a more viable option for treating SARS-CoV-2 as these therapies have previously passed a number of significant checkpoints for drug development and patient care. Besides vaccines, this review focused on the potential usage of alternative therapeutic agents including antiviral, antiparasitic, and antibacterial drugs, protease inhibitors, neuraminidase inhibitors, and monoclonal antibodies that are currently undergoing preclinical and clinical investigations to assess their effectiveness and safety in the treatment of COVID-19. Among the repurposed drugs, remdesivir is considered as the most promising agent, while favipiravir, molnupiravir, paxlovid, and lopinavir/ritonavir exhibited improved therapeutic effects in terms of elimination of viruses. However, the outcomes of treatment with oseltamivir, umifenovir, disulfiram, teicoplanin, and ivermectin were not significant. It is noteworthy that combining multiple drugs as therapy showcases impressive effectiveness in managing individuals with COVID-19. Tocilizumab is presently employed for the treatment of patients who exhibit COVID-19-related pneumonia. Numerous antiviral drugs such as galidesivir, griffithsin, and thapsigargin are under clinical trials which could be promising for treating COVID-19 individuals with severe symptoms. Supportive treatment for patients of COVID-19 may involve the use of corticosteroids, convalescent plasma, stem cells, pooled antibodies, vitamins, and natural substances. This study provides an updated progress in SARS-CoV-2 medications and a crucial guide for inventing novel interventions against COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md. Easin Mia
- Department of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Noakhali Science and Technology University, Noakhali, Bangladesh
| | - Mithu Howlader
- Department of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Noakhali Science and Technology University, Noakhali, Bangladesh
| | - Farzana Akter
- Department of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Noakhali Science and Technology University, Noakhali, Bangladesh
| | - Md. Murad Hossain
- Department of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Noakhali Science and Technology University, Noakhali, Bangladesh
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77
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Khurshid R, Schulz JM, Hu J, Snowden TS, Reynolds RC, Schürer SC. Targeted degrader technologies as prospective SARS-CoV-2 therapies. Drug Discov Today 2024; 29:103847. [PMID: 38029836 PMCID: PMC10836335 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2023.103847] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2023] [Revised: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023]
Abstract
COVID-19 remains a severe public health threat despite the WHO declaring an end to the public health emergency in May 2023. Continual development of SARS-CoV-2 variants with resistance to vaccine-induced or natural immunity necessitates constant vigilance as well as new vaccines and therapeutics. Targeted protein degradation (TPD) remains relatively untapped in antiviral drug discovery and holds the promise of attenuating viral resistance development. From a unique structural design perspective, this review covers antiviral degrader merits and challenges by highlighting key coronavirus protein targets and their co-crystal structures, specifically illustrating how TPD strategies can refine existing SARS-CoV-2 3CL protease inhibitors to potentially produce superior protease-degrading agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rabia Khurshid
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Joseph M Schulz
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Jiaming Hu
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Timothy S Snowden
- The University of Alabama, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and Center for Convergent Bioscience and Medicine, 250 Hackberry Lane, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487-0336, USA
| | - Robert C Reynolds
- O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35205, USA
| | - Stephan C Schürer
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, USA; Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, USA; Institute for Data Science & Computing, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL 33146, USA.
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78
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Botella-Asunción P, Rivero-Buceta EM, Vidaurre-Agut C, Lama R, Rey-Campos M, Moreno A, Mendoza L, Mingo-Casas P, Escribano-Romero E, Gutierrez-Adan A, Saiz JC, Smerdou C, Gonzalez G, Prosper F, Argemí J, Miguel JS, Sanchez-Cordón PJ, Figueras A, Quesada-Gomez JM, Novoa B, Montoya M, Martín-Acebes MA, Pineda-Lucena A, Benlloch JM. AG5 is a potent non-steroidal anti-inflammatory and immune regulator that preserves innate immunity. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 169:115882. [PMID: 37984300 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2023] [Revised: 10/29/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023] Open
Abstract
An archetypal anti-inflammatory compound against cytokine storm would inhibit it without suppressing the innate immune response. AG5, an anti-inflammatory compound, has been developed as synthetic derivative of andrographolide, which is highly absorbable and presents low toxicity. We found that the mechanism of action of AG5 is through the inhibition of caspase-1. Interestingly, we show with in vitro generated human monocyte derived dendritic cells that AG5 preserves innate immune response. AG5 minimizes inflammatory response in a mouse model of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced lung injury and exhibits in vivo anti-inflammatory efficacy in the SARS-CoV-2-infected mouse model. AG5 opens up a new class of anti-inflammatories, since contrary to NSAIDs, AG5 is able to inhibit the cytokine storm, like dexamethasone, but, unlike corticosteroids, preserves adequately the innate immunity. This is critical at the early stages of any naïve infection, but particularly in SARS-CoV-2 infections. Furthermore, AG5 showed interesting antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2 in humanized mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo Botella-Asunción
- Institute of Chemical Technology (ITQ), Universitat Politècnica de Valencia-Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), 46022 Valencia, Spain.
| | - Eva M Rivero-Buceta
- Institute of Chemical Technology (ITQ), Universitat Politècnica de Valencia-Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), 46022 Valencia, Spain
| | - Carla Vidaurre-Agut
- Institute of Chemical Technology (ITQ), Universitat Politècnica de Valencia-Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), 46022 Valencia, Spain
| | - Raquel Lama
- Institute of Marine Research (IIM), Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), 36208 Vigo, Spain
| | - Magalí Rey-Campos
- Institute of Marine Research (IIM), Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), 36208 Vigo, Spain
| | - Alejandro Moreno
- Institute of Marine Research (IIM), Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), 36208 Vigo, Spain
| | - Laura Mendoza
- Molecular Biomedicine Department, BICS Unit, Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Margarita Salas (CIB), Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Patricia Mingo-Casas
- Department of Biotechnology, Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria, Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Estela Escribano-Romero
- Department of Biotechnology, Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria, Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Alfonso Gutierrez-Adan
- Animal Reproduction Department, Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria, Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Juan Carlos Saiz
- Department of Biotechnology, Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria, Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Cristian Smerdou
- DNA & RNA Medicine Division, Centro de Investigación Medica Aplicada (CIMA), Universidad de Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Gloria Gonzalez
- DNA & RNA Medicine Division, Centro de Investigación Medica Aplicada (CIMA), Universidad de Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Felipe Prosper
- Hematology Service and Cell Therapy Unit and Program of Hematology-Oncology CIMA-Universidad de Navarra, Cancer Center Clínica Universidad de Navarra (CCUN) and Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdISNA), Pamplona, Spain. Centro de Investigación Biomedica en Red Cancer (CIBERONC) and RICORS TERAV, Madrid, Spain
| | - Josepmaría Argemí
- Hematology Service and Cell Therapy Unit and Program of Hematology-Oncology CIMA-Universidad de Navarra, Cancer Center Clínica Universidad de Navarra (CCUN) and Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdISNA), Pamplona, Spain. Centro de Investigación Biomedica en Red Cancer (CIBERONC) and RICORS TERAV, Madrid, Spain
| | - Jesus San Miguel
- Hematology Service and Cell Therapy Unit and Program of Hematology-Oncology CIMA-Universidad de Navarra, Cancer Center Clínica Universidad de Navarra (CCUN) and Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdISNA), Pamplona, Spain. Centro de Investigación Biomedica en Red Cancer (CIBERONC) and RICORS TERAV, Madrid, Spain
| | - Pedro J Sanchez-Cordón
- Veterinary Pathology Unit, Animal Health Research Center (CISA), Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria, Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), 28130 Madrid, Spain
| | - Antonio Figueras
- Institute of Marine Research (IIM), Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), 36208 Vigo, Spain
| | - Jose Manuel Quesada-Gomez
- Maimonides Biomedical Research Institute of Cordoba (IMIBIC), Hospital Universitario Reina Sofía, 14004 Córdoba, Spain
| | - Beatriz Novoa
- Institute of Marine Research (IIM), Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), 36208 Vigo, Spain
| | - María Montoya
- Molecular Biomedicine Department, BICS Unit, Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Margarita Salas (CIB), Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Miguel A Martín-Acebes
- Department of Biotechnology, Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria, Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Antonio Pineda-Lucena
- Enabling Technologies Division, Centro de Investigación Medica Aplicada (CIMA), Universidad de Navarra, 31008 Pamplona Spain
| | - Jose María Benlloch
- Institute of Instrumentation for Molecular Imaging (I3M), Universitat Politècnica de Valencia-Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), 46011 Valencia, Spain.
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Darnotuk ES, Siniavin AE, Shastina NS, Luyksaar SI, Inshakova AM, Bondareva NE, Zolotov SA, Lubenec NL, Sheremet AB, Logunov DY, Zigangirova NA, Gushchin VA, Gintsburg AL. Synthesis and Antiviral Activity of Novel β-D-N4-Hydroxycytidine Ester Prodrugs as Potential Compounds for the Treatment of SARS-CoV-2 and Other Human Coronaviruses. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 17:35. [PMID: 38256869 PMCID: PMC10821229 DOI: 10.3390/ph17010035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2023] [Revised: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
The spread of COVID-19 infection continues due to the emergence of multiple transmissible and immune-evasive variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Although various vaccines have been developed and several drugs have been approved for the treatment of COVID-19, the development of new drugs to combat COVID-19 is still necessary. In this work, new 5'-O-ester derivatives of N4-hydroxycytidine based on carboxylic acids were developed and synthesized by Steglich esterification. The antiviral activity of the compounds was assessed in vitro-inhibiting the cytopathic effect of HCoV-229E, and three variants of SARS-CoV-2, on huh-7 and Vero E6 cells. Data have shown that most synthesized derivatives exhibit high activity against coronaviruses. In addition, the relationship between the chemical structure of the compounds and their antiviral effect has been established. The obtained results show that the most active compound was conjugate SN_22 based on 3-methyl phenoxyacetic acid. The results of this study indicate the potential advantage of the chemical strategies used to modify NHC as a promising avenue to be explored in vivo, which could lead to the development of drugs with improved pharmacological properties that potently inhibit SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizaveta S. Darnotuk
- Federal State Budget Institution “National Research Centre for Epidemiology and Microbiology Named after Honorary Academician N. F. Gamaleya” of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, 123098 Moscow, Russia; (E.S.D.); (N.S.S.); (S.I.L.); (A.M.I.); (N.E.B.); (S.A.Z.); (N.L.L.); (A.B.S.); (D.Y.L.); (N.A.Z.); (A.L.G.)
- Institute of Fine Chemical Technologies, MIREA—Russian Technological University, 119571 Moscow, Russia
| | - Andrei E. Siniavin
- Federal State Budget Institution “National Research Centre for Epidemiology and Microbiology Named after Honorary Academician N. F. Gamaleya” of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, 123098 Moscow, Russia; (E.S.D.); (N.S.S.); (S.I.L.); (A.M.I.); (N.E.B.); (S.A.Z.); (N.L.L.); (A.B.S.); (D.Y.L.); (N.A.Z.); (A.L.G.)
- Department of Molecular Neuroimmune Signaling, Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 117997 Moscow, Russia
| | - Natal’ya S. Shastina
- Federal State Budget Institution “National Research Centre for Epidemiology and Microbiology Named after Honorary Academician N. F. Gamaleya” of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, 123098 Moscow, Russia; (E.S.D.); (N.S.S.); (S.I.L.); (A.M.I.); (N.E.B.); (S.A.Z.); (N.L.L.); (A.B.S.); (D.Y.L.); (N.A.Z.); (A.L.G.)
- Institute of Fine Chemical Technologies, MIREA—Russian Technological University, 119571 Moscow, Russia
| | - Sergey I. Luyksaar
- Federal State Budget Institution “National Research Centre for Epidemiology and Microbiology Named after Honorary Academician N. F. Gamaleya” of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, 123098 Moscow, Russia; (E.S.D.); (N.S.S.); (S.I.L.); (A.M.I.); (N.E.B.); (S.A.Z.); (N.L.L.); (A.B.S.); (D.Y.L.); (N.A.Z.); (A.L.G.)
| | - Anna M. Inshakova
- Federal State Budget Institution “National Research Centre for Epidemiology and Microbiology Named after Honorary Academician N. F. Gamaleya” of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, 123098 Moscow, Russia; (E.S.D.); (N.S.S.); (S.I.L.); (A.M.I.); (N.E.B.); (S.A.Z.); (N.L.L.); (A.B.S.); (D.Y.L.); (N.A.Z.); (A.L.G.)
- Institute of Fine Chemical Technologies, MIREA—Russian Technological University, 119571 Moscow, Russia
| | - Natalia E. Bondareva
- Federal State Budget Institution “National Research Centre for Epidemiology and Microbiology Named after Honorary Academician N. F. Gamaleya” of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, 123098 Moscow, Russia; (E.S.D.); (N.S.S.); (S.I.L.); (A.M.I.); (N.E.B.); (S.A.Z.); (N.L.L.); (A.B.S.); (D.Y.L.); (N.A.Z.); (A.L.G.)
| | - Sergey A. Zolotov
- Federal State Budget Institution “National Research Centre for Epidemiology and Microbiology Named after Honorary Academician N. F. Gamaleya” of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, 123098 Moscow, Russia; (E.S.D.); (N.S.S.); (S.I.L.); (A.M.I.); (N.E.B.); (S.A.Z.); (N.L.L.); (A.B.S.); (D.Y.L.); (N.A.Z.); (A.L.G.)
| | - Nadezhda L. Lubenec
- Federal State Budget Institution “National Research Centre for Epidemiology and Microbiology Named after Honorary Academician N. F. Gamaleya” of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, 123098 Moscow, Russia; (E.S.D.); (N.S.S.); (S.I.L.); (A.M.I.); (N.E.B.); (S.A.Z.); (N.L.L.); (A.B.S.); (D.Y.L.); (N.A.Z.); (A.L.G.)
| | - Anna B. Sheremet
- Federal State Budget Institution “National Research Centre for Epidemiology and Microbiology Named after Honorary Academician N. F. Gamaleya” of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, 123098 Moscow, Russia; (E.S.D.); (N.S.S.); (S.I.L.); (A.M.I.); (N.E.B.); (S.A.Z.); (N.L.L.); (A.B.S.); (D.Y.L.); (N.A.Z.); (A.L.G.)
| | - Denis Y. Logunov
- Federal State Budget Institution “National Research Centre for Epidemiology and Microbiology Named after Honorary Academician N. F. Gamaleya” of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, 123098 Moscow, Russia; (E.S.D.); (N.S.S.); (S.I.L.); (A.M.I.); (N.E.B.); (S.A.Z.); (N.L.L.); (A.B.S.); (D.Y.L.); (N.A.Z.); (A.L.G.)
| | - Nailya A. Zigangirova
- Federal State Budget Institution “National Research Centre for Epidemiology and Microbiology Named after Honorary Academician N. F. Gamaleya” of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, 123098 Moscow, Russia; (E.S.D.); (N.S.S.); (S.I.L.); (A.M.I.); (N.E.B.); (S.A.Z.); (N.L.L.); (A.B.S.); (D.Y.L.); (N.A.Z.); (A.L.G.)
| | - Vladimir A. Gushchin
- Federal State Budget Institution “National Research Centre for Epidemiology and Microbiology Named after Honorary Academician N. F. Gamaleya” of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, 123098 Moscow, Russia; (E.S.D.); (N.S.S.); (S.I.L.); (A.M.I.); (N.E.B.); (S.A.Z.); (N.L.L.); (A.B.S.); (D.Y.L.); (N.A.Z.); (A.L.G.)
| | - Alexander L. Gintsburg
- Federal State Budget Institution “National Research Centre for Epidemiology and Microbiology Named after Honorary Academician N. F. Gamaleya” of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, 123098 Moscow, Russia; (E.S.D.); (N.S.S.); (S.I.L.); (A.M.I.); (N.E.B.); (S.A.Z.); (N.L.L.); (A.B.S.); (D.Y.L.); (N.A.Z.); (A.L.G.)
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80
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Lombardo D, Musolino C, Chines V, Caminiti G, Palermo C, Cacciola I, Raffa G, Pollicino T. Assessing Genomic Mutations in SARS-CoV-2: Potential Resistance to Antiviral Drugs in Viral Populations from Untreated COVID-19 Patients. Microorganisms 2023; 12:2. [PMID: 38276171 PMCID: PMC10821222 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12010002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2023] [Revised: 12/09/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Naturally occurring SARS-CoV-2 variants mutated in genomic regions targeted by antiviral drugs have not been extensively studied. This study investigated the potential of the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) complex subunits and non-structural protein (Nsp)5 of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) to accumulate natural mutations that could affect the efficacy of antiviral drugs. To this aim, SARS-CoV-2 genomic sequences isolated from 4155 drug-naive individuals from southern Italy were analyzed using the Illumina MiSeq platform. Sequencing of the 4155 samples showed the following viral variant distribution: 71.2% Delta, 22.2% Omicron, and 6.4% Alpha. In the Nsp12 sequences, we found 84 amino acid substitutions. The most common one was P323L, detected in 3777/4155 (91%) samples, with 2906/3777 (69.9%) also showing the G671S substitution in combination. Additionally, we identified 28, 14, and 24 different amino acid substitutions in the Nsp5, Nsp7, and Nsp8 genomic regions, respectively. Of note, the V186F and A191V substitutions, affecting residues adjacent to the active site of Nsp5 (the target of the antiviral drug Paxlovid), were found in 157/4155 (3.8%) and 3/4155 (0.07%) samples, respectively. In conclusion, the RdRp complex subunits and the Nsp5 genomic region exhibit susceptibility to accumulating natural mutations. This susceptibility poses a potential risk to the efficacy of antiviral drugs, as these mutations may compromise the drug ability to inhibit viral replication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniele Lombardo
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University Hospital of Messina, 98124 Messina, Italy; (D.L.); (V.C.); (G.C.); (C.P.); (I.C.); (G.R.)
| | - Cristina Musolino
- Department of Human Pathology, University Hospital of Messina, 98124 Messina, Italy;
| | - Valeria Chines
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University Hospital of Messina, 98124 Messina, Italy; (D.L.); (V.C.); (G.C.); (C.P.); (I.C.); (G.R.)
| | - Giuseppe Caminiti
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University Hospital of Messina, 98124 Messina, Italy; (D.L.); (V.C.); (G.C.); (C.P.); (I.C.); (G.R.)
| | - Claudia Palermo
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University Hospital of Messina, 98124 Messina, Italy; (D.L.); (V.C.); (G.C.); (C.P.); (I.C.); (G.R.)
| | - Irene Cacciola
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University Hospital of Messina, 98124 Messina, Italy; (D.L.); (V.C.); (G.C.); (C.P.); (I.C.); (G.R.)
| | - Giuseppina Raffa
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University Hospital of Messina, 98124 Messina, Italy; (D.L.); (V.C.); (G.C.); (C.P.); (I.C.); (G.R.)
| | - Teresa Pollicino
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University Hospital of Messina, 98124 Messina, Italy; (D.L.); (V.C.); (G.C.); (C.P.); (I.C.); (G.R.)
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Lan Q, Yan Y, Zhang G, Xia S, Zhou J, Lu L, Jiang S. Clinical development of antivirals against SARS-CoV-2 and its variants. CURRENT RESEARCH IN MICROBIAL SCIENCES 2023; 6:100208. [PMID: 38149085 PMCID: PMC10750039 DOI: 10.1016/j.crmicr.2023.100208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The unceasing global spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) calls for the development of novel therapeutics. Although many newly developed antivirals and repurposed antivirals have been applied to the treatment of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), antivirals showing satisfactory clinical efficacy are few in number. In addition, the loss of sensitivity to variants of concern (VOCs) and lack of oral bioavailability have also limited the clinical application of some antivirals. These facts remind us to develop more potent and broad-spectrum antivirals with better pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic properties to fight against infections from SARS-CoV-2, its variants, and other human coronaviruses (HCoVs). In this review, we summarize the latest advancements in the clinical development of antivirals against infections by SARS-CoV-2 and its variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiaoshuai Lan
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Pathogenic Microbes and Infection, Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and Biosecurity, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Centre for Virology, Vaccinology and Therapeutics, Hong Kong Science and Technology Park, Hong Kong, China
| | - Yan Yan
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Pathogenic Microbes and Infection, Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and Biosecurity, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Guangxu Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Pathogenic Microbes and Infection, Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and Biosecurity, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shuai Xia
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Pathogenic Microbes and Infection, Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and Biosecurity, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jie Zhou
- Centre for Virology, Vaccinology and Therapeutics, Hong Kong Science and Technology Park, Hong Kong, China
- Department of Microbiology, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Lu Lu
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Pathogenic Microbes and Infection, Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and Biosecurity, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shibo Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Pathogenic Microbes and Infection, Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and Biosecurity, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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Strizki JM, Grobler JA, Murgolo N, Fridman A, Johnson MG, Du J, Carmelitano P, Brown ML, Paschke A, De Anda C. Virologic Outcomes with Molnupiravir in Non-hospitalized Adult Patients with COVID-19 from the Randomized, Placebo-Controlled MOVe-OUT Trial. Infect Dis Ther 2023; 12:2725-2743. [PMID: 37995070 PMCID: PMC10746688 DOI: 10.1007/s40121-023-00891-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 11/24/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind MOVe-OUT trial demonstrated molnupiravir (800 mg every 12 h for 5 days) as safe and effective for outpatient treatment of mild-to-moderate COVID-19, significantly reducing the risk of hospitalization/death in high-risk adults. At the time of that report, virologic assessments from the trial were partially incomplete as a result of their time-intensive nature. Here we present final results from all prespecified virology endpoints in MOVe-OUT based on the full trial dataset. METHODS Nasopharyngeal swabs were collected at baseline (day 1, prior to first dose) and days 3, 5 (end-of-treatment visit), 10, 15, and 29. From these samples, change from baseline in SARS-CoV-2 RNA titers (determined by quantitative PCR), detection of infectious SARS-CoV-2 (by plaque assay), and SARS-CoV-2 viral error induction (determined by whole genome next-generation sequencing) were assessed as exploratory endpoints. RESULTS Molnupiravir was associated with greater mean reductions from baseline in SARS-CoV-2 RNA than placebo (including 50% relative reduction at end-of-treatment) through day 10. Among participants with infectious virus detected at baseline (n = 96 molnupiravir, n = 97 placebo) and evaluable post-baseline samples, no molnupiravir-treated participant had infectious SARS-CoV-2 by day 3, whereas infectious virus was recovered from 21% of placebo-arm participants on day 3 and 2% at end-of-treatment. Consistent with molnupiravir's mechanism of action, sequence analysis demonstrated that molnupiravir was associated with an increased number of low-frequency transition errors randomly distributed across the SARS-CoV-2 RNA genome compared with placebo (median 143.5 molnupiravir, 15 placebo), while transversion errors were infrequent overall (median 2 in both arms). Outcomes were consistent regardless of baseline SARS-CoV-2 clade, presence of SARS-CoV-2-specific immune response, or viral load. CONCLUSIONS A 5-day course of orally administered molnupiravir demonstrated a consistently greater virologic effect than placebo, including rapidly eliminating infectious SARS-CoV-2, in high-risk outpatients with mild-to-moderate COVID-19. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04575597.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jay A Grobler
- Merck & Co., Inc., 90 E Scott Ave, Rahway, NJ, 07065, USA
| | | | - Arthur Fridman
- Merck & Co., Inc., 90 E Scott Ave, Rahway, NJ, 07065, USA
| | | | - Jiejun Du
- Merck & Co., Inc., 90 E Scott Ave, Rahway, NJ, 07065, USA
| | | | | | - Amanda Paschke
- Merck & Co., Inc., 90 E Scott Ave, Rahway, NJ, 07065, USA
| | - Carisa De Anda
- Merck & Co., Inc., 90 E Scott Ave, Rahway, NJ, 07065, USA
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Sadhu S, Dandotiya J, Dalal R, Khatri R, Mykytyn AZ, Batra A, Kaur M, Chandwaskar R, Singh V, Kamboj A, Srivastava M, Mani S, Asthana S, Samal S, Rizvi ZA, Salunke DB, Haagmans BL, Awasthi A. Fangchinoline inhibits SARS-CoV-2 and MERS-CoV entry. Antiviral Res 2023; 220:105743. [PMID: 37949319 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2023.105743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2023] [Revised: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 11/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2, lead to mild to severe respiratory illness and resulted in 6.9 million deaths worldwide. Although vaccines are effective in preventing COVID-19, they may not be sufficient to protect immunocompromised individuals from this respiratory illness. Moreover, novel emerging variants of SARS-CoV-2 pose a risk of new COVID-19 waves. Therefore, identification of effective antivirals is critical in controlling SARS and other coronaviruses, such as MERS-CoV. We show that Fangchinoline (Fcn), a bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloid, inhibits replication of SARS-CoV, SARS-CoV-2, and MERS-CoV in a range of in vitro assays, by blocking entry. Therapeutic use of Fcn inhibited viral loads in the lungs, and suppressed associated airway inflammation in hACE2. Tg mice and Syrian hamster infected with SARS-CoV-2. Combination of Fcn with remdesivir (RDV) or an anti-leprosy drug, Clofazimine, exhibited synergistic antiviral activity. Compared to Fcn, its synthetic derivative, MK-04-003, more effectively inhibited SARS-CoV-2 and its variants B.1.617.2 and BA.5 in mice. Taken together these data demonstrate that Fcn is a pan beta coronavirus inhibitor, which possibly can be used to combat novel emerging coronavirus diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Srikanth Sadhu
- Center for Immunobiology and Immunotherapy, Translational Health Science and Technology Institute, NCR-Biotech Science Cluster, 3rd Milestone, Faridabad 121001, Haryana, India; Immunology-Core Lab, Translational Health Science and Technology Institute, NCR Biotech Science Cluster, 3rd Milestone, Faridabad 121001, Haryana, India
| | - Jyotsna Dandotiya
- Center for Immunobiology and Immunotherapy, Translational Health Science and Technology Institute, NCR-Biotech Science Cluster, 3rd Milestone, Faridabad 121001, Haryana, India
| | - Rajdeep Dalal
- Center for Immunobiology and Immunotherapy, Translational Health Science and Technology Institute, NCR-Biotech Science Cluster, 3rd Milestone, Faridabad 121001, Haryana, India
| | - Ritika Khatri
- Infection and Immunology Center, Translational Health Science and Technology Institute, NCR-Biotech Science Cluster, 3rd Milestone, Faridabad 121001, Haryana, India
| | - Anna Z Mykytyn
- Viroscience Department, Erasmus University Medical Center, Netherlands; Department of Pediatric Surgery, Erasmus University Medical Center, Sophia Children's Hospital, Netherlands
| | - Aashima Batra
- Department of Chemistry and Centre for Advanced Studies, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India; National Interdisciplinary Centre of Vaccines, Immunotherapeutics and Antimicrobials, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India
| | - Manpreet Kaur
- Department of Chemistry and Centre for Advanced Studies, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India; National Interdisciplinary Centre of Vaccines, Immunotherapeutics and Antimicrobials, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India
| | | | - Virendra Singh
- Center for Immunobiology and Immunotherapy, Translational Health Science and Technology Institute, NCR-Biotech Science Cluster, 3rd Milestone, Faridabad 121001, Haryana, India
| | - Aarzoo Kamboj
- Department of Chemistry and Centre for Advanced Studies, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India; National Interdisciplinary Centre of Vaccines, Immunotherapeutics and Antimicrobials, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India
| | - Mitul Srivastava
- Computational Biophysics and CADD Group, Computational and Mathematical Biology Center (CMBC), Translational Health Science and Technology Institute, NCR-Biotech Science Cluster, 3rd Milestone, Faridabad-Gurgaon Expressway, Faridabad 121001, Haryana, India
| | - Shailendra Mani
- Infection and Immunology Center, Translational Health Science and Technology Institute, NCR-Biotech Science Cluster, 3rd Milestone, Faridabad 121001, Haryana, India
| | - Shailendra Asthana
- Computational Biophysics and CADD Group, Computational and Mathematical Biology Center (CMBC), Translational Health Science and Technology Institute, NCR-Biotech Science Cluster, 3rd Milestone, Faridabad-Gurgaon Expressway, Faridabad 121001, Haryana, India
| | - Sweety Samal
- Infection and Immunology Center, Translational Health Science and Technology Institute, NCR-Biotech Science Cluster, 3rd Milestone, Faridabad 121001, Haryana, India
| | - Zaigham Abbas Rizvi
- Center for Immunobiology and Immunotherapy, Translational Health Science and Technology Institute, NCR-Biotech Science Cluster, 3rd Milestone, Faridabad 121001, Haryana, India; Immunology-Core Lab, Translational Health Science and Technology Institute, NCR Biotech Science Cluster, 3rd Milestone, Faridabad 121001, Haryana, India
| | - Deepak B Salunke
- Department of Chemistry and Centre for Advanced Studies, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India; National Interdisciplinary Centre of Vaccines, Immunotherapeutics and Antimicrobials, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India
| | - Bart L Haagmans
- Viroscience Department, Erasmus University Medical Center, Netherlands
| | - Amit Awasthi
- Center for Immunobiology and Immunotherapy, Translational Health Science and Technology Institute, NCR-Biotech Science Cluster, 3rd Milestone, Faridabad 121001, Haryana, India; Immunology-Core Lab, Translational Health Science and Technology Institute, NCR Biotech Science Cluster, 3rd Milestone, Faridabad 121001, Haryana, India.
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Pitsillou E, Beh RC, Liang JJ, Tang TS, Zhou X, Siow YY, Ma Y, Hu Z, Wu Z, Hung A, Karagiannis TC. EpiMed Coronabank Chemical Collection: Compound selection, ADMET analysis, and utilisation in the context of potential SARS-CoV-2 antivirals. J Mol Graph Model 2023; 125:108602. [PMID: 37597309 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmgm.2023.108602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2023] [Revised: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 08/13/2023] [Indexed: 08/21/2023]
Abstract
Antiviral drugs are important for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) response, as vaccines and antibodies may have reduced efficacy against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants. Antiviral drugs that have been made available for use, albeit with questionable efficacy, include remdesivir (Veklury®), nirmatrelvir-ritonavir (Paxlovid™), and molnupiravir (Lagevrio®). To expand the options available for COVID-19 and prepare for future pandemics, there is a need to investigate new uses for existing drugs and design novel compounds. To support these efforts, we have created a comprehensive library of 750 molecules that have been sourced from in vitro, in vivo, and in silico studies. It is publicly available at our dedicated website (https://epimedlab.org/crl/). The EpiMed Coronabank Chemical Collection consists of compounds that have been divided into 10 main classes based on antiviral properties, as well as the potential to be used for the management, prevention, or treatment of COVID-19 related complications. A detailed description of each compound is provided, along with the molecular formula, canonical SMILES, and U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval status. The chemical structures have been obtained and are available for download. Moreover, the pharmacokinetic properties of the ligands have been characterised. To demonstrate an application of the EpiMed Coronabank Chemical Collection, molecular docking was used to evaluate the binding characteristics of ligands against SARS-CoV-2 nonstructural and accessory proteins. Overall, our database can be used to aid the drug repositioning process, and for gaining further insight into the molecular mechanisms of action of potential compounds of interest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleni Pitsillou
- Epigenomic Medicine Laboratory at prospED, Carlton, VIC, 3053, Australia; School of Science, STEM College, RMIT University, VIC, 3001, Australia
| | - Raymond C Beh
- Epigenomic Medicine Laboratory at prospED, Carlton, VIC, 3053, Australia; School of Science, STEM College, RMIT University, VIC, 3001, Australia
| | - Julia J Liang
- Epigenomic Medicine Laboratory at prospED, Carlton, VIC, 3053, Australia; School of Science, STEM College, RMIT University, VIC, 3001, Australia
| | - Thinh Sieu Tang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Xun Zhou
- Department of Clinical Pathology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Ya Yun Siow
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Yinghao Ma
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Zifang Hu
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Zifei Wu
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Andrew Hung
- School of Science, STEM College, RMIT University, VIC, 3001, Australia
| | - Tom C Karagiannis
- Epigenomic Medicine Laboratory at prospED, Carlton, VIC, 3053, Australia; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia; Department of Clinical Pathology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia.
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Choi YJ, Seo YB, Seo JW, Lee J, Nham E, Seong H, Yoon JG, Noh JY, Cheong HJ, Kim WJ, Kim EJ, Song JY. Effectiveness of Antiviral Therapy on Long COVID: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. J Clin Med 2023; 12:7375. [PMID: 38068427 PMCID: PMC10707593 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12237375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2023] [Revised: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Antiviral treatment reduces the severity and mortality of SARS-CoV-2 infection; however, its effectiveness against long COVID-19 is unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of antiviral drugs in preventing long COVID and related hospitalizations/deaths. Scientific and medical databases were searched from 1 January 2020 to 30 June 2023. We included observational cohort studies comparing individuals receiving early antiviral therapy for COVID-19 and those receiving supportive treatment. A fixed-effects model was used to merge the effects reported in two or more studies. The risk of post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC) was combined as an odds ratio (OR). Six studies were selected, including a total of 3,352,235 participants. The occurrence of PASC was 27.5% lower in patients who received antiviral drugs during the early stages of SARS-CoV-2 infection (OR = 0.725; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.409-0.747) than in the supportive treatment group. Moreover, the risk of PASC-associated hospitalization and mortality was 29.7% lower in patients receiving early antiviral therapy than in the supportive treatment group (OR = 0.721; 95% CI = 0.697-0.794). Early antiviral therapy was associated with a reduced risk of PASC and related hospitalization or death. Thus, early antiviral therapy is recommended for at-risk individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Jung Choi
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea; (Y.J.C.); (E.N.); (H.S.); (J.G.Y.); (J.Y.N.); (H.J.C.); (W.J.K.)
- Vaccine Innovation Center-KU Medicine, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Yu Bin Seo
- Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Internal Medicine, Kangnam Sacred Heart Hospital, Hallym University College of Medicine, Seoul 07442, Republic of Korea; (Y.B.S.); (J.L.)
| | - Jun-Won Seo
- Departments of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Chosun University, Gwangju 61452, Republic of Korea;
| | - Jacob Lee
- Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Internal Medicine, Kangnam Sacred Heart Hospital, Hallym University College of Medicine, Seoul 07442, Republic of Korea; (Y.B.S.); (J.L.)
| | - Eliel Nham
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea; (Y.J.C.); (E.N.); (H.S.); (J.G.Y.); (J.Y.N.); (H.J.C.); (W.J.K.)
- Vaccine Innovation Center-KU Medicine, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Hye Seong
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea; (Y.J.C.); (E.N.); (H.S.); (J.G.Y.); (J.Y.N.); (H.J.C.); (W.J.K.)
- Vaccine Innovation Center-KU Medicine, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Jin Gu Yoon
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea; (Y.J.C.); (E.N.); (H.S.); (J.G.Y.); (J.Y.N.); (H.J.C.); (W.J.K.)
- Vaccine Innovation Center-KU Medicine, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji Yun Noh
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea; (Y.J.C.); (E.N.); (H.S.); (J.G.Y.); (J.Y.N.); (H.J.C.); (W.J.K.)
- Vaccine Innovation Center-KU Medicine, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Hee Jin Cheong
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea; (Y.J.C.); (E.N.); (H.S.); (J.G.Y.); (J.Y.N.); (H.J.C.); (W.J.K.)
- Vaccine Innovation Center-KU Medicine, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Woo Joo Kim
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea; (Y.J.C.); (E.N.); (H.S.); (J.G.Y.); (J.Y.N.); (H.J.C.); (W.J.K.)
| | - Eun Jung Kim
- Health, Welfare, Family and Gender Equality Team, National Assembly Research Service, Seoul 07233, Republic of Korea
| | - Joon Young Song
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea; (Y.J.C.); (E.N.); (H.S.); (J.G.Y.); (J.Y.N.); (H.J.C.); (W.J.K.)
- Vaccine Innovation Center-KU Medicine, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
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Zhou K, Chen D. Conventional Understanding of SARS-CoV-2 M pro and Common Strategies for Developing Its Inhibitors. Chembiochem 2023; 24:e202300301. [PMID: 37577869 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202300301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2023] [Revised: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023]
Abstract
The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has brought a widespread influence on the world, especially in the face of sudden coronavirus infections, and there is still an urgent need for specific small molecule therapies to cope with possible future pandemics. The pathogen responsible for this pandemic is Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), and understanding its structure and lifecycle is beneficial for designing specific drugs of treatment for COVID-19. The main protease (Mpro ) which has conservative and specific advantages is essential for viral replication and transcription. It is regarded as one of the most potential targets for anti-SARS-CoV-2 drug development. This review introduces the popular knowledge of SARS-CoV-2 Mpro in drug development and lists a series of design principles and relevant activities of advanced Mpro inhibitors, hoping to provide some new directions and ideas for researchers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kun Zhou
- School of Pharmacy, Yantai University, Yantai, Shandong, RT 264005, P. R. China
| | - Daquan Chen
- School of Pharmacy, Yantai University, Yantai, Shandong, RT 264005, P. R. China
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87
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Dasgupta A, Gangai S, Narayan R, Kapoor S. Mapping the Lipid Signatures in COVID-19 Infection: Diagnostic and Therapeutic Solutions. J Med Chem 2023; 66:14411-14433. [PMID: 37899546 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c01238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic ignited research centered around the identification of robust biomarkers and therapeutic targets. SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible, hijacks the metabolic machinery of the host cells. It relies on lipids and lipoproteins of host cells for entry, trafficking, immune evasion, viral replication, and exocytosis. The infection causes host cell lipid metabolic remodelling. Targeting lipid-based processes is thus a promising strategy for countering COVID-19. Here, we review the role of lipids in the different steps of the SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis and identify lipid-centric targetable avenues. We discuss lipidome changes in infected patients and their relevance as potential clinical diagnostic or prognostic biomarkers. We summarize the emerging direct and indirect therapeutic approaches for targeting COVID-19 using lipid-inspired approaches. Given that viral protein-targeted therapies may become less effective due to mutations in emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants, lipid-inspired interventions may provide additional and perhaps better means of combating this and future pandemics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aishi Dasgupta
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai 400076, India
- IIT-Bombay Monash Academy, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai 400076, India
| | - Shon Gangai
- School of Chemical and Materials Sciences (SCMS), Institute of Technology Goa, Farmagudi, Ponda, Goa 403401, India
| | - Rishikesh Narayan
- School of Chemical and Materials Sciences (SCMS), Institute of Technology Goa, Farmagudi, Ponda, Goa 403401, India
- School of Interdisciplinary Life Sciences (SILS), Institute of Technology Goa, Farmagudi, Ponda, Goa 403401, India
| | - Shobhna Kapoor
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai 400076, India
- IIT-Bombay Monash Academy, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai 400076, India
- Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima 739-8528, Japan
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Kow CS, Ramachandram DS, Hasan SS. Is molnupiravir a wise investment? Reassessing COVID-19 treatment strategies. J Antimicrob Chemother 2023; 78:2779-2780. [PMID: 37700684 DOI: 10.1093/jac/dkad275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/14/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Chia Siang Kow
- School of Pharmacy, International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | | | - Syed Shahzad Hasan
- School of Applied Sciences, University of Huddersfield, Huddersfield, UK
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia
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Huang ZX, Zhou ST, Wang J, Yang ZB, Wang Z. Remdesivir inhibits Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus infection in vitro. Heliyon 2023; 9:e21468. [PMID: 38027806 PMCID: PMC10663732 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e21468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2023] [Revised: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 10/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus (PEDV) is a highly contagious and pathogenic virus that causes symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting, weight loss, and even death in piglets. Due to its high transmission rate, PEDV has resulted in significant global losses. Although some vaccines have been developed and utilized to prevent PEDV, their effectiveness is limited due to the virus's mutations. Therefore, it is imperative to investigate new strategies to combat PEDV. Remdesivir, a classic antiviral drug for coronaviruses, has been proven in our experiment to effectively suppress PEDV replication in Vero and LLC-PK1 cells. Additionally, the cell experiment demonstrated its direct inhibition of PEDV RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) enzyme activity. Molecular docking simulations were employed to predict the binding site of remdesivir and PEDV RdRp. Moreover, we observed that remdesivir does not impact the production of inflammatory factors and exhibits antagonistic effects with exogenous nucleosides. Furthermore, we conducted RNA-Seq analysis to investigate the global changes in transcriptome of infected cells treated with remdesivir. Overall, our findings indicate that remdesivir holds promise as a potential candidate for the treatment of PEDV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zi-Xin Huang
- Shanghai Collaborative Innovation Center of Agri-Seeds / School of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, School of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Shu-Ting Zhou
- Shanghai Collaborative Innovation Center of Agri-Seeds / School of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, School of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Jing Wang
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yang ling, Xianyang 712100, China
| | - Zhi-Biao Yang
- Shanghai Collaborative Innovation Center of Agri-Seeds / School of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, School of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Zhe Wang
- Shanghai Collaborative Innovation Center of Agri-Seeds / School of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, School of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
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90
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Zhai C, Wang M, Jin Y, Chung HJ, Kim S, Kim HJ, Hong ST. Oral delivery of a host-directed antiviral, niclosamide, as a cholate-coated nanoformulation. Int J Antimicrob Agents 2023; 62:106973. [PMID: 37741586 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijantimicag.2023.106973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2023] [Revised: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/25/2023]
Abstract
Potentially significant drug candidates often face elimination from consideration due to the lack of an effective method for systemic delivery. The poor solubility of these candidates has posed a major obstacle for their development as oral pills or injectables. Niclosamide, a host-directed antiviral, is a good example. In this study, a nanoformulation technology that allows for the non-covalent formulation of niclosamide with cholic acids was developed. This formulation enables efficient systemic delivery through endocytosis and enterohepatic circulation of bile-acid-coated nanoparticles. The oral bioavailability of niclosamide-delivery nanoparticles (NDNs) was significantly enhanced to 38.3%, representing an eight-fold increase compared with pure niclosamide. Consequently, the plasma concentration of niclosamide for the NDN formulation reached 1179.6 ng/mL, which is 11 times higher than the therapeutic plasma level. This substantial increase in plasma level contributed to the complete resolution of clinical symptoms in animals infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). This nanoformulation not only provides an orally deliverable antiviral drug for SARS-CoV-2 with improved pharmaceutical bioavailability, but also offers a solution to the systemic delivery challenges faced by potentially significant drug candidates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chongkai Zhai
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Institute for Medical Science, Jeonbuk National University Medical School, Jeonju, Jeonbuk, South Korea; Animal Diseases and Public Health Engineering Research Centre of Henan Province, Luoyang Polytechnic, Luoyang, China
| | - Mingda Wang
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Institute for Medical Science, Jeonbuk National University Medical School, Jeonju, Jeonbuk, South Korea
| | - Yanyan Jin
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, China
| | - Hea-Jong Chung
- Gwangju Centre, Korea Basic Science Institute, Gwangju, South Korea
| | - Sura Kim
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Institute for Medical Science, Jeonbuk National University Medical School, Jeonju, Jeonbuk, South Korea
| | - Hyeon-Jin Kim
- SNJ Pharma Inc., BioLabs-LA at the Lundquist Institute for BioMedical Innovation at Harbor UCLA, Torrance, CA, USA.
| | - Seong-Tshool Hong
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Institute for Medical Science, Jeonbuk National University Medical School, Jeonju, Jeonbuk, South Korea.
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91
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Li Y, Huo S, Yin Z, Tian Z, Huang F, Liu P, Liu Y, Yu F. The current state of research on influenza antiviral drug development: drugs in clinical trial and licensed drugs. mBio 2023; 14:e0127323. [PMID: 37610204 PMCID: PMC10653855 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.01273-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Influenza viruses (IVs) threaten global human health due to the high morbidity, infection, and mortality rates. Currently, the influenza drugs recommended by the FDA are oseltamivir, zanamivir, peramivir, and baloxavir marboxil. Notably, owing to the high variability of IVs, no drug exists that can effectively treat all types and subtypes of IVs. Moreover, the current trend of drug resistance is likely to continue as the viral genome is constantly mutating. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop drugs related to the treatment of influenza to deal with the next pandemic. Here, we summarized the cutting-edge research in mechanism of action, inhibitory activity, and clinical efficacy of drugs that have been approved and drugs that are still in clinical trials for influenza treatment. We hope this review will provide up-to-date and comprehensive information on influenza antivirals and generate hypotheses for screens and development of new broad-spectrum influenza drugs in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanbai Li
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Analysis and Control of Zoonotic Pathogenic Microorganism, Hebei Wild Animal Health Center, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding, China
| | - Shanshan Huo
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Analysis and Control of Zoonotic Pathogenic Microorganism, Hebei Wild Animal Health Center, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding, China
| | - Zhe Yin
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Analysis and Control of Zoonotic Pathogenic Microorganism, Hebei Wild Animal Health Center, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding, China
| | - Zuguang Tian
- Baoding City Science and Technology Bureau, Baoding, China
| | - Fang Huang
- Tongzhou District Center For Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Peng Liu
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Analysis and Control of Zoonotic Pathogenic Microorganism, Hebei Wild Animal Health Center, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding, China
| | - Yue Liu
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Fei Yu
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Analysis and Control of Zoonotic Pathogenic Microorganism, Hebei Wild Animal Health Center, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding, China
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Ardanuy J, Johnson R, Dillen C, Taylor L, Hammond H, Weston S, Frieman M. Pyronaridine tetraphosphate is an efficacious antiviral and anti-inflammatory active against multiple highly pathogenic coronaviruses. mBio 2023; 14:e0158723. [PMID: 37581442 PMCID: PMC10653794 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.01587-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/16/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Pyronaridine tetraphosphate is on the WHO Essential Medicine List for its importance as a widely available and safe treatment for malaria. We find that pyronaridine is a highly effective antiviral therapeutic across mouse models using multiple variants of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), and the highly pathogenic viruses SARS-CoV-1 and Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus responsible for previous coronavirus outbreaks. Additionally, we find that pyronaridine additively combines with current COVID-19 treatments such as nirmatrelvir (protease inhibitor in Paxlovid) and molnupiravir to further inhibit SARS-CoV-2 infections. There are many antiviral compounds that demonstrate efficacy in cellular models, but few that show this level of impact in multiple mouse models and represent a promising therapeutic for the current coronavirus pandemic as well as future outbreaks as well.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy Ardanuy
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Center for Pathogen Research, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Robert Johnson
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Center for Pathogen Research, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Carly Dillen
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Center for Pathogen Research, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Louis Taylor
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Center for Pathogen Research, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Holly Hammond
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Center for Pathogen Research, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Stuart Weston
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Center for Pathogen Research, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Matthew Frieman
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Center for Pathogen Research, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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93
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Berkowitz RL, Bluhm AP, Knox GW, McCurdy CR, Ostrov DA, Norris MH. Sigma Receptor Ligands Prevent COVID Mortality In Vivo: Implications for Future Therapeutics. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:15718. [PMID: 37958703 PMCID: PMC10647780 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242115718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2023] [Revised: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/28/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The emergence of lethal coronaviruses follows a periodic pattern which suggests a recurring cycle of outbreaks. It remains uncertain as to when the next lethal coronavirus will emerge, though its eventual emergence appears to be inevitable. New mutations in evolving SARS-CoV-2 variants have provided resistance to current antiviral drugs, monoclonal antibodies, and vaccines, reducing their therapeutic efficacy. This underscores the urgent need to investigate alternative therapeutic approaches. Sigma receptors have been unexpectedly linked to the SARS-CoV-2 life cycle due to the direct antiviral effect of their ligands. Coronavirus-induced cell stress facilitates the formation of an ER-derived complex conducive to its replication. Sigma receptor ligands are believed to prevent the formation of this complex. Repurposing FDA-approved drugs for COVID-19 offers a timely and cost-efficient strategy to find treatments with established safety profiles. Notably, diphenhydramine, a sigma receptor ligand, is thought to counteract the virus by inhibiting the creation of ER-derived replication vesicles. Furthermore, lactoferrin, a well-characterized immunomodulatory protein, has shown antiviral efficacy against SARS-CoV-2 both in laboratory settings and in living organisms. In the present study, we aimed to explore the impact of sigma receptor ligands on SARS-CoV-2-induced mortality in ACE2-transgenic mice. We assessed the effects of an investigational antiviral drug combination comprising a sigma receptor ligand and an immunomodulatory protein. Mice treated with sigma-2 receptor ligands or diphenhydramine and lactoferrin exhibited improved survival rates and rapid rebound in mass following the SARS-CoV-2 challenge compared to mock-treated animals. Clinical translation of these findings may support the discovery of new treatment and research strategies for SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reed L. Berkowitz
- Department of Pathology, Immunology and Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA; (R.L.B.); (D.A.O.)
| | - Andrew P. Bluhm
- Spatial Epidemiology and Ecology Research Laboratory, Department of Geography, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
- Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32601, USA
| | - Glenn W. Knox
- Department of Pathology, Immunology and Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA; (R.L.B.); (D.A.O.)
| | - Christopher R. McCurdy
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
- Translational Drug Development Core, Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - David A. Ostrov
- Department of Pathology, Immunology and Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA; (R.L.B.); (D.A.O.)
| | - Michael H. Norris
- Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32601, USA
- School of Life Sciences, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
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94
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Rasmussen HB, Hansen PR. Molnupiravir Revisited-Critical Assessment of Studies in Animal Models of COVID-19. Viruses 2023; 15:2151. [PMID: 38005828 PMCID: PMC10675540 DOI: 10.3390/v15112151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Revised: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Molnupiravir, a prodrug known for its broad antiviral activity, has demonstrated efficacy in animal models of COVID-19, prompting clinical trials, in which initial results indicated a significant effect against the disease. However, subsequent clinical studies did not confirm these findings, leading to the refusal of molnupiravir for permanent market authorization in many countries. This report critically assessed 22 studies published in 18 reports that investigated the efficacy of molnupiravir in animal models of COVID-19, with the purpose of determining how well the design of these models informed human studies. We found that the administered doses of molnupiravir in most studies involving animal COVID-19 models were disproportionately higher than the dose recommended for human use. Specifically, when adjusted for body surface area, over half of the doses of molnupiravir used in the animal studies exceeded twice the human dose. Direct comparison of reported drug exposure across species after oral administration of molnupiravir indicated that the antiviral efficacy of the dose recommended for human use was underestimated in some animal models and overestimated in others. Frequently, molnupiravir was given prophylactically or shortly after SARS-CoV-2 inoculation in these models, in contrast to clinical trials where such timing is not consistently achieved. Furthermore, the recommended five-day treatment duration for humans was exceeded in several animal studies. Collectively, we suggest that design elements in the animal studies under examination contributed to a preference favoring molnupiravir, and thus inflated expectations for its efficacy against COVID-19. Addressing these elements may offer strategies to enhance the clinical efficacy of molnupiravir for the treatment of COVID-19. Such strategies include dose increment, early treatment initiation, administration by inhalation, and use of the drug in antiviral combination therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henrik Berg Rasmussen
- Institute of Biological Psychiatry, Mental Health Centre Sct. Hans, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark
- Department of Science and Environment, Roskilde University, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Peter Riis Hansen
- Department of Cardiology, Herlev and Gentofte Hospital, Copenhagen University Hospital, 2900 Hellerup, Denmark;
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
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95
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Karniadakis I, Mazonakis N, Tsioutis C, Papadakis M, Markaki I, Spernovasilis N. Oral Molnupiravir and Nirmatrelvir/Ritonavir for the Treatment of COVID-19: A Literature Review with a Focus on Real-World Evidence. Infect Dis Rep 2023; 15:662-678. [PMID: 37987399 PMCID: PMC10660858 DOI: 10.3390/idr15060061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2023] [Revised: 10/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Vaccines remain the cornerstone of medical prevention and are highly effective in reducing the risk of severe disease and death due to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). In the context of expanding the therapeutic armamentarium against COVID-19, molnupiravir (Lagevrio) and ritonavir-boosted nirmatrelvir (Paxlovid) were developed, constituting the first effective oral treatments against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). In this narrative review, we retrospectively inquired into the clinical trials and real-world studies investigating the efficacy of these agents. Overall, clinical trials and real-world studies have demonstrated the efficacy of both agents in reducing hospitalization and death rates in COVID-19 patients. As per current recommendations, their use is suggested in patients with mild to moderate symptoms who are at high risk of developing severe disease. Nevertheless, limited data exist regarding their efficacy in specific subpopulations, such as immunocompromised patients, those with severe kidney disease, pregnant women, and children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ioannis Karniadakis
- Cardiff Transplant Unit, University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, Cardiff CF14 4XW, UK;
| | - Nikolaos Mazonakis
- Internal Medicine Department, Thoracic Diseases General Hospital Sotiria, 11527 Athens, Greece; (N.M.); (I.M.)
| | - Constantinos Tsioutis
- School of Medicine, European University Cyprus, 6 Diogenis St., Nicosia 2404, Cyprus
| | - Michail Papadakis
- 3rd Internal Medicine Department & Diabetes Center, General Hospital of Nikaia Piraeus “Agios Panteleimon”, 18454 Piraeus, Greece;
| | - Ioulia Markaki
- Internal Medicine Department, Thoracic Diseases General Hospital Sotiria, 11527 Athens, Greece; (N.M.); (I.M.)
| | - Nikolaos Spernovasilis
- Department of Infectious Diseases, German Oncology Center, Agios Athanasios, Limassol 4108, Cyprus;
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Zibat A, Zhang X, Dickmanns A, Stegmann KM, Dobbelstein AW, Alachram H, Soliwoda R, Salinas G, Groß U, Görlich D, Kschischo M, Wollnik B, Dobbelstein M. N4-hydroxycytidine, the active compound of Molnupiravir, promotes SARS-CoV-2 mutagenesis and escape from a neutralizing nanobody. iScience 2023; 26:107786. [PMID: 37731621 PMCID: PMC10507161 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.107786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2023] [Revised: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023] Open
Abstract
N4-hydroxycytidine (NHC), the active compound of the drug Molnupiravir, is incorporated into SARS-CoV-2 RNA, causing false base pairing. The desired result is an "error catastrophe," but this bears the risk of mutated virus progeny. To address this experimentally, we propagated the initial SARS-CoV-2 strain in the presence of NHC. Deep sequencing revealed numerous NHC-induced mutations and host-cell-adapted virus variants. The presence of the neutralizing nanobody Re5D06 selected for immune escape mutations, in particular p.E484K and p.F490S, which are key mutations of the Beta/Gamma and Omicron-XBB strains, respectively. With NHC treatment, nanobody resistance occurred two passages earlier than without. Thus, within the limitations of this purely in vitro study, we conclude that the combined action of Molnupiravir and a spike-neutralizing antagonist leads to the rapid emergence of escape mutants. We propose caution use and supervision when using Molnupiravir, especially when patients are still at risk of spreading virus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arne Zibat
- Department of Human Genetics, University Medical Center Göttingen, 37073 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Xiaoxiao Zhang
- Department of Mathematics and Technology, University of Applied Sciences Koblenz, 53424 Remagen, Germany
- Department of Informatics, Technical University of Munich, 81675 Munich, Germany
| | - Antje Dickmanns
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Göttingen Center of Molecular Biosciences (GZMB), University Medical Center Göttingen, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Kim M. Stegmann
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Göttingen Center of Molecular Biosciences (GZMB), University Medical Center Göttingen, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | | | - Halima Alachram
- Department of Human Genetics, University Medical Center Göttingen, 37073 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Rebecca Soliwoda
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Göttingen Center of Molecular Biosciences (GZMB), University Medical Center Göttingen, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Gabriela Salinas
- NGS Integrative Genomics Core Unit, Department of Human Genetics, University Medical Center Göttingen, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Uwe Groß
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Virology, University Medical Center Göttingen, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Dirk Görlich
- Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Maik Kschischo
- Department of Mathematics and Technology, University of Applied Sciences Koblenz, 53424 Remagen, Germany
| | - Bernd Wollnik
- Department of Human Genetics, University Medical Center Göttingen, 37073 Göttingen, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence "Multiscale Bioimaging: from Molecular Machines to Networks of Excitable Cells" (MBExC), University of Göttingen, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Matthias Dobbelstein
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Göttingen Center of Molecular Biosciences (GZMB), University Medical Center Göttingen, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
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97
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Chang CH, Peng WY, Lee WH, Yang L, Lin TY, Yang MH, Tsai TH. Transporter modulation of molnupiravir and its metabolite β-D-N4-hydroxycytidine across the blood-brain barrier in a rat. COMMUNICATIONS MEDICINE 2023; 3:150. [PMID: 37857815 PMCID: PMC10587300 DOI: 10.1038/s43856-023-00383-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The antiviral drug molnupiravir is an orally bioavailable prodrug of the nucleoside analog β-D-N4-hydroxycytidine (NHC), which is used to treat coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). However, there is very little information on the barrier distribution of molnupiravir. Our hypothesis is that molnupiravir and NHC can penetrate the blood‒brain barrier (BBB) into brain tissue and that nucleoside transporters (equilibrative nucleoside transporters; ENT and concentrative nucleoside transporters; CNT) can modulate this process. METHODS To investigate the mechanism of molnupiravir transport through the BBB, multiple microdialyses coupled to a validated ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC‒MS/MS) was developed to monitor dialysates, and nitrobenzylthioinosine (NBMPR; an inhibitor of ENT) was administered concomitantly with molnupiravir (100 mg/kg, i.v.) in the male rat. RESULTS Here, we show that molnupiravir is rapidly metabolized to NHC in the blood and crossed the BBB in 20 min. Furthermore, when NBMPR is concomitantly administered to inhibit efflux, the concentrations of molnupiravir and NHC in the brain increased significantly. CONCLUSIONS In summary, molnupiravir rapidly transforms into NHC and crosses the BBB and reaches the brain at approximately 0.3-0.8% of the blood‒brain ratio. The maximum concentration of NHC in the blood and brain is above the average half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of the drug required to treat severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, suggesting a therapeutic effect. The penetration of NHC is modulated by NBMPR. These findings provide constructive information on brain disorders in clinical patients with COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chun-Hao Chang
- Institute of Traditional Medicine, School of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, 112, Taiwan
| | - Wen-Ya Peng
- Institute of Traditional Medicine, School of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, 112, Taiwan
| | - Wan-Hsin Lee
- Institute of Traditional Medicine, School of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, 112, Taiwan
| | - Ling Yang
- Institute of Traditional Medicine, School of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, 112, Taiwan
| | - Tung-Yi Lin
- Institute of Traditional Medicine, School of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, 112, Taiwan
| | - Muh-Hwa Yang
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Tung-Hu Tsai
- Institute of Traditional Medicine, School of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, 112, Taiwan.
- Graduate Institute of Acupuncture Science, China Medical University, Taichung, 404, Taiwan.
- Department of Chemistry, National Sun Yat-Sen University, Kaohsiung, 804, Taiwan.
- School of Pharmacy, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, 807, Taiwan.
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98
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Guo W, Zheng Y, Feng S. Omicron related COVID-19 prevention and treatment measures for patients with hematological malignancy and strategies for modifying hematologic treatment regimes. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1207225. [PMID: 37928188 PMCID: PMC10622671 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1207225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 has rapidly become the dominant strain worldwide due to its high transmissibility, although it appears to be less pathogenic than previous strains. However, individuals with hematological malignancy (HM) and COVID-19 remain susceptible to severe infection and mortality, especially those with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and those undergoing chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) treatment. Hematologists should thoroughly assess the severity of the patient's hematological disease and the potential risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection before initiating chemotherapy or immunosuppressive treatment. Vaccination and booster doses are strongly recommended and patients with a poor vaccine response may benefit from long-acting COVID-19 neutralizing monoclonal antibodies (such as Evusheld). Early use of small molecule antiviral drugs is recommended for managing mild COVID-19 in HM patients and those with severe immunodeficiency may benefit from SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing monoclonal antibody therapy and high-titer COVID-19 convalescent plasma (CCP). For moderate to severe cases, low-dose glucocorticoids in combination with early antiviral treatment can be administered, with cytokine receptor antagonists or JAK inhibitors added if the condition persists or worsens. In the treatment of hematological malignancies, delaying chemotherapy is preferable for CLL, acute leukemia (AL), and low-risk myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), but if the disease progresses, appropriate adjustments in dosage and frequency of treatment are required, with the avoidance of anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody, CAR-T and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Patients with chronic myelocytic leukemia (CML) and myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) can continue current treatment. What's more, non-drug protective measures, the development of new vaccines and antiviral drugs, and monitoring of mutations in immunocompromised populations are particularly important.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjing Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Institutes of Health Science, Tianjin, China
| | - Yizhou Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Institutes of Health Science, Tianjin, China
| | - Sizhou Feng
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Institutes of Health Science, Tianjin, China
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Koch EM, Du J, Dressner M, Alwasti HE, Al Taif Z, Shehab F, Mohamed AM, Ghanem A, Alhajeri A, Alawadhi A, Almoamen N, Ashoor K, Hasan S, Haghighi A, Sunyaev S, Farhat M. Demographic and Viral-Genetic Analyses of COVID-19 Severity in Bahrain Identify Local Risk Factors and a Protective Effect of Polymerase Mutations. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2023:2022.08.13.22278740. [PMID: 36032980 PMCID: PMC9413726 DOI: 10.1101/2022.08.13.22278740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
A multitude of demographic, health, and genetic factors are associated with the risk of developing severe COVID-19 following infection by the SARS-CoV-2. There is a need to perform studies across human societies and to investigate the full spectrum of genetic variation of the virus. Using data from 869 COVID-19 patients in Bahrain between March 2020 and March 2021, we analyzed paired viral sequencing and non-genetic host data to understand host and viral determinants of severe COVID-19. We estimated the effects of demographic variables specific to the Bahrain population and found that the impact of health factors are largely consistent with other populations. To extend beyond the common variants of concern in the Spike protein analyzed by previous studies, we used a viral burden approach and detected a protective effect of low-frequency missense viral mutations in the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (Pol) gene on disease severity. Our results contribute to the survey of severe COVID-19 in diverse populations and highlight the benefits of studying rare viral mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evan M. Koch
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Harvard Medical School
| | | | | | | | - Zahra Al Taif
- Public Health Laboratories, Public Health Directorate, Bahrain Ministry of Health
| | - Fatima Shehab
- Public Health Laboratories, Public Health Directorate, Bahrain Ministry of Health
| | - Afaf Merza Mohamed
- Public Health Laboratories, Public Health Directorate, Bahrain Ministry of Health
| | - Amjad Ghanem
- Public Health Laboratories, Public Health Directorate, Bahrain Ministry of Health
| | - Amani Alhajeri
- Genetic Department, Government Hospitals, Salmaniya Medical Complex, Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain
| | - Amna Alawadhi
- Genetic Department, Government Hospitals, Salmaniya Medical Complex, Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain
| | - Nabeel Almoamen
- Genetic Department, Government Hospitals, Salmaniya Medical Complex, Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain
| | - Khulood Ashoor
- Genetic Department, Government Hospitals, Salmaniya Medical Complex, Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain
| | - Sara Hasan
- Genetic Department, Government Hospitals, Salmaniya Medical Complex, Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain
| | - Alireza Haghighi
- Division of Genetics, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard
| | - Shamil Sunyaev
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Harvard Medical School
- Division of Genetics, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital
| | - Maha Farhat
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Harvard Medical School
- Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital
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100
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Zeng B, Zhou J, Peng D, Dong C, Qin Q. The prevention and treatment of COVID-19 in patients treated with hemodialysis. Eur J Med Res 2023; 28:410. [PMID: 37814329 PMCID: PMC10563282 DOI: 10.1186/s40001-023-01389-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Patients treated with hemodialysis are often immunocompromised due to concomitant disease. As a result, this population is at high risk of infection and mortality from COVID-19. In addition to symptomatic treatment, a series of antiviral drugs targeting COVID-19 are now emerging. However, these antivirals are used mainly in mild or moderate patients with high-risk factors for progression to severe disease and are not available as pre- or post-exposure prophylaxis for COVID-19. There is a lack of clinical data on the use of anti-COVID-19 drugs, especially in patients treated with hemodialysis, therefore, vaccination remains the main measure to prevent SARS-CoV-2 infection in these patients. Here, we review the clinical features and prognosis of patients on hemodialysis infected with SARS-CoV-2, the main anti-COVID-19 drugs currently available for clinical use, and the safety and efficacy of anti-COVID-19 drugs or COVID-19 vaccination in patients treated with hemodialysis. This information will provide a reference for the treatment and vaccination of COVID-19 in patients treated with hemodialysis and maximize the health benefits of these patients during the outbreak.
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Affiliation(s)
- Binyu Zeng
- National Institution of Drug Clinical Trial, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China
- International Science and Technology Innovation Cooperation Base for Early Clinical Trials of Biological Agents in Hunan Province, Changsha, China
| | - Jia Zhou
- National Institution of Drug Clinical Trial, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China
- International Science and Technology Innovation Cooperation Base for Early Clinical Trials of Biological Agents in Hunan Province, Changsha, China
| | - Daizhuang Peng
- National Institution of Drug Clinical Trial, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China
- International Science and Technology Innovation Cooperation Base for Early Clinical Trials of Biological Agents in Hunan Province, Changsha, China
| | - Chengmei Dong
- National Institution of Drug Clinical Trial, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China
- International Science and Technology Innovation Cooperation Base for Early Clinical Trials of Biological Agents in Hunan Province, Changsha, China
| | - Qun Qin
- National Institution of Drug Clinical Trial, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China.
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China.
- International Science and Technology Innovation Cooperation Base for Early Clinical Trials of Biological Agents in Hunan Province, Changsha, China.
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