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Nepal S, Holmstrom ED. Single-molecule-binding studies of antivirals targeting the hepatitis C virus core protein. J Virol 2023; 97:e0089223. [PMID: 37772835 PMCID: PMC10617558 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00892-23] [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: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 09/30/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE The hepatitis C virus is associated with nearly 300,000 deaths annually. At the core of the virus is an RNA-protein complex called the nucleocapsid, which consists of the viral genome and many copies of the core protein. Because the assembly of the nucleocapsid is a critical step in viral replication, a considerable amount of effort has been devoted to identifying antiviral therapeutics that can bind to the core protein and disrupt assembly. Although several candidates have been identified, little is known about how they interact with the core protein or how those interactions alter the structure and thus the function of this viral protein. Our work biochemically characterizes several of these binding interactions, highlighting both similarities and differences as well as strengths and weaknesses. These insights bolster the notion that this viral protein is a viable target for novel therapeutics and will help to guide future developments of these candidate antivirals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sudip Nepal
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, USA
| | - Erik D. Holmstrom
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, USA
- Department of Chemistry, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, USA
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Jin Q, Yao Z, Liu F, Di Y, Gao J, Zhang X. The protective effect of a combination of human intracellular and extracellular antibodies against the highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 virus. Hum Vaccin Immunother 2022; 18:2035118. [PMID: 35240918 PMCID: PMC9009906 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2022.2035118] [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: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 virus poses a serious threat to humans. Due to its antiviral activity, antibody-based therapy is one of the possible effective countermeasures. Here, a combination of intracellular and extracellular human antibodies was investigated and showed an improved protective effect. Methods The scFv4F5-based intracellular antibody vectors and IgG1 extracellular antibody were constructed and expressed, respectively, and the sensitivity, specificity, and affinity of these antibodies were determined in vitro. In vivo, the protective effect of IgG1 and the combination of antibodies were tested respectively. Furthermore, the dynamics of viral replication, the related cytokines and apoptosis-related proteins were detected. Results In vitro, the expressed intracellular antibody inhibited H5N1 virus propagation and the IgG1 exhibited high specificity, sensitivity, and affinity against the H5N1 virus. In vivo, the extracellular antibody could inhibit viral propagation in a dose-dependent manner. The protective effect of IgG1 was good in a mouse model, and the survival was 100% at a dose of 15 mg/kg under infection with 100 TCID50 virus. When the intracellular antibody was pre-transfected in combination with IgG1, it had a better protective effect. The survival was 16.67% under treatment with IgG1 alone and up to 83.33% under treatment with the combination of antibodies when challenge of 500 TCID 50 virus. Furthermore, the levels of cytokines IFN-γ, IL-6, IL-10 and some apoptosis-related proteins increased. Conclusions This antibody combination technique could be used as an appropriate and powerful alternative to antiviral therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiu Jin
- Key Laboratory of Antibody Technology, National Health Commission, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.,Department of Basic Medicine, Jiangsu College of Nursing, Huai`an, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zhangyu Yao
- Key Laboratory of Antibody Technology, National Health Commission, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.,Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Jiangsu Cancer Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Fangzhou Liu
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Jiangsu Cancer Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yaxuan Di
- Key Laboratory of Antibody Technology, National Health Commission, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jun Gao
- Key Laboratory of Antibody Technology, National Health Commission, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xiao Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Antibody Technology, National Health Commission, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
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Zhang C, Ötjengerdes RM, Roewe J, Mejias R, Marschall ALJ. Applying Antibodies Inside Cells: Principles and Recent Advances in Neurobiology, Virology and Oncology. BioDrugs 2020; 34:435-462. [PMID: 32301049 PMCID: PMC7391400 DOI: 10.1007/s40259-020-00419-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
To interfere with cell function, many scientists rely on methods that target DNA or RNA due to the ease with which they can be applied. Proteins are usually the final executors of function but are targeted only indirectly by these methods. Recent advances in targeted degradation of proteins based on proteolysis-targeting chimaeras (PROTACs), ubiquibodies, deGradFP (degrade Green Fluorescent Protein) and other approaches have demonstrated the potential of interfering directly at the protein level for research and therapy. Proteins can be targeted directly and very specifically by antibodies, but using antibodies inside cells has so far been considered to be challenging. However, it is possible to deliver antibodies or other proteins into the cytosol using standard laboratory equipment. Physical methods such as electroporation have been demonstrated to be efficient and validated thoroughly over time. The expression of intracellular antibodies (intrabodies) inside cells is another way to interfere with intracellular targets at the protein level. Methodological strategies to target the inside of cells with antibodies, including delivered antibodies and expressed antibodies, as well as applications in the research areas of neurobiology, viral infections and oncology, are reviewed here. Antibodies have already been used to interfere with a wide range of intracellular targets. Disease-related targets included proteins associated with neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease (α-synuclein), Alzheimer's disease (amyloid-β) or Huntington's disease (mutant huntingtin [mHtt]). The applications of intrabodies in the context of viral infections include targeting proteins associated with HIV (e.g. HIV1-TAT, Rev, Vif, gp41, gp120, gp160) and different oncoviruses such as human papillomavirus (HPV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV) and Epstein-Barr virus, and they have been used to interfere with various targets related to different processes in cancer, including oncogenic pathways, proliferation, cell cycle, apoptosis, metastasis, angiogenesis or neo-antigens (e.g. p53, human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 [HER2], signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 [STAT3], RAS-related RHO-GTPase B (RHOB), cortactin, vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 [VEGFR2], Ras, Bcr-Abl). Interfering at the protein level allows questions to be addressed that may remain unanswered using alternative methods. This review addresses why direct targeting of proteins allows unique insights, what is currently feasible in vitro, and how this relates to potential therapeutic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Congcong Zhang
- Georg-Speyer-Haus, Institute for Tumor Biology and Experimental Therapy, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Frankfurt/Mainz, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Rina M Ötjengerdes
- Hannover Medical School (MHH), Carl-Neuberg-Straße 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany
| | - Julian Roewe
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) Clinical Cooperation Unit (CCU) Neuroimmunology and Brain TumorImmunology (D170), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Rebeca Mejias
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, NR4 7TJ, UK
| | - Andrea L J Marschall
- Technische Universität Braunschweig, Institute of Biochemistry, Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Brunswick, Germany.
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Li W, Kou X, Xu J, Zhou W, Zhao R, Zhang Z, Fang X. Characterization of Hepatitis C Virus Core Protein Dimerization by Atomic Force Microscopy. Anal Chem 2018; 90:4596-4602. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.7b05070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Wenhui Li
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Nanostructure and Nanotechnology, CAS Research/Education Center for Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Xiaolong Kou
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Nanostructure and Nanotechnology, CAS Research/Education Center for Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Jiachao Xu
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Nanostructure and Nanotechnology, CAS Research/Education Center for Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Wei Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Nanostructure and Nanotechnology, CAS Research/Education Center for Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Rong Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Nanostructure and Nanotechnology, CAS Research/Education Center for Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Zhen Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Nanostructure and Nanotechnology, CAS Research/Education Center for Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Xiaohong Fang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Nanostructure and Nanotechnology, CAS Research/Education Center for Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
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Duvignaud JB, Majeau N, Delisle P, Voyer N, Gagné SM, Leclerc D. Interfering with hepatitis C virus assembly in vitro using affinity peptides directed towards core protein. Can J Microbiol 2012; 58:475-82. [DOI: 10.1139/w2012-009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Viral assembly is a crucial key step in the life cycle of every virus. In the case of Hepatitis C virus (HCV), the core protein is the only structural protein to interact directly with the viral genomic RNA. Purified recombinant core protein is able to self-assemble in vitro into nucleocapsid-like particles upon addition of a structured RNA, providing a robust assay with which to study HCV assembly. Inhibition of self-assembly of the C170 core protein (first 170 amino acids) was tested using short peptides derived from the HCV core, from HCV NS5A protein, and from diverse proteins (p21 and p73) known to interact with HCV core protein. Interestingly, peptides derived from the core were the best inhibitors. These peptides are derived from regions of the core predicted to be involved in the interaction between core subunits during viral assembly. We also demonstrated that a peptide derived from the C-terminal end of NS5A protein moderately inhibits the assembly process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean-Baptiste Duvignaud
- PROTEO, IBIS and Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Université Laval, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
- Infectious Diseases Research Centre, CHUL, Université Laval, 2705 boulevard Laurier, Québec, QC G1V 4G2, Canada
| | - Nathalie Majeau
- Infectious Diseases Research Centre, CHUL, Université Laval, 2705 boulevard Laurier, Québec, QC G1V 4G2, Canada
| | - Priscilla Delisle
- PROTEO and Department of Chemistry, Université Laval, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Normand Voyer
- PROTEO and Department of Chemistry, Université Laval, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Stéphane M. Gagné
- PROTEO, IBIS and Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Université Laval, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Denis Leclerc
- Infectious Diseases Research Centre, CHUL, Université Laval, 2705 boulevard Laurier, Québec, QC G1V 4G2, Canada
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Inhibition of rabies virus propagation in mouse neuroblastoma cells by an intrabody against the viral phosphoprotein. Antiviral Res 2011; 91:64-71. [DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2011.04.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2011] [Revised: 04/13/2011] [Accepted: 04/27/2011] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
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Li ZH, Tang QB, Wang J, Zhou L, Huang WL, Liu RY, Chen RF. Hepatitis C virus core protein induces malignant transformation of biliary epithelial cells by activating nuclear factor-kappaB pathway. J Gastroenterol Hepatol 2010; 25:1315-20. [PMID: 20594262 DOI: 10.1111/j.1440-1746.2009.06201.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED In an earlier study, we found that hepatitis C virus core protein, HCV-C, participated in the malignant transformation of HCV-C transfected normal human biliary epithelial (hBE) cells by activating telomerase. Here we further investigated the signaling of the malignant transformation. METHODS Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), western blotting and immunoprecipitation were used to analyze the expression of HCV-C, human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT), nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) and NF-kappaB inhibitor alpha (IkappaBalpha) genes and the phosphorylation level of IkappaBalpha protein. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSA) and NF-kappaB-linked luciferase reporter assays were carried out to measure NF-kappaB activity. RESULTS The expression of HCV-C and hTERT was detected only in HCV-C-transfected hBE (hBE-HCV-C) cells but not in vector-transfected or parental hBE cells. More NF-kappaB protein accumulated in nuclear extracts of hBE-HCV-C cells rather than in those of control cells, though total NF-kappaB protein level showed no difference among these cells. DNA binding activity of NF-kappaB and the NF-kappaB-linked luciferase activity were much higher in HCV-C-transfected hBE cells than those in vector- or non-transfected hBE cells. In addition, the IkappaBalpha phosphorylation level, but not the IkappaBalpha mRNA or protein levels, was increased after HCV-C transfection. CONCLUSIONS Hepatitis C virus core protein activates NF-kappaB pathway in hBE cells by increasing the phosphorylation of IkappaBalpha. The pathway may be responsible for HCV-C-induced malignant transformation of hBE cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi-Hua Li
- Department of Oncology, Affiliated Second Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
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Chandra PK, Hazari S, Poat B, Gunduz F, Prabhu R, Liu G, Burioni R, Clementi M, Garry RF, Dash S. Intracytoplasmic stable expression of IgG1 antibody targeting NS3 helicase inhibits replication of highly efficient hepatitis C Virus 2a clone. Virol J 2010; 7:118. [PMID: 20529250 PMCID: PMC2903558 DOI: 10.1186/1743-422x-7-118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2010] [Accepted: 06/07/2010] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a major public health problem with more than 170 million cases of chronic infections worldwide. There is no protective vaccine currently available for HCV, therefore the development of novel strategy to prevent chronic infection is important. We reported earlier that a recombinant human antibody clone blocks viral NS3 helicase activity and inhibits replication of HCV 1b virus. This study was performed further to explore the mechanism of action of this recombinant antibody and to determine whether or not this antibody inhibits replication and infectivity of a highly efficient JFH1 HCV 2a virus clone. Results The antiviral effect of intracellular expressed antibody against the HCV 2a virus strain was examined using a full-length green fluorescence protein (GFP) labeled infectious cell culture system. For this purpose, a Huh-7.5 cell line stably expressing the NS3 helicase gene specific IgG1 antibody was prepared. Replication of full-length HCV-GFP chimera RNA and negative-strand RNA was strongly inhibited in Huh-7.5 cells stably expressing NS3 antibody but not in the cells expressing an unrelated control antibody. Huh-7.5 cells stably expressing NS3 helicase antibody effectively suppressed infectious virus production after natural infection and the level of HCV in the cell free supernatant remained undetectable after first passage. In contrast, Huh-7.5 cells stably expressing an control antibody against influenza virus had no effect on virus production and high-levels of infectious HCV were detected in culture supernatants over four rounds of infectivity assay. A recombinant adenovirus based expression system was used to demonstrate that Huh-7.5 replicon cell line expressing the intracellular antibody strongly inhibited the replication of HCV-GFP RNA. Conclusion Recombinant human anti-HCV NS3 antibody clone inhibits replication of HCV 2a virus and infectious virus production. Intracellular expression of this recombinant antibody offers a potential antiviral strategy to inhibit intracellular HCV replication and production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Partha K Chandra
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Tulane University Health Sciences Center, 1430 Tulane Avenue, New Orleans, LA-70112, USA
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Phages harboring specific peptides that recognize the N protein of the porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus distinguish the virus from other viruses. J Clin Microbiol 2010; 48:1875-81. [PMID: 20237096 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.01707-09] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The aim of the current study was to develop a novel diagnostic test for detecting porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) using phage display technology. The N gene of PRRSV isolate HH08 was cloned following reverse transcription-PCR. Sequence comparison indicated that the N gene shared 96.4% homology to that of North American PRRSV (isolate VR2332) and 35.5% with that of European PRRSV (isolate LV), indicating that the PRRSV isolate was related to the North American PRRSV genotype. The bacterially expressed N protein was used as a target in a biopanning process using a phage display random peptide library. Seven phages expressing different peptides had a specific binding activity with the N protein. The putative binding motifs were identified by DNA sequencing. More importantly, the selected phages harboring specific peptides that recognize the N protein of PRRSV were able to efficiently distinguish PRRSV from other viruses in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays.
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Serruys B, Van Houtte F, Verbrugghe P, Leroux-Roels G, Vanlandschoot P. Llama-derived single-domain intrabodies inhibit secretion of hepatitis B virions in mice. Hepatology 2009; 49:39-49. [PMID: 19085971 DOI: 10.1002/hep.22609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections cause 500,000 to 700,000 deaths per year as a consequence of chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Efficient and safe antivirals to treat chronically infected patients and consequently to prevent development of hepatocellular carcinoma are still awaited. We isolated five single-domain antibodies (VHHs) that recognize the most abundant envelope protein (S) of HBV. VHHs, when expressed and retained in the endoplasmic reticulum as intrabodies, reduced levels of secreted hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) particles in a cellular HBV model. In a hydrodynamics-based HBV mouse model, these intrabodies caused a marked reduction in HBsAg concentrations and a 10- to >100-fold reduction in the concentration of HBV virions in plasma. CONCLUSION VHHs potently inhibited secretion of HBV virions in vivo, showing that this approach might be useful in the treatment of HBV. To our knowledge, this is the first report of intrabody-mediated inhibition of viral secretion in mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benedikte Serruys
- Center for Vaccinology, Ghent University and Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
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