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Rosales-Rosas AL, Soto A, Wang L, Mols R, Fontaine A, Sanon A, Augustijns P, Delang L. β-D-N 4-hydroxycytidine (NHC, EIDD-1931) inhibits chikungunya virus replication in mosquito cells and ex vivo Aedes aegypti guts, but not when ingested during blood-feeding. Antiviral Res 2024; 225:105858. [PMID: 38490342 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2024.105858] [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: 01/02/2024] [Revised: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024]
Abstract
Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is a mosquito-borne virus transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes. While there are no antiviral therapies currently available to treat CHIKV infections, several licensed oral drugs have shown significant anti-CHIKV activity in cells and in mouse models. However, the efficacy in mosquitoes has not yet been assessed. Such cross-species antiviral activity could be favorable, since virus inhibition in the mosquito vector might prevent further transmission to vertebrate hosts. Here, we explored the antiviral effect of β-d-N4-hydroxycytidine (NHC, EIDD-1931), the active metabolite of molnupiravir, on CHIKV replication in Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. Antiviral assays in mosquito cells and in ex vivo cultured mosquito guts showed that NHC had significant antiviral activity against CHIKV. Exposure to a clinically relevant concentration of NHC did not affect Ae. aegypti lifespan when delivered via a bloodmeal, but it slightly reduced the number of eggs developed in the ovaries. When mosquitoes were exposed to a blood meal containing both CHIKV and NHC, the compound did not significantly reduce virus infection and dissemination in the mosquitoes. This was confirmed by modelling and could be explained by pharmacokinetic analysis, which revealed that by 6 h post-blood-feeding, 90% of NHC had been cleared from the mosquito bodies. Our data show that NHC inhibited CHIKV replication in mosquito cells and gut tissue, but not in vivo when mosquitoes were provided with a CHIKV-infectious bloodmeal spiked with NHC. The pipeline presented in this study offers a suitable approach to identify anti-arboviral drugs that may impede replication in mosquitoes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Lucia Rosales-Rosas
- KU Leuven Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Alina Soto
- KU Leuven Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Lanjiao Wang
- KU Leuven Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Raf Mols
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, Drug Delivery and Disposition, KU Leuven, Belgium
| | - Albin Fontaine
- Unité de Parasitologie et Entomologie, Département des Maladies Infectieuses, Institut de Recherche Biomédicale des Armées, 19-21 Boulevard Jean Moulin, 13005 Marseille, France; Aix Marseille Université, IRD, AP-HM, SSA, UMR Vecteurs - Infections Tropicales et Méditerranéennes (VITROME), IHU - Méditerranée Infection, 19-21 bd Jean Moulin, cedex 5, 13385 Marseille, France
| | - Aboubakar Sanon
- KU Leuven Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Patrick Augustijns
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, Drug Delivery and Disposition, KU Leuven, Belgium
| | - Leen Delang
- KU Leuven Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Leuven, Belgium.
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Wang M, Wang L, Leng P, Guo J, Zhou H. Drugs targeting structural and nonstructural proteins of the chikungunya virus: A review. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 262:129949. [PMID: 38311132 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.129949] [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: 08/26/2023] [Revised: 01/26/2024] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 02/06/2024]
Abstract
Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is a single positive-stranded RNA virus of the Togaviridae family and Alphavirus genus, with a typical lipid bilayer envelope structure, and is the causative agent of human chikungunya fever (CHIKF). The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has recently approved the first chikungunya vaccine, Ixchiq; however, vaccination rates are low, and CHIKF is prevalent owing to its periodic outbreaks. Thus, developing effective anti-CHIKV drugs in clinical settings is imperative. Viral proteins encoded by the CHIKV genome play vital roles in all stages of infection, and developing therapeutic agents that target these CHIKV proteins is an effective strategy to improve CHIKF treatment efficacy and reduce mortality rates. Therefore, in the present review article, we aimed to investigate the basic structure, function, and replication cycle of CHIKV and comprehensively outline the current status and future advancements in anti-CHIKV drug development, specifically targeting nonstructural (ns) proteins, including nsP1, nsP2, nsP3, and nsP4 and structural proteins such as capsid (C), E3, E2, 6K, and E1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengke Wang
- College of Medical Technology, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China
| | - Lidong Wang
- College of Medical Technology, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China
| | - Ping Leng
- College of Medical Technology, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China
| | - Jinlin Guo
- College of Medical Technology, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China
| | - Hao Zhou
- College of Medical Technology, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Sichuan-Chongqing Co-construction for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Chongqing Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Chongqing 400016, China.
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Barker D, Han X, Wang E, Dagley A, Anderson DM, Jha A, Weaver SC, Julander J, Nykiforuk C, Kodihalli S. Equine Polyclonal Antibodies Prevent Acute Chikungunya Virus Infection in Mice. Viruses 2023; 15:1479. [PMID: 37515166 PMCID: PMC10384969 DOI: 10.3390/v15071479] [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: 05/08/2023] [Revised: 06/23/2023] [Accepted: 06/25/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is a mosquito-transmitted pathogen that causes chikungunya disease (CHIK); the disease is characterized by fever, muscle ache, rash, and arthralgia. This arthralgia can be debilitating and long-lasting, seriously impacting quality of life for years. Currently, there is no specific therapy available for CHIKV infection. We have developed a despeciated equine polyclonal antibody (CHIKV-EIG) treatment against CHIKV and evaluated its protective efficacy in mouse models of CHIKV infection. In immunocompromised (IFNAR-/-) mice infected with CHIKV, daily treatment for five consecutive days with CHIKV-EIG administered at 100 mg/kg starting on the day of infection prevented mortality, reduced viremia, and improved clinical condition as measured by body weight loss. These beneficial effects were seen even when treatment was delayed to 1 day after infection. In immunocompetent mice, CHIKV-EIG treatment reduced virus induced arthritis (including footpad swelling), arthralgia-associated cytokines, viremia, and tissue virus loads in a dose-dependent fashion. Collectively, these results suggest that CHIKV-EIG is effective at preventing CHIK and could be a viable candidate for further development as a treatment for human disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Douglas Barker
- Emergent BioSolutions Canada Inc., Winnipeg, MB R3T 5Y3, Canada
| | - Xiaobing Han
- Emergent BioSolutions Canada Inc., Winnipeg, MB R3T 5Y3, Canada
| | - Eryu Wang
- Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch Galveston, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Ashley Dagley
- Institute for Antiviral Research, Utah State University, Logan, UT 84322, USA
| | | | - Aruni Jha
- Emergent BioSolutions Canada Inc., Winnipeg, MB R3T 5Y3, Canada
| | - Scott C Weaver
- Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch Galveston, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Justin Julander
- Institute for Antiviral Research, Utah State University, Logan, UT 84322, USA
| | - Cory Nykiforuk
- Emergent BioSolutions Canada Inc., Winnipeg, MB R3T 5Y3, Canada
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Skidmore AM, Bradfute SB. The life cycle of the alphaviruses: From an antiviral perspective. Antiviral Res 2023; 209:105476. [PMID: 36436722 PMCID: PMC9840710 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2022.105476] [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: 06/20/2022] [Revised: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
The alphaviruses are a widely distributed group of positive-sense, single stranded, RNA viruses. These viruses are largely arthropod-borne and can be found on all populated continents. These viruses cause significant human disease, and recently have begun to spread into new populations, such as the expansion of Chikungunya virus into southern Europe and the Caribbean, where it has established itself as endemic. The study of alphaviruses is an active and expanding field, due to their impacts on human health, their effects on agriculture, and the threat that some pose as potential agents of biological warfare and terrorism. In this systematic review we will summarize both historic knowledge in the field as well as recently published data that has potential to shift current theories in how alphaviruses are able to function. This review is comprehensive, covering all parts of the alphaviral life cycle as well as a brief overview of their pathology and the current state of research in regards to vaccines and therapeutics for alphaviral disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew M Skidmore
- Center for Global Health, Department of Internal Medicine, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, 915 Camino de Salud, IDTC Room 3245, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, USA.
| | - Steven B Bradfute
- Center for Global Health, Department of Internal Medicine, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, 915 Camino de Salud, IDTC Room 3330A, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, USA.
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Andreolla AP, Borges AA, Bordignon J, Duarte dos Santos CN. Mayaro Virus: The State-of-the-Art for Antiviral Drug Development. Viruses 2022; 14:1787. [PMID: 36016409 PMCID: PMC9415492 DOI: 10.3390/v14081787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2022] [Revised: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 08/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Mayaro virus is an emerging arbovirus that causes nonspecific febrile illness or arthralgia syndromes similar to the Chikungunya virus, a virus closely related from the Togaviridae family. MAYV outbreaks occur more frequently in the northern and central-western states of Brazil; however, in recent years, virus circulation has been spreading to other regions. Due to the undifferentiated initial clinical symptoms between MAYV and other endemic pathogenic arboviruses with geographic overlapping, identification of patients infected by MAYV might be underreported. Additionally, the lack of specific prophylactic approaches or antiviral drugs limits the pharmacological management of patients to treat symptoms like pain and inflammation, as is the case with most pathogenic alphaviruses. In this context, this review aims to present the state-of-the-art regarding the screening and development of compounds/molecules which may present anti-MAYV activity and infection inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Paula Andreolla
- Laboratório de Virologia Molecular, Instituto Carlos Chagas, ICC/Fiocruz, Curitiba 81350-010, PR, Brazil
- Departamento de Biologia Celular e Molecular, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Curitiba 81530-900, PR, Brazil
| | - Alessandra Abel Borges
- Laboratório de Pesquisas em Virologia e Imunologia, Universidade Federal de Alagoas, Maceió 57072-900, AL, Brazil
| | - Juliano Bordignon
- Laboratório de Virologia Molecular, Instituto Carlos Chagas, ICC/Fiocruz, Curitiba 81350-010, PR, Brazil
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Repurposing drugs targeting epidemic viruses. Drug Discov Today 2022; 27:1874-1894. [DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2022.04.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2021] [Revised: 03/01/2022] [Accepted: 04/07/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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Julander JG, Anderson N, Haese N, Andoh T, Streblow DN, Cortez P, Carter K, Marniquet X, Watson H, Mandron M. Therapeutic and prophylactic treatment with a virus-specific antibody is highly effective in rodent models of Chikungunya infection and disease. Antiviral Res 2022; 202:105295. [PMID: 35339583 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2022.105295] [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] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Revised: 03/07/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) has re-emerged as a significant human pathogen in the 21st century, causing periodic, and sometimes widespread, outbreaks over the past 15 years. Although mortality is very rare, a debilitating arthralgia is very common and may persist for months or years. There are no antivirals that are approved for the treatment of CHIKV infection, and current treatment options consist of supportive care only. Herein, we demonstrate the efficacy of a CHIKV-specific antibody in the prophylactic and therapeutic treatment of CHIKV in mouse models of disease. The fully human anti-CHIKV monoclonal Ab SVIR023 demonstrated broad in vitro activity against representative strains from the three major CHIKV clades. Therapeutic treatment with SVIR023 administered 1- or 3-days post-infection resulted in reduced virus in various tissues in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Prophylactic treatment up to 4 weeks prior to virus challenge was also effective in preventing disease in mice. Mice treated with SVIR023 and infected with CHIKV were resistant to secondary challenge and no evidence of antibody enhancement of disease was observed. Treatment with SVIR023 was effective in mouse models of CHIKV infection and disease and further evaluation towards clinical development is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin G Julander
- Institute for Antiviral Research, Utah State University, Logan, UT, USA.
| | - Nicole Anderson
- Institute for Antiviral Research, Utah State University, Logan, UT, USA
| | - Nicole Haese
- Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Beaverton, OR, USA
| | - Takeshi Andoh
- Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Beaverton, OR, USA
| | - Daniel N Streblow
- Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Beaverton, OR, USA
| | | | | | | | - Hugh Watson
- Evotec ID (Lyon), Lyon, France; Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
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Bengue M, Pintong AR, Liegeois F, Nougairède A, Hamel R, Pompon J, de Lamballerie X, Roques P, Choumet V, Missé D. Favipiravir Inhibits Mayaro Virus Infection in Mice. Viruses 2021; 13:v13112213. [PMID: 34835018 PMCID: PMC8622800 DOI: 10.3390/v13112213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Revised: 10/19/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Mayaro virus (MAYV) is an emergent alphavirus that causes MAYV fever. It is often associated with debilitating symptoms, particularly arthralgia and myalgia. MAYV infection is becoming a considerable health issue that, unfortunately, lacks a specific antiviral treatment. Favipiravir, a broad-spectrum antiviral drug, has recently been shown to exert anti-MAYV activity in vitro. In the present study, the potential of Favipiravir to inhibit MAYV replication in an in vivo model was evaluated. Immunocompetent mice were orally administrated 300 mg/kg/dose of Favipiravir at pre-, concurrent-, or post-MAYV infection. The results showed a significant reduction in infectious viral particles and viral RNA transcripts in the tissues and blood of the pre- and concurrently treated infected mice. A significant reduction in the presence of both viral RNA transcript and infectious viral particles in the tissue and blood of pre- and concurrently treated infected mice was observed. By contrast, Favipiravir treatment post-MAYV infection did not result in a reduction in viral replication. Interestingly, Favipiravir strongly decreased the blood levels of the liver disease markers aspartate- and alanine aminotransferase in the pre- and concurrently treated MAYV-infected mice. Taken together, these results suggest that Favipiravir is a potent antiviral drug when administered in a timely manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michèle Bengue
- MIVEGEC, Univ. Montpellier, IRD, CNRS, 34394 Montpellier, France; (M.B.); (A.-r.P.); (F.L.); (R.H.); (J.P.)
| | - Ai-rada Pintong
- MIVEGEC, Univ. Montpellier, IRD, CNRS, 34394 Montpellier, France; (M.B.); (A.-r.P.); (F.L.); (R.H.); (J.P.)
| | - Florian Liegeois
- MIVEGEC, Univ. Montpellier, IRD, CNRS, 34394 Montpellier, France; (M.B.); (A.-r.P.); (F.L.); (R.H.); (J.P.)
| | - Antoine Nougairède
- Unité des Virus Emergents (UVE), Institut de Recherche pour le Développement 190, IHU Méditerranée Infection, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale 1207, Aix Marseille Université, 13005 Marseille, France; (A.N.); (X.d.L.)
| | - Rodolphe Hamel
- MIVEGEC, Univ. Montpellier, IRD, CNRS, 34394 Montpellier, France; (M.B.); (A.-r.P.); (F.L.); (R.H.); (J.P.)
| | - Julien Pompon
- MIVEGEC, Univ. Montpellier, IRD, CNRS, 34394 Montpellier, France; (M.B.); (A.-r.P.); (F.L.); (R.H.); (J.P.)
| | - Xavier de Lamballerie
- Unité des Virus Emergents (UVE), Institut de Recherche pour le Développement 190, IHU Méditerranée Infection, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale 1207, Aix Marseille Université, 13005 Marseille, France; (A.N.); (X.d.L.)
| | - Pierre Roques
- Unité de Virologie, Institut Pasteur de Guinée, Conakry BP4416, Guinea;
- Immunologie des Maladies Virales Auto-Immunes, Hématologiques et Bactériennes (IMVA-HB), Infectious Disease Models and Innovative Therapies (IDMIT): Commissariat a l’Energie Atomique et aux Energies Alternatives (CEA), Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U1184, Université Paris Saclay, 92265 Paris, France
| | - Valérie Choumet
- Unité Environnement et Risques Infectieux Groupe Arbovirus, Institut Pasteur, Université de Paris, 75724 Paris, France
- Correspondence: (V.C.); (D.M.)
| | - Dorothée Missé
- MIVEGEC, Univ. Montpellier, IRD, CNRS, 34394 Montpellier, France; (M.B.); (A.-r.P.); (F.L.); (R.H.); (J.P.)
- Correspondence: (V.C.); (D.M.)
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Constant LEC, Rajsfus BF, Carneiro PH, Sisnande T, Mohana-Borges R, Allonso D. Overview on Chikungunya Virus Infection: From Epidemiology to State-of-the-Art Experimental Models. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:744164. [PMID: 34675908 PMCID: PMC8524093 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.744164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2021] [Accepted: 09/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is currently one of the most relevant arboviruses to public health. It is a member of the Togaviridae family and alphavirus genus and causes an arthritogenic disease known as chikungunya fever (CHIKF). It is characterized by a multifaceted disease, which is distinguished from other arbovirus infections by the intense and debilitating arthralgia that can last for months or years in some individuals. Despite the great social and economic burden caused by CHIKV infection, there is no vaccine or specific antiviral drugs currently available. Recent outbreaks have shown a change in the severity profile of the disease in which atypical and severe manifestation lead to hundreds of deaths, reinforcing the necessity to understand the replication and pathogenesis processes. CHIKF is a complex disease resultant from the infection of a plethora of cell types. Although there are several in vivo models for studying CHIKV infection, none of them reproduces integrally the disease signature observed in humans, which is a challenge for vaccine and drug development. Therefore, understanding the potentials and limitations of the state-of-the-art experimental models is imperative to advance in the field. In this context, the present review outlines the present knowledge on CHIKV epidemiology, replication, pathogenesis, and immunity and also brings a critical perspective on the current in vitro and in vivo state-of-the-art experimental models of CHIKF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Larissa E. C. Constant
- Departamento de Biotecnologia Farmacêutica, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Laboratório de Biotecnologia e Bioengenharia Estrutural, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Bia F. Rajsfus
- Departamento de Biotecnologia Farmacêutica, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Laboratório de Biotecnologia e Bioengenharia Estrutural, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Pedro H. Carneiro
- Laboratório de Biotecnologia e Bioengenharia Estrutural, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Tháyna Sisnande
- Laboratório de Biotecnologia e Bioengenharia Estrutural, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Ronaldo Mohana-Borges
- Laboratório de Biotecnologia e Bioengenharia Estrutural, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Diego Allonso
- Departamento de Biotecnologia Farmacêutica, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Battisti V, Urban E, Langer T. Antivirals against the Chikungunya Virus. Viruses 2021; 13:1307. [PMID: 34372513 PMCID: PMC8310245 DOI: 10.3390/v13071307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2021] [Revised: 06/28/2021] [Accepted: 06/30/2021] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is a mosquito-transmitted alphavirus that has re-emerged in recent decades, causing large-scale epidemics in many parts of the world. CHIKV infection leads to a febrile disease known as chikungunya fever (CHIKF), which is characterised by severe joint pain and myalgia. As many patients develop a painful chronic stage and neither antiviral drugs nor vaccines are available, the development of a potent CHIKV inhibiting drug is crucial for CHIKF treatment. A comprehensive summary of current antiviral research and development of small-molecule inhibitor against CHIKV is presented in this review. We highlight different approaches used for the identification of such compounds and further discuss the identification and application of promising viral and host targets.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Thierry Langer
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmaceutical Chemistry Division, University of Vienna, A-1090 Vienna, Austria; (V.B.); (E.U.)
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Hibl BM, Dailey Garnes NJM, Kneubehl AR, Vogt MB, Spencer Clinton JL, Rico-Hesse RR. Mosquito-bite infection of humanized mice with chikungunya virus produces systemic disease with long-term effects. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2021; 15:e0009427. [PMID: 34106915 PMCID: PMC8189471 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0009427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2021] [Accepted: 05/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is an emerging, mosquito-borne alphavirus responsible for acute to chronic arthralgias and neuropathies. Although it originated in central Africa, recent reports of disease have come from many parts of the world, including the Americas. While limiting human CHIKV cases through mosquito control has been used, it has not been entirely successful. There are currently no licensed vaccines or treatments specific for CHIKV disease, thus more work is needed to develop effective countermeasures. Current animal research on CHIKV is often not representative of human disease. Most models use CHIKV needle inoculation via unnatural routes to create immediate viremia and localized clinical signs; these methods neglect the natural route of transmission (the mosquito vector bite) and the associated human immune response. Since mosquito saliva has been shown to have a profound effect on viral pathogenesis, we evaluated a novel model of infection that included the natural vector, Aedes species mosquitoes, transmitting CHIKV to mice containing components of the human immune system. Humanized mice infected by 3-6 mosquito bites showed signs of systemic infection, with demonstrable viremia (by qRT-PCR and immunofluorescent antibody assay), mild to moderate clinical signs (by observation, histology, and immunohistochemistry), and immune responses consistent with human infection (by flow cytometry and IgM ELISA). This model should give a better understanding of human CHIKV disease and allow for more realistic evaluations of mechanisms of pathogenesis, prophylaxis, and treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brianne M. Hibl
- Center for Comparative Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
- Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Natalie J. M. Dailey Garnes
- Section of Infectious Disease, Department of Internal Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
- Section of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Alexander R. Kneubehl
- Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Megan B. Vogt
- Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
- Integrative Molecular and Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Jennifer L. Spencer Clinton
- Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Rebecca R. Rico-Hesse
- Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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12
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Hucke FIL, Bugert JJ. Current and Promising Antivirals Against Chikungunya Virus. Front Public Health 2020; 8:618624. [PMID: 33384981 PMCID: PMC7769948 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2020.618624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2020] [Accepted: 11/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is the causative agent of chikungunya fever (CHIKF) and is categorized as a(n) (re)emerging arbovirus. CHIKV has repeatedly been responsible for outbreaks that caused serious economic and public health problems in the affected countries. To date, no vaccine or specific antiviral therapies are available. This review gives a summary on current antivirals that have been investigated as potential therapeutics against CHIKF. The mode of action as well as possible compound targets (viral and host targets) are being addressed. This review hopes to provide critical information on the in vitro efficacies of various compounds and might help researchers in their considerations for future experiments.
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13
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Small-Molecule Inhibitors of Chikungunya Virus: Mechanisms of Action and Antiviral Drug Resistance. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2020; 64:AAC.01788-20. [PMID: 32928738 PMCID: PMC7674028 DOI: 10.1128/aac.01788-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is a mosquito-transmitted alphavirus that has spread to more than 60 countries worldwide. CHIKV infection leads to a febrile illness known as chikungunya fever (CHIKF), which is characterized by long-lasting and debilitating joint and muscle pain. CHIKV can cause large-scale epidemics with high attack rates, which substantiates the need for development of effective therapeutics suitable for outbreak containment. In this review, we highlight the different strategies used for developing CHIKV small-molecule inhibitors, ranging from high-throughput cell-based screening to in silico screens and enzymatic assays with purified viral proteins. Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is a mosquito-transmitted alphavirus that has spread to more than 60 countries worldwide. CHIKV infection leads to a febrile illness known as chikungunya fever (CHIKF), which is characterized by long-lasting and debilitating joint and muscle pain. CHIKV can cause large-scale epidemics with high attack rates, which substantiates the need for development of effective therapeutics suitable for outbreak containment. In this review, we highlight the different strategies used for developing CHIKV small-molecule inhibitors, ranging from high-throughput cell-based screening to in silico screens and enzymatic assays with purified viral proteins. We further discuss the current status of the most promising molecules, including in vitro and in vivo findings. In particular, we focus on describing host and/or viral targets, mode of action, and mechanisms of antiviral drug resistance and associated mutations. Knowledge of the key molecular determinants of drug resistance will aid selection of the most promising antiviral agent(s) for clinical use. For these reasons, we also summarize the available information about drug-resistant phenotypes in Aedes mosquito vectors. From this review, it is evident that more of the active molecules need to be evaluated in preclinical and clinical models to address the current lack of antiviral treatment for CHIKF.
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14
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Meena MK, Kumar D, Jayaraj A, Kumar A, Kumari K, Katata-Seru LM, Bahadur I, Kumar V, Sherawat A, Singh P. Designed thiazolidines: an arsenal for the inhibition of nsP3 of CHIKV using molecular docking and MD simulations. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2020; 40:1607-1616. [PMID: 33073705 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2020.1832918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Mahendra Kumar Meena
- Department of Chemistry, Atma Ram Sanatan Dharma College, University of Delhi, New Delhi, India
- Department of Chemistry, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
- Department of Chemistry, Shivaji College, University of Delhi, New Delhi, India
| | - Durgesh Kumar
- Department of Chemistry, Atma Ram Sanatan Dharma College, University of Delhi, New Delhi, India
- Department of Chemistry, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
- Department of Chemistry, Lady Irwin College, University of Delhi, New Delhi, India
| | | | - Ajay Kumar
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology, New Delhi, India
| | - Kamlesh Kumari
- Department of Zoology, Deen Dayal Upadhyaya College, University of Delhi, New Delhi, India
| | - L. M. Katata-Seru
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences, North-West University, Mmabatho, South Africa
| | - Indra Bahadur
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, North-West University, Mmabatho, South Africa
| | - Vinod Kumar
- SCNS, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India
| | - Anjali Sherawat
- Department of Chemistry, Lady Irwin College, University of Delhi, New Delhi, India
| | - Prashant Singh
- Department of Chemistry, Atma Ram Sanatan Dharma College, University of Delhi, New Delhi, India
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15
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Julander JG, Dagley A, Gebre M, Komeno T, Nakajima N, Smee DF, Furuta Y. Strain-dependent disease and response to favipiravir treatment in mice infected with Chikungunya virus. Antiviral Res 2020; 182:104904. [PMID: 32791074 PMCID: PMC7543030 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2020.104904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2020] [Revised: 07/28/2020] [Accepted: 07/29/2020] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Antiviral countermeasures are needed to reduce the morbidity associated with Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) infection. This arbovirus reemerged in 2004 and causes periodic outbreaks in various areas throughout the world. While infection is rarely lethal, the majority of people infected with the virus develop a hallmark arthralgia as well as other disease manifestations. The virus is classified within three phylogenetic groups, namely, West African, East/Central/South African (ECSA), and Asian. Six strains of CHIKV covering the three phylogenetic groups were studied for their replication in cell culture, their ability to cause disease in susceptible mouse strains and susceptibility to antiviral treatment. Differential replication kinetics were observed for various CHIKV isolates in cell culture, which coincided with a decreased sensitivity to antiviral treatment as compared with ECSA and Asian clade viruses. This was confirmed in mouse infection studies with severe disease observed in mice infected with West African clade viruses, mild disease phenotype after infection with Asian clade viruses and an intermediate disease severity associated with ECSA virus infection. We also tested a broadly active antiviral, Favipiravir (T-705), which activity was inversely proportional to disease severity. These data suggest that some clades of CHIKV may cause more severe disease and may be more difficult to treat.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin G Julander
- Institute for Antiviral Research, Utah State University, Logan, UT, USA.
| | - Ashley Dagley
- Institute for Antiviral Research, Utah State University, Logan, UT, USA
| | - Makda Gebre
- Institute for Antiviral Research, Utah State University, Logan, UT, USA
| | | | | | - Donald F Smee
- Institute for Antiviral Research, Utah State University, Logan, UT, USA
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16
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Antiviral Strategies against Arthritogenic Alphaviruses. Microorganisms 2020; 8:microorganisms8091365. [PMID: 32906603 PMCID: PMC7563460 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms8091365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2020] [Revised: 09/03/2020] [Accepted: 09/05/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Alphaviruses are members of the Togaviridae family that are mainly transmitted by arthropods such as mosquitoes. In the last decades, several alphaviruses have re-emerged, causing outbreaks worldwide. One example is the re-emergence of chikungunya virus (CHIKV) in 2004, which caused massive epidemics in the Indian Ocean region after which the virus dramatically spread to the Americas in late 2013. Besides CHIKV, other alphaviruses, such as the Ross River virus (RRV), Mayaro virus (MAYV), and Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEEV), have emerged and have become a serious public health concern in recent years. Infections with the Old World alphaviruses (e.g., CHIKV, RRV) are primarily associated with polyarthritis and myalgia that can persist for months to years. On the other hand, New World alphaviruses such as VEEV cause mainly neurological disease. Despite the worldwide (re-)emergence of these viruses, there are no antivirals or vaccines available for the treatment or prevention of infections with alphaviruses. It is therefore of utmost importance to develop antiviral strategies against these viruses. We here provided an overview of the reported antiviral strategies against arthritogenic alphaviruses. In addition, we highlighted the future perspectives for the development and the proper use of such antivirals.
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17
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Kumar D, Singh P, Jayaraj A, Kumar V, Kumari K, Chandra R, Ramappa VK. Selective Docking of Pyranooxazoles Against nsP2 of CHIKV Eluted Through Isothermally and Non‐Isothermally MD simulations. ChemistrySelect 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/slct.202000768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Durgesh Kumar
- Department of Chemistry A.R.S.D. CollegeUniversity of Delhi Delhi India
- Department of ChemistryUniversity of Delhi Delhi India
| | - Prashant Singh
- Department of Chemistry A.R.S.D. CollegeUniversity of Delhi Delhi India
| | | | - Vinod Kumar
- Special Centre for Nano SciencesJawaharlal Nehru University Delhi 110067 India
| | - Kamlesh Kumari
- Department of Zoology DDU CollegeUniversity of Delhi Delhi India
| | | | - Venkatesh Kumar Ramappa
- Department of ZoologyBabasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University Lucknow 226025 Uttar Pradesh India
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18
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Abstract
Since the identification of chikungunya virus (CHIKV), sporadic cases and outbreaks were reported in several African countries, on the Indian subcontinent, and in south-east Asia. In the last 20 years, there is a growing number of reports of CHIKV infections from African countries, but the overall picture of its circulation at the continent level remains ill-characterized because of under-diagnosis and under-reporting. Moreover, the public health impact of the infection in Africa is generally poorly understood, especially during outbreak situations. Our work has the aim to review available data on CHIKV circulation in Africa to facilitate the understanding of underlying reasons of its increased detection in the African continent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gianluca Russo
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Subissi
- Directorate Infectious Diseases in Humans Sciensano, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Giovanni Rezza
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore Di Sanita (ISS), Rome, Italy
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19
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Troost B, Mulder LM, Diosa-Toro M, van de Pol D, Rodenhuis-Zybert IA, Smit JM. Tomatidine, a natural steroidal alkaloid shows antiviral activity towards chikungunya virus in vitro. Sci Rep 2020; 10:6364. [PMID: 32286447 PMCID: PMC7156627 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-63397-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2019] [Accepted: 03/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent decades, chikungunya virus (CHIKV) has re-emerged, leading to outbreaks of chikungunya fever in Africa, Asia and Central and South America. The disease is characterized by a rapid onset febrile illness with (poly)arthralgia, myalgia, rashes, headaches and nausea. In 30 to 40% of the cases, CHIKV infection causes persistent (poly)arthralgia, lasting for months or even years after initial infection. Despite the drastic re-emergence and clinical impact there is no vaccine nor antiviral compound available to prevent or control CHIKV infection. Here, we evaluated the antiviral potential of tomatidine towards CHIKV infection. We demonstrate that tomatidine potently inhibits virus particle production of multiple CHIKV strains. Time-of -addition experiments in Huh7 cells revealed that tomatidine acts at a post-entry step of the virus replication cycle. Furthermore, a marked decrease in the number of CHIKV-infected cells was seen, suggesting that tomatidine predominantly acts early in infection yet after virus attachment and cell entry. Antiviral activity was still detected at 24 hours post-infection, indicating that tomatidine controls multiple rounds of CHIKV replication. Solasodine and sarsasapogenin, two structural derivatives of tomatidine, also showed strong albeit less potent antiviral activity towards CHIKV. In conclusion, this study identifies tomatidine as a novel compound to combat CHIKV infection in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Berit Troost
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Prevention, University of Groningen; University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Lianne M Mulder
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Prevention, University of Groningen; University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Mayra Diosa-Toro
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Prevention, University of Groningen; University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
- Programme in Emerging Infectious Diseases, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, 169857, Singapore
| | - Denise van de Pol
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Prevention, University of Groningen; University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Izabela A Rodenhuis-Zybert
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Prevention, University of Groningen; University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Jolanda M Smit
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Prevention, University of Groningen; University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands.
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20
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Bugert JJ, Hucke F, Zanetta P, Bassetto M, Brancale A. Antivirals in medical biodefense. Virus Genes 2020; 56:150-167. [PMID: 32076918 PMCID: PMC7089181 DOI: 10.1007/s11262-020-01737-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2019] [Accepted: 01/20/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The viruses historically implicated or currently considered as candidates for misuse in bioterrorist events are poxviruses, filoviruses, bunyaviruses, orthomyxoviruses, paramyxoviruses and a number of arboviruses causing encephalitis, including alpha- and flaviviruses. All these viruses are of concern for public health services when they occur in natural outbreaks or emerge in unvaccinated populations. Recent events and intelligence reports point to a growing risk of dangerous biological agents being used for nefarious purposes. Public health responses effective in natural outbreaks of infectious disease may not be sufficient to deal with the severe consequences of a deliberate release of such agents. One important aspect of countermeasures against viral biothreat agents are the antiviral treatment options available for use in post-exposure prophylaxis. These issues were adressed by the organizers of the 16th Medical Biodefense Conference, held in Munich in 2018, in a special session on the development of drugs to treat infections with viruses currently perceived as a threat to societies or associated with a potential for misuse as biothreat agents. This review will outline the state-of-the-art methods in antivirals research discussed and provide an overview of antiviral compounds in the pipeline that are already approved for use or still under development.
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Affiliation(s)
- J J Bugert
- Bundeswehr Institute for Microbiology, Neuherbergstraße 11, 80937, Munich, Germany.
| | - F Hucke
- Bundeswehr Institute for Microbiology, Neuherbergstraße 11, 80937, Munich, Germany
| | - P Zanetta
- Bundeswehr Institute for Microbiology, Neuherbergstraße 11, 80937, Munich, Germany
| | - M Bassetto
- Department of Chemistry, Swansea University, Swansea, SA2 8PP, UK
| | - A Brancale
- Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, CF10 3NB, UK
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21
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Shiraki K, Daikoku T. Favipiravir, an anti-influenza drug against life-threatening RNA virus infections. Pharmacol Ther 2020; 209:107512. [PMID: 32097670 PMCID: PMC7102570 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2020.107512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 292] [Impact Index Per Article: 73.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2019] [Accepted: 02/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Favipiravir has been developed as an anti-influenza drug and licensed as an anti-influenza drug in Japan. Additionally, favipiravir is being stockpiled for 2 million people as a countermeasure for novel influenza strains. This drug functions as a chain terminator at the site of incorporation of the viral RNA and reduces the viral load. Favipiravir cures all mice in a lethal influenza infection model, while oseltamivir fails to cure the animals. Thus, favipiravir contributes to curing animals with lethal infection. In addition to influenza, favipiravir has a broad spectrum of anti-RNA virus activities in vitro and efficacies in animal models with lethal RNA viruses and has been used for treatment of human infection with life-threatening Ebola virus, Lassa virus, rabies, and severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome. The best feature of favipiravir as an antiviral agent is the apparent lack of generation of favipiravir-resistant viruses. Favipiravir alone maintains its therapeutic efficacy from the first to the last patient in an influenza pandemic or an epidemic lethal RNA virus infection. Favipiravir is expected to be an important therapeutic agent for severe influenza, the next pandemic influenza strain, and other severe RNA virus infections for which standard treatments are not available.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kimiyasu Shiraki
- Senri Kinran University and Department of Virology, University of Toyama, Japan.
| | - Tohru Daikoku
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hokuriku University, Japan
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22
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Skidmore AM, Adcock RS, Jonsson CB, Golden JE, Chung DH. Benzamidine ML336 inhibits plus and minus strand RNA synthesis of Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus without affecting host RNA production. Antiviral Res 2020; 174:104674. [PMID: 31816348 PMCID: PMC6935354 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2019.104674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2019] [Revised: 11/27/2019] [Accepted: 12/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEEV) is an alphavirus that is endemic to the Americas. VEEV outbreaks occur periodically and cause encephalitis in both humans and equids. There are currently no therapeutics or vaccines for treatment of VEEV in humans. Our group has previously reported on the development of a benzamidine VEEV inhibitor, ML336, which shows potent antiviral activity in both in vitro and in vivo models of infection. In cell culture experiments, ML336 inhibits viral RNA synthesis when added 2-4 h post-infection, and mutations conferring resistance occur within the viral nonstructural proteins (nsP2 and nsP4). We hypothesized that ML336 targets an activity of the viral replicase complex and inhibits viral RNA synthesis. To test this hypothesis, we employed various biochemical and cellular assays. Using structural analogues of ML336, we demonstrate that the cellular antiviral activity of these compounds correlates with their inhibition of viral RNA synthesis. For instance, the IC50 of ML336 for VEEV RNA synthesis inhibition was determined as 1.1 nM, indicating potent anti-RNA synthesis activity in the low nanomolar range. While ML336 efficiently inhibited VEEV RNA synthesis, a much weaker effect was observed against the Old World alphavirus Chikungunya virus (IC50 > 4 μM), agreeing with previous data from a cell based assay. Using a tritium incorporation assay, we demonstrated that there was no significant inhibition of cellular transcription. With a combination of fluorography, strand-specific qRT-PCR, and tritium incorporation, we demonstrated that ML336 inhibits the synthesis of the positive sense genomic, negative sense template, and subgenomic RNAs of VEEV. Based on these results, we propose that the mechanism of action for this class of antiviral compounds is inhibition of viral RNA synthesis through interaction with the viral replicase complex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew M Skidmore
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Louisville, 505 South Hancock St, Room 642 C, Louisville, KY, USA.
| | - Robert S Adcock
- Center of Predictive Medicine, University of Louisville, 505 South Hancock St, Room 617, Louisville, KY, USA.
| | - Colleen B Jonsson
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Biochemistry, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, 858 Madison Ave, Room 810 B, Memphis, TN, USA.
| | - Jennifer E Golden
- School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 777 Highland Dr, Room 7123, Madison, WI, USA.
| | - Dong-Hoon Chung
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Louisville, 505 South Hancock St, Room 642 C, Louisville, KY, USA; Center of Predictive Medicine, University of Louisville, 505 South Hancock St, Room 617, Louisville, KY, USA.
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23
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Bryden SR, Pingen M, Lefteri DA, Miltenburg J, Delang L, Jacobs S, Abdelnabi R, Neyts J, Pondeville E, Major J, Müller M, Khalid H, Tuplin A, Varjak M, Merits A, Edgar J, Graham GJ, Shams K, McKimmie CS. Pan-viral protection against arboviruses by activating skin macrophages at the inoculation site. Sci Transl Med 2020; 12:eaax2421. [PMID: 31969486 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.aax2421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2019] [Revised: 08/16/2019] [Accepted: 12/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Arthropod-borne viruses (arboviruses) are important human pathogens for which there are no specific antiviral medicines. The abundance of genetically distinct arbovirus species, coupled with the unpredictable nature of their outbreaks, has made the development of virus-specific treatments challenging. Instead, we have defined and targeted a key aspect of the host innate immune response to virus at the arthropod bite that is common to all arbovirus infections, potentially circumventing the need for virus-specific therapies. Using mouse models and human skin explants, we identify innate immune responses by dermal macrophages in the skin as a key determinant of disease severity. Post-exposure treatment of the inoculation site by a topical TLR7 agonist suppressed both the local and subsequent systemic course of infection with a variety of arboviruses from the Alphavirus, Flavivirus, and Orthobunyavirus genera. Clinical outcome was improved in mice after infection with a model alphavirus. In the absence of treatment, antiviral interferon expression to virus in the skin was restricted to dermal dendritic cells. In contrast, stimulating the more populous skin-resident macrophages with a TLR7 agonist elicited protective responses in key cellular targets of virus that otherwise proficiently replicated virus. By defining and targeting a key aspect of the innate immune response to virus at the mosquito bite site, we have identified a putative new strategy for limiting disease after infection with a variety of genetically distinct arboviruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven R Bryden
- Virus Host Interaction Team, Leeds Institute of Medical Research, School of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Leeds, Leeds LS9 7TF, UK
- Institute of Infection, Immunology and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, UK
| | - Marieke Pingen
- Virus Host Interaction Team, Leeds Institute of Medical Research, School of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Leeds, Leeds LS9 7TF, UK
- Institute of Infection, Immunology and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, UK
| | - Daniella A Lefteri
- Virus Host Interaction Team, Leeds Institute of Medical Research, School of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Leeds, Leeds LS9 7TF, UK
| | - Janne Miltenburg
- Virus Host Interaction Team, Leeds Institute of Medical Research, School of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Leeds, Leeds LS9 7TF, UK
| | - Leen Delang
- KU Leuven Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Sofie Jacobs
- KU Leuven Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Rana Abdelnabi
- KU Leuven Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Johan Neyts
- KU Leuven Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Emilie Pondeville
- MRC‑University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK
| | - Jack Major
- Virus Host Interaction Team, Leeds Institute of Medical Research, School of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Leeds, Leeds LS9 7TF, UK
- Institute of Infection, Immunology and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, UK
| | - Marietta Müller
- School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences and Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK
| | - Henna Khalid
- School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences and Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK
| | - Andrew Tuplin
- School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences and Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK
| | - Margus Varjak
- Institute of Infection, Immunology and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, UK
| | - Andres Merits
- Institute of Technology, University of Tartu, 50411 Tartu, Estonia
| | - Julia Edgar
- Institute of Infection, Immunology and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, UK
| | - Gerard J Graham
- Institute of Infection, Immunology and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, UK
| | - Kave Shams
- Inflammatory Skin Disease Group, Institute of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Medicine, School of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Leeds, Leeds LS9 7TF, UK
| | - Clive S McKimmie
- Virus Host Interaction Team, Leeds Institute of Medical Research, School of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Leeds, Leeds LS9 7TF, UK.
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24
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Badolo A, Burt F, Daniel S, Fearns R, Gudo ES, Kielian M, Lescar J, Shi Y, von Brunn A, Weiss SR, Hilgenfeld R. Third Tofo Advanced Study Week on Emerging and Re-emerging Viruses, 2018. Antiviral Res 2018; 162:142-150. [PMID: 30597184 PMCID: PMC7132404 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2018.12.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2018] [Accepted: 12/24/2018] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
The Third Tofo Advanced Study Week on Emerging and Re-Emerging Viruses (3rd TASW) was held in Praia do Tofo, Mozambique, from September 02 to 06, 2018. It brought together 55 participants from 10 African countries as well as from Belgium, China, Germany, Singapore, and the USA. Meeting sessions covered aspects of the epidemiology, diagnosis, molecular and structural biology, vaccine development, and antiviral drug discovery for emerging RNA viruses that are current threats in Africa and included flaviviruses (dengue and Zika), alphaviruses (chikungunya), coronaviruses, filoviruses (Ebola), influenza viruses, Crimean Congo hemorrhagic fever virus, Rift Valley fever Virus, Lassa virus, and others. Data were presented on recent flavivirus and/or chikungunyavirus outbreaks in Angola, Burkina Faso, and Mozambique. In addition, these viruses are endemic in many sub-Saharan countries. The TASW series on emerging viruses is unique in Africa and successful in promoting collaborations between researchers in Africa and other parts of the world, as well as among African scientists. This report summarizes the lectures held at the meeting and highlights advances in the field. The 3rd Tofo Advanced Study Week on Emerging and Re-emerging Viruses took place from September 2–6, 2018. African attendees came from Angola, Botswana, Burkina Faso, the CAR, Mozambique, Nigeria, S Africa, Tanzania and Zimbabwe. Other participants were from Europe, China, Singapore, and the USA. This unique meeting enabled scientists from Africa and elsewhere to discuss problems and initiate new collaborations. Presentations covered dengue virus, Zika, chikungunya, coronaviruses, Ebola, influenza, Rift Valley fever, CCHF, and RSV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Athanase Badolo
- Laboratory of Fundamental and Applied Entomology, University Ouaga, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
| | - Felicity Burt
- Division of Virology, National Health Laboratory Services and Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa.
| | - Susan Daniel
- Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA.
| | - Rachel Fearns
- Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA.
| | | | - Margaret Kielian
- Department of Cell Biology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA.
| | - Julien Lescar
- Structural Biology and Biochemistry, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore.
| | - Yi Shi
- Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
| | - Albrecht von Brunn
- Max von Pettenkofer-Institute, Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, Munich, Germany; German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Munich Site, Munich, Germany.
| | - Susan R Weiss
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
| | - Rolf Hilgenfeld
- Institute of Biochemistry, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany; German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Hamburg - Lübeck - Borstel - Riems Site, Lübeck, Germany.
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25
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Selection and characterization of protective anti-chikungunya virus single domain antibodies. Mol Immunol 2018; 105:190-197. [PMID: 30550981 DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2018.11.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2018] [Revised: 11/21/2018] [Accepted: 11/30/2018] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is a mosquito-borne alphavirus that causes an arthralgia febrile illness that has affected millions of people on three continents. Previously, neutralizing monoclonal antibodies that have prophylactic and therapeutic activity were found to remove virus in joint tissues, thereby reducing the severity of symptoms in mice and non-human primates. In this study, we sought to develop thermostable small recombinant antibodies against CHIKV for future diagnostic, prophylactic and therapeutic applications. To develop these single domain antibodies (sdAb) a CHIKV immune library was constructed by displaying the consortium of variable heavy domains (VHH) amplified from peripheral white blood cells isolated from llamas immunized with CHIKV virus-like particles (VLPs). Five anti-CHIKV sdAb isolated using bio-panning were evaluated for their affinity and thermal stability. Their ability to detect CHIKV VLPs was demonstrated in both MagPlex- and ELISA- based assays. Finally, the ability of two sdAb, CC3 and CA6, to inhibit CHIKV infection were tested using a plaque reduction and neutralization test (PRNT), yielding PRNT50 values of 0.6 and 45.6 nM, respectively.
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26
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Moizéis RNC, Fernandes TAADM, Guedes PMDM, Pereira HWB, Lanza DCF, de Azevedo JWV, Galvão JMDA, Fernandes JV. Chikungunya fever: a threat to global public health. Pathog Glob Health 2018; 112:182-194. [PMID: 29806537 PMCID: PMC6147074 DOI: 10.1080/20477724.2018.1478777] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Chikungunya fever is an emerging arbovirus infection, representing a serious public health problem. Its etiological agent is the Chikungunya virus (CHIKV). Transmission of this virus is mainly vector by mosquitoes of the genus Aedes, although transmission by blood transfusions and vertical transmission has also been reported. The disease presents high morbidity caused mainly by the arthralgia and arthritis generated. Cardiovascular and neurological manifestations have also been reported. The severity of the infection seems to be directly associated with the action of the virus, but also with the decompensation of preexisting comorbidities. Currently, there are no therapeutic products neither vaccines licensed to the infection CHIKV control, although several vaccine candidates are being evaluated and human polyvalent immunoglobulins anti-CHIKV had been tested. Antibodies can protect against the infection, but in sub-neutralizing concentrations can augment virus infection and exacerbate disease severity. So, the prevention still depends on the use of personal protection measures and vector control, which are only minimally effective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raíza Nara Cunha Moizéis
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Parasitária, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil
| | | | - Paulo Marcos da Matta Guedes
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Parasitária, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil
- Departamento de Microbiologia e Parasitologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil
| | | | | | | | - Josélio Maria de Araújo Galvão
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Parasitária, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil
- Departamento de Microbiologia e Parasitologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil
| | - José Veríssimo Fernandes
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Parasitária, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil
- Departamento de Microbiologia e Parasitologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil
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27
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Prow NA, Tang B, Gardner J, Le TT, Taylor A, Poo YS, Nakayama E, Hirata TDC, Nakaya HI, Slonchak A, Mukhopadhyay P, Mahalingam S, Schroder WA, Klimstra W, Suhrbier A. Lower temperatures reduce type I interferon activity and promote alphaviral arthritis. PLoS Pathog 2017; 13:e1006788. [PMID: 29281739 PMCID: PMC5770078 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1006788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2017] [Revised: 01/16/2018] [Accepted: 12/04/2017] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) belongs to a group of mosquito-borne alphaviruses associated with acute and chronic arthropathy, with peripheral and limb joints most commonly affected. Using a mouse model of CHIKV infection and arthritic disease, we show that CHIKV replication and the ensuing foot arthropathy were dramatically reduced when mice were housed at 30°C, rather than the conventional 22°C. The effect was not associated with a detectable fever, but was dependent on type I interferon responses. Bioinformatics analyses of RNA-Seq data after injection of poly(I:C)/jetPEI suggested the unfolded protein response and certain type I interferon responses are promoted when feet are slightly warmer. The ambient temperature thus appears able profoundly to effect anti-viral activity in the periphery, with clear consequences for alphaviral replication and the ensuing arthropathy. These observations may provide an explanation for why alphaviral arthropathies are largely restricted to joints of the limbs and the extremities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie A. Prow
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- Australian Infectious Disease Research Centre, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Bing Tang
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Joy Gardner
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Thuy T. Le
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Adam Taylor
- Institute for Glycomics, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
| | - Yee S. Poo
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Eri Nakayama
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- Department of Virology I, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Thiago D. C. Hirata
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Helder I. Nakaya
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Andrii Slonchak
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | | | - Suresh Mahalingam
- Institute for Glycomics, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
| | - Wayne A. Schroder
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - William Klimstra
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics Center for Vaccine Research University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Andreas Suhrbier
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- Australian Infectious Disease Research Centre, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
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