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Rabelo V, Sanchez-Nuñez ML, Corrêa-Amorim LS, Kuhn RJ, Abreu PA, Paixão ICNP. In Silico Drug Repurposing Uncovered the Antiviral Potential of the Antiparasitic Drug Oxibendazole Against the Chikungunya Virus. ACS OMEGA 2024; 9:27632-27642. [PMID: 38947813 PMCID: PMC11209700 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.4c03417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2024] [Revised: 05/23/2024] [Accepted: 05/31/2024] [Indexed: 07/02/2024]
Abstract
Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) has been reported in over 120 countries and is the causative agent of Chikungunya fever. The debilitating nature of this disease, which can persist months to years after acute infection, drastically impacts the quality of life of patients. Yet, specific antivirals are lacking for the treatment of this disease, which makes the search for new drugs necessary. In this context, the nsP2 protease emerges as an attractive therapeutic target, and drug repurposing strategies have proven to be valuable. Therefore, we combined in silico and in vitro methods to identify known drugs as potential CHIKV nsP2 protease inhibitors with antiviral properties within DrugBank. Herein, we developed a hybrid virtual screening pipeline comprising pharmacophore- and target-based screening, drug-like, and pharmaceutical filtering steps. Six virtual hits were obtained, and two of them, capecitabine (CPB) and oxibendazole (OBZ), were evaluated against CHIKV replication in Vero cells. CPB did not present antiviral activity, whereas OBZ inhibited the replication of two different strains of CHIKV, namely, 181-25 (Asian genotype) and BRA/RJ/18 (clinical isolate from ECSA genotype). OBZ showed potent antiviral activity against the CHIKV BRA/RJ/18 (EC50 = 11.4 μM) with a high selectivity index (>44). Analogs of OBZ (albendazole, fenbendazole, and mebendazole) were also evaluated, but none exhibited anti-CHIKV activity, and further, their stereoelectronic features were analyzed. Additionally, we observed that OBZ acts mainly at post-entry steps. Hence, our results support further in vivo studies to investigate the antiviral potential of OBZ, which offers a new alternative to fight CHIKV infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vitor
W. Rabelo
- Programa
de Pós-graduação em Ciências e Biotecnologia,
Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal
Fluminense, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro CEP 24210-201, Brazil
| | - Maria Leonisa Sanchez-Nuñez
- Programa
de Pós-graduação em Ciências e Biotecnologia,
Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal
Fluminense, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro CEP 24210-201, Brazil
| | - Leonardo S. Corrêa-Amorim
- Programa
de Pós-graduação em Ciências e Biotecnologia,
Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal
Fluminense, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro CEP 24210-201, Brazil
- Gerência
de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico, Instituto
Vital Brazil, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro 24230-410, Brazil
| | - Richard J. Kuhn
- Department
of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
- Purdue
Institute of Inflammation, Immunology, and Infectious Disease, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
| | - Paula A. Abreu
- Instituto
de Biodiversidade e Sustentabilidade (NUPEM), Campus Macaé, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro CEP 27965-045, Brazil
| | - Izabel C. N. P. Paixão
- Programa
de Pós-graduação em Ciências e Biotecnologia,
Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal
Fluminense, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro CEP 24210-201, Brazil
- Departamento
de Biologia Celular e Molecular, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro CEP 24210-201, Brazil
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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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Anderson EJ, Knight AC, Heise MT, Baxter VK. Effect of Viral Strain and Host Age on Clinical Disease and Viral Replication in Immunocompetent Mouse Models of Chikungunya Encephalomyelitis. Viruses 2023; 15:1057. [PMID: 37243143 PMCID: PMC10220978 DOI: 10.3390/v15051057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2023] [Revised: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The alphavirus chikungunya virus (CHIKV) represents a reemerging public health threat as mosquito vectors spread and viruses acquire advantageous mutations. Although primarily arthritogenic in nature, CHIKV can produce neurological disease with long-lasting sequelae that are difficult to study in humans. We therefore evaluated immunocompetent mouse strains/stocks for their susceptibility to intracranial infection with three different CHIKV strains, the East/Central/South African (ECSA) lineage strain SL15649 and Asian lineage strains AF15561 and SM2013. In CD-1 mice, neurovirulence was age- and CHIKV strain-specific, with SM2013 inducing less severe disease than SL15649 and AF15561. In 4-6-week-old C57BL/6J mice, SL15649 induced more severe disease and increased viral brain and spinal cord titers compared to Asian lineage strains, further indicating that neurological disease severity is CHIKV-strain-dependent. Proinflammatory cytokine gene expression and CD4+ T cell infiltration in the brain were also increased with SL15649 infection, suggesting that like other encephalitic alphaviruses and with CHIKV-induced arthritis, the immune response contributes to CHIKV-induced neurological disease. Finally, this study helps overcome a current barrier in the alphavirus field by identifying both 4-6-week-old CD-1 and C57BL/6J mice as immunocompetent, neurodevelopmentally appropriate mouse models that can be used to examine CHIKV neuropathogenesis and immunopathogenesis following direct brain infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth J. Anderson
- Division of Comparative Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Audrey C. Knight
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Mark T. Heise
- Department of Genetics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Victoria K. Baxter
- Division of Comparative Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Texas Biomedical Research Institute, San Antonio, TX 78227, USA
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4
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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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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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6
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Abstract
Alphaviruses are positive-strand RNA viruses, typically transmitted by mosquitoes between vertebrate hosts. They encode four essential replication proteins, the non-structural proteins nsP1-4, which possess the enzymatic activities of RNA capping, RNA helicase, site-specific protease, ADP-ribosyl removal and RNA polymerase. Alphaviruses have been key models in the study of membrane-associated RNA replication, which is a conserved feature among the positive-strand RNA viruses of animals and plants. We review new structural and functional information on the nsPs and their interaction with host proteins and membranes, as well as with viral RNA sequences. The dodecameric ring structure of nsP1 is likely to be one of the evolutionary innovations that facilitated the success of the progenitors of current positive-strand RNA viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tero Ahola
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Gerald McInerney
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Andres Merits
- Institute of Technology, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia.
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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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