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Gurukkalot K, Rajendran V. Repurposing Polyether Ionophores as a New-Class of Anti-SARS-Cov-2 Agents as Adjunct Therapy. Curr Microbiol 2023; 80:273. [PMID: 37414909 DOI: 10.1007/s00284-023-03366-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023]
Abstract
The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 and its variants have posed a significant threat to humankind in tackling the viral spread. Furthermore, currently repurposed drugs and frontline antiviral agents have failed to cure severe ongoing infections effectively. This insufficiency has fuelled research for potent and safe therapeutic agents to treat COVID-19. Nonetheless, various vaccine candidates have displayed a differential efficacy and need for repetitive dosing. The FDA-approved polyether ionophore veterinary antibiotic for treating coccidiosis has been repurposed for treating SARS-CoV-2 infection (as shown by both in vitro and in vivo studies) and other deadly human viruses. Based on selectivity index values, ionophores display therapeutic effects at sub-nanomolar concentrations and exhibit selective killing ability. They act on different viral targets (structural and non-structural proteins), host-cell components leading to SARS-CoV-2 inhibition, and their activity is further enhanced by Zn2+ supplementation. This review summarizes the anti-SARS-CoV-2 potential and molecular viral targets of selective ionophores like monensin, salinomycin, maduramicin, CP-80,219, nanchangmycin, narasin, X-206 and valinomycin. Ionophore combinations with Zn2+ are a new therapeutic strategy that warrants further investigation for possible human benefits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keerthana Gurukkalot
- Department of Microbiology, School of Life Sciences, Pondicherry University, Puducherry, 605014, India
| | - Vinoth Rajendran
- Department of Microbiology, School of Life Sciences, Pondicherry University, Puducherry, 605014, India.
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2
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Chandley P, Ranjan R, Kumar S, Rohatgi S. Host-parasite interactions during Plasmodium infection: Implications for immunotherapies. Front Immunol 2023; 13:1091961. [PMID: 36685595 PMCID: PMC9845897 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1091961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Malaria is a global infectious disease that remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the developing world. Multiple environmental and host and parasite factors govern the clinical outcomes of malaria. The host immune response against the Plasmodium parasite is heterogenous and stage-specific both in the human host and mosquito vector. The Plasmodium parasite virulence is predominantly associated with its ability to evade the host's immune response. Despite the availability of drug-based therapies, Plasmodium parasites can acquire drug resistance due to high antigenic variations and allelic polymorphisms. The lack of licensed vaccines against Plasmodium infection necessitates the development of effective, safe and successful therapeutics. To design an effective vaccine, it is important to study the immune evasion strategies and stage-specific Plasmodium proteins, which are targets of the host immune response. This review provides an overview of the host immune defense mechanisms and parasite immune evasion strategies during Plasmodium infection. Furthermore, we also summarize and discuss the current progress in various anti-malarial vaccine approaches, along with antibody-based therapy involving monoclonal antibodies, and research advancements in host-directed therapy, which can together open new avenues for developing novel immunotherapies against malaria infection and transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pankaj Chandley
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee, India
| | - Ravikant Ranjan
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee, India
| | - Sudhir Kumar
- Center for Global Infectious Disease Research, Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Soma Rohatgi
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee, India,*Correspondence: Soma Rohatgi,
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Saison N, Franetich JF, Pinilla YT, Hoffmann A, Boussougou-Sambe ST, Ngossanga B, Tefit M, Ashraf K, Amanzougaghene N, Tajeri S, Adegnika AA, Mazier D, Borrmann S. Rapid and Specific Action of Methylene Blue against Plasmodium Transmission Stages. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14122794. [PMID: 36559287 PMCID: PMC9786052 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14122794] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2022] [Revised: 12/04/2022] [Accepted: 12/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Methylene blue (MB) is the oldest synthetic anti-infective. Its high potency against asexual and sexual stages of malaria parasites is well documented. This study aimed to investigate possible additional activities of MB in interfering with parasite transmission and determine target stages in Anopheles vectors and humans. MB's transmission-blocking activity was first evaluated by an ex vivo direct membrane feeding assay (DMFA) using Plasmodium falciparum field isolates. To investigate anti-mosquito stage activity, Plasmodium berghei-infected Anopheles stephensi mosquitoes were fed a second blood meal on mice that had been treated with methylene blue, 3, 6- and 15-days after the initial infectious blood meal. Anti-sporozoite and liver stage activities were evaluated in vitro and in vivo via sporozoite invasion and liver stage development assays, respectively. MB exhibited a robust inhibition of P. falciparum transmission in An. gambiae, even when added shortly before the DMFA but only a moderate effect against P. berghei oocyst development. Exposure of mature P. berghei and P. falciparum sporozoites to MB blocked hepatocyte invasion, yet P. berghei liver stage development was unaffected by MB. Our results indicate previously underappreciated rapid specific activities of methylene blue against Plasmodium transmission stages, preventing the establishment of both mosquito midgut and liver infections as the first essential steps in both hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathanaël Saison
- Centre de Recherches Médicales de Lambaréné, Lambaréné 1437, Gabon
- Institute for Tropical Medicine, University of Tübingen, 72074 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Jean-François Franetich
- Centre d’Immunologie et des Maladies Infectieuses, Inserm, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, U1135, ERL8255, CIMI-Paris, F-75013 Paris, France
| | - Yudi T. Pinilla
- Institute for Tropical Medicine, University of Tübingen, 72074 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Anton Hoffmann
- Centre de Recherches Médicales de Lambaréné, Lambaréné 1437, Gabon
- Institute for Tropical Medicine, University of Tübingen, 72074 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Stravensky T. Boussougou-Sambe
- Centre de Recherches Médicales de Lambaréné, Lambaréné 1437, Gabon
- Institute for Tropical Medicine, University of Tübingen, 72074 Tübingen, Germany
| | | | - Maurel Tefit
- Centre d’Immunologie et des Maladies Infectieuses, Inserm, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, U1135, ERL8255, CIMI-Paris, F-75013 Paris, France
| | - Kutub Ashraf
- Centre d’Immunologie et des Maladies Infectieuses, Inserm, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, U1135, ERL8255, CIMI-Paris, F-75013 Paris, France
| | - Nadia Amanzougaghene
- Centre d’Immunologie et des Maladies Infectieuses, Inserm, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, U1135, ERL8255, CIMI-Paris, F-75013 Paris, France
| | - Shahin Tajeri
- Centre d’Immunologie et des Maladies Infectieuses, Inserm, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, U1135, ERL8255, CIMI-Paris, F-75013 Paris, France
| | - Ayola A. Adegnika
- Centre de Recherches Médicales de Lambaréné, Lambaréné 1437, Gabon
- Institute for Tropical Medicine, University of Tübingen, 72074 Tübingen, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Tübingen, 38124 Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Dominique Mazier
- Centre d’Immunologie et des Maladies Infectieuses, Inserm, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, U1135, ERL8255, CIMI-Paris, F-75013 Paris, France
| | - Steffen Borrmann
- Centre de Recherches Médicales de Lambaréné, Lambaréné 1437, Gabon
- Institute for Tropical Medicine, University of Tübingen, 72074 Tübingen, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Tübingen, 38124 Braunschweig, Germany
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-707129-85428
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Antoszczak M, Huczyński A. Salinomycin and its derivatives - A new class of multiple-targeted "magic bullets". Eur J Med Chem 2019; 176:208-227. [PMID: 31103901 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2019.05.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2018] [Revised: 05/06/2019] [Accepted: 05/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
The history of drug development clearly shows the scale of painstaking effort leading to a finished product - a highly biologically active agent that would be at the same time no or little toxic to human organism. Moreover, the aim of modern drug discovery can move from "one-molecule one-target" concept to more promising "one-molecule multiple-targets" one, particularly in the context of effective fight against cancer and other complex diseases. Gratifyingly, natural compounds are excellent source of potential drug leads. One of such promising naturally-occurring drug candidates is a polyether ionophore - salinomycin (SAL). This compound should be identified as multi-target agent for two reasons. Firstly, SAL combines a broad spectrum of bioactivity, including antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, antiparasitic and anticancer activity, with high selectivity of action, proving its significant therapeutic potential. Secondly, the multimodal mechanism of action of SAL has been shown to be related to its interactions with multiple molecular targets and signalling pathways that are synergistic for achieving a therapeutic anticancer effect. On the other hand, according to the Paul Ehrlich's "magic bullet" concept, invariably inspiring the scientists working on design of novel target-selective molecules, a very interesting direction of research is rational chemical modification of SAL. Importantly, many of SAL derivatives have been found to be more promising as chemotherapeutics than the native structure. This concise review article is focused both on the possible role of SAL and its selected analogues in future antimicrobial and/or cancer therapy, and on the potential use of SAL as a new class of multiple-targeted "magic bullet" because of its multimodal mechanism of action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michał Antoszczak
- Department of Bioorganic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Adam Mickiewicz University, Umultowska 89b, 61‒614, Poznań, Poland
| | - Adam Huczyński
- Department of Bioorganic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Adam Mickiewicz University, Umultowska 89b, 61‒614, Poznań, Poland.
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Antoszczak M, Steverding D, Huczyński A. Anti-parasitic activity of polyether ionophores. Eur J Med Chem 2019; 166:32-47. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2019.01.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2018] [Revised: 01/08/2019] [Accepted: 01/15/2019] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
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Douglas RG, Reinig M, Neale M, Frischknecht F. Screening for potential prophylactics targeting sporozoite motility through the skin. Malar J 2018; 17:319. [PMID: 30170589 PMCID: PMC6119338 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-018-2469-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2018] [Accepted: 08/27/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Anti-malarial compounds have not yet been identified that target the first obligatory step of infection in humans: the migration of Plasmodium sporozoites in the host dermis. This movement is essential to find and invade a blood vessel in order to be passively transported to the liver. Here, an imaging screening pipeline was established to screen for compounds capable of inhibiting extracellular sporozoites. METHODS Sporozoites expressing the green fluorescent protein were isolated from infected Anopheles mosquitoes, incubated with compounds from two libraries (MMV Malaria Box and a FDA-approved library) and imaged. Effects on in vitro motility or morphology were scored. In vivo efficacy of a candidate drug was investigated by treating mice ears with a gel prior to infectious mosquito bites. Motility was analysed by in vivo imaging and the progress of infection was monitored by daily blood smears. RESULTS Several compounds had a pronounced effect on in vitro sporozoite gliding or morphology. Notably, monensin sodium potently affected sporozoite movement while gramicidin S resulted in rounding up of sporozoites. However, pre-treatment of mice with a topical gel containing gramicidin did not reduce sporozoite motility and infection. CONCLUSIONS This approach shows that it is possible to screen libraries for inhibitors of sporozoite motility and highlighted the paucity of compounds in currently available libraries that inhibit this initial step of a malaria infection. Screening of diverse libraries is suggested to identify more compounds that could serve as leads in developing 'skin-based' malaria prophylactics. Further, strategies need to be developed that will allow compounds to effectively penetrate the dermis and thereby prevent exit of sporozoites from the skin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ross G Douglas
- Integrative Parasitology, Center for Infectious Diseases, Heidelberg University Medical School, Im Neuenheimer Feld 324, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Miriam Reinig
- Integrative Parasitology, Center for Infectious Diseases, Heidelberg University Medical School, Im Neuenheimer Feld 324, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Matthew Neale
- Integrative Parasitology, Center for Infectious Diseases, Heidelberg University Medical School, Im Neuenheimer Feld 324, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Friedrich Frischknecht
- Integrative Parasitology, Center for Infectious Diseases, Heidelberg University Medical School, Im Neuenheimer Feld 324, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.
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Kluska M, Komasińska M, Jabłońska J, Prukała W. Challenges of HPLC determination of quinoline derivatives used in the treatment of malaria. J LIQ CHROMATOGR R T 2018. [DOI: 10.1080/10826076.2018.1448870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Mariusz Kluska
- Faculty of Science, Siedlce University of Natural Sciences and Humanities, Institute of Chemistry, Siedlce, Poland
| | | | - Joanna Jabłońska
- Faculty of Science, Siedlce University of Natural Sciences and Humanities, Institute of Chemistry, Siedlce, Poland
| | - Wiesław Prukała
- Faculty of Chemistry, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznań, Poland
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Salinomycin and other ionophores as a new class of antimalarial drugs with transmission-blocking activity. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2015; 59:5135-44. [PMID: 26055362 DOI: 10.1128/aac.04332-14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2014] [Accepted: 05/21/2015] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The drug target profile proposed by the Medicines for Malaria Venture for a malaria elimination/eradication policy focuses on molecules active on both asexual and sexual stages of Plasmodium, thus with both curative and transmission-blocking activities. The aim of the present work was to investigate whether the class of monovalent ionophores, which includes drugs used in veterinary medicine and that were recently proposed as human anticancer agents, meets these requirements. The activity of salinomycin, monensin, and nigericin on Plasmodium falciparum asexual and sexual erythrocytic stages and on the development of the Plasmodium berghei and P. falciparum mosquito stages is reported here. Gametocytogenesis of the P. falciparum strain 3D7 was induced in vitro, and gametocytes at stage II and III or stage IV and V of development were treated for different lengths of time with the ionophores and their viability measured with the parasite lactate dehydrogenase (pLDH) assay. The monovalent ionophores efficiently killed both asexual parasites and gametocytes with a nanomolar 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50). Salinomycin showed a fast speed of kill compared to that of standard drugs, and the potency was higher on stage IV and V than on stage II and III gametocytes. The ionophores inhibited ookinete development and subsequent oocyst formation in the mosquito midgut, confirming their transmission-blocking activity. Potential toxicity due to hemolysis was excluded, since only infected and not normal erythrocytes were damaged by ionophores. Our data strongly support the downstream exploration of monovalent ionophores for repositioning as new antimalarial and transmission-blocking leads.
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Rodrigues T, Prudêncio M, Moreira R, Mota MM, Lopes F. Targeting the liver stage of malaria parasites: a yet unmet goal. J Med Chem 2011; 55:995-1012. [PMID: 22122518 DOI: 10.1021/jm201095h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Tiago Rodrigues
- Research Institute for Medicines and Pharmaceutical Sciences (iMed.UL), Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Lisbon, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-019 Lisbon, Portugal
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