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Novel Naturally Occurring Dipeptides and Single-Stranded Oligonucleotide Act as Entry Inhibitors and Exhibit a Strong Synergistic Anti-HIV-1 Profile. Infect Dis Ther 2022; 11:1103-1116. [PMID: 35391633 PMCID: PMC9124260 DOI: 10.1007/s40121-022-00626-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2022] [Accepted: 03/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction The availability of new classes of antiretroviral drugs is critical for treatment-experienced patients due to drug resistance to and unwanted side effects from current drugs. Our aim was therefore to evaluate the anti-HIV-1 activity of a new set of antivirals, dipeptides (WG-am or VQ-am) combined with a single-stranded oligonucleotide (ssON). The dipeptides were identified as naturally occurring and enriched in feces and systemic circulation in HIV-1-infected elite controllers and were proposed to act as entry inhibitors by binding to HIV-1 gp120. The ssON is DNA 35-mer, stabilized by phosphorothioate modifications, which acts on the endocytic step by binding to cell host receptors and inhibiting viruses through interference with binding to nucleolin. Methods Chou–Talalay’s Combination Index method for quantifying synergism was used to evaluate the drug combinations. Patient-derived chimeric viruses encoding the gp120 (env region) were produced by transient transfection and used to evaluate the antiviral profile of the combinations by drug susceptibility assays. Results We found that the combination WG-am:ssON or VQ-am:ssON had low combination index values, suggesting strong antiviral synergism. Of the two combinations, WG-am:ssON (1 mM:1 μM) had high efficacy against all prototype or patient-derived HIV-1 isolates tested, independent of subtype including the HIV-1-A6 sub-subtype. In addition, the antiviral effect was independent of co-receptor usage in patient-derived strains. Conclusion WG-am and ssON alone significantly inhibited HIV-1 replication regardless of viral subtype and co-receptor usage, and the combination WG-am:ssON (1 mM:1 μM) was even more effective due to synergism.
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Pröll J, Paar C, Taylor N, Skocic M, Freystetter A, Blaimschein A, Mayr R, Niklas N, Atzmüller S, Raml E, Wechselberger C. New aspects of the Virus Life Cycle and Clinical Utility of Next Generation Sequencing based HIV-1 Resistance Testing in the Genomic, the Proviral and the Viral Reservoir of Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells. Curr HIV Res 2022; 20:213-221. [PMID: 35331114 DOI: 10.2174/1570162x20666220324111418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2021] [Revised: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 01/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Typically, genotypic resistance testing is recommended at the start of antiretroviral therapy and is even mandatory in cases of virologic failure. The material of choice is plasma viral RNA. However, in patients with low viremia (viral load < 500 copies/ml), resistance testing by population-based sequencing is very difficult. OBJECTIVE Therefore, we aimed to investigate whether next generation sequencing (NGS) from proviral DNA and RNA could be an alternative. MATERIAL AND METHODS EDTA blood samples (n = 36) from routine clinical viral load testing were used for the study. Viral loads ranged from 96 to 390,000 copies/mL, with 100% of samples having low viremia. Distribution of subtypes A (n = 2), B (n = 16), C (n = 4), D (n = 2), G (1), CRF02 AG (n = 5), CRF01 AE (n = 5), undefined/mixed (n = 4). The extracted consensus sequences were uploaded to the Stanford HIV Drug Resistance Data Base and Geno2pheno for online analysis of drug resistance mutations and resistance factors. RESULTS A total of 2476 variants or drug resistance mutations (DRMs) were detected with Sanger sequencing, compared with 2892 variants with NGS. An average of 822/1008 variants were identified in plasma viral RNA by Sanger or NGS sequencing, 834/956 in cellular viral RNA, and 820/928 in cellular viral DNA. CONCLUSIONS Both methods are well suited for the detection of HIV substitutions or drug resistance mutations. Our results suggest that cellular RNA or cellular viral DNA is an informative alternative to plasma viral RNA for variant detection in patients with low viremia, as shown by the high correlation of variants in the different viral pools. And we show that by using UDS, a plus of two DRMs per patient becomes visible and that can make a big difference in the assessment of the expected resistance behavior of the virus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johannes Pröll
- Center for Medical Research, Medical Faculty Johannes Kepler University, Medical Faculty, Krankenhausstraße 5, A-4020 Linz, Austria
| | - Christian Paar
- Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Kepler Universitätsklinikum, Med Campus III, Krankenhausstraße 9, A-4020 Linz, Austria
| | - Ninon Taylor
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital of the Paracelsus Medical University, Müllner Hauptstraße 48, A-5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Matthias Skocic
- Department of Dermatology, Kepler Universitätsklinikum, Med Campus III, Krankenhausstraße 9, A-4020 Linz, Austria
| | - Andrea Freystetter
- Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Kepler Universitätsklinikum, Med Campus III, Krankenhausstraße 9, A-4020 Linz, Austria
| | - Anna Blaimschein
- Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Kepler Universitätsklinikum, Med Campus III, Krankenhausstraße 9, A-4020 Linz, Austria
| | - Roland Mayr
- Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Kepler Universitätsklinikum, Med Campus III, Krankenhausstraße 9, A-4020 Linz, Austria
| | - Norbert Niklas
- Red Cross Transfusion Center for Upper Austria, Krankenhausstraße 7, A-4020, Austria
| | - Sabine Atzmüller
- Center for Medical Research, Medical Faculty Johannes Kepler University, Medical Faculty, Krankenhausstraße 5, A-4020 Linz, Austria
| | - Edeltraud Raml
- Center for Medical Research, Medical Faculty Johannes Kepler University, Medical Faculty, Krankenhausstraße 5, A-4020 Linz, Austria
| | - Christian Wechselberger
- Division of Pathophysiology, Institute for Physiology and Pathophysiology, Medical Faculty, Johannes Kepler University, ADM Building, Krankenhausstraße 5, A-4020 Linz, Austria
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Saladini F, Giannini A, Giammarino F, Boccuto A, Dragoni F, Vicenti I, Zazzi M. In vitro susceptibility of HIV-1 CRF02_AG to temsavir, the active compound of the attachment inhibitor fostemsavir. J Antimicrob Chemother 2021; 76:3310-3312. [PMID: 34402509 DOI: 10.1093/jac/dkab309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2021] [Accepted: 07/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Saladini
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Alessia Giannini
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | | | - Adele Boccuto
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Filippo Dragoni
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Ilaria Vicenti
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Maurizio Zazzi
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
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Saladini F, Giannini A, Giammarino F, Maggiolo F, Vichi F, Corbelli GM, Galli A, Bigoloni A, Poli A, Santoro MM, Zazzi M, Castagna A. In vitro susceptibility to fostemsavir is not affected by long-term exposure to antiviral therapy in MDR HIV-1-infected patients. J Antimicrob Chemother 2021; 75:2547-2553. [PMID: 32464638 DOI: 10.1093/jac/dkaa178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2020] [Revised: 04/06/2020] [Accepted: 04/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Fostemsavir is the prodrug of the HIV-1 attachment inhibitor temsavir and is currently under clinical assessment in heavily treatment-experienced patients with limited therapeutic options. We evaluated the genotypic and phenotypic susceptibility to temsavir in a panel of samples collected from patients harbouring MDR strains enrolled in the Italian PRESTIGIO Registry. METHODS Plasma samples from 24 patients were used for HIV-1 gp120 sequencing, while viral tropism and susceptibility to temsavir were assessed through a homemade phenotypic assay with pseudotyped viruses expressing patient-derived Env protein. RESULTS Of the 24 patients enrolled, 18 (75%) were male, median (IQR) age was 55 years (52-61), time since HIV-1 diagnosis was 27 years (24-30), time on ART was 26 years (23-27) and 11 (46%) had a previous AIDS diagnosis. Exposure to entry inhibitors (maraviroc and/or enfuvirtide) had occurred in 19 (79%) patients. Among 23/24 gp120 sequences obtained, temsavir resistance-associated mutations (RAMs) were detected in three cases (two M426L and one S375N). Pseudotyped viruses were obtained from 23/24 samples and viral tropism was CXCR4-tropic, CCR5-tropic and dual/mixed-tropic in six, nine and eight cases, respectively. Phenotypic susceptibility to temsavir was comparable to the reference WT viruses NL4-3 and AD8 in all samples, irrespective of RAMs. Viral tropism and exposure to entry inhibitors did not impact temsavir susceptibility. CONCLUSIONS These data support the use of fostemsavir as a valuable therapy option in patients harbouring MDR virus. The role of laboratory testing in optimal screening of patients eligible for fostemsavir treatment remains to be investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Saladini
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Alessia Giannini
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | | | | | - Francesca Vichi
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Santa Maria Annunziata Hospital, Florence, Italy
| | | | - Andrea Galli
- IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Alba Bigoloni
- IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Andrea Poli
- IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Maria M Santoro
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy
| | - Maurizio Zazzi
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Antonella Castagna
- IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy.,Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
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Vicenti I, Dragoni F, Monti M, Trombetta CM, Giannini A, Boccuto A, Saladini F, Rossetti B, De Luca A, Ciabattini A, Pastore G, Medaglini D, Orofino G, Montomoli E, Zazzi M. Maraviroc as a potential HIV-1 latency-reversing agent in cell line models and ex vivo CD4 T cells. J Gen Virol 2021; 102. [PMID: 33048041 DOI: 10.1099/jgv.0.001499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent studies have suggested that the CCR5 antagonist maraviroc (MVC) may exert an HIV-1 latency reversal effect. This study aimed at defining MVC-mediated induction of HIV-1 in three cell line latency models and in ex vivo CD4 T cells from six patients with suppressed viraemia. HIV-1 induction was evaluated in TZM-bl cells by measuring HIV-1 LTR-driven luciferase expression, and in ACH-2 and U1 latently infected cell lines by measuring cell-free (CFR) and cell-associated (CAR) HIV-1 RNA by qPCR. NF-κB p65 was quantified in nuclear extracts by immunodetection. In ex vivo CD4 T cells, CAR, CFR and cell-associated DNA (CAD) were quantified at baseline and 1-7-14 days post-induction (T1, T7, T14). At T7 and T14, the infectivity of the CD4 T cells co-cultured with MOLT-4/CCR5 target cells was evaluated in the TZM-bl assay (TZA). Results were expressed as fold activation (FA) with respect to untreated cells. No LTR activation was observed in TZM-bl cells at any MVC concentration. NF-κB activation was only modestly upregulated (1.6±0.4) in TZM-bl cells with 5 µM MVC. Significant FA of HIV-1 expression was only detected at 80 µM MVC, namely on HIV-1 CFR in U1 (3.1±0.9; P=0.034) and ACH-2 cells (3.9±1.4; P=0.037). CFR was only weakly stimulated at 20 µM in ACH-2 (1.7±1.0 FA) cells and at 5 µM in U1 cells (1.9±0.5 FA). Although no consistent pattern of MVC-mediated activation was observed in ex vivo experiments, substantial FA values were detected sparsely on individual samples with different parameters. Notably, in one sample, MVC stimulated all parameters at T7 (2.3±0.2 CAD, 6.8±3.7 CAR, 18.7±16.7 CFR, 7.3±0.2 TZA). In conclusion, MVC variably induces HIV-1 production in some cell line models not previously used to test its latency reversal potential. In ex vivo CD4 T cells, MVC may exert patient-specific HIV-1 induction; however, clinically relevant patterns, if any, remain to be defined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilaria Vicenti
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Filippo Dragoni
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | | | | | - Alessia Giannini
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Adele Boccuto
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Francesco Saladini
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Barbara Rossetti
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Senese, Siena, Italy
| | - Andrea De Luca
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Senese, Siena, Italy.,Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | | | - Gabiria Pastore
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Donata Medaglini
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Giancarlo Orofino
- Unit of Infectious Diseases, Division A, Ospedale Amedeo di Savoia, Turin, Italy
| | - Emanuele Montomoli
- Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, Siena, Italy.,VisMederi srl, Siena, Italy
| | - Maurizio Zazzi
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
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