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Secchi M, Vangelista L. Rational Engineering of a Sub-Picomolar HIV-1 Blocker. Viruses 2022; 14:v14112415. [PMID: 36366513 PMCID: PMC9695723 DOI: 10.3390/v14112415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2022] [Revised: 10/19/2022] [Accepted: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
With the aim of rationally devising a refined and potent HIV-1 blocker, the cDNA of CCL5 5p12 5m, an extremely potent CCR5 antagonist, was fused to that of C37, a gp41-targeted fusion inhibitor. The resulting CCL5 5p12 5m-C37 fusion protein was expressed in E. coli and proved to be capable of inhibiting R5 HIV-1 strains with low to sub-picomolar IC50, maintaining its antagonism toward CCR5. In addition, CCL5 5p12 5m-C37 inhibits R5/X4 and X4 HIV-1 strains in the picomolar concentration range. The combination of CCL5 5p12 5m-C37 with tenofovir (TDF) exhibited a synergic effect, promoting this antiviral cocktail. Interestingly, a CCR5-targeted combination of maraviroc (MVC) with CCL5 5p12 5m-C37 led to a synergic effect that could be explained by an extensive engagement of different CCR5 conformational populations. Within the mechanism of HIV-1 entry, the CCL5 5p12 5m-C37 chimera may fit as a powerful blocker in several instances. In its possible consideration for systemic therapy or pre-exposure prophylaxis, this protein design represents an interesting lead in the combat of HIV-1 infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Massimiliano Secchi
- Protein Engineering and Therapeutics Group, Department of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, 20132 Milan, Italy
- DNA Enzymology and Molecular Virology Unit, Institute of Molecular Genetics, National Research Council, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Luca Vangelista
- Protein Engineering and Therapeutics Group, Department of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, 20132 Milan, Italy
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, Nazarbayev University, Nur-Sultan 010000, Kazakhstan
- Correspondence:
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Zhang L, Emu Q, Zhang H, Wang L, Wei Y, Wang H, Xiang Y. Goat CCL5 promotes cell viability and inflammatory factors production in lung fibroblasts and macrophages. Comp Biochem Physiol C Toxicol Pharmacol 2022; 259:109389. [PMID: 35659595 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpc.2022.109389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2022] [Revised: 05/25/2022] [Accepted: 05/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Inflammatory chemokine CCL5 can mediate the occurrence of inflammatory reactions and participate in various disease processes. (Ch)CCL5 gene of Jintang black goat (Capra hircus, C. hircus) was cloned. The CDS (coding sequences) was 276 bp in length and encoded 91 amino acids. The 26.5 kDa recombinant protein was expressed by Escherichia coli system and purified by Ni-Agarose. The viabilities of primary goat lung fibroblasts could be enhanced after treating with ChCCL5 protein (12.5, 25, 50 μg/mL) (P < 0.05). The expression levels of interleukin-1beta (IL-1β), interleukin 6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), C-C motif chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2) and heat-shock proteins (Hsp70) genes were upregulated after treating with ChCCL5 protein (12.5, 25, 50 μg/mL). Besides, the viabilities and phagocytic abilities of primary mouse peritoneal macrophages could be enhanced after treating with ChCCL5 protein (12.5, 25, 50 μg/mL) (P < 0.05). The expression levels of IL-1β, IL-6, toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOs) and TNF-α genes were upregulated after treating with ChCCL5 protein (12.5, 25, 50 μg/mL) (P < 0.05). These results indicated that goat CCL5 might play a role in the inflammatory response by regulating the inflammatory cytokines produced by lung fibroblasts and macrophages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ling Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Science of State Ethnic Affairs Commission, Southwest Minzu University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Quzhe Emu
- Animal Breeding and Genetics Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Animal Science Academy of Sichuan Province, Chengdu 610066, China
| | - Hua Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Science of State Ethnic Affairs Commission, Southwest Minzu University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Li Wang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Science of State Ethnic Affairs Commission, Southwest Minzu University, Chengdu 610041, China.
| | - Yong Wei
- Animal Breeding and Genetics Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Animal Science Academy of Sichuan Province, Chengdu 610066, China.
| | - Haipeng Wang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Science of State Ethnic Affairs Commission, Southwest Minzu University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Yi Xiang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Science of State Ethnic Affairs Commission, Southwest Minzu University, Chengdu 610041, China
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Design of Poly(lactic- co-glycolic Acid) (PLGA) Nanoparticles for Vaginal Co-Delivery of Griffithsin and Dapivirine and Their Synergistic Effect for HIV Prophylaxis. Pharmaceutics 2019; 11:pharmaceutics11040184. [PMID: 30995761 PMCID: PMC6523646 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics11040184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2019] [Revised: 04/03/2019] [Accepted: 04/11/2019] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Long-acting topical products for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) that combine antiretrovirals (ARVs) inhibiting initial stages of infection are highly promising for prevention of HIV sexual transmission. We fabricated core-shell poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) nanoparticles, loaded with two potent ARVs, griffithsin (GRFT) and dapivirine (DPV), having different physicochemical properties and specifically targeting the fusion and reverse transcription steps of HIV replication, as a potential long-acting microbicide product. The nanoparticles were evaluated for particle size and zeta potential, drug release, cytotoxicity, cellular uptake and in vitro bioactivity. PLGA nanoparticles, with diameter around 180–200 nm, successfully encapsulated GRFT (45% of initially added) and DPV (70%). Both drugs showed a biphasic release with initial burst phase followed by a sustained release phase. GRFT and DPV nanoparticles were non-toxic and maintained bioactivity (IC50 values of 0.5 nM and 4.7 nM, respectively) in a cell-based assay. The combination of drugs in both unformulated and encapsulated in nanoparticles showed strong synergistic drug activity at 1:1 ratio of IC50 values. This is the first study to co-deliver a protein (GRFT) and a hydrophobic small molecule (DPV) in PLGA nanoparticles as microbicides. Our findings demonstrate that the combination of GRFT and DPV in nanoparticles is highly potent and possess properties critical to the design of a sustained release microbicide.
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Janahi EMA, Haque S, Akhter N, Wahid M, Jawed A, Mandal RK, Lohani M, Areeshi MY, Almalki S, Das S, Dar SA. Bioengineered intravaginal isolate of Lactobacillus plantarum expresses algal lectin scytovirin demonstrating anti-HIV-1 activity. Microb Pathog 2018; 122:1-6. [PMID: 29870744 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2018.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2018] [Revised: 05/26/2018] [Accepted: 06/01/2018] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
Efforts to develop preventatives against HIV infection through sexual route have identified, among many, algal lectins as the potent molecules for scaffolding HIV entry inhibition. Algal lectin scytovirin (SVN) from Scytonema varium, a cyanobacterium, has anti-HIV effects with the potential for use in sculpting HIV neutralization. We created a recombinant strain of human vaginal L. plantarum for extracellular expression of recombinant (r)SVN. The rSVN protein containing culture supernatant was analyzed for its binding with HIV-1 gp160, and for inhibiting infection with primary R5 and X4 HIV-1 strains in TZM-bl cells. The rSVN protein extant in recombinant L. plantarum culture supernatant binds to HIV-1 gp160 and reduces the HIV-induced cytopathic effect to nearly 56.67% and 86.47% in R5 and X4 HIV-1 infected TZM-bl cells, respectively. The fortified L. plantarum may be explored for its use as a live virucide in vaginal mucosa of high risk women to prevent HIV entry.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Shafiul Haque
- Research and Scientific Studies Unit, College of Nursing & Allied Health Sciences, University of Jazan, Jazan, Saudi Arabia
| | - Naseem Akhter
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Albaha University, Albaha, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohd Wahid
- Research and Scientific Studies Unit, College of Nursing & Allied Health Sciences, University of Jazan, Jazan, Saudi Arabia
| | - Arshad Jawed
- Research and Scientific Studies Unit, College of Nursing & Allied Health Sciences, University of Jazan, Jazan, Saudi Arabia
| | - Raju Kumar Mandal
- Research and Scientific Studies Unit, College of Nursing & Allied Health Sciences, University of Jazan, Jazan, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohtashim Lohani
- Department of EMS, College of Applied Medical Sciences, University of Jazan, Jazan, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammed Yahya Areeshi
- Research and Scientific Studies Unit, College of Nursing & Allied Health Sciences, University of Jazan, Jazan, Saudi Arabia
| | - Shaia Almalki
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Albaha University, Albaha, Saudi Arabia
| | - Shukla Das
- Department of Microbiology, University College of Medical Sciences (University of Delhi) & GTB Hospital, Delhi, India
| | - Sajad Ahmad Dar
- Research and Scientific Studies Unit, College of Nursing & Allied Health Sciences, University of Jazan, Jazan, Saudi Arabia; Department of Microbiology, University College of Medical Sciences (University of Delhi) & GTB Hospital, Delhi, India.
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Rational CCL5 mutagenesis integration in a lactobacilli platform generates extremely potent HIV-1 blockers. Sci Rep 2018; 8:1890. [PMID: 29382912 PMCID: PMC5790001 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-20300-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2017] [Accepted: 01/16/2018] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Efforts to improve existing anti-HIV-1 therapies or develop preventatives have identified CCR5 as an important target and CCL5 as an ideal scaffold to sculpt potent HIV-1 entry inhibitors. We created novel human CCL5 variants that exhibit exceptional anti-HIV-1 features using recombinant lactobacilli (exploited for live microbicide development) as a screening platform. Protein design, expression and anti-HIV-1 activity flowed in iterative cycles, with a stepwise integration of successful mutations and refinement of an initial CCL5 mutant battery towards the generation of two ultimate CCL5 derivatives, a CCR5 agonist and a CCR5 antagonist with similar anti-HIV-1 potency. The CCR5 antagonist was tested in human macrophages and against primary R5 HIV-1 strains, exhibiting cross-clade low picomolar IC50 activity. Moreover, its successful combination with several HIV-1 inhibitors provided the ground for conceiving therapeutic and preventative anti-HIV-1 cocktails. Beyond HIV-1 infection, these CCL5 derivatives may now be tested against several inflammation-related pathologies where the CCL5:CCR5 axis plays a relevant role.
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Combination of the CCL5-derived peptide R4.0 with different HIV-1 blockers reveals wide target compatibility and synergic cobinding to CCR5. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2014; 58:6215-23. [PMID: 25114130 DOI: 10.1128/aac.03559-14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
R4.0, a synthetic CCL5/RANTES-derived peptide, exerts potent anti-HIV-1 activity via its nonactivating interaction with CCR5, the major HIV-1 coreceptor. CCR5 chronic activation may promote undesirable inflammatory effects and enhance viral infection; thus, receptor antagonism is a necessary requisite. HIV-1 gp120, CCL5, and maraviroc dock on CCR5 by sharing two receptor sites: the N terminus and the second extracellular loop. In combination studies, R4.0, CCL5, and maraviroc exhibited concomitant interactions with CCR5 and promoted synergic inhibition of HIV-1 in acute-infection assays. Furthermore, various degrees of additive/synergic HIV-1 inhibition were observed when R4.0 was tested in combination with drugs and lead compounds directed toward different viral targets (gp120, gp41, reverse transcriptase, and protease). In combination with tenofovir, R4.0 provides cross-clade synergic inhibition of primary HIV-1 isolates. Remarkably, an in vitro-generated maraviroc-resistant R5 HIV-1 strain was inhibited by R4.0 comparably to the wild-type strain, suggesting the presence of viral resistance barriers similar to those reported for CCL5. Overall, R4.0 appears to be a promising lead peptide with potential for combination in anti-HIV-1 therapy and in microbicide development to prevent sexual HIV-1 transmission.
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Eade CR, Wood MP, Cole AM. Mechanisms and modifications of naturally occurring host defense peptides for anti-HIV microbicide development. Curr HIV Res 2012; 10:61-72. [PMID: 22264047 DOI: 10.2174/157016212799304580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2011] [Revised: 09/30/2011] [Accepted: 10/27/2011] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Despite advances in the treatment of HIV infection, heterosexual transmission of HIV remains high, and vaccines to prevent HIV acquisition have been unfruitful. Vaginal microbicides, on the other hand, have demonstrated considerable potential for HIV prevention, and a variety of compounds have been screened for their activity and safety as anti-HIV microbicides. Among these are the naturally occurring host defense peptides, small peptides from diverse lineages with intrinsic antiviral activity. Naturally occurring host defense peptides with anti-HIV activity are promising candidates for vaginal microbicide development. Their structural variance and accompanying mechanistic diversity provide a wide range of inhibitors whose antiviral activity can be exerted at nearly every stage of the HIV lifecycle. Additionally, peptide modification has been explored as a method for improving the anti-HIV activity of host defense peptides. Structure- and sequence-based alterations have achieved varying success in improving the potency and specificity of anti-HIV peptides. Overall, peptides have been discovered or engineered to inhibit HIV with therapeutic indices of > 1000, encouraging their advancement toward clinical trials. Here we review the naturally occurring anti-HIV host defense peptides, demonstrating their breadth of mechanistic diversity, and exploring approaches to enhance and optimize their activity in order to expedite their development as safe and effective anti-HIV vaginal microbicides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Colleen R Eade
- Department of Molecular Biology and Microbiology, Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Central Florida College of Medicine, Orlando, FL 32816, USA.
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Chevigné A, Fievez V, Schmit JC, Deroo S. Engineering and screening the N-terminus of chemokines for drug discovery. Biochem Pharmacol 2011; 82:1438-56. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2011.07.091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2011] [Revised: 07/21/2011] [Accepted: 07/22/2011] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
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Fahey JV, Bodwell JE, Hickey DK, Ghosh M, Muia MN, Wira CR. New approaches to making the microenvironment of the female reproductive tract hostile to HIV. Am J Reprod Immunol 2011; 65:334-43. [PMID: 21223421 DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0897.2010.00949.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
The studies presented in this review explore three distinct areas with potential for inhibiting HIV infection in women. Based on emerging information from the physiology, endocrinology and immunology of the female reproductive tract (FRT), we propose unique 'works in progress' for protecting women from HIV. Various aspects of FRT immunity are suppressed by estradiol during the menstrual cycle, making women more susceptible to HIV infection. By engineering commensal Lactobacillus to secrete the anti-HIV molecule Elafin as estradiol levels increase, women could be protected from HIV infection. Selective estrogen response modifiers enhance barrier integrity and enhance secretion of protective anti-HIV molecules. Finally, understanding the interactions and regulation of FRT endogenous antimicrobials, proteases, antiproteases, etc., all of which are under hormonal control, will open new avenues to therapeutic manipulation of the FRT mucosal microenvironment. By seeking new alternatives to preventing HIV infection in women, we may finally disrupt the HIV pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- John V Fahey
- Department of Physiology and Neurobiology, Dartmouth Medical School, One Medical Center Drive, Lebanon, NH 03756, USA.
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Engineering of Lactobacillus jensenii to secrete RANTES and a CCR5 antagonist analogue as live HIV-1 blockers. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2010; 54:2994-3001. [PMID: 20479208 DOI: 10.1128/aac.01492-09] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The development of effective microbicides for the prevention of HIV-1 sexual transmission represents a primary goal for the control of AIDS epidemics worldwide. A promising strategy is the use of bacteria belonging to the vaginal microbiota as live microbicides for the topical production of HIV-1 inhibitors. We have engineered a human vaginal isolate of Lactobacillus jensenii to secrete the anti-HIV-1 chemokine RANTES, as well as C1C5 RANTES, a mutated analogue that acts as a CCR5 antagonist and therefore is devoid of proinflammatory activity. Full-length wild-type RANTES and C1C5 RANTES secreted by L. jensenii were purified to homogeneity and shown to adopt a correctly folded conformation. Both RANTES variants were shown to inhibit HIV-1 infection in CD4(+) T cells and macrophages, displaying strong activity against HIV-1 isolates of different genetic subtypes. This work provides proof of principle for the use of L. jensenii-produced C1C5 RANTES to block HIV-1 infection of CD4(+) T cells and macrophages, setting the basis for the development of a live anti-HIV-1 microbicide targeting CCR5 in an antagonistic manner.
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