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Fongsaran C, Jirakanwisal K, Peng BH, Fracassi A, Taglialatela G, Dineley KT, Paessler S, Cisneros IE. Arbovirus infection increases the risk for the development of neurodegenerative disease pathology in the murine model. Brain Behav Immun Health 2024; 38:100780. [PMID: 38706571 PMCID: PMC11067009 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbih.2024.100780] [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: 11/20/2023] [Revised: 03/04/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease is classified as a progressive disorder resulting from protein misfolding, also known as proteinopathies. Proteinopathies include synucleinopathies triggered by misfolded amyloid α-synuclein, tauopathies triggered by misfolded tau, and amyloidopathies triggered by misfolded amyloid of which Alzheimer's disease (β-amyloid) is most prevalent. Most neurodegenerative diseases (>90%) are not due to dominantly inherited genetic causes. Instead, it is thought that the risk for disease is a complicated interaction between inherited and environmental risk factors that, with age, drive pathology that ultimately results in neurodegeneration and disease onset. Since it is increasingly appreciated that encephalitic viral infections can have profoundly detrimental neurological consequences long after the acute infection has resolved, we tested the hypothesis that viral encephalitis exacerbates the pathological profile of protein-misfolding diseases. Using a robust, reproducible, and well-characterized mouse model for β-amyloidosis, Tg2576, we studied the contribution of alphavirus-induced encephalitis (TC-83 strain of VEEV to model alphavirus encephalitis viruses) on the progression of neurodegenerative pathology. We longitudinally evaluated neurological, neurobehavioral, and cognitive levels, followed by a post-mortem analysis of brain pathology focusing on neuroinflammation. We found more severe cognitive deficits and brain pathology in Tg2576 mice inoculated with TC-83 than in their mock controls. These data set the groundwork to investigate sporadic Alzheimer's disease and treatment interventions for this infectious disease risk factor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chanida Fongsaran
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
- Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
- Neuroinfectious Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Krit Jirakanwisal
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
- Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
- Neuroinfectious Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Bi-Hung Peng
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Anna Fracassi
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Department of Neurology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Giulio Taglialatela
- Neuroinfectious Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Department of Neurology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Kelly T. Dineley
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Department of Neurology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
- Center for Addiction Sciences and Therapeutics, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Slobodan Paessler
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
- Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Irma E. Cisneros
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
- Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
- Neuroinfectious Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
- Center for Addiction Sciences and Therapeutics, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
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Antiviral Peptide-Based Conjugates: State of the Art and Future Perspectives. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:pharmaceutics15020357. [PMID: 36839679 PMCID: PMC9958607 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15020357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2022] [Revised: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Infectious diseases caused by microbial pathogens (bacteria, virus, fungi, parasites) claim millions of deaths per year worldwide and have become a serious challenge to global human health in our century. Viral infections are particularly notable in this regard, not only because humankind is facing some of the deadliest viral pandemics in recent history, but also because the arsenal of drugs to combat the high levels of mutation, and hence the antigenic variability of (mostly RNA) viruses, is disturbingly scarce. Therefore, the search for new antivirals able to successfully fight infection with minimal or no adverse effects on the host is a pressing task. Traditionally, antiviral therapies have relied on relatively small-sized drugs acting as proteases, polymerases, integrase inhibitors, etc. In recent decades, novel approaches involving targeted delivery such as that achieved by peptide-drug conjugates (PDCs) have gained attention as alternative (pro)drugs for tackling viral diseases. Antiviral PDC therapeutics typically involve one or more small drug molecules conjugated to a cell-penetrating peptide (CPP) carrier either directly or through a linker. Such integration of two bioactive elements into a single molecular entity is primarily aimed at achieving improved bioavailability in conditions where conventional drugs are challenged, but may also turn up novel unexpected functionalities and applications. Advances in peptide medicinal chemistry have eased the way to antiviral PDCs, but challenges remain on the way to therapeutic success. In this paper, we review current antiviral CPP-drug conjugates (antiviral PDCs), with emphasis on the types of CPP and antiviral cargo. We integrate the conjugate and the chemical approaches most often applied to combine both entities. Additionally, we comment on various obstacles faced in the design of antiviral PDCs and on the future outlooks for this class of antiviral therapeutics.
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Liu L, Liu X, Bi W, Alcorn JL. A primate-specific RNA-binding protein (RBMXL3) is involved in glucocorticoid regulation of human pulmonary surfactant protein B (SP-B) mRNA stability. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol 2021; 320:L942-L957. [PMID: 33719563 PMCID: PMC8174829 DOI: 10.1152/ajplung.00022.2020] [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: 01/16/2020] [Revised: 01/25/2021] [Accepted: 03/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The ability of pulmonary surfactant to reduce alveolar surface tension requires adequate levels of surfactant protein B (SP-B). Dexamethasone (DEX) increases human SP-B expression, in part, through increased SP-B mRNA stability. A 30-nt-long hairpin element (RBE) in the 3'-untranslated region of human SP-B mRNA mediates both DEX-induced and intrinsic mRNA stabilities, but the mechanism is unknown. Proteomic analysis of RBE-interacting proteins identified a primate-specific protein, RNA-binding motif X-linked-like-3 (RBMXL3). siRNA directed against RBMXL3 reduces DEX-induced SP-B mRNA expression in human bronchoalveolar cells. Human SP-B mRNA stability, measured by our dual cistronic plasmid assay, is unaffected by DEX in mouse lung epithelial cells lacking RBMXL3, but DEX increases human SP-B mRNA stability when RBMXL3 is expressed and requires the RBE. In the absence of DEX, RBE interacts with cellular proteins, reducing intrinsic SP-B mRNA stability in human and mouse lung epithelial cells. RBMXL3 specifically binds the RBE in vitro, whereas RNA immunoprecipitation and affinity chromatography analyses indicate that binding is enhanced in the presence of DEX. These results describe a model where intrinsic stability of human SP-B mRNA is reduced through binding of cellular mRNA decay factors to RBE, which is then relieved through DEX-enhanced binding of primate-specific RBMXL3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lidan Liu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Xiangli Liu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Weizhen Bi
- Division of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas
| | - Joseph L Alcorn
- Division of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas
- Department of Pediatrics, Pediatric Research Center, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas
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Abstract
Infectious disease represent the most significant threat to human health. Significant geologic cataclysmic events have caused the extinction of countless species, but these “Wrath of God” events predate the emergence of Homo sapiens. Pandemic infections have accompanied the rise of human civilization frequently re-occurring leaving a lasting imprint on human history punctuated by profound loss of life. Emerging infections become endemic and are here to stay marking their presence with an annual death toll. Each decade brings a new onslaught of emerging infectious agents. We are surprised again and again but are never prepared. The long-term consequences often remain unrecognized and are always inconvenient including cancer, cardiovascular disease and immune associated diseases that threaten our health. Reliance on clusters of clinical symptoms in the face of diverse and non-descriptive viral infection symptoms is a foolhardy form of crisis management. Viral success is based on rapid replication resulting in large numbers. Single-stranded RNA viruses with their high replication error rate represent a paradigm for resilience.
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Nan Y, Zhang YJ. Antisense Phosphorodiamidate Morpholino Oligomers as Novel Antiviral Compounds. Front Microbiol 2018; 9:750. [PMID: 29731743 PMCID: PMC5920040 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.00750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2018] [Accepted: 04/03/2018] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomers (PMO) are short single-stranded DNA analogs that are built upon a backbone of morpholine rings connected by phosphorodiamidate linkages. As uncharged nucleic acid analogs, PMO bind to complementary sequences of target mRNA by Watson–Crick base pairing to block protein translation through steric blockade. PMO interference of viral protein translation operates independently of RNase H. Meanwhile, PMO are resistant to a variety of enzymes present in biologic fluids, a characteristic that makes them highly suitable for in vivo applications. Notably, PMO-based therapy for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) has been approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration which is now a hallmark for PMO-based antisense therapy. In this review, the development history of PMO, delivery methods for improving cellular uptake of neutrally charged PMO molecules, past studies of PMO antagonism against RNA and DNA viruses, PMO target selection, and remaining questions of PMO antiviral strategies are discussed in detail and new insights are provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuchen Nan
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China.,Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine and Maryland Pathogen Research Institute, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, United States
| | - Yan-Jin Zhang
- Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine and Maryland Pathogen Research Institute, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, United States
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Rajsbaum R. Intranasal Delivery of Peptide-Morpholinos to Knockdown Influenza Host Factors in Mice. Methods Mol Biol 2018; 1565:191-199. [PMID: 28364244 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-6817-6_16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Influenza viruses replicate primarily in the lung tissue of different host species. For efficient replication the virus utilizes host factors that are expressed in target cells. Cell-penetrating peptide-conjugated Morpholino oligomers (PPMOs) designed to target viral proteins have shown promising results as potential antiviral drugs in tissue culture and animal models. However, since viruses tend to have high rates of mutations, targeting viral proteins may result in viral escape mutants. An alternative approach to inhibit virus replication with PPMOs is to target host factors that are required for virus replication. Delivery of PPMO through the intranasal route has been shown to be effective in knockdown of host factors or microbial genes leading to protection against respiratory pathogens and reduced microbial burden. In addition, protective host innate antiviral immune responses in the lung can be studied by knockdown of immune signaling factors using PPMOs. Here we describe a successful approach using PPMOs to knockdown either proviral or antiviral host factors leading to changes in influenza virus replication in the lungs of mice, providing a tool to investigate immune responses and host-virus interactions in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ricardo Rajsbaum
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, 301 University Blvd, Galveston, TX, 77555, USA.
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Prologue. MOLECULAR BASIS OF RESILIENCE 2018. [PMCID: PMC7120650 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-98164-2_1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
All living things are associated with a boundary defined ecological niche. Steady state conditions are rarely constant but evolutionary adaptation is too slow to adapt to daily threats so a surrogate variation mechanism is necessary. The genome defines the most basic instructions for life so that a molecular biology perspective provides the foundation for understanding resilience. Variations in the expression of RNA offers rapid variation and this book proposes this is the basis of resilience. This book attempts to illuminate mechanisms of resilience beginning with elaborating threats leading to disruption in steady state conditions. Recognition of threats and defense systems are described followed by adaptive changes in gene expression that refine responses. Finally, environmental conditions are discussed that serve to dampen the adaptive response oscillator to disruptive threats at the level of RNA expression. This prologue is intended to acquaint the reader with my background and the genesis of optimism for an idea that the benefit of transcriptome plasticity is resilience. I grew up in several National Parks, remote regions of the United States that are set aside to preserve natural environments. I attended 12 schools by the time I graduated from high school, a fact that forced me to develop personal resilience. My career path as a scientist followed a path from ecologist to pharmacologist to molecular biologist. I was a professor that transitioned to biotechnology ensuring research subjects involving very diverse in subject matter so I appreciate the value of plasticity.
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Nan Y, Zhang YJ. Molecular Biology and Infection of Hepatitis E Virus. Front Microbiol 2016; 7:1419. [PMID: 27656178 PMCID: PMC5013053 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2016.01419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2016] [Accepted: 08/26/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a viral pathogen transmitted primarily via fecal-oral route. In humans, HEV mainly causes acute hepatitis and is responsible for large outbreaks of hepatitis across the world. The case fatality rate of HEV-induced hepatitis ranges from 0.5 to 3% in young adults and up to 30% in infected pregnant women. HEV strains infecting humans are classified into four genotypes. HEV strains from genotypes 3 and 4 are zoonotic, whereas those from genotypes 1 and 2 have no known animal reservoirs. Recently, notable progress has been accomplished for better understanding of HEV biology and infection, such as chronic HEV infection, in vitro cell culture system, quasi-enveloped HEV virions, functions of the HEV proteins, mechanism of HEV antagonizing host innate immunity, HEV pathogenesis and vaccine development. However, further investigation on the cross-species HEV infection, host tropism, vaccine efficacy, and HEV-specific antiviral strategy is still needed. This review mainly focuses on molecular biology and infection of HEV and offers perspective new insight of this enigmatic virus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuchen Nan
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F UniversityYangling, China; Molecular Virology Laboratory, VA-MD College of Veterinary Medicine and Maryland Pathogen Research Institute, University of Maryland, College Park, College ParkMD, USA
| | - Yan-Jin Zhang
- Molecular Virology Laboratory, VA-MD College of Veterinary Medicine and Maryland Pathogen Research Institute, University of Maryland, College Park, College Park MD, USA
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Delayed Time-to-Treatment of an Antisense Morpholino Oligomer Is Effective against Lethal Marburg Virus Infection in Cynomolgus Macaques. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2016; 10:e0004456. [PMID: 26901785 PMCID: PMC4764691 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0004456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2015] [Accepted: 01/22/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Marburg virus (MARV) is an Ebola-like virus in the family Filovirdae that causes sporadic outbreaks of severe hemorrhagic fever with a case fatality rate as high as 90%. AVI-7288, a positively charged antisense phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomer (PMOplus) targeting the viral nucleoprotein gene, was evaluated as a potential therapeutic intervention for MARV infection following delayed treatment of 1, 24, 48, and 96 h post-infection (PI) in a nonhuman primate lethal challenge model. A total of 30 cynomolgus macaques were divided into 5 groups of 6 and infected with 1,830 plaque forming units of MARV subcutaneously. AVI-7288 was administered by bolus infusion daily for 14 days at 15 mg/kg body weight. Survival was the primary endpoint of the study. While none (0 of 6) of the saline group survived, 83–100% of infected monkeys survived when treatment was initiated 1, 24, 48, or 96 h post-infection (PI). The antisense treatment also reduced serum viremia and inflammatory cytokines in all treatment groups compared to vehicle controls. The antibody immune response to virus was preserved and tissue viral antigen was cleared in AVI-7288 treated animals. These data show that AVI-7288 protects NHPs against an otherwise lethal MARV infection when treatment is initiated up to 96 h PI. Marburg virus (MARV) is a filovirus closely related to Ebola virus and similarly causes hemorrhagic fever in humans. MARV is endemic throughout parts of tropical Africa. Severe outbreaks of Marburg virus disease (MVD) have occurred involving hundreds of human cases. No effective MARV antiviral therapies are available. In this study, we used a positive charged phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomer (PMOplus) targeting the mRNA of the MARV nucleoprotein gene as a medical countermeasure to treat disease in a lethal nonhuman primate model of MVD. The intravenous treatment regimen was well tolerated with no treatment related adverse effects. We showed that when using this antisense treatment, serum virus levels decreased and 83–100% of the animals survived, even when the treatment was delayed as much as 96 hours after infection. None of the untreated animals survived the viral challenge in this model. Our results suggest that antisense therapies, such as PMOs, hold great promise for the treatment of severe viral diseases such as MVD.
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Hashimoto M, Nara T, Mita T, Mikoshiba K. Morpholino antisense oligo inhibits trans-splicing of pre-inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor mRNA of Trypanosoma cruzi and suppresses parasite growth and infectivity. Parasitol Int 2015; 65:175-9. [PMID: 26680159 DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2015.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2015] [Revised: 11/15/2015] [Accepted: 12/06/2015] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Morpholino antisense oligos (MAOs) are used to investigate physiological gene function by inhibiting gene translation or construction of specific alternative splicing variants by blocking cis-splicing. MAOs are attractive drug candidates for viral- and bacterial-infectious disease therapy because of properties such as in vivo stability and specificity to target genes. Recently, we showed that phosphorothioate antisense oligos against Trypanosoma cruzi inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor (TcIP(3)R) mRNA inhibit the parasite host cell infection. In the present study, we identified the spliced leader (SL) acceptor of pre-TcIP(3)R mRNA and synthesized MAO, which inhibited trans-splicing of the transcript (MAO-1). MAO-1 was found to inhibit the addition of SL-RNA to pre-TcIP(3)R mRNA by real-time RT-PCR analysis. Treatment of the parasites with MAO-1 significantly impaired the growth and infectivity into host cells. These results indicate that MAO-1 is a potential novel drug for Chagas disease and that MAOs inhibiting trans-splicing can be used to investigate the physiology of trypanosomal genes leading to the development of novel drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muneaki Hashimoto
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Parasitology, Juntendo University School of Medicine, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan.
| | - Takeshi Nara
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Parasitology, Juntendo University School of Medicine, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan.
| | - Toshihiro Mita
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Parasitology, Juntendo University School of Medicine, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan.
| | - Katsuhiko Mikoshiba
- Laboratory for Developmental Neurobiology, RIKEN Brain Science Institute, Saitama 351-0198, Japan; Calcium Oscillation Project, International Cooperative Research Project and Solution-Oriented Research for Science and Technology, Japan Science and Technology Agency, Kawaguchi, Saitama 332-0012, Japan.
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Lam S, Chen H, Chen CK, Min N, Chu JJH. Antiviral Phosphorodiamidate Morpholino Oligomers are Protective against Chikungunya Virus Infection on Cell-based and Murine Models. Sci Rep 2015. [PMID: 26224141 PMCID: PMC4649900 DOI: 10.1038/srep12727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) infection in human is associated with debilitating and persistent arthralgia and arthritis. Currently, there is no specific vaccine or effective antiviral available. Anti-CHIKV Phosphorodiamidate Morpholino Oligomer (CPMO) was evaluated for its antiviral efficacy and cytotoxcity in human cells and neonate murine model. Two CPMOs were designed to block translation initiation of a highly conserved sequence in CHIKV non-structural and structural polyprotein, respectively. Pre-treatment of HeLa cells with CPMO1 significantly suppressed CHIKV titre, CHIKV E2 protein expression and prevented CHIKV-induced CPE. CPMO1 activity was also CHIKV-specific as shown by the lack of cross-reactivity against SINV or DENV replication. When administered prophylactically in neonate mice, 15 μg/g CPMO1v conferred 100% survival against CHIKV disease. In parallel, these mice demonstrated significant reduction in viremia and viral load in various tissues. Immunohistological examination of skeletal muscles and liver of CPMO1v-treated mice also showed healthy tissue morphology, in contrast to evident manifestation of CHIKV pathogenesis in PBS- or scrambled sCPMO1v-treated groups. Taken together, our findings highlight for the first time that CPMO1v has strong protective effect against CHIKV infection. This warrants future development of morpholino as an alternative antiviral agent to address CHIKV infection in clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shirley Lam
- Laboratory of Molecular RNA Virology and Antiviral Strategies, Department of Microbiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University Health System, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Huixin Chen
- Laboratory of Molecular RNA Virology and Antiviral Strategies, Department of Microbiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University Health System, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Caiyun Karen Chen
- Laboratory of Molecular RNA Virology and Antiviral Strategies, Department of Microbiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University Health System, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Nyo Min
- Laboratory of Molecular RNA Virology and Antiviral Strategies, Department of Microbiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University Health System, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Justin Jang Hann Chu
- Laboratory of Molecular RNA Virology and Antiviral Strategies, Department of Microbiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University Health System, National University of Singapore, Singapore
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12
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Nan Y, Ma Z, Kannan H, Stein DA, Iversen PI, Meng XJ, Zhang YJ. Inhibition of hepatitis E virus replication by peptide-conjugated morpholino oligomers. Antiviral Res 2015; 120:134-9. [PMID: 26086884 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2015.06.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2015] [Revised: 06/09/2015] [Accepted: 06/14/2015] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection is a cause of hepatitis in humans worldwide and has been associated with a case-fatality rate of up to 30% in pregnant women. Recently, persistent and chronic HEV infections have been recognized as a serious clinical problem, especially in immunocompromised individuals. To date, there are no FDA-approved HEV-specific antiviral drugs. In this study, we evaluated antisense peptide-conjugated morpholino oligomers (PPMO) designed against HEV genomic sequences as potential HEV-specific antiviral compounds. Two genetically-distinct strains of human HEV, genotype 1 Sar55 and genotype 3 Kernow-C1, isolated from patients with acute and chronic hepatitis, respectively, were used to evaluate inhibition of viral replication by PPMO in liver cells. The anti-HEV PPMO produced a significant reduction in the levels of HEV RNA and capsid protein, indicating effective inhibition of HEV replication. PPMO HP1, which targets a highly conserved sequence in the start site region of ORF1, was also effective against the genotype 3 Kernow-C1 strain in stably-infected HepG2/C3A liver cells. The antiviral activity observed was specific, dose-responsive and potent, suggesting that further exploration of PPMO HP1 as a potential HEV-specific antiviral agent is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuchen Nan
- VA-MD College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, United States
| | - Zexu Ma
- VA-MD College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, United States
| | - Harilakshmi Kannan
- VA-MD College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, United States
| | - David A Stein
- Department of Biomedical Science, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, United States
| | - Patrick I Iversen
- Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, United States
| | - Xiang-Jin Meng
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, United States
| | - Yan-Jin Zhang
- VA-MD College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, United States; Maryland Pathogen Research Institute, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, United States.
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Fiszer A, Krzyzosiak WJ. Oligonucleotide-based strategies to combat polyglutamine diseases. Nucleic Acids Res 2014; 42:6787-810. [PMID: 24848018 PMCID: PMC4066792 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gku385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Considerable advances have been recently made in understanding the molecular aspects of pathogenesis and in developing therapeutic approaches for polyglutamine (polyQ) diseases. Studies on pathogenic mechanisms have extended our knowledge of mutant protein toxicity, confirmed the toxicity of mutant transcript and identified other toxic RNA and protein entities. One very promising therapeutic strategy is targeting the causative gene expression with oligonucleotide (ON) based tools. This straightforward approach aimed at halting the early steps in the cascade of pathogenic events has been widely tested for Huntington's disease and spinocerebellar ataxia type 3. In this review, we gather information on the use of antisense oligonucleotides and RNA interference triggers for the experimental treatment of polyQ diseases in cellular and animal models. We present studies testing non-allele-selective and allele-selective gene silencing strategies. The latter include targeting SNP variants associated with mutations or targeting the pathologically expanded CAG repeat directly. We compare gene silencing effectors of various types in a number of aspects, including their design, efficiency in cell culture experiments and pre-clinical testing. We discuss advantages, current limitations and perspectives of various ON-based strategies used to treat polyQ diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnieszka Fiszer
- Department of Molecular Biomedicine, Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Noskowskiego 12/14, 61-704 Poznan, Poland
| | - Wlodzimierz J Krzyzosiak
- Department of Molecular Biomedicine, Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Noskowskiego 12/14, 61-704 Poznan, Poland
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Tan CW, Chan YF, Quah YW, Poh CL. Inhibition of enterovirus 71 infection by antisense octaguanidinium dendrimer-conjugated morpholino oligomers. Antiviral Res 2014; 107:35-41. [PMID: 24769243 PMCID: PMC7118997 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2014.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2014] [Revised: 03/25/2014] [Accepted: 04/13/2014] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Enterovirus 71 (EV-71) infections are generally manifested as mild hand, foot and mouth disease, but have been reported to cause severe neurological complications with high mortality rates. Treatment options remain limited due to the lack of antivirals. Octaguanidinium-conjugated morpholino oligomers (vivo-MOs) are single-stranded DNA-like antisense agents that can readily penetrate cells and reduce gene expression by steric blocking of complementary RNA sequences. In this study, inhibitory effects of three vivo-MOs that are complementary to the EV-71 internal ribosome entry site (IRES) and the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRP) were tested in RD cells. Vivo-MO-1 and vivo-MO-2 targeting the EV-71 IRES showed significant viral plaque reductions of 2.5 and 3.5 log10PFU/ml, respectively. Both vivo-MOs reduced viral RNA copies and viral capsid expression in RD cells in a dose-dependent manner. In contrast, vivo-MO-3 targeting the EV-71 RdRP exhibited less antiviral activity. Both vivo-MO-1 and 2 remained active when administered either 4h before or within 6h after EV-71 infection. Vivo-MO-2 exhibited antiviral activities against poliovirus (PV) and coxsackievirus A16 but vivo-MO-1 showed no antiviral activities against PV. Both the IRES-targeting vivo-MO-1 and vivo-MO-2 inhibit EV-71 RNA translation. Resistant mutants arose after serial passages in the presence of vivo-MO-1, but none were isolated against vivo-MO-2. A single T to C substitution at nucleotide position 533 was sufficient to confer resistance to vivo-MO-1. Our findings suggest that IRES-targeting vivo-MOs are good antiviral candidates for treating early EV-71 infection, and vivo-MO-2 is a more favorable candidate with broader antiviral spectrum against enteroviruses and are refractory to antiviral resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chee Wah Tan
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Yoke Fun Chan
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Tropical Infectious Disease Research and Education Center, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Yi Wan Quah
- Faculty of Science and Technology, Sunway University, 46150 Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Chit Laa Poh
- Faculty of Science and Technology, Sunway University, 46150 Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia.
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15
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Nath A, Tyler KL. Novel approaches and challenges to treatment of central nervous system viral infections. Ann Neurol 2013; 74:412-22. [PMID: 23913580 PMCID: PMC4052367 DOI: 10.1002/ana.23988] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2013] [Revised: 07/23/2013] [Accepted: 07/29/2013] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Existing and emerging viral central nervous system (CNS) infections are major sources of human morbidity and mortality. Treatments of proven efficacy are currently limited predominantly to herpesviruses and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Development of new therapies has been hampered by the lack of appropriate animal model systems for some important viruses and by the difficulty in conducting human clinical trials for diseases that may be rare, or in the case of arboviral infections, often have variable seasonal and geographic incidence. Nonetheless, many novel approaches to antiviral therapy are available, including candidate thiazolide and pyrazinecarboxamide derivatives with potential broad‐spectrum antiviral efficacy. New herpesvirus drugs include viral helicase‐primase and terminase inhibitors. The use of antisense oligonucleotides and other strategies to interfere with viral RNA translation has shown efficacy in experimental models of CNS viral disease. Identifying specific molecular targets within viral replication cycles has led to many existing antiviral agents and will undoubtedly continue to be the basis of future drug design. A promising new area of research involves therapies based on enhanced understanding of host antiviral immune responses. Toll‐like receptor agonists and drugs that inhibit specific cytokines as well as interferon preparations have all shown potential therapeutic efficacy. Passive transfer of virus‐specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes has been used in humans and may provide an effective therapy for some herpesvirus infections and potentially for progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy. Humanized monoclonal antibodies directed against specific viral proteins have been developed and in several cases evaluated in humans in settings including West Nile virus and HIV infection and in pre‐exposure prophylaxis for rabies. Ann Neurol 2013;74:412–422
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Affiliation(s)
- Avindra Nath
- Section of Infections of the Nervous Systems, National Institute of Neurological Diseases and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
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16
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Nagata LP, Wong JP, Hu WG, Wu JQ. Vaccines and therapeutics for the encephalitic alphaviruses. Future Virol 2013. [DOI: 10.2217/fvl.13.42] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
This article is a review of vaccines and therapeutics in development for the encephalitic alphaviruses, which includes eastern equine encephalitis virus, western equine encephalitis virus and Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus. The encephalitic alphaviruses are endemic within regions in North and South America. Hosts are normally exposed after being bitten by infectious mosquitoes, and infection can develop into encephalitis in equines and humans with severe rates of morbidity and mortality. These viruses are also potential biological threat agents, being highly infectious via an aerosol route of exposure. In humans, equine encephalitis virus and western equine encephalitis virus are neurotropic viruses targeting the CNS and causing encephalitis. Mortality rates are 50 and 10%, respectively, for these viruses. On the other hand, Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus produces a systemic influenza-like illness with pathogenesis in the lungs and lymphoid tissue in adults and older children. The incidence of encephalitis is less than 5% in younger children with a case–mortality rate of 1%. The host response to virus infectivity is briefly discussed, along with a number of promising therapeutic and prophylactic approaches. These approaches can be broadly classified as: virus-specific, including vaccines, antibody therapy and gene-silencing oligonucleotides; or broad-spectrum, including interferon and activation of the host‘s innate immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Les P Nagata
- BioThreat Defence Section, Defence Research & Development Canada, PO Box 4000, Medicine Hat, AB T1A 8K6, Canada
| | - Jonathan P Wong
- BioThreat Defence Section, Defence Research & Development Canada, PO Box 4000, Medicine Hat, AB T1A 8K6, Canada
| | - Wei-gang Hu
- BioThreat Defence Section, Defence Research & Development Canada, PO Box 4000, Medicine Hat, AB T1A 8K6, Canada
| | - Josh Q Wu
- BioThreat Defence Section, Defence Research & Development Canada, PO Box 4000, Medicine Hat, AB T1A 8K6, Canada
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17
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Thiberville SD, Moyen N, Dupuis-Maguiraga L, Nougairede A, Gould EA, Roques P, de Lamballerie X. Chikungunya fever: epidemiology, clinical syndrome, pathogenesis and therapy. Antiviral Res 2013; 99:345-70. [PMID: 23811281 PMCID: PMC7114207 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2013.06.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 304] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2013] [Revised: 05/21/2013] [Accepted: 06/18/2013] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Chikungunya fever is caused by a mosquito-borne alphavirus originating in East Africa. During the past 7 years, the disease has spread to islands of the Indian Ocean, Asia and Europe. Its spread has been facilitated by a mutation favouring replication in the mosquito Ae. albopictus. No vaccines or antiviral drugs are available to prevent or treat chikungunya fever. This paper provides an extensive review of the virus and disease, including Supplementary Tables.
Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is the aetiological agent of the mosquito-borne disease chikungunya fever, a debilitating arthritic disease that, during the past 7 years, has caused immeasurable morbidity and some mortality in humans, including newborn babies, following its emergence and dispersal out of Africa to the Indian Ocean islands and Asia. Since the first reports of its existence in Africa in the 1950s, more than 1500 scientific publications on the different aspects of the disease and its causative agent have been produced. Analysis of these publications shows that, following a number of studies in the 1960s and 1970s, and in the absence of autochthonous cases in developed countries, the interest of the scientific community remained low. However, in 2005 chikungunya fever unexpectedly re-emerged in the form of devastating epidemics in and around the Indian Ocean. These outbreaks were associated with mutations in the viral genome that facilitated the replication of the virus in Aedes albopictus mosquitoes. Since then, nearly 1000 publications on chikungunya fever have been referenced in the PubMed database. This article provides a comprehensive review of chikungunya fever and CHIKV, including clinical data, epidemiological reports, therapeutic aspects and data relating to animal models for in vivo laboratory studies. It includes Supplementary Tables of all WHO outbreak bulletins, ProMED Mail alerts, viral sequences available on GenBank, and PubMed reports of clinical cases and seroprevalence studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon-Djamel Thiberville
- UMR_D 190 "Emergence des Pathologies Virales" (Aix-Marseille Univ. IRD French Institute of Research for Development EHESP French School of Public Health), Marseille, France; University Hospital Institute for Infectious Disease and Tropical Medicine, Marseille, France.
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18
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Iversen PL, Warren TK, Wells JB, Garza NL, Mourich DV, Welch LS, Panchal RG, Bavari S. Discovery and early development of AVI-7537 and AVI-7288 for the treatment of Ebola virus and Marburg virus infections. Viruses 2012; 4:2806-30. [PMID: 23202506 PMCID: PMC3509674 DOI: 10.3390/v4112806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2012] [Revised: 10/02/2012] [Accepted: 10/02/2012] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
There are no currently approved treatments for filovirus infections. In this study we report the discovery process which led to the development of antisense Phosphorodiamidate Morpholino Oligomers (PMOs) AVI-6002 (composed of AVI-7357 and AVI-7539) and AVI-6003 (composed of AVI-7287 and AVI-7288) targeting Ebola virus and Marburg virus respectively. The discovery process involved identification of optimal transcript binding sites for PMO based RNA-therapeutics followed by screening for effective viral gene target in mouse and guinea pig models utilizing adapted viral isolates. An evolution of chemical modifications were tested, beginning with simple Phosphorodiamidate Morpholino Oligomers (PMO) transitioning to cell penetrating peptide conjugated PMOs (PPMO) and ending with PMOplus containing a limited number of positively charged linkages in the PMO structure. The initial lead compounds were combinations of two agents targeting separate genes. In the final analysis, a single agent for treatment of each virus was selected, AVI-7537 targeting the VP24 gene of Ebola virus and AVI-7288 targeting NP of Marburg virus, and are now progressing into late stage clinical development as the optimal therapeutic candidates.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Antiviral Agents/administration & dosage
- Antiviral Agents/chemistry
- Base Sequence
- Ebolavirus/genetics
- Ebolavirus/metabolism
- Genes, Viral
- Guinea Pigs
- Hemorrhagic Fever, Ebola/mortality
- Hemorrhagic Fever, Ebola/therapy
- Hemorrhagic Fever, Ebola/virology
- Marburg Virus Disease/mortality
- Marburg Virus Disease/therapy
- Marburg Virus Disease/virology
- Marburgvirus/genetics
- Marburgvirus/metabolism
- Mice
- Morpholinos/administration & dosage
- Morpholinos/chemistry
- Oligodeoxyribonucleotides, Antisense/administration & dosage
- Oligodeoxyribonucleotides, Antisense/chemistry
- Primates
- Protein Biosynthesis/genetics
- RNA, Messenger/genetics
- RNA, Messenger/metabolism
- RNA, Viral/genetics
- RNA, Viral/metabolism
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Travis K. Warren
- United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Fort Detrick, Maryland 21702, USA; (T.K.W.); (J.B.W.); (N.L.G.); (L.S.W.); (S.B.); (R.P.)
| | - Jay B. Wells
- United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Fort Detrick, Maryland 21702, USA; (T.K.W.); (J.B.W.); (N.L.G.); (L.S.W.); (S.B.); (R.P.)
| | - Nicole L. Garza
- United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Fort Detrick, Maryland 21702, USA; (T.K.W.); (J.B.W.); (N.L.G.); (L.S.W.); (S.B.); (R.P.)
| | - Dan V. Mourich
- Sarepta Therapeutics, Bothell, Washington 98021, USA; (P.L.I.); (D.V.M)
| | - Lisa S. Welch
- United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Fort Detrick, Maryland 21702, USA; (T.K.W.); (J.B.W.); (N.L.G.); (L.S.W.); (S.B.); (R.P.)
| | - Rekha G. Panchal
- United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Fort Detrick, Maryland 21702, USA; (T.K.W.); (J.B.W.); (N.L.G.); (L.S.W.); (S.B.); (R.P.)
| | - Sina Bavari
- United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Fort Detrick, Maryland 21702, USA; (T.K.W.); (J.B.W.); (N.L.G.); (L.S.W.); (S.B.); (R.P.)
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19
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Therapeutic delivery opportunities, obstacles and applications for cell-penetrating peptides. Ther Deliv 2012; 2:71-82. [PMID: 22833926 DOI: 10.4155/tde.10.78] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Advancements in the development of large bioactive molecules as therapeutic agents have made drug delivery an active and important field of research. Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) have the ability to deliver an array of molecules and even nano-size particles into cells in an efficient and non-toxic manner, both in vitro and in vivo. This review aims to give a perspective on the obstacles that CPP-mediated drug delivery is currently facing as well as the great opportunities for improvements that lie ahead. Strategies for delivery of novel gene-modulating agents and enhancing efficacy of classical drugs will be discussed, as well as methods for increasing bioavailability and tissue specificity of CPPs. The usefulness and potential of CPPs as therapeutic drug-delivery vectors will be exemplified by their use in the treatment of cancer, viral infection and muscular dystrophy.
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20
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Warren TK, Shurtleff AC, Bavari S. Advanced morpholino oligomers: a novel approach to antiviral therapy. Antiviral Res 2012; 94:80-8. [PMID: 22353544 PMCID: PMC7114334 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2012.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2011] [Revised: 01/31/2012] [Accepted: 02/01/2012] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomers (PMOs) are synthetic antisense oligonucleotide analogs that are designed to interfere with translational processes by forming base-pair duplexes with specific RNA sequences. Positively charged PMOs (PMOplus™) are effective for the postexposure protection of two fulminant viral diseases, Ebola and Marburg hemorrhagic fever in nonhuman primates, and this class of antisense agent may also have possibilities for treatment of other viral diseases. PMOs are highly stable, are effective by a variety of routes of administration, can be readily formulated in common isotonic delivery vehicles, and can be rapidly designed and synthesized. These are properties which may make PMOs good candidates for use during responses to emerging or reemerging viruses that may be insensitive to available therapies or for use during outbreaks, especially in regions that lack a modern medical infrastructure. While the efficacy of sequence-specific therapies can be limited by target-site sequence variations that occur between variants or by the emergence of resistant mutants during infections, various PMO design strategies can minimize these impacts. These strategies include the use of promiscuous bases such as inosine to compensate for predicted base-pair mismatches, the use of sequences that target conserved sites between viral strains, and the use of sequences that target host products that viruses utilize for infection.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Sina Bavari
- Corresponding author. Tel.: +1 301 619 4246.
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21
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Kole R, Krainer AR, Altman S. RNA therapeutics: beyond RNA interference and antisense oligonucleotides. Nat Rev Drug Discov 2012; 11:125-40. [PMID: 22262036 PMCID: PMC4743652 DOI: 10.1038/nrd3625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 856] [Impact Index Per Article: 71.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Here, we discuss three RNA-based therapeutic technologies exploiting various oligonucleotides that bind to RNA by base pairing in a sequence-specific manner yet have different mechanisms of action and effects. RNA interference and antisense oligonucleotides downregulate gene expression by inducing enzyme-dependent degradation of targeted mRNA. Steric-blocking oligonucleotides block the access of cellular machinery to pre-mRNA and mRNA without degrading the RNA. Through this mechanism, steric-blocking oligonucleotides can redirect alternative splicing, repair defective RNA, restore protein production or downregulate gene expression. Moreover, they can be extensively chemically modified to acquire more drug-like properties. The ability of RNA-blocking oligonucleotides to restore gene function makes them best suited for the treatment of genetic disorders. Positive results from clinical trials for the treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy show that this technology is close to achieving its clinical potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryszard Kole
- AVI BioPharma, 3450 Monte Villa Parkway, Bothell, Washington 98021, USA.
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22
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Sampath A, Metz M, Stundick M, Larsen JC. State-of-the-art therapeutic medical countermeasures for viral threat agents. Biosecur Bioterror 2011; 9:351-60. [PMID: 22053938 DOI: 10.1089/bsp.2011.0047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
In recent years, there has been an increase in the perceived threat of biological agents being used against civilian populations. This has prompted an urgent need for the development and procurement of medical countermeasures (MCMs) against highly pathogenic viruses that can prevent morbidity and mortality from infections caused by these agents. To date, antiviral drug development has been largely focused on clinically prevalent chronic infections due to their commercial viability. This has left a huge gap in the drug development path for acute infections of biodefense importance. In this review, we discuss the antiviral research and development initiatives focusing specifically on poxviruses, filoviruses, and equine encephalitis viruses (EEV). We discuss the benefits and technical challenges in the current development strategies and the hurdles in the licensure path for MCMs against these highly pathogenic viruses under the FDA Animal Rule, and we provide recommendations for the path forward.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aruna Sampath
- Science Applications International Corporation, Frederick, Maryland, USA
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23
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Development of peptide-conjugated morpholino oligomers as pan-arenavirus inhibitors. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2011; 55:4631-8. [PMID: 21825302 DOI: 10.1128/aac.00650-11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Members of the Arenaviridae family are a threat to public health and can cause meningitis and hemorrhagic fever, and yet treatment options remain limited by a lack of effective antivirals. In this study, we found that peptide-conjugated phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomers (PPMO) complementary to viral genomic RNA were effective in reducing arenavirus replication in cell cultures and in vivo. PPMO complementary to the Junín virus genome were designed to interfere with viral RNA synthesis or translation or both. However, only PPMO designed to potentially interfere with translation were effective in reducing virus replication. PPMO complementary to sequences that are highly conserved across the arenaviruses and located at the 5' termini of both genomic segments were effective against Junín virus, Tacaribe virus, Pichinde virus, and lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV)-infected cell cultures and suppressed viral titers in the livers of LCMV-infected mice. These results suggest that arenavirus 5' genomic termini represent promising targets for pan-arenavirus antiviral therapeutic development.
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24
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Goodchild SA, O'Brien LM, Steven J, Muller MR, Lanning OJ, Logue CH, D'Elia RV, Phillpotts RJ, Perkins SD. A humanised murine monoclonal antibody with broad serogroup specificity protects mice from challenge with Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus. Antiviral Res 2011; 90:1-8. [PMID: 21310183 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2011.01.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2010] [Revised: 01/31/2011] [Accepted: 01/31/2011] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
In murine models of Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEEV) infection, the neutralising monoclonal antibody 1A3B-7 has been shown to be effective in passive protection from challenge by the aerosol route with serogroups I, II and Mucambo virus (formally VEE complex subtype IIIA). This antibody is able to bind to all serogroups of the VEEV complex when used in ELISA and therefore is an excellent candidate for protein engineering in order to derive a humanised molecule suitable for therapeutic use in humans. A Complementarity Determining Region (CDR) grafting approach using human germline IgG frameworks was used to produce a panel of humanised variants of 1A3B-7, from which a single candidate molecule with retained binding specificity was identified. Evaluation of humanised 1A3B-7 (Hu1A3B-7) in in vitro studies indicated that Hu1A3B-7 retained both broad specificity and neutralising activity. Furthermore, in vivo experiments showed that Hu1A3B-7 successfully protected mice against lethal subcutaneous and aerosol challenges with VEEV strain TrD (serogroup I). Hu1A3B-7 is therefore a promising candidate for the future development of a broad-spectrum antiviral therapy to treat VEEV disease in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah A Goodchild
- Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, Porton Down, Salisbury, Wiltshire SP4 0JQ, UK.
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25
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Potential therapeutic applications of antisense morpholino oligonucleotides in modulation of splicing in primary immunodeficiency diseases. J Immunol Methods 2010; 365:1-7. [PMID: 21147113 DOI: 10.1016/j.jim.2010.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2010] [Revised: 08/27/2010] [Accepted: 12/01/2010] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Highly complementary antisense morpholino oligonucleotides (AMOs) can bind to pre-mRNA and modulate splicing site selection. This offers a powerful tool to regulate the splicing process, such as correcting subtypes of splicing mutations and nonsense mutations and reprogramming alternative splicing processes. Therefore, AMO-mediated splicing modulation represents an attractive therapeutic strategy for genetic disorders. Primary immunodeficiency diseases (PIDs) are a heterogeneous group of genetic disorders that result from mutations in genes involved in development and maintenance of the immune system. Many of these mutations are splicing mutations and nonsense mutations that can be manipulated by AMOs. This review discusses AMO-mediated splicing modulation approaches and their potential applications in treating PIDs.
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26
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Ramasamy S, Liu CQ, Tran H, Gubala A, Gauci P, McAllister J, Vo T. Principles of antidote pharmacology: an update on prophylaxis, post-exposure treatment recommendations and research initiatives for biological agents. Br J Pharmacol 2010; 161:721-48. [PMID: 20860656 DOI: 10.1111/j.1476-5381.2010.00939.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The use of biological agents has generally been confined to military-led conflicts. However, there has been an increase in non-state-based terrorism, including the use of asymmetric warfare, such as biological agents in the past few decades. Thus, it is becoming increasingly important to consider strategies for preventing and preparing for attacks by insurgents, such as the development of pre- and post-exposure medical countermeasures. There are a wide range of prophylactics and treatments being investigated to combat the effects of biological agents. These include antibiotics (for both conventional and unconventional use), antibodies, anti-virals, immunomodulators, nucleic acids (analogues, antisense, ribozymes and DNAzymes), bacteriophage therapy and micro-encapsulation. While vaccines are commercially available for the prevention of anthrax, cholera, plague, Q fever and smallpox, there are no licensed vaccines available for use in the case of botulinum toxins, viral encephalitis, melioidosis or ricin. Antibiotics are still recommended as the mainstay treatment following exposure to anthrax, plague, Q fever and melioidosis. Anti-toxin therapy and anti-virals may be used in the case of botulinum toxins or smallpox respectively. However, supportive care is the only, or mainstay, post-exposure treatment for cholera, viral encephalitis and ricin - a recommendation that has not changed in decades. Indeed, with the difficulty that antibiotic resistance poses, the development and further evaluation of techniques and atypical pharmaceuticals are fundamental to the development of prophylaxis and post-exposure treatment options. The aim of this review is to present an update on prophylaxis and post-exposure treatment recommendations and research initiatives for biological agents in the open literature from 2007 to 2009.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Ramasamy
- Defence Science & Technology Organisation, Human Protection and Performance Division, Fishermans Bend, Vic., Australia.
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27
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Rohayem J, Bergmann M, Gebhardt J, Gould E, Tucker P, Mattevi A, Unge T, Hilgenfeld R, Neyts J. Antiviral strategies to control calicivirus infections. Antiviral Res 2010; 87:162-78. [PMID: 20471996 PMCID: PMC7114105 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2010.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2009] [Revised: 05/01/2010] [Accepted: 05/04/2010] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Caliciviridae are human or non-human pathogenic viruses with a high diversity. Some members of the Caliciviridae, i.e. human pathogenic norovirus or rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV), are worldwide emerging pathogens. The norovirus is the major cause of viral gastroenteritis worldwide, accounting for about 85% of the outbreaks in Europe between 1995 and 2000. In the United States, 25 million cases of infection are reported each year. Since its emergence in 1984 as an agent of fatal hemorrhagic diseases in rabbits, RHDV has killed millions of rabbits and has been dispersed to all of the inhabitable continents. In view of their successful and apparently increasing emergence, the development of antiviral strategies to control infections due to these viral pathogens has now become an important issue in medicine and veterinary medicine. Antiviral strategies have to be based on an understanding of the epidemiology, transmission, clinical symptoms, viral replication and immunity to infection resulting from infection by these viruses. Here, we provide an overview of the mechanisms underlying calicivirus infection, focusing on the molecular aspects of replication in the host cell. Recent experimental data generated through an international collaboration on structural biology, virology and drug design within the European consortium VIZIER is also presented. Based on this analysis, we propose antiviral strategies that may significantly impact on the epidemiological characteristics of these highly successful viral pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacques Rohayem
- The Calicilab, Institute of Virology, Dresden University of Technology, Dresden, Germany.
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28
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Singh Y, Murat P, Defrancq E. Recent developments in oligonucleotide conjugation. Chem Soc Rev 2010; 39:2054-70. [PMID: 20393645 DOI: 10.1039/b911431a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 180] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Synthetic oligonucleotides (ONs) are being investigated for various therapeutic and diagnostic applications. The interest in ONs arises because of their capability to cause selective inhibition of gene expression by binding to the target DNA/RNA sequences through mechanisms such as antigene, antisense, and RNA interference. ONs with catalytic activity (ribozymes and DNAzymes) against the target sequences, and ability to bind to the target molecules (aptamers), ranging from small molecules to proteins, are also known. Therefore ONs are considered potentially useful for the treatment of viral diseases and cancer. ONs also find use in the design of DNA microchips (a powerful bio-analytical tool) and novel materials in nanotechnology. However, the clinical success achieved so far with ONs has not been satisfactory, and the major impediments have been recognised as their instability against nucleases, lack of target specificity, and poor uptake and targeted delivery. Tremendous efforts have been made to improve the ON properties by either incorporating chemical modifications in the ON structure or covalently linking (conjugation) reporter groups, with biologically relevant properties, to ONs. Conjugation is of great interest because it can be used not only to improve the existing ON properties but also to impart entirely new properties. This tutorial review focuses on the recent developments in ON conjugation, and describes the key challenges in efficient ON conjugation and major synthetic approaches available for successful ON conjugate syntheses. In addition, an overview on major classes of ON conjugates along with their use in therapeutics, diagnostics and nanotechnology is provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yashveer Singh
- Départment of Pharmaceutics, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, USA.
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Anantpadma M, Stein DA, Vrati S. Inhibition of Japanese encephalitis virus replication in cultured cells and mice by a peptide-conjugated morpholino oligomer. J Antimicrob Chemother 2010; 65:953-61. [PMID: 20299495 PMCID: PMC7109675 DOI: 10.1093/jac/dkq074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) has a significant impact on public health throughout Asia, and there is a pressing need for development of new therapeutics against it. Methods Peptide-conjugated phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomers (PPMOs) are antisense agents that enter cells readily and interfere with gene expression. Four PPMOs, targeting various locations in the JEV genome, were evaluated for antiviral activity against JEV in cultured cells and the mouse model of JEV infection. Results A PPMO (P10882) targeting the JEV 3′ cyclization sequence (3′CSI) had significant antiviral activity in Vero (epithelial), Neuro2A (neuronal) and J774E (macrophage) cells at concentrations that were not cytotoxic. P10882 added before infection suppressed JEV replication to an undetectable level in Vero cells and produced a 93% and 66% reduction in titre in J774E and Neuro2A cells, respectively, when measured at 24 h post-infection. In uninfected cells, fluorescein-labelled PPMOs entered J774E cells most efficiently, followed by Vero and Neuro2A cells. The antiviral effect of P10882 was also demonstrated in vivo, where 60%–80% of 1-week-old mice treated intracerebrally with a 20 mg/kg dose of P10882 every 12 h for 5 days were protected from a lethal dose of JEV and showed an undetectable level of virus in brain tissue at 2 days post-infection. Conclusions P10882, which targets sequence that is highly conserved across members of the JEV serocomplex, was previously shown to be effective in a mouse model of West Nile disease, and represents a candidate antiviral agent against members of the JEV serocomplex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manu Anantpadma
- National Institute of Immunology, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi 110067, India
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Delcroix M, Riley LW. Cell-Penetrating Peptides for Antiviral Drug Development. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2010; 3:448-470. [PMID: 27713263 PMCID: PMC4033964 DOI: 10.3390/ph3030448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2009] [Revised: 02/06/2010] [Accepted: 03/01/2010] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Viral diseases affect hundreds of millions of people worldwide, and the few available drugs to treat these diseases often come with limitations. The key obstacle to the development of new antiviral agents is their delivery into infected cells in vivo. Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) are short peptides that can cross the cellular lipid bilayer with the remarkable capability to shuttle conjugated cargoes into cells. CPPs have been successfully utilized to enhance the cellular uptake and intracellular trafficking of antiviral molecules, and thereby increase the inhibitory activity of potential antiviral proteins and oligonucleotide analogues, both in cultured cells and in animal models. This review will address the notable findings of these studies, highlighting some promising results and discussing the challenges CPP technology has to overcome for further clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melaine Delcroix
- School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA.
| | - Lee W Riley
- School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA.
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Labadie K, Larcher T, Joubert C, Mannioui A, Delache B, Brochard P, Guigand L, Dubreil L, Lebon P, Verrier B, de Lamballerie X, Suhrbier A, Cherel Y, Le Grand R, Roques P. Chikungunya disease in nonhuman primates involves long-term viral persistence in macrophages. J Clin Invest 2010; 120:894-906. [PMID: 20179353 DOI: 10.1172/jci40104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 386] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2009] [Accepted: 01/06/2010] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is a mosquito-borne alphavirus that induces in humans a disease characterized by fever, rash, and pain in muscles and joints. The recent emergence or reemergence of CHIKV in the Indian Ocean Islands and India has stressed the need to better understand the pathogenesis of this disease. Previous CHIKV disease models have used young or immunodeficient mice, but these do not recapitulate human disease patterns and are unsuitable for testing immune-based therapies. Herein, we describe what we believe to be a new model for CHIKV infection in adult, immunocompetent cynomolgus macaques. CHIKV infection in these animals recapitulated the viral, clinical, and pathological features observed in human disease. In the macaques, long-term CHIKV infection was observed in joints, muscles, lymphoid organs, and liver, which could explain the long-lasting CHIKV disease symptoms observed in humans. In addition, the study identified macrophages as the main cellular reservoirs during the late stages of CHIKV infection in vivo. This model of CHIKV physiopathology should allow the development of new therapeutic and/or prophylactic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karine Labadie
- CEA, Division of Immuno-Virology/Institute of Emerging Diseases and Innovative Therapies, Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
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32
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Bell NM, Micklefield J. Chemical modification of oligonucleotides for therapeutic, bioanalytical and other applications. Chembiochem 2010; 10:2691-703. [PMID: 19739190 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.200900341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Neil M Bell
- School of Chemistry, The University of Manchester, Manchester Interdisciplinary Biocentre, 131 Princess Street, Manchester M1 7DN, UK
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Zacks MA, Paessler S. Encephalitic alphaviruses. Vet Microbiol 2009; 140:281-6. [PMID: 19775836 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2009.08.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 184] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2009] [Revised: 08/03/2009] [Accepted: 08/21/2009] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
This review will cover zoonotic, encephalitic alphaviruses in the family Togaviridae. Encephalitic alphaviruses, i.e. Western- (WEEV), Eastern- (EEEV), Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEEV) and, more rarely, Ross River virus, Chikungunya virus and Highlands J virus (HJV), are neuroinvasive and may cause neurological symptoms ranging from mild (e.g., febrile illness) to severe (e.g., encephalitis) in humans and equines. Among the naturally occurring alphaviruses, WEEV, EEEV and VEEV have widespread distributions in North, Central and South America. WEEV has found spanning the U.S. from the mid-West (Michigan and Illinois) to the West coast and extending to Canada with human cases reported in 21 states. EEEV is found along the Gulf (Texas to Florida) and Atlantic Coast (Georgia to New Hampshire), as well as in the mid-West (Wisconsin, Illinois and Michigan) and in Canada, with human cases reported in 19 states. In contrast, transmission of VEEV occurs predominantly in Central and South America. As with their geographical distribution, equine encephalitis viruses differ in their main mosquito vector species and their zoonotic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michele A Zacks
- Galveston National Laboratory, Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, G.170 Keiller Building, Galveston, TX 77555-0609, United States
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Gould EA, Coutard B, Malet H, Morin B, Jamal S, Weaver S, Gorbalenya A, Moureau G, Baronti C, Delogu I, Forrester N, Khasnatinov M, Gritsun T, de Lamballerie X, Canard B. Understanding the alphaviruses: recent research on important emerging pathogens and progress towards their control. Antiviral Res 2009; 87:111-24. [PMID: 19616028 PMCID: PMC7114216 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2009.07.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2009] [Revised: 07/07/2009] [Accepted: 07/11/2009] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The alphaviruses were amongst the first arboviruses to be isolated, characterized and assigned a taxonomic status. They are globally very widespread, infecting a large variety of terrestrial animals, insects and even fish, and circulate both in the sylvatic and urban/peri-urban environment, causing considerable human morbidity and mortality. Nevertheless, despite their obvious importance as pathogens, there are currently no effective antiviral drugs with which to treat humans or animals infected by any of these viruses. The EU-supported project-VIZIER (Comparative Structural Genomics of Viral Enzymes Involved in Replication, FP6 PROJECT: 2004-511960) was instigated with an ultimate view of contributing to the development of antiviral therapies for RNA viruses, including the alphaviruses [Coutard, B., Gorbalenya, A.E., Snijder, E.J., Leontovich, A.M., Poupon, A., De Lamballerie, X., Charrel, R., Gould, E.A., Gunther, S., Norder, H., Klempa, B., Bourhy, H., Rohayemj, J., L'hermite, E., Nordlund, P., Stuart, D.I., Owens, R.J., Grimes, J.M., Tuckerm, P.A., Bolognesi, M., Mattevi, A., Coll, M., Jones, T.A., Aqvist, J., Unger, T., Hilgenfeld, R., Bricogne, G., Neyts, J., La Colla, P., Puerstinger, G., Gonzalez, J.P., Leroy, E., Cambillau, C., Romette, J.L., Canard, B., 2008. The VIZIER project: preparedness against pathogenic RNA viruses. Antiviral Res. 78, 37-46]. This review highlights some of the major features of alphaviruses that have been investigated during recent years. After describing their classification, epidemiology and evolutionary history and the expanding geographic distribution of Chikungunya virus, we review progress in understanding the structure and function of alphavirus replicative enzymes achieved under the VIZIER programme and the development of new disease control strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- E A Gould
- Institut de Recherche pour le Développement UMR190/Unité des Virus Emergents, Université de la Méditerranée, Marseille, France.
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O'Brien L, Perkins S, Williams A, Eastaugh L, Phelps A, Wu J, Phillpotts R. Alpha interferon as an adenovirus-vectored vaccine adjuvant and antiviral in Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus infection. J Gen Virol 2009; 90:874-882. [PMID: 19264673 DOI: 10.1099/vir.0.006833-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
There are no widely available vaccines or antiviral drugs capable of protecting against infection with Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEEV), although an adenovirus vector expressing VEEV structural proteins protects mice from challenge with VEEV and is potentially a vaccine suitable for human use. This work examines whether alpha interferon (IFN-α) could act as an adjuvant for the adenovirus-based vaccine. IFN-α was either expressed by a plasmid linked to the adenovirus vaccine or encoded by a separate adenovirus vector administered as a mixture with the vaccine. In contrast to previous reports with other vaccines, the presence of IFN-α reduced the antibody response to VEEV. When IFN-α was encoded by adenovirus, the lack of a VEEV-specific response was accompanied by an increase in the immune response to the adenovirus vector. IFN-α also plays a direct role in defence against virus infection, inducing the expression of a large number of antiviral proteins. Adenovirus-delivered IFN-α protected mice from VEEV disease when administered 24 h prior to challenge, but not when administered 6 h post-challenge, suggesting that up to 24 h is required for the development of the IFN-mediated antiviral response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lyn O'Brien
- Biomedical Sciences Department, Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, Porton Down, Salisbury, Wiltshire SP4 0JQ, UK
| | - Stuart Perkins
- Biomedical Sciences Department, Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, Porton Down, Salisbury, Wiltshire SP4 0JQ, UK
| | - Amanda Williams
- Biomedical Sciences Department, Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, Porton Down, Salisbury, Wiltshire SP4 0JQ, UK
| | - Lin Eastaugh
- Biomedical Sciences Department, Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, Porton Down, Salisbury, Wiltshire SP4 0JQ, UK
| | - Amanda Phelps
- Biomedical Sciences Department, Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, Porton Down, Salisbury, Wiltshire SP4 0JQ, UK
| | - Josh Wu
- Biotechnology Section, Defence Research and Development Canada – Suffield, Box 4000, Station Main, Medicine Hat, Alberta T1A 8K6, Canada
| | - Robert Phillpotts
- Biomedical Sciences Department, Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, Porton Down, Salisbury, Wiltshire SP4 0JQ, UK
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Sleeman K, Stein DA, Tamin A, Reddish M, Iversen PL, Rota PA. Inhibition of measles virus infections in cell cultures by peptide-conjugated morpholino oligomers. Virus Res 2009; 140:49-56. [PMID: 19059443 DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2008.10.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2008] [Revised: 10/29/2008] [Accepted: 10/31/2008] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Measles virus (MeV) is a highly contagious human pathogen. Despite the success of measles vaccination programs, measles is still responsible for an estimated 245,000 deaths each year. There are currently no antiviral compounds available for the treatment of measles. Peptide-conjugated phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomers (PPMO) are antisense compounds that enter cells readily and can interfere with mRNA function by steric blocking. A panel of PPMO was designed to target various sequences of MeV RNA that are known to be important for viral replication. Five PPMO, targeting MeV genomic RNA or mRNA, inhibited the replication of MeV, in a dose-responsive and sequence-specific manner in cultured cells. One of the highly active PPMO (PPMO 454), targeting a conserved sequence in the translation start site of the mRNA coding for the nucleocapsid protein, inhibited multiple genotypes of MeV. This report provides evidence that PPMO treatment represents a promising approach for developing antiviral agents against measles and other paramyxoviruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katrina Sleeman
- Measles, Mumps, Rubella, and Herpesviruses Laboratory Branch, Division of Viral Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
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