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Hoffmann G, Lukarska M, Clare RH, Masters EK, Johnston KL, Ford L, Turner JD, Ward SA, Taylor MJ, Jensen MR, Palencia A. Targeting a microbiota Wolbachian aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase to block its pathogenic host. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2024; 10:eado1453. [PMID: 38985862 PMCID: PMC11235159 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.ado1453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 06/04/2024] [Indexed: 07/12/2024]
Abstract
The interplay between humans and their microbiome is crucial for various physiological processes, including nutrient absorption, immune defense, and maintaining homeostasis. Microbiome alterations can directly contribute to diseases or heighten their likelihood. This relationship extends beyond humans; microbiota play vital roles in other organisms, including eukaryotic pathogens causing severe diseases. Notably, Wolbachia, a bacterial microbiota, is essential for parasitic worms responsible for lymphatic filariasis and onchocerciasis, devastating human illnesses. Given the lack of rapid cures for these infections and the limitations of current treatments, new drugs are imperative. Here, we disrupt Wolbachia's symbiosis with pathogens using boron-based compounds targeting an unprecedented Wolbachia enzyme, leucyl-tRNA synthetase (LeuRS), effectively inhibiting its growth. Through a compound demonstrating anti-Wolbachia efficacy in infected cells, we use biophysical experiments and x-ray crystallography to elucidate the mechanism behind Wolbachia LeuRS inhibition. We reveal that these compounds form adenosine-based adducts inhibiting protein synthesis. Overall, our study underscores the potential of disrupting key microbiota to control infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guillaume Hoffmann
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences (IAB), Structural Biology of Novel Drug Targets in Human Diseases, INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR 5309, Université Grenoble-Alpes, Grenoble 38000, France
| | - Maria Lukarska
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences (IAB), Structural Biology of Novel Drug Targets in Human Diseases, INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR 5309, Université Grenoble-Alpes, Grenoble 38000, France
| | - Rachel H. Clare
- Centre for Drugs and Diagnostics, Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool L3 5QA, UK
| | - Ellen K.G. Masters
- Centre for Drugs and Diagnostics, Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool L3 5QA, UK
| | - Kelly L. Johnston
- Centre for Drugs and Diagnostics, Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool L3 5QA, UK
| | - Louise Ford
- Centre for Drugs and Diagnostics, Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool L3 5QA, UK
| | - Joseph D. Turner
- Centre for Drugs and Diagnostics, Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool L3 5QA, UK
| | - Steve A. Ward
- Centre for Drugs and Diagnostics, Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool L3 5QA, UK
| | - Mark J. Taylor
- Centre for Drugs and Diagnostics, Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool L3 5QA, UK
| | | | - Andrés Palencia
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences (IAB), Structural Biology of Novel Drug Targets in Human Diseases, INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR 5309, Université Grenoble-Alpes, Grenoble 38000, France
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2
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Nowicki K, Krajewska J, Stępniewski TM, Wielechowska M, Wińska P, Kaczmarczyk A, Korpowska J, Selent J, Marek-Urban PH, Durka K, Woźniak K, Laudy AE, Luliński S. Exploiting thiol-functionalized benzosiloxaboroles for achieving diverse substitution patterns - synthesis, characterization and biological evaluation of promising antibacterial agents. RSC Med Chem 2024; 15:1751-1772. [PMID: 38784477 PMCID: PMC11110727 DOI: 10.1039/d4md00061g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Benzosiloxaboroles are an emerging class of medicinal agents possessing promising antimicrobial activity. Herein, the expedient synthesis of two novel thiol-functionalized benzosiloxaboroles 1e and 2e is reported. The presence of the SH group allowed for diverse structural modifications involving the thiol-Michael addition, oxidation, as well as nucleophilic substitution giving rise to a series of 27 new benzosiloxaboroles containing various polar functional groups, e.g., carbonyl, ester, amide, imide, nitrile, sulfonyl and sulfonamide, and pendant heterocyclic rings. The activity of the obtained compounds against selected bacterial and yeast strains, including multidrug-resistant clinical strains, was investigated. Compounds 6, 12, 20 and 22-24 show high activity against Staphylococcus aureus, including both methicillin-sensitive (MSSA) and methicillin-resistant (MRSA) strains, with MIC values in the range of 1.56-12.5 μg mL-1, while their cytotoxicity is relatively low. The in vitro assay performed with 2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylthio derivative 20 revealed that, in contrast to the majority of known antibacterial oxaboroles, the plausible mechanism of antibacterial action, involving inhibition of the leucyl-tRNA synthetase enzyme, is not responsible for the antibacterial activity. Structural bioinformatic analysis involving molecular dynamics simulations provided a possible explanation for this finding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krzysztof Nowicki
- Faculty of Chemistry, Warsaw University of Technology Noakowskiego 3 00-664 Warsaw Poland
| | - Joanna Krajewska
- Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology and Bioanalysis, Medical University of Warsaw Banacha 1b 02-097 Warsaw Poland
| | - Tomasz M Stępniewski
- GPCR Drug Discovery Lab, Research Programme on Biomedical Informatics (GRIB), Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute (IMIM) - Department of Medicine and Life Sciences, Pompeu Fabra University (UPF) Carrer del Dr. Aiguader, 88 08003 Barcelona Spain
| | - Monika Wielechowska
- Faculty of Chemistry, Warsaw University of Technology Noakowskiego 3 00-664 Warsaw Poland
| | - Patrycja Wińska
- Faculty of Chemistry, Warsaw University of Technology Noakowskiego 3 00-664 Warsaw Poland
| | - Anna Kaczmarczyk
- Faculty of Chemistry, Warsaw University of Technology Noakowskiego 3 00-664 Warsaw Poland
| | - Julia Korpowska
- Faculty of Chemistry, Warsaw University of Technology Noakowskiego 3 00-664 Warsaw Poland
| | - Jana Selent
- GPCR Drug Discovery Lab, Research Programme on Biomedical Informatics (GRIB), Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute (IMIM) - Department of Medicine and Life Sciences, Pompeu Fabra University (UPF) Carrer del Dr. Aiguader, 88 08003 Barcelona Spain
| | - Paulina H Marek-Urban
- Faculty of Chemistry, Warsaw University of Technology Noakowskiego 3 00-664 Warsaw Poland
| | - Krzysztof Durka
- Faculty of Chemistry, Warsaw University of Technology Noakowskiego 3 00-664 Warsaw Poland
| | - Krzysztof Woźniak
- Faculty of Chemistry, University of Warsaw Pasteura 1 00-093 Warsaw Poland
| | - Agnieszka E Laudy
- Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology and Bioanalysis, Medical University of Warsaw Banacha 1b 02-097 Warsaw Poland
| | - Sergiusz Luliński
- Faculty of Chemistry, Warsaw University of Technology Noakowskiego 3 00-664 Warsaw Poland
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Heidtmann CV, Fejer AR, Stærk K, Pedersen M, Asmussen MG, Hertz FB, Prabhala BK, Frimodt-Møller N, Klitgaard JK, Andersen TE, Nielsen CU, Nielsen P. Hit-to-Lead Identification and Validation of a Triaromatic Pleuromutilin Antibiotic Candidate. J Med Chem 2024; 67:3692-3710. [PMID: 38385364 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c02153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
Herein, we report the hit-to-lead identification of a drug-like pleuromutilin conjugate 16, based on a triaromatic hit reported in 2020. The lead arose as the clear candidate from a hit-optimization campaign in which Gram-positive antibacterial activity, solubility, and P-gp affinity were optimized. Conjugate 16 was extensively evaluated for its in vitro ADMET performance which, apart from solubility, was overall on par with lefamulin. This evaluation included Caco-2 cell permeability, plasma protein binding, hERG inhibition, cytotoxicity, metabolism in microsomes and CYP3A4, resistance induction, and time-kill kinetics. Intravenous pharmacokinetics of 16 proved satisfactory in both mice and pigs; however, oral bioavailability was limited likely due to insufficient solubility. The in vivo efficacy was evaluated in mice, systemically infected with Staphylococcus aureus, where 16 showed rapid reduction in blood bacteriaemia. Through our comprehensive studies, lead 16 has emerged as a highly promising and safe antibiotic candidate for the treatment of Gram-positive bacterial infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christoffer V Heidtmann
- Department of Physics, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Southern Denmark, DK-5230 Odense M, Denmark
| | - Andreas R Fejer
- Department of Physics, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Southern Denmark, DK-5230 Odense M, Denmark
| | - Kristian Stærk
- Department of Clinical Research, Research Unit of Clinical Microbiology, University of Southern Denmark, DK-5230 Odense M, Denmark
| | - Maria Pedersen
- Department of Physics, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Southern Denmark, DK-5230 Odense M, Denmark
| | - Marco G Asmussen
- Department of Physics, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Southern Denmark, DK-5230 Odense M, Denmark
| | - Frederik B Hertz
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Bala K Prabhala
- Department of Physics, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Southern Denmark, DK-5230 Odense M, Denmark
| | - Niels Frimodt-Møller
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Janne K Klitgaard
- Department of Clinical Research, Research Unit of Clinical Microbiology, University of Southern Denmark, DK-5230 Odense M, Denmark
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Research Unit of Molecular Microbiology, University of Southern Denmark, DK-5230 Odense M, Denmark
| | - Thomas E Andersen
- Department of Clinical Research, Research Unit of Clinical Microbiology, University of Southern Denmark, DK-5230 Odense M, Denmark
| | - Carsten U Nielsen
- Department of Physics, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Southern Denmark, DK-5230 Odense M, Denmark
| | - Poul Nielsen
- Department of Physics, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Southern Denmark, DK-5230 Odense M, Denmark
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Grams RJ, Santos WL, Scorei IR, Abad-García A, Rosenblum CA, Bita A, Cerecetto H, Viñas C, Soriano-Ursúa MA. The Rise of Boron-Containing Compounds: Advancements in Synthesis, Medicinal Chemistry, and Emerging Pharmacology. Chem Rev 2024; 124:2441-2511. [PMID: 38382032 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.3c00663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
Boron-containing compounds (BCC) have emerged as important pharmacophores. To date, five BCC drugs (including boronic acids and boroles) have been approved by the FDA for the treatment of cancer, infections, and atopic dermatitis, while some natural BCC are included in dietary supplements. Boron's Lewis acidity facilitates a mechanism of action via formation of reversible covalent bonds within the active site of target proteins. Boron has also been employed in the development of fluorophores, such as BODIPY for imaging, and in carboranes that are potential neutron capture therapy agents as well as novel agents in diagnostics and therapy. The utility of natural and synthetic BCC has become multifaceted, and the breadth of their applications continues to expand. This review covers the many uses and targets of boron in medicinal chemistry.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Justin Grams
- Department of Chemistry and Virginia Tech Center for Drug Discovery, Virginia Tech, 900 West Campus Drive, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, United States
| | - Webster L Santos
- Department of Chemistry and Virginia Tech Center for Drug Discovery, Virginia Tech, 900 West Campus Drive, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, United States
| | | | - Antonio Abad-García
- Academia de Fisiología y Sección de Estudios de Posgrado e Investigación, Escuela Superior de Medicina del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Plan de San Luis y Díaz Mirón s/n, 11340 Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Carol Ann Rosenblum
- Department of Chemistry and Virginia Tech Center for Drug Discovery, Virginia Tech, 900 West Campus Drive, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, United States
| | - Andrei Bita
- Department of Pharmacognosy & Phytotherapy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 2 Petru Rareş Street, 200349 Craiova, Romania
| | - Hugo Cerecetto
- Centro de Investigaciones Nucleares, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Mataojo 2055, 11400 Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Clara Viñas
- Institut de Ciència de Materials de Barcelona (ICMAB-CSIC), Campus UAB, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Marvin A Soriano-Ursúa
- Academia de Fisiología y Sección de Estudios de Posgrado e Investigación, Escuela Superior de Medicina del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Plan de San Luis y Díaz Mirón s/n, 11340 Mexico City, Mexico
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5
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Marriott AE, Dagley JL, Hegde S, Steven A, Fricks C, DiCosty U, Mansour A, Campbell EJ, Wilson CM, Gusovsky F, Ward SA, Hong WD, O'Neill P, Moorhead A, McCall S, McCall JW, Taylor MJ, Turner JD. Dirofilariasis mouse models for heartworm preclinical research. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1208301. [PMID: 37426014 PMCID: PMC10324412 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1208301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Dirofilariasis, including heartworm disease, is a major emergent veterinary parasitic infection and a human zoonosis. Currently, experimental infections of cats and dogs are used in veterinary heartworm preclinical drug research. Methods As a refined alternative in vivo heartworm preventative drug screen, we assessed lymphopenic mouse strains with ablation of the interleukin-2/7 common gamma chain (γc) as susceptible to the larval development phase of Dirofilaria immitis. Results Non-obese diabetic (NOD) severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID)γc-/- (NSG and NXG) and recombination-activating gene (RAG)2-/-γc-/- mouse strains yielded viable D. immitis larvae at 2-4 weeks post-infection, including the use of different batches of D. immitis infectious larvae, different D. immitis isolates, and at different laboratories. Mice did not display any clinical signs associated with infection for up to 4 weeks. Developing larvae were found in subcutaneous and muscle fascia tissues, which is the natural site of this stage of heartworm in dogs. Compared with in vitro-propagated larvae at day 14, in vivo-derived larvae had completed the L4 molt, were significantly larger, and contained expanded Wolbachia endobacteria titres. We established an ex vivo L4 paralytic screening system whereby assays with moxidectin or levamisole highlighted discrepancies in relative drug sensitivities in comparison with in vitro-reared L4 D. immitis. We demonstrated effective depletion of Wolbachia by 70%-90% in D. immitis L4 following 2- to 7-day oral in vivo exposures of NSG- or NXG-infected mice with doxycycline or the rapid-acting investigational drug, AWZ1066S. We validated NSG and NXG D. immitis mouse models as a filaricide screen by in vivo treatments with single injections of moxidectin, which mediated a 60%-88% reduction in L4 larvae at 14-28 days. Discussion Future adoption of these mouse models will benefit end-user laboratories conducting research and development of novel heartworm preventatives via increased access, rapid turnaround, and reduced costs and may simultaneously decrease the need for experimental cat or dog use.
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Affiliation(s)
- A. E. Marriott
- Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Centre for Drugs and Diagnostics, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - J. L. Dagley
- Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Centre for Drugs and Diagnostics, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - S. Hegde
- Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Centre for Drugs and Diagnostics, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - A. Steven
- Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Centre for Drugs and Diagnostics, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - C. Fricks
- TRS Laboratories Inc, Athens, GA, United States
| | - U. DiCosty
- TRS Laboratories Inc, Athens, GA, United States
| | - A. Mansour
- TRS Laboratories Inc, Athens, GA, United States
| | - E. J. Campbell
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
| | - C. M. Wilson
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
| | - F. Gusovsky
- Eisai Global Health, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - S. A. Ward
- Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Centre for Drugs and Diagnostics, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - W. D. Hong
- Department of Chemistry, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - P. O'Neill
- Department of Chemistry, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - A. Moorhead
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
| | - S. McCall
- TRS Laboratories Inc, Athens, GA, United States
| | - J. W. McCall
- TRS Laboratories Inc, Athens, GA, United States
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
| | - M. J. Taylor
- Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Centre for Drugs and Diagnostics, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - J. D. Turner
- Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Centre for Drugs and Diagnostics, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, Liverpool, United Kingdom
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Han MJ, Pan M, Xiao G, Yuan Y, Chen S, Zou Z. Assessing Boron-Pleuromutilin AN11251 for the Development of Antibacterial Agents. Molecules 2023; 28:4628. [PMID: 37375183 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28124628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2023] [Revised: 05/27/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Pleuromutilins are a group of antibiotics derived from the naturally occurring compound. The recent approval of lefamulin for both intravenous and oral doses in humans to treat community-acquired bacterial pneumonia has prompted investigations in modifying the structure to broaden the antibacterial spectrum, enhance the activity, and improve the pharmacokinetic properties. AN11251 is a C(14)-functionalized pleuromutilin with a boron-containing heterocycle substructure. It was demonstrated to be an anti-Wolbachia agent with therapeutic potential for Onchocerciasis and lymphatic filariasis. Here, the in vitro and in vivo PK parameters of AN11251 were measured including PPB, intrinsic clearance, half-life, systemic clearance, and volume of distribution. The results indicate that the benzoxaborole-modified pleuromutilin possesses good ADME and PK properties. AN11251 has potent activities against the Gram-positive bacterial pathogens tested, including various drug-resistant strains, and against the slow-growing mycobacterial species. Finally, we employed PK/PD modeling to predict the human dose for treatment of disease caused by Wolbachia, Gram-positive bacteria, or Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which might facilitate the further development of AN11251.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming-Jie Han
- Department of DMPK & Tox, Global Health Drug Discovery Institute, Zhongguancun Dongsheng International Science Park, Beijing 100192, China
| | - Miaomiao Pan
- Department of TB Biology, Global Health Drug Discovery Institute, Zhongguancun Dongsheng International Science Park, Beijing 100192, China
| | - Genhui Xiao
- Department of TB Biology, Global Health Drug Discovery Institute, Zhongguancun Dongsheng International Science Park, Beijing 100192, China
| | - Ying Yuan
- Department of TB Biology, Global Health Drug Discovery Institute, Zhongguancun Dongsheng International Science Park, Beijing 100192, China
| | - Shawn Chen
- Department of TB Biology, Global Health Drug Discovery Institute, Zhongguancun Dongsheng International Science Park, Beijing 100192, China
| | - Zhiyang Zou
- Department of DMPK & Tox, Global Health Drug Discovery Institute, Zhongguancun Dongsheng International Science Park, Beijing 100192, China
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Karunakaran I, Ritter M, Pfarr K, Klarmann-Schulz U, Debrah AY, Debrah LB, Katawa G, Wanji S, Specht S, Adjobimey T, Hübner MP, Hoerauf A. Filariasis research - from basic research to drug development and novel diagnostics, over a decade of research at the Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Bonn, Germany. FRONTIERS IN TROPICAL DISEASES 2023; 4:1126173. [PMID: 38655130 PMCID: PMC7615856 DOI: 10.3389/fitd.2023.1126173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Filariae are vector borne parasitic nematodes, endemic in tropical and subtropical regions causing avoidable infections ranging from asymptomatic to stigmatizing and disfiguring disease. The filarial species that are the major focus of our institution's research are Onchocerca volvulus causing onchocerciasis (river blindness), Wuchereria bancrofti and Brugia spp. causing lymphatic filariasis (elephantiasis), Loa loa causing loiasis (African eye worm), and Mansonella spp causing mansonellosis. This paper aims to showcase the contribution of our institution and our collaborating partners to filarial research and covers decades of long research spanning basic research using the Litomosoides sigmodontis animal model to development of drugs and novel diagnostics. Research with the L. sigmodontis model has been extensively useful in elucidating protective immune responses against filariae as well as in identifying the mechanisms of filarial immunomodulation during metabolic, autoimmune and infectious diseases. The institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology (IMMIP), University Hospital Bonn (UKB), Bonn, Germany has also been actively involved in translational research in contributing to the identification of new drug targets and pre-clinical drug research with successful and ongoing partnership with sub-Saharan Africa, mainly Ghana (the Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research (KCCR)), Cameroon (University of Buea (UB)) and Togo (Laboratoire de Microbiologie et de Contrôle de Qualité des Denrées Alimentaires (LAMICODA)), Asia and industry partners. Further, in the direction of developing novel diagnostics that are sensitive, time, and labour saving, we have developed sensitive qPCRs as well as LAMP assays and are currently working on artificial intelligence based histology analysis for onchocerciasis. The article also highlights our ongoing research and the need for novel animal models and new drug targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Indulekha Karunakaran
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology (IMMIP), University Hospital Bonn (UKB), Bonn, Germany
| | - Manuel Ritter
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology (IMMIP), University Hospital Bonn (UKB), Bonn, Germany
| | - Kenneth Pfarr
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology (IMMIP), University Hospital Bonn (UKB), Bonn, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Bonn-Cologne, Bonn, Germany
| | - Ute Klarmann-Schulz
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology (IMMIP), University Hospital Bonn (UKB), Bonn, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Bonn-Cologne, Bonn, Germany
| | - Alexander Yaw Debrah
- Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
- Kumasi Center for Collaborative Research (KCCR), Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Linda Batsa Debrah
- Kumasi Center for Collaborative Research (KCCR), Kumasi, Ghana
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, School of Medicine and Dentistry, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Gnatoulma Katawa
- Unité de Recherche en Immunologie et Immunomodulation (UR2IM)/Laboratoire de Microbiologie et de Contrôle de Qualité des Denrées Alimentaires (LAMICODA), Ecole Supérieure des Techniques Biologiques et Alimentaires, Université de Lomé, Lomé, Togo
| | - Samuel Wanji
- Parasites and Vector Research Unit (PAVRU), Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon
- Research Foundation in Tropical Diseases and Environment (REFOTDE), Buea, Cameroon
| | - Sabine Specht
- Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Tomabu Adjobimey
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology (IMMIP), University Hospital Bonn (UKB), Bonn, Germany
| | - Marc P Hübner
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology (IMMIP), University Hospital Bonn (UKB), Bonn, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Bonn-Cologne, Bonn, Germany
| | - Achim Hoerauf
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology (IMMIP), University Hospital Bonn (UKB), Bonn, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Bonn-Cologne, Bonn, Germany
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8
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Ugbe FA, Shallangwa GA, Uzairu A, Abdulkadir I. Molecular docking-based virtual screening, molecular dynamic simulation, and 3-D QSAR modeling of some pyrazolopyrimidine analogs as potent anti-filarial agents. In Silico Pharmacol 2022; 10:21. [PMID: 36387058 PMCID: PMC9646684 DOI: 10.1007/s40203-022-00136-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Lymphatic filariasis and onchocerciasis are common filarial diseases caused by filarial worms, which co-habit symbiotically with the Wolbachia organism. One good treatment method seeks Wolbachia as a drug target. Here, a computer-aided molecular docking screening and 3-D QSAR modeling were conducted on a series of Fifty-two (52) pyrazolopyrimidine derivatives against four Wolbachia receptors, including a pharmacokinetics study and Molecular Dynamic (MD) investigation, to find a more potent anti-filarial drug. The DFT approach (B3LYP with 6-31G** option) was used for the structural optimization. Five ligand-protein interaction pairs with the highest binding affinities were identified in the order; 23_7ESX (-10.2 kcal/mol) > 14_6EEZ (- 9.0) > 29_3F4R (- 8.0) > 26_6W9O (- 7.7) ≈ doxycycline_7ESX (- 7.7), with good pharmacological interaction profiles. The built 3-D QSAR model satisfied the requirement of a good model with R2 = 0.9425, Q2 LOO = 0.5019, SDEC = 0.1446, and F test = 98.282. The selected molecules (14, 23, 26, and 29) perfectly obeyed Lipinski's RO5 for oral bio-availability, and showed excellent ADMET properties, except 14 with positive AMES toxicity. The result of the MD simulation showed the great stability associated with the binding of 23 onto 7ESX's binding pocket with an estimated binding free energy (MM/GBSA) of - 60.6552 kcal/mol. Therefore, 23 could be recommended as a potential anti-filarial drug molecule, and/or template for the design of more prominent inhibitors. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40203-022-00136-y.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabian Audu Ugbe
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Physical Sciences, Ahmadu Bello University, P.M.B. 1044, Zaria, Kaduna State Nigeria
| | - Gideon Adamu Shallangwa
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Physical Sciences, Ahmadu Bello University, P.M.B. 1044, Zaria, Kaduna State Nigeria
| | - Adamu Uzairu
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Physical Sciences, Ahmadu Bello University, P.M.B. 1044, Zaria, Kaduna State Nigeria
| | - Ibrahim Abdulkadir
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Physical Sciences, Ahmadu Bello University, P.M.B. 1044, Zaria, Kaduna State Nigeria
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9
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Muema JM, Bargul JL, Obonyo MA, Njeru SN, Matoke-Muhia D, Mutunga JM. Contemporary exploitation of natural products for arthropod-borne pathogen transmission-blocking interventions. Parasit Vectors 2022; 15:298. [PMID: 36002857 PMCID: PMC9404607 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-022-05367-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2022] [Accepted: 06/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
An integrated approach to innovatively counter the transmission of various arthropod-borne diseases to humans would benefit from strategies that sustainably limit onward passage of infective life cycle stages of pathogens and parasites to the insect vectors and vice versa. Aiming to accelerate the impetus towards a disease-free world amid the challenges posed by climate change, discovery, mindful exploitation and integration of active natural products in design of pathogen transmission-blocking interventions is of high priority. Herein, we provide a review of natural compounds endowed with blockade potential against transmissible forms of human pathogens reported in the last 2 decades from 2000 to 2021. Finally, we propose various translational strategies that can exploit these pathogen transmission-blocking natural products into design of novel and sustainable disease control interventions. In summary, tapping these compounds will potentially aid in integrated combat mission to reduce disease transmission trends.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jackson M Muema
- Department of Biochemistry, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), P.O. Box 62000, Nairobi, 00200, Kenya.
| | - Joel L Bargul
- Department of Biochemistry, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), P.O. Box 62000, Nairobi, 00200, Kenya.,International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (Icipe), P.O. Box 30772, Nairobi, 00100, Kenya
| | - Meshack A Obonyo
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Egerton University, P.O. Box 536, Egerton, 20115, Kenya
| | - Sospeter N Njeru
- Centre for Traditional Medicine and Drug Research (CTMDR), Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), P.O. Box 54840, Nairobi, 00200, Kenya
| | - Damaris Matoke-Muhia
- Centre for Biotechnology Research Development (CBRD), Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), P.O. Box 54840, Nairobi, 00200, Kenya
| | - James M Mutunga
- Department of Biological Sciences, Mount Kenya University (MKU), P.O. Box 54, Thika, 01000, Kenya.,School of Engineering Design, Technology and Professional Programs, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA
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10
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Hawryluk N, Robinson D, Shen Y, Kyne G, Bedore M, Menon S, Canan S, von Geldern T, Townson S, Gokool S, Ehrens A, Koschel M, Lhermitte-Vallarino N, Martin C, Hoerauf A, Hernandez G, Dalvie D, Specht S, Hübner MP, Scandale I. Discovery of Substituted Di(pyridin-2-yl)-1,2,4-thiadiazol-5-amines as Novel Macrofilaricidal Compounds for the Treatment of Human Filarial Infections. J Med Chem 2022; 65:11388-11403. [PMID: 35972896 PMCID: PMC9421654 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c00960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Filarial diseases, including lymphatic filariasis and onchocerciasis, are considered among the most devastating of all tropical diseases, affecting about 145 million people worldwide. Efforts to control and eliminate onchocerciasis are impeded by a lack of effective treatments that target the adult filarial stage. Herein, we describe the discovery of a series of substituted di(pyridin-2-yl)-1,2,4-thiadiazol-5-amines as novel macrofilaricides for the treatment of human filarial infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie Hawryluk
- Bristol Myers Squibb, San Diego, California 92121, United States
| | - Dale Robinson
- Bristol Myers Squibb, San Diego, California 92121, United States
| | - Yixing Shen
- Bristol Myers Squibb, San Diego, California 92121, United States
| | - Graham Kyne
- Zoetis, Kalamazoo, Michigan 49001, United States
| | | | - Sanjay Menon
- Zoetis, Kalamazoo, Michigan 49001, United States
| | - Stacie Canan
- Bristol Myers Squibb, San Diego, California 92121, United States
| | | | - Simon Townson
- Northwick Park Institute for Medical Research, London HA1 3UJ, UK
| | - Suzanne Gokool
- Northwick Park Institute for Medical Research, London HA1 3UJ, UK
| | - Alexandra Ehrens
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology & Parasitology, University Hospital Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Bonn-Cologne, 53127 Bonn, Germany
| | - Marianne Koschel
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology & Parasitology, University Hospital Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany
| | - Nathaly Lhermitte-Vallarino
- Unité Molécules de Communication et Adaptation des Microorganismes (MCAM, UMR 7245), Muséum national d'Histoire Naturelle, Paris 75005, France
| | - Coralie Martin
- Unité Molécules de Communication et Adaptation des Microorganismes (MCAM, UMR 7245), Muséum national d'Histoire Naturelle, Paris 75005, France
| | - Achim Hoerauf
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology & Parasitology, University Hospital Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Bonn-Cologne, 53127 Bonn, Germany
| | | | - Deepak Dalvie
- Bristol Myers Squibb, San Diego, California 92121, United States
| | - Sabine Specht
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology & Parasitology, University Hospital Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany.,Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative, Geneva 1204, Switzerland
| | - Marc Peter Hübner
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology & Parasitology, University Hospital Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Bonn-Cologne, 53127 Bonn, Germany
| | - Ivan Scandale
- Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative, Geneva 1204, Switzerland
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11
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Ugbe FA, Shallangwa GA, Uzairu A, Abdulkadir I. Theoretical modeling and design of some pyrazolopyrimidine derivatives as Wolbachia inhibitors, targeting lymphatic filariasis and onchocerciasis. In Silico Pharmacol 2022; 10:8. [PMID: 35539006 PMCID: PMC9079205 DOI: 10.1007/s40203-022-00123-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2022] [Accepted: 04/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Lymphatic filariasis and onchocerciasis are two common filarial diseases caused by a group of parasitic nematodes called filarial worms, which play host to the bacteria organism Wolbachia. One good treatment approach seeks Wolbachia as drug target. Here, a QSAR study was conducted to investigate the anti-wolbachia activities (pEC50) of 52 pyrazolopyrimidine analogues, while using the built model to predict the pEC50 values of the newly designed analogues. Density Functional Theory was used for the structural optimization, while the model building was based on Genetic Function Algorithm approach. The built QSAR model was validated thus: R2 = 0.8104, R2 adj = 0.7629, Q2 cv = 0.6981, R2 test = 0.7501 and cRp2 = 0.7476. The predicted pEC50 of all newly designed compounds were higher than that of the template (43). The new compounds were; observed to pass the drug-likeness criteria, uniformly distributed to the brain, and found to be non-mutagenic. Also, the new compounds and the reference drug (doxycycline), were docked onto Ovarian Tumor (OTU) deubiquitinase receptor (PDB ID: 6W9O) using iGEMDOCK tool. This protein is known to help Wolbachia subvert host ubiquitin signaling. The resulting binding scores of the newly designed compounds except A5 were higher than that of doxycycline, while the protein-ligand interactions were majorly characterized by Hydrogen-bonding and hydrophobic interaction types. Therefore, the newly designed molecules could be developed as potential drug candidates for the treatment of lymphatic filariasis and onchocerciasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabian Audu Ugbe
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Physical Sciences, Ahmadu Bello University, P.M.B. 1044, Zaria, Kaduna State Nigeria
| | - Gideon Adamu Shallangwa
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Physical Sciences, Ahmadu Bello University, P.M.B. 1044, Zaria, Kaduna State Nigeria
| | - Adamu Uzairu
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Physical Sciences, Ahmadu Bello University, P.M.B. 1044, Zaria, Kaduna State Nigeria
| | - Ibrahim Abdulkadir
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Physical Sciences, Ahmadu Bello University, P.M.B. 1044, Zaria, Kaduna State Nigeria
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12
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Ehrens A, Hoerauf A, Hübner MP. Current perspective of new anti-Wolbachial and direct-acting macrofilaricidal drugs as treatment strategies for human filariasis. GMS INFECTIOUS DISEASES 2022; 10:Doc02. [PMID: 35463816 PMCID: PMC9006451 DOI: 10.3205/id000079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Filarial diseases like lymphatic filariasis and onchocerciasis belong to the Neglected Tropical Diseases and remain a public health problem in endemic countries. Lymphatic filariasis and onchocerciasis can lead to stigmatizing pathologies and present a socio-economic burden for affected people and their endemic countries. Current treatment recommendations by the WHO include mass drug administration with ivermectin for the treatment of onchocerciasis and a combination of ivermectin, albendazole and diethylcarbamazine (DEC) for the treatment of lymphatic filariasis in areas that are not co-endemic for onchocerciasis or loiasis. Limitations of these treatment strategies are due to potential severe adverse events in onchocerciasis and loiasis patients following DEC or ivermectin treatment, respectively, the lack of a macrofilaricidal efficacy of those drugs and the risk of drug resistance development. Thus, to achieve the elimination of transmission of onchocerciasis and the elimination of lymphatic filariasis as a public health problem by 2030, the WHO defined in its roadmap that new alternative treatment strategies with macrofilaricidal compounds are required. Within a collaboration of the non-profit organizations Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi), the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and partners from academia and industry, several new promising macrofilaricidal drug candidates were identified, which will be discussed in this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Ehrens
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, University Hospital Bonn, Germany
| | - Achim Hoerauf
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, University Hospital Bonn, Germany,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Bonn-Cologne, Bonn, Germany
| | - Marc P. Hübner
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, University Hospital Bonn, Germany,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Bonn-Cologne, Bonn, Germany,*To whom correspondence should be addressed: Marc P. Hübner, Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, University Hospital Bonn, Venusberg-Campus 1, 53127 Bonn, Germany, Phone: +49 228 28719177, E-mail:
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13
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Johnston KL, Hong WD, Turner JD, O'Neill PM, Ward SA, Taylor MJ. Anti-Wolbachia drugs for filariasis. Trends Parasitol 2021; 37:1068-1081. [PMID: 34229954 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2021.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2021] [Revised: 05/21/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
The mutualistic association between Wolbachia endosymbionts and their filarial nematode hosts has been exploited as a validated drug target delivering macrofilaricidal outcomes. Limitations of existing antibiotics to scale-up have driven the search for new drugs, which are effective in shorter regimens of 7 days or less. Here, we review the last 14 years of anti-Wolbachia drug discovery by the anti-Wolbachia (A·WOL) consortium, which has screened more than two million compounds, delivering thousands of hit compounds. Refined screening models integrated with robust pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) driven optimisation and selection strategies have delivered the first two drug candidates specifically designed to target Wolbachia. AWZ1066S and ABBV-4083 are currently progressing through clinical trials with the aim of delivering safe and effective macrofilaricides to support the elimination of onchocerciasis and lymphatic filariasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelly L Johnston
- Centre for Neglected Tropical Diseases and Centre for Drugs and Diagnostics, Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK; School of Life Sciences, Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - W David Hong
- Department of Chemistry, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Joseph D Turner
- Centre for Neglected Tropical Diseases and Centre for Drugs and Diagnostics, Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
| | - Paul M O'Neill
- Department of Chemistry, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Stephen A Ward
- Centre for Neglected Tropical Diseases and Centre for Drugs and Diagnostics, Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
| | - Mark J Taylor
- Centre for Neglected Tropical Diseases and Centre for Drugs and Diagnostics, Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK.
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14
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Risch F, Ritter M, Hoerauf A, Hübner MP. Human filariasis-contributions of the Litomosoides sigmodontis and Acanthocheilonema viteae animal model. Parasitol Res 2021; 120:4125-4143. [PMID: 33547508 PMCID: PMC8599372 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-020-07026-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2020] [Accepted: 12/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Filariae are vector-borne parasitic nematodes that are endemic worldwide, in tropical and subtropical regions. Important human filariae spp. include Onchocerca volvulus, Wuchereria bancrofti and Brugia spp., and Loa loa and Mansonella spp. causing onchocerciasis (river blindness), lymphatic filariasis (lymphedema and hydrocele), loiasis (eye worm), and mansonelliasis, respectively. It is estimated that over 1 billion individuals live in endemic regions where filarial diseases are a public health concern contributing to significant disability adjusted life years (DALYs). Thus, efforts to control and eliminate filarial diseases were already launched by the WHO in the 1970s, especially against lymphatic filariasis and onchocerciasis, and are mainly based on mass drug administration (MDA) of microfilaricidal drugs (ivermectin, diethylcarbamazine, albendazole) to filarial endemic areas accompanied with vector control strategies with the goal to reduce the transmission. With the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), it was decided to eliminate transmission of onchocerciasis and stop lymphatic filariasis as a public health problem by 2030. It was also requested that novel drugs and treatment strategies be developed. Mouse models provide an important platform for anti-filarial drug research in a preclinical setting. This review presents an overview about the Litomosoides sigmodontis and Acanthocheilonema viteae filarial mouse models and their role in immunological research as well as preclinical studies about novel anti-filarial drugs and treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frederic Risch
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology (IMMIP), University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Manuel Ritter
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology (IMMIP), University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Achim Hoerauf
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology (IMMIP), University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Bonn-Cologne, Bonn, Germany
| | - Marc P Hübner
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology (IMMIP), University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany.
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Bonn-Cologne, Bonn, Germany.
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15
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Nowicki K, Pacholak P, Luliński S. Heteroelement Analogues of Benzoxaborole and Related Ring Expanded Systems. Molecules 2021; 26:5464. [PMID: 34576937 PMCID: PMC8468133 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26185464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2021] [Revised: 09/03/2021] [Accepted: 09/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The review covers the chemistry of organoboron heterocycles structurally related to benzoxaboroles where one of the carbon atoms in a boracycle or a fused benzene ring is replaced by a heteroelement such as boron, silicon, tin, nitrogen, phosphorus, or iodine. Related ring expanded systems including those based on naphthalene and biphenyl cores are also described. The information on synthetic methodology as well as the basic structural and physicochemical characteristics of these emerging heterocycles is complemented by a presentation of their potential applications in organic synthesis and medicinal chemistry, the latter aspect being mostly focused on the promising antimicrobial activity of selected compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krzysztof Nowicki
- Faculty of Chemistry, Warsaw University of Technology, Noakowskiego 3, PL-00-664 Warsaw, Poland; (K.N.); (P.P.)
| | - Piotr Pacholak
- Faculty of Chemistry, Warsaw University of Technology, Noakowskiego 3, PL-00-664 Warsaw, Poland; (K.N.); (P.P.)
- Faculty of Chemistry, University of Warsaw, Pasteura 1, PL-02-093 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Sergiusz Luliński
- Faculty of Chemistry, Warsaw University of Technology, Noakowskiego 3, PL-00-664 Warsaw, Poland; (K.N.); (P.P.)
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16
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Coghi PS, Zhu Y, Xie H, Hosmane NS, Zhang Y. Organoboron Compounds: Effective Antibacterial and Antiparasitic Agents. Molecules 2021; 26:3309. [PMID: 34072937 PMCID: PMC8199504 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26113309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2021] [Revised: 05/27/2021] [Accepted: 05/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The unique electron deficiency and coordination property of boron led to a wide range of applications in chemistry, energy research, materials science and the life sciences. The use of boron-containing compounds as pharmaceutical agents has a long history, and recent developments have produced encouraging strides. Boron agents have been used for both radiotherapy and chemotherapy. In radiotherapy, boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) has been investigated to treat various types of tumors, such as glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) of brain, head and neck tumors, etc. Boron agents playing essential roles in such treatments and other well-established areas have been discussed elsewhere. Organoboron compounds used to treat various diseases besides tumor treatments through BNCT technology have also marked an important milestone. Following the clinical introduction of bortezomib as an anti-cancer agent, benzoxaborole drugs, tavaborole and crisaborole, have been approved for clinical use in the treatments of onychomycosis and atopic dermatitis. Some heterocyclic organoboron compounds represent potentially promising candidates for anti-infective drugs. This review highlights the clinical applications and perspectives of organoboron compounds with the natural boron atoms in disease treatments without neutron irradiation. The main topic focuses on the therapeutic applications of organoboron compounds in the diseases of tuberculosis and antifungal activity, malaria, neglected tropical diseases and cryptosporidiosis and toxoplasmosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paolo Saul Coghi
- School of Pharmacy Macau, University of Science and Technology, Taipa Macau 999078, China;
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Taipa Macau 999078, China
| | - Yinghuai Zhu
- The State Key Laboratory of Anti-Infective Drug Development (NO. 2015DQ780357), Sunshine Lake Pharma Co., Ltd., Dongguan 523871, China;
| | - Hongming Xie
- The State Key Laboratory of Anti-Infective Drug Development (NO. 2015DQ780357), Sunshine Lake Pharma Co., Ltd., Dongguan 523871, China;
| | - Narayan S. Hosmane
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL 60115, USA
| | - Yingjun Zhang
- The State Key Laboratory of Anti-Infective Drug Development (NO. 2015DQ780357), Sunshine Lake Pharma Co., Ltd., Dongguan 523871, China;
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17
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Golovanov IS, Sukhorukov AY. Merging Boron with Nitrogen-Oxygen Bonds: A Review on BON Heterocycles. Top Curr Chem (Cham) 2021; 379:8. [PMID: 33544252 DOI: 10.1007/s41061-020-00317-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2020] [Accepted: 11/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Cyclic boronate esters play important roles in organic synthesis, pharmacology, supramolecular chemistry and materials science owing to their stability in air and versatile reactivity. Most of these compounds contain a B-O-C linkage with an alkoxy- or carboxylate group bound to the boron atom (e.g. boronate-diol esters, MIDA boronates). Boron chelates comprising a B-O-N motif (BON heterocycles) are much less explored, although first representatives of this class were prepared in the early 1960s. In recent years, there has been a growing interest in BON heterocycles as new chemotypes for drug design. The exocyclic B-O-N linkage, which is readily formed under mild conditions, shows surprising hydrolytic and thermal resistance. This allows the formation of BON heterocycles to be used as click-type reactions for the preparation of bioconjugates and functionally modified polymers. We believe that BON heterocycles are promising yet underrated organoboron derivatives. This review summarizes the scattered information about known types of BON heterocycles, including their synthesis, reactivity and structural data. Available applications of BON heterocycles in materials science and medicinal chemistry, along with their prospects, are also discussed. The bibliography contains 289 references.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivan S Golovanov
- Laboratory of Organic and Metal-Organic Nitrogen-Oxygen Systems, N. D. Zelinsky Institute of Organic Chemistry, Leninsky prospect, 47, 119991, Moscow, Russia.
| | - Alexey Yu Sukhorukov
- Laboratory of Organic and Metal-Organic Nitrogen-Oxygen Systems, N. D. Zelinsky Institute of Organic Chemistry, Leninsky prospect, 47, 119991, Moscow, Russia.
- Department of Innovational Materials and Technologies Chemistry, Plekhanov Russian University of Economics, Stremyanny lane, 36, 117997, Moscow, Russia.
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18
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Lefoulon E, Foster JM, Truchon A, Carlow CKS, Slatko BE. The Wolbachia Symbiont: Here, There and Everywhere. Results Probl Cell Differ 2021; 69:423-451. [PMID: 33263882 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-51849-3_16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Wolbachia symbionts, first observed in the 1920s, are now known to be present in about 30-70% of tested arthropod species, in about half of tested filarial nematodes (including the majority of human filarial nematodes), and some plant-parasitic nematodes. In arthropods, they are generally viewed as parasites while in nematodes they appear to be mutualists although this demarcation is not absolute. Their presence in arthropods generally leads to reproductive anomalies, while in nematodes, they are generally required for worm development and reproduction. In mosquitos, Wolbachia inhibit RNA viral infections, leading to populational reductions in human RNA virus pathogens, whereas in filarial nematodes, their requirement for worm fertility and survival has been channeled into their use as drug targets for filariasis control. While much more research on these ubiquitous symbionts is needed, they are viewed as playing significant roles in biological processes, ranging from arthropod speciation to human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emilie Lefoulon
- Molecular Parasitology Group, New England Biolabs, Inc., Ipswich, MA, USA
| | - Jeremy M Foster
- Molecular Parasitology Group, New England Biolabs, Inc., Ipswich, MA, USA
| | - Alex Truchon
- Molecular Parasitology Group, New England Biolabs, Inc., Ipswich, MA, USA
| | - C K S Carlow
- Molecular Parasitology Group, New England Biolabs, Inc., Ipswich, MA, USA
| | - Barton E Slatko
- Molecular Parasitology Group, New England Biolabs, Inc., Ipswich, MA, USA.
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19
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Schiefer A, Hübner MP, Krome A, Lämmer C, Ehrens A, Aden T, Koschel M, Neufeld H, Chaverra-Muñoz L, Jansen R, Kehraus S, König GM, Pogorevc D, Müller R, Stadler M, Hüttel S, Hesterkamp T, Wagner K, Pfarr K, Hoerauf A. Corallopyronin A for short-course anti-wolbachial, macrofilaricidal treatment of filarial infections. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2020; 14:e0008930. [PMID: 33284808 PMCID: PMC7746275 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0008930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2020] [Revised: 12/17/2020] [Accepted: 10/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Current efforts to eliminate the neglected tropical diseases onchocerciasis and lymphatic filariasis, caused by the filarial nematodes Onchocerca volvulus and Wuchereria bancrofti or Brugia spp., respectively, are hampered by lack of a short-course macrofilaricidal–adult-worm killing–treatment. Anti-wolbachial antibiotics, e.g. doxycycline, target the essential Wolbachia endosymbionts of filariae and are a safe prototype adult-worm-sterilizing and macrofilaricidal regimen, in contrast to standard treatments with ivermectin or diethylcarbamazine, which mainly target the microfilariae. However, treatment regimens of 4–5 weeks necessary for doxycycline and contraindications limit its use. Therefore, we tested the preclinical anti-Wolbachia drug candidate Corallopyronin A (CorA) for in vivo efficacy during initial and chronic filarial infections in the Litomosoides sigmodontis rodent model. CorA treatment for 14 days beginning immediately after infection cleared >90% of Wolbachia endosymbionts from filariae and prevented development into adult worms. CorA treatment of patently infected microfilaremic gerbils for 14 days with 30 mg/kg twice a day (BID) achieved a sustained reduction of >99% of Wolbachia endosymbionts from adult filariae and microfilariae, followed by complete inhibition of filarial embryogenesis resulting in clearance of microfilariae. Combined treatment of CorA and albendazole, a drug currently co-administered during mass drug administrations and previously shown to enhance efficacy of anti-Wolbachia drugs, achieved microfilarial clearance after 7 days of treatment at a lower BID dose of 10 mg/kg CorA, a Human Equivalent Dose of 1.4 mg/kg. Importantly, this combination led to a significant reduction in the adult worm burden, which has not yet been published with other anti-Wolbachia candidates tested in this model. In summary, CorA is a preclinical candidate for filariasis, which significantly reduces treatment times required to achieve sustained Wolbachia depletion, clearance of microfilariae, and inhibition of embryogenesis. In combination with albendazole, CorA is robustly macrofilaricidal after 7 days of treatment and fulfills the Target Product Profile for a macrofilaricidal drug. Infections with filarial roundworms can cause the disfiguring human neglected tropical diseases onchocerciasis and lymphatic filariasis. Treatment of these diseases is limited, as there is no well-tolerated treatment available that kills the adult worms after a short-term regimen. Thus, mass drug administrations (MDA) are performed with drugs that temporarily clear the microfilariae, the filarial offspring, to inhibit the transmission of the disease. As these MDA treatments have to be given 1–2 times per year for many years, the goal to eliminate onchocerciasis and lymphatic filariasis is hampered. In the present study we investigated a novel preclinical candidate for the treatment of filariasis. Corallopyronin A (CorA) is a natural compound that clears the essential Wolbachia endobacteria of filariae. Using the Litomosoides sigmodontis rodent model of filariasis we demonstrated that 2 weeks of CorA treatment clears Wolbachia endosymbionts in vivo, leading to a maintained clearance of microfilariae by inhibition of filarial embryogenesis. Combination therapy of CorA with the MDA drug albendazole allowed lower CorA doses and shortened treatment to 7 days. More importantly, it also led to the death of the adult filariae. Portfolios (Target Product Profiles) of new drugs against filariae should show adult killing efficacy like CorA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Schiefer
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Bonn-Cologne, Bonn, Germany
| | - Marc P. Hübner
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Bonn-Cologne, Bonn, Germany
| | - Anna Krome
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Bonn-Cologne, Bonn, Germany
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Christine Lämmer
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Alexandra Ehrens
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Tilman Aden
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Marianne Koschel
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Helene Neufeld
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | | | - Rolf Jansen
- Department Microbial Drugs, Helmholtz Center for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Hannover-Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Stefan Kehraus
- Institute for Pharmaceutical Biology, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Gabriele M. König
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Bonn-Cologne, Bonn, Germany
- Institute for Pharmaceutical Biology, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Domen Pogorevc
- Department Microbial Natural Products, Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Rolf Müller
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Hannover-Braunschweig, Germany
- Department Microbial Natural Products, Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Marc Stadler
- Department Microbial Drugs, Helmholtz Center for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Hannover-Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Stephan Hüttel
- Department Microbial Drugs, Helmholtz Center for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Hannover-Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Thomas Hesterkamp
- Translational Project Management Office (TPMO), German Center for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Karl Wagner
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Kenneth Pfarr
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Bonn-Cologne, Bonn, Germany
- * E-mail:
| | - Achim Hoerauf
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Bonn-Cologne, Bonn, Germany
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20
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A Meta-Analysis of Wolbachia Transcriptomics Reveals a Stage-Specific Wolbachia Transcriptional Response Shared Across Different Hosts. G3-GENES GENOMES GENETICS 2020; 10:3243-3260. [PMID: 32718933 PMCID: PMC7467002 DOI: 10.1534/g3.120.401534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Wolbachia is a genus containing obligate, intracellular endosymbionts with arthropod and nematode hosts. Numerous studies have identified differentially expressed transcripts in Wolbachia endosymbionts that potentially inform the biological interplay between these endosymbionts and their hosts, albeit with discordant results. Here, we re-analyze previously published Wolbachia RNA-Seq transcriptomics data sets using a single workflow consisting of the most up-to-date algorithms and techniques, with the aim of identifying trends or patterns in the pan-Wolbachia transcriptional response. We find that data from one of the early studies in filarial nematodes did not allow for robust conclusions about Wolbachia differential expression with these methods, suggesting the original interpretations should be reconsidered. Across datasets analyzed with this unified workflow, there is a general lack of global gene regulation with the exception of a weak transcriptional response resulting in the upregulation of ribosomal proteins in early larval stages. This weak response is observed across diverse Wolbachia strains from both nematode and insect hosts suggesting a potential pan-Wolbachia transcriptional response during host development that diverged more than 700 million years ago.
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Oxfendazole mediates macrofilaricidal efficacy against the filarial nematode Litomosoides sigmodontis in vivo and inhibits Onchocerca spec. motility in vitro. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2020; 14:e0008427. [PMID: 32628671 PMCID: PMC7365463 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0008427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2019] [Revised: 07/16/2020] [Accepted: 05/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
A major impediment to eliminate lymphatic filariasis and onchocerciasis is the lack of effective short-course macrofilaricidal drugs or regimens that are proven to be safe for both infections. In this study we tested oxfendazole, an anthelmintic shown to be well tolerated in phase 1 clinical trials. In vitro, oxfendazole exhibited modest to marginal motility inhibition of adult worms of Onchocerca gutturosa, pre-adult worms of Onchocerca volvulus and Onchocerca lienalis microfilariae. In vivo, five days of oral treatments provided sterile cure with up to 100% macrofilaricidal efficacy in the murine Litomosoides sigmodontis model of filariasis. In addition, 10 days of oral treatments with oxfendazole inhibited filarial embryogenesis in patent L. sigmodontis-infected jirds and subsequently led to a protracted but complete clearance of microfilaremia. The macrofilaricidal effect observed in vivo was selective, as treatment with oxfendazole of microfilariae-injected naïve mice was ineffective. Based on pharmacokinetic analysis, the driver of efficacy is the maintenance of a minimal efficacious concentration of approximately 100 ng/ml (based on subcutaneous treatment at 25 mg/kg in mice). From animal models, the human efficacious dose is predicted to range from 1.5 to 4.1 mg/kg. Such a dose has already been proven to be safe in phase 1 clinical trials. Oxfendazole therefore has potential to be efficacious for treatment of human filariasis without causing adverse reactions due to drug-induced microfilariae killing. Onchocerciasis and lymphatic filariasis represent two debilitating filarial diseases that belong to the neglected tropical diseases. The current efforts to eliminate those diseases is hampered by the lack of short-course macrofilaricidal drugs, i.e. drugs that kill the adult worms, or regimens that are proven to be safe for both diseases. In the present study we demonstrate that the anthelmintic drug oxfendazole, currently used in veterinary medicine against intestinal helminths, has excellent efficacy in the Litomosoides sigmodontis rodent model of filariasis. Oxfendazole caused complete clearance of adult filariae after a short oral regimen in vivo. Oxfendazole was not directly active against the circulating filarial progeny, the microfilariae, suggesting that drug-induced serious adverse events due to the clearance of microfilariae are unlikely. Human dose was predicted based on the efficacy in the rodent model, the calculation estimated a low efficacious dose, which has already been shown to be safe in phase 1 clinical trials. Thus, oxfendazole represents a promising drug candidate for the treatment of human filarial diseases such as onchocerciasis and lymphatic filariasis.
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22
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Na G, Hu X, Sun Y, Kwee S, Xing G, Xing Y, Zhang G. A highly sensitive monoclonal antibody-based paper sensor for simultaneously detecting valnemulin and tiamulin in porcine liver. J Food Sci 2020; 85:1681-1688. [PMID: 32418205 DOI: 10.1111/1750-3841.15136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2020] [Revised: 03/20/2020] [Accepted: 03/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Valnemulin (VAL) and tiamulin (TIA) are pleuromutilin antibiotics used primarily for treating bacterial infections in swine or other food animals. Furthermore, VAL and TIA are also employed as feed additives to promote animal growth. However, the illegal use of VAL and TIA could cause a series of hazards to consumers. Here, VAL was designed to be conjugated with bovine serum protein to prepare immunogen. A highly sensitive monoclonal antibody that recognized both VAL and TIA has been successfully produced. Moreover, an immunochromatographic strip assay for rapidly screening VAL and TIA in porcine liver was established with visual detection limits (cutoff values) of 50 and 25 ng/g, respectively. The IC50 values calculated from the equation of the standard curve were 6.06 and 3.45 ng/g and the limits of detection were 0.96 and 0.29 ng/g for VAL and TIA. According to the recovery experiment results, the test strip exhibited acceptable accuracy and precision. Generally, the proposed strip provided a practical tool for the detection of VAL and TIA. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: We produced a highly sensitive monoclonal antibody and developed an immunoassay strip for simultaneously monitoring TIA and VAL. Additionally it was preliminarily confirmed that the rapid detection tool was suitable for screening TIA and VAL in porcine liver.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guanqiong Na
- School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, 214122, China.,Key Laboratory for Animal Immunology of the Ministry of Agriculture, Henan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Zhengzhou, 450002, China
| | - Xiaofei Hu
- Key Laboratory for Animal Immunology of the Ministry of Agriculture, Henan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Zhengzhou, 450002, China
| | - Yaning Sun
- Key Laboratory for Animal Immunology of the Ministry of Agriculture, Henan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Zhengzhou, 450002, China
| | - Sharon Kwee
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78249, U.S.A
| | - Guangxu Xing
- Key Laboratory for Animal Immunology of the Ministry of Agriculture, Henan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Zhengzhou, 450002, China
| | - Yunrui Xing
- Key Laboratory for Animal Immunology of the Ministry of Agriculture, Henan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Zhengzhou, 450002, China
| | - Gaiping Zhang
- School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, 214122, China.,Key Laboratory for Animal Immunology of the Ministry of Agriculture, Henan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Zhengzhou, 450002, China.,College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450002, China.,Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, China
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23
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Abstract
Neglected parasitic helminth diseases such as onchocerciasis and lymphatic filariasis affect an estimated 145 million people worldwide, creating a serious health burden in endemic areas such as sub-Saharan Africa and India. Although these diseases are not usually lethal, these filarial nematodes, transmitted by blood-feeding insect vectors, cause severe debilitation and cause chronic disability to infected individuals. The adult worms can reproduce from 5 to up to 14 years, releasing millions of microfilariae, juvenile worms, over an infected individual's lifetime. The current treatments for controlling human filarial infections is focused on killing microfilariae, the earliest larval stage. Currently, there is an unmet medical need for treatments consisting of a macrofilaricidal regimen, one that targets the adult stage of the parasite, to increase the rate of elimination, allow for safe use in coendemic regions of Onchocerca volvulus and Loa loa, and to provide a rapid method to resolve reinfections. Herein, recent approaches for targeting human filarial diseases are discussed, including direct acting agents to target parasitic nematodes and antibacterial approaches to target the endosymbiotic bacteria, Wolbachia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie A. Hawryluk
- Bristol-Myers Squibb, Global Health, 10300 Campus Point Drive, San Diego, California 92121, United States
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24
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Turner JD, Marriott AE, Hong D, O' Neill P, Ward SA, Taylor MJ. Novel anti-Wolbachia drugs, a new approach in the treatment and prevention of veterinary filariasis? Vet Parasitol 2020; 279:109057. [PMID: 32126342 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2020.109057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2019] [Revised: 02/07/2020] [Accepted: 02/08/2020] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
Abstract
Filarial nematodes are tissue-dwelling parasitic worms that can cause a range of disfiguring pathologies in humans and potentially lethal infections of companion animals. The bacterial endosymbiont, Wolbachia, is present within most human and veterinary filarial pathogens, including the causative agent of heartworm disease, Dirofilaria immitis. Doxycycline-mediated drug targeting of Wolbachia leads to sterility, clearance of microfilariae and gradual death of adult filariae. This mode of action is attractive in the treatment of filariasis because it avoids severe host inflammatory adverse reactions invoked by rapid-killing anthelmintic agents. However, doxycycline needs to be taken for four weeks to exert curative activity. In this review, we discuss the evidence that Wolbachia drug targeting is efficacious in blocking filarial larval development as well as in the treatment of chronic filarial disease. We present the current portfolio of next-generation anti-Wolbachia candidates discovered through phenotypic screening of chemical libraries and validated in a range of in vitro and in vivo filarial infection models. Several novel chemotypes have been identified with selected narrow-spectrum anti-Wolbachia specificity and superior time-to-kill kinetics compared with doxycycline. We discuss the opportunities of developing these novel anti-Wolbachia agents as either cures, adjunct therapies or new preventatives for the treatment of veterinary filariasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph D Turner
- Centre for Drugs and Diagnostics, Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK.
| | - Amy E Marriott
- Centre for Drugs and Diagnostics, Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
| | - David Hong
- Department of Chemistry, University of Liverpool, UK
| | - Paul O' Neill
- Department of Chemistry, University of Liverpool, UK
| | - Steve A Ward
- Centre for Drugs and Diagnostics, Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
| | - Mark J Taylor
- Centre for Drugs and Diagnostics, Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
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25
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Ren J, Shi W, Zhao D, Wang Q, Chang X, He X, Wang X, Gao Y, Lu P, Zhang X, Xu H, Zhang Y. Design and synthesis of boron-containing diphenylpyrimidines as potent BTK and JAK3 dual inhibitors. Bioorg Med Chem 2020; 28:115236. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2019.115236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2019] [Revised: 11/21/2019] [Accepted: 11/23/2019] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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26
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Ehrens A, Lunde CS, Jacobs RT, Struever D, Koschel M, Frohberger SJ, Lenz F, Fendler M, Turner JD, Ward SA, Taylor MJ, Freund YR, Stefanakis R, Easom E, Li X, Plattner JJ, Hoerauf A, Hübner MP. In vivo efficacy of the boron-pleuromutilin AN11251 against Wolbachia of the rodent filarial nematode Litomosoides sigmodontis. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2020; 14:e0007957. [PMID: 31986143 PMCID: PMC7004383 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0007957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2019] [Revised: 02/06/2020] [Accepted: 11/27/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The elimination of filarial diseases such as onchocerciasis and lymphatic filariasis is hampered by the lack of a macrofilaricidal-adult worm killing-drug. In the present study, we tested the in vivo efficacy of AN11251, a boron-pleuromutilin that targets endosymbiotic Wolbachia bacteria from filarial nematodes and compared its efficacy to doxycycline and rifampicin. Doxycycline and rifampicin were previously shown to deplete Wolbachia endosymbionts leading to a permanent sterilization of the female adult filariae and adult worm death in human clinical studies. Twice-daily oral treatment of Litomosoides sigmodontis-infected mice with 200 mg/kg AN11251 for 10 days achieved a Wolbachia depletion > 99.9% in the adult worms, exceeding the Wolbachia reduction by 10-day treatments with bioequivalent human doses of doxycycline and a similar reduction as high-dose rifampicin (35 mg/kg). Wolbachia reductions of > 99% were also accomplished by 14 days of oral AN11251 at a lower twice-daily dose (50 mg/kg) or once-per-day 200 mg/kg AN11251 treatments. The combinations tested of AN11251 with doxycycline had no clear beneficial impact on Wolbachia depletion, achieving a > 97% Wolbachia reduction with 7 days of treatment. These results indicate that AN11251 is superior to doxycycline and comparable to high-dose rifampicin in the L. sigmodontis mouse model, allowing treatment regimens as short as 10-14 days. Therefore, AN11251 represents a promising pre-clinical candidate that was identified in the L. sigmodontis model, and could be further evaluated and developed as potential clinical candidate for human lymphatic filariasis and onchocerciasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Ehrens
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | | | - Robert T. Jacobs
- Anacor Pharmaceuticals, Palo Alto, California, United States of America
| | - Dominique Struever
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Marianne Koschel
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Stefan J. Frohberger
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Franziska Lenz
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Martina Fendler
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Joseph D. Turner
- Centre for Drugs and Diagnostics, Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Stephen A. Ward
- Centre for Drugs and Diagnostics, Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Mark J. Taylor
- Centre for Drugs and Diagnostics, Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Yvonne R. Freund
- Anacor Pharmaceuticals, Palo Alto, California, United States of America
| | - Rianna Stefanakis
- Anacor Pharmaceuticals, Palo Alto, California, United States of America
| | - Eric Easom
- Anacor Pharmaceuticals, Palo Alto, California, United States of America
| | - Xianfeng Li
- Anacor Pharmaceuticals, Palo Alto, California, United States of America
| | - Jacob J. Plattner
- Anacor Pharmaceuticals, Palo Alto, California, United States of America
| | - Achim Hoerauf
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Bonn-Cologne, Bonn, Germany
| | - Marc P. Hübner
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
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Short-course quinazoline drug treatments are effective in the Litomosoides sigmodontis and Brugia pahangi jird models. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY-DRUGS AND DRUG RESISTANCE 2019; 12:18-27. [PMID: 31869759 PMCID: PMC6931063 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpddr.2019.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2019] [Revised: 11/30/2019] [Accepted: 12/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
The quinazolines CBR417 and CBR490 were previously shown to be potent anti-wolbachials that deplete Wolbachia endosymbionts of filarial nematodes and present promising pre-clinical candidates for human filarial diseases such as onchocerciasis. In the present study we tested both candidates in two models of chronic filarial infection, namely the Litomosoides sigmodontis and Brugia pahangi jird model and assessed their long-term effect on Wolbachia depletion, microfilariae counts and filarial embryogenesis 16−18 weeks after treatment initiation (wpt). Once per day (QD) oral treatment with CBR417 (50 mg/kg) for 4 days or twice per day (BID) with CBR490 (25 mg/kg) for 7 days during patent L. sigmodontis infection reduced the Wolbachia load by >99% and completely cleared peripheral microfilaremia from 10–14 wpt. Similarly, 7 days of QD treatments (40 mg/kg) with CBR417 or CBR490 cleared >99% of Wolbachia from B. pahangi and reduced peritoneal microfilariae counts by 93% in the case of CBR417 treatment. Transmission electron microscopy analysis indicated intensive damage to the B. pahangi ovaries following CBR417 treatment and in accordance filarial embryogenesis was inhibited in both models after CBR417 or CBR490 treatment. Suboptimal treatment regimens of CBR417 or CBR490 did not lead to a maintained reduction of the microfilariae and Wolbachia load. In conclusion, CBR417 or CBR490 are pre-clinical candidates for filarial diseases, which achieve long-term clearance of Wolbachia endosymbionts of filarial nematodes, inhibit filarial embryogenesis and clear microfilaremia with treatments as short as 7 days. CBR417 and CBR490 provide long-term effects in 2 chronic filaria jird models. CBR417 and CBR490 deplete >99% Wolbachia in B. pahangi and L. sigmodontis filariae. CBR417 and CBR490 clear L. sigmodontis microfilariae after 10–14 weeks. CBR417 and CBR490 inhibit filarial embryogenesis in both models. Suboptimal doses do not maintain reduction of microfilariae and Wolbachia.
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28
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Hübner MP, Koschel M, Struever D, Nikolov V, Frohberger SJ, Ehrens A, Fendler M, Johannes I, von Geldern TW, Marsh K, Turner JD, Taylor MJ, Ward SA, Pfarr K, Kempf DJ, Hoerauf A. In vivo kinetics of Wolbachia depletion by ABBV-4083 in L. sigmodontis adult worms and microfilariae. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2019; 13:e0007636. [PMID: 31381563 PMCID: PMC6695197 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0007636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2019] [Revised: 08/15/2019] [Accepted: 07/17/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Depletion of Wolbachia endosymbionts of human pathogenic filariae using 4–6 weeks of doxycycline treatment can lead to permanent sterilization and adult filarial death. We investigated the anti-Wolbachia drug candidate ABBV-4083 in the Litomosoides sigmodontis rodent model to determine Wolbachia depletion kinetics with different regimens. Wolbachia reduction occurred in mice as early as 3 days after the initiation of ABBV-4083 treatment and continued throughout a 10-day treatment period. Importantly, Wolbachia levels continued to decline after a 5-day-treatment from 91.5% to 99.9% during a 3-week washout period. In jirds, two weeks of ABBV-4083 treatment (100mg/kg once-per-day) caused a >99.9% Wolbachia depletion in female adult worms, and the kinetics of Wolbachia depletion were recapitulated in peripheral blood microfilariae. Similar to Wolbachia depletion, inhibition of embryogenesis was time-dependent in ABBV-4083-treated jirds, leading to a complete lack of late embryonic stages (stretched microfilariae) and lack of peripheral microfilariae in 5/6 ABBV-4083-treated jirds by 14 weeks after treatment. Twice daily treatment in comparison to once daily treatment with ABBV-4083 did not significantly improve Wolbachia depletion. Moreover, up to 4 nonconsecutive daily treatments within a 14-dose regimen did not significantly erode Wolbachia depletion. Within the limitations of an animal model that does not fully recapitulate human filarial disease, our studies suggest that Wolbachia depletion should be assessed clinically no earlier than 3–4 weeks after the end of treatment, and that Wolbachia depletion in microfilariae may be a viable surrogate marker for the depletion within adult worms. Furthermore, strict daily adherence to the dosing regimen with anti-Wolbachia candidates may not be required, provided that the full regimen is subsequently completed. Onchocerciasis and lymphatic filariasis represent debilitating neglected tropical diseases that are caused by parasitic filarial nematodes. Current efforts to eliminate onchocerciasis are hampered by the lack of drugs that lead to permanent sterilization of the adult worms or provide a macrofilaricidal effect, i.e. kill the adult worms. In the past, doxycycline has been shown to deplete Wolbachia endosymbionts of filarial nematodes, leading to permanent sterilization and macrofilaricidal efficacy in filariae causing both onchocerciasis and lymphatic filariasis. However, contraindications and a requirement for at least 4 weeks of doxycycline treatment impair its broader use, creating a need for drugs with a shorter treatment regimen and potentially fewer contraindications. ABBV-4083 is such an anti-Wolbachia candidate that was efficacious in several filarial animal models and has recently been tested in a phase 1 clinical trial. The present studies addressed several points that are important for subsequent phase 2 clinical trials, namely the comparison of once vs. twice-per-day treatments, the impact of missed treatments, and a comparison of the kinetics of Wolbachia depletion in adult worms and microfilariae, the latter of which has the potential to be a surrogate indicator to avoid the necessity of surgically removing nodules with adult worms at repeated time points.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc P. Hübner
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, University Hospital Bonn, Germany
- * E-mail:
| | - Marianne Koschel
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, University Hospital Bonn, Germany
| | - Dominique Struever
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, University Hospital Bonn, Germany
| | - Venelin Nikolov
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, University Hospital Bonn, Germany
| | - Stefan J. Frohberger
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, University Hospital Bonn, Germany
| | - Alexandra Ehrens
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, University Hospital Bonn, Germany
| | - Martina Fendler
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, University Hospital Bonn, Germany
| | - Iliana Johannes
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, University Hospital Bonn, Germany
| | - Thomas W. von Geldern
- Global Pharmaceutical Research and Development, AbbVie, North Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
- Franciscan Institute for World Health, Franciscan University, Steubenville, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Kennan Marsh
- Global Pharmaceutical Research and Development, AbbVie, North Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Joseph D. Turner
- Centre for Drugs and Diagnostics, Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Mark J. Taylor
- Centre for Drugs and Diagnostics, Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Stephen A. Ward
- Centre for Drugs and Diagnostics, Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Kenneth Pfarr
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, University Hospital Bonn, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Bonn-Cologne, Bonn, Germany
| | - Dale J. Kempf
- Global Pharmaceutical Research and Development, AbbVie, North Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Achim Hoerauf
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, University Hospital Bonn, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Bonn-Cologne, Bonn, Germany
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Bakowski MA, McNamara CW. Advances in Antiwolbachial Drug Discovery for Treatment of Parasitic Filarial Worm Infections. Trop Med Infect Dis 2019; 4:tropicalmed4030108. [PMID: 31323841 PMCID: PMC6789823 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed4030108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2019] [Revised: 07/10/2019] [Accepted: 07/11/2019] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The intracellular bacteria now known as Wolbachia were first described in filarial worms in the 1970s, but the idea of Wolbachia being used as a macrofilaricidal target did not gain wide attention until the early 2000s, with research in filariae suggesting the requirement of worms for the endosymbiont. This new-found interest prompted the eventual organization of the Anti-Wolbachia Consortium (A-WOL) at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, who, among others have been active in the field of antiwolbachial drug discovery to treat filarial infections. Clinical proof of concept studies using doxycycline demonstrated the utility of the antiwolbachial therapy, but efficacious treatments were of long duration and not safe for all infected. With the advance of robotics, automation, and high-speed computing, the search for superior antiwolbachials shifted away from smaller studies with a select number of antibiotics to high-throughput screening approaches, centered largely around cell-based phenotypic screens due to the rather limited knowledge about, and tools available to manipulate, this bacterium. A concomitant effort was put towards developing validation approaches and in vivo models supporting drug discovery efforts. In this review, we summarize the strategies behind and outcomes of recent large phenotypic screens published within the last 5 years, hit compound validation approaches and promising candidates with profiles superior to doxycycline, including ones positioned to advance into clinical trials for treatment of filarial worm infections.
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30
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Fernandes GFS, Denny WA, Dos Santos JL. Boron in drug design: Recent advances in the development of new therapeutic agents. Eur J Med Chem 2019; 179:791-804. [PMID: 31288128 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2019.06.092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 127] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2019] [Revised: 06/25/2019] [Accepted: 06/28/2019] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Advances in the field of boron chemistry have expanded the application of this element in Medicinal Chemistry. Boron-containing compounds represent a new class for medicinal chemists to use in their drug designs. Bortezomib (Velcade®), a dipeptide boronic acid approved by the FDA in 2003 for treatment of multiple myeloma, paved the way for the discovery of new boron-containing compounds. After its approval, two other boron-containing compounds have been approved, tavaborole (Kerydin®) for the treatment of onychomicosis and crisaborole (Eucrisa®) for the treatment of mild to moderate atopic dermatitis. A number of boron-containing compounds have been described and evaluated for a plethora of therapeutic applications. The present review is intended to highlight the recent advances related to boron-containing compounds and their therapeutic applications. Here, we focused only in those most biologically active compounds with proven in vitro and/or in vivo efficacy in the therapeutic area published in the last years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guilherme Felipe Santos Fernandes
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, São Paulo State University, Araraquara, 14800-903, Brazil; Institute of Chemistry, São Paulo State University, Araraquara, 14800-060, Brazil; Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
| | - William Alexander Denny
- Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
| | - Jean Leandro Dos Santos
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, São Paulo State University, Araraquara, 14800-903, Brazil.
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31
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Bakowski MA, Shiroodi RK, Liu R, Olejniczak J, Yang B, Gagaring K, Guo H, White PM, Chappell L, Debec A, Landmann F, Dubben B, Lenz F, Struever D, Ehrens A, Frohberger SJ, Sjoberg H, Pionnier N, Murphy E, Archer J, Steven A, Chunda VC, Fombad FF, Chounna PW, Njouendou AJ, Metuge HM, Ndzeshang BL, Gandjui NV, Akumtoh DN, Kwenti TDB, Woods AK, Joseph SB, Hull MV, Xiong W, Kuhen KL, Taylor MJ, Wanji S, Turner JD, Hübner MP, Hoerauf A, Chatterjee AK, Roland J, Tremblay MS, Schultz PG, Sullivan W, Chu XJ, Petrassi HM, McNamara CW. Discovery of short-course antiwolbachial quinazolines for elimination of filarial worm infections. Sci Transl Med 2019; 11:11/491/eaav3523. [DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.aav3523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2018] [Accepted: 03/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Parasitic filarial nematodes cause debilitating infections in people in resource-limited countries. A clinically validated approach to eliminating worms uses a 4- to 6-week course of doxycycline that targetsWolbachia, a bacterial endosymbiont required for worm viability and reproduction. However, the prolonged length of therapy and contraindication in children and pregnant women have slowed adoption of this treatment. Here, we describe discovery and optimization of quinazolines CBR417 and CBR490 that, with a single dose, achieve >99% elimination ofWolbachiain the in vivoLitomosoides sigmodontisfilarial infection model. The efficacious quinazoline series was identified by pairing a primary cell-based high-content imaging screen with an orthogonal ex vivo validation assay to rapidly quantifyWolbachiaelimination inBrugia pahangifilarial ovaries. We screened 300,368 small molecules in the primary assay and identified 288 potent and selective hits. Of 134 primary hits tested, only 23.9% were active in the worm-based validation assay, 8 of which contained a quinazoline heterocycle core. Medicinal chemistry optimization generated quinazolines with excellent pharmacokinetic profiles in mice. Potent antiwolbachial activity was confirmed inL. sigmodontis,Brugia malayi, andOnchocerca ochengiin vivo preclinical models of filarial disease and in vitro selectivity againstLoa loa(a safety concern in endemic areas). The favorable efficacy and in vitro safety profiles of CBR490 and CBR417 further support these as clinical candidates for treatment of filarial infections.
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