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Penrice-Randal R, Bentley EG, Sharma P, Kirby A, Donovan-Banfield I, Kipar A, Mega DF, Bramwell C, Sharp J, Owen A, Hiscox JA, Stewart JP. The effect of molnupiravir and nirmatrelvir on SARS-CoV-2 genome diversity in severe models of COVID-19. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.02.27.582110. [PMID: 38464327 PMCID: PMC10925244 DOI: 10.1101/2024.02.27.582110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/12/2024]
Abstract
Objectives Immunocompromised individuals are susceptible to severe COVID-19 and potentially contribute to the emergence of variants with altered pathogenicity due to persistent infection. This study investigated the impact of immunosuppression on SARS-CoV-2 infection in k18-hACE2 mice and the effectiveness of antiviral treatments in this context during the first 7 days of infection. Methods Mice were immunosuppressed using cyclophosphamide and infected with a B lineage of SARS-CoV-2. Molnupiravir and nirmatrelvir, alone and in combination, were administered and viral load and viral sequence diversity was assessed. Results Treatment of infected but immune compromised mice with both compounds either singly or in combination resulted in decreased viral loads and pathological changes compared to untreated animals. Treatment also abrogated infection of neuronal tissue. However, no consistent changes in the viral consensus sequence were observed, except for the emergence of the S:H655Y mutation. Molnupiravir, but not nirmatrelvir or immunosuppression alone, increased the transition/transversion (Ts/Tv) ratio, representative of A>G and C>U mutations and this increase was not altered by the co-administration of nirmatrelvir with molnupiravir.Notably, immunosuppression itself did not appear to promote the emergence of mutational characteristic of variants of concern (VOCs). Conclusions Further investigations are warranted to fully understand the role of immunocompromised individuals in VOC development, especially by taking persistence into consideration, and to inform optimised public health strategies. It is more likely that immunodeficiency promotes viral persistence but does not necessarily lead to substantial consensus-level changes in the absence of antiviral selection pressure. Consistent with mechanisms of action, molnupiravir showed a stronger mutagenic effect than nirmatrelvir in this model.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Eleanor G. Bentley
- Department of Infection Biology and Microbiomes, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Parul Sharma
- Department of Infection Biology and Microbiomes, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Adam Kirby
- Department of Infection Biology and Microbiomes, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - I’ah Donovan-Banfield
- Department of Infection Biology and Microbiomes, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
- NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Emerging and Zoonotic Infections, Liverpool, UK
| | - Anja Kipar
- Department of Infection Biology and Microbiomes, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
- Laboratory for Animal Model Pathology, Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Daniele F. Mega
- Department of Infection Biology and Microbiomes, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Chloe Bramwell
- Department of Infection Biology and Microbiomes, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Liverpool, UK
| | - Joanne Sharp
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Liverpool, UK
- Centre of Excellence in Long-acting Therapeutics (CELT), University of Liverpool, UK
| | - Andrew Owen
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Liverpool, UK
- Centre of Excellence in Long-acting Therapeutics (CELT), University of Liverpool, UK
| | - Julian A. Hiscox
- Department of Infection Biology and Microbiomes, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
- NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Emerging and Zoonotic Infections, Liverpool, UK
- A*STAR Infectious Diseases Laboratories (A*STAR ID Labs), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore
| | - James P. Stewart
- Department of Infection Biology and Microbiomes, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
- Centre of Excellence in Long-acting Therapeutics (CELT), University of Liverpool, UK
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Shabbir B, Malik U, Sarfraz Z, Saeed F, Nawaz K, Khalid I, Gondal KM. Efficacy of Remdesivir on Clinical Outcomes in COVID-19 Patients: A Study in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Pakistan. J Community Hosp Intern Med Perspect 2024; 14:25-31. [PMID: 39036580 PMCID: PMC11259469 DOI: 10.55729/2000-9666.1333] [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: 12/03/2023] [Revised: 02/06/2024] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 07/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Background As of October 3, 2023, the global COVID-19 case tally exceeded 696 million, with almost 7 million fatalities. Remdesivir, approved for treatment of COVID-19 by regulatory bodies, has seen varying recommendations by the World Health Organization over time. Despite certain studies questioning its efficacy, others highlight potential benefits. The objective of this study was to gauge the impact of remdesivir on clinical outcomes in a Pakistani tertiary care hospital. Methods An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted on 108 COVID-19 patients at Mayo Hospital Lahore between September 2020 and August 2021. Of these, 52 received remdesivir. The study employed a structured proforma for data collection, with analyses conducted using SPSS version 26, considering a p-value of less than 0.05 as statistically significant. Results Demographic distribution between remdesivir-treated and untreated groups was similar. Significant improvement was observed in the remdesivir cohort in terms of oxygen saturation (58%), ferritin levels (58.2%), chest X-ray results (67.8%), and discharge rates (66.7%) when compared to the untreated group. Stratification based on disease severity showed that remdesivir was particularly beneficial for moderate illness cases in several parameters. Conclusion This study suggests that remdesivir can be associated with improved outcomes, especially in patients with moderate COVID-19 severity. The data emphasizes the importance of the disease stage when considering therapeutic interventions and calls for more region-specific research to guide health responses amid diverse epidemiological landscapes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Uzma Malik
- King Edward Medical University, Lahore,
Pakistan
| | | | - Furqan Saeed
- King Edward Medical University, Lahore,
Pakistan
| | - Kashif Nawaz
- King Edward Medical University, Lahore,
Pakistan
| | - Iqra Khalid
- King Edward Medical University, Lahore,
Pakistan
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3
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Tam EH, Peng Y, Cheah MXY, Yan C, Xiao T. Neutralizing antibodies to block viral entry and for identification of entry inhibitors. Antiviral Res 2024; 224:105834. [PMID: 38369246 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2024.105834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 02/20/2024]
Abstract
Neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) are naturally produced by our immune system to combat viral infections. Clinically, neutralizing antibodies with potent efficacy and high specificity have been extensively used to prevent and treat a wide variety of viral infections, including Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Dengue Virus (DENV) and Hepatitis B Virus (HBV). An overwhelmingly large subset of clinically effective NAbs operates by targeting viral envelope proteins to inhibit viral entry into the host cell. Binding of viral envelope protein to the host receptor is a critical rate limiting step triggering a cascade of downstream events, including endocytosis, membrane fusion and pore formation to allow viral entry. In recent years, improved structural knowledge on these processes have allowed researchers to also leverage NAbs as an indispensable tool in guiding discovery of novel antiviral entry inhibitors, providing drug candidates with high efficacy and pan-genus specificity. This review will summarize the latest progresses on the applications of NAbs as effective entry inhibitors and as important tools to develop antiviral therapeutics by high-throughput drug screenings, rational design of peptidic entry inhibitor mimicking NAbs and in silico computational modeling approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ee Hong Tam
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University 637551, Singapore; Institute of Structural Biology, Nanyang Technological University 636921, Singapore
| | - Yu Peng
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University 637551, Singapore; Institute of Structural Biology, Nanyang Technological University 636921, Singapore
| | - Megan Xin Yan Cheah
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, A*STAR (Agency of Science, Technology and Research) 138673, Singapore
| | - Chuan Yan
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, A*STAR (Agency of Science, Technology and Research) 138673, Singapore
| | - Tianshu Xiao
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University 637551, Singapore; Institute of Structural Biology, Nanyang Technological University 636921, Singapore.
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4
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Kong X, Wang W, Zhong Y, Wang N, Bai K, Wu Y, Qi Q, Zhang Y, Liu X, Xie J. Recent advances in the exploration and discovery of SARS-CoV-2 inhibitory peptides from edible animal proteins. Front Nutr 2024; 11:1346510. [PMID: 38389797 PMCID: PMC10883054 DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2024.1346510] [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: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which causes the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), is spreading worldwide. Although the COVID-19 epidemic has passed its peak of transmission, the harm it has caused deserves our attention. Scientists are striving to develop medications that can effectively treat COVID-19 symptoms without causing any adverse reactions. SARS-CoV-2 inhibitory peptides derived from animal proteins have a wide range of functional activities in addition to safety. Identifying animal protein sources is crucial to obtaining SARS-CoV-2 inhibitory peptides from animal sources. This review aims to reveal the mechanisms of action of these peptides on SARS-CoV-2 and the possibility of animal proteins as a material source of SARS-CoV-2 inhibitory peptides. Also, it introduces the utilization of computer-aided design methods, phage display, and drug delivery strategies in the research on SARS-CoV-2 inhibitor peptides from animal proteins. In order to identify new antiviral peptides and boost their efficiency, we recommend investigating the interaction between SARS-CoV-2 inhibitory peptides from animal protein sources and non-structural proteins (Nsps) using a variety of technologies, including computer-aided drug approaches, phage display techniques, and drug delivery techniques. This article provides useful information for the development of novel anti-COVID-19 drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyue Kong
- College of Food and Health, Zhejiang Agriculture and Forestry University, Hangzhou, China
- School of Biological and Chemical Engineering, Zhejiang University of Science and Technology, Hangzhou, China
| | - Wei Wang
- School of Biological and Chemical Engineering, Zhejiang University of Science and Technology, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yizhi Zhong
- Department of Anesthesiology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Nan Wang
- College of Biology and Environmental Engineering, Zhejiang Shuren University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Kaiwen Bai
- School of Biological and Chemical Engineering, Zhejiang University of Science and Technology, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yi Wu
- School of Biological and Chemical Engineering, Zhejiang University of Science and Technology, Hangzhou, China
| | - Qianhui Qi
- School of Biological and Chemical Engineering, Zhejiang University of Science and Technology, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yu Zhang
- Institute of Quality and Standard for Agriculture Products, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Science, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xingquan Liu
- College of Food and Health, Zhejiang Agriculture and Forestry University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Junran Xie
- Department of Anesthesiology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
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5
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Boccellino M. COVID-19 Pandemic: Therapeutic Strategies and Vaccines. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 25:556. [PMID: 38203727 PMCID: PMC10778581 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25010556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2023] [Revised: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), a highly pathogenic and transmissible virus, has spurred an impressive accumulation of knowledge [...].
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariarosaria Boccellino
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", 80138 Naples, Italy
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6
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Schauenburg D, Zech F, Heck AJ, von Maltitz P, Harms M, Führer S, Alleva N, Münch J, Kuan SL, Kirchhoff F, Weil T. Peptide Bispecifics Inhibiting HIV-1 Infection by an Orthogonal Chemical and Supramolecular Strategy. Bioconjug Chem 2023; 34:1645-1652. [PMID: 37665137 PMCID: PMC10515486 DOI: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.3c00314] [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: 09/05/2023]
Abstract
Viral infections pose a significant threat to human health, and effective antiviral strategies are urgently needed. Antiviral peptides have emerged as a promising class of therapeutic agents due to their unique properties and mechanisms of action. While effective on their own, combining antiviral peptides may allow us to enhance their potency and to prevent viral resistance. Here, we developed an orthogonal chemical strategy to prepare a heterodimeric peptide conjugate assembled on a protein-based nanoplatform. Specifically, we combined the optimized version of two peptides inhibiting HIV-1 by distinct mechanisms. Virus-inhibitory peptide (VIRIP) is a 20 amino acid fragment of α1-antitrypsin that inhibits HIV-1 by targeting the gp41 fusion peptide. Endogenous peptide inhibitor of CXCR4 (EPI-X4) is a 16-residue fragment of human serum albumin that prevents HIV-1 entry by binding to the viral CXCR4 co-receptor. Optimized forms of both peptides are assembled on supramolecular nanoplatforms through the streptavidin-biotin interaction. We show that the construct consisting of the two different peptides (SAv-VIR-102C9-EPI-X4 JM#173-C) shows increased activity against CCR5- and CXCR4-tropic HIV-1 variants. Our results are a proof of concept that peptides with different modes of action can be assembled on nanoplatforms to enhance their antiviral activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominik Schauenburg
- Max-Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Ackermannweg 10, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Fabian Zech
- Institute of Molecular Virology, Ulm University Medical Center, Meyerhofstr. 1, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Astrid Johanna Heck
- Max-Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Ackermannweg 10, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Pascal von Maltitz
- Institute of Molecular Virology, Ulm University Medical Center, Meyerhofstr. 1, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Mirja Harms
- Institute of Molecular Virology, Ulm University Medical Center, Meyerhofstr. 1, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Siska Führer
- Max-Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Ackermannweg 10, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Nico Alleva
- Max-Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Ackermannweg 10, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Jan Münch
- Institute of Molecular Virology, Ulm University Medical Center, Meyerhofstr. 1, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Seah Ling Kuan
- Max-Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Ackermannweg 10, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Frank Kirchhoff
- Institute of Molecular Virology, Ulm University Medical Center, Meyerhofstr. 1, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Tanja Weil
- Max-Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Ackermannweg 10, 55128 Mainz, Germany
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7
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Beeg M, Baroni S, Piotti A, Porta A, De Luigi A, Cagnotto A, Gobbi M, Diomede L, Salmona M. A Comprehensive Technology Platform for the Rapid Discovery of Peptide Inhibitors against SARS-CoV-2 Pseudovirus Infection. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:12146. [PMID: 37569522 PMCID: PMC10418426 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241512146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2023] [Revised: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
We developed and validated a technology platform for designing and testing peptides inhibiting the infectivity of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein-based pseudoviruses. This platform integrates target evaluation, in silico inhibitor design, peptide synthesis, and efficacy screening. We generated a cyclic peptide library derived from the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor. The cell-free validation process by ELISA competition assays and Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) studies revealed that the cyclic peptide c9_05, but not its linear form, binds well to ACE2. Moreover, it effectively inhibited the transduction in HEK293, stably expressing the human ACE2 receptor of pseudovirus particles displaying the SARS-CoV-2 spike in the Wuhan or UK variants. However, the inhibitory efficacy of c9_05 was negligible against the Omicron variant, and it failed to impede the entry of pseudoviruses carrying the B.1.351 (South African) spike. These variants contain three or more mutations known to increase affinity to ACE2. This suggests further refinement is needed for potential SARS-CoV-2 inhibition. Our study hints at a promising approach to develop inhibitors targeting viral infectivity receptors, including SARS-CoV-2's. This platform also promises swift identification and evaluation of inhibitors for other emergent viruses.
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