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Chinnapaiyan S, Santiago MJ, Panda K, Rahman MS, Alluin J, Rossi J, Unwalla HJ. A conditional RNA Pol II mono-promoter drives HIV-inducible, CRISPR-mediated cyclin T1 suppression and HIV inhibition. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2023; 32:553-565. [PMID: 37215150 PMCID: PMC10192333 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2023.04.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Gene editing using clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) targeted to HIV proviral DNA has shown excision of HIV from infected cells. However, CRISPR-based HIV excision is vulnerable to viral escape. Targeting cellular co-factors provides an attractive yet risky alternative to render viral escape irrelevant. Cyclin T1 is a critical modulator of HIV transcription and mediates recruitment of positive transcription elongation factor-b (P-TEFb) kinase for transcriptional elongation. Hence, a CRISPR-mediated cyclin T1 inactivation will silence HIV transcription, locking it in an inactive form in the cell and thereby serving as an effective antiviral and possibly effecting a functional cure. However, cellular genes play important roles, and their uncontrolled inhibition can promote undesirable effects. Here, we demonstrate a conditional inducible RNA polymerase II (RNA Pol II) mono-promoter-based co-expression of a CRISPR system targeting cyclin T1 from a single transcription unit. Co-expression of guide RNA (gRNA) and CRISPR-associated protein (Cas9) is observed only in HIV-infected cells and leads to sustained HIV suppression in stringent chronically infected cell lines as well as in T cell lines. We further show that incorporation of cis-acting ribozymes immediately upstream of the gRNA further enhances HIV silencing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Srinivasan Chinnapaiyan
- Department of Immunology and Nanomedicine, Institute of Neuroimmune Pharmacology, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USA
| | - Maria-Jose Santiago
- Department of Immunology and Nanomedicine, Institute of Neuroimmune Pharmacology, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USA
| | - Kingshuk Panda
- Department of Immunology and Nanomedicine, Institute of Neuroimmune Pharmacology, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USA
| | - Md. Sohanur Rahman
- Department of Immunology and Nanomedicine, Institute of Neuroimmune Pharmacology, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USA
| | - Jessica Alluin
- Beckman Research Institute of the City of Hope National Medical Center, Monrovia Biomedical Research Center MBRC, 1218 S. Fifth Av., Monrovia, CA 91008, USA
| | - John Rossi
- Beckman Research Institute of the City of Hope National Medical Center, Monrovia Biomedical Research Center MBRC, 1218 S. Fifth Av., Monrovia, CA 91008, USA
| | - Hoshang J. Unwalla
- Department of Immunology and Nanomedicine, Institute of Neuroimmune Pharmacology, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USA
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Silicon Oxycarbide Porous Particles and Film Coating as Strategies for Tenofovir Controlled Release in Vaginal Tablets for HIV Prevention. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14081567. [PMID: 36015193 PMCID: PMC9416175 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14081567] [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] [Received: 05/24/2022] [Revised: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Sustained release of antiretroviral drugs is currently the most encouraging strategy for the prevention of the sexual transmission of HIV. Vaginal tablets based on hydrophilic gelling polymers are an interesting dosage form for this purpose, since they can be developed to modify the release of the drug depending on the tablet swelling. Tenofovir is a drug with proven activity in the prevention of HIV-1 infection, and it is possible to have it loaded in the surface of γ-aminopropyl trimethoxy silane-functionalized oxycarbide particles. These particles can be incorporated into the tablets, thus providing a sustained release of the drug. Moreover, the presence of the particles modifies the microstructure of the gel formed, as observed in scanning electron microscopy and Hg porosimetry studies, resulting into a gel with a narrow pore size distribution between 10 and 100 µm. This implies a lower volume of fluid incorporated into the gel during swelling studies, and therefore improved mucoadhesion times in ex vivo test. The coating of the formulations with Eudragit® RS modifies the swelling behavior of the tablets, which not only is decreased in magnitude but also extended in time, and as consequence the drug release is also prolonged for up to 7 days.
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Yadavar-Nikravesh MS, Milani A, Vahabpour R, Khoobi M, Bakhshandeh H, Bolhassani A. In vitro Anti-HIV-1 Activity of the Recombinant HIV-1 TAT Protein Along With Tenofovir Drug. Curr HIV Res 2021; 19:138-146. [PMID: 33045968 DOI: 10.2174/1570162x18666201012152600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2020] [Revised: 08/19/2020] [Accepted: 09/01/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND HIV-1 TAT protein is essential for the regulation of viral genome transcription. The first exon of TAT protein has a fundamental role in the stimulation of the extrinsic and intrinsic apoptosis pathways, but its anti-HIV activity is not clear yet. METHODS In the current study, we firstly cloned the first exon of the TAT coding sequence in the pET-24a expression vector and then protein expression was done in the Rosetta expression host. Next, the expressed TAT protein was purified by Ni-NTA column under native conditions. After that, the protein yield was determined by Bradford kit and NanoDrop spectrophotometry. Finally, the cytotoxicity effect and anti-Scr-HIV-1 activity of the recombinant TAT protein alone and along with Tenofovir drug were assessed by MTT and ELISA, respectively. RESULTS The recombinant TAT protein was successfully generated in E. coli, as confirmed by 13.5% SDS-PAGE and western blotting. The protein yield was ~150-200 μg/ml. In addition, the recombinant TAT protein at a certain dose with low toxicity could suppress Scr-HIV replication in the infected HeLa cells (~30%) that was comparable with a low toxic dose of Tenofovir drug (~40%). It was interesting that the recombinant TAT protein could enhance anti-HIV potency of Tenofovir drug up to 66%. CONCLUSION Generally, a combination of TAT protein and Tenofovir drug could significantly inhibit HIV-1 replication. It will be required to determine their mechanism of action in the next studies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Alireza Milani
- Department of Hepatitis, AIDS and Blood Borne Diseases, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Rouhollah Vahabpour
- Department of Medical Lab Technology, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences; Tehran, Iran
| | - Mehdi Khoobi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biomaterials and Medical Biomaterials Research Center (MBRC), Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Haleh Bakhshandeh
- Nanobiotechnology Department, New Technologies Research Group, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Azam Bolhassani
- Department of Hepatitis, AIDS and Blood Borne Diseases, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
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Phenotypic properties of envelope glycoproteins of transmitted HIV-1 variants from patients belonging to transmission chains. AIDS 2018; 32:1917-1926. [PMID: 29927786 DOI: 10.1097/qad.0000000000001906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Transmission of HIV-1 involves a bottleneck in which generally a single HIV-1 variant from a diverse viral population in the transmitting partner establishes infection in the new host. It is still unclear to what extent this event is driven by specific properties of the transmitted viruses or the result of a stochastic process. Our study aimed to better characterize this phenomenon and define properties shared by transmitted viruses. DESIGN We compared antigenic and functional properties of envelope glycoproteins of viral variants found during primary infection in 27 patients belonging to eight transmission chains. METHODS We generated pseudotyped viruses expressing Env variants of the viral quasispecies infecting each patient and compared their sensitivity to neutralization by eight human monoclonal broadly neutralizing antibodies (HuMoNAbs). We also compared their infectious properties by measuring their infectivity and sensitivity to various entry inhibitors. RESULTS Transmitted viruses from the same transmission chain shared many properties, including similar neutralization profiles, sensitivity to inhibitors, and infectivity, providing evidence that the transmission bottleneck is mainly nonstochastic. Transmitted viruses were CCR5-tropic, sensitive to MVC, and resistant to soluble forms of CD4, irrespective of the cluster to which they belonged. They were also sensitive to HuMoNAbs that target V3, the CD4-binding site, and the MPER region, suggesting that the loss of these epitopes may compromise their capacity to be transmitted. CONCLUSION Our data suggest that the transmission bottleneck is governed by selective forces. How these forces confer an advantage to the transmitted virus has yet to be determined.
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Notario-Pérez F, Martín-Illana A, Cazorla-Luna R, Ruiz-Caro R, Peña J, Veiga MD. Improvement of Tenofovir vaginal release from hydrophilic matrices through drug granulation with hydrophobic polymers. Eur J Pharm Sci 2018; 117:204-215. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejps.2018.02.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2017] [Revised: 01/29/2018] [Accepted: 02/20/2018] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
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Gonzalez-Serna A, Ferrando-Martinez S, Tarancon-Diez L, De Pablo-Bernal RS, Dominguez-Molina B, Jiménez JL, Muñoz-Fernández MÁ, Leal M, Ruiz-Mateos E. Increased CD127+ and decreased CD57+ T cell expression levels in HIV-infected patients on NRTI-sparing regimens. J Transl Med 2017; 15:259. [PMID: 29262860 PMCID: PMC5738860 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-017-1367-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2017] [Accepted: 12/12/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND NRTIs-sparing regimens exert favourable profiles on T-cell homeostasis associated parameters. Our aim was to analyze the effect of NRTIs sparing regimen (NRTI-sparing-cART) vs NRTIs-containing regimen (NRTI-cART), on T-cell homeostasis associated parameters in naive HIV-infected patients. METHODS Biomarkers of cell survival (CD127) and replicative senescence (CD57), were measured by multiparametric flow cytometry for T-cell phenotyping on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) samples just before (baseline) and after 48 weeks of undetectable viral load in patients on NRTI-sparing-cART (N = 13) and NRTI-cART (N = 14). After 48 weeks a subgroup of patients (n = 5) on NRTI-cART switched to NRTI-sparing-cART for another additional 48 weeks. In vitro assays were performed on PBMCs from HIV-uninfected healthy donors exposed or not to HIV. To analyze the independent factors associated with type of cART bivariate and stepwise multivariate analysis were performed after adjusting for basal CD4+, CD8+ and nadir CD4+ T-cell counts. RESULTS After 48 weeks of a NRTI-sparing-cART vs NRTI-cART patients have higher effector memory (EM) CD4+ CD127+ T-cell levels, lower EM CD4+ CD57+ T-cell levels, higher CD8+ CD127+ T-cell levels, lower CD8+ CD57+ T-cell levels and higher memory CD8+ T-cell levels. This effect was confirmed in the subgroup of patients who switched to NRTI-sparing-cART. In vitro assays confirmed that the deleterious effect of a NRTIs-containing regimen was due to NRTIs. CONCLUSIONS The implementation of NRTI-sparing regimens, with a favourable profile in CD127 and CD57 T-cell expression, could benefit cART-patients. These results could have potential implications in a decrease in the number of Non-AIDS events.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Gonzalez-Serna
- Molecular Immunobiology Laboratory, Health Research Institute Gregorio Marañon, Spanish HIV HGM BioBank, Networking Research Center on Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), General Universitary Hospital Gregorio Marañon, C/Dr. Esquerdo 46, 28007, Madrid, Spain. .,Viral and Immune Infection Unit Center, Institute of Health Carlos III, Molecular Immunobiology Laboratory, General Universitary Hospital Gregorio Marañon, Majadahonda Campus, Madrid, Spain.
| | - S Ferrando-Martinez
- Laboratory of Immunovirology, Institute of Biomedicine of Seville (IBiS), Virgen del Rocío University Hospital, C/Avenida Manuel Siurot s/n, 41013, Seville, Spain
| | - L Tarancon-Diez
- Laboratory of Immunovirology, Institute of Biomedicine of Seville (IBiS), Virgen del Rocío University Hospital, C/Avenida Manuel Siurot s/n, 41013, Seville, Spain
| | - R S De Pablo-Bernal
- Laboratory of Immunovirology, Institute of Biomedicine of Seville (IBiS), Virgen del Rocío University Hospital, C/Avenida Manuel Siurot s/n, 41013, Seville, Spain
| | - B Dominguez-Molina
- Laboratory of Immunovirology, Institute of Biomedicine of Seville (IBiS), Virgen del Rocío University Hospital, C/Avenida Manuel Siurot s/n, 41013, Seville, Spain
| | - J L Jiménez
- Molecular Immunobiology Laboratory, Health Research Institute Gregorio Marañon, Spanish HIV HGM BioBank, Networking Research Center on Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), General Universitary Hospital Gregorio Marañon, C/Dr. Esquerdo 46, 28007, Madrid, Spain.,Viral and Immune Infection Unit Center, Institute of Health Carlos III, Molecular Immunobiology Laboratory, General Universitary Hospital Gregorio Marañon, Majadahonda Campus, Madrid, Spain
| | - M Á Muñoz-Fernández
- Molecular Immunobiology Laboratory, Health Research Institute Gregorio Marañon, Spanish HIV HGM BioBank, Networking Research Center on Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), General Universitary Hospital Gregorio Marañon, C/Dr. Esquerdo 46, 28007, Madrid, Spain.,Viral and Immune Infection Unit Center, Institute of Health Carlos III, Molecular Immunobiology Laboratory, General Universitary Hospital Gregorio Marañon, Majadahonda Campus, Madrid, Spain
| | - M Leal
- Laboratory of Immunovirology, Institute of Biomedicine of Seville (IBiS), Virgen del Rocío University Hospital, C/Avenida Manuel Siurot s/n, 41013, Seville, Spain
| | - E Ruiz-Mateos
- Laboratory of Immunovirology, Institute of Biomedicine of Seville (IBiS), Virgen del Rocío University Hospital, C/Avenida Manuel Siurot s/n, 41013, Seville, Spain. .,Unidad Clínica de Enfermedades Infecciosas y Microbiología, Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocio, Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla (IBiS), Universidad de Sevilla, Centro Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Seville, Spain.
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In silico-based screen synergistic drug combinations from herb medicines: a case using Cistanche tubulosa. Sci Rep 2017; 7:16364. [PMID: 29180652 PMCID: PMC5703970 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-16571-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2017] [Accepted: 11/14/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroinflammation is characterized by the elaborated inflammatory response repertoire of central nervous system tissue. The limitations of the current treatments for neuroinflammation are well-known side effects in the clinical trials of monotherapy. Drug combination therapies are promising strategies to overcome the compensatory mechanisms and off-target effects. However, discovery of synergistic drug combinations from herb medicines is rare. Encouraged by the successfully applied cases we move on to investigate the effective drug combinations based on system pharmacology among compounds from Cistanche tubulosa (SCHENK) R. WIGHT. Firstly, 63 potential bioactive compounds, the related 133 direct and indirect targets are screened out by Drug-likeness evaluation combined with drug targeting process. Secondly, Compound-Target network is built to acquire the data set for predicting drug combinations. We list the top 10 drug combinations which are employed by the algorithm Probability Ensemble Approach (PEA), and Compound-Target-Pathway network is then constructed by the 12 compounds of the combinations, targets, and pathways to unearth the corresponding pharmacological actions. Finally, an integrating pathway approach is developed to elucidate the therapeutic effects of the herb in different pathological features-relevant biological processes. Overall, the method may provide a productive avenue for developing drug combination therapeutics.
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Notario-Pérez F, Martín-Illana A, Cazorla-Luna R, Ruiz-Caro R, Bedoya LM, Tamayo A, Rubio J, Veiga MD. Influence of Chitosan Swelling Behaviour on Controlled Release of Tenofovir from Mucoadhesive Vaginal Systems for Prevention of Sexual Transmission of HIV. Mar Drugs 2017; 15:md15020050. [PMID: 28230790 PMCID: PMC5334630 DOI: 10.3390/md15020050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2016] [Revised: 02/13/2017] [Accepted: 02/16/2017] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The main challenges facing efforts to prevent the transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are the lack of access to sexual education services and sexual violence against young women and girls. Vaginal formulations for the prevention of sexually transmitted infections are currently gaining importance in drug development. Vaginal mucoadhesive tablets can be developed by including natural polymers that have good binding capacity with mucosal tissues, such as chitosan or guar gum, semisynthetic polymers such as hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose, or synthetic polymers such as Eudragit® RS. This paper assesses the potential of chitosan for the development of sustained-release vaginal tablets of Tenofovir and compares it with different polymers. The parameters assessed were the permanence time of the bioadhesion—determined ex vivo using bovine vaginal mucosa as substrate—the drug release profiles from the formulation to the medium (simulated vaginal fluid), and swelling profiles in the same medium. Chitosan can be said to allow the manufacture of tablets that remain adhered to the vaginal mucosa and release the drug in a sustained way, with low toxicity and moderate swelling that ensures the comfort of the patient and may be useful for the prevention of sexual transmission of HIV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernando Notario-Pérez
- Departamento Farmacia y Tecnología Farmacéutica, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Araceli Martín-Illana
- Departamento Farmacia y Tecnología Farmacéutica, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Raúl Cazorla-Luna
- Departamento Farmacia y Tecnología Farmacéutica, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Roberto Ruiz-Caro
- Departamento Farmacia y Tecnología Farmacéutica, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Luis-Miguel Bedoya
- Departamento Farmacología, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Aitana Tamayo
- Instituto de Cerámica y Vidrio, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, 28049 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Juan Rubio
- Instituto de Cerámica y Vidrio, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, 28049 Madrid, Spain.
| | - María-Dolores Veiga
- Departamento Farmacia y Tecnología Farmacéutica, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
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