1
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Rasmussen L, Sanders S, Sosa M, McKellip S, Nebane NM, Martinez-Gzegozewska Y, Reece A, Ruiz P, Manuvakhova A, Zhai L, Warren B, Curry A, Zeng Q, Bostwick JR, Vinson PN. A high-throughput response to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. SLAS DISCOVERY : ADVANCING LIFE SCIENCES R & D 2024; 29:100160. [PMID: 38761981 DOI: 10.1016/j.slasd.2024.100160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2024] [Revised: 04/24/2024] [Accepted: 05/06/2024] [Indexed: 05/20/2024]
Abstract
Four years after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is important to reflect on the events that have occurred during that time and the knowledge that has been gained. The response to the pandemic was rapid and highly resourced; it was also built upon a foundation of decades of federally funded basic and applied research. Laboratories in government, pharmaceutical, academic, and non-profit institutions all played roles in advancing pre-2020 discoveries to produce clinical treatments. This perspective provides a summary of how the development of high-throughput screening methods in a biosafety level 3 (BSL-3) environment at Southern Research Institute (SR) contributed to pandemic response efforts. The challenges encountered are described, including those of a technical nature as well as those of working under the pressures of an unpredictable virus and pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Ling Zhai
- Southern Research, Birmingham, AL, USA
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2
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Subramani C, Sharma G, Chaira T, Barman TK. High content screening strategies for large-scale compound libraries with a focus on high-containment viruses. Antiviral Res 2024; 221:105764. [PMID: 38008193 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2023.105764] [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: 09/11/2023] [Revised: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/19/2023] [Indexed: 11/28/2023]
Abstract
A majority of viral diseases do not have FDA-approved drugs. The recent outbreaks caused by SARS-CoV-2, monkeypox, and Sudan ebolavirus have exposed the critical need for rapid screening and identification of antiviral compounds against emerging/re-emerging viral pathogens. A high-content screening (HCS) platform is becoming an essential part of the drug discovery process, thanks to developments in image acquisition and analysis. While HCS has several advantages, its full potential has not been realized in antiviral drug discovery compared to conventional drug screening approaches, such as fluorescence or luminescence-based microplate assays. Therefore, this review aims to summarize HCS workflow, strategies, and developments in image-based drug screening, focusing on high-containment viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chandru Subramani
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA; Galveston National Laboratory, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Ghanshyam Sharma
- Regional Centre for Biotechnology, NCR Biotech Science Cluster, Faridabad, Haryana, India
| | - Tridib Chaira
- Department of Pharmacology, SGT University, Gurugram, Haryana, India
| | - Tarani Kanta Barman
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA; Galveston National Laboratory, Galveston, TX, USA.
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3
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Van den Bossche S, Ostyn L, Vandendriessche V, Rigauts C, De Keersmaecker H, Nickerson CA, Crabbé A. The development and characterization of in vivo-like three-dimensional models of bronchial epithelial cell lines. Eur J Pharm Sci 2023; 190:106567. [PMID: 37633341 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejps.2023.106567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2023] [Revised: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 08/28/2023]
Abstract
In vitro models of differentiated respiratory epithelium that allow high-throughput screening are an important tool to explore new therapeutics for chronic respiratory diseases. In the present study, we developed in vivo-like three-dimensional (3-D) models of bronchial epithelial cell lines that are commonly used to study chronic lung disease (16HBE14o-, CFBE41o- and CFBE41o- 6.2 WT-CFTR). To this end, cells were cultured on porous microcarrier beads in the rotating wall vessel (RWV) bioreactor, an optimized suspension culture method that allows higher throughput experimentation than other physiologically relevant models. Cell differentiation was compared to conventional two-dimensional (2-D) monolayer cultures and to the current gold standard in the respiratory field, i.e. air-liquid interface (ALI) cultures. Cellular differentiation was assessed in the three model systems by evaluating the expression and localization of markers that reflect the formation of tight junctions (zonula occludens 1), cell polarity (intercellular adhesion molecule 1 at the apical side and collagen IV expression at the basal cell side), multicellular complexity (acetylated α-tubulin for ciliated cells, CC10 for club cells, keratin-5 for basal cells) and mucus production (MUC5AC) through immunostaining and confocal laser scanning microscopy. Results were validated using Western Blot analysis. We found that tight junctions were expressed in 2-D monolayers, ALI cultures and 3-D models for all three cell lines. All tested bronchial epithelial cell lines showed polarization in ALI and 3-D cultures, but not in 2-D monolayers. Mucus secreting goblet-like cells were present in ALI and 3-D cultures of CFBE41o- and CFBE41o- 6.2 WT-CFTR cells, but not in 16HBE14o- cells. For all cell lines, there were no ciliated cells, basal cells, or club cells found in any of the model systems. In conclusion, we developed RWV-derived 3-D models of commonly used bronchial epithelial cell lines and showed that these models are a valuable alternative to ALI cultures, as they recapitulate similar key aspects of the in vivo parental tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Van den Bossche
- Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, Ghent 9000, Belgium
| | - Lisa Ostyn
- Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, Ghent 9000, Belgium
| | - Valerie Vandendriessche
- Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, Ghent 9000, Belgium
| | - Charlotte Rigauts
- Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, Ghent 9000, Belgium
| | - Herlinde De Keersmaecker
- Centre of Advanced Light Microscopy, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, Ghent 9000, Belgium; Laboratory of General Biochemistry and Physical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, Ghent 9000, Belgium
| | - Cheryl A Nickerson
- School of Life Sciences, Biodesign Center for Fundamental and Applied Microbiomics, Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, 727 E. Tyler Street, Tempe, Arizona 85281, USA
| | - Aurélie Crabbé
- Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, Ghent 9000, Belgium.
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4
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Malicoat J, Manivasagam S, Zuñiga S, Sola I, McCabe D, Rong L, Perlman S, Enjuanes L, Manicassamy B. Development of a Single-Cycle Infectious SARS-CoV-2 Virus Replicon Particle System for Use in Biosafety Level 2 Laboratories. J Virol 2022; 96:e0183721. [PMID: 34851142 PMCID: PMC8826801 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01837-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2021] [Accepted: 11/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Research activities with infectious severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) are currently permitted only under biosafety level 3 (BSL3) containment. Here, we report the development of a single-cycle infectious SARS-CoV-2 virus replicon particle (VRP) system with a luciferase and green fluorescent protein (GFP) dual reporter that can be safely handled in BSL2 laboratories to study SARS-CoV-2 biology. The spike (S) gene of SARS-CoV-2 encodes the envelope glycoprotein, which is essential for mediating infection of new host cells. Through deletion and replacement of this essential S gene with a luciferase and GFP dual reporter, we have generated a conditional SARS-CoV-2 mutant (ΔS-VRP) that produces infectious particles only in cells expressing a viral envelope glycoprotein of choice. Interestingly, we observed more efficient production of infectious particles in cells expressing vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) glycoprotein G [ΔS-VRP(G)] than in cells expressing other viral glycoproteins, including S. We confirmed that infection from ΔS-VRP(G) is limited to a single round and can be neutralized by anti-VSV serum. In our studies with ΔS-VRP(G), we observed robust expression of both luciferase and GFP reporters in various human and murine cell types, demonstrating that a broad variety of cells can support intracellular replication of SARS-CoV-2. In addition, treatment of ΔS-VRP(G)-infected cells with either of the anti-CoV drugs remdesivir (nucleoside analog) and GC376 (CoV 3CL protease inhibitor) resulted in a robust decrease in both luciferase and GFP expression in a drug dose- and cell-type-dependent manner. Taken together, our findings show that we have developed a single-cycle infectious SARS-CoV-2 VRP system that serves as a versatile platform to study SARS-CoV-2 intracellular biology and to perform high-throughput screening of antiviral drugs under BSL2 containment. IMPORTANCE Due to the highly contagious nature of SARS-CoV-2 and the lack of immunity in the human population, research on SARS-CoV-2 has been restricted to biosafety level 3 laboratories. This has greatly limited participation of the broader scientific community in SARS-CoV-2 research and thus has hindered the development of vaccines and antiviral drugs. By deleting the essential spike gene in the viral genome, we have developed a conditional mutant of SARS-CoV-2 with luciferase and fluorescent reporters, which can be safely used under biosafety level 2 conditions. Our single-cycle infectious SARS-CoV-2 virus replicon system can serve as a versatile platform to study SARS-CoV-2 intracellular biology and to perform high-throughput screening of antiviral drugs under BSL2 containment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johnny Malicoat
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
| | | | - Sonia Zuñiga
- Coronavirus Laboratory, Departamento Biologia Molecular y Celular, Centro Nacional de Biotecnologia (CNB-CSIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Isabel Sola
- Coronavirus Laboratory, Departamento Biologia Molecular y Celular, Centro Nacional de Biotecnologia (CNB-CSIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Dianne McCabe
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
| | - Lijun Rong
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Stanley Perlman
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
| | - Luis Enjuanes
- Coronavirus Laboratory, Departamento Biologia Molecular y Celular, Centro Nacional de Biotecnologia (CNB-CSIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Balaji Manicassamy
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
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5
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Gorshkov K, Morales Vasquez D, Chiem K, Ye C, Nguyen Tran B, Carlos de la Torre J, Moran T, Chen CZ, Martinez-Sobrido L, Zheng W. SARS-CoV-2 Nucleocapsid Protein TR-FRET Assay Amenable to High Throughput Screening. ACS Pharmacol Transl Sci 2022; 5:8-19. [PMID: 35036857 PMCID: PMC8751018 DOI: 10.1021/acsptsci.1c00182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
![]()
Drug
development for specific antiviral agents against coronavirus
disease 2019 (COVID-19) is still an unmet medical need as the pandemic
continues to spread globally. Although huge efforts for drug repurposing
and compound screens have been put forth, only a few compounds are
in late-stage clinical trials. New approaches and assays are needed
to accelerate COVID-19 drug discovery and development. Here, we report
a time-resolved fluorescence resonance energy transfer-based assay
that detects the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)
nucleocapsid protein (NP) produced in infected cells. It uses two
specific anti-NP monoclonal antibodies conjugated to donor and acceptor
fluorophores that produce a robust ratiometric signal for high throughput
screening of large compound collections. Using this assay, we measured
a half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) for remdesivir
of 9.3 μM against infection with SARS-CoV-2 USA/WA1/2020 (WA-1).
The assay also detected SARS-CoV-2 South African (Beta, β),
Brazilian/Japanese P.1 (Gamma, γ), and Californian (Epsilon,
ε) variants of concern (VoC). Therefore, this homogeneous SARS-CoV-2
NP detection assay can be used for accelerating lead compound discovery
for drug development and for evaluating drug efficacy against emerging
SARS-CoV-2 VoC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kirill Gorshkov
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, 9800 Medical Center Drive, Rockville, Maryland 20850, United States
| | - Desarey Morales Vasquez
- Texas Biomedical Research Institute, 8715 West Military Drive, San Antonio, Texas 78227, United States
| | - Kevin Chiem
- Texas Biomedical Research Institute, 8715 West Military Drive, San Antonio, Texas 78227, United States
| | - Chengjin Ye
- Texas Biomedical Research Institute, 8715 West Military Drive, San Antonio, Texas 78227, United States
| | - Bruce Nguyen Tran
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, 9800 Medical Center Drive, Rockville, Maryland 20850, United States
| | - Juan Carlos de la Torre
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, IMM6, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, California 92037, United States
| | - Thomas Moran
- Icahn School of Medicine, Mt. Sinai, 1 Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, New York 10029, United States
| | - Catherine Z Chen
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, 9800 Medical Center Drive, Rockville, Maryland 20850, United States
| | - Luis Martinez-Sobrido
- Texas Biomedical Research Institute, 8715 West Military Drive, San Antonio, Texas 78227, United States
| | - Wei Zheng
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, 9800 Medical Center Drive, Rockville, Maryland 20850, United States
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6
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Adegboye O, Field MA, Kupz A, Pai S, Sharma D, Smout MJ, Wangchuk P, Wong Y, Loiseau C. Natural-Product-Based Solutions for Tropical Infectious Diseases. Clin Microbiol Rev 2021; 34:e0034820. [PMID: 34494873 PMCID: PMC8673330 DOI: 10.1128/cmr.00348-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
About half of the world's population and 80% of the world's biodiversity can be found in the tropics. Many diseases are specific to the tropics, with at least 41 diseases caused by endemic bacteria, viruses, parasites, and fungi. Such diseases are of increasing concern, as the geographic range of tropical diseases is expanding due to climate change, urbanization, change in agricultural practices, deforestation, and loss of biodiversity. While traditional medicines have been used for centuries in the treatment of tropical diseases, the active natural compounds within these medicines remain largely unknown. In this review, we describe infectious diseases specific to the tropics, including their causative pathogens, modes of transmission, recent major outbreaks, and geographic locations. We further review current treatments for these tropical diseases, carefully consider the biodiscovery potential of the tropical biome, and discuss a range of technologies being used for drug development from natural resources. We provide a list of natural products with antimicrobial activity, detailing the source organisms and their effectiveness as treatment. We discuss how technological advancements, such as next-generation sequencing, are driving high-throughput natural product screening pipelines to identify compounds with therapeutic properties. This review demonstrates the impact natural products from the vast tropical biome have in the treatment of tropical infectious diseases and how high-throughput technical capacity will accelerate this discovery process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oyelola Adegboye
- Public Health and Tropical Medicine, College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, Australia
- World Health Organization Collaborating Center for Vector-Borne and Neglected Tropical Diseases, College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, Australia
- Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Cairns, QLD, Australia
| | - Matt A. Field
- Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Cairns, QLD, Australia
- Centre for Tropical Bioinformatics and Molecular Biology, James Cook University, Cairns, QLD, Australia
- Centre for Molecular Therapeutics, James Cook University, Cairns, QLD, Australia
- Garvin Institute of Medical Research, Darlinghurst, NSW, Australia
| | - Andreas Kupz
- Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Cairns, QLD, Australia
- Centre for Molecular Therapeutics, James Cook University, Cairns, QLD, Australia
| | - Saparna Pai
- Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Cairns, QLD, Australia
- Centre for Molecular Therapeutics, James Cook University, Cairns, QLD, Australia
| | - Dileep Sharma
- Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Cairns, QLD, Australia
- College of Medicine & Dentistry, James Cook University, Cairns, QLD, Australia
| | - Michael J. Smout
- Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Cairns, QLD, Australia
- Centre for Molecular Therapeutics, James Cook University, Cairns, QLD, Australia
| | - Phurpa Wangchuk
- Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Cairns, QLD, Australia
- Centre for Molecular Therapeutics, James Cook University, Cairns, QLD, Australia
| | - Yide Wong
- Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Cairns, QLD, Australia
- Centre for Tropical Bioinformatics and Molecular Biology, James Cook University, Cairns, QLD, Australia
- Centre for Molecular Therapeutics, James Cook University, Cairns, QLD, Australia
| | - Claire Loiseau
- Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Cairns, QLD, Australia
- Centre for Molecular Therapeutics, James Cook University, Cairns, QLD, Australia
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7
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Gorshkov K, Vasquez DM, Chiem K, Ye C, Tran BN, de la Torre JC, Moran T, Chen CZ, Martinez-Sobrido L, Zheng W. A SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein TR-FRET assay amenable to high-throughput screening. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2021. [PMID: 34268508 PMCID: PMC8282096 DOI: 10.1101/2021.07.03.450938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Drug development for specific antiviral agents against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is still an unmet medical need as the pandemic continues to spread globally. Although huge efforts for drug repurposing and compound screens have put forth, only few compounds remain in late stage clinical trials. New approaches and assays are needed to accelerate COVID-19 drug discovery and development. Here we report a time-resolved fluorescence resonance energy transfer-based assay that detects the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) nucleocapsid protein (NP) produced in infected cells. It uses two specific anti-NP monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) conjugated to donor and acceptor fluorophores that produces a robust ratiometric signal for high throughput screening of large compound collections. Using this assay, we measured a half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) for Remdesivir of 9.3 μM against infection with SARS-CoV-2 USA/WA1/2020 (WA-1). The assay also detected SARS-CoV-2 South African (Beta, β), Brazilian/Japanese variant P.1 (Gamma, γ), and Californian (Epsilon, ε), variants of concern or interest (VoC). Therefore, this homogeneous SARS-CoV-2 NP detection assay can be used for accelerating lead compound discovery for drug development and for evaluating drug efficacy against emerging SARS-CoV-2 VoC.
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8
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Gorshkov K, Pradhan M, Xu M, Yang S, Lee EM, Chen CZ, Shen M, Zheng W. Cell-Based No-Wash Fluorescence Assays for Compound Screens Using a Fluorescence Cytometry Plate Reader. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2020; 374:500-511. [PMID: 32532853 PMCID: PMC7495342 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.120.265207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2020] [Accepted: 06/01/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
High-throughput cell-based fluorescent imaging assays often require removal of background fluorescent signal to obtain robust measurements. Processing high-density microplates to remove background signal is challenging because of equipment requirements and increasing variation after multiple plate wash steps. Here, we present the development of a wash-free cell-based fluorescence assay method for high-throughput screening using a laser scanning fluorescence plate cytometer. The cytometry data consisted of cell count and fluorescent intensity measurements for phenotypic screening. We obtained robust screening results by applying this assay methodology to the lysosomal storage disease Niemann-Pick disease type A. We further demonstrated that this cytometry method can be applied to the detection of cholesterol in Niemann-Pick disease type C. Lastly, we used the Mirrorball method to obtain preliminary results for the detection of Zika and Dengue viral envelope protein. The advantages of this assay format include 1) no plate washing, 2) 4-fold faster plate scan and analysis time, 3) high throughput, and 4) >10-fold smaller direct data files. In contrast, traditional imaging assays require multiple plate washes to remove the background signal, long plate scan and data analysis times, and large data files. Therefore, this versatile and broadly applicable Mirrorball-based method greatly improves the throughput and data quality of image-based screening by increasing sensitivity and efficiency while reducing assay artifacts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kirill Gorshkov
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland
| | - Manisha Pradhan
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland
| | - Miao Xu
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland
| | - Shu Yang
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland
| | - Emily M Lee
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland
| | - Catherine Z Chen
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland
| | - Min Shen
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland
| | - Wei Zheng
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland
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9
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Duplantier AJ, Shurtleff AC, Miller C, Chiang CY, Panchal RG, Sunay M. Combating biothreat pathogens: ongoing efforts for countermeasure development and unique challenges. DRUG DISCOVERY TARGETING DRUG-RESISTANT BACTERIA 2020. [PMCID: PMC7258707 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-818480-6.00007-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Research to discover and develop antibacterial and antiviral drugs with potent activity against pathogens of biothreat concern presents unique methodological and process-driven challenges. Herein, we review laboratory approaches for finding new antibodies, antibiotics, and antiviral molecules for pathogens of biothreat concern. Using high-throughput screening techniques, molecules that directly inhibit a pathogen’s entry, replication, or growth can be identified. Alternatively, molecules that target host proteins can be interesting targets for development when countering biothreat pathogens, due to the modulation of the host immune response or targeting proteins that interfere with the pathways required by the pathogen for replication. Monoclonal and cocktail antibody therapies approved by the Food and Drug Administration for countering anthrax and under development for treatment of Ebola virus infection are discussed. A comprehensive tabular review of current in vitro, in vivo, pharmacokinetic and efficacy datasets has been presented for biothreat pathogens of greatest concern. Finally, clinical trials and animal rule or traditional drug approval pathways are also reviewed. Opinions; interpretations; conclusions; and recommendations are those of the authors and are not necessarily endorsed by the US Army.
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10
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Gul S. Epigenetic assays for chemical biology and drug discovery. Clin Epigenetics 2017; 9:41. [PMID: 28439316 PMCID: PMC5399855 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-017-0342-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2016] [Accepted: 04/12/2017] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The implication of epigenetic abnormalities in many diseases and the approval of a number of compounds that modulate specific epigenetic targets in a therapeutically relevant manner in cancer specifically confirms that some of these targets are druggable by small molecules. Furthermore, a number of compounds are currently in clinical trials for other diseases including cardiovascular, neurological and metabolic disorders. Despite these advances, the approved treatments for cancer only extend progression-free survival for a relatively short time and being associated with significant side effects. The current clinical trials involving the next generation of epigenetic drugs may address the disadvantages of the currently approved epigenetic drugs. The identification of chemical starting points of many drugs often makes use of screening in vitro assays against libraries of synthetic or natural products. These assays can be biochemical (using purified protein) or cell-based (using for example, genetically modified, cancer cell lines or primary cells) and performed in microtiter plates, thus enabling a large number of samples to be tested. A considerable number of such assays are available to monitor epigenetic target activity, and this review provides an overview of drug discovery and chemical biology and describes assays that monitor activities of histone deacetylase, lysine-specific demethylase, histone methyltransferase, histone acetyltransferase and bromodomain. It is of critical importance that an appropriate assay is developed and comprehensively validated for a given drug target prior to screening in order to improve the probability of the compound progressing in the drug discovery value chain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheraz Gul
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology - ScreeningPort, Schnackenburgallee 114, 22525 Hamburg, Germany
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11
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Abstract
High-throughput screening is a valuable way to identify hit compounds that combined with a robust medicinal chemistry program could lead to the identification of new antibiotics. Here, we discuss our method for screening large compound libraries with virulent Mycobacterium tuberculosis, possibly one of the more difficult bacteria to use because of its slow growth and assignment to Biosafety Level-3 by the CDC and NIH. The principles illuminated here, however, are relevant to the execution of most bacteria high-throughput screens.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Lucile White
- High Throughput Screening Center, Southern Research Institute, Birmingham, AL, USA.
| | - Nichole A Tower
- High Throughput Screening Center, Southern Research Institute, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Lynn Rasmussen
- High Throughput Screening Center, Southern Research Institute, Birmingham, AL, USA
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