1
|
Umumararungu T, Nyandwi JB, Katandula J, Twizeyimana E, Claude Tomani J, Gahamanyi N, Ishimwe N, Olawode EO, Habarurema G, Mpenda M, Uyisenga JP, Saeed SI. Current status of the small molecule anti-HIV drugs in the pipeline or recently approved. Bioorg Med Chem 2024; 111:117860. [PMID: 39094527 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2024.117860] [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: 03/24/2024] [Revised: 07/24/2024] [Accepted: 07/25/2024] [Indexed: 08/04/2024]
Abstract
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is the causative agent of Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) with high morbidity and mortality rates. Treatment of AIDS/HIV is being complicated by increasing resistance to currently used antiretroviral (ARV) drugs, mainly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) due to drug misuse, poor drug supply and poor treatment monitoring. However, progress has been made in the development of new ARV drugs, targeting different HIV components (Fig. 1). This review aims at presenting and discussing the progress made towards the discovery of new ARVs that are at different stages of clinical trials as of July 2024. For each compound, the mechanism of action, target biomolecule, genes associated with resistance, efficacy and safety, class, and phase of clinical trial are discussed. These compounds include analogues of nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) - islatravir and censavudine; non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs) - Rilpivirine, elsulfavirine and doravirine; integrase inhibitors namely cabotegravir and dolutegravir and chemokine coreceptors 5 and 2 (CC5/CCR2) antagonists for example cenicriviroc. Also, fostemsavir is being developed as an attachment inhibitor while lenacapavir, VH4004280 and VH4011499 are capsid inhibitors. Others are maturation inhibitors such as GSK-254, GSK3532795, GSK3739937, GSK2838232, and other compounds labelled as miscellaneous (do not belong to the classical groups of anti-HIV drugs or to the newer classes) such as obefazimod and BIT225. There is a considerable progress in the development of new anti-HIV drugs and the effort will continue since HIV infections has no cure or vaccine till now. Efforts are needed to reduce the toxicity of available drugs or discover new drugs with new classes which can delay the development of resistance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Théoneste Umumararungu
- Department of Industrial Pharmacy, School of Medicine and Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Rwanda, Rwanda.
| | - Jean Baptiste Nyandwi
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine and Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Rwanda, Rwanda; East African Community Regional Centre of Excellence for Vaccines, Immunization and Health Supply Chain Management, Kigali, Rwanda
| | - Jonathan Katandula
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine and Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Rwanda, Rwanda
| | - Eric Twizeyimana
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine and Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Rwanda, Rwanda
| | - Jean Claude Tomani
- Department of Chemistry, School of Science, College of Science and Technology, University of Rwanda, Rwanda
| | - Noël Gahamanyi
- Department of Biology, School of Science, College of Science and Technology, University of Rwanda, Rwanda
| | - Nestor Ishimwe
- Vascular Biology Center, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA
| | - Emmanuel Oladayo Olawode
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Larkin University, 18301 N Miami Ave #1, Miami, FL 33169, USA
| | - Gratien Habarurema
- Department of Chemistry, School of Science, College of Science and Technology, University of Rwanda, Rwanda
| | - Matabishi Mpenda
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine and Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Rwanda, Rwanda
| | - Jeanne Primitive Uyisenga
- Department of Biology, School of Science, College of Science and Technology, University of Rwanda, Rwanda
| | - Shamsaldeen Ibrahim Saeed
- Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Nyala, P.O. Box: 155, Nyala, Sudan; Nanotechnology in Veterinary Medicine (NanoVet) Research Group, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University Malaysia Kelantan, Kelantan 16100, Pengkalan Chepa, Malaysia
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Azzman N, Gill MSA, Hassan SS, Christ F, Debyser Z, Mohamed WAS, Ahemad N. Pharmacological advances in anti-retroviral therapy for human immunodeficiency virus-1 infection: A comprehensive review. Rev Med Virol 2024; 34:e2529. [PMID: 38520650 DOI: 10.1002/rmv.2529] [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: 11/13/2023] [Revised: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 03/09/2024] [Indexed: 03/25/2024]
Abstract
The discovery of anti-retroviral (ARV) drugs over the past 36 years has introduced various classes, including nucleoside/nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors, non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors, protease inhibitor, fusion, and integrase strand transfer inhibitors inhibitors. The introduction of combined highly active anti-retroviral therapies in 1996 was later proven to combat further ARV drug resistance along with enhancing human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) suppression. As though the development of ARV therapies was continuously expanding, the variation of action caused by ARV drugs, along with its current updates, was not comprehensively discussed, particularly for HIV-1 infection. Thus, a range of HIV-1 ARV medications is covered in this review, including new developments in ARV therapy based on the drug's mechanism of action, the challenges related to HIV-1, and the need for combination therapy. Optimistically, this article will consolidate the overall updates of HIV-1 ARV treatments and conclude the significance of HIV-1-related pharmacotherapy research to combat the global threat of HIV infection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nursyuhada Azzman
- School of Pharmacy, Monash University Malaysia, Bandar Sunway, Selangor, Malaysia
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Cawangan Pulau Pinang Kampus Bertam, Permatang Pauh, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
| | - Muhammad Shoaib Ali Gill
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Sharifah Syed Hassan
- Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia, Bandar Sunway, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Frauke Christ
- Laboratory for Molecular Virology and Gene Therapy, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Zeger Debyser
- Laboratory for Molecular Virology and Gene Therapy, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Wan Ahmad Syazani Mohamed
- Nutrition Unit, Nutrition, Metabolism and Cardiovascular Research Centre (NMCRC), Level 3, Block C, Institute for Medical Research (IMR), National Institutes of Health (NIH) Complex, Ministry of Health Malaysia (MOH), Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Nafees Ahemad
- School of Pharmacy, Monash University Malaysia, Bandar Sunway, Selangor, Malaysia
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Ewart G, Bobardt M, Bentzen BH, Yan Y, Thomson A, Klumpp K, Becker S, Rosenkilde MM, Miller M, Gallay P. Post-infection treatment with the E protein inhibitor BIT225 reduces disease severity and increases survival of K18-hACE2 transgenic mice infected with a lethal dose of SARS-CoV-2. PLoS Pathog 2023; 19:e1011328. [PMID: 37549173 PMCID: PMC10434922 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1011328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Revised: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 08/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The Coronavirus envelope (E) protein is a small structural protein with ion channel activity that plays an important role in virus assembly, budding, immunopathogenesis and disease severity. The viroporin E is also located in Golgi and ER membranes of infected cells and is associated with inflammasome activation and immune dysregulation. Here we evaluated in vitro antiviral activity, mechanism of action and in vivo efficacy of BIT225 for the treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infection. BIT225 showed broad-spectrum direct-acting antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2 in Calu3 and Vero cells with similar potency across 6 different virus strains. BIT225 inhibited ion channel activity of E protein but did not inhibit endogenous currents or calcium-induced ion channel activity of TMEM16A in Xenopus oocytes. BIT225 administered by oral gavage for 12 days starting 12 hours before infection completely prevented body weight loss and mortality in SARS-CoV-2 infected K18 mice (100% survival, n = 12), while all vehicle-dosed animals reached a mortality endpoint by Day 9 across two studies (n = 12). When treatment started at 24 hours after infection, body weight loss, and mortality were also prevented (100% survival, n = 5), while 4 of 5 mice maintained and increased body weight and survived when treatment started 48 hours after infection. Treatment efficacy was dependent on BIT225 dose and was associated with significant reductions in lung viral load (3.5 log10), virus titer (4000 pfu/ml) and lung and serum cytokine levels. These results validate viroporin E as a viable antiviral target and support the clinical study of BIT225 for treatment and prophylaxis of SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gary Ewart
- Biotron Limited, North Ryde, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Michael Bobardt
- The Scripps Institute, Immunology and Microbiology, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Bo Hjorth Bentzen
- University of Copenhagen, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Yannan Yan
- University of Copenhagen, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Klaus Klumpp
- Biotron Limited, North Ryde, New South Wales, Australia
| | | | - Mette M. Rosenkilde
- University of Copenhagen, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Philippe Gallay
- The Scripps Institute, Immunology and Microbiology, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Ndashimye E, Reyes PS, Arts EJ. New antiretroviral inhibitors and HIV-1 drug resistance: more focus on 90% HIV-1 isolates? FEMS Microbiol Rev 2023; 47:fuac040. [PMID: 36130204 PMCID: PMC9841967 DOI: 10.1093/femsre/fuac040] [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: 07/25/2022] [Revised: 09/13/2022] [Accepted: 09/18/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Combined HIV antiretroviral therapy (cART) has been effective except if drug resistance emerges. As cART has been rolled out in low-income countries, drug resistance has emerged at higher rates than observed in high income countries due to factors including initial use of these less tolerated cART regimens, intermittent disruptions in drug supply, and insufficient treatment monitoring. These socioeconomic factors impacting drug resistance are compounded by viral mechanistic differences by divergent HIV-1 non-B subtypes compared to HIV-1 subtype B that largely infects the high-income countries (just 10% of 37 million infected). This review compares the inhibition and resistance of diverse HIV-1 subtypes and strains to the various approved drugs as well as novel inhibitors in clinical trials. Initial sequence variations and differences in replicative fitness between HIV-1 subtypes pushes strains through different fitness landscapes to escape from drug selective pressure. The discussions here provide insight to patient care givers and policy makers on how best to use currently approved ART options and reduce the emergence of drug resistance in ∼33 million individuals infected with HIV-1 subtype A, C, D, G, and recombinants forms. Unfortunately, over 98% of the literature on cART resistance relates to HIV-1 subtype B.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Emmanuel Ndashimye
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Western University Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, N6A 3K7, London, Ontario, Canada
- Joint Clinical Research Centre, -Center for AIDS Research Laboratories, 256, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Paul S Reyes
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Western University Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, N6A 3K7, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Eric J Arts
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Western University Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, N6A 3K7, London, Ontario, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Gargan S, Stevenson NJ. Unravelling the Immunomodulatory Effects of Viral Ion Channels, towards the Treatment of Disease. Viruses 2021; 13:2165. [PMID: 34834972 PMCID: PMC8618147 DOI: 10.3390/v13112165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2021] [Revised: 09/07/2021] [Accepted: 10/10/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The current COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the need for the research community to develop a better understanding of viruses, in particular their modes of infection and replicative lifecycles, to aid in the development of novel vaccines and much needed anti-viral therapeutics. Several viruses express proteins capable of forming pores in host cellular membranes, termed "Viroporins". They are a family of small hydrophobic proteins, with at least one amphipathic domain, which characteristically form oligomeric structures with central hydrophilic domains. Consequently, they can facilitate the transport of ions through the hydrophilic core. Viroporins localise to host membranes such as the endoplasmic reticulum and regulate ion homeostasis creating a favourable environment for viral infection. Viroporins also contribute to viral immune evasion via several mechanisms. Given that viroporins are often essential for virion assembly and egress, and as their structural features tend to be evolutionarily conserved, they are attractive targets for anti-viral therapeutics. This review discusses the current knowledge of several viroporins, namely Influenza A virus (IAV) M2, Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)-1 Viral protein U (Vpu), Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) p7, Human Papillomavirus (HPV)-16 E5, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (SARS-CoV) Open Reading Frame (ORF)3a and Polyomavirus agnoprotein. We highlight the intricate but broad immunomodulatory effects of these viroporins and discuss the current antiviral therapies that target them; continually highlighting the need for future investigations to focus on novel therapeutics in the treatment of existing and future emergent viruses.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Siobhan Gargan
- Viral Immunology Group, School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, D02 R590 Dublin, Ireland;
| | - Nigel J. Stevenson
- Viral Immunology Group, School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, D02 R590 Dublin, Ireland;
- Viral Immunology Group, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland-Medical University of Bahrain, Manama 15503, Bahrain
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Luscombe CA, Avihingsanon A, Supparatpinyo K, Gatechompol S, Han WM, Ewart GD, Thomson AS, Miller M, Becker S, Murphy RL. Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Vpu Inhibitor, BIT225, in Combination with 3-Drug Antiretroviral Therapy: Inflammation and Immune Cell Modulation. J Infect Dis 2021; 223:1914-1922. [PMID: 33038249 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiaa635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2020] [Accepted: 10/06/2020] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BIT225 is a first-in-class inhibitor of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) type 1 Vpu. A phase II trial enrolled 36 HIV-1-infected, treatment-naive participants in Thailand to receive standard-of-care antiretroviral therapy (ART), tenofovir disoproxil fumarate/emtricitabine/efavirenz (Atripla), with 100 or 200 mg of BIT225 or placebo (daily) for 12 weeks. Combined treatment with BIT225 and ART was found to be generally safe and well tolerated, with antiviral efficacy comparable to that of ART alone. The secondary end point-soluble CD163, a marker of monocyte/macrophage inflammation-was noted to be significantly decreased in the BIT225 arm. Plasma-derived activated CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, natural killer cells, and interleukin 21 were increased in those treated with BIT225. These findings are consistent with inhibition of the known effects of HIV Vpu and may reflect clinically important modulation of inflammatory and immune function. Further clinical study is planned to both confirm and extend these important findings in treatment-naive, and treatment-experienced individuals. Clinical Trials Registration. Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (Universal Trial Number U1111-1191-2194).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Anchalee Avihingsanon
- HIV-Netherlands Australia Thailand Research Collaboration, Thai Red Cross AIDS Research Centre, Bangkok, Thailand.,Tuberculosis Research Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | | | - Sivaporn Gatechompol
- HIV-Netherlands Australia Thailand Research Collaboration, Thai Red Cross AIDS Research Centre, Bangkok, Thailand.,Tuberculosis Research Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Win Min Han
- HIV-Netherlands Australia Thailand Research Collaboration, Thai Red Cross AIDS Research Centre, Bangkok, Thailand
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
7
|
Li Z, Zou Z, Jiang Z, Huang X, Liu Q. Biological Function and Application of Picornaviral 2B Protein: A New Target for Antiviral Drug Development. Viruses 2019; 11:v11060510. [PMID: 31167361 PMCID: PMC6630369 DOI: 10.3390/v11060510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2019] [Revised: 05/31/2019] [Accepted: 06/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Picornaviruses are associated with acute and chronic diseases. The clinical manifestations of infections are often mild, but infections may also lead to respiratory symptoms, gastroenteritis, myocarditis, meningitis, hepatitis, and poliomyelitis, with serious impacts on human health and economic losses in animal husbandry. Thus far, research on picornaviruses has mainly focused on structural proteins such as VP1, whereas the non-structural protein 2B, which plays vital roles in the life cycle of the viruses and exhibits a viroporin or viroporin-like activity, has been overlooked. Viroporins are viral proteins containing at least one amphipathic α-helical structure, which oligomerizes to form transmembrane hydrophilic pores. In this review, we mainly summarize recent research data on the viroporin or viroporin-like activity of 2B proteins, which affects the biological function of the membrane, regulates cell death, and affects the host immune response. Considering these mechanisms, the potential application of the 2B protein as a candidate target for antiviral drug development is discussed, along with research challenges and prospects toward realizing a novel treatment strategy for picornavirus infections.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zengbin Li
- School of Public Health, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, China.
| | - Zixiao Zou
- Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, China.
| | - Zeju Jiang
- Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, China.
| | - Xiaotian Huang
- Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, China.
| | - Qiong Liu
- Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, China.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Rutsaert S, Steens JM, Gineste P, Cole B, Kint S, Barrett PN, Tazi J, Scherrer D, Ehrlich HJ, Vandekerckhove L. Safety, tolerability and impact on viral reservoirs of the addition to antiretroviral therapy of ABX464, an investigational antiviral drug, in individuals living with HIV-1: a Phase IIa randomised controlled study. J Virus Erad 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/s2055-6640(20)30273-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022] Open
|
9
|
Safety, Pharmacokinetics, and Antiviral Activity of a Novel HIV Antiviral, ABX464, in Treatment-Naive HIV-Infected Subjects in a Phase 2 Randomized, Controlled Study. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2017; 61:AAC.00545-17. [PMID: 28507108 PMCID: PMC5487684 DOI: 10.1128/aac.00545-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2017] [Accepted: 05/04/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
We investigated the safety and antiviral effects of an anti-HIV compound (ABX464) with a unique mechanism of viral replication inhibition. This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, dose-ranging study in treatment-naive HIV-infected patients. Participants were assigned to eight groups; each group included eight subjects receiving either the study compound, ABX464 (n = 6), or the corresponding placebo (n = 2), according to a randomization code. The first dose administered was 25 mg, given once or 3 times a day over a 2- to 3-week period. Ascending doses of up to 150 mg were delivered after review of the safety data. The primary objective of the study was to assess the safety and tolerability of ABX464 after repeated oral administrations in subjects infected by HIV. Sixty-six subjects were enrolled and were randomized. Sixty-three subjects completed the study according to the study protocol. Twenty-one adverse events (AEs) were reported by 7 subjects out of 16 (44%) who received placebo, and 158 AEs were reported by 39 subjects out of 50 (78%) who received the study drug. In the ABX464 treatment group, all of these adverse events were mild to moderate. No subjects discontinued treatment due to drug-related AEs. Administration of ABX464 at up to 150 mg once a day was safe and well tolerated in HIV-infected subjects. An efficacy signal with respect to a reduction of the viral load by ABX464 was detected, mainly in subjects treated at the highest dose. Further studies will be required to demonstrate antiviral effects in HIV-infected subjects in combination with other antiretroviral therapies. (This study is registered on the ClinicalTrials.gov website under registration no. NCT02452242.)
Collapse
|
10
|
Greiner T, Bolduan S, Hertel B, Groß C, Hamacher K, Schubert U, Moroni A, Thiel G. Ion Channel Activity of Vpu Proteins Is Conserved throughout Evolution of HIV-1 and SIV. Viruses 2016; 8:v8120325. [PMID: 27916968 PMCID: PMC5192386 DOI: 10.3390/v8120325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2016] [Revised: 11/14/2016] [Accepted: 11/22/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) protein Vpu is encoded exclusively by HIV-1 and related simian immunodeficiency viruses (SIVs). The transmembrane domain of the protein has dual functions: it counteracts the human restriction factor tetherin and forms a cation channel. Since these two functions are causally unrelated it remains unclear whether the channel activity has any relevance for viral release and replication. Here we examine structure and function correlates of different Vpu homologs from HIV-1 and SIV to understand if ion channel activity is an evolutionary conserved property of Vpu proteins. An electrophysiological testing of Vpus from different HIV-1 groups (N and P) and SIVs from chimpanzees (SIVcpz), and greater spot-nosed monkeys (SIVgsn) showed that they all generate channel activity in HEK293T cells. This implies a robust and evolutionary conserved channel activity and suggests that cation conductance may also have a conserved functional significance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Timo Greiner
- Membrane Biophysics, Technische Universität Darmstadt, 64287 Darmstadt, Germany.
| | - Sebastian Bolduan
- Institute of Virology, Helmholtz Zentrum Munich, 85764 Oberschleißheim, Germany.
| | - Brigitte Hertel
- Membrane Biophysics, Technische Universität Darmstadt, 64287 Darmstadt, Germany.
| | - Christine Groß
- Computational Biology & Simulation Group, Deparment of Biology, Technische Universität Darmstadt, 64287 Darmstadt, Germany.
| | - Kay Hamacher
- Computational Biology & Simulation Group, Deparment of Biology, Technische Universität Darmstadt, 64287 Darmstadt, Germany.
| | - Ulrich Schubert
- Institute of Virology, Friedrich Alexander University, 91054 Erlangen, Germany.
| | - Anna Moroni
- Department of Biology and CNR IBF-Mi, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20122 Milano, Italy.
| | - Gerhard Thiel
- Membrane Biophysics, Technische Universität Darmstadt, 64287 Darmstadt, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Novel Acylguanidine-Based Inhibitor of HIV-1. J Virol 2016; 90:9495-508. [PMID: 27512074 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01107-16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2016] [Accepted: 08/05/2016] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED The emergence of transmissible HIV-1 strains with resistance to antiretroviral drugs highlights a continual need for new therapies. Here we describe a novel acylguanidine-containing compound, 1-(2-(azepan-1-yl)nicotinoyl)guanidine (or SM111), that inhibits in vitro replication of HIV-1, including strains resistant to licensed protease, reverse transcriptase, and integrase inhibitors, without major cellular toxicity. At inhibitory concentrations, intracellular p24(Gag) production was unaffected, but virion release (measured as extracellular p24(Gag)) was reduced and virion infectivity was substantially impaired, suggesting that SM111 acts at a late stage of viral replication. SM111-mediated inhibition of HIV-1 was partially overcome by a Vpu I17R mutation alone or a Vpu W22* truncation in combination with Env N136Y. These mutations enhanced virion infectivity and Env expression on the surface of infected cells in the absence and presence of SM111 but also impaired Vpu's ability to downregulate CD4 and BST2/tetherin. Taken together, our results support acylguanidines as a class of HIV-1 inhibitors with a distinct mechanism of action compared to that of licensed antiretrovirals. Further research on SM111 and similar compounds may help to elucidate knowledge gaps related to Vpu's role in promoting viral egress and infectivity. IMPORTANCE New inhibitors of HIV-1 replication may be useful as therapeutics to counteract drug resistance and as reagents to perform more detailed studies of viral pathogenesis. SM111 is a small molecule that blocks the replication of wild-type and drug-resistant HIV-1 strains by impairing viral release and substantially reducing virion infectivity, most likely through its ability to prevent Env expression at the infected cell surface. Partial resistance to SM111 is mediated by mutations in Vpu and/or Env, suggesting that the compound affects host/viral protein interactions that are important during viral egress. Further characterization of SM111 and similar compounds may allow more detailed pharmacological studies of HIV-1 egress and provide opportunities to develop new treatments for HIV-1.
Collapse
|
12
|
Khoury G, Ewart G, Luscombe C, Miller M, Wilkinson J. The antiviral compound BIT225 inhibits HIV-1 replication in myeloid dendritic cells. AIDS Res Ther 2016; 13:7. [PMID: 26858771 PMCID: PMC4745167 DOI: 10.1186/s12981-016-0093-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2015] [Accepted: 01/26/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Previous studies with BIT225 (N-carbamimidoyl-5-(1-methyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-2-naphthamide) have demonstrated a unique antiviral activity that blocks the release of HIV-1 from monocyte-derived macrophages (MDM). Antagonising the ion channel formed by HIV-1 Vpu, BIT225 preferentially targets de novo intracellular virus produced in ‘virus-containing compartments’ of MDM. In primary infections, dendritic cells (DC) are one of the first cells infected by HIV-1 and can transfer virus to more permissive CD4+ T cells, making these cells an important target for novel antiviral therapies. To extend previous findings with BIT225, we aimed to further characterise the antiviral activity of BIT225 on HIV-1 replication in monocyte-derived DC (MDDC). Results The anti-HIV-1 activity of BIT225 was evaluated in vitro within MDDC alone and in co-cultures with activated CD4+ T cells to examine the effect of the drug on HIV-1 transfer. Antiviral activity was determined by measuring HIV-1 reverse transcriptase activity in the culture supernatant of BIT225 treated and DMSO control cultures. A single dose of BIT225 resulted in a mean (SE) peak inhibition of HIV-1 release from MDDC by 74.5 % (±0.6) following 14 days of culture and a 6-fold reduction of HIV-1 transfer to activated uninfected CD4+ T cells in co-culture. Conclusions HIV-1 release from MDDC was inhibited by BIT225. This data broadens the drug’s antiviral activity profile within cells of the myeloid lineage. These findings suggest a potential role for BIT225 in reducing HIV-1 production and preventing viral dissemination in early and chronic infection and may assist in limiting virus spread with any ongoing viral replication during antiretroviral therapy.
Collapse
|