1
|
Samolej J, Mendonca DC, Upfold N, McElwee M, Landsberger M, Yakimovich A, Patel AH, Strang BL, Mercer J. Bisbenzimide compounds inhibit the replication of prototype and pandemic potential poxviruses. Microbiol Spectr 2024; 12:e0407223. [PMID: 38376353 PMCID: PMC10986486 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.04072-23] [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: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 02/21/2024] Open
Abstract
We previously identified the bisbenzimide Hoechst 33342 (H42) as a potent multi-stage inhibitor of the prototypic poxvirus, the vaccinia virus (VACV), and several parapoxviruses. A recent report showed that novel bisbenzimide compounds similar in structure to H42 could prevent human cytomegalovirus replication. Here, we assessed whether these compounds could also serve as poxvirus inhibitors. Using virological assays, we show that these bisbenzimide compounds inhibit VACV spread, plaque formation, and the production of infectious progeny VACV with relatively low cell toxicity. Further analysis of the VACV lifecycle indicated that the effective bisbenzimide compounds had little impact on VACV early gene expression but inhibited VACV late gene expression and truncated the formation of VACV replication sites. Additionally, we found that bisbenzimide compounds, including H42, can inhibit both monkeypox and a VACV mutant resistant to the widely used anti-poxvirus drug TPOXX (Tecovirimat). Therefore, the tested bisbenzimide compounds were inhibitors of both prototypic and pandemic potential poxviruses and could be developed for use in situations where anti-poxvirus drug resistance may occur. Additionally, these data suggest that bisbenzimide compounds may serve as broad-activity antiviral compounds, targeting diverse DNA viruses such as poxviruses and betaherpesviruses.IMPORTANCEThe 2022 mpox (monkeypox) outbreak served as a stark reminder that due to the cessation of smallpox vaccination over 40 years ago, most of the human population remains susceptible to poxvirus infection. With only two antivirals approved for the treatment of smallpox infection in humans, the need for additional anti-poxvirus compounds is evident. Having shown that the bisbenzimide H33342 is a potent inhibitor of poxvirus gene expression and DNA replication, here we extend these findings to include a set of novel bisbenzimide compounds that show anti-viral activity against mpox and a drug-resistant prototype poxvirus mutant. These results suggest that further development of bisbenzimides for the treatment of pandemic potential poxviruses is warranted.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jerzy Samolej
- Insititute of Microbiology and Infection, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Diogo Correa Mendonca
- MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow, United Kingdom
- CVR-CRUSH, MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Nicole Upfold
- MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow, United Kingdom
- CVR-CRUSH, MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Marion McElwee
- MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow, United Kingdom
- CVR-CRUSH, MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Mariann Landsberger
- Insititute of Microbiology and Infection, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Artur Yakimovich
- Center for Advanced Systems Understanding (CASUS), Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf e.V. (HZDR), Görlitz, Germany
| | - Arvind H. Patel
- MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow, United Kingdom
- CVR-CRUSH, MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Blair L. Strang
- Institute for Infection and Immunity, St George’s, University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jason Mercer
- Insititute of Microbiology and Infection, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Strang BL. Toward inhibition of human cytomegalovirus replication with compounds targeting cellular proteins. J Gen Virol 2022; 103. [PMID: 36215160 DOI: 10.1099/jgv.0.001795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Antiviral therapy for human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) currently relies upon direct-acting antiviral drugs. However, it is now well known that these drugs have shortcomings, which limit their use. Here I review the identification and investigation of compounds targeting cellular proteins that have anti-HCMV activity and could supersede those anti-HCMV drugs currently in use. This includes discussion of drug repurposing, for example the use of artemisinin compounds, and discussion of new directions to identify compounds that target cellular factors in HCMV-infected cells, for example screening of kinase inhibitors. In addition, I highlight developing areas such as the use of machine learning and emphasize how interaction with fields outside virology will be critical for development of anti-HCMV compounds.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Blair L Strang
- Institute for Infection & Immunity, St George's, University of London, London, UK
| |
Collapse
|