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Xu L, Wang C, Xu W, Xing L, Zhou J, Pu J, Fu M, Lu L, Jiang S, Wang Q. A dePEGylated Lipopeptide-Based Pan-Coronavirus Fusion Inhibitor Exhibits Potent and Broad-Spectrum Anti-HIV-1 Activity without Eliciting Anti-PEG Antibodies. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24119779. [PMID: 37298729 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24119779] [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: 04/11/2023] [Revised: 05/21/2023] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
We previously identified a lipopeptide, EK1C4, by linking cholesterol to EK1, a pan-CoV fusion inhibitory peptide via a polyethylene glycol (PEG) linker, which showed potent pan-CoV fusion inhibitory activity. However, PEG can elicit antibodies to PEG in vivo, which will attenuate its antiviral activity. Therefore, we designed and synthesized a dePEGylated lipopeptide, EKL1C, by replacing the PEG linker in EK1C4 with a short peptide. Similar to EK1C4, EKL1C displayed potent inhibitory activity against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and other coronaviruses. In this study, we found that EKL1C also exhibited broad-spectrum fusion inhibitory activity against human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection by interacting with the N-terminal heptad repeat 1 (HR1) of viral gp41 to block six-helix bundle (6-HB) formation. These results suggest that HR1 is a common target for the development of broad-spectrum viral fusion inhibitors and EKL1C has potential clinical application as a candidate therapeutic or preventive agent against infection by coronavirus, HIV-1, and possibly other class I enveloped viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ling Xu
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and Biosecurity, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Chao Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing 100850, China
| | - Wei Xu
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and Biosecurity, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Lixiao Xing
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and Biosecurity, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Jie Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and Biosecurity, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Jing Pu
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and Biosecurity, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Mingming Fu
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and Biosecurity, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Lu Lu
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and Biosecurity, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Shibo Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and Biosecurity, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Qian Wang
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and Biosecurity, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
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2
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Yuan B, Peng Q, Cheng J, Wang M, Zhong J, Qi J, Gao GF, Shi Y. Structure of the Ebola virus polymerase complex. Nature 2022; 610:394-401. [PMID: 36171293 PMCID: PMC9517992 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-022-05271-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Filoviruses, including Ebola virus, pose an increasing threat to the public health. Although two therapeutic monoclonal antibodies have been approved to treat the Ebola virus disease1,2, there are no approved broadly reactive drugs to control diverse filovirus infection. Filovirus has a large polymerase (L) protein and the cofactor viral protein 35 (VP35), which constitute the basic functional unit responsible for virus genome RNA synthesis3. Owing to its conservation, the L-VP35 polymerase complex is a promising target for broadly reactive antiviral drugs. Here we determined the structure of Ebola virus L protein in complex with tetrameric VP35 using cryo-electron microscopy (state 1). Structural analysis revealed that Ebola virus L possesses a filovirus-specific insertion element that is essential for RNA synthesis, and that VP35 interacts extensively with the N-terminal region of L by three protomers of the VP35 tetramer. Notably, we captured the complex structure in a second conformation with the unambiguous priming loop and supporting helix away from polymerase active site (state 2). Moreover, we demonstrated that the century-old drug suramin could inhibit the activity of the Ebola virus polymerase in an enzymatic assay. The structure of the L-VP35-suramin complex reveals that suramin can bind at the highly conserved NTP entry channel to prevent substrates from entering the active site. These findings reveal the mechanism of Ebola virus replication and may guide the development of more powerful anti-filovirus drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin Yuan
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogen Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Savaid Medical School, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Qi Peng
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogen Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jinlong Cheng
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogen Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Min Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogen Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jin Zhong
- Savaid Medical School, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Molecular Virology and Immunology, Institut Pasteur of Shanghai, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Jianxun Qi
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogen Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - George F Gao
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogen Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
- Savaid Medical School, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
- Center for Influenza Research and Early-Warning (CASCIRE), CAS-TWAS Center of Excellence for Emerging Infectious Disease (CEEID), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
- Research Unit of Adaptive Evolution and Control of Emerging Viruses, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.
| | - Yi Shi
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogen Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
- Savaid Medical School, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
- Center for Influenza Research and Early-Warning (CASCIRE), CAS-TWAS Center of Excellence for Emerging Infectious Disease (CEEID), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
- Research Unit of Adaptive Evolution and Control of Emerging Viruses, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.
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3
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Liu CH, Hu YT, Wong SH, Lin LT. Therapeutic Strategies against Ebola Virus Infection. Viruses 2022; 14:v14030579. [PMID: 35336986 PMCID: PMC8954160 DOI: 10.3390/v14030579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2022] [Revised: 03/03/2022] [Accepted: 03/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Since the 2014–2016 epidemic, Ebola virus (EBOV) has spread to several countries and has become a major threat to global health. EBOV is a risk group 4 pathogen, which imposes significant obstacles for the development of countermeasures against the virus. Efforts have been made to develop anti-EBOV immunization and therapeutics, with three vaccines and two antibody-based therapeutics approved in recent years. Nonetheless, the high fatality of Ebola virus disease highlights the need to continuously develop antiviral strategies for the future management of EBOV outbreaks in conjunction with vaccination programs. This review aims to highlight potential EBOV therapeutics and their target(s) of inhibition, serving as a summary of the literature to inform readers of the novel candidates available in the continued search for EBOV antivirals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ching-Hsuan Liu
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 110, Taiwan;
| | - Yee-Tung Hu
- Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 110, Taiwan;
| | - Shu Hui Wong
- International Ph.D. Program in Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 110, Taiwan;
| | - Liang-Tzung Lin
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 110, Taiwan;
- Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 110, Taiwan;
- Correspondence:
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4
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Wang C, Xia S, Wang X, Li Y, Wang H, Xiang R, Jiang Q, Lan Q, Liang R, Li Q, Huo S, Lu L, Wang Q, Yu F, Liu K, Jiang S. Supercoiling Structure-Based Design of a Trimeric Coiled-Coil Peptide with High Potency against HIV-1 and Human β-Coronavirus Infection. J Med Chem 2022; 65:2809-2819. [PMID: 33929200 PMCID: PMC8117781 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c00258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Hexameric structure formation through packing of three C-terminal helices and an N-terminal trimeric coiled-coil core has been proposed as a general mechanism of class I enveloped virus entry. In this process, the C-terminal helical repeat (HR2) region of viral membrane fusion proteins becomes transiently exposed and accessible to N-terminal helical repeat (HR1) trimer-based fusion inhibitors. Herein, we describe a mimetic of the HIV-1 gp41 HR1 trimer, N3G, as a promising therapeutic against HIV-1 infection. Surprisingly, we found that in addition to protection against HIV-1 infection, N3G was also highly effective in inhibiting infection of human β-coronaviruses, including MERS-CoV, HCoV-OC43, and SARS-CoV-2, possibly by binding the HR2 region in the spike protein of β-coronaviruses to block their hexameric structure formation. These studies demonstrate the potential utility of anti-HIV-1 HR1 peptides in inhibiting human β-coronavirus infection. Moreover, this strategy could be extended to the design of broad-spectrum antivirals based on the supercoiling structure of peptides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical
Countermeasures, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and
Toxicology, 27 Tai-Ping Road, Beijing 100850,
China
| | - Shuai Xia
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology
(MOE/NHC/CAMS), School of Basic Medical Sciences & Shanghai Public Health Clinical
Center, Fudan University, 130 Dong An Road, Shanghai 200032,
China
| | - Xinling Wang
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology
(MOE/NHC/CAMS), School of Basic Medical Sciences & Shanghai Public Health Clinical
Center, Fudan University, 130 Dong An Road, Shanghai 200032,
China
| | - Yue Li
- State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical
Countermeasures, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and
Toxicology, 27 Tai-Ping Road, Beijing 100850,
China
| | - Huan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical
Countermeasures, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and
Toxicology, 27 Tai-Ping Road, Beijing 100850,
China
| | - Rong Xiang
- Hebei Center for Wildlife Health, College of Life
Sciences, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding 071001,
China
| | - Qinwen Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Structure-based Drug Design &
Discovery of the Ministry of Education, Shenyang Pharmaceutical
University, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Qiaoshuai Lan
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology
(MOE/NHC/CAMS), School of Basic Medical Sciences & Shanghai Public Health Clinical
Center, Fudan University, 130 Dong An Road, Shanghai 200032,
China
| | - Ruiying Liang
- Hebei Center for Wildlife Health, College of Life
Sciences, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding 071001,
China
| | - Qing Li
- State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical
Countermeasures, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and
Toxicology, 27 Tai-Ping Road, Beijing 100850,
China
| | - Shanshan Huo
- Hebei Center for Wildlife Health, College of Life
Sciences, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding 071001,
China
| | - Lu Lu
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology
(MOE/NHC/CAMS), School of Basic Medical Sciences & Shanghai Public Health Clinical
Center, Fudan University, 130 Dong An Road, Shanghai 200032,
China
| | - Qian Wang
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology
(MOE/NHC/CAMS), School of Basic Medical Sciences & Shanghai Public Health Clinical
Center, Fudan University, 130 Dong An Road, Shanghai 200032,
China
| | - Fei Yu
- Hebei Center for Wildlife Health, College of Life
Sciences, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding 071001,
China
| | - Keliang Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical
Countermeasures, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and
Toxicology, 27 Tai-Ping Road, Beijing 100850,
China
| | - Shibo Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology
(MOE/NHC/CAMS), School of Basic Medical Sciences & Shanghai Public Health Clinical
Center, Fudan University, 130 Dong An Road, Shanghai 200032,
China
- Lindsley F. Kimball Research Institute,
New York Blood Center, New York, New York 10065,
United States
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5
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Su S, Xu W, Jiang S. Virus Entry Inhibitors: Past, Present, and Future. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2022; 1366:1-13. [DOI: 10.1007/978-981-16-8702-0_1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Rejinold NS, Piao H, Jin GW, Choi G, Choy JH. Injectable niclosamide nanohybrid as an anti-SARS-CoV-2 strategy. Colloids Surf B Biointerfaces 2021; 208:112063. [PMID: 34482191 PMCID: PMC8383483 DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfb.2021.112063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2021] [Revised: 08/18/2021] [Accepted: 08/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
COVID-19 is a rapidly evolving emergency, which necessitates scientific community to come up with novel formulations that could find quick relief to the millions affected around the globe. Remdesivir being the only injectable drug by FDA for COVID-19, it initially showed promising results, however, later on failed to retain its claims, hence rejected by the WHO. Therefore, it is important to develop injectable formulation that are effective and affordable. Here in this work, we formulated poly ethylene glycol (PEG) coated bovine serum albumin (BSA) stabilized Niclosamide (NIC) nanoparticles (NPs) (∼BSA-NIC-PEG NPs) as an effective injectable formulation. Here, serum albumin mediated strategy was proposed as an effective strategy to specifically target SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. The in-vitro results showed that the developed readily water dispersible formulation with a particle size <120 nm size were well stable even after 3 weeks. Even though the in-vitro studies showed promising results, the in-vivo pharmaco-kinetic (PK) study in rats demands the need of conducting further experiments to specifically target the SARS-CoV-2 in the virus infected model. We expect that this present formulation would be highly preferred for targeting hypoalbuminemia conditions, which was often reported in elderly COVID-19 patients. Such studies are on the way to summarize its potential applications in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Sanoj Rejinold
- Intelligent Nanohybrid Materials Laboratory (INML), Institute of Tissue Regeneration Engineering (ITREN), Dankook University, Cheonan, 31116, Republic of Korea
| | - Huiyan Piao
- Intelligent Nanohybrid Materials Laboratory (INML), Institute of Tissue Regeneration Engineering (ITREN), Dankook University, Cheonan, 31116, Republic of Korea
| | - Geun-Woo Jin
- R&D Center, CnPharm Co., LTD., Seoul, 03759, Republic of Korea
| | - Goeun Choi
- Intelligent Nanohybrid Materials Laboratory (INML), Institute of Tissue Regeneration Engineering (ITREN), Dankook University, Cheonan, 31116, Republic of Korea; College of Science and Technology, Dankook University, Cheonan, 31116, Republic of Korea; Department of Nanobiomedical Science and BK21 PLUS NBM Global Research Center for Regenerative Medicine, Dankook University, Cheonan, 31116, Republic of Korea.
| | - Jin-Ho Choy
- Intelligent Nanohybrid Materials Laboratory (INML), Institute of Tissue Regeneration Engineering (ITREN), Dankook University, Cheonan, 31116, Republic of Korea; Department of Pre-Medical Course, College of Medicine, Dankook University, Cheonan, 31116, Republic of Korea; Tokyo Tech World Research Hub Initiative (WRHI), Institute of Innovative Research, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Yokohama, 226-8503, Japan.
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7
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Sikdar A, Gupta R, Boura E. Reviewing Antiviral Research Against Viruses Causing Human Diseases - A Structure Guided Approach. Curr Mol Pharmacol 2021; 15:306-337. [PMID: 34348638 DOI: 10.2174/1874467214666210804152836] [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: 10/21/2020] [Revised: 01/24/2021] [Accepted: 01/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The littlest of all the pathogens, viruses have continuously been the foremost strange microorganisms to consider. Viral Infections can cause extreme sicknesses as archived by the HIV/AIDS widespread or the later Ebola or Zika episodes. Apprehensive framework distortions are too regularly watched results of numerous viral contaminations. Besides, numerous infections are oncoviruses, which can trigger different sorts of cancer. Nearly every year a modern infection species rises debilitating the world populace with an annihilating episode. Subsequently, the need of creating antivirals to combat such rising infections. In any case, from the innovation of to begin with antiviral medicate Idoxuridine in 1962 to the revelation of Baloxavir marboxil (Xofluza) that was FDA-approved in 2018, the hone of creating antivirals has changed significantly. In this article, different auxiliary science strategies have been described that can be referral for therapeutics innovation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arunima Sikdar
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, School of Medicine, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, 920 Madison Ave, P.O.Box-38103, Memphis, Tennessee. United States
| | - Rupali Gupta
- Department of Neurology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina. United States
| | - Evzen Boura
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo namesti 542/2, P.O. Box:16000, Prague. Czech Republic
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8
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Hansen F, Feldmann H, Jarvis MA. Targeting Ebola virus replication through pharmaceutical intervention. Expert Opin Investig Drugs 2021; 30:201-226. [PMID: 33593215 DOI: 10.1080/13543784.2021.1881061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Introduction. The consistent emergence/reemergence of filoviruses into a world that previously lacked an approved pharmaceutical intervention parallels an experience repeatedly played-out for most other emerging pathogenic zoonotic viruses. Investment to preemptively develop effective and low-cost prophylactic and therapeutic interventions against viruses that have high potential for emergence and societal impact should be a priority.Areas covered. Candidate drugs can be characterized into those that interfere with cellular processes required for Ebola virus (EBOV) replication (host-directed), and those that directly target virally encoded functions (direct-acting). We discuss strategies to identify pharmaceutical interventions for EBOV infections. PubMed/Web of Science databases were searched to establish a detailed catalog of these interventions.Expert opinion. Many drug candidates show promising in vitro inhibitory activity, but experience with EBOV shows the general lack of translation to in vivo efficacy for host-directed repurposed drugs. Better translation is seen for direct-acting antivirals, in particular monoclonal antibodies. The FDA-approved monoclonal antibody treatment, Inmazeb™ is a success story that could be improved in terms of impact on EBOV-associated disease and mortality, possibly by combination with other direct-acting agents targeting distinct aspects of the viral replication cycle. Costs need to be addressed given EBOV emergence primarily in under-resourced countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frederick Hansen
- Laboratory of Virology, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, MT, USA
| | - Heinz Feldmann
- Laboratory of Virology, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, MT, USA
| | - Michael A Jarvis
- Laboratory of Virology, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, MT, USA.,School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, Devon, UK.,The Vaccine Group, Ltd, Plymouth, Devon, UK
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9
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Johnson AS, Fatemi R, Winlow W. SARS-CoV-2 Bound Human Serum Albumin and Systemic Septic Shock. Front Cardiovasc Med 2020; 7:153. [PMID: 33088822 PMCID: PMC7498713 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2020.00153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2020] [Accepted: 07/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The emergence of the COVID-19 virus and the subsequent pandemic have driven a great deal of research activity. The effects of COVID-19 are caused by the severe respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and it is the underlying actions of SARs-CoV-2 virions on the endothelial glycocalyx that we consider here. One of the key factors in COVID-19 infection is its almost unique age-related profile, with a doubling in mortality every 10 years after the age of 50. The endothelial glycocalyx layer is essential in maintaining normal fluid homeostasis, but is fragile and prone to pathophysiological damage. It is physiologically significant in capillary microcirculation and in fluid distribution to the tissues. Human serum albumin (HSA), the most abundant protein in plasma, is created in the liver which also maintains its concentration, but this reduces by 10-15% after 50 years of age. HSA transports hormones, free fatty acids and maintains oncotic pressure, but SARS-CoV-2 virions bind competitively to HSA diminishing its normal transport function. Furthermore, hypoalbuminemia is frequently observed in patients with such conditions as diabetes, hypertension, and chronic heart failure, i.e., those most vulnerable to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Hypoalbuminemia, coagulopathy, and vascular disease have been linked in COVID-19 and have been shown to predict outcome independent of age and morbidity. Hypoalbuminemia is also known factor in sepsis and Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) occurs when fluids build-up in the alveoli and it is associated with sepsis, whose mechanism is systemic, being associated with the fluid and logistic mechanisms of the circulation. Glycocalyx damage is associated with changes plasma protein concentration, particularly HSA and blockage of albumin transport can produce the systemic symptoms seen in SARS-CoV-2 infection and sepsis. We therefore conclude that albumin binding to SARS-CoV-2 virions may inhibit the formation of the endothelial glycocalyx by inhibition of albumin transport binding sites. We postulate that albumin therapy to replace bound albumin might alleviate some of the symptoms leading to sepsis and that clinical trials to test this postulation should be initiated as a matter of urgency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew S. Johnson
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Università Degli Studi di Naples, Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Rouholah Fatemi
- Physiology Research Center (PRC), School of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - William Winlow
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Università Degli Studi di Naples, Federico II, Naples, Italy
- Institute of Ageing and Chronic Diseases, The Apex Building, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
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10
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Qiu M, Li Z, Chen Y, Guo J, Xu W, Qi T, Qiu Y, Pang J, Li L, Liu S, Tan S. Tolcapone Potently Inhibits Seminal Amyloid Fibrils Formation and Blocks Entry of Ebola Pseudoviruses. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:504. [PMID: 32425892 PMCID: PMC7203225 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.00504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2019] [Accepted: 03/09/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Ebola virus (EBOV), the causative pathogen of the deadly EBOV disease (EVD), can be transmitted via sexual transmission. Seminal amyloid fibrils have been found enhancers of EBOV infection. Currently, limited preventive vaccine or therapeutic is available to block EBOV infection through sexual intercourse. In this study, we repurpose tolcapone, a US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved agent for Parkinson’s disease, as a potent inhibitor of seminal amyloid fibrils, among which semen-derived enhancer of viral infection (SEVI) is the best-characterized. Tolcapone binds to the amyloidogenic region of the SEVI precursor peptide (PAP248–286) and inhibits PAP248–286 aggregation by disrupting PAP248–286 oligomerization. In addition, tolcapone interacts with preformed SEVI fibrils and influences the activity of SEVI in promoting infection of pseudovirus (PsV) carrying the envelope glycoprotein (GP) of the EBOV Zaire or Sudan species (Zaire PsV and Sudan PsV, respectively). Tolcapone significantly antagonizes SEVI-mediated enhancement of both Zaire PsV and Sudan PsV binding to and subsequent internalization in HeLa cells. Of note, tolcapone is also effective in inhibiting the entry of both Zaire PsV and Sudan PsV. Tolcapone inhibits viral entry possibly through binding with critical residues in EBOV GP. Moreover, the combination of tolcapone with two small-molecule entry inhibitors, including bepridil and sertraline, exhibited synergistic anti-EBOV effects in semen. Collectively, as a bifunctional agent targeting the viral infection-enhancing amyloid and the virus itself during sexual intercourse, tolcapone can act as either a prophylactic topical agent to prevent the sexual transmission of EBOV or a therapeutic to treat EBOV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengjie Qiu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhaofeng Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yuliu Chen
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jiayin Guo
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wei Xu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Tao Qi
- Laboratory Medicine Center, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yurong Qiu
- Laboratory Medicine Center, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jianxin Pang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lin Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.,School of Pharmacy, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, China
| | - Shuwen Liu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Suiyi Tan
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
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11
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Hua C, Zhu Y, Wu C, Si L, Wang Q, Sui L, Jiang S. The Underlying Mechanism of 3-Hydroxyphthalic Anhydride-Modified Bovine Beta-Lactoglobulin to Block Human Papillomavirus Entry Into the Host Cell. Front Microbiol 2019; 10:2188. [PMID: 31611852 PMCID: PMC6775479 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.02188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2019] [Accepted: 09/05/2019] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
We have previously demonstrated that 3-hydroxyphthalic anhydride (3HP)-modified bovine beta-lactoglobulin (3HP-β-LG) is highly effective in inhibiting entry of pseudovirus (PsV) of high- and low-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) into the target cell. Intravaginally applied 3HP-β-LG-containing vaginal gel could significantly inhibit HPV infection and reduce viral load in the cervical region. However, we still do not understand the underlying molecular mechanism by which 3HP-β-LG is able to inhibit HPV infection. Here, though, we showed that 3HP-β-LG did not inactivate HPV PsV, but rather blocked entry of HPV PsV into the target cell via its interaction with virus, not cell. It bound to the positively charged region in the HPV L1 protein, suggesting that 3HP-β-LG binds to HPV L1 protein through the interaction between the negatively charged region in 3HP-β-LG and the positively charged region in HPV L1 protein, thus competitively blocking the binding of HPV to the receptor on the basement membrane in vaginal mucosa. Although 3HP-modified chicken ovalbumin (3HP-OVA) also carries high net negative charges, it exhibited no anti-HPV activity, suggesting that the interaction between 3HP-modified protein and HPV L1 protein relies on both electrostatic and matchable conformation of the binding sites in both proteins. When topically applied, 3HP-β-LG did not enter the host cell or blood circulation. These findings suggest that 3HP-β-LG targets HPV L1 protein and blocks HPV entry into the host cell, thus being safe and effective for topical application in the treatment of HPV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Hua
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan-Jinbo Functional Protein Joint Research Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yun Zhu
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Congquan Wu
- Medical Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Cervical Disease, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Lulu Si
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan-Jinbo Functional Protein Joint Research Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Qian Wang
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan-Jinbo Functional Protein Joint Research Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Long Sui
- Medical Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Cervical Disease, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shibo Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan-Jinbo Functional Protein Joint Research Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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Schneider-Futschik EK, Hoyer D, Khromykh AA, Baell JB, Marsh GA, Baker MA, Li J, Velkov T. Contemporary Anti-Ebola Drug Discovery Approaches and Platforms. ACS Infect Dis 2019; 5:35-48. [PMID: 30516045 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.8b00285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The Ebola virus has a grave potential to destabilize civil society as we know it. The past few deadly Ebola outbreaks were unprecedented in size: The 2014-15 Ebola West Africa outbreak saw the virus spread from the epicenter through to Guinea, Sierra Leone, Nigeria, Congo, and Liberia. The 2014-15 Ebola West Africa outbreak was associated with almost 30,000 suspected or confirmed cases and over 11,000 documented deaths. The more recent 2018 outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has so far resulted in 216 suspected or confirmed cases and 139 deaths. There is a general acceptance within the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Ebola outbreak response community that future outbreaks will become increasingly more frequent and more likely to involve intercontinental transmission. The magnitude of the recent outbreaks demonstrated in dramatic fashion the shortcomings of our mass casualty disease response capabilities and lack of therapeutic modalities for supporting Ebola outbreak prevention and control. Currently, there are no approved drugs although vaccines for human Ebola virus infection are in the trial phases and some potential treatments have been field tested most recently in the Congo Ebola outbreak. Treatment is limited to pain management and supportive care to counter dehydration and lack of oxygen. This underscores the critical need for effective antiviral drugs that specifically target this deadly disease. This review examines the current approaches for the discovery of anti-Ebola small molecule or biological therapeutics, their viral targets, mode of action, and contemporary platforms, which collectively form the backbone of the anti-Ebola drug discovery pipeline.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena K. Schneider-Futschik
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Daniel Hoyer
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, 30 Royal Parade, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 N. Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, California 92037, United States
| | - Alexander A. Khromykh
- Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Jonathan B. Baell
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nanjing Tech University, No. 30 South Puzhu Road, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211816, People’s Republic of China
- Medicinal Chemistry, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Glenn A. Marsh
- CSIRO Livestock Industries, Australian Animal Health Laboratory, Geelong, Victoria 3220, Australia
| | - Mark A. Baker
- Priority Research Centre in Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales 2308, Australia
| | - Jian Li
- Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - Tony Velkov
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
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Dhama K, Karthik K, Khandia R, Chakraborty S, Munjal A, Latheef SK, Kumar D, Ramakrishnan MA, Malik YS, Singh R, Malik SVS, Singh RK, Chaicumpa W. Advances in Designing and Developing Vaccines, Drugs, and Therapies to Counter Ebola Virus. Front Immunol 2018; 9:1803. [PMID: 30147687 PMCID: PMC6095993 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.01803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2018] [Accepted: 07/23/2018] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Ebola virus (EBOV), a member of the family Filoviridae, is responsible for causing Ebola virus disease (EVD) (formerly named Ebola hemorrhagic fever). This is a severe, often fatal illness with mortality rates varying from 50 to 90% in humans. Although the virus and associated disease has been recognized since 1976, it was only when the recent outbreak of EBOV in 2014-2016 highlighted the danger and global impact of this virus, necessitating the need for coming up with the effective vaccines and drugs to counter its pandemic threat. Albeit no commercial vaccine is available so far against EBOV, a few vaccine candidates are under evaluation and clinical trials to assess their prophylactic efficacy. These include recombinant viral vector (recombinant vesicular stomatitis virus vector, chimpanzee adenovirus type 3-vector, and modified vaccinia Ankara virus), Ebola virus-like particles, virus-like replicon particles, DNA, and plant-based vaccines. Due to improvement in the field of genomics and proteomics, epitope-targeted vaccines have gained top priority. Correspondingly, several therapies have also been developed, including immunoglobulins against specific viral structures small cell-penetrating antibody fragments that target intracellular EBOV proteins. Small interfering RNAs and oligomer-mediated inhibition have also been verified for EVD treatment. Other treatment options include viral entry inhibitors, transfusion of convalescent blood/serum, neutralizing antibodies, and gene expression inhibitors. Repurposed drugs, which have proven safety profiles, can be adapted after high-throughput screening for efficacy and potency for EVD treatment. Herbal and other natural products are also being explored for EVD treatment. Further studies to better understand the pathogenesis and antigenic structures of the virus can help in developing an effective vaccine and identifying appropriate antiviral targets. This review presents the recent advances in designing and developing vaccines, drugs, and therapies to counter the EBOV threat.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kuldeep Dhama
- Division of Pathology, ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Bareilly, India
| | - Kumaragurubaran Karthik
- Central University Laboratory, Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Chennai, India
| | - Rekha Khandia
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, Barkatullah University, Bhopal, India
| | - Sandip Chakraborty
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology, College of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry, Agartala, India
| | - Ashok Munjal
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, Barkatullah University, Bhopal, India
| | - Shyma K. Latheef
- Immunology Section, ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Bareilly, India
| | - Deepak Kumar
- Division of Veterinary Biotechnology, ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Bareilly, India
| | | | - Yashpal Singh Malik
- Division of Biological Standardization, ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Bareilly, India
| | - Rajendra Singh
- Division of Pathology, ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Bareilly, India
| | - Satya Veer Singh Malik
- Division of Veterinary Public Health, ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Bareilly, India
| | - Raj Kumar Singh
- ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Wanpen Chaicumpa
- Center of Research Excellence on Therapeutic Proteins and Antibody Engineering, Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine SIriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
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14
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Xia S, Xu W, Wang Q, Wang C, Hua C, Li W, Lu L, Jiang S. Peptide-Based Membrane Fusion Inhibitors Targeting HCoV-229E Spike Protein HR1 and HR2 Domains. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:ijms19020487. [PMID: 29415501 PMCID: PMC5855709 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19020487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2018] [Revised: 01/24/2018] [Accepted: 01/31/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Human coronavirus 229E (HCoV-229E) infection in infants, elderly people, and immunocompromised patients can cause severe disease, thus calling for the development of effective and safe therapeutics to treat it. Here we reported the design, synthesis and characterization of two peptide-based membrane fusion inhibitors targeting HCoV-229E spike protein heptad repeat 1 (HR1) and heptad repeat 2 (HR2) domains, 229E-HR1P and 229E-HR2P, respectively. We found that 229E-HR1P and 229E-HR2P could interact to form a stable six-helix bundle and inhibit HCoV-229E spike protein-mediated cell-cell fusion with IC50 of 5.7 and 0.3 µM, respectively. 229E-HR2P effectively inhibited pseudotyped and live HCoV-229E infection with IC50 of 0.5 and 1.7 µM, respectively. In a mouse model, 229E-HR2P administered intranasally could widely distribute in the upper and lower respiratory tracts and maintain its fusion-inhibitory activity. Therefore, 229E-HR2P is a promising candidate for further development as an antiviral agent for the treatment and prevention of HCoV-229E infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuai Xia
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology of MOE/MOH, School of Basic Medical Sciences & Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University, 130 Dong An Rd., Xuhui District, Shanghai 200032, China.
| | - Wei Xu
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology of MOE/MOH, School of Basic Medical Sciences & Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University, 130 Dong An Rd., Xuhui District, Shanghai 200032, China.
| | - Qian Wang
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology of MOE/MOH, School of Basic Medical Sciences & Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University, 130 Dong An Rd., Xuhui District, Shanghai 200032, China.
| | - Cong Wang
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology of MOE/MOH, School of Basic Medical Sciences & Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University, 130 Dong An Rd., Xuhui District, Shanghai 200032, China.
| | - Chen Hua
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology of MOE/MOH, School of Basic Medical Sciences & Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University, 130 Dong An Rd., Xuhui District, Shanghai 200032, China.
| | - Weihua Li
- Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation of National Population and Family Planning Commission, The Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research, Institute of Reproduction and Development, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China.
| | - Lu Lu
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology of MOE/MOH, School of Basic Medical Sciences & Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University, 130 Dong An Rd., Xuhui District, Shanghai 200032, China.
| | - Shibo Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology of MOE/MOH, School of Basic Medical Sciences & Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University, 130 Dong An Rd., Xuhui District, Shanghai 200032, China.
- Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation of National Population and Family Planning Commission, The Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research, Institute of Reproduction and Development, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China.
- Lindsley F. Kimball Research Institute, New York Blood Center, New York, NY 10065, USA.
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15
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Oluwagbemi O, Awe O. A comparative computational genomics of Ebola Virus Disease strains: In-silico Insight for Ebola control. INFORMATICS IN MEDICINE UNLOCKED 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.imu.2018.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022] Open
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16
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Development of small-molecule viral inhibitors targeting various stages of the life cycle of emerging and re-emerging viruses. Front Med 2017; 11:449-461. [PMID: 29170916 PMCID: PMC7089273 DOI: 10.1007/s11684-017-0589-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2017] [Accepted: 09/22/2017] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
In recent years, unexpected outbreaks of infectious diseases caused by emerging and re-emerging viruses have become more frequent, which is possibly due to environmental changes. These outbreaks result in the loss of life and economic hardship. Vaccines and therapeutics should be developed for the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases. In this review, we summarize and discuss the latest progress in the development of small-molecule viral inhibitors against highly pathogenic coronaviruses, including severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus and Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus, Ebola virus, and Zika virus. These viruses can interfere with the specific steps of viral life cycle by blocking the binding between virus and host cells, disrupting viral endocytosis, disturbing membrane fusion, and interrupting viral RNA replication and translation, thereby demonstrating potent therapeutic effect against various emerging and re-emerging viruses. We also discuss some general strategies for developing small-molecule viral inhibitors.
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