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Yin P, May NA, Lello LS, Fayed A, Parks MG, Drobish AM, Wang S, Andrews M, Sticher Z, Kolykhalov AA, Natchus MG, Painter GR, Merits A, Kielian M, Morrison TE. 4'-Fluorouridine inhibits alphavirus replication and infection in vitro and in vivo. mBio 2024; 15:e0042024. [PMID: 38700353 PMCID: PMC11237586 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.00420-24] [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: 02/09/2024] [Accepted: 04/01/2024] [Indexed: 05/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is an enveloped, positive-sense RNA virus that has re-emerged to cause millions of human infections worldwide. In humans, acute CHIKV infection causes fever and severe muscle and joint pain. Chronic and debilitating arthritis and joint pain can persist for months to years. To date, there are no approved antivirals against CHIKV. Recently, the ribonucleoside analog 4'-fluorouridine (4'-FlU) was reported as a highly potent orally available inhibitor of SARS-CoV-2, respiratory syncytial virus, and influenza virus replication. In this study, we assessed 4'-FlU's potency and breadth of inhibition against a panel of alphaviruses including CHIKV, and found that it broadly suppressed alphavirus production in cell culture. 4'-FlU acted on the viral RNA replication step, and the first 4 hours post-infection were the critical time for its antiviral effect. In vitro replication assays identified nsP4 as the target of inhibition. In vivo, treatment with 4'-FlU reduced disease signs, inflammatory responses, and viral tissue burden in mouse models of CHIKV and Mayaro virus infection. Treatment initiated at 2 hours post-infection was most effective; however, treatment initiated as late as 24-48 hours post-infection produced measurable antiviral effects in the CHIKV mouse model. 4'-FlU showed effective oral delivery in our mouse model and resulted in the accumulation of both 4'-FlU and its bioactive triphosphate form in tissues relevant to arthritogenic alphavirus pathogenesis. Together, our data indicate that 4'-FlU inhibits CHIKV infection in vitro and in vivo and is a promising oral therapeutic candidate against CHIKV infection.IMPORTANCEAlphaviruses including chikungunya virus (CHIKV) are mosquito-borne positive-strand RNA viruses that can cause various diseases in humans. Although compounds that inhibit CHIKV and other alphaviruses have been identified in vitro, there are no licensed antivirals against CHIKV. Here, we investigated a ribonucleoside analog, 4'-fluorouridine (4'-FlU), and demonstrated that it inhibited infectious virus production by several alphaviruses in vitro and reduced virus burden in mouse models of CHIKV and Mayaro virus infection. Our studies also indicated that 4'-FlU treatment reduced CHIKV-induced footpad swelling and reduced the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Inhibition in the mouse model correlated with effective oral delivery of 4'-FlU and accumulation of both 4'-FlU and its bioactive form in relevant tissues. In summary, 4'-FlU exhibits potential as a novel anti-alphavirus agent targeting the replication of viral RNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peiqi Yin
- Department of Cell Biology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, USA
| | - Nicholas A. May
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | | | - Atef Fayed
- Department of Cell Biology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, USA
| | - M. Guston Parks
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Adam M. Drobish
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Sainan Wang
- Institute of Bioengineering, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Meghan Andrews
- Emory Institute for Drug Development (EIDD), Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Zachary Sticher
- Emory Institute for Drug Development (EIDD), Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | | | | | - George R. Painter
- Emory Institute for Drug Development (EIDD), Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Drug Innovations Ventures at Emory (DRIVE), Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Andres Merits
- Institute of Bioengineering, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Margaret Kielian
- Department of Cell Biology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, USA
| | - Thomas E. Morrison
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA
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Chuong C, Cereghino C, Rai P, Bates TA, Oberer M, Weger-Lucarelli J. Enhanced attenuation of chikungunya vaccines expressing antiviral cytokines. NPJ Vaccines 2024; 9:59. [PMID: 38472211 PMCID: PMC10933427 DOI: 10.1038/s41541-024-00843-x] [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: 01/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Alphaviruses are vector-borne, medically relevant, positive-stranded RNA viruses that cause disease in animals and humans worldwide. Of this group, chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is the most significant human pathogen, responsible for generating millions of infections leading to severe febrile illness and debilitating chronic joint pain. Currently, there are limited treatments to protect against alphavirus disease; thus, there is a tremendous need to generate safe and effective vaccines. Live-attenuated vaccines (LAVs) are cost-effective and potent immunization strategies capable of generating long-term protection in a single dose. However, LAVs often produce systemic viral replication, which can lead to unwanted post-vaccination side effects and pose a risk of reversion to a pathogenic phenotype and transmission to mosquitoes. Here, we utilized a chimeric infectious clone of CHIKV engineered with the domain C of the E2 gene of Semliki Forest virus (SFV) to express IFNγ and IL-21-two potent antiviral and immunomodulatory cytokines-in order to improve the LAV's attenuation while maintaining immunogenicity. The IFNγ- and IL-21-expressing vaccine candidates were stable during passage and significantly attenuated post-vaccination, as mice experienced reduced footpad swelling with minimal systemic replication and dissemination capacity compared to the parental vaccine. Additionally, these candidates provided complete protection to mice challenged with WT CHIKV. Our dual attenuation strategy represents an innovative way to generate safe and effective alphavirus vaccines that could be applied to other viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina Chuong
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia Tech, VA-MD Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, Blacksburg, VA, USA
- Center for Emerging, Zoonotic, and Arthropod-borne Pathogens, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Chelsea Cereghino
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia Tech, VA-MD Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, Blacksburg, VA, USA
- Center for Emerging, Zoonotic, and Arthropod-borne Pathogens, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Pallavi Rai
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia Tech, VA-MD Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, Blacksburg, VA, USA
- Center for Emerging, Zoonotic, and Arthropod-borne Pathogens, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Tyler A Bates
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia Tech, VA-MD Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Megan Oberer
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia Tech, VA-MD Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - James Weger-Lucarelli
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia Tech, VA-MD Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, Blacksburg, VA, USA.
- Center for Emerging, Zoonotic, and Arthropod-borne Pathogens, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA.
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Fraga A, Mósca AF, Moita D, Simas JP, Nunes-Cabaço H, Prudêncio M. SARS-CoV-2 decreases malaria severity in co-infected rodent models. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1307553. [PMID: 38156320 PMCID: PMC10753813 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1307553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and malaria, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and Plasmodium parasites, respectively, share geographical distribution in regions where the latter disease is endemic, leading to the emergence of co-infections between the two pathogens. Thus far, epidemiologic studies and case reports have yielded insufficient data on the reciprocal impact of the two pathogens on either infection and related diseases. We established novel co-infection models to address this issue experimentally, employing either human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (hACE2)-expressing or wild-type mice, in combination with human- or mouse-infective variants of SARS-CoV-2, and the P. berghei rodent malaria parasite. We now show that a primary infection by a viral variant that causes a severe disease phenotype partially impairs a subsequent liver infection by the malaria parasite. Additionally, exposure to an attenuated viral variant modulates subsequent immune responses and provides protection from severe malaria-associated outcomes when a blood stage P. berghei infection was established. Our findings unveil a hitherto unknown host-mediated virus-parasite interaction that could have relevant implications for disease management and control in malaria-endemic regions. This work may contribute to the development of other models of concomitant infection between Plasmodium and respiratory viruses, expediting further research on co-infections that lead to complex disease presentations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Fraga
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Andreia F. Mósca
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Diana Moita
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - J. Pedro Simas
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
- Católica Biomedical Research, Católica Medical School, Universidade Católica Portuguesa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Helena Nunes-Cabaço
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Miguel Prudêncio
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
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Taylor M, Rayner JO. Immune Response to Chikungunya Virus: Sex as a Biological Variable and Implications for Natural Delivery via the Mosquito. Viruses 2023; 15:1869. [PMID: 37766276 PMCID: PMC10538149 DOI: 10.3390/v15091869] [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: 08/16/2023] [Revised: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is a mosquito-borne virus with significant public health implications around the world. Climate change, as well as rapid urbanization, threatens to expand the population range of Aedes vector mosquitoes globally, increasing CHIKV cases worldwide in return. Epidemiological data suggests a sex-dependent response to CHIKV infection. In this review, we draw attention to the importance of studying sex as a biological variable by introducing epidemiological studies from previous CHIKV outbreaks. While the female sex appears to be a risk factor for chronic CHIKV disease, the male sex has recently been suggested as a risk factor for CHIKV-associated death; however, the underlying mechanisms for this phenotype are unknown. Additionally, we emphasize the importance of including mosquito salivary components when studying the immune response to CHIKV. As with other vector-transmitted pathogens, CHIKV has evolved to use these salivary components to replicate more extensively in mammalian hosts; however, the response to natural transmission of CHIKV has not been fully elucidated.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jonathan O. Rayner
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Whiddon College of Medicine, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL 36688, USA;
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Salek-Ardakani S, Zajonc DM, Croft M. Agonism of 4-1BB for immune therapy: a perspective on possibilities and complications. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1228486. [PMID: 37662949 PMCID: PMC10469789 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1228486] [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: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Costimulatory receptors on immune cells represent attractive targets for immunotherapy given that these molecules can increase the frequency of individual protective immune cell populations and their longevity, as well as enhance various effector functions. 4-1BB, a member of the TNF receptor superfamily, also known as CD137 and TNFRSF9, is one such molecule that is inducible on several cell types, including T cells and NK cells. Preclinical studies in animal models have validated the notion that stimulating 4-1BB with agonist reagents or its natural ligand could be useful to augment conventional T cell and NK cell immunity to protect against tumor growth and against viral infection. Additionally, stimulating 4-1BB can enhance regulatory T cell function and might be useful in the right context for suppressing autoimmunity. Two human agonist antibodies to 4-1BB have been produced and tested in clinical trials for cancer, with variable results, leading to the production of a wealth of second-generation antibody constructs, including bi- and multi-specifics, with the hope of optimizing activity and selectivity. Here, we review the progress to date in agonism of 4-1BB, discuss the complications in targeting the immune system appropriately to elicit the desired activity, together with challenges in engineering agonists, and highlight the untapped potential of manipulating this molecule in infectious disease and autoimmunity.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Dirk M. Zajonc
- Center for Autoimmunity and Inflammation, La Jolla Institute for Immunology, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Michael Croft
- Center for Autoimmunity and Inflammation, La Jolla Institute for Immunology, La Jolla, CA, United States
- Department of Medicine, University of California (UC) San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
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Hakim MS, Aman AT. Understanding the Biology and Immune Pathogenesis of Chikungunya Virus Infection for Diagnostic and Vaccine Development. Viruses 2022; 15:48. [PMID: 36680088 PMCID: PMC9863735 DOI: 10.3390/v15010048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2022] [Revised: 12/18/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Chikungunya virus, the causative agent of chikungunya fever, is generally characterized by the sudden onset of symptoms, including fever, rash, myalgia, and headache. In some patients, acute chikungunya virus infection progresses to severe and chronic arthralgia that persists for years. Chikungunya infection is more commonly identified in tropical and subtropical regions. However, recent expansions and epidemics in the temperate regions have raised concerns about the future public health impact of chikungunya diseases. Several underlying factors have likely contributed to the recent re-emergence of chikungunya infection, including urbanization, human travel, viral adaptation to mosquito vectors, lack of effective control measures, and the spread of mosquito vectors to new regions. However, the true burden of chikungunya disease is most likely to be underestimated, particularly in developing countries, due to the lack of standard diagnostic assays and clinical manifestations overlapping with those of other endemic viral infections in the regions. Additionally, there have been no chikungunya vaccines available to prevent the infection. Thus, it is important to update our understanding of the immunopathogenesis of chikungunya infection, its clinical manifestations, the diagnosis, and the development of chikungunya vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamad S. Hakim
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Public Health, and Nursing, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta 55281, Indonesia
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Trammell CE, Goodman AG. Host Factors That Control Mosquito-Borne Viral Infections in Humans and Their Vector. Viruses 2021; 13:v13050748. [PMID: 33923307 PMCID: PMC8145797 DOI: 10.3390/v13050748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2021] [Revised: 04/13/2021] [Accepted: 04/22/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Mosquito-borne viral infections are responsible for a significant degree of morbidity and mortality across the globe due to the severe diseases these infections cause, and they continue to increase each year. These viruses are dependent on the mosquito vector as the primary means of transmission to new vertebrate hosts including avian, livestock, and human populations. Due to the dynamic host environments that mosquito-borne viruses pass through as they are transmitted between vector and vertebrate hosts, there are various host factors that control the response to infection over the course of the pathogen's life cycle. In this review, we discuss these host factors that are present in either vector or vertebrate models during infection, how they vary or are conserved between hosts, and their implications in future research pertaining to disease prevention and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chasity E. Trammell
- School of Molecular Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99163, USA;
- NIH Protein Biotechnology Training Program, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164-6240, USA
| | - Alan G. Goodman
- School of Molecular Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99163, USA;
- Paul G. Allen School for Global Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-(509)-335-0186
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An Agonistic Anti-CD137 Antibody Disrupts Lymphoid Follicle Structure and T-Cell-Dependent Antibody Responses. CELL REPORTS MEDICINE 2020; 1. [PMID: 32699843 PMCID: PMC7375459 DOI: 10.1016/j.xcrm.2020.100035] [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: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
CD137 is a costimulatory receptor expressed on natural killer cells, T cells, and subsets of dendritic cells. An agonistic monoclonal antibody (mAb) against CD137 has been used to reduce tumor burden or reverse autoimmunity in animal models and clinical trials. Here, we show that mice treated with an agonistic anti-CD137 mAb have reduced numbers of germinal center (GC) B cells and follicular dendritic cells (FDCs) in lymphoid tissues, which impair antibody responses to multiple T-cell-dependent antigens, including infectious virus, viral proteins, and conjugated haptens. These effects are not due to enhanced apoptosis or impaired proliferation of B cells but instead correlate with changes in lymphoid follicle structure and GC B cell dispersal and are mediated by CD137 signaling in CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. Our experiments in mice suggest that agonistic anti-CD137 mAbs used in cancer and autoimmunity therapy may impair long-term antibody and B cell memory responses. Anti-CD137 antibody impairs B cell responses during chikungunya virus infection Anti-CD137 antibody impairs T-cell-dependent antibody responses to subunit vaccines Anti-CD137 antibody alters lymphoid follicle structure during virus infection Enhanced CD137 signaling in T cells results in defects in germinal B cell responses
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