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Alkan C, O’Brien T, Kenyon V, Ikegami T. Computer-Selected Antiviral Compounds: Assessing In Vitro Efficacies against Rift Valley Fever Virus. Viruses 2024; 16:88. [PMID: 38257788 PMCID: PMC10818293 DOI: 10.3390/v16010088] [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: 12/20/2023] [Revised: 01/03/2024] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Rift Valley fever is a zoonotic viral disease transmitted by mosquitoes, impacting both humans and livestock. Currently, there are no approved vaccines or antiviral treatments for humans. This study aimed to evaluate the in vitro efficacy of chemical compounds targeting the Gc fusion mechanism. These compounds were identified through virtual screening of millions of commercially available small molecules using a structure-based artificial intelligence bioactivity predictor. In our experiments, a pretreatment with small molecule compounds revealed that 3 out of 94 selected compounds effectively inhibited the replication of the Rift Valley fever virus MP-12 strain in Vero cells. As anticipated, these compounds did not impede viral RNA replication when administered three hours after infection. However, significant inhibition of viral RNA replication occurred upon viral entry when cells were pretreated with these small molecules. Furthermore, these compounds exhibited significant inhibition against Arumowot virus, another phlebovirus, while showing no antiviral effects on tick-borne bandaviruses. Our study validates AI-based virtual high throughput screening as a rational approach for identifying effective antiviral candidates for Rift Valley fever virus and other bunyaviruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cigdem Alkan
- Department of Pathology, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX 77555, USA;
| | - Terrence O’Brien
- Discovery Chemistry, Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA;
| | | | - Tetsuro Ikegami
- Department of Pathology, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX 77555, USA;
- Sealy Institute for Vaccine Sciences, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
- Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
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2
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Subramani C, Sharma G, Chaira T, Barman TK. High content screening strategies for large-scale compound libraries with a focus on high-containment viruses. Antiviral Res 2024; 221:105764. [PMID: 38008193 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2023.105764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2023] [Revised: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/19/2023] [Indexed: 11/28/2023]
Abstract
A majority of viral diseases do not have FDA-approved drugs. The recent outbreaks caused by SARS-CoV-2, monkeypox, and Sudan ebolavirus have exposed the critical need for rapid screening and identification of antiviral compounds against emerging/re-emerging viral pathogens. A high-content screening (HCS) platform is becoming an essential part of the drug discovery process, thanks to developments in image acquisition and analysis. While HCS has several advantages, its full potential has not been realized in antiviral drug discovery compared to conventional drug screening approaches, such as fluorescence or luminescence-based microplate assays. Therefore, this review aims to summarize HCS workflow, strategies, and developments in image-based drug screening, focusing on high-containment viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chandru Subramani
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA; Galveston National Laboratory, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Ghanshyam Sharma
- Regional Centre for Biotechnology, NCR Biotech Science Cluster, Faridabad, Haryana, India
| | - Tridib Chaira
- Department of Pharmacology, SGT University, Gurugram, Haryana, India
| | - Tarani Kanta Barman
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA; Galveston National Laboratory, Galveston, TX, USA.
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3
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Kota KP, Ziółkowska NE, Wei J, Peng J, Ordonez D, Raney C, Prigge J, Hooper JW, Awasthi M, Goebel SJ, Zabel BA, Nasar F, Lederman S, Bavari S. Development of a rapid image-based high-content imaging screening assay to evaluate therapeutic antibodies against the monkeypox virus. Antiviral Res 2023; 210:105513. [PMID: 36592670 PMCID: PMC9803393 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2022.105513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2022] [Revised: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Antibody-based therapy is emerging as a critical therapeutic countermeasure to treat acute viral infections by offering rapid protection against clinical disease. The advancements in structural biology made it feasible to rationalize monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) by identifying key and, possibly, neutralizing epitopes of viral proteins for therapeutic purposes. A critical component in assessing mAbs during pandemics requires the development of rapid but detailed methods to detect and quantitate the neutralization activity. In this study, we developed and optimized two high-content image (HCI)-based assays: one to detect viral proteins by staining and the second to quantify cytopathic viral effects by a label-free phenotypic assay. These assays were employed to screen for therapeutic antibodies against the monkeypox virus (MPXV) using surrogate poxviruses such as vaccinia virus (VACV). Plaque-based neutralization results confirmed the HCI data. The phenotypic assay found pox virus-induced syncytia formation in various cells, and we were able to quantitate and use this phenotype to screen mAbs. The HCI identified several potent VACV-neutralizing antibodies that showed in vitro efficacy against both clades of MPXV. In addition, a combination study of ST-246/tecovirimat/TPOXX a single neutralizing antibody Ab-40, showed synergistic activity against VACV in an in-vitro neutralization assay. This rapid high-content method utilizing state-of-the-art technologies enabled the evaluation of hundreds of mAbs quickly to identify several potent anti-MPXV neutralizing mAbs for further development.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Jiayi Wei
- Tonix Pharmaceuticals Inc, Frederick, MD, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Jay W. Hooper
- United States Army Medical Institute of Infectious Diseases, Frederick, MD, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Sina Bavari
- Tonix Pharmaceuticals Inc, Frederick, MD, USA.
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4
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Salam AP, Duvignaud A, Jaspard M, Malvy D, Carroll M, Tarning J, Olliaro PL, Horby PW. Ribavirin for treating Lassa fever: A systematic review of pre-clinical studies and implications for human dosing. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2022; 16:e0010289. [PMID: 35353804 PMCID: PMC9000057 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0010289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2021] [Revised: 04/11/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Ribavirin is currently the standard of care for treating Lassa fever. However, the human clinical trial data supporting its use suffer from several serious flaws that render the results and conclusions unreliable. We performed a systematic review of available pre-clinical data and human pharmacokinetic data on ribavirin in Lassa. In in-vitro studies, the EC50 of ribavirin ranged from 0.6 μg/ml to 21.72 μg/ml and the EC90 ranged from 1.5 μg/ml to 29 μg/ml. The mean EC50 was 7 μg/ml and the mean EC90 was 15 μg/ml. Human PK data in patients with Lassa fever was sparse and did not allow for estimation of concentration profiles or pharmacokinetic parameters. Pharmacokinetic modelling based on healthy human data suggests that the concentration profiles of current ribavirin regimes only exceed the mean EC50 for less than 20% of the time and the mean EC90 for less than 10% of the time, raising the possibility that the current ribavirin regimens in clinical use are unlikely to reliably achieve serum concentrations required to inhibit Lassa virus replication. The results of this review highlight serious issues with the evidence, which, by today standards, would be unlikely to support the transition of ribavirin from pre-clinical studies to human clinical trials. Additional pre-clinical studies are needed before embarking on expensive and challenging clinical trials of ribavirin in Lassa fever.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex P. Salam
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- United Kingdom Public Health Rapid Support Team, London, United Kingdom
| | - Alexandre Duvignaud
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Division of Tropical Medicine and Clinical International Health, CHU de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
- UMR1219, INSERM, French National Research Institute for Sustainable Development (IRD), and University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
- Programme PAC-CI/ANRS Research Center, CHU de Treichville, Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire
| | - Marie Jaspard
- UMR1219, INSERM, French National Research Institute for Sustainable Development (IRD), and University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
- Programme PAC-CI/ANRS Research Center, CHU de Treichville, Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire
- Alliance for International Medical Action, Dakar, Senegal
| | - Denis Malvy
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Division of Tropical Medicine and Clinical International Health, CHU de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
- UMR1219, INSERM, French National Research Institute for Sustainable Development (IRD), and University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
- Programme PAC-CI/ANRS Research Center, CHU de Treichville, Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire
| | - Miles Carroll
- Wellcome Center for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Joel Tarning
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Piero L. Olliaro
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Peter W. Horby
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
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5
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Ivanova L, Rausalu K, Žusinaite E, Tammiku-Taul J, Merits A, Karelson M. 1,3-Thiazolbenzamide Derivatives as Chikungunya Virus nsP2 Protease Inhibitors. ACS OMEGA 2021; 6:5786-5794. [PMID: 33681617 PMCID: PMC7931429 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.0c06191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2020] [Accepted: 02/03/2021] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Chikungunya fever results from an infection with Chikungunya virus (CHIKV, genus Alphavirus) that is prevalent in tropical regions and is spreading fast to temperate climates with documented outbreaks in Europe and the Americas. Currently, there are no available vaccines or antiviral drugs for prevention or treatment of Chikungunya fever. The nonstructural proteins (nsPs) of CHIKV responsible for virus replication are promising targets for the development of new antivirals. This study was attempted to find out new potential inhibitors of CHIKV nsP2 protease using the ligand-based drug design. Two compounds 10 and 10c, identified by molecular docking, showed antiviral activity against CHIKV with IC50 of 13.1 and 8.3 μM, respectively. Both compounds demonstrated the ability to inhibit the activity of nsP2 in a cell-free assay, and the impact of compound 10 on virus replication was confirmed by western blot. The molecular dynamics study of the interactions of compounds 10 and 10c with CHIKV nsP2 showed that a possible mechanism of action of these compounds is the blocking of the active site and the catalytic dyad of nsP2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Larisa Ivanova
- Institute
of Chemistry, University of Tartu, Ravila 14A, 50411 Tartu, Estonia
| | - Kai Rausalu
- Institute
of Technology, University of Tartu, Nooruse 1, 50411 Tartu, Estonia
| | - Eva Žusinaite
- Institute
of Technology, University of Tartu, Nooruse 1, 50411 Tartu, Estonia
| | - Jaana Tammiku-Taul
- Institute
of Chemistry, University of Tartu, Ravila 14A, 50411 Tartu, Estonia
| | - Andres Merits
- Institute
of Technology, University of Tartu, Nooruse 1, 50411 Tartu, Estonia
| | - Mati Karelson
- Institute
of Chemistry, University of Tartu, Ravila 14A, 50411 Tartu, Estonia
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6
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Retterer C, Kenny T, Zamani R, Altamura LA, Kearney B, Jaissle J, Coyne S, Olschner S, Harbourt D. Strategies for Validation of Inactivation of Viruses with Trizol® LS and Formalin Solutions. APPLIED BIOSAFETY 2020; 25:74-82. [PMID: 36035081 PMCID: PMC9387740 DOI: 10.1177/1535676020915065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/30/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Inactivation of biological agents and particularly select agents has come under increased scrutiny since the US Army inadvertently shipped live anthrax both inside and outside the US, leading to more stringent regulations regarding inactivation. METHODS Formalin and Trizol® LS were used to inactivate virus samples in complex matrices. Cytotoxic chemicals were removed using either desalting or concentrating columns or through dilution using HYPERFlasks. Efficacy of inactivation was evaluated either through plaque assay or immunofluorescence assay. RESULTS All virus samples and tissue specimens were successfully inactivated using either formalin or Trizol® LS. Both the desalting columns and concentrating columns were able to remove cytotoxic chemicals to facilitate viral amplification in controls. Dilution of cytotoxic chemicals through HYPERFlasks was also successful provided that media was changed completely within 48 hours of first cell passage. DISCUSSION All inactivation testing demonstrates that both formalin and Trizol® LS successfully inactivate virus-infected cell lines and tissues, which is consistent with previously published literature. Each sample cleanup method has its benefits and pitfalls. Desalting columns can process the largest sample size but are also susceptible to plugging and degradation, whereas concentrating columns are not as vulnerable but can only process 5% of the sample load per run. CONCLUSION Based on our results along with those of our colleagues, it is recommended that the regulatory authorities re-evaluate the requirements for each entity to validate well-established inactivation methods in house because there would be limited benefits despite the considerable resources required for this effort.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Tara Kenny
- Geneva Foundation, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID), Fort Detrick, MD, USA
| | - Rouzbeh Zamani
- Geneva Foundation, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID), Fort Detrick, MD, USA
| | - Louis A. Altamura
- Diagnostic Systems Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID), Fort Detrick, MD, USA
| | - Brian Kearney
- Diagnostic Systems Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID), Fort Detrick, MD, USA
| | - Jim Jaissle
- Diagnostic Systems Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID), Fort Detrick, MD, USA
| | - Susan Coyne
- Diagnostic Systems Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID), Fort Detrick, MD, USA
| | - Scott Olschner
- Cherokee Nation Assurance, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID), Fort Detrick, MD, USA
| | - David Harbourt
- Biosafety Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID), Fort Detrick, MD, USA
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7
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Selaković Ž, Tran JP, Kota KP, Lazić M, Retterer C, Besch R, Panchal RG, Soloveva V, Sean VA, Jay WB, Pavić A, Verbić T, Vasiljević B, Kuehl K, Duplantier AJ, Bavari S, Mudhasani R, Šolaja BA. Second generation of diazachrysenes: Protection of Ebola virus infected mice and mechanism of action. Eur J Med Chem 2018; 162:32-50. [PMID: 30408747 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2018.10.061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2018] [Revised: 10/17/2018] [Accepted: 10/27/2018] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Ebola virus (EBOV) causes a deadly hemorrhagic fever in humans and non-human primates. There is currently no FDA-approved vaccine or medication to counter this disease. Here, we report on the design, synthesis and anti-viral activities of two classes of compounds which show high potency against EBOV in both in vitro cell culture assays and in vivo mouse models Ebola viral disease. These compounds incorporate the structural features of cationic amphiphilic drugs (CAD), i.e they possess both a hydrophobic domain and a hydrophilic domain consisting of an ionizable amine functional group. These structural features enable easily diffusion into cells but once inside an acidic compartment their amine groups became protonated, ionized and remain trapped inside the acidic compartments such as late endosomes and lysosomes. These compounds, by virtue of their lysomotrophic functions, blocked EBOV entry. However, unlike other drugs containing a CAD moiety including chloroquine and amodiaquine, compounds reported in this study display faster kinetics of accumulation in the lysosomes, robust expansion of late endosome/lysosomes, relatively more potent suppression of lysosome fusion with other vesicular compartments and inhibition of cathepsins activities, all of which play a vital role in anti-EBOV activity. Furthermore, the diazachrysene 2 (ZSML08) that showed most potent activity against EBOV in in vitro cell culture assays also showed significant survival benefit with 100% protection in mouse models of Ebola virus disease, at a low dose of 10 mg/kg/day. Lastly, toxicity studies in vivo using zebrafish models suggest no developmental defects or toxicity associated with these compounds. Overall, these studies describe two new pharmacophores that by virtue of being potent lysosomotrophs, display potent anti-EBOV activities both in vitro and in vivo animal models of EBOV disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Života Selaković
- University of Belgrade, Faculty of Chemistry, Studentski trg 12-16, P.O. Box 51, 11158, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Julie P Tran
- Molecular and Translational Sciences Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, 1425 Porter Street, Frederick, MD, 21702, United States
| | - Krishna P Kota
- Molecular and Translational Sciences Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, 1425 Porter Street, Frederick, MD, 21702, United States
| | - Marija Lazić
- University of Belgrade, Faculty of Chemistry, Studentski trg 12-16, P.O. Box 51, 11158, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Cary Retterer
- Molecular and Translational Sciences Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, 1425 Porter Street, Frederick, MD, 21702, United States
| | - Robert Besch
- Molecular and Translational Sciences Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, 1425 Porter Street, Frederick, MD, 21702, United States
| | - Rekha G Panchal
- Molecular and Translational Sciences Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, 1425 Porter Street, Frederick, MD, 21702, United States
| | - Veronica Soloveva
- Molecular and Translational Sciences Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, 1425 Porter Street, Frederick, MD, 21702, United States
| | - Vantongreen A Sean
- Molecular and Translational Sciences Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, 1425 Porter Street, Frederick, MD, 21702, United States
| | - Wells B Jay
- Molecular and Translational Sciences Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, 1425 Porter Street, Frederick, MD, 21702, United States
| | - Aleksandar Pavić
- Institute of Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Tatjana Verbić
- University of Belgrade, Faculty of Chemistry, Studentski trg 12-16, P.O. Box 51, 11158, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Branka Vasiljević
- Institute of Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Kathleen Kuehl
- Molecular and Translational Sciences Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, 1425 Porter Street, Frederick, MD, 21702, United States
| | - Allen J Duplantier
- Molecular and Translational Sciences Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, 1425 Porter Street, Frederick, MD, 21702, United States
| | - Sina Bavari
- Molecular and Translational Sciences Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, 1425 Porter Street, Frederick, MD, 21702, United States
| | - Rajini Mudhasani
- Molecular and Translational Sciences Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, 1425 Porter Street, Frederick, MD, 21702, United States; Department of Pathology and Microbiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 985900 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198-5900, United States.
| | - Bogdan A Šolaja
- University of Belgrade, Faculty of Chemistry, Studentski trg 12-16, P.O. Box 51, 11158, Belgrade, Serbia; Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts, Knez Mihailova 35, 11158, Belgrade, Serbia.
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8
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Chaudhuri S, Symons JA, Deval J. Innovation and trends in the development and approval of antiviral medicines: 1987-2017 and beyond. Antiviral Res 2018; 155:76-88. [PMID: 29758235 PMCID: PMC7126013 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2018.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 121] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2018] [Revised: 05/04/2018] [Accepted: 05/10/2018] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
2017 marked the 30th anniversary of the approval of zidovudine (AZT) as the first HIV/AIDS therapy. Since then, more than eighty antiviral drugs have received FDA approval, half of which treat HIV infection. Here, we provide a retrospective analysis of approved antiviral drugs, including therapeutics against other major chronic infections such as hepatitis B and C, and herpes viruses, over the last thirty years. During this time, only a few drugs were approved to treat acute viral infections, mainly influenza. Analysis of these approved antiviral drugs based on molecular class and mode of action shows that a large majority are small molecules and direct-acting agents as opposed to proteins, peptides, or oligonucleotides and host-targeting therapies. In addition, approvals of combination therapies accelerated over the last five years. We also provide a prospective study of future potential antiviral therapies, based on current clinical research pipelines across the pharmaceutical industry. Comparing past drug approvals with current clinical candidates hints at the future evolution in antiviral therapies and reveals how antiviral medicines are often discovered. Overall, this work helps forecast future trends and innovation in the field of antiviral research and development. This review summarizes all approved antiviral drugs over the last thirty years. Most are small molecules and direct-acting agents over biologics, oligonucleotides, and host-targeting therapies. We provide a prospective study and trend analysis of future potential antivirals based on current clinical research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuvam Chaudhuri
- Alios BioPharma, Inc., A Janssen Pharmaceutical Company of Johnson & Johnson, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Julian A Symons
- Alios BioPharma, Inc., A Janssen Pharmaceutical Company of Johnson & Johnson, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Jerome Deval
- Alios BioPharma, Inc., A Janssen Pharmaceutical Company of Johnson & Johnson, South San Francisco, CA, USA.
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9
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Lowen RG, Bocan TM, Kane CD, Cazares LH, Kota KP, Ladner JT, Nasar F, Pitt L, Smith DR, Soloveva V, Sun MG, Zeng X, Bavari S. Countering Zika Virus: The USAMRIID Response. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2018; 1062:303-318. [PMID: 29845541 DOI: 10.1007/978-981-10-8727-1_21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID) possesses an array of expertise in diverse capabilities for the characterization of emerging infectious diseases from the pathogen itself to human or animal infection models. The recent Zika virus (ZIKV) outbreak was a challenge and an opportunity to put these capabilities to work as a cohesive unit to quickly respond to a rapidly developing threat. Next-generation sequencing was used to characterize virus stocks and to understand the introduction and spread of ZIKV in the United States. High Content Imaging was used to establish a High Content Screening process to evaluate antiviral therapies. Functional genomics was used to identify critical host factors for ZIKV infection. An animal model using the temporal blockade of IFN-I in immunocompetent laboratory mice was investigated in conjunction with Positron Emission Tomography to study ZIKV. Correlative light and electron microscopy was used to examine ZIKV interaction with host cells in culture and infected animals. A quantitative mass spectrometry approach was used to examine the protein and metabolite type or concentration changes that occur during ZIKV infection in blood, cells, and tissues. Multiplex fluorescence in situ hybridization was used to confirm ZIKV replication in mouse and NHP tissues. The integrated rapid response approach developed at USAMRIID presented in this review was successfully applied and provides a new template pathway to follow if a new biological threat emerges. This streamlined approach will increase the likelihood that novel medical countermeasures could be rapidly developed, evaluated, and translated into the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert G Lowen
- U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Ft. Detrick, MD, USA.
| | - Thomas M Bocan
- U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Ft. Detrick, MD, USA
| | - Christopher D Kane
- U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Ft. Detrick, MD, USA
| | - Lisa H Cazares
- U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Ft. Detrick, MD, USA
| | - Krishna P Kota
- U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Ft. Detrick, MD, USA
| | - Jason T Ladner
- The Pathogen and Microbiome Institute, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ, USA
| | - Farooq Nasar
- U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Ft. Detrick, MD, USA
| | - Louise Pitt
- U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Ft. Detrick, MD, USA
| | - Darci R Smith
- U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Ft. Detrick, MD, USA
| | - Veronica Soloveva
- U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Ft. Detrick, MD, USA
| | - Mei G Sun
- U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Ft. Detrick, MD, USA
| | - Xiankun Zeng
- U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Ft. Detrick, MD, USA
| | - Sina Bavari
- U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Ft. Detrick, MD, USA
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10
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Atkins C, Freiberg AN. Recent advances in the development of antiviral therapeutics for Rift Valley fever virus infection. Future Virol 2017; 12:651-665. [PMID: 29181086 DOI: 10.2217/fvl-2017-0060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2017] [Accepted: 07/26/2017] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) is a mosquito-borne bunyavirus endemic to sub-Saharan Africa and the Arabian Peninsula and the etiological agent of Rift Valley fever. Rift Valley fever is a disease of major public health and economic concern, affecting livestock and humans. In ruminants, RVFV infection is characterized by high mortality rates in newborns and near 100% abortion rates in pregnant animals. Infection in humans is typically manifested as a self-limiting febrile illness, but can lead to severe and fatal hepatitis, encephalitis, hemorrhagic fever or retinitis with partial or complete blindness. Currently, there are no specific treatment options available for RVFV infection. This review presents a summary of the therapeutic approaches that have been explored on the treatment of RVFV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Colm Atkins
- Department of Pathology, The University of Texas Medical Branch, 301 University Boulevard, Galveston, TX 77555, USA.,Department of Pathology, The University of Texas Medical Branch, 301 University Boulevard, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Alexander N Freiberg
- Department of Pathology, The University of Texas Medical Branch, 301 University Boulevard, Galveston, TX 77555, USA.,The Sealy Center for Vaccine Development, The University of Texas Medical Branch, 301 University Boulevard, Galveston, TX 77555, USA.,The Center for Biodefense & Emerging Infectious Diseases, The University of Texas Medical Branch, 301 University Boulevard, Galveston, TX 77555, USA.,Department of Pathology, The University of Texas Medical Branch, 301 University Boulevard, Galveston, TX 77555, USA.,The Sealy Center for Vaccine Development, The University of Texas Medical Branch, 301 University Boulevard, Galveston, TX 77555, USA.,The Center for Biodefense & Emerging Infectious Diseases, The University of Texas Medical Branch, 301 University Boulevard, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
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Sorafenib Impedes Rift Valley Fever Virus Egress by Inhibiting Valosin-Containing Protein Function in the Cellular Secretory Pathway. J Virol 2017; 91:JVI.00968-17. [PMID: 28794043 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00968-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2017] [Accepted: 08/04/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
There is an urgent need for therapeutic development to combat infections caused by Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV), which causes devastating disease in both humans and animals. In an effort to repurpose drugs for RVFV treatment, our previous studies screened a library of FDA-approved drugs. The most promising candidate identified was the hepatocellular and renal cell carcinoma drug sorafenib. Mechanism-of-action studies indicated that sorafenib targeted a late stage in virus infection and caused a buildup of virions within cells. In addition, small interfering RNA (siRNA) knockdown studies suggested that nonclassical targets of sorafenib are important for the propagation of RVFV. Here we extend our previous findings to identify the mechanism by which sorafenib inhibits the release of RVFV virions from the cell. Confocal microscopy imaging revealed that glycoprotein Gn colocalizes and accumulates within the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and the transport of Gn from the Golgi complex to the host cell membrane is reduced. Transmission electron microscopy demonstrated that sorafenib caused virions to be present inside large vacuoles inside the cells. p97/valosin-containing protein (VCP), which is involved in membrane remodeling in the secretory pathway and a known target of sorafenib, was found to be important for RVFV egress. Knockdown of VCP resulted in decreased RVFV replication, reduced Gn Golgi complex localization, and increased Gn ER accumulation. The intracellular accumulation of RVFV virions was also observed in cells transfected with siRNA targeting VCP. Collectively, these data indicate that sorafenib causes a disruption in viral egress by targeting VCP and the secretory pathway, resulting in a buildup of virions within dilated ER vesicles.IMPORTANCE In humans, symptoms of RVFV infection mainly include a self-limiting febrile illness. However, in some cases, infected individuals can also experience hemorrhagic fever, neurological disorders, liver failure, and blindness, which could collectively be lethal. The ability of RVFV to expand geographically outside sub-Saharan Africa is of concern, particularly to the Americas, where native mosquito species are capable of virus transmission. Currently, there are no FDA-approved therapeutics to treat RVFV infection, and thus, there is an urgent need to understand the mechanisms by which the virus hijacks the host cell machinery to replicate. The significance of our research is in identifying the cellular target of sorafenib that inhibits RVFV propagation, so that this information can be used as a tool for the further development of therapeutics used to treat RVFV infection.
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Florian PE, Rouillé Y, Ruta S, Nichita N, Roseanu A. Recent advances in human viruses imaging studies. J Basic Microbiol 2016; 56:591-607. [PMID: 27059598 DOI: 10.1002/jobm.201500575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2015] [Accepted: 02/27/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Paula Ecaterina Florian
- Department of ; Ligand-Receptor Interactions; Institute of Biochemistry of the Romanian Academy; Bucharest Romania
| | - Yves Rouillé
- Center for Infection and Immunity of Lille (CIIL); Inserm U1019; CNRS UMR8204; Institut Pasteur de Lille; Université Lille Nord de France; Lille France
| | - Simona Ruta
- Department of Emergent Diseases; Stefan S. Nicolau Institute of Virology; Bucharest 030304 Romania
| | - Norica Nichita
- Department of Viral Glycoproteins; Institute of Biochemistry of the Romanian Academy; Bucharest Romania
| | - Anca Roseanu
- Department of ; Ligand-Receptor Interactions; Institute of Biochemistry of the Romanian Academy; Bucharest Romania
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Islam MK, Baudin M, Eriksson J, Öberg C, Habjan M, Weber F, Överby AK, Ahlm C, Evander M. High-Throughput Screening Using a Whole-Cell Virus Replication Reporter Gene Assay to Identify Inhibitory Compounds against Rift Valley Fever Virus Infection. JOURNAL OF BIOMOLECULAR SCREENING 2016; 21:354-62. [PMID: 26762502 DOI: 10.1177/1087057115625184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2015] [Accepted: 12/10/2015] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) is an emerging virus that causes serious illness in humans and livestock. There are no approved vaccines or treatments for humans. The purpose of the study was to identify inhibitory compounds of RVFV infection without any preconceived idea of the mechanism of action. A whole-cell-based high-throughput drug screening assay was developed to screen 28,437 small chemical compounds targeting RVFV infection. To accomplish both speed and robustness, a replication-competent NSs-deleted RVFV expressing a fluorescent reporter gene was developed. Inhibition of fluorescence intensity was quantified by spectrophotometry and related to virus infection in human lung epithelial cells (A549). Cell toxicity was assessed by the Resazurin cell viability assay. After primary screening, 641 compounds were identified that inhibited RVFV infection by ≥80%, with ≥50% cell viability at 50 µM concentration. These compounds were subjected to a second screening regarding dose-response profiles, and 63 compounds with ≥60% inhibition of RVFV infection at 3.12 µM compound concentration and ≥50% cell viability at 25 µM were considered hits. Of these, six compounds with high inhibitory activity were identified. In conclusion, the high-throughput assay could efficiently and safely identify several promising compounds that inhibited RVFV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Koushikul Islam
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Virology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden Department of Clinical Microbiology, Infectious Diseases, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Maria Baudin
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Virology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Jonas Eriksson
- Department of Chemistry, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden Laboratories for Chemical Biology Umeå, Chemical Biology Consortium Sweden, Solna, Sweden
| | - Christopher Öberg
- Department of Chemistry, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden Laboratories for Chemical Biology Umeå, Chemical Biology Consortium Sweden, Solna, Sweden
| | - Matthias Habjan
- Innate Immunity Laboratory, Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry, Martinsried, Munich, Germany
| | - Friedemann Weber
- Institute for Virology, FB10-Veterinary Medicine, Justus-Liebig University Gießen, Gießen, Germany
| | - Anna K Överby
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Virology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Clas Ahlm
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Infectious Diseases, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Magnus Evander
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Virology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
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Mudhasani R, Tran JP, Retterer C, Kota KP, Whitehouse CA, Bavari S. Protein Kinase R Degradation Is Essential for Rift Valley Fever Virus Infection and Is Regulated by SKP1-CUL1-F-box (SCF)FBXW11-NSs E3 Ligase. PLoS Pathog 2016; 12:e1005437. [PMID: 26837067 PMCID: PMC4737497 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1005437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2015] [Accepted: 01/13/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Activated protein kinase R (PKR) plays a vital role in antiviral defense primarily by inhibiting protein synthesis and augmenting interferon responses. Many viral proteins have adopted unique strategies to counteract the deleterious effects of PKR. The NSs (Non-structural s) protein which is encoded by Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) promotes early PKR proteasomal degradation through a previously undefined mechanism. In this study, we demonstrate that NSs carries out this activity by assembling the SCF (SKP1-CUL1-F-box)FBXW11 E3 ligase. NSs binds to the F-box protein, FBXW11, via the six amino acid sequence DDGFVE called the degron sequence and recruits PKR through an alternate binding site to the SCFFBXW11 E3 ligase. We further show that disrupting the assembly of the SCFFBXW11-NSs E3 ligase with MLN4924 (a small molecule inhibitor of SCF E3 ligase activity) or NSs degron viral mutants or siRNA knockdown of FBXW11 can block PKR degradation. Surprisingly, under these conditions when PKR degradation was blocked, NSs was essential and sufficient to activate PKR causing potent inhibition of RVFV infection by suppressing viral protein synthesis. These antiviral effects were antagonized by the loss of PKR expression or with a NSs deleted mutant virus. Therefore, early PKR activation by disassembly of SCFFBXW11-NSs E3 ligase is sufficient to inhibit RVFV infection. Furthermore, FBXW11 and BTRC are the two homologues of the βTrCP (Beta-transducin repeat containing protein) gene that were previously described to be functionally redundant. However, in RVFV infection, among the two homologues of βTrCP, FBXW11 plays a dominant role in PKR degradation and is the limiting factor in the assembly of the SCFFBXW11 complex. Thus, FBXW11 serves as a master regulator of RVFV infection by promoting PKR degradation. Overall these findings provide new insights into NSs regulation of PKR activity and offer potential opportunities for therapeutic intervention of RVFV infection. Rift Valley fever (RVF) is a severe disease caused by infection with the Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) that affects humans and livestock and occurs in large epidemics. Currently there are no FDA-approved drugs or vaccines to treat RVF. Many viruses have evolved unique strategies to overcome host immune responses in order to establish infection. One protein of RVFV called NSs is responsible for over-powering cellular antiviral defenses. NSs is known to degrade double-stranded (ds) RNA-dependent protein kinase (PKR), but neither the mechanism nor the functional significance of this activity has been fully understood. In this study we show that NSs promotes PKR degradation by recruiting PKR to the E3 ligase complex called SCF (SKP1-CUL1-F-box)FBXW11. A short stretch of six amino acids called the degron sequence in NSs regulates the NSs- FBXW11 interaction and is required for the assembly of the SCFFBXW11 complex. We further show that disruption of the SCFFBXW11-NSs complex, with either a small molecule or with NSs degron viral mutants, can block PKR degradation. Surprisingly, when NSs mediated PKR degradation was blocked, NSs was essential and sufficient to activate PKR, causing potent inhibition of RVFV infection by suppressing viral protein synthesis. Therefore early PKR activation induced by inactivation of the SCFFBXW11 is sufficient to induce potent inhibition of RVFV infection. These findings may provide new molecular targets for therapeutic intervention of this important disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajini Mudhasani
- Molecular and Translational Sciences Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Frederick, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Julie P. Tran
- Molecular and Translational Sciences Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Frederick, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Cary Retterer
- Molecular and Translational Sciences Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Frederick, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Krishna P. Kota
- Molecular and Translational Sciences Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Frederick, Maryland, United States of America
- Perkin Elmer, Waltham, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Chris A. Whitehouse
- Molecular and Translational Sciences Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Frederick, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Sina Bavari
- Molecular and Translational Sciences Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Frederick, Maryland, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Martin-Plaza J, Chatelain E. Novel therapeutic approaches for neglected infectious diseases. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2015; 20:3-5. [PMID: 25542923 DOI: 10.1177/1087057114559907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Eric Chatelain
- Drugs for Neglected Disease initiative (DNDi), Geneva, Switzerland
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