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Zannella C, Chianese A, Monti A, Giugliano R, Morone MV, Secci F, Sanna G, Manzin A, De Filippis A, Doti N, Galdiero M. SARS-CoV-2 Fusion Peptide Conjugated to a Tetravalent Dendrimer Selectively Inhibits Viral Infection. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:2791. [PMID: 38140131 PMCID: PMC10748278 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15122791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2023] [Revised: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Fusion is a key event for enveloped viruses, through which viral and cell membranes come into close contact. This event is mediated by viral fusion proteins, which are divided into three structural and functional classes. The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) spike protein belongs to class I fusion proteins, characterized by a trimer of helical hairpins and an internal fusion peptide (FP), which is exposed once fusion occurs. Many efforts have been directed at finding antivirals capable of interfering with the fusion mechanism, mainly by designing peptides on the two heptad-repeat regions present in class I viral fusion proteins. Here, we aimed to evaluate the anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity of the FP sequence conjugated to a tetravalent dendrimer through a classical organic nucleophilic substitution reaction (SN2) using a synthetic bromoacetylated peptide mimicking the FP and a branched scaffold of poly-L-Lysine functionalized with cysteine residues. We found that the FP peptide conjugated to the dendrimer, unlike the monomeric FP sequence, has virucidal activity by impairing the attachment of SARS-CoV-2 to cells. Furthermore, we found that the peptide dendrimer does not have the same effects on other coronaviruses, demonstrating that it is selective against SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla Zannella
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy; (C.Z.); (A.C.); (R.G.); (M.V.M.); (A.D.F.)
| | - Annalisa Chianese
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy; (C.Z.); (A.C.); (R.G.); (M.V.M.); (A.D.F.)
| | - Alessandra Monti
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging (IBB), National Research Council (CNR), 80131 Naples, Italy; (A.M.); (N.D.)
| | - Rosa Giugliano
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy; (C.Z.); (A.C.); (R.G.); (M.V.M.); (A.D.F.)
| | - Maria Vittoria Morone
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy; (C.Z.); (A.C.); (R.G.); (M.V.M.); (A.D.F.)
| | - Francesco Secci
- Department of Chemical and Geological Sciences, University of Cagliari, University Campus, 09042 Cagliari, Italy;
| | - Giuseppina Sanna
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, University Campus, 09042 Cagliari, Italy; (G.S.); (A.M.)
| | - Aldo Manzin
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, University Campus, 09042 Cagliari, Italy; (G.S.); (A.M.)
| | - Anna De Filippis
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy; (C.Z.); (A.C.); (R.G.); (M.V.M.); (A.D.F.)
| | - Nunzianna Doti
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging (IBB), National Research Council (CNR), 80131 Naples, Italy; (A.M.); (N.D.)
| | - Massimiliano Galdiero
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy; (C.Z.); (A.C.); (R.G.); (M.V.M.); (A.D.F.)
- UOC of Virology and Microbiology, University Hospital of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy
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Plotniece A, Sobolev A, Supuran CT, Carta F, Björkling F, Franzyk H, Yli-Kauhaluoma J, Augustyns K, Cos P, De Vooght L, Govaerts M, Aizawa J, Tammela P, Žalubovskis R. Selected strategies to fight pathogenic bacteria. J Enzyme Inhib Med Chem 2023; 38:2155816. [PMID: 36629427 PMCID: PMC9848314 DOI: 10.1080/14756366.2022.2155816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Natural products and analogues are a source of antibacterial drug discovery. Considering drug resistance levels emerging for antibiotics, identification of bacterial metalloenzymes and the synthesis of selective inhibitors are interesting for antibacterial agent development. Peptide nucleic acids are attractive antisense and antigene agents representing a novel strategy to target pathogens due to their unique mechanism of action. Antisense inhibition and development of antisense peptide nucleic acids is a new approach to antibacterial agents. Due to the increased resistance of biofilms to antibiotics, alternative therapeutic options are necessary. To develop antimicrobial strategies, optimised in vitro and in vivo models are needed. In vivo models to study biofilm-related respiratory infections, device-related infections: ventilator-associated pneumonia, tissue-related infections: chronic infection models based on alginate or agar beads, methods to battle biofilm-related infections are discussed. Drug delivery in case of antibacterials often is a serious issue therefore this review includes overview of drug delivery nanosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aiva Plotniece
- Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis, Riga, Latvia,Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Riga Stradiņš University, Riga, Latvia,CONTACT Aiva Plotniece Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis, Riga, Latvia
| | | | - Claudiu T. Supuran
- Department of NEUROFARBA, Section of Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical Sciences, University of Florence, Firenze, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Carta
- Department of NEUROFARBA, Section of Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical Sciences, University of Florence, Firenze, Italy
| | - Fredrik Björkling
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Center for Peptide-Based Antibiotics, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen East, Denmark
| | - Henrik Franzyk
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Center for Peptide-Based Antibiotics, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen East, Denmark
| | - Jari Yli-Kauhaluoma
- Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Drug Research Program, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Koen Augustyns
- Infla-Med, Centre of Excellence, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium,Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Paul Cos
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Laboratory for Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene (LMPH), University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Linda De Vooght
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Laboratory for Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene (LMPH), University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Matthias Govaerts
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Laboratory for Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene (LMPH), University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Juliana Aizawa
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Laboratory for Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene (LMPH), University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Päivi Tammela
- Division of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, Drug Research Program, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Raivis Žalubovskis
- Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis, Riga, Latvia,Faculty of Materials Science and Applied Chemistry, Institute of Technology of Organic Chemistry, Riga Technical University, Riga, Latvia
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3
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Bellavita R, Braccia S, Falanga A, Galdiero S. An Overview of Supramolecular Platforms Boosting Drug Delivery. Bioinorg Chem Appl 2023; 2023:8608428. [PMID: 38028018 PMCID: PMC10661875 DOI: 10.1155/2023/8608428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Revised: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Numerous supramolecular platforms inspired by natural self-assembly are exploited as drug delivery systems. The spontaneous arrangement of single building blocks into inorganic and organic structures is determined and controlled by noncovalent forces such as electrostatic interactions, π-π interactions, hydrogen bonds, and van der Waals interactions. This review describes the main structures and characteristics of several building blocks used to obtain stable, self-assembling nanostructures tailored for numerous biological applications. Owing to their versatility, biocompatibility, and controllability, these nanostructures find application in diverse fields ranging from drug/gene delivery, theranostics, tissue engineering, and nanoelectronics. Herein, we described the different approaches used to design and functionalize these nanomaterials to obtain selective drug delivery in a specific disease. In particular, the review highlights the efficiency of these supramolecular structures in applications related to infectious diseases and cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosa Bellavita
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples ‘Federico II', Naples 80131, Italy
| | - Simone Braccia
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples ‘Federico II', Naples 80131, Italy
| | - Annarita Falanga
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples ‘Federico II', Portici 80055, Italy
| | - Stefania Galdiero
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples ‘Federico II', Naples 80131, Italy
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Dockery LT, Daniel MC. Targeted Doxorubicin-Loaded Dendronized Gold Nanoparticles. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:2103. [PMID: 37631317 PMCID: PMC10459818 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15082103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2023] [Revised: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Dendronized nanoparticles, also called nanoparticle-cored dendrimers, combine the advantages of nanoparticles and dendrimers. These very stable and polyvalent nanoparticles can be used for diverse applications. One such application is drug delivery, because the dendrons can enhance the density of the payload. In this report, we describe the design of multifunctional gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) coated with poly(propylene imine) (PPI) dendrons that contain both prostate cancer active targeting and chemotherapeutic drugs. The PPI dendron is a good candidate for the design of drug delivery vehicles because of its ability to induce a proton sponge effect that will enhance lysosomal escape and intracellular therapeutic delivery. The chemotherapeutic drug used is doxorubicin (DOX), and it was linked to the dendron through a hydrazone acid-sensitive bond. Subsequent acidification of the AuNP system to a pH of 4-5 resulted in the release of 140 DOX drugs per nanoparticles. In addition, the PPI dendron was conjugated via "click" chemistry to an EphA2-targeting antibody fragment that has been shown to target prostate cancer cells. In vitro cell viability assays revealed an IC50 of 0.9 nM for the targeted DOX-bearing AuNPs after 48 h incubation with PC3 cells. These results are very promising upon optimization of the system.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Marie-Christine Daniel
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC), Baltimore, MD 21250, USA;
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Das Mahapatra A, Patra C, Sepay N, Sinha C, Chattopadhyay D. Anti-HSV nucleoside and non-nucleoside analogues: spectroscopic characterisation of naphthyl and coumarinyl amides and their mode and mechanism of antiviral action. 3 Biotech 2023; 13:245. [PMID: 37361241 PMCID: PMC10284772 DOI: 10.1007/s13205-023-03658-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2023] [Accepted: 06/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Nucleoside analogues acyclovir, valaciclovir, and famciclovir are the preferred drugs against human Herpes Simplex Viruses (HSVs). However, the viruses rapidly develop resistance against these analogues which demand safer, more efficient, and nontoxic antiviral agents. We have synthesized two non-nucleoside amide analogues, 2-Oxo-2H-chromene-3-carboxylic acid [2-(pyridin-2-yl methoxy)-phenyl]-amide (HL1) and 2-hydroxy-1-naphthaldehyde-(4-pyridine carboxylic) hydrazone (HL2). The compounds were characterized by different physiochemical methods including elementary analysis, FT-IR, Mass spectra, 1H-NMR; and evaluated for their antiviral efficacy against HSV-1F by Plaque reduction assay. The 50% cytotoxicity (CC50), determined by MTT test, revealed that HL1 (270.4 μg/ml) and HL2 (362.6 μg/ml) are safer, while their antiviral activity (EC50) against HSV-1F was 37.20 μg/ml and 63.4 μg/ml against HL1 and HL2 respectively, compared to the standard antiviral drug Acyclovir (CC50 128.8 ± 3.4; EC50 2.8 ± 0.1). The Selectivity Index (SI) of these two compounds are also promising (4.3 for HL1 and 9.7 for HL2), compared to Acyclovir (49.3). Further study showed that these amide derivatives block the early stage of the HSV-1F life cycle. Additionally, both these amides make the virus inactive, and reduce the number of plaques, when infected Vero cells were exposed to HL1 and HL2 for a short period of time. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13205-023-03658-0.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ananya Das Mahapatra
- ICMR-National Institute of Cholera & Enteric Diseases, Kolkata, 700010 India
- Department of Biotechnology, Brainware University, Kolkata, 7000125 India
| | - Chiranjit Patra
- ICMR-National Institute of Cholera & Enteric Diseases, Kolkata, 700010 India
| | - Nayim Sepay
- Department of Chemistry, Jadavpur University, Kolkata, 700032 India
| | | | - Debprasad Chattopadhyay
- ICMR-National Institute of Cholera & Enteric Diseases, Kolkata, 700010 India
- ICMR-National Institute of Traditional Medicine, Nehru Nagar, Belagavi, 590010 India
- School of Life Sciences, Swami Vivekananda University, Barrackpore, Kolkata, 700102 India
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6
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Jeevanandam J, Tan KX, Rodrigues J, Danquah MK. Target-Specific Delivery and Bioavailability of Pharmaceuticals via Janus and Dendrimer Particles. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:1614. [DOI: https:/doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics15061614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Nanosized Janus and dendrimer particles have emerged as promising nanocarriers for the target-specific delivery and improved bioavailability of pharmaceuticals. Janus particles, with two distinct regions exhibiting different physical and chemical properties, provide a unique platform for the simultaneous delivery of multiple drugs or tissue-specific targeting. Conversely, dendrimers are branched, nanoscale polymers with well-defined surface functionalities that can be designed for improved drug targeting and release. Both Janus particles and dendrimers have demonstrated their potential to improve the solubility and stability of poorly water-soluble drugs, increase the intracellular uptake of drugs, and reduce their toxicity by controlling the release rate. The surface functionalities of these nanocarriers can be tailored to specific targets, such as overexpressed receptors on cancer cells, leading to enhanced drug efficacy The design of these nanocarriers can be optimized by tuning the size, shape, and surface functionalities, among other parameters. The incorporation of Janus and dendrimer particles into composite materials to create hybrid systems for enhancing drug delivery, leveraging the unique properties and functionalities of both materials, can offer promising outcomes. Nanosized Janus and dendrimer particles hold great promise for the delivery and improved bioavailability of pharmaceuticals. Further research is required to optimize these nanocarriers and bring them to the clinical setting to treat various diseases. This article discusses various nanosized Janus and dendrimer particles for target-specific delivery and bioavailability of pharmaceuticals. In addition, the development of Janus-dendrimer hybrid nanoparticles to address some limitations of standalone nanosized Janus and dendrimer particles is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaison Jeevanandam
- CQM—Centro de Química da Madeira, MMRG, Universidade da Madeira, Campus da Penteada, 9020-105 Funchal, Portugal
| | - Kei Xian Tan
- GenScript Biotech (Singapore) Pte. Ltd., 164, Kallang Way, Solaris@Kallang 164, Singapore 349248, Singapore
| | - João Rodrigues
- CQM—Centro de Química da Madeira, MMRG, Universidade da Madeira, Campus da Penteada, 9020-105 Funchal, Portugal
| | - Michael K. Danquah
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Tennessee, Chattanooga, TN 37403-2598, USA
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7
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Jeevanandam J, Tan KX, Rodrigues J, Danquah MK. Target-Specific Delivery and Bioavailability of Pharmaceuticals via Janus and Dendrimer Particles. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:1614. [PMID: 37376062 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15061614] [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: 05/09/2023] [Revised: 05/25/2023] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Nanosized Janus and dendrimer particles have emerged as promising nanocarriers for the target-specific delivery and improved bioavailability of pharmaceuticals. Janus particles, with two distinct regions exhibiting different physical and chemical properties, provide a unique platform for the simultaneous delivery of multiple drugs or tissue-specific targeting. Conversely, dendrimers are branched, nanoscale polymers with well-defined surface functionalities that can be designed for improved drug targeting and release. Both Janus particles and dendrimers have demonstrated their potential to improve the solubility and stability of poorly water-soluble drugs, increase the intracellular uptake of drugs, and reduce their toxicity by controlling the release rate. The surface functionalities of these nanocarriers can be tailored to specific targets, such as overexpressed receptors on cancer cells, leading to enhanced drug efficacy The design of these nanocarriers can be optimized by tuning the size, shape, and surface functionalities, among other parameters. The incorporation of Janus and dendrimer particles into composite materials to create hybrid systems for enhancing drug delivery, leveraging the unique properties and functionalities of both materials, can offer promising outcomes. Nanosized Janus and dendrimer particles hold great promise for the delivery and improved bioavailability of pharmaceuticals. Further research is required to optimize these nanocarriers and bring them to the clinical setting to treat various diseases. This article discusses various nanosized Janus and dendrimer particles for target-specific delivery and bioavailability of pharmaceuticals. In addition, the development of Janus-dendrimer hybrid nanoparticles to address some limitations of standalone nanosized Janus and dendrimer particles is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaison Jeevanandam
- CQM-Centro de Química da Madeira, MMRG, Universidade da Madeira, Campus da Penteada, 9020-105 Funchal, Portugal
| | - Kei Xian Tan
- GenScript Biotech (Singapore) Pte. Ltd., 164, Kallang Way, Solaris@Kallang 164, Singapore 349248, Singapore
| | - João Rodrigues
- CQM-Centro de Química da Madeira, MMRG, Universidade da Madeira, Campus da Penteada, 9020-105 Funchal, Portugal
| | - Michael K Danquah
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Tennessee, Chattanooga, TN 37403-2598, USA
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Properties and Bioapplications of Amphiphilic Janus Dendrimers: A Review. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:pharmaceutics15020589. [PMID: 36839911 PMCID: PMC9958631 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15020589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Revised: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Amphiphilic Janus dendrimers are arrangements containing both hydrophilic and hydrophobic units, capable of forming ordered aggregates by intermolecular noncovalent interactions between the dendrimer units. Compared to conventional dendrimers, these molecular self-assemblies possess particular and effective attributes i.e., the presence of different terminal groups, essential to design new elaborated materials. The present review will focus on the pharmaceutical and biomedical application of amphiphilic Janus dendrimers. Important information for the development of novel optimized pharmaceutical formulations, such as structural classification, synthetic pathways, properties and applications, will offer the complete characterization of this type of Janus dendrimers. This work will constitute an up-to-date background for dendrimer specialists involved in designing amphiphilic Janus dendrimer-based nanomaterials for future innovations in this promising field.
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Malik S, Sah R, Ahsan O, Muhammad K, Waheed Y. Insights into the Novel Therapeutics and Vaccines against Herpes Simplex Virus. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:vaccines11020325. [PMID: 36851203 PMCID: PMC9959597 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11020325] [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: 12/30/2022] [Revised: 01/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/29/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Herpes simplex virus (HSV) is a great concern of the global health community due to its linked infection of inconspicuous nature and resultant serious medical consequences. Seropositive patients may develop ocular disease or genital herpes as characteristic infectious outcomes. Moreover, the infectious nature of HSV is so complex that the available therapeutic options have been modified in certain ways to cure it. However, no permanent and highly effective cure has been discovered. This review generates insights into the available prophylactic and therapeutic interventions against HSV. A methodological research approach is used for study design and data complication. Only the latest data from publications are acquired to shed light on updated therapeutic approaches. These studies indicate that the current antiviral therapeutics can suppress the symptoms and control viral transmission up to a certain level, but cannot eradicate the natural HSV infection and latency outcomes. Most trials that have entered the clinical phase are made part of this review to understand what is new within the field. Some vaccination approaches are also discussed. Moreover, some novel therapeutic options that are currently in research annals are given due consideration for future development. The data can enable the scientific community to direct their efforts to fill the gaps that remain unfilled in terms of therapies for HSV. The need is to integrate scientific efforts to produce a proper cure against HSV to control the virus spread, resistance, and mutation in future disease management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiza Malik
- Bridging Health Foundation, Rawalpindi 46000, Pakistan
| | - Ranjit Sah
- Department of Microbiology, Institute of Medicine, Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, Kathmandu 44600, Nepal
- Department of Microbiology, Dr. D. Y. Patil Medical College, Hospital and Research Center, Dr. D. Y. Patil Vidyapeeth, Pune 411018, Maharashtra, India
| | - Omar Ahsan
- Department of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, Foundation University Islamabad, DHA Phase I, Islamabad 44000, Pakistan
| | - Khalid Muhammad
- Department of Biology, College of Science, UAE University, Al Ain 15551, United Arab Emirates
| | - Yasir Waheed
- Office of Research, Innovation, and Commercialization (ORIC), Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Medical University, Islamabad 44000, Pakistan
- Gilbert and Rose-Marie Chagoury School of Medicine, Lebanese American University, Byblos 1401, Lebanon
- Correspondence:
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Zannella C, Chianese A, De Bernardo M, Folliero V, Petrillo F, De Filippis A, Boccia G, Franci G, Rosa N, Galdiero M. Ophthalmic Solutions with a Broad Antiviral Action: Evaluation of Their Potential against Ocular Herpetic Infections. Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10091728. [PMID: 36144330 PMCID: PMC9506079 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10091728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2022] [Revised: 08/22/2022] [Accepted: 08/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
HSV-1 can be associated with severe and recurrent eye infections characterized by a strong inflammatory response that leads to blepharoconjunctivitis, epithelial and stromal keratitis, and retinal necrosis. The incidence of HSV-1 keratitis is 1.5 million every year worldwide, including more than 40,000 new cases exhibiting serious visual failures. Generally, the therapy uses antiviral drugs to promote healing; however, there are currently no compounds that are able to completely eradicate the virus. In addition, the phenomenon of resistance is rapidly spreading among HSV-1 strains, creating mutants developing resistance to the common antiviral drugs; therefore, deep research on this issue is warranted. The efficacy of different ophthalmic solutions already on the market was evaluated for reducing HSV-1 infection. Different plaque assays were set up on epithelial cells, revealing that two ophthalmic solutions were able to inhibit viral replication in the early stages of infection. The data were further confirmed by molecular tests analyzing the expression levels of the principal genes involved in HSV-1 infection, and a strong reduction was observed after only 1 min of eye-drop treatment. Collectively, these results suggested the use of ophthalmic solutions as potential antiviral options for the treatment of ocular herpetic infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla Zannella
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Annalisa Chianese
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Maddalena De Bernardo
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry “Scuola Medica Salernitana”, University of Salerno, 84081 Baronissi, Italy
| | - Veronica Folliero
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Francesco Petrillo
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Anna De Filippis
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Giovanni Boccia
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry “Scuola Medica Salernitana”, University of Salerno, 84081 Baronissi, Italy
| | - Gianluigi Franci
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry “Scuola Medica Salernitana”, University of Salerno, 84081 Baronissi, Italy
| | - Nicola Rosa
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry “Scuola Medica Salernitana”, University of Salerno, 84081 Baronissi, Italy
- Correspondence: (N.R.); (M.G.)
| | - Massimiliano Galdiero
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy
- Correspondence: (N.R.); (M.G.)
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11
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Del Genio V, Bellavita R, Falanga A, Hervé-Aubert K, Chourpa I, Galdiero S. Peptides to Overcome the Limitations of Current Anticancer and Antimicrobial Nanotherapies. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:1235. [PMID: 35745807 PMCID: PMC9230615 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14061235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2022] [Revised: 05/25/2022] [Accepted: 06/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Biomedical research devotes a huge effort to the development of efficient non-viral nanovectors (NV) to improve the effectiveness of standard therapies. NVs should be stable, sustainable and biocompatible and enable controlled and targeted delivery of drugs. With the aim to foster the advancements of such devices, this review reports some recent results applicable to treat two types of pathologies, cancer and microbial infections, aiming to provide guidance in the overall design of personalized nanomedicines and highlight the key role played by peptides in this field. Additionally, future challenges and potential perspectives are illustrated, in the hope of accelerating the translational advances of nanomedicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Del Genio
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples “Federico II”, Via Domenico Montesano 49, 80138 Naples, Italy; (V.D.G.); (R.B.)
- EA 6295 Nanomédicaments et Nanosondes, University of Tours, UFR Pharmacie, 31 Avenue Monge, 37200 Tours, France;
| | - Rosa Bellavita
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples “Federico II”, Via Domenico Montesano 49, 80138 Naples, Italy; (V.D.G.); (R.B.)
| | - Annarita Falanga
- Department of Agricultural Science, University of Naples “Federico II”, Via Università 100, 80055 Naples, Italy;
| | - Katel Hervé-Aubert
- EA 6295 Nanomédicaments et Nanosondes, University of Tours, UFR Pharmacie, 31 Avenue Monge, 37200 Tours, France;
| | - Igor Chourpa
- EA 6295 Nanomédicaments et Nanosondes, University of Tours, UFR Pharmacie, 31 Avenue Monge, 37200 Tours, France;
| | - Stefania Galdiero
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples “Federico II”, Via Domenico Montesano 49, 80138 Naples, Italy; (V.D.G.); (R.B.)
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The Broad-Spectrum Antiviral Potential of the Amphibian Peptide AR-23. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23020883. [PMID: 35055066 PMCID: PMC8779559 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23020883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2021] [Revised: 01/10/2022] [Accepted: 01/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Viral infections represent a serious threat to the world population and are becoming more frequent. The search and identification of broad-spectrum antiviral molecules is necessary to ensure new therapeutic options, since there is a limited availability of effective antiviral drugs able to eradicate viral infections, and consequently due to the increase of strains that are resistant to the most used drugs. Recently, several studies on antimicrobial peptides identified them as promising antiviral agents. In detail, amphibian skin secretions serve as a rich source of natural antimicrobial peptides. Their antibacterial and antifungal activities have been widely reported, but their exploitation as potential antiviral agents have yet to be fully investigated. In the present study, the antiviral activity of the peptide derived from the secretion of Rana tagoi, named AR-23, was evaluated against both DNA and RNA viruses, with or without envelope. Different assays were performed to identify in which step of the infectious cycle the peptide could act. AR-23 exhibited a greater inhibitory activity in the early stages of infection against both DNA (HSV-1) and RNA (MeV, HPIV-2, HCoV-229E, and SARS-CoV-2) enveloped viruses and, on the contrary, it was inactive against naked viruses (PV-1). Altogether, the results indicated AR-23 as a peptide with potential therapeutic effects against a wide variety of human viruses.
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Lower Respiratory Tract Pathogens and Their Antimicrobial Susceptibility Pattern: A 5-Year Study. Antibiotics (Basel) 2021; 10:antibiotics10070851. [PMID: 34356772 PMCID: PMC8300710 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics10070851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2021] [Revised: 06/30/2021] [Accepted: 07/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) are the most common infections in humans. It is estimated that 2.74 million deaths worldwide occur each year due to LRTIs. The aim of the study was to determine the frequency and antibiotic susceptibility pattern of microorganisms isolated from respiratory samples of patients with LRTIs. Between January 2015 and December 2019, a total of 7038 sputum and bronchoaspirate samples from suspected LRTI patients were collected. Among them, 2753 samples (39.1%) showed significant microbial growth on culture media. The LRTI rate was higher in patients with male gender (67.1%) and with age between 40–59 years (48.6%). The microorganism identification and antibiotic susceptibility testing were performed with Vitek 2. Out of 4278 isolates species, 3102 (72.5%) were Gram-negative bacteria, 1048 (24.5%) were Gram-positive bacteria, and 128 (3.0%) were Candida spp. Major microorganisms isolated were Acinetobacter baumannii (18.6%), Staphylococcus aureus (15.2%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (14.2%), and Klebsiella pneumoniae (10.9%). In antimicrobial susceptibility testing, Staphylococcus aureus isolates were mostly resistant to Penicillin G (84.1%) and Oxacillin (48.1%), whereas they demonstrated maximum sensitivity to Tigecycline (100%) and Linezolid (99.5%). Among Gram-negative isolates, Acinetobacter baumannii showed maximum sensitivity to Colistin but was resistant to other antibiotics (95–99%). Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates were mostly resistant to Cefotaxime (72.7%) and sensitive to Gentamicin (54.3%), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa was resistant to Ciprofloxacin (40.3%) and sensitive to Amikacin (85.9%). Gram-negative bacteria represented the species most commonly isolated. A high rate of antimicrobial resistance was observed in this study. In conclusion, the correct identification of causative microorganisms and their susceptibility patterns to antibiotics is crucial for choosing targeted and effective antibiotic therapy in LRTIs, and to prevent the emergence of multidrug-resistant bacteria.
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Antiviral Activity of Vitis vinifera Leaf Extract against SARS-CoV-2 and HSV-1. Viruses 2021; 13:v13071263. [PMID: 34209556 PMCID: PMC8310055 DOI: 10.3390/v13071263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2021] [Revised: 06/25/2021] [Accepted: 06/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Vitis vinifera represents an important and renowned source of compounds with significant biological activity. Wines and winery bioproducts, such as grape pomace, skins, and seeds, are rich in bioactive compounds against a wide range of human pathogens, including bacteria, fungi, and viruses. However, little is known about the biological properties of vine leaves. The aim of this study was the evaluation of phenolic composition and antiviral activity of Vitis vinifera leaf extract against two human viruses: the Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and the pandemic and currently widespread severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). About 40 phenolic compounds were identified in the extract by HPLC-MS/MS analysis: most of them were quercetin derivatives, others included derivatives of luteolin, kaempferol, apigenin, isorhamnetin, myricetin, chrysoeriol, biochanin, isookanin, and scutellarein. Leaf extract was able to inhibit both HSV-1 and SARS-CoV-2 replication in the early stages of infection by directly blocking the proteins enriched on the viral surface, at a very low concentration of 10 μg/mL. These results are very promising and highlight how natural extracts could be used in the design of antiviral drugs and the development of future vaccines.
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