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Tayebinia M, Sharifzadeh S, Rafiei Dehbidi G, Zare F, Ranjbaran R, Rahimi A, Miri MR, Mirzakhani M, Behzad-Behbahania A. Expression of the Hepatitis C Virus core-NS3 Fusion Protein on the Surface of Bacterial Ghosts: Prospects for Vaccine Production. Avicenna J Med Biotechnol 2023; 15:173-179. [PMID: 37538239 PMCID: PMC10395460 DOI: 10.18502/ajmb.v15i3.12927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Antigen presentation using bacterial surface display systems, on one hand, has the benefits of bacterial carriers, including low-cost production and ease of manipulation. On the other hand, the bacteria can help in stimulating the immune system as an adjuvant. For example, using bacterial surface display technology, we developed a hepatitis C virus (HCV) multiple antigens displaying bacteria's surface and then turned it into a bacterial ghost. Methods The HCV core and NS3 proteins' conserved epitopes were cloned into the AIDA gene plasmid as an auto transporter. The recombinant plasmid was then transformed into Escherichia coli (E. coli) Bl21 (DE3). Recombinant bacteria were then turned into a bacterial ghost, an empty cell envelope. Whole-cell ELISA, flow cytometry, and Western blot techniques were used for monitoring the expression of proteins on the surface of bacteria. Results A fusion protein of HCV core-NS3-AIDA was successfully expressed on the E. coli Bl21 (DE3) surface and confirmed by western blotting, Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA), and flow cytometry detection techniques. Conclusion The presence of HCV antigens on non-pathogen bacteria surfaces holds promise for developing safe and cost-benefit-accessible vaccines with optimal intrinsic adjuvant effects and exposure of heterologous antigens to the immune system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minoosadat Tayebinia
- Diagnostic Laboratory Sciences and Technology Research Center, School of Paramedical Sciences, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
- Division of Medical Biotechnology, Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, School of Paramedical Sciences, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Sedigheh Sharifzadeh
- Diagnostic Laboratory Sciences and Technology Research Center, School of Paramedical Sciences, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
- Division of Medical Biotechnology, Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, School of Paramedical Sciences, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Gholamreza Rafiei Dehbidi
- Diagnostic Laboratory Sciences and Technology Research Center, School of Paramedical Sciences, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Farahnaz Zare
- Diagnostic Laboratory Sciences and Technology Research Center, School of Paramedical Sciences, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Reza Ranjbaran
- Diagnostic Laboratory Sciences and Technology Research Center, School of Paramedical Sciences, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Amir Rahimi
- Bioinfirmatic and Computational Biology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Mohammad Reza Miri
- The Persian Gulf Marine Biotechnology Research Center, the Persian Gulf Biomedical Sciences Research Institute, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran
| | | | - Abbas Behzad-Behbahania
- Diagnostic Laboratory Sciences and Technology Research Center, School of Paramedical Sciences, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
- Division of Medical Biotechnology, Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, School of Paramedical Sciences, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
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2
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Discovery of novel HCV inhibitors: design, synthesis and biological activity of phthalamide derivatives. Med Chem Res 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s00044-022-02947-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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3
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Hasanshahi Z, Hashempour A, Ghasabi F, Moayedi J, Musavi Z, Dehghani B, Sharafi H, Joulaei H. First report on molecular docking analysis and drug resistance substitutions to approved HCV NS5A and NS5B inhibitors amongst Iranian patients. BMC Gastroenterol 2021; 21:443. [PMID: 34819046 PMCID: PMC8612383 DOI: 10.1186/s12876-021-01988-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2021] [Accepted: 10/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background NS5A and NS5B proteins of hepatitis C virus (HCV) are the main targets of compounds that directly inhibit HCV infections. However, the emergence of resistance-associated substitutions (RASs) may cause substantial reductions in susceptibility to inhibitors. Methods Viral load and genotyping were determined in eighty-seven naïve HCV-infected patients, and the amplified NS5A and NS5B regions were sequenced by Sanger sequencing. In addition, physicochemical properties, structural features, immune epitopes, and inhibitors-protein interactions of sequences were analyzed using several bioinformatics tools. Results Several amino acid residue changes were found in NS5A and NS5B proteins; however, we did not find any mutations related to resistance to the treatment in NS5B. Different phosphorylation and few glycosylation sites were assessed. Disulfide bonds were identified in both proteins that had a significant effect on the function and structure of HCV proteins. Applying reliable software to predict B-cell epitopes, 3 and 5 regions were found for NS5A and NS5B, respectively, representing a considerable potential to induce the humoral immune system. Docking analysis determined amino acids involved in the interaction of inhibitors and mentioned proteins may not decrease the drug efficiency. Conclusions Strong interactions between inhibitors, NS5A and NS5B proteins and the lack of efficient drug resistance mutations in the analyzed sequences may confirm the remarkable ability of NS5A and NS5B inhibitors to control HCV infection amongst Iranian patients. The results of bioinformatics analysis could unveil all features of both proteins, which can be beneficial for further investigations on HCV drug resistance and designing novel vaccines. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12876-021-01988-y.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahra Hasanshahi
- Shiraz HIV/AIDS Research Center, Institute of Health, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Ava Hashempour
- Shiraz HIV/AIDS Research Center, Institute of Health, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
| | - Farzane Ghasabi
- Shiraz HIV/AIDS Research Center, Institute of Health, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Javad Moayedi
- Shiraz HIV/AIDS Research Center, Institute of Health, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Zahra Musavi
- Shiraz HIV/AIDS Research Center, Institute of Health, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Behzad Dehghani
- Shiraz HIV/AIDS Research Center, Institute of Health, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Heidar Sharafi
- Baqiyatallah Research Center for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Middle East Liver Diseases (MELD) Center, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hassan Joulaei
- Shiraz HIV/AIDS Research Center, Institute of Health, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
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4
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Correlation of SARS-CoV-2 Infection with Hepatitis and Liver Disorders. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL MICROBIOLOGY AND INFECTIOUS DISEASES 2021. [DOI: 10.52547/jommid.9.3.122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
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5
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Razin M, Abdel-Ghaffar ARB, Hamdy GM, Abd-Elshafy DN, Kamel S, Bahgat MM, Maghraby AS. TLR3\TLR7 as Differentially Expressed Markers Among Viral, Nonviral, and Autoimmune Diseases in Egyptian Patients. Viral Immunol 2021; 34:607-621. [PMID: 34342515 DOI: 10.1089/vim.2021.0006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Toll-like receptors (TLRs) represent the immune link between the innate and the adaptive immune signals against various pathogens. This study aimed to evaluate the TLRs3 and 7 as immune-markers in differentiating between hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected and -uninfected patients. Also, the use of the TLR3 and TLR7 as immune markers was compared with the prevalent bio and immune markers for autoimmune diseases in HCV-infected or -uninfected patients. The levels of GPT, GOT, B cell activated factors, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and interleukin (IL)-10 were measured in plasma, while the levels of TLR3 and TLR7 were quantified in lysates of peripheral blood mononuclear cells from healthy donors, HCV-infected patients, nonalcoholic fatty liver (NAFL) patients without autoimmune diseases and with autoimmune diseases (HCV-infected patients with autoimmune diseases [HCV+auto], nonalcoholic fatty liver patients with autoimmune diseases [NAFL+auto]), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients. The relative expression of TLR3, TLR7, TNF, and IL-10 in cell lysates was assessed against glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) by quantitative real time-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Results showed that TLRs 3 and 7 levels were significantly higher in SLE, RA, HCV, HCV+auto, and the NAFL patients compared to the normal control. The cell lysates from SLE patients expressed TLR3 at relatively significantly higher mRNA levels compared to normal subjects or other patient groups. The NAFL+auto patients expressed TLR7 at relatively significantly high mRNA levels compared to normal subjects or other patients. The RA patients expressed TLR7 at relatively significantly higher mRNA levels when compared to HCV, HCV+auto, and NAFL+auto patients. Conclusions: At the protein level, TLR7 can differentiate between HCV and NAFL patients. In addition, both TLRs3 and 7 can serve as potent markers in differentiating between NAFL and NAFL+auto.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mona Razin
- Division of Pharmaceutical and Drug Industries Research, Department of Therapeutic Chemistry, Cairo, Egypt.,Research Group Immune- and Bio-markers for Infection, the Centre of Excellence for Advanced Sciences, the National Research Centre, Cairo, Egypt
| | | | - Germine M Hamdy
- Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Dina N Abd-Elshafy
- Research Group Immune- and Bio-markers for Infection, the Centre of Excellence for Advanced Sciences, the National Research Centre, Cairo, Egypt.,Department of Water Pollution Research, the National Research Centre, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Solaf Kamel
- Department of Clinical and Chemical Pathology, the National Research Centre, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Mahmoud Mohamed Bahgat
- Division of Pharmaceutical and Drug Industries Research, Department of Therapeutic Chemistry, Cairo, Egypt.,Research Group Immune- and Bio-markers for Infection, the Centre of Excellence for Advanced Sciences, the National Research Centre, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Amany Sayed Maghraby
- Division of Pharmaceutical and Drug Industries Research, Department of Therapeutic Chemistry, Cairo, Egypt.,Research Group Immune- and Bio-markers for Infection, the Centre of Excellence for Advanced Sciences, the National Research Centre, Cairo, Egypt
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6
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Kardani K, Basimi P, Fekri M, Bolhassani A. Antiviral therapy for the sexually transmitted viruses: recent updates on vaccine development. Expert Rev Clin Pharmacol 2020; 13:1001-1046. [PMID: 32838584 DOI: 10.1080/17512433.2020.1814743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The sexually transmitted infections (STIs) caused by viruses including human T cell leukemia virus type-1 (HTLV-1), human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1), human simplex virus-2 (HSV-2), hepatitis C virus (HCV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), and human papillomavirus (HPV) are major public health issues. These infections can cause cancer or result in long-term health problems. Due to high prevalence of STIs, a safe and effective vaccine is required to overcome these fatal viruses. AREAS COVERED This review includes a comprehensive overview of the literatures relevant to vaccine development against the sexually transmitted viruses (STVs) using PubMed and Sciencedirect electronic search engines. Herein, we discuss the efforts directed toward development of effective vaccines using different laboratory animal models including mice, guinea pig or non-human primates in preclinical trials, and human in clinical trials with different phases. EXPERT OPINION There is no effective FDA approved vaccine against the sexually transmitted viruses (STVs) except for HBV and HPV as prophylactic vaccines. Many attempts are underway to develop vaccines against these viruses. There are several approaches for improving prophylactic or therapeutic vaccines such as heterologous prime/boost immunization, delivery system, administration route, adjuvants, etc. In this line, further studies can be helpful for understanding the immunobiology of STVs in human. Moreover, development of more relevant animal models is a worthy goal to induce effective immune responses in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kimia Kardani
- Department of Hepatitis and AIDS, Pasteur Institute of Iran , Tehran, Iran
| | - Parya Basimi
- Department of Hepatitis and AIDS, Pasteur Institute of Iran , Tehran, Iran
| | - Mehrshad Fekri
- Department of Hepatitis and AIDS, Pasteur Institute of Iran , Tehran, Iran
| | - Azam Bolhassani
- Department of Hepatitis and AIDS, Pasteur Institute of Iran , Tehran, Iran
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7
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Dawood RM, Salum GM, Abdelhafez TH, El Shenawy R, Ibrahim NE, El Awady MK. Safety and tolerability of mice to repeated subcutaneous injections of a peptide mix as a potential vaccine against HCV infection. Hum Antibodies 2019; 27:105-110. [PMID: 30594921 DOI: 10.3233/hab-180354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS In this study, the safety and tolerability of new candidate HCV vaccine named Cenv6 were screened in mice. Cenv6 peptide is composed of 6 synthetic HCV peptides (3 structural and 3 nonstructural peptides). METHODS Forty eight mice were enrolled in this study, 12 controls and 36 mice (the thirty-six mice were categorized into 3 groups according to administered doses (3 monthly doses of 800 ng, 1600 ng, and 16 μg/25 gm mouse body weight (bw))). Hematological, biochemical and histopathological changes were appraised. RESULTS Our data indicated that the doses of 800 ng and 1600 ng of Cenv6 per 25 gm mouse body weight were safe as compared to the dose 16 μg/25 gm bw (10 times more than the potential therapeutic dose) for all examined tissues while the 16 μg Cenv6 dose provoked histopathological changes in kidneys, liver and lungs. CONCLUSIONS The extravagant histopathological changes in different organs have exiled the 16 μg dose out of acceptable range and validated that Cenv6 is safe and tolerable at the two lower doses (800 and 1600 ng/25 gm bw).
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8
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Abd Ellah NH, Tawfeek HM, John J, Hetta HF. Nanomedicine as a future therapeutic approach for Hepatitis C virus. Nanomedicine (Lond) 2019; 14:1471-1491. [PMID: 31166139 DOI: 10.2217/nnm-2018-0348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is not easily cleared from the human body and in most cases turned into chronic infection. This chronicity is a major cause of liver damage, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Therefore, immediate detection and treatment of HCV guarantees eradication of the virus and prevention of chronicity complications. Since discovery of HCV in 1989, several emerging treatments were developed such as polyethylene glycol(PEG)-ylated interferon/ribavirin, direct acting antivirals and host targeting antivirals. Despite the progress in anti-HCV therapy, there is still a pressing need of new approaches for affordable and effective drug delivery systems using nanomedicine. In this review, the contribution of nanoparticles as a promising delivery system for HCV immunizing, diagnostic and therapeutic agents are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noura H Abd Ellah
- Division of Pharmaceutical Sciences, James L. Winkle College of Pharmacy, Medical Sciences Building, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA.,Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Assiut University, Assiut, 71526, Egypt
| | - Hesham M Tawfeek
- Department of Industrial Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Assiut University, Assiut, 71526, Egypt.,Department of Pharmaceutics & Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mutah University, Karak, Jordan
| | - James John
- Central Research Facilities, Sri Ramachandra institute of higher education & research, Sri Ramachandra University, Chennai, India
| | - Helal F Hetta
- Department of Medical Microbiology & Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, 71526, Egypt.,Department of Internal Medicine, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45267-0595, USA
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9
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Zając M, Muszalska I, Sobczak A, Dadej A, Tomczak S, Jelińska A. Hepatitis C - New drugs and treatment prospects. Eur J Med Chem 2019; 165:225-249. [PMID: 30685524 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2019.01.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2018] [Revised: 01/11/2019] [Accepted: 01/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) affects approx. 3% of the world's population and accounts for ca 300 000 deaths per year. 80% of individuals with HCV develop chronic symptoms which, when untreated, may cause cirrhosis (27%) or hepatocellular carcinoma (25%). The hepatitis C virus is a (+)ssRNA enveloped virus of the family Flaviviridae. Seven major HCV genotypes and their subtypes (a, b) have been identified. In the 1990s, interferons alpha-2 were used in the treatment of HCV and in the next decade HCV therapy was based on pegylated interferon alpha-2 in combination with ribavirin. Since 2011, interferons alpha, DNA and RNA polymerase inhibitors, NS3/4A RNA protease inhibitors, NS5 RNA serine protease inhibitors, NS5B RNA polymerase inhibitors have been approved for clinical use. Monotherapy is avoided in medication due to rapidly developing viral resistance. A total of 113 papers were included comprising original publications and reviews. The paper reviews the molecular targets and chemical structures of drugs used in HCV treatment. Indications and contraindications for anti-HCV drugs are also discussed together with application regimens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marianna Zając
- Poznan University of Medicinal Sciences, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Grunwaldzka Str. 6, 60-780, Poznań, Poland
| | - Izabela Muszalska
- Poznan University of Medicinal Sciences, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Grunwaldzka Str. 6, 60-780, Poznań, Poland.
| | - Agnieszka Sobczak
- Poznan University of Medicinal Sciences, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Grunwaldzka Str. 6, 60-780, Poznań, Poland
| | - Adrianna Dadej
- Poznan University of Medicinal Sciences, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Grunwaldzka Str. 6, 60-780, Poznań, Poland
| | - Szymon Tomczak
- Poznan University of Medicinal Sciences, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Grunwaldzka Str. 6, 60-780, Poznań, Poland
| | - Anna Jelińska
- Poznan University of Medicinal Sciences, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Grunwaldzka Str. 6, 60-780, Poznań, Poland
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10
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Discovery of 3-Amino-2-Hydroxypropoxyisoflavone Derivatives as Potential Anti-HCV Agents. Molecules 2018; 23:molecules23112863. [PMID: 30400244 PMCID: PMC6278568 DOI: 10.3390/molecules23112863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2018] [Revised: 10/31/2018] [Accepted: 10/31/2018] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Synthesis and anti-hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV) effects of certain 3-amino-2-hydroxy-propoxy isoflavone derivatives, 6a–i, were described. The known 3-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-7-(oxiran-2-ylmethoxy)-4H-chromen-4-one (5) was reacted with substituted amines to give the desired isoflavone derivatives, 6a–i. Among them, 7-{3-[(3,4-dimethoxy-phenethyl)amino]-2-hydroxypropoxy}-3-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-4H-chromen-4-one (6b) was the most active, exhibiting approximately 2-fold higher anti-HCV effects than standard antiviral drug ribavirin (EC50 of 6.53 vs. 13.16 μM). In addition, compound 6b was less cytotoxic than ribavirin. The selectivity index (SI) of 6b is approximately 2.6-fold higher than ribavirin. The compounds 6e, 6h, and 6i were also found to possess higher anti-HCV effects than ribavirin. Compound 6b was found to inhibit the HCV RNA expression in Ava5 cells in a dose-dependent manner; furthermore, we found that the antiviral mechanism of compounds 6b, 6e, 6h, and 6i gave rise to induction of HO-1 expression. With the HO-1 promoter-based analysis, we found compounds 6b, 6e, 6h, and 6i induced HO-1 expression through increasing Nrf-2 binding activity. Taken together, compound 6b may serve as a potential lead compound for developing novel anti-HCV agents.
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11
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Removal of the C6 Vaccinia Virus Interferon-β Inhibitor in the Hepatitis C Vaccine Candidate MVA-HCV Elicited in Mice High Immunogenicity in Spite of Reduced Host Gene Expression. Viruses 2018; 10:v10080414. [PMID: 30096846 PMCID: PMC6116028 DOI: 10.3390/v10080414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2018] [Revised: 08/03/2018] [Accepted: 08/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) represents a major global health problem for which a vaccine is not available. Modified vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA)-HCV is a unique HCV vaccine candidate based in the modified vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA) vector expressing the nearly full-length genome of HCV genotype 1a that elicits CD8⁺ T-cell responses in mice. With the aim to improve the immune response of MVA-HCV and because of the importance of interferon (IFN) in HCV infection, we deleted in MVA-HCV the vaccinia virus (VACV) C6L gene, encoding an inhibitor of IFN-β that prevents activation of the interferon regulatory factors 3 and 7 (IRF3 and IRF7). The resulting vaccine candidate (MVA-HCV ΔC6L) expresses all HCV antigens and deletion of C6L had no effect on viral growth in permissive chicken cells. In human monocyte-derived dendritic cells, infection with MVA-HCV ΔC6L triggered severe down-regulation of IFN-β, IFN-β-induced genes, and cytokines in a manner similar to MVA-HCV, as defined by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and microarray analysis. In infected mice, both vectors had a similar profile of recruited immune cells and induced comparable levels of adaptive and memory HCV-specific CD8⁺ T-cells, mainly against p7 + NS2 and NS3 HCV proteins, with a T cell effector memory (TEM) phenotype. Furthermore, antibodies against E2 were also induced. Overall, our findings showed that while these vectors had a profound inhibitory effect on gene expression of the host, they strongly elicited CD8⁺ T cell and humoral responses against HCV antigens and to the virus vector. These observations add support to the consideration of these vectors as potential vaccine candidates against HCV.
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12
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Jalilian S, Latifi SM, Makvandi M, Teimoori A, Azaran A, Parsanahad M, Kayedani G. The evaluation of interferon lambda 4 rs368234815 as a predictor factor in treated patients with chronic hepatitis C genotype 1a infection. Indian J Med Microbiol 2018; 35:262-268. [PMID: 28681817 DOI: 10.4103/ijmm.ijmm_16_309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT Host factors including single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in or near interferon lambda (IFNL) gene are the important factors in predicting response to treatment of chronic hepatitis C (CHC). AIMS The aim of this study was to determine the frequency and association of IFNL4 rs368234815 with IFNL3 SNPs rs12979860, rs8099917 and other factors including cholesterol, alanine aminotransferase, fibrosis, viral load, age and body mass index in genotype 1a treated CHC patients, to achieve rapid virologic response (RVR) and sustained virologic response (SVR). SUBJECTS AND METHODS A total of 71 hepatitis C virus genotype 1a patients were enrolled from 2013 to 2015. The genotypes of rs12979860, rs8099917 were identified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and restriction fragment length polymorphism while the genotype rs368234815 detected by amplification-refractory mutation system-PCR. RESULTS The rate of RVR and SVR were 43/71 (60.6%) and 46/71 (64.8%), respectively. To achieve an SVR in patients with rs368234815, TT/TT genotype 20/24 (83.3%) was found to be higher than other SNPs. The correlation coefficient of rs368234815 was strongly associated with rs12979860 (r = 0.788, P < 0.001). Multivariate logistic regression showed that the cholesterol (odds ratio [OR]: 0.205, confidence interval [CI] 95%: 0.047-0.891, P = 0.035), age (OR: 0.160, CI 95%: 0.035-0.730, P = 0.018), baseline viral load (OR: 0.167, CI 95%: 0.032-879, P < 0.035) and IFNL4 (OR: 5.453, CI 95%: 1.015-29.293, P < 0.048) could be independent predictors of SVR. CONCLUSIONS The results of these findings emphasise that factors such as age, cholesterol, baseline viral load and IFNL4 rs368234815 are better predictive factors and should be evaluated before CHC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shahram Jalilian
- Infectious and Tropical Diseases Research Center, Health Research Institute, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Seyed Mahmoud Latifi
- Diabetes Research Centre, Health Research Institute, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Manoochehr Makvandi
- Infectious and Tropical Diseases Research Center, Health Research Institute, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Ali Teimoori
- Infectious and Tropical Diseases Research Center, Health Research Institute, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Azarakhsh Azaran
- Infectious and Tropical Diseases Research Center, Health Research Institute, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Mehdi Parsanahad
- Infectious and Tropical Diseases Research Center, Health Research Institute, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Gholamabas Kayedani
- Infectious and Tropical Diseases Research Center, Health Research Institute, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
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Polymer-Based Nanomaterials and Applications for Vaccines and Drugs. Polymers (Basel) 2018; 10:polym10010031. [PMID: 30966075 PMCID: PMC6415012 DOI: 10.3390/polym10010031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 136] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2017] [Revised: 12/19/2017] [Accepted: 12/21/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Nanotechnology plays a significant role in drug development. As carriers, polymeric nanoparticles can deliver vaccine antigens, proteins, and drugs to the desired site of action. Polymeric nanoparticles with lower cytotoxicity can protect the delivered antigens or drugs from degradation under unfavorable conditions via a mucosal administration route; further, the uptake of nanoparticles by antigen-presenting cells can increase and induce potent immune responses. Additionally, nanomaterials are widely used in vaccine delivery systems because nanomaterials can make the vaccine antigen long-acting. This review focuses on some biodegradable polymer materials such as natural polymeric nanomaterials, chemically synthesized polymer materials, and biosynthesized polymeric materials, and points out the advantages and the direction of research on degradable polymeric materials. The application and future perspectives of polymeric materials as delivery carriers and vaccine adjuvants in the field of drugs and vaccines are presented. With the increase of knowledge and fundamental understandings of polymer-based nanomaterials, means of integrating some other attractive properties, such as slow release, target delivery, and alternative administration methods and delivery pathways are feasible. Polymer-based nanomaterials have great potential for the development of novel vaccines and drug systems for certain needs, including single-dose and needle-free deliveries of vaccine antigens and drugs in the future.
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14
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Taherkhani R, Farshadpour F. Global elimination of hepatitis C virus infection: Progresses and the remaining challenges. World J Hepatol 2017; 9:1239-1252. [PMID: 29312527 PMCID: PMC5745585 DOI: 10.4254/wjh.v9.i33.1239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2017] [Revised: 09/01/2017] [Accepted: 10/10/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Today, with the introduction of interferon-free direct-acting antivirals and outstanding progresses in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, the elimination of HCV infection seems more achievable. A further challenge is continued transmission of HCV infection in high-risk population specially injecting drug users (IDUs) as the major reservoir of HCV infection. Considering the fact that most of these infections remain undiagnosed, unidentified HCV-infected IDUs are potential sources for the rapid spread of HCV in the community. The continuous increase in the number of IDUs along with the rising prevalence of HCV infection among young IDUs is harbinger of a forthcoming public health dilemma, presenting a serious challenge to control transmission of HCV infection. Even the changes in HCV genotype distribution attributed to injecting drug use confirm this issue. These circumstances create a strong demand for timely diagnosis and proper treatment of HCV-infected patients through risk-based screening to mitigate the risk of HCV transmission in the IDUs community and, consequently, in the society. Meanwhile, raising general awareness of HCV infection, diagnosis and treatment through public education should be the core activity of any harm reduction intervention, as the root cause of failure in control of HCV infection has been lack of awareness among young drug takers. In addition, effective prevention, comprehensive screening programs with a specific focus on high-risk population, accessibility to the new anti-HCV treatment regimens and public education should be considered as the top priorities of any health policy decision to eliminate HCV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reza Taherkhani
- the Persian Gulf Tropical Medicine Research Center, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr 7514633341, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Farshadpour
- the Persian Gulf Tropical Medicine Research Center, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr 7514633341, Iran
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State of the Art, Unresolved Issues, and Future Research Directions in the Fight against Hepatitis C Virus: Perspectives for Screening, Diagnostics of Resistances, and Immunization. J Immunol Res 2016; 2016:1412840. [PMID: 27843956 PMCID: PMC5098088 DOI: 10.1155/2016/1412840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2016] [Revised: 09/09/2016] [Accepted: 09/20/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) still represents a major public health threat, with a dramatic burden from both epidemiological and clinical points of view. New generation of direct-acting antiviral agents (DAAs) has been recently introduced in clinical practice promising to cure HCV and to overcome the issues related to the interferon-based therapies. However, the emergence of drug resistance and the suboptimal activity of DAAs therapies against diverse HCV genotypes have been observed, determining treatment failure and hampering an effective control of HCV spread worldwide. Moreover, these treatments remain poorly accessible, particularly in low-income countries. Finally, effective screening strategy is crucial to early identifying and treating all HCV chronically infected patients. For all these reasons, even though new drugs may contribute to impacting HCV spread worldwide a preventive HCV vaccine remains a cornerstone in the road to significantly reduce the HCV spread globally, with the ultimate goal of its eradication. Advances in molecular vaccinology, together with a strong financial, political, and societal support, will enable reaching this fundamental success in the coming years. In this comprehensive review, the state of the art about these major topics in the fight against HCV and the future of research in these fields are discussed.
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