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Stelitano D, La Frazia S, Ambrosino A, Zannella C, Tay D, Iovane V, Montagnaro S, De Filippis A, Santoro MG, Porotto M, Galdiero M. Antiviral activity of nitazoxanide against Morbillivirus infections. J Virus Erad 2023; 9:100353. [PMID: 38028567 PMCID: PMC10679774 DOI: 10.1016/j.jve.2023.100353] [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: 05/16/2023] [Revised: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The measles virus (MeV) and canine distemper virus (CDV) belong to the genus Morbillivirus of the Paramyxoviridae family. They are enveloped viruses harboring a non-segmented negative-sense RNA. Morbilliviruses are extremely contagious and transmitted through infectious aerosol droplets. Both MeV and CDV may cause respiratory infections and fatal encephalitis, although a high incidence of brain infections is unique to CDV. Despite the availability of a safe and effective vaccine against these viruses, in recent years we are witnessing a strong resurgence of Morbillivirus infection. Measles still kills more than 100,000 people each year, and CDV causes widespread outbreaks, especially among wild animals, including non-human primates. No drugs are currently approved for MeV and CDV. Therefore, the identification of effective antiviral agents represents an unmet medical need. Here, we have investigated the potential antiviral properties of nitazoxanide (NTZ) against MeV and CDV. Antiviral activity was explored with live virus and cell-based assays. NTZ is a thiazolide that is approved by the FDA as an antiprotozoal agent for the treatment of Giardia intestinalis and Cryptosporidium parvum. Further, nitazoxanide and its metabolite tizoxanide have recently emerged as broad-spectrum antiviral agents. We found that NTZ blocks the MeV and CDV replication, acting at the post-entry level. Moreover, we showed that NTZ affects the function of the viral fusion protein (F), impairing viral spread. Our results indicate that NTZ should be further explored as a therapeutic option in measles and canine distemper virus treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Debora Stelitano
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, via Santa Maria di Costantinopoli 16, 80138, Naples, Italy
- Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, 701 West 168th st, 10032, New York, NY, USA
- Center for Host–Pathogen Interaction, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, 701 West 168th st, 10032, New York, NY, USA
| | - Simone La Frazia
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via della Ricerca Scientifica 1, 00133, Rome, Italy
| | - Annalisa Ambrosino
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, via Santa Maria di Costantinopoli 16, 80138, Naples, Italy
| | - Carla Zannella
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, via Santa Maria di Costantinopoli 16, 80138, Naples, Italy
| | - Daniel Tay
- Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, 701 West 168th st, 10032, New York, NY, USA
- Center for Host–Pathogen Interaction, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, 701 West 168th st, 10032, New York, NY, USA
| | - Valentina Iovane
- Department of Agriculture Sciences, University of Naples “Federico II”, Via Università, 100-Portici, 80055, Naples, Italy
| | - Serena Montagnaro
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples “Federico II”, via Federico Delpino 1, 80137, Naples, Italy
| | - Anna De Filippis
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, via Santa Maria di Costantinopoli 16, 80138, Naples, Italy
| | - Maria Gabriella Santoro
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via della Ricerca Scientifica 1, 00133, Rome, Italy
- Institute of Translational Pharmacology, CNR, Via Fosso del Cavaliere 100, 00133, Rome, Italy
| | - Matteo Porotto
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, via Santa Maria di Costantinopoli 16, 80138, Naples, Italy
- Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, 701 West 168th st, 10032, New York, NY, USA
- Center for Host–Pathogen Interaction, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, 701 West 168th st, 10032, New York, NY, USA
| | - Massimiliano Galdiero
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, via Santa Maria di Costantinopoli 16, 80138, Naples, Italy
- Virology and Microbiology Unit, University Hospital “Luigi Vanvitelli”, via Santa Maria di Costantinopoli 16, 80138, Naples, Italy
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Piacentini S, Riccio A, Santopolo S, Pauciullo S, La Frazia S, Rossi A, Rossignol JF, Santoro MG. The FDA-approved drug nitazoxanide is a potent inhibitor of human seasonal coronaviruses acting at postentry level: effect on the viral spike glycoprotein. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1206951. [PMID: 37705731 PMCID: PMC10497118 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1206951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Coronaviridae is recognized as one of the most rapidly evolving virus family as a consequence of the high genomic nucleotide substitution rates and recombination. The family comprises a large number of enveloped, positive-sense single-stranded RNA viruses, causing an array of diseases of varying severity in animals and humans. To date, seven human coronaviruses (HCoV) have been identified, namely HCoV-229E, HCoV-NL63, HCoV-OC43 and HCoV-HKU1, which are globally circulating in the human population (seasonal HCoV, sHCoV), and the highly pathogenic SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2. Seasonal HCoV are estimated to contribute to 15-30% of common cold cases in humans; although diseases are generally self-limiting, sHCoV can sometimes cause severe lower respiratory infections and life-threatening diseases in a subset of patients. No specific treatment is presently available for sHCoV infections. Herein we show that the anti-infective drug nitazoxanide has a potent antiviral activity against three human endemic coronaviruses, the Alpha-coronaviruses HCoV-229E and HCoV-NL63, and the Beta-coronavirus HCoV-OC43 in cell culture with IC50 ranging between 0.05 and 0.15 μg/mL and high selectivity indexes. We found that nitazoxanide does not affect HCoV adsorption, entry or uncoating, but acts at postentry level and interferes with the spike glycoprotein maturation, hampering its terminal glycosylation at an endoglycosidase H-sensitive stage. Altogether the results indicate that nitazoxanide, due to its broad-spectrum anti-coronavirus activity, may represent a readily available useful tool in the treatment of seasonal coronavirus infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Piacentini
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Anna Riccio
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Silvia Santopolo
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Silvia Pauciullo
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Simone La Frazia
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Antonio Rossi
- Institute of Translational Pharmacology, CNR, Rome, Italy
| | | | - M. Gabriella Santoro
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
- Institute of Translational Pharmacology, CNR, Rome, Italy
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3
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Stachulski AV, Rossignol JF, Pate S, Taujanskas J, Iggo JA, Aerts R, Pascal E, Piacentini S, La Frazia S, Santoro MG, van Vooren L, Sintubin L, Cooper M, Swift K, O’Neill PM. Thiazolide Prodrug Esters and Derived Peptides: Synthesis and Activity. ACS BIO & MED CHEM AU 2023; 3:327-334. [PMID: 37599793 PMCID: PMC10436260 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomedchemau.2c00083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Revised: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023]
Abstract
Amino acid ester prodrugs of the thiazolides, introduced to improve the pharmacokinetic parameters of the parent drugs, proved to be stable as their salts but were unstable at pH > 5. Although some of the instability was due to simple hydrolysis, we have found that the main end products of the degradation were peptides formed by rearrangement. These peptides were stable solids: they maintained significant antiviral activity, and in general, they showed improved pharmacokinetics (better solubility and reduced clearance) compared to the parent thiazolides. We describe the preparation and evaluation of these peptides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew V. Stachulski
- Donnan
and Robert Robinson Laboratories, Department of Chemistry, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 7ZD, U.K.
| | | | - Sophie Pate
- Donnan
and Robert Robinson Laboratories, Department of Chemistry, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 7ZD, U.K.
| | - Joshua Taujanskas
- Donnan
and Robert Robinson Laboratories, Department of Chemistry, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 7ZD, U.K.
| | - Jonathan A. Iggo
- Donnan
and Robert Robinson Laboratories, Department of Chemistry, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 7ZD, U.K.
| | - Rudi Aerts
- Romark
Belgium BVBA, Roosveld
6, 3400 Landen, Belgium
| | | | - Sara Piacentini
- Department
of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Simone La Frazia
- Department
of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - M. Gabriella Santoro
- Department
of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy
- Institute
of Translational Pharmacology, CNR, Area della Ricerca di Roma 2, Via Fosso del Cavaliere, 00133 Roma, Italy
| | | | | | - Mark Cooper
- Bio-Techne, Avonmouth, Bristol BS11 9QD, U.K.
| | - Karl Swift
- Bio-Techne, Avonmouth, Bristol BS11 9QD, U.K.
| | - Paul M. O’Neill
- Donnan
and Robert Robinson Laboratories, Department of Chemistry, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 7ZD, U.K.
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Xu J, Xue Y, Bolinger AA, Li J, Zhou M, Chen H, Li H, Zhou J. Therapeutic potential of salicylamide derivatives for combating viral infections. Med Res Rev 2023; 43:897-931. [PMID: 36905090 PMCID: PMC10247541 DOI: 10.1002/med.21940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2021] [Revised: 11/09/2022] [Accepted: 02/26/2023] [Indexed: 03/12/2023]
Abstract
Since time immemorial human beings have constantly been fighting against viral infections. The ongoing and devastating coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic represents one of the most severe and most significant public health emergencies in human history, highlighting an urgent need to develop broad-spectrum antiviral agents. Salicylamide (2-hydroxybenzamide) derivatives, represented by niclosamide and nitazoxanide, inhibit the replication of a broad range of RNA and DNA viruses such as flavivirus, influenza A virus, and coronavirus. Moreover, nitazoxanide was effective in clinical trials against different viral infections including diarrhea caused by rotavirus and norovirus, uncomplicated influenza A and B, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C. In this review, we summarize the broad antiviral activities of salicylamide derivatives, the clinical progress, and the potential targets or mechanisms against different viral infections and highlight their therapeutic potential in combating the circulating and emerging viral infections in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jimin Xu
- Chemical Biology Program, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas 77555, United States
| | - Yu Xue
- Chemical Biology Program, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas 77555, United States
| | - Andrew A. Bolinger
- Chemical Biology Program, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas 77555, United States
| | - Jun Li
- Chemical Biology Program, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas 77555, United States
| | - Mingxiang Zhou
- Chemical Biology Program, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas 77555, United States
| | - Haiying Chen
- Chemical Biology Program, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas 77555, United States
| | - Hongmin Li
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, United States
| | - Jia Zhou
- Chemical Biology Program, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas 77555, United States
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Miorin L, Mire CE, Ranjbar S, Hume AJ, Huang J, Crossland NA, White KM, Laporte M, Kehrer T, Haridas V, Moreno E, Nambu A, Jangra S, Cupic A, Dejosez M, Abo KA, Tseng AE, Werder RB, Rathnasinghe R, Mutetwa T, Ramos I, de Aja JS, de Alba Rivas CG, Schotsaert M, Corley RB, Falvo JV, Fernandez-Sesma A, Kim C, Rossignol JF, Wilson AA, Zwaka T, Kotton DN, Mühlberger E, García-Sastre A, Goldfeld AE. The oral drug nitazoxanide restricts SARS-CoV-2 infection and attenuates disease pathogenesis in Syrian hamsters. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2022:2022.02.08.479634. [PMID: 35169796 PMCID: PMC8845418 DOI: 10.1101/2022.02.08.479634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
A well-tolerated and cost-effective oral drug that blocks SARS-CoV-2 growth and dissemination would be a major advance in the global effort to reduce COVID-19 morbidity and mortality. Here, we show that the oral FDA-approved drug nitazoxanide (NTZ) significantly inhibits SARS-CoV-2 viral replication and infection in different primate and human cell models including stem cell-derived human alveolar epithelial type 2 cells. Furthermore, NTZ synergizes with remdesivir, and it broadly inhibits growth of SARS-CoV-2 variants B.1.351 (beta), P.1 (gamma), and B.1617.2 (delta) and viral syncytia formation driven by their spike proteins. Strikingly, oral NTZ treatment of Syrian hamsters significantly inhibits SARS-CoV-2-driven weight loss, inflammation, and viral dissemination and syncytia formation in the lungs. These studies show that NTZ is a novel host-directed therapeutic that broadly inhibits SARS-CoV-2 dissemination and pathogenesis in human and hamster physiological models, which supports further testing and optimization of NTZ-based therapy for SARS-CoV-2 infection alone and in combination with antiviral drugs.
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Feline Calicivirus Virulent Systemic Disease: Clinical Epidemiology, Analysis of Viral Isolates and In Vitro Efficacy of Novel Antivirals in Australian Outbreaks. Viruses 2021; 13:v13102040. [PMID: 34696470 PMCID: PMC8537534 DOI: 10.3390/v13102040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2021] [Revised: 09/17/2021] [Accepted: 09/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Feline calicivirus (FCV) causes upper respiratory tract disease (URTD) and sporadic outbreaks of virulent systemic disease (FCV-VSD). The basis for the increased pathogenicity of FCV-VSD viruses is incompletely understood, and antivirals for FCV-VSD have yet to be developed. We investigated the clinicoepidemiology and viral features of three FCV-VSD outbreaks in Australia and evaluated the in vitro efficacy of nitazoxanide (NTZ), 2′-C-methylcytidine (2CMC) and NITD-008 against FCV-VSD viruses. Overall mortality among 23 cases of FCV-VSD was 39%. Metagenomic sequencing identified five genetically distinct FCV lineages within the three outbreaks, all seemingly evolving in situ in Australia. Notably, no mutations that clearly distinguished FCV-URTD from FCV-VSD phenotypes were identified. One FCV-URTD strain likely originated from a recombination event. Analysis of seven amino-acid residues from the hypervariable E region of the capsid in the cultured viruses did not support the contention that properties of these residues can reliably differentiate between the two pathotypes. On plaque reduction assays, dose–response inhibition of FCV-VSD was obtained with all antivirals at low micromolar concentrations; NTZ EC50, 0.4–0.6 µM, TI = 21; 2CMC EC50, 2.7–5.3 µM, TI > 18; NITD-008, 0.5 to 0.9 µM, TI > 111. Investigation of these antivirals for the treatment of FCV-VSD is warranted.
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