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Frasca F, Sorrentino L, Fracella M, D’Auria A, Coratti E, Maddaloni L, Bugani G, Gentile M, Pierangeli A, d’Ettorre G, Scagnolari C. An Update on the Entomology, Virology, Pathogenesis, and Epidemiology Status of West Nile and Dengue Viruses in Europe (2018-2023). Trop Med Infect Dis 2024; 9:166. [PMID: 39058208 PMCID: PMC11281579 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed9070166] [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: 04/17/2024] [Revised: 07/16/2024] [Accepted: 07/17/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
In recent decades, increases in temperature and tropical rainfall have facilitated the spread of mosquito species into temperate zones. Mosquitoes are vectors for many viruses, including West Nile virus (WNV) and dengue virus (DENV), and pose a serious threat to public health. This review covers most of the current knowledge on the mosquito species associated with the transmission of WNV and DENV and their geographical distribution and discusses the main vertebrate hosts involved in the cycles of WNV or DENV. It also describes virological and pathogenic aspects of WNV or DENV infection, including emerging concepts linking WNV and DENV to the reproductive system. Furthermore, it provides an epidemiological analysis of the human cases of WNV and DENV reported in Europe, from 1 January 2018 to 31 December 2023, with a particular focus on Italy. The first autochthonous cases of DENV infection, with the most likely vector being Aedes albopictus, have been observed in several European countries in recent years, with a high incidence in Italy in 2023. The lack of treatments and effective vaccines is a serious challenge. Currently, the primary strategy to prevent the spread of WNV and DENV infections in humans remains to limit the spread of mosquitoes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Frasca
- Laboratory of Virology, Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (L.S.); (M.F.); (A.D.); (E.C.); (M.G.); (A.P.); (C.S.)
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (L.M.); (G.B.); (G.d.)
| | - Leonardo Sorrentino
- Laboratory of Virology, Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (L.S.); (M.F.); (A.D.); (E.C.); (M.G.); (A.P.); (C.S.)
| | - Matteo Fracella
- Laboratory of Virology, Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (L.S.); (M.F.); (A.D.); (E.C.); (M.G.); (A.P.); (C.S.)
| | - Alessandra D’Auria
- Laboratory of Virology, Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (L.S.); (M.F.); (A.D.); (E.C.); (M.G.); (A.P.); (C.S.)
| | - Eleonora Coratti
- Laboratory of Virology, Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (L.S.); (M.F.); (A.D.); (E.C.); (M.G.); (A.P.); (C.S.)
| | - Luca Maddaloni
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (L.M.); (G.B.); (G.d.)
| | - Ginevra Bugani
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (L.M.); (G.B.); (G.d.)
| | - Massimo Gentile
- Laboratory of Virology, Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (L.S.); (M.F.); (A.D.); (E.C.); (M.G.); (A.P.); (C.S.)
| | - Alessandra Pierangeli
- Laboratory of Virology, Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (L.S.); (M.F.); (A.D.); (E.C.); (M.G.); (A.P.); (C.S.)
| | - Gabriella d’Ettorre
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (L.M.); (G.B.); (G.d.)
| | - Carolina Scagnolari
- Laboratory of Virology, Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (L.S.); (M.F.); (A.D.); (E.C.); (M.G.); (A.P.); (C.S.)
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Surya W, Honey SS, Torres J. Flavivirus Zika NS4A protein forms large oligomers in liposomes and in mild detergent. Sci Rep 2024; 14:12533. [PMID: 38822066 PMCID: PMC11143224 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-63407-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/02/2024] Open
Abstract
In flaviviruses such as Dengue or Zika, non-structural (NS) NS4A protein forms homo-oligomers, participates in membrane remodelling and is critical for virulence. In both viruses, mature NS4A has the same length and three predicted hydrophobic domains. The oligomers formed by Dengue NS4A are reported to be small (n = 2, 3), based on denaturing SDS gels, but no high-resolution structure of a flavivirus NS4A protein is available, and the size of the oligomer in lipid membranes is not known. Herein we show that crosslinking Zika NS4A protein in lipid membranes results in oligomers at least up to hexamers. Further, sedimentation velocity shows that NS4A in mild detergent C14-betaine appears to be in fast equilibrium between at least two species, where one is smaller, and the other larger, than a trimer or a tetramer. Consistently, sedimentation equilibrium data was best fitted to a model involving an equilibrium between dimers (n = 2) and hexamers (n = 6). Overall, the large, at least hexameric, oligomers obtained herein in liposomes and in mild detergent are more likely to represent the forms of NS4A present in cell membranes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wahyu Surya
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, 60 Nanyang Drive, Singapore, 637551, Singapore
| | - Shwe Sin Honey
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, 60 Nanyang Drive, Singapore, 637551, Singapore
| | - Jaume Torres
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, 60 Nanyang Drive, Singapore, 637551, Singapore.
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Sánchez-Cano A, López-Calderón C, Cardona-Cabrera T, Green AJ, Höfle U. Connectivity at the human-wildlife interface: starling movements relate to carriage of E. coli. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 926:171899. [PMID: 38527537 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.171899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2023] [Revised: 03/19/2024] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/27/2024]
Abstract
Synanthropic bird species in human, poultry or livestock environments can increase the spread of pathogens and antibiotic-resistant bacteria between wild and domestic animals. We present the first telemetry-based spatial networks for a small songbird. We quantified landscape connectivity exerted by spotless starling movements, and aimed to determine if connectivity patterns were related to carriage of potential pathogens. We captured 28 starlings on a partridge farm in 2020 and tested them for Avian influenza virus, West Nile virus WNV, Avian orthoavulavirus 1, Coronavirus, Salmonella spp. and Escherichia coli. We did not detect any viruses or Salmonella, but one individual had antibodies against WNV or cross-reacting Flaviviruses. We found E. coli in 61 % (17 of 28) of starlings, 76 % (13 of 17) of which were resistant to gentamicin, 12 % (2 of 17) to cefotaxime/enrofloxacin and 6 % (1 of 17) were phenotypic extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) carriers. We GPS-tracked 17 starlings and constructed spatial networks showing how their movements (i.e. links) connect different farms with nearby urban and natural habitats (i.e. nodes with different attributes). Using E. coli carriage as a proxy for acquisition/dispersal of bacteria, we found differences across spatial networks constructed for E. coli positive (n = 7) and E. coli negative (n = 9) starlings. We used Exponential Random Graph Models to reveal significant differences between networks. In particular, an urban roost was more connected to other sites by movements of E. coli positive than by movements of E. coli negative starlings. Furthermore, an open pine forest used mainly for roosting was more connected to other sites by movements of E. coli negative than by movements of E. coli positive starlings. Using E. coli as a proxy for a potential pathogen carried by starlings, we reveal the pathways of spread that starlings could provide between farms, urban and natural habitats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto Sánchez-Cano
- SaBio Research Group, Institute for Game and Wildlife Research IREC (CSIC-UCLM-JCCM), Ciudad Real, Spain.
| | - Cosme López-Calderón
- Department of Conservation Biology and Global Change, Estación Biológica de Doñana (EBD-CSIC), Seville, Spain; Grupo de Investigación en Conservación, Biodiversidad y Cambio Global, Universidad de Extremadura, Badajoz, Spain
| | - Teresa Cardona-Cabrera
- SaBio Research Group, Institute for Game and Wildlife Research IREC (CSIC-UCLM-JCCM), Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Andy J Green
- Department of Conservation Biology and Global Change, Estación Biológica de Doñana (EBD-CSIC), Seville, Spain
| | - Ursula Höfle
- SaBio Research Group, Institute for Game and Wildlife Research IREC (CSIC-UCLM-JCCM), Ciudad Real, Spain.
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Rueda Altez MS, Kimberlin DW. The dynamic landscape of emerging viral infections. Pediatr Res 2024; 95:411-413. [PMID: 38135723 DOI: 10.1038/s41390-023-02974-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Maria S Rueda Altez
- Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA.
| | - David W Kimberlin
- Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
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Reis LAM, Silva EVPD, Dias DD, Freitas MNO, Caldeira RD, Araújo PADS, Silva FSD, Rosa Junior JW, Brandão RCF, Nascimento BLSD, Martins LC, Neto JPN. Vector Competence of Culex quinquefasciatus from Brazil for West Nile Virus. Trop Med Infect Dis 2023; 8:tropicalmed8040217. [PMID: 37104343 PMCID: PMC10144584 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed8040217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2023] [Revised: 03/08/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023] Open
Abstract
West Nile virus is characterized as a neurotropic pathogen, which can cause West Nile fever and is transmitted by mosquitoes of the genus Culex. In 2018, the Instituto Evandro Chagas performed the first isolation of a WNV strain in Brazil from a horse brain sample. The present study aimed to evaluate the susceptibility of orally infected Cx. quinquefasciatus from the Amazon region of Brazil to become infected and transmit the WNV strain isolated in 2018. Oral infection was performed with blood meal artificially infected with WNV, followed by analysis of infection, dissemination, and transmission rates, as well as viral titers of body, head, and saliva samples. At the 21st dpi, the infection rate was 100%, the dissemination rate was 80%, and the transmission rate was 77%. These results indicate that Cx. quinquefasciatus is susceptible to oral infection by the Brazilian strain of WNV and may act as a possible vector of the virus since it was detected in saliva from the 21st dpi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lúcia Aline Moura Reis
- Graduate Program in Parasitary Biology in the Amazon Region, Center of Biological and Health Sciences, State University of Pará, Belém 66095-663, Brazil
| | - Eliana Vieira Pinto da Silva
- Department of Arbovirology and Hemorrhagic Fevers, Evandro Chagas Institute—IEC/MS/SVSA, Ananindeua 67030-000, Brazil
| | - Daniel Damous Dias
- Graduate Program in Parasitary Biology in the Amazon Region, Center of Biological and Health Sciences, State University of Pará, Belém 66095-663, Brazil
| | - Maria Nazaré Oliveira Freitas
- Department of Arbovirology and Hemorrhagic Fevers, Evandro Chagas Institute—IEC/MS/SVSA, Ananindeua 67030-000, Brazil
| | - Rossela Damasceno Caldeira
- Graduate Program in Biology of Infectious and Parasitary Agents, Biological Sciences Institute, Federal University of Pará, Belém 66077-830, Brazil
| | - Pedro Arthur da Silva Araújo
- Graduate Program in Biology of Infectious and Parasitary Agents, Biological Sciences Institute, Federal University of Pará, Belém 66077-830, Brazil
| | - Fábio Silva da Silva
- Graduate Program in Parasitary Biology in the Amazon Region, Center of Biological and Health Sciences, State University of Pará, Belém 66095-663, Brazil
| | - José Wilson Rosa Junior
- Department of Arbovirology and Hemorrhagic Fevers, Evandro Chagas Institute—IEC/MS/SVSA, Ananindeua 67030-000, Brazil
| | | | - Bruna Laís Sena do Nascimento
- Department of Arbovirology and Hemorrhagic Fevers, Evandro Chagas Institute—IEC/MS/SVSA, Ananindeua 67030-000, Brazil
| | - Lívia Caricio Martins
- Department of Arbovirology and Hemorrhagic Fevers, Evandro Chagas Institute—IEC/MS/SVSA, Ananindeua 67030-000, Brazil
| | - Joaquim Pinto Nunes Neto
- Department of Arbovirology and Hemorrhagic Fevers, Evandro Chagas Institute—IEC/MS/SVSA, Ananindeua 67030-000, Brazil
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Pianka J, Gruba N, Lesner A. Novel tools to study West Nile virus NS3 protease activity. Bioorg Chem 2023; 133:106426. [PMID: 36801793 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2023.106426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2022] [Revised: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 02/12/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023]
Abstract
West Nile Virus (WNV) belongs to a group of pathogenic viruses called flaviviruses. West Nile virus infection can be mild, causing so-called West Nile Fever (WNF) or severe neuroinvasive form of the disease (WNND), and ultimately even death. There are currently no known medications to prevent West Nile virus infection. Only symptomatic treatment is used. To date, there are no unequivocal tests enabling a quick and unambiguous assessment of WN virus infection. The aim of the research was to obtain specific and selective tools for determining the activity of the West Nile virus serine proteinase. Using the methods of combinatorial chemistry with iterative deconvolution, the substrate specificity of the enzyme in non-primed and primed positions was determined. The FRET ABZ-Ala-Lys-Gln-Arg-Gly-Gly-Thr-Tyr(3-NO2)-NH2 substrate was obtained, characterized by kinetic parameters (KM = 4.20 ± 0.32 × 10-5 M) as for the majority of proteolytic enzymes. The obtained sequence was used to develop and synthesize highly sensitive functionalized quantum dot-based protease probes (QD). A QD WNV NS3 protease probe was obtained to detect an increase in fluorescence of 0.05 nmol enzyme in the assay system. This value was at least 20 times lower than that observed with the optimized substrate. The obtained result may be the basis for further research on the potential use of the WNV NS3 protease in the diagnosis of West Nile virus infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Pianka
- University of Gdansk, Faculty of Chemistry, Wita Stwosza 63 Street, PL 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Natalia Gruba
- University of Gdansk, Faculty of Chemistry, Wita Stwosza 63 Street, PL 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland.
| | - Adam Lesner
- University of Gdansk, Faculty of Chemistry, Wita Stwosza 63 Street, PL 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland
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Giakountis A, Stylianidou Z, Zaka A, Pappa S, Papa A, Hadjichristodoulou C, Mathiopoulos KD. Development of Toehold Switches as a Novel Ribodiagnostic Method for West Nile Virus. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:237. [PMID: 36672977 PMCID: PMC9859090 DOI: 10.3390/genes14010237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Revised: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
West Nile virus (WNV) is an emerging neurotropic RNA virus and a member of the genus Flavivirus. Naturally, the virus is maintained in an enzootic cycle involving mosquitoes as vectors and birds that are the principal amplifying virus hosts. In humans, the incubation period for WNV disease ranges from 3 to 14 days, with an estimated 80% of infected persons being asymptomatic, around 19% developing a mild febrile infection and less than 1% developing neuroinvasive disease. Laboratory diagnosis of WNV infection is generally accomplished by cross-reacting serological methods or highly sensitive yet expensive molecular approaches. Therefore, current diagnostic tools hinder widespread surveillance of WNV in birds and mosquitoes that serve as viral reservoirs for infecting secondary hosts, such as humans and equines. We have developed a synthetic biology-based method for sensitive and low-cost detection of WNV. This method relies on toehold riboswitches designed to detect WNV genomic RNA as transcriptional input and process it to GFP fluorescence as translational output. Our methodology offers a non-invasive tool with reduced operating cost and high diagnostic value that can be used for field surveillance of WNV in humans as well as in bird and mosquito populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonis Giakountis
- Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, University of Thessaly, Biopolis-Mezourlo, 41500 Larissa, Greece
| | - Zoe Stylianidou
- Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, University of Thessaly, Biopolis-Mezourlo, 41500 Larissa, Greece
| | - Anxhela Zaka
- Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, University of Thessaly, Biopolis-Mezourlo, 41500 Larissa, Greece
| | - Styliani Pappa
- Department of Microbiology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Anna Papa
- Department of Microbiology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | | | - Kostas D. Mathiopoulos
- Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, University of Thessaly, Biopolis-Mezourlo, 41500 Larissa, Greece
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Dengue, West Nile, and Zika Viruses: Potential Novel Antiviral Biologics Drugs Currently at Discovery and Preclinical Development Stages. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14112535. [PMID: 36432726 PMCID: PMC9697021 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14112535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2022] [Revised: 11/07/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Dengue, West Nile and Zika viruses are vector-borne flaviviruses responsible for numerous disease outbreaks in both Hemispheres. Despite relatively low mortality, infection may lead to potentially severe situations such as (depending on the virus): hypovolemic shock, encephalitis, acute flaccid paralysis, Guillain-Barré syndrome, congenital malformations (e.g., microcephaly) and, in some situations, death. Moreover, outbreaks also have major socioeconomic repercussions, especially in already vulnerable societies. Thus far, only generic symptoms relief is possible, as there are no specific treatments available yet. Dengvaxia was the world's first dengue vaccine. However, it is not fully effective. Prophylactic approaches against West Nile and Zika viruses are even more limited. Therefore, therapeutic strategies are required and will be discussed hereafter. We will first briefly present these viruses' epidemiology, life cycle and structure. Then, we introduce the clinical presentation, diagnosis approaches and available vaccines. Finally, we list and discuss promising compounds at discovery and preclinical development stages already deposited at the GlobalData database and divided into three main types, according to therapeutic molecule: antibody-based, peptide-based molecules and, other compounds. To conclude, we discuss and compare promising developments, useful for future therapies against these three flaviviruses of major concern to human health.
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Plant-Derived Recombinant Vaccines against Zoonotic Viruses. Life (Basel) 2022; 12:life12020156. [PMID: 35207444 PMCID: PMC8878793 DOI: 10.3390/life12020156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Revised: 01/15/2022] [Accepted: 01/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Emerging and re-emerging zoonotic diseases cause serious illness with billions of cases, and millions of deaths. The most effective way to restrict the spread of zoonotic viruses among humans and animals and prevent disease is vaccination. Recombinant proteins produced in plants offer an alternative approach for the development of safe, effective, inexpensive candidate vaccines. Current strategies are focused on the production of highly immunogenic structural proteins, which mimic the organizations of the native virion but lack the viral genetic material. These include chimeric viral peptides, subunit virus proteins, and virus-like particles (VLPs). The latter, with their ability to self-assemble and thus resemble the form of virus particles, are gaining traction among plant-based candidate vaccines against many infectious diseases. In this review, we summarized the main zoonotic diseases and followed the progress in using plant expression systems for the production of recombinant proteins and VLPs used in the development of plant-based vaccines against zoonotic viruses.
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Caldwell M, Boruah AP, Thakur KT. Acute neurologic emerging flaviviruses. Ther Adv Infect Dis 2022; 9:20499361221102664. [PMID: 35719177 PMCID: PMC9198421 DOI: 10.1177/20499361221102664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2021] [Accepted: 04/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has shed light on the challenges we face as a global society in preventing and containing emerging and re-emerging pathogens. Multiple intersecting factors, including environmental changes, host immunological factors, and pathogen dynamics, are intimately connected to the emergence and re-emergence of communicable diseases. There is a large and expanding list of communicable diseases that can cause neurological damage, either through direct or indirect routes. Novel pathogens of neurotropic potential have been identified through advanced diagnostic techniques, including metagenomic next-generation sequencing, but there are also known pathogens which have expanded their geographic distribution to infect non-immune individuals. Factors including population growth, climate change, the increase in animal and human interface, and an increase in international travel and trade are contributing to the expansion of emerging and re-emerging pathogens. Challenges exist around antimicrobial misuse giving rise to antimicrobial-resistant infectious neurotropic organisms and increased susceptibility to infection related to the expanded use of immunomodulatory treatments. In this article, we will review key concepts around emerging and re-emerging pathogens and discuss factors associated with neurotropism and neuroinvasion. We highlight several neurotropic pathogens of interest, including West Nile virus (WNV), Zika Virus, Japanese Encephalitis Virus (JEV), and Tick-Borne Encephalitis Virus (TBEV). We emphasize neuroinfectious diseases which impact the central nervous system (CNS) and focus on flaviviruses, a group of vector-borne pathogens that have expanded globally in recent years and have proven capable of widespread outbreak.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marissa Caldwell
- Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA
| | - Abhilasha P. Boruah
- Department of Neurology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital (CUIMC/NYP), New York, NY, USA
- Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Kiran T. Thakur
- Division of Critical Care and Hospitalist Neurology, Department of Neurology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital (CUIMC/NYP), 177 Fort Washington Avenue, Milstein Hospital, 8GS-300, New York, NY 10032, USA
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Mencattelli G, Iapaolo F, Monaco F, Fusco G, de Martinis C, Portanti O, Di Gennaro A, Curini V, Polci A, Berjaoui S, Di Felice E, Rosà R, Rizzoli A, Savini G. West Nile Virus Lineage 1 in Italy: Newly Introduced or a Re-Occurrence of a Previously Circulating Strain? Viruses 2021; 14:v14010064. [PMID: 35062268 PMCID: PMC8780300 DOI: 10.3390/v14010064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2021] [Revised: 12/18/2021] [Accepted: 12/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In Italy, West Nile virus (WNV) appeared for the first time in the Tuscany region in 1998. After 10 years of absence, it re-appeared in the areas surrounding the Po River delta, affecting eight provinces in three regions. Thereafter, WNV epidemics caused by genetically divergent isolates have been documented every year in the country. Since 2018, only WNV Lineage 2 has been reported in the Italian territory. In October 2020, WNV Lineage 1 (WNV-L1) re-emerged in Italy, in the Campania region. This is the first occurrence of WNV-L1 detection in the Italian territory since 2017. WNV was detected in the internal organs of a goshawk (Accipiter gentilis) and a kestrel (Falco tinnunculus). The RNA extracted in the goshawk tissue samples was sequenced, and a Bayesian phylogenetic analysis was performed by a maximum-likelihood tree. Genome analysis, conducted on the goshawk WNV complete genome sequence, indicates that the strain belongs to the WNV-L1 Western-Mediterranean (WMed) cluster. Moreover, a close phylogenetic similarity is observed between the goshawk strain, the 2008-2011 group of Italian sequences, and European strains belonging to the Wmed cluster. Our results evidence the possibility of both a new re-introduction or unnoticed silent circulation in Italy, and the strong importance of keeping the WNV surveillance system in the Italian territory active.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Mencattelli
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell’Abruzzo e del Molise, 64100 Teramo, Italy; (F.I.); (F.M.); (O.P.); (A.D.G.); (V.C.); (A.P.); (S.B.); (E.D.F.); (G.S.)
- Center Agriculture Food Environment, University of Trento, 38098 Trento, Italy;
- Fondazione Edmund Mach, San Michele all’Adige, 38098 Trento, Italy;
- Correspondence:
| | - Federica Iapaolo
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell’Abruzzo e del Molise, 64100 Teramo, Italy; (F.I.); (F.M.); (O.P.); (A.D.G.); (V.C.); (A.P.); (S.B.); (E.D.F.); (G.S.)
| | - Federica Monaco
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell’Abruzzo e del Molise, 64100 Teramo, Italy; (F.I.); (F.M.); (O.P.); (A.D.G.); (V.C.); (A.P.); (S.B.); (E.D.F.); (G.S.)
| | - Giovanna Fusco
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, 80055 Napoli, Italy; (G.F.); (C.d.M.)
| | - Claudio de Martinis
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, 80055 Napoli, Italy; (G.F.); (C.d.M.)
| | - Ottavio Portanti
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell’Abruzzo e del Molise, 64100 Teramo, Italy; (F.I.); (F.M.); (O.P.); (A.D.G.); (V.C.); (A.P.); (S.B.); (E.D.F.); (G.S.)
| | - Annapia Di Gennaro
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell’Abruzzo e del Molise, 64100 Teramo, Italy; (F.I.); (F.M.); (O.P.); (A.D.G.); (V.C.); (A.P.); (S.B.); (E.D.F.); (G.S.)
| | - Valentina Curini
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell’Abruzzo e del Molise, 64100 Teramo, Italy; (F.I.); (F.M.); (O.P.); (A.D.G.); (V.C.); (A.P.); (S.B.); (E.D.F.); (G.S.)
| | - Andrea Polci
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell’Abruzzo e del Molise, 64100 Teramo, Italy; (F.I.); (F.M.); (O.P.); (A.D.G.); (V.C.); (A.P.); (S.B.); (E.D.F.); (G.S.)
| | - Shadia Berjaoui
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell’Abruzzo e del Molise, 64100 Teramo, Italy; (F.I.); (F.M.); (O.P.); (A.D.G.); (V.C.); (A.P.); (S.B.); (E.D.F.); (G.S.)
| | - Elisabetta Di Felice
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell’Abruzzo e del Molise, 64100 Teramo, Italy; (F.I.); (F.M.); (O.P.); (A.D.G.); (V.C.); (A.P.); (S.B.); (E.D.F.); (G.S.)
| | - Roberto Rosà
- Center Agriculture Food Environment, University of Trento, 38098 Trento, Italy;
| | | | - Giovanni Savini
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell’Abruzzo e del Molise, 64100 Teramo, Italy; (F.I.); (F.M.); (O.P.); (A.D.G.); (V.C.); (A.P.); (S.B.); (E.D.F.); (G.S.)
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12
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Mayanja MN, Mwiine FN, Lutwama JJ, Ssekagiri A, Egesa M, Thomson EC, Kohl A. Mosquito-borne arboviruses in Uganda: history, transmission and burden. J Gen Virol 2021; 102. [PMID: 34609940 DOI: 10.1099/jgv.0.001680] [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: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Mosquito-transmitted arboviruses constitute a large proportion of emerging infectious diseases that are both a public health problem and a threat to animal populations. Many such viruses were identified in East Africa, a region where they remain important and from where new arboviruses may emerge. We set out to describe and review the relevant mosquito-borne viruses that have been identified specifically in Uganda. We focused on the discovery, burden, mode of transmission, animal hosts and clinical manifestation of those previously involved in disease outbreaks. A search for mosquito-borne arboviruses detected in Uganda was conducted using search terms 'Arboviruses in Uganda' and 'Mosquitoes and Viruses in Uganda' in PubMed and Google Scholar in 2020. Twenty-four mosquito-borne viruses from different animal hosts, humans and mosquitoes were documented. The majority of these were from family Peribunyaviridae, followed by Flaviviridae, Togaviridae, Phenuiviridae and only one each from family Rhabdoviridae and Reoviridae. Sixteen (66.7%) of the viruses were associated with febrile illnesses. Ten (41.7%) of them were first described locally in Uganda. Six of these are a public threat as they have been previously associated with disease outbreaks either within or outside Uganda. Historically, there is a high burden and endemicity of arboviruses in Uganda. Given the many diverse mosquito species known in the country, there is also a likelihood of many undescribed mosquito-borne viruses. Next generation diagnostic platforms have great potential to identify new viruses. Indeed, four novel viruses, two of which were from humans (Ntwetwe and Nyangole viruses) and two from mosquitoes (Kibale and Mburo viruses) were identified in the last decade using next generation sequencing. Given the unbiased approach of detection of viruses by this technology, its use will undoubtedly be critically important in the characterization of mosquito viromes which in turn will inform other diagnostic efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin N Mayanja
- School of Biosecurity, Biotechnical and Laboratory Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda.,Department of Arbovirology, Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases, Uganda Virus Research Institute, Entebbe, Uganda.,MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK
| | - Frank N Mwiine
- School of Biosecurity, Biotechnical and Laboratory Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Julius J Lutwama
- Department of Arbovirology, Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases, Uganda Virus Research Institute, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Alfred Ssekagiri
- Department of Immunology and Molecular Biology, School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Moses Egesa
- MRC/UVRI and LSHTM Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda.,Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - Emma C Thomson
- MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK
| | - Alain Kohl
- MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK
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13
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Humphreys JM, Pelzel-McCluskey AM, Cohnstaedt LW, McGregor BL, Hanley KA, Hudson AR, Young KI, Peck D, Rodriguez LL, Peters DPC. Integrating Spatiotemporal Epidemiology, Eco-Phylogenetics, and Distributional Ecology to Assess West Nile Disease Risk in Horses. Viruses 2021; 13:v13091811. [PMID: 34578392 PMCID: PMC8473291 DOI: 10.3390/v13091811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2021] [Revised: 09/08/2021] [Accepted: 09/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Mosquito-borne West Nile virus (WNV) is the causative agent of West Nile disease in humans, horses, and some bird species. Since the initial introduction of WNV to the United States (US), approximately 30,000 horses have been impacted by West Nile neurologic disease and hundreds of additional horses are infected each year. Research describing the drivers of West Nile disease in horses is greatly needed to better anticipate the spatial and temporal extent of disease risk, improve disease surveillance, and alleviate future economic impacts to the equine industry and private horse owners. To help meet this need, we integrated techniques from spatiotemporal epidemiology, eco-phylogenetics, and distributional ecology to assess West Nile disease risk in horses throughout the contiguous US. Our integrated approach considered horse abundance and virus exposure, vector and host distributions, and a variety of extrinsic climatic, socio-economic, and environmental risk factors. Birds are WNV reservoir hosts, and therefore we quantified avian host community dynamics across the continental US to show intra-annual variability in host phylogenetic structure and demonstrate host phylodiversity as a mechanism for virus amplification in time and virus dilution in space. We identified drought as a potential amplifier of virus transmission and demonstrated the importance of accounting for spatial non-stationarity when quantifying interaction between disease risk and meteorological influences such as temperature and precipitation. Our results delineated the timing and location of several areas at high risk of West Nile disease and can be used to prioritize vaccination programs and optimize virus surveillance and monitoring.
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Affiliation(s)
- John M. Humphreys
- Pest Management Research Unit, Agricultural Research Service, US Department of Agriculture, Sidney, MT 59270, USA
- Correspondence:
| | - Angela M. Pelzel-McCluskey
- Veterinary Services, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), US Department of Agriculture, Fort Collins, CO 80526, USA;
| | - Lee W. Cohnstaedt
- Arthropod-Borne Animal Disease Research Unit, Agricultural Research Service, US Department of Agriculture, Manhattan, KS 66502, USA; (L.W.C.); (B.L.M.)
| | - Bethany L. McGregor
- Arthropod-Borne Animal Disease Research Unit, Agricultural Research Service, US Department of Agriculture, Manhattan, KS 66502, USA; (L.W.C.); (B.L.M.)
| | - Kathryn A. Hanley
- Department of Biology, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM 88003, USA; (K.A.H.); (K.I.Y.)
| | - Amy R. Hudson
- Big Data Initiative and SCINet Program for Scientific Computing, Agricultural Research Service, US Department of Agriculture, Beltsville, MD 20704, USA; (A.R.H.); (D.P.C.P.)
| | - Katherine I. Young
- Department of Biology, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM 88003, USA; (K.A.H.); (K.I.Y.)
| | - Dannele Peck
- Northern Plains Climate Hub, US Department of Agriculture, Fort Collins, CO 80526, USA;
| | - Luis L. Rodriguez
- Plum Island Animal Disease Center, US Department of Agriculture, Orient Point, NY 11957, USA;
| | - Debra P. C. Peters
- Big Data Initiative and SCINet Program for Scientific Computing, Agricultural Research Service, US Department of Agriculture, Beltsville, MD 20704, USA; (A.R.H.); (D.P.C.P.)
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14
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Mayanja MN, Mwiine FN, Lutwama JJ, Ssekagiri A, Egesa M, Thomson EC, Kohl A. Mosquito-borne arboviruses in Uganda: history, transmission and burden. J Gen Virol 2021; 102. [PMID: 34166178 DOI: 10.1099/jgv.0.001615] [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: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Mosquito-transmitted arboviruses constitute a large proportion of emerging infectious diseases that are both a public health problem and a threat to animal populations. Many such viruses were identified in East Africa, a region where they remain important and from where new arboviruses may emerge. We set out to describe and review the relevant mosquito-borne viruses that have been identified specifically in Uganda. We focused on the discovery, burden, mode of transmission, animal hosts and clinical manifestation of those previously involved in disease outbreaks. A search for mosquito-borne arboviruses detected in Uganda was conducted using search terms 'Arboviruses in Uganda' and 'Mosquitoes and Viruses in Uganda' in PubMed and Google Scholar in 2020. Twenty-four mosquito-borne viruses from different animal hosts, humans and mosquitoes were documented. The majority of these were from family Peribunyaviridae, followed by Flaviviridae, Togaviridae, Phenuiviridae and only one each from family Rhabdoviridae and Reoviridae. Sixteen (66.7 %) of the viruses were associated with febrile illnesses. Ten (41.7 %) of them were first described locally in Uganda. Six of these are a public threat as they have been previously associated with disease outbreaks either within or outside Uganda. Historically, there is a high burden and endemicity of arboviruses in Uganda. Given the many diverse mosquito species known in the country, there is also a likelihood of many undescribed mosquito-borne viruses. New generation diagnostic platforms have great potential to identify new viruses. Indeed, four novel viruses, two of which were from humans (Ntwetwe and Nyangole viruses) and two from mosquitoes (Kibale and Mburo viruses) including the 2010 yellow fever virus (YFV) outbreak were identified in the last decade using next generation sequencing. Given the unbiased approach of detection of viruses by this technology, its use will undoubtedly be critically important in the characterization of mosquito viromes which in turn will inform other diagnostic efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin N Mayanja
- School of Biosecurity, Biotechnical and Laboratory Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda.,Department of Arbovirology, Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases, Uganda Virus Research Institute, Entebbe, Uganda.,MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK
| | - Frank N Mwiine
- School of Biosecurity, Biotechnical and Laboratory Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Julius J Lutwama
- Department of Arbovirology, Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases, Uganda Virus Research Institute, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Alfred Ssekagiri
- Department of Immunology and Molecular Biology, School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Moses Egesa
- MRC/UVRI and LSHTM Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda.,Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - Emma C Thomson
- MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK
| | - Alain Kohl
- MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK
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15
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To J, Torres J. Trimerization of the N-Terminal Tail of Zika Virus NS4A Protein: A Potential In Vitro Antiviral Screening Assay. MEMBRANES 2021; 11:membranes11050335. [PMID: 33946585 PMCID: PMC8147241 DOI: 10.3390/membranes11050335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Revised: 04/25/2021] [Accepted: 04/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
The nonstructural (NS) protein NS4A in flaviviruses is a membrane protein that is critical for virulence, and, among other roles, it participates in membrane morphogenesis. In dengue virus (DENV), the NS4A hydrophilic N–terminal tail, together with the first transmembrane domain, is involved in both homo-oligomerization and hetero–oligomerization with NS4B. In both DENV and Zika virus (ZIKV), this N-terminal tail (residues 1–48) forms a random coil in solution but becomes mostly α-helical upon interaction with detergents or lipid membranes. Herein, we show that a peptide from ZIKV NS4A that spans residues 4–58, which includes most of the N–terminal tail and a third of its first transmembrane domain, forms homotrimers in the absence of detergents or liposomes. After interaction with the latter, α–helical content increases, consistent with binding. The oligomeric size of NS4A is not known, as it has only been reported in SDS gels. Therefore, we propose that full-length NS4A forms homotrimers mediated by this region, and that disruption of the oligomerization of peptide ZIKV NS4A 4–58 in solution can potentially constitute the basis for an in vitro assay to discover antivirals.
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16
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Saiz JC, Martín-Acebes MA, Blázquez AB, Escribano-Romero E, Poderoso T, Jiménez de Oya N. Pathogenicity and virulence of West Nile virus revisited eight decades after its first isolation. Virulence 2021; 12:1145-1173. [PMID: 33843445 PMCID: PMC8043182 DOI: 10.1080/21505594.2021.1908740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
West Nile virus (WNV) is a flavivirus which transmission cycle is maintained between mosquitoes and birds, although it occasionally causes sporadic outbreaks in horses and humans that can result in serious diseases and even death. Since its first isolation in Africa in 1937, WNV had been considered a neglected pathogen until its recent spread throughout Europe and the colonization of America, regions where it continues to cause outbreaks with severe neurological consequences in humans and horses. Although our knowledge about the characteristics and consequences of the virus has increased enormously lately, many questions remain to be resolved. Here, we thoroughly update our knowledge of different aspects of the WNV life cycle: virology and molecular classification, host cell interactions, transmission dynamics, host range, epidemiology and surveillance, immune response, clinical presentations, pathogenesis, diagnosis, prophylaxis (antivirals and vaccines), and prevention, and we highlight those aspects that are still unknown and that undoubtedly require further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan-Carlos Saiz
- Department of Biotechnology, National Institute for Agricultural and Food Research and Technology (INIA), Madrid, Spain
| | - Miguel A Martín-Acebes
- Department of Biotechnology, National Institute for Agricultural and Food Research and Technology (INIA), Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana B Blázquez
- Department of Biotechnology, National Institute for Agricultural and Food Research and Technology (INIA), Madrid, Spain
| | - Estela Escribano-Romero
- Department of Biotechnology, National Institute for Agricultural and Food Research and Technology (INIA), Madrid, Spain
| | - Teresa Poderoso
- Molecular Virology Group, Department of Experimental and Health Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Nereida Jiménez de Oya
- Department of Biotechnology, National Institute for Agricultural and Food Research and Technology (INIA), Madrid, Spain
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17
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Lima CS, Mottin M, de Assis LR, Mesquita NCDMR, Sousa BKDP, Coimbra LD, Santos KBD, Zorn KM, Guido RVC, Ekins S, Marques RE, Proença-Modena JL, Oliva G, Andrade CH, Regasini LO. Flavonoids from Pterogyne nitens as Zika virus NS2B-NS3 protease inhibitors. Bioorg Chem 2021; 109:104719. [PMID: 33636437 PMCID: PMC8227833 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2021.104719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2020] [Revised: 01/26/2021] [Accepted: 02/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Although the widespread epidemic of Zika virus (ZIKV) and its neurological complications are well-known there are still no approved drugs available to treat this arboviral disease or vaccine to prevent the infection. Flavonoids from Pterogyne nitens have already demonstrated anti-flavivirus activity, although their target is unknown. In this study, we virtually screened an in-house database of 150 natural and semi-synthetic compounds against ZIKV NS2B-NS3 protease (NS2B-NS3p) using docking-based virtual screening, as part of the OpenZika project. As a result, we prioritized three flavonoids from P. nitens, quercetin, rutin and pedalitin, for experimental evaluation. We also used machine learning models, built with Assay Central® software, for predicting the activity and toxicity of these flavonoids. Biophysical and enzymatic assays generally agreed with the in silico predictions, confirming that the flavonoids inhibited ZIKV protease. The most promising hit, pedalitin, inhibited ZIKV NS2B-NS3p with an IC50 of 5 μM. In cell-based assays, pedalitin displayed significant activity at 250 and 500 µM, with slight toxicity in Vero cells. The results presented here demonstrate the potential of pedalitin as a candidate for hit-to-lead (H2L) optimization studies towards the discovery of antiviral drug candidates to treat ZIKV infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Sprengel Lima
- Laboratory of Antibiotics and Chemotherapeutics (LAQ), Institute of Biosciences, Humanities and Exact Sciences, São Paulo State University (Unesp), São José do Rio Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Melina Mottin
- Laboratory of Molecular Modeling and Drug Design (LabMol), Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, GO, Brazil
| | - Leticia Ribeiro de Assis
- Laboratory of Antibiotics and Chemotherapeutics (LAQ), Institute of Biosciences, Humanities and Exact Sciences, São Paulo State University (Unesp), São José do Rio Preto, SP, Brazil
| | | | - Bruna Katiele de Paula Sousa
- Laboratory of Molecular Modeling and Drug Design (LabMol), Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, GO, Brazil
| | - Lais Durco Coimbra
- Brazilian Biosciences National Laboratory (LNBio), Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM), Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Karina Bispo-Dos- Santos
- Laboratory of Emerging Viruses (LEVE), Department of Genetics, Evolution, Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Kimberley M Zorn
- Collaborations Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Raleigh, NC, United States
| | - Rafael V C Guido
- Institute of Physics of São Carlos, University of São Paulo, São Carlos, SP, Brazil
| | - Sean Ekins
- Collaborations Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Raleigh, NC, United States
| | - Rafael Elias Marques
- Brazilian Biosciences National Laboratory (LNBio), Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM), Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - José Luiz Proença-Modena
- Laboratory of Emerging Viruses (LEVE), Department of Genetics, Evolution, Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Glaucius Oliva
- Institute of Physics of São Carlos, University of São Paulo, São Carlos, SP, Brazil
| | - Carolina Horta Andrade
- Laboratory of Molecular Modeling and Drug Design (LabMol), Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, GO, Brazil.
| | - Luis Octavio Regasini
- Laboratory of Antibiotics and Chemotherapeutics (LAQ), Institute of Biosciences, Humanities and Exact Sciences, São Paulo State University (Unesp), São José do Rio Preto, SP, Brazil.
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18
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Alom MW, Shehab MN, Sujon KM, Akter F. Exploring E, NS3, and NS5 proteins to design a novel multi-epitope vaccine candidate against West Nile Virus: An in-silico approach. INFORMATICS IN MEDICINE UNLOCKED 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.imu.2021.100644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022] Open
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19
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Animal and Human Vaccines against West Nile Virus. Pathogens 2020; 9:pathogens9121073. [PMID: 33371384 PMCID: PMC7767344 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens9121073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2020] [Revised: 12/17/2020] [Accepted: 12/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
West Nile virus (WNV) is a widely distributed enveloped flavivirus transmitted by mosquitoes, which main hosts are birds. The virus sporadically infects equids and humans with serious economic and health consequences, as infected individuals can develop a severe neuroinvasive disease that can even lead to death. Nowadays, no WNV-specific therapy is available and vaccines are only licensed for use in horses but not for humans. While several methodologies for WNV vaccine development have been successfully applied and have contributed to significantly reducing its incidence in horses in the US, none have progressed to phase III clinical trials in humans. This review addresses the status of WNV vaccines for horses, birds, and humans, summarizing and discussing the challenges they face for their clinical advance and their introduction to the market.
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20
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Blázquez AB, Saiz JC. Potential for Protein Kinase Pharmacological Regulation in Flaviviridae Infections. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E9524. [PMID: 33333737 PMCID: PMC7765220 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21249524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2020] [Revised: 12/09/2020] [Accepted: 12/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Protein kinases (PKs) are enzymes that catalyze the transfer of the terminal phosphate group from ATP to a protein acceptor, mainly to serine, threonine, and tyrosine residues. PK catalyzed phosphorylation is critical to the regulation of cellular signaling pathways that affect crucial cell processes, such as growth, differentiation, and metabolism. PKs represent attractive targets for drugs against a wide spectrum of diseases, including viral infections. Two different approaches are being applied in the search for antivirals: compounds directed against viral targets (direct-acting antivirals, DAAs), or against cellular components essential for the viral life cycle (host-directed antivirals, HDAs). One of the main drawbacks of DAAs is the rapid emergence of drug-resistant viruses. In contrast, HDAs present a higher barrier to resistance development. This work reviews the use of chemicals that target cellular PKs as HDAs against virus of the Flaviviridae family (Flavivirus and Hepacivirus), thus being potentially valuable therapeutic targets in the control of these pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana-Belén Blázquez
- Department of Biotechnology, Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA), 28040 Madrid, Spain;
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21
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Development of a Real-Time Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification Method for the Detection of West Nile Virus. Jundishapur J Microbiol 2020. [DOI: 10.5812/jjm.105443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: The West Nile Virus (WNV), discovered in New York, USA in 1999 after it was first isolated in Uganda in 1937, has since spread not only in the United States but also around the world. Africa, Eurasia, Australia, and the Middle East have sporadic cases of the disease. Objectives: We aimed to find real-time reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) assay to be more sensitive than conventional RT-PCR, and more rapid and efficient than conventional RT-PCR and real-time RT-PCR for WNV detection. Methods: A total of 32 genomic sequences from different strains of WNV were analyzed to identify conserved nucleotide sequence regions. Six WNV specific RT-LAMP primers targeting the E gene were designed. Results: The novel primer for the real-time RT-LAMP assay can detect WNV with high specificity. The efficiency of the real-time RT-LAMP assay is higher than the conventional RT-PCR and real-time RT-PCR. Real-time RT-PCR and conventional PCR require at least 30 – 40 min and 2 h, respectively, to yield results, whereas real-time RT-LAMP provides positive results in only 10 – 20 min. Conclusions: The novel primers were developed by analyzing of 32 genomic sequences of WNV strains. The primers were designed from the most conserved region of the E gene for real-time RT-LAMP. The LAMP assay is a rapid, efficient, highly sensitive, and specific tool for the identification of WNV.
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22
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Martin MF, Nisole S. West Nile Virus Restriction in Mosquito and Human Cells: A Virus under Confinement. Vaccines (Basel) 2020; 8:E256. [PMID: 32485916 PMCID: PMC7350012 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines8020256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2020] [Revised: 05/25/2020] [Accepted: 05/27/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
West Nile virus (WNV) is an emerging neurotropic flavivirus that naturally circulates between mosquitoes and birds. However, WNV has a broad host range and can be transmitted from mosquitoes to several mammalian species, including humans, through infected saliva during a blood meal. Although WNV infections are mostly asymptomatic, 20% to 30% of cases are symptomatic and can occasionally lead to severe symptoms, including fatal meningitis or encephalitis. Over the past decades, WNV-carrying mosquitoes have become increasingly widespread across new regions, including North America and Europe, which constitutes a public health concern. Nevertheless, mosquito and human innate immune defenses can detect WNV infection and induce the expression of antiviral effectors, so-called viral restriction factors, to control viral propagation. Conversely, WNV has developed countermeasures to escape these host defenses, thus establishing a constant arms race between the virus and its hosts. Our review intends to cover most of the current knowledge on viral restriction factors as well as WNV evasion strategies in mosquito and human cells in order to bring an updated overview on WNV-host interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sébastien Nisole
- Viral Trafficking, Restriction and Innate Signaling Team, Institut de Recherche en Infectiologie de Montpellier (IRIM), CNRS, 34090 Montpellier, France;
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23
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Bai F, Thompson EA, Vig PJS, Leis AA. Current Understanding of West Nile Virus Clinical Manifestations, Immune Responses, Neuroinvasion, and Immunotherapeutic Implications. Pathogens 2019; 8:pathogens8040193. [PMID: 31623175 PMCID: PMC6963678 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens8040193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2019] [Revised: 10/12/2019] [Accepted: 10/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
West Nile virus (WNV) is the most common mosquito-borne virus in North America. WNV-associated neuroinvasive disease affects all ages, although elderly and immunocompromised individuals are particularly at risk. WNV neuroinvasive disease has killed over 2300 Americans since WNV entered into the United States in the New York City outbreak of 1999. Despite 20 years of intensive laboratory and clinical research, there are still no approved vaccines or antivirals available for human use. However, rapid progress has been made in both understanding the pathogenesis of WNV and treatment in clinical practices. This review summarizes our current understanding of WNV infection in terms of human clinical manifestations, host immune responses, neuroinvasion, and therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fengwei Bai
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS 39406, USA.
| | - E Ashley Thompson
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS 39406, USA.
| | - Parminder J S Vig
- Departments of Neurology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS 39216, USA.
| | - A Arturo Leis
- Methodist Rehabilitation Center, Jackson, MS 39216, USA.
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Jiménez de Oya N, Escribano-Romero E, Blázquez AB, Martín-Acebes MA, Saiz JC. Current Progress of Avian Vaccines Against West Nile Virus. Vaccines (Basel) 2019; 7:vaccines7040126. [PMID: 31547632 PMCID: PMC6963603 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines7040126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2019] [Revised: 09/19/2019] [Accepted: 09/19/2019] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Birds are the main natural host of West Nile virus (WNV), the worldwide most distributed mosquito-borne flavivirus, but humans and equids can also be sporadic hosts. Many avian species have been reported as susceptible to WNV, particularly corvids. In the case that clinical disease develops in birds, this is due to virus invasion of different organs: liver, spleen, kidney, heart, and mainly the central nervous system, which can lead to death 24–48 h later. Nowadays, vaccines have only been licensed for use in equids; thus, the availability of avian vaccines would benefit bird populations, both domestic and wild ones. Such vaccines could be used in endangered species housed in rehabilitation and wildlife reserves, and in animals located at zoos and other recreational installations, but also in farm birds, and in those that are grown for hunting and restocking activities. Even more, controlling WNV infection in birds can also be useful to prevent its spread and limit outbreaks. So far, different commercial and experimental vaccines (inactivated, attenuated, and recombinant viruses, and subunits and DNA-based candidates) have been evaluated, with various regimens, both in domestic and wild avian species. However, there are still disadvantages that must be overcome before avian vaccination can be implemented, such as its cost-effectiveness for domestic birds since in many species the pathogenicity is low or zero, or the viability of being able to achieve collective immunity in wild birds in freedom. Here, a comprehensive review of what has been done until now in the field of avian vaccines against WNV is presented and discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nereida Jiménez de Oya
- Department of Biotechnology, National Agricultural and Food Research and Technology Institute (INIA), 28040 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Estela Escribano-Romero
- Department of Biotechnology, National Agricultural and Food Research and Technology Institute (INIA), 28040 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Ana-Belén Blázquez
- Department of Biotechnology, National Agricultural and Food Research and Technology Institute (INIA), 28040 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Miguel A Martín-Acebes
- Department of Biotechnology, National Agricultural and Food Research and Technology Institute (INIA), 28040 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Juan-Carlos Saiz
- Department of Biotechnology, National Agricultural and Food Research and Technology Institute (INIA), 28040 Madrid, Spain.
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Therapeutic Advances Against ZIKV: A Quick Response, a Long Way to Go. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2019; 12:ph12030127. [PMID: 31480297 PMCID: PMC6789873 DOI: 10.3390/ph12030127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2019] [Revised: 08/15/2019] [Accepted: 08/16/2019] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Zika virus (ZIKV) is a mosquito-borne flavivirus that spread throughout the American continent in 2015 causing considerable worldwide social and health alarm due to its association with ocular lesions and microcephaly in newborns, and Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) cases in adults. Nowadays, no licensed vaccines or antivirals are available against ZIKV, and thus, in this very short time, the scientific community has conducted enormous efforts to develop vaccines and antivirals. So that, different platforms (purified inactivated and live attenuated viruses, DNA and RNA nucleic acid based candidates, virus-like particles, subunit elements, and recombinant viruses) have been evaluated as vaccine candidates. Overall, these vaccines have shown the induction of vigorous humoral and cellular responses, the decrease of viremia and viral RNA levels in natural target organs, the prevention of vertical and sexual transmission, as well as that of ZIKV-associated malformations, and the protection of experimental animal models. Some of these vaccine candidates have already been assayed in clinical trials. Likewise, the search for antivirals have also been the focus of recent investigations, with dozens of compounds tested in cell culture and a few in animal models. Both direct acting antivirals (DAAs), directed to viral structural proteins and enzymes, and host acting antivirals (HAAs), directed to cellular factors affecting all steps of the viral life cycle (binding, entry, fusion, transcription, translation, replication, maturation, and egress), have been evaluated. It is expected that this huge collaborative effort will produce affordable and effective therapeutic and prophylactic tools to combat ZIKV and other related still unknown or nowadays neglected flaviviruses. Here, a comprehensive overview of the advances made in the development of therapeutic measures against ZIKV and the questions that still have to be faced are summarized.
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Jiménez de Oya N, Esler WP, Huard K, El-Kattan AF, Karamanlidis G, Blázquez AB, Ramos-Ibeas P, Escribano-Romero E, Louloudes-Lázaro A, Casas J, Sobrino F, Hoehn K, James DE, Gutiérrez-Adán A, Saiz JC, Martín-Acebes MA. Targeting host metabolism by inhibition of acetyl-Coenzyme A carboxylase reduces flavivirus infection in mouse models. Emerg Microbes Infect 2019; 8:624-636. [PMID: 30999821 PMCID: PMC6493301 DOI: 10.1080/22221751.2019.1604084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Flaviviruses are (re)-emerging RNA viruses strictly dependent on lipid metabolism for infection. In the search for host targeting antivirals, we explored the effect of pharmacological modulation of fatty acid metabolism during flavivirus infection. Considering the central role of acetyl-Coenzyme A carboxylase (ACC) on fatty acid metabolism, we analyzed the effect of three small-molecule ACC inhibitors (PF-05175157, PF-05206574, and PF-06256254) on the infection of medically relevant flaviviruses, namely West Nile virus (WNV), dengue virus, and Zika virus. Treatment with these compounds inhibited the multiplication of the three viruses in cultured cells. PF-05175157 induced a reduction of the viral load in serum and kidney in WNV-infected mice, unveiling its therapeutic potential for the treatment of chronic kidney disease associated with persistent WNV infection. This study constitutes a proof of concept of the reliability of ACC inhibitors to become viable antiviral candidates. These results support the repositioning of metabolic inhibitors as broad-spectrum antivirals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nereida Jiménez de Oya
- a Department of Biotechnology , Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA) , Madrid , Spain
| | - William P Esler
- b Worldwide Research and Development Pfizer , Cambridge , MA , USA
| | - Kim Huard
- b Worldwide Research and Development Pfizer , Cambridge , MA , USA
| | | | - Georgios Karamanlidis
- b Worldwide Research and Development Pfizer , Cambridge , MA , USA.,h Present address: Cardiometabolic Disorders Amgen Discovery Research , Thousand Oaks , California 91320 , USA
| | - Ana-Belén Blázquez
- a Department of Biotechnology , Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA) , Madrid , Spain
| | | | - Estela Escribano-Romero
- a Department of Biotechnology , Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA) , Madrid , Spain
| | - Andrés Louloudes-Lázaro
- a Department of Biotechnology , Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA) , Madrid , Spain
| | - Josefina Casas
- d Department of Biomedicinal Chemistry , Institute for Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia (IQAC-CSIC) and CIBEREHD , Barcelona , Spain
| | - Francisco Sobrino
- e Department of Virology and Microbiology , Centro de Biología Molecular "Severo Ochoa" (CSIC-UAM) , Madrid , Spain
| | - Kyle Hoehn
- f School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences , University of New South Wales , Sydney , Australia
| | - David E James
- g Charles Perkins Centre, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Sydney Medical School , University of Sydney , Australia
| | | | - Juan-Carlos Saiz
- a Department of Biotechnology , Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA) , Madrid , Spain
| | - Miguel A Martín-Acebes
- a Department of Biotechnology , Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA) , Madrid , Spain
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27
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Jiménez de Oya N, Escribano-Romero E, Camacho MC, Blazquez AB, Martín-Acebes MA, Höfle U, Saiz JC. A Recombinant Subviral Particle-Based Vaccine Protects Magpie ( Pica pica) Against West Nile Virus Infection. Front Microbiol 2019; 10:1133. [PMID: 31231320 PMCID: PMC6560071 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.01133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2019] [Accepted: 05/03/2019] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The mosquito-borne West Nile virus (WNV) is a highly neurovirulent Flavivirus currently representing an emergent zoonotic concern. WNV cycles in nature between mosquito vectors and birds that act as amplifier hosts and play an essential role in virus ecology, being, thus, WNV a threat to many species. Availability of an efficient avian vaccine would benefit certain avian populations, both birds grown for hunting and restocking activities, as well as endangered species in captive breeding projects, wildlife reservations, and recreation installations, and would be useful to prevent and contain outbreaks. Avian vaccination would be also of interest to limit WNV spillover to humans or horses from susceptible bird species that live in urbanized landscapes, like magpies. Herein, we have addressed the efficacy of a single dose of a WNV recombinant subviral particle (RSP) vaccine in susceptible magpie (Pica pica). The protective capacity of the RSP-based vaccine was demonstrated upon challenge of magpies with 5 × 103 plaque forming units of a neurovirulent WNV strain. A significant improvement in survival rates of immunized birds was recorded when compared to vehicle-inoculated animals (71.4 vs. 22.2%, respectively). Viremia, which is directly related to the capacity of a host to be competent for virus transmission, was reduced in vaccinated animals, as was the presence of infectious virus in feather follicles. Bird-to-bird transmission was recorded in three of six unchallenged (contact) magpies housed with non-vaccinated WNV-infected birds, but not in contact animals housed with vaccinated WNV-infected magpies. These results demonstrate the protective efficacy of the RSP-based vaccine in susceptible birds against WNV infection and its value in controlling the spread of the virus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nereida Jiménez de Oya
- Departamento de Biotecnología, Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA), Madrid, Spain
| | - Estela Escribano-Romero
- Departamento de Biotecnología, Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA), Madrid, Spain
| | - María-Cruz Camacho
- Grupo de Sanidad y Biotecnología SaBio, Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos IREC, CSIC-UCLM-JCCM, Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Ana-Belén Blazquez
- Departamento de Biotecnología, Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA), Madrid, Spain
| | - Miguel A Martín-Acebes
- Departamento de Biotecnología, Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA), Madrid, Spain
| | - Ursula Höfle
- Grupo de Sanidad y Biotecnología SaBio, Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos IREC, CSIC-UCLM-JCCM, Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Juan-Carlos Saiz
- Departamento de Biotecnología, Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA), Madrid, Spain
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Sanyaolu A, Ayodele O, Likaj L, Marinkovic A, Locke J, Ahmed M, Akanbi O, Orish V, Okorie C, Badaru O. Changing Epidemiology, Treatment, and Vaccine Update on Chikungunya, Dengue, and Zika Viruses. CURRENT TROPICAL MEDICINE REPORTS 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s40475-019-00181-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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Direct Activation of Adenosine Monophosphate-Activated Protein Kinase (AMPK) by PF-06409577 Inhibits Flavivirus Infection through Modification of Host Cell Lipid Metabolism. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2018; 62:AAC.00360-18. [PMID: 29712653 DOI: 10.1128/aac.00360-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2018] [Accepted: 04/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Mosquito-borne flaviviruses are a group of RNA viruses that constitute global threats for human and animal health. Replication of these pathogens is strictly dependent on cellular lipid metabolism. We have evaluated the effect of the pharmacological activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), a master regulator of lipid metabolism, on the infection of three medically relevant flaviviruses, namely, West Nile virus (WNV), Zika virus (ZIKV), and dengue virus (DENV). WNV is responsible for recurrent outbreaks of meningitis and encephalitis, affecting humans and horses worldwide. ZIKV has caused a recent pandemic associated with birth defects (microcephaly), reproductive disorders, and severe neurological complications (Guillain-Barré syndrome). DENV is the etiological agent of the most prevalent mosquito-borne viral disease, which can induce a potentially lethal complication called severe dengue. Our results showed, for the first time, that activation of AMPK using the specific small molecule activator PF-06409577 reduced WNV, ZIKV, and DENV infection. This antiviral effect was associated with an impairment of viral replication due to the modulation of host cell lipid metabolism exerted by the compound. These results support that the pharmacological activation of AMPK, which currently constitutes an important pharmacological target for human diseases, could also provide a feasible approach for broad-spectrum host-directed antiviral discovery.
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Lindqvist R, Upadhyay A, Överby AK. Tick-Borne Flaviviruses and the Type I Interferon Response. Viruses 2018; 10:E340. [PMID: 29933625 PMCID: PMC6071234 DOI: 10.3390/v10070340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2018] [Revised: 06/15/2018] [Accepted: 06/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Flaviviruses are globally distributed pathogens causing millions of human infections every year. Flaviviruses are arthropod-borne viruses and are mainly transmitted by either ticks or mosquitoes. Mosquito-borne flaviviruses and their interactions with the innate immune response have been well-studied and reviewed extensively, thus this review will discuss tick-borne flaviviruses and their interactions with the host innate immune response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard Lindqvist
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Virology, Umeå University, SE-90185 Umeå, Sweden.
- Laboratory for Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS), Umeå University, SE-90187 Umeå, Sweden.
- Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR), Umeå University, SE-90187 Umeå, Sweden.
| | - Arunkumar Upadhyay
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Virology, Umeå University, SE-90185 Umeå, Sweden.
- Laboratory for Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS), Umeå University, SE-90187 Umeå, Sweden.
- Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR), Umeå University, SE-90187 Umeå, Sweden.
| | - Anna K Överby
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Virology, Umeå University, SE-90185 Umeå, Sweden.
- Laboratory for Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS), Umeå University, SE-90187 Umeå, Sweden.
- Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR), Umeå University, SE-90187 Umeå, Sweden.
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31
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High susceptibility of magpie (Pica pica) to experimental infection with lineage 1 and 2 West Nile virus. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2018; 12:e0006394. [PMID: 29634743 PMCID: PMC5909923 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0006394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2018] [Revised: 04/20/2018] [Accepted: 03/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
West Nile virus (WNV), a zoonotic pathogen naturally transmitted by mosquitoes whose natural hosts are birds, has spread worldwide during the last few decades. Resident birds play an important role in flavivirus epidemiology, since they can serve as reservoirs and facilitate overwintering of the virus. Herein, we report the first experimental infection of magpie (Pica pica) with two strains of West Nile virus, lineages 1 (NY-99) and 2 (SRB Novi-Sad/12), which are currently circulating in Europe. Magpies were highly susceptible to WNV infection, with similar low survival rates (30% and 42.8%) for both lineages. All infected magpies developed viremia detectable at 3 days post-infection with titers above those necessary for successful transmission of WNV to a mosquito. Neutralizing antibodies were detected at all time points analyzed (from 7 to 17 days post-infection). WNV genome was detected in the brains and hearts of all magpies that succumbed to the infection, and, in some of the surviving birds. WNV-RNA was amplified from swabs (oral and cloacal) at 3, 6 and 7 days post-infection and feather pulps, from 3 to 17 days post-infection, of infected animals. Even more, infectious virus was recovered from swabs up to 7 days post-infection and from feather pulps up to 10 days post infection. Sham-infected control animals were negative for viremia, viral RNA, and antibodies. These results suggest that the magpie, which is one of the most abundant corvid species in Europe, could represent a source of WNV transmission for birds and humans. Our observations shed light on the pathogenesis, transmission, and ecology of WNV and can benefit the implementation of surveillance and control programs. Birds play an important role in the epidemiology of flaviviruses such as West Nile virus (WNV) since birds are natural hosts and facilitate hibernation of the virus in periods of absence of mosquitoes that transmit the virus. Since it has been proposed that magpies play an important role in an endemic WNV cycle in human habitats in Europe, we conducted the first experimental infection of magpie with the two WNV lineages currently circulating in Europe. We observed high susceptibility of magpie to WNV infection with virus titers higher than those necessary for the successful transmission of WNV to a mosquito and often resulting in death. Likewise, we detected elevated titers of neutralizing antibodies in all the samples tested as well as the viral genome in the organs, oropharyngeal and cloacal swabs and feather pulps of the infected animals. Our results suggest that the magpie, which is one of the most abundant corvid species in Europe, could be a source of WNV transmission to other birds and humans, which expands the knowledge about WNV pathogenesis, transmission and ecology, that benefits monitoring and control programs.
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Pharmacological Inhibition of Protein Kinase C Reduces West Nile Virus Replication. Viruses 2018; 10:v10020091. [PMID: 29473907 PMCID: PMC5850398 DOI: 10.3390/v10020091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2017] [Revised: 02/13/2018] [Accepted: 02/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Flaviviruses are relevant animal and human pathogens that include West Nile virus (WNV), Japanese encephalitis virus, dengue virus, or Zika virus, among others. Currently, no licensed therapy is available to fight flaviviral infections. Protein kinases C (PKCs) constitute a family of multifunctional lipid-dependent isoenzymes that regulate a wide variety of cellular processes (apoptosis, differentiation, proliferation, cellular transformation, motility, adhesion, etc.) being currently considered at the front line of drug development for the treatment of diverse human disorders. PKCs have also been implicated in different steps during viral replication; however, nowadays, results regarding their role in flavivirus replication are controversial. Here we demonstrate that calphostin C and chelerythrine, two broad-PKC inhibitors that target conventional, novel and atypical PKCs, significantly inhibit WNV multiplication in cell culture without affecting cell viability. A reduction of viral yields was observed in treated cells when compared with mock-treated cells. Likewise, immunofluorescence detection of viral enveloped E protein was reduced in treated cells, as was the amount of viral RNA released to the supernatant, mainly in those treated with chelerythrine. On the other hand, two PKC inhibitors specific for conventional and novel isoforms (staurosporine and enzastaurine) did not show any significant effect in WNV multiplication. These results suggested that PKCs, more probably atypical PKCs, are likely involved in WNV multiplication, although both broad-spectrum tested drugs seem to act through different mechanisms, and point to them as potential antiviral candidates for WNV, as well as for other related flaviviruses.
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Abstract
West Nile virus (WNV) is an arbovirus with increased global incidence in the last decade. It is also a major cause of human encephalitis in the USA. WNV is an arthropod-transmitted virus that mainly affects birds but humans become infected as incidental dead-end hosts which can cause outbreaks in naïve populations. The main vectors of WNV are mosquitoes of the genus Culex, which preferentially feed on birds. As in many other arboviruses, the characteristics that allow Flaviviruses like WNV to replicate and transmit to different hosts are encrypted in their genome, which also contains information for the production of structural and nonstructural proteins needed for host cell infection. WNV and other Flaviviruses have developed different strategies to establish infection, replication, and successful transmission. Most of these strategies include the diversion of the host's immune responses away from the virus. In this review, we describe the molecular structure and protein function of WNV with emphasis on protein involvement in the modulation of antiviral immune responses.
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Extinction of West Nile Virus by Favipiravir through Lethal Mutagenesis. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2017; 61:AAC.01400-17. [PMID: 28848019 DOI: 10.1128/aac.01400-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2017] [Accepted: 08/24/2017] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Favipiravir is an antiviral agent effective against several RNA viruses. The drug has been shown to protect mice against experimental infection with a lethal dose of West Nile virus (WNV), a mosquito-borne flavivirus responsible for outbreaks of meningitis and encephalitis for which no antiviral therapy has been licensed; however, the mechanism of action of the drug is still not well understood. Here, we describe the potent in vitro antiviral activity of favipiravir against WNV, showing that it decreases virus-specific infectivity and drives the virus to extinction. Two passages of WNV in the presence of 1 mM favipiravir-a concentration that is more than 10-fold lower than its 50% cytotoxic concentration (CC50)-resulted in a significant increase in mutation frequency in the mutant spectrum and in a bias toward A→G and G→A transitions relative to the population passaged in the absence of the drug. These data, together with the fact that the drug is already licensed in Japan against influenza virus and in a clinical trial against Ebola virus, point to favipiravir as a promising antiviral agent to fight medically relevant flaviviral infections, such as that caused by WNV.
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Vázquez-Calvo Á, Blázquez AB, Escribano-Romero E, Merino-Ramos T, Saiz JC, Martín-Acebes MA, Jiménez de Oya N. Zika virus infection confers protection against West Nile virus challenge in mice. Emerg Microbes Infect 2017; 6:e81. [PMID: 28928416 PMCID: PMC5625318 DOI: 10.1038/emi.2017.68] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2017] [Revised: 07/05/2017] [Accepted: 07/09/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Flaviviruses are RNA viruses that constitute a worrisome threat to global human and animal health. Zika virus (ZIKV), which was initially reported to cause a mild disease, recently spread in the Americas, infecting millions of people. During this recent epidemic, ZIKV infection has been linked to serious neurological diseases and birth defects, specifically Guillain-Barrè syndrome (GBS) and microcephaly. Because information about ZIKV immunity remains scarce, we assessed the humoral response of immunocompetent mice to infection with three viral strains of diverse geographical origin (Africa, Asia and America). No infected animals showed any sign of disease or died after infection. However, specific neutralizing antibodies were elicited in all infected mice. Considering the rapid expansion of ZIKV throughout the American continent and its co-circulation with other medically relevant flaviviruses, such as West Nile virus (WNV), the induction of protective immunity between ZIKV and WNV was analyzed. Remarkably, protection after challenge with WNV was observed in mice previously infected with ZIKV, as survival rates were significantly higher than in control mice. Moreover, previous ZIKV infection enhanced the humoral immune response against WNV. These findings may be relevant in geographical areas where both ZIKV and WNV co-circulate, as well as for the future development of broad-spectrum flavivirus vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ángela Vázquez-Calvo
- Department of Biotechnology, Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA), Madrid 28040, Spain
| | - Ana-Belén Blázquez
- Department of Biotechnology, Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA), Madrid 28040, Spain
| | - Estela Escribano-Romero
- Department of Biotechnology, Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA), Madrid 28040, Spain
| | - Teresa Merino-Ramos
- Department of Biotechnology, Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA), Madrid 28040, Spain
| | - Juan-Carlos Saiz
- Department of Biotechnology, Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA), Madrid 28040, Spain
| | - Miguel A Martín-Acebes
- Department of Biotechnology, Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA), Madrid 28040, Spain
| | - Nereida Jiménez de Oya
- Department of Biotechnology, Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA), Madrid 28040, Spain
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36
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Saiz JC, Martín-Acebes MA, Bueno-Marí R, Salomón OD, Villamil-Jiménez LC, Heukelbach J, Alencar CH, Armstrong PK, Ortiga-Carvalho TM, Mendez-Otero R, Rosado-de-Castro PH, Pimentel-Coelho PM. Zika Virus: What Have We Learnt Since the Start of the Recent Epidemic? Front Microbiol 2017; 8:1554. [PMID: 28878742 PMCID: PMC5572254 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2017.01554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2017] [Accepted: 07/31/2017] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Zika is a viral disease transmitted mainly by mosquitoes of the genus Aedes. In recent years, it has expanded geographically, changing from an endemic mosquito-borne disease across equatorial Asia and Africa, to an epidemic disease causing large outbreaks in several areas of the world. With the recent Zika virus (ZIKV) outbreaks in the Americas, the disease has become a focus of attention of public health agencies and of the international research community, especially due to an association with neurological disorders in adults and to the severe neurological and ophthalmological abnormalities found in fetuses and newborns of mothers exposed to ZIKV during pregnancy. A large number of studies have been published in the last 3 years, revealing the structure of the virus, how it is transmitted and how it affects human cells. Many different animal models have been developed, which recapitulate several features of ZIKV disease and its neurological consequences. Moreover, several vaccine candidates are now in active preclinical development, and three of them have already entered phase I clinical trials. Likewise, many different compounds targeting viral and cellular components are being tested in in vitro and in experimental animal models. This review aims to discuss the current state of this rapidly growing literature from a multidisciplinary perspective, as well as to present an overview of the public health response to Zika and of the perspectives for the prevention and treatment of this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan-Carlos Saiz
- Department of Biotechnology, Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y AlimentariaMadrid, Spain
| | - Miguel A. Martín-Acebes
- Department of Biotechnology, Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y AlimentariaMadrid, Spain
| | - Rubén Bueno-Marí
- Departamento de Investigación y Desarrollo (I+D), Laboratorios LokímicaValencia, Spain
| | | | | | - Jorg Heukelbach
- Department of Community Health, School of Medicine, Federal University of CearáFortaleza, Brazil
- College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, Division of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, TownsvilleQLD, Australia
| | - Carlos H. Alencar
- Department of Community Health, School of Medicine, Federal University of CearáFortaleza, Brazil
| | - Paul K. Armstrong
- Communicable Disease Control Directorate, Western Australia Department of Health, PerthWA, Australia
| | - Tania M. Ortiga-Carvalho
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de JaneiroRio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Rosalia Mendez-Otero
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de JaneiroRio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Paulo H. Rosado-de-Castro
- Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal do Rio de JaneiroRio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Instituto D’Or de Pesquisa e EnsinoRio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Pedro M. Pimentel-Coelho
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de JaneiroRio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Antiviral Activity of Nordihydroguaiaretic Acid and Its Derivative Tetra- O-Methyl Nordihydroguaiaretic Acid against West Nile Virus and Zika Virus. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2017; 61:AAC.00376-17. [PMID: 28507114 DOI: 10.1128/aac.00376-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2017] [Accepted: 05/09/2017] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Flaviviruses are positive-strand RNA viruses distributed all over the world that infect millions of people every year and for which no specific antiviral agents have been approved. These viruses include the mosquito-borne West Nile virus (WNV), which is responsible for outbreaks of meningitis and encephalitis. Considering that nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA) has been previously shown to inhibit the multiplication of the related dengue virus and hepatitis C virus, we have evaluated the effect of NDGA, and its methylated derivative tetra-O-methyl nordihydroguaiaretic acid (M4N), on the infection of WNV. Both compounds inhibited the infection of WNV, likely by impairing viral replication. Since flavivirus multiplication is highly dependent on host cell lipid metabolism, the antiviral effect of NDGA has been previously related to its ability to disturb the lipid metabolism, probably by interfering with the sterol regulatory element-binding proteins (SREBP) pathway. Remarkably, we observed that other structurally unrelated inhibitors of the SREBP pathway, such as PF-429242 and fatostatin, also reduced WNV multiplication, supporting that the SREBP pathway may constitute a druggable target suitable for antiviral intervention against flavivirus infection. Moreover, treatment with NDGA, M4N, PF-429242, and fatostatin also inhibited the multiplication of the mosquito-borne flavivirus Zika virus (ZIKV), which has been recently associated with birth defects (microcephaly) and neurological disorders. Our results point to SREBP inhibitors, such as NDGA and M4N, as potential candidates for further antiviral development against medically relevant flaviviruses.
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Vázquez-Calvo Á, Jiménez de Oya N, Martín-Acebes MA, Garcia-Moruno E, Saiz JC. Antiviral Properties of the Natural Polyphenols Delphinidin and Epigallocatechin Gallate against the Flaviviruses West Nile Virus, Zika Virus, and Dengue Virus. Front Microbiol 2017; 8:1314. [PMID: 28744282 PMCID: PMC5504193 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2017.01314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 126] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2017] [Accepted: 06/29/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The Flavivirus genus contains important pathogens, such as West Nile virus (WNV), Zika virus (ZIKV), and Dengue virus (DENV), which are enveloped plus-strand RNA viruses transmitted by mosquitoes and constitute a worrisome threat to global human and animal health. Currently no licensed drugs against them are available, being, thus, still necessary the search for effective antiviral molecules. In this line, a novel antiviral approach (economical, simple to use, and environmental friendly) is the use of natural compounds. Consequently, we have tested the antiviral potential of different polyphenols present in plants and natural products, such as wine and tea, against WNV, ZIKV, and DENV. So that, we assayed the effect of a panel of structurally related polyphenols [delphinidin (D), cyanidin (Cy), catechin (C), epicatechin (EC), epigallocatechin (EGC), and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)] on WNV infection, and found that D and EGCG inhibited more effectively the virus production. Further analysis with both compounds indicated that they mainly affected the attachment and entry steps of the virus life cycle. Moreover, D and EGCG showed a direct effect on WNV particles exerting a virucidal effect. We showed a similar inhibition of viral production of these compounds on WNV variants that differed on acidic pH requirements for viral fusion, indicating that their antiviral activity against WNV is produced by a virucidal effect rather than by an inhibition of pH-dependent viral fusion. Both polyphenols also reduced the infectivity of ZIKV and DENV. Therefore, D and EGCG impair the infectivity in cell culture of these three medically relevant flaviviruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ángela Vázquez-Calvo
- Departamento de Biotecnología, Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y AlimentariaMadrid, Spain
| | - Nereida Jiménez de Oya
- Departamento de Biotecnología, Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y AlimentariaMadrid, Spain
| | - Miguel A. Martín-Acebes
- Departamento de Biotecnología, Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y AlimentariaMadrid, Spain
| | - Emilia Garcia-Moruno
- Centro di Ricerca Viticoltura Enologia (CREA-VE), Consiglio per la Ricerca in Agricoltura e l’Analisi dell’Economia AgrariaAsti, Italy
| | - Juan-Carlos Saiz
- Departamento de Biotecnología, Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y AlimentariaMadrid, Spain
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Blázquez AB, Saiz JC. Neurological manifestations of Zika virus infection. World J Virol 2016; 5:135-143. [PMID: 27878100 PMCID: PMC5105046 DOI: 10.5501/wjv.v5.i4.135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2016] [Revised: 06/29/2016] [Accepted: 08/11/2016] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Zika virus (ZIKV) is a flavivirus (Flaviviridae family) transmitted mainly by Aedes mosquitoes. The virus was restricted to the African continent until its spread to south-east Asia in the 1980's, the Micronesia in 2007, the French Polynesia in 2013 and, more recently in the Americas in 2015, where, up to date, the World Health Organization (WHO) has estimated about 3-4 million total cases of ZIKV infection. During outbreaks in the French Polynesia and Brazil in 2013 and 2015, respectively, national health authorities reported potential neurological complications of ZIKV disease, chiefly an upsurge in Guillain-Barré syndrome, which coincided with ZIKV outbreaks. On the other hand, the emergence of ZIKV in Brazil has been associated with a striking increase in the number of reported cases of microcephaly in fetus and newborns, twenty times higher than in that reported in previous years. While investigations are currently assessing whether there is an actual association between neurological complications and ZIKV infections, the evidence was enough worrisome for WHO to declare a public health emergency of international concern. Here we present an updated review addressing what is currently known about the possible association between ZIKV infection and the development of severe neurological disorders.
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40
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Martín-Acebes MA, Vázquez-Calvo Á, Saiz JC. Lipids and flaviviruses, present and future perspectives for the control of dengue, Zika, and West Nile viruses. Prog Lipid Res 2016; 64:123-137. [PMID: 27702593 DOI: 10.1016/j.plipres.2016.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 101] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2016] [Revised: 08/17/2016] [Accepted: 09/16/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Flaviviruses are emerging arthropod-borne pathogens that cause life-threatening diseases such as yellow fever, dengue, West Nile encephalitis, tick-borne encephalitis, Kyasanur Forest disease, tick-borne encephalitis, or Zika disease. This viral genus groups >50 viral species of small enveloped plus strand RNA virus that are phylogenetically closely related to hepatitis C virus. Importantly, the flavivirus life cycle is intimately associated to host cell lipids. Along this line, flaviviruses rearrange intracellular membranes from the endoplasmic-reticulum of the infected cells to develop adequate platforms for viral replication and particle biogenesis. Moreover, flaviviruses dramatically orchestrate a profound reorganization of the host cell lipid metabolism to create a favorable environment for viral multiplication. Consistently, recent work has shown the importance of specific lipid classes in flavivirus infections. For instances, fatty acid synthesis is linked to viral replication, phosphatidylserine and phosphatidylethanolamine are involved on the entry of flaviviruses, sphingolipids (ceramide and sphingomyelin) play a key role on virus assembly and pathogenesis, and cholesterol is essential for innate immunity evasion in flavivirus-infected cells. Here, we revise the current knowledge on the interactions of the flaviviruses with the cellular lipid metabolism to identify potential targets for future antiviral development aimed to combat these relevant health-threatening pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel A Martín-Acebes
- Department of Biotechnology, Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA), Carretera de A Coruña km 7.5, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Ángela Vázquez-Calvo
- Department of Biotechnology, Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA), Carretera de A Coruña km 7.5, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Juan-Carlos Saiz
- Department of Biotechnology, Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA), Carretera de A Coruña km 7.5, 28040 Madrid, Spain
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LOZA-RUBIO E, ROJAS-ANAYA E, LÓPEZ-RAMÍREZ RDELC, SAIZ JC, ESCRIBANO-ROMERO E. Prevalence of neutralizing antibodies against West Nile virus (WNV) in monkeys (Ateles geoffroyi and Alouatta pigra) and crocodiles (Crocodylus acutus and C. acutus-C. moreletti hybrids) in Mexico. Epidemiol Infect 2016; 144:2371-3. [PMID: 27097655 PMCID: PMC9150527 DOI: 10.1017/s0950268816000790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2015] [Revised: 04/04/2016] [Accepted: 04/04/2016] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
West Nile virus (WNV) is a mosquito-borne neurotropic viral pathogen maintained in an enzootic cycle between mosquitoes (vectors) and birds (natural hosts) with equids, humans, and other vertebrates acting as dead-end hosts. WNV activity in Mexico has been reported in several domestic and wild fauna and in humans, and the virus has been isolated from birds, mosquitoes, and humans. However, no serological studies have been conducted in monkeys, and only two in a limited number of crocodiles (Crocodylus moreletii). Here we present data on the prevalence of neutralizing antibodies against WNV in 53 healthy wild monkeys (49 Ateles geoffroyi and four Alouatta pigra), and 80 semi-captive healthy crocodiles (60 C. acutus and 20 C. acutus-C. moreletti hybrids) sampled during 2012. None of the monkey sera neutralized WNV, whereas 55% of the crocodile sera presented neutralizing antibodies against WNV. These results can contribute to the design of surveillance programmes in Mexico.
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Affiliation(s)
- E. LOZA-RUBIO
- Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Agrícolas, Forestales y Pecuarias (CENID-Microbiología), Carretera México-Toluca Km 15·5, Colonia Palo Alto, CP 05110, México DF, Mexico
| | - E. ROJAS-ANAYA
- Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Agrícolas, Forestales y Pecuarias (CENID-Microbiología), Carretera México-Toluca Km 15·5, Colonia Palo Alto, CP 05110, México DF, Mexico
| | - R. DEL C. LÓPEZ-RAMÍREZ
- Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Agrícolas, Forestales y Pecuarias (CENID-Microbiología), Carretera México-Toluca Km 15·5, Colonia Palo Alto, CP 05110, México DF, Mexico
| | - J. C. SAIZ
- Department of Biotechnology, Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA), Madrid, Spain
| | - E. ESCRIBANO-ROMERO
- Department of Biotechnology, Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA), Madrid, Spain
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Brustolin M, Talavera S, Santamaría C, Rivas R, Pujol N, Aranda C, Marquès E, Valle M, Verdún M, Pagès N, Busquets N. Culex pipiens and Stegomyia albopicta (= Aedes albopictus) populations as vectors for lineage 1 and 2 West Nile virus in Europe. MEDICAL AND VETERINARY ENTOMOLOGY 2016; 30:166-173. [PMID: 26890285 DOI: 10.1111/mve.12164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2015] [Revised: 12/01/2015] [Accepted: 12/10/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
The emerging disease West Nile fever is caused by West Nile virus (WNV), one of the most widespread arboviruses. This study represents the first test of the vectorial competence of European Culex pipiens Linnaeus 1758 and Stegomyia albopicta (= Aedes albopictus) (both: Diptera: Culicidae) populations for lineage 1 and 2 WNV isolated in Europe. Culex pipiens and S. albopicta populations were susceptible to WNV infection, had disseminated infection, and were capable of transmitting both WNV lineages. This is the first WNV competence assay to maintain mosquito specimens under environmental conditions mimicking the field (day/night) conditions associated with the period of maximum expected WNV activity. The importance of environmental conditions is discussed and the issue of how previous experiments conducted in fixed high temperatures may have overestimated WNV vector competence results with respect to natural environmental conditions is analysed. The information presented should be useful to policymakers and public health authorities for establishing effective WNV surveillance and vector control programmes. This would improve preparedness to prevent future outbreaks.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Brustolin
- Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA), Institut de Recerca i Tecnologia Agroalimentàries (IRTA), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - S Talavera
- Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA), Institut de Recerca i Tecnologia Agroalimentàries (IRTA), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - C Santamaría
- Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA), Institut de Recerca i Tecnologia Agroalimentàries (IRTA), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - R Rivas
- Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA), Institut de Recerca i Tecnologia Agroalimentàries (IRTA), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - N Pujol
- Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA), Institut de Recerca i Tecnologia Agroalimentàries (IRTA), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - C Aranda
- Servei de Control de Mosquits, Consell Comarcal del Baix Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - E Marquès
- Servei de Control de Mosquits de la Badia de Roses i del Baix Ter, Empuriabrava, Spain
| | - M Valle
- Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA), Institut de Recerca i Tecnologia Agroalimentàries (IRTA), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - M Verdún
- Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA), Institut de Recerca i Tecnologia Agroalimentàries (IRTA), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - N Pagès
- Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA), Institut de Recerca i Tecnologia Agroalimentàries (IRTA), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - N Busquets
- Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA), Institut de Recerca i Tecnologia Agroalimentàries (IRTA), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
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Martinez-Gutierrez M, Ruiz-Saenz J. Diversity of susceptible hosts in canine distemper virus infection: a systematic review and data synthesis. BMC Vet Res 2016; 12:78. [PMID: 27170307 PMCID: PMC4865023 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-016-0702-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 122] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2015] [Accepted: 05/09/2016] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Canine distemper virus (CDV) is the etiological agent of one of the most infectious diseases of domestic dogs, also known as a highly prevalent viral infectious disease of carnivores and posing a conservation threat to endangered species around the world. To get a better panorama of CDV infection in different Orders, a retrospective and documental systematic review of the role of CDV in different non-dog hosts was conducted. The bibliographical data were collected from MedLine/PubMed and Scopus databases. Data related to Order, Family, Genus and Species of the infected animals, the presence or absence of clinical signs, mortality, serological, molecular or antigenic confirmation of CDV infection, geographic location, were collected and summarized. RESULTS Two hundred seventeen scientific articles were considered eligible which includes reports of serological evaluation, and antigenic or genomic confirmation of CDV infection in non-dog hosts. CDV infects naturally and experimentally different members of the Orders Carnivora (in 12 Families), Rodentia (four Families), Primates (two Families), Artiodactyla (three Families) and Proboscidea (one Family). The Order Carnivora (excluding domestic dogs) accounts for the vast majority (87.5%) of the records. Clinical disease associated with CDV infection was reported in 51.8% of the records and serological evidence of CDV infection in apparently healthy animals was found in 49.5% of the records. High mortality rate was showed in some of the recorded infections in Orders different to Carnivora. In non-dog hosts, CDV has been reported all continents with the exception of Australasia and in 43 different countries. CONCLUSIONS The results of this systematic review demonstrate that CDV is able to infect a very wide range of host species from many different Orders and emphasizes the potential threat of infection for endangered wild species as well as raising concerns about potential zoonotic threats following the cessation of large-scale measles vaccination campaigns in the human population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marlen Martinez-Gutierrez
- Grupo de Investigación en Ciencias Animales GRICA, Universidad Cooperativa de Colombia, Calle 30A # 33-51, Bucaramanga, Colombia
| | - Julian Ruiz-Saenz
- Grupo de Investigación en Ciencias Animales GRICA, Universidad Cooperativa de Colombia, Calle 30A # 33-51, Bucaramanga, Colombia.
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Saiz JC, Vázquez-Calvo Á, Blázquez AB, Merino-Ramos T, Escribano-Romero E, Martín-Acebes MA. Zika Virus: the Latest Newcomer. Front Microbiol 2016; 7:496. [PMID: 27148186 PMCID: PMC4835484 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2016.00496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 98] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2016] [Accepted: 03/27/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Since the beginning of this century, humanity has been facing a new emerging, or re-emerging, virus threat almost every year: West Nile, Influenza A, avian flu, dengue, Chikungunya, SARS, MERS, Ebola, and now Zika, the latest newcomer. Zika virus (ZIKV), a flavivirus transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes, was identified in 1947 in a sentinel monkey in Uganda, and later on in humans in Nigeria. The virus was mainly confined to the African continent until it was detected in south-east Asia the 1980's, then in the Micronesia in 2007 and, more recently in the Americas in 2014, where it has displayed an explosive spread, as advised by the World Health Organization, which resulted in the infection of hundreds of thousands of people. ZIKV infection was characterized by causing a mild disease presented with fever, headache, rash, arthralgia, and conjunctivitis, with exceptional reports of an association with Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) and microcephaly. However, since the end of 2015, an increase in the number of GBS associated cases and an astonishing number of microcephaly in fetus and new-borns in Brazil have been related to ZIKV infection, raising serious worldwide public health concerns. Clarifying such worrisome relationships is, thus, a current unavoidable goal. Here, we extensively review what is currently known about ZIKV, from molecular biology, transmission routes, ecology, and epidemiology, to clinical manifestations, pathogenesis, diagnosis, prophylaxis, and public health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan-Carlos Saiz
- Department of Biotechnology, Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y AlimentariaMadrid, Spain
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45
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Blázquez AB, Martín-Acebes MA, Saiz JC. Inhibition of West Nile Virus Multiplication in Cell Culture by Anti-Parkinsonian Drugs. Front Microbiol 2016; 7:296. [PMID: 27014219 PMCID: PMC4779909 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2016.00296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2015] [Accepted: 02/23/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
West Nile virus (WNV) is a mosquito-borne flavivirus maintained in a transmission cycle between mosquitoes and birds, but it can also infect other vertebrates, including humans, in which it can cause neuroinvasive diseases. To date, no licensed vaccine or therapy for human use against this pathogen is yet available. A recent approach to search for new antiviral agent candidates is the assessment of long-used drugs commonly administered by clinicians to treat human disorders in drug antiviral development. In this regard, as patients with West Nile encephalitis frequently develop symptoms and features of parkinsonism, and cellular factors altered in parkinsonism, such as alpha-synuclein, have been shown to play a role on WNV infection, we have assessed the effect of four drugs (L-dopa, Selegiline, Isatin, and Amantadine), that are used as therapy for Parkinson's disease in the inhibition of WNV multiplication. L-dopa, Isatin, and Amantadine treatments significantly reduced the production of infectious virus in all cell types tested, but only Amantadine reduced viral RNA levels. These results point to antiparkinsonian drugs as possible therapeutic candidates for the development of antiviral strategies against WNV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana B Blázquez
- Department of Biotechnology, Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria Madrid, Spain
| | - Miguel A Martín-Acebes
- Department of Biotechnology, Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria Madrid, Spain
| | - Juan-Carlos Saiz
- Department of Biotechnology, Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria Madrid, Spain
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46
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Abstract
West Nile virus (WNV) is a neurotropic mosquito-borne flavivirus responsible for recurrent outbreaks of meningitis and encephalitis. Several studies analyzing the interactions of this pathogen with the autophagic pathway have reported opposite results with evidence for and against the upregulation of autophagy in infected cells. In this regard, we have recently reported that minimal genetic changes (single amino acid substitutions) in nonstructural proteins of WNV can modify the ability of the virus to induce autophagic features such as LC3 modification and aggregation in infected cells. We think that these results could help explain some of the previously reported discrepancies. These findings could also aid in deciphering the interactions of this pathogen with the autophagic pathway at the molecular level aimed to develop feasible antiviral strategies to combat this pathogen, and other related flaviviruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel A Martín-Acebes
- a Department of Virology and Microbiology; Centro de Biología Molecular "Severo Ochoa" (CSIC-UAM) ; Madrid , Spain
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47
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Martín-Acebes MA, Gabandé-Rodríguez E, García-Cabrero AM, Sánchez MP, Ledesma MD, Sobrino F, Saiz JC. Host sphingomyelin increases West Nile virus infection in vivo. J Lipid Res 2016; 57:422-32. [PMID: 26764042 DOI: 10.1194/jlr.m064212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2015] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Flaviviruses, such as the dengue virus and the West Nile virus (WNV), are arthropod-borne viruses that represent a global health problem. The flavivirus lifecycle is intimately connected to cellular lipids. Among the lipids co-opted by flaviviruses, we have focused on SM, an important component of cellular membranes particularly enriched in the nervous system. After infection with the neurotropic WNV, mice deficient in acid sphingomyelinase (ASM), which accumulate high levels of SM in their tissues, displayed exacerbated infection. In addition, WNV multiplication was enhanced in cells from human patients with Niemann-Pick type A, a disease caused by a deficiency of ASM activity resulting in SM accumulation. Furthermore, the addition of SM to cultured cells also increased WNV infection, whereas treatment with pharmacological inhibitors of SM synthesis reduced WNV infection. Confocal microscopy analyses confirmed the association of SM with viral replication sites within infected cells. Our results unveil that SM metabolism regulates flavivirus infection in vivo and propose SM as a suitable target for antiviral design against WNV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel A Martín-Acebes
- Departments of Virology and Microbiology Centro de Biología Molecular "Severo Ochoa" (CSIC-UAM), Madrid 28049, Spain Department of Biotechnology, Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA), Madrid 28040, Spain
| | | | - Ana M García-Cabrero
- Laboratory of Neurology, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Madrid 28040, Spain
| | - Marina P Sánchez
- Laboratory of Neurology, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Madrid 28040, Spain
| | - María Dolores Ledesma
- Molecular Neurobiology, Centro de Biología Molecular "Severo Ochoa" (CSIC-UAM), Madrid 28049, Spain
| | - Francisco Sobrino
- Departments of Virology and Microbiology Centro de Biología Molecular "Severo Ochoa" (CSIC-UAM), Madrid 28049, Spain
| | - Juan-Carlos Saiz
- Department of Biotechnology, Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA), Madrid 28040, Spain
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48
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Bakonyi T, Gajdon GK, Schwing R, Vogl W, Häbich AC, Thaller D, Weissenböck H, Rudolf I, Hubálek Z, Nowotny N. Chronic West Nile virus infection in kea (Nestor notabilis). Vet Microbiol 2015; 183:135-9. [PMID: 26790946 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2015.12.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2015] [Revised: 12/21/2015] [Accepted: 12/23/2015] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Six kea (Nestor notabilis) in human care, naturally infected with West Nile virus (WNV) lineage 2 in Vienna, Austria, in 2008, developed mild to fatal neurological signs. WNV RNA persisted and the virus evolved in the birds' brains, as demonstrated by (phylo)genetic analyses of the complete viral genomes detected in kea euthanized between 2009 and 2014. WNV antibodies persisted in the birds, too. Chronic WNV infection in the brain might contribute to the circulation of the virus through oral transmission to predatory birds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamás Bakonyi
- Institute of Virology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria; Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Szent István University, Hungária krt. 23-25, 1143 Budapest, Hungary.
| | - Gyula K Gajdon
- Messerli Research Institute, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria.
| | - Raoul Schwing
- Messerli Research Institute, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria.
| | - Wolfgang Vogl
- Konrad Lorenz Institute of Ethology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria.
| | - Annett-Carolin Häbich
- Clinic for Avian, Reptile and Fish Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria.
| | - Denise Thaller
- Institute of Pathology and Forensic Veterinary Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria.
| | - Herbert Weissenböck
- Institute of Pathology and Forensic Veterinary Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria.
| | - Ivo Rudolf
- Institute of Vertebrate Biology, Academy of Sciences, v.v.i., Kvetná 8, 60365 Brno, Czech Republic.
| | - Zdenek Hubálek
- Institute of Vertebrate Biology, Academy of Sciences, v.v.i., Kvetná 8, 60365 Brno, Czech Republic.
| | - Norbert Nowotny
- Institute of Virology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, P.O. Box 35, 123 Al-Khoudh, Oman.
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Modification of the Host Cell Lipid Metabolism Induced by Hypolipidemic Drugs Targeting the Acetyl Coenzyme A Carboxylase Impairs West Nile Virus Replication. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2015; 60:307-15. [PMID: 26503654 DOI: 10.1128/aac.01578-15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2015] [Accepted: 10/19/2015] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
West Nile virus (WNV) is a neurotropic flavivirus transmitted by the bite of mosquitoes that causes meningitis and encephalitis in humans, horses, and birds. Several studies have highlighted that flavivirus infection is highly dependent on cellular lipids for virus replication and infectious particle biogenesis. The first steps of lipid synthesis involve the carboxylation of acetyl coenzyme A (acetyl-CoA) to malonyl-CoA that is catalyzed by the acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC). This makes ACC a key enzyme of lipid synthesis that is currently being evaluated as a therapeutic target for different disorders, including cancers, obesity, diabetes, and viral infections. We have analyzed the effect of the ACC inhibitor 5-(tetradecyloxy)-2-furoic acid (TOFA) on infection by WNV. Lipidomic analysis of TOFA-treated cells confirmed that this drug reduced the cellular content of multiple lipids, including those directly implicated in the flavivirus life cycle (glycerophospholipids, sphingolipids, and cholesterol). Treatment with TOFA significantly inhibited the multiplication of WNV in a dose-dependent manner. Further analysis of the antiviral effect of this drug showed that the inhibitory effect was related to a reduction of viral replication. Furthermore, treatment with another ACC inhibitor, 3,3,14,14-tetramethylhexadecanedioic acid (MEDICA 16), also inhibited WNV infection. Interestingly, TOFA and MEDICA 16 also reduced the multiplication of Usutu virus (USUV), a WNV-related flavivirus. These results point to the ACC as a druggable cellular target suitable for antiviral development against WNV and other flaviviruses.
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Sule WF, Oluwayelu DO, Adedokun RAM, Rufai N, McCracken F, Mansfield KL, Johnson N. High seroprevelance of West Nile virus antibodies observed in horses from southwestern Nigeria. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2015; 15:218-20. [PMID: 25793479 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2014.1706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
To investigate exposure of Nigerian horses to West Nile virus (WNV), we determined the seroprevalence rate of anti-WNV antibody in a cohort of 145 horses. Serum samples were collected from three locations in southwestern Nigeria between October, 2011, and July, 2012. The horses were asymptomatic and unvaccinated against WNV at the time of sampling. All sera were tested using a competition enzyme-linked immmunosorbent assay (ELISA) and by an immunoglobulin M (IgM)-specific ELISA. High rates of anti-WNV antibody prevalence were observed in all locations with a mean level of 90.3% (95% confidence interval 84.3-94.6%). None of the horses had detectable anti-WNV IgM. This is the first ELISA-based report of WNV seroprevalence in Nigerian horses and suggests that WNV is enzootic in the study areas, indicating a potential risk of infection in humans and animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Waidi Folorunso Sule
- 1 Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Basic and Applied Sciences, Osun State University , Oke-Baale, Osogbo, Osun State, Nigeria
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