1
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Fan Z, Pavlova A, Jenkins MC, Bassit L, Salman M, Lynch DL, Patel D, Korablyov M, Finn MG, Schinazi RF, Gumbart JC. Biophysics-Guided Lead Discovery of HBV Capsid Assembly Modifiers. ACS Infect Dis 2024; 10:1162-1173. [PMID: 38564659 PMCID: PMC11019538 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.3c00479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2023] [Revised: 03/15/2024] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is the leading cause of chronic liver pathologies worldwide. HBV nucleocapsid, a key structural component, is formed through the self-assembly of the capsid protein units. Therefore, interfering with the self-assembly process is a promising approach for the development of novel antiviral agents. Applied to HBV, this approach has led to several classes of capsid assembly modulators (CAMs). Here, we report structurally novel CAMs with moderate activity and low toxicity, discovered through a biophysics-guided approach combining docking, molecular dynamics simulations, and a series of assays with a particular emphasis on biophysical experiments. Several of the identified compounds induce the formation of aberrant capsids and inhibit HBV DNA replication in vitro, suggesting that they possess modest capsid assembly modulation effects. The synergistic computational and experimental approaches provided key insights that facilitated the identification of compounds with promising activities. The discovery of preclinical CAMs presents opportunities for subsequent optimization efforts, thereby opening new avenues for HBV inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zixing Fan
- Interdisciplinary
Bioengineering Graduate Program, Georgia
Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, United States
| | - Anna Pavlova
- School
of Physics, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, United States
| | - Matthew C. Jenkins
- School
of Chemistry & Biochemistry, Georgia
Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, United States
| | - Leda Bassit
- Center
for ViroScience and Cure, Laboratory of Biochemical Pharmacology,
Department of Pediatrics, Emory University
School of Medicine and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, United States
| | - Mohammad Salman
- Center
for ViroScience and Cure, Laboratory of Biochemical Pharmacology,
Department of Pediatrics, Emory University
School of Medicine and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, United States
| | - Diane L. Lynch
- School
of Physics, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, United States
| | - Dharmeshkumar Patel
- Center
for ViroScience and Cure, Laboratory of Biochemical Pharmacology,
Department of Pediatrics, Emory University
School of Medicine and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, United States
| | - Maksym Korablyov
- MIT
Media Lab, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Boston, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - M. G. Finn
- School
of Chemistry & Biochemistry and School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, United States
| | - Raymond F. Schinazi
- Center
for ViroScience and Cure, Laboratory of Biochemical Pharmacology,
Department of Pediatrics, Emory University
School of Medicine and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, United States
| | - James C. Gumbart
- School
of Physics, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, United States
- School
of Chemistry & Biochemistry, Georgia
Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, United States
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2
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Aoki K, Tsuda S, Ogata N, Kataoka M, Sasaki J, Inuki S, Ohno H, Watashi K, Yoshiya T, Oishi S. Synthesis of the full-length hepatitis B virus core protein and its capsid formation. Org Biomol Chem 2024; 22:2218-2225. [PMID: 38358380 DOI: 10.1039/d3ob02099a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Abstract
Chronic infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a major cause of cirrhosis and liver cancer. Capsid assembly modulators can induce error-prone assembly of HBV core proteins to prevent the formation of infectious virions, representing promising candidates for treating chronic HBV infections. To explore novel capsid assembly modulators from unexplored mirror-image libraries of natural products, we have investigated the synthetic process of the HBV core protein for preparing the mirror-image target protein. In this report, the chemical synthesis of full-length HBV core protein (Cp183) containing an arginine-rich nucleic acid-binding domain at the C-terminus is presented. Sequential ligations using four peptide segments enabled the synthesis of Cp183 via convergent and C-to-N direction approaches. After refolding under appropriate conditions, followed by the addition of nucleic acid, the synthetic Cp183 assembled into capsid-like particles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keisuke Aoki
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyoto University, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
- Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry, Kyoto Pharmaceutical University, Yamashina-ku, Kyoto 607-8412, Japan.
| | - Shugo Tsuda
- Peptide Institute, Inc. Ibaraki, Osaka 567-0085, Japan
| | - Naoko Ogata
- Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry, Kyoto Pharmaceutical University, Yamashina-ku, Kyoto 607-8412, Japan.
| | - Michiyo Kataoka
- Department of Pathology, National Institute of Infectious Disease, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-8640, Japan
| | - Jumpei Sasaki
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyoto University, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
| | - Shinsuke Inuki
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyoto University, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Ohno
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyoto University, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
| | - Koichi Watashi
- Research Center for Drug and Vaccine Development, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-8640, Japan
| | - Taku Yoshiya
- Peptide Institute, Inc. Ibaraki, Osaka 567-0085, Japan
- Institute for Protein Research, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Shinya Oishi
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyoto University, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
- Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry, Kyoto Pharmaceutical University, Yamashina-ku, Kyoto 607-8412, Japan.
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3
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McFadden WM, Sarafianos SG. Biology of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) core and capsid assembly modulators (CAMs) for chronic hepatitis B (CHB) cure. Glob Health Med 2023; 5:199-207. [PMID: 37655181 PMCID: PMC10461335 DOI: 10.35772/ghm.2023.01065] [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: 05/22/2023] [Revised: 06/03/2023] [Accepted: 06/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a hepadnavirus, a small DNA virus that infects liver tissue, with some unusual replication steps that share similarities to retroviruses. HBV infection can lead to chronic hepatitis B (CHB), a life-long infection associated with significant risks of liver disease, especially if untreated. HBV is a significant global health problem, with hundreds of millions currently living with CHB. Currently approved strategies to prevent or inhibit HBV are highly effective, however, a cure for CHB has remained elusive. To achieve a cure, elimination of the functionally integrated HBV covalently closed chromosomal DNA (cccDNA) genome is required. The capsid core is an essential component of HBV replication, serving roles when establishing infection and in creating new virions. Over the last two and a half decades, significant efforts have been made to find and characterize antivirals that target the capsid, specifically the HBV core protein (Cp). The antivirals that interfere with the kinetics and morphology of the capsid, termed capsid assembly modulators (CAMs), are extremely potent, and clinical investigations indicate they are well tolerated and highly effective. Several CAMs offer the potential to cure CHB by decreasing the cccDNA pools. Here, we review the biology of the HBV capsid, focused on Cp, and the development of inhibitors that target it.
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Affiliation(s)
- William M. McFadden
- Center for ViroScience and Cure, Laboratory of Biochemical Pharmacology, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Stefan G. Sarafianos
- Center for ViroScience and Cure, Laboratory of Biochemical Pharmacology, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, USA
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4
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Zhao S, Zhang X, da Silva-Júnior EF, Zhan P, Liu X. Computer-aided drug design in seeking viral capsid modulators. Drug Discov Today 2023; 28:103581. [PMID: 37030533 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2023.103581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2023] [Revised: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 04/09/2023]
Abstract
Approved or licensed antiviral drugs have limited applications because of their drug resistance and severe adverse effects. By contrast, by stabilizing or destroying the viral capsid, compounds known as capsid modulators prevent viral replication by acting on new targets and, therefore, overcoming the problem of clinical drug resistance. For example. computer-aided drug design (CADD) methods, using strategies based on structures of biological targets (structure-based drug design; SBDD), such as docking, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, and virtual screening (VS), have provided opportunities for fast and effective development of viral capsid modulators. In this review, we summarize the application of CADD in the discovery, optimization, and mechanism prediction of capsid-targeting small molecules, providing new insights into antiviral drug discovery modalities. Teaser: Computer-aided drug design will accelerate the development of viral capsid regulators, which brings new hope for the treatment of refractory viral diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shujie Zhao
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University, 44 West Culture Road, 250012 Jinan, Shandong, PR China
| | - Xujie Zhang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University, 44 West Culture Road, 250012 Jinan, Shandong, PR China
| | - Edeildo Ferreira da Silva-Júnior
- Institute of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Federal University of Alagoas, Lourival Melo Mota Avenue, 57072-970 Maceió, Alagoas, Brazil.
| | - Peng Zhan
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University, 44 West Culture Road, 250012 Jinan, Shandong, PR China.
| | - Xinyong Liu
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University, 44 West Culture Road, 250012 Jinan, Shandong, PR China.
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Yin J, Feng Z, Li Z, Hu J, Hu Y, Cai X, Zhou H, Wang K, Tang N, Huang A, Huang L. Synthesis and evaluation of N-sulfonylpiperidine-3-carboxamide derivatives as capsid assembly modulators inhibiting HBV in vitro and in HBV-transgenic mice. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 249:115141. [PMID: 36709646 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Revised: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
The hepatitis B virus (HBV) capsid assembly modulators (CAMs) have been developed as effective anti-HBV agents in the treatment of chronic HBV infection by targeting the HBV core protein and inducing the formation of aberrant or morphologically normal capsid. However, some CAMs have been observed adverse events such as ALT flares and rash. Therefore, finding new CAMs is of great importance. In this report, we synthesized N-sulfonylpiperidine-3-carboxamides (SPCs) derivatives and evaluated their anti-HBV activities. Among the SPC derivatives, compound C-49 notably suppressed HBV replication in HepAD38, HepG2-HBV1.3 and HepG2-NTCP cells. Moreover, treatment with C-49 for 12 days exhibited potent anti-HBV activity (100 mg/kg; 2.42 log reduction of serum HBV DNA) in HBV-transgenic mice without apparent hepatotoxicity. Our findings provided a new SPC derivative as HBV capsid assembly modulator for developing safe and efficient anti-HBV therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaxin Yin
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Infectious Diseases (Ministry of Education), Department of Infectious Diseases, Institute for Viral Hepatitis, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400010, China
| | - Zhongqi Feng
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Infectious Diseases (Ministry of Education), Department of Infectious Diseases, Institute for Viral Hepatitis, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400010, China
| | - Zhi Li
- Department of Breast&thyroid Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, 400010, China
| | - Jieli Hu
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Infectious Diseases (Ministry of Education), Department of Infectious Diseases, Institute for Viral Hepatitis, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400010, China
| | - Yuan Hu
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Infectious Diseases (Ministry of Education), Department of Infectious Diseases, Institute for Viral Hepatitis, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400010, China
| | - Xuefei Cai
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Infectious Diseases (Ministry of Education), Department of Infectious Diseases, Institute for Viral Hepatitis, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400010, China
| | - Hui Zhou
- Chongqing Research Center for Pharmaceutical Engineering, College of Pharmacy, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Kai Wang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Infectious Diseases (Ministry of Education), Department of Infectious Diseases, Institute for Viral Hepatitis, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400010, China
| | - Ni Tang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Infectious Diseases (Ministry of Education), Department of Infectious Diseases, Institute for Viral Hepatitis, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400010, China
| | - Ailong Huang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Infectious Diseases (Ministry of Education), Department of Infectious Diseases, Institute for Viral Hepatitis, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400010, China
| | - Luyi Huang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Infectious Diseases (Ministry of Education), Department of Infectious Diseases, Institute for Viral Hepatitis, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400010, China.
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6
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Molecular elucidation of drug-induced abnormal assemblies of the hepatitis B virus capsid protein by solid-state NMR. Nat Commun 2023; 14:471. [PMID: 36709212 PMCID: PMC9884277 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-36219-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) capsid assembly modulators (CAMs) represent a recent class of anti-HBV antivirals. CAMs disturb proper nucleocapsid assembly, by inducing formation of either aberrant assemblies (CAM-A) or of apparently normal but genome-less empty capsids (CAM-E). Classical structural approaches have revealed the CAM binding sites on the capsid protein (Cp), but conformational information on the CAM-induced off-path aberrant assemblies is lacking. Here we show that solid-state NMR can provide such information, including for wild-type full-length Cp183, and we find that in these assemblies, the asymmetric unit comprises a single Cp molecule rather than the four quasi-equivalent conformers typical for the icosahedral T = 4 symmetry of the normal HBV capsids. Furthermore, while in contrast to truncated Cp149, full-length Cp183 assemblies appear, on the mesoscopic level, unaffected by CAM-A, NMR reveals that on the molecular level, Cp183 assemblies are equally aberrant. Finally, we use a eukaryotic cell-free system to reveal how CAMs modulate capsid-RNA interactions and capsid phosphorylation. Our results establish a structural view on assembly modulation of the HBV capsid, and they provide a rationale for recently observed differences between in-cell versus in vitro capsid assembly modulation.
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7
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Janssen HLA, Hou J, Asselah T, Chan HLY, Zoulim F, Tanaka Y, Janczewska E, Nahass RG, Bourgeois S, Buti M, Lampertico P, Lenz O, Verbinnen T, Vandenbossche J, Talloen W, Kalmeijer R, Beumont M, Biermer M, Shukla U. Randomised phase 2 study (JADE) of the HBV capsid assembly modulator JNJ-56136379 with or without a nucleos(t)ide analogue in patients with chronic hepatitis B infection. Gut 2023:gutjnl-2022-328041. [PMID: 36697207 DOI: 10.1136/gutjnl-2022-328041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We present the final analysis results of the phase 2 JADE study (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03361956). DESIGN 232 patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) not currently treated at study start (NCT) at study start or virologically suppressed were randomised to receive 75 mg (part 1) or 250 mg (part 2) JNJ-56136379, a hepatitis B virus (HBV)-capsid assembly modulator, one time per day or placebo with nucleos(t)ide analogue (NA) (tenofovir disoproxil fumarate/entecavir) or JNJ-56136379 alone (NCT-only) for ≥24 and ≤48 weeks. RESULTS In patients who are NCT hepatitis B e-antigen (HBeAg) positive, JNJ-56136379 75 mg+NA and 250 mg+NA showed limited mean (SE) hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) declines (0.14 (0.10) and 0.41 (0.15), respectively) from baseline at Week 24 (primary endpoint; placebo+NA: 0.25 (0.11) log10 international unit (IU)/mL).In patients who are NCT HBeAg positive, mean (SE) HBV DNA declines at Week 24 were 5.53 (0.23) and 5.88 (0.34) for JNJ-56136379 75 mg+NA and 250 mg+NA, respectively, versus 5.21 (0.42) log10 IU/mL for placebo+NA. In NCT patients, mean (SE) HBV RNA declines were 2.96 (0.23) and 3.15 (0.33) versus 1.33 (0.32) log10 copies/mL, respectively.Patients with HBsAg declines had HBeAg and hepatitis B core-related antigen (HBcrAg) declines and some early on-treatment isolated alanine aminotransferase flares. Viral breakthrough occurred with JNJ-56136379 monotherapy with the emerging resistant-variant T33N, but not with JNJ-56136379+NA. JNJ-56136379 treatment beyond Week 24 had a generally small additional effect on viral markers.No study treatment-related serious adverse events or clinically significant changes in laboratory parameters occurred. CONCLUSIONS In patients with non-cirrhotic CHB, JNJ-56136379+NA showed pronounced reductions in HBV DNA and HBV RNA, limited HBsAg or HBeAg declines in patients who are NCT HBeAg positive, and was well tolerated, but no clear benefit with regards to efficacy of JNJ-56136379 over NA was observed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harry L A Janssen
- Toronto General Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, Zuid-Holland, The Netherlands
| | - Jinlin Hou
- Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Tarik Asselah
- Université de Paris Cité, INSERM UMR1149, Hôpital Beaujon AP-HP, Clichy, France
| | - Henry L Y Chan
- The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Fabien Zoulim
- Hospices Civils de Lyon and Lyon University & INSERM U1052-Cancer Research Institute of Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - Yasuhito Tanaka
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Ewa Janczewska
- Faculty of Health Sciences in Bytom, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland
| | | | | | - Maria Buti
- Hospital Universitario Vall d'Hebrón and CIBERHED del Instituto Carlos III, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Pietro Lampertico
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Foundation IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy.,Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, CRC 'A. M. and A. Migliavacca' Center for Liver Disease, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Maria Beumont
- Janssen Pharmaceuticals R&D, Titusville, New Jersey, USA
| | | | - Umesh Shukla
- Janssen Pharmaceuticals R&D, Titusville, New Jersey, USA
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8
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Characterization of a Novel Capsid Assembly Modulator for the Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Infection. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2023; 67:e0134822. [PMID: 36519892 PMCID: PMC9872672 DOI: 10.1128/aac.01348-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The standard of care for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) is typically lifelong treatment with nucleos(t)ide analogs (NAs), which suppress viral replication and provide long-term clinical benefits. However, infectious virus can still be detected in patients who are virally suppressed on NA therapy, which may contribute to the failure of these agents to cure most CHB patients. Accordingly, new antiviral treatment options are being developed to enhance the suppression of hepatitis B virus (HBV) replication in combination with NAs ("antiviral intensification"). Here, we describe GS-SBA-1, a capsid assembly modulator (CAM) belonging to class CAM-E, that demonstrates potent inhibition of extracellular HBV DNA in vitro (EC50 [50% effective concentration] = 19 nM) in HBV-infected primary human hepatocytes (PHHs) as well as in vivo in an HBV-infected immunodeficient mouse model. GS-SBA-1 has comparable activities across HBV genotypes and nucleos(t)ide-resistant mutants in HBV-infected PHHs. In addition, GS-SBA-1 demonstrated in vitro additivity in combination with tenofovir alafenamide (TAF). The administration of GS-SBA-1 to PHHs at the time of infection prevents covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) formation and, hence, decreases HBV RNA and antigen levels (EC50 = 80 to 200 nM). Furthermore, GS-SBA-1 prevents the production of extracellular HBV RNA-containing viral particles in vitro. Collectively, these data demonstrate that GS-SBA-1 is a potent CAM that has the potential to enhance viral suppression in combination with an NA.
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9
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Wang Y, Wang S, Tao X, Wang Y, Wu Y, Chen N, Hu C, Wang H, Yu S, Sheng R. The SAR-based development of small molecular HBV capsid assembly modulators. Med Chem Res 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s00044-022-02936-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/16/2022]
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10
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Novel Neplanocin A Derivatives as Selective Inhibitors of Hepatitis B Virus with a Unique Mechanism of Action. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2022; 66:e0207321. [PMID: 35604213 DOI: 10.1128/aac.02073-21] [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: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Novel neplanocin A derivatives have been identified as potent and selective inhibitors of hepatitis B virus (HBV) replication in vitro. These include (1S,2R,5R)-5-(5-bromo-4-methyl-7H-pyrrolo[2,3-d]-pyrimidin-7-yl)-3-(hydroxymethyl)cyclopent-3-ene-1,2-diol (AR-II-04-26) and (1S,2R,5R)-5-(4-amino-3-iodo-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidin-1-yl)-3-(hydroxylmethyl)cyclopent-3-ene-1,2-diol (MK-III-02-03). The 50% effective concentrations of AR-II-04-26 and MK-III-02-03 were 0.77 ± 0.23 and 0.83 ± 0.36 μM in HepG2.2.15.7 cells, respectively. These compounds reduced intracellular HBV RNA levels in HepG2.2.15.7 cells and infected primary human hepatocytes. Accordingly, they could reduce HBs and HBe antigen production in the culture supernatants, which was not observed with clinically approved anti-HBV nucleosides and nucleotides (reverse transcriptase inhibitors). The neplanocin A derivatives also inhibited HBV RNA derived from cccDNA. In addition, unlike neplanocin A itself, the compounds did not inhibit S-adenosyl-l-homocysteine hydrolase activity. Thus, it appears that the mechanism of action of AR-II-04-26 and MK-III-02-03 differs from that of the clinically approved anti-HBV agents. Although their exact mechanism (target molecule) remains to be elucidated, the novel neplanocin A derivatives are considered promising candidate drugs for inhibition of HBV replication.
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11
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Pavlova A, Bassit L, Cox BD, Korablyov M, Chipot C, Patel D, Lynch DL, Amblard F, Schinazi RF, Gumbart JC. The Mechanism of Action of Hepatitis B Virus Capsid Assembly Modulators Can Be Predicted from Binding to Early Assembly Intermediates. J Med Chem 2022; 65:4854-4864. [PMID: 35290049 PMCID: PMC9026740 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c02040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Interfering with the self-assembly of virus nucleocapsids is a promising approach for the development of novel antiviral agents. Applied to hepatitis B virus (HBV), this approach has led to several classes of capsid assembly modulators (CAMs) that target the virus by either accelerating nucleocapsid assembly or misdirecting it into noncapsid-like particles, thereby inhibiting the HBV replication cycle. Here, we have assessed the structures of early nucleocapsid assembly intermediates, bound with and without CAMs, using molecular dynamics simulations. We find that distinct conformations of the intermediates are induced depending on whether the bound CAM accelerates or misdirects assembly. Specifically, the assembly intermediates with bound misdirecting CAMs appear to be flattened relative to those with bound accelerators. Finally, the potency of CAMs within the same class was studied. We find that an increased number of contacts with the capsid protein and favorable binding energies inferred from free energy perturbation calculations are indicative of increased potency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Pavlova
- School of Physics and School of Chemistry & Biochemistry, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, United States
| | - Leda Bassit
- Center for AIDS Research, Laboratory of Biochemical Pharmacology, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine and Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, United States
| | - Bryan D Cox
- Center for AIDS Research, Laboratory of Biochemical Pharmacology, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine and Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, United States
| | - Maksym Korablyov
- MIT Media Lab, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Boston, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Christophe Chipot
- Department of Physics, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
- Laboratoire international associé CNRS-UIUC, UMR 7019, Université de Lorraine, B.P. 70239, 54506 Vandæuvre-lès-Nancy, France
| | - Dharmeshkumar Patel
- Center for AIDS Research, Laboratory of Biochemical Pharmacology, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine and Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, United States
| | - Diane L Lynch
- School of Physics and School of Chemistry & Biochemistry, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, United States
| | - Franck Amblard
- Center for AIDS Research, Laboratory of Biochemical Pharmacology, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine and Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, United States
| | - Raymond F Schinazi
- Center for AIDS Research, Laboratory of Biochemical Pharmacology, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine and Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, United States
| | - James C Gumbart
- School of Physics and School of Chemistry & Biochemistry, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, United States
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12
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Fukutomi K, Hikita H, Murai K, Nakabori T, Shimoda A, Fukuoka M, Yamai T, Higuchi Y, Miyakawa K, Suemizu H, Ryo A, Yamada R, Kodama T, Sakamori R, Tatsumi T, Takehara T. Capsid Allosteric Modulators Enhance the Innate Immune Response in Hepatitis B Virus-Infected Hepatocytes During Interferon Administration. Hepatol Commun 2022; 6:281-296. [PMID: 34558845 PMCID: PMC8793994 DOI: 10.1002/hep4.1804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2021] [Revised: 07/12/2021] [Accepted: 07/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Capsid allosteric modulators (CAMs) inhibit the encapsidation of hepatitis B virus (HBV) pregenomic RNA (pgRNA), which contains a pathogen-associated molecular pattern motif. However, the effect of CAMs on the innate immune response of HBV-infected hepatocytes remains unclear, and we examined this effect in this study. Administration of a CAM compound, BAY41-4109 (BAY41), to HBV-infected primary human hepatocytes (PHHs) did not change the total cytoplasmic pgRNA levels but significantly reduced intracapsid pgRNA levels, suggesting that BAY41 increased extracapsid pgRNA levels in the cytoplasm. BAY41 alone did not change the intracellular interferon (IFN)-stimulated gene (ISG) expression levels. However, BAY41 enhanced antiviral ISG induction by IFN-α in HBV-infected PHHs but did not change ISG induction by IFN-α in uninfected PHHs. Compared with BAY41 or IFN-α alone, coadministration of BAY41 and IFN-α significantly suppressed extracellular HBV-DNA levels. HBV-infected human liver-chimeric mice were treated with vehicle, BAY41, pegylated IFN-α (pegIFN-α), or BAY41 and pegIFN-α together. Compared with the vehicle control, pegIFN-α highly up-regulated intrahepatic ISG expression levels, but BAY41 alone did not change these levels. The combination of BAY41 and pegIFN-α further enhanced intrahepatic antiviral ISG expression, which was up-regulated by pegIFNα. The serum HBV-DNA levels in mice treated with the combination of BAY41 and pegIFN-α were the lowest observed in all the groups. Conclusion: CAMs enhance the host IFN response when combined with exogenous IFN-α, likely due to increased cytoplasmic extracapsid pgRNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keisuke Fukutomi
- Department of Gastroenterology and HepatologyOsaka University Graduate School of MedicineOsakaJapan
| | - Hayato Hikita
- Department of Gastroenterology and HepatologyOsaka University Graduate School of MedicineOsakaJapan
| | - Kazuhiro Murai
- Department of Gastroenterology and HepatologyOsaka University Graduate School of MedicineOsakaJapan
| | - Tasuku Nakabori
- Department of Gastroenterology and HepatologyOsaka University Graduate School of MedicineOsakaJapan
| | - Akiyoshi Shimoda
- Department of Gastroenterology and HepatologyOsaka University Graduate School of MedicineOsakaJapan
| | - Makoto Fukuoka
- Department of Gastroenterology and HepatologyOsaka University Graduate School of MedicineOsakaJapan
| | - Takuo Yamai
- Department of Gastroenterology and HepatologyOsaka University Graduate School of MedicineOsakaJapan
| | - Yuichiro Higuchi
- Laboratory Animal Research DepartmentCentral Institute for Experimental AnimalsKawasakiJapan
| | - Kei Miyakawa
- Department of MicrobiologyYokohama City University School of MedicineYokohamaJapan
| | - Hiroshi Suemizu
- Laboratory Animal Research DepartmentCentral Institute for Experimental AnimalsKawasakiJapan
| | - Akihide Ryo
- Department of MicrobiologyYokohama City University School of MedicineYokohamaJapan
| | - Ryoko Yamada
- Department of Gastroenterology and HepatologyOsaka University Graduate School of MedicineOsakaJapan
| | - Takahiro Kodama
- Department of Gastroenterology and HepatologyOsaka University Graduate School of MedicineOsakaJapan
| | - Ryotaro Sakamori
- Department of Gastroenterology and HepatologyOsaka University Graduate School of MedicineOsakaJapan
| | - Tomohide Tatsumi
- Department of Gastroenterology and HepatologyOsaka University Graduate School of MedicineOsakaJapan
| | - Tetsuo Takehara
- Department of Gastroenterology and HepatologyOsaka University Graduate School of MedicineOsakaJapan
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13
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Targeting the Virus Capsid as a Tool to Fight RNA Viruses. Viruses 2022; 14:v14020174. [PMID: 35215767 PMCID: PMC8879806 DOI: 10.3390/v14020174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Revised: 01/14/2022] [Accepted: 01/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Several strategies have been developed to fight viral infections, not only in humans but also in animals and plants. Some of them are based on the development of efficient vaccines, to target the virus by developed antibodies, others focus on finding antiviral compounds with activities that inhibit selected virus replication steps. Currently, there is an increasing number of antiviral drugs on the market; however, some have unpleasant side effects, are toxic to cells, or the viruses quickly develop resistance to them. As the current situation shows, the combination of multiple antiviral strategies or the combination of the use of various compounds within one strategy is very important. The most desirable are combinations of drugs that inhibit different steps in the virus life cycle. This is an important issue especially for RNA viruses, which replicate their genomes using error-prone RNA polymerases and rapidly develop mutants resistant to applied antiviral compounds. Here, we focus on compounds targeting viral structural capsid proteins, thereby inhibiting virus assembly or disassembly, virus binding to cellular receptors, or acting by inhibiting other virus replication mechanisms. This review is an update of existing papers on a similar topic, by focusing on the most recent advances in the rapidly evolving research of compounds targeting capsid proteins of RNA viruses.
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14
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Kim H, Ko C, Lee JY, Kim M. Current Progress in the Development of Hepatitis B Virus Capsid Assembly Modulators: Chemical Structure, Mode-of-Action and Efficacy. Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26247420. [PMID: 34946502 PMCID: PMC8705634 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26247420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2021] [Revised: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 12/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a major causative agent of human hepatitis. Its viral genome comprises partially double-stranded DNA, which is complexed with viral polymerase within an icosahedral capsid consisting of a dimeric core protein. Here, we describe the effects of capsid assembly modulators (CAMs) on the geometric or kinetic disruption of capsid construction and the virus life cycle. We highlight classical, early-generation CAMs such as heteroaryldihydropyrimidines, phenylpropenamides or sulfamoylbenzamides, and focus on the chemical structure and antiviral efficacy of recently identified non-classical CAMs, which consist of carboxamides, aryl ureas, bithiazoles, hydrazones, benzylpyridazinones, pyrimidines, quinolines, dyes, and antimicrobial compounds. We summarize the therapeutic efficacy of four representative classical compounds with data from clinical phase 1 studies in chronic HBV patients. Most of these compounds are in phase 2 trials, either as monotherapy or in combination with approved nucleos(t)ides drugs or other immunostimulatory molecules. As followers of the early CAMs, the therapeutic efficacy of several non-classical CAMs has been evaluated in humanized mouse models of HBV infection. It is expected that these next-generation HBV CAMs will be promising candidates for a series of extended human clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyejin Kim
- Correspondence: (H.K.); (M.K.); Tel.: +82-42-860-7130 (H.K.); +82-42-860-7540 (M.K.)
| | | | | | - Meehyein Kim
- Correspondence: (H.K.); (M.K.); Tel.: +82-42-860-7130 (H.K.); +82-42-860-7540 (M.K.)
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15
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Pang YT, Pavlova A, Tajkhorshid E, Gumbart JC. Parameterization of a drug molecule with a halogen σ-hole particle using ffTK: Implementation, testing, and comparison. J Chem Phys 2021; 153:164104. [PMID: 33138412 DOI: 10.1063/5.0022802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Halogen atoms are widely used in drug molecules to improve their binding affinity for the receptor proteins. Many of the examples involve "halogen bonding" between the molecule and the binding site, which is a directional interaction between a halogen atom and a nucleophilic atom. Such an interaction is induced by an electron cloud shift of the halogen atom toward its covalently bonded neighbor to form the σ-bond, leaving a small electrostatic positive region opposite to the bond called the "σ-hole." To mimic the effect of the σ-hole in the CHARMM non-polarizable force field, recently CGenFF added a positively charged massless particle to halogen atoms, positioned at the opposite side of the carbon-halogen bond. This particle is referred to as a lone pair (LP) particle because it uses the lone pair implementation in the CHARMM force field. Here, we have added support for LP particles to ffTK, an automated force field parameterization toolkit widely distributed as a plugin to the molecular visualization software VMD. We demonstrate the updated optimization process using an example halogenated drug molecule, AT130, which is a capsid assembly modulator targeting the hepatitis B virus. Our results indicate that parameterization with the LP particle significantly improves the accuracy of the electrostatic response of the molecule, especially around the halogen atom. Although the inclusion of the LP particle does not produce a prominent effect on the interactions between the molecule and its target protein, the protein-ligand binding performance is greatly improved by optimization of the parameters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yui Tik Pang
- School of Physics, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, USA
| | - Anna Pavlova
- School of Physics, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, USA
| | - Emad Tajkhorshid
- NIH Center for Macromolecular Modeling and Bioinformatics, Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, Department of Biochemistry, and Center for Biophysics and Quantitative Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, USA
| | - James C Gumbart
- School of Physics, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, USA
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16
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Sauviller S, Vergauwen K, Jaensch S, Gustin E, Peeters D, Vermeulen P, Wuyts D, Vandyck K, Pauwels F, Berke JM. Development of a cellular high-content, immunofluorescent HBV core assay to identify novel capsid assembly modulators that induce the formation of aberrant HBV core structures. J Virol Methods 2021; 293:114150. [PMID: 33839187 DOI: 10.1016/j.jviromet.2021.114150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2020] [Revised: 03/19/2021] [Accepted: 04/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) core protein has multiple functions in the viral life cycle and is an attractive target for new anti-viral therapies. Capsid assembly modulators (CAMs) target the core protein and induce the formation of either morphologically normal (CAM-N) or aberrant structures (CAM-A), both devoid of genomic material. To date a diverse family of CAM-N chemotypes has been identified, but in contrast, described CAM-As are based on the heteroaryldihydropyrimidine (HAP) scaffold. We used the HBV-inducible HepG2.117 cell line with immunofluorescent labeling of HBV core to develop and validate a cellular high-content image-based assay where aggregated core structures are identified using image analysis spot texture features. Treatment with HAPs led to a dose- and time-dependent formation of aggregated core appearing as dot-like structures in the cytoplasm and nucleus. By combining a biochemical and cellular screening approach, a compound was identified as a novel non-HAP scaffold able to induce dose-dependent formation of aberrant core structures, which was confirmed by electron microscopy and native gel electrophoresis. This compound displayed anti-HBV activity in HepG2.117 cells, providing proof-of-concept for our screening approach. We believe our combined biochemical and cellular high-content screening method will aid in expanding the range of CAM-A chemotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Sauviller
- Janssen Research and Development, Turnhoutseweg 30, 2340 Beerse, Belgium
| | - Karen Vergauwen
- Janssen Research and Development, Turnhoutseweg 30, 2340 Beerse, Belgium
| | - Steffen Jaensch
- Janssen Research and Development, Turnhoutseweg 30, 2340 Beerse, Belgium
| | - Emmanuel Gustin
- Janssen Research and Development, Turnhoutseweg 30, 2340 Beerse, Belgium
| | - Danielle Peeters
- Janssen Research and Development, Turnhoutseweg 30, 2340 Beerse, Belgium
| | - Peter Vermeulen
- Janssen Research and Development, Turnhoutseweg 30, 2340 Beerse, Belgium
| | - Dirk Wuyts
- Janssen Research and Development, Turnhoutseweg 30, 2340 Beerse, Belgium
| | - Koen Vandyck
- Janssen Research and Development, Turnhoutseweg 30, 2340 Beerse, Belgium
| | - Frederik Pauwels
- Janssen Research and Development, Turnhoutseweg 30, 2340 Beerse, Belgium
| | - Jan Martin Berke
- Janssen Research and Development, Turnhoutseweg 30, 2340 Beerse, Belgium.
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17
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Pérez-Segura C, Goh BC, Hadden-Perilla JA. All-Atom MD Simulations of the HBV Capsid Complexed with AT130 Reveal Secondary and Tertiary Structural Changes and Mechanisms of Allostery. Viruses 2021; 13:564. [PMID: 33810481 PMCID: PMC8065791 DOI: 10.3390/v13040564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2021] [Revised: 03/15/2021] [Accepted: 03/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The hepatitis B virus (HBV) capsid is an attractive drug target, relevant to combating viral hepatitis as a major public health concern. Among small molecules known to interfere with capsid assembly, the phenylpropenamides, including AT130, represent an important antiviral paradigm based on disrupting the timing of genome packaging. Here, all-atom molecular dynamics simulations of an intact AT130-bound HBV capsid reveal that the compound increases spike flexibility and improves recovery of helical secondary structure in the spike tips. Regions of the capsid-incorporated dimer that undergo correlated motion correspond to established sub-domains that pivot around the central chassis. AT130 alters patterns of correlated motion and other essential dynamics. A new conformational state of the dimer is identified, which can lead to dramatic opening of the intradimer interface and disruption of communication within the spike tip. A novel salt bridge is also discovered, which can mediate contact between the spike tip and fulcrum even in closed conformations, revealing a mechanism of direct communication across these sub-domains. Altogether, results describe a dynamical connection between the intra- and interdimer interfaces and enable mapping of allostery traversing the entire core protein dimer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Pérez-Segura
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, USA;
| | - Boon Chong Goh
- Antimicrobial Resistance Interdisciplinary Research Group, Singapore-Massachusetts Institute of Technology Alliance for Research and Technology Centre, Singapore 138602, Singapore;
| | - Jodi A. Hadden-Perilla
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, USA;
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18
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Fauzyah Y, Ono C, Torii S, Anzai I, Suzuki R, Izumi T, Morioka Y, Maeda Y, Okamoto T, Fukuhara T, Matsuura Y. Ponesimod suppresses hepatitis B virus infection by inhibiting endosome maturation. Antiviral Res 2020; 186:104999. [PMID: 33346055 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2020.104999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2020] [Revised: 12/10/2020] [Accepted: 12/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The discovery of novel antivirals to treat hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is urgently needed, as the currently available drugs mainly target viral proteins at replication step, whereas host factors also play significant roles in HBV infection. Although numerous studies have reported candidate drugs for HBV treatment, there remains a need to find a new drug that may target other steps of the HBV life cycle. In this study, by drug screening of a 533 G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs)-associated compound library, we identified ponesimod, a selective agonist of sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor 1 (S1P1), as a drug candidate for the suppression of HBV infection. However, the anti-HBV effect of ponesimod is independent of S1P1 and other sphingosine-1-phosphate receptors (S1PRs). Treatment with ponesimod at an early step of infection but not at a post-entry step significantly reduced the HBV relaxed circular DNA (rcDNA) level in a dose-dependent manner. Ponesimod treatment did not inhibit attachment, binding, or internalization of HBV particles via endocytosis through an interaction with sodium taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (NTCP) or epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). Importantly, during the transportation of HBV particles to the nucleus, co-localization of HBV with early endosomes but not with late endosomes and lysosomes was induced by the treatment with ponesimod, suggesting that ponesimod interferes with the conversion of early endosomes to late endosomes without significant damage to cellular growth. Conclusion: Ponesimod is a promising anti-HBV drug targeting the endosome maturation of HBV. This finding can be applied to the development of novel antivirals that target the trafficking pathway of HBV particles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuzy Fauzyah
- Department of Molecular Virology, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan.
| | - Chikako Ono
- Department of Molecular Virology, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan.
| | - Shiho Torii
- Department of Molecular Virology, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan.
| | - Itsuki Anzai
- Department of Molecular Virology, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan.
| | - Rigel Suzuki
- Department of Molecular Virology, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan.
| | - Takuma Izumi
- Department of Molecular Virology, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan.
| | - Yuhei Morioka
- Department of Molecular Virology, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan.
| | - Yusuke Maeda
- Department of Molecular Virology, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan.
| | - Toru Okamoto
- Institute for Advanced Co-Creation Studies, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan.
| | - Takasuke Fukuhara
- Department of Molecular Virology, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan.
| | - Yoshiharu Matsuura
- Department of Molecular Virology, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan.
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19
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Preclinical Profile and Characterization of the Hepatitis B Virus Core Protein Inhibitor ABI-H0731. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2020; 64:AAC.01463-20. [PMID: 32868329 PMCID: PMC7577125 DOI: 10.1128/aac.01463-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2020] [Accepted: 08/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
ABI-H0731, a first-generation hepatitis B virus (HBV) core protein inhibitor, has demonstrated effective antiviral activity in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients in a phase 1b clinical trial and is currently being further evaluated in phase 2 clinical trials. Here, we report the preclinical profile of ABI-H0731. In in vitro cell culture systems (HepG2-derived cell lines HepAD38 and HepG2-NTCP and primary human hepatocytes [PHHs]), ABI-H0731 exhibited selective inhibition of HBV DNA replication (50% effective concentration [EC50] from 173 nM to 307 nM). ABI-H0731, a first-generation hepatitis B virus (HBV) core protein inhibitor, has demonstrated effective antiviral activity in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients in a phase 1b clinical trial and is currently being further evaluated in phase 2 clinical trials. Here, we report the preclinical profile of ABI-H0731. In in vitro cell culture systems (HepG2-derived cell lines HepAD38 and HepG2-NTCP and primary human hepatocytes [PHHs]), ABI-H0731 exhibited selective inhibition of HBV DNA replication (50% effective concentration [EC50] from 173 nM to 307 nM). Most importantly, ABI-H0731 suppressed covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) formation in two de novo infection models with EC50s from 1.84 μM to 7.3 μM. Mechanism-of-action studies indicated that ABI-H0731 is a direct-acting antiviral that targets HBV core protein, preventing HBV pregenomic RNA (pgRNA) encapsidation and subsequent DNA replication. The combination of ABI-H0731 with entecavir appears to decrease viral DNA faster and deeper than nucleoside/nucleotide analogue (NrtI) therapy alone. In addition, ABI-H0731 disrupts incoming nucleocapsids, causing the premature release of relaxed circular DNA (rcDNA) before delivery to the nucleus, and thus prevents new cccDNA formation. ABI-H0731 exhibits pangenotypic activity and is additive to moderately synergistic when combined with an NrtI. In addition to its potency and novel mechanism of action, ABI-H0731 possesses drug-like properties and a preclinical pharmacokinetic profile supportive of once-daily dosing in patients with CHB. Taken together, these data support the ongoing clinical development of ABI-H0731 as a treatment for HBV.
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20
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Schlicksup CJ, Zlotnick A. Viral structural proteins as targets for antivirals. Curr Opin Virol 2020; 45:43-50. [PMID: 32777753 DOI: 10.1016/j.coviro.2020.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2020] [Revised: 06/30/2020] [Accepted: 07/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Viral structural proteins are emerging as effective targets for new antivirals. In a viral lifecycle, the capsid must assemble, disassemble, and respond to host proteins, all at the right time and place. These reactions work within a narrow range of conditions, making them susceptible to small molecule interference. In at least three specific viruses, this approach has had met with preliminary success. In rhinovirus and poliovirus, compounds like pleconaril bind capsid and block RNA release. Bevirimat binds to Gag protein in HIV, inhibiting maturation. In Hepatitis B virus, core protein allosteric modulators (CpAMs) promote spontaneous assembly of capsid protein leading to empty and aberrant particles. Despite the biological diversity between viruses and the chemical diversity between antiviral molecules, we observe common features in these antivirals' mechanisms of action. These approaches work by stabilizing protein-protein interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher John Schlicksup
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Department, Indiana University-Bloomington, Bloomington, IN 47401, United States
| | - Adam Zlotnick
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Department, Indiana University-Bloomington, Bloomington, IN 47401, United States.
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21
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A cocrystal structure of dengue capsid protein in complex of inhibitor. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2020; 117:17992-18001. [PMID: 32669438 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2003056117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Dengue virus (DENV) was designated as a top 10 public health threat by the World Health Organization in 2019. No clinically approved anti-DENV drug is currently available. Here we report the high-resolution cocrystal structure (1.5 Å) of the DENV-2 capsid protein in complex with an inhibitor that potently suppresses DENV-2 but not other DENV serotypes. The inhibitor induces a "kissing" interaction between two capsid dimers. The inhibitor-bound capsid tetramers are assembled inside virions, resulting in defective uncoating of nucleocapsid when infecting new cells. Resistant DENV-2 emerges through one mutation that abolishes hydrogen bonds in the capsid structure, leading to a loss of compound binding. Structure-based analysis has defined the amino acids responsible for the inhibitor's inefficacy against other DENV serotypes. The results have uncovered an antiviral mechanism through inhibitor-induced tetramerization of the viral capsid and provided essential structural and functional knowledge for rational design of panserotype DENV capsid inhibitors.
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22
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Schlicksup CJ, Laughlin P, Dunkelbarger S, Wang JCY, Zlotnick A. Local Stabilization of Subunit-Subunit Contacts Causes Global Destabilization of Hepatitis B Virus Capsids. ACS Chem Biol 2020; 15:1708-1717. [PMID: 32369333 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.0c00320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Development of antiviral molecules that bind virion is a strategy that remains in its infancy, and the details of their mechanisms are poorly understood. Here we investigate the behavior of DBT1, a dibenzothiazepine that specifically interacts with the capsid protein of hepatitis B virus (HBV). We found that DBT1 stabilizes protein-protein interaction, accelerates capsid assembly, and can induce formation of aberrant particles. Paradoxically, DBT1 can cause preformed capsids to dissociate. These activities may lead to (i) assembly of empty and defective capsids, inhibiting formation of new virus, and (ii) disruption of mature viruses, which are metastable, to inhibit new infection. Using cryo-electron microscopy, we observed that DBT1 led to asymmetric capsids where well-defined DBT1 density was bound at all intersubunit contacts. These results suggest that DBT1 can support assembly by increasing buried surface area but induce disassembly of metastable capsids by favoring asymmetry to induce structural defects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher John Schlicksup
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Department, Indiana University—Bloomington, Bloomington, Indiana 47401, United States
| | - Patrick Laughlin
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Department, Indiana University—Bloomington, Bloomington, Indiana 47401, United States
| | - Steven Dunkelbarger
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Department, Indiana University—Bloomington, Bloomington, Indiana 47401, United States
| | - Joseph Che-Yen Wang
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Department, Indiana University—Bloomington, Bloomington, Indiana 47401, United States
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania 17033, United States
| | - Adam Zlotnick
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Department, Indiana University—Bloomington, Bloomington, Indiana 47401, United States
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23
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Jo E, Ryu DK, König A, Park S, Cho Y, Park SH, Kim TH, Yoon SK, Ryu WS, Cechetto J, Windisch MP. Identification and characterization of a novel hepatitis B virus pregenomic RNA encapsidation inhibitor. Antiviral Res 2020; 175:104709. [PMID: 31940474 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2020.104709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2019] [Revised: 01/03/2020] [Accepted: 01/09/2020] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Currently, therapies to treat chronic hepatitis B (CHB) infection are based on the use of interferon-α or nucleos(t)ide analogs (NAs) to prevent viral DNA synthesis by inhibiting the reverse transcriptase activity of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) polymerase (Pol). However, these therapies are not curative; thus, the development of novel anti-HBV agents is needed. In accordance with this unmet medical need, we devised a new target- and cell-based, high-throughput screening assay to identify novel small molecules that block the initial interaction of the HBV Pol with its replication template the viral pregenomic RNA (pgRNA). We screened approximately 110,000 small molecules for the ability to prevent HBV Pol recognition of the pgRNA 5' epsilon (ε) stem-loop structure, identifying (Z)-2-(allylamino)-4-amino-N'-cyanothiazole-5-carboximidamide (AACC). Viral nucleocapsid-captured quantitative RT-PCR and Western blot results revealed that AACC significantly decreased encapsidated pgRNA levels and blocked capsid assembly without affecting core protein expression in stable HBV-replicating cells. As a result, both intra- and extracellular accumulation of viral DNA was strongly reduced. AACC treatment of HepG2-sodium taurocholate transporting polypeptide (NTCP) cells and primary human hepatocytes infected with cell culture- or patient-derived HBV isolates showed both time- and dose-dependent inhibition of infectious viral progeny and rcDNA production. Furthermore, AACC showed cross-genotypic activity against genotypes B, C, and D. Of note, AACC inhibited the viral replication of lamivudine and a capsid inhibitor-resistant HBV, and showed synergistic effects with NAs and a capsid inhibitor. In conclusion, we identified a novel class of compounds specifically targeting the ε-Pol interaction and thereby preventing the encapsidation of pgRNAs into viral capsids. This promising new HBV inhibitor class potently inhibits HBV amplification with distinct characteristics from existing NAs and other drugs currently under development, promising to add value to existing therapies for CHB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eunji Jo
- Applied Molecular Virology Laboratory, Institut Pasteur Korea, 696 Sampyung-dong, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
| | - Dong-Kyun Ryu
- Applied Molecular Virology Laboratory, Institut Pasteur Korea, 696 Sampyung-dong, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
| | - Alexander König
- Applied Molecular Virology Laboratory, Institut Pasteur Korea, 696 Sampyung-dong, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
| | - Soonju Park
- Screening Discovery Platform, Institut Pasteur Korea, 696 Sampyung-dong, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
| | - Yoojin Cho
- Applied Molecular Virology Laboratory, Institut Pasteur Korea, 696 Sampyung-dong, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
| | - Sang-Hyun Park
- Applied Molecular Virology Laboratory, Institut Pasteur Korea, 696 Sampyung-dong, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
| | - Tae-Hee Kim
- Screening Discovery Platform, Institut Pasteur Korea, 696 Sampyung-dong, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
| | - Seung Kew Yoon
- Catholic University Liver Research Center, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Wang-Shick Ryu
- Department of Biochemistry, Yonsei University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Jonathan Cechetto
- Screening Discovery Platform, Institut Pasteur Korea, 696 Sampyung-dong, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
| | - Marc P Windisch
- Applied Molecular Virology Laboratory, Institut Pasteur Korea, 696 Sampyung-dong, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea; Division of Bio-Medical Science and Technology, University of Science and Technology, 217, Gajeong-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, South Korea.
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Abstract
Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) is a widespread global infection and a leading cause of hepatocellular carcinoma and liver failure. Current approaches to treat CHB involve the suppression of viral replication with either interferon or nucleos(t)ide analog therapy, but neither of these approaches can reliably induce viral eradication, immunologic control or long-lived viral suppression in the absence of continued therapy. In this update, we explore the major obstacles of CHB cure and review new therapeutic strategies and drug candidates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lydia Tang
- Division of Clinical Care & Research, Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
- Program in Oncology, University of Maryland Marlene & Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Shyam Kottilil
- Division of Clinical Care & Research, Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
- Program in Oncology, University of Maryland Marlene & Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Eleanor Wilson
- Division of Clinical Care & Research, Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
- Program in Oncology, University of Maryland Marlene & Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
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25
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A New Role for Capsid Assembly Modulators To Target Mature Hepatitis B Virus Capsids and Prevent Virus Infection. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2019; 64:AAC.01440-19. [PMID: 31658963 DOI: 10.1128/aac.01440-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2019] [Accepted: 10/18/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a major human pathogen, killing an estimated 887,000 people per year. Therefore, potentially curative therapies are of high importance. Following infection, HBV deposits a covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) in the nucleus of infected cells that serves as a transcription template and is not affected by current therapies. HBV core protein allosteric modulators (CpAMs) prevent correct capsid assembly but may also affect early stages of HBV infection. In this study, we aimed to determine the antiviral efficacy of a novel, structurally distinct heteroaryldihydropyrimidine (HAP)-type CpAM, HAP_R01, and investigated whether and how HAP_R01 prevents the establishment of HBV infection. HAP_R01 shows a significant inhibition of cccDNA formation when applied during the first 48 h of HBV infection. Inhibiting cccDNA formation, however, requires >1-log10-higher concentrations than inhibition of the assembly of newly forming capsids (half-maximal effective concentration [EC50], 345 to 918 nM versus 26.8 to 43.5 nM, respectively). Biophysical studies using a new method to detect the incoming capsid in de novo infection revealed that HAP_R01 can physically change mature capsids of incoming virus particles and affect particle integrity. Treating purified HBV virions with HAP_R01 reduced their infectivity, highlighting the unique antiviral activity of CpAMs to target the capsid within mature HBV particles. Accordingly, HAP_R01 shows an additive antiviral effect in limiting de novo infection when combined with viral entry inhibitors. In summary, HAP_R01 perturbs capsid integrity of incoming virus particles and reduces their infectivity and thus inhibits cccDNA formation in addition to preventing HBV capsid assembly.
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26
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Toyama M, Sakakibara N, Takeda M, Okamoto M, Watashi K, Wakita T, Sugiyama M, Mizokami M, Ikeda M, Baba M. Pyrimidotriazine derivatives as selective inhibitors of HBV capsid assembly. Virus Res 2019; 271:197677. [PMID: 31376401 DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2019.197677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2019] [Revised: 07/31/2019] [Accepted: 07/31/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is currently treated with nucleoside/nucleotides analogs. They are potent inhibitors of HBV DNA polymerase, which also functions as reverse transcriptase. Although nucleoside/nucleotide analogs efficiently suppress HBV replication in liver cells, they cannot eradicate HBV DNA from liver cells and cure the disease. Therefore, it is still mandatory to identify and develop effective inhibitors that target a step other than reverse transcription in the viral replication cycle. HBV capsid assembly is a critical step for viral replication and an attractive target for inhibition of HBV replication. We conducted in silico screening of compounds expected to bind to the HBV capsid dimer-dimer interaction site. The selected compounds were further examined for their anti-HBV activity in vitro. Among the test compounds, novel pyrimidotriazine derivatives were found to be selective inhibitors of HBV replication in HepG2.2.15.7 cells. Among the compounds, 2-[(2,3-dichlorophenyl)amino]-4-(4-tert-butylphenyl)-8-methyl-4H,9H-pyrimido[1,2-a][1,3,5]triazin-6-one was the most active against HBV replication. Studies on its mechanism of action revealed that the compound interfered with HBV capsid assembly determined by a cell-free capsid assembly system. Thus, the pyrimidotriazine derivatives are considered to be potential leads for novel HBV capsid assembly inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masaaki Toyama
- Division of Antiviral Chemotherapy, Joint Research Center for Human Retrovirus Infection, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima, Japan
| | - Norikazu Sakakibara
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences at Kagawa Campus, Tokushima Bunri University, Sanuki, Japan
| | - Midori Takeda
- Division of Biological Information Technology, Joint Research Center for Human Retrovirus Infection, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima, Japan
| | - Mika Okamoto
- Division of Antiviral Chemotherapy, Joint Research Center for Human Retrovirus Infection, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima, Japan
| | - Koichi Watashi
- Department of Virology II, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takaji Wakita
- Department of Virology II, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masaya Sugiyama
- The Research Center for Hepatitis and Immunology, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Ichikawa, Japan
| | - Masashi Mizokami
- The Research Center for Hepatitis and Immunology, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Ichikawa, Japan
| | - Masanori Ikeda
- Division of Biological Information Technology, Joint Research Center for Human Retrovirus Infection, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima, Japan
| | - Masanori Baba
- Division of Antiviral Chemotherapy, Joint Research Center for Human Retrovirus Infection, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima, Japan.
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27
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Rat V, Seigneuret F, Burlaud-Gaillard J, Lemoine R, Hourioux C, Zoulim F, Testoni B, Meunier JC, Tauber C, Roingeard P, de Rocquigny H. BAY 41-4109-mediated aggregation of assembled and misassembled HBV capsids in cells revealed by electron microscopy. Antiviral Res 2019; 169:104557. [PMID: 31302151 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2019.104557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2019] [Revised: 07/05/2019] [Accepted: 07/10/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
HBc is a small protein essential for the formation of the icosahedral HBV capsid. Its multiple roles in the replication cycle make this protein a promising target for the development of antiviral molecules. Based on the structure of HBc, a series of HBV assembly inhibitors, also known as capsid assembly modulators, were identified. We investigated the effect of BAY 41-4109, a heteroaryldihydropyrimidine derivative that promotes the assembly of a non-capsid polymer. We showed, by confocal microscopy, that BAY 41-4109 mediated HBc aggregation, mostly in the cytoplasm of Huh7 cells. Image analysis revealed that aggregate size depended on BAY 41-4109 concentration and treatment duration. Large aggregates in the vicinity of the nucleus were enclosed by invaginations of the nuclear envelope. This deformation of the nuclear envelope was confirmed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and immuno-TEM. These two techniques also revealed that the HBc aggregates were accumulations of capsid-like shells with an electron-dense material consisting of HBV core fragments. These findings, shedding light on the ultrastructural organization of HBc aggregates, provide insight into the mechanisms of action of BAY 41-4109 against HBV and will serve as a basis for comparison with other HBV capsid assembly inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Virgile Rat
- Morphogenèse et Antigénicité Du VIH et des Virus des Hépatites, Inserm - U1259 MAVIVH, Université de Tours et CHRU de Tours, 10 Boulevard Tonnellé - BP 3223, 37032, Tours Cedex 1, France
| | - Florian Seigneuret
- Morphogenèse et Antigénicité Du VIH et des Virus des Hépatites, Inserm - U1259 MAVIVH, Université de Tours et CHRU de Tours, 10 Boulevard Tonnellé - BP 3223, 37032, Tours Cedex 1, France
| | - Julien Burlaud-Gaillard
- Plate-Forme IBiSA des Microscopies, PPF ASB, Université de Tours and CHRU de Tours, 10 Boulevard Tonnellé - BP 3223, 37032, Tours Cedex 1, France
| | - Roxane Lemoine
- B-Cell Resources Platform, EA4245 "Transplantation, Immunologie et Inflammation", Université de Tours, 10 Boulevard Tonnellé, 37032, Tours Cedex 1, France
| | - Christophe Hourioux
- Morphogenèse et Antigénicité Du VIH et des Virus des Hépatites, Inserm - U1259 MAVIVH, Université de Tours et CHRU de Tours, 10 Boulevard Tonnellé - BP 3223, 37032, Tours Cedex 1, France; Plate-Forme IBiSA des Microscopies, PPF ASB, Université de Tours and CHRU de Tours, 10 Boulevard Tonnellé - BP 3223, 37032, Tours Cedex 1, France
| | - Fabien Zoulim
- INSERM U1052-Cancer Research Center of Lyon (CRCL), 69008, Lyon, France; University of Lyon, UMR_S1052, CRCL, 69008, Lyon, France; Department of Hepatology, Croix Rousse Hospital, Hospices Civils de Lyon, France
| | - Barbara Testoni
- INSERM U1052-Cancer Research Center of Lyon (CRCL), 69008, Lyon, France; University of Lyon, UMR_S1052, CRCL, 69008, Lyon, France; Department of Hepatology, Croix Rousse Hospital, Hospices Civils de Lyon, France
| | - Jean-Christophe Meunier
- Morphogenèse et Antigénicité Du VIH et des Virus des Hépatites, Inserm - U1259 MAVIVH, Université de Tours et CHRU de Tours, 10 Boulevard Tonnellé - BP 3223, 37032, Tours Cedex 1, France
| | - Clovis Tauber
- UMRS Inserm U1253 - Université de Tours, 10 Boulevard Tonnellé - BP 3223, 37032, Tours Cedex 1, France
| | - Philippe Roingeard
- Morphogenèse et Antigénicité Du VIH et des Virus des Hépatites, Inserm - U1259 MAVIVH, Université de Tours et CHRU de Tours, 10 Boulevard Tonnellé - BP 3223, 37032, Tours Cedex 1, France; Plate-Forme IBiSA des Microscopies, PPF ASB, Université de Tours and CHRU de Tours, 10 Boulevard Tonnellé - BP 3223, 37032, Tours Cedex 1, France
| | - Hugues de Rocquigny
- Morphogenèse et Antigénicité Du VIH et des Virus des Hépatites, Inserm - U1259 MAVIVH, Université de Tours et CHRU de Tours, 10 Boulevard Tonnellé - BP 3223, 37032, Tours Cedex 1, France.
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28
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Yan Z, Wu D, Hu H, Zeng J, Yu X, Xu Z, Zhou Z, Zhou X, Yang G, Young JA, Gao L. Direct Inhibition of Hepatitis B e Antigen by Core Protein Allosteric Modulator. Hepatology 2019; 70:11-24. [PMID: 30664279 PMCID: PMC6618080 DOI: 10.1002/hep.30514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2018] [Accepted: 01/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) is an important immunomodulator for promoting host immune tolerance during chronic hepatitis B (CHB) infection. In patients with CHB, HBeAg loss and seroconversion represent partial immune control of CHB infection and are regarded as valuable endpoints. However, the current approved treatments have only a limited efficacy in achieving HBeAg seroconversion in HBeAg-positive patients. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) core protein has been recognized as an attractive antiviral target, and two classes of core protein allosteric modulator (CpAM) have been discovered: the phenylpropenamides (PPAs) and the heteroaryldihydropyrimidines (HAPs). However, their differentiation and potential therapeutic benefit beyond HBV DNA inhibition remain to be seen. Here, we show that in contrast to PPA series compound AT-130, a HAP CpAM, HAP_R01, reduced HBeAg levels in multiple in vitro and in vivo HBV experimental models. Mechanistically, we found that HAP_R01 treatment caused the misassembly of capsids formed by purified HBeAg in vitro. In addition, HAP_R01 directly reduces HBeAg levels by inducing intracellular precore protein misassembly and aggregation. Using a HAP_R01-resistant mutant, we found that HAP_R01-mediated HBeAg and core protein reductions were mediated through the same mechanism. Furthermore, HAP_R01 treatment substantially reduced serum HBeAg levels in an HBV mouse model. Conclusion: Unlike PPA series compound AT-130, HAP_R01 not only inhibits HBV DNA levels but also directly reduces HBeAg through induction of its misassembly. HAP_R01, as well as other similar CpAMs, has the potential to achieve higher anti-HBeAg seroconversion rates than currently approved therapies for patients with CHB. Our findings also provide guidance for dose selection when designing clinical trials with molecules from HAP series.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhipeng Yan
- Roche Innovation Center ShanghaiShanghaiChina
| | - Daitze Wu
- Roche Innovation Center ShanghaiShanghaiChina
| | - Hui Hu
- Roche Innovation Center ShanghaiShanghaiChina
| | - Jing Zeng
- Roche Innovation Center ShanghaiShanghaiChina
| | - Xin Yu
- Roche Innovation Center ShanghaiShanghaiChina
| | - Zhiheng Xu
- Roche Innovation Center ShanghaiShanghaiChina
| | - Zheng Zhou
- Roche Innovation Center ShanghaiShanghaiChina
| | - Xue Zhou
- Roche Innovation Center ShanghaiShanghaiChina
| | - Guang Yang
- Roche Innovation Center ShanghaiShanghaiChina
| | | | - Lu Gao
- Roche Innovation Center ShanghaiShanghaiChina
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29
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Nijampatnam B, Liotta DC. Recent advances in the development of HBV capsid assembly modulators. Curr Opin Chem Biol 2019; 50:73-79. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2019.02.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2018] [Revised: 02/07/2019] [Accepted: 02/09/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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30
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Pei Y, Wang C, Ben H, Wang L, Ma Y, Ma Q, Xiang Y, Zhang L, Liu G. Discovery of New Hepatitis B Virus Capsid Assembly Modulators by an Optimal High-Throughput Cell-Based Assay. ACS Infect Dis 2019; 5:778-787. [PMID: 30761887 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.9b00030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
In this article, a simple and effective high-throughput screening (HTS) assay was developed to identify anti-HBV compounds by using a HepAD38 luciferase reporter (HepAD38-luc) cell line that can effectively exclude the false positive hit compounds targeted on the tetracycline off (tet-off) regulation system. Through screening in-house chemical libraries, N-phenylpiperidine-3-carboxamide derivatives, represented by 1 and 2, were identified, while the other false positive hits (i.e., quinoxaline (3) and benzothiazin (4) derivatives) were simultaneously excluded. Compounds 1 and 2 exhibit strong inhibitory activity against HBV replication in both HepAD38 and HepG2.2.15 cells. Further studies revealed that 1 and 2 reduced extracellular HBV DNA, HBeAg, and intracellular HBV intermediates, including total DNA, RNA, and precore RNA of HBV. Size-exclusion chromatography (SEC) and electron microscopy (EM) investigations demonstrated that 1 and 2 remarkably induced the formation of morphologically intact capsids and accelerated the dynamics of capsid assembly, suggesting that both 1 and 2 were type I capsid assembly modulators (CAMs).
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Affiliation(s)
- Yameng Pei
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tsinghua University, Renhuan Building, Room 311, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Chunting Wang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tsinghua University, Renhuan Building, Room 311, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Haijing Ben
- School of Medicine, Comprehensive AIDS Research Center, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Tsinghua University,Medical Sciences Building, Suite A209, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Lei Wang
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Structural Biology, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Center for Global Health and Infectious Diseases, Department of Basic Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Medical Sciences Building, Suite A207, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Yao Ma
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tsinghua University, Renhuan Building, Room 311, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Qingyan Ma
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tsinghua University, Renhuan Building, Room 311, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Ye Xiang
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Structural Biology, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Center for Global Health and Infectious Diseases, Department of Basic Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Medical Sciences Building, Suite A207, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Linqi Zhang
- School of Medicine, Comprehensive AIDS Research Center, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Tsinghua University,Medical Sciences Building, Suite A209, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Gang Liu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tsinghua University, Renhuan Building, Room 311, Beijing 100084, China
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31
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Kondylis P, Schlicksup CJ, Katen SP, Lee LS, Zlotnick A, Jacobson SC. Evolution of Intermediates during Capsid Assembly of Hepatitis B Virus with Phenylpropenamide-Based Antivirals. ACS Infect Dis 2019; 5:769-777. [PMID: 30616343 PMCID: PMC6510601 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.8b00290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Self-assembly of virus capsids is a potential target for antivirals due to its importance in the virus lifecycle. Here, we investigate the effect of phenylpropenamide derivatives B-21 and AT-130 on the assembly of hepatitis B virus (HBV) core protein. Phenylpropenamides are widely believed to yield assembly of spherical particles resembling native, empty HBV capsids. Because the details of assembly can be overlooked with ensemble measurements, we performed resistive-pulse sensing on nanofluidic devices with four pores in series to characterize the size distributions of the products in real time. With its single particle sensitivity and compatibility with typical assembly buffers, resistive-pulse sensing is well-suited for analyzing virus assembly in vitro. We observed that assembly with B-21 and AT-130 produced a large fraction of partially complete virus particles that may be on-path, off-path, or trapped. For both B-21 and AT-130, capsid assembly was more sensitive to disruption under conditions where the interprotein association energy was low at lower salt concentrations. Dilution of the reaction solutions led to the rearrangement of the incomplete particles and demonstrated that these large intermediates may be on-path, but are labile, and exist in a frustrated dynamic equilibrium. During capsid assembly, phenylpropenamide molecules modestly increase the association energy of dimers, prevent intermediates from dissociating, and lead to kinetic trapping where the formation of too many capsids has been initiated, which results in both empty and incomplete particles.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Sarah P. Katen
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405
| | - Lye Siang Lee
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405
| | - Adam Zlotnick
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405
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32
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Huber AD, Pineda DL, Liu D, Boschert KN, Gres AT, Wolf JJ, Coonrod EM, Tang J, Laughlin TG, Yang Q, Puray-Chavez MN, Ji J, Singh K, Kirby KA, Wang Z, Sarafianos SG. Novel Hepatitis B Virus Capsid-Targeting Antiviral That Aggregates Core Particles and Inhibits Nuclear Entry of Viral Cores. ACS Infect Dis 2019; 5:750-758. [PMID: 30582687 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.8b00235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
An estimated 240 million are chronically infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV), which can lead to liver disease, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Currently, HBV treatment options include only nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors and the immunomodulatory agent interferon alpha, and these treatments are generally not curative. New treatments with novel mechanisms of action, therefore, are highly desired for HBV therapy. The viral core protein (Cp) has gained attention as a possible therapeutic target because of its vital roles in the HBV life cycle. Several classes of capsid assembly effectors (CAEs) have been described in detail, and these compounds all increase capsid assembly rate but inhibit HBV replication by different mechanisms. In this study, we have developed a thermal shift-based screening method for CAE discovery and characterization, filling a much-needed gap in high-throughput screening methods for capsid-targeting molecules. Using this approach followed by cell-based screening, we identified the compound HF9C6 as a CAE with low micromolar potency against HBV replication. HF9C6 caused large multicapsid aggregates when capsids were assembled in vitro and analyzed by transmission electron microscopy. Interestingly, when HBV-expressing cells were treated with HF9C6, Cp was excluded from cell nuclei, suggesting that this compound may inhibit nuclear entry of Cp and capsids. Furthermore, mutational scanning of Cp suggested that HF9C6 binds the known CAE binding pocket, indicating that key Cp-compound interactions within this pocket have a role in determining the CAE mechanism of action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew D. Huber
- Christopher S. Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, 1201 E. Rollins St., Columbia, Missouri 65211, United States
| | - Dallas L. Pineda
- Christopher S. Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, 1201 E. Rollins St., Columbia, Missouri 65211, United States
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Missouri, 117 Schweitzer Hall, Columbia, Missouri 65211, United States
| | - Dandan Liu
- Christopher S. Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, 1201 E. Rollins St., Columbia, Missouri 65211, United States
- Department of Molecular Microbiology & Immunology, University of Missouri School of Medicine, M616 Medical Sciences Building, Columbia, Missouri 65211, United States
| | - Kelsey N. Boschert
- Christopher S. Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, 1201 E. Rollins St., Columbia, Missouri 65211, United States
- Department of Nutrition and Exercise Physiology, University of Missouri, 204 Gwynn Hall, Columbia, Missouri 65211, United States
| | - Anna T. Gres
- Christopher S. Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, 1201 E. Rollins St., Columbia, Missouri 65211, United States
- Department of Chemistry, University of Missouri, 125 Chemistry Building, Columbia, Missouri 65211, United States
| | - Jennifer J. Wolf
- Christopher S. Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, 1201 E. Rollins St., Columbia, Missouri 65211, United States
- Department of Molecular Microbiology & Immunology, University of Missouri School of Medicine, M616 Medical Sciences Building, Columbia, Missouri 65211, United States
| | - Emily M. Coonrod
- Christopher S. Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, 1201 E. Rollins St., Columbia, Missouri 65211, United States
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of Missouri, 105 Tucker Hall, Columbia, Missouri 65211, United States
| | - Jing Tang
- Center for Drug Design, Academic Health Center, University of Minnesota, 312 Church St. SE, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Thomas G. Laughlin
- Christopher S. Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, 1201 E. Rollins St., Columbia, Missouri 65211, United States
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Missouri, 117 Schweitzer Hall, Columbia, Missouri 65211, United States
| | - Qiongying Yang
- Christopher S. Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, 1201 E. Rollins St., Columbia, Missouri 65211, United States
- Department of Molecular Microbiology & Immunology, University of Missouri School of Medicine, M616 Medical Sciences Building, Columbia, Missouri 65211, United States
| | - Maritza N. Puray-Chavez
- Christopher S. Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, 1201 E. Rollins St., Columbia, Missouri 65211, United States
- Department of Molecular Microbiology & Immunology, University of Missouri School of Medicine, M616 Medical Sciences Building, Columbia, Missouri 65211, United States
| | - Juan Ji
- Christopher S. Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, 1201 E. Rollins St., Columbia, Missouri 65211, United States
- Department of Molecular Microbiology & Immunology, University of Missouri School of Medicine, M616 Medical Sciences Building, Columbia, Missouri 65211, United States
| | - Kamalendra Singh
- Christopher S. Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, 1201 E. Rollins St., Columbia, Missouri 65211, United States
- Department of Molecular Microbiology & Immunology, University of Missouri School of Medicine, M616 Medical Sciences Building, Columbia, Missouri 65211, United States
| | - Karen A. Kirby
- Christopher S. Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, 1201 E. Rollins St., Columbia, Missouri 65211, United States
- Department of Molecular Microbiology & Immunology, University of Missouri School of Medicine, M616 Medical Sciences Building, Columbia, Missouri 65211, United States
| | - Zhengqiang Wang
- Center for Drug Design, Academic Health Center, University of Minnesota, 312 Church St. SE, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Stefan G. Sarafianos
- Christopher S. Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, 1201 E. Rollins St., Columbia, Missouri 65211, United States
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Missouri, 117 Schweitzer Hall, Columbia, Missouri 65211, United States
- Department of Molecular Microbiology & Immunology, University of Missouri School of Medicine, M616 Medical Sciences Building, Columbia, Missouri 65211, United States
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33
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Yang L, Liu F, Tong X, Hoffmann D, Zuo J, Lu M. Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Infection Using Small Molecule Modulators of Nucleocapsid Assembly: Recent Advances and Perspectives. ACS Infect Dis 2019; 5:713-724. [PMID: 30896149 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.8b00337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
On the basis of the recent advance of basic research on molecular biology of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, novel antiviral drugs targeting various steps of the HBV life cycle have been developed in recent years. HBV nucleocapsid assembly is now recognized as a hot target for anti-HBV drug development. Structural and functional analysis of HBV nucleocapsid allowed rational design and improvement of small molecules with the ability to interact with the components of HBV nucleocapsid and modulate the viral nucleocapsid assembly process. Prototypes of small molecule modulators targeting HBV nucleocapsid assembly are being preclinically tested or have moved forward in clinical trials, with promising results. This Review summarizes the recent advances in the approach to develop antiviral drugs based on the modulation of HBV nucleocapsid assembly. The antiviral mechanisms of small molecule modulators beyond the capsid formation and the potential implications will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Yang
- Laboratory of Immunopharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Zhangjiang Hi-Tech
Park, 555 Zuchongzhi Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Feifei Liu
- Laboratory of Immunopharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Zhangjiang Hi-Tech
Park, 555 Zuchongzhi Road, Shanghai 201203, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 19A Yuquan Road, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Xiankun Tong
- Laboratory of Immunopharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Zhangjiang Hi-Tech
Park, 555 Zuchongzhi Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Daniel Hoffmann
- Institute of Bioinformatics, University Duisburg Essen, Universitätsstraße 1, Essen 45117, Germany
| | - Jianping Zuo
- Laboratory of Immunopharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Zhangjiang Hi-Tech
Park, 555 Zuchongzhi Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Mengji Lu
- Institute of Virology, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg Essen, Hufelandstrasse 55, Essen 45122, Germany
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Zheng J, Ou Z, Xu Y, Xia Z, Lin X, Jin S, Liu Y, Wu J. Hepatitis B virus-specific effector CD8 + T cells are an important determinant of disease prognosis: A meta-analysis. Vaccine 2019; 37:2439-2446. [PMID: 30935741 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2019.03.058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2017] [Revised: 03/22/2019] [Accepted: 03/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatitis B virus (HBV)-specific effector CD8+ T cells are critical for viral clearance. To determine the effects of HBV-specific effector CD8+ T cells on HBV infection, we performed a meta-analysis of the available literature. METHODS Electronic database searches identified appropriately designed studies that detected specific CD8+ T cells in HBV-infected patients. Our main endpoints were the course of infection, seroconversion of HBV "e" antigen (HBeAg), the level of HBVDNA, and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity. We used a fixed/random model for analysis, according to the results of a heterogeneity test (P value of Q-squared, I2). RESULTS Our searches found five eligible articles. Pooled estimation of the reported results showed that levels of specific CD8+ T cells were significantly higher in patients with acute hepatitis B than in patients with chronic hepatitis B (odds ratio [OR] = 76.30, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 15.37-378.70). With respect to chronic hepatitis B, patients with <107 copies/ml HBVDNA had higher levels of specific CD8+ T cells relative to patients with >107 copies/ml HBVDNA, but the difference had no statistics significance (OR: 3.89, 95% CI: 0.71-21.33). Patients with negative HBeAg or positive anti-HBeAg antibody (anti-HBe) results had significantly higher levels of specific CD8+ T cells versus patients with positive HBeAg results (OR: 5.82, 95% CI: 1.41-24.13). There were no significant associations between the levels of specific CD8+ T cells and serum ALT activity (OR = 0.86, 95% CI: 0.01-74.15). CONCLUSION HBV-specific effector CD8+ T cells influence the disease activity in HBV-infected patients in various ways and determine prognosis by eliminating the virus. Therefore, efforts of studying HBV-specific effector CD8+ T cells focused vaccine are potentially needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juzeng Zheng
- Department of Gastroenterology, First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Zhanfan Ou
- Department of Gastroenterology, First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Yilun Xu
- Department of Gastroenterology, First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Ziqiang Xia
- Department of Gastroenterology, First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Xianfan Lin
- Department of Gastroenterology, First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Sisi Jin
- Department of Gastroenterology, First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Yang Liu
- Department of Gastroenterology, First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Jinming Wu
- Department of Gastroenterology, First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, Zhejiang Province, China.
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Zhang Y, Zhang H, Zhang J, Zhang J, Guo H. Naturally occurring core protein mutations compensate for the reduced replication fitness of a lamivudine-resistant HBV isolate. Antiviral Res 2019; 165:47-54. [PMID: 30902704 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2019.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2018] [Revised: 02/05/2019] [Accepted: 03/14/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) replicates its DNA genome through reverse transcription of an RNA intermediate. The lack of proofreading capacity of the viral DNA polymerase results in a high mutation rate of HBV genome. Under the selective pressure created by the nucleos(t)ide analogue (NA) antiviral drugs, viruses with resistance mutations are selected. However, the replication fitness of NA-resistant mutants is markedly reduced compared to wild-type. Compensatory mutations in HBV polymerase, which restore the viral replication capacity, have been reported to arise under continuous treatment with lamivudine (LMV). We have previously identified a highly replicative LMV-resistant HBV isolate from a chronic hepatitis B patient experiencing acute disease exacerbation. Besides the common YMDD drug-resistant mutations, this isolate possesses multiple additional mutations in polymerase and core regions. The transcomplementation assay demonstrated that the enhanced viral replication is due to the mutations of core protein. Further mutagenesis study revealed that the P5T mutation of core protein plays an important role in the enhanced viral replication through increasing the levels of capsid formation and pregenomic RNA encapsidation. However, the LMV-resistant virus harboring compensatory core mutations remains sensitive to capsid assembly modulators (CpAMs). Taken together, our study suggests that the enhanced HBV nucleocapsid formation resulting from core mutations represents an important viral strategy to surmount the antiviral drug pressure and contribute to viral pathogenesis, and CpAMs hold promise for developing the combinational antiviral therapy for hepatitis B.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongmei Zhang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Hu Zhang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Junjie Zhang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Jiming Zhang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOH & MOE), Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Haitao Guo
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA.
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Antiviral Therapy for AECHB and Severe Hepatitis B (Liver Failure). ACUTE EXACERBATION OF CHRONIC HEPATITIS B 2019. [PMCID: PMC7498919 DOI: 10.1007/978-94-024-1603-9_5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
This chapter describes the principles of antiviral therapy, treatment strategies, medications and recommendations for AECHB, HBV-ACLF, HBV-related liver cirrhosis, HBV-related HCC, and liver transplantation.Severe exacerbation of chronic hepatitis B is closely related to continuous HBV replication. Therefore, inhibiting HBV replication to reduce viral load may block disease progression and improve the quality of life of these patients. ETV or TDF has been recommend first-line drug for the treatment of AECHB. A hyperactive immune response due to continuous HBV replication is the main mechanism for development of severe hepatitis B. In addition to comprehensive treatment, early administration of potent nucleoside analogs can rapidly reduce HBV DNA concentration, relieve immune injury induced by HBV, and reduce liver inflammation and patient mortality. Antiviral agents have become important in the treatment of severe exacerbation of chronic hepatitis B. Long-term antiviral treatment with nucleoside analogs can delay or reverse the progress of liver cirrhosis. Virologic response, viral resistance and adverse drug reactions should be closely monitored during treatment. The treatment should be optimized for maximum effect based on each patient’s responses. Effective antiviral therapy can suppress HBV replication and reduce the incidence of HBV-related HCC. Patients with HBV-related HCC should receive individualized and optimal multidisciplinary comprehensive treatment. Anti-viral drugs with high efficacy, low resistance and low adverse drug reactions should be selected to improve the patient’s quality of life and prolong survival time. Methods to prevent HBV reinfection after liver transplantation include passive immunization (HBIG), antiviral treatment (nucleoside analogs) and active immunization (hepatitis B vaccine). Clinical trials involving sequential combination therapy with NUC and Peg-IFN have shown statistically significant decline in HBsAg levels on treatment and high rates of sustained post-treatment serologic response. Combination therapy with novel DAA and immunotherapeutic approach may hold promise to overcome both cccDNA persistence and immune escape, representing a critical step towards HBV cure.
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Xia Y, Liang TJ. Development of Direct-acting Antiviral and Host-targeting Agents for Treatment of Hepatitis B Virus Infection. Gastroenterology 2019; 156:311-324. [PMID: 30243618 PMCID: PMC6340783 DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2018.07.057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2018] [Revised: 07/13/2018] [Accepted: 07/23/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection affects approximately 300 million people worldwide. Although antiviral therapies have improved the long-term outcomes, patients often require life-long treatment and there is no cure for HBV infection. New technologies can help us learn more about the pathogenesis of HBV infection and develop therapeutic agents to reduce its burden. We review recent advances in development of direct-acting antiviral and host-targeting agents, some of which have entered clinical trials. We also discuss strategies for unbiased high-throughput screens to identify compounds that inhibit HBV and for repurposing existing drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuchen Xia
- Liver Diseases Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, 20892
| | - T Jake Liang
- Liver Diseases Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, 20892.
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Identification of Compounds Targeting Hepatitis B Virus Core Protein Dimerization through a Split Luciferase Complementation Assay. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2018; 62:AAC.01302-18. [PMID: 30224531 DOI: 10.1128/aac.01302-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2018] [Accepted: 09/06/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The capsid of the hepatitis B virus is an attractive antiviral target for developing therapies against chronic hepatitis B infection. Currently available core protein allosteric modulators (CpAMs) mainly affect one of the two major types of protein-protein interactions involved in the process of capsid assembly, namely, the interaction between the core dimers. Compounds targeting the interaction between two core monomers have not been rigorously screened due to the lack of screening models. We report here a cell-based assay in which the formation of core dimers is indicated by split luciferase complementation (SLC). Making use of this model, 2 compounds, Arbidol (umifenovir) and 20-deoxyingenol, were identified from a library containing 672 compounds as core dimerization regulators. Arbidol and 20-deoxyingenol inhibit the hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA replication in vitro by decreasing and increasing the formation of core dimer and capsid, respectively. Our results provided a proof of concept for the cell model to be used to screen new agents targeting the step of core dimer and capsid formation.
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Nair S, Li L, Francis S, Turner WW, VanNieuwenhze M, Zlotnick A. Use of a Fluorescent Analogue of a HBV Core Protein-Directed Drug To Interrogate an Antiviral Mechanism. J Am Chem Soc 2018; 140:15261-15269. [PMID: 30375863 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.8b07988] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Heteroaryldihydropyrimidines (HAPs) are antiviral small molecules that enhance assembly of HBV core protein (Cp), lead to assembly of empty and defective particles, and suppress viral replication. These core protein allosteric modulators (CpAMs) bind to the pocket at the interface between two Cp dimers and strengthen interdimer interactions. To investigate the CpAM mechanism, we wanted to examine the cellular distributions of Cp and the CpAM itself. For this reason, we developed a fluorescently labeled CpAM, HAP-ALEX. In vitro, HAP-ALEX modulated assembly of purified Cp and at saturating concentrations induced formation of large structures. HAP-ALEX bound capsids and not dimers, making it a capsid-specific molecular tag. HAP-ALEX labeled HBV in transfected cells, with no detectable background with a HAP-insensitive Cp mutant. HAP-ALEX caused redistribution of Cp in a dose-dependent manner consistent with its 0.7 μM EC50, leading to formation of large puncta and an exclusively cytoplasmic distribution. HAP-ALEX colocalized with the redistributed Cp, but large puncta accumulated long before they appeared saturated with the fluorescent CpAM. CpAMs affect HBV assembly and localization; with a fluorescent CpAM both drug and target can be identified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Smita Nair
- Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry , Indiana University , Bloomington , Indiana 47405 , United States
| | - Lichun Li
- Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry , Indiana University , Bloomington , Indiana 47405 , United States.,Assembly BioSciences , Carmel , Indiana 45032 , United States
| | - Samson Francis
- Assembly BioSciences , Carmel , Indiana 45032 , United States
| | - William W Turner
- Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry , Indiana University , Bloomington , Indiana 47405 , United States.,Assembly BioSciences , Carmel , Indiana 45032 , United States
| | - Michael VanNieuwenhze
- Department of Chemistry , Indiana University , Bloomington , Indiana 47405 , United States
| | - Adam Zlotnick
- Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry , Indiana University , Bloomington , Indiana 47405 , United States
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Effect of Plasma Protein Binding on the Anti-Hepatitis B Virus Activity and Pharmacokinetic Properties of NVR 3-778. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2018; 62:AAC.01497-18. [PMID: 30181376 DOI: 10.1128/aac.01497-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2018] [Accepted: 08/29/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
High plasma protein binding (PPB) levels not only affect drug-target engagement but can also impact exposure of hepatocytes to antivirals and thereby affect antiviral activity. In this study, we assessed the effect of PPB on the antiviral activity of NVR 3-778, a sulfamoylbenzamide capsid assembly modulator (CAM). To this end, primary human hepatocyte (PHH) medium was spiked with plasma proteins. First, the effect of plasma proteins on the hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection assay was evaluated. The addition of plasma proteins neither decreased cell viability nor affected HBV DNA secretion or intracellular HBV RNA accumulation. In contrast, the secretion and intracellular amount of HBV proteins were induced with increasing amounts of plasma proteins. Next, the antiviral activity of NVR 3-778 was demonstrated by multiple assays while PPB and the time-dependent disappearance of the parent drug were quantified by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Plasma proteins strongly decreased the free fraction of NVR 3-778, resulting in a physiologically relevant in vitro hepatocyte exposure. NVR 3-778 displayed a high PPB level, while the antiviral activity was reduced approximately only 4-fold. The disconnect between the high PPB level and the only moderate shift of the antiviral activity was explained by the rapid hepatic clearance of NVR 3-778 in the absence of plasma proteins. This study highlights the use of PHHs as a model to accurately determine the antiviral activity by capturing PPB, clearance, and liver distribution. It is advantageous to consider both pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics for selection of HBV antiviral drug candidates and for successful extrapolation of in vitro data to clinical studies.
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Assembly Properties of Hepatitis B Virus Core Protein Mutants Correlate with Their Resistance to Assembly-Directed Antivirals. J Virol 2018; 92:JVI.01082-18. [PMID: 30089690 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01082-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2018] [Accepted: 07/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The hepatitis B virus (HBV) capsid or core protein (Cp) can self-assemble to form an icosahedral capsid. It is now being pursued as a target for small-molecule antivirals that enhance the rate and extent of its assembly to yield empty and/or aberrant capsids. These small molecules are thus called core protein allosteric modulators (CpAMs). We sought to understand the physical basis of CpAM-resistant mutants and how CpAMs might overcome them. We examined the effects of two closely related CpAMs, HAP12 and HAP13, which differ by a single atom but have drastically different antiviral activities, on the assembly of wild-type Cp and three T109 mutants (T109M, T109I, and T109S) that display a range of resistances. The T109 side chain forms part of the mouth of the CpAM binding pocket. A T109 mutant that has substantial resistance even to a highly active CpAM strongly promotes normal assembly. Conversely, a mutant that weakens assembly is more susceptible to CpAMs. In crystal and cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) structures of T=4 capsids with bound CpAMs, the CpAMs preferentially fit into two of four quasi-equivalent sites. In these static representations of capsid structures, T109 does not interact with the neighboring subunit. However, all-atom molecular dynamics simulations of an intact capsid show that T109 of one of the four classes of CpAM site has a hydrophobic contact with the neighboring subunit at least 40% of the time, providing a physical explanation for the mutation's ability to affect capsid stability, assembly, and sensitivity to CpAMs.IMPORTANCE The HBV core protein and its assembly into capsids have become important targets for development of core protein allosteric modulators (CpAMs) as antivirals. Naturally occurring T109 mutants have been shown to be resistant to some of these CpAMs. We found that mutation of T109 led to changes in capsid stability and recapitulated resistance to a weak CpAM, but much less so than to a strong CpAM. Examination of HBV capsid structures, determined by cryo-EM and crystallography, could not explain how T109 mutations change capsid stability and resistance. However, by mining data from a microsecond-long all-atom molecular dynamics simulation, we found that the capsid was extraordinarily flexible and that T109 can impede entry to the CpAM binding site. In short, HBV capsids are incredibly dynamic and molecular mobility must be considered in discussions of antiviral mechanisms.
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Novel Potent Capsid Assembly Modulators Regulate Multiple Steps of the Hepatitis B Virus Life Cycle. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2018; 62:AAC.00835-18. [PMID: 30012770 DOI: 10.1128/aac.00835-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2018] [Accepted: 07/10/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The assembly of hepatitis B virus (HBV) core protein (HBc) into capsids represents a critical step of viral replication. HBc has multiple functions during the HBV life cycle, which makes it an attractive target for antiviral therapies. Capsid assembly modulators (CAMs) induce the formation of empty capsid or aberrant capsid devoid of pregenomic RNA (pgRNA) and finally block relaxed circular DNA neosynthesis and virion progeny. In this study, the novel CAMs JNJ-827 and JNJ-890 were found to be potent inhibitors of HBV replication with respective half-maximal effective concentrations of 4.7 and 66 nM, respectively, in HepG2.117 cells. Antiviral profiling in differentiated HepaRG (dHepaRG) cells and primary human hepatocytes revealed that these compounds efficiently inhibited HBV replication, as well as de novo establishment of covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA). In addition to these two known effects of CAMs, we observed for the first time that a CAM, here JNJ-827, when added postinfection for a short-term period, significantly reduced hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) secretion without affecting the levels of cccDNA amount, transcription, and hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) secretion. This inhibitory activity resulted from a direct effect of JNJ-827 on HBeAg biogenesis. In a long-term treatment condition using persistently infected dHepaRG cells, JNJ-827 and JNJ-890 reduced HBsAg concomitantly with a decrease in viral total RNA and pgRNA levels. Altogether, these data demonstrate that some CAMs could interfere with multiple functions of HBc in the viral life cycle.
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Qazi SA, Schlicksup CJ, Rittichier J, VanNieuwenhze M, Zlotnick A. An Assembly-Activating Site in the Hepatitis B Virus Capsid Protein Can Also Trigger Disassembly. ACS Chem Biol 2018; 13:2114-2120. [PMID: 29920071 PMCID: PMC6407610 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.8b00283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) core protein homodimers self-assemble to form an icosahedral capsid that packages the viral genome. Disassembly occurs in the nuclear basket to release the mature genome to the nucleus. Small molecules have been developed that bind to a pocket at the interdimer interface to accelerate assembly and strengthen interactions between subunits; these are under development as antiviral agents. Here, we explore the role of the dimer-dimer interface by mutating sites in the drug-binding pocket to cysteine and examining the effect of covalently linking small molecules to them. We find that ligands bound to the pocket may trigger capsid disassembly in a dose-dependent manner. This result indicates that, at least transiently, the pocket adopts a destabilizing conformation. We speculate that this pocket also plays a role in virus disassembly and genome release by binding ligands that are incompatible with virus stability, "unwanted guests." Investigating protein-protein interactions, especially large protein polymers, offers new and unique challenges. By using an engineered addressable thiol, we provide a means to examine the effects of modifying an interface without requiring drug-like properties for the ligand.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shefah A. Qazi
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, Indiana
University, Bloomington, Indiana, 47405, USA
- Department of Chemistry, Indiana University, Bloomington,
Indiana, 47405, USA
| | - Christopher J. Schlicksup
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, Indiana
University, Bloomington, Indiana, 47405, USA
| | - Jonathan Rittichier
- Department of Chemistry, Indiana University, Bloomington,
Indiana, 47405, USA
| | | | - Adam Zlotnick
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, Indiana
University, Bloomington, Indiana, 47405, USA
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Vandyck K, Rombouts G, Stoops B, Tahri A, Vos A, Verschueren W, Wu Y, Yang J, Hou F, Huang B, Vergauwen K, Dehertogh P, Berke JM, Raboisson P. Synthesis and Evaluation of N-Phenyl-3-sulfamoyl-benzamide Derivatives as Capsid Assembly Modulators Inhibiting Hepatitis B Virus (HBV). J Med Chem 2018; 61:6247-6260. [PMID: 29906396 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.8b00654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Small molecule induced hepatitis B virus (HBV) capsid assembly modulation is considered an attractive approach for new antiviral therapies against HBV. Here we describe efforts toward the discovery of a HBV capsid assembly modulator in a hit-to-lead optimization, resulting in JNJ-632, a tool compound used to further profile the mode of action. Administration of JNJ-632 (54) in HBV genotype D infected chimeric mice resulted in a 2.77 log reduction of the HBV DNA viral load.
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Affiliation(s)
- Koen Vandyck
- Janssen Pharmaceutica NV , Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson , Turnhoutseweg 30 , 2340 Beerse , Belgium
| | - Geert Rombouts
- Janssen Pharmaceutica NV , Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson , Turnhoutseweg 30 , 2340 Beerse , Belgium
| | - Bart Stoops
- Janssen Pharmaceutica NV , Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson , Turnhoutseweg 30 , 2340 Beerse , Belgium
| | - Abdellah Tahri
- Janssen Pharmaceutica NV , Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson , Turnhoutseweg 30 , 2340 Beerse , Belgium
| | - Ann Vos
- Janssen Pharmaceutica NV , Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson , Turnhoutseweg 30 , 2340 Beerse , Belgium
| | - Wim Verschueren
- Janssen Pharmaceutica NV , Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson , Turnhoutseweg 30 , 2340 Beerse , Belgium
| | - Yiming Wu
- WuXi AppTec , 288 Fute Zhong Road , China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone; Shanghai 200131 , PR China
| | - Jingmei Yang
- WuXi AppTec , 288 Fute Zhong Road , China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone; Shanghai 200131 , PR China
| | - Fuliang Hou
- WuXi AppTec , 288 Fute Zhong Road , China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone; Shanghai 200131 , PR China
| | - Bing Huang
- WuXi AppTec , 288 Fute Zhong Road , China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone; Shanghai 200131 , PR China
| | - Karen Vergauwen
- Janssen Pharmaceutica NV , Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson , Turnhoutseweg 30 , 2340 Beerse , Belgium
| | - Pascale Dehertogh
- Janssen Pharmaceutica NV , Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson , Turnhoutseweg 30 , 2340 Beerse , Belgium
| | - Jan Martin Berke
- Janssen Pharmaceutica NV , Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson , Turnhoutseweg 30 , 2340 Beerse , Belgium
| | - Pierre Raboisson
- Janssen Pharmaceutica NV , Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson , Turnhoutseweg 30 , 2340 Beerse , Belgium
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Abstract
An estimated 240 million people worldwide are chronically infected with the hepatitis B virus (HBV). Despite readily available vaccination, HBV infections remain highly prevalent. As established HBV infections constitute a strong risk factor for developing hepatocellular carcinoma their treatment is a major task for the health system. Unfortunately, HBV is not curable with today's medicine. Approximately 15 million HBV patients have developed a hepatitis delta (HDV) infection on top of their HBV infection. The patients superinfected with this satellite virus suffer from a more severe disease development. The knowledge of the viruses, their classifications, clinical implications, treatment options and efforts to increase the drug variety are compiled in this review. The current standard therapies include nucleosidic reverse transcriptase inhibitors and interferon. As the known treatments fail to cure HBV and HDV, targeted treatment is highly warranted. The focus of this review is set on the drugs currently under clinical investigation. Furthermore, strategies for the development of targeted treatment, and compounds with novel mode of action are described.
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Preclinical Profile of AB-423, an Inhibitor of Hepatitis B Virus Pregenomic RNA Encapsidation. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2018; 62:AAC.00082-18. [PMID: 29555628 DOI: 10.1128/aac.00082-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2018] [Accepted: 03/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
AB-423 is a member of the sulfamoylbenzamide (SBA) class of hepatitis B virus (HBV) capsid inhibitors in phase 1 clinical trials. In cell culture models, AB-423 showed potent inhibition of HBV replication (50% effective concentration [EC50] = 0.08 to 0.27 μM; EC90 = 0.33 to 1.32 μM) with no significant cytotoxicity (50% cytotoxic concentration > 10 μM). Addition of 40% human serum resulted in a 5-fold increase in the EC50s. AB-423 inhibited HBV genotypes A through D and nucleos(t)ide-resistant variants in vitro Treatment of HepDES19 cells with AB-423 resulted in capsid particles devoid of encapsidated pregenomic RNA and relaxed circular DNA (rcDNA), indicating that it is a class II capsid inhibitor. In a de novo infection model, AB-423 prevented the conversion of encapsidated rcDNA to covalently closed circular DNA, presumably by interfering with the capsid uncoating process. Molecular docking of AB-423 into crystal structures of heteroaryldihydropyrimidines and an SBA and biochemical studies suggest that AB-423 likely also binds to the dimer-dimer interface of core protein. In vitro dual combination studies with AB-423 and anti-HBV agents, such as nucleos(t)ide analogs, RNA interference agents, or interferon alpha, resulted in additive to synergistic antiviral activity. Pharmacokinetic studies with AB-423 in CD-1 mice showed significant systemic exposures and higher levels of accumulation in the liver. A 7-day twice-daily administration of AB-423 in a hydrodynamic injection mouse model of HBV infection resulted in a dose-dependent reduction in serum HBV DNA levels, and combination with entecavir or ARB-1467 resulted in a trend toward antiviral activity greater than that of either agent alone, consistent with the results of the in vitro combination studies. The overall preclinical profile of AB-423 supports its further evaluation for safety, pharmacokinetics, and antiviral activity in patients with chronic hepatitis B.
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Feng S, Gao L, Han X, Hu T, Hu Y, Liu H, Thomas AW, Yan Z, Yang S, Young JAT, Yun H, Zhu W, Shen HC. Discovery of Small Molecule Therapeutics for Treatment of Chronic HBV Infection. ACS Infect Dis 2018; 4:257-277. [PMID: 29369612 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.7b00144] [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] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The chronic infection of hepatitis B virus (HBV) inflicts 250 million people worldwide representing a major public health threat. A significant subpopulation of patients eventually develop cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Unfortunately, none of the current standard therapies for chronic hepatitis B (CHB) result in a satisfactory clinical cure rate. Driven by a highly unmet medical need, multiple pharmaceutical companies and research institutions have been engaged in drug discovery and development to improve the CHB functional cure rate, defined by sustainable viral suppression and HBsAg clearance after a finite treatment. This Review summarizes the recent advances in the discovery and development of novel anti-HBV small molecules. It is believed that an improved CHB functional cure rate may be accomplished via the combination of molecules with distinct MoAs. Thus, certain molecules may evolve into key components of a suitable combination therapy leading to superior outcome of clinical efficacy in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Song Feng
- Roche Innovation Center Shanghai, Roche Pharma Research & Early Development, Building 5, 720 Cailun Road, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Lu Gao
- Roche Innovation Center Shanghai, Roche Pharma Research & Early Development, Building 5, 720 Cailun Road, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Xingchun Han
- Roche Innovation Center Shanghai, Roche Pharma Research & Early Development, Building 5, 720 Cailun Road, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Taishan Hu
- Roche Innovation Center Shanghai, Roche Pharma Research & Early Development, Building 5, 720 Cailun Road, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Yimin Hu
- Roche Innovation Center Shanghai, Roche Pharma Research & Early Development, Building 5, 720 Cailun Road, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Haixia Liu
- Roche Innovation Center Shanghai, Roche Pharma Research & Early Development, Building 5, 720 Cailun Road, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Andrew W. Thomas
- Roche Innovation Center Shanghai, Roche Pharma Research & Early Development, Building 5, 720 Cailun Road, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Zhipeng Yan
- Roche Innovation Center Shanghai, Roche Pharma Research & Early Development, Building 5, 720 Cailun Road, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Song Yang
- Roche Innovation Center Shanghai, Roche Pharma Research & Early Development, Building 5, 720 Cailun Road, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - John A. T. Young
- Roche Innovation Center Shanghai, Roche Pharma Research & Early Development, Building 5, 720 Cailun Road, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Hongying Yun
- Roche Innovation Center Shanghai, Roche Pharma Research & Early Development, Building 5, 720 Cailun Road, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Wei Zhu
- Roche Innovation Center Shanghai, Roche Pharma Research & Early Development, Building 5, 720 Cailun Road, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Hong C. Shen
- Roche Innovation Center Shanghai, Roche Pharma Research & Early Development, Building 5, 720 Cailun Road, Shanghai, 201203, China
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Recent progress in potential anti-hepatitis B virus agents: Structural and pharmacological perspectives. Eur J Med Chem 2018; 147:205-217. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2018.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2017] [Revised: 01/29/2018] [Accepted: 02/01/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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Klumpp K, Shimada T, Allweiss L, Volz T, Lütgehetmann M, Hartman G, Flores OA, Lam AM, Dandri M. Efficacy of NVR 3-778, Alone and In Combination With Pegylated Interferon, vs Entecavir In uPA/SCID Mice With Humanized Livers and HBV Infection. Gastroenterology 2018; 154:652-662.e8. [PMID: 29079518 DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2017.10.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2017] [Revised: 10/11/2017] [Accepted: 10/17/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS NVR3-778 is a capsid assembly modulator in clinical development. We determined the in vivo antiviral efficacy and effects on innate and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress responses of NVR3-778 alone or in combination with pegylated interferon alpha (peg-IFN) and compared with entecavir. METHODS We performed 2 studies, with a total of 61 uPA/SCID mice with humanized livers. Mice were infected with a hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotype C preparation; we waited 8 weeks for persistent infection of the human hepatocytes in livers of mice. Mice were then randomly assigned to groups (5 or 6 per group) given vehicle (control), NVR3-778, entecavir, peg-IFN, NVR3-778 + entecavir, or NVR3-778 + peg-IFN for 6 weeks. We measured levels of HB surface antigen, HB e antigen, HBV RNA, alanine aminotransferase, and human serum albumin at different time points. Livers were collected and analyzed by immunohistochemistry; levels of HBV DNA, covalently closed circular DNA, and HBV RNA, along with markers of ER stress and IFN response, were quantified. RESULTS Mice given NVR3-778 or entecavir alone for 6 weeks had reduced serum levels of HBV DNA compared with controls or mice given peg-IFN. The largest reduction was observed in mice given NVR3-778 + peg-IFN; in all mice in this group, the serum level of HBV DNA was below the limit of quantification. NVR3-778 and peg-IFN, but not entecavir, also reduced serum level of HBV RNA. The largest effect was obtained in the NVR3-778 + peg-IFN group, in which serum level of HBV RNA was below the limit of quantification. Levels of HB surface antigen and HB e antigen were reduced significantly in only the groups that received peg-IFN. Levels of covalently closed circular DNA did not differ significantly among groups. NVR3-778 was not associated with any significant changes in level of alanine aminotransferase, the ER stress response, or IFN-stimulated genes. CONCLUSIONS NVR3-778 has high antiviral activity in mice with humanized livers and stable HBV infection, reducing levels of serum HBV DNA and HBV RNA. Entecavir reduced levels of serum HBV DNA, but had no effect on HBV RNA. The combination of NVR3-778 and peg-IFN prevented viral replication and HBV RNA particle production to a greater extent than each compound alone or entecavir.
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Affiliation(s)
- Klaus Klumpp
- Novira Therapeutics Inc, part of the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies, Doylestown, Pennsylvania.
| | | | - Lena Allweiss
- I. Department of Internal Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Tassilo Volz
- I. Department of Internal Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Marc Lütgehetmann
- I. Department of Internal Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany; Institute of Microbiology, Virology and Hygiene, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - George Hartman
- Novira Therapeutics Inc, part of the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies, Doylestown, Pennsylvania
| | - Osvaldo A Flores
- Novira Therapeutics Inc, part of the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies, Doylestown, Pennsylvania
| | - Angela M Lam
- Novira Therapeutics Inc, part of the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies, Doylestown, Pennsylvania
| | - Maura Dandri
- I. Department of Internal Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany; German Center for Infection Research, Hamburg-Lübeck-Borstel Partner Site, Germany
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Alonso S, Guerra AR, Carreira L, Ferrer JÁ, Gutiérrez ML, Fernandez-Rodriguez CM. Upcoming pharmacological developments in chronic hepatitis B: can we glimpse a cure on the horizon? BMC Gastroenterol 2017; 17:168. [PMID: 29268704 PMCID: PMC5740721 DOI: 10.1186/s12876-017-0726-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2017] [Accepted: 12/12/2017] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Hepatitis B virus (HBV) chronic infection affects up to 240 million people in the world and it is a common cause of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). HBV covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) plays an essential role in HBV persistence and replication. Current pharmacological treatment with nucleos(t)ide analogues (NA) may suppress HBV replication with little or no impact on cccDNA, hence lifelong treatment is required in the vast majority of patients. Clearances of intrahepatic cccDNA and/or HBsAg are critical endpoints for future antiviral therapy in chronic HBV. Recent promising developments targeting different molecular HBV life cycle steps are being pre-clinically tested or have moved forward in early clinical trials. Methods We review the current state of the art of these pharmacological developments, mainly focusing on efficacy and safety results, which are expected to lay the ground for future HBV eradication. An inclusive literature search on new treatments of HBV using the following electronic databases: Pubmed/MEDLINE, AMED, CINAHL and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. Full-text manuscripts and abstracts published over the last 12 years, from 2005 to March 2011 were reviewed for relevance and reference lists were crosschecked for additional applicable studies regarding new HBV antiviral treatment. Results HBV entry inhibitors, HBV core inhibitors, HBV cccDNA transcripts RNA interference, HBV cell apoptosis inducers, HBV RNA, viral proteins and DNA knock down agents, HBV release inhibitors, anti-sense nucleosides, exogenous interferon stimulation, interferon response stimulation and HBV therapeutic vaccines were reviewed. Conclusion This review will provide readers with an updated vision of current and foreseeable therapeutic developments in chronic hepatitis B.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonia Alonso
- Unit of Gastroenterology, Hospital Universitario Fundación Alcorcón, Av. Budapest-1, 28922, Alcorcon, Madrid, Spain
| | - Adriana-René Guerra
- Unit of Gastroenterology, Hospital Universitario Fundación Alcorcón, Av. Budapest-1, 28922, Alcorcon, Madrid, Spain
| | - Lourdes Carreira
- Unit of Gastroenterology, Hospital Universitario Fundación Alcorcón, Av. Budapest-1, 28922, Alcorcon, Madrid, Spain
| | - Juan-Ángel Ferrer
- Unit of Gastroenterology, Hospital Universitario Fundación Alcorcón, Av. Budapest-1, 28922, Alcorcon, Madrid, Spain
| | - María-Luisa Gutiérrez
- Unit of Gastroenterology, Hospital Universitario Fundación Alcorcón, Av. Budapest-1, 28922, Alcorcon, Madrid, Spain
| | - Conrado M Fernandez-Rodriguez
- Unit of Gastroenterology, Hospital Universitario Fundación Alcorcón, Av. Budapest-1, 28922, Alcorcon, Madrid, Spain.
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