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Bostedt L, Fénéant L, Leske A, Holzerland J, Günther K, Waßmann I, Bohn P, Groseth A. Alternative translation contributes to the generation of a cytoplasmic subpopulation of the Junín virus nucleoprotein that inhibits caspase activation and innate immunity. J Virol 2024; 98:e0197523. [PMID: 38294249 PMCID: PMC10878266 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01975-23] [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: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 02/01/2024] Open
Abstract
The highly pathogenic arenavirus, Junín virus (JUNV), expresses three truncated alternative isoforms of its nucleoprotein (NP), i.e., NP53kD, NP47kD, and NP40kD. While both NP47kD and NP40kD have been previously shown to be products of caspase cleavage, here, we show that expression of the third isoform NP53kD is due to alternative in-frame translation from M80. Based on this information, we were able to generate recombinant JUNVs lacking each of these isoforms. Infection with these mutants revealed that, while all three isoforms contribute to the efficient control of caspase activation, NP40kD plays the predominant role. In contrast to full-length NP (i.e., NP65kD), which is localized to inclusion bodies, where viral RNA synthesis takes place, the loss of portions of the N-terminal coiled-coil region in these isoforms leads to a diffuse cytoplasmic distribution and a loss of function in viral RNA synthesis. Nonetheless, NP53kD, NP47kD, and NP40kD all retain robust interferon antagonistic and 3'-5' exonuclease activities. We suggest that the altered localization of these NP isoforms allows them to be more efficiently targeted by activated caspases for cleavage as decoy substrates, and to be better positioned to degrade viral double-stranded (ds)RNA species that accumulate in the cytoplasm during virus infection and/or interact with cytosolic RNA sensors, thereby limiting dsRNA-mediated innate immune responses. Taken together, this work provides insight into the mechanism by which JUNV leverages apoptosis during infection to generate biologically distinct pools of NP and contributes to our understanding of the expression and biological relevance of alternative protein isoforms during virus infection.IMPORTANCEA limited coding capacity means that RNA viruses need strategies to diversify their proteome. The nucleoprotein (NP) of the highly pathogenic arenavirus Junín virus (JUNV) produces three N-terminally truncated isoforms: two (NP47kD and NP40kD) are known to be produced by caspase cleavage, while, here, we show that NP53kD is produced by alternative translation initiation. Recombinant JUNVs lacking individual NP isoforms revealed that all three isoforms contribute to inhibiting caspase activation during infection, but cleavage to generate NP40kD makes the biggest contribution. Importantly, all three isoforms retain their ability to digest double-stranded (ds)RNA and inhibit interferon promoter activation but have a diffuse cytoplasmic distribution. Given the cytoplasmic localization of both aberrant viral dsRNAs, as well as dsRNA sensors and many other cellular components of innate immune activation pathways, we suggest that the generation of NP isoforms not only contributes to evasion of apoptosis but also robust control of the antiviral response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linus Bostedt
- Laboratory for Arenavirus Biology, Institute of Molecular Virology and Cell Biology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Lucie Fénéant
- Laboratory for Arenavirus Biology, Institute of Molecular Virology and Cell Biology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Anne Leske
- Laboratory for Arenavirus Biology, Institute of Molecular Virology and Cell Biology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Julia Holzerland
- Laboratory for Arenavirus Biology, Institute of Molecular Virology and Cell Biology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Karla Günther
- Laboratory for Arenavirus Biology, Institute of Molecular Virology and Cell Biology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Irke Waßmann
- Laboratory for Arenavirus Biology, Institute of Molecular Virology and Cell Biology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Patrick Bohn
- Laboratory for Arenavirus Biology, Institute of Molecular Virology and Cell Biology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Allison Groseth
- Laboratory for Arenavirus Biology, Institute of Molecular Virology and Cell Biology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
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2
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He Y, Zhou J, Gao H, Liu C, Zhan P, Liu X. Broad-spectrum antiviral strategy: Host-targeting antivirals against emerging and re-emerging viruses. Eur J Med Chem 2024; 265:116069. [PMID: 38160620 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.116069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2023] [Revised: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Viral infections are amongst the most prevalent diseases that pose a significant threat to human health. Targeting viral proteins or host factors represents two primary strategies for the development of antiviral drugs. In contrast to virus-targeting antivirals (VTAs), host-targeting antivirals (HTAs) offer advantages in terms of overcoming drug resistance and effectively combating a wide range of viruses, including newly emerging ones. Therefore, targeting host factors emerges as an extremely promising strategy with the potential to address critical challenges faced by VTAs. In recent years, extensive research has been conducted on the discovery and development of HTAs, leading to the approval of maraviroc, a chemokine receptor type 5 (CCR5) antagonist used for the treatment of HIV-1 infected individuals, with several other potential treatments in various stages of development for different viral infections. This review systematically summarizes advancements made in medicinal chemistry regarding various host targets and classifies them into four distinct catagories based on their involvement in the viral life cycle: virus attachment and entry, biosynthesis, nuclear import and export, and viral release.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong He
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University, Ji'nan, 250012, Shandong Province, PR China
| | - Jiahui Zhou
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University, Ji'nan, 250012, Shandong Province, PR China
| | - Huizhan Gao
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University, Ji'nan, 250012, Shandong Province, PR China
| | - Chuanfeng Liu
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University, Ji'nan, 250012, Shandong Province, PR China
| | - Peng Zhan
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University, Ji'nan, 250012, Shandong Province, PR China.
| | - Xinyong Liu
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University, Ji'nan, 250012, Shandong Province, PR China.
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Kumar S, Yadav D, Singh D, Shakya K, Rathi B, Poonam. Recent developments on Junin virus, a causative agent for Argentine haemorrhagic fever. Rev Med Virol 2023; 33:e2419. [PMID: 36635519 DOI: 10.1002/rmv.2419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Junin virus consists of ribonucleic acid as the genome and is responsible for a rapidly changing tendency of the virus. The virus is accountable for ailments in the human body and causes Argentine Haemorrhagic Fever (AHF). The infection is may be transmitted through contact between an infected animal/host and a person, and later between person to person. Prevention of outbreaks of AHF in humans can be a tough practice, as their occurrence is infrequent and unpredictable. In this review, recent information from the past 5 years available on the Junin virus including the risk of its emergence, infectious agents, its pathogenesis in humans, available diagnostic and therapeutic approaches, and disease management has been summarised. Altogether, this article would be highly significant in understanding the mechanistic basis behind virus interaction and other processes during the life cycle. Currently, no specific therapeutic options are available to treat the Junin virus infection. The information covered in this review could be important for finding possible treatment options for Junin virus infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sumit Kumar
- Department of Chemistry, Miranda House, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
| | - Dharna Yadav
- Department of Chemistry, Miranda House, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
| | - Divya Singh
- Department of Chemistry, Miranda House, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
| | - Kriti Shakya
- Department of Chemistry, Miranda House, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
| | - Brijesh Rathi
- Department of Chemistry, Har Gobind Khorana Centre for Chemical Biology, Hansraj College, University of Delhi, Delhi, India.,Delhi School of Public Health, Institute of Eminence, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
| | - Poonam
- Department of Chemistry, Miranda House, University of Delhi, Delhi, India.,Delhi School of Public Health, Institute of Eminence, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
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4
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Bohn P, Waßmann I, Wendt L, Leske A, Hoenen T, Tews BA, Groseth A. A dsRNA-binding mutant reveals only a minor role of exonuclease activity in interferon antagonism by the arenavirus nucleoprotein. PLoS Pathog 2023; 19:e1011049. [PMID: 36603036 PMCID: PMC9815661 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1011049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2022] [Accepted: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The arenavirus nucleoprotein (NP) plays an important role in the virus' ability to block interferon (IFN) production, and its exonuclease function appears to contribute to this activity. However, efforts to analyze this contribution are complicated by the functional overlap between the exonuclease active site and a neighboring region involved in IKKε-binding and subsequent inhibition of IRF3 activation, which also plays an important role in IFN production. To circumvent this issue, we mutated a residue located away from the active site that is involved in binding of the dsRNA substrate being targeted for exonuclease digestion, i.e. H426A. We found that expression of Tacaribe virus (TCRV) NP containing this RNA-binding H426A mutation was still able to efficiently block IFN-β promoter activity in response to Sendai virus infection, despite being strongly impaired in its exonuclease activity. This was in contrast to a conventional exonuclease active site mutant (E388A), which was impaired with respect to both exonuclease activity and IFN antagonism. Importantly, growth of a recombinant virus encoding the RNA-binding mutation (rTCRV-H426A) was similar to wild-type in IFN-deficient cells, unlike the active site mutant (rTCRV-E388A), which was already markedly impaired in these cells. Further, in IFN-competent cells, the TCRV-H426A RNA-binding mutant showed more robust growth and delayed IFN-β mRNA upregulation compared to the TCRV-E388A active site mutant. Taken together, this novel mutational approach, which allows us to now dissect the different contributions of the NP exonuclease activity and IKKε-binding/IRF3 inhibition to IFN antagonism, clearly suggests that conventional exonuclease mutants targeting the active site overestimate the contribution of the exonuclease function, and that rather other IFN antagonistic functions of NP play the dominant role in IFN-antagonism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Bohn
- Institute of Molecular Virology and Cell Biology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Irke Waßmann
- Institute of Molecular Virology and Cell Biology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Lisa Wendt
- Institute of Molecular Virology and Cell Biology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Anne Leske
- Institute of Molecular Virology and Cell Biology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Thomas Hoenen
- Institute of Molecular Virology and Cell Biology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Birke A. Tews
- Institute of Infectology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald–Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Allison Groseth
- Institute of Molecular Virology and Cell Biology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
- * E-mail:
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5
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Yazdani M, Zamani J, Fatemi SSA. Identification of a potent dual-function inhibitor for hIMPDH isoforms by computer-aided drug discovery approaches. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:977568. [PMID: 36386211 PMCID: PMC9643795 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.977568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase (IMPDH) is a key enzyme in de novo biosynthesis of purine nucleotides. Due to this important role, it is a great target to drug discovery for a wide range of activities, especially immunosuppressant in heart and kidney transplantation. Both human IMPDH isoforms are expressed in stimulated lymphocytes. In addition to the side effects of existing drugs, previous studies have mainly focused on the type II isoform. In this study, virtual screening and computer-aided approaches were employed to identify potential drugs with simultaneous inhibitory effects on both human IMPDH isoforms. After Re-docking, Double-step docking, and identification of virtual hits based on the PLANTS scoring function, drug-likeness and ADME-Tox assessments of the topmost ligands were performed. Following further evaluation, the best ligand was selected and, in complex with both isoforms, simulated in monomeric and tetrameric forms using molecular dynamics to evaluate its stability and binding pattern. The results showed a potential drug candidate [(S)-N-(3-hydroxy-1-(4-hydroxyphenyl) propyl)-2-(3-methyl-2,4-dioxo-3,4-dihydropyrimidin-1(2H)-yl) acetamide] with a high inhibitory effect on the two human IMPDH isoforms. This drug-like inhibitor could potentially serve as an immunosuppressant to prevent transplant rejection response by inhibiting B- and T-lymphocyte proliferation. In addition, its effect can be evaluated in various therapeutic targets in which IMPDH is known as a therapeutic target, especially in Covid-19 patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meysam Yazdani
- Department of Systems Biotechnology, Institute of Industrial and Environmental Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (NIGEB), Tehran, Iran
| | - Javad Zamani
- Department of Plant Molecular Biotechnology, Institute of Agricultural Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (NIGEB), Tehran, Iran
| | - Seyed Safa-Ali Fatemi
- Department of Systems Biotechnology, Institute of Industrial and Environmental Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (NIGEB), Tehran, Iran
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Evidence for Viral mRNA Export from Ebola Virus Inclusion Bodies by the Nuclear RNA Export Factor NXF1. J Virol 2022; 96:e0090022. [PMID: 36040180 PMCID: PMC9517727 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00900-22] [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
Many negative-sense RNA viruses, including the highly pathogenic Ebola virus (EBOV), use cytoplasmic inclusion bodies (IBs) for viral RNA synthesis. However, it remains unclear how viral mRNAs are exported from these IBs for subsequent translation. We recently demonstrated that the nuclear RNA export factor 1 (NXF1) is involved in a late step in viral protein expression, i.e., downstream of viral mRNA transcription, and proposed it to be involved in this mRNA export process. We now provide further evidence for this function by showing that NXF1 is not required for translation of viral mRNAs, thus pinpointing its function to a step between mRNA transcription and translation. We further show that RNA binding of both NXF1 and EBOV NP is necessary for export of NXF1 from IBs, supporting a model in which NP hands viral mRNA over to NXF1 for export. Mapping of NP-NXF1 interactions allowed refinement of this model, revealing two separate interaction sites, one of them directly involving the RNA binding cleft of NP, even though these interactions are RNA-independent. Immunofluorescence analyses demonstrated that individual NXF1 domains are sufficient for its recruitment into IBs, and complementation assays helped to define NXF1 domains important for its function in the EBOV life cycle. Finally, we show that NXF1 is also required for protein expression of other viruses that replicate in cytoplasmic IBs, including Lloviu and Junín virus. These data suggest a role for NXF1 in viral mRNA export from IBs for various viruses, making it a potential target for broadly active antivirals. IMPORTANCE Filoviruses such as the Ebola virus (EBOV) cause severe hemorrhagic fevers with high case fatality rates and limited treatment options. The identification of virus-host cell interactions shared among several viruses would represent promising targets for the development of broadly active antivirals. In this study, we reveal the mechanistic details of how EBOV usurps the nuclear RNA export factor 1 (NXF1) to export viral mRNAs from viral inclusion bodies (IBs). We further show that NXF1 is not only required for the EBOV life cycle but also necessary for other viruses known to replicate in cytoplasmic IBs, including the filovirus Lloviu virus and the highly pathogenic arenavirus Junín virus. This suggests NXF1 as a promising target for the development of broadly active antivirals.
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Inhibitors of Nucleotide Biosynthesis as Candidates for a Wide Spectrum of Antiviral Chemotherapy. Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10081631. [PMID: 36014049 PMCID: PMC9413629 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10081631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2022] [Revised: 08/05/2022] [Accepted: 08/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Emerging and re-emerging viruses have been a challenge in public health in recent decades. Host-targeted antivirals (HTA) directed at cellular molecules or pathways involved in virus multiplication represent an interesting strategy to combat viruses presently lacking effective chemotherapy. HTA could provide a wide range of agents with inhibitory activity against current and future viruses that share similar host requirements and reduce the possible selection of antiviral-resistant variants. Nucleotide metabolism is one of the more exploited host metabolic pathways as a potential antiviral target for several human viruses. This review focuses on the antiviral properties of the inhibitors of pyrimidine and purine nucleotide biosynthesis, with an emphasis on the rate-limiting enzymes dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODH) and inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase (IMPDH) for which there are old and new drugs active against a broad spectrum of pathogenic viruses.
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8
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Fénéant L, Leske A, Günther K, Groseth A. Generation of Reporter-Expressing New World Arenaviruses: A Systematic Comparison. Viruses 2022; 14:v14071563. [PMID: 35891543 PMCID: PMC9317149 DOI: 10.3390/v14071563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2022] [Revised: 07/14/2022] [Accepted: 07/16/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Replication-competent reporter-expressing viruses are crucial tools in molecular virology with applications that range from antiviral screening to live-cell imaging of protein spatiotemporal dynamics. However, there is currently little information available regarding viable strategies to develop reporter-expressing arenaviruses. To address this, we used Tacaribe virus (TCRV), an apathogenic BSL2 arenavirus, to assess the feasibility of different reporter expression approaches. We first generated trisegmented TCRV viruses with either the glycoprotein (GP) or nucleoprotein (NP) replaced by a reporter (GFP, mCherry, or nanoluciferase). These viruses were all viable, but showed marked differences in brightness and attenuation. Next, we generated terminal fusions with each of the TCRV proteins (i.e., NP, GP, polymerase (L), matrix protein (Z)) either with or without a T2A self-cleavage site. We tested both the function of the reporter-fused proteins alone, and the viability of corresponding recombinant TCRVs. We successfully rescued viruses with both direct and cleavable reporter fusions at the C-terminus of Z, as well as cleavable N-terminal fusions with NP. These viruses all displayed detectable reporter activity, but were also moderately attenuated. Finally, reporter proteins were inserted into a flexible hinge region within L. These viruses were also viable and showed moderate attenuation; however, reporter expression was only detectable for the luminescent virus. These strategies provide an exciting range of new tools for research into the molecular biology of TCRV that can likely also be adapted to other arenaviruses.
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Gallo GL, López N, Loureiro ME. The Virus–Host Interplay in Junín Mammarenavirus Infection. Viruses 2022; 14:v14061134. [PMID: 35746604 PMCID: PMC9228484 DOI: 10.3390/v14061134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Revised: 04/26/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Junín virus (JUNV) belongs to the Arenaviridae family and is the causative agent of Argentine hemorrhagic fever (AHF), a severe human disease endemic to agricultural areas in Argentina. At this moment, there are no effective antiviral therapeutics to battle pathogenic arenaviruses. Cumulative reports from recent years have widely provided information on cellular factors playing key roles during JUNV infection. In this review, we summarize research on host molecular determinants that intervene in the different stages of the viral life cycle: viral entry, replication, assembly and budding. Alongside, we describe JUNV tight interplay with the innate immune system. We also review the development of different reverse genetics systems and their use as tools to study JUNV biology and its close teamwork with the host. Elucidating relevant interactions of the virus with the host cell machinery is highly necessary to better understand the mechanistic basis beyond virus multiplication, disease pathogenesis and viral subversion of the immune response. Altogether, this knowledge becomes essential for identifying potential targets for the rational design of novel antiviral treatments to combat JUNV as well as other pathogenic arenaviruses.
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10
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Roman-Sosa G, Leske A, Ficht X, Dau TH, Holzerland J, Hoenen T, Beer M, Kammerer R, Schirmbeck R, Rey FA, Cordo SM, Groseth A. Immunization with GP1 but Not Core-like Particles Displaying Isolated Receptor-Binding Epitopes Elicits Virus-Neutralizing Antibodies against Junín Virus. Vaccines (Basel) 2022; 10:vaccines10020173. [PMID: 35214632 PMCID: PMC8874384 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10020173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2021] [Revised: 01/18/2022] [Accepted: 01/19/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
New World arenaviruses are rodent-transmitted viruses and include a number of pathogens that are responsible for causing severe human disease. This includes Junín virus (JUNV), which is the causative agent of Argentine hemorrhagic fever. The wild nature and mobility of the rodent reservoir host makes it difficult to control the disease, and currently passive immunization with high-titer neutralizing antibody-containing plasma from convalescent patients is the only specific therapy. However, dwindling supplies of naturally available convalescent plasma, and challenges in developing similar resources for other closely related viruses, have made the development of alternative antibody-based therapeutic approaches of critical importance. In this study, we sought to induce a neutralizing antibody response in rabbits against the receptor-binding subunit of the viral glycoprotein, GP1, and the specific peptide sequences in GP1 involved in cellular receptor contacts. While these specific receptor-interacting peptides did not efficiently induce the production of neutralizing antibodies when delivered as a particulate antigen (as part of hepatitis B virus core-like particles), we showed that recombinant JUNV GP1 purified from transfected mammalian cells induced virus-neutralizing antibodies at high titers in rabbits. Further, neutralization was observed across a range of unrelated JUNV strains, a feature that is critical for effectiveness in the field. These results underscore the potential of GP1 alone to induce a potent neutralizing antibody response and highlight the importance of epitope presentation. In addition, effective virus neutralization by rabbit antibodies supports the potential applicability of this species for the future development of immunotherapeutics (e.g., based on humanized monoclonal antibodies). Such information can be applied in the design of vaccines and immunogens for both prevention and specific therapies against this and likely also other closely related pathogenic New World arenaviruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gleyder Roman-Sosa
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Ulm University Hospital, 89081 Ulm, Germany; (X.F.); (R.S.)
- Correspondence: (G.R.-S.); (A.G.)
| | - Anne Leske
- Laboratory for Arenavirus Biology, Institute of Molecular Virology and Cell Biology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, 17493 Greifswald, Germany; (A.L.); (J.H.)
| | - Xenia Ficht
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Ulm University Hospital, 89081 Ulm, Germany; (X.F.); (R.S.)
| | - Tung Huy Dau
- Laboratory for Immunogenetics, Institute of Immunology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, 17493 Greifswald, Germany; (T.H.D.); (R.K.)
| | - Julia Holzerland
- Laboratory for Arenavirus Biology, Institute of Molecular Virology and Cell Biology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, 17493 Greifswald, Germany; (A.L.); (J.H.)
| | - Thomas Hoenen
- Laboratory for Integrative Cell and Infection Biology, Institute of Molecular Virology and Cell Biology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, 17493 Greifswald, Germany;
| | - Martin Beer
- National and OIE Reference Laboratory for BHV-1, Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, 17493 Greifswald, Germany;
| | - Robert Kammerer
- Laboratory for Immunogenetics, Institute of Immunology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, 17493 Greifswald, Germany; (T.H.D.); (R.K.)
| | - Reinhold Schirmbeck
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Ulm University Hospital, 89081 Ulm, Germany; (X.F.); (R.S.)
| | - Felix A. Rey
- Structural Virology Unit, CNRS UMR3569, Institut Pasteur, Université de Paris, 75015 Paris, France;
| | - Sandra M. Cordo
- Instituto de Química Biológica de la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales (IQUIBICEN), University of Buenos Aires, Ciudad Universitaria, Pabellón II, Piso 4, Buenos Aires 1428, Argentina;
| | - Allison Groseth
- Laboratory for Arenavirus Biology, Institute of Molecular Virology and Cell Biology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, 17493 Greifswald, Germany; (A.L.); (J.H.)
- Correspondence: (G.R.-S.); (A.G.)
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11
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Screening and Identification of Lujo Virus Inhibitors Using a Recombinant Reporter Virus Platform. Viruses 2021; 13:v13071255. [PMID: 34203149 PMCID: PMC8310135 DOI: 10.3390/v13071255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2021] [Revised: 06/22/2021] [Accepted: 06/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Lujo virus (LUJV), a highly pathogenic arenavirus, was first identified in 2008 in Zambia. To aid the identification of effective therapeutics for LUJV, we developed a recombinant reporter virus system, confirming reporter LUJV comparability with wild-type virus and its utility in high-throughput antiviral screening assays. Using this system, we evaluated compounds with known and unknown efficacy against related arenaviruses, with the aim of identifying LUJV-specific and potential new pan-arenavirus antivirals. We identified six compounds demonstrating robust anti-LUJV activity, including several compounds with previously reported activity against other arenaviruses. These data provide critical evidence for developing broad-spectrum antivirals against high-consequence arenaviruses.
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12
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Herring S, Oda JM, Wagoner J, Kirchmeier D, O'Connor A, Nelson EA, Huang Q, Liang Y, DeWald LE, Johansen LM, Glass PJ, Olinger GG, Ianevski A, Aittokallio T, Paine MF, Fink SL, White JM, Polyak SJ. Inhibition of Arenaviruses by Combinations of Orally Available Approved Drugs. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2021; 65:e01146-20. [PMID: 33468464 PMCID: PMC8097473 DOI: 10.1128/aac.01146-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2020] [Accepted: 12/24/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Neglected diseases caused by arenaviruses such as Lassa virus (LASV) and filoviruses like Ebola virus (EBOV) primarily afflict resource-limited countries, where antiviral drug development is often minimal. Previous studies have shown that many approved drugs developed for other clinical indications inhibit EBOV and LASV and that combinations of these drugs provide synergistic suppression of EBOV, often by blocking discrete steps in virus entry. We hypothesize that repurposing of combinations of orally administered approved drugs provides effective suppression of arenaviruses. In this report, we demonstrate that arbidol, an approved influenza antiviral previously shown to inhibit EBOV, LASV, and many other viruses, inhibits murine leukemia virus (MLV) reporter viruses pseudotyped with the fusion glycoproteins (GPs) of other arenaviruses (Junin virus [JUNV], lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus [LCMV], and Pichinde virus [PICV]). Arbidol and other approved drugs, including aripiprazole, amodiaquine, sertraline, and niclosamide, also inhibit infection of cells by infectious PICV, and arbidol, sertraline, and niclosamide inhibit infectious LASV. Combining arbidol with aripiprazole or sertraline results in the synergistic suppression of LASV and JUNV GP-bearing pseudoviruses. This proof-of-concept study shows that arenavirus infection in vitro can be synergistically inhibited by combinations of approved drugs. This approach may lead to a proactive strategy with which to prepare for and control known and new arenavirus outbreaks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shawn Herring
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Jessica M Oda
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Jessica Wagoner
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Delaney Kirchmeier
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Aidan O'Connor
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Elizabeth A Nelson
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Qinfeng Huang
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, Minnesota, USA
| | - Yuying Liang
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, Minnesota, USA
| | - Lisa Evans DeWald
- Virology Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Frederick, Maryland, USA
| | | | - Pamela J Glass
- Virology Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Frederick, Maryland, USA
| | | | - Aleksandr Ianevski
- Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM), University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Tero Aittokallio
- Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM), University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Oslo Centre for Biostatistics and Epidemiology (OCBE), University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Mary F Paine
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Washington State University, Spokane, Washington, USA
| | - Susan L Fink
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Judith M White
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
- Department of Microbiology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Stephen J Polyak
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Department of Microbiology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
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13
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Identification of Inhibitors of ZIKV Replication. Viruses 2020; 12:v12091041. [PMID: 32961956 PMCID: PMC7551609 DOI: 10.3390/v12091041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2020] [Revised: 09/03/2020] [Accepted: 09/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Zika virus (ZIKV) was identified in 1947 in the Zika forest of Uganda and it has emerged recently as a global health threat, with recurring outbreaks and its associations with congenital microcephaly through maternal fetal transmission and Guillain-Barré syndrome. Currently, there are no United States (US) Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved vaccines or antivirals to treat ZIKV infections, which underscores an urgent medical need for the development of disease intervention strategies to treat ZIKV infection and associated disease. Drug repurposing offers various advantages over developing an entirely new drug by significantly reducing the timeline and resources required to advance a candidate antiviral into the clinic. Screening the ReFRAME library, we identified ten compounds with antiviral activity against the prototypic mammarenavirus lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV). Moreover, we showed the ability of these ten compounds to inhibit influenza A and B virus infections, supporting their broad-spectrum antiviral activity. In this study, we further evaluated the broad-spectrum antiviral activity of the ten identified compounds by testing their activity against ZIKV. Among the ten compounds, Azaribine (SI-MTT = 146.29), AVN-944 (SI-MTT = 278.16), and Brequinar (SI-MTT = 157.42) showed potent anti-ZIKV activity in post-treatment therapeutic conditions. We also observed potent anti-ZIKV activity for Mycophenolate mofetil (SI-MTT = 20.51), Mycophenolic acid (SI-MTT = 36.33), and AVN-944 (SI-MTT = 24.51) in pre-treatment prophylactic conditions and potent co-treatment inhibitory activity for Obatoclax (SI-MTT = 60.58), Azaribine (SI-MTT = 91.51), and Mycophenolate mofetil (SI-MTT = 73.26) in co-treatment conditions. Importantly, the inhibitory effect of these compounds was strain independent, as they similarly inhibited ZIKV strains from both African and Asian/American lineages. Our results support the broad-spectrum antiviral activity of these ten compounds and suggest their use for the development of antiviral treatment options of ZIKV infection.
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14
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Beitzel B, Hulseberg CE, Palacios G. Reverse genetics systems as tools to overcome the genetic diversity of Lassa virus. Curr Opin Virol 2019; 37:91-96. [PMID: 31357141 DOI: 10.1016/j.coviro.2019.06.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2019] [Revised: 06/21/2019] [Accepted: 06/24/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Lassa virus is endemic in a large area of sub-Saharan Africa, and exhibits a large amount of genetic diversity. Of the four currently recognized lineages, lineages I-III circulate in Nigeria, and lineage IV circulates in Sierra Leone, Guinea, and Liberia. However, several newly detected lineages have been proposed. LASV genetic diversity may result in differences in pathogenicity or response to medical countermeasures, necessitating the testing of multiple lineages during the development of countermeasures and diagnostics. Logistical and biosafety concerns can make it difficult to obtain representative collections of divergent LASV clades for comparison studies. For example, lack of a cold chain in remote areas, or shipping restrictions on live viruses can prevent the dissemination of natural virus isolates to researchers. Reverse genetics systems that have been developed for LASV can facilitate acquisition of hard-to-obtain LASV strains and enable comprehensive development of medical countermeasures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brett Beitzel
- Center for Genome Sciences, The United States Army Medical Research Institute for Infectious Disease, 1425 Porter St., Ft. Detrick, MD 21702, United States
| | - Christine E Hulseberg
- Center for Genome Sciences, The United States Army Medical Research Institute for Infectious Disease, 1425 Porter St., Ft. Detrick, MD 21702, United States
| | - Gustavo Palacios
- Center for Genome Sciences, The United States Army Medical Research Institute for Infectious Disease, 1425 Porter St., Ft. Detrick, MD 21702, United States.
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15
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Wendt L, Bostedt L, Hoenen T, Groseth A. High-throughput screening for negative-stranded hemorrhagic fever viruses using reverse genetics. Antiviral Res 2019; 170:104569. [PMID: 31356830 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2019.104569] [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] [Received: 05/23/2019] [Revised: 06/28/2019] [Accepted: 07/25/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Viral hemorrhagic fevers (VHFs) cause thousands of fatalities every year, but the treatment options for their management remain very limited. In particular, the development of therapeutic interventions is restricted by the lack of commercial viability of drugs targeting individual VHF agents. This makes approaches like drug repurposing and/or the identification of broad range therapies (i.e. those directed at host responses or common proviral factors) highly attractive. However, the identification of candidates for such antiviral repurposing or of host factors/pathways important for the virus life cycle is reliant on high-throughput screening (HTS). Recently, such screening work has been increasingly facilitated by the availability of reverse genetics-based approaches, including tools such as full-length clone (FLC) systems to generate reporter-expressing viruses or various life cycle modelling (LCM) systems, many of which have been developed and/or greatly improved during the last years. In particular, since LCM systems are capable of modelling specific steps in the life cycle, they are a valuable tool for both targeted screening (i.e. for inhibitors of a specific pathway) and mechanism of action studies. This review seeks to summarize the currently available reverse genetics systems for negative-sense VHF causing viruses (i.e. arenaviruses, bunyaviruses and filoviruses), and to highlight the recent advancements made in applying these systems for HTS to identify either antivirals or new virus-host interactions that might hold promise for the development of future treatments for the infections caused by these deadly but neglected virus groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Wendt
- Institute of Molecular Virology and Cell Biology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald, Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Linus Bostedt
- Junior Research Group - Arenavirus Biology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald, Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Thomas Hoenen
- Institute of Molecular Virology and Cell Biology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald, Insel Riems, Germany.
| | - Allison Groseth
- Junior Research Group - Arenavirus Biology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald, Insel Riems, Germany.
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16
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Brisse ME, Ly H. Hemorrhagic Fever-Causing Arenaviruses: Lethal Pathogens and Potent Immune Suppressors. Front Immunol 2019; 10:372. [PMID: 30918506 PMCID: PMC6424867 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.00372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2019] [Accepted: 02/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Hemorrhagic fevers (HF) resulting from pathogenic arenaviral infections have traditionally been neglected as tropical diseases primarily affecting African and South American regions. There are currently no FDA-approved vaccines for arenaviruses, and treatments have been limited to supportive therapy and use of non-specific nucleoside analogs, such as Ribavirin. Outbreaks of arenaviral infections have been limited to certain geographic areas that are endemic but known cases of exportation of arenaviruses from endemic regions and socioeconomic challenges for local control of rodent reservoirs raise serious concerns about the potential for larger outbreaks in the future. This review synthesizes current knowledge about arenaviral evolution, ecology, transmission patterns, life cycle, modulation of host immunity, disease pathogenesis, as well as discusses recent development of preventative and therapeutic pursuits against this group of deadly viral pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morgan E Brisse
- Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and Biophysics Graduate Program, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN, United States.,Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN, United States
| | - Hinh Ly
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN, United States
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17
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Assessing cross-reactivity of Junín virus-directed neutralizing antibodies. Antiviral Res 2019; 163:106-116. [PMID: 30668977 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2019.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2018] [Revised: 12/21/2018] [Accepted: 01/11/2019] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Arenaviruses cause several viral hemorrhagic fevers endemic to Africa and South America. The respective causative agents are classified as biosafety level (BSL) 4 pathogens. Unlike for most other BSL4 agents, for the New World arenavirus Junín virus (JUNV) both a highly effective vaccination (Candid#1) and a post-exposure treatment, based on convalescent plasma transfer, are available. In particular, neutralizing antibodies (nAbs) represent a key protective determinant in JUNV infection, which is supported by the correlation between successful passive antibody therapy and the levels of nAbs administered. Unfortunately, comparable resources for the management of other closely related arenavirus infections are not available. Given the significant challenges inherent in studying BSL4 pathogens, our goal was to first assess the suitability of a JUNV transcription and replication-competent virus-like particle (trVLP) system for measuring virus neutralization under BSL1/2 conditions. Indeed, we could show that infection with JUNV trVLPs is glycoprotein (GP) dependent, that trVLP input has a direct correlation to reporter readout, and that these trVLPs can be neutralized by human serum with kinetics similar to those obtained using authentic virus. These properties make trVLPs suitable for use as a proxy for virus in neutralization assays. Using this platform we then evaluated the potential of JUNV nAbs to cross-neutralize entry mediated by GPs from other arenaviruses using JUNV (strain Romero)-based trVLPs bearing GPs either from other JUNV strains, other closely related New World arenaviruses (e.g. Tacaribe, Machupo, Sabiá), or the distantly related Lassa virus. While nAbs against the JUNV vaccine strain are also active against a range of other JUNV strains, they appear to have little or no capacity to neutralize other arenavirus species, suggesting that therapy with whole plasma directed against another species is unlikely to be successful and that the targeted development of cross-specific monoclonal antibody-based resources is likely needed. Such efforts will be supported by the availability of this BSL1/2 screening platform which provides a rapid and easy means to characterize the potency and reactivity of anti-arenavirus neutralizing antibodies against a range of arenavirus species.
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