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Cesarini S, Vicenti I, Poggialini F, Filippi S, Mancin E, Fiaschi L, De Marchi E, Giammarino F, Vagaggini C, Bizzarri BM, Saladino R, Dreassi E, Zazzi M, Botta L. Serendipitous Identification of Azine Anticancer Agents Using a Privileged Scaffold Morphing Strategy. Molecules 2024; 29:1452. [PMID: 38611732 PMCID: PMC11013010 DOI: 10.3390/molecules29071452] [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: 02/15/2024] [Revised: 03/11/2024] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
The use of privileged scaffolds as a starting point for the construction of libraries of bioactive compounds is a widely used strategy in drug discovery and development. Scaffold decoration, morphing and hopping are additional techniques that enable the modification of the chosen privileged framework and better explore the chemical space around it. In this study, two series of highly functionalized pyrimidine and pyridine derivatives were synthesized using a scaffold morphing approach consisting of triazine compounds obtained previously as antiviral agents. Newly synthesized azines were evaluated against lymphoma, hepatocarcinoma, and colon epithelial carcinoma cells, showing in five cases acceptable to good anticancer activity associated with low cytotoxicity on healthy fibroblasts. Finally, ADME in vitro studies were conducted on the best derivatives of the two series showing good passive permeability and resistance to metabolic degradation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Cesarini
- Department of Biological and Ecological Sciences, University of Viterbo, Via S.C. De Lellis s.n.c., 01100 Viterbo, Italy; (S.C.); (S.F.); (E.M.); (E.D.M.); (B.M.B.); (R.S.)
| | - Ilaria Vicenti
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (I.V.); (L.F.); (F.G.); (M.Z.)
| | - Federica Poggialini
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry, and Pharmacy (DBCF), University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (F.P.); (C.V.); (E.D.)
| | - Silvia Filippi
- Department of Biological and Ecological Sciences, University of Viterbo, Via S.C. De Lellis s.n.c., 01100 Viterbo, Italy; (S.C.); (S.F.); (E.M.); (E.D.M.); (B.M.B.); (R.S.)
| | - Eleonora Mancin
- Department of Biological and Ecological Sciences, University of Viterbo, Via S.C. De Lellis s.n.c., 01100 Viterbo, Italy; (S.C.); (S.F.); (E.M.); (E.D.M.); (B.M.B.); (R.S.)
| | - Lia Fiaschi
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (I.V.); (L.F.); (F.G.); (M.Z.)
| | - Elisa De Marchi
- Department of Biological and Ecological Sciences, University of Viterbo, Via S.C. De Lellis s.n.c., 01100 Viterbo, Italy; (S.C.); (S.F.); (E.M.); (E.D.M.); (B.M.B.); (R.S.)
| | - Federica Giammarino
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (I.V.); (L.F.); (F.G.); (M.Z.)
| | - Chiara Vagaggini
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry, and Pharmacy (DBCF), University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (F.P.); (C.V.); (E.D.)
| | - Bruno Mattia Bizzarri
- Department of Biological and Ecological Sciences, University of Viterbo, Via S.C. De Lellis s.n.c., 01100 Viterbo, Italy; (S.C.); (S.F.); (E.M.); (E.D.M.); (B.M.B.); (R.S.)
| | - Raffaele Saladino
- Department of Biological and Ecological Sciences, University of Viterbo, Via S.C. De Lellis s.n.c., 01100 Viterbo, Italy; (S.C.); (S.F.); (E.M.); (E.D.M.); (B.M.B.); (R.S.)
| | - Elena Dreassi
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry, and Pharmacy (DBCF), University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (F.P.); (C.V.); (E.D.)
| | - Maurizio Zazzi
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (I.V.); (L.F.); (F.G.); (M.Z.)
| | - Lorenzo Botta
- Department of Biological and Ecological Sciences, University of Viterbo, Via S.C. De Lellis s.n.c., 01100 Viterbo, Italy; (S.C.); (S.F.); (E.M.); (E.D.M.); (B.M.B.); (R.S.)
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Jia H, Hu L, Zhang J, Huang X, Jiang Y, Dong G, Liu C, Liu X, Kim M, Zhan P. Recent advances of phenotypic screening strategies in the application of anti-influenza virus drug discovery. RSC Med Chem 2024; 15:70-80. [PMID: 38283223 PMCID: PMC10809416 DOI: 10.1039/d3md00513e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 01/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Seasonal and pandemic influenza virus infections not only pose a serious threat to human health but also cause tremendous economic losses and social burdens. However, due to the inherent high variability of influenza virus RNA genomes, the existing anti-influenza virus drugs have been frequently faced with the clinical issue of emerging drug-resistant mutants. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop efficient and broad-spectrum antiviral agents against wild-type and drug-resistant mutant strains. Phenotypic screening has been widely employed as a reliable strategy to evaluate antiviral efficacy of novel agents independent of their modes of action, either directly targeting viral proteins or regulating cellular factors involved in the virus life cycle. Here, from the point of view of medicinal chemistry, we review the research progress of phenotypic screening strategies by focusing direct acting antivirals against influenza virus. It could provide scientific insights into discovery of a distinctive class of therapeutic candidates that ensure high efficiency but low cytotoxicity, and address issues from circulation of drug-resistant influenza viruses in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huinan Jia
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University 44 West Culture Road 250012 Jinan Shandong P.R. China
| | - Lide Hu
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University 44 West Culture Road 250012 Jinan Shandong P.R. China
| | - Jiwei Zhang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University 44 West Culture Road 250012 Jinan Shandong P.R. China
| | - Xing Huang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University 44 West Culture Road 250012 Jinan Shandong P.R. China
| | - Yuanmin Jiang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University 44 West Culture Road 250012 Jinan Shandong P.R. China
| | - Guanyu Dong
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University 44 West Culture Road 250012 Jinan Shandong P.R. China
| | - Chuanfeng Liu
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University 44 West Culture Road 250012 Jinan Shandong P.R. China
- Suzhou Research Institute of Shandong University Room 607, Building B of NUSP, No. 388 Ruoshui Road, SIP Suzhou Jiangsu 215123 P.R. China
| | - Xinyong Liu
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University 44 West Culture Road 250012 Jinan Shandong P.R. China
| | - Meehyein Kim
- Infectious Diseases Therapeutic Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology (KRICT) Daejeon 34114 Korea
| | - Peng Zhan
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University 44 West Culture Road 250012 Jinan Shandong P.R. China
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Pacetti M, Pismataro MC, Felicetti T, Giammarino F, Bonomini A, Tiecco M, Bertagnin C, Barreca ML, Germani R, Cecchetti V, Vicenti I, Tabarrini O, Zazzi M, Loregian A, Massari S. Switching the three-component Biginelli-like reaction conditions for the regioselective synthesis of new 2-amino[1,2,4]triazolo[1,5- a]pyrimidines. Org Biomol Chem 2024; 22:767-783. [PMID: 38167738 DOI: 10.1039/d3ob01861j] [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: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
Among the eight different triazolopyrimidine isomers existing in nature, 1,2,4-triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine (TZP) is one of the most studied and used isomers in medicinal chemistry. For some years, our group has been involved in developing regioselective one-pot procedures for the synthesis of 2-amino-7-aryl-5-methyl- and 2-amino-5-aryl-7-methyl-TZPs of interest in the preparation of antiviral agents. In this work, taking advantage of a Biginelli-like multicomponent reaction (MCR), we report the identification of finely tunable conditions to regioselectively synthesize C-6 ester-substituted amino-TZP analogues, both in dihydro and oxidized forms. Indeed, the use of mild acidic conditions is strongly directed toward the regioselective synthesis of 5-aryl-7-methyl C-6-substituted TZP analogues, while the use of neutral ionic liquids shifted the regioselectivity towards 7-aryl-5-methyl derivatives. In addition, the novel synthesized scaffolds were functionalized at the C-2 position and evaluated for their antiviral activity against RNA viruses (influenza virus, flaviviruses, and SARS-CoV-2). Compounds 25 and 26 emerged as promising anti-flavivirus agents, showing activity in the low micromolar range.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Pacetti
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Perugia, 06123 Perugia, Italy.
| | | | - Tommaso Felicetti
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Perugia, 06123 Perugia, Italy.
| | - Federica Giammarino
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Anna Bonomini
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padua, 35121 Padua, Italy
| | - Matteo Tiecco
- Chemistry Interdisciplinary Project (ChIP), School of Pharmacy, University of Camerino, 62032 Camerino, MC, Italy
| | - Chiara Bertagnin
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padua, 35121 Padua, Italy
| | | | - Raimondo Germani
- Department of Chemistry, Biology and Biotechnology, University of Perugia, 06123 Perugia, Italy
| | - Violetta Cecchetti
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Perugia, 06123 Perugia, Italy.
| | - Ilaria Vicenti
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Oriana Tabarrini
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Perugia, 06123 Perugia, Italy.
| | - Maurizio Zazzi
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Arianna Loregian
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padua, 35121 Padua, Italy
| | - Serena Massari
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Perugia, 06123 Perugia, Italy.
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Fiaschi L, Biba C, Varasi I, Bartolini N, Paletti C, Giammarino F, Saladini F, Zazzi M, Vicenti I. In Vitro Combinatorial Activity of Direct Acting Antivirals and Monoclonal Antibodies against the Ancestral B.1 and BQ.1.1 SARS-CoV-2 Viral Variants. Viruses 2024; 16:168. [PMID: 38399944 PMCID: PMC10892871 DOI: 10.3390/v16020168] [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: 01/04/2024] [Revised: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 01/20/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Combination antiviral therapy may be helpful in the treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infection; however, no clinical trial data are available, and combined use of direct-acting antivirals (DAA) and monoclonal antibodies (mAb) has been reported only anecdotally. To assess the cooperative effects of dual drug combinations in vitro, we used a VERO E6 cell-based in vitro system with the ancestral B.1 or the highly divergent BQ.1.1 virus to test pairwise combinations of the licensed DAA, including nirmatrelvir (NRM), remdesivir (RDV) and the active metabolite of molnupiravir (EIDD-1931) as well the combination of RDV with four licensed mAbs (sotrovimab, bebtelovimab, cilgavimab, tixagevimab; tested only with the susceptible B.1 virus). According to SynergyFinder 3.0 summary and weighted scores, all the combinations had an additive effect. Within DAA/DAA combinations, paired scores with the B.1 and BQ.1.1 variants were comparable. In the post hoc analysis weighting synergy by concentrations, several cases of highly synergistic scores were detected at specific drug concentrations, both for DAA/DAA and for RDV/mAb combinations. This was supported by in vitro confirmation experiments showing a more than a linear shift of a drug-effective concentration (IC50) at increasing concentrations of the companion drug, although the effect was prominent with DAA/DAA combinations and minimal or null with RDV/mAb combinations. These results support the cooperative effects of dual drug combinations in vitro, which should be further investigated in animal models before introduction into the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Ilaria Vicenti
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (L.F.); (C.B.); (I.V.); (N.B.); (C.P.); (F.G.); (F.S.); (M.Z.)
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Grazia Martina M, Giammarino F, Vicenti I, Groaz E, Rozenski J, Incerti M, Sannio F, Docquier JD, Zazzi M, Radi M. Nucleoside Derivatives of 2,6-Diaminopurine Antivirals: Base-Modified Nucleosides with Broad-Spectrum Antimicrobial Properties. ChemMedChem 2023; 18:e202300200. [PMID: 37221137 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.202300200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2023] [Revised: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
The plethora of viral outbreaks experienced in the last decade, together with the widespread distribution of many re-emerging and newly emerging viruses, emphasize the urgent need for novel broad-spectrum antivirals as tools for early intervention in case of future epidemics. Non-natural nucleosides have been at the forefront for the treatment of infectious diseases for many years and still represent one of the most successful classes of antiviral molecules on the market. In the attempt to explore the biologically relevant chemical space of this class of antimicrobials, we describe herein the development of novel base-modified nucleosides by converting previously identified 2,6-diaminopurine antivirals into the corresponding D/L ribonucleosides, acyclic nucleosides and prodrug derivatives. A phenotypic screening against viruses belonging to different families (Flaviviridae, Coronaviridae, Retroviridae) and against a panel of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, allowed to identify a few interesting molecules with broad-spectrum antimicrobial activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Grazia Martina
- Dipartimento di Scienze degli Alimenti e del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze, 27/A, 43124, Parma, Italy
| | - Federica Giammarino
- Dipartimento di Biotecnologie Mediche, Università degli Studi di Siena, Viale Bracci 16, 53100, Siena, Italy
| | - Ilaria Vicenti
- Dipartimento di Biotecnologie Mediche, Università degli Studi di Siena, Viale Bracci 16, 53100, Siena, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Groaz
- Rega Institute for Medical Research, Medicinal Chemistry, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49-Box 1041, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Via Marzolo 5, 35131, Padova, Italy
| | - Jef Rozenski
- Rega Institute for Medical Research, Medicinal Chemistry, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49-Box 1041, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Matteo Incerti
- Dipartimento di Scienze degli Alimenti e del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze, 27/A, 43124, Parma, Italy
| | - Filomena Sannio
- Dipartimento di Biotecnologie Mediche, Università degli Studi di Siena, Viale Bracci 16, 53100, Siena, Italy
| | - Jean Denis Docquier
- Dipartimento di Biotecnologie Mediche, Università degli Studi di Siena, Viale Bracci 16, 53100, Siena, Italy
- Laboratoire de Bactériologie Moléculaire, Centre d'Ingénierie des Protéines, University of Liège, Allée du 6 Août, 4000, Liège, Belgium
| | - Maurizio Zazzi
- Dipartimento di Biotecnologie Mediche, Università degli Studi di Siena, Viale Bracci 16, 53100, Siena, Italy
| | - Marco Radi
- Dipartimento di Scienze degli Alimenti e del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze, 27/A, 43124, Parma, Italy
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Privileged Scaffold Decoration for the Identification of the First Trisubstituted Triazine with Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Activity. MOLECULES (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 27:molecules27248829. [PMID: 36557962 PMCID: PMC9782877 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27248829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2022] [Revised: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 12/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Current therapy against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2) are based on the use of Remdesivir 1, Molnupiravir 2, and the recently identified Nirmatrelvir 3. Unfortunately, these three drugs showed some limitations regarding potency and possible drug-drug interactions. A series of derivatives coming from a decoration approach of the privileged scaffold s-triazines were synthesized and evaluated against SAR-CoV-2. One derivative emerged as the hit of the series for its micromolar antiviral activity and low cytotoxicity. Mode of action and pharmacokinetic in vitro preliminary studies further confirm the role as candidates for a future optimization campaign of the most active derivative identified with this work.
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Fiaschi L, Dragoni F, Schiaroli E, Bergna A, Rossetti B, Giammarino F, Biba C, Gidari A, Lai A, Nencioni C, Francisci D, Zazzi M, Vicenti I. Efficacy of Licensed Monoclonal Antibodies and Antiviral Agents against the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron Sublineages BA.1 and BA.2. Viruses 2022; 14:v14071374. [PMID: 35891355 PMCID: PMC9321742 DOI: 10.3390/v14071374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2022] [Revised: 06/20/2022] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Newly emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants may escape monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and antiviral drugs. By using live virus assays, we assessed the ex vivo inhibition of the B.1 wild-type (WT), delta and omicron BA.1 and BA.2 lineages by post-infusion sera from 40 individuals treated with bamlanivimab/etesevimab (BAM/ETE), casirivimab/imdevimab (CAS/IMD), and sotrovimab (SOT) as well as the activity of remdesivir, nirmatrelvir and molnupiravir. mAbs and drug activity were defined as the serum dilution (ID50) and drug concentration (IC50), respectively, showing 50% protection of virus-induced cytopathic effect. All pre-infusion sera were negative for SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing activity. BAM/ETE, CAS/IMD, and SOT showed activity against the WT (ID50 6295 (4355–8075) for BAM/ETE; 18,214 (16,248–21,365) for CAS/IMD; and 456 (265–592) for SOT) and the delta (14,780 (ID50 10,905–21,020) for BAM/ETE; 63,937 (47,211–79,971) for CAS/IMD; and 1103 (843–1334) for SOT). Notably, only SOT was active against BA.1 (ID50 200 (37–233)), whereas BA.2 was neutralized by CAS/IMD (ID50 174 (134–209) ID50) and SOT (ID50 20 (9–31) ID50), but not by BAM/ETE. No significant inter-variant IC50 differences were observed for molnupiravir (1.5 ± 0.1/1.5 ± 0.7/1.0 ± 0.5/0.8 ± 0.01 μM for WT/delta/BA.1/BA.2, respectively), nirmatrelvir (0.05 ± 0.02/0.06 ± 0.01/0.04 ± 0.02/0.04 ± 0.01 μM) or remdesivir (0.08 ± 0.04/0.11 ± 0.08/0.05 ± 0.04/0.08 ± 0.01 μM). Continued evolution of SARS-CoV-2 requires updating the mAbs arsenal, although antivirals have so far remained unaffected.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lia Fiaschi
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (L.F.); (F.D.); (F.G.); (C.B.); (M.Z.)
| | - Filippo Dragoni
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (L.F.); (F.D.); (F.G.); (C.B.); (M.Z.)
| | - Elisabetta Schiaroli
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Clinic of Infectious Diseases, University of Perugia, 06129 Perugia, Italy; (E.S.); (A.G.); (D.F.)
| | - Annalisa Bergna
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences L. Sacco, University of Milan, 20157 Milan, Italy; (A.B.); (A.L.)
| | - Barbara Rossetti
- Infectious Disease Department, USL SUDEST, Toscana, Misericordia Hospital, 58100 Grosseto, Italy; (B.R.); (C.N.)
| | - Federica Giammarino
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (L.F.); (F.D.); (F.G.); (C.B.); (M.Z.)
| | - Camilla Biba
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (L.F.); (F.D.); (F.G.); (C.B.); (M.Z.)
| | - Anna Gidari
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Clinic of Infectious Diseases, University of Perugia, 06129 Perugia, Italy; (E.S.); (A.G.); (D.F.)
| | - Alessia Lai
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences L. Sacco, University of Milan, 20157 Milan, Italy; (A.B.); (A.L.)
| | - Cesira Nencioni
- Infectious Disease Department, USL SUDEST, Toscana, Misericordia Hospital, 58100 Grosseto, Italy; (B.R.); (C.N.)
| | - Daniela Francisci
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Clinic of Infectious Diseases, University of Perugia, 06129 Perugia, Italy; (E.S.); (A.G.); (D.F.)
| | - Maurizio Zazzi
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (L.F.); (F.D.); (F.G.); (C.B.); (M.Z.)
| | - Ilaria Vicenti
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (L.F.); (F.D.); (F.G.); (C.B.); (M.Z.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-057-7233-855
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SARS-CoV-2 Infection of Human Ovarian Cells: A Potential Negative Impact on Female Fertility. Cells 2022; 11:cells11091431. [PMID: 35563737 PMCID: PMC9105548 DOI: 10.3390/cells11091431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2022] [Revised: 04/12/2022] [Accepted: 04/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) may affect female reproductive health. Here, we investigated the potential of SARS-CoV-2 to infect the follicular microenvironment, in particular granulosa (GCs) and cumulus cells (CCs), thus providing evidence for a productive infection. GCs and CCs were recovered from women (n = 25) who underwent in vitro fertilization at the Assisted Reproductive Unit, Siena University Hospital. Follicular ovarian cells were co-cultured with SARS-CoV-2 and then analyzed by qPCR, immunofluorescence (IF), western blot (WB) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). In addition, cell culture supernatant was used to infect VERO6 cells. We demonstrated the expression of cell host factors ACE2, TRPMSS2, BSG and CTSL, which are pivotal for the virus life cycle. Cultured GCs and CCs incubated with SARS-CoV-2 revealed productive SARS-CoV-2 infection at 24 h, 48 h and 72 h post-adsorption. Indeed, SARS-CoV-2 RNA, spike and nucleocapsid proteins were detected in GCs and CCs, and their cell culture supernatant successfully infected the standard VERO E6 cells. Finally, TEM showed full-size virions attached to the membrane and located inside the cytoplasm. This in vitro study reveals the susceptibility of human ovarian cells to SARS-CoV-2 infection, suggesting a potential detrimental effect of COVID-19 infection on female human fertility.
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In Vitro Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Activity of Selected Metal Compounds and Potential Molecular Basis for Their Actions Based on Computational Study. Biomolecules 2021; 11:biom11121858. [PMID: 34944502 PMCID: PMC8699537 DOI: 10.3390/biom11121858] [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: 11/08/2021] [Revised: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 12/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Metal-based drugs represent a rich source of chemical substances of potential interest for the treatment of COVID-19. To this end, we have developed a small but representative panel of nine metal compounds, including both synthesized and commercially available complexes, suitable for medical application and tested them in vitro against the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The screening revealed that three compounds from the panel, i.e., the organogold(III) compound Aubipyc, the ruthenium(III) complex KP1019, and antimony trichloride (SbCl3), are endowed with notable antiviral properties and an acceptable cytotoxicity profile. These initial findings prompted us to perform a computational study to unveil the likely molecular basis of their antiviral actions. Calculations evidenced that the metalation of nucleophile sites in SARS-CoV-2 proteins or nucleobase strands, induced by Aubipyc, SbCl3, and KP1019, is likely to occur. Remarkably, we found that only the deprotonated forms of Cys and Sec residues can react favorably with these metallodrugs. The mechanistic implications of these findings are discussed.
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