Antiviral therapy for the sexually transmitted viruses: recent updates on vaccine development

A comprehensive overview on the crosstalk between microRNAs and viral pathogenesis and infection

Infections caused by viruses as the smallest infectious agents, pose a major threat to global public health. Viral infections utilize different host mechanisms to facilitate their own propagation and pathogenesis. MicroRNAs (miRNAs), as small noncoding RNA molecules, play important regulatory roles in different diseases, including viral infections. They can promote or inhibit viral infection and have a pro-viral or antiviral role. Also, viral infections can modulate the expression of host miRNAs. Furthermore, viruses from different families evade the host immune response by producing their own miRNAs called viral miRNAs (v-miRNAs). Understanding the replication cycle of viruses and their relation with host miRNAs and v-miRNAs can help to find new treatments against viral infections. In this review, we aim to outline the structure, genome, and replication cycle of various viruses including hepatitis B, hepatitis C, influenza A virus, coronavirus, human immunodeficiency virus, human papillomavirus, herpes simplex virus, Epstein-Barr virus, Dengue virus, Zika virus, and Ebola virus. We also discuss the role of different host miRNAs and v-miRNAs and their role in the pathogenesis of these viral infections.

Bacteria extracellular vesicle as nanopharmaceuticals for versatile biomedical potential

Bacteria extracellular vesicles (BEVs), characterized as the lipid bilayer membrane-surrounded nanoparticles filled with molecular cargo from parent cells, play fundamental roles in the bacteria growth and pathogenesis, as well as facilitating essential interaction between bacteria and host systems. Notably, benefiting from their unique biological functions, BEVs hold great promise as novel nanopharmaceuticals for diverse biomedical potential, attracting significant interest from both industry and academia. Typically, BEVs are evaluated as promising drug delivery platforms, on account of their intrinsic cell-targeting capability, ease of versatile cargo engineering, and capability to penetrate physiological barriers. Moreover, attributing to considerable intrinsic immunogenicity, BEVs are able to interact with the host immune system to boost immunotherapy as the novel nanovaccine against a wide range of diseases. Towards these significant directions, in this review, we elucidate the nature of BEVs and their role in activating host immune response for a better understanding of BEV-based nanopharmaceuticals' development. Additionally, we also systematically summarize recent advances in BEVs for achieving the target delivery of genetic material, therapeutic agents, and functional materials. Furthermore, vaccination strategies using BEVs are carefully covered, illustrating their flexible therapeutic potential in combating bacterial infections, viral infections, and cancer. Finally, the current hurdles and further outlook of these BEV-based nanopharmaceuticals will also be provided.

Recommendations for managing sexually transmitted infections: Incorporating the 2021 guidelines

ABSTRACT

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are common and costly, with about 26 million STIs occurring each year in the US. Guidelines for the prevention and management of STIs are updated periodically. In 2021, the CDC updated its guidelines for the treatment of STIs. This article provides information on the most recent updates on managing STIs to help advanced practice nurses in their practice.

Newer developments in viral hepatitis: Looking beyond hepatotropic viruses

Viral hepatitis in the entirety of its clinical spectrum is vast and most discussion are often restricted to hepatotropic viral infections, including hepatitis virus (A to E). With the advent of more advanced diagnostic techniques, it has now become possible to diagnose patients with non-hepatotropic viral infection in patients with hepatitis. Majority of these viruses belong to the Herpes family, with characteristic feature of latency. With the increase in the rate of liver transplantation globally, especially for the indication of acute hepatitis, it becomes even more relevant to identify non hepatotropic viral infection as the primary hepatic insult. Immunosuppression post-transplant is an established cause of reactivation of a number of viral infections that could then indirectly cause hepatic injury. Antiviral agents may be utilized for treatment of most of these infections, although data supporting their role is derived primarily from case reports. There are no current guidelines to manage patients suspected to have viral hepatitis secondary to non-hepatotropic viral infection, a gap that needs to be addressed. In this review article, the authors analyze the common non hepatotropic viral infections contributing to viral hepatitis, with emphasis on recent advances on diagnosis, management and role of liver transplantation.

The next generation of HCV vaccines: a focus on novel adjuvant development

INTRODUCTION

Considerable efforts have been made to treat and prevent acute and chronic infections caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV). Current treatments are unable to protect people from reinfection. Hence, there is a need for development of both preventive and therapeutic HCV vaccines. Many vaccine candidates are in development to fight against HCV, but their efficacy has so far proven limited partly due to low immunogenicity.

AREAS COVERED

We explore development of novel and powerful adjuvants to achieve an effective HCV vaccine. The basis for developing strong adjuvants is to understand the innate immunity pathway, which subsequently stimulates humoral and cellular immune responses. We have also investigated immunogenicity of developed adjuvants that have been used in recent studies available in online databases such as PubMed, PMC, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, etc.

EXPERT OPINION

Adjuvants are used as a part of vaccine formulation to boost vaccine immunogenicity and antigen delivery. Several FDA-approved adjuvants are used in licensed human vaccines. Unfortunately, no adjuvant has yet been proven to boost HCV immune responses to the extent needed for an effective vaccine. One of the promising approaches for developing an effective adjuvant is the combination of various adjuvants to trigger several innate immune responses, leading to activation of adaptive immunity.[Figure: see text].

Exploring novel and potent cell penetrating peptides in the proteome of SARS-COV-2 using bioinformatics approaches

Among various delivery systems for vaccine and drug delivery, cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) have been known as a potent delivery system because of their capability to penetrate cell membranes and deliver some types of cargoes into cells. Several CPPs were found in the proteome of viruses such as Tat originated from human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1), and VP22 derived from herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1). In the current study, a wide-range of CPPs was identified in the proteome of SARS-CoV-2, a new member of coronaviruses family, using in silico analyses. These CPPs may play a main role for high penetration of virus into cells and infection of host. At first, we submitted the proteome of SARS-CoV-2 to CellPPD web server that resulted in a huge number of CPPs with ten residues in length. Afterward, we submitted the predicted CPPs to C2Pred web server for evaluation of the probability of each peptide. Then, the uptake efficiency of each peptide was investigated using CPPred-RF and MLCPP web servers. Next, the physicochemical properties of the predicted CPPs including net charge, theoretical isoelectric point (pI), amphipathicity, molecular weight, and water solubility were calculated using protparam and pepcalc tools. In addition, the probability of membrane binding potential and cellular localization of each CPP were estimated by Boman index using APD3 web server, D factor, and TMHMM web server. On the other hand, the immunogenicity, toxicity, allergenicity, hemolytic potency, and half-life of CPPs were predicted using various web servers. Finally, the tertiary structure and the helical wheel projection of some CPPs were predicted by PEP-FOLD3 and Heliquest web servers, respectively. These CPPs were divided into: a) CPP containing tumor homing motif (RGD) and/or tumor penetrating motif (RXXR); b) CPP with the highest Boman index; c) CPP with high half-life (~100 hour) in mammalian cells, and d) CPP with +5.00 net charge. Based on the results, we found a large number of novel CPPs with various features. Some of these CPPs possess tumor-specific motifs which can be evaluated in cancer therapy. Furthermore, the novel and potent CPPs derived from SARS-CoV-2 may be used alone or conjugated to some sequences such as nuclear localization sequence (NLS) for vaccine and drug delivery.

Nano-based antiviral coatings to combat viral infections

In the recent past, epidemics and pandemics caused by viral infections have had extraordinary effects on human life, leading to severe social and financial challenges. One such event related to the outbreak of the SARS-CoV-2 virus has already taken more than 917,417 lives globally (as of September 13, 2020). The nosocomial route of viral transmission has also been playing a significant role in the community spreading of viruses. Unfortunately, none of the existing strategies are apt for preventing the spread of viral infections. In order to contain the viral transmission, the principal target would be to stop the virus from reaching the otherwise healthy individuals. Nanomaterials, due to its unique physical and chemical properties, have been used to develop novel antiviral agents. In this review, we have discussed several nanotechnological strategies that can be used as an antiviral coating to inhibit viral transmission by preventing viral entry into the host cells.