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Rodrigues Dutra JV, Santos IA, Grosche VR, Jardim ACG, de Aguiar RS, Junior NN, José DP. L protein characterization and in silico screening of putative broad range target molecules for pathogenic mammarenaviruses from South America. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2023:1-19. [PMID: 37817533 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2023.2268186] [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: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 10/12/2023]
Abstract
The genus Mammarenavirus belonging to the family Arenaviridae encompasses pathogenic viral species capable of triggering severe diseases in humans, causing concern for the health system due to the high fatality rate associated with them. Currently, there is a dearth of specific therapies against pathogens of the genus. Natural products isolated from plants have impacted the development of drugs against several diseases. The Núcleo de Bioensaios, Biossíntese e Ecofisiologia de Produtos Naturais (NuBBE) database offers several natural compounds with antimicrobial activities that can be used in the development of new antiviral drugs. In this context, here we modeled the arenavirus L protein, multifunctional machinery essential for the viral replicative cycle, making this enzyme a potential candidate for targeting the development of antivirals against genus pathogens. Using the modeled L protein, a virtual screening was performed, which suggested eleven molecules from the NuBBE database that binds to the active site of the L protein, which was promising in the in silico predictions of absorption and toxicity analysis. The NuBBE 1642 molecule proved to be the best candidate for four of the five species evaluated, acting as a possible broad-spectrum molecule. Additionally, our results showed that the L protein is highly conserved among species of the genus, as well as presenting close phylogenetic relationships between many of the species studied, strengthening its candidacy as a therapeutic target. The data presented here demonstrate that some NuBBE molecules are potential ligands for the L protein of arenaviruses, which may help to contain possible outbreaks.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- João Victor Rodrigues Dutra
- Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro, Iturama, Minas Gerais, Brazil
- Laboratory of Integrative Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Igor Andrade Santos
- Laboratory of Antiviral Research, Institute of Biomedical Science, ICBIM, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Brazil
| | - Victória Riquena Grosche
- Laboratory of Antiviral Research, Institute of Biomedical Science, ICBIM, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Brazil
- São Paulo State University, São José do Rio Preto, Brazil
| | - Ana Carolina Gomes Jardim
- Laboratory of Antiviral Research, Institute of Biomedical Science, ICBIM, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Brazil
- São Paulo State University, São José do Rio Preto, Brazil
| | - Renato Santana de Aguiar
- Laboratory of Integrative Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Nilson Nicolau Junior
- Laboratory of Molecular Modeling, Institute of Biotechnology, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Brazil
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Pelaez MA, Torti MF, Alvarez De Lauro AE, Marquez AB, Giovannoni F, Damonte EB, García CC. Modulation of the Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Signaling Pathway Impacts on Junín Virus Replication. Viruses 2023; 15:v15020369. [PMID: 36851583 PMCID: PMC9967227 DOI: 10.3390/v15020369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2022] [Revised: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Junín virus (JUNV), a member of the family Arenaviridae, is the etiological agent of the Argentine hemorrhagic fever, an endemic disease in the rural region of Argentina lacking a specific chemotherapy. Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) is expressed in several mammalian tissues and has been indicated as a sensor of ligands from variable sources and a modulator of the cell immune response. Interestingly, recent studies have suggested that the activation or depression of the AHR signaling pathway may play a role in the outcome of diverse human viral infections. In the present report, the effect of the pharmacological modulation of AHR on JUNV in vitro infection was analyzed. An initial microarray screening showed that the AHR pathway was overexpressed in JUNV-infected hepatic cells. Concomitantly, the infection of Vero and Huh-7 cells with the JUNV strains IV4454 and Candid#1 was significantly inhibited in a dose-dependent manner by treatment with CH223191, a specific AHR antagonist, as detected by infectivity assays, real-time RT-PCR and immunofluorescence detection of viral proteins. Furthermore, the pro-viral role of AHR in JUNV infection appears to be independent of the IFN-I pathway. Our findings support the promising perspectives of the pharmacological modulation of AHR as a potential target for the control of AHF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel Angel Pelaez
- Laboratory of Antiviral Strategies, Biochemistry Department, School of Sciences, University of Buenos Aires, IQUIBICEN, University of Buenos Aires/Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Buenos Aires 1428, Argentina
| | - María Florencia Torti
- Laboratory of Antiviral Strategies, Biochemistry Department, School of Sciences, University of Buenos Aires, IQUIBICEN, University of Buenos Aires/Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Buenos Aires 1428, Argentina
| | - Aaron Ezequiel Alvarez De Lauro
- Laboratory of Antiviral Strategies, Biochemistry Department, School of Sciences, University of Buenos Aires, IQUIBICEN, University of Buenos Aires/Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Buenos Aires 1428, Argentina
| | - Agostina Belén Marquez
- Laboratory of Antiviral Strategies, Biochemistry Department, School of Sciences, University of Buenos Aires, IQUIBICEN, University of Buenos Aires/Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Buenos Aires 1428, Argentina
| | - Federico Giovannoni
- Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Elsa Beatriz Damonte
- Laboratory of Antiviral Strategies, Biochemistry Department, School of Sciences, University of Buenos Aires, IQUIBICEN, University of Buenos Aires/Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Buenos Aires 1428, Argentina
- Correspondence: (E.B.D.); (C.C.G.)
| | - Cybele Carina García
- Laboratory of Antiviral Strategies, Biochemistry Department, School of Sciences, University of Buenos Aires, IQUIBICEN, University of Buenos Aires/Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Buenos Aires 1428, Argentina
- Correspondence: (E.B.D.); (C.C.G.)
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Westover JB, Naik S, Bailey KW, Wandersee L, Gantla VR, Hickerson BT, McCormack K, Henkel G, Gowen BB. Severe mammarenaviral disease in guinea pigs effectively treated by an orally bioavailable fusion inhibitor, alone or in combination with favipiravir. Antiviral Res 2022; 208:105444. [PMID: 36243175 PMCID: PMC10187609 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2022.105444] [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] [Revised: 10/05/2022] [Accepted: 10/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Infections by pathogenic New World mammarenaviruses (NWM)s, including Junín virus (JUNV), can result in a severe life-threatening viral hemorrhagic fever syndrome. In the absence of FDA-licensed vaccines or antivirals, these viruses are considered high priority pathogens. The mammarenavirus envelope glycoprotein complex (GPC) mediates pH-dependent fusion between viral and cellular membranes, which is essential to viral entry and may be vulnerable to small-molecule inhibitors that disrupt this process. ARN-75039 is a potent fusion inhibitor of a broad spectrum of pseudotyped and native mammarenaviruses in cell culture and Tacaribe virus infection in mice. In the present study, we evaluated ARN-75039 against pathogenic JUNV in the rigorous guinea pig infection model. The compound was well-tolerated and had favorable pharmacokinetics supporting once-per-day oral dosing in guinea pigs. Importantly, significant protection against JUNV challenge was observed even when ARN-75039 was withheld until 6 days after the viral challenge when clinical signs of disease are starting to develop. We also show that ARN-75039 combination treatment with favipiravir, a viral polymerase inhibitor, results in synergistic activity in vitro and improves survival outcomes in JUNV-challenged guinea pigs. Our findings support the continued development of ARN-75039 as an attractive therapeutic candidate for treating mammarenaviral hemorrhagic fevers, including those associated with NWM infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonna B Westover
- Institute for Antiviral Research, Department of Animal, Dairy and Veterinary Sciences, Utah State University, Logan, UT, USA
| | | | - Kevin W Bailey
- Institute for Antiviral Research, Department of Animal, Dairy and Veterinary Sciences, Utah State University, Logan, UT, USA
| | - Luci Wandersee
- Institute for Antiviral Research, Department of Animal, Dairy and Veterinary Sciences, Utah State University, Logan, UT, USA
| | | | - Brady T Hickerson
- Institute for Antiviral Research, Department of Animal, Dairy and Veterinary Sciences, Utah State University, Logan, UT, USA
| | | | | | - Brian B Gowen
- Institute for Antiviral Research, Department of Animal, Dairy and Veterinary Sciences, Utah State University, Logan, UT, USA.
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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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Joseph AA, Fasipe OJ, Joseph OA, Olatunji OA. Contemporary and emerging pharmacotherapeutic agents for the treatment of Lassa viral haemorrhagic fever disease. J Antimicrob Chemother 2022; 77:1525-1531. [PMID: 35296886 DOI: 10.1093/jac/dkac064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
This review was designed to discuss the emerging and current pharmacotherapeutic agents for the treatment of Lassa viral haemorrhagic fever disease (LVHFD), also known as Lassa fever (LF). Original peer-reviewed articles that investigated LF were identified using the Medline Entrez-PubMed search. Information was also sourced from printed textbooks and reports by recognized health professional bodies such as the WHO, CDC, the Nigerian Federal Ministry of Health and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). A total of 103 articles were reviewed and 78 were found to contain information relevant to the study. LF remains an endemic disease of public health concern in the West Africa region, and in the rest of the world as cases have been imported into non-endemic regions as well. Currently, there are no approved vaccines or therapeutics for the treatment of Lassa mammarenavirus (LASV) infection. There are, however, off-label therapeutics being used (ribavirin and convalescent plasma) whose efficacy is suboptimal. Research is still ongoing on possible therapeutic options and drug repurposing of therapeutic agents currently in use for other clinical conditions. Considered therapeutic options include favipiravir, taribavirin, Arevirumab-3 and experimental drugs such as losmapimod, adamantyl diphenyl piperazine 3.3, Arbidol (umifenovir) and decanoyl-RRLL-chloromethyl ketone (dec-RRLL-CMK). Current treatments for LF are limited, hence the institution of mitigating measures to prevent infection is of utmost importance and should be prioritized, especially in endemic regions. Heightened searches for other therapeutic options with greater efficacy and lower toxicity are still ongoing, as well as for vaccines as the absence of these classifies the disease as a priority disease of high public health impact.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Olumuyiwa John Fasipe
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Medical Sciences, Ondo, Nigeria
| | | | - Olalekan Aliu Olatunji
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria
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