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Jiang X, Song Y, Fang J, Yang X, Mu S, Zhang J. Neuroprotective effect of Vesatolimod in an experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis mice model. Int Immunopharmacol 2023; 116:109717. [PMID: 36738672 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2023.109717] [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: 10/14/2022] [Revised: 12/27/2022] [Accepted: 01/08/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Multiple sclerosis is a chronic demyelinating autoimmune disease accompanied by inflammation and loss of axons and neurons. Toll-like receptors play crucial roles in the innate immune system and inflammation. However, few studies have explored the specific effects of toll-like receptor 7 signaling pathway in multiple sclerosis. To explore underlying effects to develop a new therapeutic target, we use Vesatolimod, a safe and well-tolerated agonist of toll-like receptor 7, to assess the possible effects in Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) animal model. METHODS EAE animal model was induced by injection of MOG35-55 and monitored daily for clinical symptoms, and the treatment group was given Vesatolimod at the onset of illness. The therapeutic effects of Vesatolimod on EAE inflammation, demyelination, CD107b cells and T cells infiltration, and microglia activation was evaluated. Autophagy within the spinal cords of EAE mice was also preliminarily assessed. RESULTS Treatment with Vesatolimod significantly alleviated clinical symptoms of EAE from day 18 post-immunization and decreased the expression levels of inflammatory cytokines, particularly Eotaxin and IL-12 (P40), in peripheral blood. It also inhibited demyelination in spinal cords. Moreover, VES treatment reduced activation of microglia, infiltration of CD3 + T cells and CD107b + cells, as well as inhibited the autophagy-related proteins expression in the spinal cords of EAE mice. CONCLUSION Our results indicate that Vesatolimod exhibits protective effects on EAE mice and is promising for treatment of MS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xian Jiang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Health Science Center, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518055, Guangdong, China
| | - Yifan Song
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Health Science Center, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518055, Guangdong, China
| | - Jie Fang
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Health Science Center, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518055, Guangdong, China
| | - Xiaosheng Yang
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Health Science Center, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518055, Guangdong, China
| | - Shuhua Mu
- School of Psychology, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, Guangdong, China.
| | - Jian Zhang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Health Science Center, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518055, Guangdong, China.
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Wu LS, Hu Y, Gane EJ, Slaets L, De Creus A, Ding Y, Niu J, Schwabe C, Goeyvaerts N, Xu Z, Huo D, Tuefferd M, Verbrugge I, Van Remoortere P, Schwertschlag U, Vandenbossche J. Population pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic models of JNJ-64794964, a toll-like receptor 7 agonist, in healthy adult participants. Antivir Ther 2023; 28:13596535231151626. [PMID: 36691849 DOI: 10.1177/13596535231151626] [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] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND JNJ-4964 is a TLR7 agonist, which, via a type I interferon (IFN)-dependent mechanism, may enhance host immunity suppressed by persistent exposure to hepatitis B antigens in chronic hepatitis B. METHODS PK and PD data were pooled from 2 studies involving 90 participants (n = 74 JNJ-4964, dose range 0.2-1.8 mg; n = 16 placebo) in a fasted state. Food effects on PK were studied in 24 participants (1.2 or 1.25 mg). A population PK model and PK/PD models were developed to characterize the effect of JNJ-4964 plasma levels on the time course of IFN-α, IFN-γ-inducible protein 10 (IP-10 or CXCL10), IFN-stimulated gene 15 (ISG15), neopterin and lymphocytes following single and weekly dosing in healthy adults. Covariate effects, circadian rhythms and negative feedback were incorporated in the models. RESULTS A 3-compartment linear PK model with transit absorption adequately described JNJ-4964 PK. Bioavailability was 44.2% in fed state relative to fasted conditions. Indirect response models with maximum effect (Emax) stimulation on production rate constant (kin) described IFN-α, IP-10, ISG15 and neopterin, while a precursor-dependent indirect response model with inhibitory effect described the transient lymphocyte reduction. Emax, EC50 and γ (steepness) estimates varied according to PD markers, with EC50 displaying substantial between-subject variability. Female and Asian race exhibited lower EC50, suggesting higher responsiveness. CONCLUSIONS PK/PD models well characterized the time course of immune system markers in healthy adults. Our results supported sex and race as covariates on JNJ-4964 responsiveness, as well as circadian rhythms and negative feedback as homeostatic mechanisms that are relevant in TLR7-induced type I IFN responses.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Yue Hu
- 117971The First Hospital of Jilin University, Department of Hepatology, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Edward J Gane
- New Zealand Liver Transplant Unit, Auckland City Hospital and University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Leen Slaets
- Janssen Research & Development, 50148Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, Beerse, Belgium
| | - An De Creus
- Janssen Research & Development, 50148Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, Beerse, Belgium
| | - Yanhua Ding
- 117971The First Hospital of Jilin University, Department of Hepatology, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Junqi Niu
- 117971The First Hospital of Jilin University, Department of Hepatology, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Christian Schwabe
- Auckland Clinical Studies, New Zealand Clinical Research, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Nele Goeyvaerts
- Janssen Research & Development, 50148Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, Beerse, Belgium
| | - Zhongnan Xu
- Chia Tai-Tianqing Pharmaceutical Group Co., Ltd, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Dandan Huo
- Chia Tai-Tianqing Pharmaceutical Group Co., Ltd, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Marianne Tuefferd
- Janssen Research & Development, 50148Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, Beerse, Belgium
| | - Inge Verbrugge
- Janssen Research & Development, 50148Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, Beerse, Belgium
| | | | | | - Joris Vandenbossche
- Janssen Research & Development, 50148Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, Beerse, Belgium
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Lee G, Kang HR, Kim A, Park JH, Lee MJ, Kim SM. Antiviral effect of vesatolimod (GS-9620) against foot-and-mouth disease virus both in vitro and invivo. Antiviral Res 2022; 205:105384. [PMID: 35863499 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2022.105384] [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: 04/01/2022] [Revised: 06/10/2022] [Accepted: 07/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is an acute contagious disease of cloven-hoofed animals such as cows, pigs, sheep, and deer. The current emergency FMD vaccines, to induce early protection, have limited use, as their protective effect in pigs does not begin until 7 days after vaccination. Therefore, the use of antiviral agents would be required for reducing the spread of foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) during outbreaks. Vesatolimod (GS-9620), a toll-like receptor 7 agonist, is an antiviral agent against various human disease-causing viruses. However, its antiviral effect against FMDV has not been reported yet. The aim of this study was to investigate the antiviral effects of GS-9620 against FMDV both in vitro and in vivo. The inhibitory effect of GS-9620 on FMDV in swine cells involved the induction of porcine interferon (IFN)-α and upregulation of interferon-simulated genes. Protective effect in mice injected with GS-9620 against FMDV was maintained for 5 days after injection, and cytokines such as IFN-γ, interleukin (IL)-12, IL-6, and IFN-γ inducible protein-10 could be detected following the treatment with GS-9620. Furthermore, the combination of GS-9620 with an FMD-inactivated vaccine was found to be highly effective for early protection in mice. Overall, we suggest GS-9620 as a novel and effective antiviral agent for controlling FMDV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gyeongmin Lee
- Center for Foot-and-Mouth Disease Vaccine Research, Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, 177 Hyeoksin 8-ro, Gimcheon-City, Gyeongsangbuk-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyo Rin Kang
- Center for Foot-and-Mouth Disease Vaccine Research, Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, 177 Hyeoksin 8-ro, Gimcheon-City, Gyeongsangbuk-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Aro Kim
- Center for Foot-and-Mouth Disease Vaccine Research, Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, 177 Hyeoksin 8-ro, Gimcheon-City, Gyeongsangbuk-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Jong-Hyeon Park
- Center for Foot-and-Mouth Disease Vaccine Research, Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, 177 Hyeoksin 8-ro, Gimcheon-City, Gyeongsangbuk-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Min Ja Lee
- Center for Foot-and-Mouth Disease Vaccine Research, Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, 177 Hyeoksin 8-ro, Gimcheon-City, Gyeongsangbuk-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Su-Mi Kim
- Center for Foot-and-Mouth Disease Vaccine Research, Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, 177 Hyeoksin 8-ro, Gimcheon-City, Gyeongsangbuk-do, Republic of Korea.
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Girkin JLN, Maltby S, Bartlett NW. Toll-like receptor-agonist-based therapies for respiratory viral diseases: thinking outside the cell. Eur Respir Rev 2022; 31:31/164/210274. [PMID: 35508333 PMCID: PMC9488969 DOI: 10.1183/16000617.0274-2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2021] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Respiratory virus infections initiate in the upper respiratory tract (URT). Innate immunity is critical for initial control of infection at this site, particularly in the absence of mucosal virus-neutralising antibodies. If the innate immune response is inadequate, infection can spread to the lower respiratory tract (LRT) causing community-acquired pneumonia (as exemplified by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)/coronavirus disease 2019). Vaccines for respiratory viruses (influenza and SARS-CoV-2) leverage systemic adaptive immunity to protect from severe lung disease. However, the URT remains vulnerable to infection, enabling viral transmission and posing an ongoing risk of severe disease in populations that lack effective adaptive immunity. Innate immunity is triggered by host cell recognition of viral pathogen-associated molecular patterns via molecular sensors such as Toll-like receptors (TLRs). Here we review the role of TLRs in respiratory viral infections and the potential of TLR-targeted treatments to enhance airway antiviral immunity to limit progression to severe LRT disease and reduce person-to-person viral transmission. By considering cellular localisation and antiviral mechanisms of action and treatment route/timing, we propose that cell surface TLR agonist therapies are a viable strategy for preventing respiratory viral diseases by providing immediate, durable pan-viral protection within the URT. Respiratory virus infections are a significant disease burden and new treatment options are required. Treatments that stimulate innate immunity in the upper respiratory tract by targeting Toll-like receptors may provide rapid, pan-viral protection.https://bit.ly/3BNH2Em
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason L N Girkin
- Viral Immunology and Respiratory Disease Group, University of Newcastle and Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, Australia.,Priority Research Centre for Healthy Lungs, University of Newcastle and Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, Australia
| | - Steven Maltby
- Priority Research Centre for Healthy Lungs, University of Newcastle and Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, Australia
| | - Nathan W Bartlett
- Viral Immunology and Respiratory Disease Group, University of Newcastle and Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, Australia .,Priority Research Centre for Healthy Lungs, University of Newcastle and Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, Australia
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Michelet M, Alfaiate D, Chardès B, Pons C, Faure-Dupuy S, Engleitner T, Farhat R, Riedl T, Legrand AF, Rad R, Rivoire M, Zoulim F, Heikenwälder M, Salvetti A, Durantel D, Lucifora J. Inducers of the NF-κB pathways impair hepatitis delta virus replication and strongly decrease progeny infectivity in vitro. JHEP Rep 2022; 4:100415. [PMID: 35141510 PMCID: PMC8792426 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhepr.2021.100415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2021] [Revised: 11/03/2021] [Accepted: 12/02/2021] [Indexed: 10/26/2022] Open
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Gao Y, Nepal N, Jin SZ. Toll-like receptors and hepatitis C virus infection. Hepatobiliary Pancreat Dis Int 2021; 20:521-529. [PMID: 34419367 DOI: 10.1016/j.hbpd.2021.07.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2020] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a worldwide issue. However, the current treatment for hepatitis C has many shortcomings. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are pattern recognition receptors involved in HCV infection, and an increasing number of studies are focusing on the role of TLRs in the progression of hepatitis C. DATA SOURCES We performed a PubMed search up to January 2021 with the following keywords: hepatitis C, toll-like receptors, interferons, inflammation, and immune evasion. We also used terms such as single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), susceptibility, fibrosis, cirrhosis, direct-acting antiviral agents, agonists, and antagonists to supplement the query results. We reviewed relevant publications analyzing the correlation between hepatitis C and TLRs and the role of TLRs in HCV infection. RESULTS TLRs 1-4 and 6-9 are involved in the process of HCV infection. When the host is exposed to the HCV, TLRs, as important participants in HCV immune evasion, trigger innate immunity to remove the virus and also promote inflammation and liver fibrosis. TLR gene SNPs affect hepatitis C susceptibility, treatment, and prognosis. The contribution of each TLR to HCV is different. Drugs targeting various TLRs are developed and validated, and TLRs can synergize with classic hepatitis C drugs, including interferon and direct-acting antiviral agents, constituting a new direction for the treatment of hepatitis C. CONCLUSIONS TLRs are important receptors in HCV infection. Different TLRs induce different mechanisms of virus clearance and inflammatory response. Although TLR-related antiviral therapy strategies exist, more studies are needed to explore the clinical application of TLR-related drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Gao
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150086, China
| | - Narayan Nepal
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150086, China
| | - Shi-Zhu Jin
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150086, China.
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Hennessy C, McKernan DP. Anti-Viral Pattern Recognition Receptors as Therapeutic Targets. Cells 2021; 10:cells10092258. [PMID: 34571909 PMCID: PMC8466445 DOI: 10.3390/cells10092258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2021] [Revised: 08/26/2021] [Accepted: 08/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) play a central role in the inflammation that ensues following microbial infection by their recognition of molecular patterns present in invading microorganisms but also following tissue damage by recognising molecules released during disease states. Such receptors are expressed in a variety of cells and in various compartments of these cells. PRR binding of molecular patterns results in an intracellular signalling cascade and the eventual activation of transcription factors and the release of cytokines, chemokines, and vasoactive molecules. PRRs and their accessory molecules are subject to tight regulation in these cells so as to not overreact or react in unnecessary circumstances. They are also key to reacting to infection and in stimulating the immune system when needed. Therefore, targeting PRRs offers a potential therapeutic approach for chronic inflammatory disease, infections and as vaccine adjuvants. In this review, the current knowledge on anti-viral PRRs and their signalling pathways is reviewed. Finally, compounds that target PRRs and that have been tested in clinical trials for chronic infections and as adjuvants in vaccine trials are discussed.
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Janovec V, Hodek J, Clarova K, Hofman T, Dostalik P, Fronek J, Chlupac J, Chaperot L, Durand S, Baumert TF, Pichova I, Lubyova B, Hirsch I, Weber J. Toll-like receptor dual-acting agonists are potent inducers of PBMC-produced cytokines that inhibit hepatitis B virus production in primary human hepatocytes. Sci Rep 2020; 10:12767. [PMID: 32728070 PMCID: PMC7392756 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-69614-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2020] [Accepted: 07/09/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Recombinant interferon-α (IFN-α) treatment functionally cures chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in some individuals and suppresses virus replication in hepatocytes infected in vitro. We studied the antiviral effect of conditioned media (CM) from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) stimulated with agonists of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) 2, 7, 8 and 9. We found that CM from PBMCs stimulated with dual-acting TLR7/8 (R848) and TLR2/7 (CL413) agonists were more potent drivers of inhibition of HBe and HBs antigen secretion from HBV-infected primary human hepatocytes (PHH) than CM from PBMCs stimulated with single-acting TLR7 (CL264) or TLR9 (CpG-B) agonists. Inhibition of HBV in PHH did not correlate with the quantity of PBMC-produced IFN-α, but it was a complex function of multiple secreted cytokines. More importantly, we found that the CM that efficiently inhibited HBV production in freshly isolated PHH via various cytokine repertoires and mechanisms did not reduce covalently closed circular (ccc)DNA levels. We confirmed our data with a cell culture model based on HepG2-NTCP cells and the plasmacytoid dendritic cell line GEN2.2. Collectively, our data show the importance of dual-acting TLR agonists inducing broad cytokine repertoires. The development of poly-specific TLR agonists provides novel opportunities towards functional HBV cure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vaclav Janovec
- Department of Genetics and Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, BIOCEV, 25150, Vestec, Czech Republic.,IOCB & Gilead Research Center, Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Science, 16610, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Hodek
- IOCB & Gilead Research Center, Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Science, 16610, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Kamila Clarova
- IOCB & Gilead Research Center, Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Science, 16610, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Tomas Hofman
- Department of Genetics and Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, BIOCEV, 25150, Vestec, Czech Republic.,IOCB & Gilead Research Center, Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Science, 16610, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Pavel Dostalik
- Department of Genetics and Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, BIOCEV, 25150, Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Jiri Fronek
- Transplantation Surgery Department, Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, 14021, Prague, Czech Republic.,Department of Anatomy, Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, 15006, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Jaroslav Chlupac
- Transplantation Surgery Department, Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, 14021, Prague, Czech Republic.,Department of Anatomy, Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, 15006, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Laurence Chaperot
- CNRS UMR5309, Inserm U1209, CHU Grenoble Alpes, IAB, EFS, Université Grenoble Alpes, 38000, Grenoble, France
| | - Sarah Durand
- Inserm, Institut de Recherche Sur Les Maladies Virales Et Hepatiques UMRS 1110, Universite de Strasbourg, 67000, Strasbourg, France
| | - Thomas F Baumert
- Inserm, Institut de Recherche Sur Les Maladies Virales Et Hepatiques UMRS 1110, Universite de Strasbourg, 67000, Strasbourg, France.,Pole Hepato-Digestif, Institut Hospitalo-Universitaire, Hopitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg, 67000, Strasbourg, France
| | - Iva Pichova
- IOCB & Gilead Research Center, Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Science, 16610, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Barbora Lubyova
- IOCB & Gilead Research Center, Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Science, 16610, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Ivan Hirsch
- Department of Genetics and Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, BIOCEV, 25150, Vestec, Czech Republic. .,IOCB & Gilead Research Center, Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Science, 16610, Prague, Czech Republic. .,Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, 14220, Prague, Czech Republic.
| | - Jan Weber
- IOCB & Gilead Research Center, Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Science, 16610, Prague, Czech Republic.
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Takahama S, Yamamoto T. Pattern Recognition Receptor Ligands as an Emerging Therapeutic Agent for Latent HIV-1 Infection. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2020; 10:216. [PMID: 32457851 PMCID: PMC7225283 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2020.00216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2020] [Accepted: 04/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Toll-like receptors (TLRs) were first identified as molecular sensors that transduce signals from specific structural patterns derived from pathogens; their underlying molecular mechanisms of recognition and signal transduction are well-understood. To date, more than 20 pattern-recognition receptors (PRRs) have been reported in humans, some of which are membrane-bound, similar to TLRs, whereas others are cytosolic, including retinoic acid-inducible gene-I (RIG-I)-like receptors (RLRs), nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain (NOD)-like receptors (NLRs), and stimulator of interferon genes (STING). Clinically, PRR ligands have been developed as vaccine adjuvants to activate innate immunity and enhance subsequent antigen-specific immune responses. Recently, PRR ligands have been used as direct immunostimulators to enhance immune responses against infectious diseases and cancers. HIV-1 remains one of the world's most significant public health challenges. Without the elimination of HIV-1 latently infected cells, patients require lifelong combination antiretroviral therapy (cART), while research aimed at a functional cure for HIV-1 infection continues. Based on the concept of "shock and kill," a latency-reversing agent (LRA) has been developed to reactivate latently infected cells and induce cell death. However, previous research has shown that LRAs have limited efficacy in the eradication of these reservoirs in vivo. Besides, PRR ligands with anti-retroviral drugs have been developed for use in HIV treatment for these years. This mini-review summarizes the current understanding of the role of PRR ligands in AIDS research, suggests directions for future research, and proposes potential clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shokichi Takahama
- Laboratory of Immunosenescence, National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition, Osaka, Japan
| | - Takuya Yamamoto
- Laboratory of Immunosenescence, National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition, Osaka, Japan
- Laboratory of Aging and Immune Regulation, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
- Joint Research Center for Human Retrovirus Infection, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
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10
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McKernan DP. Pattern recognition receptors as potential drug targets in inflammatory disorders. ADVANCES IN PROTEIN CHEMISTRY AND STRUCTURAL BIOLOGY 2019; 119:65-109. [PMID: 31997773 DOI: 10.1016/bs.apcsb.2019.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) are a key part of the innate immune system, the body's first line of defense against infection and tissue damage. This superfamily of receptors including Toll-like receptors (TLRs), NOD-like receptors (NLRs), C-type lectin-like receptors (CLRs) and RIG-like receptors (RLRs) are responsible for initiation of the inflammatory response by their recognition of molecular patterns present in invading microorganisms (such as bacteria, viruses or fungi) during infection or in molecules released following tissue damage during acute or chronic disease states (such as sepsis or arthritis). These receptors are widely expressed and located on the cell surface, in intracellular compartments or in the cytoplasm can detect a single or subset of molecules including lipoproteins, carbohydrates or nucleic acids. In response, they initiate an intracellular signaling cascade that culminates in the synthesis and release of cytokines, chemokines and vasoactive molecules. These steps are necessary to maintain tissue homeostasis and remove potentially dangerous pathogens. However, during extreme or acute responses or during chronic disease, this can be damaging and even lead to death. Therefore, it is thought that targeting such receptors may offer a therapeutic approach in chronic inflammatory diseases or in cases of acute infection leading to sepsis. Herein, the current knowledge on the molecular biology of PRRs is reviewed along with their association with inflammatory and infectious diseases. Finally, the testing of therapeutic compounds and their future merit as targets is discussed.
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Agarwal K, Ahn SH, Elkhashab M, Lau AH, Gaggar A, Bulusu A, Tian X, Cathcart AL, Woo J, Subramanian GM, Andreone P, Kim HJ, Chuang WL, Nguyen MH. Safety and efficacy of vesatolimod (GS-9620) in patients with chronic hepatitis B who are not currently on antiviral treatment. J Viral Hepat 2018; 25:1331-1340. [PMID: 29851204 DOI: 10.1111/jvh.12942] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2018] [Accepted: 05/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Vesatolimod is an oral agonist of toll-like receptor 7 designed to minimize systemic exposure and side effects. We assessed the safety and efficacy of vesatolimod in viremic chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients not currently on oral antiviral treatment (OAV) in a phase 2, multicentre, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study. A total of 192 patients stratified by HBeAg status and alanine aminotransferase level were randomized 2:2:2:1 to receive oral vesatolimod (1-, 2- or 4-mg) or placebo once weekly for 12 weeks; tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (300-mg daily) was administered daily for 48 weeks. Efficacy was assessed by quantitative serum HBsAg decline at Week 24 from baseline. In addition to safety assessments, changes in whole-blood interferon-stimulated gene (ISG) transcripts and serum cytokines were explored. Most patients were male (64.1%) and HBeAg-negative (60.9%) at baseline. Among vesatolimod-treated patients, most (60.4%-69.1%) experienced ≥1 treatment-emergent adverse event; the majority were mild or moderate in severity. No clinically meaningful differences in HBsAg changes from baseline were observed between treatment groups. No patients experienced HBsAg loss, while 3 patients experienced HBeAg loss and hepatitis B e-antibody seroconversion at week 48. HBV DNA suppression rates were similar across all treatment arms at Week 24. ISG15 induction was dose-dependent and did not correlate with HBsAg changes. A small proportion of patients exhibited dose-dependent interferon-α induction that correlated with grade of influenza-like adverse events. Overall, vesatolimod is safe and well tolerated in CHB patients. Although consistent dose-dependent pharmacodynamic induction of ISGs was demonstrated, it did not result in clinically significant HBsAg decline.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Agarwal
- Institute of Liver Studies, Kings College Hospital, London, UK
| | - S H Ahn
- Brain Korea 21 Project of Medical Science, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | | | - A H Lau
- Gilead Sciences, Inc., Foster City, CA, USA
| | - A Gaggar
- Gilead Sciences, Inc., Foster City, CA, USA
| | - A Bulusu
- Gilead Sciences, Inc., Foster City, CA, USA
| | - X Tian
- Gilead Sciences, Inc., Foster City, CA, USA
| | | | - J Woo
- Gilead Sciences, Inc., Foster City, CA, USA
| | | | - P Andreone
- Center for the Study and Research on Hepatitis, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - H J Kim
- Chung-Ang University Hospital, Seoul, South Korea
| | - W L Chuang
- Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - M H Nguyen
- Stanford University Medical Center, Palo Alto, CA, USA
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12
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Carmona-Martínez V, Ruiz-Alcaraz AJ, Vera M, Guirado A, Martínez-Esparza M, García-Peñarrubia P. Therapeutic potential of pteridine derivatives: A comprehensive review. Med Res Rev 2018; 39:461-516. [PMID: 30341778 DOI: 10.1002/med.21529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2018] [Revised: 07/07/2018] [Accepted: 07/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Pteridines are aromatic compounds formed by fused pyrazine and pyrimidine rings. Many living organisms synthesize pteridines, where they act as pigments, enzymatic cofactors, or immune system activation molecules. This variety of biological functions has motivated the synthesis of a huge number of pteridine derivatives with the aim of studying their therapeutic potential. This review gathers the state-of-the-art of pteridine derivatives, describing their biological activities and molecular targets. The antitumor activity of pteridine-based compounds is one of the most studied and advanced therapeutic potentials, for which several molecular targets have been identified. Nevertheless, pteridines are also considered as very promising therapeutics for the treatment of chronic inflammation-related diseases. On the other hand, many pteridine derivatives have been tested for antimicrobial activities but, although some of them resulted to be active in preliminary assays, a deeper research is needed in this area. Moreover, pteridines may be of use in the treatment of many other diseases, such as diabetes, osteoporosis, ischemia, or neurodegeneration, among others. Thus, the diversity of the biological activities shown by these compounds highlights the promising therapeutic use of pteridine derivatives. Indeed, methotrexate, pralatrexate, and triamterene are Food and Drug Administration approved pteridines, while many others are currently under study in clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Violeta Carmona-Martínez
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Biología Molecular (B) e Inmunología, Facultad de Medicina, IMIB and Regional Campus of International Excellence "Campus Mare Nostrum," Universidad de Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - Antonio J Ruiz-Alcaraz
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Biología Molecular (B) e Inmunología, Facultad de Medicina, IMIB and Regional Campus of International Excellence "Campus Mare Nostrum," Universidad de Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - María Vera
- Departamento de Química Orgánica, Universidad de Murcia, Campus de Espinardo, Murcia, Spain
| | - Antonio Guirado
- Departamento de Química Orgánica, Universidad de Murcia, Campus de Espinardo, Murcia, Spain
| | - María Martínez-Esparza
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Biología Molecular (B) e Inmunología, Facultad de Medicina, IMIB and Regional Campus of International Excellence "Campus Mare Nostrum," Universidad de Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - Pilar García-Peñarrubia
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Biología Molecular (B) e Inmunología, Facultad de Medicina, IMIB and Regional Campus of International Excellence "Campus Mare Nostrum," Universidad de Murcia, Murcia, Spain
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13
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Faure-Dupuy S, Durantel D, Lucifora J. Liver macrophages: Friend or foe during hepatitis B infection? Liver Int 2018; 38:1718-1729. [PMID: 29772112 DOI: 10.1111/liv.13884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2018] [Accepted: 05/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The Hepatitis B virus chronically infects the liver of 250 million people worldwide. Over the past decades, major advances have been made in the understanding of Hepatitis B virus life cycle in hepatocytes. Beside these parenchymal cells, the liver also contains resident and infiltrating myeloid cells involved in immune responses to pathogens and much less is known about their interplay with Hepatitis B virus. In this review, we summarized and discussed the current knowledge of the role of liver macrophages (including Kupffer cells and liver monocyte-derived macrophages), in HBV infection. While it is still unclear if liver macrophages play a role in the establishment and persistence of HBV infection, several studies disclosed data suggesting that HBV would favour liver macrophage anti-inflammatory phenotypes and thereby increase liver tolerance. In addition, alternatively activated liver macrophages might also play in the long term a key role in hepatitis B-associated pathogenesis, especially through the activation of hepatic stellate cells. Therapies aiming at a transient activation of pro-inflammatory liver macrophages should therefore be considered for the treatment of chronic HBV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suzanne Faure-Dupuy
- INSERM U1052, CNRS UMR-5286, Cancer Research Center of Lyon (CRCL), Lyon, France.,University of Lyon, University Claude-Bernard (UCBL), Lyon, France
| | - David Durantel
- INSERM U1052, CNRS UMR-5286, Cancer Research Center of Lyon (CRCL), Lyon, France.,University of Lyon, University Claude-Bernard (UCBL), Lyon, France.,Laboratoire d'excellence (LabEx), DEVweCAN, Lyon, France
| | - Julie Lucifora
- INSERM U1052, CNRS UMR-5286, Cancer Research Center of Lyon (CRCL), Lyon, France.,University of Lyon, University Claude-Bernard (UCBL), Lyon, France
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14
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Li W, Zhang J, Wang Y, Hu F, Zhang Y. Metabolism of vesatolimod in rat, dog, and human liver microsomes: Metabolic stability assessment, metabolite identification, and interspecies comparison. Drug Test Anal 2018; 11:240-249. [PMID: 30129284 DOI: 10.1002/dta.2483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2018] [Revised: 07/24/2018] [Accepted: 08/08/2018] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Vesatolimod (GS-9620) is an agonist of toll-like receptor (TLR7) 7, which has been developed as an anti-hepatitis B virus (HBV) agent. The focus of the present study is on the metabolic stability evaluation and metabolite identification of GS-9620 in rat, dog, and human liver microsomes, as well as interspecies comparison. The average observed in vitro T1/2 values were 3.06, 13.06, and 15.56 minutes in rat, dog, and human liver microsomes, respectively. The findings suggested that GS-9620 was rapidly metabolized in the presence of reductive nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) in rat liver microsomes (RLM), and moderately metabolized in dog liver microsomes (DLM) and human liver microsomes (HLM). Subsequently, the metabolites were characterized using an ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled with linear ion trap orbitrap tandem mass spectrometer (UHPLC-LTQ-Orbitrap-MS) with dd-MS2 on-line data acquisition mode. Under the current conditions, a total of 18 metabolites were detected and their identities were proposed by comparing their accurate masses, fragmental ions, and retention times with those of GS-9620. Three metabolites (M2, M4, and M18) were authentically identified by using reference standards. In RLM, 16 metabolites were identified with M2 being the most abundant metabolite. M4, M5, and M9 were rat-specific. In DLM, 12 minor metabolites were identified with a dog-specific metabolite (M6). In HLM, GS-9620 showed similar metabolic profiles to that in DLM, and 11 minor metabolites were detected with M12 being human-specific. Based on the identified metabolites, the metabolic pathways of GS-9620 were proposed, including hydroxylation, bis-hydroxylation, dehydrogenation, and oxidative deamination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen Li
- School of Pharmacy, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Jing Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Yanping Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Fangdi Hu
- School of Pharmacy, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Yinghua Zhang
- Department of Infection Management, Gansu Provincial Hospital, Lanzhou, 730000, China
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15
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Faure-Dupuy S, Vegna S, Aillot L, Dimier L, Esser K, Broxtermann M, Bonnin M, Bendriss-Vermare N, Rivoire M, Passot G, Lesurtel M, Mabrut JY, Ducerf C, Salvetti A, Protzer U, Zoulim F, Durantel D, Lucifora J. Characterization of Pattern Recognition Receptor Expression and Functionality in Liver Primary Cells and Derived Cell Lines. J Innate Immun 2018; 10:339-348. [PMID: 29975940 DOI: 10.1159/000489966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2018] [Accepted: 05/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Different liver cell types are endowed with immunological properties, including cell-intrinsic innate immune functions that are important to initially control pathogen infections. However, a full landscape of expression and functionality of the innate immune signaling pathways in the major human liver cells is still missing. In order to comparatively characterize these pathways, we purified primary human hepatocytes, hepatic stellate cells, liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSEC), and Kupffer cells (KC) from human liver resections. We assessed mRNA and protein expression level of the major innate immune sensors, as well as checkpoint-inhibitor ligands in the purified cells, and found Toll-like receptors (TLR), RIG-I-like receptors, as well as several DNA cytosolic sensors to be expressed in the liver microenvironment. Amongst the cells tested, KC were shown to be most broadly active upon stimulation with PRR ligands emphasizing their predominant role in innate immune sensing the liver microenvironment. By KC immortalization, we generated a cell line that retained higher innate immune functionality as compared to THP1 cells, which are routinely used to study monocyte/macrophages functions. Our findings and the establishment of the KC line will help to understand immune mechanisms behind antiviral effects of TLR agonists or checkpoint inhibitors, which are in current preclinical or clinical development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suzanne Faure-Dupuy
- INSERM, U1052, Cancer Research Center of Lyon (CRCL), University of Lyon (UCBL1), CNRS UMR_5286, Centre Léon Bérard (CLB), Lyon, France
| | - Serena Vegna
- INSERM, U1052, Cancer Research Center of Lyon (CRCL), University of Lyon (UCBL1), CNRS UMR_5286, Centre Léon Bérard (CLB), Lyon, France
| | - Ludovic Aillot
- INSERM, U1052, Cancer Research Center of Lyon (CRCL), University of Lyon (UCBL1), CNRS UMR_5286, Centre Léon Bérard (CLB), Lyon, France
| | - Laura Dimier
- INSERM, U1052, Cancer Research Center of Lyon (CRCL), University of Lyon (UCBL1), CNRS UMR_5286, Centre Léon Bérard (CLB), Lyon, France
| | - Knud Esser
- Institute of Virology, Technical University of Munich/Helmholtz Zentrum München, Munich, Germany
| | - Mathias Broxtermann
- Institute of Virology, Technical University of Munich/Helmholtz Zentrum München, Munich, Germany
| | - Marc Bonnin
- INSERM, U1052, Cancer Research Center of Lyon (CRCL), University of Lyon (UCBL1), CNRS UMR_5286, Centre Léon Bérard (CLB), Lyon, France
| | - Nathalie Bendriss-Vermare
- INSERM, U1052, Cancer Research Center of Lyon (CRCL), University of Lyon (UCBL1), CNRS UMR_5286, Centre Léon Bérard (CLB), Lyon, France
| | | | - Guillaume Passot
- Service de chirurgie viscérale et endocrinienne, Hospices Civils de Lyon (HCL), centre hospitalier Lyon-Sud, Lyon, France
| | - Mickaël Lesurtel
- Hopital de la Croix-Rousse, Groupement Hospitalier Nord, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - Jean-Yves Mabrut
- Hopital de la Croix-Rousse, Groupement Hospitalier Nord, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - Christian Ducerf
- Hopital de la Croix-Rousse, Groupement Hospitalier Nord, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - Anna Salvetti
- INSERM, U1052, Cancer Research Center of Lyon (CRCL), University of Lyon (UCBL1), CNRS UMR_5286, Centre Léon Bérard (CLB), Lyon, France
| | - Ulrike Protzer
- Institute of Virology, Technical University of Munich/Helmholtz Zentrum München, Munich, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Munich Partner Site, Munich, Germany
| | - Fabien Zoulim
- INSERM, U1052, Cancer Research Center of Lyon (CRCL), University of Lyon (UCBL1), CNRS UMR_5286, Centre Léon Bérard (CLB), Lyon, France.,Hopital de la Croix-Rousse, Groupement Hospitalier Nord, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Lyon, France.,DEVweCAN Laboratory of Excellence, Lyon, France
| | - David Durantel
- INSERM, U1052, Cancer Research Center of Lyon (CRCL), University of Lyon (UCBL1), CNRS UMR_5286, Centre Léon Bérard (CLB), Lyon, France.,DEVweCAN Laboratory of Excellence, Lyon, France
| | - Julie Lucifora
- INSERM, U1052, Cancer Research Center of Lyon (CRCL), University of Lyon (UCBL1), CNRS UMR_5286, Centre Léon Bérard (CLB), Lyon, France
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16
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Lucifora J, Bonnin M, Aillot L, Fusil F, Maadadi S, Dimier L, Michelet M, Floriot O, Ollivier A, Rivoire M, Ait-Goughoulte M, Daffis S, Fletcher SP, Salvetti A, Cosset FL, Zoulim F, Durantel D. Direct antiviral properties of TLR ligands against HBV replication in immune-competent hepatocytes. Sci Rep 2018; 8:5390. [PMID: 29599452 PMCID: PMC5876392 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-23525-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2017] [Accepted: 03/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Current therapies for chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections are effective at decreasing the viral load in serum, but do not lead to viral eradication. Recent studies highlighted the therapeutic or “adjuvant” potential of immune-modulators. Our aim was to explore the direct anti-HBV effect of Toll-Like-Receptors (TLR) agonists in hepatocytes. HBV-infected primary human hepatocytes (PHH) or differentiated HepaRG cells (dHepaRG) were treated with various TLR agonists. Amongst all TLR ligands tested, Pam3CSK4 (TLR1/2-ligand) and poly(I:C)-(HMW) (TLR3/MDA5-ligand) were the best at reducing all HBV parameters. No or little viral rebound was observed after treatment arrest, implying a long-lasting effect on cccDNA. We also tested Riboxxol that features improved TLR3 specificity compared to poly(I:C)-(HMW). This agonist demonstrated a potent antiviral effect in HBV-infected PHH. Whereas, poly(I:C)-(HMW) and Pam3CSK4 mainly induced the expression of classical genes from the interferon or NF-κB pathway respectively, Riboxxol had a mixed phenotype. Moreover, TLR2 and TLR3 ligands can activate hepatocytes and immune cells, as demonstrated by antiviral cytokines produced by stimulated hepatocytes and peripheral blood mononuclear cells. In conclusion, our data highlight the potential of innate immunity activation in the direct control of HBV replication in hepatocytes, and support the development of TLR-based antiviral strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie Lucifora
- INSERM, U1052, Cancer Research Center of Lyon (CRCL), Université de Lyon (UCBL1), CNRS UMR_5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon, France.
| | - Marc Bonnin
- INSERM, U1052, Cancer Research Center of Lyon (CRCL), Université de Lyon (UCBL1), CNRS UMR_5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon, France
| | - Ludovic Aillot
- INSERM, U1052, Cancer Research Center of Lyon (CRCL), Université de Lyon (UCBL1), CNRS UMR_5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon, France
| | - Floriane Fusil
- CIRI - International Center for Infectiology Research, Inserm, U1111, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, UMR5308, Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon, Univ Lyon, F-69007, Lyon, France
| | - Sarah Maadadi
- INSERM, U1052, Cancer Research Center of Lyon (CRCL), Université de Lyon (UCBL1), CNRS UMR_5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon, France
| | - Laura Dimier
- INSERM, U1052, Cancer Research Center of Lyon (CRCL), Université de Lyon (UCBL1), CNRS UMR_5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon, France
| | - Maud Michelet
- INSERM, U1052, Cancer Research Center of Lyon (CRCL), Université de Lyon (UCBL1), CNRS UMR_5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon, France
| | - Océane Floriot
- INSERM, U1052, Cancer Research Center of Lyon (CRCL), Université de Lyon (UCBL1), CNRS UMR_5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon, France
| | - Anaïs Ollivier
- CIRI - International Center for Infectiology Research, Inserm, U1111, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, UMR5308, Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon, Univ Lyon, F-69007, Lyon, France
| | | | - Malika Ait-Goughoulte
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development (pRED), Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche, 4070, Basel, Switzerland
| | | | | | - Anna Salvetti
- INSERM, U1052, Cancer Research Center of Lyon (CRCL), Université de Lyon (UCBL1), CNRS UMR_5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon, France
| | - François-Loïc Cosset
- CIRI - International Center for Infectiology Research, Inserm, U1111, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, UMR5308, Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon, Univ Lyon, F-69007, Lyon, France
| | - Fabien Zoulim
- INSERM, U1052, Cancer Research Center of Lyon (CRCL), Université de Lyon (UCBL1), CNRS UMR_5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon, France.,Department of Hepatology, Croix-Rousse Hospital, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - David Durantel
- INSERM, U1052, Cancer Research Center of Lyon (CRCL), Université de Lyon (UCBL1), CNRS UMR_5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon, France.
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17
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Janssen HLA, Brunetto MR, Kim YJ, Ferrari C, Massetto B, Nguyen AH, Joshi A, Woo J, Lau AH, Gaggar A, Subramanian GM, Yoshida EM, Ahn SH, Tsai NCS, Fung S, Gane EJ. Safety, efficacy and pharmacodynamics of vesatolimod (GS-9620) in virally suppressed patients with chronic hepatitis B. J Hepatol 2018; 68:431-440. [PMID: 29104121 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2017.10.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 132] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2017] [Revised: 10/16/2017] [Accepted: 10/25/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Vesatolimod (GS-9620) is an oral agonist of toll-like receptor 7, an activator of innate and adaptive immune responses. Herein the safety and efficacy of vesatolimod is assessed after once-weekly treatment in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) infection suppressed on oral antiviral treatment. METHODS In a phase II, double-blind, randomized, placebo (PBO)-controlled study, 162 patients stratified by hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) levels and serum hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) status were randomized 1:3:3:3 to once-weekly oral PBO or vesatolimod (1-, 2-, or 4-mg doses) for 4, 8 or 12 weeks per cohort. Efficacy was assessed by change in baseline HBsAg (log10 IU/ml) at the primary endpoint (Week 24). Safety assessments included adverse events (AE) and laboratory abnormality monitoring. Pharmacodynamic assessments included peripheral cytokine level quantification and interferon-stimulated gene (ISG) mRNA expression evaluation. RESULTS The majority of patients were male (76%) and HBeAg-negative (79%) at baseline. Most (41-80%) experienced ≥1 AE during the study with the majority of AEs mild or moderate in severity. No significant declines in HBsAg were observed at the primary (Week 24) or secondary endpoints (Weeks 4, 8, 12, and 48). ISG15 induction was dose-dependent and consistent after repeat dosing, returning closer to baseline by one week after treatment at all dose levels; no patient demonstrated significant serum interferon alpha (IFNα) expression at any timepoint evaluated. Multivariate analyses showed that ≥2-fold ISG15 induction is associated with 2- or 4-mg vesatolimod dose and female sex. CONCLUSIONS Vesatolimod was safe and well-tolerated in patients with CHB, demonstrating consistent dose-dependent pharmacodynamic induction of ISG15 without significant systemic induction of IFNα expression or related symptoms. However, no significant HBsAg declines were observed. LAY SUMMARY In a phase II study, vesatolimod, an oral, once-weekly, experimental immune-activating drug for the treatment of hepatitis B virus (HBV), is safe and well-tolerated in chronic HBV patients who are virally suppressed on oral antiviral treatment. Despite demonstrating on-target biomarker responses in patients, no significant declines in hepatitis B surface antigen were observed. Clinical Trial Number: GS-US-283-1059; NCT 02166047.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harry L A Janssen
- Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
| | - Maurizia R Brunetto
- Clinical and Experimental Medicine Department, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Yoon Jun Kim
- Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | | | | | | | - Adarsh Joshi
- Gilead Sciences, Inc., Foster City, CA, United States
| | - Jacky Woo
- Gilead Sciences, Inc., Foster City, CA, United States
| | - Audrey H Lau
- Gilead Sciences, Inc., Foster City, CA, United States
| | - Anuj Gaggar
- Gilead Sciences, Inc., Foster City, CA, United States
| | | | | | - Sang Hoon Ahn
- Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Naoky C S Tsai
- John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii, Manoa, United States
| | - Scott Fung
- Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Edward J Gane
- Auckland Clinical Studies Ltd, Auckland, New Zealand
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18
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Zhang Q, Zhao B, Chen X, Song N, Wu J, Li G, Yu P, Han Y, Liu J, Qin C. GS-9620 inhibits enterovirus 71 replication mainly through the NF-κB and PI3K-AKT signaling pathways. Antiviral Res 2018; 153:39-48. [PMID: 29425831 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2018.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2017] [Revised: 01/12/2018] [Accepted: 02/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Human enterovirus 71 (EV71) is the second most common cause of hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD), which can occur as a severe epidemic especially among children under 5-years old. New and improved treatment strategies to control EV71 infection are therefore urgently required. The heterocyclic compound GS-9620, a potent and selective agonist of Toll-like receptor 7 (TLR7), has been reported to activate plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs), and suppress HBV as well as HIV replication. In this study, we indicated that GS-9620 also could inhibit EV71 replication in the mouse model of EV71 infection. With three-days treatment after EV71 infection, the levels of proinflammatory cytokines/chemokines, like IFN-α, IFN-γ and MCP-1, were sharply reduced in serum compared to those without treatment. Furthermore, GS-9620 activated TLR7 in the limb muscle cells, which stimulated the NF-κB and PI3K/AKT signaling pathways. When NF-κB or PI3K/AKT inhibitors were used, the antiviral effect of the GS-9620 was impacted. Overall, our data implied GS-9620 probably activates NF-κB and PI3K/AKT signaling pathways to clear the virus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Zhang
- Institute of Laboratory Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS) & Comparative Medicine Centre, Peking Union Medical Collage (PUMC) & Beijing Key Laboratory for Animal Models of Emerging and Remerging Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory of Human Disease Comparative Medicine Ministry of Health, Beijing, PR China
| | - Binbin Zhao
- Institute of Laboratory Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS) & Comparative Medicine Centre, Peking Union Medical Collage (PUMC) & Beijing Key Laboratory for Animal Models of Emerging and Remerging Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory of Human Disease Comparative Medicine Ministry of Health, Beijing, PR China
| | - Xin Chen
- Institute of Laboratory Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS) & Comparative Medicine Centre, Peking Union Medical Collage (PUMC) & Beijing Key Laboratory for Animal Models of Emerging and Remerging Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory of Human Disease Comparative Medicine Ministry of Health, Beijing, PR China
| | - Nan Song
- Institute of Laboratory Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS) & Comparative Medicine Centre, Peking Union Medical Collage (PUMC) & Beijing Key Laboratory for Animal Models of Emerging and Remerging Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory of Human Disease Comparative Medicine Ministry of Health, Beijing, PR China
| | - Jing Wu
- Institute of Laboratory Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS) & Comparative Medicine Centre, Peking Union Medical Collage (PUMC) & Beijing Key Laboratory for Animal Models of Emerging and Remerging Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory of Human Disease Comparative Medicine Ministry of Health, Beijing, PR China
| | - Guangchao Li
- Institute of Laboratory Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS) & Comparative Medicine Centre, Peking Union Medical Collage (PUMC) & Beijing Key Laboratory for Animal Models of Emerging and Remerging Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory of Human Disease Comparative Medicine Ministry of Health, Beijing, PR China
| | - Pin Yu
- Institute of Laboratory Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS) & Comparative Medicine Centre, Peking Union Medical Collage (PUMC) & Beijing Key Laboratory for Animal Models of Emerging and Remerging Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory of Human Disease Comparative Medicine Ministry of Health, Beijing, PR China
| | - Yunlin Han
- Institute of Laboratory Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS) & Comparative Medicine Centre, Peking Union Medical Collage (PUMC) & Beijing Key Laboratory for Animal Models of Emerging and Remerging Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory of Human Disease Comparative Medicine Ministry of Health, Beijing, PR China
| | - Jiangning Liu
- Institute of Laboratory Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS) & Comparative Medicine Centre, Peking Union Medical Collage (PUMC) & Beijing Key Laboratory for Animal Models of Emerging and Remerging Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory of Human Disease Comparative Medicine Ministry of Health, Beijing, PR China.
| | - Chuan Qin
- Institute of Laboratory Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS) & Comparative Medicine Centre, Peking Union Medical Collage (PUMC) & Beijing Key Laboratory for Animal Models of Emerging and Remerging Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory of Human Disease Comparative Medicine Ministry of Health, Beijing, PR China.
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19
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Interplay between the Hepatitis B Virus and Innate Immunity: From an Understanding to the Development of Therapeutic Concepts. Viruses 2017; 9:v9050095. [PMID: 28452930 PMCID: PMC5454408 DOI: 10.3390/v9050095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2017] [Revised: 04/24/2017] [Accepted: 04/24/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The hepatitis B virus (HBV) infects hepatocytes, which are the main cell type composing a human liver. However, the liver is enriched with immune cells, particularly innate cells (e.g., myeloid cells, natural killer and natural killer T-cells (NK/NKT), dendritic cells (DCs)), in resting condition. Hence, the study of the interaction between HBV and innate immune cells is instrumental to: (1) better understand the conditions of establishment and maintenance of HBV infections in this secondary lymphoid organ; (2) define the role of these innate immune cells in treatment failure and pathogenesis; and (3) design novel immune-therapeutic concepts based on the activation/restoration of innate cell functions and/or innate effectors. This review will summarize and discuss the current knowledge we have on this interplay between HBV and liver innate immunity.
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20
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Pei Y, Wang C, Yan SF, Liu G. Past, Current, and Future Developments of Therapeutic Agents for Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Infection. J Med Chem 2017; 60:6461-6479. [PMID: 28383274 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.6b01442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
For decades, treatment of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection has been relying on interferon (IFN)-based therapies and nucleoside/nucleotide analogues (NAs) that selectively target the viral polymerase reverse transcriptase (RT) domain and thereby disrupt HBV viral DNA synthesis. We have summarized here the key steps in the HBV viral life cycle, which could potentially be targeted by novel anti-HBV therapeutics. A wide range of next-generation direct antiviral agents (DAAs) with distinct mechanisms of actions are discussed, including entry inhibitors, transcription inhibitors, nucleoside/nucleotide analogues, inhibitors of viral ribonuclease H (RNase H), modulators of viral capsid assembly, inhibitors of HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) secretion, RNA interference (RNAi) gene silencers, antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs), and natural products. Compounds that exert their antiviral activities mainly through host factors and immunomodulation, such as host targeting agents (HTAs), programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1)/programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) inhibitors, and Toll-like receptor (TLR) agonists, are also discussed. In this Perspective, we hope to provide an overview, albeit by no means being comprehensive, for the recent development of novel therapeutic agents for the treatment of chronic HBV infection, which not only are able to sustainably suppress viral DNA but also aim to achieve functional cure warranted by HBsAg loss and ultimately lead to virus eradication and cure of hepatitis B.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yameng Pei
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tsinghua University , Beijing 100084, China
| | - Chunting Wang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tsinghua University , Beijing 100084, China
| | - S Frank Yan
- Molecular Design and Chemical Biology, Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Shanghai , Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Gang Liu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tsinghua University , Beijing 100084, China
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Meng ZJ, Yang YD. Potential strategies for "cure" of hepatitis B. Shijie Huaren Xiaohua Zazhi 2016; 24:4438-4449. [DOI: 10.11569/wcjd.v24.i33.4438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis B is a worldwide health problem and the main cause of liver cirrhosis, liver failure, and liver cancer. The steady state of hepatitis B virus (HBV) covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) in HBV infected hepatocytes and virus specific immune tolerance contribute to the chronic persistent infection and hard-to-cure of hepatitis B. The presently available therapeutics for hepatitis B can control viral replication, but rarely eliminate HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) or HBV cccDNA. The "cure" of hepatitis B, which is characterized by the HBsAg loss or HBsAg seroconversion, and cccDNA clearance, has been the goal of researchers for years. In recent years, with the robust progress in understanding the HBV pathogenesis and the rapid development of gene editing technology, the "cure" of hepatitis B becomes prospective. This paper aims to summarize the potential strategies for the "cure" of hepatitis B.
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Morikawa K, Suda G, Sakamoto N. Viral life cycle of hepatitis B virus: Host factors and druggable targets. Hepatol Res 2016; 46:871-7. [PMID: 26776362 DOI: 10.1111/hepr.12650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2015] [Revised: 01/09/2016] [Accepted: 01/12/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kenichi Morikawa
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Hokkaido University Hospital, Sapporo, Japan.,Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Goki Suda
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Naoya Sakamoto
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan
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Rebbapragada I, Birkus G, Perry J, Xing W, Kwon H, Pflanz S. Molecular Determinants of GS-9620-Dependent TLR7 Activation. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0146835. [PMID: 26784926 PMCID: PMC4718629 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0146835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2015] [Accepted: 12/22/2015] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
GS-9620 is an orally administered agonist of Toll-like receptor (TLR)7 currently being evaluated in clinical studies for the treatment of chronic HBV and HIV patients. GS-9620 has shown antiviral efficacy in preclinical models of chronic hepadnavirus infection in woodchuck as well as chimpanzee. However, the molecular determinants of GS-9620-dependent activation of TLR7 are not well defined. The studies presented here elucidate GS-9620 subcellular distribution and characterize its molecular interactions with human TLR7 using structure-guided mutational analysis. Based on our results we present a molecular model of TLR7 bound to GS-9620. We also determine that several coding SNPs had no effect on GS-9620-dependent TLR7 activation. In addition, our studies provide evidence that TLR7 exists in a ligand-independent oligomeric state and that, TLR7 activation by GS-9620 is likely associated with compound-induced conformational changes. Finally, we demonstrate that activation of NF-κB and Akt pathways in primary plasmacytoid dendritic cells occur as immediate downstream cellular responses to GS-9620 stimulation. The data presented here further our understanding of the molecular parameters governing TLR7 activation by GS-9620, and more generally by nucleos/tide-related ligands.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Gabriel Birkus
- Department of Biology, Gilead Sciences Inc., Foster City, California, USA
| | - Jason Perry
- Department of Structural Chemistry Gilead Sciences Inc., Foster City, California, USA
| | - Weimei Xing
- Department of Biology, Gilead Sciences Inc., Foster City, California, USA
| | - HyockJoo Kwon
- Department of Biology, Gilead Sciences Inc., Foster City, California, USA
| | - Stefan Pflanz
- Department of Biology, Gilead Sciences Inc., Foster City, California, USA
- * E-mail:
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Wang YJ, Yang L, Zuo JP. Recent developments in antivirals against hepatitis B virus. Virus Res 2015; 213:205-213. [PMID: 26732483 DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2015.12.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2015] [Revised: 12/21/2015] [Accepted: 12/21/2015] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection (CHB) is a major cause of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Although the availability of HBV vaccines effectively reduces the incidence of HBV infection, the healthcare burden from CHB remains high. Several antiviral agents, such as (pegylated-) interferon-α and nucleos(t)ide analogs are approved by US FDA for chronic HBV infection management. Entecavir (ETV) and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) have been recommended as the first-line anti-HBV drugs for excellent viral suppression with a low risk of antiviral resistance, but the cost and need for essentially life-long treatment are considerable challenges. And none of these current treatments can eradicate the intracellular virus. Given these issues, there is still an unmet medical need for an efficient HBV cure. We summarize here the key developments of antivirals against hepatitis B virus, including HBV replication cycle inhibitors and host immune regulators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ya-Juan Wang
- Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Zuchongzhi Road 555, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Li Yang
- Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Zuchongzhi Road 555, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
| | - Jian-Ping Zuo
- Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Zuchongzhi Road 555, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
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Kang L, Pan J, Wu J, Hu J, Sun Q, Tang J. Anti-HBV Drugs: Progress, Unmet Needs, and New Hope. Viruses 2015; 7:4960-77. [PMID: 26389937 PMCID: PMC4584298 DOI: 10.3390/v7092854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2015] [Revised: 08/18/2015] [Accepted: 08/24/2015] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Approximately 240 million people worldwide are chronically infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV), which represents a significant challenge to public health. The current goal in treating chronic HBV infection is to block progression of HBV-related liver injury and inflammation to end-stage liver diseases, including cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, because we are unable to eliminate chronic HBV infection. Available therapies for chronic HBV infection mainly include nucleos/tide analogues (NAs), non-NAs, and immunomodulatory agents. However, none of them is able to clear chronic HBV infection. Thus, a new generation of anti-HBV drugs is urgently needed. Progress has been made in the development and testing of new therapeutics against chronic HBV infection. This review aims to summarize the state of the art in new HBV drug research and development and to forecast research and development trends and directions in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Kang
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Shanghai First People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 650 New Songjiang Road, Songjiang District, Shanghai 201620, China.
| | - Jiaqian Pan
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Shanghai First People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 650 New Songjiang Road, Songjiang District, Shanghai 201620, China.
| | - Jiaofen Wu
- Department of Pharmacy, Ningbo Medical Treatment Center Lihuili Hospital, 57 Xingning Road, Ningbo 315040, China.
| | - Jiali Hu
- Department of Pharmacy, The Third Staff Hospital of Baogang Group, 15 Qingnian Road, Baotou 014010, China.
| | - Qian Sun
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Shanghai First People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 650 New Songjiang Road, Songjiang District, Shanghai 201620, China.
| | - Jing Tang
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Shanghai First People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 650 New Songjiang Road, Songjiang District, Shanghai 201620, China.
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Chang J, Guo JT. Treatment of chronic hepatitis B with pattern recognition receptor agonists: Current status and potential for a cure. Antiviral Res 2015. [PMID: 26205674 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2015.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) has been considered to be a "stealth virus" that induces negligible innate immune responses during the early phase of infection. However, recent studies with newly developed experimental systems have revealed that virus infection can be recognized by pattern recognition receptors (PRR), eliciting a cytokine response that controls the replication of the virus. The molecular mechanisms by which interferons and other inflammatory cytokines suppress HBV replication and modulate HBV cccDNA metabolism and function are just beginning to be revealed. In agreement with the notion that the developmental and functional status of intrahepatic innate immunity determines the activation and maturation of the HBV-specific adaptive immune response and thus the outcome of HBV infection, pharmacological activation of intrahepatic innate immune responses with TLR7/8/9 or STING agonists efficiently controls HBV infection in preclinical studies and thus holds great promise for the cure of chronic hepatitis B. This article forms part of a symposium in Antiviral Research on "An unfinished story: from the discovery of the Australia antigen to the development of new curative therapies for hepatitis B."
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinhong Chang
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, The Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, Hepatitis B Foundation, 3805 Old Easton Road, Doylestown, PA 18902, USA.
| | - Ju-Tao Guo
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, The Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, Hepatitis B Foundation, 3805 Old Easton Road, Doylestown, PA 18902, USA
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