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Luna AJ, Young JM, Sterk RT, Bondu V, Schultz FA, Kusewitt DF, Kang H, Ozbun MA. The antiviral effects of a MEK1/2 inhibitor promote tumor regression in a preclinical model of human papillomavirus infection-induced tumorigenesis. Antiviral Res 2023; 216:105667. [PMID: 37429527 PMCID: PMC10530289 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2023.105667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2023] [Revised: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/12/2023]
Abstract
Human papillomaviruses (HPVs) are a significant public health concern due to their widespread transmission, morbidity, and oncogenic potential. Despite efficacious vaccines, millions of unvaccinated individuals and those with existing infections will develop HPV-related diseases for the next two decades and beyond. The continuing burden of HPV-related diseases is exacerbated by the lack of effective therapies or cures for infections, highlighting the need to identify and develop antivirals. The experimental murine papillomavirus type 1 (MmuPV1) model provides opportunities to study papillomavirus pathogenesis in cutaneous epithelium, the oral cavity, and the anogenital tract. However, to date the MmuPV1 infection model has not been used to demonstrate the effectiveness of potential antivirals. We previously reported that inhibitors of cellular MEK/ERK signaling suppress oncogenic HPV early gene expression in three-dimensional tissue cultures. Herein, we adapted the MmuPV1 infection model to determine whether MEK inhibitors have anti-papillomavirus properties in vivo. We demonstrate that oral delivery of a MEK1/2 inhibitor promotes papilloma regression in immunodeficient mice that otherwise would have developed persistent infections. Quantitative histological analyses reveal that inhibition of MEK/ERK signaling reduces E6/E7 mRNA, MmuPV1 DNA, and L1 protein expression within MmuPV1-induced lesions. These data suggest that MEK1/2 signaling is essential for both early and late MmuPV1 replication events supporting our previous findings with oncogenic HPVs. We also provide evidence that MEK inhibitors protect mice from developing secondary tumors. Thus, our data suggest that MEK inhibitors have potent antiviral and anti-tumor properties in a preclinical mouse model and merit further investigation as papillomavirus antiviral therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrian J Luna
- Department of Molecular Genetics & Microbiology, The University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, USA
| | - Jesse M Young
- Department of Molecular Genetics & Microbiology, The University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, USA
| | - Rosa T Sterk
- Department of Molecular Genetics & Microbiology, The University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, USA
| | - Virginie Bondu
- Department of Molecular Genetics & Microbiology, The University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, USA
| | - Fred A Schultz
- Department of Pathology, The University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, USA
| | - Donna F Kusewitt
- Department of Pathology, The University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, USA; The University of New Mexico Comprehensive Cancer Center, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, USA
| | - Huining Kang
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Preventive Medicine, The University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, USA; The University of New Mexico Comprehensive Cancer Center, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, USA
| | - Michelle A Ozbun
- Department of Molecular Genetics & Microbiology, The University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, USA; The University of New Mexico Comprehensive Cancer Center, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, USA.
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Luna AJ, Young JM, Sterk RT, Bondu V, Schultz FA, Kusewitt DF, Kang H, Ozbun MA. Inhibition of Cellular MEK/ERK Signaling Suppresses Murine Papillomavirus Type 1 Replicative Activities and Promotes Tumor Regression. bioRxiv 2023:2023.03.14.532042. [PMID: 36993217 PMCID: PMC10054951 DOI: 10.1101/2023.03.14.532042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/29/2023]
Abstract
Human papillomaviruses (HPVs) are a significant public health concern due to their widespread transmission, morbidity, and oncogenic potential. Despite efficacious vaccines, millions of unvaccinated individuals and those with existing infections will develop HPV-related diseases for the next two decades. The continuing burden of HPV-related diseases is exacerbated by the lack of effective therapies or cures for most infections, highlighting the need to identify and develop antivirals. The experimental murine papillomavirus type 1 (MmuPV1) model provides opportunities to study papillomavirus pathogenesis in cutaneous epithelium, the oral cavity, and the anogenital tract. However, to date the MmuPV1 infection model has not been used to demonstrate the effectiveness of potential antivirals. We previously reported that inhibitors of cellular MEK/ERK signaling suppress oncogenic HPV early gene expression in vitro . Herein, we adapted the MmuPV1 infection model to determine whether MEK inhibitors have anti-papillomavirus properties in vivo . We demonstrate that oral delivery of a MEK1/2 inhibitor promotes papilloma regression in immunodeficient mice that otherwise would have developed persistent infections. Quantitative histological analyses revealed that inhibition of MEK/ERK signaling reduces E6/E7 mRNAs, MmuPV1 DNA, and L1 protein expression within MmuPV1-induced lesions. These data suggest that MEK1/2 signaling is essential for both early and late MmuPV1 replication events supporting our previous findings with oncogenic HPVs. We also provide evidence that MEK inhibitors protect mice from developing secondary tumors. Thus, our data suggest that MEK inhibitors have potent anti-viral and anti-tumor properties in a preclinical mouse model and merit further investigation as papillomavirus antiviral therapies. Significance Statement Persistent human papillomavirus (HPV) infections cause significant morbidity and oncogenic HPV infections can progress to anogenital and oropharyngeal cancers. Despite the availability of effective prophylactic HPV vaccines, millions of unvaccinated individuals, and those currently infected will develop HPV-related diseases over the next two decades and beyond. Thus, it remains critical to identify effective antivirals against papillomaviruses. Using a mouse papillomavirus model of HPV infection, this study reveals that cellular MEK1/2 signaling supports viral tumorigenesis. The MEK1/2 inhibitor, trametinib, demonstrates potent antiviral activities and promotes tumor regression. This work provides insight into the conserved regulation of papillomavirus gene expression by MEK1/2 signaling and reveals this cellular pathway as a promising therapeutic target for the treatment of papillomavirus diseases.
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Gunder LC, Johnson HR, Yao E, Moyer TH, Green HA, Sherer N, Zhang W, Carchman EH. Topical Protease Inhibitor Decreases Anal Carcinogenesis in a Transgenic Mouse Model of HPV Anal Disease. Viruses 2023; 15:v15041013. [PMID: 37112993 PMCID: PMC10146494 DOI: 10.3390/v15041013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Revised: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Anal cancer is a major health problem. This study seeks to determine if the topical protease inhibitor Saquinavir (SQV), is effective at the prevention of anal cancer in transgenic mice with established anal dysplasia. K14E6/E7 mice were entered into the study when the majority spontaneously developed high-grade anal dysplasia. To ensure carcinoma development, a subset of the mice was treated with a topical carcinogen: 7,12-Dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA). Treatment groups included: no treatment, DMBA only, and topical SQV with/without DMBA. After 20 weeks of treatment, anal tissue was harvested and evaluated histologically. SQV was quantified in the blood and anal tissue, and tissue samples underwent analysis for E6, E7, p53, and pRb. There was minimal systemic absorption of SQV in the sera despite high tissue concentrations. There were no differences in tumor-free survival between SQV-treated and respective control groups but there was a lower grade of histological disease in the mice treated with SQV compared to those untreated. Changes in E6 and E7 levels with SQV treatment suggest that SQV may function independently of E6 and E7. Topical SQV decreased histological disease progression in HPV transgenic mice with or without DMBA treatment without local side effects or significant systemic absorption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura C Gunder
- Department of Surgery, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, 600 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI 53792, USA
| | - Hillary R Johnson
- Department of Surgery, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, 600 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI 53792, USA
| | - Evan Yao
- Department of Surgery, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, 600 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI 53792, USA
| | - Tyra H Moyer
- Department of Surgery, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, 600 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI 53792, USA
| | - Heather A Green
- Carbone Cancer Center, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, 600 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | - Nathan Sherer
- McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research and Institute for Molecular Virology, University of Wisconsin, 1111 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Wei Zhang
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, 3170 UW Medical Foundation Centennial Building (MFCB), 1685 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI 53705, USA
- William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital, 2500 Overlook Terrace, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | - Evie H Carchman
- Department of Surgery, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, 600 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI 53792, USA
- Carbone Cancer Center, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, 600 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI 53705, USA
- William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital, 2500 Overlook Terrace, Madison, WI 53705, USA
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Gunder LC, Johnson HR, Green HA, Bilger A, Moyer TH, Zhang W, Ziolkowski MR, Bertrang PA, Carchman EH. The use of a topical protease inhibitor, Saquinavir, to alleviate mouse papillomavirus-mediated anal disease. Virology 2022; 576:96-104. [PMID: 36206607 DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2022.09.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2022] [Revised: 09/26/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Select protease inhibitors (PI) have been found to be effective in decreasing human papillomavirus oncoprotein expression. This study evaluated whether the topical PI, Saquinavir (SQV), promotes viral clearance in an infectious mouse model with Mus musculus papillomavirus 1 (MmuPV1). NOD scid gamma (NSG) mice were anally infected with ∼4 × 108 viral genome equivalents of MmuPV1 and 120 days post-infection (when majority have high-grade anal dysplasia), began topical treatments: control (mock), 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA) only, once weekly to promote carcinogenesis, 1% SQV only, daily (Monday - Friday), and SQV + DMBA. Viral MmuPV1 load was analyzed from anal lavages pre and post-treatment. Anal tissue was harvested, processed, and evaluated for drug absorption, grade of anal disease, and anal viral RNA. Results suggest that topical SQV promotes decreased viral shedding in female mice treated with SQV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura C Gunder
- Department of Surgery, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 600 Highland Ave, Madison, WI, 53792, USA.
| | - Hillary R Johnson
- Department of Surgery, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 600 Highland Ave, Madison, WI, 53792, USA.
| | - Heather A Green
- University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 600 Highland Ave, Madison, WI, 53705, USA.
| | - Andrea Bilger
- McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research, Department of Oncology, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Wisconsin Institutes for Medical Research, 1111 Highland Ave, Madison, WI, 53705, USA.
| | - Tyra H Moyer
- Department of Surgery, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 600 Highland Ave, Madison, WI, 53792, USA.
| | - Wei Zhang
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 3170 UW Medical Foundation Centennial Building (MFCB),1685 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI, 53705, USA.
| | - Marissa R Ziolkowski
- Department of Surgery, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 600 Highland Ave, Madison, WI, 53792, USA.
| | - Payton A Bertrang
- Department of Surgery, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 600 Highland Ave, Madison, WI, 53792, USA.
| | - Evie H Carchman
- Department of Surgery, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 600 Highland Ave, Madison, WI, 53792, USA; University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 600 Highland Ave, Madison, WI, 53705, USA; William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital, 2500 Overlook Terrace, Madison, WI, 53705, USA.
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