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Armstrong LA, Lange SM, Cesare VD, Matthews SP, Nirujogi RS, Cole I, Hope A, Cunningham F, Toth R, Mukherjee R, Bojkova D, Gruber F, Gray D, Wyatt PG, Cinatl J, Dikic I, Davies P, Kulathu Y. Correction: Biochemical characterization of protease activity of Nsp3 from SARS-CoV-2 and its inhibition by nanobodies. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0302418. [PMID: 38626090 PMCID: PMC11020524 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0302418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/18/2024] Open
Abstract
[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0253364.].
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Wasilewicz A, Bojkova D, Beniddir MA, Cinatl J, Rabenau HF, Grienke U, Rollinger JM, Kirchweger B. Molecular networking unveils anti-SARS-CoV-2 constituents from traditionally used remedies. J Ethnopharmacol 2024; 319:117206. [PMID: 37783406 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2023.117206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2023] [Revised: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/04/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Plants and fungi have a long tradition in ethnopharmacology for the treatment of infectious diseases including viruses. Many of these natural products have also been used to combat SARS-CoV-2 infections or symptoms of the post- and long-COVID form, owing to the scarcity of clinically approved therapeutics. AIM OF THE STUDY The ongoing threat posed by SARS-CoV-2, along with the rapidly evolving new variants, requires the development of new antiviral compounds. The aim of this study was to identify anti-SARS-CoV-2 herbal and fungal extracts used in traditional medicine against acute respiratory infection, inflammation, and related symptoms. Additionally, we sought to characterize their bioactive constituents. MATERIALS AND METHODS The antiviral activity and cell cytotoxicity of 179 herbal and fungal extracts were evaluated using two SARS-CoV-2 infection assays in Caco-2 cells. 19 plant extracts with and without anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity underwent detailed dereplication using molecular networking. RESULTS Extracts from Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels roots, Annona squamosa L. seeds, Azadirachta indica A. Juss. fruits, Buddleja officinalis Maxim. flowers, Burkea africana Hook. bark and Clinopodium menthifolium (Host) Stace aerial parts showed a potent anti SARS-CoV-2 activity (IC50 < 5 μg/ml) with only moderate cytotoxicity (CC50 > 60 μg/ml, Caco-2). By performing the dereplication with a bioactivity-featured molecular network (MN) on the extract library level, rather than on the level of individual extracts, we could pinpoint compounds characteristic for active extracts. Thus, a straight-forward identification of potential anti-SARS-CoV-2 natural compounds was achieved prior to any fractionation or isolation efforts. CONCLUSIONS A sophisticated hyphenation of empirical knowledge with MS-based bioinformatics and automated compound annotation was applied to decipher the chemical space of the investigated extracts. The correlation with experimentally assessed anti-SARS-CoV-2 activities helped in predicting compound classes and structural elements relevant for the antiviral activities. Consequently, this accelerated the identification of constituents from the investigated mixtures with inhibitory effects against SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Wasilewicz
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Division of Pharmacognosy, University of Vienna, Josef-Holaubek-Platz 2, 1090, Vienna, Austria; Vienna Doctoral School of Pharmaceutical, and Sport Sciences, University of Vienna, Josef-Holaubek-Platz 2, 1090, Vienna, Austria.
| | - Denisa Bojkova
- Institute of Medical Virology, University Hospital Frankfurt, Paul-Ehrlich-Straβe 40, 60596, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
| | - Mehdi A Beniddir
- Équipe Chimie des Substances Naturelles, BioCIS, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, 17 Avenue des Sciences, 91400, Orsay, France.
| | - Jindrich Cinatl
- Institute of Medical Virology, University Hospital Frankfurt, Paul-Ehrlich-Straβe 40, 60596, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
| | - Holger F Rabenau
- Institute of Medical Virology, University Hospital Frankfurt, Paul-Ehrlich-Straβe 40, 60596, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
| | - Ulrike Grienke
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Division of Pharmacognosy, University of Vienna, Josef-Holaubek-Platz 2, 1090, Vienna, Austria.
| | - Judith M Rollinger
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Division of Pharmacognosy, University of Vienna, Josef-Holaubek-Platz 2, 1090, Vienna, Austria.
| | - Benjamin Kirchweger
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Division of Pharmacognosy, University of Vienna, Josef-Holaubek-Platz 2, 1090, Vienna, Austria.
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Cinatl J, Bechtel M, Reus P, Ott M, Rothweiler F, Michaelis M, Ciesek S, Bojkova D. Trifluridine for treatment of mpox infection in drug combinations in ophthalmic cell models. J Med Virol 2024; 96:e29354. [PMID: 38180134 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.29354] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Revised: 11/23/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024]
Abstract
The Mpox virus can cause severe disease in the susceptible population with dermatologic and systemic manifestations. Furthermore, ophthalmic manifestations of mpox infection are well documented. Topical trifluridine (TFT) eye drops have been used for therapy of ophthalmic mpox infection in patients, however, its efficacy against mpox virus infection in this scenario has not been previously shown. In the present study, we have established ophthalmic cell models suitable for the infection with mpox virus. We show, that TFT is effective against a broad range of mpox isolates in conjunctival epithelial cells and keratocytes. Further, TFT remained effective against a tecovirimat-resistant virus strain. In the context of drug combinations, a nearly additive effect was observed for TFT combinations with brincidofovir and tecovirimat in conjunctival epithelial cells, while a slight antagonism was observed for both combinations in keratocytes. Altogether, our findings demonstrate TFT as a promising drug for treatment of ophthalmic mpox infection able to overcome tecovirimat resistance. However, conflicting results regarding the effect of drug combinations with approved compounds warrant close monitoring of such use in patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jindrich Cinatl
- Institute of Medical Virology, Goethe University Frankfurt, University Hospital, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Dr. Petra Joh-Forschungshaus, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Marco Bechtel
- Institute of Medical Virology, Goethe University Frankfurt, University Hospital, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Philipp Reus
- Institute of Medical Virology, Goethe University Frankfurt, University Hospital, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Discovery Research ScreeningPort, Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology ITMP, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Melanie Ott
- Dr. Petra Joh-Forschungshaus, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | | | - Martin Michaelis
- Dr. Petra Joh-Forschungshaus, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury, UK
| | - Sandra Ciesek
- Institute of Medical Virology, Goethe University Frankfurt, University Hospital, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research, DZIF, External Partner Site, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology ITMP, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Denisa Bojkova
- Institute of Medical Virology, Goethe University Frankfurt, University Hospital, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
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Reus P, Guthmann H, Uhlig N, Agbaria M, Issmail L, Eberlein V, Nordling-David MM, Jbara-Agbaria D, Ciesek S, Bojkova D, Cinatl J, Burger-Kentischer A, Rupp S, Zaliani A, Grunwald T, Gribbon P, Kannt A, Golomb G. Drug repurposing for the treatment of COVID-19: Targeting nafamostat to the lungs by a liposomal delivery system. J Control Release 2023; 364:654-671. [PMID: 37939853 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2023.10.050] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Revised: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023]
Abstract
Despite tremendous global efforts since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, still only a limited number of prophylactic and therapeutic options are available. Although vaccination is the most effective measure in preventing morbidity and mortality, there is a need for safe and effective post-infection treatment medication. In this study, we explored a pipeline of 21 potential candidates, examined in the Calu-3 cell line for their antiviral efficacy, for drug repurposing. Ralimetinib and nafamostat, clinically used drugs, have emerged as attractive candidates. Due to the inherent limitations of the selected drugs, we formulated targeted liposomes suitable for both systemic and intranasal administration. Non-targeted and targeted nafamostat liposomes (LipNaf) decorated with an Apolipoprotein B peptide (ApoB-P) as a specific lung-targeting ligand were successfully developed. The developed liposomal formulations of nafamostat were found to possess favorable physicochemical properties including nano size (119-147 nm), long-term stability of the normally rapidly degrading compound in aqueous solution, negligible leakage from the liposomes upon storage, and a neutral surface charge with low polydispersity index (PDI). Both nafamostat and ralimetinib liposomes showed good cellular uptake and lack of cytotoxicity, and non-targeted LipNaf demonstrated enhanced accumulation in the lungs following intranasal (IN) administration in non-infected mice. LipNaf retained its anti-SARS-CoV 2 activity in Calu 3 cells with only a modest decrease, exhibiting complete inhibition at concentrations >100 nM. IN, but not intraperitoneal (IP) treatment with targeted LipNaf resulted in a trend to reduced viral load in the lungs of K18-hACE2 mice compared to targeted empty Lip. Nevertheless, upon removal of outlier data, a statistically significant 1.9-fold reduction in viral load was achieved. This observation further highlights the importance of a targeted delivery into the respiratory tract. In summary, we were able to demonstrate a proof-of-concept of drug repurposing by liposomal formulations with anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity. The biodistribution and bioactivity studies with LipNaf suggest an IN or inhalation route of administration for optimal therapeutic efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philipp Reus
- Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology ITMP, Discovery Research ScreeningPort, Schnackenburgallee 114, 22525 Hamburg, Germany; Goethe University Frankfurt, University Hospital, Institute for Medical Virology, Paul-Ehrlich-Straße 40, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Hadar Guthmann
- Institute for Drug Research, School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9112001, Israel; The Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9190401, Israel
| | - Nadja Uhlig
- Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy und Immunology IZI, Perlickstrasse 1, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Majd Agbaria
- Institute for Drug Research, School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9112001, Israel
| | - Leila Issmail
- Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy und Immunology IZI, Perlickstrasse 1, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Valentina Eberlein
- Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy und Immunology IZI, Perlickstrasse 1, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Mirjam M Nordling-David
- Institute for Drug Research, School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9112001, Israel
| | - Doaa Jbara-Agbaria
- Institute for Drug Research, School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9112001, Israel
| | - Sandra Ciesek
- Goethe University Frankfurt, University Hospital, Institute for Medical Virology, Paul-Ehrlich-Straße 40, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology ITMP, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Denisa Bojkova
- Goethe University Frankfurt, University Hospital, Institute for Medical Virology, Paul-Ehrlich-Straße 40, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Jindrich Cinatl
- Goethe University Frankfurt, University Hospital, Institute for Medical Virology, Paul-Ehrlich-Straße 40, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Anke Burger-Kentischer
- Fraunhofer Institute for Interfacial Engineering and Biotechnology IGB, Nobelstraße 12, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Steffen Rupp
- Fraunhofer Institute for Interfacial Engineering and Biotechnology IGB, Nobelstraße 12, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Andrea Zaliani
- Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology ITMP, Discovery Research ScreeningPort, Schnackenburgallee 114, 22525 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Thomas Grunwald
- Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy und Immunology IZI, Perlickstrasse 1, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Philip Gribbon
- Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology ITMP, Discovery Research ScreeningPort, Schnackenburgallee 114, 22525 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Aimo Kannt
- Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology ITMP, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; Fraunhofer Innovation Center TheraNova, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; Institute for Clinical Pharmacology, Goethe University Frankfurt, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
| | - Gershon Golomb
- Institute for Drug Research, School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9112001, Israel; The Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9190401, Israel
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Gil-Moles M, O'Beirne C, Esarev IV, Lippmann P, Tacke M, Cinatl J, Bojkova D, Ott I. Silver N-heterocyclic carbene complexes are potent uncompetitive inhibitors of the papain-like protease with antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2. RSC Med Chem 2023; 14:1260-1271. [PMID: 37484561 PMCID: PMC10357933 DOI: 10.1039/d3md00067b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The ongoing SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has caused a high demand for novel innovative antiviral drug candidates. Despite promising results, metal complexes have been relatively unexplored as antiviral agents in general and in particular against SARS-CoV-2. Here we report on silver NHC complexes with chloride or iodide counter ligands that are potent inhibitors of the SARS-CoV-2 papain-like protease (PLpro) but inactive against 3C-like protease (3CLpro) as another SARS-CoV-2 protease. Mechanistic studies on a selected complex confirmed zinc removal from a zinc binding domain of PLpro as relevant factor of their activity. In addition, enzyme kinetic experiments revealed that the complex is an uncompetitive inhibitor and with this rare type of inhibition it offers great pharmacological advantages in terms selectivity. The silver NHC complexes with iodide ligands showed very low or absent host cell toxicity and triggered strong effects on viral replication in cells infected with SARS-CoV-2, making them promising future antiviral drug candidates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Gil-Moles
- Institute of Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Technische Universität Braunschweig Beethovenstr. 55 38106 Braunschweig Germany
- Departamento de Química, Universidad de La Rioja, Centro de Investigación de Síntesis Química (CISQ), Complejo Científico Tecnológico 26004 Logroño Spain
| | - Cillian O'Beirne
- Institute of Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Technische Universität Braunschweig Beethovenstr. 55 38106 Braunschweig Germany
| | - Igor V Esarev
- Institute of Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Technische Universität Braunschweig Beethovenstr. 55 38106 Braunschweig Germany
| | - Petra Lippmann
- Institute of Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Technische Universität Braunschweig Beethovenstr. 55 38106 Braunschweig Germany
| | - Matthias Tacke
- School of Chemistry, University College Dublin Belfield Dublin 4 Ireland
| | - Jindrich Cinatl
- Institute of Medical Virology, Universitätsklinikum Frankfurt Paul-Ehrlich-Str. 40 60596 Frankfurt Germany
| | - Denisa Bojkova
- Institute of Medical Virology, Universitätsklinikum Frankfurt Paul-Ehrlich-Str. 40 60596 Frankfurt Germany
| | - Ingo Ott
- Institute of Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Technische Universität Braunschweig Beethovenstr. 55 38106 Braunschweig Germany
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Wasilewicz A, Zwirchmayr J, Kirchweger B, Bojkova D, Cinatl J, Rabenau HF, Rollinger JM, Beniddir MA, Grienke U. Discovery of anti-SARS-CoV-2 secondary metabolites from the heartwood of Pterocarpus santalinus using multi-informative molecular networking. Front Mol Biosci 2023; 10:1202394. [PMID: 37347040 PMCID: PMC10280016 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2023.1202394] [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] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2023] [Accepted: 05/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023] Open
Abstract
A pigment-depleted extract from the heartwood of Pterocarpus santalinus L. f. (PS-DE) showed promising anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity with an IC50 of 29.9 μg/mL in Caco-2-F03 cells. To determine the potential active constituents within the extract prior to isolation, multi-informative molecular network (MN) was applied. Therefore, the extract was separated by high-performance counter-current chromatography (HPCCC) into 11 fractions which were subsequently tested for anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity and analysed by UPLC-tandem mass spectrometry (MS2). The resulting MN combines the bioactivity data of the fractions with the MS2 data. The MN analysis led to the targeted isolation of seven compounds including one pterocarpan (7) reported for the first time as constituent of P. santalinus and four so far undescribed natural products (NPs) that belong to the compound classes of arylpropanes (9), isoflavanones (10) coumestans (16) and 3-arylcoumarins (17), respectively. In total, 15 constituents from the heartwood of P. santalinus and one synthetic isoflavonoid that is structurally related to the natural metabolites were tested for anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity. Thereby, the two pterocarpans (-)-homopterocarpin (5) and (-)-medicarpin (2), the stilbene (E)-pterostilbene (1) and the isoflavonoid 7-O-methylgenistein (11) showed a distinct antiviral activity with IC50 values of 17.2, 33.4, 34.7, and 37.9 µM, respectively, and no cytotoxic effects against Caco-2-F03 cells (CC50 > 100 µM). In addition, a structure-activity relationship (SAR) was proposed indicating structural requirements of pterocarpans for anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity. The herein presented results support the implementation of multi-informative molecular networks as powerful tool for dereplication and targeted isolation of bioactive NPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Wasilewicz
- Division of Pharmacognosy, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Vienna Doctoral School of Pharmaceutical, Nutritional, Sport Sciences, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Julia Zwirchmayr
- Division of Pharmacognosy, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Benjamin Kirchweger
- Division of Pharmacognosy, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Denisa Bojkova
- Institute of Medical Virology, University Hospital Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Jindrich Cinatl
- Institute of Medical Virology, University Hospital Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Holger F. Rabenau
- Institute of Medical Virology, University Hospital Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Judith M. Rollinger
- Division of Pharmacognosy, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Mehdi A. Beniddir
- Équipe Chimie des Substances Naturelles, BioCIS, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Université Paris-Saclay, Orsay, France
| | - Ulrike Grienke
- Division of Pharmacognosy, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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Bojkova D, Bechtel M, Rothenburger T, Kandler JD, Hayes L, Olmer R, Martin U, Jonigk D, Ciesek S, Wass MN, Michaelis M, Cinatl J. Omicron-induced interferon signalling prevents influenza A H1N1 and H5N1 virus infection. J Med Virol 2023; 95:e28686. [PMID: 36938992 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.28686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [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: 09/26/2022] [Revised: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 03/21/2023]
Abstract
Recent findings in permanent cell lines suggested that SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.1 induces a stronger interferon response than Delta. Here, we show that BA.1 and BA.5 but not Delta induce an antiviral state in air-liquid interface (ALI) cultures of primary human bronchial epithelial (HBE) cells and primary human monocytes. Both Omicron subvariants caused the production of biologically active type I (α/β) and III (λ) interferons and protected cells from super-infection with influenza A viruses. Notably, abortive Omicron infection of monocytes was sufficient to protect monocytes from influenza A virus infection. Interestingly, while influenza-like illnesses surged during the Delta wave in England, their spread rapidly declined upon the emergence of Omicron. Mechanistically, Omicron-induced interferon signalling was mediated via double-stranded RNA recognition by MDA5, as MDA5 knock-out prevented it. The JAK/STAT inhibitor baricitinib inhibited the Omicron-mediated antiviral response, suggesting it is caused by MDA5-mediated interferon production, which activates interferon receptors that then trigger JAK/STAT signalling. In conclusion, our study 1) demonstrates that only Omicron but not Delta induces a substantial interferon response in physiologically relevant models, 2) shows that Omicron infection protects cells from influenza A virus super-infection, and 3) indicates that BA.1 and BA.5 induce comparable antiviral states. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denisa Bojkova
- Institute for Medical Virology, University Hospital, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Marco Bechtel
- Institute for Medical Virology, University Hospital, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Tamara Rothenburger
- Institute for Medical Virology, University Hospital, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Joshua D Kandler
- Institute for Medical Virology, University Hospital, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Lauren Hayes
- School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury, CT2 7NJ, UK
| | - Ruth Olmer
- Leibniz Research Laboratories for Biotechnology and Artificial Organs (LEBAO), Department of Cardiothoracic, Transplantation and Vascular Surgery (HTTG), REBIRTH-Research Center for Translational Regenerative Medicine, Biomedical Research in Endstage and Obstructive Lung Disease Hannover (BREATH), German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Straße 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany
| | - Ulrich Martin
- Leibniz Research Laboratories for Biotechnology and Artificial Organs (LEBAO), Department of Cardiothoracic, Transplantation and Vascular Surgery (HTTG), REBIRTH-Research Center for Translational Regenerative Medicine, Biomedical Research in Endstage and Obstructive Lung Disease Hannover (BREATH), German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Straße 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany
| | - Danny Jonigk
- Institute of Pathology, Hannover Medical School (MHH), Carl-Neuberg-Straße, 1 30625, Hannover, Germany.,Biomedical Research in Endstage and Obstructive Lung Disease Hannover (BREATH), The German Center for Lung Research (Deutsches Zentrum für Lungenforschung, DZL), Hannover Medical School (MHH), Carl-Neuberg-Straße 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany
| | - Sandra Ciesek
- Institute for Medical Virology, University Hospital, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research, DZIF, External partner site, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.,Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology (IME), Branch Translational Medicine und Pharmacology, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Mark N Wass
- School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury, CT2 7NJ, UK
| | - Martin Michaelis
- School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury, CT2 7NJ, UK
| | - Jindrich Cinatl
- Institute for Medical Virology, University Hospital, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.,Dr. Petra Joh-Forschungshaus, Komturstr. 3A, 60528, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
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8
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Bojkova D, Zöller N, Tietgen M, Steinhorst K, Bechtel M, Rothenburger T, Kandler JD, Schneider J, Corman VM, Ciesek S, Rabenau HF, Wass MN, Kippenberger S, Göttig S, Michaelis M, Cinatl J. Repurposing of the antibiotic nitroxoline for the treatment of mpox. J Med Virol 2023; 95:e28652. [PMID: 36897017 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.28652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2023] [Revised: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 03/11/2023]
Abstract
The antiviral drugs tecovirimat, brincidofovir, and cidofovir are considered for mpox (monkeypox) treatment despite a lack of clinical evidence. Moreover, their use is affected by toxic side-effects (brincidofovir, cidofovir), limited availability (tecovirimat), and potentially by resistance formation. Hence, additional, readily available drugs are needed. Here, therapeutic concentrations of nitroxoline, a hydroxyquinoline antibiotic with a favourable safety profile in humans, inhibited the replication of 12 mpox virus isolates from the current outbreak in primary cultures of human keratinocytes and fibroblasts and a skin explant model by interference with host cell signalling. Tecovirimat, but not nitroxoline, treatment resulted in rapid resistance development. Nitroxoline remained effective against the tecovirimat-resistant strain and increased the anti-mpox virus activity of tecovirimat and brincidofovir. Moreover, nitroxoline inhibited bacterial and viral pathogens that are often co-transmitted with mpox. In conclusion, nitroxoline is a repurposing candidate for the treatment of mpox due to both antiviral and antimicrobial activity. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denisa Bojkova
- Institute of Medical Virology, University Hospital, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Nadja Zöller
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Hospital, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Manuela Tietgen
- Institute for Medical Microbiology and Infection Control, University Hospital, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Katja Steinhorst
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Hospital, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Marco Bechtel
- Institute of Medical Virology, University Hospital, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Tamara Rothenburger
- Institute of Medical Virology, University Hospital, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Joshua D Kandler
- Institute of Medical Virology, University Hospital, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Julia Schneider
- Institute of Virology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Berlin, Germany
| | - Victor M Corman
- Institute of Virology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Berlin, Germany
| | - Sandra Ciesek
- Institute of Medical Virology, University Hospital, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research, DZIF, External partner site, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.,Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology ITMP, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Holger F Rabenau
- Institute of Medical Virology, University Hospital, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Mark N Wass
- School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury, UK
| | - Stefan Kippenberger
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Hospital, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Stephan Göttig
- Institute for Medical Microbiology and Infection Control, University Hospital, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | | | - Jindrich Cinatl
- Institute of Medical Virology, University Hospital, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.,Dr. Petra Joh-Forschungshaus, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
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9
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Doijen J, Temmerman K, Van den Eynde C, Diels A, Van den Broeck N, Van Gool M, Heo I, Jaensch S, Zwaagstra M, Diosa Toro M, Chiu W, De Jonghe S, Leyssen P, Bojkova D, Ciesek S, Cinatl J, Verschueren L, Buyck C, Van Kuppeveld F, Neyts J, Van Loock M, Van Damme E. Identification of Z-Tyr-Ala-CHN 2, a Cathepsin L Inhibitor with Broad-Spectrum Cell-Specific Activity against Coronaviruses, including SARS-CoV-2. Microorganisms 2023; 11:717. [PMID: 36985290 PMCID: PMC10055926 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11030717] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2023] [Revised: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 03/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), is partly under control by vaccination. However, highly potent and safe antiviral drugs for SARS-CoV-2 are still needed to avoid development of severe COVID-19. We report the discovery of a small molecule, Z-Tyr-Ala-CHN2, which was identified in a cell-based antiviral screen. The molecule exerts sub-micromolar antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2, SARS-CoV-1, and human coronavirus 229E. Time-of-addition studies reveal that Z-Tyr-Ala-CHN2 acts at the early phase of the infection cycle, which is in line with the observation that the molecule inhibits cathepsin L. This results in antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2 in VeroE6, A549-hACE2, and HeLa-hACE2 cells, but not in Caco-2 cells or primary human nasal epithelial cells since the latter two cell types also permit entry via transmembrane protease serine subtype 2 (TMPRSS2). Given their cell-specific activity, cathepsin L inhibitors still need to prove their value in the clinic; nevertheless, the activity profile of Z-Tyr-Ala-CHN2 makes it an interesting tool compound for studying the biology of coronavirus entry and replication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordi Doijen
- Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, Turnhoutseweg 30, 2340 Beerse, Belgium
| | - Koen Temmerman
- Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, Turnhoutseweg 30, 2340 Beerse, Belgium
| | | | - Annick Diels
- Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, Turnhoutseweg 30, 2340 Beerse, Belgium
| | | | | | - Inha Heo
- Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, Turnhoutseweg 30, 2340 Beerse, Belgium
| | - Steffen Jaensch
- Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, Turnhoutseweg 30, 2340 Beerse, Belgium
| | - Marleen Zwaagstra
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Yalelaan 1, Virology Division, Department of Biomolecular Health Sciences, Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Utrecht University, 3584 Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Mayra Diosa Toro
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Yalelaan 1, Virology Division, Department of Biomolecular Health Sciences, Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Utrecht University, 3584 Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Winston Chiu
- Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Herestraat 49, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Steven De Jonghe
- Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Herestraat 49, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Pieter Leyssen
- Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Herestraat 49, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Denisa Bojkova
- Institute for Medical Virology, University Hospital, Paul-Ehrlich-Str. 40, Frankfurt University, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Sandra Ciesek
- Institute for Medical Virology, University Hospital, Paul-Ehrlich-Str. 40, Frankfurt University, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Jindrich Cinatl
- Institute for Medical Virology, University Hospital, Paul-Ehrlich-Str. 40, Frankfurt University, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Lore Verschueren
- Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, Turnhoutseweg 30, 2340 Beerse, Belgium
| | - Christophe Buyck
- Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, Turnhoutseweg 30, 2340 Beerse, Belgium
| | - Frank Van Kuppeveld
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Yalelaan 1, Virology Division, Department of Biomolecular Health Sciences, Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Utrecht University, 3584 Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Johan Neyts
- Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Herestraat 49, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Marnix Van Loock
- Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, Turnhoutseweg 30, 2340 Beerse, Belgium
| | - Ellen Van Damme
- Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, Turnhoutseweg 30, 2340 Beerse, Belgium
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10
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Metzler M, Tharyan RG, Klann K, Grikscheit K, Bojkova D, Cinatl J, Tascher G, Ciesek S, Münch C. SARS-CoV-2 variants show different host cell proteome profiles with delayed immune response activation in Omicron-infected cells. Mol Cell Proteomics 2023; 22:100537. [PMID: 37001587 PMCID: PMC10060015 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcpro.2023.100537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2022] [Revised: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023] Open
Abstract
The ancestral SARS-CoV-2 strain that initiated the Covid-19 pandemic at the end of 2019 has rapidly mutated into multiple variants of concern with variable pathogenicity and increasing immune escape strategies. However, differences in host cellular antiviral responses upon infection with SARS-CoV-2 variants remains elusive. Leveraging whole cell proteomics, we determined host signalling pathways that are differentially modulated upon infection with the clinical isolates of the ancestral SARS-CoV-2 B.1 and the variants of concern Delta and Omicron BA.1. Our findings illustrate alterations in the global host proteome landscape upon infection with SARS-CoV-2 variants and the resulting host immune responses. Additionally, viral proteome kinetics reveal declining levels of viral protein expression during Omicron BA.1 infection when compared to ancestral B.1 and Delta variants, consistent with its reduced replication rates. Moreover, molecular assays reveal deferral activation of specific host antiviral signalling upon Omicron BA.1 and BA.2 infections. Our study provides an overview of host proteome profile of multiple SARS-CoV-2 variants and brings forth a better understanding of the instigation of key immune signalling pathways causative for the differential pathogenicity of SARS-CoV-2 variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melinda Metzler
- Institute of Medical Virology, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Rebecca George Tharyan
- Institute of Biochemistry II, Faculty of Medicine, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Kevin Klann
- Institute of Biochemistry II, Faculty of Medicine, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Katharina Grikscheit
- Institute of Medical Virology, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Denisa Bojkova
- Institute of Medical Virology, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Jindrich Cinatl
- Institute of Medical Virology, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Georg Tascher
- Institute of Biochemistry II, Faculty of Medicine, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Sandra Ciesek
- Institute of Medical Virology, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany; Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology (ITMP), Frankfurt, Germany; German Center for Infection Research, DZIF, External Partner Site, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Christian Münch
- Institute of Biochemistry II, Faculty of Medicine, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany; Frankfurt Cancer Institute, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany; Cardio-Pulmonary Institute, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany.
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11
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Carius P, Jungmann A, Bechtel M, Grißmer A, Boese A, Gasparoni G, Salhab A, Seipelt R, Urbschat K, Richter C, Meier C, Bojkova D, Cinatl J, Walter J, Schneider‐Daum N, Lehr C. A Monoclonal Human Alveolar Epithelial Cell Line ("Arlo") with Pronounced Barrier Function for Studying Drug Permeability and Viral Infections. Adv Sci (Weinh) 2023; 10:e2207301. [PMID: 36748276 PMCID: PMC10015904 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202207301] [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] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
In the development of orally inhaled drug products preclinical animal models regularly fail to predict pharmacological as well as toxicological responses in humans. Models based on human cells and tissues are potential alternatives to animal experimentation allowing for the isolation of essential processes of human biology and making them accessible in vitro. Here, the generation of a novel monoclonal cell line "Arlo," derived from the polyclonal human alveolar epithelium lentivirus immortalized cell line hAELVi via single-cell printing, and its characterization as a model for the human alveolar epithelium as well as a building block for future complex in vitro models is described. "Arlo" is systematically compared in vitro to primary human alveolar epithelial cells (hAEpCs) as well as to the polyclonal hAELVi cell line. "Arlo" cells show enhanced barrier properties with high transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) of ≈3000 Ω cm2 and a potential difference (PD) of ≈30 mV under air-liquid interface (ALI) conditions, that can be modulated. The cells grow in a polarized monolayer and express genes relevant to barrier integrity as well as homeostasis as is observed in hAEpCs. Successful productive infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in a proof-of-principle study offers an additional, attractive application of "Arlo" beyond biopharmaceutical experimentation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Carius
- Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS) – Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI)Campus E8.166123SaarbrückenGermany
- Department of PharmacySaarland UniversityCampus E8.166123SaarbrückenGermany
| | - Annemarie Jungmann
- Department of Genetics and EpigeneticsSaarland UniversityCampus A2 466123SaarbrückenGermany
| | - Marco Bechtel
- Institute of Medical VirologyUniversity Hospital FrankfurtPaul‐Ehrlich‐Str. 4060596Frankfurt am MainGermany
| | - Alexander Grißmer
- Department of Anatomy and Cellular BiologySaarland UniversityKirrberger StraßeBuilding 6166421Homburg SaarGermany
| | - Annette Boese
- Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS) – Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI)Campus E8.166123SaarbrückenGermany
| | - Gilles Gasparoni
- Department of Genetics and EpigeneticsSaarland UniversityCampus A2 466123SaarbrückenGermany
| | - Abdulrahman Salhab
- Department of Genetics and EpigeneticsSaarland UniversityCampus A2 466123SaarbrückenGermany
| | - Ralf Seipelt
- Section of Thoracic Surgery of the Saar Lung CenterSHG Clinics VölklingenRichardstraße 5‐966333VölklingenGermany
| | - Klaus Urbschat
- Section of Thoracic Surgery of the Saar Lung CenterSHG Clinics VölklingenRichardstraße 5‐966333VölklingenGermany
| | - Clémentine Richter
- Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS) – Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI)Campus E8.166123SaarbrückenGermany
- Department of PharmacySaarland UniversityCampus E8.166123SaarbrückenGermany
| | - Carola Meier
- Department of Anatomy and Cellular BiologySaarland UniversityKirrberger StraßeBuilding 6166421Homburg SaarGermany
| | - Denisa Bojkova
- Institute of Medical VirologyUniversity Hospital FrankfurtPaul‐Ehrlich‐Str. 4060596Frankfurt am MainGermany
| | - Jindrich Cinatl
- Institute of Medical VirologyUniversity Hospital FrankfurtPaul‐Ehrlich‐Str. 4060596Frankfurt am MainGermany
| | - Jörn Walter
- Department of Genetics and EpigeneticsSaarland UniversityCampus A2 466123SaarbrückenGermany
| | - Nicole Schneider‐Daum
- Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS) – Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI)Campus E8.166123SaarbrückenGermany
| | - Claus‐Michael Lehr
- Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS) – Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI)Campus E8.166123SaarbrückenGermany
- Department of PharmacySaarland UniversityCampus E8.166123SaarbrückenGermany
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12
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Wasilewicz A, Kirchweger B, Bojkova D, Abi Saad MJ, Langeder J, Bütikofer M, Adelsberger S, Grienke U, Cinatl
Jr. J, Petermann O, Scapozza L, Orts J, Kirchmair J, Rabenau HF, Rollinger JM. Identification of Natural Products Inhibiting SARS-CoV-2 by Targeting Viral Proteases: A Combined in Silico and in Vitro Approach. J Nat Prod 2023; 86:264-275. [PMID: 36651644 PMCID: PMC9885530 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jnatprod.2c00843] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
In this study, an integrated in silico-in vitro approach was employed to discover natural products (NPs) active against SARS-CoV-2. The two SARS-CoV-2 viral proteases, i.e., main protease (Mpro) and papain-like protease (PLpro), were selected as targets for the in silico study. Virtual hits were obtained by docking more than 140,000 NPs and NP derivatives available in-house and from commercial sources, and 38 virtual hits were experimentally validated in vitro using two enzyme-based assays. Five inhibited the enzyme activity of SARS-CoV-2 Mpro by more than 60% at a concentration of 20 μM, and four of them with high potency (IC50 < 10 μM). These hit compounds were further evaluated for their antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2 in Calu-3 cells. The results from the cell-based assay revealed three mulberry Diels-Alder-type adducts (MDAAs) from Morus alba with pronounced anti-SARS-CoV-2 activities. Sanggenons C (12), O (13), and G (15) showed IC50 values of 4.6, 8.0, and 7.6 μM and selectivity index values of 5.1, 3.1 and 6.5, respectively. The docking poses of MDAAs in SARS-CoV-2 Mpro proposed a butterfly-shaped binding conformation, which was supported by the results of saturation transfer difference NMR experiments and competitive 1H relaxation dispersion NMR spectroscopy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Wasilewicz
- Department
of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of
Vienna, Josef-Holaubek-Platz 2, 1090 Vienna, Austria
- Vienna
Doctoral School of Pharmaceutical, Nutritional and Sport Sciences, University of Vienna, Josef-Holaubek-Platz 2, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Benjamin Kirchweger
- Department
of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of
Vienna, Josef-Holaubek-Platz 2, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Denisa Bojkova
- Institute
of Medical Virology, University Hospital
Frankfurt, Paul-Ehrlich-Straße
40, 60596 Frankfurt
am Main, Germany
| | - Marie Jose Abi Saad
- Department
of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of
Vienna, Josef-Holaubek-Platz 2, 1090 Vienna, Austria
- Vienna
Doctoral School of Pharmaceutical, Nutritional and Sport Sciences, University of Vienna, Josef-Holaubek-Platz 2, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Julia Langeder
- Department
of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of
Vienna, Josef-Holaubek-Platz 2, 1090 Vienna, Austria
- Vienna
Doctoral School of Pharmaceutical, Nutritional and Sport Sciences, University of Vienna, Josef-Holaubek-Platz 2, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Matthias Bütikofer
- Swiss
Federal Institute of Technology, Laboratory of Physical Chemistry, ETH Zurich, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 1-5/10, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Sigrid Adelsberger
- Department
of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of
Vienna, Josef-Holaubek-Platz 2, 1090 Vienna, Austria
- Vienna
Doctoral School of Pharmaceutical, Nutritional and Sport Sciences, University of Vienna, Josef-Holaubek-Platz 2, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Ulrike Grienke
- Department
of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of
Vienna, Josef-Holaubek-Platz 2, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Jindrich Cinatl
Jr.
- Institute
of Medical Virology, University Hospital
Frankfurt, Paul-Ehrlich-Straße
40, 60596 Frankfurt
am Main, Germany
| | - Olivier Petermann
- Pharmaceutical
Biochemistry Group, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Geneva, 1205 Geneva, Switzerland
- Institute
of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Western Switzerland, University of Geneva, 1205 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Leonardo Scapozza
- Pharmaceutical
Biochemistry Group, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Geneva, 1205 Geneva, Switzerland
- Institute
of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Western Switzerland, University of Geneva, 1205 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Julien Orts
- Department
of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of
Vienna, Josef-Holaubek-Platz 2, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Johannes Kirchmair
- Department
of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of
Vienna, Josef-Holaubek-Platz 2, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Holger F. Rabenau
- Institute
of Medical Virology, University Hospital
Frankfurt, Paul-Ehrlich-Straße
40, 60596 Frankfurt
am Main, Germany
| | - Judith M. Rollinger
- Department
of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of
Vienna, Josef-Holaubek-Platz 2, 1090 Vienna, Austria
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13
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Bojkova D, Bechtel M, Rothenburger T, Steinhorst K, Zöller N, Kippenberger S, Schneider J, Corman VM, Uri H, Wass MN, Knecht G, Khaykin P, Wolf T, Ciesek S, Rabenau HF, Michaelis M, Cinatl J. Drug Sensitivity of Currently Circulating Mpox Viruses. N Engl J Med 2023; 388:279-281. [PMID: 36577096 DOI: 10.1056/nejmc2212136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Hannah Uri
- University of Kent, Canterbury, United Kingdom
| | - Mark N Wass
- University of Kent, Canterbury, United Kingdom
| | | | | | - Timo Wolf
- University Hospital, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
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14
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Hayes LJ, Uri H, Bojkova D, Cinatl J, Wass MN, Michaelis M. Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the circulation of other pathogens in England. J Med Virol 2023; 95:e28401. [PMID: 36512325 PMCID: PMC9877778 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.28401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2022] [Revised: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Hannah Uri
- School of BiosciencesUniversity of KentCanterburyUK
| | - Denisa Bojkova
- Institute for Medical VirologyUniversity Hospital, Goethe UniversityFrankfurt am MainGermany
| | - Jindrich Cinatl
- Institute for Medical VirologyUniversity Hospital, Goethe UniversityFrankfurt am MainGermany,Dr. Petra Joh‐ForschungshausFrankfurt am MainGermany
| | - Mark N. Wass
- School of BiosciencesUniversity of KentCanterburyUK
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15
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Karlowitz R, Stanifer ML, Roedig J, Andrieux G, Bojkova D, Bechtel M, Smith S, Kowald L, Schubert R, Boerries M, Cinatl J, Boulant S, van Wijk SJL. USP22 controls type III interferon signaling and SARS-CoV-2 infection through activation of STING. Cell Death Dis 2022; 13:684. [PMID: 35933402 PMCID: PMC9357023 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-022-05124-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2022] [Revised: 07/21/2022] [Accepted: 07/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) and interferons (IFNs) serve as essential antiviral defense against SARS-CoV-2, the causative agent of the COVID-19 pandemic. Type III IFNs (IFN-λ) exhibit cell-type specific and long-lasting functions in auto-inflammation, tumorigenesis, and antiviral defense. Here, we identify the deubiquitinating enzyme USP22 as central regulator of basal IFN-λ secretion and SARS-CoV-2 infections in human intestinal epithelial cells (hIECs). USP22-deficient hIECs strongly upregulate genes involved in IFN signaling and viral defense, including numerous IFN-stimulated genes (ISGs), with increased secretion of IFN-λ and enhanced STAT1 signaling, even in the absence of exogenous IFNs or viral infection. Interestingly, USP22 controls basal and 2'3'-cGAMP-induced STING activation and loss of STING reversed STAT activation and ISG and IFN-λ expression. Intriguingly, USP22-deficient hIECs are protected against SARS-CoV-2 infection, viral replication, and the formation of de novo infectious particles, in a STING-dependent manner. These findings reveal USP22 as central host regulator of STING and type III IFN signaling, with important implications for SARS-CoV-2 infection and antiviral defense.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebekka Karlowitz
- grid.7839.50000 0004 1936 9721Institute for Experimental Cancer Research in Pediatrics, Goethe University Frankfurt, Komturstrasse 3a, 60528 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Megan L. Stanifer
- grid.7700.00000 0001 2190 4373Department of Infectious Diseases/Molecular Virology, Medical Faculty, Center for Integrative Infectious Diseases Research (CIID), University of Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany ,grid.15276.370000 0004 1936 8091Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL USA
| | - Jens Roedig
- grid.7839.50000 0004 1936 9721Institute for Experimental Cancer Research in Pediatrics, Goethe University Frankfurt, Komturstrasse 3a, 60528 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Geoffroy Andrieux
- grid.5963.9Institute of Medical Bioinformatics and Systems Medicine, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79110 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Denisa Bojkova
- grid.411088.40000 0004 0578 8220Institute of Medical Virology, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Marco Bechtel
- grid.411088.40000 0004 0578 8220Institute of Medical Virology, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Sonja Smith
- grid.7839.50000 0004 1936 9721Institute for Experimental Cancer Research in Pediatrics, Goethe University Frankfurt, Komturstrasse 3a, 60528 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Lisa Kowald
- grid.7839.50000 0004 1936 9721Institute for Experimental Cancer Research in Pediatrics, Goethe University Frankfurt, Komturstrasse 3a, 60528 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Ralf Schubert
- grid.411088.40000 0004 0578 8220Division for Allergy, Pneumology and Cystic Fibrosis, Department for Children and Adolescents, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Melanie Boerries
- grid.5963.9Institute of Medical Bioinformatics and Systems Medicine, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79110 Freiburg, Germany ,grid.7497.d0000 0004 0492 0584German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), partner site Freiburg, 79110 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Jindrich Cinatl
- grid.411088.40000 0004 0578 8220Institute of Medical Virology, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Steeve Boulant
- grid.15276.370000 0004 1936 8091Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL USA ,grid.7700.00000 0001 2190 4373Department of Infectious Diseases, Virology, Medical Faculty, Center for Integrative Infectious Diseases Research (CIID), University of Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Sjoerd J. L. van Wijk
- grid.7839.50000 0004 1936 9721Institute for Experimental Cancer Research in Pediatrics, Goethe University Frankfurt, Komturstrasse 3a, 60528 Frankfurt am Main, Germany ,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) partner site Frankfurt/Mainz, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
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16
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Bojkova D, Stack R, Rothenburger T, Kandler JD, Ciesek S, Wass MN, Michaelis M, Cinatl J. Synergism of interferon-beta with antiviral drugs against SARS-CoV-2 variants. J Infect 2022; 85:573-607. [PMID: 35917841 PMCID: PMC9339084 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinf.2022.07.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 07/27/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
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17
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Chiu W, Verschueren L, Van den Eynde C, Buyck C, De Meyer S, Jochmans D, Bojkova D, Ciesek S, Cinatl J, De Jonghe S, Leyssen P, Neyts J, Van Loock M, Van Damme E. Development and optimization of a high-throughput screening assay for in vitro anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity: Evaluation of 5676 Phase 1 Passed Structures. J Med Virol 2022; 94:3101-3111. [PMID: 35229317 PMCID: PMC9088669 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.27683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2022] [Revised: 02/25/2022] [Accepted: 02/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Although vaccines are currently used to control the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, treatment options are urgently needed for those who cannot be vaccinated and for future outbreaks involving new severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) strains or coronaviruses not covered by current vaccines. Thus far, few existing antivirals are known to be effective against SARS-CoV-2 and clinically successful against COVID-19. As part of an immediate response to the COVID-19 pandemic, a high-throughput, high content imaging-based SARS-CoV-2 infection assay was developed in VeroE6 African green monkey kidney epithelial cells expressing a stable enhanced green fluorescent protein (VeroE6-eGFP cells) and was used to screen a library of 5676 compounds that passed Phase 1 clinical trials. Eight drugs (nelfinavir, RG-12915, itraconazole, chloroquine, hydroxychloroquine, sematilide, remdesivir, and doxorubicin) were identified as inhibitors of in vitro anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity in VeroE6-eGFP and/or Caco-2 cell lines. However, apart from remdesivir, toxicity and pharmacokinetic data did not support further clinical development of these compounds for COVID-19 treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Winston Chiu
- KU Leuven, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and TransplantationRega Institute, Laboratory of Virology and ChemotherapyLeuvenBelgium
| | | | | | | | | | - Dirk Jochmans
- KU Leuven, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and TransplantationRega Institute, Laboratory of Virology and ChemotherapyLeuvenBelgium
| | - Denisa Bojkova
- Institute of Medical VirologyUniversity Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe UniversityFrankfurt am MainGermany
| | - Sandra Ciesek
- Institute of Medical VirologyUniversity Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe UniversityFrankfurt am MainGermany
| | - Jindrich Cinatl
- Institute of Medical VirologyUniversity Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe UniversityFrankfurt am MainGermany
| | - Steven De Jonghe
- KU Leuven, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and TransplantationRega Institute, Laboratory of Virology and ChemotherapyLeuvenBelgium
| | - Pieter Leyssen
- KU Leuven, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and TransplantationRega Institute, Laboratory of Virology and ChemotherapyLeuvenBelgium
| | - Johan Neyts
- KU Leuven, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and TransplantationRega Institute, Laboratory of Virology and ChemotherapyLeuvenBelgium
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18
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Layer E, Hoehl S, Widera M, Bojkova D, Westphal T, Gottschalk R, Boeddinghaus B, Schork J, Ciesek S, Goetsch U. SARS-CoV-2 screening strategies for returning international travellers: Evaluation of a rapid antigen test approach. Int J Infect Dis 2022; 118:126-131. [PMID: 35247549 PMCID: PMC8888351 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2022.02.045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2022] [Revised: 02/17/2022] [Accepted: 02/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background International travel poses the risk of importing SARS-CoV-2 infections and introducing new viral variants into the country of destination. Established measures include mandatory quarantine with the opportunity to abbreviate it with a negative rapid antigen test (RAT). Methods A total of 1,488 returnees were tested for SARS-CoV-2 with both PCR and RAT no earlier than 5 days after arrival. We assessed the sensitivity and specificity of the RAT. Positive samples were evaluated for infectivity in vitro in a cell culture outgrowth assay. We tracked if participants who tested negative were reported positive within 2 weeks of the initial test. Results Potential infectiousness was determined based on symptom onset analysis, resulting in a sensitivity of the antigen test of 89% in terms of infectivity. The specificity was 100%. All positive outgrowth assays were preceded by a positive RAT, indicating that all participants with proven in vitro infectivity were correctly identified. None of the negative participants tested positive during the follow-up. Conclusions RAT no earlier than the 5th day after arrival was a reliable method for detecting infectious travellers and can be recommended as an appropriate method for managing SARS-CoV-2 travel restrictions. Compliance to the regulations and a high standard of test quality must be ensured.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily Layer
- Institute of Medical Virology, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany; Health Protection Authority, City of Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Sebastian Hoehl
- Institute of Medical Virology, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Marek Widera
- Institute of Medical Virology, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Denisa Bojkova
- Institute of Medical Virology, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Tim Westphal
- Health Protection Authority, City of Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Rene Gottschalk
- Health Protection Authority, City of Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Boris Boeddinghaus
- Health Protection Authority, City of Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Joscha Schork
- Health Protection Authority, City of Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Sandra Ciesek
- Institute of Medical Virology, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany; German Center for Infection Research, DZIF, External partner site Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Udo Goetsch
- Health Protection Authority, City of Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
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19
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Bojkova D, Widera M, Ciesek S, Wass MN, Michaelis M, Cinatl J. Reduced interferon antagonism but similar drug sensitivity in Omicron variant compared to Delta variant of SARS-CoV-2 isolates. Cell Res 2022; 32:319-321. [PMID: 35064226 PMCID: PMC8781709 DOI: 10.1038/s41422-022-00619-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2022] [Accepted: 01/11/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Denisa Bojkova
- Institute for Medical Virology, University Hospital, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Marek Widera
- Institute for Medical Virology, University Hospital, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Sandra Ciesek
- Institute for Medical Virology, University Hospital, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research, DZIF, External Partner Site Frankfurt am Main, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology (IME), Branch Translational Medicine und Pharmacology, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Mark N Wass
- School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury, UK.
| | | | - Jindrich Cinatl
- Institute for Medical Virology, University Hospital, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
- Dr. Petra Joh-Forschungshaus, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
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20
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de Bruin N, Schneider AK, Reus P, Talmon S, Ciesek S, Bojkova D, Cinatl J, Lodhi I, Charlesworth B, Sinclair S, Pennick G, Laughey WF, Gribbon P, Kannt A, Schiffmann S. Ibuprofen, Flurbiprofen, Etoricoxib or Paracetamol Do Not Influence ACE2 Expression and Activity In Vitro or in Mice and Do Not Exacerbate In-Vitro SARS-CoV-2 Infection. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23031049. [PMID: 35162972 PMCID: PMC8835123 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23031049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2021] [Revised: 01/12/2022] [Accepted: 01/15/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 uses the human cell surface protein angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) as the receptor by which it gains access into lung and other tissue. Early in the pandemic, there was speculation that a number of commonly used medications—including ibuprofen and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)—have the potential to upregulate ACE2, thereby possibly facilitating viral entry and increasing the severity of COVID-19. We investigated the influence of the NSAIDS with a range of cyclooxygenase (COX)1 and COX2 selectivity (ibuprofen, flurbiprofen, etoricoxib) and paracetamol on the level of ACE2 mRNA/protein expression and activity as well as their influence on SARS-CoV-2 infection levels in a Caco-2 cell model. We also analysed the ACE2 mRNA/protein levels and activity in lung, heart and aorta in ibuprofen treated mice. The drugs had no effect on ACE2 mRNA/protein expression and activity in the Caco-2 cell model. There was no up-regulation of ACE2 mRNA/protein expression and activity in lung, heart and aorta tissue in ibuprofen-treated mice in comparison to untreated mice. Viral load was significantly reduced by both flurbiprofen and ibuprofen at high concentrations. Ibuprofen, flurbiprofen, etoricoxib and paracetamol demonstrated no effects on ACE2 expression or activity in vitro or in vivo. Higher concentrations of ibuprofen and flurbiprofen reduced SARS-CoV-2 replication in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natasja de Bruin
- Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology ITMP, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; (N.d.B.); (A.-K.S.); (S.T.); (S.C.)
- Fraunhofer Cluster of Excellence Immune Mediated Diseases, CIMD, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Ann-Kathrin Schneider
- Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology ITMP, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; (N.d.B.); (A.-K.S.); (S.T.); (S.C.)
| | - Philipp Reus
- Institute of Medical Virology, University Hospital Frankfurt/Main, Goethe University, Paul-Ehrlich-Str. 40, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; (P.R.); (D.B.); (J.C.)
- Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology ITMP, Discovery Research ScreeningPort, 22525 Hamburg, Germany;
| | - Sonja Talmon
- Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology ITMP, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; (N.d.B.); (A.-K.S.); (S.T.); (S.C.)
| | - Sandra Ciesek
- Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology ITMP, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; (N.d.B.); (A.-K.S.); (S.T.); (S.C.)
- Institute of Medical Virology, University Hospital Frankfurt/Main, Goethe University, Paul-Ehrlich-Str. 40, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; (P.R.); (D.B.); (J.C.)
| | - Denisa Bojkova
- Institute of Medical Virology, University Hospital Frankfurt/Main, Goethe University, Paul-Ehrlich-Str. 40, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; (P.R.); (D.B.); (J.C.)
| | - Jindrich Cinatl
- Institute of Medical Virology, University Hospital Frankfurt/Main, Goethe University, Paul-Ehrlich-Str. 40, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; (P.R.); (D.B.); (J.C.)
| | - Imran Lodhi
- Reckitt Healthcare Ltd., Dansom Lane South, Kingston Upon Hull HU8 7DS, UK; (I.L.); (B.C.); (S.S.); (G.P.); (W.F.L.)
| | - Bruce Charlesworth
- Reckitt Healthcare Ltd., Dansom Lane South, Kingston Upon Hull HU8 7DS, UK; (I.L.); (B.C.); (S.S.); (G.P.); (W.F.L.)
| | - Simon Sinclair
- Reckitt Healthcare Ltd., Dansom Lane South, Kingston Upon Hull HU8 7DS, UK; (I.L.); (B.C.); (S.S.); (G.P.); (W.F.L.)
| | - Graham Pennick
- Reckitt Healthcare Ltd., Dansom Lane South, Kingston Upon Hull HU8 7DS, UK; (I.L.); (B.C.); (S.S.); (G.P.); (W.F.L.)
| | - William F. Laughey
- Reckitt Healthcare Ltd., Dansom Lane South, Kingston Upon Hull HU8 7DS, UK; (I.L.); (B.C.); (S.S.); (G.P.); (W.F.L.)
- Health Professions Education Unit, Hull York Medical School, University of York, Heslington, York YO10 5DD, UK
| | - Philip Gribbon
- Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology ITMP, Discovery Research ScreeningPort, 22525 Hamburg, Germany;
| | - Aimo Kannt
- Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology ITMP, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; (N.d.B.); (A.-K.S.); (S.T.); (S.C.)
- Fraunhofer Cluster of Excellence Immune Mediated Diseases, CIMD, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Correspondence: (A.K.); or (S.S.); Tel.: +49-69-870025053 (A.K.); +49-69-870025060 (S.S.); Fax: +49-69-870010000 (S.S.)
| | - Susanne Schiffmann
- Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology ITMP, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; (N.d.B.); (A.-K.S.); (S.T.); (S.C.)
- Pharmazentrum Frankfurt/ZAFES, Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Goethe-University Hospital Frankfurt am Main, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Correspondence: (A.K.); or (S.S.); Tel.: +49-69-870025053 (A.K.); +49-69-870025060 (S.S.); Fax: +49-69-870010000 (S.S.)
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21
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Gil‐Moles M, Türck S, Basu U, Pettenuzzo A, Bhattacharya S, Rajan A, Ma X, Büssing R, Wölker J, Burmeister H, Hoffmeister H, Schneeberg P, Prause A, Lippmann P, Kusi‐Nimarko J, Hassell‐Hart S, McGown A, Guest D, Lin Y, Notaro A, Vinck R, Karges J, Cariou K, Peng K, Qin X, Wang X, Skiba J, Szczupak Ł, Kowalski K, Schatzschneider U, Hemmert C, Gornitzka H, Milaeva ER, Nazarov AA, Gasser G, Spencer J, Ronconi L, Kortz U, Cinatl J, Bojkova D, Ott I. Metallodrug Profiling against SARS-CoV-2 Target Proteins Identifies Highly Potent Inhibitors of the S/ACE2 interaction and the Papain-like Protease PL pro. Chemistry 2021; 27:17928-17940. [PMID: 34714566 PMCID: PMC8653295 DOI: 10.1002/chem.202103258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The global spread of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has called for an urgent need for dedicated antiviral therapeutics. Metal complexes are commonly underrepresented in compound libraries that are used for screening in drug discovery campaigns, however, there is growing evidence for their role in medicinal chemistry. Based on previous results, we have selected more than 100 structurally diverse metal complexes for profiling as inhibitors of two relevant SARS-CoV-2 replication mechanisms, namely the interaction of the spike (S) protein with the ACE2 receptor and the papain-like protease PLpro . In addition to many well-established types of mononuclear experimental metallodrugs, the pool of compounds tested was extended to approved metal-based therapeutics such as silver sulfadiazine and thiomersal, as well as polyoxometalates (POMs). Among the mononuclear metal complexes, only a small number of active inhibitors of the S/ACE2 interaction was identified, with titanocene dichloride as the only strong inhibitor. However, among the gold and silver containing complexes many turned out to be very potent inhibitors of PLpro activity. Highly promising activity against both targets was noted for many POMs. Selected complexes were evaluated in antiviral SARS-CoV-2 assays confirming activity for gold complexes with N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) or dithiocarbamato ligands, a silver NHC complex, titanocene dichloride as well as a POM compound. These studies might provide starting points for the design of metal-based SARS-CoV-2 antiviral agents.
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22
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Wenzel J, Lampe J, Müller-Fielitz H, Schuster R, Zille M, Müller K, Krohn M, Körbelin J, Zhang L, Özorhan Ü, Neve V, Wagner JUG, Bojkova D, Shumliakivska M, Jiang Y, Fähnrich A, Ott F, Sencio V, Robil C, Pfefferle S, Sauve F, Coêlho CFF, Franz J, Spiecker F, Lembrich B, Binder S, Feller N, König P, Busch H, Collin L, Villaseñor R, Jöhren O, Altmeppen HC, Pasparakis M, Dimmeler S, Cinatl J, Püschel K, Zelic M, Ofengeim D, Stadelmann C, Trottein F, Nogueiras R, Hilgenfeld R, Glatzel M, Prevot V, Schwaninger M. The SARS-CoV-2 main protease M pro causes microvascular brain pathology by cleaving NEMO in brain endothelial cells. Nat Neurosci 2021. [PMID: 34675436 DOI: 10.1038/s41593-02100926-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/13/2023]
Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) can damage cerebral small vessels and cause neurological symptoms. Here we describe structural changes in cerebral small vessels of patients with COVID-19 and elucidate potential mechanisms underlying the vascular pathology. In brains of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)-infected individuals and animal models, we found an increased number of empty basement membrane tubes, so-called string vessels representing remnants of lost capillaries. We obtained evidence that brain endothelial cells are infected and that the main protease of SARS-CoV-2 (Mpro) cleaves NEMO, the essential modulator of nuclear factor-κB. By ablating NEMO, Mpro induces the death of human brain endothelial cells and the occurrence of string vessels in mice. Deletion of receptor-interacting protein kinase (RIPK) 3, a mediator of regulated cell death, blocks the vessel rarefaction and disruption of the blood-brain barrier due to NEMO ablation. Importantly, a pharmacological inhibitor of RIPK signaling prevented the Mpro-induced microvascular pathology. Our data suggest RIPK as a potential therapeutic target to treat the neuropathology of COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Wenzel
- Institute for Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Center of Brain, Behavior and Metabolism (CBBM), University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
- DZHK (German Research Centre for Cardiovascular Research), Hamburg-Lübeck-Kiel and Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Josephine Lampe
- Institute for Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Center of Brain, Behavior and Metabolism (CBBM), University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
- DZHK (German Research Centre for Cardiovascular Research), Hamburg-Lübeck-Kiel and Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Helge Müller-Fielitz
- Institute for Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Center of Brain, Behavior and Metabolism (CBBM), University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Raphael Schuster
- Institute for Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Center of Brain, Behavior and Metabolism (CBBM), University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Marietta Zille
- Institute for Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Center of Brain, Behavior and Metabolism (CBBM), University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
- DZHK (German Research Centre for Cardiovascular Research), Hamburg-Lübeck-Kiel and Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Kristin Müller
- Institute for Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Center of Brain, Behavior and Metabolism (CBBM), University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Markus Krohn
- Institute for Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Center of Brain, Behavior and Metabolism (CBBM), University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
- DZHK (German Research Centre for Cardiovascular Research), Hamburg-Lübeck-Kiel and Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Jakob Körbelin
- Department of Oncology, Hematology & Bone Marrow Transplantation, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Linlin Zhang
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Hamburg-Lübeck-Borstel-Riems, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Ümit Özorhan
- Institute for Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Center of Brain, Behavior and Metabolism (CBBM), University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
- DZHK (German Research Centre for Cardiovascular Research), Hamburg-Lübeck-Kiel and Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Vanessa Neve
- Institute for Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Center of Brain, Behavior and Metabolism (CBBM), University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Julian U G Wagner
- DZHK (German Research Centre for Cardiovascular Research), Hamburg-Lübeck-Kiel and Frankfurt, Germany
- Institute for Cardiovascular Regeneration, Cardiopulmonary Institute (CPI), University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Denisa Bojkova
- Institute of Medical Virology, University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Mariana Shumliakivska
- Institute for Cardiovascular Regeneration, Cardiopulmonary Institute (CPI), University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Yun Jiang
- Institute for Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Center of Brain, Behavior and Metabolism (CBBM), University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Anke Fähnrich
- Institute of Experimental Dermatology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
- Institute for Cardiogenetics, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Fabian Ott
- Institute of Experimental Dermatology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
- Institute for Cardiogenetics, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Valentin Sencio
- Centre d'Infection et d'Immunité de Lille, Inserm U1019, CNRS UMR 9017, University of Lille, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, Lille, France
| | - Cyril Robil
- Centre d'Infection et d'Immunité de Lille, Inserm U1019, CNRS UMR 9017, University of Lille, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, Lille, France
| | - Susanne Pfefferle
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, Virology and Hygiene, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Florent Sauve
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, Laboratory of Development and Plasticity of the Neuroendocrine Brain, Lille Neuroscience & Cognition, UMR-S 1172, DISTALZ, EGID, Lille, France
| | - Caio Fernando Ferreira Coêlho
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, Laboratory of Development and Plasticity of the Neuroendocrine Brain, Lille Neuroscience & Cognition, UMR-S 1172, DISTALZ, EGID, Lille, France
| | - Jonas Franz
- Institute of Neuropathology, University Medical Center, Göttingen, Germany
- Campus Institute for Dynamics of Biological Networks, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
- Max Planck Institute for Experimental Medicine, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Frauke Spiecker
- Institute for Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Center of Brain, Behavior and Metabolism (CBBM), University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Beate Lembrich
- Institute for Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Center of Brain, Behavior and Metabolism (CBBM), University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Sonja Binder
- Institute for Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Center of Brain, Behavior and Metabolism (CBBM), University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Nina Feller
- Institute for Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Center of Brain, Behavior and Metabolism (CBBM), University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
- DZHK (German Research Centre for Cardiovascular Research), Hamburg-Lübeck-Kiel and Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Peter König
- Airway Research Center North, Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Lübeck, Germany
- Institute of Anatomy, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Hauke Busch
- Institute of Experimental Dermatology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
- Institute for Cardiogenetics, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Ludovic Collin
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development (pRED), Roche Innovation Center, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Roberto Villaseñor
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development (pRED), Roche Innovation Center, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Olaf Jöhren
- Institute for Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Center of Brain, Behavior and Metabolism (CBBM), University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Hermann C Altmeppen
- Institute of Neuropathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | | | - Stefanie Dimmeler
- DZHK (German Research Centre for Cardiovascular Research), Hamburg-Lübeck-Kiel and Frankfurt, Germany
- Institute for Cardiovascular Regeneration, Cardiopulmonary Institute (CPI), University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Jindrich Cinatl
- Institute of Medical Virology, University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Klaus Püschel
- Institute of Legal Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Matija Zelic
- Rare and Neurologic Diseases Research, Sanofi, Framingham, MA, USA
| | - Dimitry Ofengeim
- Rare and Neurologic Diseases Research, Sanofi, Framingham, MA, USA
| | | | - François Trottein
- Centre d'Infection et d'Immunité de Lille, Inserm U1019, CNRS UMR 9017, University of Lille, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, Lille, France
| | - Ruben Nogueiras
- Department of Physiology, CIMUS, University of Santiago de Compostela-Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Rolf Hilgenfeld
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Hamburg-Lübeck-Borstel-Riems, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Markus Glatzel
- Institute of Neuropathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Vincent Prevot
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, Laboratory of Development and Plasticity of the Neuroendocrine Brain, Lille Neuroscience & Cognition, UMR-S 1172, DISTALZ, EGID, Lille, France
| | - Markus Schwaninger
- Institute for Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Center of Brain, Behavior and Metabolism (CBBM), University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany.
- DZHK (German Research Centre for Cardiovascular Research), Hamburg-Lübeck-Kiel and Frankfurt, Germany.
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23
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Cremer S, Pilgram L, Berkowitsch A, Stecher M, Rieg S, Shumliakivska M, Bojkova D, Wagner JUG, Aslan GS, Spinner C, Luxán G, Hanses F, Dolff S, Piepel C, Ruppert C, Guenther A, Rüthrich MM, Vehreschild JJ, Wille K, Haselberger M, Heuzeroth H, Hansen A, Eschenhagen T, Cinatl J, Ciesek S, Dimmeler S, Borgmann S, Zeiher A. Angiotensin II receptor blocker intake associates with reduced markers of inflammatory activation and decreased mortality in patients with cardiovascular comorbidities and COVID-19 disease. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0258684. [PMID: 34673795 PMCID: PMC8530317 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0258684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2021] [Accepted: 10/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
AIMS Patients with cardiovascular comorbidities have a significantly increased risk for a critical course of COVID-19. As the SARS-CoV2 virus enters cells via the angiotensin-converting enzyme receptor II (ACE2), drugs which interact with the renin angiotensin aldosterone system (RAAS) were suspected to influence disease severity. METHODS AND RESULTS We analyzed 1946 consecutive patients with cardiovascular comorbidities or hypertension enrolled in one of the largest European COVID-19 registries, the Lean European Open Survey on SARS-CoV-2 (LEOSS) registry. Here, we show that angiotensin II receptor blocker intake is associated with decreased mortality in patients with COVID-19 [OR 0.75 (95% CI 0,59-0.96; p = 0.013)]. This effect was mainly driven by patients, who presented in an early phase of COVID-19 at baseline [OR 0,64 (95% CI 0,43-0,96; p = 0.029)]. Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed a significantly lower incidence of death in patients on an angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) (n = 33/318;10,4%) compared to patients using an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEi) (n = 60/348;17,2%) or patients who received neither an ACE-inhibitor nor an ARB at baseline in the uncomplicated phase (n = 90/466; 19,3%; p<0.034). Patients taking an ARB were significantly less frequently reaching the mortality predicting threshold for leukocytes (p<0.001), neutrophils (p = 0.002) and the inflammatory markers CRP (p = 0.021), procalcitonin (p = 0.001) and IL-6 (p = 0.049). ACE2 expression levels in human lung samples were not altered in patients taking RAAS modulators. CONCLUSION These data suggest a beneficial effect of ARBs on disease severity in patients with cardiovascular comorbidities and COVID-19, which is linked to dampened systemic inflammatory activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Cremer
- Department of Medicine, Cardiology, Goethe University Hospital, Frankfurt, Germany
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research DZHK, Partner Site Rhine-Main, Berlin, Germany
- Cardiopulmonary Institute, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Lisa Pilgram
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hematology/Oncology, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | | | - Melanie Stecher
- Department I for Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Siegbert Rieg
- Internal Medicine II, Department of Infectious Diseases, Freiburg University Hospital, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Mariana Shumliakivska
- Institute for Cardiovascular Regeneration, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Denisa Bojkova
- Institute of Medical Virology, University of Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | | | - Galip Servet Aslan
- Institute for Cardiovascular Regeneration, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Christoph Spinner
- Department of Internal Medicine II, Technical University of Munich, Hospital rechts der Isar, Munich, Germany
| | - Guillermo Luxán
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research DZHK, Partner Site Rhine-Main, Berlin, Germany
- Institute for Cardiovascular Regeneration, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Frank Hanses
- University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Sebastian Dolff
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Christiane Piepel
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Hospital Bremen-Mitte, Bremen, Germany
| | - Clemens Ruppert
- Department of Internal Medicine II, Giessen University, Giessen, Germany
| | - Andreas Guenther
- Department of Internal Medicine II, Giessen University, Giessen, Germany
| | | | - Jörg Janne Vehreschild
- Department I for Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Kai Wille
- University Clinic for Hematology, Oncology, Hemostaseology and Palliative Care, University of Bochum, Minden, Germany
| | | | - Hanno Heuzeroth
- Department of Emergency and Intensive Care Medicine, Klinikum Ernst von Bergmann, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Arne Hansen
- Department of Experimental Pharmacology and Toxicology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Thomas Eschenhagen
- Department of Experimental Pharmacology and Toxicology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Jindrich Cinatl
- Institute of Medical Virology, University of Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Sandra Ciesek
- Institute of Medical Virology, University of Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Stefanie Dimmeler
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research DZHK, Partner Site Rhine-Main, Berlin, Germany
- Cardiopulmonary Institute, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
- Institute for Cardiovascular Regeneration, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Stefan Borgmann
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Infection Control, Ingolstadt Hospital, Ingolstadt, Germany
| | - Andreas Zeiher
- Department of Medicine, Cardiology, Goethe University Hospital, Frankfurt, Germany
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research DZHK, Partner Site Rhine-Main, Berlin, Germany
- Cardiopulmonary Institute, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
- * E-mail:
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Bojkova D, Costa R, Reus P, Bechtel M, Jaboreck MC, Olmer R, Martin U, Ciesek S, Michaelis M, Cinatl J. Targeting the Pentose Phosphate Pathway for SARS-CoV-2 Therapy. Metabolites 2021; 11:metabo11100699. [PMID: 34677415 PMCID: PMC8540749 DOI: 10.3390/metabo11100699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2021] [Revised: 09/26/2021] [Accepted: 10/06/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 is causing the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, for which effective pharmacological therapies are needed. SARS-CoV-2 induces a shift of the host cell metabolism towards glycolysis, and the glycolysis inhibitor 2-deoxy-d-glucose (2DG), which interferes with SARS-CoV-2 infection, is under development for the treatment of COVID-19 patients. The glycolytic pathway generates intermediates that supply the non-oxidative branch of the pentose phosphate pathway (PPP). In this study, the analysis of proteomics data indicated increased transketolase (TKT) levels in SARS-CoV-2-infected cells, suggesting that a role is played by the non-oxidative PPP. In agreement, the TKT inhibitor benfooxythiamine (BOT) inhibited SARS-CoV-2 replication and increased the anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity of 2DG. In conclusion, SARS-CoV-2 infection is associated with changes in the regulation of the PPP. The TKT inhibitor BOT inhibited SARS-CoV-2 replication and increased the activity of the glycolysis inhibitor 2DG. Notably, metabolic drugs like BOT and 2DG may also interfere with COVID-19-associated immunopathology by modifying the metabolism of immune cells in addition to inhibiting SARS-CoV-2 replication. Hence, they may improve COVID-19 therapy outcomes by exerting antiviral and immunomodulatory effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denisa Bojkova
- Institute for Medical Virology, University Hospital, Goethe University, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; (D.B.); (P.R.); (M.B.); (S.C.)
| | - Rui Costa
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Infectious Diseases, Hvidovre Hospital and Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, 1455 Copenhagen, Denmark;
| | - Philipp Reus
- Institute for Medical Virology, University Hospital, Goethe University, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; (D.B.); (P.R.); (M.B.); (S.C.)
- Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology (ITMP), Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Marco Bechtel
- Institute for Medical Virology, University Hospital, Goethe University, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; (D.B.); (P.R.); (M.B.); (S.C.)
| | - Mark-Christian Jaboreck
- Leibniz Research Laboratories for Biotechnology and Artificial Organs (LEBAO), Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany; (M.-C.J.); (R.O.); (U.M.)
- Member of the German Lung Research Center (DZL), Feulgenstrasse 12, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Ruth Olmer
- Leibniz Research Laboratories for Biotechnology and Artificial Organs (LEBAO), Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany; (M.-C.J.); (R.O.); (U.M.)
- Member of the German Lung Research Center (DZL), Feulgenstrasse 12, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Ulrich Martin
- Leibniz Research Laboratories for Biotechnology and Artificial Organs (LEBAO), Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany; (M.-C.J.); (R.O.); (U.M.)
- Member of the German Lung Research Center (DZL), Feulgenstrasse 12, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Sandra Ciesek
- Institute for Medical Virology, University Hospital, Goethe University, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; (D.B.); (P.R.); (M.B.); (S.C.)
- Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology (ITMP), Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research, DZIF, External Partner Site, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Martin Michaelis
- School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury CT2 7NJ, UK
- Correspondence: (M.M.); (J.C.J.)
| | - Jindrich Cinatl
- Institute for Medical Virology, University Hospital, Goethe University, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; (D.B.); (P.R.); (M.B.); (S.C.)
- Correspondence: (M.M.); (J.C.J.)
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Wagner JUG, Bojkova D, Shumliakivska M, Aslan GS, Kandler JD, Hansen A, Krishnan J, Zeiher AM, Ciesek S, Cinatl J, Dimmeler S. Novel SARS-CoV-2 variants induce higher toxicity in cardiovascular cells. Eur Heart J 2021. [DOI: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehab724.3349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Objective
SARS-CoV-2 causes the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and has spawned a global health crisis. Virus infection can lead to elevated markers of cardiac injury and inflammation associated with a higher risk of mortality. However, it is so far unclear whether cardiovascular damage is caused by direct virus infection or is mainly secondary due to inflammation. Recently, additional novel SARS-CoV-2 variants have emerged accounting for more than 70% of all cases in Germany. To what extend these variants differ from the original strain in their pathology remains to be elucidated.
Here, we investigated the effect of the novel SARS-CoV-2 variants on cardiovascular cells.
Results
To study whether cardiovascular cells are permissive for SARS-CoV-2, we inoculated human iPS-derived cardiomyocytes and endothelial cells from five different origins, including umbilical vein endothelial cells, coronary artery endothelial cells (HCAEC), cardiac and lung microvascular endothelial cells, or pulmonary arterial cells, in vitro with SARS-CoV-2 isolates (G614 (original strain), B.1.1.7 (British variant), B.1.351 (South African variant) and P.1 (Brazilian variant)).
While the original virus strain infected iPS-cardiomyocytes and induced cell toxicity 96h post infection (290±10 cells vs. 130±10 cells; p=0.00045), preliminary data suggest a more severe infection by the novel variants. To what extend the response to the novel variants differ from the original strain is currently investigated by phosphoproteom analysis.
Of the five endothelial cells studied, only human coronary artery EC took up the original virus strain, without showing viral replication and cell toxicity. Spike protein was only detected in the perinuclear region and was co-localized with calnexin-positive endosomes, which was accompanied by elevated ER-stress marker genes, such as EDEM1 (1.5±0.2-fold change; p=0.04). Infection with the novel SARS-CoV-2 variants resulted in significant higher levels of viral spike compared to the current strain. Surprisingly, viral up-take was also seen in other endothelial cell types (e.g. HUVEC). Although no viral replication was observed (850±158 viral RNA copies at day 0 vs. 197±43 viral RNA copies at day 3; p=0.01), the British SARS-CoV-2 variant B.1.1.7 reduced endothelial cell numbers (0.63±0.03-fold change; p=0.0001).
Conclusion
Endothelial cells and cardiomyocytes showed a distinct response to SARS-CoV-2. Whereas cardiomyocytes were permissively infected, endothelial cells took up the virus, but were resistant to viral replication. However, both cell types showed signs of increased toxicity induced by the British SARS-CoV-2 variant. These data suggest that cardiac complications observed in COVID-19 patients might at least in part be based on direct infection of cardiovascular cells. The more severe cytotoxic effects of the novel variants implicate that patients infected with the new variants should be even more closely monitored.
Funding Acknowledgement
Type of funding sources: Other. Main funding source(s): DFG and Willy-Pitzer Foundation
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Affiliation(s)
- J U G Wagner
- Goethe University Hospital, Institute of Cardiovascular Regneration, Frankfurt am Main, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - D Bojkova
- Goethe University Hospital, Institute of Medical Virology, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - M Shumliakivska
- Goethe University Hospital, Institute of Cardiovascular Regneration, Frankfurt am Main, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - G S Aslan
- Goethe University Hospital, Institute of Cardiovascular Regneration, Frankfurt am Main, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - J D Kandler
- Goethe University Hospital, Institute of Medical Virology, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - A Hansen
- University Medical Center Hamburg Eppendorf, Department of Experimental Pharmacology & Toxicology, Hamburg, Germany
| | - J Krishnan
- Goethe University Hospital, Institute of Cardiovascular Regneration, Frankfurt am Main, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - A M Zeiher
- Goethe University Hospital, Department of Cardiology, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - S Ciesek
- Goethe University Hospital, Institute of Medical Virology, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - J Cinatl
- Goethe University Hospital, Institute of Medical Virology, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - S Dimmeler
- Goethe University Hospital, Institute of Cardiovascular Regneration, Frankfurt am Main, Frankfurt, Germany
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Rothenburger T, Thomas D, Schreiber Y, Wratil PR, Pflantz T, Knecht K, Digianantonio K, Temple J, Schneider C, Baldauf HM, McLaughlin KM, Rothweiler F, Bilen B, Farmand S, Bojkova D, Costa R, Ferreirós N, Geisslinger G, Oellerich T, Xiong Y, Keppler OT, Wass MN, Michaelis M, Cinatl J. Differences between intrinsic and acquired nucleoside analogue resistance in acute myeloid leukaemia cells. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2021; 40:317. [PMID: 34641952 PMCID: PMC8507139 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-021-02093-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2021] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND SAMHD1 mediates resistance to anti-cancer nucleoside analogues, including cytarabine, decitabine, and nelarabine that are commonly used for the treatment of leukaemia, through cleavage of their triphosphorylated forms. Hence, SAMHD1 inhibitors are promising candidates for the sensitisation of leukaemia cells to nucleoside analogue-based therapy. Here, we investigated the effects of the cytosine analogue CNDAC, which has been proposed to be a SAMHD1 inhibitor, in the context of SAMHD1. METHODS CNDAC was tested in 13 acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) cell lines, in 26 acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) cell lines, ten AML sublines adapted to various antileukaemic drugs, 24 single cell-derived clonal AML sublines, and primary leukaemic blasts from 24 AML patients. Moreover, 24 CNDAC-resistant sublines of the AML cell lines HL-60 and PL-21 were established. The SAMHD1 gene was disrupted using CRISPR/Cas9 and SAMHD1 depleted using RNAi, and the viral Vpx protein. Forced DCK expression was achieved by lentiviral transduction. SAMHD1 promoter methylation was determined by PCR after treatment of genomic DNA with the methylation-sensitive HpaII endonuclease. Nucleoside (analogue) triphosphate levels were determined by LC-MS/MS. CNDAC interaction with SAMHD1 was analysed by an enzymatic assay and by crystallisation. RESULTS Although the cytosine analogue CNDAC was anticipated to inhibit SAMHD1, SAMHD1 mediated intrinsic CNDAC resistance in leukaemia cells. Accordingly, SAMHD1 depletion increased CNDAC triphosphate (CNDAC-TP) levels and CNDAC toxicity. Enzymatic assays and crystallisation studies confirmed CNDAC-TP to be a SAMHD1 substrate. In 24 CNDAC-adapted acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) sublines, resistance was driven by DCK (catalyses initial nucleoside phosphorylation) loss. CNDAC-adapted sublines displayed cross-resistance only to other DCK substrates (e.g. cytarabine, decitabine). Cell lines adapted to drugs not affected by DCK or SAMHD1 remained CNDAC sensitive. In cytarabine-adapted AML cells, increased SAMHD1 and reduced DCK levels contributed to cytarabine and CNDAC resistance. CONCLUSION Intrinsic and acquired resistance to CNDAC and related nucleoside analogues are driven by different mechanisms. The lack of cross-resistance between SAMHD1/ DCK substrates and non-substrates provides scope for next-line therapies after treatment failure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamara Rothenburger
- Institute for Medical Virology, Goethe-University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Faculty of Biological Sciences, Goethe-University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Dominique Thomas
- Pharmazentrum frankfurt/ZAFES, Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Goethe University of Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Yannick Schreiber
- Pharmazentrum frankfurt/ZAFES, Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Goethe University of Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Paul R Wratil
- Max von Pettenkofer Institute & Gene Center, Virology, National Reference Center for Retroviruses, Faculty of Medicine, LMU München, Munich, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Tamara Pflantz
- Max von Pettenkofer Institute & Gene Center, Virology, National Reference Center for Retroviruses, Faculty of Medicine, LMU München, Munich, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Kirsten Knecht
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Katie Digianantonio
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Joshua Temple
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Constanze Schneider
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Hanna-Mari Baldauf
- Max von Pettenkofer Institute & Gene Center, Virology, National Reference Center for Retroviruses, Faculty of Medicine, LMU München, Munich, Germany
| | | | - Florian Rothweiler
- Institute for Medical Virology, Goethe-University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Berna Bilen
- Faculty of Biological Sciences, Goethe-University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Samira Farmand
- Faculty of Biological Sciences, Goethe-University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Denisa Bojkova
- Institute for Medical Virology, Goethe-University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Rui Costa
- Institute for Medical Virology, Goethe-University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Nerea Ferreirós
- Pharmazentrum frankfurt/ZAFES, Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Goethe University of Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Gerd Geisslinger
- Pharmazentrum frankfurt/ZAFES, Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Goethe University of Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology (IME), Project group Translational Medicine and Pharmacology (TMP), Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Thomas Oellerich
- Department of Hematology/Oncology, Goethe-University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Molecular Diagnostics Unit, Frankfurt Cancer Institute, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium/German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Yong Xiong
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Oliver T Keppler
- Max von Pettenkofer Institute & Gene Center, Virology, National Reference Center for Retroviruses, Faculty of Medicine, LMU München, Munich, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Mark N Wass
- School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury, UK
| | | | - Jindrich Cinatl
- Institute for Medical Virology, Goethe-University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
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Reus P, Schneider AK, Ulshöfer T, Henke M, Bojkova D, Cinatl J, Ciesek S, Geisslinger G, Laux V, Grättinger M, Gribbon P, Schiffmann S. Characterization of ACE Inhibitors and AT 1R Antagonists with Regard to Their Effect on ACE2 Expression and Infection with SARS-CoV-2 Using a Caco-2 Cell Model. Life (Basel) 2021; 11:life11080810. [PMID: 34440554 PMCID: PMC8399150 DOI: 10.3390/life11080810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2021] [Revised: 07/29/2021] [Accepted: 08/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Blood-pressure-lowering drugs are proposed to foster SARS-CoV-2 infection by pharmacological upregulation of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), the binding partner of the virus spike (S) protein, located on the surface of the host cells. Conversely, it is postulated that angiotensin–renin system antagonists may prevent lung damage caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection, by reducing angiotensin II levels, which can induce permeability of lung endothelial barrier via its interaction with the AT1 receptor (AT1R). Methods: We have investigated the influence of the ACE inhibitors (lisinopril, captopril) and the AT1 antagonists (telmisartan, olmesartan) on the level of ACE2 mRNA and protein expression as well as their influence on the cytopathic effect of SARS-CoV-2 and on the cell barrier integrity in a Caco-2 cell model. Results: The drugs revealed no effect on ACE2 mRNA and protein expression. ACE inhibitors and AT1R antagonist olmesartan did not influence the infection rate of SARS-CoV-2 and were unable to prevent the SARS-CoV-2-induced cell barrier disturbance. A concentration of 25 µg/mL telmisartan significantly reduced the virus replication rate. Conclusion: ACE inhibitors and AT1R antagonist showed neither beneficial nor detrimental effects on SARS-CoV-2-infection and cell barrier integrity in vitro at pharmacologically relevant concentrations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philipp Reus
- Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology (ITMP), Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; (P.R.); (A.-K.S.); (T.U.); (M.H.); (S.C.); (G.G.); (V.L.); (M.G.); (P.G.)
- Institute of Medical Virology, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Paul-Ehrlich-Str. 40, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; (D.B.); (J.C.)
| | - Ann-Kathrin Schneider
- Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology (ITMP), Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; (P.R.); (A.-K.S.); (T.U.); (M.H.); (S.C.); (G.G.); (V.L.); (M.G.); (P.G.)
| | - Thomas Ulshöfer
- Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology (ITMP), Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; (P.R.); (A.-K.S.); (T.U.); (M.H.); (S.C.); (G.G.); (V.L.); (M.G.); (P.G.)
| | - Marina Henke
- Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology (ITMP), Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; (P.R.); (A.-K.S.); (T.U.); (M.H.); (S.C.); (G.G.); (V.L.); (M.G.); (P.G.)
| | - Denisa Bojkova
- Institute of Medical Virology, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Paul-Ehrlich-Str. 40, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; (D.B.); (J.C.)
| | - Jindrich Cinatl
- Institute of Medical Virology, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Paul-Ehrlich-Str. 40, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; (D.B.); (J.C.)
| | - Sandra Ciesek
- Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology (ITMP), Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; (P.R.); (A.-K.S.); (T.U.); (M.H.); (S.C.); (G.G.); (V.L.); (M.G.); (P.G.)
- Institute of Medical Virology, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Paul-Ehrlich-Str. 40, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; (D.B.); (J.C.)
| | - Gerd Geisslinger
- Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology (ITMP), Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; (P.R.); (A.-K.S.); (T.U.); (M.H.); (S.C.); (G.G.); (V.L.); (M.G.); (P.G.)
- Pharmazentrum Frankfurt/ZAFES, Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Goethe-University Hospital Frankfurt, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Fraunhofer Cluster of Excellence Immune Mediated Diseases, CIMD, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Volker Laux
- Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology (ITMP), Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; (P.R.); (A.-K.S.); (T.U.); (M.H.); (S.C.); (G.G.); (V.L.); (M.G.); (P.G.)
| | - Mira Grättinger
- Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology (ITMP), Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; (P.R.); (A.-K.S.); (T.U.); (M.H.); (S.C.); (G.G.); (V.L.); (M.G.); (P.G.)
| | - Philip Gribbon
- Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology (ITMP), Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; (P.R.); (A.-K.S.); (T.U.); (M.H.); (S.C.); (G.G.); (V.L.); (M.G.); (P.G.)
| | - Susanne Schiffmann
- Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology (ITMP), Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; (P.R.); (A.-K.S.); (T.U.); (M.H.); (S.C.); (G.G.); (V.L.); (M.G.); (P.G.)
- Fraunhofer Cluster of Excellence Immune Mediated Diseases, CIMD, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-69-870025060; Fax: +49-69-870010000
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Mukherjee R, Bhattacharya A, Bojkova D, Mehdipour AR, Shin D, Khan KS, Hei-Yin Cheung H, Wong KB, Ng WL, Cinatl J, Geurink PP, van der Heden van Noort GJ, Rajalingam K, Ciesek S, Hummer G, Dikic I. Famotidine inhibits toll-like receptor 3-mediated inflammatory signaling in SARS-CoV-2 infection. J Biol Chem 2021; 297:100925. [PMID: 34214498 PMCID: PMC8241579 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2021.100925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2021] [Revised: 06/09/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Apart from prevention using vaccinations, the management options for COVID-19 remain limited. In retrospective cohort studies, use of famotidine, a specific oral H2 receptor antagonist (antihistamine), has been associated with reduced risk of intubation and death in patients hospitalized with COVID-19. In a case series, nonhospitalized patients with COVID-19 experienced rapid symptom resolution after taking famotidine, but the molecular basis of these observations remains elusive. Here we show using biochemical, cellular, and functional assays that famotidine has no effect on viral replication or viral protease activity. However, famotidine can affect histamine-induced signaling processes in infected Caco2 cells. Specifically, famotidine treatment inhibits histamine-induced expression of Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) in SARS-CoV-2 infected cells and can reduce TLR3-dependent signaling processes that culminate in activation of IRF3 and the NF-κB pathway, subsequently controlling antiviral and inflammatory responses. SARS-CoV-2-infected cells treated with famotidine demonstrate reduced expression levels of the inflammatory mediators CCL-2 and IL6, drivers of the cytokine release syndrome that precipitates poor outcome for patients with COVID-19. Given that pharmacokinetic studies indicate that famotidine can reach concentrations in blood that suffice to antagonize histamine H2 receptors expressed in mast cells, neutrophils, and eosinophils, these observations explain how famotidine may contribute to the reduced histamine-induced inflammation and cytokine release, thereby improving the outcome for patients with COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rukmini Mukherjee
- Institute of Biochemistry II, Faculty of Medicine, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany; Buchmann Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany; Max Planck Institute of Biophysics, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Anshu Bhattacharya
- Institute of Biochemistry II, Faculty of Medicine, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany; Buchmann Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Denisa Bojkova
- Institute of Medical Virology, University Hospital Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Ahmad Reza Mehdipour
- Department of Theoretical Biophysics, Max Planck Institute of Biophysics, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Donghyuk Shin
- Institute of Biochemistry II, Faculty of Medicine, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany; Buchmann Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany; Department of Systems Biology, College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Khadija Shahed Khan
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Hayley Hei-Yin Cheung
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, School of Life Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Kam-Bo Wong
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, School of Life Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Wai-Lung Ng
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Jindrich Cinatl
- Institute of Medical Virology, University Hospital Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Paul P Geurink
- Oncode Institute and Department of Chemical Immunology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | | | - Krishnaraj Rajalingam
- Cell Biology Unit, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Sandra Ciesek
- Institute of Medical Virology, University Hospital Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany; Institute of Pharmaceutical Biology, Goethe-University, Frankfurt, Germany; Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology (IME), Branch Translational Medicine and Pharmacology, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Gerhard Hummer
- Department of Theoretical Biophysics, Max Planck Institute of Biophysics, Frankfurt, Germany; Institute of Biophysics, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Ivan Dikic
- Institute of Biochemistry II, Faculty of Medicine, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany; Buchmann Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany; Max Planck Institute of Biophysics, Frankfurt, Germany; Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology (IME), Branch Translational Medicine and Pharmacology, Frankfurt, Germany.
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29
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Plenzig S, Holz F, Bojkova D, Kettner M, Cinatl J, Verhoff MA, Birngruber CG, Ciesek S, Rabenau HF. Detection and infectivity of SARS-CoV-2 in exhumated corpses. Int J Legal Med 2021; 135:2531-2536. [PMID: 34302215 PMCID: PMC8302458 DOI: 10.1007/s00414-021-02670-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2021] [Accepted: 07/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Postmortem detection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2) after the exhumation of a corpse can become important, e.g. in the case of subsequent medical malpractice allegations. To date, data on possible detection periods [e.g. by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)] or on the potential infectivity of the virus after an exhumation are rare. In the present study, these parameters were examined in two cases with a time span of approximately 4 months between day of death and exhumation. Using SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR on swabs of both lungs and the oropharynx detection was possible with cycle threshold (Ct) values of about 30 despite signs of beginning decay. RT-PCR testing of perioral and perinasal swabs and swabs collected from the inside of the body bag, taken to estimate the risk of infection of those involved in the exhumation, was negative. Cell culture-based infectivity testing was negative for both, lung and oropharyngeal swabs. In one case, RT-PCR testing at the day of death of an oropharyngeal swab showed almost identical Ct values as postmortem testing of an oropharyngeal swab, impressively demonstrating the stability of viral RNA in the intact corpse. However, favorable climatic conditions in the grave have to be taken into account, as it was wintertime with constant low temperatures. Nevertheless, it was possible to demonstrate successful postmortem detection of SARS-CoV-2 infection following exhumation even after months in an earth grave.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Plenzig
- Institute of Legal Medicine, Goethe University, University Hospital Frankfurt, Kennedyallee 104, 60596, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
| | - F Holz
- Institute of Legal Medicine, Goethe University, University Hospital Frankfurt, Kennedyallee 104, 60596, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - D Bojkova
- Institute of Medical Virology, Goethe University, University Hospital Frankfurt, Paul-Ehrlich-Straße 40, 60596, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - M Kettner
- Institute of Legal Medicine, Goethe University, University Hospital Frankfurt, Kennedyallee 104, 60596, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - J Cinatl
- Institute of Medical Virology, Goethe University, University Hospital Frankfurt, Paul-Ehrlich-Straße 40, 60596, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - M A Verhoff
- Institute of Legal Medicine, Goethe University, University Hospital Frankfurt, Kennedyallee 104, 60596, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - C G Birngruber
- Institute of Legal Medicine, Goethe University, University Hospital Frankfurt, Kennedyallee 104, 60596, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - S Ciesek
- Institute of Medical Virology, Goethe University, University Hospital Frankfurt, Paul-Ehrlich-Straße 40, 60596, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.,German Centre for Infection Research, External Partner Site, 60323, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.,Branch Translational Medicine and Pharmacology, Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology (IME), 60596, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - H F Rabenau
- Institute of Medical Virology, Goethe University, University Hospital Frankfurt, Paul-Ehrlich-Straße 40, 60596, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
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30
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Armstrong LA, Lange SM, Dee Cesare V, Matthews SP, Nirujogi RS, Cole I, Hope A, Cunningham F, Toth R, Mukherjee R, Bojkova D, Gruber F, Gray D, Wyatt PG, Cinatl J, Dikic I, Davies P, Kulathu Y. Biochemical characterization of protease activity of Nsp3 from SARS-CoV-2 and its inhibition by nanobodies. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0253364. [PMID: 34270554 PMCID: PMC8284666 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0253364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2021] [Accepted: 06/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Of the 16 non-structural proteins (Nsps) encoded by SARS CoV-2, Nsp3 is the largest and plays important roles in the viral life cycle. Being a large, multidomain, transmembrane protein, Nsp3 has been the most challenging Nsp to characterize. Encoded within Nsp3 is the papain-like protease domain (PLpro) that cleaves not only the viral polypeptide but also K48-linked polyubiquitin and the ubiquitin-like modifier, ISG15, from host cell proteins. We here compare the interactors of PLpro and Nsp3 and find a largely overlapping interactome. Intriguingly, we find that near full length Nsp3 is a more active protease compared to the minimal catalytic domain of PLpro. Using a MALDI-TOF based assay, we screen 1971 approved clinical compounds and identify five compounds that inhibit PLpro with IC50s in the low micromolar range but showed cross reactivity with other human deubiquitinases and had no significant antiviral activity in cellular SARS-CoV-2 infection assays. We therefore looked for alternative methods to block PLpro activity and engineered competitive nanobodies that bind to PLpro at the substrate binding site with nanomolar affinity thus inhibiting the enzyme. Our work highlights the importance of studying Nsp3 and provides tools and valuable insights to investigate Nsp3 biology during the viral infection cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lee A. Armstrong
- MRC Protein Phosphorylation and Ubiquitylation Unit, Sir James Black Centre, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - Sven M. Lange
- MRC Protein Phosphorylation and Ubiquitylation Unit, Sir James Black Centre, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - Virginia Dee Cesare
- MRC Protein Phosphorylation and Ubiquitylation Unit, Sir James Black Centre, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - Stephen P. Matthews
- MRC Protein Phosphorylation and Ubiquitylation Unit, Sir James Black Centre, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - Raja Sekhar Nirujogi
- MRC Protein Phosphorylation and Ubiquitylation Unit, Sir James Black Centre, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - Isobel Cole
- MRC Protein Phosphorylation and Ubiquitylation Unit, Sir James Black Centre, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - Anthony Hope
- Drug Discovery Unit, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - Fraser Cunningham
- Drug Discovery Unit, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - Rachel Toth
- MRC Reagents and Services, University of Dundee, Dundee, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - Rukmini Mukherjee
- Institute of Biochemistry II, Goethe University Frankfurt Medical Faculty, University Hospital, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Buchmann Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Denisa Bojkova
- Institute of Medical Virology, University Hospital Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Franz Gruber
- National Phenotypic Screening Centre, University of Dundee, Dundee, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - David Gray
- Drug Discovery Unit, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - Paul G. Wyatt
- Drug Discovery Unit, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - Jindrich Cinatl
- Institute of Medical Virology, University Hospital Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Ivan Dikic
- Institute of Biochemistry II, Goethe University Frankfurt Medical Faculty, University Hospital, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Buchmann Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Max Planck Institute of Biophysics, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Paul Davies
- MRC Protein Phosphorylation and Ubiquitylation Unit, Sir James Black Centre, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - Yogesh Kulathu
- MRC Protein Phosphorylation and Ubiquitylation Unit, Sir James Black Centre, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, Scotland, United Kingdom
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31
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Wagner JUG, Bojkova D, Shumliakivska M, Luxán G, Nicin L, Aslan GS, Milting H, Kandler JD, Dendorfer A, Heumueller AW, Fleming I, Bibli SI, Jakobi T, Dieterich C, Zeiher AM, Ciesek S, Cinatl J, Dimmeler S. Increased susceptibility of human endothelial cells to infections by SARS-CoV-2 variants. Basic Res Cardiol 2021; 116:42. [PMID: 34224022 PMCID: PMC8256413 DOI: 10.1007/s00395-021-00882-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2020] [Accepted: 06/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) spawned a global health crisis in late 2019 and is caused by the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. SARS-CoV-2 infection can lead to elevated markers of endothelial dysfunction associated with higher risk of mortality. It is unclear whether endothelial dysfunction is caused by direct infection of endothelial cells or is mainly secondary to inflammation. Here, we investigate whether different types of endothelial cells are susceptible to SARS-CoV-2. Human endothelial cells from different vascular beds including umbilical vein endothelial cells, coronary artery endothelial cells (HCAEC), cardiac and lung microvascular endothelial cells, or pulmonary arterial cells were inoculated in vitro with SARS-CoV-2. Viral spike protein was only detected in HCAECs after SARS-CoV-2 infection but not in the other endothelial cells tested. Consistently, only HCAEC expressed the SARS-CoV-2 receptor angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), required for virus infection. Infection with the SARS-CoV-2 variants B.1.1.7, B.1.351, and P.2 resulted in significantly higher levels of viral spike protein. Despite this, no intracellular double-stranded viral RNA was detected and the supernatant did not contain infectious virus. Analysis of the cellular distribution of the spike protein revealed that it co-localized with endosomal calnexin. SARS-CoV-2 infection did induce the ER stress gene EDEM1, which is responsible for clearance of misfolded proteins from the ER. Whereas the wild type of SARS-CoV-2 did not induce cytotoxic or pro-inflammatory effects, the variant B.1.1.7 reduced the HCAEC cell number. Of the different tested endothelial cells, HCAECs showed highest viral uptake but did not promote virus replication. Effects on cell number were only observed after infection with the variant B.1.1.7, suggesting that endothelial protection may be particularly important in patients infected with this variant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julian U G Wagner
- Institute for Cardiovascular Regeneration, Centre of Molecular Medicine, Goethe University Frankfurt, Theodor Stern Kai 7, 60590, Frankfurt, Germany
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Rhein-Main, Frankfurt, Germany
- Cardiopulmonary Institute (CPI), Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Denisa Bojkova
- Institute of Medical Virology, University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Mariana Shumliakivska
- Institute for Cardiovascular Regeneration, Centre of Molecular Medicine, Goethe University Frankfurt, Theodor Stern Kai 7, 60590, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Guillermo Luxán
- Institute for Cardiovascular Regeneration, Centre of Molecular Medicine, Goethe University Frankfurt, Theodor Stern Kai 7, 60590, Frankfurt, Germany
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Rhein-Main, Frankfurt, Germany
- Cardiopulmonary Institute (CPI), Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Luka Nicin
- Institute for Cardiovascular Regeneration, Centre of Molecular Medicine, Goethe University Frankfurt, Theodor Stern Kai 7, 60590, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Galip S Aslan
- Institute for Cardiovascular Regeneration, Centre of Molecular Medicine, Goethe University Frankfurt, Theodor Stern Kai 7, 60590, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Hendrik Milting
- Clinic for Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Bad Oeyenhausen, Germany
| | - Joshua D Kandler
- Institute of Medical Virology, University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Andreas Dendorfer
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Rhein-Main, Frankfurt, Germany
- Walter-Brendel-Centre, Hospital of the Ludwig-Maximilians-University München, Munich, Germany
| | - Andreas W Heumueller
- Institute for Cardiovascular Regeneration, Centre of Molecular Medicine, Goethe University Frankfurt, Theodor Stern Kai 7, 60590, Frankfurt, Germany
- Cardiopulmonary Institute (CPI), Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Ingrid Fleming
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Rhein-Main, Frankfurt, Germany
- Cardiopulmonary Institute (CPI), Frankfurt, Germany
- Institute for Vascular Signalling, Centre for Molecular Medicine, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Sofia-Iris Bibli
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Rhein-Main, Frankfurt, Germany
- Cardiopulmonary Institute (CPI), Frankfurt, Germany
- Institute for Vascular Signalling, Centre for Molecular Medicine, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Tobias Jakobi
- Department of Internal Medicine and the Center for Translational Cardiovascular Research, University of Arizona, 475 N. 5th Street, Phoenix, AZ, 85004, USA
| | - Christoph Dieterich
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Rhein-Main, Frankfurt, Germany
- Klaus Tschira Institute for Integrative Computational Cardiology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Andreas M Zeiher
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Rhein-Main, Frankfurt, Germany
- Cardiopulmonary Institute (CPI), Frankfurt, Germany
- Department of Cardiology, University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Sandra Ciesek
- Institute of Medical Virology, University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology (IME), Branch Translational Medicine und Pharmacology, Frankfurt, Germany
- German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), External Partner Site Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Jindrich Cinatl
- Institute of Medical Virology, University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Stefanie Dimmeler
- Institute for Cardiovascular Regeneration, Centre of Molecular Medicine, Goethe University Frankfurt, Theodor Stern Kai 7, 60590, Frankfurt, Germany.
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Rhein-Main, Frankfurt, Germany.
- Cardiopulmonary Institute (CPI), Frankfurt, Germany.
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32
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Widera M, Westhaus S, Rabenau HF, Hoehl S, Bojkova D, Cinatl J, Ciesek S. Evaluation of stability and inactivation methods of SARS-CoV-2 in context of laboratory settings. Med Microbiol Immunol 2021; 210:235-244. [PMID: 34196781 PMCID: PMC8245923 DOI: 10.1007/s00430-021-00716-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2021] [Accepted: 06/19/2021] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
The novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 is the causative agent of the acute respiratory disease COVID-19, which has become a global concern due to its rapid spread. Laboratory work with SARS-CoV-2 in a laboratory setting was rated to biosafety level 3 (BSL-3) biocontainment level. However, certain research applications in particular in molecular biology require incomplete denaturation of the proteins, which might cause safety issues handling contaminated samples. In this study, we evaluated lysis buffers that are commonly used in molecular biological laboratories for their ability to inactivate SARS-CoV-2. In addition, viral stability in cell culture media at 4 °C and on display glass and plastic surfaces used in laboratory environment was analyzed. Furthermore, we evaluated chemical and non-chemical inactivation methods including heat inactivation, UV-C light, addition of ethanol, acetone-methanol, and PFA, which might be used as a subsequent inactivation step in the case of insufficient inactivation. We infected susceptible Caco-2 and Vero cells with pre-treated SARS-CoV-2 and determined the tissue culture infection dose 50 (TCID50) using crystal violet staining and microscopy. In addition, lysates of infected cells and virus containing supernatant were subjected to RT-qPCR analysis. We have found that guanidine thiocyanate and most of the tested detergent containing lysis buffers were effective in inactivation of SARS-CoV-2, however, the M-PER lysis buffer containing a proprietary detergent failed to inactivate the virus. In conclusion, careful evaluation of the used inactivation methods is required especially for non-denaturing buffers. Additional inactivation steps might be necessary before removal of lysed viral samples from BSL-3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marek Widera
- Institute for Medical Virology, University Hospital Frankfurt am Main, Goethe University, Paul-Ehrlich-Str.40, 60596, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
| | - Sandra Westhaus
- Institute for Medical Virology, University Hospital Frankfurt am Main, Goethe University, Paul-Ehrlich-Str.40, 60596, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Holger F Rabenau
- Institute for Medical Virology, University Hospital Frankfurt am Main, Goethe University, Paul-Ehrlich-Str.40, 60596, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Sebastian Hoehl
- Institute for Medical Virology, University Hospital Frankfurt am Main, Goethe University, Paul-Ehrlich-Str.40, 60596, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Denisa Bojkova
- Institute for Medical Virology, University Hospital Frankfurt am Main, Goethe University, Paul-Ehrlich-Str.40, 60596, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Jindrich Cinatl
- Institute for Medical Virology, University Hospital Frankfurt am Main, Goethe University, Paul-Ehrlich-Str.40, 60596, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Sandra Ciesek
- Institute for Medical Virology, University Hospital Frankfurt am Main, Goethe University, Paul-Ehrlich-Str.40, 60596, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research, DZIF, 60596, Braunschweig, Germany.,Branch Translational Medicine and Pharmacology, Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology (IME), 60596, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
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33
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Van Damme E, De Meyer S, Bojkova D, Ciesek S, Cinatl J, De Jonghe S, Jochmans D, Leyssen P, Buyck C, Neyts J, Van Loock M. In vitro activity of itraconazole against SARS-CoV-2. J Med Virol 2021; 93:4454-4460. [PMID: 33666253 PMCID: PMC8014624 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.26917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2021] [Revised: 02/11/2021] [Accepted: 02/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Although vaccination campaigns are currently being rolled out to prevent coronavirus disease (COVID-19), antivirals will remain an important adjunct to vaccination. Antivirals against coronaviruses do not exist, hence global drug repurposing efforts have been carried out to identify agents that may provide clinical benefit to patients with COVID-19. Itraconazole, an antifungal agent, has been reported to have activity against animal coronaviruses. Using cell-based phenotypic assays, the in vitro antiviral activity of itraconazole and 17-OH itraconazole was assessed against clinical isolates from a German and Belgian patient infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Itraconazole demonstrated antiviral activity in human Caco-2 cells (EC50 = 2.3 µM; 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay). Similarly, its primary metabolite, 17-OH itraconazole, showed inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 activity (EC50 = 3.6 µM). Remdesivir inhibited viral replication with an EC50 = 0.4 µM. Itraconazole and 17-OH itraconazole resulted in a viral yield reduction in vitro of approximately 2-log10 and approximately 1-log10 , as measured in both Caco-2 cells and VeroE6-eGFP cells, respectively. The viral yield reduction brought about by remdesivir or GS-441524 (parent nucleoside of the antiviral prodrug remdesivir; positive control) was more pronounced, with an approximately 3-log10 drop and >4-log10 drop in Caco-2 cells and VeroE6-eGFP cells, respectively. Itraconazole and 17-OH itraconazole exert in vitro low micromolar activity against SARS-CoV-2. Despite the in vitro antiviral activity, itraconazole did not result in a beneficial effect in hospitalized COVID-19 patients in a clinical study (EudraCT Number: 2020-001243-15).
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Denisa Bojkova
- Institute of Medical Virology, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Sandra Ciesek
- Institute of Medical Virology, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Jindrich Cinatl
- Institute of Medical Virology, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Steven De Jonghe
- KU Leuven, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Dirk Jochmans
- KU Leuven, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Pieter Leyssen
- KU Leuven, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Leuven, Belgium
| | | | - Johan Neyts
- KU Leuven, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Leuven, Belgium
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34
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Schultz B, Zaliani A, Ebeling C, Reinshagen J, Bojkova D, Lage-Rupprecht V, Karki R, Lukassen S, Gadiya Y, Ravindra NG, Das S, Baksi S, Domingo-Fernández D, Lentzen M, Strivens M, Raschka T, Cinatl J, DeLong LN, Gribbon P, Geisslinger G, Ciesek S, van Dijk D, Gardner S, Kodamullil AT, Fröhlich H, Peitsch M, Jacobs M, Hoeng J, Eils R, Claussen C, Hofmann-Apitius M. A method for the rational selection of drug repurposing candidates from multimodal knowledge harmonization. Sci Rep 2021; 11:11049. [PMID: 34040048 PMCID: PMC8155020 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-90296-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2020] [Accepted: 05/04/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has challenged researchers at a global scale. The scientific community's massive response has resulted in a flood of experiments, analyses, hypotheses, and publications, especially in the field of drug repurposing. However, many of the proposed therapeutic compounds obtained from SARS-CoV-2 specific assays are not in agreement and thus demonstrate the need for a singular source of COVID-19 related information from which a rational selection of drug repurposing candidates can be made. In this paper, we present the COVID-19 PHARMACOME, a comprehensive drug-target-mechanism graph generated from a compilation of 10 separate disease maps and sources of experimental data focused on SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 pathophysiology. By applying our systematic approach, we were able to predict the synergistic effect of specific drug pairs, such as Remdesivir and Thioguanosine or Nelfinavir and Raloxifene, on SARS-CoV-2 infection. Experimental validation of our results demonstrate that our graph can be used to not only explore the involved mechanistic pathways, but also to identify novel combinations of drug repurposing candidates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruce Schultz
- Fraunhofer Institute for Algorithms and Scientific Computing SCAI, Department of Bioinformatics, Institutszentrum Birlinghoven, 53754, Sankt Augustin, Germany
| | - Andrea Zaliani
- ScreeningPort, Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology ITMP, 22525, Hamburg, Germany
- Fraunhofer Cluster of Excellence for Immune Mediated Diseases, CIMD, External Partner Site, 22525, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Christian Ebeling
- Fraunhofer Institute for Algorithms and Scientific Computing SCAI, Department of Bioinformatics, Institutszentrum Birlinghoven, 53754, Sankt Augustin, Germany
| | - Jeanette Reinshagen
- ScreeningPort, Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology ITMP, 22525, Hamburg, Germany
- Fraunhofer Cluster of Excellence for Immune Mediated Diseases, CIMD, External Partner Site, 22525, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Denisa Bojkova
- Institute for Medical Virology, University Hospital Frankfurt, 60590, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Vanessa Lage-Rupprecht
- Fraunhofer Institute for Algorithms and Scientific Computing SCAI, Department of Bioinformatics, Institutszentrum Birlinghoven, 53754, Sankt Augustin, Germany
| | - Reagon Karki
- Fraunhofer Institute for Algorithms and Scientific Computing SCAI, Department of Bioinformatics, Institutszentrum Birlinghoven, 53754, Sankt Augustin, Germany
| | - Sören Lukassen
- Center for Digital Health, Berlin Institute of Health (BIH), Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Yojana Gadiya
- Fraunhofer Institute for Algorithms and Scientific Computing SCAI, Department of Bioinformatics, Institutszentrum Birlinghoven, 53754, Sankt Augustin, Germany
| | - Neal G Ravindra
- Center for Biomedical Data Science, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, 333 Cedar Street, New Haven, CT, 06510, USA
| | - Sayoni Das
- Unit 8B Bankside, PrecisionLife Ltd., Hanborough Business Park, Long Hanborough, Oxfordshire, OX29 8LJ, UK
| | - Shounak Baksi
- Causality BioModels Pvt Ltd., Kinfra Hi-Tech Park, Kerala Technology Innovation Zone- KTIZ, Kalamassery, Cochin, 683503, India
| | - Daniel Domingo-Fernández
- Fraunhofer Institute for Algorithms and Scientific Computing SCAI, Department of Bioinformatics, Institutszentrum Birlinghoven, 53754, Sankt Augustin, Germany
| | - Manuel Lentzen
- Fraunhofer Institute for Algorithms and Scientific Computing SCAI, Department of Bioinformatics, Institutszentrum Birlinghoven, 53754, Sankt Augustin, Germany
| | - Mark Strivens
- Unit 8B Bankside, PrecisionLife Ltd., Hanborough Business Park, Long Hanborough, Oxfordshire, OX29 8LJ, UK
| | - Tamara Raschka
- Fraunhofer Institute for Algorithms and Scientific Computing SCAI, Department of Bioinformatics, Institutszentrum Birlinghoven, 53754, Sankt Augustin, Germany
| | - Jindrich Cinatl
- Institute for Medical Virology, University Hospital Frankfurt, 60590, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Lauren Nicole DeLong
- Fraunhofer Institute for Algorithms and Scientific Computing SCAI, Department of Bioinformatics, Institutszentrum Birlinghoven, 53754, Sankt Augustin, Germany
| | - Phil Gribbon
- ScreeningPort, Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology ITMP, 22525, Hamburg, Germany
- Fraunhofer Cluster of Excellence for Immune Mediated Diseases, CIMD, External Partner Site, 22525, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Gerd Geisslinger
- Fraunhofer Cluster of Excellence for Immune Mediated Diseases, CIMD, External Partner Site, 22525, Hamburg, Germany
- Pharmazentrum Frankfurt/ZAFES, Institut Für Klinische Pharmakologie, Klinikum Der Goethe-Universität Frankfurt, 60590, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology ITMP, 60596, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Sandra Ciesek
- Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology ITMP, 60596, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Institute for Medical Virology, University Hospital Frankfurt, 60590, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- DZIF, German Centre for Infection Research, External Partner Site, 60596, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - David van Dijk
- Center for Biomedical Data Science, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, 333 Cedar Street, New Haven, CT, 06510, USA
| | - Steve Gardner
- Unit 8B Bankside, PrecisionLife Ltd., Hanborough Business Park, Long Hanborough, Oxfordshire, OX29 8LJ, UK
| | - Alpha Tom Kodamullil
- Fraunhofer Institute for Algorithms and Scientific Computing SCAI, Department of Bioinformatics, Institutszentrum Birlinghoven, 53754, Sankt Augustin, Germany
| | - Holger Fröhlich
- Fraunhofer Institute for Algorithms and Scientific Computing SCAI, Department of Bioinformatics, Institutszentrum Birlinghoven, 53754, Sankt Augustin, Germany
| | - Manuel Peitsch
- Philipp Morris International R&D, Biological Systems Research, R&D Innovation Cube T1517.07, Quai Jeanrenaud 5, 2000, Neuchâte, Switzerland
| | - Marc Jacobs
- Fraunhofer Institute for Algorithms and Scientific Computing SCAI, Department of Bioinformatics, Institutszentrum Birlinghoven, 53754, Sankt Augustin, Germany
| | - Julia Hoeng
- Philipp Morris International R&D, Biological Systems Research, R&D Innovation Cube T1517.07, Quai Jeanrenaud 5, 2000, Neuchâte, Switzerland
| | - Roland Eils
- Center for Digital Health, Berlin Institute of Health (BIH), Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Carsten Claussen
- ScreeningPort, Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology ITMP, 22525, Hamburg, Germany
- Fraunhofer Cluster of Excellence for Immune Mediated Diseases, CIMD, External Partner Site, 22525, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Martin Hofmann-Apitius
- Fraunhofer Institute for Algorithms and Scientific Computing SCAI, Department of Bioinformatics, Institutszentrum Birlinghoven, 53754, Sankt Augustin, Germany.
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35
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Plenzig S, Bojkova D, Held H, Berger A, Holz F, Cinatl J, Gradhand E, Kettner M, Pfeiffer A, Verhoff MA, Ciesek S. Infectivity of deceased COVID-19 patients. Int J Legal Med 2021; 135:2055-2060. [PMID: 33665704 PMCID: PMC7932833 DOI: 10.1007/s00414-021-02546-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2020] [Accepted: 02/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
The duration of infectivity of SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) in living patients has been demarcated. In contrast, a possible SARS-CoV-2 infectivity of corpses and subsequently its duration under post mortem circumstances remain to be elucidated. The aim of this study was to investigate the infectivity and its duration of deceased COVID-19 (coronavirus disease) patients. Four SARS-CoV-2 infected deceased patients were subjected to medicolegal autopsy. Post mortem intervals (PMI) of 1, 4, 9 and 17 days, respectively, were documented. During autopsy, swabs and organ samples were taken and examined by RT-qPCR (real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction) for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 ribonucleic acid (RNA). Determination of infectivity was performed by means of virus isolation in cell culture. In two cases, virus isolation was successful for swabs and tissue samples of the respiratory tract (PMI 4 and 17 days). The two infectious cases showed a shorter duration of COVID-19 until death than the two non-infectious cases (2 and 11 days, respectively, compared to > 19 days), which correlates with studies of living patients, in which infectivity could be narrowed to about 6 days before to 12 days after symptom onset. Most notably, infectivity was still present in one of the COVID-19 corpses after a post-mortem interval of 17 days and despite already visible signs of decomposition. To prevent SARS-CoV-2 infections in all professional groups involved in the handling and examination of COVID-19 corpses, adequate personal safety standards (reducing or avoiding aerosol formation and wearing FFP3 [filtering face piece class 3] masks) have to be enforced for routine procedures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefanie Plenzig
- Institute of Legal Medicine, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Kennedyallee 104, 60596, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
| | - D Bojkova
- Institute of Medical Virology, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Paul-Ehrlich-Straße 40, 60596, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - H Held
- Institute of Legal Medicine, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Kennedyallee 104, 60596, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - A Berger
- Institute of Medical Virology, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Paul-Ehrlich-Straße 40, 60596, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - F Holz
- Institute of Legal Medicine, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Kennedyallee 104, 60596, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - J Cinatl
- Institute of Medical Virology, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Paul-Ehrlich-Straße 40, 60596, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - E Gradhand
- Senckenberg Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - M Kettner
- Institute of Legal Medicine, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Kennedyallee 104, 60596, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - A Pfeiffer
- Institute of Medical Virology, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Paul-Ehrlich-Straße 40, 60596, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - M A Verhoff
- Institute of Legal Medicine, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Kennedyallee 104, 60596, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - S Ciesek
- Institute of Medical Virology, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Paul-Ehrlich-Straße 40, 60596, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
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36
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Ellinger B, Bojkova D, Zaliani A, Cinatl J, Claussen C, Westhaus S, Keminer O, Reinshagen J, Kuzikov M, Wolf M, Geisslinger G, Gribbon P, Ciesek S. A SARS-CoV-2 cytopathicity dataset generated by high-content screening of a large drug repurposing collection. Sci Data 2021; 8:70. [PMID: 33637768 PMCID: PMC7910569 DOI: 10.1038/s41597-021-00848-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2020] [Accepted: 01/15/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 is a novel coronavirus responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic, in which acute respiratory infections are associated with high socio-economic burden. We applied high-content screening to a well-defined collection of 5632 compounds including 3488 that have undergone previous clinical investigations across 600 indications. The compounds were screened by microscopy for their ability to inhibit SARS-CoV-2 cytopathicity in the human epithelial colorectal adenocarcinoma cell line, Caco-2. The primary screen identified 258 hits that inhibited cytopathicity by more than 75%, most of which were not previously known to be active against SARS-CoV-2 in vitro. These compounds were tested in an eight-point dose response screen using the same image-based cytopathicity readout. For the 67 most active molecules, cytotoxicity data were generated to confirm activity against SARS-CoV-2. We verified the ability of known inhibitors camostat, nafamostat, lopinavir, mefloquine, papaverine and cetylpyridinium to reduce the cytopathic effects of SARS-CoV-2, providing confidence in the validity of the assay. The high-content screening data are suitable for reanalysis across numerous drug classes and indications and may yield additional insights into SARS-CoV-2 mechanisms and potential therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bernhard Ellinger
- Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology ITMP, Hamburg, 22525, Germany.
| | - Denisa Bojkova
- University Hospital Frankfurt, 60590, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Andrea Zaliani
- Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology ITMP, Hamburg, 22525, Germany
| | - Jindrich Cinatl
- University Hospital Frankfurt, 60590, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Carsten Claussen
- Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology ITMP, Hamburg, 22525, Germany
- Fraunhofer Cluster of Excellence for Immune Mediated Diseases CIMD, Frankfurt am Main, 60596, Germany
| | - Sandra Westhaus
- University Hospital Frankfurt, 60590, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Oliver Keminer
- Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology ITMP, Hamburg, 22525, Germany
| | - Jeanette Reinshagen
- Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology ITMP, Hamburg, 22525, Germany
| | - Maria Kuzikov
- Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology ITMP, Hamburg, 22525, Germany
| | - Markus Wolf
- Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology ITMP, Hamburg, 22525, Germany
| | - Gerd Geisslinger
- Pharmazentrum Frankfurt/ZAFES, Institut für Klinische Pharmakologie, Klinikum der Goethe-Universität Frankfurt, 60590, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology ITMP, 60596, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Fraunhofer Cluster of Excellence for Immune Mediated Diseases CIMD, Frankfurt am Main, 60596, Germany
| | - Philip Gribbon
- Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology ITMP, Hamburg, 22525, Germany
- Fraunhofer Cluster of Excellence for Immune Mediated Diseases CIMD, Frankfurt am Main, 60596, Germany
| | - Sandra Ciesek
- University Hospital Frankfurt, 60590, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology ITMP, 60596, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- DZIF, German Centre for Infection Research, External partner site, 60596, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
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37
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Bojkova D, McGreig JE, McLaughlin KM, Masterson SG, Antczak M, Widera M, Krähling V, Ciesek S, Wass MN, Michaelis M, Cinatl J. Differentially conserved amino acid positions may reflect differences in SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV behaviour. Bioinformatics 2021; 37:2282-2288. [PMID: 33560365 PMCID: PMC7929367 DOI: 10.1093/bioinformatics/btab094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2020] [Revised: 12/23/2020] [Accepted: 02/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Motivation SARS-CoV-2 is a novel coronavirus currently causing a pandemic. Here, we performed a combined in-silico and cell culture comparison of SARS-CoV-2 and the closely related SARS-CoV. Results Many amino acid positions are differentially conserved between SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV, which reflects the discrepancies in virus behaviour, i.e. more effective human-to-human transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and higher mortality associated with SARS-CoV. Variations in the S protein (mediates virus entry) were associated with differences in its interaction with ACE2 (cellular S receptor) and sensitivity to TMPRSS2 (enables virus entry via S cleavage) inhibition. Anti-ACE2 antibodies more strongly inhibited SARS-CoV than SARS-CoV-2 infection, probably due to a stronger SARS-CoV-2 S-ACE2 affinity relative to SARS-CoV S. Moreover, SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV displayed differences in cell tropism. Cellular ACE2 and TMPRSS2 levels did not indicate susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2. In conclusion, we identified genomic variation between SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV that may reflect the differences in their clinical and biological behaviour. Supplementary information Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denisa Bojkova
- Institute for Medical Virology, University Hospital, Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Jake E McGreig
- School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury, UK
| | | | | | | | - Marek Widera
- Institute of Virology, Biomedical Research Center (BMFZ), Philipps University Marburg, Germany
| | - Verena Krähling
- Institute of Virology, Biomedical Research Center (BMFZ), Philipps University Marburg, Germany
| | - Sandra Ciesek
- Institute for Medical Virology, University Hospital, Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research, DZIF, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Mark N Wass
- School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury, UK
| | | | - Jindrich Cinatl
- Institute for Medical Virology, University Hospital, Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Germany
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38
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Holubovska O, Bojkova D, Elli S, Bechtel M, Boltz D, Muzzio M, Peng X, Sala F, Cosentino C, Mironenko A, Milde J, Lebed Y, Stammer H, Goy A, Guerrini M, Mueller L, Cinatl J, Margitich V, te Velthuis AJW. Enisamium is an inhibitor of the SARS-CoV-2 RNA polymerase and shows improvement of recovery in COVID-19 patients in an interim analysis of a clinical trial. medRxiv 2021:2021.01.05.21249237. [PMID: 33469600 PMCID: PMC7814846 DOI: 10.1101/2021.01.05.21249237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Pandemic SARS-CoV-2 causes a mild to severe respiratory disease called Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). Control of SARS-CoV-2 spread will depend on vaccine-induced or naturally acquired protective herd immunity. Until then, antiviral strategies are needed to manage COVID-19, but approved antiviral treatments, such as remdesivir, can only be delivered intravenously. Enisamium (laboratory code FAV00A, trade name Amizon®) is an orally active inhibitor of influenza A and B viruses in cell culture and clinically approved in countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States. Here we show that enisamium can inhibit SARS-CoV-2 infections in NHBE and Caco-2 cells. In vitro, the previously identified enisamium metabolite VR17-04 directly inhibits the activity of the SARS-CoV-2 RNA polymerase. Docking and molecular dynamics simulations suggest that VR17-04 prevents GTP and UTP incorporation. To confirm enisamium's antiviral properties, we conducted a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial in adult, hospitalized COVID-19 patients, which needed medical care either with or without supplementary oxygen. Patients received either enisamium (500 mg per dose) or placebo for 7 days. A pre-planned interim analysis showed in the subgroup of patients needing supplementary oxygen (n = 77) in the enisamium group a mean recovery time of 11.1 days, compared to 13.9 days for the placebo group (log-rank test; p=0.0259). No significant difference was found for all patients (n = 373) or those only needing medical care (n = 296). These results thus suggest that enisamium is an inhibitor of SARS-CoV-2 RNA synthesis and that enisamium treatment shortens the time to recovery for COVID-19 patients needing oxygen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olha Holubovska
- O.O. Bogomolets National Medical University, T. Shevchenko blvd., 13, Kyiv, Ukraine
- These authors contributed equally
| | - Denisa Bojkova
- Institute of Medical Virology, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- These authors contributed equally
| | - Stefano Elli
- Istituto di Ricerche Chimiche e Biochimiche “G. Ronzoni”, Via Giuseppe Colombo 81, 20133 Milano, Italy
- These authors contributed equally
| | - Marco Bechtel
- Institute of Medical Virology, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - David Boltz
- IIT Research institute, 10 W 35th St, Chicago, IL 60616, United States
| | - Miguel Muzzio
- IIT Research institute, 10 W 35th St, Chicago, IL 60616, United States
| | - Xinjian Peng
- IIT Research institute, 10 W 35th St, Chicago, IL 60616, United States
| | - Frederico Sala
- Istituto di Ricerche Chimiche e Biochimiche “G. Ronzoni”, Via Giuseppe Colombo 81, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Cesare Cosentino
- Istituto di Ricerche Chimiche e Biochimiche “G. Ronzoni”, Via Giuseppe Colombo 81, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Alla Mironenko
- L.V. Gromashevsky Institute of Epidemiology and Infectious Diseases of the NAMS of Ukraine, Department of respiratory and other viral infections, Amosova str 5a, 03083, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Jens Milde
- Pharmalog Institut für klinische Forschung GmbH, Ismaning, Germany
| | - Yuriy Lebed
- Pharmaxi LLC, Filatova Str., 10A, office 3/20, 01042, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Holger Stammer
- Pharmalog Institut für klinische Forschung GmbH, Ismaning, Germany
| | - Andrew Goy
- Farmak Joint Stock Company, Kyrylivska Street, 04080, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Marco Guerrini
- Istituto di Ricerche Chimiche e Biochimiche “G. Ronzoni”, Via Giuseppe Colombo 81, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Lutz Mueller
- Dr. Regenold GmbH, Zöllinplatz 4, D-79410 Badenweiler, Germany
| | - Jindrich Cinatl
- Institute of Medical Virology, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Victor Margitich
- Farmak Joint Stock Company, Kyrylivska Street, 04080, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Aartjan J. W. te Velthuis
- Division of Virology, Department of Pathology, Addenbrooke’s Hospital, University of Cambridge, Hills Road, CB2 2QQ, United Kingdom
- These authors contributed equally
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39
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Bojkova D, Wagner JUG, Shumliakivska M, Aslan GS, Saleem U, Hansen A, Luxán G, Günther S, Pham MD, Krishnan J, Harter PN, Ermel UH, Frangakis AS, Milting H, Zeiher AM, Klingel K, Cinatl J, Dendorfer A, Eschenhagen T, Tschöpe C, Ciesek S, Dimmeler S. SARS-CoV-2 infects and induces cytotoxic effects in human cardiomyocytes. Cardiovasc Res 2020; 116:2207-2215. [PMID: 32966582 PMCID: PMC7543363 DOI: 10.1093/cvr/cvaa267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 155] [Impact Index Per Article: 38.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2020] [Revised: 08/26/2020] [Accepted: 09/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Aims Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and has emerged as a global pandemic. SARS-CoV-2 infection can lead to elevated markers of cardiac injury associated with higher risk of mortality. It is unclear whether cardiac injury is caused by direct infection of cardiomyocytes or is mainly secondary to lung injury and inflammation. Here, we investigate whether cardiomyocytes are permissive for SARS-CoV-2 infection. Methods and results Two strains of SARS-CoV-2 infected human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (iPS-CMs) as demonstrated by detection of intracellular double-stranded viral RNA and viral spike glycoprotein expression. Increasing concentrations of viral RNA are detected in supernatants of infected cardiomyocytes, which induced infections in Caco-2 cell lines, documenting productive infections. SARS-COV-2 infection and induced cytotoxic and proapoptotic effects associated with it abolished cardiomyocyte beating. RNA sequencing confirmed a transcriptional response to viral infection as demonstrated by the up-regulation of genes associated with pathways related to viral response and interferon signalling, apoptosis, and reactive oxygen stress. SARS-CoV-2 infection and cardiotoxicity was confirmed in a 3D cardiosphere tissue model. Importantly, viral spike protein and viral particles were detected in living human heart slices after infection with SARS-CoV-2. Coronavirus particles were further observed in cardiomyocytes of a patient with COVID-19. Infection of iPS-CMs was dependent on cathepsins and angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), and was blocked by remdesivir. Conclusions This study demonstrates that SARS-CoV-2 infects cardiomyocytes in vitro in an ACE2- and cathepsin-dependent manner. SARS-CoV-2 infection of cardiomyocytes is inhibited by the antiviral drug remdesivir. Translational Perspective Although this study cannot address whether cardiac injury and dysfunction in COVID-19 patients is caused by direct infection of cardiomyocytes, the demonstration of direct cardiotoxicity in cardiomyocytes, organ mimics, human heart slices and human hearts warrants the further monitoring of cardiotoxic effects in COVID-19 patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denisa Bojkova
- Institute of Medical Virology, University of Frankfurt, Paul-Ehrlich-Str. 40, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Julian U G Wagner
- Institute for Cardiovascular Regeneration, Centre of Molecular Medicine, Goethe University Frankfurt, Theodor Stern Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany.,German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Germany
| | - Mariana Shumliakivska
- Institute for Cardiovascular Regeneration, Centre of Molecular Medicine, Goethe University Frankfurt, Theodor Stern Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Galip S Aslan
- Institute for Cardiovascular Regeneration, Centre of Molecular Medicine, Goethe University Frankfurt, Theodor Stern Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Umber Saleem
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Germany.,Department of Experimental Pharmacology and Toxicology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistraße 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Arne Hansen
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Germany.,Department of Experimental Pharmacology and Toxicology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistraße 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Guillermo Luxán
- Institute for Cardiovascular Regeneration, Centre of Molecular Medicine, Goethe University Frankfurt, Theodor Stern Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Stefan Günther
- Max Planck Institute Heart and Lung Research, Ludwigstrasse 43, 61231 Bad Nauheim, Germany.,Cardiopulmonary Institute (CPI), Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Minh Duc Pham
- Department of Medicine, Cardiology, Goethe University Hospital, Theodor Stern Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Jaya Krishnan
- Cardiopulmonary Institute (CPI), Frankfurt, Germany.,Department of Medicine, Cardiology, Goethe University Hospital, Theodor Stern Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Patrick N Harter
- Neurological Institute (Edinger Institute), University of Frankfurt, Heinrich-Hoffmann Strasse 7, 60528 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Utz H Ermel
- Institute of Biophysics and BMLS, University of Frankfurt, Campus Riedberg, Maxvon-Laue Strasse 15, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Achilleas S Frangakis
- Institute of Biophysics and BMLS, University of Frankfurt, Campus Riedberg, Maxvon-Laue Strasse 15, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Hendrik Milting
- Heart and Diabetes Center NRW, University Hospital of the Ruhr University Bochum, Clinic for Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Erich & Hanna Klessmann Institute, Georgstr. 11, 32545 Bad Oeyenhausen, Germany
| | - Andreas M Zeiher
- Department of Experimental Pharmacology and Toxicology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistraße 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany.,Cardiopulmonary Institute (CPI), Frankfurt, Germany.,Department of Medicine, Cardiology, Goethe University Hospital, Theodor Stern Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Karin Klingel
- Cardiopathology, Institute for Pathology and Neuropathology, University Hospital Tuebingen, Liebermeisterstraße 8, 72076 Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Jindrich Cinatl
- Institute of Medical Virology, University of Frankfurt, Paul-Ehrlich-Str. 40, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Andreas Dendorfer
- Department of Experimental Pharmacology and Toxicology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistraße 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany.,Walter-Brendel-Centre of Experimental Medicine, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Marchioninistr. 27, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Thomas Eschenhagen
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Germany.,Department of Experimental Pharmacology and Toxicology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistraße 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Carsten Tschöpe
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Germany.,Department of Cardiology, Campus Virchow Klinikum (CVK), Charité, and Berlin Institute of Health (BIH), Berlin Brandenburger Center for Regenerative Therapies (BCRT), University Medicine Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Sandra Ciesek
- Institute of Medical Virology, University of Frankfurt, Paul-Ehrlich-Str. 40, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany.,Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology (IME), Branch Translational Medicine and Pharmacology, Theodor Stern Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany.,German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), External partner site, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Stefanie Dimmeler
- Institute for Cardiovascular Regeneration, Centre of Molecular Medicine, Goethe University Frankfurt, Theodor Stern Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany.,German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Germany.,Cardiopulmonary Institute (CPI), Frankfurt, Germany
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40
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Shin D, Mukherjee R, Grewe D, Bojkova D, Baek K, Bhattacharya A, Schulz L, Widera M, Mehdipour AR, Tascher G, Geurink PP, Wilhelm A, van der Heden van Noort GJ, Ovaa H, Müller S, Knobeloch KP, Rajalingam K, Schulman BA, Cinatl J, Hummer G, Ciesek S, Dikic I. Papain-like protease regulates SARS-CoV-2 viral spread and innate immunity. Nature 2020; 587:657-662. [PMID: 32726803 PMCID: PMC7116779 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-020-2601-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 664] [Impact Index Per Article: 166.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2020] [Accepted: 07/23/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
The papain-like protease PLpro is an essential coronavirus enzyme that is required for processing viral polyproteins to generate a functional replicase complex and enable viral spread1,2. PLpro is also implicated in cleaving proteinaceous post-translational modifications on host proteins as an evasion mechanism against host antiviral immune responses3-5. Here we perform biochemical, structural and functional characterization of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) PLpro (SCoV2-PLpro) and outline differences with SARS-CoV PLpro (SCoV-PLpro) in regulation of host interferon and NF-κB pathways. SCoV2-PLpro and SCoV-PLpro share 83% sequence identity but exhibit different host substrate preferences; SCoV2-PLpro preferentially cleaves the ubiquitin-like interferon-stimulated gene 15 protein (ISG15), whereas SCoV-PLpro predominantly targets ubiquitin chains. The crystal structure of SCoV2-PLpro in complex with ISG15 reveals distinctive interactions with the amino-terminal ubiquitin-like domain of ISG15, highlighting the high affinity and specificity of these interactions. Furthermore, upon infection, SCoV2-PLpro contributes to the cleavage of ISG15 from interferon responsive factor 3 (IRF3) and attenuates type I interferon responses. Notably, inhibition of SCoV2-PLpro with GRL-0617 impairs the virus-induced cytopathogenic effect, maintains the antiviral interferon pathway and reduces viral replication in infected cells. These results highlight a potential dual therapeutic strategy in which targeting of SCoV2-PLpro can suppress SARS-CoV-2 infection and promote antiviral immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donghyuk Shin
- Institute of Biochemistry II, Faculty of Medicine, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
- Buchmann Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
- Max Planck Institute of Biophysics, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Rukmini Mukherjee
- Institute of Biochemistry II, Faculty of Medicine, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
- Buchmann Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Diana Grewe
- Buchmann Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Denisa Bojkova
- Institute of Medical Virology, University Hospital Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Kheewoong Baek
- Department of Molecular Machines and Signaling, Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry, Martinsried, Germany
| | - Anshu Bhattacharya
- Institute of Biochemistry II, Faculty of Medicine, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
- Buchmann Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Laura Schulz
- Department of Theoretical Biophysics, Max Planck Institute of Biophysics, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Marek Widera
- Institute of Medical Virology, University Hospital Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Ahmad Reza Mehdipour
- Department of Theoretical Biophysics, Max Planck Institute of Biophysics, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Georg Tascher
- Institute of Biochemistry II, Faculty of Medicine, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Paul P Geurink
- Oncode Institute and Department of Chemical Immunology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Alexander Wilhelm
- Institute of Medical Virology, University Hospital Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Biology, Goethe-University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | | | - Huib Ovaa
- Oncode Institute and Department of Chemical Immunology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Stefan Müller
- Institute of Biochemistry II, Faculty of Medicine, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Klaus-Peter Knobeloch
- Institute of Neuropathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Krishnaraj Rajalingam
- Cell Biology Unit, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Brenda A Schulman
- Department of Molecular Machines and Signaling, Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry, Martinsried, Germany
| | - Jindrich Cinatl
- Institute of Medical Virology, University Hospital Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Gerhard Hummer
- Department of Theoretical Biophysics, Max Planck Institute of Biophysics, Frankfurt, Germany
- Institute of Biophysics, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Sandra Ciesek
- Institute of Medical Virology, University Hospital Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Biology, Goethe-University, Frankfurt, Germany
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology (IME), Branch Translational Medicine and Pharmacology, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Ivan Dikic
- Institute of Biochemistry II, Faculty of Medicine, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany.
- Buchmann Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany.
- Max Planck Institute of Biophysics, Frankfurt, Germany.
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology (IME), Branch Translational Medicine and Pharmacology, Frankfurt, Germany.
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41
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Bojkova D, Bechtel M, McLaughlin KM, McGreig JE, Klann K, Bellinghausen C, Rohde G, Jonigk D, Braubach P, Ciesek S, Münch C, Wass MN, Michaelis M, Cinatl J. Aprotinin Inhibits SARS-CoV-2 Replication. Cells 2020; 9:E2377. [PMID: 33143316 PMCID: PMC7692688 DOI: 10.3390/cells9112377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2020] [Revised: 10/15/2020] [Accepted: 10/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the cause of the current coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) pandemic. Protease inhibitors are under consideration as virus entry inhibitors that prevent the cleavage of the coronavirus spike (S) protein by cellular proteases. Herein, we showed that the protease inhibitor aprotinin (but not the protease inhibitor SERPINA1/alpha-1 antitrypsin) inhibited SARS-CoV-2 replication in therapeutically achievable concentrations. An analysis of proteomics and translatome data indicated that SARS-CoV-2 replication is associated with a downregulation of host cell protease inhibitors. Hence, aprotinin may compensate for downregulated host cell proteases during later virus replication cycles. Aprotinin displayed anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity in different cell types (Caco2, Calu-3, and primary bronchial epithelial cell air-liquid interface cultures) and against four virus isolates. In conclusion, therapeutic aprotinin concentrations exert anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity. An approved aprotinin aerosol may have potential for the early local control of SARS-CoV-2 replication and the prevention of COVID-19 progression to a severe, systemic disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denisa Bojkova
- Institute for Medical Virology, University Hospital, Goethe University, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; (D.B.); (M.B.); (S.C.)
| | - Marco Bechtel
- Institute for Medical Virology, University Hospital, Goethe University, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; (D.B.); (M.B.); (S.C.)
| | - Katie-May McLaughlin
- School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury CT2 7NJ, UK; (K.-M.M.); (J.E.M.)
| | - Jake E. McGreig
- School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury CT2 7NJ, UK; (K.-M.M.); (J.E.M.)
| | - Kevin Klann
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Biochemistry II, Goethe University, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; (K.K.); (C.M.)
| | - Carla Bellinghausen
- Department of Respiratory Medicine and Allergology, University Hospital, Goethe University, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; (C.B.); (G.R.)
| | - Gernot Rohde
- Department of Respiratory Medicine and Allergology, University Hospital, Goethe University, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; (C.B.); (G.R.)
| | - Danny Jonigk
- Institute of Pathology, Hannover Medical School (MHH), 30625 Hannover, Germany; (D.J.); (P.B.)
- Biomedical Research in Endstage and Obstructive Lung Disease Hannover (BREATH), The German Center for Lung Research (Deutsches Zentrum für Lungenforschung, DZL), Hannover Medical School (MHH), 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Peter Braubach
- Institute of Pathology, Hannover Medical School (MHH), 30625 Hannover, Germany; (D.J.); (P.B.)
- Biomedical Research in Endstage and Obstructive Lung Disease Hannover (BREATH), The German Center for Lung Research (Deutsches Zentrum für Lungenforschung, DZL), Hannover Medical School (MHH), 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Sandra Ciesek
- Institute for Medical Virology, University Hospital, Goethe University, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; (D.B.); (M.B.); (S.C.)
- German Center for Infection Research, DZIF, External Partner Site, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology (IME), Branch Translational Medicine und Pharmacology, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Christian Münch
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Biochemistry II, Goethe University, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; (K.K.); (C.M.)
- Frankfurt Cancer Institute, Goethe University, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Cardio-Pulmonary Institute, Goethe University, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Mark N. Wass
- School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury CT2 7NJ, UK; (K.-M.M.); (J.E.M.)
| | - Martin Michaelis
- School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury CT2 7NJ, UK; (K.-M.M.); (J.E.M.)
| | - Jindrich Cinatl
- Institute for Medical Virology, University Hospital, Goethe University, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; (D.B.); (M.B.); (S.C.)
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Klann K, Bojkova D, Tascher G, Ciesek S, Münch C, Cinatl J. Growth Factor Receptor Signaling Inhibition Prevents SARS-CoV-2 Replication. Mol Cell 2020; 80:164-174.e4. [PMID: 32877642 PMCID: PMC7418786 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2020.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 162] [Impact Index Per Article: 40.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2020] [Revised: 06/08/2020] [Accepted: 08/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 infections are rapidly spreading around the globe. The rapid development of therapies is of major importance. However, our lack of understanding of the molecular processes and host cell signaling events underlying SARS-CoV-2 infection hinders therapy development. We use a SARS-CoV-2 infection system in permissible human cells to study signaling changes by phosphoproteomics. We identify viral protein phosphorylation and define phosphorylation-driven host cell signaling changes upon infection. Growth factor receptor (GFR) signaling and downstream pathways are activated. Drug-protein network analyses revealed GFR signaling as key pathways targetable by approved drugs. The inhibition of GFR downstream signaling by five compounds prevents SARS-CoV-2 replication in cells, assessed by cytopathic effect, viral dsRNA production, and viral RNA release into the supernatant. This study describes host cell signaling events upon SARS-CoV-2 infection and reveals GFR signaling as a central pathway essential for SARS-CoV-2 replication. It provides novel strategies for COVID-19 treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Klann
- Institute of Biochemistry II, Faculty of Medicine, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Denisa Bojkova
- Institute of Medical Virology, University Hospital Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Georg Tascher
- Institute of Biochemistry II, Faculty of Medicine, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Sandra Ciesek
- Institute of Medical Virology, University Hospital Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany; German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), External partner site, Frankfurt, Germany; Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology (IME), Branch Translational Medicine and Pharmacology, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Christian Münch
- Institute of Biochemistry II, Faculty of Medicine, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany; Frankfurt Cancer Institute and Cardio-Pulmonary Institute, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
| | - Jindrich Cinatl
- Institute of Medical Virology, University Hospital Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
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Schäfer R, Spohn G, Bechtel M, Bojkova D, Baer PC, Kuçi S, Seifried E, Ciesek S, Cinatl J. Human Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Are Resistant to SARS-CoV-2 Infection under Steady-State, Inflammatory Conditions and in the Presence of SARS-CoV-2-Infected Cells. Stem Cell Reports 2020; 16:419-427. [PMID: 32950067 PMCID: PMC7486048 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2020.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2020] [Revised: 09/08/2020] [Accepted: 09/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Previous studies reported on the safety and applicability of mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) to ameliorate pulmonary inflammation in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Thus, multiple clinical trials assessing the potential of MSCs for COVID-19 treatment are underway. Yet, as SARS-inducing coronaviruses infect stem/progenitor cells, it is unclear whether MSCs could be infected by SARS-CoV-2 upon transplantation to COVID-19 patients. We found that MSCs from bone marrow, amniotic fluid, and adipose tissue carry angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 and transmembrane protease serine subtype 2 at low levels on the cell surface under steady-state and inflammatory conditions. We did not observe SARS-CoV-2 infection or replication in MSCs at steady state under inflammatory conditions, or in direct contact with SARS-CoV-2-infected Caco-2 cells. Further, indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 production in MSCs was not impaired in the presence of SARS-CoV-2. We show that MSCs are resistant to SARS-CoV-2 infection and retain their immunomodulation potential, supporting their potential applicability for COVID-19 treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard Schäfer
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine and Immunohaematology, German Red Cross Blood Donor Service Baden-Württemberg-Hessen gGmbH, Goethe University Hospital, Sandhofstrasse 1, 60528 Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
| | - Gabriele Spohn
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine and Immunohaematology, German Red Cross Blood Donor Service Baden-Württemberg-Hessen gGmbH, Goethe University Hospital, Sandhofstrasse 1, 60528 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Marco Bechtel
- Institute of Medical Virology,Goethe University Hospital, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Denisa Bojkova
- Institute of Medical Virology,Goethe University Hospital, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Patrick C Baer
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Goethe University Hospital, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Selim Kuçi
- University Children's Hospital, Department of Hematology/Oncology, Goethe University Hospital, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Erhard Seifried
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine and Immunohaematology, German Red Cross Blood Donor Service Baden-Württemberg-Hessen gGmbH, Goethe University Hospital, Sandhofstrasse 1, 60528 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Sandra Ciesek
- Institute of Medical Virology,Goethe University Hospital, Frankfurt am Main, Germany; German Centre for Infection Research, External Partner Site, Frankfurt am Main, Germany; Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology (IME), Branch Translational Medicine and Pharmacology, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Jindrich Cinatl
- Institute of Medical Virology,Goethe University Hospital, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
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McLaughlin KM, Bechtel M, Bojkova D, Münch C, Ciesek S, Wass MN, Michaelis M, Cinatl J. COVID-19-Related Coagulopathy-Is Transferrin a Missing Link? Diagnostics (Basel) 2020; 10:diagnostics10080539. [PMID: 32751741 PMCID: PMC7459734 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics10080539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2020] [Revised: 07/28/2020] [Accepted: 07/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 is the causative agent of COVID-19. Severe COVID-19 disease has been associated with disseminated intravascular coagulation and thrombosis, but the mechanisms underlying COVID-19-related coagulopathy remain unknown. The risk of severe COVID-19 disease is higher in males than in females and increases with age. To identify gene products that may contribute to COVID-19-related coagulopathy, we analyzed the expression of genes associated with the Gene Ontology (GO) term “blood coagulation” in the Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx) database and identified four procoagulants, whose expression is higher in males and increases with age (ADAMTS13, F11, HGFAC, KLKB1), and two anticoagulants, whose expression is higher in females and decreases with age (C1QTNF1, SERPINA5). However, the expression of none of these genes was regulated in a proteomics dataset of SARS-CoV-2-infected cells and none of the proteins have been identified as a binding partner of SARS-CoV-2 proteins. Hence, they may rather generally predispose individuals to thrombosis without directly contributing to COVID-19-related coagulopathy. In contrast, the expression of the procoagulant transferrin (not associated to the GO term “blood coagulation”) was higher in males, increased with age, and was upregulated upon SARS-CoV-2 infection. Hence, transferrin warrants further examination in ongoing clinic-pathological investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Marco Bechtel
- Institute for Medical Virology, University Hospital, Goethe University, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; (M.B.); (D.B.); (S.C.)
| | - Denisa Bojkova
- Institute for Medical Virology, University Hospital, Goethe University, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; (M.B.); (D.B.); (S.C.)
| | - Christian Münch
- Institute of Biochemistry II, Faculty of Medicine, Goethe University, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany;
- Frankfurt Cancer Institute, Goethe University, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Cardio-pulmonary Institute, Goethe University, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Sandra Ciesek
- Institute for Medical Virology, University Hospital, Goethe University, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; (M.B.); (D.B.); (S.C.)
- German Center for Infection Research, DZIF, External Partner Site, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology (IME), Branch Translational Medicine und Pharmacology, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Mark N. Wass
- School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury CT2 7NJ, UK;
- Correspondence: (M.N.W.); (M.M.); (J.C.J.)
| | - Martin Michaelis
- School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury CT2 7NJ, UK;
- Correspondence: (M.N.W.); (M.M.); (J.C.J.)
| | - Jindrich Cinatl
- Institute for Medical Virology, University Hospital, Goethe University, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; (M.B.); (D.B.); (S.C.)
- Correspondence: (M.N.W.); (M.M.); (J.C.J.)
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De Meyer S, Bojkova D, Cinatl J, Van Damme E, Buyck C, Van Loock M, Woodfall B, Ciesek S. Lack of antiviral activity of darunavir against SARS-CoV-2. Int J Infect Dis 2020; 97:7-10. [PMID: 32479865 PMCID: PMC7258847 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2020.05.085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2020] [Revised: 05/20/2020] [Accepted: 05/23/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Darunavir showed no in vitro antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2 (EC50 > 100 μM). Remdesivir demonstrated potent antiviral activity, confirming validity of the assay. Overall, the data do not support use of darunavir for treatment of COVID-19.
Objectives Given the high need and the absence of specific antivirals for treatment of COVID-19 (the disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome-associated coronavirus-2 [SARS-CoV-2]), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) protease inhibitors are being considered as therapeutic alternatives. Methods Prezcobix/Rezolsta is a fixed-dose combination of 800 mg of the HIV protease inhibitor darunavir (DRV) and 150 mg cobicistat, a CYP3A4 inhibitor, which is indicated in combination with other antiretroviral agents for the treatment of HIV infection. There are currently no definitive data on the safety and efficacy of DRV/cobicistat for the treatment of COVID-19. The in vitro antiviral activity of darunavir against a clinical isolate from a patient infected with SARS-CoV-2 was assessed. Results DRV showed no antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2 at clinically relevant concentrations (EC50 > 100 μM). Remdesivir, used as a positive control, demonstrated potent antiviral activity (EC50 = 0.38 μM). Conclusions Overall, the data do not support the use of DRV for the treatment of COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Denisa Bojkova
- Institute of Medical Virology, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Jindrich Cinatl
- Institute of Medical Virology, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | | | | | | | | | - Sandra Ciesek
- Institute of Medical Virology, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany; German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Frankfurt, Germany
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Bojkova D, Klann K, Koch B, Widera M, Krause D, Ciesek S, Cinatl J, Münch C. Proteomics of SARS-CoV-2-infected host cells reveals therapy targets. Nature 2020; 583:469-472. [DOI: 10.1038/s41586-020-2332-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 628] [Impact Index Per Article: 157.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2020] [Accepted: 05/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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Bojkova D, Westhaus S, Costa R, Timmer L, Funkenberg N, Korencak M, Streeck H, Vondran F, Broering R, Heinrichs S, Lang KS, Ciesek S. Sofosbuvir Activates EGFR-Dependent Pathways in Hepatoma Cells with Implications for Liver-Related Pathological Processes. Cells 2020; 9:cells9041003. [PMID: 32316635 PMCID: PMC7225999 DOI: 10.3390/cells9041003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2020] [Revised: 04/10/2020] [Accepted: 04/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Direct acting antivirals (DAAs) revolutionized the therapy of chronic hepatitis C infection. However, unexpected high recurrence rates of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after DAA treatment became an issue in patients with advanced cirrhosis and fibrosis. In this study, we aimed to investigate an impact of DAA treatment on the molecular changes related to HCC development and progression in hepatoma cell lines and primary human hepatocytes. We found that treatment with sofosbuvir (SOF), a backbone of DAA therapy, caused an increase in EGFR expression and phosphorylation. As a result, enhanced translocation of EGFR into the nucleus and transactivation of factors associated with cell cycle progression, B-MYB and Cyclin D1, was detected. Serine/threonine kinase profiling identified additional pathways, especially the MAPK pathway, also activated during SOF treatment. Importantly, the blocking of EGFR kinase activity by erlotinib during SOF treatment prevented all downstream events. Altogether, our findings suggest that SOF may have an impact on pathological processes in the liver via the induction of EGFR signaling. Notably, zidovudine, another nucleoside analogue, exerted a similar cell phenotype, suggesting that the observed effects may be induced by additional members of this drug class.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denisa Bojkova
- Institute of Virology, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany; (D.B.); (S.W.); (R.C.); (L.T.); (N.F.)
- Institute of Medical Virology, University Hospital, Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Sandra Westhaus
- Institute of Virology, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany; (D.B.); (S.W.); (R.C.); (L.T.); (N.F.)
- Institute of Medical Virology, University Hospital, Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Rui Costa
- Institute of Virology, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany; (D.B.); (S.W.); (R.C.); (L.T.); (N.F.)
| | - Lejla Timmer
- Institute of Virology, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany; (D.B.); (S.W.); (R.C.); (L.T.); (N.F.)
| | - Nora Funkenberg
- Institute of Virology, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany; (D.B.); (S.W.); (R.C.); (L.T.); (N.F.)
| | - Marek Korencak
- Institute for HIV research, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany; (M.K.); (H.S.)
| | - Hendrik Streeck
- Institute for HIV research, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany; (M.K.); (H.S.)
| | - Florian Vondran
- Clinic for General, Abdominal and Transplant Surgery, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany;
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), 45147 Essen, Germany
| | - Ruth Broering
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany;
| | - Stefan Heinrichs
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany;
| | - Karl S Lang
- Institute of Immunology, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany;
| | - Sandra Ciesek
- Institute of Virology, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany; (D.B.); (S.W.); (R.C.); (L.T.); (N.F.)
- Institute of Medical Virology, University Hospital, Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), 45147 Essen, Germany
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-69-63015219
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Hoehl S, Rabenau H, Berger A, Kortenbusch M, Cinatl J, Bojkova D, Behrens P, Böddinghaus B, Götsch U, Naujoks F, Neumann P, Schork J, Tiarks-Jungk P, Walczok A, Eickmann M, Vehreschild MJGT, Kann G, Wolf T, Gottschalk R, Ciesek S. Evidence of SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Returning Travelers from Wuhan, China. N Engl J Med 2020; 382:1278-1280. [PMID: 32069388 PMCID: PMC7121749 DOI: 10.1056/nejmc2001899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 415] [Impact Index Per Article: 103.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Holger Rabenau
- University Hospital Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | | | | | | | - Denisa Bojkova
- University Hospital Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Pia Behrens
- Health Protection Authority, City of Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Boris Böddinghaus
- Health Protection Authority, City of Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Udo Götsch
- Health Protection Authority, City of Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Frank Naujoks
- Health Protection Authority, City of Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Peter Neumann
- Health Protection Authority, City of Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Joscha Schork
- Health Protection Authority, City of Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Petra Tiarks-Jungk
- Health Protection Authority, City of Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Antoni Walczok
- Health Protection Authority, City of Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | | | | | - Gerrit Kann
- University Hospital Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Timo Wolf
- University Hospital Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - René Gottschalk
- Health Protection Authority, City of Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Sandra Ciesek
- University Hospital Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
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Michaelis M, Kleinschmidt MC, Bojkova D, Rabenau HF, Wass MN, Cinatl J. Omeprazole Increases the Efficacy of Acyclovir Against Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 and 2. Front Microbiol 2019; 10:2790. [PMID: 31849920 PMCID: PMC6901432 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.02790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2019] [Accepted: 11/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Omeprazole was shown to improve the anti-cancer effects of the nucleoside analogue 5-fluorouracil. Here, we combined omeprazole with the antiviral nucleoside analogues ribavirin and acyclovir. Omeprazole did not affect the antiviral effects of ribavirin in non-toxic concentrations up to 80 μg/mL but increased the acyclovir-mediated effects on herpes simplex virus 1 and 2 (HSV-1 and -2) replication in a dose-dependent manner. Omeprazole alone reduced HSV-1 and -2 titers [but not HSV-induced formation of cytopathogenic effects (CPE)] at concentrations ≥40 μg/mL. However, it exerted substantially stronger effects on acyclovir activity and also increased acyclovir activity at lower concentrations that did not directly interfere with HSV replication. Omeprazole 80 μg/mL caused a 10.8-fold (Vero cells) and 47.7-fold (HaCaT cells) decrease of the acyclovir concentrations that reduced HSV-1-induced CPE formation by 50% (IC50). In HSV-2-infected cells, omeprazole 80 μg/mL reduced the acyclovir IC50 by 7.3- (Vero cells) and 12.9-fold (HaCaT cells). In HaCaT cells, omeprazole 80 μg/mL reduced the HSV-1 titer in the presence of acyclovir 1 μg/mL by 1.6 × 105-fold and the HSV-2 titer in the presence of acyclovir 2 μg/mL by 9.2 × 103-fold. The proton pump inhibitors pantoprazole, rabeprazole, lansoprazole, and dexlansoprazole increased the antiviral effects of acyclovir in a similar fashion as omeprazole, indicating this to be a drug class effect. In conclusion, proton pump inhibitors increase the anti-HSV activity of acyclovir and are candidates for antiviral therapies in combination with acyclovir, in particular for topical preparations for the treatment of immunocompromised individuals who are more likely to suffer from severe complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Michaelis
- Industrial Biotechnology Centre, School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury, United Kingdom
| | - Malte C Kleinschmidt
- Institut für Medizinische Virologie, Klinikum der Goethe-Universität, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Denisa Bojkova
- Institut für Medizinische Virologie, Klinikum der Goethe-Universität, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Holger F Rabenau
- Institut für Medizinische Virologie, Klinikum der Goethe-Universität, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Mark N Wass
- Industrial Biotechnology Centre, School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury, United Kingdom
| | - Jindrich Cinatl
- Institut für Medizinische Virologie, Klinikum der Goethe-Universität, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
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50
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Helfritz FA, Bojkova D, Wanders V, Kuklinski N, Westhaus S, von Horn C, Rauen U, Gallinat A, Baba HA, Skyschally A, Swoboda S, Kinast V, Steinmann E, Heusch G, Minor T, Meuleman P, Paul A, Ciesek S. Methylene Blue Treatment of Grafts During Cold Ischemia Time Reduces the Risk of Hepatitis C Virus Transmission. J Infect Dis 2019; 218:1711-1721. [PMID: 29939277 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiy386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2018] [Accepted: 06/22/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Although organ shortage is a rising problem, organs from hepatitis C virus (HCV) ribonucleic acid (RNA)-positive donors are not routinely transplanted in HCV-negative individuals. Because HCV only infects hepatocytes, other organs such as kidneys are merely contaminated with HCV via the blood. In this study, we established a protocol to reduce HCV virions during the cold ischemic time. Methods Standard virological assays were used to investigate the effect of antivirals, including methylene blue (MB), in different preservation solutions. Kidneys from mini pigs were contaminated with Jc1 or HCV RNA-positive human serum. Afterwards, organs were flushed with MB. Hypothermic machine perfusion was used to optimize reduction of HCV. Results Three different antivirals were investigated for their ability to inactivate HCV in vitro. Only MB completely inactivated HCV in the presence of all perfusion solutions. Hepatitis C virus-contaminated kidneys from mini pigs were treated with MB and hypothermic machine perfusion without any negative effect on the graft. Human liver-uPA-SCID mice did not establish HCV infection after inoculation with flow through from these kidneys. Conclusions This proof-of-concept study is a first step to reduce transmission of infectious HCV particles in the transplant setting and might serve as a model for other relevant pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabian A Helfritz
- General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Germany
| | - Denisa Bojkova
- Institute of Virology, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Germany
| | - Verena Wanders
- Institute of Virology, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Germany
| | - Nina Kuklinski
- Institute of Virology, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Germany
| | - Sandra Westhaus
- Institute of Virology, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Germany
| | - Charlotte von Horn
- General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Germany
| | - Ursula Rauen
- Institute of Physiological Chemistry, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Germany
| | - Anja Gallinat
- General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Germany
| | - Hideo A Baba
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Germany
| | - Andreas Skyschally
- Institute of Pathophysiology, West German Heart and Vascular Center, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Germany
| | - Sandra Swoboda
- General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Germany
| | - Volker Kinast
- Institute of Experimental Virology, Twincore, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Hannover, Germany
| | - Eike Steinmann
- Institute of Experimental Virology, Twincore, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Hannover, Germany.,Department of Molecular and Medical Virology, Ruhr-University Bochum, Germany
| | - Gerd Heusch
- Institute of Pathophysiology, West German Heart and Vascular Center, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Germany
| | - Thomas Minor
- General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Germany
| | - Philip Meuleman
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Belgium
| | - Andreas Paul
- General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Germany
| | - Sandra Ciesek
- Institute of Virology, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), External Partner Site Essen, Germany
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