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Perraud V, Vanderhoydonck B, Bouvier G, Dias de Melo G, Kilonda A, Koukni M, Jochmans D, Rogée S, Ben Khalifa Y, Kergoat L, Lannoy J, Van Buyten T, Izadi-Pruneyre N, Chaltin P, Neyts J, Marchand A, Larrous F, Bourhy H. Mechanism of action of phthalazinone derivatives against rabies virus. Antiviral Res 2024; 224:105838. [PMID: 38373533 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2024.105838] [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: 12/14/2023] [Revised: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/21/2024]
Abstract
Rabies, a viral zoonosis, is responsible for almost 59,000 deaths each year, despite the existence of an effective post-exposure prophylaxis. Indeed, rabies causes acute encephalomyelitis, with a case-fatality rate of 100 % after the onset of neurological clinical signs. Therefore, the development of therapies to inhibit the rabies virus (RABV) is crucial. Here, we identified, from a 30,000 compound library screening, phthalazinone derivative compounds as potent inhibitors of RABV infection and more broadly of Lyssavirus and even Mononegavirales infections. Combining in vitro experiments, structural modelling, in silico docking and in vivo assays, we demonstrated that phthalazinone derivatives display a strong inhibition of lyssaviruses infection by acting directly on the replication complex of the virus, and with noticeable effects in delaying the onset of the clinical signs in our mouse model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoire Perraud
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Unité Lyssavirus, Epidémiologie et Neuropathologie, WHO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Rabies, F-75015, Paris, France
| | - Bart Vanderhoydonck
- Center for Innovation and Stimulation of Drug Discovery (Cistim) Leuven, Belgium
| | - Guillaume Bouvier
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, CNRS UMR3528, Structural Bioinformatics Unit, F-75015, Paris, France
| | - Guilherme Dias de Melo
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Unité Lyssavirus, Epidémiologie et Neuropathologie, WHO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Rabies, F-75015, Paris, France
| | - Amuri Kilonda
- Center for Innovation and Stimulation of Drug Discovery (Cistim) Leuven, Belgium
| | - Mohamed Koukni
- Center for Innovation and Stimulation of Drug Discovery (Cistim) Leuven, Belgium
| | | | - Sophie Rogée
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Unité Lyssavirus, Epidémiologie et Neuropathologie, WHO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Rabies, F-75015, Paris, France
| | - Youcef Ben Khalifa
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Unité Lyssavirus, Epidémiologie et Neuropathologie, WHO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Rabies, F-75015, Paris, France
| | - Lauriane Kergoat
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Unité Lyssavirus, Epidémiologie et Neuropathologie, WHO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Rabies, F-75015, Paris, France
| | - Julien Lannoy
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Unité Lyssavirus, Epidémiologie et Neuropathologie, WHO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Rabies, F-75015, Paris, France
| | | | - Nadia Izadi-Pruneyre
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, CNRS UMR3528, Bacterial Transmembrane Systems Unit, F-75015, Paris, France
| | - Patrick Chaltin
- Center for Innovation and Stimulation of Drug Discovery (Cistim) Leuven, Belgium; Centre for Drug Design and Discovery (CD3), Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Johan Neyts
- Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Arnaud Marchand
- Center for Innovation and Stimulation of Drug Discovery (Cistim) Leuven, Belgium
| | - Florence Larrous
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Unité Lyssavirus, Epidémiologie et Neuropathologie, WHO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Rabies, F-75015, Paris, France.
| | - Hervé Bourhy
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Unité Lyssavirus, Epidémiologie et Neuropathologie, WHO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Rabies, F-75015, Paris, France.
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Gadali KE, Rafya M, El Mansouri AE, Maatallah M, Vanderlee A, Mehdi A, Neyts J, Jochmans D, De Jonghe S, Benkhalti F, Sanghvi YS, Taourirte M, Lazrek HB. Design, synthesis, and molecular modeling studies of novel 2-quinolone-1,2,3-triazole-α-aminophosphonates hybrids as dual antiviral and antibacterial agents. Eur J Med Chem 2024; 268:116235. [PMID: 38377828 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2024.116235] [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: 12/21/2023] [Revised: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/22/2024]
Abstract
With the aim to identify new antiviral agents with antibacterial properties, a series of 2-quinolone-1,2,3-triazole derivatives bearing α-aminophosphonates was synthesized and characterized by 1H NMR, 13C NMR, 31P NMR, single crystal XRD and HRMS analyses. These compounds were examined against five RNA viruses (YFV, ZIKV, CHIKV, EV71 and HRV) from three distinct families (Picornaviridae, Togaviridae and Flaviviridae) and four bacterial strains (S. aureus, E. feacalis, E. coli and P. aeruginosa). The α-aminophosphonates 4f, 4i, 4j, 4k, 4p and 4q recorded low IC50 values of 6.8-10.91 μM, along with elevated selectivity indices ranging from 2 to more than 3, particularly against YFV, CHIKV and HRV-B14. Besides, the synthesized compounds were generally more sensitive toward Gram-positive bacteria, with the majority of them displaying significant potency against E. feacalis. Specifically, an excellent anti-enterococcus activity was obtained by compound 4q with MIC and MBC values of 0.03 μmol/mL, which were 8.7 and 10 times greater than those of the reference drugs ampicillin and rifampicin, respectively. Also, compounds 4f, 4p and 4q showed potent anti-staphylococcal activity with MIC values varying between 0.11 and 0.13 μmol/mL, compared to 0.27 μmol/mL for ampicillin. The results from DFT and molecular docking simulations were in agreement with the biological assays, proving the binding capability of hybrids 4f, 4i, 4j, 4k, 4p and 4q with viral and bacterial target enzymes through hydrogen bonds and other non-covalent interactions. The in silico ADME/Tox prediction revealed that these molecules possess moderate to good drug-likeness and pharmacokinetic properties, with a minimal chance of causing liver toxicity or carcinogenic effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khadija El Gadali
- Laboratoire de Recherche en Développement Durable et Santé, Faculty of Sciences and Technology Gueliz (FSTG), BP549, Marrakech 40000, Morocco; Laboratory of Molecular Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences Semlalia, Marrakech 40000, Morocco
| | - Meriem Rafya
- Laboratoire de Recherche en Développement Durable et Santé, Faculty of Sciences and Technology Gueliz (FSTG), BP549, Marrakech 40000, Morocco
| | - Az-Eddine El Mansouri
- University of the Free State Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences Chemistry Department 205 Nelson Mandela, Bloemfontein, 9301, South Africa
| | - Mohamed Maatallah
- Laboratory of Molecular Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences Semlalia, Marrakech 40000, Morocco
| | - Arie Vanderlee
- Institut Européen des Membranes, IEM, UMR 5635, Univ. Montpellier, CNRS, ENSCM, 34095 Montpellier, France
| | - Ahmad Mehdi
- ICGM, UMR5253 1919, Route de Mende 34293 Montpellier cedex 5, France
| | - Johan Neyts
- KU Leuven, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Herestraat 49, Box 1043, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Dirk Jochmans
- KU Leuven, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Herestraat 49, Box 1043, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Steven De Jonghe
- KU Leuven, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Herestraat 49, Box 1043, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Fatiha Benkhalti
- Laboratoire de Recherche en Développement Durable et Santé, Faculty of Sciences and Technology Gueliz (FSTG), BP549, Marrakech 40000, Morocco
| | - Yogesh S Sanghvi
- Rasayan Inc, 2802 Crystal Ridge Road, Encinitas, CA 92024-6615, USA
| | - Moha Taourirte
- Laboratoire de Recherche en Développement Durable et Santé, Faculty of Sciences and Technology Gueliz (FSTG), BP549, Marrakech 40000, Morocco.
| | - Hassan B Lazrek
- Laboratory of Molecular Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences Semlalia, Marrakech 40000, Morocco.
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Feys S, Vanmassenhove S, Kraisin S, Yu K, Jacobs C, Boeckx B, Cambier S, Cunha C, Debaveye Y, Gonçalves SM, Hermans G, Humblet-Baron S, Jansen S, Lagrou K, Meersseman P, Neyts J, Peetermans M, Rocha-Pereira J, Schepers R, Spalart V, Starick MR, Thevissen K, Van Brussel T, Van Buyten T, Van Mol P, Vandenbriele C, Vanderbeke L, Wauters E, Wilmer A, Van Weyenbergh J, Van De Veerdonk FL, Carvalho A, Proost P, Martinod K, Lambrechts D, Wauters J. Lower respiratory tract single-cell RNA sequencing and neutrophil extracellular trap profiling of COVID-19-associated pulmonary aspergillosis: a single centre, retrospective, observational study. Lancet Microbe 2024; 5:e247-e260. [PMID: 38280387 DOI: 10.1016/s2666-5247(23)00368-3] [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: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 01/29/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND COVID-19-associated pulmonary aspergillosis (CAPA) is a severe superinfection with the fungus Aspergillus affecting patients who are critically ill with COVID-19. The pathophysiology and the role of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) in this infection are largely unknown. We aimed to characterise the immune profile, with a focus on neutrophils and NET concentrations, of critically ill patients with COVID-19, with or without CAPA. METHODS We conducted a single-centre, retrospective, observational study in two patient cohorts, both recruited at University Hospitals Leuven, Belgium. We included adults aged 18 years or older who were admitted to the intensive care unit because of COVID-19 between March 31, 2020, and May 18, 2021, and who were included in the previous Contagious trial (NCT04327570). We investigated the immune cellular landscape of CAPA versus COVID-19 only by performing single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) on bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Bronchoalveolar lavage immune cell fractions were compared between patients with CAPA and patients with COVID-19 only. Additionally, we determined lower respiratory tract NET concentrations using biochemical assays in patients aged 18 years and older who were admitted to the intensive care unit because of severe COVID-19 between March 15, 2020, and Dec 31, 2021, for whom bronchoalveolar lavage was available in the hospital biobank. Bronchoalveolar lavage NET concentrations were compared between patients with CAPA and patients with COVID-19 only and integrated with existing data on immune mediators in bronchoalveolar lavage and 90-day mortality. FINDINGS We performed scRNA-seq of bronchoalveolar lavage on 43 samples from 39 patients, of whom 36 patients (30 male and six female; 14 with CAPA) were included in downstream analyses. We performed bronchoalveolar lavage NET analyses in 59 patients (46 male and 13 female), of whom 26 had CAPA. By scRNA-seq, patients with CAPA had significantly lower neutrophil fractions than patients with COVID-19 only (16% vs 33%; p=0·0020). The remaining neutrophils in patients with CAPA preferentially followed a hybrid maturation trajectory characterised by expression of genes linked to antigen presentation, with enhanced transcription of antifungal effector pathways. Patients with CAPA also showed depletion of mucosal-associated invariant T cells, reduced T helper 1 and T helper 17 differentiation, and transcriptional defects in specific aspects of antifungal immunity in macrophages and monocytes. We observed increased formation of NETs in patients with CAPA compared with patients with COVID-19 only (DNA complexed with citrullinated histone H3 median 15 898 ng/mL [IQR 4588-86 419] vs 7062 ng/mL [775-14 088]; p=0·042), thereby explaining decreased neutrophil fractions by scRNA-seq. Low bronchoalveolar lavage NET concentrations were associated with increased 90-day mortality in patients with CAPA. INTERPRETATION Qualitative and quantitative disturbances in monocyte, macrophage, B-cell, and T-cell populations could predispose patients with severe COVID-19 to develop CAPA. Hybrid neutrophils form a specialised response to CAPA, and an adequate neutrophil response to CAPA is a major determinant for survival in these patients. Therefore, measuring bronchoalveolar lavage NETs could have diagnostic and prognostic value in patients with CAPA. Clinicians should be wary of aspergillosis when using immunomodulatory therapy that might inhibit NETosis to treat patients with severe COVID-19. FUNDING Research Foundation Flanders, KU Leuven, UZ Leuven, VIB, the Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, the European Regional Development Fund, la Caixa Foundation, the Flemish Government, and Horizon 2020.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Feys
- Medical Intensive Care Unit, Department of General Internal Medicine, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Laboratory of Clinical Infectious and Inflammatory Disorders, Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Transplantation, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Sam Vanmassenhove
- Laboratory of Translational Genetics, Department of Human Genetics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Center for Cancer Biology, VIB, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Sirima Kraisin
- Centre for Molecular and Vascular Biology, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Karen Yu
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, Rega Institute, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Cato Jacobs
- Medical Intensive Care Unit, Department of General Internal Medicine, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Bram Boeckx
- Laboratory of Translational Genetics, Department of Human Genetics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Center for Cancer Biology, VIB, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Seppe Cambier
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, Rega Institute, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Cristina Cunha
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal; ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Yves Debaveye
- Department of Intensive Care Medicine, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Laboratory of Intensive Care Medicine, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Samuel M Gonçalves
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal; ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Greet Hermans
- Medical Intensive Care Unit, Department of General Internal Medicine, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Laboratory of Intensive Care Medicine, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Stephanie Humblet-Baron
- Laboratory of Adaptive Immunology, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Sander Jansen
- Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Rega Institute, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Katrien Lagrou
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and National Reference Center for Mycosis, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Laboratory of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Philippe Meersseman
- Medical Intensive Care Unit, Department of General Internal Medicine, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Laboratory of Clinical Infectious and Inflammatory Disorders, Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Transplantation, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Johan Neyts
- Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Rega Institute, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Marijke Peetermans
- Medical Intensive Care Unit, Department of General Internal Medicine, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Laboratory of Clinical Infectious and Inflammatory Disorders, Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Transplantation, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Joana Rocha-Pereira
- Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Rega Institute, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Rogier Schepers
- Laboratory of Translational Genetics, Department of Human Genetics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Center for Cancer Biology, VIB, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Valérie Spalart
- Department of Cardiovascular Diseases, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Centre for Molecular and Vascular Biology, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Marick R Starick
- Laboratory of Clinical and Epidemiological Virology, Rega Institute, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Karin Thevissen
- Centre of Microbial and Plant Genetics, Department of Microbial and Molecular Systems, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Thomas Van Brussel
- Laboratory of Translational Genetics, Department of Human Genetics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Center for Cancer Biology, VIB, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Tina Van Buyten
- Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Rega Institute, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Pierre Van Mol
- Department of Respiratory Diseases, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Laboratory of Translational Genetics, Department of Human Genetics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Center for Cancer Biology, VIB, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Christophe Vandenbriele
- Department of Cardiovascular Diseases, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Cardiology, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Lore Vanderbeke
- Department of General Internal Medicine, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Els Wauters
- Department of Respiratory Diseases, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Laboratory of Respiratory Diseases and Thoracic Surgery, Department of Chronic Diseases and Metabolism, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Alexander Wilmer
- Medical Intensive Care Unit, Department of General Internal Medicine, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Laboratory of Clinical Infectious and Inflammatory Disorders, Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Transplantation, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Johan Van Weyenbergh
- Laboratory of Clinical and Epidemiological Virology, Rega Institute, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | | | - Agostinho Carvalho
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal; ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Paul Proost
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, Rega Institute, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Kimberly Martinod
- Centre for Molecular and Vascular Biology, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Diether Lambrechts
- Laboratory of Translational Genetics, Department of Human Genetics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Center for Cancer Biology, VIB, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Joost Wauters
- Medical Intensive Care Unit, Department of General Internal Medicine, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Laboratory of Clinical Infectious and Inflammatory Disorders, Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Transplantation, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
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Santos-Ferreira N, Van Dycke J, Chiu W, Neyts J, Matthijnssens J, Rocha-Pereira J. Molnupiravir inhibits human norovirus and rotavirus replication in 3D human intestinal enteroids. Antiviral Res 2024; 223:105839. [PMID: 38373532 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2024.105839] [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: 12/18/2023] [Revised: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/21/2024]
Abstract
Human norovirus (HuNoV) and human rotavirus (HRV) are the leading causes of gastrointestinal diarrhea. There are no approved antivirals and rotavirus vaccines are insufficient to cease HRV associated mortality. Furthermore, treatment of chronically infected immunocompromised patients is limited to off-label compassionate use of repurposed antivirals with limited efficacy, highlighting the urgent need of potent and specific antivirals for HuNoV and HRV. Recently, a major breakthrough in the in vitro cultivation of HuNoV and HRV derived from the use of human intestinal enteroids (HIEs). The replication of multiple circulating HuNoV and HRV genotypes can finally be studied and both in the same non-transformed and physiologically relevant model. Activity of previously described anti-norovirus or anti-rotavirus drugs, such as 2'-C-methylcytidine (2CMC), 7-deaza-2'-C-methyladenosine (7DMA), nitazoxanide, favipiravir and dasabuvir, was assessed against clinically relevant human genotypes using 3D-HIEs. 2CMC showed the best activity against HuNoV GII.4, while 7DMA was the most potent antiviral against HRV. We identified the anti-norovirus and -rotavirus activity of molnupiravir and its active metabolite, N4-hydroxycytidine (NHC), a broad-spectrum antiviral used to treat coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Molnupiravir and NHC inhibit HuNoV GII.4, HRV G1P[8], G2P[4] and G4P[6] in 3D-HIEs with high selectivity and show a potency comparable to 2CMC against HuNoV. Moreover, molnupiravir and NHC block HRV viroplasm formation, but do not alter its size or subcellular localization. Taken together, molnupiravir inhibits both HuNoV and HRV replication, suggesting that the drug could be a candidate for the treatment of patients chronically infected with either one of these diarrhea causing viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nanci Santos-Ferreira
- KU Leuven, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jana Van Dycke
- KU Leuven, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Winston Chiu
- 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
| | - Jelle Matthijnssens
- KU Leuven, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, Laboratory of Clinical and Epidemiological Virology, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Joana Rocha-Pereira
- KU Leuven, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Leuven, Belgium.
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5
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Van Dijck C, Crozier I, Vercauteren K, Brosius I, Mbala-Kingebeni P, Dodd L, Bottieau E, Tshiani Mbaya O, Nussenblatt V, Neyts J, Liesenborghs L. Beware of drug resistance: Let's not lose tecovirimat against mpox. Clin Microbiol Infect 2024; 30:276-278. [PMID: 37741622 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmi.2023.09.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2023] [Revised: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 09/16/2023] [Indexed: 09/25/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Christophe Van Dijck
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Ian Crozier
- Clinical Monitoring Research Program Directorate, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD, USA
| | - Koen Vercauteren
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Isabel Brosius
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Placide Mbala-Kingebeni
- Institut National de Recherche Biomédicale, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo
| | - Lori Dodd
- National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Emmanuel Bottieau
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Olivier Tshiani Mbaya
- Clinical Monitoring Research Program Directorate, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD, USA; Institut National de Recherche Biomédicale, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo
| | - Veronique Nussenblatt
- National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Johan Neyts
- KU Leuven Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Leuven, Belgium; KU Leuven VirusBank Platform, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Laurens Liesenborghs
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium; KU Leuven Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Leuven, Belgium.
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6
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Acar DD, Witkowski W, Wejda M, Wei R, Desmet T, Schepens B, De Cae S, Sedeyn K, Eeckhaut H, Fijalkowska D, Roose K, Vanmarcke S, Poupon A, Jochmans D, Zhang X, Abdelnabi R, Foo CS, Weynand B, Reiter D, Callewaert N, Remaut H, Neyts J, Saelens X, Gerlo S, Vandekerckhove L. Integrating artificial intelligence-based epitope prediction in a SARS-CoV-2 antibody discovery pipeline: caution is warranted. EBioMedicine 2024; 100:104960. [PMID: 38232633 PMCID: PMC10803917 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2023.104960] [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: 05/01/2023] [Revised: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND SARS-CoV-2-neutralizing antibodies (nABs) showed great promise in the early phases of the COVID-19 pandemic. The emergence of resistant strains, however, quickly rendered the majority of clinically approved nABs ineffective. This underscored the imperative to develop nAB cocktails targeting non-overlapping epitopes. METHODS Undertaking a nAB discovery program, we employed a classical workflow, while integrating artificial intelligence (AI)-based prediction to select non-competing nABs very early in the pipeline. We identified and in vivo validated (in female Syrian hamsters) two highly potent nABs. FINDINGS Despite the promising results, in depth cryo-EM structural analysis demonstrated that the AI-based prediction employed with the intention to ensure non-overlapping epitopes was inaccurate. The two nABs in fact bound to the same receptor-binding epitope in a remarkably similar manner. INTERPRETATION Our findings indicate that, even in the Alphafold era, AI-based predictions of paratope-epitope interactions are rough and experimental validation of epitopes remains an essential cornerstone of a successful nAB lead selection. FUNDING Full list of funders is provided at the end of the manuscript.
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Affiliation(s)
- Delphine Diana Acar
- HIV Cure Research Center, Department of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent University, Ghent 9000, Belgium
| | - Wojciech Witkowski
- HIV Cure Research Center, Department of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent University, Ghent 9000, Belgium
| | - Magdalena Wejda
- HIV Cure Research Center, Department of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent University, Ghent 9000, Belgium
| | - Ruifang Wei
- HIV Cure Research Center, Department of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent University, Ghent 9000, Belgium
| | - Tim Desmet
- Department of Basic and Applied Medical Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent 9000, Belgium
| | - Bert Schepens
- VIB-UGent Center for Medical Biotechnology, VIB, Ghent 9052, Belgium; Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Ghent University, Ghent 9052, Belgium
| | - Sieglinde De Cae
- VIB-UGent Center for Medical Biotechnology, VIB, Ghent 9052, Belgium; Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Ghent University, Ghent 9052, Belgium
| | - Koen Sedeyn
- VIB-UGent Center for Medical Biotechnology, VIB, Ghent 9052, Belgium; Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Ghent University, Ghent 9052, Belgium
| | - Hannah Eeckhaut
- VIB-UGent Center for Medical Biotechnology, VIB, Ghent 9052, Belgium; Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Ghent University, Ghent 9052, Belgium
| | - Daria Fijalkowska
- VIB-UGent Center for Medical Biotechnology, VIB, Ghent 9052, Belgium; Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Ghent University, Ghent 9052, Belgium
| | - Kenny Roose
- VIB-UGent Center for Medical Biotechnology, VIB, Ghent 9052, Belgium; Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Ghent University, Ghent 9052, Belgium
| | - Sandrine Vanmarcke
- VIB-UGent Center for Medical Biotechnology, VIB, Ghent 9052, Belgium; Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Ghent University, Ghent 9052, Belgium
| | | | - Dirk Jochmans
- Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute for Medical Research, KU Leuven, Leuven 3000, Belgium
| | - Xin Zhang
- Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute for Medical Research, KU Leuven, Leuven 3000, Belgium
| | - Rana Abdelnabi
- Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute for Medical Research, KU Leuven, Leuven 3000, Belgium
| | - Caroline S Foo
- Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute for Medical Research, KU Leuven, Leuven 3000, Belgium
| | - Birgit Weynand
- Department of Imaging and Pathology, Translational Cell and Tissue Research, KU Leuven, Leuven 3000, Belgium
| | - Dirk Reiter
- Department of Bioengineering Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels 1050, Belgium
| | - Nico Callewaert
- VIB-UGent Center for Medical Biotechnology, VIB, Ghent 9052, Belgium; Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Ghent University, Ghent 9052, Belgium
| | - Han Remaut
- Department of Bioengineering Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels 1050, Belgium; VIB-VUB Center for Structural Biology, VIB, Brussels 1050, Belgium
| | - Johan Neyts
- Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute for Medical Research, KU Leuven, Leuven 3000, Belgium
| | - Xavier Saelens
- VIB-UGent Center for Medical Biotechnology, VIB, Ghent 9052, Belgium; Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Ghent University, Ghent 9052, Belgium
| | - Sarah Gerlo
- HIV Cure Research Center, Department of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent University, Ghent 9000, Belgium; Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent 9000, Belgium
| | - Linos Vandekerckhove
- HIV Cure Research Center, Department of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent University, Ghent 9000, Belgium.
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7
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Battisti V, Moesslacher J, Abdelnabi R, Leyssen P, Rosales Rosas AL, Langendries L, Aufy M, Studenik C, Kratz JM, Rollinger JM, Puerstinger G, Neyts J, Delang L, Urban E, Langer T. Design, synthesis, and lead optimization of piperazinyl-pyrimidine analogues as potent small molecules targeting the viral capping machinery of Chikungunya virus. Eur J Med Chem 2024; 264:116010. [PMID: 38104375 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.116010] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2023] [Revised: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/25/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
The worldwide re-emerge of the Chikungunya virus (CHIKV), the high morbidity associated with it, and the lack of an available vaccine or antiviral treatment make the development of a potent CHIKV-inhibitor highly desirable. Therefore, an extensive lead optimization was performed based on the previously reported CHVB compound 1b and the reported synthesis route was optimized - improving the overall yield in remarkably shorter synthesis and work-up time. Hundred analogues were designed, synthesized, and investigated for their antiviral activity, physiochemistry, and toxicological profile. An extensive structure-activity relationship study (SAR) was performed, which focused mainly on the combination of scaffold changes and revealed the key chemical features for potent anti-CHIKV inhibition. Further, a thorough ADMET investigation of the compounds was carried out: the compounds were screened for their aqueous solubility, lipophilicity, their toxicity in CaCo-2 cells, and possible hERG channel interactions. Additionally, 55 analogues were assessed for their metabolic stability in human liver microsomes (HLMs), leading to a structure-metabolism relationship study (SMR). The compounds showed an excellent safety profile, favourable physicochemical characteristics, and the required metabolic stability. A cross-resistance study confirmed the viral capping machinery (nsP1) to be the viral target of these compounds. This study identified 31b and 34 as potent, safe, and stable lead compounds for further development as selective CHIKV inhibitors. Finally, the collected insight led to a successful scaffold hop (64b) for future antiviral research studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Verena Battisti
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmaceutical Chemistry Division, University of Vienna, Josef-Holaubek-Platz 2, A-1090, Vienna, Austria.
| | - Julia Moesslacher
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Innsbruck, Innrain 80/82, A-6020, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Rana Abdelnabi
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Herestraat 49, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Pieter Leyssen
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Herestraat 49, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Ana Lucia Rosales Rosas
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Herestraat 49, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Lana Langendries
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Herestraat 49, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Mohammed Aufy
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Vienna, Josef-Holaubek-Platz 2, A-1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Christian Studenik
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Vienna, Josef-Holaubek-Platz 2, A-1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Jadel M Kratz
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Division of Pharmacognosy, University of Vienna, Josef-Holaubek-Platz 2, A-1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Judith M Rollinger
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Division of Pharmacognosy, University of Vienna, Josef-Holaubek-Platz 2, A-1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Gerhard Puerstinger
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Innsbruck, Innrain 80/82, A-6020, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Johan Neyts
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Herestraat 49, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Leen Delang
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Herestraat 49, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Ernst Urban
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmaceutical Chemistry Division, University of Vienna, Josef-Holaubek-Platz 2, A-1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Thierry Langer
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmaceutical Chemistry Division, University of Vienna, Josef-Holaubek-Platz 2, A-1090, Vienna, Austria.
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Abdelnabi R, Lassaunière R, Maes P, Weynand B, Neyts J. Comparing the Infectivity of Recent SARS-CoV-2 Omicron Sub-Variants in Syrian Hamsters. Viruses 2024; 16:122. [PMID: 38257822 PMCID: PMC10819014 DOI: 10.3390/v16010122] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2023] [Revised: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Since the emergence of the first omicron SARS-CoV-2 variant at the end of 2021, several sub-variants have evolved and become predominant in the human population, showing enhanced transmissibility and ability to (partly) escape the adaptive immune response. The XBB sub-variants (e.g., EG.5.1) have become globally dominant. Besides the XBB sub-variants, a phylogenetically distinct variant, i.e., BA.2.86, is also circulating; it carries several mutations in the spike protein as compared to its parental BA.2 variant. Here, we explored the infectivity of the BA.2.86 and EG.5.1 sub-variants compared to the preceding BA.5 sub-variant in Syrian hamsters. Such preclinical models are important for the evaluation of updated vaccine candidates and novel therapeutic modalities. Following intranasal infection with either variant, throat swabs and lung samples were collected on days 3 and 4 post infection. No significant differences in viral RNA loads in throat swabs were observed between these sub-variants. However, the infectious virus titers in the lungs of EG.5.1- and BA.2.86-infected animals were significantly lower compared to the BA.5-infected ones. The lung pathology scores of animals infected with EG.5.1 and BA.2.86 were also markedly lower than that of BA.5 sub-variant. Together, we show that EG.5.1 and BA.2.86 sub-variants exhibit an attenuated replication in hamsters' lungs as compared to the BA.5 sub-variant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rana Abdelnabi
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Rega Institute, KU Leuven, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium;
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, VirusBank Platform, KU Leuven, B-3001 Leuven, Belgium
| | | | - Piet Maes
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Laboratory of Clinical and Epidemiological Virology, Rega Institute, KU Leuven, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Birgit Weynand
- Department of Imaging and Pathology, Translational Cell and Tissue Research, Division of Translational Cell and Tissue Research, KU Leuven, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium;
| | - Johan Neyts
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Rega Institute, KU Leuven, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium;
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, VirusBank Platform, KU Leuven, B-3001 Leuven, Belgium
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9
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Illingworth CJR, Guerra-Assuncao JA, Gregg S, Charles O, Pang J, Roy S, Abdelnabi R, Neyts J, Breuer J. Genetic consequences of effective and suboptimal dosing with mutagenic drugs in a hamster model of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Virus Evol 2024; 10:veae001. [PMID: 38486802 PMCID: PMC10939363 DOI: 10.1093/ve/veae001] [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] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2023] [Revised: 11/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Mutagenic antiviral drugs have shown promise against multiple viruses, but concerns have been raised about whether their use might promote the emergence of new and harmful viral variants. Recently, genetic signatures associated with molnupiravir use have been identified in the global SARS-COV-2 population. Here, we examine the consequences of using favipiravir and molnupiravir to treat SARS-CoV-2 infection in a hamster model, comparing viral genome sequence data collected from (1) untreated hamsters, and (2) from hamsters receiving effective and suboptimal doses of treatment. We identify a broadly linear relationship between drug dose and the extent of variation in treated viral populations, with a high proportion of this variation being composed of variants at frequencies of less than 1 per cent, below typical thresholds for variant calling. Treatment with an effective dose of antiviral drug was associated with a gain of between 7 and 10 variants per viral genome relative to drug-free controls: even after a short period of treatment a population founded by a transmitted virus could contain multiple sequence differences to that of the original host. Treatment with a suboptimal dose of drug showed intermediate gains of variants. No dose-dependent signal was identified in the numbers of single-nucleotide variants reaching frequencies in excess of 5 per cent. We did not find evidence to support the emergence of drug resistance or of novel immune phenotypes. Our study suggests that where onward transmission occurs, a short period of treatment with mutagenic drugs may be sufficient to generate a significant increase in the number of viral variants transmitted.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jose A Guerra-Assuncao
- Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust, Great Ormond Street, London WC1N 3JH, UK
- Infection, Immunity and Inflammation Research and Teaching Department, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Samuel Gregg
- Infection, Immunity and Inflammation Research and Teaching Department, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Oscar Charles
- Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust, Great Ormond Street, London WC1N 3JH, UK
- Infection, Immunity and Inflammation Research and Teaching Department, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Juanita Pang
- Infection, Immunity and Inflammation Research and Teaching Department, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Sunando Roy
- Infection, Immunity and Inflammation Research and Teaching Department, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Rana Abdelnabi
- KU Leuven Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Herestraat 49, Leuven B-3000, Belgium
- The VirusBank Platform, Gaston Geenslaan, Leuven B-3000, Belgium
| | - Johan Neyts
- KU Leuven Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Herestraat 49, Leuven B-3000, Belgium
- The VirusBank Platform, Gaston Geenslaan, Leuven B-3000, Belgium
| | - Judith Breuer
- Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust, Great Ormond Street, London WC1N 3JH, UK
- Infection, Immunity and Inflammation Research and Teaching Department, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK
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10
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Box HJ, Sharp J, Pennington SH, Kijak E, Tatham L, Caygill CH, Lopeman RC, Jeffreys LN, Herriott J, Neary M, Valentijn A, Pertinez H, Curley P, Arshad U, Rajoli RKR, Jochmans D, Vangeel L, Neyts J, Chatelain E, Escudié F, Scandale I, Rannard S, Stewart JP, Biagini GA, Owen A. Lack of antiviral activity of probenecid in vitro and in Syrian golden hamsters. J Antimicrob Chemother 2024; 79:172-178. [PMID: 37995258 PMCID: PMC10761260 DOI: 10.1093/jac/dkad362] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Antiviral interventions are required to complement vaccination programmes and reduce the global burden of COVID-19. Prior to initiation of large-scale clinical trials, robust preclinical data to support candidate plausibility are required. This work sought to further investigate the putative antiviral activity of probenecid against SARS-CoV-2. METHODS Vero E6 cells were preincubated with probenecid, or control media for 2 h before infection (SARS-CoV-2/Human/Liverpool/REMRQ0001/2020). Probenecid or control media was reapplied, plates reincubated and cytopathic activity quantified by spectrophotometry after 48 h. In vitro human airway epithelial cell (HAEC) assays were performed for probenecid against SARS-CoV-2-VoC-B.1.1.7 (hCoV-19/Belgium/rega-12211513/2020; EPI_ISL_791333, 2020-12-21) using an optimized cell model for antiviral testing. Syrian golden hamsters were intranasally inoculated (SARS-CoV-2 Delta B.1.617.2) 24 h prior to treatment with probenecid or vehicle for four twice-daily doses. RESULTS No observable antiviral activity for probenecid was evident in Vero E6 or HAEC assays. No reduction in total or subgenomic RNA was observed in terminal lung samples (P > 0.05) from hamsters. Body weight of uninfected hamsters remained stable whereas both probenecid- and vehicle-treated infected hamsters lost body weight (P > 0.5). CONCLUSIONS These data do not support probenecid as a SARS-CoV-2 antiviral drug.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helen J Box
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L7 3NY, UK
- Centre of Excellence in Long-acting Therapeutics (CELT), University of Liverpool, Liverpool L7 3NY, UK
| | - Joanne Sharp
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L7 3NY, UK
- Centre of Excellence in Long-acting Therapeutics (CELT), University of Liverpool, Liverpool L7 3NY, UK
| | - Shaun H Pennington
- Centre for Drugs and Diagnostics, Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool L3 5QA, UK
| | - Edyta Kijak
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L7 3NY, UK
- Centre of Excellence in Long-acting Therapeutics (CELT), University of Liverpool, Liverpool L7 3NY, UK
| | - Lee Tatham
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L7 3NY, UK
- Centre of Excellence in Long-acting Therapeutics (CELT), University of Liverpool, Liverpool L7 3NY, UK
| | - Claire H Caygill
- Centre for Drugs and Diagnostics, Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool L3 5QA, UK
| | - Rose C Lopeman
- Centre for Drugs and Diagnostics, Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool L3 5QA, UK
| | - Laura N Jeffreys
- Centre for Drugs and Diagnostics, Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool L3 5QA, UK
| | - Joanne Herriott
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L7 3NY, UK
- Centre of Excellence in Long-acting Therapeutics (CELT), University of Liverpool, Liverpool L7 3NY, UK
| | - Megan Neary
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L7 3NY, UK
- Centre of Excellence in Long-acting Therapeutics (CELT), University of Liverpool, Liverpool L7 3NY, UK
| | - Anthony Valentijn
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L7 3NY, UK
- Centre of Excellence in Long-acting Therapeutics (CELT), University of Liverpool, Liverpool L7 3NY, UK
| | - Henry Pertinez
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L7 3NY, UK
- Centre of Excellence in Long-acting Therapeutics (CELT), University of Liverpool, Liverpool L7 3NY, UK
| | - Paul Curley
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L7 3NY, UK
- Centre of Excellence in Long-acting Therapeutics (CELT), University of Liverpool, Liverpool L7 3NY, UK
| | - Usman Arshad
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L7 3NY, UK
- Centre of Excellence in Long-acting Therapeutics (CELT), University of Liverpool, Liverpool L7 3NY, UK
| | - Rajith K R Rajoli
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L7 3NY, UK
- Centre of Excellence in Long-acting Therapeutics (CELT), University of Liverpool, Liverpool L7 3NY, UK
| | - Dirk Jochmans
- KU Leuven, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, 3000, Leuven, Belgium and the Global Virus Network (GVN), Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Laura Vangeel
- KU Leuven, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, 3000, Leuven, Belgium and the Global Virus Network (GVN), Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Johan Neyts
- KU Leuven, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, 3000, Leuven, Belgium and the Global Virus Network (GVN), Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Eric Chatelain
- Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi), Research and Development, 1202, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Fanny Escudié
- Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi), Research and Development, 1202, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Ivan Scandale
- Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi), Research and Development, 1202, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Steve Rannard
- Centre of Excellence in Long-acting Therapeutics (CELT), University of Liverpool, Liverpool L7 3NY, UK
- Department of Chemistry, University of Liverpool,Liverpool L7 3NY, UK
| | - James P Stewart
- Department of Infection Biology & Microbiomes, Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Giancarlo A Biagini
- Centre for Drugs and Diagnostics, Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool L3 5QA, UK
| | - Andrew Owen
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L7 3NY, UK
- Centre of Excellence in Long-acting Therapeutics (CELT), University of Liverpool, Liverpool L7 3NY, UK
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11
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Li LH, Chiu W, Huang YA, Rasulova M, Vercruysse T, Thibaut HJ, Ter Horst S, Rocha-Pereira J, Vanhoof G, Borrenberghs D, Goethals O, Kaptein SJF, Leyssen P, Neyts J, Dallmeier K. Multiplexed multicolor antiviral assay amenable for high-throughput research. Nat Commun 2024; 15:42. [PMID: 38168091 PMCID: PMC10761739 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-44339-z] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
To curb viral epidemics and pandemics, antiviral drugs are needed with activity against entire genera or families of viruses. Here, we develop a cell-based multiplex antiviral assay for high-throughput screening against multiple viruses at once, as demonstrated by using three distantly related orthoflaviviruses: dengue, Japanese encephalitis and yellow fever virus. Each virus is tagged with a distinct fluorescent protein, enabling individual monitoring in cell culture through high-content imaging. Specific antisera and small-molecule inhibitors are employed to validate that multiplexing approach yields comparable inhibition profiles to single-virus infection assays. To facilitate downstream analysis, a kernel is developed to deconvolute and reduce the multidimensional quantitative data to three cartesian coordinates. The methodology is applicable to viruses from different families as exemplified by co-infections with chikungunya, parainfluenza and Bunyamwera viruses. The multiplex approach is expected to facilitate the discovery of broader-spectrum antivirals, as shown in a pilot screen of approximately 1200 drug-like small-molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Hsin Li
- KU Leuven Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Leuven, Belgium
- Molecular Vaccinology and Vaccine Discovery group, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Winston Chiu
- KU Leuven Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Yun-An Huang
- KU Leuven Department of Neuroscience, Research Group Neurophysiology, Laboratory for Circuit Neuroscience, Leuven, Belgium
- Vlaams Instituut voor Biotechnologie, Neuro-Electronics Research Flanders (NERF), Leuven, Belgium
| | - Madina Rasulova
- KU Leuven Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Translational Platform Virology and Chemotherapy (TPVC), Leuven, Belgium
| | - Thomas Vercruysse
- KU Leuven Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Translational Platform Virology and Chemotherapy (TPVC), Leuven, Belgium
- AstriVax, Heverlee, Belgium
| | - Hendrik Jan Thibaut
- KU Leuven Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Translational Platform Virology and Chemotherapy (TPVC), Leuven, Belgium
| | - Sebastiaan Ter Horst
- KU Leuven Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Leuven, Belgium
- Cerba Research, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Joana Rocha-Pereira
- KU Leuven Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Greet Vanhoof
- Janssen Therapeutics Discovery, Janssen Pharmaceutica, NV, Beerse, Belgium
| | | | - Olivia Goethals
- Janssen Global Public Health, Janssen Pharmaceutica, NV, Beerse, Belgium
| | - Suzanne J F Kaptein
- 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
| | - Kai Dallmeier
- KU Leuven Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Leuven, Belgium.
- Molecular Vaccinology and Vaccine Discovery group, Leuven, Belgium.
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12
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Song L, Gao S, Ye B, Yang M, Cheng Y, Kang D, Yi F, Sun JP, Menéndez-Arias L, Neyts J, Liu X, Zhan P. Medicinal chemistry strategies towards the development of non-covalent SARS-CoV-2 M pro inhibitors. Acta Pharm Sin B 2024; 14:87-109. [PMID: 38239241 PMCID: PMC10792984 DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2023.08.004] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2023] [Revised: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2024] Open
Abstract
The main protease (Mpro) of SARS-CoV-2 is an attractive target in anti-COVID-19 therapy for its high conservation and major role in the virus life cycle. The covalent Mpro inhibitor nirmatrelvir (in combination with ritonavir, a pharmacokinetic enhancer) and the non-covalent inhibitor ensitrelvir have shown efficacy in clinical trials and have been approved for therapeutic use. Effective antiviral drugs are needed to fight the pandemic, while non-covalent Mpro inhibitors could be promising alternatives due to their high selectivity and favorable druggability. Numerous non-covalent Mpro inhibitors with desirable properties have been developed based on available crystal structures of Mpro. In this article, we describe medicinal chemistry strategies applied for the discovery and optimization of non-covalent Mpro inhibitors, followed by a general overview and critical analysis of the available information. Prospective viewpoints and insights into current strategies for the development of non-covalent Mpro inhibitors are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Letian Song
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Shenghua Gao
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
- Shenzhen Research Institute of Shandong University, Shenzhen 518057, China
| | - Bing Ye
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Mianling Yang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Yusen Cheng
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Dongwei Kang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Fan Yi
- The Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity of Shandong Province, Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Jin-Peng Sun
- Key Laboratory Experimental Teratology of the Ministry of Education, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Luis Menéndez-Arias
- Centro de Biología Molecular “Severo Ochoa” (Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas & Autonomous University of Madrid), Madrid 28049, Spain
| | - Johan Neyts
- KU Leuven, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Leuven 3000, Belgium
| | - Xinyong Liu
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Peng Zhan
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
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13
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Gouttenoire J, Neyts J. Toward antivirals against hepatitis E: In the steps of hepatitis C. Hepatology 2023; 78:1695-1697. [PMID: 37300387 DOI: 10.1097/hep.0000000000000509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 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] [Received: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Jérôme Gouttenoire
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Johan Neyts
- KU Leuven Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Transplantation, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Leuven, Belgium
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14
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Wang X, Chiu W, Klaassen H, Marchand A, Chaltin P, Neyts J, Jochmans D. A Robust Phenotypic High-Throughput Antiviral Assay for the Discovery of Rabies Virus Inhibitors. Viruses 2023; 15:2292. [PMID: 38140533 PMCID: PMC10747594 DOI: 10.3390/v15122292] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2023] [Revised: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Rabies virus (RABV) causes severe neurological symptoms in mammals. The disease is almost inevitably lethal as soon as clinical symptoms appear. The use of rabies immunoglobulins (RIG) and vaccination in post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) can provide efficient protection, but many people do not receive this treatment due to its high cost and/or limited availability. Highly potent small molecule antivirals are urgently needed to treat patients once symptoms develop. In this paper, we report on the development of a high-throughput phenotypic antiviral screening assay based on the infection of BHK-21 cells with a fluorescent reporter virus and high content imaging readout. The assay was used to screen a repurposing library of 3681 drugs (all had been studied in phase 1 clinical trials). From this series, salinomycin was found to selectively inhibit viral replication by blocking infection at the entry stage. This shows that a high-throughput assay enables the screening of large compound libraries for the purposes of identifying inhibitors of RABV replication. These can then be optimized through medicinal chemistry efforts and further developed into urgently needed drugs for the treatment of symptomatic rabies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyu Wang
- Rega Institute, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49 Box 1043, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (X.W.); (W.C.)
| | - Winston Chiu
- Rega Institute, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49 Box 1043, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (X.W.); (W.C.)
| | - Hugo Klaassen
- Cistim Leuven vzw, Bioincubator 2, Gaston Geenslaan 2, 3001 Leuven, Belgium; (H.K.); (A.M.); (P.C.)
| | - Arnaud Marchand
- Cistim Leuven vzw, Bioincubator 2, Gaston Geenslaan 2, 3001 Leuven, Belgium; (H.K.); (A.M.); (P.C.)
| | - Patrick Chaltin
- Cistim Leuven vzw, Bioincubator 2, Gaston Geenslaan 2, 3001 Leuven, Belgium; (H.K.); (A.M.); (P.C.)
- Center for Drug Design and Discovery (CD3), KU Leuven R&D, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Johan Neyts
- Rega Institute, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49 Box 1043, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (X.W.); (W.C.)
| | - Dirk Jochmans
- Rega Institute, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49 Box 1043, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (X.W.); (W.C.)
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15
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Konkel R, Milewska A, Do NDT, Barreto Duran E, Szczepanski A, Plewka J, Wieczerzak E, Iliakopoulou S, Kaloudis T, Jochmans D, Neyts J, Pyrc K, Mazur-Marzec H. Anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity of cyanopeptolins produced by Nostoc edaphicum CCNP1411. Antiviral Res 2023; 219:105731. [PMID: 37838220 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2023.105731] [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: 06/12/2023] [Revised: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 10/01/2023] [Indexed: 10/16/2023]
Abstract
Despite the advances in contemporary medicine and availability of numerous innovative therapies, effective treatment and prevention of SARS-CoV-2 infections pose a challenge. In the search for new anti-SARS-CoV-2 drug candidates, natural products are frequently explored. Here, fifteen cyanopeptolins (CPs) were isolated from the Baltic cyanobacterium Nostoc edaphicum and tested against SARS-CoV-2. Of these depsipeptides, the Arg-containing structural variants showed the strongest inhibition of the Delta SARS-CoV-2 infection in A549ACE2/TMPRSS2 cells. The functional assays indicated a direct interaction of the Arg-containing CP978 with the virions. CP978 also induced a significant decline in virus replication in the primary human airway epithelial cells (HAE). Of the four tested SARS-CoV-2 variants, Wuhan, Alpha, Omicron and Delta, only Wuhan was not affected by CP978. Finally, the analyses with application of confocal microscopy and with the SARS-CoV-2 pseudoviruses showed that CP978-mediated inhibition of viral infection results from the direct binding of the cyanopeptolin with the coronaviral S protein. Considering the potency of viral inhibition and the mode of action of CP978, the significance of the peptide as antiviral drug candidate should be further explored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Konkel
- Department of Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Oceanography and Geography, University of Gdańsk, Gdynia, Poland
| | - Aleksandra Milewska
- Virogenetics Laboratory of Virology, Małopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
| | - Nguyen Dan Thuc Do
- KU Leuven, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Emilia Barreto Duran
- Virogenetics Laboratory of Virology, Małopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
| | - Artur Szczepanski
- Virogenetics Laboratory of Virology, Małopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
| | - Jacek Plewka
- Virogenetics Laboratory of Virology, Małopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland; Faculty of Chemistry, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
| | - Ewa Wieczerzak
- Department of Biomedical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Sofia Iliakopoulou
- Department of Sustainable Agriculture, University of Patras, Agrinio, Greece
| | - Triantafyllos Kaloudis
- Institute of Nanoscience & Nanotechnology, NCSR Demokritos, Agia Paraskevi, Greece; Laboratory of Organic Micropollutants, Water Quality Control Department, EYDAP SA, Menidi, Athens, Greece
| | - Dirk Jochmans
- 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
| | - Krzysztof Pyrc
- Virogenetics Laboratory of Virology, Małopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland.
| | - Hanna Mazur-Marzec
- Department of Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Oceanography and Geography, University of Gdańsk, Gdynia, Poland.
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16
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Abdelnabi R, Pérez P, Astorgano D, Albericio G, Kerstens W, Thibaut HJ, Coelmont L, Weynand B, Labiod N, Delgado R, Montenegro D, Puentes E, Rodríguez E, Neyts J, Dallmeier K, Esteban M, García-Arriaza J. Optimized vaccine candidate MVA-S(3P) fully protects against SARS-CoV-2 infection in hamsters. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1163159. [PMID: 37920464 PMCID: PMC10619667 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1163159] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The development of novel optimized vaccines against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) that are capable of controlling the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic and the appearance of different variants of concern (VoC) is needed to fully prevent the transmission of the virus. In the present study, we describe the enhanced immunogenicity and efficacy elicited in hamsters by a modified vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA) vector expressing a full-length prefusion-stabilized SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) protein [termed MVA-S(3P)]. Hamsters vaccinated with one or two doses of MVA-S(3P) developed high titers of S-binding IgG antibodies and neutralizing antibodies against the ancestral Wuhan SARS-CoV-2 virus and VoC beta, gamma, and delta, as well as against omicron, although with a somewhat lower neutralization activity. After SARS-CoV-2 challenge, vaccinated hamsters did not lose body weight as compared to matched placebo (MVA-WT) controls. Consistently, vaccinated hamsters exhibited significantly reduced viral RNA in the lungs and nasal washes, and no infectious virus was detected in the lungs in comparison to controls. Furthermore, almost no lung histopathology was detected in MVA-S(3P)-vaccinated hamsters, which also showed significantly reduced levels of proinflammatory cytokines in the lungs compared to unvaccinated hamsters. These results reinforce the use of MVA-S(3P) as a vaccine candidate against COVID-19 in clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rana Abdelnabi
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, Laboratory of Virology, Molecular Vaccinology and Vaccine Discovery, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Patricia Pérez
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología (CNB), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFEC), Madrid, Spain
| | - David Astorgano
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología (CNB), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Guillermo Albericio
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología (CNB), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Winnie Kerstens
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Translational Platform Virology and Chemotherapy, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Hendrik Jan Thibaut
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Translational Platform Virology and Chemotherapy, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Lotte Coelmont
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, Laboratory of Virology, Molecular Vaccinology and Vaccine Discovery, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Birgit Weynand
- Department of Imaging and Pathology, Translational Cell and Tissue Research, Division of Translational Cell and Tissue Research, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Nuria Labiod
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Hospital 12 de Octubre (imas12), Madrid, Spain
| | - Rafael Delgado
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFEC), Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Hospital 12 de Octubre (imas12), Madrid, Spain
- Department of Microbiology, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Medicine, Medical School, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | | | | | | | - Johan Neyts
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, Laboratory of Virology, Molecular Vaccinology and Vaccine Discovery, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Kai Dallmeier
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, Laboratory of Virology, Molecular Vaccinology and Vaccine Discovery, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Mariano Esteban
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología (CNB), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Juan García-Arriaza
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología (CNB), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFEC), Madrid, Spain
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17
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Saul S, Karim M, Ghita L, Huang PT, Chiu W, Durán V, Lo CW, Kumar S, Bhalla N, Leyssen P, Alem F, Boghdeh NA, Tran DH, Cohen CA, Brown JA, Huie KE, Tindle C, Sibai M, Ye C, Khalil AM, Chiem K, Martinez-Sobrido L, Dye JM, Pinsky BA, Ghosh P, Das S, Solow-Cordero DE, Jin J, Wikswo JP, Jochmans D, Neyts J, De Jonghe S, Narayanan A, Einav S. Anticancer pan-ErbB inhibitors reduce inflammation and tissue injury and exert broad-spectrum antiviral effects. J Clin Invest 2023; 133:e169510. [PMID: 37581931 PMCID: PMC10541190 DOI: 10.1172/jci169510] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Targeting host factors exploited by multiple viruses could offer broad-spectrum solutions for pandemic preparedness. Seventeen candidates targeting diverse functions emerged in a screen of 4,413 compounds for SARS-CoV-2 inhibitors. We demonstrated that lapatinib and other approved inhibitors of the ErbB family of receptor tyrosine kinases suppress replication of SARS-CoV-2, Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEEV), and other emerging viruses with a high barrier to resistance. Lapatinib suppressed SARS-CoV-2 entry and later stages of the viral life cycle and showed synergistic effect with the direct-acting antiviral nirmatrelvir. We discovered that ErbB1, ErbB2, and ErbB4 bind SARS-CoV-2 S1 protein and regulate viral and ACE2 internalization, and they are required for VEEV infection. In human lung organoids, lapatinib protected from SARS-CoV-2-induced activation of ErbB-regulated pathways implicated in non-infectious lung injury, proinflammatory cytokine production, and epithelial barrier injury. Lapatinib suppressed VEEV replication, cytokine production, and disruption of blood-brain barrier integrity in microfluidics-based human neurovascular units, and reduced mortality in a lethal infection murine model. We validated lapatinib-mediated inhibition of ErbB activity as an important mechanism of antiviral action. These findings reveal regulation of viral replication, inflammation, and tissue injury via ErbBs and establish a proof of principle for a repurposed, ErbB-targeted approach to combat emerging viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sirle Saul
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases and Geographic Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Marwah Karim
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases and Geographic Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Luca Ghita
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases and Geographic Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Pei-Tzu Huang
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases and Geographic Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Winston Chiu
- KU Leuven, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Verónica Durán
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases and Geographic Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
- Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Chieh-Wen Lo
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases and Geographic Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Sathish Kumar
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases and Geographic Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Nishank Bhalla
- National Center for Biodefense and Infectious Disease, Biomedical Research Laboratory, and
| | - Pieter Leyssen
- KU Leuven, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Farhang Alem
- Institute for Biohealth Innovation, George Mason University, Manassas, Virginia, USA
| | - Niloufar A. Boghdeh
- Institute for Biohealth Innovation, George Mason University, Manassas, Virginia, USA
| | - Do H.N. Tran
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases and Geographic Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Courtney A. Cohen
- US Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Viral Immunology Branch, Frederick, Maryland, USA
| | - Jacquelyn A. Brown
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Vanderbilt Institute for Integrative Biosystems Research and Education, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Kathleen E. Huie
- US Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Viral Immunology Branch, Frederick, Maryland, USA
| | - Courtney Tindle
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine and
- HUMANOID Center of Research Excellence, UCSD, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Mamdouh Sibai
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Chengjin Ye
- Disease Prevention and Intervention, Texas Biomedical Research Institute, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - Ahmed Magdy Khalil
- Disease Prevention and Intervention, Texas Biomedical Research Institute, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - Kevin Chiem
- Disease Prevention and Intervention, Texas Biomedical Research Institute, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - Luis Martinez-Sobrido
- Disease Prevention and Intervention, Texas Biomedical Research Institute, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - John M. Dye
- US Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Viral Immunology Branch, Frederick, Maryland, USA
| | - Benjamin A. Pinsky
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases and Geographic Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Pradipta Ghosh
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine and
- HUMANOID Center of Research Excellence, UCSD, San Diego, California, USA
- Department of Medicine and
| | - Soumita Das
- HUMANOID Center of Research Excellence, UCSD, San Diego, California, USA
- Department of Pathology, UCSD, San Diego, California, USA
| | | | - Jing Jin
- Vitalant Research Institute, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - John P. Wikswo
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, and Department of Physics and Astronomy, Vanderbilt Institute for Integrative Biosystems Research and Education, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Dirk Jochmans
- KU Leuven, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Johan Neyts
- KU Leuven, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Steven De Jonghe
- KU Leuven, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Aarthi Narayanan
- National Center for Biodefense and Infectious Disease, Biomedical Research Laboratory, and
- School of Systems Biology, George Mason University, Manassas, Virginia, USA
| | - Shirit Einav
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases and Geographic Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
- Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, San Francisco, California, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
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18
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Lachhab S, El Mansouri AE, Mehdi A, Dennemont I, Neyts J, Jochmans D, Andrei G, Snoeck R, Sanghvi YS, Ait Ali M, Loiseau PM, Lazrek HB. Synthesis of new 3-acetyl-1,3,4-oxadiazolines combined with pyrimidines as antileishmanial and antiviral agents. Mol Divers 2023; 27:2147-2159. [PMID: 36251201 PMCID: PMC9573813 DOI: 10.1007/s11030-022-10548-9] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
A new series of 3-acetyl-1,3,4-oxadiazoline hybrid molecules was designed and synthesized using a condensation between acyclonucleosides and substituted phenylhydrazone. All intermediates and final products were screened against Leishmania donovani, a Protozoan parasite and against three viruses SARS-CoV-2, HCMV and VZV. While no significant activity was observed against the viruses, the intermediate with 6-azatymine as thymine and 5-azathymine-3-acetyl-1,3,4-oxadiazoline hybrid exhibited a significant antileishmanial activity. The later compound was the most promising, exhibiting an IC50 value at 8.98 µM on L. donovani intramacrophage amastigotes and a moderate selectivity index value at 2.4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saida Lachhab
- Laboratory of Biomolecular and Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Science Semlalia, University Cadi Ayyad, Marrakech, Morocco
| | - Az-Eddine El Mansouri
- Department of Chemistry, University of the Free State, P.O. Box 339, Bloemfontein, 9300, South Africa
| | - Ahmad Mehdi
- ICGM, Université Montpellier, CNRS, ENSCM, Montpellier, France
| | - Indira Dennemont
- Antiparasite Chemotherapy, CNRS, BioCIS, Université Paris-Saclay, Chatenay-Malabry, 92290, Paris, France
| | - Johan Neyts
- Rega Institute for Medical Research, KULeuven, Louvain, Belgium
| | - Dirk Jochmans
- Rega Institute for Medical Research, KULeuven, Louvain, Belgium
| | - Graciela Andrei
- Rega Institute for Medical Research, KULeuven, Louvain, Belgium
| | - Robert Snoeck
- Rega Institute for Medical Research, KULeuven, Louvain, Belgium
| | - Yogesh S Sanghvi
- Rasayan Inc., 2802 Crystal Ridge Road, Encinitas, CA, 92024-6615, USA
| | - Mustapha Ait Ali
- Laboratory of Biomolecular and Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Science Semlalia, University Cadi Ayyad, Marrakech, Morocco
| | - Philippe M Loiseau
- Antiparasite Chemotherapy, CNRS, BioCIS, Université Paris-Saclay, Chatenay-Malabry, 92290, Paris, France
| | - Hassan B Lazrek
- Laboratory of Biomolecular and Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Science Semlalia, University Cadi Ayyad, Marrakech, Morocco.
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19
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Zhang X, Cremers N, Hendrickx S, Debing Y, Roskams T, Coelmont L, Neyts J, Kaptein SJF. Establishment of a robust rat hepatitis E virus fecal-oral infection model and validation for antiviral studies. Antiviral Res 2023; 216:105670. [PMID: 37451630 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2023.105670] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Revised: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
The hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a major cause of hepatitis, with an estimated 3.3 million symptomatic cases annually. There is no HEV-specific treatment besides the off-label use of ribavirin and a vaccine is only available in China and Pakistan. To aid the development of therapeutic and preventive strategies, there is a need for convenient HEV infection models in small laboratory animals. To this end, we make use of the rat hepatitis E virus. Human infections with this virus have been reported in recent years, making it a relevant pathogen for the establishment of a small animal infection model. We here report that oral gavage of a feces suspension, containing a pre-defined viral RNA load, results in a reproducible synchronized infection in athymic nude rats. This route of administration mimics fecal-oral transmission in a standardized fashion. The suitability of the model to study the effect of antiviral drugs was assessed by using ribavirin, which significantly reduced viral loads in the feces, liver, and other tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Zhang
- KU Leuven Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Niels Cremers
- KU Leuven Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Stijn Hendrickx
- KU Leuven Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Leuven, Belgium
| | | | - Tania Roskams
- KU Leuven, Pathology, Translational Cell and Tissue Research, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Lotte Coelmont
- 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.
| | - Suzanne J F Kaptein
- KU Leuven Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Leuven, Belgium.
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20
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Lemmens V, Kelchtermans L, Debaveye S, Chiu W, Vercruysse T, Ma J, Thibaut HJ, Neyts J, Sanchez-Felipe L, Dallmeier K. YF17D-vectored Ebola vaccine candidate protects mice against lethal surrogate Ebola and yellow fever virus challenge. NPJ Vaccines 2023; 8:99. [PMID: 37433816 DOI: 10.1038/s41541-023-00699-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Ebola virus (EBOV) and related filoviruses such as Sudan virus (SUDV) threaten global public health. Effective filovirus vaccines are available only for EBOV, yet restricted to emergency use considering a high reactogenicity and demanding logistics. Here we present YF-EBO, a live YF17D-vectored dual-target vaccine candidate expressing EBOV glycoprotein (GP) as protective antigen. Safety of YF-EBO in mice was further improved over that of parental YF17D vaccine. A single dose of YF-EBO was sufficient to induce high levels of EBOV GP-specific antibodies and cellular immune responses, that protected against lethal infection using EBOV GP-pseudotyped recombinant vesicular stomatitis virus (rVSV-EBOV) in interferon-deficient (Ifnar-/-) mice as surrogate challenge model. Concomitantly induced yellow fever virus (YFV)-specific immunity protected Ifnar-/- mice against intracranial YFV challenge. YF-EBO could thus help to simultaneously combat both EBOV and YFV epidemics. Finally, we demonstrate how to target other highly pathogenic filoviruses such as SUDV at the root of the 2022 outbreak in Uganda.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viktor Lemmens
- KU Leuven Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, Virology and Chemotherapy, Molecular Vaccinology & Vaccine Discovery, BE-3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Lara Kelchtermans
- KU Leuven Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, Virology and Chemotherapy, Molecular Vaccinology & Vaccine Discovery, BE-3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Sarah Debaveye
- KU Leuven Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, Virology and Chemotherapy, Molecular Vaccinology & Vaccine Discovery, BE-3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Winston Chiu
- KU Leuven Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, Virology and Chemotherapy, Molecular Vaccinology & Vaccine Discovery, BE-3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Thomas Vercruysse
- KU Leuven Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, Translational Platform Virology and Chemotherapy (TPVC), BE-3000, Leuven, Belgium
- AstriVax, BE-3001, Heverlee, Belgium
| | - Ji Ma
- KU Leuven Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, Virology and Chemotherapy, Molecular Vaccinology & Vaccine Discovery, BE-3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Hendrik Jan Thibaut
- KU Leuven Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, Translational Platform Virology and Chemotherapy (TPVC), BE-3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Johan Neyts
- KU Leuven Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, Virology and Chemotherapy, Molecular Vaccinology & Vaccine Discovery, BE-3000, Leuven, Belgium
- GVN, Global Virus Network, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Lorena Sanchez-Felipe
- KU Leuven Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, Virology and Chemotherapy, Molecular Vaccinology & Vaccine Discovery, BE-3000, Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Kai Dallmeier
- KU Leuven Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, Virology and Chemotherapy, Molecular Vaccinology & Vaccine Discovery, BE-3000, Leuven, Belgium.
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21
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Kesteleyn B, Bardiot D, Bonfanti JF, De Boeck B, Goethals O, Kaptein SJF, Stoops B, Coesemans E, Fortin J, Muller P, Doublet F, Carlens G, Koukni M, Smets W, Raboisson P, Chaltin P, Simmen K, Van Loock M, Neyts J, Marchand A, Jonckers THM. Discovery of Acyl-Indole Derivatives as Pan-Serotype Dengue Virus NS4B Inhibitors. J Med Chem 2023. [PMID: 37389813 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c00403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/01/2023]
Abstract
In the absence of any approved dengue-specific treatment, the discovery and development of a novel small-molecule antiviral for the prevention or treatment of dengue are critical. We previously reported the identification of a novel series of 3-acyl-indole derivatives as potent and pan-serotype dengue virus inhibitors. We herein describe our optimization efforts toward preclinical candidates 24a and 28a with improved pan-serotype coverage (EC50's against the four DENV serotypes ranging from 0.0011 to 0.24 μM for 24a and from 0.00060 to 0.084 μM for 28a), chiral stability, and oral bioavailability in preclinical species, as well as showing a dose-proportional increase in efficacy against DENV-2 infection in vivo in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bart Kesteleyn
- Janssen Research and Development, Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, Turnhoutseweg 30, Beerse 2340, Belgium
| | - Dorothée Bardiot
- CISTIM Leuven vzw, Bioincubator 2, Gaston Geenslaan 2, 3001 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jean-François Bonfanti
- Janssen Infectious Diseases Discovery, Janssen-Cilag, Chaussée du Vexin, 27106 Val de Reuil, France
| | - Benoît De Boeck
- Janssen Research and Development, Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, Turnhoutseweg 30, Beerse 2340, Belgium
| | - Olivia Goethals
- Janssen Global Public Health R&D, Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, Turnhoutseweg 30, Beerse 2340, Belgium
| | - Suzanne J F Kaptein
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Bart Stoops
- Janssen Research and Development, Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, Turnhoutseweg 30, Beerse 2340, Belgium
| | - Erwin Coesemans
- Janssen Research and Development, Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, Turnhoutseweg 30, Beerse 2340, Belgium
| | - Jérôme Fortin
- Janssen Infectious Diseases Discovery, Janssen-Cilag, Chaussée du Vexin, 27106 Val de Reuil, France
| | - Philippe Muller
- Janssen Infectious Diseases Discovery, Janssen-Cilag, Chaussée du Vexin, 27106 Val de Reuil, France
| | - Frédéric Doublet
- Janssen Infectious Diseases Discovery, Janssen-Cilag, Chaussée du Vexin, 27106 Val de Reuil, France
| | - Gunter Carlens
- CISTIM Leuven vzw, Bioincubator 2, Gaston Geenslaan 2, 3001 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Mohamed Koukni
- CISTIM Leuven vzw, Bioincubator 2, Gaston Geenslaan 2, 3001 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Wim Smets
- CISTIM Leuven vzw, Bioincubator 2, Gaston Geenslaan 2, 3001 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Pierre Raboisson
- Janssen Research and Development, Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, Turnhoutseweg 30, Beerse 2340, Belgium
| | - Patrick Chaltin
- CISTIM Leuven vzw, Bioincubator 2, Gaston Geenslaan 2, 3001 Leuven, Belgium
- Centre for Drug Design and Discovery (CD3), KU Leuven, Bioincubator 2, Gaston Geenslaan 2, Leuven 3000, Belgium
| | - Kenny Simmen
- Janssen Research and Development, Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, Turnhoutseweg 30, Beerse 2340, Belgium
| | - Marnix Van Loock
- Janssen Global Public Health R&D, Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, Turnhoutseweg 30, Beerse 2340, Belgium
| | - Johan Neyts
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
- Global Virus Network (GVN), Baltimore, Maryland 21201, United States
| | - Arnaud Marchand
- CISTIM Leuven vzw, Bioincubator 2, Gaston Geenslaan 2, 3001 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Tim H M Jonckers
- Janssen Research and Development, Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, Turnhoutseweg 30, Beerse 2340, Belgium
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22
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Jochmans D, Laporte M, Neyts J. Antiviral strategies for epidemic and pandemic preparedness. Cell Host Microbe 2023; 31:856-860. [PMID: 37321170 DOI: 10.1016/j.chom.2023.05.012] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2023] [Revised: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Broad(er)-acting antiviral drugs, active against entire genera or families of viruses, should be developed and stockpiled in epidemic/pandemic peacetime. They can be used to counter outbreaks as soon as the new virus has been identified and will also remain important pharmacological tools after the introduction of vaccines and monoclonal antibodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dirk Jochmans
- KU Leuven Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Manon Laporte
- KU Leuven Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Johan Neyts
- KU Leuven Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium.
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23
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Michiels E, Roose K, Gallardo R, Khodaparast L, Khodaparast L, van der Kant R, Siemons M, Houben B, Ramakers M, Wilkinson H, Guerreiro P, Louros N, Kaptein SJF, Ibañez LI, Smet A, Baatsen P, Liu S, Vorberg I, Bormans G, Neyts J, Saelens X, Rousseau F, Schymkowitz J. Author Correction: Reverse engineering synthetic antiviral amyloids. Nat Commun 2023; 14:3492. [PMID: 37311856 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-39293-9] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Emiel Michiels
- VIB Center for Brain and Disease Research, Leuven, Belgium
- Switch Laboratory, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Kenny Roose
- VIB Center for Medical Biotechnology, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Rodrigo Gallardo
- VIB Center for Brain and Disease Research, Leuven, Belgium
- Switch Laboratory, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Ladan Khodaparast
- VIB Center for Brain and Disease Research, Leuven, Belgium
- Switch Laboratory, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Laleh Khodaparast
- VIB Center for Brain and Disease Research, Leuven, Belgium
- Switch Laboratory, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Rob van der Kant
- VIB Center for Brain and Disease Research, Leuven, Belgium
- Switch Laboratory, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Maxime Siemons
- VIB Center for Brain and Disease Research, Leuven, Belgium
- Switch Laboratory, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Laboratory for Radiopharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Bert Houben
- VIB Center for Brain and Disease Research, Leuven, Belgium
- Switch Laboratory, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Meine Ramakers
- VIB Center for Brain and Disease Research, Leuven, Belgium
- Switch Laboratory, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Hannah Wilkinson
- VIB Center for Brain and Disease Research, Leuven, Belgium
- Switch Laboratory, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Patricia Guerreiro
- VIB Center for Brain and Disease Research, Leuven, Belgium
- Switch Laboratory, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Nikolaos Louros
- VIB Center for Brain and Disease Research, Leuven, Belgium
- Switch Laboratory, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Suzanne J F Kaptein
- Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Lorena Itatí Ibañez
- VIB Center for Medical Biotechnology, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Anouk Smet
- VIB Center for Medical Biotechnology, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Pieter Baatsen
- VIB Center for Brain and Disease Research, Leuven, Belgium
- Electron Microscopy Platform of VIB Bio Imaging Core, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Shu Liu
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE e.V.), Bonn, Germany
| | - Ina Vorberg
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE e.V.), Bonn, Germany
- Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Guy Bormans
- Laboratory for Radiopharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Johan Neyts
- Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Xavier Saelens
- VIB Center for Medical Biotechnology, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Frederic Rousseau
- VIB Center for Brain and Disease Research, Leuven, Belgium.
- Switch Laboratory, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Joost Schymkowitz
- VIB Center for Brain and Disease Research, Leuven, Belgium.
- Switch Laboratory, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
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24
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Cuypers L, Keyaerts E, Hong SL, Gorissen S, Menezes SM, Starick M, Van Elslande J, Weemaes M, Wawina-Bokalanga T, Marti-Carreras J, Vanmechelen B, Van Holm B, Bloemen M, Dogne JM, Dufrasne F, Durkin K, Ruelle J, De Mendonca R, Wollants E, Vermeersch P, Boulouffe C, Djiena A, Broucke C, Catry B, Lagrou K, Van Ranst M, Neyts J, Baele G, Maes P, André E, Dellicour S, Van Weyenbergh J. Immunovirological and environmental screening reveals actionable risk factors for fatal COVID-19 during post-vaccination nursing home outbreaks. Nat Aging 2023:10.1038/s43587-023-00421-1. [PMID: 37217661 DOI: 10.1038/s43587-023-00421-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination has resulted in excellent protection against fatal disease, including in older adults. However, risk factors for post-vaccination fatal COVID-19 are largely unknown. We comprehensively studied three large nursing home outbreaks (20-35% fatal cases among residents) by combining severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) aerosol monitoring, whole-genome phylogenetic analysis and immunovirological profiling of nasal mucosa by digital nCounter transcriptomics. Phylogenetic investigations indicated that each outbreak stemmed from a single introduction event, although with different variants (Delta, Gamma and Mu). SARS-CoV-2 was detected in aerosol samples up to 52 d after the initial infection. Combining demographic, immune and viral parameters, the best predictive models for mortality comprised IFNB1 or age, viral ORF7a and ACE2 receptor transcripts. Comparison with published pre-vaccine fatal COVID-19 transcriptomic and genomic signatures uncovered a unique IRF3 low/IRF7 high immune signature in post-vaccine fatal COVID-19 outbreaks. A multi-layered strategy, including environmental sampling, immunomonitoring and early antiviral therapy, should be considered to prevent post-vaccination COVID-19 mortality in nursing homes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lize Cuypers
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, National Reference Centre for Respiratory Pathogens, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Laboratory of Clinical Microbiology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Els Keyaerts
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, National Reference Centre for Respiratory Pathogens, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Laboratory of Clinical Microbiology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Samuel Leandro Hong
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Laboratory of Clinical and Epidemiological Virology, Rega Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Sarah Gorissen
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Laboratory of Clinical Microbiology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Soraya Maria Menezes
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Laboratory of Clinical and Epidemiological Virology, Rega Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Marick Starick
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Laboratory of Clinical and Epidemiological Virology, Rega Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jan Van Elslande
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, National Reference Centre for Respiratory Pathogens, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Matthias Weemaes
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, National Reference Centre for Respiratory Pathogens, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Tony Wawina-Bokalanga
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Laboratory of Clinical and Epidemiological Virology, Rega Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Joan Marti-Carreras
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Laboratory of Clinical and Epidemiological Virology, Rega Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Bert Vanmechelen
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Laboratory of Clinical and Epidemiological Virology, Rega Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Bram Van Holm
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Laboratory of Clinical and Epidemiological Virology, Rega Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Mandy Bloemen
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Laboratory of Clinical and Epidemiological Virology, Rega Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jean-Michel Dogne
- Department of Pharmacy, Namur Research Institute for Life Sciences, University of Namur, Namur, Belgium
| | - François Dufrasne
- Laboratory of Proteomics and Microbiology, University of Mons, Mons, Belgium
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Laboratory of Viral Diseases, National Institute for Public Health (Sciensano), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Keith Durkin
- Laboratory of Human Genetics, GIGA Research Institute, Liège, Belgium
| | - Jean Ruelle
- Medical Microbiology Unit (MBLG), Institute of Experimental and Clinical Research (IREC), Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | | | - Elke Wollants
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Laboratory of Clinical and Epidemiological Virology, Rega Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Pieter Vermeersch
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, National Reference Centre for Respiratory Pathogens, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Caroline Boulouffe
- Infectious Disease Surveillance Unit, Agence pour une vie de qualité (AVIQ), Wallonia, Belgium
| | - Achille Djiena
- Infectious Disease Surveillance Unit, Agence pour une vie de qualité (AVIQ), Wallonia, Belgium
| | - Caroline Broucke
- Outbreak Investigation Team, Agentschap zorg en gezondheid, Flanders, Belgium
| | - Boudewijn Catry
- Unit Healthcare-Associated Infections and Antimicrobial Resistance, Sciensano, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Katrien Lagrou
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, National Reference Centre for Respiratory Pathogens, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Laboratory of Clinical Microbiology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Marc Van Ranst
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, National Reference Centre for Respiratory Pathogens, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Laboratory of Clinical and Epidemiological Virology, Rega Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Johan Neyts
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Laboratory Virology and Chemotherapy, Rega Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Guy Baele
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Laboratory of Clinical and Epidemiological Virology, Rega Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Piet Maes
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Laboratory of Clinical and Epidemiological Virology, Rega Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Emmanuel André
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, National Reference Centre for Respiratory Pathogens, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Laboratory of Clinical Microbiology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Simon Dellicour
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Laboratory of Clinical and Epidemiological Virology, Rega Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Spatial Epidemiology Lab (SpELL), Université Libre de Bruxelles, Bruxelles, Belgium
| | - Johan Van Weyenbergh
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Laboratory of Clinical and Epidemiological Virology, Rega Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
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25
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Saul S, Karim M, Ghita L, Huang PT, Chiu W, Durán V, Lo CW, Kumar S, Bhalla N, Leyssen P, Alem F, Boghdeh NA, Tran DH, Cohen CA, Brown JA, Huie KE, Tindle C, Sibai M, Ye C, Khalil AM, Martinez-Sobrido L, Dye JM, Pinsky BA, Ghosh P, Das S, Solow-Cordero DE, Jin J, Wikswo JP, Jochmans D, Neyts J, Jonghe SD, Narayanan A, Einav S. Anticancer pan-ErbB inhibitors reduce inflammation and tissue injury and exert broad-spectrum antiviral effects. bioRxiv 2023:2021.05.15.444128. [PMID: 34159337 PMCID: PMC8219101 DOI: 10.1101/2021.05.15.444128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/18/2023]
Abstract
Targeting host factors exploited by multiple viruses could offer broad-spectrum solutions for pandemic preparedness. Seventeen candidates targeting diverse functions emerged in a screen of 4,413 compounds for SARS-CoV-2 inhibitors. We demonstrated that lapatinib and other approved inhibitors of the ErbB family receptor tyrosine kinases suppress replication of SARS-CoV-2, Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEEV), and other emerging viruses with a high barrier to resistance. Lapatinib suppressed SARS-CoV-2 entry and later stages of the viral life cycle and showed synergistic effect with the direct-acting antiviral nirmatrelvir. We discovered that ErbB1, 2 and 4 bind SARS-CoV-2 S1 protein and regulate viral and ACE2 internalization, and they are required for VEEV infection. In human lung organoids, lapatinib protected from SARS-CoV-2-induced activation of ErbB-regulated pathways implicated in non-infectious lung injury, pro-inflammatory cytokine production, and epithelial barrier injury. Lapatinib suppressed VEEV replication, cytokine production and disruption of the blood-brain barrier integrity in microfluidic-based human neurovascular units, and reduced mortality in a lethal infection murine model. We validated lapatinib-mediated inhibition of ErbB activity as an important mechanism of antiviral action. These findings reveal regulation of viral replication, inflammation, and tissue injury via ErbBs and establish a proof-of-principle for a repurposed, ErbB-targeted approach to combat emerging viruses.
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26
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Wouters E, Verbrugghe C, Abdelnabi R, Devloo R, De Clippel D, Jochmans D, De Bleser D, Weynand B, Compernolle V, Neyts J, Feys HB. Intranasal administration of convalescent plasma protects against SARS-CoV-2 infection in hamsters. EBioMedicine 2023; 92:104597. [PMID: 37148586 PMCID: PMC10171892 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2023.104597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Revised: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Convalescent plasma (CP) transfusion is an early option for treating infections with pandemic potential, often preceding vaccine or antiviral drug rollout. Heterogenous findings from randomized clinical trials on transfusion of COVID-19 CP (CCP) have been reported. However, meta-analysis suggests that transfusion of high titer CCP is associated with a mortality benefit for COVID-19 outpatients or inpatients treated within 5 days after symptom onset, indicating the importance of early administration. METHODS We tested if CCP is an effective prophylactic against SARS-CoV-2 infection by the intranasal administration of 25 μL CCP/nostril (i.e. 0.01-0.06 mg anti-RBD antibodies/kg) in hamsters exposed to infected littermates. FINDINGS In this model, 40% of CCP treated hamsters were fully protected and 40% had significantly reduced viral loads, the remaining 20% was not protected. The effect seems dose-dependent because high-titer CCP from a vaccinated donor was more effective than low-titer CCP from a donation prior to vaccine rollout. Intranasal administration of human CCP resulted in a reactive (immune) response in hamster lungs, however this was not observed upon administration of hamster CCP. INTERPRETATION We conclude that CCP is an effective prophylactic when used directly at the site of primary infection. This option should be considered in future prepandemic preparedness plans. FUNDING Flanders Innovation & Entrepreneurship (VLAIO) and the Foundation for Scientific Research of the Belgian Red Cross Flanders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elise Wouters
- Transfusion Research Center, Belgian Red Cross-Flanders, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Caro Verbrugghe
- Transfusion Research Center, Belgian Red Cross-Flanders, Ghent, Belgium; Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Rana Abdelnabi
- KU Leuven Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Rosalie Devloo
- Transfusion Research Center, Belgian Red Cross-Flanders, Ghent, Belgium
| | | | - Dirk Jochmans
- KU Leuven Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | | | - Birgit Weynand
- KU Leuven Department of Imaging and Pathology, Translational Cell and Tissue Research, Division of Translational Cell and Tissue Research, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Veerle Compernolle
- Transfusion Research Center, Belgian Red Cross-Flanders, Ghent, Belgium; Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium; Blood Services of the Belgian Red Cross-Flanders, Mechelen, Belgium; Transfusion Innovation Center, Belgian Red Cross-Flanders, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Johan Neyts
- KU Leuven Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Hendrik B Feys
- Transfusion Research Center, Belgian Red Cross-Flanders, Ghent, Belgium; Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium; Blood Services of the Belgian Red Cross-Flanders, Mechelen, Belgium.
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Wang X, Terrie L, Wu G, Van Damme EJM, Thorrez L, Fooks AR, Banyard AC, Jochmans D, Neyts J. Urtica dioica Agglutinin Prevents Rabies Virus Infection in a Muscle Explant Model. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:pharmaceutics15051353. [PMID: 37242595 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15051353] [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: 01/23/2023] [Revised: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Infection with the rabies virus (RABV) results in a 100% lethal neurological disease once symptoms develop. Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) consists of a combination of vaccination and anti-rabies immunoglobulins (RIGs); it is 100% effective if administered early after exposure. Because of its limited availability, alternatives for RIGs are needed. To that end, we evaluated a panel of 33 different lectins for their effect on RABV infection in cell culture. Several lectins, with either mannose or GlcNAc specificity, elicited anti-RABV activity, of which the GlcNAc-specific Urtica dioica agglutinin (UDA) was selected for further studies. UDA was found to prevent the entry of the virus into the host cell. To further assess the potential of UDA, a physiologically relevant RABV infection muscle explant model was developed. Strips of dissected swine skeletal muscle that were kept in a culture medium could be productively infected with the RABV. When the infection of the muscle strips was carried out in the presence of UDA, RABV replication was completely prevented. Thus, we developed a physiologically relevant RABV muscle infection model. UDA (i) may serve as a reference for further studies and (ii) holds promise as a cheap and simple-to-produce alternative for RIGs in PEP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyu Wang
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
- Global Virus Network (GVN), Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Lisanne Terrie
- Tissue Engineering Lab, Department of Development and Regeneration, Campus Kulak, KU Leuven, 8500 Kortrijk, Belgium
| | - Guanghui Wu
- Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), Woodham Lane, Weybridge KT15 3NB, UK
| | - Els J M Van Damme
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, 9000 Gent, Belgium
| | - Lieven Thorrez
- Tissue Engineering Lab, Department of Development and Regeneration, Campus Kulak, KU Leuven, 8500 Kortrijk, Belgium
| | - Anthony R Fooks
- Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), Woodham Lane, Weybridge KT15 3NB, UK
| | - Ashley C Banyard
- Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), Woodham Lane, Weybridge KT15 3NB, UK
| | - Dirk Jochmans
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
- Global Virus Network (GVN), Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Johan Neyts
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
- Global Virus Network (GVN), Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
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Abdelnabi R, Jochmans D, Donckers K, Trüeb B, Ebert N, Weynand B, Thiel V, Neyts J. Nirmatrelvir-resistant SARS-CoV-2 is efficiently transmitted in female Syrian hamsters and retains partial susceptibility to treatment. Nat Commun 2023; 14:2124. [PMID: 37059708 PMCID: PMC10101821 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-37773-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 04/16/2023] Open
Abstract
The SARS-CoV-2 main protease (3CLpro) is one of the promising therapeutic targets for the treatment of COVID-19. Nirmatrelvir is the first 3CLpro inhibitor authorized for treatment of COVID-19 patients at high risk of hospitalization. We recently reported on the in vitro selection of SARS-CoV-2 3CLpro resistant virus (L50F-E166A-L167F; 3CLprores) that is cross-resistant with nirmatrelvir and other 3CLpro inhibitors. Here, we demonstrate that the 3CLprores virus replicates efficiently in the lungs of intranasally infected female Syrian hamsters and causes lung pathology comparable to that caused by the WT virus. Moreover, hamsters infected with 3CLprores virus transmit the virus efficiently to co-housed non-infected contact hamsters. Importantly, at a dose of 200 mg/kg (BID) of nirmatrelvir, the compound was still able to reduce the lung infectious virus titers of 3CLprores-infected hamsters by 1.4 log10 with a modest improvement in the lung histopathology as compared to the vehicle control. Fortunately, resistance to Nirmatrelvir does not readily develop in clinical setting. Yet, as we demonstrate, in case drug-resistant viruses emerge, they may spread easily which may thus impact therapeutic options. Therefore, the use of 3CLpro inhibitors in combination with other drugs may be considered, especially in immunodeficient patients, to avoid the development of drug-resistant viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rana Abdelnabi
- KU Leuven Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium
- The VirusBank Platform, Gaston Geenslaan, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Dirk Jochmans
- KU Leuven Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Kim Donckers
- KU Leuven Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Bettina Trüeb
- Institute of Virology and Immunology, University of Bern, 3012, Bern, Switzerland
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Nadine Ebert
- Institute of Virology and Immunology, University of Bern, 3012, Bern, Switzerland
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Birgit Weynand
- KU Leuven Department of Imaging and Pathology, Division of Translational Cell and Tissue Research, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Volker Thiel
- Institute of Virology and Immunology, University of Bern, 3012, Bern, Switzerland
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Johan Neyts
- KU Leuven Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium.
- The VirusBank Platform, Gaston Geenslaan, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium.
- Global Virus Network, GVN, Baltimore, US.
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Le NTH, De Jonghe S, Erven K, Vermeyen T, Baldé AM, Herrebout WA, Neyts J, Pannecouque C, Pieters L, Tuenter E. Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Activity and Cytotoxicity of Amaryllidaceae Alkaloids from Hymenocallis littoralis. Molecules 2023; 28:molecules28073222. [PMID: 37049986 PMCID: PMC10096449 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28073222] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2023] [Revised: 03/24/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 04/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The Amaryllidaceae species are well-known as a rich source of bioactive compounds in nature. Although Hymenocallis littoralis has been studied for decades, its polar components were rarely explored. The current phytochemical investigation of Amaryllidaceae alkaloids from H. littoralis led to the identification of three previously undescribed compounds: O-demethyl-norlycoramine (1), (−)-2-epi-pseudolycorine (2) and (+)-2-epi-pseudolycorine (3), together with eight known compounds: 6α-hydroxyhippeastidine (4), 6β-hydroxyhippeastidine (5), lycorine (6), 2-epi-lycorine (7), zephyranthine (8), ungeremine (9), pancratistatin (10) and 9-O-demethyl-7-O-methyllycorenine (11). Among the eight previously reported compounds, five were isolated from H. littoralis for the first time (compounds 4, 5, 7, 8, and 9). Compounds 1, 4, 5, 7, 8, and 11 exhibited weak anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity (EC50 = 40–77 µM) at non-cytotoxic concentrations. Assessment of cytotoxicity on the Vero-E6 cell line revealed lycorine and pancratistatin as cytotoxic substances with CC50 values of 1.2 µM and 0.13 µM, respectively. The preliminary structure-activity relationship for the lycorine-type alkaloids in this study was further investigated, and as a result ring C appears to play a crucial role in their anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ngoc-Thao-Hien Le
- Natural Products and Food Research and Analysis (NatuRA), Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, B-2610 Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Steven De Jonghe
- Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute for Medical Research, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Kristien Erven
- Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute for Medical Research, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Tom Vermeyen
- Department of Chemistry, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, B-2020 Antwerp, Belgium
- Ghent Quantum Chemistry Group, Department of Chemistry, Ghent University, Krijgslaan 281, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Aliou M. Baldé
- Department of Pharmacy, University Gamal Abdel Nasser of Conakry, Conakry 00224, Guinea
| | - Wouter A. Herrebout
- Department of Chemistry, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, B-2020 Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Johan Neyts
- Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute for Medical Research, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Christophe Pannecouque
- Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute for Medical Research, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Luc Pieters
- Natural Products and Food Research and Analysis (NatuRA), Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, B-2610 Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Emmy Tuenter
- Natural Products and Food Research and Analysis (NatuRA), Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, B-2610 Antwerp, Belgium
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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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Goethals O, Kaptein SJF, Kesteleyn B, Bonfanti JF, Van Wesenbeeck L, Bardiot D, Verschoor EJ, Verstrepen BE, Fagrouch Z, Putnak JR, Kiemel D, Ackaert O, Straetemans R, Lachau-Durand S, Geluykens P, Crabbe M, Thys K, Stoops B, Lenz O, Tambuyzer L, De Meyer S, Dallmeier K, McCracken MK, Gromowski GD, Rutvisuttinunt W, Jarman RG, Karasavvas N, Touret F, Querat G, de Lamballerie X, Chatel-Chaix L, Milligan GN, Beasley DWC, Bourne N, Barrett ADT, Marchand A, Jonckers THM, Raboisson P, Simmen K, Chaltin P, Bartenschlager R, Bogers WM, Neyts J, Van Loock M. Blocking NS3-NS4B interaction inhibits dengue virus in non-human primates. Nature 2023; 615:678-686. [PMID: 36922586 PMCID: PMC10033419 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-05790-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2023]
Abstract
Dengue is a major health threat and the number of symptomatic infections caused by the four dengue serotypes is estimated to be 96 million1 with annually around 10,000 deaths2. However, no antiviral drugs are available for the treatment or prophylaxis of dengue. We recently described the interaction between non-structural proteins NS3 and NS4B as a promising target for the development of pan-serotype dengue virus (DENV) inhibitors3. Here we present JNJ-1802-a highly potent DENV inhibitor that blocks the NS3-NS4B interaction within the viral replication complex. JNJ-1802 exerts picomolar to low nanomolar in vitro antiviral activity, a high barrier to resistance and potent in vivo efficacy in mice against infection with any of the four DENV serotypes. Finally, we demonstrate that the small-molecule inhibitor JNJ-1802 is highly effective against viral infection with DENV-1 or DENV-2 in non-human primates. JNJ-1802 has successfully completed a phase I first-in-human clinical study in healthy volunteers and was found to be safe and well tolerated4. These findings support the further clinical development of JNJ-1802, a first-in-class antiviral agent against dengue, which is now progressing in clinical studies for the prevention and treatment of dengue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivia Goethals
- Janssen Global Public Health, Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, Beerse, Belgium
| | - Suzanne J F Kaptein
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Bart Kesteleyn
- Janssen Research & Development, Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, Beerse, Belgium
| | - Jean-François Bonfanti
- Janssen Infectious Diseases Discovery, Janssen-Cilag, Val de Reuil, France
- Galapagos, Romainville, France
| | | | | | - Ernst J Verschoor
- Department of Virology, Biomedical Primate Research Centre, Rijswijk, The Netherlands
| | - Babs E Verstrepen
- Department of Virology, Biomedical Primate Research Centre, Rijswijk, The Netherlands
| | - Zahra Fagrouch
- Department of Virology, Biomedical Primate Research Centre, Rijswijk, The Netherlands
| | - J Robert Putnak
- Viral Diseases Branch, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD, USA
| | - Dominik Kiemel
- Heidelberg University, Medical Faculty Heidelberg, Department of Infectious Diseases, Molecular Virology, Center for Integrative Infectious Diseases Research, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Oliver Ackaert
- Janssen Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacometrics, Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, Beerse, Belgium
| | - Roel Straetemans
- Statistics and Decision Sciences, Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, Beerse, Belgium
| | | | - Peggy Geluykens
- Janssen Research & Development, Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, Beerse, Belgium
- Discovery, Charles River Beerse, Beerse, Belgium
| | - Marjolein Crabbe
- Statistics and Decision Sciences, Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, Beerse, Belgium
| | - Kim Thys
- Janssen Research & Development, Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, Beerse, Belgium
| | - Bart Stoops
- Janssen Research & Development, Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, Beerse, Belgium
| | - Oliver Lenz
- Janssen Research & Development, Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, Beerse, Belgium
| | - Lotke Tambuyzer
- Janssen Research & Development, Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, Beerse, Belgium
| | - Sandra De Meyer
- Janssen Research & Development, Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, Beerse, Belgium
| | - Kai Dallmeier
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Michael K McCracken
- Viral Diseases Branch, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD, USA
| | - Gregory D Gromowski
- Viral Diseases Branch, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD, USA
| | - Wiriya Rutvisuttinunt
- Viral Diseases Branch, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD, USA
| | - Richard G Jarman
- Viral Diseases Branch, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD, USA
| | - Nicos Karasavvas
- Viral Diseases Branch, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD, USA
| | - Franck Touret
- Unité des Virus Émergents, Aix-Marseille Université-IRD 190-Inserm 1207, Marseille, France
| | - Gilles Querat
- Unité des Virus Émergents, Aix-Marseille Université-IRD 190-Inserm 1207, Marseille, France
| | - Xavier de Lamballerie
- Unité des Virus Émergents, Aix-Marseille Université-IRD 190-Inserm 1207, Marseille, France
| | - Laurent Chatel-Chaix
- Heidelberg University, Medical Faculty Heidelberg, Department of Infectious Diseases, Molecular Virology, Center for Integrative Infectious Diseases Research, Heidelberg, Germany
- Centre Armand-Frappier Santé Biotechnologie, Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique, Laval, Quebec, Canada
| | - Gregg N Milligan
- Sealy Institute for Vaccine Sciences, The University of Texas Medical Branch Health, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - David W C Beasley
- Sealy Institute for Vaccine Sciences, The University of Texas Medical Branch Health, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Nigel Bourne
- Sealy Institute for Vaccine Sciences, The University of Texas Medical Branch Health, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Alan D T Barrett
- Sealy Institute for Vaccine Sciences, The University of Texas Medical Branch Health, Galveston, TX, USA
| | | | - Tim H M Jonckers
- Janssen Research & Development, Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, Beerse, Belgium
| | - Pierre Raboisson
- Janssen Research & Development, Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, Beerse, Belgium
- Galapagos NV, Mechelen, Belgium
| | | | - Patrick Chaltin
- Cistim Leuven vzw, Leuven, Belgium
- Centre for Drug Design and Discovery (CD3), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Ralf Bartenschlager
- Heidelberg University, Medical Faculty Heidelberg, Department of Infectious Diseases, Molecular Virology, Center for Integrative Infectious Diseases Research, Heidelberg, Germany
- German Centre for Infection Research, Heidelberg Partner Site, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Willy M Bogers
- Department of Virology, Biomedical Primate Research Centre, Rijswijk, The Netherlands
| | - Johan Neyts
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Global Virus Network (GVN), Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Marnix Van Loock
- Janssen Global Public Health, Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, Beerse, Belgium.
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Jochmans D, Liu C, Donckers K, Stoycheva A, Boland S, Stevens SK, De Vita C, Vanmechelen B, Maes P, Trüeb B, Ebert N, Thiel V, De Jonghe S, Vangeel L, Bardiot D, Jekle A, Blatt LM, Beigelman L, Symons JA, Raboisson P, Chaltin P, Marchand A, Neyts J, Deval J, Vandyck K. The Substitutions L50F, E166A, and L167F in SARS-CoV-2 3CLpro Are Selected by a Protease Inhibitor In Vitro and Confer Resistance To Nirmatrelvir. mBio 2023. [PMID: 36625640 DOI: 10.1101/2022.06.07.495116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 34.0] [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] [Indexed: 05/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The SARS-CoV-2 main protease (3CLpro) has an indispensable role in the viral life cycle and is a therapeutic target for the treatment of COVID-19. The potential of 3CLpro-inhibitors to select for drug-resistant variants needs to be established. Therefore, SARS-CoV-2 was passaged in vitro in the presence of increasing concentrations of ALG-097161, a probe compound designed in the context of a 3CLpro drug discovery program. We identified a combination of amino acid substitutions in 3CLpro (L50F E166A L167F) that is associated with a >20× increase in 50% effective concentration (EC50) values for ALG-097161, nirmatrelvir (PF-07321332), PF-00835231, and ensitrelvir. While two of the single substitutions (E166A and L167F) provide low-level resistance to the inhibitors in a biochemical assay, the triple mutant results in the highest levels of resistance (6× to 72×). All substitutions are associated with a significant loss of enzymatic 3CLpro activity, suggesting a reduction in viral fitness. Structural biology analysis indicates that the different substitutions reduce the number of inhibitor/enzyme interactions while the binding of the substrate is maintained. These observations will be important for the interpretation of resistance development to 3CLpro inhibitors in the clinical setting. IMPORTANCE Paxlovid is the first oral antiviral approved for treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Antiviral treatments are often associated with the development of drug-resistant viruses. In order to guide the use of novel antivirals, it is essential to understand the risk of resistance development and to characterize the associated changes in the viral genes and proteins. In this work, we describe for the first time a pathway that allows SARS-CoV-2 to develop resistance against Paxlovid in vitro. The characteristics of in vitro antiviral resistance development may be predictive for the clinical situation. Therefore, our work will be important for the management of COVID-19 with Paxlovid and next-generation SARS-CoV-2 3CLpro inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dirk Jochmans
- KU Leuven, Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Transplantation, Rega Institute, Laboratory of Virology & Chemotherapy, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Cheng Liu
- Aligos Therapeutics, Inc., South San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Kim Donckers
- KU Leuven, Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Transplantation, Rega Institute, Laboratory of Virology & Chemotherapy, Leuven, Belgium
| | | | | | - Sarah K Stevens
- Aligos Therapeutics, Inc., South San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Chloe De Vita
- Aligos Therapeutics, Inc., South San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Bert Vanmechelen
- KU Leuven, Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Transplantation, Rega Institute, Laboratory of Clinical & Epidemiological Virology, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Piet Maes
- KU Leuven, Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Transplantation, Rega Institute, Laboratory of Clinical & Epidemiological Virology, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Bettina Trüeb
- Institute of Virology and Immunology, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Nadine Ebert
- Institute of Virology and Immunology, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Volker Thiel
- Institute of Virology and Immunology, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Steven De Jonghe
- KU Leuven, Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Transplantation, Rega Institute, Laboratory of Virology & Chemotherapy, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Laura Vangeel
- KU Leuven, Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Transplantation, Rega Institute, Laboratory of Virology & Chemotherapy, Leuven, Belgium
| | | | - Andreas Jekle
- Aligos Therapeutics, Inc., South San Francisco, California, USA
| | | | | | - Julian A Symons
- Aligos Therapeutics, Inc., South San Francisco, California, USA
| | | | - Patrick Chaltin
- CISTIM Leuven vzw, Leuven, Belgium
- Centre for Drug Design and Discovery (CD3), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | | | - Johan Neyts
- KU Leuven, Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Transplantation, Rega Institute, Laboratory of Virology & Chemotherapy, Leuven, Belgium
- Global Virus Network (GVN), Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Jerome Deval
- Aligos Therapeutics, Inc., South San Francisco, California, USA
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33
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Vanhoutte R, Barniol-Xicota M, Chiu W, Vangeel L, Jochmans D, De Jonghe S, Zidane H, Barr HM, London N, Neyts J, Verhelst SHL. Azapeptide activity-based probes for the SARS-CoV-2 main protease enable visualization of inhibition in infected cells. Chem Sci 2023; 14:1666-1672. [PMID: 36819852 PMCID: PMC9931053 DOI: 10.1039/d2sc04147b] [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: 07/25/2022] [Accepted: 01/02/2023] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has revealed the vulnerability of the modern, global society. With expected waves of future infections by SARS-CoV-2, treatment options for infected individuals will be crucial in order to decrease mortality and hospitalizations. The SARS-CoV-2 main protease is a validated drug target, for which the first inhibitor has been approved for use in patients. To facilitate future work on this drug target, we designed a solid-phase synthesis route towards azapeptide activity-based probes that are capped with a cysteine-reactive electrophile for covalent modification of the active site of Mpro. This design led to the most potent ABP for Mpro and one of the most potent inhibitors reported thus far. We demonstrate that this ABP can be used to visualize Mpro activity and target engagement by drugs in infected cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roeland Vanhoutte
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Laboratory of Chemical Biology, KU Leuven Herestraat 49 box 802 3000 Leuven Belgium
| | - Marta Barniol-Xicota
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Laboratory of Chemical Biology, KU Leuven Herestraat 49 box 802 3000 Leuven Belgium
| | - Winston Chiu
- Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute for Medical Research, KU LeuvenHerestraat 49, Box 10433000LeuvenBelgium
| | - Laura Vangeel
- Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute for Medical Research, KU LeuvenHerestraat 49, Box 10433000LeuvenBelgium
| | - Dirk Jochmans
- Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute for Medical Research, KU LeuvenHerestraat 49, Box 10433000LeuvenBelgium
| | - Steven De Jonghe
- Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute for Medical Research, KU LeuvenHerestraat 49, Box 10433000LeuvenBelgium
| | - Hadeer Zidane
- Maurice and Vivienne Wohl Institute for Drug Discovery, The Nancy and Stephen Grand Israel National Center for Personalized Medicine, The Weizmann Institute of ScienceRehovot 7610001Israel
| | - Haim M. Barr
- Maurice and Vivienne Wohl Institute for Drug Discovery, The Nancy and Stephen Grand Israel National Center for Personalized Medicine, The Weizmann Institute of ScienceRehovot 7610001Israel
| | - Nir London
- Department of Chemical and Structural Biology, Weizmann Institute of ScienceRehovot 7610001Israel
| | - Johan Neyts
- Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute for Medical Research, KU LeuvenHerestraat 49, Box 10433000LeuvenBelgium
| | - Steven H. L. Verhelst
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Laboratory of Chemical Biology, KU LeuvenHerestraat 49 box 8023000 LeuvenBelgium,AG Chemical Proteomics, Leibniz Institute for Analytical Sciences ISASOtto-Hahn-Str. 6b44227 DortmundGermany
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34
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Rezende TMT, Macera G, Heyndrickx L, Michiels J, Coppens S, Thibaut HJ, Dallmeier K, Van Esbroeck M, Neyts J, Ariën KK, Bartholomeeusen K. Validation of a Reporter Cell Line for Flavivirus Inhibition Assays. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0502722. [PMID: 36786659 PMCID: PMC10100686 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.05027-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2022] [Accepted: 01/25/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Here, we report the validation of a new reporter cell line, Hec1a-IFNB-Luc, for use in inhibition studies of various flaviviruses relevant to human pathology. The reporter system allows the detection of viral replication after luciferase gene activation driven by an interferon beta (IFN-β) promoter. We found the reporter cell line to be highly responsive to all 10 flaviviruses tested, including the 4 dengue virus serotypes. The applicability of the Hec1a-IFNB-Luc reporter cell line for serodiagnostic purposes in neutralizing antibody assays was confirmed by comparison of its sensitivity and specificity to those of "gold-standard," clinically applied, cytopathic effect-based assays, showing comparable performances. The reporter cell line used for the assessment of viral inhibition by small-molecule antiviral compounds was also confirmed, and the sensitivity of the Hec1a-IFNB-Luc reporter cell line was compared to those from published data reporting on the activity of the antivirals in various other assays, indicating that the Hec1a-IFNB-Luc reporter cell line allowed the determination of the inhibitory capacity at least as sensitive as alternative assays. By measuring luciferase activity as a proxy for viral replication, the reporter cell line allows early detection, reducing the time to results from often 5 to 7 days to 3 days, without the need for optical inspection of cytopathic effects, which often differ between viruses and cell lines, streamlining the development of flavivirus assays. IMPORTANCE The Hec1a-IFNB-Luc reporter cell line allows the detection of all 10 flaviviruses tested, including the 4 dengue virus serotypes. Its use for serodiagnostic purposes, measuring neutralizing antibody activity in sera, and the assessment of the antiviral activities of small-molecule compounds was confirmed, and it was found to be comparable to clinically applied assays. The Hec1a-IFNB-Luc reporter cell line allows the rapid and quantitative determination of antiviral effects on multiple human pathological flaviviruses using a single protocol.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatiana M. T. Rezende
- Institute of Tropical Medicine, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Virology Unit, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Gabriella Macera
- Institute of Tropical Medicine, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Virology Unit, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Leo Heyndrickx
- Institute of Tropical Medicine, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Virology Unit, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Johan Michiels
- Institute of Tropical Medicine, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Virology Unit, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Sandra Coppens
- Institute of Tropical Medicine, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Virology Unit, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Hendrik Jan Thibaut
- KU Leuven Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Translational Platform Virology and Chemotherapy (TPVC), Leuven, Belgium
| | - Kai Dallmeier
- KU Leuven Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Molecular Vaccinology and Vaccine Discovery (MVVD), Leuven, Belgium
| | - Marjan Van Esbroeck
- Institute of Tropical Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences, Clinical Reference Lab, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Johan Neyts
- KU Leuven Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Molecular Vaccinology and Vaccine Discovery (MVVD), Leuven, Belgium
| | - Kevin K. Ariën
- Institute of Tropical Medicine, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Virology Unit, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Koen Bartholomeeusen
- Institute of Tropical Medicine, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Virology Unit, Antwerp, Belgium
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35
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Chiu W, Schepers J, Francken T, Vangeel L, Abbasi K, Jochmans D, De Jonghe S, Thibaut HJ, Thiel V, Neyts J, Laporte M, Leyssen P. Development of a robust and convenient dual-reporter high-throughput screening assay for SARS-CoV-2 antiviral drug discovery. Antiviral Res 2023; 210:105506. [PMID: 36565756 PMCID: PMC9767876 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2022.105506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Revised: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Massive efforts on both vaccine development and antiviral research were launched to combat the new severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). We contributed, amongst others, by the development of a high-throughput screening (HTS) antiviral assay against SARS-CoV-2 using a fully automated, high-containment robot system. Here, we describe the development of this novel, convenient and phenotypic dual-reporter virus-cell-based high-content imaging assay using the A549+hACE2+TMPRSS2_mCherry reporter lung carcinoma cell line and an ancestral SARS-CoV-2_Wuhan_mNeonGreen reporter virus. Briefly, by means of clonal selection, a host cell subclone was selected that (i) efficiently supports replication of the reporter virus with high expression, upon infection, of the NeonGreen fluorescent reporter protein, (ii) that is not affected by virus-induced cytopathogenic effects and, (iii) that expresses a strong fluorescent mCherry signal in the nucleus. The selected clone matched these criteria with an infection rate on average of 75% with limited cell death. The average (R)Z'-factors of the assay plates were all >0.8, which indicates a robust assay suitable for HTS purposes. A selection of reference compounds that inhibits SARS-CoV-2 replication in vitro were used to validate this novel dual-reporter assay and confirms the data reported in the literature. This assay is a convenient and powerful tool for HTS of large compound libraries against SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Winston Chiu
- KU Leuven, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Herestraat 49 – box 1043, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Joost Schepers
- KU Leuven, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Herestraat 49 – box 1043, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Thibault Francken
- KU Leuven, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Herestraat 49 – box 1043, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Laura Vangeel
- KU Leuven, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Herestraat 49 – box 1043, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Kayvan Abbasi
- KU Leuven, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Herestraat 49 – box 1043, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Dirk Jochmans
- KU Leuven, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Herestraat 49 – box 1043, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Steven De Jonghe
- KU Leuven, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Herestraat 49 – box 1043, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Hendrik Jan Thibaut
- KU Leuven Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Translational Platform Virology and Chemotherapy, Gaston Geenslaan 2, 3001, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Volker Thiel
- Institute of Virology and Immunology (IVI), Bern, Switzerland,Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Johan Neyts
- KU Leuven, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Herestraat 49 – box 1043, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Manon Laporte
- KU Leuven, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Herestraat 49 – box 1043, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Pieter Leyssen
- KU Leuven, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Herestraat 49 - box 1043, 3000, Leuven, Belgium.
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36
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Goethals O, Voge NV, Kesteleyn B, Chaltin P, Jinks T, De Marez T, Koul A, Draghia-Akli R, Neyts J, Van Loock M. A pan-serotype antiviral to prevent and treat dengue: A journey from discovery to clinical development driven by public-private partnerships. Antiviral Res 2023; 210:105495. [PMID: 36567021 PMCID: PMC9902276 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2022.105495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2022] [Revised: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
While progress has been made in fighting diseases disproportionally affecting underserved populations, unmet medical needs persist for many neglected tropical diseases. The World Health Organization has encouraged strong public-private partnerships to address this issue and several public and private organizations have set an example in the past showing a strong commitment to combat these diseases. Pharmaceutical companies are contributing in different ways to address the imbalance in research efforts. With this review, we exemplify the role of a public-private partnership in research and development by the journey of our dengue antiviral molecule that is now in early clinical development. We detail the different steps of drug development and outline the contribution of each partner to this process. Years of intensive collaboration resulted in the identification of two antiviral compounds, JNJ-A07 and JNJ-1802, the latter of which has advanced to clinical development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivia Goethals
- Global Public Health R&D, Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, Beerse, Belgium
| | - Natalia V. Voge
- Global Public Health R&D, Janssen Research & Development, LLC, Spring House, PA, USA
| | - Bart Kesteleyn
- Janssen Research & Development, Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, Beerse, Belgium
| | - Patrick Chaltin
- Centre for Drug Design and Discovery (CD3), KU Leuven, Bioincubator 2, Leuven, Belgium,Cistim Leuven vzw, Bioincubator 2, Leuven, Belgium
| | | | - Tine De Marez
- Global Public Health R&D, Janssen Research & Development, LLC, Titusville, NJ, USA
| | - Anil Koul
- Global Public Health R&D, Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, Beerse, Belgium
| | - Ruxandra Draghia-Akli
- Global Public Health R&D, Janssen Research & Development, LLC, Spring House, PA, USA
| | - Johan Neyts
- KU Leuven, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Leuven, Belgium,Global Virus Network (GVN), Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Marnix Van Loock
- Global Public Health R&D, Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, Beerse, Belgium.
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37
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Giancotti G, Nannetti G, Padalino G, Landini M, Santos-Ferreira N, Van Dycke J, Naccarato V, Patel U, Silvestri R, Neyts J, Gozalbo-Rovira R, Rodríguez-Díaz J, Rocha-Pereira J, Brancale A, Ferla S, Bassetto M. Structural Investigations on Novel Non-Nucleoside Inhibitors of Human Norovirus Polymerase. Viruses 2022; 15:74. [PMID: 36680114 PMCID: PMC9864251 DOI: 10.3390/v15010074] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2022] [Revised: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Human norovirus is the first cause of foodborne disease worldwide, leading to extensive outbreaks of acute gastroenteritis, and causing around 200,000 children to die annually in developing countries. No specific vaccines or antiviral agents are currently available, with therapeutic options limited to supportive care to prevent dehydration. The infection can become severe and lead to life-threatening complications in young children, the elderly and immunocompromised individuals, leading to a clear need for antiviral agents, to be used as treatments and as prophylactic measures in case of outbreaks. Due to the key role played by the viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) in the virus life cycle, this enzyme is a promising target for antiviral drug discovery. In previous studies, following in silico investigations, we identified different small-molecule inhibitors of this enzyme. In this study, we rationally modified five identified scaffolds, to further explore structure-activity relationships, and to enhance binding to the RdRp. The newly designed compounds were synthesized according to multiple-step synthetic routes and evaluated for their inhibition of the enzyme in vitro. New inhibitors with low micromolar inhibitory activity of the RdRp were identified, which provide a promising basis for further hit-to-lead optimization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gilda Giancotti
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF10 3NB, UK
| | - Giulio Nannetti
- Medical School, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Science, Swansea University, Swansea SA2 8PP, UK
| | - Gilda Padalino
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF10 3NB, UK
| | - Martina Landini
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF10 3NB, UK
| | - Nanci Santos-Ferreira
- KU Leuven—Rega Institute, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jana Van Dycke
- KU Leuven—Rega Institute, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Valentina Naccarato
- Department of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Usheer Patel
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF10 3NB, UK
| | - Romano Silvestri
- Department of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Johan Neyts
- KU Leuven—Rega Institute, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Roberto Gozalbo-Rovira
- Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain
| | - Jésus Rodríguez-Díaz
- Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain
| | - Joana Rocha-Pereira
- KU Leuven—Rega Institute, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Andrea Brancale
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF10 3NB, UK
- Vysoká Škola Chemiko-Technologiká v Praze, 165 00 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Salvatore Ferla
- Medical School, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Science, Swansea University, Swansea SA2 8PP, UK
| | - Marcella Bassetto
- Department of Chemistry, College of Science and Engineering, Swansea University, Swansea SA2 8PP, UK
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38
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Gao S, Song L, Xu H, Fikatas A, Oeyen M, De Jonghe S, Zhao F, Jing L, Jochmans D, Vangeel L, Cheng Y, Kang D, Neyts J, Herdewijn P, Schols D, Zhan P, Liu X. Identification of Polyphenol Derivatives as Novel SARS-CoV-2 and DENV Non-Nucleoside RdRp Inhibitors. Molecules 2022; 28:molecules28010160. [PMID: 36615354 PMCID: PMC9822497 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28010160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Revised: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) and dengue fever (DF) pandemics both remain to be significant public health concerns in the foreseeable future. Anti-SARS-CoV-2 drugs and vaccines are both indispensable to eliminate the epidemic situation. Here, two piperazine-based polyphenol derivatives DF-47 and DF-51 were identified as potential inhibitors directly blocking the active site of SARS-CoV-2 and DENV RdRp. Data through RdRp inhibition screening of an in-house library and in vitro antiviral study selected DF-47 and DF-51 as effective inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2/DENV polymerase. Moreover, in silico simulation revealed stable binding modes between the DF-47/DF-51 and SARS-CoV-2/DENV RdRp, respectively, including chelating with Mg2+ near polymerase active site. This work discovered the inhibitory effect of two polyphenols on distinct viral RdRp, which are expected to be developed into broad-spectrum, non-nucleoside RdRp inhibitors with new scaffold.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shenghua Gao
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
- Shenzhen Research Institute of Shandong University, A301 Virtual University Park in South District of Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518057, China
| | - Letian Song
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Hongtao Xu
- Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
- Correspondence: (H.X.); (D.S.); (P.Z.); (X.L.)
| | - Antonios Fikatas
- Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Merel Oeyen
- Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Steven De Jonghe
- Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Fabao Zhao
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Lanlan Jing
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Dirk Jochmans
- Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Laura Vangeel
- Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Yusen Cheng
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Dongwei Kang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Johan Neyts
- Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Piet Herdewijn
- Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry, Rega Institute for Medical Research, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Dominique Schols
- Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
- Correspondence: (H.X.); (D.S.); (P.Z.); (X.L.)
| | - Peng Zhan
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
- Correspondence: (H.X.); (D.S.); (P.Z.); (X.L.)
| | - Xinyong Liu
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
- Correspondence: (H.X.); (D.S.); (P.Z.); (X.L.)
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Abdelnabi R, Maes P, de Jonghe S, Weynand B, Neyts J. Combination of the parent analogue of remdesivir (GS-441524) and molnupiravir results in a markedly potent antiviral effect in SARS-CoV-2 infected Syrian hamsters. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:1072202. [PMID: 36605401 PMCID: PMC9807602 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.1072202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Remdesivir was the first antiviral drug to be approved for the treatment of severe COVID-19; followed by molnupiravir (another prodrug of a nucleoside analogue) and the protease inhibitor nirmatrelvir. Combination of antiviral drugs may result in improved potency and help to avoid or delay the development of resistant variants. We set out to explore the combined antiviral potency of GS-441524 (the parent nucleoside of remdesivir) and molnupiravir against SARS-CoV-2. In SARS-CoV-2 (BA.5) infected A549-Dual™ hACE2-TMPRSS2 cells, the combination resulted in an overall additive antiviral effect with a synergism at certain concentrations. Next, the combined effect was explored in Syrian hamsters infected with SARS-CoV-2 (Beta, B.1.351); treatment was started at the time of infection and continued twice daily for four consecutive days. At day 4 post-infection, GS-441524 (50 mg/kg, oral BID) and molnupiravir (150 mg/kg, oral BID) as monotherapy reduced infectious viral loads by 0.5 and 1.6 log10, respectively, compared to the vehicle control. When GS-441524 (50 mg/kg, BID) and molnupiravir (150 mg/kg, BID) were combined, infectious virus was no longer detectable in the lungs of 7 out of 10 of the treated hamsters (4.0 log10 reduction) and titers in the other animals were reduced by ∼2 log10. The combined antiviral activity of molnupiravir which acts by inducing lethal mutagenesis and GS-441524, which acts as a chain termination appears to be highly effective in reducing SARS-CoV-2 replication/infectivity. The unexpected potent antiviral effect of the combination warrants further exploration as a potential treatment for COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rana Abdelnabi
- KU Leuven Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Transplantation, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Leuven, Belgium
- The VirusBank Platform, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Piet Maes
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Laboratory of Clinical and Epidemiological Virology, Rega Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Zoonotic Infectious Diseases Unit, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Steven de Jonghe
- KU Leuven Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Transplantation, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Birgit Weynand
- Division of Translational Cell and Tissue Research, KU Leuven Department of Imaging and Pathology, Translational Cell and Tissue Research, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Johan Neyts
- KU Leuven Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Transplantation, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Leuven, Belgium
- The VirusBank Platform, Leuven, Belgium
- Global Virus Network, GVN, Baltimore, MD, United States
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40
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Khan M, Clijsters M, Choi S, Backaert W, Claerhout M, Couvreur F, Van Breda L, Bourgeois F, Speleman K, Klein S, Van Laethem J, Verstappen G, Dereli AS, Yoo SJ, Zhou H, Dan Do TN, Jochmans D, Laenen L, Debaveye Y, De Munter P, Gunst J, Jorissen M, Lagrou K, Meersseman P, Neyts J, Thal DR, Topsakal V, Vandenbriele C, Wauters J, Mombaerts P, Van Gerven L. Anatomical barriers against SARS-CoV-2 neuroinvasion at vulnerable interfaces visualized in deceased COVID-19 patients. Neuron 2022; 110:3919-3935.e6. [PMID: 36446381 PMCID: PMC9647025 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2022.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2022] [Revised: 09/26/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Can SARS-CoV-2 hitchhike on the olfactory projection and take a direct and short route from the nose into the brain? We reasoned that the neurotropic or neuroinvasive capacity of the virus, if it exists, should be most easily detectable in individuals who died in an acute phase of the infection. Here, we applied a postmortem bedside surgical procedure for the rapid procurement of tissue, blood, and cerebrospinal fluid samples from deceased COVID-19 patients infected with the Delta, Omicron BA.1, or Omicron BA.2 variants. Confocal imaging of sections stained with fluorescence RNAscope and immunohistochemistry afforded the light-microscopic visualization of extracellular SARS-CoV-2 virions in tissues. We failed to find evidence for viral invasion of the parenchyma of the olfactory bulb and the frontal lobe of the brain. Instead, we identified anatomical barriers at vulnerable interfaces, exemplified by perineurial olfactory nerve fibroblasts enwrapping olfactory axon fascicles in the lamina propria of the olfactory mucosa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mona Khan
- Max Planck Research Unit for Neurogenetics, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Marnick Clijsters
- Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Otorhinolaryngology, Rhinology Research, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Sumin Choi
- Max Planck Research Unit for Neurogenetics, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Wout Backaert
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Allergy and Clinical Immunology Research Group, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Michiel Claerhout
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Floor Couvreur
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Laure Van Breda
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Florence Bourgeois
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, AZ Sint-Jan Brugge-Oostende AV, Bruges, Belgium
| | - Kato Speleman
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, AZ Sint-Jan Brugge-Oostende AV, Bruges, Belgium
| | - Sam Klein
- Department of Neurosurgery, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Johan Van Laethem
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Gill Verstappen
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | | | - Seung-Jun Yoo
- Max Planck Research Unit for Neurogenetics, Frankfurt, Germany; Department of Life Science, College of Natural Sciences, Hanyang University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hai Zhou
- Max Planck Research Unit for Neurogenetics, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Thuc Nguyen Dan Do
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Dirk Jochmans
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Lies Laenen
- Department of Laboratory Medicine & National Reference Center for Respiratory Pathogens, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Yves Debaveye
- Intensive Care Medicine, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Laboratory of Intensive Care Medicine, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Paul De Munter
- Department of General Internal Medicine, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Laboratory for Clinical Infectious and Inflammatory Disorders, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jan Gunst
- Intensive Care Medicine, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Laboratory of Intensive Care Medicine, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Mark Jorissen
- Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Otorhinolaryngology, Rhinology Research, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Katrien Lagrou
- Department of Laboratory Medicine & National Reference Center for Respiratory Pathogens, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Laboratory of Clinical Bacteriology and Mycology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Philippe Meersseman
- Department of General Internal Medicine, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Laboratory for Clinical Infectious and Inflammatory Disorders, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Johan Neyts
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Dietmar Rudolf Thal
- Department of Pathology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Laboratory of Neuropathology, Department of Imaging & Pathology and Leuven Brain Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Vedat Topsakal
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Christophe Vandenbriele
- Department of Cardiovascular Diseases, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Joost Wauters
- Department of General Internal Medicine, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Laboratory for Clinical Infectious and Inflammatory Disorders, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Peter Mombaerts
- Max Planck Research Unit for Neurogenetics, Frankfurt, Germany.
| | - Laura Van Gerven
- Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Otorhinolaryngology, Rhinology Research, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Allergy and Clinical Immunology Research Group, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
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41
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Park YJ, Pinto D, Walls AC, Liu Z, De Marco A, Benigni F, Zatta F, Silacci-Fregni C, Bassi J, Sprouse KR, Addetia A, Bowen JE, Stewart C, Giurdanella M, Saliba C, Guarino B, Schmid MA, Franko NM, Logue JK, Dang HV, Hauser K, di Iulio J, Rivera W, Schnell G, Rajesh A, Zhou J, Farhat N, Kaiser H, Montiel-Ruiz M, Noack J, Lempp FA, Janer J, Abdelnabi R, Maes P, Ferrari P, Ceschi A, Giannini O, de Melo GD, Kergoat L, Bourhy H, Neyts J, Soriaga L, Purcell LA, Snell G, Whelan SPJ, Lanzavecchia A, Virgin HW, Piccoli L, Chu HY, Pizzuto MS, Corti D, Veesler D. Imprinted antibody responses against SARS-CoV-2 Omicron sublineages. Science 2022; 378:619-627. [PMID: 36264829 DOI: 10.1126/science.adc9127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 43.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Omicron sublineages carry distinct spike mutations resulting in escape from antibodies induced by previous infection or vaccination. We show that hybrid immunity or vaccine boosters elicit plasma-neutralizing antibodies against Omicron BA.1, BA.2, BA.2.12.1, and BA.4/5, and that breakthrough infections, but not vaccination alone, induce neutralizing antibodies in the nasal mucosa. Consistent with immunological imprinting, most antibodies derived from memory B cells or plasma cells of Omicron breakthrough cases cross-react with the Wuhan-Hu-1, BA.1, BA.2, and BA.4/5 receptor-binding domains, whereas Omicron primary infections elicit B cells of narrow specificity up to 6 months after infection. Although most clinical antibodies have reduced neutralization of Omicron, we identified an ultrapotent pan-variant-neutralizing antibody that is a strong candidate for clinical development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Young-Jun Park
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Dora Pinto
- Humabs Biomed SA, Subsidiary of Vir Biotechnology, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Alexandra C Walls
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Zhuoming Liu
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Anna De Marco
- Humabs Biomed SA, Subsidiary of Vir Biotechnology, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Fabio Benigni
- Humabs Biomed SA, Subsidiary of Vir Biotechnology, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Fabrizia Zatta
- Humabs Biomed SA, Subsidiary of Vir Biotechnology, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | | | - Jessica Bassi
- Humabs Biomed SA, Subsidiary of Vir Biotechnology, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Kaitlin R Sprouse
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Amin Addetia
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - John E Bowen
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Cameron Stewart
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | | | - Christian Saliba
- Humabs Biomed SA, Subsidiary of Vir Biotechnology, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Barbara Guarino
- Humabs Biomed SA, Subsidiary of Vir Biotechnology, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Michael A Schmid
- Humabs Biomed SA, Subsidiary of Vir Biotechnology, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Nicholas M Franko
- Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Jennifer K Logue
- Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Ha V Dang
- Vir Biotechnology, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Jiayi Zhou
- Vir Biotechnology, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Javier Janer
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Rana Abdelnabi
- KU Leuven Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Piet Maes
- KU Leuven Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Paolo Ferrari
- Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Università della Svizzera italiana, Lugano, Switzerland
- Division of Nephrology, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, Lugano, Switzerland
- Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Alessandro Ceschi
- Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Università della Svizzera italiana, Lugano, Switzerland
- Clinical Trial Unit, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, Lugano, Switzerland
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Institute of Pharmacological Sciences of Southern Switzerland, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, Lugano, Switzerland
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Olivier Giannini
- Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Università della Svizzera italiana, Lugano, Switzerland
- Department of Medicine, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Guilherme Dias de Melo
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Lyssavirus Epidemiology and Neuropathology Unit, F-75015 Paris, France
| | - Lauriane Kergoat
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Lyssavirus Epidemiology and Neuropathology Unit, F-75015 Paris, France
| | - Hervé Bourhy
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Lyssavirus Epidemiology and Neuropathology Unit, F-75015 Paris, France
| | - Johan Neyts
- KU Leuven Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | | | | | | | - Sean P J Whelan
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | | | - Herbert W Virgin
- Vir Biotechnology, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Luca Piccoli
- Humabs Biomed SA, Subsidiary of Vir Biotechnology, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Helen Y Chu
- Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | | | - Davide Corti
- Humabs Biomed SA, Subsidiary of Vir Biotechnology, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - David Veesler
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
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42
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Park YJ, Pinto D, Walls AC, Liu Z, De Marco A, Benigni F, Zatta F, Silacci-Fregni C, Bassi J, Sprouse KR, Addetia A, Bowen JE, Stewart C, Giurdanella M, Saliba C, Guarino B, Schmid MA, Franko NM, Logue JK, Dang HV, Hauser K, di Iulio J, Rivera W, Schnell G, Rajesh A, Zhou J, Farhat N, Kaiser H, Montiel-Ruiz M, Noack J, Lempp FA, Janer J, Abdelnabi R, Maes P, Ferrari P, Ceschi A, Giannini O, de Melo GD, Kergoat L, Bourhy H, Neyts J, Soriaga L, Purcell LA, Snell G, Whelan SPJ, Lanzavecchia A, Virgin HW, Piccoli L, Chu HY, Pizzuto MS, Corti D, Veesler D. Imprinted antibody responses against SARS-CoV-2 Omicron sublineages. Science 2022. [PMID: 36264829 DOI: 10.1101/2022.05.08.491108v1] [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] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Omicron sublineages carry distinct spike mutations resulting in escape from antibodies induced by previous infection or vaccination. We show that hybrid immunity or vaccine boosters elicit plasma-neutralizing antibodies against Omicron BA.1, BA.2, BA.2.12.1, and BA.4/5, and that breakthrough infections, but not vaccination alone, induce neutralizing antibodies in the nasal mucosa. Consistent with immunological imprinting, most antibodies derived from memory B cells or plasma cells of Omicron breakthrough cases cross-react with the Wuhan-Hu-1, BA.1, BA.2, and BA.4/5 receptor-binding domains, whereas Omicron primary infections elicit B cells of narrow specificity up to 6 months after infection. Although most clinical antibodies have reduced neutralization of Omicron, we identified an ultrapotent pan-variant-neutralizing antibody that is a strong candidate for clinical development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Young-Jun Park
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Dora Pinto
- Humabs Biomed SA, Subsidiary of Vir Biotechnology, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Alexandra C Walls
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Zhuoming Liu
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Anna De Marco
- Humabs Biomed SA, Subsidiary of Vir Biotechnology, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Fabio Benigni
- Humabs Biomed SA, Subsidiary of Vir Biotechnology, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Fabrizia Zatta
- Humabs Biomed SA, Subsidiary of Vir Biotechnology, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | | | - Jessica Bassi
- Humabs Biomed SA, Subsidiary of Vir Biotechnology, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Kaitlin R Sprouse
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Amin Addetia
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - John E Bowen
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Cameron Stewart
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | | | - Christian Saliba
- Humabs Biomed SA, Subsidiary of Vir Biotechnology, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Barbara Guarino
- Humabs Biomed SA, Subsidiary of Vir Biotechnology, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Michael A Schmid
- Humabs Biomed SA, Subsidiary of Vir Biotechnology, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Nicholas M Franko
- Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Jennifer K Logue
- Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Ha V Dang
- Vir Biotechnology, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Jiayi Zhou
- Vir Biotechnology, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Javier Janer
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Rana Abdelnabi
- KU Leuven Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Piet Maes
- KU Leuven Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Paolo Ferrari
- Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Università della Svizzera italiana, Lugano, Switzerland
- Division of Nephrology, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, Lugano, Switzerland
- Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Alessandro Ceschi
- Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Università della Svizzera italiana, Lugano, Switzerland
- Clinical Trial Unit, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, Lugano, Switzerland
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Institute of Pharmacological Sciences of Southern Switzerland, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, Lugano, Switzerland
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Olivier Giannini
- Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Università della Svizzera italiana, Lugano, Switzerland
- Department of Medicine, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Guilherme Dias de Melo
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Lyssavirus Epidemiology and Neuropathology Unit, F-75015 Paris, France
| | - Lauriane Kergoat
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Lyssavirus Epidemiology and Neuropathology Unit, F-75015 Paris, France
| | - Hervé Bourhy
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Lyssavirus Epidemiology and Neuropathology Unit, F-75015 Paris, France
| | - Johan Neyts
- KU Leuven Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | | | | | | | - Sean P J Whelan
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | | | - Herbert W Virgin
- Vir Biotechnology, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Luca Piccoli
- Humabs Biomed SA, Subsidiary of Vir Biotechnology, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Helen Y Chu
- Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | | | - Davide Corti
- Humabs Biomed SA, Subsidiary of Vir Biotechnology, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - David Veesler
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
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Martinez-Gualda B, Graus M, Camps A, Vanhulle E, Saul S, Azari S, Nhu Tran DH, Vangeel L, Chiu W, Neyts J, Schols D, Einav S, Vermeire K, De Jonghe S. Synthesis and evaluation of 3-alkynyl-5-aryl-7-aza-indoles as broad-spectrum antiviral agents. Front Chem 2022; 10:1058229. [PMID: 36385995 PMCID: PMC9643853 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2022.1058229] [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] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
RNA viral infections, including those caused by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), and Venezuelan Equine encephalitis virus (VEEV), pose a major global health challenge. Here, we report the synthesis and screening of a series of pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridines targeting RSV, SARS-CoV-2 and/or VEEV. From this campaign, a series of lead compounds was generated that demonstrated antiviral activity in the low single-digit micromolar range against the various viruses and did not show cytotoxicity. These findings highlight the potential of 3-alkynyl-5-aryl-7-aza-indoles as a promising chemotype for the development of broad-spectrum antiviral agents.
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44
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Gupta NK, Jayakumar S, Huang WC, Leyssen P, Neyts J, Bachurin SO, Hwu JR, Tsay SC. Bis(Benzofuran-1,3- N, N-heterocycle)s as Symmetric and Synthetic Drug Leads against Yellow Fever Virus. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232012675. [PMID: 36293531 PMCID: PMC9604066 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232012675] [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: 08/23/2022] [Revised: 10/14/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The yellow fever virus (YFV) is an emerging RNA virus and has caused large outbreaks in Africa and Central and South America. The virus is often transmitted through infected mosquitoes and spreads from area to area because of international travel. Being an acute viral hemorrhagic disease, yellow fever can be prevented by an effective, safe, and reliable vaccine, but not be eliminated. Currently, there is no antiviral drug available for its cure. Thus, two series of novel bis(benzofuran−1,3-imidazolidin-4-one)s and bis(benzofuran−1,3-benzimidazole)s were designed and synthesized for the development of anti-YFV lead candidates. Among 23 new bis-conjugated compounds, 4 of them inhibited YFV strain 17D (Stamaril) on Huh-7 cells in the cytopathic effect reduction assays. These conjugates exhibited the most compelling efficacy and selectivity with an EC50 of <3.54 μM and SI of >15.3. The results are valuable for the development of novel antiviral drug leads against emerging diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nitesh K. Gupta
- Department of Chemistry, Frontier Research Center on Fundamental and Applied Sciences of Matters, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 300044, Taiwan
| | - Srinivasan Jayakumar
- Department of Chemistry, Frontier Research Center on Fundamental and Applied Sciences of Matters, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 300044, Taiwan
| | - Wen-Chieh Huang
- Department of Chemistry, Frontier Research Center on Fundamental and Applied Sciences of Matters, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 300044, Taiwan
| | - Pieter Leyssen
- Rega Institute for Medical Research, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Minderbroedersstraat 10, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Johan Neyts
- Rega Institute for Medical Research, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Minderbroedersstraat 10, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Sergey O. Bachurin
- The Institute of Physiologically Active Compounds, Russian Academy of Sciences, Chernogolovka 142432, Russia
| | - Jih Ru Hwu
- Department of Chemistry, Frontier Research Center on Fundamental and Applied Sciences of Matters, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 300044, Taiwan
- Department of Chemistry, National Central University, Jhongli City 320317, Taiwan
- Correspondence: (J.R.H.); (S.-C.T.)
| | - Shwu-Chen Tsay
- Department of Chemistry, Frontier Research Center on Fundamental and Applied Sciences of Matters, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 300044, Taiwan
- Department of Chemistry, National Central University, Jhongli City 320317, Taiwan
- Correspondence: (J.R.H.); (S.-C.T.)
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Daems M, Liesenborghs L, Boudewijns R, Simmonds SJ, Kraisin S, Van Wauwe J, Cuijpers I, Raman J, Geuens N, Buyten TV, Lox M, Verhamme P, Van Linthout S, Martinod K, Heymans S, Tschöpe C, Neyts J, Jones EAV. SARS-CoV-2 infection causes prolonged cardiomyocyte swelling and inhibition of HIF1α translocation in an animal model COVID-19. Front Cardiovasc Med 2022; 9:964512. [PMID: 36324747 PMCID: PMC9618878 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2022.964512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Recovered COVID-19 patients often display cardiac dysfunction, even after a mild infection. Most current histological results come from patients that are hospitalized and therefore represent more severe outcomes than most COVID-19 patients face. To overcome this limitation, we investigated the cardiac effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection in a hamster model. SARS-CoV-2 infected hamsters developed diastolic dysfunction after recovering from COVID-19. Histologically, increased cardiomyocyte size was present at the peak of viral load and remained at all time points investigated. As this increase is too rapid for hypertrophic remodeling, we found instead that the heart was oedemic. Moreover, cardiomyocyte swelling is associated with the presence of ischemia. Fibrin-rich microthrombi and pericyte loss were observed at the peak of viral load, resulting in increased HIF1α in cardiomyocytes. Surprisingly, SARS-CoV-2 infection inhibited the translocation of HIF1α to the nucleus both in hamster hearts, in cultured cardiomyocytes, as well as in an epithelial cell line. We propose that the observed diastolic dysfunction is the consequence of cardiac oedema, downstream of microvascular cardiac ischemia. Additionally, our data suggest that inhibition of HIF1α translocation could contribute to an exaggerated response upon SARS-CoV-2 infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margo Daems
- Centre for Molecular and Vascular Biology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Laurens Liesenborghs
- Centre for Molecular and Vascular Biology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute for Medical Research, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Robbert Boudewijns
- Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute for Medical Research, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | | | - Sirima Kraisin
- Centre for Molecular and Vascular Biology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jore Van Wauwe
- Centre for Molecular and Vascular Biology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Ilona Cuijpers
- Centre for Molecular and Vascular Biology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Cardiology, CARIM School for Cardiovascular Diseases, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Jana Raman
- Centre for Molecular and Vascular Biology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Nadèche Geuens
- Centre for Molecular and Vascular Biology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Tina Van Buyten
- Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute for Medical Research, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Marleen Lox
- Centre for Molecular and Vascular Biology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Peter Verhamme
- Centre for Molecular and Vascular Biology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Sophie Van Linthout
- Virchow Clinic, Berlin Institute of Health Center for Regenerative Therapies (BCRT), Charité - University Medicine Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Berlin, Germany
| | - Kimberly Martinod
- Centre for Molecular and Vascular Biology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Stephane Heymans
- Centre for Molecular and Vascular Biology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Cardiology, CARIM School for Cardiovascular Diseases, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Carsten Tschöpe
- Virchow Clinic, Berlin Institute of Health Center for Regenerative Therapies (BCRT), Charité - University Medicine Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Berlin, Germany
- Department of Cardiology and Pneumology, Charité - University Medicine Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Johan Neyts
- Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute for Medical Research, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Elizabeth A. V. Jones
- Centre for Molecular and Vascular Biology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Cardiology, CARIM School for Cardiovascular Diseases, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
- *Correspondence: Elizabeth A. V. Jones
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46
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Cooper MS, Zhang L, Ibrahim M, Zhang K, Sun X, Röske J, Göhl M, Brönstrup M, Cowell JK, Sauerhering L, Becker S, Vangeel L, Jochmans D, Neyts J, Rox K, Marsh GP, Maple HJ, Hilgenfeld R. Diastereomeric Resolution Yields Highly Potent Inhibitor of SARS-CoV-2 Main Protease. J Med Chem 2022; 65:13328-13342. [PMID: 36179320 PMCID: PMC9574927 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c01131] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 is the causative agent behind the COVID-19 pandemic. The main protease (Mpro, 3CLpro) of SARS-CoV-2 is a key enzyme that processes polyproteins translated from the viral RNA. Mpro is therefore an attractive target for the design of inhibitors that block viral replication. We report the diastereomeric resolution of the previously designed SARS-CoV-2 Mpro α-ketoamide inhibitor 13b. The pure (S,S,S)-diastereomer, 13b-K, displays an IC50 of 120 nM against the Mpro and EC50 values of 0.8-3.4 μM for antiviral activity in different cell types. Crystal structures have been elucidated for the Mpro complexes with each of the major diastereomers, the active (S,S,S)-13b (13b-K), and the nearly inactive (R,S,S)-13b (13b-H); results for the latter reveal a novel binding mode. Pharmacokinetic studies show good levels of 13b-K after inhalative as well as after peroral administration. The active inhibitor (13b-K) is a promising candidate for further development as an antiviral treatment for COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark S. Cooper
- Bio-Techne
(Tocris), The Watkins
Building, Atlantic Road, Bristol, BS11 9QD, U.K.
| | - Linlin Zhang
- Institute
of Molecular Medicine, University of Lübeck, 23562 Lübeck, Germany
| | - Mohamed Ibrahim
- Institute
of Molecular Medicine, University of Lübeck, 23562 Lübeck, Germany
| | - Kaixuan Zhang
- Institute
of Molecular Medicine, University of Lübeck, 23562 Lübeck, Germany
| | - Xinyuanyuan Sun
- Institute
of Molecular Medicine, University of Lübeck, 23562 Lübeck, Germany
| | - Judith Röske
- Institute
of Molecular Medicine, University of Lübeck, 23562 Lübeck, Germany
| | - Matthias Göhl
- Department
of Chemical Biology, Helmholtz Centre for
Infection Research (HZI), 38124 Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Mark Brönstrup
- Department
of Chemical Biology, Helmholtz Centre for
Infection Research (HZI), 38124 Braunschweig, Germany
- German
Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner
Site Braunschweig-Hannover, 38124 Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Justin K. Cowell
- Bio-Techne
(Tocris), The Watkins
Building, Atlantic Road, Bristol, BS11 9QD, U.K.
| | - Lucie Sauerhering
- Institute
of Virology, University of Marburg, 35043 Marburg, Germany
| | - Stephan Becker
- Institute
of Virology, University of Marburg, 35043 Marburg, Germany
- German Center
for Infection Research (DZIF), Marburg-Gießen-Langen
Site, 35043 Marburg, Germany
| | - Laura Vangeel
- Rega
Institute, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, KU Leuven, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Dirk Jochmans
- Rega
Institute, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, KU Leuven, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Johan Neyts
- Rega
Institute, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, KU Leuven, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Katharina Rox
- Department
of Chemical Biology, Helmholtz Centre for
Infection Research (HZI), 38124 Braunschweig, Germany
- German
Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner
Site Braunschweig-Hannover, 38124 Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Graham P. Marsh
- Bio-Techne
(Tocris), The Watkins
Building, Atlantic Road, Bristol, BS11 9QD, U.K.
| | - Hannah J. Maple
- Bio-Techne
(Tocris), The Watkins
Building, Atlantic Road, Bristol, BS11 9QD, U.K.
| | - Rolf Hilgenfeld
- Institute
of Molecular Medicine, University of Lübeck, 23562 Lübeck, Germany
- German
Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Hamburg-Lübeck-Borstel-Riems
Site, University of Lübeck, 23562 Lübeck, Germany
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47
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El Mansouri AE, Lachhab S, Oubella A, Ahmad M, Neyts J, Jochmans D, Chiu W, Vangeel L, De Jonghe S, Morjani H, Ali MA, Zahouily M, Sanghvi YS, Lazrek HB. Synthesis, characterization, molecular docking, and anticancer activities of new 1,3,4-oxadiazole-5-fluorocytosine hybrid derivatives. J Mol Struct 2022; 1272:134135. [PMID: 36101881 PMCID: PMC9459830 DOI: 10.1016/j.molstruc.2022.134135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [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: 06/07/2022] [Revised: 09/07/2022] [Accepted: 09/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Analogs of pyrimidine and 1,3,4-oxadiazole are two well established class of molecules proven as potent antiviral and anticancer agents in the pharmaceutical industry. We envisioned designing new molecules where these two heterocycles were conjugated with the goal of enhancing biological activity. In this vein, we synthesized a series of novel pyrimidine-1,3,4-oxadiazole conjugated hybrid molecules as potential anticancer and antiviral agents. Herein, we present a new design for 5-fluorocytosine-1,3,4-oxadiazole hybrids (5a-h) connected via a methylene bridge. An efficient synthesis of new derivatives was established, and all compounds were fully characterized by NMR and MS. Eight compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxic activity against fibrosarcoma (HT-1080), breast (MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231), lung carcinoma (A-549), and for their antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2. Among all compounds tested, the compound 5e showed marked growth inhibition against all cell lines tested, particularly in HT-1080, with IC50 values of 19.56 µM. Meanwhile, all tested compounds showed no anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity, with EC50 >100 µM. The mechanism of cell death was investigated using Annexin V staining, caspase-3/7 activity, and analysis of cell cycle progression. The compound 5e induced apoptosis by the activation of caspase-3/7 and cell-cycle arrest in HT-1080 and A-549 cells at the G2M phase. The molecular docking suggested that the compound 5e activated caspase-3 via the formation of a stable complex protein-ligand.
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Affiliation(s)
- Az-Eddine El Mansouri
- Laboratory of Biomolecular and Medicinal chemistry, Faculty of Science Semlalia, University Cadi Ayyad, Marrakesh, Morocco
- Laboratoire de Matériaux, Catalyse & Valorisation des Ressources Naturelles, URAC 24, Faculté des Sciences et Techniques, Université Hassan II, Casablanca B.P. 146, 20650, Morocco
| | - Saida Lachhab
- Laboratory of Biomolecular and Medicinal chemistry, Faculty of Science Semlalia, University Cadi Ayyad, Marrakesh, Morocco
| | - Ali Oubella
- Laboratoire de Synthese Organique et de Physico-Chimie Moleculaire, Departement de Chimie, Faculte´ des Sciences, Semlalia BP 2390, Marrakech 40001, Morocco
| | - Mehdi Ahmad
- ICGM, Univ. Montpellier, CNRS, ENSCM, Montpellier, France
| | - Johan Neyts
- Rega Institute for Medical Research, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Dirk Jochmans
- Rega Institute for Medical Research, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Winston Chiu
- Rega Institute for Medical Research, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Laura Vangeel
- Rega Institute for Medical Research, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | | | - Hamid Morjani
- BioSpecT - EA7506 UFR de Pharmacie, Univ-Reims 51, rue Cognacq Jay 51096 Reims cedex, France
| | - Mustapha Ait Ali
- Laboratory of Biomolecular and Medicinal chemistry, Faculty of Science Semlalia, University Cadi Ayyad, Marrakesh, Morocco
| | - Mohamed Zahouily
- Laboratoire de Matériaux, Catalyse & Valorisation des Ressources Naturelles, URAC 24, Faculté des Sciences et Techniques, Université Hassan II, Casablanca B.P. 146, 20650, Morocco
| | - Yogesh S Sanghvi
- Rasayan Inc. 2802 Crystal Ridge Road, Encinitas, CA 92024-6615, U.S.A
| | - Hassan B Lazrek
- Laboratory of Biomolecular and Medicinal chemistry, Faculty of Science Semlalia, University Cadi Ayyad, Marrakesh, Morocco
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McCafferty S, Haque AKMA, Vandierendonck A, Weidensee B, Plovyt M, Stuchlíková M, François N, Valembois S, Heyndrickx L, Michiels J, Ariën KK, Vandekerckhove L, Abdelnabi R, Foo CS, Neyts J, Sahu I, Sanders NN. A dual-antigen self-amplifying RNA SARS-CoV-2 vaccine induces potent humoral and cellular immune responses and protects against SARS-CoV-2 variants through T cell-mediated immunity. Mol Ther 2022; 30:2968-2983. [PMID: 35450821 PMCID: PMC9020838 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2022.04.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [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: 02/11/2022] [Revised: 04/07/2022] [Accepted: 04/18/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Self-amplifying RNA vaccines may induce equivalent or more potent immune responses at lower doses compared to non-replicating mRNA vaccines via amplified antigen expression. In this paper, we demonstrate that 1 μg of an LNP-formulated dual-antigen self-amplifying RNA vaccine (ZIP1642), encoding both the S-RBD and N antigen, elicits considerably higher neutralizing antibody titers against Wuhan-like Beta B.1.351 and Delta B.1.617.2 SARS-CoV-2 variants compared to those of convalescent patients. In addition, ZIP1642 vaccination in mice expanded both S- and N-specific CD3+CD4+ and CD3+CD8+ T cells and caused a Th1 shifted cytokine response. We demonstrate that the induction of such dual antigen-targeted cell-mediated immune response may provide better protection against variants displaying highly mutated Spike proteins, as infectious viral loads of both Wuhan-like and Beta variants were decreased after challenge of ZIP1642 vaccinated hamsters. Supported by these results, we encourage redirecting focus toward the induction of multiple antigen-targeted cell-mediated immunity in addition to neutralizing antibody responses to bypass waning antibody responses and attenuate infectious breakthrough and disease severity of future SARS-CoV-2 variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sean McCafferty
- Ziphius Vaccines NV, B-9820 Merelbeke, Belgium; Laboratory of Gene Therapy, Department of Veterinary and Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, B-9820 Merelbeke, Belgium.
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Nathalie François
- Laboratory of Gene Therapy, Department of Veterinary and Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, B-9820 Merelbeke, Belgium
| | | | - Leo Heyndrickx
- Virology Unit, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, B-2000 Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Johan Michiels
- Virology Unit, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, B-2000 Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Kevin K Ariën
- Virology Unit, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, B-2000 Antwerp, Belgium; Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Antwerp, B-2000 Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Linos Vandekerckhove
- HIV Cure and Research Center, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Rana Abdelnabi
- University of Leuven, Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Transplantation, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Caroline S Foo
- University of Leuven, Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Transplantation, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Johan Neyts
- University of Leuven, Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Transplantation, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium; Global Virus Network (GVN), Baltimore, MD, USA
| | | | - Niek N Sanders
- Laboratory of Gene Therapy, Department of Veterinary and Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, B-9820 Merelbeke, Belgium; Cancer Research Institute (CRIG), Ghent University, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
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49
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Martens CP, Van Mol P, Wauters J, Wauters E, Gangnus T, Noppen B, Callewaert H, Feyen JH, Liesenborghs L, Heylen E, Jansen S, Pereira LCV, Kraisin S, Guler I, Engelen MM, Ockerman A, Van Herck A, Vos R, Vandenbriele C, Meersseman P, Hermans G, Wilmer A, Martinod K, Burckhardt BB, Vanhove M, Jacquemin M, Verhamme P, Neyts J, Vanassche T. Dysregulation of the kallikrein-kinin system in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of patients with severe COVID-19. EBioMedicine 2022; 83:104195. [PMID: 35939907 PMCID: PMC9352453 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2022.104195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2021] [Revised: 07/06/2022] [Accepted: 07/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) binds to the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor, a critical component of the kallikrein-kinin system. Its dysregulation may lead to increased vascular permeability and release of inflammatory chemokines. Interactions between the kallikrein-kinin and the coagulation system might further contribute to thromboembolic complications in COVID-19. Methods In this observational study, we measured plasma and tissue kallikrein hydrolytic activity, levels of kinin peptides, and myeloperoxidase (MPO)-DNA complexes as a biomarker for neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid from patients with and without COVID-19. Findings In BAL fluid from patients with severe COVID-19 (n = 21, of which 19 were mechanically ventilated), we observed higher tissue kallikrein activity (18·2 pM [1·2-1535·0], median [range], n = 9 vs 3·8 [0·0-22·0], n = 11; p = 0·030), higher levels of the kinin peptide bradykinin-(1-5) (89·6 [0·0-2425·0], n = 21 vs 0·0 [0·0-374·0], n = 19, p = 0·001), and higher levels of MPO-DNA complexes (699·0 ng/mL [66·0-142621·0], n = 21 vs 70·5 [9·9-960·0], n = 19, p < 0·001) compared to patients without COVID-19. Interpretation Our observations support the hypothesis that dysregulation of the kallikrein-kinin system might occur in mechanically ventilated patients with severe pulmonary disease, which might help to explain the clinical presentation of patients with severe COVID-19 developing pulmonary oedema and thromboembolic complications. Therefore, targeting the kallikrein-kinin system should be further explored as a potential treatment option for patients with severe COVID-19. Funding Research Foundation-Flanders (G0G4720N, 1843418N), KU Leuven COVID research fund.
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50
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Ma J, Yakass MB, Jansen S, Malengier-Devlies B, Van Looveren D, Sanchez-Felipe L, Vercruysse T, Weynand B, Javarappa MPA, Quaye O, Matthys P, Roskams T, Neyts J, Thibaut HJ, Dallmeier K. Live-attenuated YF17D-vectored COVID-19 vaccine protects from lethal yellow fever virus infection in mouse and hamster models. EBioMedicine 2022; 83:104240. [PMID: 36041265 PMCID: PMC9419561 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2022.104240] [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: 05/23/2022] [Revised: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/10/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The live-attenuated yellow fever vaccine YF17D holds great promise as alternative viral vector vaccine platform, showcased by our previously presented potent severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccine candidate YF-S0. Besides protection from SARS-CoV-2, YF-S0 also induced strong yellow fever virus (YFV)-specific immunity, suggestive for full dual activity. A vaccine concomitantly protecting from SARS-CoV-2 and YFV would be of great benefit for those living in YFV-endemic areas with limited access to current SARS-CoV-2 vaccines. However, for broader applicability, pre-existing vector immunity should not impact the potency of such YF17D-vectored vaccines. METHODS The immunogenicity and efficacy of YF-S0 against YFV and SARS-CoV-2 in the presence of strong pre-existing YFV immunity were evaluated in mouse and hamster challenge models. FINDINGS Here, we show that a single dose of YF-S0 is sufficient to induce strong humoral and cellular immunity against YFV as well as SARS-CoV-2 in mice and hamsters; resulting in full protection from vigorous YFV challenge in either model; in mice against lethal intracranial YF17D challenge, and in hamsters against viscerotropic infection and liver disease following challenge with highly pathogenic hamster-adapted YFV-Asibi strain. Importantly, strong pre-existing immunity against the YF17D vector did not interfere with subsequent YF-S0 vaccination in mice or hamsters; nor with protection conferred against SARS-CoV-2 strain B1.1.7 (Alpha variant) infection in hamsters. INTERPRETATION Our findings warrant the development of YF-S0 as dual SARS-CoV-2 and YFV vaccine. Contrary to other viral vaccine platforms, use of YF17D does not suffer from pre-existing vector immunity. FUNDING Stated in the acknowledgments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji Ma
- KU Leuven Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, Laboratory of Virology, Molecular Vaccinology and Vaccine Discovery, Leuven, Belgium,Global Virus Network (GVN), Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Michael Bright Yakass
- KU Leuven Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, Laboratory of Virology, Molecular Vaccinology and Vaccine Discovery, Leuven, Belgium,Global Virus Network (GVN), Baltimore, MD, USA,West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens (WACCBIP), Department of Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Sander Jansen
- KU Leuven Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, Laboratory of Virology, Molecular Vaccinology and Vaccine Discovery, Leuven, Belgium,Global Virus Network (GVN), Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Bert Malengier-Devlies
- KU Leuven Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, Immunity and Inflammation Research Group, Immunobiology Unit, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Dominique Van Looveren
- KU Leuven Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, Laboratory of Virology, Molecular Vaccinology and Vaccine Discovery, Leuven, Belgium,Global Virus Network (GVN), Baltimore, MD, USA,KU Leuven Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Translational Platform Virology and Chemotherapy, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Lorena Sanchez-Felipe
- KU Leuven Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, Laboratory of Virology, Molecular Vaccinology and Vaccine Discovery, Leuven, Belgium,Global Virus Network (GVN), Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Thomas Vercruysse
- KU Leuven Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, Laboratory of Virology, Molecular Vaccinology and Vaccine Discovery, Leuven, Belgium,Global Virus Network (GVN), Baltimore, MD, USA,KU Leuven Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Translational Platform Virology and Chemotherapy, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Birgit Weynand
- KU Leuven Department of Imaging and Pathology, Translational Cell and Tissue Research, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Mahadesh Prasad Arkalagud Javarappa
- KU Leuven Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, Laboratory of Virology, Molecular Vaccinology and Vaccine Discovery, Leuven, Belgium,Global Virus Network (GVN), Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Osbourne Quaye
- KU Leuven Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, Laboratory of Virology, Molecular Vaccinology and Vaccine Discovery, Leuven, Belgium,Global Virus Network (GVN), Baltimore, MD, USA,West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens (WACCBIP), Department of Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Patrick Matthys
- KU Leuven Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, Immunity and Inflammation Research Group, Immunobiology Unit, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Tania Roskams
- KU Leuven Department of Imaging and Pathology, Translational Cell and Tissue Research, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Johan Neyts
- KU Leuven Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, Laboratory of Virology, Molecular Vaccinology and Vaccine Discovery, Leuven, Belgium,Global Virus Network (GVN), Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Hendrik Jan Thibaut
- KU Leuven Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, Laboratory of Virology, Molecular Vaccinology and Vaccine Discovery, Leuven, Belgium,Global Virus Network (GVN), Baltimore, MD, USA,KU Leuven Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Translational Platform Virology and Chemotherapy, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Kai Dallmeier
- KU Leuven Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, Laboratory of Virology, Molecular Vaccinology and Vaccine Discovery, Leuven, Belgium,Global Virus Network (GVN), Baltimore, MD, USA,Corresponding author.
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