Novel non-heteroarylpyrimidine (HAP) capsid assembly modifiers have a different mode of action from HAPs in vitro

One of the most promising viral targets in current hepatitis B virus (HBV) drug development is the core protein due to its multiple roles in the viral life cycle. Here we investigated the differences in the mode of action and antiviral activity of representatives of six different capsid assembly modifier (CAM) scaffolds: three from the well-characterized scaffolds heteroarylpyrimidine (HAP), sulfamoylbenzamide (SBA), and phenylpropenamide (PPA), and three from novel scaffolds glyoxamide-pyrrolamide (GPA), pyrazolyl-thiazole (PT), and dibenzo-thiazepin-2-one (DBT). The target activity and antiviral efficacy of the different CAMs were tested in biochemical and cellular assays. Analytical size exclusion chromatography and transmission electron microscopy showed that only the HAP compound induced formation of aberrant non-capsid structures (class II mode of action), while the remaining CAMs did not affect capsid gross morphology (class I mode of action). Intracellular lysates from the HepAD38 cell line, inducibly replicating HBV, showed no reduction in the quantities of intracellular core protein or capsid after treatment with SBA, PPA, GPA, PT, or DBT compounds; however HAP-treatment led to a profound decrease in both. Additionally, immunofluorescence staining of compound-treated HepAD38 cells showed that all non-HAP CAMs led to a shift in the equilibrium of HBV core antigen (HBcAg) towards complete cytoplasmic staining, while the HAP induced accumulation of HBcAg aggregates in the nucleus. Our study demonstrates that the novel scaffolds GPA, PT, and DBT exhibit class I modes of action, alike SBA and PPA, whereas HAP remains the only scaffold belonging to class II inhibitors.

Glomerulocapillary miRNA response to HLA-class I antibody in vitro and in vivo

Changes in miRNA expression glomerular of capillaries during antibody-mediated rejection (ABMR) are poorly understood and could contribute to the deleterious inflammation and fibrosis of ABMR via suppression of target genes. A better understanding could lead to novel diagnostic tools and reveal novel therapeutic targets. We explored deregulated miRNAs in an glomeruloendothelial in vitro model of ABMR due to class I human leukocyte antigen (HLA) with and without complement activation. We studied a set of 16 promising candidate miRNAs in microdissected glomeruli a confirmation set of 20 human transplant biopsies (DSA+) compared to 10 matched controls without evidence for ABMR. Twelve out of these 16 glomerulocapillary miRNAs could successfully be confirmed as dysregulated in vivo with 10 upregulated (let-7c-5p, miR-28-3p, miR-30d-5p, miR-99b-5p, miR-125a-5p, miR-195-5p, miR-374b-3p, miR-484, miR-501-3p, miR-520e) and 2 downregulated (miR29b-3p, miR-885-5p) in DSA+ vs.

CONTROLS

A random forest analysis based on glomerular miRNAs identified 18/20 DSA+ and 8/10 controls correctly. This glomerulocapillary miRNA signature associated with HLA class I-DSA could improve our understanding of ABMR and be useful for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes.

Zur Biosynthese von Vindolin in Catharantbus rosens G. Don

Nach Verfütterung von Shikimisäure-U-14C an Sprosse von Catharanthus rosens konnten radioaktives Catharantin und Vindolin isoliert werden. Vindolin wurde zur Pikrinsäure = I sowie zum ind-N-Methylnorharmin = II abgebaut. I besaß 95.5% und II 88% der spezifischen Aktivität des eingesetzten Vindolins. Somit ist gezeigt, daß Shikimisäure in den Indolteil des Vindolins inkorporiert worden ist aber nicht in das C10-Fragment.

[Progress in the development of a detection test for parenteral non-A, non-B hepatitis--results of enzyme immunoassay for anti-hepatitis C virus]

After more than one decennium of international research work the doubtless identification of the causative agents of the non A-non B-hepatitis (NANBH) has not yet been successful. 1988, however, a viral genome of the parenteral NANBH could be isolated, on which basis an EIA was built up. By means of this anti-HCV-ELISA altogether 413 sera were tested. In 262 sera of 154 women of a NANBH-group with homogeneous source of infection (contaminated anti-D-immunoglobulin) in 74% positive reactions were the result. This and the extensive reproducibility of the test results in identical patients speak for the fact that the recombinant antigen underlying the test really belongs to the parenteral NANBH-group. In the group of the sporadic, however, only in one case a positive reaction was achieved, which supports the thesis of at least two parenteral causative agents of NANBH. The deep-freezing storage of patients' sera lasting up to 8 years did not lead to the failure of the test. The reasons for non-reactive tests were discussed.

The prophylactic role of intravenous and long-term oral acyclovir after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation

Eighty-two patients were randomly allocated to receive intravenous acyclovir 5 mg kg-1 t.d.s. for 23 days followed by oral acyclovir 800 mg 6-hourly for 6 months or matching placebos after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation. Herpes simplex and varicella zoster virus infections were significantly reduced during the period of administration of acyclovir. No reduction in cytomegalovirus infection was demonstrated. The drug was not toxic.

Prevention of herpes zoster in patients by long-term oral acyclovir after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation

Following allogeneic bone marrow transplantation for leukemia, herpes zoster infections that are potentially severe with a high risk of dissemination develop in 30 to 50 percent of patients. Intravenous acyclovir is an effective treatment for established zoster in immunocompromised persons. Oral acyclovir has relatively low bioavailability, which has made the value of this route of administration for the treatment or prophylaxis of herpes zoster infections uncertain. In this trial, 82 patients undergoing allogeneic bone marrow transplantation for leukemia were randomly assigned to receive either intravenous acyclovir for 23 days followed by oral acyclovir for six months, or matched placebos; the random groups were well-matched in all clinical characteristics. During the six-month period of acyclovir/placebo administration, no patient receiving acyclovir developed herpes zoster, whereas six patients receiving placebo did so (p = 0.006). During the six-month follow-up, there were six cases of zoster in the treatment arm of the study and two cases in the placebo arm. Herpes zoster was not restricted to those patients who had positive evidence of antibody before transplant. This study shows that oral acyclovir is capable of preventing zoster infection during its period of administration; once the drug treatment is stopped, infections occur. In selected patients, the use of long-term oral acyclovir may be of value in preventing zoster infections during the time of greatest immunosuppression.

Amino (hydroxyethoxymethyl) purine: a new well-absorbed prodrug of acyclovir

Acyclovir is an effective treatment for herpes simplex and herpes zoster infections, but it is somewhat limited by low oral absorption. 2-amino-9-[(2hydroxyethoxy)methyl]-9H-purine (BW A515U), a new prodrug of acyclovir, when evaluated in 10 patients with haematological malignancies, was well tolerated, excellently absorbed, and produced high plasma concentrations of acyclovir which were comparable to those with intravenous acyclovir. The plasma concentrations after oral BW A515U were much higher than those after oral acyclovir.

[Hepatitis B and chronic lymphadenosis]

It is reported on a 79-year-old female patient who died from coma hepaticum. As evoking cause an immunesuppressive treatment with cyclophosphamide or prednisolone, respectively, on account of chronic lymphadenosis with excessive thrombocytopenia is discussed. An accessible preliminary lesion of the liver after an infectious jaundice with persistence of the HBs-antigen from which the patient formerly suffered is probable. It is referred to the combination of the chronic aggressive hepatitis with malignant systemic diseases and immunopathy, taking into consideration the decision of therapy.