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Ayusso GM, da Silva Sanches PR, Carvalho T, Santos IA, Martins DOS, Lima MLD, da Conceição PJP, Bittar C, Merits A, Cilli EM, Jardim ACG, Rahal P, Calmon MF. The Synthetic Peptide GA-Hecate and Its Analogs Inhibit Multiple Steps of the Chikungunya Virus Infection Cycle In Vitro. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:1389. [PMID: 37895860 PMCID: PMC10610090 DOI: 10.3390/ph16101389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2023] [Revised: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) belongs to the Alphavirus genus and is responsible for significant outbreaks worldwide. Currently, there is no approved antiviral therapy against CHIKV. Bioactive peptides have great potential for new drug development. Here, we evaluated the antiviral activity of the synthetic peptide GA-Hecate and its analogs PSSct1905 and PSSct1910 against CHIKV infection. Initial screening showed that all three peptides inhibited the CHIKV replication cycle in baby hamster kidney fibroblast cells (BHK-21) and human hepatocarcinoma epithelial cells (Huh-7). GA-Hecate and its analog PSSct1905 were the most active, demonstrating suppression of viral infection by more than 91%. The analog PSSct1905 exhibited a protective effect in cells against CHIKV infection. We also observed that the analogs PSSct1905 and PSSct1910 affected CHIKV entry into both cell lines, inhibiting viral attachment and internalization. Finally, all tested compounds presented antiviral activity on the post-entry steps of CHIKV infection in all cells evaluated. In conclusion, this study highlights the potential of the peptide GA-Hecate and its analogs as novel anti-CHIKV compounds targeting different stages of the viral replication cycle, warranting the development of GA-Hecate-based compounds with broad antiviral activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela Miranda Ayusso
- Institute of Biosciences, Letters and Exact Sciences, São Paulo State University, São José do Rio Preto 15054-000, SP, Brazil; (G.M.A.); (T.C.); (D.O.S.M.); (M.L.D.L.); (P.J.P.d.C.); (C.B.); (A.C.G.J.); (P.R.)
| | | | - Tamara Carvalho
- Institute of Biosciences, Letters and Exact Sciences, São Paulo State University, São José do Rio Preto 15054-000, SP, Brazil; (G.M.A.); (T.C.); (D.O.S.M.); (M.L.D.L.); (P.J.P.d.C.); (C.B.); (A.C.G.J.); (P.R.)
| | - Igor Andrade Santos
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia 38408-100, MG, Brazil;
| | - Daniel Oliveira Silva Martins
- Institute of Biosciences, Letters and Exact Sciences, São Paulo State University, São José do Rio Preto 15054-000, SP, Brazil; (G.M.A.); (T.C.); (D.O.S.M.); (M.L.D.L.); (P.J.P.d.C.); (C.B.); (A.C.G.J.); (P.R.)
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia 38408-100, MG, Brazil;
| | - Maria Letícia Duarte Lima
- Institute of Biosciences, Letters and Exact Sciences, São Paulo State University, São José do Rio Preto 15054-000, SP, Brazil; (G.M.A.); (T.C.); (D.O.S.M.); (M.L.D.L.); (P.J.P.d.C.); (C.B.); (A.C.G.J.); (P.R.)
| | - Pâmela Jóyce Previdelli da Conceição
- Institute of Biosciences, Letters and Exact Sciences, São Paulo State University, São José do Rio Preto 15054-000, SP, Brazil; (G.M.A.); (T.C.); (D.O.S.M.); (M.L.D.L.); (P.J.P.d.C.); (C.B.); (A.C.G.J.); (P.R.)
| | - Cíntia Bittar
- Institute of Biosciences, Letters and Exact Sciences, São Paulo State University, São José do Rio Preto 15054-000, SP, Brazil; (G.M.A.); (T.C.); (D.O.S.M.); (M.L.D.L.); (P.J.P.d.C.); (C.B.); (A.C.G.J.); (P.R.)
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Andres Merits
- Institute of Technology, University of Tartu, 50090 Tartu, Estonia;
| | - Eduardo Maffud Cilli
- Institute of Chemistry, São Paulo State University, Araraquara 14800-060, SP, Brazil;
| | - Ana Carolina Gomes Jardim
- Institute of Biosciences, Letters and Exact Sciences, São Paulo State University, São José do Rio Preto 15054-000, SP, Brazil; (G.M.A.); (T.C.); (D.O.S.M.); (M.L.D.L.); (P.J.P.d.C.); (C.B.); (A.C.G.J.); (P.R.)
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia 38408-100, MG, Brazil;
| | - Paula Rahal
- Institute of Biosciences, Letters and Exact Sciences, São Paulo State University, São José do Rio Preto 15054-000, SP, Brazil; (G.M.A.); (T.C.); (D.O.S.M.); (M.L.D.L.); (P.J.P.d.C.); (C.B.); (A.C.G.J.); (P.R.)
| | - Marilia Freitas Calmon
- Institute of Biosciences, Letters and Exact Sciences, São Paulo State University, São José do Rio Preto 15054-000, SP, Brazil; (G.M.A.); (T.C.); (D.O.S.M.); (M.L.D.L.); (P.J.P.d.C.); (C.B.); (A.C.G.J.); (P.R.)
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Carvalho T, Landim MG, Lima MLD, Bittar C, Faria BCDAO, Rahal P, de Lima MCF, Junior VFDV, Joanitti GA, Calmon MF. Synthesis of copaiba (Copaifera officinalis) oil nanoemulsion and the potential against Zika virus: An in vitro study. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0283817. [PMID: 37676868 PMCID: PMC10484457 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0283817] [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: 08/04/2022] [Accepted: 03/19/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Zika virus (ZIKV) has spread all over the world since its major outbreak in 2015. This infection has been recognized as a major global health issue due to the neurological complications related to ZIKV infection, such as Guillain-Barré Syndrome and Zika virus Congenital Syndrome. Currently, there are no vaccines or specific treatments for ZIKV infection, which makes the development of specific therapies for its treatment very important. Several studies have been developed to analyze the potential of compounds against ZIKV, with the aim of finding new promising treatments. Herein, we evaluate the ability of a copaiba (Copaifera officinalis) oil nanoemulsion (CNE) to inhibit ZIKV. First, the highest non-cytotoxic concentration of 180 μg/mL was chosen since this concentration maintains 80% cell viability up to 96h after treatment with CNE in VERO cells resulted from MTT assay. The intracellular uptake assay was performed, and confirmed the internalization of the nanoemulsion in cells at all times analyzed. VERO cells were infected with ZIKV and simultaneously treated with CNE and the nanoformulation without oil (ENE) at the highest non-toxic concentration. The results evaluated by plaque assay revealed a viral inhibition of 80% for CNE and 70% for ENE. A dose-dependence assay revealed that the CNE treatment demonstrated a dose-dependent response in the viral RNA levels, whereas all ENE tested concentrations exhibited a similar degree of reduction. Taken together, our results suggest CNE as a promising nano-sized platform to be further studied for antiviral treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamara Carvalho
- Department of Biology, São Paulo State University—UNESP, Rua Cristóvão Colombo, São José do Rio Preto, Brazil
| | - Marcela Guimarães Landim
- Laboratory of Bioactive Compounds and Nanobiotechnology (LBCNano), University of Brasilia, Campus Universitário – Centro Metropolitano, Ceilândia Sul, Brasília, Federal District, Brazil
- Post-Graduation Program in Nanoscience and Nanobiotechnology, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Brasilia, Campus Universitário Darcy Ribeiro, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Maria Letícia Duarte Lima
- Department of Biology, São Paulo State University—UNESP, Rua Cristóvão Colombo, São José do Rio Preto, Brazil
| | - Cíntia Bittar
- Department of Biology, São Paulo State University—UNESP, Rua Cristóvão Colombo, São José do Rio Preto, Brazil
| | - Beatriz Carvalho de Araújo Oliveira Faria
- Laboratory of Bioactive Compounds and Nanobiotechnology (LBCNano), University of Brasilia, Campus Universitário – Centro Metropolitano, Ceilândia Sul, Brasília, Federal District, Brazil
- Post-Graduation Program in Nanoscience and Nanobiotechnology, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Brasilia, Campus Universitário Darcy Ribeiro, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Paula Rahal
- Department of Biology, São Paulo State University—UNESP, Rua Cristóvão Colombo, São José do Rio Preto, Brazil
| | | | | | - Graziella Anselmo Joanitti
- Laboratory of Bioactive Compounds and Nanobiotechnology (LBCNano), University of Brasilia, Campus Universitário – Centro Metropolitano, Ceilândia Sul, Brasília, Federal District, Brazil
- Post-Graduation Program in Nanoscience and Nanobiotechnology, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Brasilia, Campus Universitário Darcy Ribeiro, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Marilia Freitas Calmon
- Department of Biology, São Paulo State University—UNESP, Rua Cristóvão Colombo, São José do Rio Preto, Brazil
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Ayusso GM, Lima MLD, da Silva Sanches PR, Santos IA, Martins DOS, da Conceição PJP, Carvalho T, da Costa VG, Bittar C, Merits A, Santos-Filho NA, Cilli EM, Jardim ACG, de Freitas Calmon M, Rahal P. The Dimeric Peptide (KKYRYHLKPF) 2K Shows Broad-Spectrum Antiviral Activity by Inhibiting Different Steps of Chikungunya and Zika Virus Infection. Viruses 2023; 15:v15051168. [PMID: 37243254 DOI: 10.3390/v15051168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2023] [Revised: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) and Zika virus (ZIKV) are important disease-causing agents worldwide. Currently, there are no antiviral drugs or vaccines approved to treat these viruses. However, peptides have shown great potential for new drug development. A recent study described (p-BthTX-I)2K [(KKYRYHLKPF)2K], a peptide derived from the Bothropstoxin-I toxin in the venom of the Bothrops jararacussu snake, showed antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2. In this study, we assessed the activity of this peptide against CHIKV and ZIKV and its antiviral action in the different stages of the viral replication cycle in vitro. We observed that (p-BthTX-I)2K impaired CHIKV infection by interfering with the early steps of the viral replication cycle, reducing CHIKV entry into BHK-21 cells specifically by reducing both the attachment and internalization steps. (p-BthTX-I)2K also inhibited the ZIKV replicative cycle in Vero cells. The peptide protected the cells against ZIKV infection and decreased the levels of the viral RNA and the NS3 protein of this virus at viral post-entry steps. In conclusion, this study highlights the potential of the (p-BthTX-I)2K peptide to be a novel broad-spectrum antiviral candidate that targets different steps of the replication cycle of both CHIKV and ZIKV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela Miranda Ayusso
- Institute of Biosciences, Letters and Exact Sciences, São Paulo State University, São José do Rio Preto 15054-000, SP, Brazil
| | - Maria Letícia Duarte Lima
- Institute of Biosciences, Letters and Exact Sciences, São Paulo State University, São José do Rio Preto 15054-000, SP, Brazil
| | | | - Igor Andrade Santos
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia 38408-100, MG, Brazil
| | - Daniel Oliveira Silva Martins
- Institute of Biosciences, Letters and Exact Sciences, São Paulo State University, São José do Rio Preto 15054-000, SP, Brazil
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia 38408-100, MG, Brazil
| | | | - Tamara Carvalho
- Institute of Biosciences, Letters and Exact Sciences, São Paulo State University, São José do Rio Preto 15054-000, SP, Brazil
| | - Vivaldo Gomes da Costa
- Institute of Biosciences, Letters and Exact Sciences, São Paulo State University, São José do Rio Preto 15054-000, SP, Brazil
| | - Cíntia Bittar
- Institute of Biosciences, Letters and Exact Sciences, São Paulo State University, São José do Rio Preto 15054-000, SP, Brazil
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Andres Merits
- Institute of Technology, University of Tartu, 50090 Tartu, Estonia
| | | | - Eduardo Maffud Cilli
- Institute of Chemistry, São Paulo State University, Araraquara 14800-060, SP, Brazil
| | - Ana Carolina Gomes Jardim
- Institute of Biosciences, Letters and Exact Sciences, São Paulo State University, São José do Rio Preto 15054-000, SP, Brazil
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia 38408-100, MG, Brazil
| | - Marilia de Freitas Calmon
- Institute of Biosciences, Letters and Exact Sciences, São Paulo State University, São José do Rio Preto 15054-000, SP, Brazil
| | - Paula Rahal
- Institute of Biosciences, Letters and Exact Sciences, São Paulo State University, São José do Rio Preto 15054-000, SP, Brazil
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Lima MLD, Cabral ÁS, Bittar C, Falleiros Junior LR, Guerra LHA, Carneiro BM, de Souza Ferreira LC, Nogueira ML, Taboga SR, Calmon MF, Rahal P. Early infection of Zika virus in the male reproductive system of AG129 mice: molecular and immunohistochemical evaluation. Braz J Microbiol 2022; 53:1279-1287. [PMID: 35460509 PMCID: PMC9433484 DOI: 10.1007/s42770-022-00761-x] [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: 02/02/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Sexual transmission of Zika virus (ZIKV), an important arbovirus, and the virus persistence in semen raise several questions about how and where it circulates in the male reproductive system (MRS). Several studies reported detection of the virus in testes, epididymis, and prostate at 5 days post-infection (dpi) or more in animal models. In the present study, we investigated the interactions of ZIKV with mouse MRS using the AG129 strain, a ZIKV permissive immunodeficient mouse strain, at two dpi. Viral RNA was detected in blood, testes, epididymis, and prostatic complexes (prostate and seminal vesicles). Immunohistochemical (IHC) analyses, based on the envelope protein, showed an early infection in organs of MRS since ZIKV positive antigens were detected in cells within or surrounding blood vessels, Sertoli, and germ cells in testes and epithelial cells in epididymis and prostate. Positive antigens for NS5 protein, the virus RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, were also detected by IHC in these organs and circulating leukocytes, suggesting that the virus replicates in these sites as early as 2 days post-infection. Analysis of the early stages of ZIKV infection in MRS may improve the current knowledge about this issue and contribute to the development of therapies directed to the infection at this site.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Letícia Duarte Lima
- Department of Biology, Institute of Biosciences, Humanities and Exact Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), São José Do Rio Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ágata Silva Cabral
- Department of Biology, Institute of Biosciences, Humanities and Exact Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), São José Do Rio Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Cintia Bittar
- Department of Biology, Institute of Biosciences, Humanities and Exact Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), São José Do Rio Preto, São Paulo, Brazil.
| | - Luiz Roberto Falleiros Junior
- Department of Biology, Institute of Biosciences, Humanities and Exact Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), São José Do Rio Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Luiz Henrique Alves Guerra
- Department of Biology, Institute of Biosciences, Humanities and Exact Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), São José Do Rio Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Bruno Moreira Carneiro
- Department of Biology, Institute of Biosciences, Humanities and Exact Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), São José Do Rio Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
- Institute of Exact and Natural Science, Rondonópolis Federal University (UFR), Rondonópolis, Mato Grosso, Brazil
| | | | - Maurício Lacerda Nogueira
- Department of Infectious, Dermatological and Parasitic Infections, São José Do Rio Preto Medical School (FAMERP), São José Do Rio Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Sebastião Roberto Taboga
- Department of Biology, Institute of Biosciences, Humanities and Exact Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), São José Do Rio Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Marilia Freitas Calmon
- Department of Biology, Institute of Biosciences, Humanities and Exact Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), São José Do Rio Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Paula Rahal
- Department of Biology, Institute of Biosciences, Humanities and Exact Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), São José Do Rio Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
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Sanches BDA, Tamarindo GH, Dos Santos Maldarine J, da Silva ADT, Dos Santos VA, Lima MLD, Rahal P, Góes RM, Taboga SR, Felisbino SL, Carvalho HF. Telocytes contribute to aging-related modifications in the prostate. Sci Rep 2020; 10:21392. [PMID: 33288817 PMCID: PMC7721742 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-78532-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2020] [Accepted: 11/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Telocytes are interstitial cells present in the stroma of several organs, including the prostate. There is evidence that these cells are present during prostate alveologenesis, in which these cells play a relevant role, but there is no information about the presence of and possible changes in telocytes during prostate aging. Throughout aging, the prostate undergoes several spontaneous changes in the stroma that are pro-pathogenic. Our study used histochemistry, 3D reconstructions, ultrastructure and immunofluorescence to compare the adult prostate with the senile prostate of the Mongolian gerbil, in order to investigate possible changes in telocytes with senescence and a possible role for these cells in the age-associated alterations. It was found that the layers of perialveolar smooth muscle become thinner as the prostatic alveoli become more dilated during aging, and that telocytes form a network that involves smooth muscle cells, which could possibly indicate a role for telocytes in maintaining the integrity of perialveolar smooth muscles. On the other hand, with senescence, VEGF+ telocytes are seen in stroma possibly contributing to angiogenesis, together with TNFR1+ telocytes, which are associated with a pro-inflammatory microenvironment in the prostate. Together, these data indicate that telocytes are important both in understanding the aging-related changes that are seen in the prostate and also in the search for new therapeutic targets for pathologies whose frequency increases with age.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno Domingos Azevedo Sanches
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biology, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Bertrand Russel Av., Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Guilherme Henrique Tamarindo
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biology, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Bertrand Russel Av., Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Juliana Dos Santos Maldarine
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biology, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Bertrand Russel Av., Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Alana Della Torre da Silva
- Laboratory of Microscopy and Microanalysis, Department of Biology, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Cristóvão Colombo St., 2265, São José Do Rio Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Vitória Alário Dos Santos
- Laboratory of Microscopy and Microanalysis, Department of Biology, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Cristóvão Colombo St., 2265, São José Do Rio Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Maria Letícia Duarte Lima
- Laboratory of Genome Studies, Department of Biology, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Cristóvão Colombo St., 2265, São José Do Rio Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Paula Rahal
- Laboratory of Genome Studies, Department of Biology, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Cristóvão Colombo St., 2265, São José Do Rio Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Rejane Maira Góes
- Laboratory of Microscopy and Microanalysis, Department of Biology, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Cristóvão Colombo St., 2265, São José Do Rio Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Sebastião Roberto Taboga
- Laboratory of Microscopy and Microanalysis, Department of Biology, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Cristóvão Colombo St., 2265, São José Do Rio Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Sérgio Luis Felisbino
- Laboratory of Extracellular Matrix, Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University - UNESP, Prof. Dr. Antônio Celso Wagner Zanin St., 250, Rubião Júnior District, Botucatu, São Paulo, 18618-689, Brazil
| | - Hernandes F Carvalho
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biology, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Bertrand Russel Av., Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil.
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