1
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Funk C, Uhlig N, Ruzsics Z, Baur F, Peindl M, Nietzer S, Epting K, Vacun G, Dandekar G, Botteron C, Werno C, Grunwald T, Bailer SM. TheraVision: Engineering platform technology for the development of oncolytic viruses based on herpes simplex virus type 1. Mol Ther Oncol 2024; 32:200784. [PMID: 38596296 PMCID: PMC10950833 DOI: 10.1016/j.omton.2024.200784] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Revised: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
Viruses are able to efficiently penetrate cells, multiply, and eventually kill infected cells, release tumor antigens, and activate the immune system. Therefore, viruses are highly attractive novel agents for cancer therapy. Clinical trials with first generations of oncolytic viruses (OVs) are very promising but show significant need for optimization. The aim of TheraVision was to establish a broadly applicable engineering platform technology for combinatorial oncolytic virus and immunotherapy. Through genetic engineering, an attenuated herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV1) was generated that showed increased safety compared to the wild-type strain. To demonstrate the modularity and the facilitated generation of new OVs, two transgenes encoding retargeting as well as immunomodulating single-chain variable fragments (scFvs) were integrated into the platform vector. The resulting virus selectively infected epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-expressing cells and produced a functional immune checkpoint inhibitor against programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1). Thus, both viral-mediated oncolysis and immune-cell-mediated therapy were combined into a single viral vector. Safety and functionality of the armed OVs have been shown in novel preclinical models ranging from patient-derived organoids and tissue-engineered human in vitro 3D tumor models to complex humanized mouse models. Consequently, a novel and proprietary engineering platform vector based on HSV1 is available for the facilitated preclinical development of oncolytic virotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina Funk
- Fraunhofer Institute for Interfacial Engineering and Biotechnology IGB, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Nadja Uhlig
- Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology IZI, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Zsolt Ruzsics
- Department for Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, Institute of Virology, University Medical Center Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Florentin Baur
- Chair of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, University Hospital Würzburg, Röntgenring, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Matthias Peindl
- Chair of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, University Hospital Würzburg, Röntgenring, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Sarah Nietzer
- Chair of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, University Hospital Würzburg, Röntgenring, Würzburg, Germany
- Fraunhofer Institute for Silicate Research ISC, Translational Center Regenerative Therapies, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Karina Epting
- Fraunhofer Institute for Interfacial Engineering and Biotechnology IGB, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Gabriele Vacun
- Fraunhofer Institute for Interfacial Engineering and Biotechnology IGB, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Gudrun Dandekar
- Chair of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, University Hospital Würzburg, Röntgenring, Würzburg, Germany
- Fraunhofer Institute for Silicate Research ISC, Translational Center Regenerative Therapies, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Catherine Botteron
- Fraunhofer Institute for Toxicology and Experimental Medicine, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Christian Werno
- Fraunhofer Institute for Toxicology and Experimental Medicine, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Thomas Grunwald
- Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology IZI, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Susanne M. Bailer
- Fraunhofer Institute for Interfacial Engineering and Biotechnology IGB, Stuttgart, Germany
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2
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Reus P, Guthmann H, Uhlig N, Agbaria M, Issmail L, Eberlein V, Nordling-David MM, Jbara-Agbaria D, Ciesek S, Bojkova D, Cinatl J, Burger-Kentischer A, Rupp S, Zaliani A, Grunwald T, Gribbon P, Kannt A, Golomb G. Drug repurposing for the treatment of COVID-19: Targeting nafamostat to the lungs by a liposomal delivery system. J Control Release 2023; 364:654-671. [PMID: 37939853 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2023.10.050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Revised: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023]
Abstract
Despite tremendous global efforts since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, still only a limited number of prophylactic and therapeutic options are available. Although vaccination is the most effective measure in preventing morbidity and mortality, there is a need for safe and effective post-infection treatment medication. In this study, we explored a pipeline of 21 potential candidates, examined in the Calu-3 cell line for their antiviral efficacy, for drug repurposing. Ralimetinib and nafamostat, clinically used drugs, have emerged as attractive candidates. Due to the inherent limitations of the selected drugs, we formulated targeted liposomes suitable for both systemic and intranasal administration. Non-targeted and targeted nafamostat liposomes (LipNaf) decorated with an Apolipoprotein B peptide (ApoB-P) as a specific lung-targeting ligand were successfully developed. The developed liposomal formulations of nafamostat were found to possess favorable physicochemical properties including nano size (119-147 nm), long-term stability of the normally rapidly degrading compound in aqueous solution, negligible leakage from the liposomes upon storage, and a neutral surface charge with low polydispersity index (PDI). Both nafamostat and ralimetinib liposomes showed good cellular uptake and lack of cytotoxicity, and non-targeted LipNaf demonstrated enhanced accumulation in the lungs following intranasal (IN) administration in non-infected mice. LipNaf retained its anti-SARS-CoV 2 activity in Calu 3 cells with only a modest decrease, exhibiting complete inhibition at concentrations >100 nM. IN, but not intraperitoneal (IP) treatment with targeted LipNaf resulted in a trend to reduced viral load in the lungs of K18-hACE2 mice compared to targeted empty Lip. Nevertheless, upon removal of outlier data, a statistically significant 1.9-fold reduction in viral load was achieved. This observation further highlights the importance of a targeted delivery into the respiratory tract. In summary, we were able to demonstrate a proof-of-concept of drug repurposing by liposomal formulations with anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity. The biodistribution and bioactivity studies with LipNaf suggest an IN or inhalation route of administration for optimal therapeutic efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philipp Reus
- Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology ITMP, Discovery Research ScreeningPort, Schnackenburgallee 114, 22525 Hamburg, Germany; Goethe University Frankfurt, University Hospital, Institute for Medical Virology, Paul-Ehrlich-Straße 40, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Hadar Guthmann
- Institute for Drug Research, School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9112001, Israel; The Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9190401, Israel
| | - Nadja Uhlig
- Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy und Immunology IZI, Perlickstrasse 1, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Majd Agbaria
- Institute for Drug Research, School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9112001, Israel
| | - Leila Issmail
- Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy und Immunology IZI, Perlickstrasse 1, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Valentina Eberlein
- Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy und Immunology IZI, Perlickstrasse 1, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Mirjam M Nordling-David
- Institute for Drug Research, School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9112001, Israel
| | - Doaa Jbara-Agbaria
- Institute for Drug Research, School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9112001, Israel
| | - Sandra Ciesek
- Goethe University Frankfurt, University Hospital, Institute for Medical Virology, Paul-Ehrlich-Straße 40, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology ITMP, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Denisa Bojkova
- Goethe University Frankfurt, University Hospital, Institute for Medical Virology, Paul-Ehrlich-Straße 40, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Jindrich Cinatl
- Goethe University Frankfurt, University Hospital, Institute for Medical Virology, Paul-Ehrlich-Straße 40, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Anke Burger-Kentischer
- Fraunhofer Institute for Interfacial Engineering and Biotechnology IGB, Nobelstraße 12, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Steffen Rupp
- Fraunhofer Institute for Interfacial Engineering and Biotechnology IGB, Nobelstraße 12, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Andrea Zaliani
- Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology ITMP, Discovery Research ScreeningPort, Schnackenburgallee 114, 22525 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Thomas Grunwald
- Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy und Immunology IZI, Perlickstrasse 1, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Philip Gribbon
- Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology ITMP, Discovery Research ScreeningPort, Schnackenburgallee 114, 22525 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Aimo Kannt
- Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology ITMP, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; Fraunhofer Innovation Center TheraNova, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; Institute for Clinical Pharmacology, Goethe University Frankfurt, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
| | - Gershon Golomb
- Institute for Drug Research, School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9112001, Israel; The Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9190401, Israel
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3
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Weil T, Kirupakaran A, Le MH, Rebmann P, Mieres-Perez J, Issmail L, Conzelmann C, Müller JA, Rauch L, Gilg A, Wettstein L, Groß R, Read C, Bergner T, Pålsson SA, Uhlig N, Eberlein V, Wöll H, Klärner FG, Stenger S, Kümmerer BM, Streeck H, Fois G, Frick M, Braubach P, Spetz AL, Grunwald T, Shorter J, Sanchez-Garcia E, Schrader T, Münch J. Advanced Molecular Tweezers with Lipid Anchors against SARS-CoV-2 and Other Respiratory Viruses. JACS Au 2022; 2:2187-2202. [PMID: 36186568 PMCID: PMC9516563 DOI: 10.1021/jacsau.2c00220] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2022] [Revised: 07/06/2022] [Accepted: 07/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 presents a global health emergency. Therapeutic options against SARS-CoV-2 are still very limited but urgently required. Molecular tweezers are supramolecular agents that destabilize the envelope of viruses resulting in a loss of viral infectivity. Here, we show that first-generation tweezers, CLR01 and CLR05, disrupt the SARS-CoV-2 envelope and abrogate viral infectivity. To increase the antiviral activity, a series of 34 advanced molecular tweezers were synthesized by insertion of aliphatic or aromatic ester groups on the phosphate moieties of the parent molecule CLR01. A structure-activity relationship study enabled the identification of tweezers with a markedly enhanced ability to destroy lipid bilayers and to suppress SARS-CoV-2 infection. Selected tweezer derivatives retain activity in airway mucus and inactivate the SARS-CoV-2 wildtype and variants of concern as well as respiratory syncytial, influenza, and measles viruses. Moreover, inhibitory activity of advanced tweezers against respiratory syncytial virus and SARS-CoV-2 was confirmed in mice. Thus, potentiated tweezers are broad-spectrum antiviral agents with great prospects for clinical development to combat highly pathogenic viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatjana Weil
- Institute
of Molecular Virology, Ulm University Medical
Center, Ulm89081, Germany
| | - Abbna Kirupakaran
- Faculty
of Chemistry, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen45117, Germany
| | - My-Hue Le
- Faculty
of Chemistry, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen45117, Germany
| | - Philipp Rebmann
- Faculty
of Chemistry, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen45117, Germany
| | - Joel Mieres-Perez
- Computational
Biochemistry, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen45117, Germany
| | - Leila Issmail
- Fraunhofer
Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology IZI, Leipzig04103, Germany
| | - Carina Conzelmann
- Institute
of Molecular Virology, Ulm University Medical
Center, Ulm89081, Germany
| | - Janis A. Müller
- Institute
of Virology, Philipps University of Marburg, Marburg35043, Germany
| | - Lena Rauch
- Institute
of Molecular Virology, Ulm University Medical
Center, Ulm89081, Germany
| | - Andrea Gilg
- Institute
of Molecular Virology, Ulm University Medical
Center, Ulm89081, Germany
| | - Lukas Wettstein
- Institute
of Molecular Virology, Ulm University Medical
Center, Ulm89081, Germany
| | - Rüdiger Groß
- Institute
of Molecular Virology, Ulm University Medical
Center, Ulm89081, Germany
| | - Clarissa Read
- Central
Facility for Electron Microscopy, Ulm University, Ulm89081, Germany
- Institute
of Virology, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm89081, Germany
| | - Tim Bergner
- Central
Facility for Electron Microscopy, Ulm University, Ulm89081, Germany
| | - Sandra Axberg Pålsson
- Department
of Molecular Biosciences, The Wenner-Gren Institute, Stockholm University, Stockholm10691, Sweden
| | - Nadja Uhlig
- Fraunhofer
Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology IZI, Leipzig04103, Germany
| | - Valentina Eberlein
- Fraunhofer
Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology IZI, Leipzig04103, Germany
| | - Heike Wöll
- Faculty
of Chemistry, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen45117, Germany
| | | | - Steffen Stenger
- Institute
for Microbiology and Hygiene, Ulm University
Medical Center, Ulm89081, Germany
| | - Beate M. Kümmerer
- Institute
of Virology, Medical Faculty, University
of Bonn, Bonn53127, Germany
- German
Centre for Infection Research (DZIF),
partner site Bonn-Cologne, Bonn53127, Germany
| | - Hendrik Streeck
- Institute
of Virology, Medical Faculty, University
of Bonn, Bonn53127, Germany
- German
Centre for Infection Research (DZIF),
partner site Bonn-Cologne, Bonn53127, Germany
| | - Giorgio Fois
- Institute
of General Physiology, Ulm University, Ulm89081, Germany
| | - Manfred Frick
- Institute
of General Physiology, Ulm University, Ulm89081, Germany
| | - Peter Braubach
- Institute
of Pathology, Hannover Medical School (MHH), Hannover30625, Germany
| | - Anna-Lena Spetz
- Department
of Molecular Biosciences, The Wenner-Gren Institute, Stockholm University, Stockholm10691, Sweden
| | - Thomas Grunwald
- Fraunhofer
Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology IZI, Leipzig04103, Germany
| | - James Shorter
- Department
of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Perelman
School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia19104, United States
| | - Elsa Sanchez-Garcia
- Computational
Biochemistry, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen45117, Germany
| | - Thomas Schrader
- Faculty
of Chemistry, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen45117, Germany
| | - Jan Münch
- Institute
of Molecular Virology, Ulm University Medical
Center, Ulm89081, Germany
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4
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Groß R, Dias Loiola LM, Issmail L, Uhlig N, Eberlein V, Conzelmann C, Olari L, Rauch L, Lawrenz J, Weil T, Müller JA, Cardoso MB, Gilg A, Larsson O, Höglund U, Pålsson SA, Tvilum AS, Løvschall KB, Kristensen MM, Spetz A, Hontonnou F, Galloux M, Grunwald T, Zelikin AN, Münch J. Macromolecular Viral Entry Inhibitors as Broad-Spectrum First-Line Antivirals with Activity against SARS-CoV-2. Adv Sci (Weinh) 2022; 9:e2201378. [PMID: 35543527 PMCID: PMC9284172 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202201378] [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] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2022] [Revised: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Inhibitors of viral cell entry based on poly(styrene sulfonate) and its core-shell nanoformulations based on gold nanoparticles are investigated against a panel of viruses, including clinical isolates of SARS-CoV-2. Macromolecular inhibitors are shown to exhibit the highly sought-after broad-spectrum antiviral activity, which covers most analyzed enveloped viruses and all of the variants of concern for SARS-CoV-2 tested. The inhibitory activity is quantified in vitro in appropriate cell culture models and for respiratory viral pathogens (respiratory syncytial virus and SARS-CoV-2) in mice. Results of this study comprise a significant step along the translational path of macromolecular inhibitors of virus cell entry, specifically against enveloped respiratory viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rüdiger Groß
- Institute of Molecular VirologyUlm University Medical CenterUlm89081Germany
| | - Lívia Mesquita Dias Loiola
- Department of Chemistry and iNano Interdisciplinary Nanoscience CentreAarhus UniversityAarhus8000Denmark
- Brazilian Synchrotron Light LaboratoryBrazilian Center for Research in Energy and MaterialsCampinasSão Paulo13083‐970Brazil
| | - Leila Issmail
- Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology IZILeipzig04103Germany
| | - Nadja Uhlig
- Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology IZILeipzig04103Germany
| | - Valentina Eberlein
- Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology IZILeipzig04103Germany
| | - Carina Conzelmann
- Institute of Molecular VirologyUlm University Medical CenterUlm89081Germany
| | - Lia‐Raluca Olari
- Institute of Molecular VirologyUlm University Medical CenterUlm89081Germany
| | - Lena Rauch
- Institute of Molecular VirologyUlm University Medical CenterUlm89081Germany
| | - Jan Lawrenz
- Institute of Molecular VirologyUlm University Medical CenterUlm89081Germany
| | - Tatjana Weil
- Institute of Molecular VirologyUlm University Medical CenterUlm89081Germany
| | - Janis A. Müller
- Institute of Molecular VirologyUlm University Medical CenterUlm89081Germany
| | - Mateus Borba Cardoso
- Brazilian Synchrotron Light LaboratoryBrazilian Center for Research in Energy and MaterialsCampinasSão Paulo13083‐970Brazil
| | - Andrea Gilg
- Institute of Molecular VirologyUlm University Medical CenterUlm89081Germany
| | | | | | - Sandra Axberg Pålsson
- Department of Molecular BiosciencesThe Wenner‐Gren Institute Stockholm UniversityStockholm10691Sweden
| | - Anna Selch Tvilum
- Department of Chemistry and iNano Interdisciplinary Nanoscience CentreAarhus UniversityAarhus8000Denmark
| | - Kaja Borup Løvschall
- Department of Chemistry and iNano Interdisciplinary Nanoscience CentreAarhus UniversityAarhus8000Denmark
| | - Maria M. Kristensen
- Department of Chemistry and iNano Interdisciplinary Nanoscience CentreAarhus UniversityAarhus8000Denmark
| | - Anna‐Lena Spetz
- Department of Molecular BiosciencesThe Wenner‐Gren Institute Stockholm UniversityStockholm10691Sweden
| | | | - Marie Galloux
- Université Paris‐SaclayINRAE, UVSQ, VIMJouy‐en‐Josas78352France
| | - Thomas Grunwald
- Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology IZILeipzig04103Germany
| | - Alexander N. Zelikin
- Department of Chemistry and iNano Interdisciplinary Nanoscience CentreAarhus UniversityAarhus8000Denmark
| | - Jan Münch
- Institute of Molecular VirologyUlm University Medical CenterUlm89081Germany
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5
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Peter AS, Roth E, Schulz SR, Fraedrich K, Steinmetz T, Damm D, Hauke M, Richel E, Mueller‐Schmucker S, Habenicht K, Eberlein V, Issmail L, Uhlig N, Dolles S, Grüner E, Peterhoff D, Ciesek S, Hoffmann M, Pöhlmann S, McKay PF, Shattock RJ, Wölfel R, Socher E, Wagner R, Eichler J, Sticht H, Schuh W, Neipel F, Ensser A, Mielenz D, Tenbusch M, Winkler TH, Grunwald T, Überla K, Jäck H. A pair of noncompeting neutralizing human monoclonal antibodies protecting from disease in a SARS-CoV-2 infection model. Eur J Immunol 2022; 52:770-783. [PMID: 34355795 PMCID: PMC8420377 DOI: 10.1002/eji.202149374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [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: 05/17/2021] [Revised: 07/05/2021] [Accepted: 08/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
TRIANNI mice carry an entire set of human immunoglobulin V region gene segments and are a powerful tool to rapidly isolate human monoclonal antibodies. After immunizing these mice with DNA encoding the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 and boosting with spike protein, we identified 29 hybridoma antibodies that reacted with the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. Nine antibodies neutralize SARS-CoV-2 infection at IC50 values in the subnanomolar range. ELISA-binding studies and DNA sequence analyses revealed one cluster of three clonally related neutralizing antibodies that target the receptor-binding domain and compete with the cellular receptor hACE2. A second cluster of six clonally related neutralizing antibodies bind to the N-terminal domain of the spike protein without competing with the binding of hACE2 or cluster 1 antibodies. SARS-CoV-2 mutants selected for resistance to an antibody from one cluster are still neutralized by an antibody from the other cluster. Antibodies from both clusters markedly reduced viral spread in mice transgenic for human ACE2 and protected the animals from SARS-CoV-2-induced weight loss. The two clusters of potent noncompeting SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies provide potential candidates for therapy and prophylaxis of COVID-19. The study further supports transgenic animals with a human immunoglobulin gene repertoire as a powerful platform in pandemic preparedness initiatives.
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6
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Stegmann KM, Dickmanns A, Heinen N, Blaurock C, Karrasch T, Breithaupt A, Klopfleisch R, Uhlig N, Eberlein V, Issmail L, Herrmann ST, Schreieck A, Peelen E, Kohlhof H, Sadeghi B, Riek A, Speakman JR, Groß U, Görlich D, Vitt D, Müller T, Grunwald T, Pfaender S, Balkema-Buschmann A, Dobbelstein M. Inhibitors of dihydroorotate dehydrogenase cooperate with Molnupiravir and N4-hydroxycytidine to suppress SARS-CoV-2 replication. iScience 2022; 25:104293. [PMID: 35492218 PMCID: PMC9035612 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.104293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2022] [Revised: 03/29/2022] [Accepted: 04/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The nucleoside analog N4-hydroxycytidine (NHC) is the active metabolite of the prodrug molnupiravir, which has been approved for the treatment of COVID-19. SARS-CoV-2 incorporates NHC into its RNA, resulting in defective virus genomes. Likewise, inhibitors of dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODH) reduce virus yield upon infection, by suppressing the cellular synthesis of pyrimidines. Here, we show that NHC and DHODH inhibitors strongly synergize in the inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 replication in vitro. We propose that the lack of available pyrimidine nucleotides upon DHODH inhibition increases the incorporation of NHC into nascent viral RNA. This concept is supported by the rescue of virus replication upon addition of pyrimidine nucleosides to the media. DHODH inhibitors increased the antiviral efficiency of molnupiravir not only in organoids of human lung, but also in Syrian Gold hamsters and in K18-hACE2 mice. Combining molnupiravir with DHODH inhibitors may thus improve available therapy options for COVID-19. Molnupiravir and DHODH inhibitors are approved drugs, facilitating clinical testing The combination may allow lower drug doses to decrease possible toxic effects Inhibitors of nucleotide biosynthesis may boost antiviral nucleoside analogs
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Affiliation(s)
- Kim M Stegmann
- Institute of Molecular Oncology, Göttingen Center of Molecular Biosciences (GZMB), University Medical Center Göttingen, Justus von Liebig Weg 11, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Antje Dickmanns
- Institute of Molecular Oncology, Göttingen Center of Molecular Biosciences (GZMB), University Medical Center Göttingen, Justus von Liebig Weg 11, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Natalie Heinen
- Department of Molecular and Medical Virology, Ruhr University Bochum, Germany
| | - Claudia Blaurock
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Greifswald - Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Tim Karrasch
- Institute of Molecular Oncology, Göttingen Center of Molecular Biosciences (GZMB), University Medical Center Göttingen, Justus von Liebig Weg 11, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Angele Breithaupt
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Greifswald - Insel Riems, Germany
| | | | - Nadja Uhlig
- Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology IZI, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Valentina Eberlein
- Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology IZI, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Leila Issmail
- Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology IZI, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Simon T Herrmann
- Department of Molecular Biochemistry, Ruhr University Bochum, Germany
| | | | | | | | - Balal Sadeghi
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Greifswald - Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Alexander Riek
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Institute of Animal Welfare and Animal Husbandry, Celle, Germany
| | - John R Speakman
- Institute of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Aberdeen, UK
| | - Uwe Groß
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Virology, Göttingen Center of Molecular Biosciences (GZMB), University Medical Center Göttingen, Germany
| | - Dirk Görlich
- Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Göttingen, Germany
| | | | - Thorsten Müller
- Department of Molecular Biochemistry, Ruhr University Bochum, Germany.,Institute of Psychiatric Phenomics and Genomics (IPPG), Organoid laboratory, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Germany
| | - Thomas Grunwald
- Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology IZI, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Stephanie Pfaender
- Department of Molecular and Medical Virology, Ruhr University Bochum, Germany
| | - Anne Balkema-Buschmann
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Greifswald - Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Matthias Dobbelstein
- Institute of Molecular Oncology, Göttingen Center of Molecular Biosciences (GZMB), University Medical Center Göttingen, Justus von Liebig Weg 11, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
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7
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Lapuente D, Fuchs J, Willar J, Vieira Antão A, Eberlein V, Uhlig N, Issmail L, Schmidt A, Oltmanns F, Peter AS, Mueller-Schmucker S, Irrgang P, Fraedrich K, Cara A, Hoffmann M, Pöhlmann S, Ensser A, Pertl C, Willert T, Thirion C, Grunwald T, Überla K, Tenbusch M. Protective mucosal immunity against SARS-CoV-2 after heterologous systemic prime-mucosal boost immunization. Nat Commun 2021; 12:6871. [PMID: 34836955 PMCID: PMC8626513 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-27063-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 121] [Impact Index Per Article: 40.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Accepted: 11/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Several effective SARS-CoV-2 vaccines are currently in use, but effective boosters are needed to maintain or increase immunity due to waning responses and the emergence of novel variants. Here we report that intranasal vaccinations with adenovirus 5 and 19a vectored vaccines following a systemic plasmid DNA or mRNA priming result in systemic and mucosal immunity in mice. In contrast to two intramuscular applications of an mRNA vaccine, intranasal boosts with adenoviral vectors induce high levels of mucosal IgA and lung-resident memory T cells (TRM); mucosal neutralization of virus variants of concern is also enhanced. The mRNA prime provokes a comprehensive T cell response consisting of circulating and lung TRM after the boost, while the plasmid DNA prime induces mostly mucosal T cells. Concomitantly, the intranasal boost strategies lead to complete protection against a SARS-CoV-2 infection in mice. Our data thus suggest that mucosal booster immunizations after mRNA priming is a promising approach to establish mucosal immunity in addition to systemic responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dennis Lapuente
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany.
| | - Jana Fuchs
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Jonas Willar
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Ana Vieira Antão
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Valentina Eberlein
- Department of Immunology, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, IZI, Leipzig, Germany
- Fraunhofer Cluster of Excellence Immune-mediated Diseases CIMD, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Nadja Uhlig
- Department of Immunology, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, IZI, Leipzig, Germany
- Fraunhofer Cluster of Excellence Immune-mediated Diseases CIMD, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Leila Issmail
- Department of Immunology, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, IZI, Leipzig, Germany
- Fraunhofer Cluster of Excellence Immune-mediated Diseases CIMD, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Anna Schmidt
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Friederike Oltmanns
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Antonia Sophia Peter
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Sandra Mueller-Schmucker
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Pascal Irrgang
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Kirsten Fraedrich
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Andrea Cara
- National Center for Global Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Markus Hoffmann
- Infection Biology Unit, German Primate Center-Leibniz Institute for Primate Research, Göttingen, Germany
- Faculty of Biology and Psychology, Georg-August-University Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Stefan Pöhlmann
- Infection Biology Unit, German Primate Center-Leibniz Institute for Primate Research, Göttingen, Germany
- Faculty of Biology and Psychology, Georg-August-University Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Armin Ensser
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | | | | | | | - Thomas Grunwald
- Department of Immunology, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, IZI, Leipzig, Germany
- Fraunhofer Cluster of Excellence Immune-mediated Diseases CIMD, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Klaus Überla
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Matthias Tenbusch
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany.
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Gege C, Bravo FJ, Uhlig N, Hagmaier T, Schmachtenberg R, Elis J, Burger-Kentischer A, Finkelmeier D, Hamprecht K, Grunwald T, Bernstein DI, Kleymann G. A helicase-primase drug candidate with sufficient target tissue exposure affects latent neural herpes simplex virus infections. Sci Transl Med 2021; 13:13/598/eabf8668. [PMID: 34135112 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.abf8668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2020] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
More than 50% of the world population is chronically infected with herpesviruses. Herpes simplex virus (HSV) infections are the cause of herpes labialis (cold sores), genital herpes, and sight-impairing keratitis. Less frequently, life-threatening disseminated disease (encephalitis and generalized viremia) can also occur, mainly in immunocompromised patients and newborns. After primary infection, HSV persists for life in a latent state in trigeminal or sacral ganglia and, triggered by diverse stimuli, disease recurs in more than 30% of patients up to several times a year. Current therapy with nucleoside analogs targeting the viral polymerase is somewhat effective but limited by poor exposure in the nervous system, and latent infections are not affected by therapy. Here, we report on an inhibitor of HSV helicase-primase with potent in vitro anti-herpes activity, a different mechanism of action, a low frequency of HSV resistance, and a favorable pharmacokinetic and safety profile. Improved target tissue exposure results in superior efficacy in preventing and treating HSV infection and disease in animal models as compared to standard of care. Therapy of primary HSV infections with drug candidate IM-250 {(S)-2-(2',5'-difluoro-[1,1'-biphenyl]-4-yl)-N-methyl-N-(4-methyl-5-(S-methylsulfon-imidoyl)thiazol-2-yl)acetamide} not only reduces the duration of disease symptoms or time to healing but also prevents recurrent disease in guinea pigs. Treatment of recurrent infections reduces the frequency of recurrences and viral shedding, and, unlike nucleosidic drugs, IM-250 remains effective for a time after cessation of treatment. Hence, IM-250 has advantages over standard-of-care therapies and represents a promising therapeutic for chronic HSV infection, including nucleoside-resistant HSV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Gege
- Innovative Molecules GmbH, Leopoldshöher Str. 7, 32107 Bad-Salzuflen, Germany
| | - Fernando J Bravo
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center CCHMC, 3333 Burnet Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Nadja Uhlig
- Fraunhofer IZI, Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Perlickstrasse 1, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Timo Hagmaier
- University of Tübingen IFIB, Interfaculty Institute for Biochemistry, Auf der Morgenstelle 34, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | | | - Julia Elis
- University of Tübingen IFIB, Interfaculty Institute for Biochemistry, Auf der Morgenstelle 34, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Anke Burger-Kentischer
- Fraunhofer IGB, Institute for Interfacial Engineering and Biotechnology, Nobelstraße 12, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Doris Finkelmeier
- Fraunhofer IGB, Institute for Interfacial Engineering and Biotechnology, Nobelstraße 12, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Klaus Hamprecht
- University Hospital of Tübingen UKT, Institute for Medical Virology and Epidemiology of Viral Diseases, Elfriede-Aulhorn-Str. 6, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Thomas Grunwald
- Fraunhofer IZI, Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Perlickstrasse 1, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - David I Bernstein
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center CCHMC, 3333 Burnet Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Gerald Kleymann
- Innovative Molecules GmbH, Leopoldshöher Str. 7, 32107 Bad-Salzuflen, Germany. .,University of Tübingen IFIB, Interfaculty Institute for Biochemistry, Auf der Morgenstelle 34, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
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