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Castañeda Cataña MA, Dodes Traian MM, Rivas Marquina AP, Marquez AB, Arrúa EC, Carlucci MJ, Damonte EB, Pérez OE, Sepúlveda CS. Design and characterization of BSA-mycophenolic acid nanocomplexes: Antiviral activity exploration. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 265:131023. [PMID: 38513897 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.131023] [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: 11/03/2023] [Revised: 03/01/2024] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024]
Abstract
The interactions between bovine serum albumin (BSA) and mycophenolic acid (MPA) were investigated in silico through molecular docking and in vitro, using fluorescence spectroscopy. Dynamic light scattering and scanning electron microscopy were used to figure out the structure of MPA-Complex (MPA-C). The binding affinity between MPA and BSA was determined, yielding a Kd value of (12.0 ± 0.7) μM, and establishing a distance of 17 Å between the BSA and MPA molecules. The presence of MPA prompted protein aggregation, leading to the formation of MPA-C. The cytotoxicity of MPA-C and its ability to fight Junín virus (JUNV) were tested in A549 and Vero cell lines. It was found that treating infected cells with MPA-C decreased the JUNV yield and was more effective than free MPA in both cell line models for prolonged time treatments. Our results represent the first report of the antiviral activity of this type of BSA-MPA complex against JUNV, as assessed in cell culture model systems. MPA-C shows promise as a candidate for drug formulation against human pathogenic arenaviruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mayra A Castañeda Cataña
- Instituto de Química Biológica de la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales (IQUIBICEN). UBA-CONICET, 1428 Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Martín M Dodes Traian
- Instituto de Química Biológica de la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales (IQUIBICEN). UBA-CONICET, 1428 Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Andrea P Rivas Marquina
- Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Materiales Avanzados y Almacenamiento de Energía de Jujuy-CIDMEJu (CONICET-Universidad Nacional de Jujuy), Centro de Desarrollo Tecnológico General Savio, 4612 Palpalá, Jujuy, Argentina
| | - Agostina B Marquez
- Instituto de Química Biológica de la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales (IQUIBICEN). UBA-CONICET, 1428 Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Eva C Arrúa
- Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Materiales Avanzados y Almacenamiento de Energía de Jujuy-CIDMEJu (CONICET-Universidad Nacional de Jujuy), Centro de Desarrollo Tecnológico General Savio, 4612 Palpalá, Jujuy, Argentina
| | - María J Carlucci
- Instituto de Química Biológica de la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales (IQUIBICEN). UBA-CONICET, 1428 Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Elsa B Damonte
- Departamento de Química Biológica, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA), 1428 Buenos Aires, Argentina; Instituto de Química Biológica de la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales (IQUIBICEN). UBA-CONICET, 1428 Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Oscar E Pérez
- Departamento de Química Biológica, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA), 1428 Buenos Aires, Argentina; Instituto de Química Biológica de la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales (IQUIBICEN). UBA-CONICET, 1428 Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Claudia S Sepúlveda
- Departamento de Química Biológica, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA), 1428 Buenos Aires, Argentina; Instituto de Química Biológica de la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales (IQUIBICEN). UBA-CONICET, 1428 Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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2
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Cross RW, Fenton KA, Woolsey C, Prasad AN, Borisevich V, Agans KN, Deer DJ, Dobias NS, Fears AC, Heinrich ML, Geisbert JB, Garry RF, Branco LM, Geisbert TW. Monoclonal antibody therapy protects nonhuman primates against mucosal exposure to Lassa virus. Cell Rep Med 2024; 5:101392. [PMID: 38280377 PMCID: PMC10897540 DOI: 10.1016/j.xcrm.2024.101392] [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: 07/25/2023] [Revised: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 01/29/2024]
Abstract
Lassa fever (LF) is an acute viral illness that causes thousands of deaths annually in West Africa. There are currently no Lassa virus (LASV) vaccines or antivirals approved for human use. Recently, we showed that combinations of broadly neutralizing human monoclonal antibodies (BNhuMAbs) known as Arevirumab-2 or Arevirumab-3 protected up to 100% of cynomolgus macaques against challenge with diverse lineages of LASV when treatment was initiated at advanced stages of disease. This previous work assessed efficacy against parenteral exposure. However, transmission of LASV to humans occurs primarily by mucosal exposure to virus shed from Mastomys rodents. Here, we describe the development of a lethal intranasal exposure macaque model of LF. This model is employed to show that Arevirumab cocktails rescue 100% of macaques from lethal LASV infection when treatment is initiated 8 days after LASV exposure. Our work demonstrates BNhuMAbs have utility in treating LASV infection acquired through mucosal exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert W Cross
- Galveston National Laboratory, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Karla A Fenton
- Galveston National Laboratory, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Courtney Woolsey
- Galveston National Laboratory, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Abhishek N Prasad
- Galveston National Laboratory, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Viktoriya Borisevich
- Galveston National Laboratory, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Krystle N Agans
- Galveston National Laboratory, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Daniel J Deer
- Galveston National Laboratory, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Natalie S Dobias
- Galveston National Laboratory, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Alyssa C Fears
- Galveston National Laboratory, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | | | - Joan B Geisbert
- Galveston National Laboratory, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Robert F Garry
- Zalgen Labs, LLC, Frederick, MD, USA; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | | | - Thomas W Geisbert
- Galveston National Laboratory, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA.
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3
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Baďurová L, Polčicová K, Omasta B, Ovečková I, Kocianová E, Tomášková J. 2-Deoxy-D-glucose inhibits lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus propagation by targeting glycoprotein N-glycosylation. Virol J 2023; 20:108. [PMID: 37259080 DOI: 10.1186/s12985-023-02082-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Increased glucose uptake and utilization via aerobic glycolysis are among the most prominent hallmarks of tumor cell metabolism. Accumulating evidence suggests that similar metabolic changes are also triggered in many virus-infected cells. Viral propagation, like highly proliferative tumor cells, increases the demand for energy and macromolecular synthesis, leading to high bioenergetic and biosynthetic requirements. Although significant progress has been made in understanding the metabolic changes induced by viruses, the interaction between host cell metabolism and arenavirus infection remains unclear. Our study sheds light on these processes during lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) infection, a model representative of the Arenaviridae family. METHODS The impact of LCMV on glucose metabolism in MRC-5 cells was studied using reverse transcription-quantitative PCR and biochemical assays. A focus-forming assay and western blot analysis were used to determine the effects of glucose deficiency and glycolysis inhibition on the production of infectious LCMV particles. RESULTS Despite changes in the expression of glucose transporters and glycolytic enzymes, LCMV infection did not result in increased glucose uptake or lactate excretion. Accordingly, depriving LCMV-infected cells of extracellular glucose or inhibiting lactate production had no impact on viral propagation. However, treatment with the commonly used glycolytic inhibitor 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG) profoundly reduced the production of infectious LCMV particles. This effect of 2-DG was further shown to be the result of suppressed N-linked glycosylation of the viral glycoprotein. CONCLUSIONS Although our results showed that the LCMV life cycle is not dependent on glucose supply or utilization, they did confirm the importance of N-glycosylation of LCMV GP-C. 2-DG potently reduces LCMV propagation not by disrupting glycolytic flux but by inhibiting N-linked protein glycosylation. These findings highlight the potential for developing new, targeted antiviral therapies that could be relevant to a wider range of arenaviruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Baďurová
- Institute of Virology, Biomedical Research Center, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
- Functional Genomics and Proteomics of Plants, Central European Institute of Technology and National Centre for Biomolecular Research, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Katarína Polčicová
- Institute of Virology, Biomedical Research Center, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Božena Omasta
- Institute of Virology, Biomedical Research Center, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Ingrid Ovečková
- Institute of Virology, Biomedical Research Center, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Eva Kocianová
- Institute of Virology, Biomedical Research Center, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Jana Tomášková
- Institute of Virology, Biomedical Research Center, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia.
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4
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Brisse M, Fernández-Alarcón C, Huang Q, Kirk N, Schleiss MR, Liang Y, Ly H. Hearing loss in outbred Hartley guinea pigs experimentally infected with Pichinde virus as a surrogate model of human mammarenaviral hemorrhagic fevers. Virulence 2022; 13:1049-1061. [PMID: 35758052 PMCID: PMC9794012 DOI: 10.1080/21505594.2022.2087948] [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] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Lassa fever (LF) is a neglected tropical disease that is caused by Lassa virus (LASV), a human hemorrhagic fever-causing mammarenavirus. A notable sequela of LF is sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) that can develop in about 33% of the patients. Animal models of LF-associated SNHL have been limited in size and scope because LASV is a biosafety level 4 (BSL4) pathogen that requires its handling in a high biocontainment laboratory. In this report, we describe the development of an alternative arenavirus hearing loss model by infecting outbred Hartley guinea pigs with a virulent strain (rP18) of the Pichinde virus (PICV), which is a guinea pig-adapted mammarenavirus that has been used as a surrogate model of mammarenaviral hemorrhagic fevers in a conventional (BSL2) laboratory. By measuring auditory brainstem response (ABR) throughout the course of the virulent rP18 PICV infection, we noticed that some of the animals experienced an acute but transient level of hearing loss. Cochleae of hearing-impaired animals, but not of controls, had demonstrable viral RNA by quantitative RT-PCR, indicating the presence of virus in the affected inner ear with no overt histopathological changes. In contrast, neither the outbred Hartley guinea pigs infected with a known avirulent strain (rP2) of PICV nor those that were mock-infected showed any evidence of hearing loss or viral infection of the inner ear. This is the first report of an immunocompetent small animal model of mammarenavirus-induced hearing loss that can be used to evaluate potential therapeutics against virus-induced hearing impairment under a conventional laboratory setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morgan Brisse
- Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biophysics Graduate Program, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, Minnesota, USA,Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, Minnesota, USA
| | | | - Qinfeng Huang
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, Minnesota, USA
| | - Natalie Kirk
- Comparative and Molecular Biosciences Graduate Program, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, Minnesota, USA,Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, Minnesota, USA
| | - Mark R. Schleiss
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, Minnesota, USA
| | - Yuying Liang
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, Minnesota, USA
| | - Hinh Ly
- Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biophysics Graduate Program, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, Minnesota, USA,Comparative and Molecular Biosciences Graduate Program, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, Minnesota, USA,Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, Minnesota, USA,CONTACT Hinh Ly
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5
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Westover JB, Naik S, Bailey KW, Wandersee L, Gantla VR, Hickerson BT, McCormack K, Henkel G, Gowen BB. Severe mammarenaviral disease in guinea pigs effectively treated by an orally bioavailable fusion inhibitor, alone or in combination with favipiravir. Antiviral Res 2022; 208:105444. [PMID: 36243175 PMCID: PMC10187609 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2022.105444] [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: 08/31/2022] [Revised: 10/05/2022] [Accepted: 10/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Infections by pathogenic New World mammarenaviruses (NWM)s, including Junín virus (JUNV), can result in a severe life-threatening viral hemorrhagic fever syndrome. In the absence of FDA-licensed vaccines or antivirals, these viruses are considered high priority pathogens. The mammarenavirus envelope glycoprotein complex (GPC) mediates pH-dependent fusion between viral and cellular membranes, which is essential to viral entry and may be vulnerable to small-molecule inhibitors that disrupt this process. ARN-75039 is a potent fusion inhibitor of a broad spectrum of pseudotyped and native mammarenaviruses in cell culture and Tacaribe virus infection in mice. In the present study, we evaluated ARN-75039 against pathogenic JUNV in the rigorous guinea pig infection model. The compound was well-tolerated and had favorable pharmacokinetics supporting once-per-day oral dosing in guinea pigs. Importantly, significant protection against JUNV challenge was observed even when ARN-75039 was withheld until 6 days after the viral challenge when clinical signs of disease are starting to develop. We also show that ARN-75039 combination treatment with favipiravir, a viral polymerase inhibitor, results in synergistic activity in vitro and improves survival outcomes in JUNV-challenged guinea pigs. Our findings support the continued development of ARN-75039 as an attractive therapeutic candidate for treating mammarenaviral hemorrhagic fevers, including those associated with NWM infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonna B Westover
- Institute for Antiviral Research, Department of Animal, Dairy and Veterinary Sciences, Utah State University, Logan, UT, USA
| | | | - Kevin W Bailey
- Institute for Antiviral Research, Department of Animal, Dairy and Veterinary Sciences, Utah State University, Logan, UT, USA
| | - Luci Wandersee
- Institute for Antiviral Research, Department of Animal, Dairy and Veterinary Sciences, Utah State University, Logan, UT, USA
| | | | - Brady T Hickerson
- Institute for Antiviral Research, Department of Animal, Dairy and Veterinary Sciences, Utah State University, Logan, UT, USA
| | | | | | - Brian B Gowen
- Institute for Antiviral Research, Department of Animal, Dairy and Veterinary Sciences, Utah State University, Logan, UT, USA.
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6
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Mizuma K, Takashima A, Cubitt B, de la Torre JC, Iwasaki M. The Pan-ErbB tyrosine kinase inhibitor afatinib inhibits multiple steps of the mamm arenavirus life cycle. Virology 2022; 576:83-95. [PMID: 36183499 DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2022.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2022] [Revised: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
The mammarenavirus Lassa virus (LASV) causes a life-threatening acute febrile disease, Lassa fever (LF). To date, no US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-licensed medical countermeasures against LASV are available. This underscores the need for the development of novel anti-LASV drugs. Here, we screen an FDA-approved drug library to identify novel anti-LASV drug candidates using an infectious-free cell line expressing a functional LASV ribonucleoprotein (vRNP), where levels of vRNP-directed reporter gene expression serve as a surrogate for vRNP activity. Our screen identified the pan-ErbB tyrosine kinase inhibitor afatinib as a potent inhibitor of LASV vRNP activity. Afatinib inhibited multiplication of lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) a mammarenavirus closely related to LASV. Cell-based assays revealed that afatinib inhibited multiple steps of the LASV and LCMV life cycles. Afatinib also inhibited multiplication of Junín virus vaccine strain Candid#1, indicating that afatinib can have antiviral activity against a broad range of human pathogenic mammarenaviruses.
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7
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Abstract
Reverse genetics systems provide a powerful tool to generate recombinant arenavirus expressing reporters to facilitate the investigation of the arenavirus life cycle and also for the discovery of antiviral countermeasures. The plasmid-encoded viral ribonucleoprotein components initiate the transcription and replication of a plasmid-driven full-length viral genome, resulting in infectious virus. Thereby, this approach is ideal for the generation of recombinant arenaviruses expressing reporter genes that can be used as valid surrogates for virus replication. By splitting the small viral segment (S) into two viral segments (S1 and S2), each of them encoding a reporter gene, recombinant tri-segmented arenavirus can be rescued. Bi-reporter-expressing recombinant tri-segmented arenaviruses represent an excellent tool to study the biology of arenaviruses, including the identification and characterization of both prophylactic and therapeutic countermeasures for the treatment of arenaviral infections. In this chapter, we describe a detailed protocol on the generation and in vitro characterization of recombinant arenaviruses containing a tri-segment genome expressing two reporter genes based on the prototype member in the family, lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV). Similar experimental approaches can be used for the generation of bi-reporter-expressing tri-segment recombinant viruses for other members in the arenavirus family.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chengjin Ye
- Texas Biomedical Research Institute, San Antonio, TX, USA
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8
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Lan S, Shieh WJ, Huang Q, Zaki SR, Liang Y, Ly H. Virulent infection of outbred Hartley guinea pigs with recombinant Pichinde virus as a surrogate small animal model for human Lassa fever. Virulence 2021; 11:1131-1141. [PMID: 32799623 PMCID: PMC7549944 DOI: 10.1080/21505594.2020.1809328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Arenaviruses, such as Lassa virus (LASV), can cause severe and fatal hemorrhagic fevers (e.g., Lassa fever, LF) in humans with no vaccines or therapeutics. Research on arenavirus-induced hemorrhagic fevers (AHFs) has been hampered by the highly virulent nature of these viral pathogens, which require high biocontainment laboratory, and the lack of an immune-competent small animal model that can recapitulate AHF disease and pathological features. Guinea pig infected with Pichinde virus (PICV), an arenavirus that does not cause disease in humans, has been established as a convenient surrogate animal model for AHFs as it can be handled in a conventional laboratory. The PICV strain P18, derived from sequential passaging of the virus 18 times in strain 13 inbred guinea pigs, causes severe febrile illness in guinea pigs that is reminiscent of lethal LF in humans. As inbred guinea pigs are not readily available and are difficult to maintain, outbred Hartley guinea pigs have been used but they show a high degree of disease heterogeneity upon virulent P18 PICV infection. Here, we describe an improved outbred guinea-pig infection model using recombinant rP18 PICV generated by reverse genetics technique followed by plaque purification, which consistently shows >90% mortality and virulent infection. Comprehensive virological, histopathological, and immunohistochemical analyses of the rP18-virus infected animals show similar features of human LASV infection. Our data demonstrate that this improved animal model can serve as a safe, affordable, and convenient surrogate small animal model for studying human LF pathogenesis and for evaluating efficacy of preventative or therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuiyun Lan
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University , Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Wun-Ju Shieh
- Infectious Disease Pathology Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Qinfeng Huang
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota , St Paul, MN, USA
| | - Sherif R Zaki
- Infectious Disease Pathology Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Yuying Liang
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota , St Paul, MN, USA
| | - Hinh Ly
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota , St Paul, MN, USA
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9
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Gowen BB, Naik S, Westover JB, Brown ER, Gantla VR, Fetsko A, Dagley AL, Blotter DJ, Anderson N, McCormack K, Henkel G. Potent inhibition of arenavirus infection by a novel fusion inhibitor. Antiviral Res 2021; 193:105125. [PMID: 34197863 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2021.105125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2021] [Revised: 06/22/2021] [Accepted: 06/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Several arenaviruses, including Lassa and Lujo viruses in Africa and five New World arenavirus (NWA) species in the Americas, cause life-threatening viral hemorrhagic fevers. In the absence of licensed antiviral therapies, these viruses pose a significant public health risk. The envelope glycoprotein complex (GPC) mediates arenavirus entry through a pH-dependent fusion of the viral and host endosomal membranes. It thus is recognized as a viable target for small-molecule fusion inhibitors. Here, we report on the antiviral activity and pre-clinical development of the novel broad-spectrum arenavirus fusion inhibitors, ARN-75039 and ARN-75041. In Tacaribe virus (TCRV) pseudotyped and native virus assays, the ARN compounds were active in the low to sub-nanomolar range with selectivity indices exceeding 1000. Pharmacokinetic analysis of the orally administered compounds revealed an extended half-life in mice supporting once-daily dosing, and the compounds were well tolerated at the highest tested dose of 100 mg/kg. In a proof-of-concept prophylactic efficacy study, doses of 10 and 35 mg/kg of either compound dramatically improved survival outcome and potently inhibited TCRV replication in serum and various tissues. Additionally, in contrast to surviving mice that received ribavirin or placebo, animals treated with ARN-75039 or ARN-75041 were cured of TCRV infection. In a follow-up study with ARN-75039, impressive therapeutic efficacy was demonstrated under conditions where treatment was withheld until after the onset of disease. Taken together, the data strongly support the continued development of ARN-75039 as a candidate therapeutic for the treatment of severe arenaviral diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian B Gowen
- Department of Animal, Dairy and Veterinary Sciences, Utah State University, Logan, UT, USA.
| | | | - Jonna B Westover
- Department of Animal, Dairy and Veterinary Sciences, Utah State University, Logan, UT, USA
| | | | | | | | - Ashley L Dagley
- Department of Animal, Dairy and Veterinary Sciences, Utah State University, Logan, UT, USA
| | - Dallan J Blotter
- Department of Animal, Dairy and Veterinary Sciences, Utah State University, Logan, UT, USA
| | - Nicole Anderson
- Department of Animal, Dairy and Veterinary Sciences, Utah State University, Logan, UT, USA
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10
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Azim KF, Lasker T, Akter R, Hia MM, Bhuiyan OF, Hasan M, Hossain MN. Combination of highly antigenic nucleoproteins to inaugurate a cross-reactive next generation vaccine candidate against Arenaviridae family. Heliyon 2021; 7:e07022. [PMID: 34041391 PMCID: PMC8144012 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2021.e07022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2020] [Revised: 02/09/2021] [Accepted: 05/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Arenaviral infections often result lethal hemorrhagic fevers, affecting primarily in African and South American regions. To date, there is no FDA-approved licensed vaccine against arenaviruses and treatments have been limited to supportive therapy. Hence, the study was employed to design a highly immunogenic cross-reactive vaccine against Arenaviridae family using reverse vaccinology approach. The whole proteome of Lassa virus (LASV), Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis virus (LCMV), Lujo virus and Guanarito virus were retrieved and assessed to determine the most antigenic viral proteins. Both T-cell and B-cell epitopes were predicted and screened based on transmembrane topology, antigenicity, allergenicity, toxicity and molecular docking analysis. The final constructs were designed using different adjuvants, top epitopes, PADRE sequence and respective linkers and were assessed for the efficacy, safety, stability and molecular cloning purposes. The proposed epitopes were highly conserved (84%–100%) and showed greater cumulative population coverage. Moreover, T cell epitope GWPYIGSRS was conserved in Junin virus (Argentine mammarenavirus) and Sabia virus (Brazilian mammarenavirus), while B cell epitope NLLYKICLSG was conserved in Machupo virus (Bolivian mammarenavirus) and Sabia virus, indicating the possibility of final vaccine construct to confer a broad range immunity in the host. Docking analysis of the refined vaccine with different MHC molecules and human immune receptors were biologically significant. The vaccine-receptor (V1-TLR3) complex showed minimal deformability at molecular level and was compatible for cloning into pET28a(+) vector of E. coli strain K12. The study could be helpful in developing vaccine to combat arenaviral infections in the future. However, further in vitro and in vivo trials using model animals are highly recommended for the experimental validation of our findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazi Faizul Azim
- Faculty of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet 3100, Bangladesh.,Department of Microbial Biotechnology, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet 3100, Bangladesh
| | - Tahera Lasker
- Faculty of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet 3100, Bangladesh
| | - Rahima Akter
- Faculty of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet 3100, Bangladesh
| | - Mantasha Mahmud Hia
- Faculty of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet 3100, Bangladesh
| | - Omar Faruk Bhuiyan
- Department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Sylhet 3114, Bangladesh
| | - Mahmudul Hasan
- Faculty of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet 3100, Bangladesh.,Department of Pharmaceuticals and Industrial Biotechnology, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet 3100, Bangladesh
| | - Md Nazmul Hossain
- Faculty of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet 3100, Bangladesh.,Department of Microbial Biotechnology, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet 3100, Bangladesh
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11
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Plewe MB, Gantla VR, Sokolova NV, Shin YJ, Naik S, Brown ER, Fetsko A, Zhang L, Kalveram B, Freiberg AN, Henkel G, McCormack K. Discovery of a novel highly potent broad-spectrum heterocyclic chemical series of arenavirus cell entry inhibitors. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2021; 41:127983. [PMID: 33965007 PMCID: PMC10187606 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2021.127983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2020] [Revised: 03/12/2021] [Accepted: 03/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
We identified and explored the structure-activity relationship (SAR) of a novel heterocyclic chemical series of arenavirus cell entry inhibitors. Optimized lead compounds, including diphenyl-substituted imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines, benzimidazoles, and benzotriazoles exhibited low to sub-nanomolar potency against both pseudotyped and infectious Old and New World arenaviruses, attractive metabolic stability in human and most nonhuman liver microsomes as well as a lack of hERG K + channel or CYP enzyme inhibition. Moreover, the straightforward synthesis of several lead compounds (e.g., the simple high yield 3-step synthesis of imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine 37) could provide a cost-effective broad-spectrum arenavirus therapeutic that may help to minimize the cost-prohibitive burdens associated with treatments for emerging viruses in economically challenged geographical settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael B Plewe
- Arisan Therapeutics, 11189 Sorrento Valley Rd, Suite 104, San Diego 92121, CA, United States
| | - Vidyasagar Reddy Gantla
- Arisan Therapeutics, 11189 Sorrento Valley Rd, Suite 104, San Diego 92121, CA, United States
| | - Nadezda V Sokolova
- Arisan Therapeutics, 11189 Sorrento Valley Rd, Suite 104, San Diego 92121, CA, United States
| | - Young-Jun Shin
- Arisan Therapeutics, 11189 Sorrento Valley Rd, Suite 104, San Diego 92121, CA, United States
| | - Shibani Naik
- Arisan Therapeutics, 11189 Sorrento Valley Rd, Suite 104, San Diego 92121, CA, United States
| | - Eric R Brown
- Arisan Therapeutics, 11189 Sorrento Valley Rd, Suite 104, San Diego 92121, CA, United States
| | - Alexandra Fetsko
- Arisan Therapeutics, 11189 Sorrento Valley Rd, Suite 104, San Diego 92121, CA, United States
| | - Lihong Zhang
- Department of Pathology, and Center for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston 77555, TX, United States
| | - Birte Kalveram
- Department of Pathology, and Center for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston 77555, TX, United States
| | - Alexander N Freiberg
- Department of Pathology, and Center for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston 77555, TX, United States
| | - Greg Henkel
- Arisan Therapeutics, 11189 Sorrento Valley Rd, Suite 104, San Diego 92121, CA, United States
| | - Ken McCormack
- Arisan Therapeutics, 11189 Sorrento Valley Rd, Suite 104, San Diego 92121, CA, United States.
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12
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Kolawole D, Raji H, Okeke MI. Phylogenetic and Mutational Analysis of Lassa Virus Strains Isolated in Nigeria: Proposal for an In Silico Study. JMIR Res Protoc 2021; 10:e23015. [PMID: 33769296 PMCID: PMC8088840 DOI: 10.2196/23015] [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: 07/29/2020] [Revised: 12/01/2020] [Accepted: 12/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Background In 2018, the total number of Lassa fever cases in Nigeria was significantly higher than that observed in previous years. Hence, studies had attempted to determine the underlying cause. However, reports using phylogenetic methods to analyze this finding ruled out the emergence of potentially more transmissible Lassa virus strains or an increase in human-to-human viral transmission as the cause underlying the increase in cases. Two years later, the situation seems even worse as the number of confirmed cases has reached an all-time high according to situational reports released by the Nigerian Center for Disease Control. Objective Considering the increasing trend of Lassa fever cases and related mortality, the major objective of this study is to map mutations within the genomes of Lassa virus isolates from 2018 and 2019 using the reference sequence available at the National Center for Biotechnology Information as a benchmark and compare them to the genomes of viruses isolated during 1969-2017. This study would also attempt to identify a viral marker gene for easier identification and grouping. Finally, the time-scaled evolution of Lassa virus in Nigeria will be reconstructed. Methods After collecting the sequence data of Lassa virus isolates, Bayesian phylogenetic trees, a sequence identity matrix, and a single nucleotide polymorphism matrix will be generated using BEAST (version 2.6.2), Base-By-Base, and DIVEIN (a web-based tool for variant calling), respectively. Results Mining and alignment of Lassa virus genome sequences have been completed, while mutational analysis and the reconstruction of time-scaled maximum clade credibility trees, congruence tests for inferred segments, and gene phylogeny analysis are ongoing. Conclusions The findings of this study would further the current knowledge of the evolutionary history of the Lassa virus in Nigeria and would document the mutations in Nigerian isolates from 1969 to 2019. International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) DERR1-10.2196/23015
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Kolawole
- Department of Natural and Environmental Sciences, American University of Nigeria, Yola, Nigeria
| | - Hayatu Raji
- Department of Natural and Environmental Sciences, American University of Nigeria, Yola, Nigeria
| | - Malachy Ifeanyi Okeke
- Department of Natural and Environmental Sciences, American University of Nigeria, Yola, Nigeria
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13
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Mizutani T, Ohba Y, Mizuta S, Yasuda J, Urata S. An Antiviral Drug Screening Platform with a FRET Biosensor for Measurement of Arenavirus Z Assembly. Cell Struct Funct 2020; 45:155-163. [PMID: 33191384 PMCID: PMC10511043 DOI: 10.1247/csf.20030] [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: 06/28/2020] [Accepted: 11/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The smallest arenavirus gene product, Z protein, plays critical roles in the virus life cycle. Z is the major driving force of budding and particle production because of a unique property that defines self-assembly. In addition to the roles in budding, Z also participates in the suppression of type I interferon production to evade host antiviral immunity. Therefore, Z and its assembled form are an attractive drug target for arenaviral hemorrhagic fever, such as Lassa fever. Here, we developed a biosensor that enabled the evaluation of the prototype arenavirus, lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV), Z assembly using the principle of Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET). This FRET biosensor consisted of three tandem Z that were sandwiched between super-enhanced cyan-emitting fluorescent protein and variant of a yellow-emitting mutant of green fluorescent protein so that Z-Z intermolecular binding via the really interesting new gene finger domain increased the emission ratio. To identify novel anti-arenavirus compounds, the FRET biosensor was employed to screen the PathogenBox400 for inhibitors of Z assembly in a 96-well plate format. The assay performed well, with a Z'-factor of 0.89, and identified two compounds that decreased the emission ratio of the FRET biosensor in a dose-dependent manner. Of them, the compound, 5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-7-(benzyl)-pyrido[4',3':4,5]thieno[2,3-d]pyrimidin-2,4-diamine, was found to significantly inhibit LCMV propagation in infected cells. Thereby, the present study demonstrated that a novel FRET biosensor incorporating Z assembly built on FRET and named Zabton, was a valuable screening tool to identify anti-arenavirus compounds in the context of inhibition of Z assembly.Key words: Arenavirus, Förster resonance energy transfer, anti-viral drugs, Z protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatsuaki Mizutani
- Laboratory of Cell Regulation, Institute for Frontier Life and Medical Sciences Kyoto University, 53 Kawahara-cho, Shogoin, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan
- Laboratory of Cell Regulation and Molecular Network, Graduate School of Biostudies, Kyoto University, Yoshida-Konoe-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
| | - Yusuke Ohba
- Department of Cell Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, N15W7, Kita-ku, Sapporo 060-8638, Japan
| | - Satoshi Mizuta
- Center for Bioinformatics and Molecular Medicine, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University, 1-12-4 Sakamoto, Nagasaki 852-8523, Japan
| | - Jiro Yasuda
- Department of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Institute of Tropical Medicine (NEKKEN), Nagasaki University, 1-12-4 Sakamoto, Nagasaki, 852-8523, Japan
- National Research Center for the Control and Prevention of Infectious Diseases (CCPID), Nagasaki University, 1-12-4 Sakamoto, Nagasaki, 852-8523, Japan
| | - Shuzo Urata
- Department of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Institute of Tropical Medicine (NEKKEN), Nagasaki University, 1-12-4 Sakamoto, Nagasaki, 852-8523, Japan
- National Research Center for the Control and Prevention of Infectious Diseases (CCPID), Nagasaki University, 1-12-4 Sakamoto, Nagasaki, 852-8523, Japan
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14
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Sasso E, D'Alise AM, Zambrano N, Scarselli E, Folgori A, Nicosia A. New viral vectors for infectious diseases and cancer. Semin Immunol 2020; 50:101430. [PMID: 33262065 DOI: 10.1016/j.smim.2020.101430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2020] [Revised: 10/23/2020] [Accepted: 11/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Since the discovery in 1796 by Edward Jenner of vaccinia virus as a way to prevent and finally eradicate smallpox, the concept of using a virus to fight another virus has evolved into the current approaches of viral vectored genetic vaccines. In recent years, key improvements to the vaccinia virus leading to a safer version (Modified Vaccinia Ankara, MVA) and the discovery that some viruses can be used as carriers of heterologous genes encoding for pathological antigens of other infectious agents (the concept of 'viral vectors') has spurred a new wave of clinical research potentially providing for a solution for the long sought after vaccines against major diseases such as HIV, TB, RSV and Malaria, or emerging infectious diseases including those caused by filoviruses and coronaviruses. The unique ability of some of these viral vectors to stimulate the cellular arm of the immune response and, most importantly, T lymphocytes with cell killing activity, has also reawakened the interest toward developing therapeutic vaccines against chronic infectious diseases and cancer. To this end, existing vectors such as those based on Adenoviruses have been improved in immunogenicity and efficacy. Along the same line, new vectors that exploit viruses such as Vesicular Stomatitis Virus (VSV), Measles Virus (MV), Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV), cytomegalovirus (CMV), and Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV), have emerged. Furthermore, technological progress toward modifying their genome to render some of these vectors incompetent for replication has increased confidence toward their use in infant and elderly populations. Lastly, their production process being the same for every product has made viral vectored vaccines the technology of choice for rapid development of vaccines against emerging diseases and for 'personalised' cancer vaccines where there is an absolute need to reduce time to the patient from months to weeks or days. Here we review the recent developments in viral vector technologies, focusing on novel vectors based on primate derived Adenoviruses and Poxviruses, Rhabdoviruses, Paramixoviruses, Arenaviruses and Herpesviruses. We describe the rationale for, immunologic mechanisms involved in, and design of viral vectored gene vaccines under development and discuss the potential utility of these novel genetic vaccine approaches in eliciting protection against infectious diseases and cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emanuele Sasso
- Nouscom srl, Via di Castel Romano 100, 00128 Rome, Italy; Ceinge-Biotecnologie Avanzate S.C. A.R.L., via Gaetano Salvatore 486, 80145 Naples, Italy.
| | | | - Nicola Zambrano
- Ceinge-Biotecnologie Avanzate S.C. A.R.L., via Gaetano Salvatore 486, 80145 Naples, Italy; Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University Federico II, Via Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy.
| | | | | | - Alfredo Nicosia
- Ceinge-Biotecnologie Avanzate S.C. A.R.L., via Gaetano Salvatore 486, 80145 Naples, Italy; Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University Federico II, Via Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy.
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15
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Cao J, Zhang G, Zhou M, Liu Y, Xiao G, Wang W. Characterizing the Lassa Virus Envelope Glycoprotein Membrane Proximal External Region for Its Role in Fusogenicity. Virol Sin 2020; 36:273-280. [PMID: 32897505 DOI: 10.1007/s12250-020-00286-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2020] [Accepted: 07/22/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The membrane-proximal external region (MPER) of Lassa virus (LASV) glycoprotein complex (GPC) is critical in modulating its functionality. Till now, the high-resolution structure of the intact GPC, including MPER is not available. In this study, we used alanine substitution to scan all 16 residues located in LASV MPER. Western blotting and quantification fusion assay showed that the residues located at the C terminus of the HR2 (M414 and L415) and N terminus of the MPER (K417 and Y419) are critical for GPC-mediated membrane fusion function. Furthermore, cell surface biotinylation experiments revealed that M414A, K417A and Y419A expressed similar levels as WT, whereas L415A mutant led to a reduction of mature GPC on the cell surface. Moreover, substitution of these residues with the similar residue such as M414L, L415I, K417R and Y419F would partly compensate the loss of the fusion activity caused by the alanine mutant in these sites. Results from this study showed that several key residues in the MPER region are indispensable to promote the conformational changes that drive fusion events and shed light on the structure analysis of LASV GPC and anti-LASV therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junyuan Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China.,University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Guangshun Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China.,College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300353, China
| | - Minmin Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China.,University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Yang Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China.,University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Gengfu Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China. .,University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.
| | - Wei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China. .,University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.
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16
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Sudhakar H, Bhate J, Patra AK. Patent landscape of novel technologies for combating category-A Arenavirus infections. Expert Opin Ther Pat 2020; 30:557-565. [PMID: 32274944 DOI: 10.1080/13543776.2020.1755255] [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] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Arenavirus are unique category-A pathogens that are also classified as Orphan diseases. Very few options exist currently for treating Viral Hemorrhagic Fever (VHF) caused by viruses belonging to the Arenaviridae family [1]. The current review provides detailed patent landscape and a description of selected technologies developed for combating category-A Arenavirus. Currently, Arenavirus infections are epidemic [2] but could cause widespread pandemics due to ease of dissemination and lack of immunity against these viruses. AREAS COVERED The key strings for selected Arenavirus VHF were run separately in MCPaIRS®, PatSeer, and Questel database. The search was limited to Title, Abstract and Claim fields; one member per patent family was considered for analysis. EXPERT OPINION Synthetic molecules dominate the patent landscape, while natural products have not been extensively claimed for the treatment of Arenavirus infection. The broad-spectrum activity has been highly desired for Arenavirus treatment, but few reports have experimentally tested it. With each year, a constant increase in number of patents published is seen, while the maximum number of applications was filed in 2017. The research in VHF is driven by public funds; the maximum numbers of patents were filed by publicly funded organizations.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jignesh Bhate
- Molecular Connections Private Limited , Bengaluru, India
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17
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Iannetta M, Di Caro A, Nicastri E, Vairo F, Masanja H, Kobinger G, Mirazimi A, Ntoumi F, Zumla A, Ippolito G. Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers Other than Ebola and Lassa. Infect Dis Clin North Am 2020; 33:977-1002. [PMID: 31668201 DOI: 10.1016/j.idc.2019.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Viral hemorrhagic fevers represent a group of diseases caused by enveloped RNA viruses. The epidemiology is broadly variable, ranging from geographically localized to more diffuse infections. Viral hemorrhagic fevers are classified as category A bioweapon agents by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Viral hemorrhagic fevers are severe febrile illnesses with hemorrhagic phenomena. Laboratory diagnosis takes place in highly specialized reference laboratories. Treatment is essentially supportive. In this article, we focus the attention on yellow fever and viral hemorrhagic fevers other than Ebola and Lassa virus diseases that have been described elsewhere in this issue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Iannetta
- National Institute for Infectious Diseases, Lazzaro Spallanzani, IRCCS, Via Portuense 292, Rome 00149, Italy
| | - Antonino Di Caro
- National Institute for Infectious Diseases, Lazzaro Spallanzani, IRCCS, Via Portuense 292, Rome 00149, Italy
| | - Emanuele Nicastri
- National Institute for Infectious Diseases, Lazzaro Spallanzani, IRCCS, Via Portuense 292, Rome 00149, Italy
| | - Francesco Vairo
- National Institute for Infectious Diseases, Lazzaro Spallanzani, IRCCS, Via Portuense 292, Rome 00149, Italy
| | - Honorati Masanja
- Ifakara Health Institute, Ifakara Health Research and Development Centre, Kiko Avenue, Plot N 463, Mikocheni, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Gary Kobinger
- Centre de Recherche en Infectiologie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Québec, Université Laval, 2325 Rue de l'Université, Quebec City, Quebec G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Ali Mirazimi
- Division of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Alfred Nobels Alle 8 Plan 7, Stockholm 14183, Sweden
| | - Francine Ntoumi
- Université Marien NGouabi, Fondation Congolaise pour la Recherche Médicale (FCRM), Villa D6, Campus OMS//AFRO Djoué, Brazzaville, Congo; Institute for Tropical Medicine, University of Tübingen, Germany
| | - Alimuddin Zumla
- Center for Clinical Microbiology, University College London, Royal Free Campus 2nd Floor, Rowland Hill Street, London NW3 2PF, United Kingdom
| | - Giuseppe Ippolito
- National Institute for Infectious Diseases, Lazzaro Spallanzani, IRCCS, Via Portuense 292, Rome 00149, Italy.
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18
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de Feo M, De Leo C, Romeo U, Muti P, Blandino G, Di Agostino S. Arenavirus as a potential etiological agent of odontogenic tumours in humans. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2020; 39:34. [PMID: 32041643 PMCID: PMC7011367 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-020-1540-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2019] [Accepted: 02/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Odontogenic tumors (OT) are considered rare events and their epidemiologic data are scarce and under-estimated in developing countries because there is no systematic collection of clinical features including histological analyses of the tissue samples. Furthermore, there is an underestimation of the disease relevance and affected people are often marginalized in spite of severe functional impairment of aero-digestive tract. Etiology of OT in humans is still unknown and it represents an important therapeutic and diagnostic challenge. Lassa fever is an acute viral haemorrhagic illness caused by Lassa virus, a member of the arenavirus family of viruses. The disease is endemic in the rodent population in West-East Africa. Humans usually become infected with Lassa virus through exposure to the food or household items contaminated with urine or feces of infected rats. It is also reported person-to-person infections. About 80% of people infected by Lassa virus have no symptoms but the virus establishes a life-long persistent infection. The present commentary significance is to start, for the first time ever, a systematic collection of clinical features and tissue sample collection at the St. Mary’s Hospital in Lacor (Gulu) North Uganda where the considered pathologies have an important frequency. The systematic collection will allow to corroborate the possible association between arenaviruses infection and pathogenesis of odontogenic tumors in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco de Feo
- Department of Odontostomatological and Maxillo Facial Sciences, University of Rome La Sapienza, 00161, Rome, Italy.,Dental practioner and oral surgeon volunteer at Saint Mary's Hospital, Lacor, Gulu, Uganda
| | - Cristina De Leo
- Clinical and Microbiological Chemical Analysis Laboratory, IRCCS Istituto Dermopatico dell'Immacolata-IDI, 00167, Rome, Italy
| | - Umberto Romeo
- Department of Odontostomatological and Maxillo Facial Sciences, University of Rome La Sapienza, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Paola Muti
- Department of Biomedical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, University of Milan La Statale, 20122, Milan, Italy
| | - Giovanni Blandino
- Oncogenomic and Epigenetic Unit, Department of Diagnostic Research and Technological Innovation, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, 00144, Rome, Italy
| | - Silvia Di Agostino
- Oncogenomic and Epigenetic Unit, Department of Diagnostic Research and Technological Innovation, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, 00144, Rome, Italy.
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Takamatsu Y, Kajikawa J, Muramoto Y, Nakano M, Noda T. Microtubule-dependent transport of arenavirus matrix protein demonstrated using live-cell imaging microscopy. Microscopy (Oxf) 2019; 68:450-456. [PMID: 31722015 DOI: 10.1093/jmicro/dfz034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [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: 07/02/2019] [Revised: 08/07/2019] [Accepted: 08/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Lassa virus (LASV), belonging to the family Arenaviridae, causes severe haemorrhagic manifestations and is associated with a high mortality rate in humans. Thus, it is classified as a biosafety level (BSL)-4 agent. Since countermeasures for LASV diseases are yet to be developed, it is important to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying the life cycle of the virus, including its viral and host cellular protein interactions. These underlying molecular mechanisms may serve as the key for developing novel therapeutic options. Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV), a close relative of LASV, is usually asymptomatic and is categorized as a BSL-2 agent. In the present study, we visualized the transport of viral matrix Z protein in LCMV-infected cells using live-cell imaging microscopy. We demonstrated that the transport of Z protein is mediated by polymerized microtubules. Interestingly, the transport of LASV Z protein showed characteristics similar to those of Z protein in LCMV-infected cells. The live-cell imaging system using LCMV provides an attractive surrogate measure for studying arenavirus matrix protein transport in BSL-2 laboratories. In addition, it could be also utilized to analyze the interactions between viral matrix proteins and the cellular cytoskeleton, as well as to evaluate the antiviral compounds that target the transport of viral matrix proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuki Takamatsu
- Laboratory of Ultrastructural Virology, Institute for Frontier Life and Medical Sciences, Kyoto University, Japan.,Institut für Virologie, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Germany
| | - Junichi Kajikawa
- Laboratory of Ultrastructural Virology, Institute for Frontier Life and Medical Sciences, Kyoto University, Japan
| | - Yukiko Muramoto
- Laboratory of Ultrastructural Virology, Institute for Frontier Life and Medical Sciences, Kyoto University, Japan
| | - Masahiro Nakano
- Laboratory of Ultrastructural Virology, Institute for Frontier Life and Medical Sciences, Kyoto University, Japan
| | - Takeshi Noda
- Laboratory of Ultrastructural Virology, Institute for Frontier Life and Medical Sciences, Kyoto University, Japan
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20
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Pan X, Wu Y, Wang W, Zhang L, Xiao G. Development of horse neutralizing immunoglobulin and immunoglobulin fragments against Junín virus. Antiviral Res 2019; 174:104666. [PMID: 31760108 PMCID: PMC7114285 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2019.104666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2019] [Revised: 11/18/2019] [Accepted: 11/20/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Argentine haemorrhagic fever (AHF) is a rodent-borne disease with a lethality as high as ~30%, which is caused by the New World arenavirus, Junín virus (JUNV). It was once a major epidemic in South America and puts millions of people in Argentina at risk. Here, we aimed to develop horse antibodies or antibody fragments against JUNV. Before preparing the horse antibodies, a strategy to efficiently generate horse antisera was established based on comparisons among immunogens and immunization methods in both mice and horses. Antisera against JUNV were finally obtained by vaccinating horses with vesicular stomatitis virus pseudotypes bearing JUNV GP. The horse antibodies IgG and F(ab’)2 were subsequently demonstrated to effectively neutralize vesicular stomatitis virus pseudotypes bearing JUNV GP and to show some cross-neutralization against pathogenic New World arenaviruses. Further research revealed that Asp123 on GP1 is an important site for the binding of antibodies targeting mainly JUNV GP1 for neutralization. Collectively, this study presents an efficient strategy to develop horse antisera against JUNV and provides GP1-specific horse antibodies as potential therapeutics for AHF. Junín pseudo-typed virus efficiently stimulates neutralizing antibodies in mice and horses. Horse immunoglobulin and immunoglobulin fragments potentially neutralize Junín virus. Horse antibodies show some cross-neutralization against the pathogenic New World arenaviruses. Asp123 is an important site on glycoprotein 1 for the binding of horse neutralizing antibodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyan Pan
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Yan Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Wei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China; University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100039, China
| | - Leike Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China; University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100039, China
| | - Gengfu Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China; University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100039, China.
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Plewe MB, Whitby LR, Naik S, Brown ER, Sokolova NV, Gantla VR, York J, Nunberg JH, Zhang L, Kalveram B, Freiberg AN, Boger DL, Henkel G, McCormack K. SAR studies of 4-acyl-1,6-dialkylpiperazin-2-one arenavirus cell entry inhibitors. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2019; 29:126620. [PMID: 31537423 PMCID: PMC6803051 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2019.08.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [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: 04/20/2019] [Revised: 08/10/2019] [Accepted: 08/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Old World (Africa) and New World (South America) arenaviruses are associated with human hemorrhagic fevers. Efforts to develop small molecule therapeutics have yielded several chemical series including the 4-acyl-1,6-dialkylpiperazin-2-ones. Herein, we describe an extensive exploration of this chemotype. In initial Phase I studies, R1 and R4 scanning libraries were assayed to identify potent substituents against Old World (Lassa) virus. In subsequent Phase II studies, R6 substituents and iterative R1, R4 and R6 substituent combinations were evaluated to obtain compounds with improved Lassa and New World (Machupo, Junin, and Tacaribe) arenavirus inhibitory activity, in vitro human liver microsome metabolic stability and aqueous solubility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael B Plewe
- Arisan Therapeutics, 11189 Sorrento Valley Rd, Suite 104, San Diego, CA 92054, United States
| | - Landon R Whitby
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, United States
| | - Shibani Naik
- Arisan Therapeutics, 11189 Sorrento Valley Rd, Suite 104, San Diego, CA 92054, United States
| | - Eric R Brown
- Arisan Therapeutics, 11189 Sorrento Valley Rd, Suite 104, San Diego, CA 92054, United States
| | - Nadezda V Sokolova
- Arisan Therapeutics, 11189 Sorrento Valley Rd, Suite 104, San Diego, CA 92054, United States
| | - Vidyasagar Reddy Gantla
- Arisan Therapeutics, 11189 Sorrento Valley Rd, Suite 104, San Diego, CA 92054, United States
| | - Joanne York
- Montana Biotechnology Center, The University of Montana, Missoula, MT 59812, United States
| | - Jack H Nunberg
- Montana Biotechnology Center, The University of Montana, Missoula, MT 59812, United States
| | - Lihong Zhang
- Department of Pathology, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, United States
| | - Birte Kalveram
- Department of Pathology, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, United States
| | - Alexander N Freiberg
- Department of Pathology, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, United States; Center for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, United States
| | - Dale L Boger
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, United States; The Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, United States
| | - Greg Henkel
- Arisan Therapeutics, 11189 Sorrento Valley Rd, Suite 104, San Diego, CA 92054, United States
| | - Ken McCormack
- Arisan Therapeutics, 11189 Sorrento Valley Rd, Suite 104, San Diego, CA 92054, United States.
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22
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Freije CA, Myhrvold C, Boehm CK, Lin AE, Welch NL, Carter A, Metsky HC, Luo CY, Abudayyeh OO, Gootenberg JS, Yozwiak NL, Zhang F, Sabeti PC. Programmable Inhibition and Detection of RNA Viruses Using Cas13. Mol Cell 2019; 76:826-837.e11. [PMID: 31607545 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2019.09.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 218] [Impact Index Per Article: 43.6] [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: 04/16/2019] [Revised: 07/18/2019] [Accepted: 09/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
The CRISPR effector Cas13 could be an effective antiviral for single-stranded RNA (ssRNA) viruses because it programmably cleaves RNAs complementary to its CRISPR RNA (crRNA). Here, we computationally identify thousands of potential Cas13 crRNA target sites in hundreds of ssRNA viral species that can potentially infect humans. We experimentally demonstrate Cas13's potent activity against three distinct ssRNA viruses: lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV); influenza A virus (IAV); and vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV). Combining this antiviral activity with Cas13-based diagnostics, we develop Cas13-assisted restriction of viral expression and readout (CARVER), an end-to-end platform that uses Cas13 to detect and destroy viral RNA. We further screen hundreds of crRNAs along the LCMV genome to evaluate how conservation and target RNA nucleotide content influence Cas13's antiviral activity. Our results demonstrate that Cas13 can be harnessed to target a wide range of ssRNA viruses and CARVER's potential broad utility for rapid diagnostic and antiviral drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine A Freije
- Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; PhD Program in Virology, Division of Medical Sciences, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
| | - Cameron Myhrvold
- Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA.
| | - Chloe K Boehm
- Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Aaron E Lin
- Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; PhD Program in Virology, Division of Medical Sciences, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Nicole L Welch
- Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; PhD Program in Virology, Division of Medical Sciences, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Amber Carter
- Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Hayden C Metsky
- Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, MIT, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Cynthia Y Luo
- Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Omar O Abudayyeh
- Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; McGovern Institute for Brain Research, MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Department of Brain and Cognitive Science, MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Department of Biological Engineering, MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Department of Health Sciences and Technology, MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Jonathan S Gootenberg
- Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; McGovern Institute for Brain Research, MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Department of Brain and Cognitive Science, MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Department of Biological Engineering, MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Nathan L Yozwiak
- Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Feng Zhang
- Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; McGovern Institute for Brain Research, MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Department of Brain and Cognitive Science, MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Department of Biological Engineering, MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI), Chevy Chase, MD 20815, USA
| | - Pardis C Sabeti
- Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; PhD Program in Virology, Division of Medical Sciences, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI), Chevy Chase, MD 20815, USA; Department of Immunology and Infectious Disease, T.H. Chan Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
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23
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Leske A, Waßmann I, Schnepel K, Shifflett K, Holzerland J, Bostedt L, Bohn P, Mettenleiter TC, Briggiler AM, Brignone J, Enria D, Cordo SM, Hoenen T, Groseth A. Assessing cross-reactivity of Junín virus-directed neutralizing antibodies. Antiviral Res 2019; 163:106-16. [PMID: 30668977 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2019.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2018] [Revised: 12/21/2018] [Accepted: 01/11/2019] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Arenaviruses cause several viral hemorrhagic fevers endemic to Africa and South America. The respective causative agents are classified as biosafety level (BSL) 4 pathogens. Unlike for most other BSL4 agents, for the New World arenavirus Junín virus (JUNV) both a highly effective vaccination (Candid#1) and a post-exposure treatment, based on convalescent plasma transfer, are available. In particular, neutralizing antibodies (nAbs) represent a key protective determinant in JUNV infection, which is supported by the correlation between successful passive antibody therapy and the levels of nAbs administered. Unfortunately, comparable resources for the management of other closely related arenavirus infections are not available. Given the significant challenges inherent in studying BSL4 pathogens, our goal was to first assess the suitability of a JUNV transcription and replication-competent virus-like particle (trVLP) system for measuring virus neutralization under BSL1/2 conditions. Indeed, we could show that infection with JUNV trVLPs is glycoprotein (GP) dependent, that trVLP input has a direct correlation to reporter readout, and that these trVLPs can be neutralized by human serum with kinetics similar to those obtained using authentic virus. These properties make trVLPs suitable for use as a proxy for virus in neutralization assays. Using this platform we then evaluated the potential of JUNV nAbs to cross-neutralize entry mediated by GPs from other arenaviruses using JUNV (strain Romero)-based trVLPs bearing GPs either from other JUNV strains, other closely related New World arenaviruses (e.g. Tacaribe, Machupo, Sabiá), or the distantly related Lassa virus. While nAbs against the JUNV vaccine strain are also active against a range of other JUNV strains, they appear to have little or no capacity to neutralize other arenavirus species, suggesting that therapy with whole plasma directed against another species is unlikely to be successful and that the targeted development of cross-specific monoclonal antibody-based resources is likely needed. Such efforts will be supported by the availability of this BSL1/2 screening platform which provides a rapid and easy means to characterize the potency and reactivity of anti-arenavirus neutralizing antibodies against a range of arenavirus species.
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24
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Saez-Ayala M, Laban Yekwa E, Mondielli C, Roux L, Hernández S, Bailly F, Cotelle P, Rogolino D, Canard B, Ferron F, Alvarez K. Metal chelators for the inhibition of the lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus endonuclease domain. Antiviral Res 2018; 162:79-89. [PMID: 30557576 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2018.12.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2018] [Revised: 12/03/2018] [Accepted: 12/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Arenaviridae is a viral family whose members are associated with rodent-transmitted infections to humans responsible of severe diseases. The current lack of a vaccine and limited therapeutic options make the development of efficacious drugs of high priority. The cap-snatching mechanism of transcription of Arenavirus performed by the endonuclease domain of the L-protein is unique and essential, so we developed a drug design program targeting the endonuclease activity of the prototypic Lymphocytic ChorioMeningitis Virus. Since the endonuclease activity is metal ion dependent, we designed a library of compounds bearing chelating motifs (diketo acids, polyphenols, and N-hydroxyisoquinoline-1,3-diones) able to block the catalytic center through the chelation of the critical metal ions, resulting in a functional impairment. We pre-screened 59 compounds by Differential Scanning Fluorimetry. Then, we characterized the binding affinity by Microscale Thermophoresis and evaluated selected compounds in in vitro and in cellula assays. We found several potent binders and inhibitors of the endonuclease activity. This study validates the proof of concept that the endonuclease domain of Arenavirus can be used as a target for anti-arena-viral drug discovery and that both diketo acids and N-hydroxyisoquinoline-1,3-diones can be considered further as potential metal-chelating pharmacophores.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magali Saez-Ayala
- Aix-Marseille Université, CNRS UMR 7257, Architecture et Fonction des Macromolécules Biologiques, 163 avenue de Luminy, 13288, Marseille, France; Aix-Marseille Université, CRCM, INSERM U1068, CNRS UMR7258, 13273, Marseille, France
| | - Elsie Laban Yekwa
- Aix-Marseille Université, CNRS UMR 7257, Architecture et Fonction des Macromolécules Biologiques, 163 avenue de Luminy, 13288, Marseille, France; Division of Medical Virology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Tygerberg, South Africa
| | - Clémence Mondielli
- Aix-Marseille Université, CNRS UMR 7257, Architecture et Fonction des Macromolécules Biologiques, 163 avenue de Luminy, 13288, Marseille, France
| | - Loic Roux
- Aix-Marseille Université, CNRS UMR 7257, Architecture et Fonction des Macromolécules Biologiques, 163 avenue de Luminy, 13288, Marseille, France; Department of Physiology Anatomy and Genetics, Oxford University, Oxford, UK
| | - Sergio Hernández
- Aix-Marseille Université, CNRS UMR 7257, Architecture et Fonction des Macromolécules Biologiques, 163 avenue de Luminy, 13288, Marseille, France
| | - Fabrice Bailly
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, UMR-S 1172 - JPArc - Centre de Recherche Jean-Pierre Aubert Neurosciences et Cancer, F-59000, Lille, France
| | - Philippe Cotelle
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, UMR-S 1172 - JPArc - Centre de Recherche Jean-Pierre Aubert Neurosciences et Cancer, F-59000, Lille, France; ENSCL, F-59000, Lille, France
| | - Dominga Rogolino
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, della Vita e della Sostenibilità Ambientale, Università di Parma, Parma, P.co Area delle Scienze 17/A, Parma, Italy
| | - Bruno Canard
- Aix-Marseille Université, CNRS UMR 7257, Architecture et Fonction des Macromolécules Biologiques, 163 avenue de Luminy, 13288, Marseille, France
| | - François Ferron
- Aix-Marseille Université, CNRS UMR 7257, Architecture et Fonction des Macromolécules Biologiques, 163 avenue de Luminy, 13288, Marseille, France
| | - Karine Alvarez
- Aix-Marseille Université, CNRS UMR 7257, Architecture et Fonction des Macromolécules Biologiques, 163 avenue de Luminy, 13288, Marseille, France.
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25
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Tang K, He S, Zhang X, Guo J, Chen Q, Yan F, Banadyga L, Zhu W, Qiu X, Guo Y. Tangeretin, an extract from Citrus peels, blocks cellular entry of arenaviruses that cause viral hemorrhagic fever. Antiviral Res 2018; 160:87-93. [PMID: 30339847 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2018.10.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [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: 06/29/2018] [Revised: 10/03/2018] [Accepted: 10/09/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The family Arenaviridae consists of numerous enveloped RNA viruses with ambisense coding strategies. Eight arenaviruses, including Lassa virus, are known to cause severe and fatal viral hemorrhagic fever (VHF) in humans, yet vaccines and treatments for disease caused by arenaviruses are very limited. In this study, we screened a natural product library consisting of 131 compounds and identified tangeretin, a polymethoxylated flavone widely present in citrus fruit peels, as a Lassa virus entry inhibitor that blocks viral fusion. Further analyses demonstrated the efficacy of tangeretin against seven other VHF-causing arenaviruses, suggesting that this compound, which has a history of medical usage, could be used to develop an effective therapeutic to treat infection and disease caused by Lassa virus and related viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ke Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China; Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Shihua He
- Special Pathogens Program, National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3E 3R2, Canada
| | - Xiaoyu Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China; Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Jiamei Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China; Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Qing Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China; Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Feihu Yan
- Special Pathogens Program, National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3E 3R2, Canada; Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3E 0J9, Canada; Key Laboratory of Jilin Province for Zoonosis Prevention and Control, Institute of Military Veterinary, Academy of Military Medical Science, Changchun, 130122, China
| | - Logan Banadyga
- Special Pathogens Program, National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3E 3R2, Canada
| | - Wenjun Zhu
- Special Pathogens Program, National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3E 3R2, Canada
| | - Xiangguo Qiu
- Special Pathogens Program, National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3E 3R2, Canada; Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3E 0J9, Canada.
| | - Ying Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China; Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China.
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26
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Dunham EC, Leske A, Shifflett K, Watt A, Feldmann H, Hoenen T, Groseth A. Lifecycle modelling systems support inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase (IMPDH) as a pro-viral factor and antiviral target for New World arenaviruses. Antiviral Res 2018; 157:140-150. [PMID: 30031760 PMCID: PMC11099991 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2018.07.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2018] [Revised: 06/14/2018] [Accepted: 07/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Infection with Junín virus (JUNV) is currently being effectively managed in the endemic region using a combination of targeted vaccination and plasma therapy. However, the long-term sustainability of plasma therapy is unclear and similar resources are not available for other New World arenaviruses. As a result, there has been renewed interest regarding the potential of drug-based therapies. To facilitate work on this issue, we present the establishment and subsequent optimization of a JUNV minigenome system to a degree suitable for high-throughput miniaturization, thereby providing a screening platform focused solely on factors affecting RNA synthesis. Using this tool, we conducted a limited drug library screen and identified AVN-944, a non-competitive inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase (IMPDH) inhibitor, as an inhibitor of arenavirus RNA synthesis. We further developed a transcription and replication competent virus-like particle (trVLP) system based on these minigenomes and used it to screen siRNAs against IMPDH, verifying its role in supporting arenavirus RNA synthesis. The antiviral effect of AVN-944, as well as siRNA inhibition, on JUNV RNA synthesis supports that, despite playing only a minor role in the activity of ribavirin, exclusive IMPDH inhibitors may indeed have significant therapeutic potential for use against New World arenaviruses. Finally, we confirmed that AVN-944 is also active against arenavirus infection in cell culture, supporting the suitability of arenavirus lifecycle modelling systems as tools for the screening and identification, as well as the mechanistic characterization, of novel antiviral compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric C Dunham
- Laboratory of Virology, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Hamilton, MT, USA.
| | - Anne Leske
- Junior Research Group Arenavirus Biology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald, Insel Riems, Germany.
| | - Kyle Shifflett
- Laboratory of Virology, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Hamilton, MT, USA.
| | - Ari Watt
- Laboratory of Virology, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Hamilton, MT, USA.
| | - Heinz Feldmann
- Laboratory of Virology, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Hamilton, MT, USA.
| | - Thomas Hoenen
- Laboratory of Virology, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Hamilton, MT, USA; Institute of Molecular Virology and Cell Biology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald, Insel Riems, Germany.
| | - Allison Groseth
- Laboratory of Virology, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Hamilton, MT, USA; Junior Research Group Arenavirus Biology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald, Insel Riems, Germany.
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27
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Huang Q, Shao J, Liang Y, Ly H. Assays to Demonstrate the Roles of Arenaviral Nucleoproteins (NPs) in Viral RNA Synthesis and in Suppressing Type I Interferon. Methods Mol Biol 2018; 1604:189-200. [PMID: 28986834 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-6981-4_13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register]
Abstract
Arenaviruses, such as Lassa virus (LASV) and Pichindé virus (PICV), are enveloped viruses with a bi-segmented ambisense RNA genome. The large (L) genomic segment encodes the Z matrix protein and the L RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, whereas the small (S) genomic segment encodes the nucleoprotein (NP) and the glycoprotein (GPC). The NP encapsidates viral genome, is required for viral transcription and replication, and acts as a type I interferon (IFN) antagonist. This article describes assays to demonstrate that NP contains 3'-5' exoribonuclease (RNase) activity to degrade modeled RNA of the pathogen-associated molecular pattern type and suppresses the IFNβ promoter-driven luciferase reporter gene. The minigenomic (MG) assay is used to assess the role of NP in replicating and transcribing a viral promoter-driven luciferase reporter gene. These powerful assays demonstrate the versatility of NP in mediating viral replication as well as in modulating host innate immune responses.
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28
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Abstract
Due to their inability to generate a complete immune response, mice knockout for type I interferon (IFN) receptors (Ifnar–/–) are more susceptible to viral infections, and are thus commonly used for pathogenesis studies. This mouse model has been used to study many diseases caused by highly pathogenic viruses from many families, including the Flaviviridae, Filoviridae, Arenaviridae, Bunyaviridae, Henipaviridae, and Togaviridae. In this review, we summarize the findings from these animal studies, and discuss the pros and cons of using this model versus other known methods for studying pathogenesis in animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gary Wong
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Immunity, State Key Discipline of Infectious Disease, Shenzhen Third People's Hospital, Shenzhen Guangzhou 518020, China. .,Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.,Special Pathogens Program, National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3E 3R2, Canada.,Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3E 0J9, Canada
| | - Xiang-Guo Qiu
- Special Pathogens Program, National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3E 3R2, Canada.,Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3E 0J9, Canada
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29
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Fernandes J, de Oliveira RC, Guterres A, Barreto-Vieira DF, Terças ACP, Teixeira BR, da Silva MAN, Caldas GC, de Oliveira Coelho JMC, Barth OM, D'Andrea PS, Bonvicino CR, de Lemos ERS. Detection of Latino virus (Arenaviridae: Mamm arenavirus) naturally infecting Calomys callidus. Acta Trop 2018; 179:17-24. [PMID: 29217383 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2017.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2017] [Revised: 11/27/2017] [Accepted: 12/02/2017] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Mammarenavirus species are associated with a specific rodent host species, although an increasing number of virus has been associated to more than one host, suggesting that co-evolution is less robust than initially thought. There are few eco-epidemiological studies of South America mammarenaviruses in non-endemic areas of Arenavirus Hemorrhagic Fever, affecting specially our current knowledge about animal reservoirs and virus range and host-virus relations. In Brazil, seven arenavirus species were described in seven different rodent species. Here in we describe a new rodent reservoir species in Brazil related to the previously described Latino mammarenavirus (LATV) MARU strain. Samples of 148 rodents from Mato Grosso state, Brazil were analyzed. Amplification of the glycoprotein precursor gene (GPC) was observed in six Calomys callidus rodents. According to phylogenetic inferences, is observed a well-supported monophyletic clade of LATV from C. callidus and other Clade C mammarenavirus. In addition, the phylogenetic relations of both genes showed a close relation between LATV MARU and Capão Seco strains, two distinct lineages. Additionally, the results obtained in this study point out to a change of scenario and in previously stabilized patterns in the dynamics of South American mammarenaviruses, showing that with more studies in AHF non-endemic or silent areas, more potential hosts for this virus will be discovered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorlan Fernandes
- Laboratório de Hantaviroses e Rickettsioses, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, CEP 21040-360 RJ, Brazil.
| | - Renata Carvalho de Oliveira
- Laboratório de Hantaviroses e Rickettsioses, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, CEP 21040-360 RJ, Brazil
| | - Alexandro Guterres
- Laboratório de Hantaviroses e Rickettsioses, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, CEP 21040-360 RJ, Brazil
| | - Débora Ferreira Barreto-Vieira
- Laboratório de Morfologia e Morfogênese Viral, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, CEP 21040-360 RJ, Brazil
| | | | - Bernardo Rodrigues Teixeira
- Laboratório de Biologia e Parasitologia de Mamíferos Silvestres Reservatórios, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, CEP 21040-360 RJ, Brazil
| | - Marcos Alexandre Nunes da Silva
- Laboratório de Morfologia e Morfogênese Viral, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, CEP 21040-360 RJ, Brazil
| | - Gabriela Cardoso Caldas
- Laboratório de Morfologia e Morfogênese Viral, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, CEP 21040-360 RJ, Brazil
| | | | - Ortrud Monika Barth
- Laboratório de Morfologia e Morfogênese Viral, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, CEP 21040-360 RJ, Brazil
| | - Paulo Sergio D'Andrea
- Laboratório de Biologia e Parasitologia de Mamíferos Silvestres Reservatórios, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, CEP 21040-360 RJ, Brazil
| | - Cibele Rodrigues Bonvicino
- Laboratório de Biologia e Parasitologia de Mamíferos Silvestres Reservatórios, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, CEP 21040-360 RJ, Brazil; Instituto Nacional do Câncer - INCA, Rio de Janeiro, CEP 20230-092 RJ, Brazil
| | - Elba Regina Sampaio de Lemos
- Laboratório de Hantaviroses e Rickettsioses, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, CEP 21040-360 RJ, Brazil.
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Mariën J, Sluydts V, Borremans B, Gryseels S, Vanden Broecke B, Sabuni CA, Katakweba AAS, Mulungu LS, Günther S, de Bellocq JG, Massawe AW, Leirs H. Arenavirus infection correlates with lower survival of its natural rodent host in a long-term capture-mark-recapture study. Parasit Vectors 2018; 11:90. [PMID: 29422075 PMCID: PMC5806307 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-018-2674-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2017] [Accepted: 01/24/2018] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Parasite evolution is hypothesized to select for levels of parasite virulence that maximise transmission success. When host population densities fluctuate, low levels of virulence with limited impact on the host are expected, as this should increase the likelihood of surviving periods of low host density. We examined the effects of Morogoro arenavirus on the survival and recapture probability of multimammate mice (Mastomys natalensis) using a seven-year capture-mark-recapture time series. Mastomys natalensis is the natural host of Morogoro virus and is known for its strong seasonal density fluctuations. RESULTS Antibody presence was negatively correlated with survival probability (effect size: 5-8% per month depending on season) but positively with recapture probability (effect size: 8%). CONCLUSIONS The small negative correlation between host survival probability and antibody presence suggests that either the virus has a negative effect on host condition, or that hosts with lower survival probability are more likely to obtain Morogoro virus infection, for example due to particular behavioural or immunological traits. The latter hypothesis is supported by the positive correlation between antibody status and recapture probability which suggests that risky behaviour might increase the probability of becoming infected.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joachim Mariën
- Evolutionary Ecology Group, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Vincent Sluydts
- Evolutionary Ecology Group, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Benny Borremans
- Evolutionary Ecology Group, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, USA
- Interuniversity Institute for Biostatistics and statistical Bioinformatics (I-BIOSTAT), Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Sophie Gryseels
- Evolutionary Ecology Group, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Arizona, Tucson, USA
| | | | | | | | - Loth S. Mulungu
- Pest Management Center, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania
| | - Stephan Günther
- Bernhard-Nocht-Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Joëlle Goüy de Bellocq
- Institute of Vertebrate Biology, Research Facility Studenec, The Czech Academy of Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Apia W. Massawe
- Pest Management Center, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania
| | - Herwig Leirs
- Evolutionary Ecology Group, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
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Gonzalez-Quintial R, Baccala R. Murine Models for Viral Hemorrhagic Fever. Methods Mol Biol 2018; 1604:257-267. [PMID: 28986841 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-6981-4_20] [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] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Hemorrhagic fever (HF) viruses, such as Lassa, Ebola, and dengue viruses, represent major human health risks due to their highly contagious nature, the severity of the clinical manifestations induced, the lack of vaccines, and the very limited therapeutic options currently available. Appropriate animal models are obviously critical to study disease pathogenesis and develop efficient therapies. We recently reported that the clone 13 (Cl13) variant of the lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV-Cl13), a prototype arenavirus closely related to Lassa virus, causes in some mouse strains endothelial damage, vascular leakage, platelet loss, and death, mimicking pathological aspects typically observed in Lassa and other HF syndromes. This model has the advantage that the mice used are fully immunocompetent, allowing studies on the contribution of the immune response to disease progression. Moreover, LCMV is very well characterized and exhibits limited pathogenicity in humans, allowing handling in convenient BSL-2 facilities. In this chapter we outline protocols for the induction and analysis of arenavirus-mediated pathogenesis in the NZB/LCMV model, including mouse infection, virus titer determination, platelet counting, phenotypic analysis of virus-specific T cells, and assessment of vascular permeability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosana Gonzalez-Quintial
- Department of Immunology and Microbial Science, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Roberto Baccala
- Department of Immunology and Microbial Science, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA.
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32
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Abstract
The smallest arenaviral protein is the zinc-finger protein (Z) that belongs to the RING finger protein family. Z serves as a main component required for virus budding from the membrane of the infected cells through self-oligomerization, a process that can be aided by the viral nucleoprotein (NP) to form the viral matrix of progeny virus particles. Z has also been shown to be essential for mediating viral transcriptional repression activity by locking the L polymerase onto the viral promoter in a catalytically inactive state, thus limiting viral replication. The Z protein has also recently been shown to inhibit the type I interferon-induction pathway by directly binding to the intracellular pathogen-sensor proteins RIG-I and MDA5, and thus inhibiting their normal functions. This chapter describes several assays used to examine the important roles of the arenaviral Z protein in mediating virus budding (i.e., either Z self-budding or NP-Z budding activities), viral transcriptional inhibition in a viral minigenome (MG) assay, and type I IFN suppression in an IFN-β promoter-mediated luciferase reporter assay.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junjie Shao
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities, 1988 Fitch Ave., 295 AS/VM Bldg, Saint Paul, MN, 55108, USA
| | - Yuying Liang
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities, 1988 Fitch Ave., 295 AS/VM Bldg, Saint Paul, MN, 55108, USA
| | - Hinh Ly
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities, 1988 Fitch Ave., 295 AS/VM Bldg, Saint Paul, MN, 55108, USA.
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Abstract
For many viruses that enter their target cells through pH-dependent fusion of the viral and endosomal membranes, cell-cell fusion assays can provide an experimental platform for investigating the structure-function relationships that promote envelope glycoprotein membrane-fusion activity. Typically, these assays employ effector cells expressing the recombinant envelope glycoprotein on the cell surface and target cells engineered to quantitatively report fusion with the effector cell. In the protocol described here, Vero cells are transfected with a plasmid encoding the arenavirus envelope glycoprotein complex GPC and infected with the vTF7-3 vaccinia virus expressing the bacteriophage T7 RNA polymerase. These effector cells are mixed with target cells infected with the vCB21R-lacZ vaccinia virus encoding a β-galactosidase reporter under the control of the T7 promoter. Cell-cell fusion is induced upon exposure to low-pH medium (pH 5.0), and the resultant expression of the β-galactosidase reporter is quantitated using a chemiluminescent substrate. We have utilized this robust microplate cell-cell fusion assay extensively to study arenavirus entry and its inhibition by small-molecule fusion inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanne York
- Montana Biotechnology Center, University of Montana, Science Complex Room 221, Missoula, MT, 59812, USA
| | - Jack H Nunberg
- Montana Biotechnology Center, University of Montana, Science Complex Room 221, Missoula, MT, 59812, USA.
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34
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Dhanwani R, Huang Q, Lan S, Zhou Y, Shao J, Liang Y, Ly H. Establishment of Bisegmented and Trisegmented Reverse Genetics Systems to Generate Recombinant Pichindé Viruses. Methods Mol Biol 2018; 1604:247-253. [PMID: 28986840 PMCID: PMC6367673 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-6981-4_19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
Abstract
Pichindé virus (PICV), isolated from rice rats in Colombia, South America, is an enveloped arenavirus with a bisegmented RNA genome. The large (L) genomic segment encodes the Z matrix protein and the L RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, whereas the small (S) genomic segment encodes the nucleoprotein (NP) and the glycoprotein (GPC). This article describes the successful development of reverse genetics systems to generate recombinant PICV with either a bisegmented or trisegmented genome. We have successfully demonstrated that these systems can generate high-titered and genetically stable replication-competent viruses from plasmid transfection into appropriate cell lines. These systems demonstrate the power and versatility of reverse genetic technology to generate recombinant arenaviruses for use in pathogenesis studies and as new viral vaccine vectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rekha Dhanwani
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, 1988 Fitch Ave., 295 AS/VM Bldg., Saint Paul, MN 55108, USA
| | - Qinfeng Huang
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, 1988 Fitch Ave., 295 AS/VM Bldg., Saint Paul, MN 55108, USA
| | - Shuiyun Lan
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, U.S.A
| | - Yanqing Zhou
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, 1988 Fitch Ave., 295 AS/VM Bldg., Saint Paul, MN 55108, USA
| | - Junjie Shao
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, 1988 Fitch Ave., 295 AS/VM Bldg., Saint Paul, MN 55108, USA
| | - Yuying Liang
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, 1988 Fitch Ave., 295 AS/VM Bldg., Saint Paul, MN 55108, USA
| | - Hinh Ly
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, 1988 Fitch Ave., 295 AS/VM Bldg., Saint Paul, MN 55108, USA
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Meyer B, Groseth A. Apoptosis during arenavirus infection: mechanisms and evasion strategies. Microbes Infect 2017; 20:65-80. [PMID: 29081359 DOI: 10.1016/j.micinf.2017.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2017] [Revised: 10/15/2017] [Accepted: 10/16/2017] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
In recent years there has been a greatly increased interest in the interactions of arenaviruses with the apoptotic machinery, and particularly the extent to which these interactions may be an important contributor to pathogenesis. Here we summarize the current state of our knowledge on this subject and address the potential for interplay with other immunological mechanisms known to be regulated by these viruses. We also compare and contrast what is known for arenavirus-induced apoptosis with observations from other segmented hemorrhagic fever viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bjoern Meyer
- Viral Populations and Pathogenesis Unit, Institut Pasteur, 28 rue du Dr. Roux, 75724 Paris cedex 15, France.
| | - Allison Groseth
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Südufer 10, 17493 Greifswald - Insel Riems, Germany
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36
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Shao J, Liu X, Liang Y, Ly H. Assays to Assess Arenaviral Glycoprotein Function. Methods Mol Biol 2018; 1604:169-78. [PMID: 28986832 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-6981-4_11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register]
Abstract
Arenaviruses, such as Lassa virus (LASV) and Pichindé virus (PICV), are enveloped viruses with a bi-segmented ambisense RNA genome. The large (L) genomic segment encodes the Z matrix protein and the L RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, whereas the small (S) genomic segment encodes the nucleoprotein (NP) and the glycoprotein precursor complex (GPC). GPC is processed by signal peptidase in the endoplasmic reticulum into the stable signal peptide (SSP) and GP1/GP2, which is further cleaved by the Golgi-resident subtilisin kexin isozyme-1 (SKI-1)/site-1 protease (S1P) into the cellular receptor-recognition subunit GP1 and the transmembrane subunit GP2, which helps promote the membrane fusion reaction to allow virus entry into the cell. This article describes assays to assess PICV GPC expression, proteolytic processing, fusion function, and GPC-mediated virus-like particle (VLP) entry into cells under tissue-culture conditions.
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37
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Mariën J, Borremans B, Gryseels S, Broecke BV, Becker-Ziaja B, Makundi R, Massawe A, Reijniers J, Leirs H. Arenavirus Dynamics in Experimentally and Naturally Infected Rodents. Ecohealth 2017; 14:463-473. [PMID: 28616660 DOI: 10.1007/s10393-017-1256-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2017] [Revised: 04/23/2017] [Accepted: 06/01/2017] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Infectious diseases of wildlife are typically studied using data on antibody and pathogen levels. In order to interpret these data, it is necessary to know the course of antibodies and pathogen levels after infection. Such data are typically collected using experimental infection studies in which host individuals are inoculated in the laboratory and sampled over an extended period, but because laboratory conditions are controlled and much less variable than natural conditions, the immune response and pathogen dynamics may differ. Here, we compared Morogoro arenavirus infection patterns between naturally and experimentally infected multimammate mice (Mastomys natalensis). Longitudinal samples were collected during three months of bi-weekly trapping in Morogoro, Tanzania, and antibody titer and viral RNA presence were determined. The time of infection was estimated from these data using a recently developed Bayesian approach, which allowed us to assess whether the natural temporal patterns match the previously observed patterns in the laboratory. A good match was found for 52% of naturally infected individuals, while most of the mismatches can be explained by the presence of chronically infected individuals (35%), maternal antibodies (10%), and an antibody detection limit (25%). These results suggest that while laboratory data are useful for interpreting field samples, there can still be differences due to conditions that were not tested in the laboratory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joachim Mariën
- Evolutionary Ecology Group, University of Antwerp, Campus Drie Eiken, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610, Wilrijk, Antwerp, Belgium.
| | - Benny Borremans
- Evolutionary Ecology Group, University of Antwerp, Campus Drie Eiken, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610, Wilrijk, Antwerp, Belgium
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Sophie Gryseels
- Evolutionary Ecology Group, University of Antwerp, Campus Drie Eiken, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610, Wilrijk, Antwerp, Belgium
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Bram Vanden Broecke
- Evolutionary Ecology Group, University of Antwerp, Campus Drie Eiken, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610, Wilrijk, Antwerp, Belgium
| | | | - Rhodes Makundi
- Pest Management Center, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania
| | - Apia Massawe
- Pest Management Center, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania
| | - Jonas Reijniers
- Evolutionary Ecology Group, University of Antwerp, Campus Drie Eiken, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610, Wilrijk, Antwerp, Belgium
- Department of Engineering Management, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Herwig Leirs
- Evolutionary Ecology Group, University of Antwerp, Campus Drie Eiken, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610, Wilrijk, Antwerp, Belgium
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38
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Iwasaki M, Sharma SM, Marro BS, de la Torre JC. Resistance of human plasmacytoid dendritic CAL-1 cells to infection with lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) is caused by restricted virus cell entry, which is overcome by contact of CAL-1 cells with LCMV-infected cells. Virology 2017; 511:106-113. [PMID: 28843812 DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2017.08.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [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: 06/08/2017] [Revised: 08/07/2017] [Accepted: 08/14/2017] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs), a main source of type I interferon in response to viral infection, are an early cell target during lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) infection, which has been associated with the LCMV's ability to establish chronic infections. Human blood-derived pDCs have been reported to be refractory to ex vivo LCMV infection. In the present study we show that human pDC CAL-1 cells are refractory to infection with cell-free LCMV, but highly susceptible to infection with recombinant LCMVs carrying the surface glycoprotein of VSV, indicating that LCMV infection of CAL-1 cells is restricted at the cell entry step. Co-culture of uninfected CAL-1 cells with LCMV-infected HEK293 cells enabled LCMV to infect CAL-1 cells. This cell-to-cell spread required direct cell-cell contact and did not involve exosome pathway. Our findings indicate the presence of a novel entry pathway utilized by LCMV to infect pDC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masaharu Iwasaki
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Siddhartha M Sharma
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Brett S Marro
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Juan C de la Torre
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA.
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39
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Gowen BB, Westover JB, Sefing EJ, Van Wettere AJ, Bailey KW, Wandersee L, Komeno T, Furuta Y. Enhanced protection against experimental Junin virus infection through the use of a modified favipiravir loading dose strategy. Antiviral Res 2017; 145:131-135. [PMID: 28780425 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2017.07.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [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: 06/07/2017] [Revised: 07/24/2017] [Accepted: 07/31/2017] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
A collection of Old and New World arenaviruses are etiologic agents of viral hemorrhagic fever, a syndrome that features hematologic abnormalities, vascular leak, hypovolemia, and multi-organ failure. Treatment is limited to ribavirin for Lassa fever and immune plasma for Argentine hemorrhagic fever. Improved therapeutic options that are safe, more effective and widely available are needed. Here, we show that modification of favipiravir treatment to include a high-dose loading period achieves complete protection in a guinea pig model of Argentine hemorrhagic fever when treatment was initiated two days following challenge with Junin virus (JUNV). This loading dose strategy also protected 50% of animals from lethal disease when treatment was delayed until 5 days post-infection and extended the survival time in those that succumbed. Consistent with the survival data, dramatic reductions in serum and tissue virus loads were observed in animals treated with favipiravir. This is the first report demonstrating complete protection against uniformly lethal JUNV infection in guinea pigs by administration of a small molecule antiviral drug.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian B Gowen
- Department of Animal, Dairy and Veterinary Sciences, Utah State University, Logan, UT, USA.
| | - Jonna B Westover
- Department of Animal, Dairy and Veterinary Sciences, Utah State University, Logan, UT, USA
| | - Eric J Sefing
- Department of Animal, Dairy and Veterinary Sciences, Utah State University, Logan, UT, USA
| | - Arnaud J Van Wettere
- Department of Animal, Dairy and Veterinary Sciences, Utah State University, Logan, UT, USA; Utah Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, Logan, UT, USA
| | - Kevin W Bailey
- Department of Animal, Dairy and Veterinary Sciences, Utah State University, Logan, UT, USA
| | - Luci Wandersee
- Department of Animal, Dairy and Veterinary Sciences, Utah State University, Logan, UT, USA
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40
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Mariën J, Borremans B, Gryseels S, Soropogui B, De Bruyn L, Bongo GN, Becker-Ziaja B, de Bellocq JG, Günther S, Magassouba N, Leirs H, Fichet-Calvet E. No measurable adverse effects of Lassa, Morogoro and Gairo arenaviruses on their rodent reservoir host in natural conditions. Parasit Vectors 2017; 10:210. [PMID: 28449693 PMCID: PMC5408478 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-017-2146-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2017] [Accepted: 04/19/2017] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Background In order to optimize net transmission success, parasites are hypothesized to evolve towards causing minimal damage to their reservoir host while obtaining high shedding rates. For many parasite species however this paradigm has not been tested, and conflicting results have been found regarding the effect of arenaviruses on their rodent host species. The rodent Mastomys natalensis is the natural reservoir host of several arenaviruses, including Lassa virus that is known to cause Lassa haemorrhagic fever in humans. Here, we examined the effect of three arenaviruses (Gairo, Morogoro and Lassa virus) on four parameters of wild-caught Mastomys natalensis: body mass, head-body length, sexual maturity and fertility. After correcting for the effect of age, we compared these parameters between arenavirus-positive (arenavirus RNA or antibody) and negative animals using data from different field studies in Guinea (Lassa virus) and Tanzania (Morogoro and Gairo viruses). Results Although the sample sizes of our studies (1297, 749 and 259 animals respectively) were large enough to statistically detect small differences in body conditions, we did not observe any adverse effects of these viruses on Mastomys natalensis. We did find that sexual maturity was significantly positively related with Lassa virus antibody presence until a certain age, and with Gairo virus antibody presence in general. Gairo virus antibody-positive animals were also significantly heavier and larger than antibody-free animals. Conclusion Together, these results suggest that the pathogenicity of arenaviruses is not severe in M. natalensis, which is likely to be an adaptation of these viruses to optimize transmission success. They also suggest that sexual behaviour might increase the probability of M. natalensis to become infected with arenaviruses. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13071-017-2146-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joachim Mariën
- Evolutionary Ecology Group, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium.
| | - Benny Borremans
- Evolutionary Ecology Group, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium.,Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, USA
| | - Sophie Gryseels
- Evolutionary Ecology Group, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium.,Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Arizona, Tucson, USA
| | - Barré Soropogui
- Projet des Fièvre Hémorragiques en Guinée, Hôpital Donka, Conakry, Guinea
| | - Luc De Bruyn
- Evolutionary Ecology Group, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Gédéon Ngiala Bongo
- Bernhard-Nocht-Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany.,Department of Biology, University of Kinshasa, P.O. Box. 190, Kinshasa XI, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | | | - Joëlle Goüy de Bellocq
- Institute of Vertebrate Biology, Research Facility Studenec, The Czech Academy of Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Stephan Günther
- Bernhard-Nocht-Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
| | - N'Faly Magassouba
- Projet des Fièvre Hémorragiques en Guinée, Hôpital Donka, Conakry, Guinea
| | - Herwig Leirs
- Evolutionary Ecology Group, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
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41
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Ferron F, Weber F, de la Torre JC, Reguera J. Transcription and replication mechanisms of Bunyaviridae and Arenaviridae L proteins. Virus Res 2017; 234:118-134. [PMID: 28137457 PMCID: PMC7114536 DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2017.01.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2016] [Revised: 01/17/2017] [Accepted: 01/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Bunyavirus and arenavirus are important public health threats. Bunyavirus and arenavirus molecular biology, common and differential features. Implications of LACV L protein structure for understanding viral RNA synthesis. Current state and future perspectives on bunya- and arenavirus antivirals.
Bunyaviridae and Arenaviridae virus families include an important number of highly pathogenic viruses for humans. They are enveloped viruses with negative stranded RNA genomes divided into three (bunyaviruses) or two (arenaviruses) segments. Each genome segment is coated by the viral nucleoproteins (NPs) and the polymerase (L protein) to form a functional ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complex. The viral RNP provides the necessary context on which the L protein carries out the biosynthetic processes of RNA replication and gene transcription. Decades of research have provided a good understanding of the molecular processes underlying RNA synthesis, both RNA replication and gene transcription, for these two families of viruses. In this review we will provide a global view of the common features, as well as differences, of the molecular biology of Bunyaviridae and Arenaviridae. We will also describe structures of protein and protein-RNA complexes so far determined for these viral families, mainly focusing on the L protein, and discuss their implications for understanding the mechanisms of viral RNA replication and gene transcription within the architecture of viral RNPs, also taking into account the cellular context in which these processes occur. Finally, we will discuss the implications of these structural findings for the development of antiviral drugs to treat human diseases caused by members of the Bunyaviridae and Arenaviridae families.
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Affiliation(s)
- François Ferron
- Aix-Marseille Université, AFMB UMR 7257, 13288 Marseille, France; CNRS, AFMB UMR 7257, 13288 Marseille, France
| | - Friedemann Weber
- Institute for Virology, FB10-Veterinary Medicine, Justus-Liebig University, D-35392 Giessen, Germany
| | | | - Juan Reguera
- Aix-Marseille Université, AFMB UMR 7257, 13288 Marseille, France; CNRS, AFMB UMR 7257, 13288 Marseille, France; INSERM, AFMB UMR 7257, 13288 Marseille, France.
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42
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Abstract
Pichinde virus (PICV) is a nonpathogenic arenavirus with a bi-segmented RNA genome (L and S segments) that encodes four viral genes. We have developed a reverse genetics system to generate recombinant tri-segmented PICV (rP18tri) that packages three RNA segments (L, S1, and S2) and can encode up to two foreign genes. Using influenza virus HA and NP as model antigens, we show that the rP18tri vector can induce strong humoral and cell-mediated immunity, which further increases upon a booster dose. We propose that this novel rP18tri vector can be developed into a useful vaccine platform for other antigens, particularly when strong cellular immunity and prime-boost vaccination strategy are desired.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rekha Dhanwani
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, 1988 Fitch Ave., Ste 295, Animal Science/Veterinary Medicine Building, Saint Paul, MN, 55108, USA.,La Jolla Institute for Allergy & Immunology, 9420 Athena Circle, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Hinh Ly
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, 1988 Fitch Ave., Ste 295, Animal Science/Veterinary Medicine Building, Saint Paul, MN, 55108, USA
| | - Yuying Liang
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, 1988 Fitch Ave., Ste 295, Animal Science/Veterinary Medicine Building, Saint Paul, MN, 55108, USA.
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Cheng BYH, Nogales A, de la Torre JC, Martínez-Sobrido L. Development of live-attenuated arenavirus vaccines based on codon deoptimization of the viral glycoprotein. Virology 2016; 501:35-46. [PMID: 27855284 DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2016.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [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: 07/31/2016] [Revised: 11/03/2016] [Accepted: 11/04/2016] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Several arenaviruses, chiefly Lassa (LASV) in West Africa, cause hemorrhagic fever (HF) disease in humans and pose important public health problems in their endemic regions. To date, there are no FDA-approved arenavirus vaccines and current anti-arenaviral therapy is limited to the use of ribavirin that has very limited efficacy. In this work we document that a recombinant prototypic arenavirus lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) with a codon deoptimized (CD) surface glycoprotein (GP), rLCMV/CD, exhibited wild type (WT)-like growth properties in cultured cells despite barely detectable GP expression levels in rLCMV/CD-infected cells. Importantly, rLCMV/CD was highly attenuated in vivo but able to induce complete protection against a subsequent lethal challenge with rLCMV/WT. Our findings support the feasibility of implementing an arenavirus GP CD-based approach for the development of safe and effective live-attenuated vaccines (LAVs) to combat diseases caused by human pathogenic arenaviruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benson Y H Cheng
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Rochester, 601 Elmwood Avenue, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
| | - Aitor Nogales
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Rochester, 601 Elmwood Avenue, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
| | - Juan Carlos de la Torre
- Department of Immunology and Microbial Science, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Luis Martínez-Sobrido
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Rochester, 601 Elmwood Avenue, Rochester, NY 14642, USA.
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44
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Milazzo ML, Cajimat MNB, Mauldin MR, Bennett SG, Hess BD, Rood MP, Conlan CA, Nguyen K, Wekesa JW, Ramos RD, Bradley RD, Fulhorst CF. Epizootiology of Tacaribe serocomplex viruses (Arenaviridae) associated with neotomine rodents (Cricetidae, Neotominae) in southern California. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2016; 15:156-66. [PMID: 25700047 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2014.1625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The objective of this study was to advance our knowledge of the epizootiology of Bear Canyon virus and other Tacaribe serocomplex viruses (Arenaviridae) associated with wild rodents in California. Antibody (immunoglobulin G [IgG]) to a Tacaribe serocomplex virus was found in 145 (3.6%) of 3977 neotomine rodents (Cricetidae: Neotominae) captured in six counties in southern California. The majority (122 or 84.1%) of the 145 antibody-positive rodents were big-eared woodrats (Neotoma macrotis) or California mice (Peromyscus californicus). The 23 other antibody-positive rodents included a white-throated woodrat (N. albigula), desert woodrat (N. lepida), Bryant's woodrats (N. bryanti), brush mice (P. boylii), cactus mice (P. eremicus), and deer mice (P. maniculatus). Analyses of viral nucleocapsid protein gene sequence data indicated that Bear Canyon virus is associated with N. macrotis and/or P. californicus in Santa Barbara County, Los Angeles County, Orange County, and western Riverside County. Together, analyses of field data and antibody prevalence data indicated that N. macrotis is the principal host of Bear Canyon virus. Last, the analyses of viral nucleocapsid protein gene sequence data suggested that the Tacaribe serocomplex virus associated with N. albigula and N. lepida in eastern Riverside County represents a novel species (tentatively named "Palo Verde virus") in the genus Arenavirus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary Louise Milazzo
- 1 Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch , Galveston, Texas
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45
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Abstract
Lassa fever, a zoonotic viral infection, is endemic in West Africa. The disease causes annual wide spread morbidity and mortality in Africa, and can be imported by travelers. Possible importation of Lassa fever and the potential for the use of Lassa virus as an agent of bioterrorism mandate clinicians in Israel and other countries to be vigilant and familiar with the basic characteristics of this disease. The article reviews the basis of this infection and the clinical management of patients with Lassa fever. Special emphasis is given to antiviral treatment and infection control.
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46
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Abstract
INTRODUCTION Arenaviruses are enveloped negative stranded viruses endemic in Africa, Europe and the Americas. Several arenaviruses cause severe viral hemorrhagic fever with high mortality in humans and pose serious public health threats. So far, there are no FDA-approved vaccines and therapeutic options are restricted to the off-label use of ribavirin. The major human pathogenic arenaviruses are classified as Category A agents and require biosafety level (BSL)-4 containment. AREAS COVERED Herein, the authors cover the recent progress in the development of BSL2 surrogate systems that recapitulate the entire or specific steps of the arenavirus life cycle and are serving as powerful platforms for drug discovery. Furthermore, they highlight the identification of selected novel drugs that target individual steps of arenavirus multiplication describing their discovery, their targets, and mode of action. EXPERT OPINION The lack of effective drugs against arenaviruses is an unmatched challenge in current medical virology. Novel technologies have provided important insights into the basic biology of arenaviruses and the mechanisms underlying virus-host cell interaction. Significant progress of our understanding of how the virus invades the host cell paved the way to develop powerful novel screening platforms. Recent efforts have provided a range of promising drug candidates currently under evaluation for therapeutic intervention in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonella Pasquato
- a Institute of Microbiology , University Hospital Center and University of Lausanne , Lausanne , Switzerland
| | - Stefan Kunz
- a Institute of Microbiology , University Hospital Center and University of Lausanne , Lausanne , Switzerland
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47
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Whitt MA, Geisbert TW, Mire CE. Single-Vector, Single-Injection Recombinant Vesicular Stomatitis Virus Vaccines Against High-Containment Viruses. Methods Mol Biol 2016; 1403:295-311. [PMID: 27076138 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-3387-7_16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
There are many avenues for making an effective vaccine against viruses. Depending on the virus these can include one of the following: inactivation of whole virions; attenuation of viruses; recombinant viral proteins; non-replication-competent virus particles; or surrogate virus vector systems such as vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV). VSV is a prototypic enveloped animal virus that has been used for over four decades to study virus replication, entry, and assembly due to its ability to replicate to high titers in a wide variety of mammalian and insect cells. The use of reverse genetics to recover infectious and single-cycle replicating VSV from plasmid DNA transfected in cell culture began a revolution in the study of recombinant VSV (rVSV). This platform can be manipulated to study the viral genetic sequences and proteins important in the virus life cycle. Additionally, foreign genes can be inserted between naturally occurring or generated start/stop signals and polyadenylation sites within the VSV genome. VSV has a tolerance for foreign gene expression which has led to numerous rVSVs reported in the literature. Of particular interest are the very effective single-dose rVSV vaccine vectors against high-containment viruses such as filoviruses, henipaviruses, and arenaviruses. Herein we describe the methods for selecting foreign antigenic genes, selecting the location within the VSV genome for insertion, generation of rVSV using reverse genetics, and proper vaccine study designs.
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48
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Abstract
Vaccination with a recombinant LCMV based vector expressing tumor-associated or viral antigens is a safe and versatile method to induce an immune response against tumors or viral infections. Here, we describe the generation of recombinant LCMV vectors in which the gene encoding the viral LCMV-GP was substituted with a gene of interest (vaccine antigen). This renders the vaccine vector propagation-incompetent while it preserves the property of eliciting a strong cytotoxic T cell response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Ring
- Institute of Immunobiology, Kantonsspital St. Gallen, Rorschacher Str. 95, St. Gallen, 9007, Switzerland
| | - Lukas Flatz
- Institute of Immunobiology, Kantonsspital St. Gallen, Rorschacher Str. 95, St. Gallen, 9007, Switzerland.
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49
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Westover JB, Sefing EJ, Bailey KW, Van Wettere AJ, Jung KH, Dagley A, Wandersee L, Downs B, Smee DF, Furuta Y, Bray M, Gowen BB. Low-dose ribavirin potentiates the antiviral activity of favipiravir against hemorrhagic fever viruses. Antiviral Res 2015; 126:62-8. [PMID: 26711718 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2015.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2015] [Revised: 12/16/2015] [Accepted: 12/17/2015] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Favipiravir is approved in Japan to treat novel or re-emerging influenza viruses, and is active against a broad spectrum of RNA viruses, including Ebola. Ribavirin is the only other licensed drug with activity against multiple RNA viruses. Recent studies show that ribavirin and favipiravir act synergistically to inhibit bunyavirus infections in cultured cells and laboratory mice, likely due to their different mechanisms of action. Convalescent immune globulin is the only approved treatment for Argentine hemorrhagic fever caused by the rodent-borne Junin arenavirus. We previously reported that favipiravir is highly effective in a number of small animal models of Argentine hemorrhagic fever. We now report that addition of low dose of ribavirin synergistically potentiates the activity of favipiravir against Junin virus infection of guinea pigs and another arenavirus, Pichinde virus infection of hamsters. This suggests that the efficacy of favipiravir against hemorrhagic fever viruses can be further enhanced through the addition of low-dose ribavirin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonna B Westover
- Department of Animal, Dairy, and Veterinary Sciences, Utah State University, Logan, UT, USA
| | - Eric J Sefing
- Department of Animal, Dairy, and Veterinary Sciences, Utah State University, Logan, UT, USA
| | - Kevin W Bailey
- Department of Animal, Dairy, and Veterinary Sciences, Utah State University, Logan, UT, USA
| | - Arnaud J Van Wettere
- Department of Animal, Dairy, and Veterinary Sciences, Utah State University, Logan, UT, USA; Utah Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, Logan, UT, USA
| | - Kie-Hoon Jung
- Department of Animal, Dairy, and Veterinary Sciences, Utah State University, Logan, UT, USA
| | - Ashley Dagley
- Department of Animal, Dairy, and Veterinary Sciences, Utah State University, Logan, UT, USA
| | - Luci Wandersee
- Department of Animal, Dairy, and Veterinary Sciences, Utah State University, Logan, UT, USA
| | - Brittney Downs
- Department of Animal, Dairy, and Veterinary Sciences, Utah State University, Logan, UT, USA
| | - Donald F Smee
- Department of Animal, Dairy, and Veterinary Sciences, Utah State University, Logan, UT, USA
| | - Yousuke Furuta
- Research Laboratories, Toyama Chemical Company, Ltd., Toyama, Japan
| | - Mike Bray
- Division of Clinical Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, USA
| | - Brian B Gowen
- Department of Animal, Dairy, and Veterinary Sciences, Utah State University, Logan, UT, USA.
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Bisordi I, Levis S, Maeda AY, Suzuki A, Nagasse-Sugahara TK, de Souza RP, Pereira LE, Garcia JB, Cerroni MDP, de A e Silva F, dos Santos CLS, da Fonseca BAL. Pinhal Virus, a New Arenavirus Isolated from Calomys tener in Brazil. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2015; 15:694-700. [PMID: 26501215 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2014.1708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [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] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Arenavirus Sabiá was originally isolated from a fatal human infection in Brazil, and after the occurrence of the second fatal human case in São Paulo state, epidemiologic and virologic studies were performed in the area where the patient lived, aiming at the identification of the Sabiá natural rodent reservoir. A broadly cross-reactive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to screen for antibody-positive samples. Antibodies to arenavirus were detected in two of the 55 samples of Calomys tener, and from these results, samples of rodents were analyzed by a broad RT-PCR assay. RT-PCR amplification detected arenavirus sequences in five of the 55 C. tener samples, and sequencing showed that this virus is a distinct form of Sabiá virus. Thus, we describe here the evidence for the circulation of a new arenavirus in Brazil (proposed name Pinhal virus) and its genetic characterization compared to other arenaviruses. This study also suggests C. tener as a probable rodent reservoir for this virus and associates this new virus with the lineage C of New World arenaviruses. Although we have defined some characteristics of this virus, so far, there is no evidence of its involvement in human disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Silvana Levis
- 2 Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Virales Humanas Dr. Julio I. Maiztegui-Pergamino/BA , Argentina
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Jorge B Garcia
- 2 Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Virales Humanas Dr. Julio I. Maiztegui-Pergamino/BA , Argentina
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