scholarly journals Re-Evaluation of Chemotherapeutic Potential of Pyoktanin Blue

Medicines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (7) ◽  
pp. 33
Author(s):  
Hiroshi Sakagami ◽  
Toshiko Furukawa ◽  
Keitaro Satoh ◽  
Shigeru Amano ◽  
Yosuke Iijima ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antiviral Activity ◽  
Clinical Application ◽  
Neuronal Cells ◽  
Antitumor Agent ◽  
Treatment Schedule ◽  
Cell Accumulation ◽  
Infected Cells ◽  
Tumor Specificity ◽  
Oral Cells ◽  
Anti Hiv

Background: Pyoktanin blue (PB) is used for staining tissues and cells, and it is applied in photodynamic therapy due to its potent bactericidal activity. However, clinical application of PB as an antiviral and antitumor agent has been limited due to its potent toxicity. For clinical application, the antitumor and antiviral activity as well as the neurotoxicity of PB were re-evaluated with a chemotherapeutic index. Methods: Tumor-specificity (TS) was determined by the ratio of CC50 against normal oral cells/oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC); neurotoxicity by that of normal oral/neuronal cells; antiviral activity by that of mock-infected/virus-infected cells; and potency-selectivity expression (PSE) by dividing TS by CC50 (OSCC). Results: Antitumor activity of PB (assessed by TS and PSE) was comparable with that of DXR and much higher than that of 5-FU and melphalan. PB induced caspase-3 activation and subG1 cell accumulation in an OSCC cell line (Ca9-22). PB and anticancer drugs showed comparable cytotoxicity against both neuronal cells and OSCC cell lines. PB showed no detectable anti-HIV/HSV activity, in contrast to reverse transferase inhibitors, sulfated glucans, and alkaline extract of leaves of S.P. Conclusions: PB showed first-class anticancer activity and neurotoxicity, suggesting the importance of establishing the safe treatment schedule.

scholarly journals Antiviral Activity of the G-Quadruplex Ligand TMPyP4 against Herpes Simplex Virus-1

Viruses ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 196
Author(s):  
Sara Artusi ◽  
Emanuela Ruggiero ◽  
Matteo Nadai ◽  
Beatrice Tosoni ◽  
Rosalba Perrone ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Herpes Simplex Virus ◽  
Dna Replication ◽  
Herpes Simplex ◽  
Antiviral Activity ◽  
Herpes Simplex Virus 1 ◽  
Tem Analysis ◽  
Infected Cells ◽  
Simplex Virus ◽  
Hsv 1

The herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) genome is extremely rich in guanine tracts that fold into G-quadruplexes (G4s), nucleic acid secondary structures implicated in key biological functions. Viral G4s were visualized in HSV-1 infected cells, with massive virus cycle-dependent G4-formation peaking during viral DNA replication. Small molecules that specifically interact with G4s have been shown to inhibit HSV-1 DNA replication. We here investigated the antiviral activity of TMPyP4, a porphyrin known to interact with G4s. The analogue TMPyP2, with lower G4 affinity, was used as control. We showed by biophysical analysis that TMPyP4 interacts with HSV-1 G4s, and inhibits polymerase progression in vitro; in infected cells, it displayed good antiviral activity which, however, was independent of inhibition of virus DNA replication or entry. At low TMPyP4 concentration, the virus released by the cells was almost null, while inside the cell virus amounts were at control levels. TEM analysis showed that virus particles were trapped inside cytoplasmatic vesicles, which could not be ascribed to autophagy, as proven by RT-qPCR, western blot, and immunofluorescence analysis. Our data indicate a unique mechanism of action of TMPyP4 against HSV-1, and suggest the unprecedented involvement of currently unknown G4s in viral or antiviral cellular defense pathways.

Lack of the CD8+ cell anti-HIV factor in CD8+ cell granules

Blood ◽  
2003 ◽  
Vol 102 (1) ◽  
pp. 180-183 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carl E. Mackewicz ◽  
Baikun Wang ◽  
Sunil Metkar ◽  
Matthew Richey ◽  
Christopher J. Froelich ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
Antiviral Activity ◽  
Cd8 T Cells ◽  
Culture Media ◽  
Cd4 Cells ◽  
Antiviral Protein ◽  
Cd8 Cells ◽  
Cd8 Cell ◽  
Anti Hiv ◽  
Primary Granule

Abstract In HIV infection, CD8+ cells show cytotoxic and noncytotoxic anti-HIV activity. The latter function is mediated, at least in part, by a secreted antiviral protein, the CD8+ cell antiviral factor (CAF). Because antiviral effector molecules, such as perforin and granzymes, reside in the exocytic granules of CD8+ T cells, we examined the possibility that granules contain CAF-like activity. CD8+ cells from HIV-infected individuals showing strong CAF-mediated antiviral activity were induced to release their granule constituents into culture media. Within 1 hour of stimulation, high levels of granzyme B (a primary granule constituent) were found in the culture fluids of previously activated CD8+ cells. The same culture fluids contained no or very low amounts of CAF activity, as measured with HIV-infected CD4+ cells. Maximal levels of CAF activity were not observed until 5 or 7 days after stimulation, consistent with typical CAF production kinetics. In addition, extracts of granules purified from antiviral CD8+ cells did not show any CAF activity, whereas the cytoplasmic fraction of these cells showed substantial levels of antiviral activity. These findings suggest that CAF does not reside at appreciable levels in the exocytic granules of antiviral CD8+ T cells. (Blood. 2003;102: 180-183)

IFITM proteins that restrict the early stages of respiratory virus infection do not influence late-stage replication

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tina Meischel ◽  
Svenja Fritzlar ◽  
Fernando Villalon-Letelier ◽  
Melkamu B. Tessema ◽  
Andrew G. Brooks ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plasma Membrane ◽  
Antiviral Activity ◽  
Influenza A ◽  
Respiratory Viruses ◽  
Parainfluenza Virus ◽  
Early Stages ◽  
Infected Cells ◽  
Cellular Entry ◽  
Overexpression System ◽  
Late Stages

Interferon-induced transmembrane (IFITM) proteins inhibit a broad range of enveloped viruses by blocking entry into host cells. We used an inducible overexpression system to investigate if IFITM1, IFITM2 and IFITM3 could modulate early and/or late stages of influenza A virus (IAV) or parainfluenza virus (PIV)-3 infection in human A549 airway epithelial cells. IAV and PIV-3 represent respiratory viruses which utilise distinct cellular entry pathways. We verify entry by endocytosis for IAV, whereas PIV-3 infection was consistent with fusion at the plasma membrane. Following induction prior to infection, all three IFITM proteins restricted the percentage of IAV-infected cells at 8 hours post-infection. In contrast, prior induction of IFITM1 and IFITM2 did not inhibit PIV-3 infection, although a modest reduction was observed with IFITM3. siRNA-mediated knockdown of endogenous IFITM1, IFITM2 and IFITM3 expression, in the presence or absence of pre-treatment with type I interferon, resulted in increased IAV, but not PIV-3, infection. This suggests that while all three IFITMs display antiviral activity against IAV, they do not restrict the early stages of PIV-3 infection. IAV and PIV-3 infection culminates in viral egress through budding at the plasma membrane. Inducible expression of IFITM1, IFITM2 or IFITM3 immediately after infection did not impact titres of infectious virus released from IAV or PIV-3 infected cells. Our findings show that IFITM proteins differentially restrict the early stages of infection of two respiratory viruses with distinct cellular entry pathways, but do not influence the late stages of replication for either virus. IMPORTANCE Interferon-induced transmembrane (IFITM) proteins restrict the initial stages of infection for several respiratory viruses, however their potential to modulate the later stages of virus replication has not been explored. In this study we highlight the utility of an inducible overexpression system to assess the impact of IFITM proteins on either early or late stage replication of two respiratory viruses. We demonstrate antiviral activity by IFITM1, IFITM2 and IFITM3 against influenza A virus (IAV) but not parainfluenza virus (PIV)-3 during the early stages of cellular infection. Furthermore, IFITM induction following IAV or PIV-3 infection does not restrict the late stages of replication of either virus. Our findings show that IFITM proteins can differentially restrict the early stages of infection of two viruses with distinct cellular entry pathways, yet do not influence the late stages of replication for either virus.

A new small-molecule compound, Q308, silences latent HIV-1 provirus by suppressing Tat- and FACT-mediated transcription

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chen-liang Zhou ◽  
Yi-fan Huang ◽  
Yi-bin Li ◽  
Tai-zhen Liang ◽  
Teng-yi Zheng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Small Molecule ◽  
Difficult Problem ◽  
Viral Reservoir ◽  
Functional Cure ◽  
Latently Infected ◽  
Small Molecule Compound ◽  
Infected Cells ◽  
Latent Hiv ◽  
Anti Hiv ◽  
Hiv 1

Eliminating the latent HIV reservoir remains a difficult problem for creating an HIV functional cure or achieving remission. The “block-and-lock” strategy aims to steadily suppress transcription of the viral reservoir and lock the HIV promoter in deep latency using latency-promoting agents (LPAs). However, to date, most of the investigated LPA candidates are not available for clinical trials, and some of them exhibit immune-related adverse reactions. The discovery and development of new, active, and safe LPA candidates for an HIV cure are necessary to eliminate residual HIV-1 viremia through the “block-and-lock” strategy. In this study, we demonstrated that a new small-molecule compound, Q308, silenced the HIV-1 provirus by inhibiting Tat-mediated gene transcription and selectively downregulating the expression levels of the facilitated chromatin transcription (FACT) complex. Strikingly, Q308 induced the preferential apoptosis in HIV-1 latently infected cells, indicating that Q308 may reduce the size of the viral reservoir and thus further prevent viral rebound. These findings highlight that Q308 is a novel and safe anti-HIV-1 inhibitor candidate for a functional cure.

scholarly journals Activation and Antagonism of the OAS–RNase L Pathway

Proceedings ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 50 (1) ◽  
pp. 14
Author(s):  
Susan R. Weiss
Keyword(s):  
Cell Death ◽  
Antiviral Activity ◽  
Apoptotic Cell ◽  
Early Response ◽  
Apoptotic Cell Death ◽  
Rnase L ◽  
Oligoadenylate Synthetase ◽  
Viral Genomes ◽  
L System ◽  
Infected Cells

The oligoadenylate synthetase–ribonuclease L (OAS–RNase L) system is a potent antiviral pathway that severely limits the pathogenesis of many viruses. Upon sensing dsRNA, OASs produce 2′,5′-oligoadenylates (2-5A) that activate RNase L to cleave both host and viral single-stranded RNA, thereby limiting protein production, virus replication and spread, leading to apoptotic cell death. Endogenous host dsRNA, which accumulates in the absence of adenosine deaminase acting on RNA (ADAR)1, can also activate RNase L and lead to apoptotic cell death. RNase L activation and antiviral activity during infections with several types of viruses in human and bat cells is dependent on OAS3 but independent of virus-induced interferon (IFN) and, thus, RNase L can be activated even in the presence of IFN antagonists. Differently from other human viruses examined, Zika virus is resistant to the antiviral activity of RNase L and instead utilizes RNase L to enhance its replication factories to produce more infectious virus. Some betacoronaviruses antagonize RNase L activation by expressing 2′,5′-phosphodiesterases (PDEs) that cleave 2-5A and thereby antagonize activation of RNase L. The best characterized of these PDEs is the murine coronavirus (MHV) NS2 accessory protein. Enzymatically active NS2 is required for replication in myeloid cells and in the liver. Interestingly, while wild type mice clear MHV from the liver by 7–10 days post-infection, RNase L knockout mice fail to effectively clear MHV, probably due to diminished apoptotic death of infected cells. We suggest that RNase L antiviral activity stems from direct cleavage of viral genomes and cessation of protein synthesis as well as through promoting death of infected cells, limiting the spread of virus. Importantly, OASs are pattern recognition receptors and the OAS–RNase L pathway is a primary innate response pathway to viruses, capable of early response, coming into play before IFN is induced or when the virus shuts down IFN signaling.

Synthesis and antiviral activity of 3′-azido-3′-deoxythymidine triphosphate distearoylglycerol: a novel phospholipid conjugate of the anti-HIV agent AZT

1994 ◽  
Vol 70 (2) ◽  
pp. 213-222 ◽  
Author(s):  
G.M.T. van Wijk ◽  
K.Y. Hostetler ◽  
E. Kroneman ◽  
D.D. Richman ◽  
C.N. Sridhar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antiviral Activity ◽  
Anti Hiv

Synthesis and Antiviral Activity of 1,3-Disubstituted Uracils against HIV-1 and HCMV

2003 ◽  
Vol 14 (5) ◽  
pp. 271-279 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tokumi Maruyama ◽  
Shigetada Kozai ◽  
Tetsuo Yamasaki ◽  
Myriam Witvrouw ◽  
Christophe Pannecouque ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Human Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
Antiviral Activity ◽  
Human Cytomegalovirus ◽  
Therapeutic Agents ◽  
Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors ◽  
Uracil Derivatives ◽  
Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
Anti Hiv Agents ◽  
Anti Hiv ◽  
Hiv 1

The development of new non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs) is an efficient strategy for finding new therapeutic agents against human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). A large number of 6-substituted uracil derivatives have been prepared in order to explore new NNRTIs. However, there are few approaches to anti-HIV agents from 1,3-disubstituted uracil derivatives. Therefore, we tried to prepare several 1,3-disubstituted uracils, which were easily obtainable from uracil by preparation under alkali and Mitsunobu conditions, and examined their antiviral activity against HIV-1 and human cytomegalovirus (HCMV). We found that 1-benzyl-3-(3,5-dimethylbenzyl)uracil and 1-cyanomethyl-3-(3,5-dimethylbenzyl)-4-thiouracil showed powerful inhibition against HCMV and HIV-1, respectively.

scholarly journals Anti‐ HIV ‐1 antibodies trigger non‐lytic complement deposition on infected cells

EMBO Reports ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jérémy Dufloo ◽  
Florence Guivel‐Benhassine ◽  
Julian Buchrieser ◽  
Valérie Lorin ◽  
Ludivine Grzelak ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Infected Cells ◽  
Anti Hiv ◽  
Complement Deposition ◽  
Hiv 1
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