scholarly journals Tat-Based Therapies as an Adjuvant for an HIV-1 Functional Cure

Viruses ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 415 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hongping Jin ◽  
Dongsheng Li ◽  
Min-Hsuan Lin ◽  
Li Li ◽  
David Harrich
Keyword(s):  
Neutralizing Antibodies ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Functional Cure ◽  
Infected People ◽  
Viral Loads ◽  
Cellular Factors ◽  
Combined Antiretroviral Therapy ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
Direct Binding ◽  
Transactivator Of Transcription

The human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV) establishes a chronic infection that can be well controlled, but not cured, by combined antiretroviral therapy (cART). Interventions have been explored to accomplish a functional cure, meaning that a patient remains infected but HIV is undetectable in the blood, with the aim of allowing patients to live without cART. Tat, the viral transactivator of transcription protein, plays a critical role in controlling HIV transcription, latency, and viral rebound following the interruption of cART treatment. Therefore, a logical approach for controlling HIV would be to block Tat. Tackling Tat with inhibitors has been a difficult task, but some recent discoveries hold promise. Two anti-HIV proteins, Nullbasic (a mutant of Tat) and HT1 (a fusion of HEXIM1 and Tat functional domains) inhibit viral transcription by interfering with the interaction of Tat and cellular factors. Two small molecules, didehydro-cortistatin A (dCA) and triptolide, inhibit Tat by different mechanisms: dCA through direct binding and triptolide through enhanced proteasomal degradation. Finally, two Tat-based vaccines under development elicit Tat-neutralizing antibodies. These vaccines have increased the levels of CD4+ cells and reduced viral loads in HIV-infected people, suggesting that the new vaccines are therapeutic. This review summarizes recent developments of anti-Tat agents and how they could contribute to a functional cure for HIV.

scholarly journals The SARS-CoV-2 Spike Variant D614G Favors an Open Conformational State

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachael A. Mansbach ◽  
Srirupa Chakraborty ◽  
Kien Nguyen ◽  
David C. Montefiori ◽  
Bette Korber ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Neutralizing Antibodies ◽  
Molecular Level ◽  
Receptor Binding Domain ◽  
Target Region ◽  
Infected People ◽  
Viral Loads ◽  
Rapid Transition ◽  
Open States ◽  
Insight Into

SummaryThe COVID-19 pandemic underwent a rapid transition with the emergence of a SARS-CoV-2 variant that carried the amino acid substitution D614G in the Spike protein that became globally prevalent. The G-form is both more infectious in vitro and associated with increased viral loads in infected people. To gain insight into the mechanism underlying these distinctive characteristics, we employed multiple replicas of microsecond all-atom simulations to probe the molecular-level impact of this substitution on Spike’s closed and open states. The open state enables Spike interactions with its human cellular receptor, ACE2. Here we show that changes in the inter-protomer energetics due to the D614G substitution favor a higher population of infection-capable (open) states. The inter-protomer interactions between S1 and S2 subunits in the open state of the D-form are asymmetric. This asymmetry is resolved in the G-form due to the release of tensile hydrogen bonds resulting in an increased population of open conformations. Thus, the increased infectivity of the G-form is likely due to a higher rate of profitable binding encounters with the host receptor. It is also predicted to be more neutralization sensitive due to enhanced exposure of the receptor binding domain, a key target region for neutralizing antibodies.

scholarly journals Unique structural solution from a VH3-30 antibody targeting the hemagglutinin stem of influenza A viruses

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Wayne D. Harshbarger ◽  
Derrick Deming ◽  
Gordon J. Lockbaum ◽  
Nattapol Attatippaholkun ◽  
Maliwan Kamkaew ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Neutralizing Antibodies ◽  
Influenza A ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Binding Activity ◽  
Human Antibody ◽  
Broadly Neutralizing Antibodies ◽  
Influenza A Viruses ◽  
Universal Vaccine ◽  
Structural Details ◽  
Structural Solution

AbstractBroadly neutralizing antibodies (bnAbs) targeting conserved influenza A virus (IAV) hemagglutinin (HA) epitopes can provide valuable information for accelerating universal vaccine designs. Here, we report structural details for heterosubtypic recognition of HA from circulating and emerging IAVs by the human antibody 3I14. Somatic hypermutations play a critical role in shaping the HCDR3, which alone and uniquely among VH3-30 derived antibodies, forms contacts with five sub-pockets within the HA-stem hydrophobic groove. 3I14 light-chain interactions are also key for binding HA and contribute a large buried surface area spanning two HA protomers. Comparison of 3I14 to bnAbs from several defined classes provide insights to the bias selection of VH3-30 antibodies and reveals that 3I14 represents a novel structural solution within the VH3-30 repertoire. The structures reported here improve our understanding of cross-group heterosubtypic binding activity, providing the basis for advancing immunogen designs aimed at eliciting a broadly protective response to IAV.

scholarly journals The Prion-Like Spreading of Alpha-Synuclein in Parkinson’s Disease: Update on Models and Hypotheses

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (15) ◽  
pp. 8338
Author(s):  
Asad Jan ◽  
Nádia Pereira Gonçalves ◽  
Christian Bjerggaard Vaegter ◽  
Poul Henning Jensen ◽  
Nelson Ferreira
Keyword(s):  
Parkinson’S Disease ◽  
Parkinson's Disease ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Alpha Synuclein ◽  
Experimental Models ◽  
Cellular Factors ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
Novel Targets ◽  
Presynaptic Protein

The pathological aggregation of the presynaptic protein α-synuclein (α-syn) and propagation through synaptically coupled neuroanatomical tracts is increasingly thought to underlie the pathophysiological progression of Parkinson’s disease (PD) and related synucleinopathies. Although the precise molecular mechanisms responsible for the spreading of pathological α-syn accumulation in the CNS are not fully understood, growing evidence suggests that de novo α-syn misfolding and/or neuronal internalization of aggregated α-syn facilitates conformational templating of endogenous α-syn monomers in a mechanism reminiscent of prions. A refined understanding of the biochemical and cellular factors mediating the pathological neuron-to-neuron propagation of misfolded α-syn will potentially elucidate the etiology of PD and unravel novel targets for therapeutic intervention. Here, we discuss recent developments on the hypothesis regarding trans-synaptic propagation of α-syn pathology in the context of neuronal vulnerability and highlight the potential utility of novel experimental models of synucleinopathies.

scholarly journals HIV-1 Envelope Conformation, Allostery, and Dynamics

Viruses ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 852
Author(s):  
Ashley Lauren Bennett ◽  
Rory Henderson
Keyword(s):  
Host Cell ◽  
Conformational Changes ◽  
Neutralizing Antibodies ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Cell Receptor ◽  
Broadly Neutralizing Antibodies ◽  
Structural Mapping ◽  
Host Cell Receptor ◽  
Immunogen Design ◽  
Hiv 1

The HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein (Env) mediates host cell fusion and is the primary target for HIV-1 vaccine design. The Env undergoes a series of functionally important conformational rearrangements upon engagement of its host cell receptor, CD4. As the sole target for broadly neutralizing antibodies, our understanding of these transitions plays a critical role in vaccine immunogen design. Here, we review available experimental data interrogating the HIV-1 Env conformation and detail computational efforts aimed at delineating the series of conformational changes connecting these rearrangements. These studies have provided a structural mapping of prefusion closed, open, and transition intermediate structures, the allosteric elements controlling rearrangements, and state-to-state transition dynamics. The combination of these investigations and innovations in molecular modeling set the stage for advanced studies examining rearrangements at greater spatial and temporal resolution.

scholarly journals Advances toward Curing HIV-1 Infection in Tissue Reservoirs

2019 ◽  
Vol 94 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisa J. Henderson ◽  
Lauren B. Reoma ◽  
Joseph A. Kovacs ◽  
Avindra Nath
Keyword(s):  
Checkpoint Inhibitors ◽  
Functional Cure ◽  
Viral Transcript ◽  
Curative Therapy ◽  
Gene Therapies ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
The Central Nervous System ◽  
Effector Response ◽  
Hiv 1 ◽  
Cell Effector

ABSTRACT A disease of more than 39.6 million people worldwide, HIV-1 infection has no curative therapy. To date, one man has achieved a sterile cure, with millions more hoping to avoid the potential pitfalls of lifelong antiretroviral therapy and other HIV-related disorders, including neurocognitive decline. Recent developments in immunotherapies and gene therapies provide renewed hope in advancing efforts toward a sterilizing or functional cure. On the horizon is research concentrated in multiple separate but potentially complementary domains: vaccine research, viral transcript editing, T-cell effector response targeting including checkpoint inhibitors, and gene editing. Here, we review the concept of targeting the HIV-1 tissue reservoirs, with an emphasis on the central nervous system, and describe relevant new work in functional cure research and strategies for HIV-1 eradication.

scholarly journals A Novel Regulatory Mechanism of Myosin Light Chain Phosphorylation via Binding of 14-3-3 to Myosin Phosphatase

2008 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 1062-1071 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yasuhiko Koga ◽  
Mitsuo Ikebe
Keyword(s):  
Light Chain ◽  
Myosin Light Chain ◽  
Regulatory Mechanism ◽  
Kinase Inhibitor ◽  
Myosin Ii ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Rho Kinase ◽  
Myosin Phosphatase ◽  
Dependent Cell ◽  
Direct Binding

Myosin II phosphorylation–dependent cell motile events are regulated by myosin light-chain (MLC) kinase and MLC phosphatase (MLCP). Recent studies have revealed myosin phosphatase targeting subunit (MYPT1), a myosin-binding subunit of MLCP, plays a critical role in MLCP regulation. Here we report the new regulatory mechanism of MLCP via the interaction between 14-3-3 and MYPT1. The binding of 14-3-3β to MYPT1 diminished the direct binding between MYPT1 and myosin II, and 14-3-3β overexpression abolished MYPT1 localization at stress fiber. Furthermore, 14-3-3β inhibited MLCP holoenzyme activity via the interaction with MYPT1. Consistently, 14-3-3β overexpression increased myosin II phosphorylation in cells. We found that MYPT1 phosphorylation at Ser472 was critical for the binding to 14-3-3. Epidermal growth factor (EGF) stimulation increased both Ser472 phosphorylation and the binding of MYPT1-14-3-3. Rho-kinase inhibitor inhibited the EGF-induced Ser472 phosphorylation and the binding of MYPT1-14-3-3. Rho-kinase specific siRNA also decreased EGF-induced Ser472 phosphorylation correlated with the decrease in MLC phosphorylation. The present study revealed a new RhoA/Rho-kinase–dependent regulatory mechanism of myosin II phosphorylation by 14-3-3 that dissociates MLCP from myosin II and attenuates MLCP activity.

scholarly journals Persistence of Viremia and Production of Neutralizing Antibodies Differentially Regulated by Polymorphic APOBEC3 and BAFF-R Loci in Friend Virus-Infected Mice

2010 ◽  
Vol 84 (12) ◽  
pp. 6082-6095 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sachiyo Tsuji-Kawahara ◽  
Tomomi Chikaishi ◽  
Eri Takeda ◽  
Maiko Kato ◽  
Saori Kinoshita ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Neutralizing Antibodies ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Chromosome 15 ◽  
Cell Repertoire ◽  
Viral Loads ◽  
Functional Polymorphisms ◽  
B Cell Repertoire ◽  
Retroviral Replication ◽  
Different Strains ◽  
Host Genes

ABSTRACT Several host genes control retroviral replication and pathogenesis through the regulation of immune responses to viral antigens. The Rfv3 gene influences the persistence of viremia and production of virus-neutralizing antibodies in mice infected with Friend mouse retrovirus complex (FV). This locus has been mapped within a narrow segment of mouse chromosome 15 harboring the APOBEC3 and BAFF-R loci, both of which show functional polymorphisms among different strains of mice. The exon 5-lacking product of the APOBEC3 allele expressed in FV-resistant C57BL/6 (B6) mice directly restricts viral replication, and mice lacking the B6-derived APOBEC3 exhibit exaggerated pathology and reduced production of neutralizing antibodies. However, the mechanisms by which the polymorphisms at the APOBEC3 locus affect the production of neutralizing antibodies remain unclear. Here we show that the APOBEC3 genotypes do not directly affect the B-cell repertoire, and mice lacking B6-derived APOBEC3 still produce FV-neutralizing antibodies in the presence of primed T helper cells. Instead, higher viral loads at a very early stage of FV infection caused by either a lack of the B6-derived APOBEC3 or a lack of the wild-type BAFF-R resulted in slower production of neutralizing antibodies. Indeed, B cells were hyperactivated soon after infection in the APOBEC3- or BAFF-R-deficient mice. In contrast to mice deficient in the B6-derived APOBEC3, which cleared viremia by 4 weeks after FV infection, mice lacking the functional BAFF-R allele exhibited sustained viremia, indicating that the polymorphisms at the BAFF-R locus may better explain the Rfv3-defining phenotype of persistent viremia.

scholarly journals AKT1-CREB stimulation of PDGFRα expression is pivotal for PTEN deficient tumor development

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaofeng Wan ◽  
Meng Zhou ◽  
Fuqiang Huang ◽  
Na Zhao ◽  
Xu Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Signaling Pathway ◽  
Human Cancer ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Tumor Development ◽  
Growth Factor Receptor ◽  
Conditional Knockout ◽  
Loss Of Function ◽  
Akt Inhibitor ◽  
Human Cancer Cell Lines ◽  
Direct Binding

AbstractAs evidenced by the behavior of loss-of-function mutants of PTEN in the context of a gain-of-function mutation of AKT1, the PTEN-AKT1 signaling pathway plays a critical role in human cancers. In this study, we demonstrated that a deficiency in PTEN or activation of AKT1 potentiated the expression of platelet-derived growth factor receptor α (PDGFRα) based on studies on Pten−/− mouse embryonic fibroblasts, human cancer cell lines, the hepatic tissues of Pten conditional knockout mice, and human cancer tissues. Loss of PTEN enhanced PDGFRα expression via activation of the AKT1-CREB signaling cascade. CREB transactivated PDGFRα expression by direct binding of the promoter of the PDGFRα gene. Depletion of PDGFRα attenuated the tumorigenicity of Pten-null cells in nude mice. Moreover, the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway has been shown to positively correlate with PDGFRα expression in multiple cancers. Augmented PDGFRα was associated with poor survival of cancer patients. Lastly, combination treatment with the AKT inhibitor MK-2206 and the PDGFR inhibitor CP-673451 displayed synergistic anti-tumor effects. Therefore, activation of the AKT1-CREB-PDGFRα signaling pathway contributes to the tumor growth induced by PTEN deficiency and should be targeted for cancer treatment.

scholarly journals The State of the Art and Prospects for Osteoimmunomodulatory Biomaterials

Materials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (6) ◽  
pp. 1357
Author(s):  
Andreea-Mariana Negrescu ◽  
Anisoara Cimpean
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Bodies ◽  
Structural Characteristics ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Fibrous Tissue ◽  
Bioactive Molecules ◽  
New Bone Formation ◽  
Recent Developments

The critical role of the immune system in host defense against foreign bodies and pathogens has been long recognized. With the introduction of a new field of research called osteoimmunology, the crosstalk between the immune and bone-forming cells has been studied more thoroughly, leading to the conclusion that the two systems are intimately connected through various cytokines, signaling molecules, transcription factors and receptors. The host immune reaction triggered by biomaterial implantation determines the in vivo fate of the implant, either in new bone formation or in fibrous tissue encapsulation. The traditional biomaterial design consisted in fabricating inert biomaterials capable of stimulating osteogenesis; however, inconsistencies between the in vitro and in vivo results were reported. This led to a shift in the development of biomaterials towards implants with osteoimmunomodulatory properties. By endowing the orthopedic biomaterials with favorable osteoimmunomodulatory properties, a desired immune response can be triggered in order to obtain a proper bone regeneration process. In this context, various approaches, such as the modification of chemical/structural characteristics or the incorporation of bioactive molecules, have been employed in order to modulate the crosstalk with the immune cells. The current review provides an overview of recent developments in such applied strategies.

scholarly journals The Fc-mediated effector functions of a potent SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibody, SC31, isolated from an early convalescent COVID-19 patient, are essential for the optimal therapeutic efficacy of the antibody

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (6) ◽  
pp. e0253487
Author(s):  
Conrad E. Z. Chan ◽  
Shirley G. K. Seah ◽  
De Hoe Chye ◽  
Shane Massey ◽  
Maricela Torres ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Therapeutic Efficacy ◽  
Neutralizing Antibodies ◽  
Inflammatory Responses ◽  
Therapeutic Potential ◽  
Rhesus Macaques ◽  
Neutralizing Antibody ◽  
Effector Functions ◽  
Viral Loads ◽  
Therapeutic Doses ◽  
Dose Dependent

Although SARS-CoV-2-neutralizing antibodies are promising therapeutics against COVID-19, little is known about their mechanism(s) of action or effective dosing windows. We report the generation and development of SC31, a potent SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibody, isolated from a convalescent patient. Antibody-mediated neutralization occurs via an epitope within the receptor-binding domain of the SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein. SC31 exhibited potent anti-SARS-CoV-2 activities in multiple animal models. In SARS-CoV-2 infected K18-human ACE2 transgenic mice, treatment with SC31 greatly reduced viral loads and attenuated pro-inflammatory responses linked to the severity of COVID-19. Importantly, a comparison of the efficacies of SC31 and its Fc-null LALA variant revealed that the optimal therapeutic efficacy of SC31 requires Fc-mediated effector functions that promote IFNγ-driven anti-viral immune responses, in addition to its neutralization ability. A dose-dependent efficacy of SC31 was observed down to 5mg/kg when administered before viral-induced lung inflammatory responses. In addition, antibody-dependent enhancement was not observed even when infected mice were treated with SC31 at sub-therapeutic doses. In SARS-CoV-2-infected hamsters, SC31 treatment significantly prevented weight loss, reduced viral loads, and attenuated the histopathology of the lungs. In rhesus macaques, the therapeutic potential of SC31 was evidenced through the reduction of viral loads in both upper and lower respiratory tracts to undetectable levels. Together, the results of our preclinical studies demonstrated the therapeutic efficacy of SC31 in three different models and its potential as a COVID-19 therapeutic candidate.

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