Inhibition Of Virus Infection Research Articles

Research progress of the SLFN family in malignant tumors

The Schlafen (SLFN) gene family has emerged as a critical subject of study in recent years, given its involvement in an array of cellular functions such as proliferation, differentiation, immune responses, viral infection inhibition, and DNA replication. Additionally, SLFN genes are linked to chemosensitivity, playing a pivotal role in treating malignant tumors. Human SLFNs comprise three domains: the N-terminal, middle (M), and C-terminal. The N- and C-terminal domains demonstrate nuclease and helicase/ATPase activities, respectively. Meanwhile, the M-domain likely functions as a linker that connects the enzymatic domains of the N- and C-terminals and may engage in interactions with other proteins. This paper aims to present a comprehensive overview of the SLFN family’s structure and sequence, examine its significance in various tumors, and explore its connection with immune infiltrating cells and immune checkpoints. The objective is to assess the potential of SLFNs as vital targets in cancer therapy and propose novel strategies for combined treatment approaches.

Two Monoclonal Antibodies Targeting Distinct Subdomains of Human Norovirus P Protein.

The human norovirus (HuNov) major capsid VP1comprises an S (shell) and a P (protruding) domain; the latter is responsible for virus attachment and infection. The dimeric formation of P (containing P1 and P2 subdomains) is indispensable for forming a receptor-binding pocket, enabling HuNov to dock to attachment factor histo-blood group antigens (HBGAs) on the host cell. Thus, the P-specific antibody may hamper the engagement of P and HBGA, thereby inhibiting virus infection. In this study, we developed and characterized two HuNov P-specific murine monoclonal antibodies (MAbs), namely, 5C6 and 1H12. They can bind to P protein with high affinity, as evidenced by the results of indirect fluorescent assay, western blot, and Biolayer interferometry assay. Particularly, the MAb 1H12 recognizes the P2 subdomain, whereas the 5C6 targets the distal P1. These MAbs may contribute to the exploration of novel epitopes on HuNov VP1 and to the development of new antivirals.

Engineering a NanoBiT biosensor for detecting angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 (hACE2) interaction with SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and screening the inhibitors to block hACE2 and spike interaction

Infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is facilitated by its trimeric surface spike protein, which binds to the human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (hACE2) receptor. This critical interaction facilitates viral entry and is a primary target for therapeutic intervention against COVID-19. However, it is difficult to fully optimize viral infection using existing protein–protein interaction methods. Herein, we introduce a nano-luciferase binary technology (NanoBiT)-based pseudoviral sensor designed to stimulate the dynamics of viral infection in both living cells and animals. Infection progression can be dynamically visualized via a rapid increase in luminescence within 3 h using an in vivo imaging system (IVIS). Inhibition of viral infection by baicalein and baicalin was evaluated using a NanoBiT-based pseudoviral sensor. These results indicate that the inhibitory efficacy of baicalein was strengthened by targeting the spike protein, whereas baicalin targeted the hACE2 protein. Additionally, under optimized conditions, baicalein and baicalin provided a synergistic combination to inhibit pseudoviral infection. Live bioluminescence imaging was used to evaluate the in vivo effects of baicalein and baicalin treatment on LgBiT-hACE2 mice infected with the BA.2-SmBiT spike pseudovirus. This innovative bioluminescent system functions as a sensitive and early-stage quantitative viral transduction in vitro and in vivo. This platform provides novel opportunities for studying the molecular biology of animal models.

A broad neutralizing nanobody against SARS-CoV-2 engineered from an approved drug

SARS-CoV-2 infection is initiated by Spike glycoprotein binding to the human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor via its receptor binding domain. Blocking this interaction has been proven to be an effective approach to inhibit virus infection. Here we report the discovery of a neutralizing nanobody named VHH60, which was directly produced from an engineering nanobody library based on a commercialized nanobody within a very short period. VHH60 competes with human ACE2 to bind the receptor binding domain of the Spike protein at S351, S470-471and S493-494 as determined by structural analysis, with an affinity of 2.56 nM. It inhibits infections of both ancestral SARS-CoV-2 strain and pseudotyped viruses harboring SARS-CoV-2 wildtype, key mutations or variants at the nanomolar level. Furthermore, VHH60 suppressed SARS-CoV-2 infection and propagation 50-fold better and protected mice from death for twice as long as the control group after SARS-CoV-2 nasal infections in vivo. Therefore, VHH60 is not only a powerful nanobody with a promising profile for disease control but also provides evidence for a highly effective and rapid approach to generating therapeutic nanobodies.

Suppressing FXR promotes antiviral effects of bile acids via enhancing the interferon transcription

Bile acids (BAs) are natural metabolites in mammals and have the potential to function as drugs against viral infection. However, the limited understanding of chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA) receptors and downstream signaling, along with its lower suppression efficiency in inhibiting virus infection limits its clinical application. In this study, we demonstrate that farnesoid X receptor (FXR), the receptor of CDCA, negatively regulates interferon signaling, thereby contributing to the reduced effectiveness of CDCA against virus replication. FXR deficiency or pharmacological inhibition enhances interferon signaling activation to suppress virus infection. Mechanistically, FXR impairs the DNA binding and transcriptional abilities of activated interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF3) through interaction. Reduced IRF3 transcriptional activity by FXR–IRF3 interaction significantly undermines the expression of Interferon Beta 1 (IFNB1) and the antiviral response of cells, especially upon the CDCA treatment. In FXR-deficient cells, or when combined with Z-guggulsterone (GUGG) treatment, CDCA exhibits a more potent ability to restrict virus infection. Thus, these findings suggest that FXR serves as a limiting factor for CDCA in inhibiting virus replication, which can be attributed to the “signaling-brake” roles of FXR in interferon signaling. Targeting FXR inhibition represents a promising pharmaceutical strategy for the clinical application of BAs metabolites as antiviral drugs.

Secondary infections may cause host mortality by inhibiting NRF1-mediated antiviral immune responses

Pathogen infection does not directly cause host death. Secondary infection is the main factor that leads to severe damage. Nuclear respiratory factor 1 (NRF1) is a nuclear transcription factor that regulate mitochondrial biogenesis. However, the function of NRF1 in antiviral immunity, especially its role in the process of co-infection is largely unknown. NRF1 inhibited virus infection by mediating apoptosis in arthropod, Procambarus clarkii. Notably, NRF1 expression was significantly induced in the early stage of white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) infection and reduced during the later stage of infection. NRF1 mediated apoptosis, phagocytosis, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production 24 h after WSSV infection. The number of culturable bacteria was significantly increased and induced hypoxia in vivo 72 h after WSSV infection. Hypoxia exposure resulted in a decrease in NRF1 expression led to a decrease in body immunity and a vicious cycle until the crayfish died. This study demonstrated that secondary infections may be a major cause of biological mortality in crustaceans.

Safety Evaluation of Recombinant Bovine Lactoferrin as a Novel Biomaterial

This study introduces the physical principles and safety evaluation of recombinant bovine lactoferrin (fusion factor) as an innovative biomaterial. Fusion factor is a recombinant lactoferrin expressed by fusing lactoferrin, which has natural biological defense function, with other peptide segments through sequence optimization. It is named fusion factor. Its molecular weight is about 36kDa, which is much greater than the 1kDa molecular weight limit of macromolecular transdermal absorption, so it is not absorbed when used externally on the epithelial mucosa. The lactoferrin based biological defense functional peptide segment in the fusion factor can neutralize the virus by binding to viral protein nucleic acid through the physical action of charge adsorption, and can also compete with cell receptors to inhibit virus infection in cells. The molar ratio of the transmembrane peptide (Pep-1) fragment to the carrier protein is 1:1, so only the transport protein is anchored to the cell surface, forming a physical isolation protein protective wall against viruses and bacteria, without penetrating the cell or damaging the cell membrane. The fusion factor and its derived vaginal bacteria blocking gel have no significant toxicity, sensitization, anaphylaxis or delayed hypersensitivity in vitro cell experiments, in vivo animal experiments and clinical observation tests, and have no side effects with highly safety.

Molecular insights to the anti-COVID-19 potential of α-, β- and γ-cyclodextrins

SARS-CoV-2 viral infection is regulated by the host cell receptors ACE2 and TMPRSS2, and therefore the effect of various natural and synthetic compounds on these receptors has recently been the subject of investigations. Cyclodextrins, naturally occurring polysaccharides derived from starch, are soluble in water and have a hydrophobic cavity at their center enabling them to accommodate small molecules and utilize them as carriers in the food, supplements, and pharmaceutical industries to improve the solubility, stability, and bioavailability of target compounds. In the current study, computational molecular simulations were used to investigate the ability of α-, β- and γ-Cyclodextrins on human cell surface receptors. Cell-based experimental approaches, including expression analyses at mRNA and protein levels and virus replication, were used to assess the effect on receptor expression and virus infection, respectively. We found that none of the three CDs could dock effectively to human cell surface receptor ACE2 and viral protease Mpro (essential for virus replication). On the other hand, α- and β-CD showed strong and stable interactions with TMPRSS2, and the expression of both ACE2 and TMPRSS2 was downregulated at the mRNA and protein levels in cyclodextrin (CD)-treated cells. A cell-based virus replication assay showed ∼20% inhibition by β- and γ-CD. Taken together, the study suggested that (i) downregulation of expression of host cell receptors may not be sufficient to inhibit virus infection (ii) activity of the receptors and virus protein Mpro may play a critical and clinically relevant role, and hence (iii) newly emerging anti-Covid-19 compounds warrant multimodal functional analyses. Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma

Canine distemper virus (CDV)-neutralizing activities of an anti-CDV canine-derived single-chain variable antibody fragment 4-15 (scFv 4-15) screened by phage display technology

Canine distemper virus (CDV) is a highly contagious pathogen that causes severe diarrhea, fever and vomiting in domestic dogs, posing a serious threat to the dog breeding industry. Currently, there are no effective therapeutic agents for emergency treatment despite the availability of vaccines against CDV infection. Single-chain fragment variable (scFv) antibody has been demonstrated to effectively inhibit virus infections, suggesting a potential candidate as a therapeutic agent for canine distemper. In this study, a phage-displayed scFv library was constructed from the peripheral blood lymphocytes of dog immunized intramuscularly with live-attenuated CDV vaccine, and was subjected to four rounds of pannings against CDV. Subsequent indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay screening revealed high-affinity scFv antibodies specific to CDV, and indirect immunofluorescence assay screening revealed CDV-neutralizing activity of scFv antibodies. Our results showed that a scFv antibody 4–15 (scFv 4–15) with high-affinity binding to CDV and neutralizing activity against CDV was obtained, which displayed effective therapeutic potential in vivo for dogs challenged with a lethal dose of CDV. Conclusively, the scFv 4–15 with high-affinity binding and neutralizing activity to CDV that was obtained by phage display technology provides a promising candidate for the therapeutic agents against CDV infection.

Tumor Treating Fields (TTFields) demonstrate antiviral functions in vitro, and safety for application to COVID-19 patients in a pilot clinical study

Coronaviruses are the causative agents of several recent outbreaks, including the COVID-19 pandemic. One therapeutic approach is blocking viral binding to the host receptor. As binding largely depends on electrostatic interactions, we hypothesized possible inhibition of viral infection through application of electric fields, and tested the effectiveness of Tumor Treating Fields (TTFields), a clinically approved cancer treatment based on delivery of electric fields. In preclinical models, TTFields were found to inhibit coronavirus infection and replication, leading to lower viral secretion and higher cell survival, and to formation of progeny virions with lower infectivity, overall demonstrating antiviral activity. In a pilot clinical study (NCT04953234), TTFields therapy was safe for patients with severe COVID-19, also demonstrating preliminary effectiveness data, that correlated with higher device usage.

ATG8f Interacts with Chilli Veinal Mottle Virus 6K2 Protein to Limit Virus Infection.

Autophagy, as a conserved protein degradation pathway in plants, has also been reported to be intricately associated with antiviral defense mechanisms. However, the relationship between chilli veinal mottle virus (ChiVMV) and autophagy has not been investigated in the existing research. Here, we reveal that ChiVMV infection caused the accumulation of autophagosomes in infected Nicotiana benthamiana leaves and the upregulation of autophagy-related genes (ATGs). Moreover, the changes in gene expression were correlated with the development of symptoms. Treatment with autophagy inhibitors (3-MA or E-64D) could increase the infection sites and facilitate virus infection, whereas treatment with the autophagy activator (Rapamycin) limited virus infection. Then, ATG8f was identified to interact with ChiVMV 6K2 protein directly in vitro and in vivo. The silencing of ATG8f promoted virus infection, whereas the overexpression of ATG8f inhibited virus infection. Furthermore, the expression of 6K2-GFP in ATG8f- or ATG7-silenced plants was significantly higher than that in control plants. Rapamycin treatment reduced the accumulation of 6K2-GFP in plant cells, whereas treatment with the inhibitor of the ubiquitin pathway (MG132), 3-MA, or E-64D displayed little impact on the accumulation of 6K2-GFP. Thus, our results demonstrated that ATG8f interacts with the ChiVMV 6K2 protein, promoting the degradation of 6K2 through the autophagy pathway.

Eukaryotic translation elongation factor 1 alpha (eEF1A) inhibits Siniperca chuatsi rhabdovirus (SCRV) infection through two distinct mechanisms.

Although a virus can regulate many cellular responses to facilitate its replication by interacting with host proteins, the host can also restrict virus infection through these interactions. In the present study, we showed that the host eukaryotic translation elongation factor 1 alpha (eEF1A), an essential protein in the translation machinery, interacted with two proteins of a fish rhabdovirus, Siniperca chuatsi rhabdovirus (SCRV), and inhibited virus infection via two different mechanisms: (i) inhibiting the formation of crucial viral protein complexes required for virus transcription and replication and (ii) promoting the ubiquitin-proteasome degradation of viral protein. We also revealed the functional regions of eEF1A that are involved in the two processes. Such a host protein inhibiting a rhabdovirus infection in two ways is rarely reported. These findings provided new information for the interactions between host and fish rhabdovirus.

Human Mannose Receptor 1 Attenuates HIV-1 Infectivity in a Virus Isolate-Specific Manner.

Human mannose receptor 1 (hMRC1) is a transmembrane glycoprotein that belongs to the C-type lectin family and is expressed on the surface of most tissue macrophages. hMRC1 contributes to the binding and transmission of HIV-1 and is involved in the endocytic uptake of HIV-1 for subsequent antigen presentation. We previously reported that hMRC1 functions as an antiviral factor by inhibiting virus release through a BST-2-like mechanism. The inhibition of virus release was not virus isolate-specific and, surprisingly, was not Env-dependent. We now report on another hMRC1 antiviral function that affects the infectivity of viral particles. Unlike its effect on virus release, the inhibition of viral infectivity by hMRC1 was virus isolate-specific. An analysis of chimeric Env revealed that the Env V3 region was a critical determinant for the inhibitory effect of hMRC1. Of note, exogenously expressed hMRC1 was packaged into viral particles in an Env-independent manner. Co-immunoprecipitation studies revealed a strong interaction of the hMRC1-sensitive NL43 Env with hMRC1, while the hMRC1-insensitive Envs of AD8 and 49.5 isolates interacted poorly if at all with hMRC1. An analysis of a panel of Transmitted/Founder (T/F) viruses revealed that all of them were R5-tropic, and more than half of them were inhibited by hMRC1. The detailed mechanism of how hMRC1 inhibits viral infectivity remains to be investigated. However, the high-affinity binding of hMRC1 to Env may cause a conformational change around the Env V3 region or obstruct the Env V3 region and may make it inaccessible for subsequent interaction with the coreceptor during virus entry.

SYNTHESIS AND ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY OF SELENO(MERCURY)HALOGEN-CONTAINING BENZOTHIAZOLE DERIVATIVES

Derivatives of benzothiazole are sufficiently well researched as substrates for obtaining a number of condensed and hybrid polycyclic heterocycles that exhibit various biological activities, namely, they exhibit anticancer, antimicrobial, antioxidant activity, can be used as antidiabetic agents, analgesics, and inhibitors of viral infections. In this work, the possibility of seleno- and mercury-induced cyclization of 2-cinnamylthiobenzothiazole and the prospect of the usage of seleno- and mercury-containing benzothiazole derivatives as bactericidal and fungicidal agents are investigated. It was established that non-regioselective selenium-induced cyclization of 2-cinnamylbenzothiazole occurs during the reaction of 2-cinnamylthiobenzothiazole with the mixture of selenium dioxide and hydrobromic acid in a chloroform medium; reaction leads to the formation of a mixture of selenium-containing regioisomers of 4-phenyl-3-(tribromo-l4-selanyl)-3,4-dihydro-2H-[1,3]thiazino[2,3-b][1,3]benzothiazolium bromide and 4,4-dibromo-3-[bromo(phenyl)methyl]-3,4-dihydro-2H-4l4-[1,4,3]thiaselenazino[2,3-b][1,3]benzothiazolium bromide. On the other hand, a molecular complex is formed in a ratio of 1:1, when mercuriating of 2-cinnamylthiobenzothiazole with mercury chloride,. Experimentally determined fungicidal properties of seleno-, mercury-, and tellurium-containing derivatives of benzothiazole indicate the prospect of their use as bactericidal and antifungal agents
 Keywords: 2-cinnamylthiobenzothiazole; thiazino[2,3-b][1,3]benzothiazolium, thiaselenazino[2,3-b][1,3]benzothiazolium, molecular complex, fungicidal activity.

Identification of a small chemical as a lysosomal calcium mobilizer and characterization of its ability to inhibit autophagy and viral infection.

We previously identified glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) as one of the cyclic adenosine diphosphoribose (cADPR)'s binding proteins and found that GAPDH participates in cADPR-mediated Ca2+ release from endoplasmic reticulum via ryanodine receptors (RyRs). Here, we aimed to chemically synthesise and pharmacologically characterise novel cADPR analogues. Based on the simulated cADPR-GAPDH complex structure, we performed the structure-based drug screening, identified several small chemicals with high docking scores to cADPR's binding pocket in GAPDH and showed that two of these compounds, C244 and C346, are potential cADPR antagonists. We further synthesised several analogues of C346 and found that its analogue, G42, also mobilised Ca2+ release from lysosomes. G42 alkalised lysosomal pH and inhibited autophagosome-lysosome fusion. Moreover, G42 markedly inhibited Zika virus (ZIKV, a flavivirus) or murine hepatitis virus (MHV, a β-coronavirus) infections of host cells. These results suggest that G42 inhibits virus infection, likely by triggering lysosomal Ca2+ mobilisation and inhibiting autophagy.

Zebrafish SETD3 mediated ubiquitination of phosphoprotein limits spring viremia of carp virus infection.

Lysine methylation is a post-translational modification of histone and non-histone proteins and affects numerous cellular processes. The actin histidine methyltransferase SET domain containing 3 (SETD3) is a member of the protein lysine methyltransferase (PKMT) family which catalyse the addition of methyl groups to lysine residues. However, the role of SETD3 in virus-mediated innate immune responses has rarely been investigated. In this study, zebrafish SETD3 was shown to be induced by poly(I:C) and spring viremia of carp virus (SVCV) and inhibited virus infection. Further, it was found that SETD3 directly interacted with SVCV phosphoprotein (SVCV P) in the cytoplasm of EPC cells, initiating ubiquitination to degrade the SVCV P protein via proteasomal pathway. Interestingly, mutants lacking the SET and RSB domains were able to promote degradation of SVCV P, indicating that they are not required for SETD3 mediated degradation of SVCV P. Taken together, our study demonstrates that SETD3 is an antiviral factor which limits virus replication by promoting ubiquitination of viral phosphoprotein and subsequent protein degradation.

Medicinal plants with antiviral effect: A review

Several phytochemicals exhibited high level of antiviral activity. Medicinal plant possessed antiviral activity via many mechanisms included inhibition of viral replication, inhibition of the assembly of intracellular infectious virus particles, inhibition of viral infectivity, inhibition of RNA polymerase, DNA polymerase, viral neuraminidase, protease, reverse transcriptase and viral protein expression and many other mechanisms. The current review discuss the medicinal plants with antiviral activity with their mechanisms of action.

A selective autophagy receptor VISP1 induces symptom recovery by targeting viral silencing suppressors

Selective autophagy is a double-edged sword in antiviral immunity and regulated by various autophagy receptors. However, it remains unclear how to balance the opposite roles by one autophagy receptor. We previously identified a virus-induced small peptide called VISP1 as a selective autophagy receptor that facilitates virus infections by targeting components of antiviral RNA silencing. However, we show here that VISP1 can also inhibit virus infections by mediating autophagic degradation of viral suppressors of RNA silencing (VSRs). VISP1 targets the cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) 2b protein for degradation and attenuates its suppression activity on RNA silencing. Knockout and overexpression of VISP1 exhibit compromised and enhanced resistance against late infection of CMV, respectively. Consequently, VISP1 induces symptom recovery from CMV infection by triggering 2b turnover. VISP1 also targets the C2/AC2 VSRs of two geminiviruses and enhances antiviral immunity. Together, VISP1 induces symptom recovery from severe infections of plant viruses through controlling VSR accumulation.

Immunity gene IFITM3 variant: relation to cognition and Alzheimer pathology

AbstractBackgroundIFITM3, an innate immune response protein and inhibitor of viral infection, was reported to modulate amyloid‐β production in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). We aimed to identify single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in IFITM3 associated with cognition and AD biomarkers.MethodWe used genetic, longitudinal cognition and AD biomarker data from Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI; N = 1,565) and AddNeuroMed (N = 633) as discovery and replication samples, respectively. First, we performed gene‐based association analysis of SNPs in IFITM3 with cognitive performance. Second, we performed SNP‐based association analysis in IFITM3 with cognitive decline and AD biomarkers from amyloid positron emission tomography (PET), cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).ResultGene‐based association analysis showed that IFITM3 was significantly associated with cognitive performance (permutation‐corrected p = 1.25×10−3). Particularly, among two SNPs (rs10751647, rs2091850) in IFITM3 significantly associated with cognitive performance, rs10751647 was associated with cognitive decline in ADNI, which was replicated in AddNeuroMed. In addition, rs10751647 was significantly associated with amyloid‐β deposition measured by amyloid PET scan, CSF phosphorylated tau levels, and entorhinal cortical thickness measured by MRI scan in ADNI. The association of rs10751647 with entorhinal cortical thickness was replicated in AddNeuroMed. Participants with minor alleles (C) of rs10751647 have less cognitive decline, less amyloid and tau burden, and less brain atrophy. eQTL analysis showed that rs10751647 is associated with IFITM3 expression levels in blood and brain.ConclusionThis suggests that rs10751647 in IFITM3 is associated with less vulnerability for cognitive decline and AD biomarkers, providing mechanistic insight regarding involvement of immune activity and infection in AD.

Polyamines and eIF5A hypusination facilitate SREBP2 synthesis and cholesterol production leading to enhanced enterovirus attachment and infection.

Metabolism is key to cellular processes that underlie the ability of a virus to productively infect. Polyamines are small metabolites vital for many host cell processes including proliferation, transcription, and translation. Polyamine depletion also inhibits virus infection via diverse mechanisms, including inhibiting polymerase activity and viral translation. We showed that Coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3) attachment requires polyamines; however, the mechanism was unknown. Here, we report polyamines' involvement in translation, through a process called hypusination, promotes expression of cholesterol synthesis genes by supporting SREBP2 synthesis, the master transcriptional regulator of cholesterol synthesis genes. Measuring bulk transcription, we find polyamines support expression of cholesterol synthesis genes, regulated by SREBP2. Thus, polyamine depletion inhibits CVB3 by depleting cellular cholesterol. Exogenous cholesterol rescues CVB3 attachment, and mutant CVB3 resistant to polyamine depletion exhibits resistance to cholesterol perturbation. This study provides a novel link between polyamine and cholesterol homeostasis, a mechanism through which polyamines impact CVB3 infection.