A highly potent and stable pan-coronavirus fusion inhibitor as a candidate prophylactic and therapeutic for COVID-19 and other coronavirus diseases

The development of broad-spectrum antivirals against human coronaviruses (HCoVs) is critical to combat the current coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and its variants, as well as future outbreaks of emerging CoVs. We have previously identified a polyethylene glycol-conjugated (PEGylated) lipopeptide, EK1C4, with potent pan-CoV fusion inhibitory activity. However, PEG linkers in peptide or protein drugs may reduce stability or induce anti-PEG antibodies in vivo. Therefore, we herein report the design and synthesis of a series of dePEGylated lipopeptide-based pan-CoV fusion inhibitors featuring the replacement of the PEG linker with amino acids in the heptad repeat 2 C-terminal fragment (HR2-CF) of HCoV-OC43. Among these lipopeptides, EKL1C showed the most potent inhibitory activity against infection by SARS-CoV-2 and its spike (S) mutants, as well as other HCoVs and some bat SARS-related coronaviruses (SARSr-CoVs) tested. The dePEGylated lipopeptide EKL1C exhibited significantly stronger resistance to proteolytic enzymes, better metabolic stability in mouse serum, higher thermostability than the PEGylated lipopeptide EK1C4, suggesting that EKL1C could be further developed as a candidate prophylactic and therapeutic for COVID-19 and other coronavirus diseases.

Recent advances in developing small-molecule inhibitors against SARS-CoV-2

The COVID-19 pandemic caused by the novel SARS-CoV-2 virus has caused havoc across the entire world. Even though several COVID-19 vaccines are currently in distribution worldwide, with others in the pipeline, treatment modalities lag behind. Accordingly, researchers have been working hard to understand the nature of the virus, its mutant strains, and the pathogenesis of the disease in order to uncover possible drug targets and effective therapeutic agents. As the research continues, we now know the genome structure, epidemiological and clinical features, and pathogenic mechanism of SARS-CoV-2. Here, we summarized the potential therapeutic targets involved in the life cycle of the virus. On the basis of these targets, small-molecule prophylactic and therapeutic agents have been or are being developed for prevention and treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infection.

The development of HIV vaccines targeting gp41 membrane-proximal external region (MPER): challenges and prospects

A human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1) vaccine which is able to effectively prevent infection would be the most powerful method of extinguishing pandemic of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Yet, achieving such vaccine remains great challenges. The membrane-proximal external region (MPER) is a highly conserved region of the envelope glycoprotein (Env) gp41 subunit near the viral envelope surface, and it plays a key role in membrane fusion. It is also the target of some reported broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs). Thus, MPER is deemed to be one of the most attractive vaccine targets. However, no one can induce these bNAbs by immunization with immunogens containing the MPER sequence(s). The few attempts at developing a vaccine have only resulted in the induction of neutralizing antibodies with quite low potency and limited breadth. Thus far, vaccine failure can be attributed to various characteristics of MPER, such as those involving structure and immunology; therefore, we will focus on these and review the recent progress in the field from the following perspectives: (1) MPER structure and its role in membrane fusion, (2) the epitopes and neutralization mechanisms of MPER-specific bNAbs, as well as the limitations in eliciting neutralizing antibodies, and (3) different strategies for MPER vaccine design and current harvests.

Small molecular agents against MERS-CoV infection / 药学学报

Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) has caused outbreaks of SARS-like disease with 35% case-fatality rate, mainly in the Middle East. A more severe outbreak of MERS occurred recently in the Republic of Korea, where 186 people contracted the infections, causing great concern worldwide. So far, there has been no clinically available drug for the treatment of MERS-CoV infection. The potential drugs against MERS-CoV mainly consist of monoclonal antibodies, peptides and small molecular agents. Small molecular agents have an advantage of easier synthesis, lower cost in production and relatively higher stability. There is better chance for those candidates to gain a quick development. This article reviews the progress of developing small molecular MERS-CoV agents.

Development of peptidic MERS-CoV entry inhibitors / 药学学报

In 2012, a new SARS-like coronavirus emerged in the Middle East, namely the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV). It has caused outbreaks with high mortality. During infection of target cell, MERS-CoV S protein S1 subunit binds to the cellular receptor (DPP4), and its S2 subunit HR1 and HR2 regions intact with each other to form a stable six-helix bundle to mediate the fusion between virus and target cell membranes. Hence, blocking the process of six-helix bundle formation can effectively inhibit MERS-CoV entry into the target cells. This review focuses on the recent advance in the development of peptidic entry inhibitors targeting the MERS-CoV S2 subunit.

Peptidic HIV-1 fusion inhibitor VIR576 as a potential dual- functional microbicide inhibits antigen-specific CD4(+) T-cell activation / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe if VIR576, an 20-mer peptide derived from the C-proximal subfragment of a1-antitrypsin (a1-AT) which inhibits human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) entry into the target cells by interacting with fusion peptide (FP), can also directly inhibit CD4(+) T cell activation in vitro.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Splenocytes isolated from DO11.10 OVA Tg mice were stimulated with ovalbumin or concanavalin A to test the effects of VIR576 on antigen-specific or non-antigen-specific T cell activation. Both primary CD4(+)CD25(-) T cells from DO11.10 mice and CD4(+) T cell line A2b were activated with specific antigens to evaluate the effects of VIR576.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>VIR576 inhibited antigen-specific splenocyte activation but had no significant effect on non-antigen-specific T-cell activation, which bypassed the crosstalk between the CD3-signaling complex and TCR. We furthermore observed that VIR576 could also down-regulate antigen-specific CD4(+) T-cell activation.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Given the high susceptibility of activated CD4(+) T cells in the mucosa to HIV-1 infection, the inhibitory effects of VIR576 on both HIV entry into the target cells and CD4(+) T-cell activation suggest the potential of VIR576 as a microbicide for prevention of sexual transmission of HIV.</p>

Design,synthesis and activity evaluation of new anti-HIV-1 CXCR4 inhibitors / 军事医学

Objective To design and synthesize a series of new type four hydrogen quinoline-benzyl/benzimidazole amine derivatives as a potential new inhibitor targeting auxiliary receptor CXCR 4, and determine their inhibitory activities to HIV-1.Methods Based on HIV-1 receptor CXCR4 inhibitors containing three nitrogen structure-activity motif and CCR5 partial hydrophobic pharmacophore , a series of new compounds were designed , synthesized and characterized by 1 HNMR and MS.The inhibitory activities of these compounds were determined using HIV-1 IIIB virus.Results and Conclusion Ten target compounds are synthesized .Four hydrogen quinoline-benzimidazole amine derivatives exhibit good anti-HIV activity(IC50 8 μmol/L).

Virtual screening of small molecular HIV-1 entry inhibitor NC-2 targeting gp120 and its action mechanism / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To screen the HIV-1 entry inhibitors targeting HIV-1 gp120 from the IBS natural product database by virtual screening based on the binding mode of the neutralizing antibody VRC01 with HIV-1 gp120 and investigate the anti-viral activities of the inhibitors and their action mechanisms.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The binding interaction of the candidate molecules binding gp120 and changes of the binding free energy were analyzed by MM-PBSA calculation. The anti-HIV-1 activities of the tested compounds were detected by HIV-1 pseudotyped virus, laboratory-adapted HIV-1 and a cell-cell fusion assay. The cytotoxicity of the studied molecules was examined by XTT colorimetric assay. The mechanisms of the anti-viral activities of the candidate molecules were analyzed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>A total of 19 molecules with distinct reduction of the binding free energy after binding with gp120 were screened from 40000 molecules. Among them, NC-2 showed anti-HIV-1 activities against HIV-1 pseudotyped virus and laboratory-adapted HIV-1, and was capable of blocking HIV-1 envelope-mediated cell-cell fusion. The IC50 of NC-2 for inhibiting HIV-1IIIB and pseudotyped HIV-1JRFL infection were 1.95∓0.44 µmol/L and 10.58∓0.13 µmol/L, respectively. The results of ELISA suggested that NC-2 could inhibit the binding of HIV-1 gp120 to CD4 without blocking the formation of gp41 six-helix bundle in vitro.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>This computer-based virtual screening method can be used to screen HIV-1 entry inhibitors targeting gp120. Using this virtual screening approach combined with anti-viral activity screening, we obtained a potent HIV-1 entry inhibitor NC-2 with novel structure.</p>

Construction of personalized full-length fully human mammalian display antibody library for children with systemic lupus erythematosus / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To construct a personalized full-length fully human antibody mammalian display library for children with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The total RNA was isolated from the PBMCs of SLE children. The heavy chain variable region and kappa light chain (VH and LCκ) of the antibody genes were amplified by RT-PCR and inserted into the pDGB-HC-TM vector separately to construct the heavy chain and light chain libraries. The library DNAs were transfected into 293T cells and the expression of full-length fully human antibody on the surface of 293T cells was analyzed by flow cytometry.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Using 0.8 µg total RNA as the template, the VH and LCκ were amplified and the full-length fully human antibody mammalian display library was constructed. The VH and LCκ gene libraries had a size of 9.4×10(4) and 8.4×10(4), respectively. Sequence analysis of 10 clones randomly selected from the VH and LCκ gene libraries each showed that 8 heavy chain clones and 7 light chain clones contained correct open reading frames, and flow cytometry demonstrated that all the 15 clones express full-length antibodies on 293T cell surfaces. 293T cells co-transfected with the VH and LCκ gene libraries expressed the full-length antibodies on the cell surface.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The personalized full-length fully human antibody library for SLE children constructed allows display of the full-length antibodies on mammalian cell surfaces, thus providing a valuable platform for analyzing the autoantibodies, their etiological role, and their clinical implications in SLE.</p>

Expression, structure and antigenicity analysis of N51 derived from the N-terminal heptad repeat domain in gp41 of HIV-1 CRF07_BC strain / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To express N51 derived from the N-terminal heptad repeat (NHR) domain in gp41 of the HIV-1 CRF07_BC strain and analyze its molecular structure and antigenicity.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Overlapping PCR was used to amplify the DNA fragment encoding N51Fd gene, which was then subcloned into the vector pFUSE-hIgG1-Fc2. The construct was confirmed by DNA sequencing. The structure and antigenicity of the recombinant protein N51FdFc-BC were analyzed using bioinformatic software, circular dichroism, and Western blotting.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>A recombinant expression vector pFUSE/N51Fd-BC was successfully constructed. N51FdFc-BC recombinant protein with a relative molecular mass of about 35 000 was effectively expressed in mammalian 293T cells and could be recognized by rabbit antibodies against HIV-1 gp41 N/C peptides as shown by Western blotting. Bioinformatic analysis showed that the recombinant protein N51FdFc-BC, with a relative molecular mass of 34 315.1 and a PI of 7.59, formed a secondary structure of random coil to allow its interactions as an antigen with antibodies. Circular dichroism measurement confirmed the random coil structure of N51FdFc-BC protein.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The recombinant protein N51FdFc-BC has a random coil structure and can be used as an immunogen for development of HIV-1 subunit vaccine.</p>

Roles of the hemagglutinin of influenza A virus in viral entry and development of antiviral therapeutics and vaccines

Seasonal influenza epidemics and influenza pandemics caused by influenza A virus (IAV) has resulted in millions of deaths in the world. The development of anti-IAV vaccines and therapeutics is urgently needed for prevention and treatment of IAV infection and for controlling future influenza pandemics. Hemagglutinin (HA) of IAV plays a critical role in viral binding, fusion and entry, and contains the major neutralizing epitopes. Therefore, HA is an attractive target for developing anti-IAV drugs and vaccines. Here we have reviewed the recent progress in study of conformational changes of HA during viral fusion process and development of HA-based antiviral therapeutics and vaccines.

Acid native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis:a method for studying the mechanism of action of HIV entry inhibitor ADS-J1 / 中国药理学通报

Aim ADS-J1 is a low molecular HIV entry inhibitor targeting HIV transmembrane subunit gp41 through virtual screening from a compound library containing 20 000 molecules.This study is to investigate the binding sites of ADS-J1 on gp41.Methods Acid native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (AN-PAGE) assay was applied to test the binding ability of ADS-J1 with the peptides derived from gp41 N-terminal heptad repeat (NHR) region.Results It was reported previously that ADS-J1 could block the gp41 six-helix bundle (6-HB) formation using native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (N-PAGE).However,the binding sites could not be found because positive charged N-peptides derived from gp41 NHR could not show bands on the gel.In the present study,the AN-PAGE assay which could show N-peptides in the gel was established,and it was found that ADS-J1 could inhibit the gp41 6-HB formation.Moreover,ADS-J1 bound directly to the gp41 cavity region of NHR.The positively charged residue (K574) located in this region was critical for the binding of ADS-J1.Conclusions ADS-J1 inhibits HIV entry by targeting the cavity region of gp41 NHR,whereas K574 in the cavity plays a critical role for the binding.Furthermore,the AN-PAGE assay provides a simple method for studying the mechanism of action of virus entry inhibitors targeting the transmembrane protein of type I enveloped virus.

The anti-HIV-1 entrance activity and mechanism of action of myriceric acid B from Rhoiptelea chiliantha Diels et Hand-Mazz / 中国药理学通报

Aim To investigate the HIV-1 entry inhibitory activities of myriceric acid B and C isolated from Rhoiptelea chiliantha Diels et Hand-Mazz and their mechanism of action.Method The plasmids encoding envelope proteins of HIV-1 (pHXB2) and VSV (pVSV-G) were cotransfected 293T cells with pNL4-3.Luc.R-E- to produce HIV-1 Env pseudovirus and VSV-G pseudovirus,respectively,which were used for testing the antiviral activities of these compounds.ELISA and molecular docking were used to study the mechanism of action of the active compounds.Results Myriceric acid B could significantly inhibit the infection of HIV-1 Env pseudovirus with an IC_(50) of(8.3±0.2)mg·L~(-1).The carbonoxyl group at C-28 position and the hydroxyl group at the C-3 position of myriceric acid B are important for its anti-HIV-1 activity.Like other HIV-1 entry inhibitors targeting gp41 (eg,ADS-J1 and NB-64), myriceric acid B could also block the gp41 six-helix bundle formation.Molecular docking analysis suggests that myriceric acid B may bind to the hydrophobic cavity of the gp41 N-trimeric coiled coil.Conclusion Myriceric acid B is a potent HIV-1 entry inhibitor targeting gp41 and can serve as a lead compound for developing novel anti-HIV-1 drug.

Research progress on the structure of HIV envelope glycoprotein and related HIV entry inhibitors / 中国药理学通报

HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein gp120 and gp41 are considered as two important parts in viral entry.In the process of virus entry,CD4 first binds to gp120 and causes the conformation of gp120 to change.Furthermore the conformation of gp41 has also been changed.Many peptides,macromolecular compounds and small molecule compounds which bind to gp120 or gp41 can deter the progress of virus entry.These compounds can play an important role in halting the spread of HIV-1 in this way.The structure and interaction of gp120 and gp41 are reviewed here,as well as the anti-HIV agents blocking the HIV entry by targeting the HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein.

Screening and identification of HIV-1 gp41 C-helix mimotopes displayed on phages / 中国免疫学杂志

Objective:To find small molecular leads for inhibition on early stage of HIV infection by identification and characterization of the HIV-1 gp41 C-helix mimotopes.Methods:For identification of the gp41 C-helix mimotopes,C7C phage display peptide library was biopanning by using a synthetic peptide N36 which was derived from the gp41 N-helix as target.After three rounds of screening,positive phage clones were identified by ELISA and sequenced.Results:16 of 26 phage clones were identified to bind with peptide N36,and 10 of them were sequenced.Every clone of ten clones contains at least two hydrophobic residues,which may dock into the hydrophobic pocket in the gp41 N-helix domain.9 of the 10 clones have a conservative sequence WW,which may mimic the W628 and W631 in C-helix to interact with the hydrophobic residues in the gp41 pocket.One clone expressing the conservative sequence named clone No.8(CYWWHRLHC) was selected for characterization.The binding between the clone No.8 and N36 was blocked by free peptide N36.And the binding between clone No.8 and peptide N36 was inhibited by peptide C34(IC 50=12.5 ?g/ml).Conclusion:The short circular peptides displayed on phages containing WW residues may mimic the conformational epitope of the HIV-1 gp41 C-helix to interact with the N-helix.This information may be useful for design of HIV-1 fusion inhibitors.

Studies on a high-throughput screening method for identification of HIV fusion inhibitors targeting gp41 / 中国药理学通报

AIM To modify and improve a screening assay so that it becomes more convenient, economic and adaptable in China for high throughput screening of HIV fusion inhibitors targeting gp41. METHODS The original screening method reported by Jiang et al (J Virol. Methods 1999;80:85 96) was modified by: ① using a conformation specific monoclonal antibody to replace a polyclonal antibody for coating plates; ②simplifying the procedures; ③using parts of the reagents produced in China. RESULTS The modified screening assay is simpler, more convenient, and more economic than the original assay, but its sensitivity is comparable to and specificity is a little better than the original method. CONCLUSIONS The modified screening assay is more convenient and economic and can be used in China for high throughput screening of HIV fusion inhibitors from complex sample, such as phage display peptide libraries, microorganism fermentation liquids, herbs and other natural products.