Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ausra Domanska, Sergey Guryanov, Sarah J. Butcher
Summary: Parechoviruses are non-enveloped icosahedral viruses with a single-stranded RNA genome, infecting humans and causing a range of illnesses. There are currently no approved antivirals for treating parechovirus infections.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Hao Rong, Liping Wang, Liuying Gao, Yulu Fang, Qin Chen, Jianli Hu, Meng Ye, Qi Liao, Lina Zhang, Changzheng Dong
Summary: This study systematically predicted and compared the conformational epitopes of HPeV1 and HPeV3, showing that they clustered into three specific sites. Although the distribution positions of the epitopes were highly consistent, the residues varied largely and determined the genotypes.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Kanako Watanabe, Tomoichiro Oka, Hirotaka Takagi, Sergei Anisimov, Shun-ichi Yamashita, Yoshinori Katsuragi, Masahiko Takahashi, Masaya Higuchi, Tomotake Kanki, Akihiko Saitoh, Masahiro Fujii
Summary: The host factor MYADM is identified as essential for PeV-A infection and is involved in virus entry into host cells in vitro. This finding advances our understanding of the pathogenesis of PeV-A.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Patricia G. de la Sota, Elena Lorente, Laura Notario, Carmen Mir, Oscar Zaragoza, Daniel Lopez
Summary: HRSV is a common cause of severe respiratory infections in infants and young children, as well as a serious health risk for immunocompromised individuals and the elderly. The development of antiviral treatments against HRSV is considered a global health priority. The study found that mitoxantrone inhibits HRSV replication in vitro, but not in vivo in a mice model, providing implications for preclinical studies of drug candidates.
Article
Virology
Ming-Wei Jan, Chih-Yun Chiu, Jih-Jung Chen, Tsung-Hsien Chang, Kuen-Jer Tsai
Summary: This study found that the infection of Parechovirus type-A3 (PeV-A3) was reduced in human platelet lysate (hPL)-cultured cells compared to fetal bovine serum (FBS)-cultured cells. Mechanistic analysis revealed that hPL stimulates the type I interferon (IFN) antiviral pathway, resulting in the activation of related transcription factors and the expression of antiviral genes. Enhanced PeV-A3 replication was observed in hPL-cultured cells treated with STAT-1 inhibitor and STAT1 shRNA. These findings suggest that hPL may have potential antiviral effects.
Review
Virology
Terry Jackson, Graham J. Belsham
Summary: Picornaviruses contain a positive-sense RNA genome and encode a single large polyprotein, with non-structural proteins playing crucial roles in viral replication.
Article
Cell Biology
Fatma Masmoudi, Nanci Santos-Ferreira, Dasja Pajkrt, Katja C. C. Wolthers, Jeroen DeGroot, Maria L. H. Vlaming, Joana Rocha-Pereira, Ludovico Buti
Summary: Enteroviruses cause various infections, but specific antiviral treatments are lacking. Organoids provide a valuable model for studying antiviral treatments, and comparing them to conventional cell lines can enhance understanding. Our study shows that human small intestinal organoids are more sensitive to enterovirus infection and drug treatment, highlighting the importance of using organoid models in antiviral studies.
Article
Immunology
Seweryn Bialasiewicz, Meryta May, Sarah Tozer, Rebecca Day, Anne Bernard, Julian Zaugg, Kyana Gartrell, Soren Alexandersen, Anthony Chamings, Claire Y. T. Wang, Julia Clark, Keith Grimwood, Claire Heney, Luregn Schlapbach, Robert S. Ware, David Speers, Ross M. Andrews, Stephen Lambert
Summary: A study found that the recombinant strain of human parechovirus 3 (HPeV3-AR) was the dominant strain in the outbreaks of sepsis-like illnesses in infants in Australia. However, this strain was not associated with increased disease severity.
JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Emma J. Rosi, Jerker B. Fick, Barbara A. Han
Summary: Novel viral pathogens have led to the emergence of new diseases in humans, and society has responded with technological innovations such as antiviral therapies. Antivirals can be rapidly deployed to mitigate severe disease and save lives, but their release into the environment can have unforeseen consequences. Using SARS-CoV-2 as a case study, this research identifies a global overlap between bats and elevated pharmaceutical concentrations in surface waters. The contamination of freshwater with antivirals could lead to the evolution of antiviral-resistant viruses in bats, emphasizing the urgent need for scientific research, antiviral development, and responsible use.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Thaweesak Chieochansin, Jiratchaya Puenpa, Yong Poovorawan
Summary: This study analyzed the phylogenetic, molecular evolution, and recombination characteristics of HPeV strains isolated in Thailand from 2009-2012. Results showed high diversity and recombination events involving two genotypes in the viral genome.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Pediatrics
Muayad Alali, Kiet Tat, Shannon Hamilton, Drew A. Streicher, James G. Carlucci
Summary: In July 2022, there was an increase in reported cases of PeV infections among infants in the USA. A retrospective cohort study examined the clinical characteristics and outcomes of PeV encephalitis in infants under 90 days old. Out of 2115 infants evaluated, 32 cases of PeV encephalitis were identified. The study found that PeV can cause encephalitis and sepsis-like syndrome in infants, even when cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) parameters are normal. Prospective studies are needed to understand PeV epidemiology and monitor outbreaks.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PEDIATRICS
(2023)
Review
Microbiology
Sahibzada Waheed Abdullah, Jin'en Wu, Xuefei Wang, Huichen Guo, Shiqi Sun
Summary: This review discusses the various types of IRESs found in Picornaviridae and the past and present discoveries regarding ITAFs and their mechanism of action. It also summarizes the importance of herbal extracts, drugs, and chemicals in controlling picornavirus translation and replication. The movement of ITAFs from the nucleus to viral replication factories is also discussed.
Article
Microbiology
Patricia de Leon, Rodrigo Canas-Arranz, Maria Jose Bustos, Margarita Saiz, Francisco Sobrino
Summary: Antiviral compounds targeting cellular metabolism, such as lauryl gallate (LG) and valproic acid (VPA), exhibit a wide antiviral spectrum and can effectively reduce virus replication of coronaviruses, including SARS-CoV-2. These compounds demonstrate a post-entry mechanism of action and show a synergistic effect when used in combination with remdesivir. These findings highlight the potential of host-targeted compounds as a first line of defense against viral diseases and as a complement to vaccines.
ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS AND CHEMOTHERAPY
(2023)
Review
Virology
Belen Lizcano-Perret, Thomas Michiels
Summary: Picornaviruses disrupt host nucleocytoplasmic trafficking by targeting FG-nucleoporins in the nuclear pore complex, leading to increased viral genome translation and replication. This interference affects innate immune responses and ribosomal machinery availability, facilitating viral RNA translation.
Article
Microbiology
Miranda A. Lewis, Nicolas W. Cortes-Penfield, Khalil Ettayebi, Ketki Patil, Gurpreet Kaur, Frederick H. Neill, Robert L. Atmar, Sasirekha Ramani, Mary K. Estes
Summary: This study evaluated the antiviral activity of nitazoxanide against five human norovirus strains using human small intestinal enteroid lines. The results showed that nitazoxanide did not exhibit selective antiviral activity against any of the norovirus strains tested, indicating it is not an effective treatment for norovirus infection.
ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS AND CHEMOTHERAPY
(2023)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Laura P. M. H. de Rooij, Lisa M. Becker, Laure Anne Teuwen, Bram Boeckx, Sander Jansen, Simon Feys, Stijn Verleden, Laurens Liesenborghs, Anna K. Stalder, Sasha Libbrecht, Tina Van Buyten, Gino Philips, Abhishek Subramanian, Sebastien J. Dumas, Elda Meta, Mila Borri, Liliana Sokol, Amelie Dendooven, Anh Co K. Truong, Jan Gunst, Pierre Van Mol, Jasmin D. Haslbauer, Katerina Rohlenova, Thomas Menter, Robbert Boudewijns, Vincent Geldhof, Stefan Vinckier, Jacob Amersfoort, Wim Wuyts, Dirk Van Raemdonck, Werner Jacobs, Laurens J. Ceulemans, Birgit Weynand, Bernard Thienpont, Martin Lammens, Mark Kuehnel, Guy Eelen, Mieke Dewerchin, Luc Schoonjans, Danny Jonigk, Jo van Dorpe, Alexandar Tzankov, Els Wauters, Massimiliano Mazzone, Johan Neyts, Joost Wauters, Diether Lambrechts, Peter Carmeliet
Summary: This study provides new insights into the abundance, expression patterns, and interactomes of endothelial cell (EC) subtypes in COVID-19 and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). The findings suggest the importance of ECs in the pathophysiology of both conditions and may contribute to future investigations into the progression and treatment of COVID-19 and IPF.
CARDIOVASCULAR RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Saida Lachhab, Az-eddine El Mansouri, Ahmad Mehdi, Indira Dennemont, Johan Neyts, Dirk Jochmans, Graciela Andrei, Robert Snoeck, Yogesh S. Sanghvi, Mustapha Ait Ali, Philippe M. Loiseau, Hassan B. Lazrek
Summary: A new series of 3-acetyl-1,3,4-oxadiazoline hybrid molecules were designed and synthesized, and their activities against pathogens were screened. One of the intermediates exhibited significant antileishmanial activity.
MOLECULAR DIVERSITY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Martina Salerno, Carmine Varricchio, Federica Bevilacqua, Dirk Jochmans, Johan Neyts, Andrea Brancale, Salvatore Ferla, Marcella Bassetto
Summary: Different viruses, such as enterovirus 71, rely on the host enzyme METTL3 to complete their cytoplasmic life cycle stages. By modulating the activity of this enzyme, it is possible to interfere with a broad range of viral infections. In this study, a series of nucleoside analogues were designed as inhibitors of human METTL3 to target multiple viral infections. Through molecular docking studies and synthesis, several novel and potent inhibitors of enterovirus 71 were identified.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Az-Eddine El Mansouri, Saida Lachhab, Ali Oubella, Mehdi Ahmad, Johan Neyts, Dirk Jochmans, Winston Chiu, Laura Vangeel, Steven De Jonghe, Hamid Morjani, Mustapha Ait Ali, Mohamed Zahouily, Yogesh S. Sanghvi, Hassan B. Lazrek
Summary: Analogous to pyrimidine and 1,3,4-oxadiazole, the newly synthesized pyrimidine-1,3,4-oxadiazole conjugated hybrid molecules exhibited potential anticancer activity. Specifically, compound 5e demonstrated significant growth inhibition against various cancer cell lines and induced apoptosis through caspase activation and cell-cycle arrest.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR STRUCTURE
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Shenghua Gao, Letian Song, Hongtao Xu, Antonios Fikatas, Merel Oeyen, Steven De Jonghe, Fabao Zhao, Lanlan Jing, Dirk Jochmans, Laura Vangeel, Yusen Cheng, Dongwei Kang, Johan Neyts, Piet Herdewijn, Dominique Schols, Peng Zhan, Xinyong Liu
Summary: DF-47 and DF-51 were identified as effective inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2/DENV polymerase through RdRp inhibition screening and in vitro antiviral study. In silico simulation revealed stable binding modes between DF-47/DF-51 and SARS-CoV-2/DENV RdRp, including chelating with Mg2+ near the polymerase active site. These polyphenols have the potential to be developed into broad-spectrum, non-nucleoside RdRp inhibitors with a new scaffold.
Editorial Material
Microbiology
Dirk Jochmans, Manon Laporte, Johan Neyts
Summary: Broad-spectrum antiviral drugs should be developed and stockpiled during epidemic/pandemic periods for immediate response to new virus outbreaks, and they will continue to be important tools even after the introduction of vaccines and monoclonal antibodies.
CELL HOST & MICROBE
(2023)
Correction
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Emiel Michiels, Kenny Roose, Rodrigo Gallardo, Ladan Khodaparast, Laleh Khodaparast, Rob van der Kant, Maxime Siemons, Bert Houben, Meine Ramakers, Hannah Wilkinson, Patricia Guerreiro, Nikolaos Louros, Suzanne J. F. Kaptein, Lorena Itati Ibanez, Anouk Smet, Pieter Baatsen, Shu Liu, Ina Vorberg, Guy Bormans, Johan Neyts, Xavier Saelens, Frederic Rousseau, Joost Schymkowitz
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Rana Abdelnabi, Dirk Jochmans, Kim Donckers, Bettina Trueeb, Nadine Ebert, Birgit Weynand, Volker Thiel, Johan Neyts
Summary: The SARS-CoV-2 main protease (3CLpro) is an important target for COVID-19 treatment. A drug-resistant virus (3CLpro(res)) that is cross-resistant with nirmatrelvir has been identified. The 3CLpro(res) virus can replicate efficiently and be transmitted in Syrian hamsters, but nirmatrelvir still exhibits some antiviral activity against this virus.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Sheli R. Radoshitzky, Patrick Iversen, Xianghan Lu, Jing Zou, Suzanne J. F. Kaptein, Kelly S. Stuthman, Sean A. Van Tongeren, Jesse Steffens, Ruoyu Gong, Hoa Truong, Annapurna A. Sapre, Huiling Yang, Xiaodong Xie, Jia Jun Chia, Zhijuan J. Song, Stacey M. Leventhal, Josolyn Chan, Alex Shornikov, Xin Zhang, David Cowfer, Helen Yu, Travis Warren, Tomas Cihlar, Danielle P. Porter, Johan Neyts, Pei-Yong Shi, Jay Wells, John P. Bilello, Joy Y. Feng
Summary: Remdesivir is an antiviral drug that can inhibit the infection of multiple RNA viruses, including dengue, yellow fever, Zika viruses, and Ebola virus. However, it is not effective against influenza viruses and hepatitis B, C, and E viruses.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Elise Wouters, Caro Verbrugghe, Rana Abdelnabi, Rosalie Devloo, Dorien De Clippel, Dirk Jochmans, Dominique De Bleser, Birgit Weynand, Veerle Compernolle, Johan Neyts, Hendrik B. Feys
Summary: Convalescent plasma (CP) transfusion is an effective prophylactic for COVID-19, especially when administered within 5 days after symptom onset. Testing on hamsters showed that high-titer CP provided significant protection against viral infection. Therefore, including CP transfusion in future pandemic preparedness plans is crucial.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Xin Zhang, Niels Cremers, Stijn Hendrickx, Yannick Debing, Tania Roskams, Lotte Coelmont, Johan Neyts, Suzanne J. F. Kaptein
Summary: Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a major cause of hepatitis, with an estimated 3.3 million symptomatic cases annually. Currently, there is no specific treatment for HEV, and a vaccine is only available in China and Pakistan. To aid in the development of therapeutic and preventive strategies, convenient HEV infection models in small laboratory animals are needed.
ANTIVIRAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Robert Konkel, Aleksandra Milewska, Nguyen Dan Thuc Do, Emilia Barreto Duran, Artur Szczepanski, Jacek Plewka, Ewa Wieczerzak, Sofia Iliakopoulou, Triantafyllos Kaloudis, Dirk Jochmans, Johan Neyts, Krzysztof Pyrc, Hanna Mazur-Marzec
Summary: In this study, fifteen cyanopeptolins (CPs) were isolated from the Baltic cyanobacterium Nostoc edaphicum and tested for their activity against SARS-CoV-2. The results showed that the Arg-containing CP978 exhibited the strongest inhibition of Delta SARS-CoV-2 infection, possibly through direct interaction with the virus. CP978 also showed significant reduction in virus replication in human airway epithelial cells. Among the tested SARS-CoV-2 variants, CP978 had no effect on the Wuhan variant. These findings suggest that CP978 has potential as an antiviral drug candidate.
ANTIVIRAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Ngoc-Thao-Hien Le, Steven De Jonghe, Kristien Erven, Johan Neyts, Christophe Pannecouque, Tom Vermeyen, Wouter A. Herrebout, Luc Pieters, Emmy Tuenter
Summary: A new alkaloid, along with 17 known alkaloids, was isolated and identified from Pancratium maritimum using advanced probabilistic methods and spectroscopic techniques. Assessment of their anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity and cytotoxicity revealed several compounds with weak antiviral potency at non-toxic concentrations, while some compounds showed cytotoxicity.
PHYTOCHEMISTRY LETTERS
(2023)
Meeting Abstract
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Zhenzhen Shi, Xin Zhang, Niels Cremers, Johan Neyts, Harel Dahari, Suzanne Kaptein
JOURNAL OF HEPATOLOGY
(2023)
Meeting Abstract
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Kalliopi Pervolaraki, Jean-Christophe Vanherck, Charlene Marcadet, Lieven Verhoye, Amse De Meyer, Madina Rasulova, Heyrhyoung Lyoo, Jasmine Paulissen, Hendrik Jan Thibaut, Kristof De Vos, Patrick Chaltin, Johan Neyts, Pieter Annaert, Philip Meuleman, Arnaud Marchand, Matthias Versele, Stan van de Graaf
JOURNAL OF HEPATOLOGY
(2023)
