Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Xinlei Li, Tao Peng
Summary: Emerging or re-emerging viruses continue to pose major threats to public health. While prophylactic vaccines are effective, antivirals offer more promise for viruses against which vaccines are not effective or currently unavailable. Drug repurposing, particularly with well-characterized therapeutics, is an attractive strategy due to slow novel antiviral discovery and high costs, in identifying new directions for treating virus infections.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Infectious Diseases
Pravin Shende, Bhakti Khanolkar, R. S. Gaud
Summary: The review article discusses the repurposing of various drugs for the treatment and management of COVID-19, including antiviral, antimalarial, antineoplastic, antidiabetic, analgesic, and immunomodulatory drugs. Lack of conclusive results from randomized clinical trials indicates the absence of specific drugs for treatment of COVID-19, with more clinical evidence needed for the use of promising drugs like remdesivir and favipiravir in larger populations. Development of a vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 is seen as a long-term solution to halt the spread of this global pandemic.
EXPERT REVIEW OF ANTI-INFECTIVE THERAPY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Mathavan Muthaiyan, Leimarembi Devi Naorem, Vassavi Seenappa, Shilpa Sri Pushan, Amouda Venkatesan
Summary: Ebola virus is a deadly pathogen causing hemorrhagic fever, and a study was conducted to analyze the interactions between 270 human proteins and EBOV, creating protein-protein interaction networks to identify potential drug targets against Ebola. Gene enrichment and pathway analysis provided insight into the importance of EBOV-human interactions, with the inclusion of a human-based drug targeted therapy highlighted as significant in drug repurposing.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sakshi Piplani, Puneet Singh, David A. Winkler, Nikolai Petrovsky
Summary: Repurposing existing drugs is a rapid approach for finding potential treatments for SARS-CoV-2. Through virtual screening and molecular dynamic simulation, we identified several repurposed drugs that could potentially be used as COVID-19 treatments, including antivirals, antihistamines, and antipsychotics.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Woochang Hwang, Namshik Han
Summary: The article presents a network-based drug repurposing methodology to identify approved drugs for the treatment of COVID-19 and related coronaviruses. Through analysis of virus-human, human protein-protein, and drug-protein interactome data, the authors identified a number of approved drugs suitable for repurposing.
Review
Virology
Faheem Ahmed, In Suk Kang, Kyung Hwan Kim, Arun Asif, Chethikkattuveli Salih Abdul Rahim, Anupama Samantasinghar, Fida Hussain Memon, Kyung Hyun Choi
Summary: Cancer management is a major concern, with viral cancers accounting for approximately 15.4% of all known human cancers. Drug repurposing has emerged as an effective alternative to provide treatments to patients suffering from viral cancers faster. Multiple drug repurposing approaches have been introduced with successful results in treating viral cancers.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY
(2023)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Yan Ling Ng, Cyrill Kafi Salim, Justin Jang Hann Chu
Summary: Drug repurposing is gaining attention as an alternative to traditional drug development due to its lower risk and time-saving advantages. Computational and experimental approaches are commonly used in drug repurposing strategies.
PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS
(2021)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Vigneshwaran Namasivayam, Senthikumar Palaniappan, Murugesan Vanangamudi
Summary: Researchers face challenges in developing treatments for emerging and re-emerging epidemic infections. Drug repurposing is a reliable strategy for discovering new antiviral agents quickly and reducing the need for clinical trials.
DRUG DISCOVERY TODAY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Lana Langendries, Rana Abdelnabi, Johan Neyts, Leen Delang
Summary: This study identified three antiviral drugs against MAYV and optimized an antiviral assay for high-throughput screening. These antiviral compounds can serve as reference for future research on treating MAYV infection.
Review
Oncology
Weibao Song, Hongjuan Zhang, Yu Zhang, Rui Li, Yanxing Han, Yuan Lin, Jiandong Jiang
Summary: Zika virus is a newly emerging pathogen associated with neurological complications, but there are currently no approved drugs or vaccines for its treatment. Repurposing clinically approved drugs could be an effective and efficient approach to combat Zika virus infections.
FRONTIERS OF MEDICINE
(2021)
Review
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Yuan Liu, Ziwen Tong, Jingru Shi, Ruichao Li, Mathew Upton, Zhiqiang Wang
Summary: Antimicrobial resistance poses a global health challenge, but a combination of antibiotics and non-antibiotic compounds offers an effective strategy. A pathogen-by-pathogen approach highlights the critical value of drug repurposing.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Edeildo Ferreira da Silva-Junior
Summary: Monkeypox disease, caused by the monkey virus (MPXV), is spreading globally and has been declared a public health emergency of international concern by WHO. While a vaccine has been approved for prevention, there are currently no approved drugs for treating monkeypox.
BIOORGANIC & MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Prabhat Pratap Singh Tomar, Miriam Krugliak, Anamika Singh, Isaiah T. Arkin
Summary: The Flavivirus genus comprises significant human pathogens, including the emerging Zika virus. In this study, the researchers characterized the potential viroporin candidate ZikV-M using bacterial assays and identified ten ZikV-M blockers from a library of repurposed drugs. Mutational analyses of conserved amino acids in other flaviviruses provided insights into their role in ion channel activity.
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Deborah K. Ngan, Tuan Xu, Menghang Xia, Wei Zheng, Ruili Huang
Summary: This study analyzed the correlation between the activity profiles of approved drugs and their anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity. The study found a significant correlation between the activity profiles of hERG, PLD, and cytotoxicity screens and anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity. The findings help identify preferred drug candidates and avoid potential toxicity.
DRUG DISCOVERY TODAY
(2022)
Editorial Material
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Luca Zinzula
Summary: The authors present a structure of VP40 from Sudan ebolavirus, which contains a previously unresolved disulfide bridge that allows regulation of VP40 functions via human thio-redoxin.
Article
Immunology
Wen-Chun Liu, Raffael Nachbagauer, Daniel Stadlbauer, Shirin Strohmeier, Alicia Solorzano, Francesco Berlanda-Scorza, Bruce L. Innis, Adolfo Garcia-Sastre, Peter Palese, Florian Krammer, Randy A. Albrecht
Summary: The study demonstrated that sequential immunization with cHA-based vaccines induced durable antibody responses and provided better protection against the 2009 influenza A virus HA conserved stalk domain in ferrets.
Article
Microbiology
Weiqiang Chen, Suan-Sin Foo, Eunjin Hong, Christine Wu, Wai-Suet Lee, Shin-Ae Lee, Denis Evseenko, Maria Elisabeth Lopes Moreira, Adolfo Garcia-Sastre, Genhong Cheng, Karin Nielsen-Saines, Patricia Brasil, Elyzabeth Avvad-Portari, Jae U. Jung
Summary: Zika virus infection of human brain pericytes triggers the maturation of an osteogenic factor, leading to osteogenic gene expression and calcification. These findings highlight the mechanism by which Zika virus infection induces calcification.
NATURE MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Meiling Dai, Wenjuan Du, Carles Martinez-Romero, Tim Leenders, Tom Wennekes, Guus F. Rimmelzwaan, Frank J. M. van Kuppeveld, Ron A. M. Fouchier, Adolfo Garcia-Sastre, Erik de Vries, Cornelis A. M. de Haan
Summary: Research shows that the antigenic and enzymatic properties of the influenza A virus neuraminidase are intertwined, with several residues affecting multiple properties. This entanglement may play a crucial role in the evolution of the neuraminidase.
Article
Virology
Emma S. Winkler, Rita E. Chen, Fahmida Alam, Soner Yildiz, James Brett Case, Melissa B. Uccellini, Michael J. Holtzman, Adolfo Garcia-Sastre, Michael Schotsaert, Michael S. Diamond
Summary: The study developed a mouse model for SARS-CoV-2 infection by introducing the human ACE2 gene into the mouse genome, providing insights into viral replication and pathology in mice. Additionally, the study identified the impact of the N501Y mutation in mice on viral replication and pathogenesis.
JOURNAL OF VIROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Virology
Runrui Dang, Victor G. J. Rodgers, Adolfo Garcia-Sastre, Jiayu Liao
Summary: This study identifies the human SUMOylation pathway as a critical host factor for the IBV viral life cycle. Inhibiting this pathway effectively blocks the replication of IBV, providing a novel strategy for the development of anti-viral therapeutics.
Article
Virology
Mundeep K. Kainth, Joanna S. Fishbein, Teresa Aydillo, Alba Escalera, Rachael Odusanya, Kalliopi Grammatikopoulos, Tiffany Scotto, Christine B. Sethna, Adolfo Garcia-Sastre, Clifford S. Deutschman
Summary: This study investigated antibody and cytokine responses following influenza vaccination in obese children. The results showed that obesity did not alter the efficacy of the vaccine, regardless of metabolic health. However, metabolically unhealthy obese children had decreased IL-13 levels, which may be associated with altered inflammatory response.
Review
Microbiology
Cesar Munoz-Fontela, Lina Widerspick, Randy A. Albrecht, Martin Beer, Miles W. Carroll, Emmie de Wit, Michael S. Diamond, William E. Dowling, Simon G. P. Funnell, Adolfo Garcia-Sastre, Nora M. Gerhards, Rineke de Jong, Vincent J. Munster, Johan Neyts, Stanley Perlman, Douglas S. Reed, Juergen A. Richt, Ximena Riveros-Balta, Chad J. Roy, Francisco J. Salguero, Michael Schotsaert, Lauren M. Schwartz, Robert A. Seder, Joaquim Segales, Seshadri S. Vasan, Ana Maria Henao-Restrepo, Dan H. Barouch
Summary: Animal models play a crucial role in evaluating the virulence, transmission, and immune escape of SARS-CoV-2 variants and are continuously being improved to better replicate the demographic characteristics of COVID-19.
Review
Virology
Giuseppe Pisanelli, Ugo Pagnini, Giuseppe Iovane, Adolfo Garcia-Sastre
Summary: Paramyxoviruses are negative single-strand RNA viruses that can cause significant diseases in humans and animals. These viruses have evolved different strategies to evade the host's interferon defense mechanism, which is activated upon viral recognition and leads to the production of interferons that reduce viral replication. This article analyzes the current status of the various strategies used by paramyxoviruses to bypass interferon responses.
Article
Microbiology
Aitor Nogales, John Steel, Wen-Chun Liu, Anice C. Lowen, Laura Rodriguez, Kevin Chiem, Andrew Cox, Adolfo Garcia-Sastre, Randy A. Albrecht, Stephen Dewhurst, Luis Martinez-Sobrido
Summary: The study demonstrates that introducing the L319Q substitution in the PB1 protein of the pH1N1 influenza virus can lead to the generation of a less pathogenic and transmissible attenuated virus, providing a basis for the development of a novel LAIV based on a contemporary pH1N1 strain.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Raveen Rathnasinghe, Sonia Jangra, Chengjin Ye, Anastasija Cupic, Gagandeep Singh, Carles Martinez-Romero, Lubbertus C. F. Mulder, Thomas Kehrer, Soner Yildiz, Angela Choi, Stephen T. Yeung, Ignacio Mena, Virginia Gillespie, Jana De Vrieze, Sadaf Aslam, Daniel Stadlbauer, David A. Meekins, Chester D. McDowell, Velmurugan Balaraman, Michael J. Corley, Juergen A. Richt, Bruno G. De Geest, Lisa Miorin, Florian Krammer, Luis Martinez-Sobrido, Viviana Simon, Adolfo Garcia-Sastre, Michael Schotsaert
Summary: Due to differences in ACE-2 receptors, the initial SARS-CoV-2 isolates were unable to infect mice. However, through serial passaging in mouse lungs, researchers have generated a mouse-adapted SARS-CoV-2 strain that can infect mice. This study characterizes the pathogenesis of the mouse-adapted virus in obese and aged mice and identifies mutations that are present in variants of concern, which are associated with higher transmissibility.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Sira C. Gunther, Carles Martinez-Romero, Milagros Sempere Borau, Christine T. N. Pham, Adolfo Garcia-Sastre, Silke Stertz
Summary: This study reveals the importance of cysteine protease cathepsin W (CTSW) in influenza virus replication and identifies the cleavage motif of CTSW substrates. It further discovers the potential proviral role of CTSW in an in vivo model of IAV infection. These findings provide support for the development of drugs targeting CTSW.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Alvaro Simba-Lahuasi, Angel Cantero-Camacho, Romel Rosales, Briana Lynn McGovern, M. Luis Rodriguez, Vicente Marchan, Kris M. White, Adolfo Garcia-Sastre, Jose Gallego
Summary: Researchers have identified and characterized RNA-binding compounds that can inhibit the replication of SARS-CoV-2. These compounds were discovered by screening a small library of antiviral compounds and showed promising activity against SARS-CoV-2. Further investigation revealed that these compounds recognize conserved RNA elements in the SARS-CoV-2 genome. These findings provide new possibilities for developing RNA-targeted antivirals and therapeutic agents against coronaviruses.
Article
Immunology
Sadaf Aslam, Madhusudan Rajendran, Divya Kriti, Andrew Kurland, Jeffrey Johnson, Harm van Bakel, Florian Krammer, Adolfo Garcia-Sastre, Juan Ayllon
Summary: To improve the production yield of seasonal influenza vaccines, we have identified optimal vaccine seed virus backbones for influenza B virus through research and evaluation in embryonated eggs. This study includes 71 strains of influenza B virus from 1940 to the present, representing the known temporal and genetic variability. By assessing the growth profiles and effectiveness of these strains, we selected three strains with the best performance as vaccine seed virus backbones to increase the production yield of influenza B virus seasonal vaccines.
Article
Immunology
Sonia Jangra, Jeffrey J. Landers, Gabriel Laghlali, Raveen Rathnasinghe, Prajakta Warang, Seok-Chan Park, Jessica. J. O'Konek, Gagandeep Singh, Katarzyna W. Janczak, Adolfo Garcia-Sastre, Nandini Arya, Dilara Karadag, Jr James R. Baker, Michael Schotsaert, Pamela T. Wong
Summary: Multiple FDA-approved vaccines provide good protection against severe disease caused by SARS-CoV-2. However, immunity can decline quickly, especially in the elderly, and new viral variants are emerging that can evade the immune response induced by infection or vaccination. Intranasal vaccination is more effective in inducing mucosal immune responses than injectable vaccines, which can improve protection and reduce viral transmission.
Review
Immunology
Vicent Tur-Planells, Adolfo Garcia-Sastre, Sara Cuadrado-Castano, Estanislao Nistal-Villan
Summary: This review provides an overview of non-human-adapted RNA viruses used in cancer therapy and the diverse strategies employed to optimize their therapeutic capabilities. Through this article, we gain insights into the promising advancements in virotherapy and its potential to revolutionize cancer treatment.
Article
Virology
Mohamed S. H. Hassan, Ahmed Ali, Motamed Elsayed Mahmoud, Danah Altakrouni, Shahnas M. Najimudeen, Mohamed Faizal Abdul-Careem
Summary: This study compared the efficacy of different vaccination programs against Canadian DMV/1639 IBV and found that the autogenous inactivated DMV/1639 vaccine was more effective in reducing viral loads and boosting virus neutralization titers. Both vaccination programs provided significant protection against pathological effects.
Article
Virology
Wanda Christ, Jonas Klingstrom, Janne Tynell
Summary: The integrated stress response (ISR) is activated in response to SARS-CoV-2 infection, triggering translational arrest and inhibiting stress granule formation. However, the stress-responsive transcription factors ATF4 and CHOP are not induced. Different SARS-CoV-2 variants show variant-specific differences in ISR activation, suggesting potential impacts on pathogenesis and treatment strategies.
Article
Virology
Xiao Han, Hankun Xu, Yifan Weng, Rong Chen, Jidong Xu, Tong Cao, Renjie Sun, Ying Shan, Fang He, Weihuan Fang, Xiaoliang Li
Summary: Classical swine fever virus (CSFV) can inhibit the host innate immunity by decreasing the level of high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1), and CSFV Npro can evade host antiviral immune response through upregulating HMGB1 acetylation.
Article
Virology
Sunjian Lyu, Fulei Xiong, Tianpeng Qi, Weifeng Shen, Qi Guo, Mingming Han, Li Liu, Weishao Bu, Julin Yuan, Bao Lou
Summary: This study identified and characterized a novel temperate A. hydrophila phage, P05B, which has strong lytic ability and stability across different temperatures and pH values.
Article
Virology
Siyuan Liu, Wei Chen, Raphael Nyaruaba, Shunlong Wang, Cihan Yang, Qun Wu, Ying Liu, Puyu Liu, Fei Wang, Jingling Wang, Zhiming Yuan, Dingwei Sun, Han Xia
Summary: Specific, sensitive, and reliable RT-qPCR assays for the detection of OYAV and EBIV have been successfully developed in this study. These assays hold great promise for their potential application in clinical and field samples in the future.
Article
Virology
Rui Wang, Qiang Sun, Jinbo Xiao, Congcong Wang, Xiaoliang Li, Jichen Li, Yang Song, Huanhuan Lu, Ying Liu, Shuangli Zhu, Zhijun Liu, Yong Zhang
Summary: Coxsackievirus A6 (CVA6) has emerged as an important agent causing hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD). Mutations in residue 64 of the virus have been found to increase resistance to ribavirin and decrease sensitivity to guanidine hydrochloride. This mutation also leads to increased replication fidelity and reduced pathogenicity. These findings provide a foundation for the development of a safe and effective live attenuated CVA6 vaccine.
Article
Virology
Yao Xiong, Keran Ma, Xiao Zou, Yantao Liang, Kaiyang Zheng, Tiancong Wang, Hong Zhang, Yue Dong, Ziyue Wang, Yundan Liu, Hongbing Shao, Andrew Mcminn, Min Wang
Summary: This study isolated a novel virus, vB_VviC_ZQ26, infecting Vibrio cyclitrophicus from coastal waters near Qingdao, China. It was found that vB_VviC_ZQ26 belongs to a new vibriophage-specific family, Coheviridae, and is mainly found in temperate and tropical epipelagic zones.
Article
Virology
Xing Li, Zhiping Ye, Ewan P. Plant
Summary: By analyzing clinical and cultured samples using the same bioinformatic pipeline, it was found that 5' copyback DVGs are prevalent in human clinical samples but not in cultured samples. Furthermore, there are differences in DVG production and composition between in vivo and in vitro infections.
Article
Virology
Shreya Banerjee, Rakesh Sarkar, Arpita Mukherjee, Suvrotoa Mitra, Animesh Gope, Mamta Chawla-Sarkar
Summary: Rotavirus is a major cause of viral gastroenteritis in infants and continues to be a severe issue in underdeveloped nations. Recent research has shown that a long non-coding RNA called SLC7A11-AS1 is upregulated during rotavirus infection and plays a role in facilitating the virus's propagation by regulating intracellular glutathione and lipid peroxidation.
Article
Virology
Eiichi Hondo, Tetsufumi Katta, Ayato Sato, Naoya Kadofusa, Tomoki Ishibashi, Hiroshi Shimoda, Hirokazu Katoh, Atsuo Iida
Summary: Bat-borne emerging viruses, such as the Ebola virus and Nipah virus, pose a significant threat to public health. In this study, we identified micafungin as a potential antiviral drug against Pteropine orthoreovirus (PRV) and found that it inhibits viral release in human cells through activating the endoplasmic reticulum stress response pathway. This research provides valuable insights into the development of effective treatments for future virus pandemics.
Article
Virology
M. Joubert, N. van den Berg, J. Theron, V. Swart
Summary: This study investigated the host gene expression in asymptomatic avocado nursery trees infected with Avocado sunblotch viroid (ASBVd) using RNA sequencing. The results showed that 631 genes were differentially expressed during infection, with 63% upregulated. ASBVd infection significantly affected plant defence responses, phytohormone networks, gene expression pathways, secondary metabolism, cellular transport, as well as protein modification and degradation. This study provides insights into the molecular interactions underlying avsunviroid-host interactions.
Article
Virology
Wanling Zhang, Haiyan Yang, Zhengyun Liu, Shengyu Wang, Tianyang Chen, Hong Song, Yunbin Xu, Fajin Li, Guo Luo, Huan Wang
Summary: EV71 infection leads to changes in mitochondrial morphology and dynamics in human neuroblastoma cells, resulting in mitochondrial dysfunction that may contribute to nervous system dysfunction.
Article
Virology
Mikhail Oliveira Leastro, Elliot Watanabe Kitajima, Vicente Pallas, Jesus Angel Sanchez- Navarro
Summary: This study reports the construction and validation of an infectious cDNA clone of Citrus leprosis virus C (CiLV-C) based on an agroinfection system. Agro-injected Nicotiana benthamiana plants showed localized lesions similar to the natural infection process. The virus recovered from the infected plant tissue could be mechanically transmitted between plants. The CiLV-C reverse genetic system provides a powerful molecular tool for unraveling the peculiarities of the citrus leprosis pathosystem.
Article
Virology
Manel Essaidi-Laziosi, Francisco J. Perez-Rodriguez, Catia Alvarez, Pascale Sattonnet-Roche, Giulia Torriani, Meriem Bekliz, Kenneth Adea, Matthias Lenk, Tasnim Suliman, Wolfgang Preiser, Marcel A. Mueller, Christian Drosten, Laurent Kaiser, Isabella Eckerle
Summary: This study found that the Omicron variant has different replication characteristics compared to other variants of concern, being able to efficiently produce infectious virus in nasal cells but not lung cells. In addition, the Delta and Omicron variants showed increased infection efficiency in A549 cells. These findings suggest that the variants of concern have better adaptation to humans but do not have an extended host range.
Article
Virology
Martin Faye, Modeste Name Faye, Babacar Ndiaye, Moussa Moise Diagne, Safietou Sankhe, Ndeye Marieme Top, Amadou Diallo, Cheikh Loucoubar, Ndongo Dia, Amadou Alpha Sall, Ousmane Faye
Summary: Genomic surveillance in Senegal since March 2020 has detected the emergence of Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 sublineages in June 2022. Next-generation sequencing and phylogeny analysis of isolates from a cluster of cases in Northern Senegal in July 2022 revealed that the BA.4 cases originated from a XAS recombinant, marking the first reported sequence of this variant from Senegal. Continuous genomic surveillance of positive SARS-CoV-2 samples is crucial.
