Tris(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate disrupts the trajectory of cytosine methylation within developing zebrafish embryos.

Tris (1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate (TDCIPP) is an organophosphate ester-based flame retardant widely used within the United States. Within zebrafish, initiation of TDCIPP exposure at 0.75 h post-fertilization (hpf) reliably disrupts cytosine methylation from cleavage (2 hpf) through early-gastrulation (6 hpf). Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine whether TDCIPP-induced effects on cytosine methylation persist beyond 6 hpf. First, we exposed embryos to vehicle or TDCIPP from 0.75 hpf to 6, 24, or 48 hpf, and then conducted bisulfite amplicon sequencing of a target locus (lmo7b) using genomic DNA derived from whole embryos. Within both vehicle- and TDCIPP-treated embryos, CpG methylation was similar at 6 hpf and CHG/CHH methylation were similar at 24 and 48 hpf (relative to 6 hpf). However, relative to 6 hpf within the same treatment, CpG methylation was lower within vehicle-treated embryos at 48 hpf and TDCIPP-treated embryos at 24 and 48 hpf - an effect that was driven by acceleration of CpG hypomethylation. Similar to our previous findings with DNA methyltransferase, we found that, even at high µM concentrations, TDCIPP had no effect on zebrafish and human thymine DNA glycosylase activity (a key enzyme that decreases CpG methylation), suggesting that TDCIPP-induced effects on CpG methylation are not driven by direct interaction with thymine DNA glycosylase. Finally, using 5-methylcytosine (5-mC)-specific whole-mount immunochemistry and automated imaging, we found that exposure to TDCIPP increased 5-mC abundance within the yolk of blastula-stage embryos, suggesting that TDCIPP may impact cytosine methylation of maternally loaded mRNAs during the maternal-to-zygotic transition. Overall, our findings suggest that TDCIPP disrupts the trajectory of cytosine methylation during zebrafish embryogenesis, effects which do not appear to be driven by direct interaction of TDCIPP with key enzymes that regulate cytosine methylation.

Photoinduced intersystem crossing in DNA oxidative lesions and epigenetic intermediates.

The propensity of 5-formyluracil and 5-formylcytosine, i.e. oxidative lesions and epigenetic intermediates, in acting as intrinsic DNA photosensitizers is unraveled by using a combination of molecular modeling, simulation and spectroscopy. Exploration of potential energy surfaces and non-adiabatic dynamics confirm a higher intersystem crossing rate for 5-formyluracil, whereas the kinetic models evidence different equilibria in the excited states for both compounds.

Excision release of 5?hydroxycytosine oxidatively induced DNA base lesions from the lung genome by cat dander extract challenge stimulates allergic airway inflammation.

BACKGROUND: Ragweed pollen extract (RWPE) induces TLR4-NFκB-CXCL-dependent recruitment of ROS-generating neutrophils to the airway and OGG1 DNA glycosylase-dependent excision of oxidatively induced 8-OH-Gua DNA base lesions from the airway epithelial cell genome. Administration of free 8-OH-Gua base stimulates RWPE-induced allergic lung inflammation. These studies suggest that stimulation of innate receptors and their adaptor by allergenic extracts initiates excision of a set of DNA base lesions that facilitate innate/allergic lung inflammation. OBJECTIVE: To test the hypothesis that stimulation of a conserved innate receptor/adaptor pathway by allergenic extracts induces excision of a set of pro-inflammatory oxidatively induced DNA base lesions from the lung genome that stimulate allergic airway inflammation. METHODS: Wild-type (WT), Tlr4KO, Tlr2KO, Myd88KO, and TrifKO mice were intranasally challenged once or repeatedly with cat dander extract (CDE), and innate or allergic inflammation and gene expression were quantified. We utilized GC-MS/MS to quantify a set of oxidatively induced DNA base lesions after challenge of naïve mice with CDE. RESULTS: A single CDE challenge stimulated innate neutrophil recruitment that was partially dependent on TLR4 and TLR2, and completely on Myd88, but not TRIF. A single CDE challenge stimulated MyD88-dependent excision of DNA base lesions 5-OH-Cyt, FapyAde, and FapyGua from the lung genome. A single challenge of naïve WT mice with 5-OH-Cyt stimulated neutrophilic lung inflammation. Multiple CDE instillations stimulated MyD88-dependent allergic airway inflammation. Multiple administrations of 5-OH-Cyt with CDE stimulated allergic sensitization and allergic airway inflammation. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: We show for the first time that CDE challenge stimulates MyD88-dependent excision of DNA base lesions. Our data suggest that the resultant-free base(s) contribute to CDE-induced innate/allergic lung inflammation. We suggest that blocking the MyD88 pathway in the airways with specific inhibitors may be a novel targeted strategy of inhibiting amplification of innate and adaptive immune inflammation in allergic diseases by oxidatively induced DNA base lesions.

A Human Renal Proximal Tubule Cell Line with Stable Organic Anion Transporter 1 and 3 Expression Predictive for Antiviral-Induced Toxicity.

Drug-induced nephrotoxicity still hampers drug development, because current translation from in vitro or animal studies to human lacks high predictivity. Often, renal adverse effects are recognized only during clinical stages of drug development. The current study aimed to establish a robust and a more complete human cell model suitable for screening of drug-related interactions and nephrotoxicity. In addition to endogenously expressed renal organic cation transporters and efflux transporters, conditionally immortalized proximal tubule epithelial cells (ciPTEC) were completed by transduction of cells with the organic anion transporter (OAT) 1 or OAT3. Fluorescence-activated cell sorting upon exposure to the OAT substrate fluorescein successfully enriched transduced cells. A panel of organic anions was screened for drug-interactions in ciPTEC-OAT1 and ciPTEC-OAT3. The cytotoxic response to the drug-interactions with antivirals was further examined by cell viability assays. Upon subcloning, concentration-dependent fluorescein uptake was found with a higher affinity for ciPTEC-OAT1 (Km = 0.8 ± 0.1 µM) than ciPTEC-OAT3 (Km = 3.7 ± 0.5 µM). Co-exposure to known OAT1 and/or OAT3 substrates (viz. para-aminohippurate, estrone sulfate, probenecid, furosemide, diclofenac, and cimetidine) in cultures spanning 29 passage numbers revealed relevant inhibitory potencies, confirming the robustness of our model for drug-drug interactions studies. Functional OAT1 was directly responsible for cytotoxicity of adefovir, cidofovir, and tenofovir, while a drug interaction with zidovudine was not associated with decreased cell viability. Our data demonstrate that human-derived ciPTEC-OAT1 and ciPTEC-OAT3 are promising platforms for highly predictive drug screening during early phases of drug development.

In Vitro and In Vivo Evaluation of Cidofovir as a Topical Ophthalmic Antiviral for Ocular Canine Herpesvirus-1 Infections in Dogs.

PURPOSE: The effects of cidofovir were investigated against canine herpesvirus-1 (CHV-1) in vitro and in dogs with experimentally induced recurrent ocular CHV-1 infection, a host-adapted pathogen animal model of ocular herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1) infection. METHODS: The cidofovir EC50 was determined for CHV-1 and HSV-1. A randomized, masked vehicle-controlled trial was performed using beagles with experimentally induced recurrent ocular CHV-1 infection. Dogs received 1 drop of 0.5% cidofovir solution or 0.9% sodium chloride solution (vehicle) in both eyes 2 times daily for 14 days. Dogs were monitored at intervals for 30 days by a clinical ophthalmic examination, in vivo confocal microscopy of the cornea and conjunctiva, ocular sample CHV-1 polymerase chain reaction assay, hemogram, and serum biochemistry panel. Clinical ocular disease scores were calculated and infiltrating leukocytes detected by in vivo confocal microscopy quantified. RESULTS: Cidofovir displayed similar in vitro antiviral activity against CHV-1 and HSV-1. Clinical ocular disease scores were significantly higher in the cidofovir group compared to the vehicle group. Marked conjunctival pigmentation and blepharitis were also detected in the cidofovir group, but not the vehicle group. Conjunctival and corneal leukocyte infiltration scores determined by in vivo confocal microscopy were significantly higher in the cidofovir group. Dogs administered cidofovir had significantly reduced durations of ocular viral shedding compared to the vehicle group. Hemogram and serum biochemistry panel values were unremarkable. CONCLUSIONS: Twice-daily application of topical 0.5% cidofovir ophthalmic solution reduced the duration of ocular viral shedding in dogs with experimentally induced recurrent ocular CHV-1 infection, but was associated with local ocular toxicity.

Intracellular concentrations determine the cytotoxicity of adefovir, cidofovir and tenofovir.

Lack of in vitro to in vivo translation is a major challenge in safety prediction during early drug discovery.One of the most common in vitro assays to evaluate the probability of a compound to cause adverse effects is a cytotoxicity assay. Cytotoxicity of a compound is often measured by dose­response curves assuming the administered doses and intracellular exposures are equal at the time of measurement.However, this may not be true for compounds with low membrane permeability or those which are substrates for drug transporters as intracellular concentrations are determined both by passive permeability and active uptake through drug transporters. We show here that three antiviral drugs, adefovir, cidofovir and tenofovir exhibit significantly increased cytotoxicity in HEK293 cells transfected with organic anion transporter (OAT) 1 and 3 compared to a lack of cytotoxicity in HEK293 wildtype cells. A further look at the media and intracellular drug concentrations showed that 24 h after dosing, all three drugs had higher intracellular drug concentrations than that of media in the HEK-OAT1 cells whereas the intracellular drug concentrations in the wildtype cells were much lower than the administered doses. Comparing cytotoxicity IC(50) values of adefovir, cidofovir and tenofovir based on administered doses and measured intracellular concentrations in HEK-OAT1 cells revealed that intracellular drug concentrations have significant impact on calculated IC(50) values. Tenofovir showed much less intrinsic cytotoxicity than adefovir and cidofovir using intracellular concentrations rather than media concentration. Our data suggest that for low permeable drugs or drugs that are substrates for drug transporters, the choice of cellular model is critical for providing an accurate determination of cytotoxicity.

Mutagenic and cytotoxic properties of oxidation products of 5-methylcytosine revealed by next-generation sequencing.

5-methylcytosine (5-mC) can be sequentially oxidized to 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5-hmC), 5-formylcytosine (5-foC), and finally to 5-carboxylcytosine (5-caC), which is thought to function in active DNA cytosine demethylation in mammals. Although the roles of 5-mC in epigenetic regulation of gene expression are well established, the effects of 5-hmC, 5-foC and 5-caC on DNA replication remain unclear. Here we report a systematic study on how these cytosine derivatives (5-hmC, 5-foC and 5-caC) perturb the efficiency and accuracy of DNA replication using shuttle vector technology in conjugation with next-g sequencing. Our results demonstrated that, in Escherichia coli cells, all the cytosine derivatives could induce CT transition mutation at frequencies of 0.17%-1.12%, though no effect on replication efficiency was observed. These findings provide an important new insight on the potential mutagenic properties of cytosine derivatives occurring as the intermediates of DNA demethylation.

Cidofovir selectivity is based on the different response of normal and cancer cells to DNA damage.

BACKGROUND: Cidofovir (CDV) proved efficacious in treatment of human papillomaviruses (HPVs) hyperplasias. Antiproliferative effects of CDV have been associated with apoptosis induction, S-phase accumulation, and increased levels of tumor suppressor proteins. However, the molecular mechanisms for the selectivity and antitumor activity of CDV against HPV-transformed cells remain unexplained. METHODS: We evaluated CDV drug metabolism and incorporation into cellular DNA, in addition to whole genome gene expression profiling by means of microarrays in two HPV(+) cervical carcinoma cells, HPV- immortalized keratinocytes, and normal keratinocytes. RESULTS: Determination of the metabolism and drug incorporation of CDV into genomic DNA demonstrated a higher rate of drug incorporation in HPV(+) tumor cells and immortalized keratinocytes compared to normal keratinocytes. Gene expression profiling clearly showed distinct and specific drug effects in the cell types investigated. Although an effect on inflammatory response was seen in all cell types, different pathways were identified in normal keratinocytes compared to immortalized keratinocytes and HPV(+) tumor cells. Notably, Rho GTPase pathways, LXR/RXR pathways, and acute phase response signaling were exclusively activated in immortalized cells. CDV exposed normal keratinocytes displayed activated cell cycle regulation upon DNA damage signaling to allow DNA repair via homologous recombination, resulting in genomic stability and survival. Although CDV induced cell cycle arrest in HPV- immortalized cells, DNA repair was not activated in these cells. In contrast, HPV(+) cells lacked cell cycle regulation, leading to genomic instability and eventually apoptosis. CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, our data provide novel insights into the mechanism of action of CDV and its selectivity for HPV-transformed cells. The proposed mechanism suggests that this selectivity is based on the inability of HPV(+) cells to respond to DNA damage, rather than on a direct anti-HPV effect. Since cell cycle control is deregulated by the viral oncoproteins E6 and E7 in HPV(+) cells, these cells are more susceptible to DNA damage than normal keratinocytes. Our findings underline the therapeutic potential of CDV for HPV-associated malignancies as well as other neoplasias.

The mitochondrial Amidoxime Reducing Component (mARC) is involved in detoxification of N-hydroxylated base analogues.

The "mitochondrial Amidoxime Reducing Component" (mARC) is the newly discovered fourth molybdenum enzyme in mammals. All hitherto analyzed mammals express two mARC proteins, referred to as mARC1 and mARC2. Together with their electron transport proteins cytochrome b(5) and NADH cytochrome b(5) reductase, they form a three-component enzyme system and catalyze the reduction of N-hydroxylated prodrugs. Here, we demonstrate the reductive detoxification of toxic and mutagenic N-hydroxylated nucleobases and their corresponding nucleosides by the mammalian mARC-containing enzyme system. The N-reductive activity was found in all tested tissues with the highest detectable conversion rates in liver, kidney, thyroid, and pancreas. According to the presumed localization, the N-reductive activity is most pronounced in enriched mitochondrial fractions. In vitro assays with the respective recombinant three-component enzyme system show that both mARC isoforms are able to reduce N-hydroxylated base analogues, with mARC1 representing the more efficient isoform. On the basis of the high specific activities with N-hydroxylated base analogues relative to other N-hydroxylated substrates, our data suggest that mARC proteins might be involved in protecting cellular DNA from misincorporation of toxic N-hydroxylated base analogues during replication by converting them to the correct purine or pyrimidine bases, respectively.

Transporter-targeted lipid prodrugs of cyclic cidofovir: a potential approach for the treatment of cytomegalovirus retinitis.

Cidofovir (CDF) and its cyclic analogue (cCDF) have shown potential in vitro and in vivo antiviral activity against cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis. However, hydrophilic nature of CDF may affect cell permeation across lipophilic epithelium and thus limit its effectiveness in the treatment of CMV retinitis. In the present study, we have tested a novel hypothesis, which involves chemical derivatization of cCDF into lipophilic transporter-targeted prodrug [via conjugation with different carbon chain length of lipid raft and targeting moiety (biotin) for sodium-dependent multivitamin transporter (SMVT)]. We have synthesized and characterized three derivatives of cCDF including biotin B-C2-cCDF, B-C6-cCDF, and B-C12-cCDF. Physicochemical properties such as solubility, partition coefficient (n-octanol/water and ocular tissue), bioreversion kinetics, and interaction with SMVT transporter have been determined. Among these novel conjugates, B-C12-cCDF has shown higher interaction to SMVT transporter with lowest half maximal inhibitory concentration value, higher cellular accumulation, and high tissue partitioning. Improvement in physicochemical properties, lipophilicity, and interaction with transporter was observed in the trend of increasing the lipid chain length, that is, B-C12-cCDF > B-C6-cCDF > B-C2-cCDF. These results indicate that transporter-targeted lipid analogue of cCDF exhibits improved cellular accumulation along with higher transporter affinity and hence could be a viable strategy for the treatment of CMV retinitis.

In vivo toxicity study of N-1-sulfonylcytosine derivatives and their mechanisms of action in cervical carcinoma cell line.

New N-1-sulfonylpyrimidines showed potent growth inhibitory activity against human and mouse tumour cells of different origin. 1-(p-toluenesulfonyl)cytosine (TsC) and 1-(p-toluenesulfonyl)cytosine hydrochloride (TsC × HCl) inhibited the growth of human cervical carcinoma cells (HeLa), and had no significant cytotoxic effects on normal human foreskin fibroblasts (BJ). TsC and TsC × HCl interfered with the HeLa cell cycle progression bringing about the accumulation of G1 phase cells and the induction of apoptosis. Antiproliferative effects of TsC and TsC × HCl were additionally confirmed by investigating de novo synthesis of RNA, DNA and proteins in HeLa cells. Monitoring gene expression using DNA Chip Analysis and quantitative PCR showed that TsC × HCl affects the expression of several cell-cycle regulating genes implying that cell cycle arrest and DNA damage-induced apoptosis might account for the observed cellular effects. In vivo experiments revealed low toxicity of TsC × HCl, as demonstrated by unaltered haematological and metabolic blood parameters. In conclusion, potent antitumour efficacy and low toxicity of new compounds in comparison with the common chemotherapy drug 5-FU make them promising anticancer agents. Additional pre-clinical and clinical studies are warranted to illuminate the mode of action of these newly synthesized compounds in vivo, which would lay the groundwork for their further optimization.

CMX001 potentiates the efficacy of acyclovir in herpes simplex virus infections.

Although acyclovir (ACV) has proven to be of value in the therapy of certain herpes simplex virus (HSV) infections, there is a need for more effective therapies, particularly for serious infections in neonates and immunocompromised individuals, where resistance to this drug can be problematic. CMX001 is an orally bioavailable lipid conjugate of cidofovir that is substantially less nephrotoxic than the parent drug and has excellent antiviral activity against all the human herpesviruses. This compound retains full antiviral activity against ACV-resistant laboratory and clinical isolates. The combined efficacy of CMX001 and ACV was evaluated in a new real-time PCR combination assay, which demonstrated that the combination synergistically inhibited the replication of HSV in cell culture. This was also confirmed in murine models of HSV infection, where the combined therapy with these two drugs synergistically reduced mortality. These results suggest that CMX001 may be effective in the treatment of ACV-resistant HSV infections and as an adjunct therapy in individuals with suboptimal responses to ACV.

Intraocular pharmacokinetics of a crystalline lipid prodrug, octadecyloxyethyl-cyclic-cidofovir, for cytomegalovirus retinitis.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the intraocular pharmacokinetics of octadecyloxyethyl-cyclic-cidofovir (ODE-cCDV) after intravitreal injection into rabbit eyes. METHODS: Twenty-seven New Zealand red rabbits (27 eyes) received intravitreal injections of (14)C-labeled ODE-cCDV (100 µg drug suspended in 5% dextrose), and ocular tissues were collected from 3 rabbits at each predetermined time point (1 h, 1 day, 3 days, 1 week, 2 weeks, 3 weeks, 5 weeks, and 9 weeks) after the injection. The eye globes were enucleated, and the vitreous, retina, and choroids were separated and harvested into pre-weighed scintillation vials. Levels of ODE-cCDV were measured by counting in a liquid scintillation counter, and pharmacokinetic (PK) parameters were determined. In addition, 3 eyes of 3 animals were used for autoradiography study at day 1, week 3, and week 6. RESULTS: ODE-cCDV in vitreous as a whole followed a 2-phase first-order elimination, whereas ODE-cCDV in retina and choroid manifested a nearly steady state during the first 3 weeks and then followed a first-order elimination with the apparent elimination half-life of 10.1 and 7.2 days. For vitreous, apparent elimination half-life was 25 days. However, the drug mean residence time was much longer in retina (17.6 days) and choroid (19.6 days) than that in the vitreous (11.6 days). The drug exposure to the retina [area under the curve (AUC) = 1120837.1 ng · day/mL] was greater than the exposure to the vitreous (AUC = 958645.8 ng · day/mL) and the choroid (AUC = 415407.47). CONCLUSION: A crystalline lipid prodrug, ODE-cCDV, has longer vitreous half-life than that in other ocular tissues due to its solid drug depot formation in vitreous. Over time, dissolved free ODE-cCDV from drug depot feeds and accumulates in the retina.

[Drug-drug interactions and nephrotoxicity]. / Arzneimittelinteraktionen und Nephrotoxizität.

Nephrotoxicity is a common and often clinically relevant adverse drug reaction. Mechanisms include vascular, tubulo-toxic, tubulo-obstructive, and immunological effects. Drug-drug interactions may occur at a pharmacokinetic or pharmacodynamic level. Such interactions can both increase (cisplatin and aminoglycoside) but also protect from nephrotoxicity (cidofovir and probenecid).Important measures for preventing nephrotoxicity are (1) consideration of potential pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic interactions when prescribing a drug, (2) prescription of nephrotoxic drugs for the shortest possible period, (3) detection of high-risk patients, and (4) consideration of hydration and prophylactic comedication.

Synthesis of 4,6-dideoxy-3-fluoro-2-keto-beta-D-glucopyranosyl analogues of 5-fluorouracil, N6-benzoyl adenine, uracil, thymine, N4-benzoyl cytosine and evaluation of their antitumor activities.

The synthesis of the unsaturated 4,6-dideoxy-3-fluoro-2-keto-beta-d-glucopyranosyl nucleosides of 5-fluorouracil (6a), N(6)-benzoyl adenine (6b), uracil (6c), thymine (6d) and N(4)-benzoyl cytosine (6e), is described. Monoiodination of compounds 1a,b, followed by acetylation, catalytic hydrogenation and finally regioselective 2'-O-deacylation afforded the partially acetylated dideoxynucleoside analogues of 5-fluorouracil (5a) and N(6)-benzoyl adenine (5b), respectively. Direct oxidation of the free hydroxyl group at the 2'-position of 5a,b, with simultaneous elimination reaction of the beta-acetoxyl group, afforded the desired unsaturated 4,6-dideoxy-3-fluoro-2-keto-beta-D-glucopyranosyl derivatives 6a,b. Compounds 1c-e were used as starting materials for the synthesis of the dideoxy unsaturated carbonyl nucleosides of uracil (6c), thymine (6d) and N(4)-benzoyl cytosine (6e). Similarly a protection-selective deprotection sequence followed by oxidation of the free hydroxyl group at the 2'-position of the dideoxy benzoylated analogues 9c-e with simultaneous elimination reaction of the beta-benzoyl group, gave the desired nucleosides 6c-e. None of the compounds was inhibitory to a broad spectrum of DNA and RNA viruses at subtoxic concentrations. The 5-fluorouracil derivative 6a was more cytostatic (50% inhibitory concentration ranging between 0.2 and 12 microM) than the other compounds.

Clinical evaluation of local ocular toxicity in candidate anti-adenoviral agents in vivo.

BACKGROUND: Adenovirus causes ophthalmological nosocomial infections. Although cidofovir may be used systemically for immunocompromised patients in disseminated adenoviral infections, no specific anti-adenoviral agent has been established for the treatment of adenoviral ocular infection. It has been reported that cidofovir may cause lacrimal duct obstruction when used locally. We have reported that zalcitabine and stavudine showed anti-adenoviral activity in vitro. We now evaluate the side effects of these agents in eyes and ocular adnexa in an animal model. METHODS: Cidofovir, zalcitabine and stavudine 1% solutions and balanced salt solution were given as eye drops to healthy female Japanese albino rabbits 4 times a day for 14 days. Clinical scores in the conjunctiva and eyelid were recorded, and lacrimal irrigation was carried out. The diameter of the lacrimal canaliculus was scanned with an ultrasonograph. Histopathological analysis was carried out in the cidofovir group. RESULTS: In the cidofovir group, significant narrowing of lacrimal canaliculus, redness of eyelids and conjunctival injection were observed, but no obstruction of the lacrimal duct was found. Histology showed eosinophils, suggesting an allergic inflammation. Although zalcitabine and stavudine induced eyelid redness and conjunctival injection, no change was observed in the lacrimal pathway. CONCLUSIONS: These drugs may be possible candidates as eye drops for adenoviral conjunctivitis but further study is required to prove its safety.

In vitro activity of cidofovir against the emerging Cantagalo virus and the smallpox vaccine strain IOC.

The antiviral effect of cidofovir was evaluated against two strains of vaccinia virus: the field strain Cantagalo virus (CTGV) and the smallpox vaccine IOC. The drug severely inhibited virus replication, revealing an EC(50) (drug concentration required to inhibit 50% of virus replication) of 7.68 microM and 9.66 microM, respectively, for CTGV and vaccine strain IOC. Similarly, other field isolates of Cantagalo-like viruses recently collected in distinct outbreaks were equally sensitive to the drug. Pre-treatment of cells prior to infection effectively established an antiviral state, inhibiting virus replication by >90% after 24h in the absence of cidofovir. CTGV infections represent an emerging zoonosis, and outbreaks have been frequently reported in several states of Brazil. Also, the possibility of resuming the manufacture of smallpox vaccine supports the need to evaluate the effect of antiviral drugs on the Brazilian vaccine strain IOC. As there is no currently approved antipoxvirus therapy, our data are extremely encouraging.

Efficacy of topical immunoglobulins against experimental adenoviral ocular infection.

PURPOSE: Presently, there is no U.S. Federal Drug Administration (FDA)-approved antiviral therapy for the treatment of adenoviral (Ad) ocular infections. The goal of the present study was to determine the antiviral efficacy of human immunoglobulin (Ig), a preparation of highly purified and concentrated immunoglobulin (IgG) antibodies isolated from a large pool of human plasma donors, in vitro and on acute Ad replication in the Ad5 New Zealand White (NZW) rabbit ocular model. METHODS: The antiviral activity of human Ig against multiple wild-type and human ocular isolates of adenovirus serotypes was investigated in vitro by using neutralizing assays in different human epithelial cell lines. In vivo bilateral topical ocular toxicity and antiviral efficacy were evaluated with established Ad5/NZW rabbit ocular models. In vivo Ig antiviral results were compared with those obtained with topical 0.5% cidofovir and saline. RESULTS: In three different epithelial cell lines,

The impact of hypoxic treatment on the expression of phosphoglycerate kinase and the cytotoxicity of troxacitabine and gemcitabine.

beta-L-Dioxolane-cytidine (L-OddC, Troxacitabine, BCH-4556), a novel L-configuration deoxycytidine analog, is under clinical trials for treating cancer. The cytotoxicity of L-OddC is dependent on the amount of the triphosphate form (L-OddCTP) in nuclear DNA. Phosphoglycerate kinase (PGK), a downstream protein of hypoxia-inducible-factor-1alpha (HIF-1alpha), is responsible for the phosphorylation of the diphosphate to the triphosphate of L-OddC. In this study, we studied the impact of hypoxia on the metabolism and the cytotoxicity of L-OddC and beta-d-2',2'-difluorodeoxycytidine (dFdC) in several human tumor cell lines including HepG2, Hep3B, A673, Panc-1, and RKO. Hypoxic treatment induced the protein expression of PGK 3-fold but had no effect on the protein expression of APE-1, dCK, CMPK, and nM23 H1. Hypoxic treatment increased L-OddCTP formation and incorporation of L-OddC into DNA, but it decreased the uptake and incorporation of dFdC, which correlated with the reduction of hENT1, hENT2, and hCNT2 expression. Using a clonogenic assay, hypoxic treatment of cells made them 2- to 3-fold more susceptible to L-OddC but not to dFdC after exposure to drugs for one generation. Dimethyloxallyl glycine enhanced the cytotoxicity of L-OddC but not dFdC in Panc-1 cells under normoxic conditions. Overexpression or down-regulation of PGK using transient transfection of pcDNA5-PGK or inducible shRNA in RKO cells affected the cytotoxicity of L-OddC but not that of dFdC. The knockdown of HIF-1alpha in inducible shRNA in RKO cells reduced the cytotoxicity of L-OddC but not dFdC under hypoxic conditions. In conclusion, hypoxia is an important factor that may potentiate the activity of L-OddC.

Troxacitabine in acute leukemia.

Troxacitabine (Troxatyl; BCH-4556; (-)-2'-deoxy-3'-oxacytadine) is the first synthetic l-nucleoside enantiomer to demonstrate broad spectrum cytotoxic activity. It was obtained by exchanging the sulphur endocyclic atom with oxygen in the structure of lamivudine, following the discovery that this agent had cytotoxic, as well as anti-viral activity. The unique "unnatural" stereochemistry of troxacitabine has produced impressive cytotoxic potency against a wide range of malignancies in the laboratory which led to its selection for clinical development. The initial trials with troxacitabine have established its efficacy in both solid and haematological malignancies, including those resistant to ara-C (cytarabine). This review will consider troxacitabine in terms of its pharmacology, mode of action, pharmacokinetics, tolerability and clinical efficacy.