Constitutive expression and distinct properties of IFN-epsilon protect the female reproductive tract from Zika virus infection.

The immunological surveillance factors controlling vulnerability of the female reproductive tract (FRT) to sexually transmitted viral infections are not well understood. Interferon-epsilon (IFNɛ) is a distinct, immunoregulatory type-I IFN that is constitutively expressed by FRT epithelium and is not induced by pathogens like other antiviral IFNs α, ß and λ. We show the necessity of IFNɛ for Zika Virus (ZIKV) protection by: increased susceptibility of IFNɛ-/- mice; their "rescue" by intravaginal recombinant IFNɛ treatment and blockade of protective endogenous IFNɛ by neutralising antibody. Complementary studies in human FRT cell lines showed IFNɛ had potent anti-ZIKV activity, associated with transcriptome responses similar to IFNλ but lacking the proinflammatory gene signature of IFNα. IFNɛ activated STAT1/2 pathways similar to IFNα and λ that were inhibited by ZIKV-encoded non-structural (NS) proteins, but not if IFNε exposure preceded infection. This scenario is provided by the constitutive expression of endogenous IFNε. However, the IFNɛ expression was not inhibited by ZIKV NS proteins despite their ability to antagonise the expression of IFNß or λ. Thus, the constitutive expression of IFNɛ provides cellular resistance to viral strategies of antagonism and maximises the antiviral activity of the FRT. These results show that the unique spatiotemporal properties of IFNε provides an innate immune surveillance network in the FRT that is a significant barrier to viral infection with important implications for prevention and therapy.

Assessment of hepatitis B virus infection and interhost cellular responses using intrahepatic cholangiocyte organoids.

The intrahepatic cholangiocyte organoids (ICOs) model was evaluated for host differences in hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, cellular responses, antiviral and immunomodulator responses. Twelve ICOs generated from liver resections and biopsies were assessed for metabolic markers and functional HBV entry receptor expression throughout differentiation. Structural changes relevant to HBV infection were characterized using histology, confocal, and electron microscopy examinations. Optimal ICO culture conditions for HBV infection using HepAD38 (genotype D) and plasma-derived HBV (genotype B and C) were described. HBV infection was confirmed using HBcAg immunostaining, qRT-PCR (RNA, covalently closed circular DNA [cccDNA], extracellular DNA) and ELISA (HBsAg and HBeAg). Drug response to antiviral and immunosuppressive agent, and cellular responses (interferon-stimulated genes [ISG]) to interferon-α and viral mimic (PolyI:C) were assessed. ICOs underwent metabolic and structural remodeling following differentiation. Optimal HBV infection was achieved in well-differentiated ICOs using spinoculation, with time and donor-dependent increase in HBV RNA, cccDNA, extracellular DNA, HBeAg and HBsAg. Donor-dependent drug responsiveness to entry inhibitor and JAK inhibitor was observed. Despite having a robust ISG response to interferon-α and PolyI:C, HBV infection in ICOs did not upregulate ISGs. Human ICOs support HBV infection and replication with donor-dependent variation in viral dynamics and cellular responses. These features can be utilized for the development of personalized drug testing platform for antivirals.

Property activity refinement of 2-anilino 4-amino substituted quinazolines as antimalarials with fast acting asexual parasite activity.

Malaria is a devastating disease caused by Plasmodium parasites. Emerging resistance against current antimalarial therapeutics has engendered the need to develop antimalarials with novel structural classes. We recently described the identification and initial optimization of the 2-anilino quinazoline antimalarial class. Here, we refine the physicochemical properties of this antimalarial class with the aim to improve aqueous solubility and metabolism and to reduce adverse promiscuity. We show the physicochemical properties of this class are intricately balanced with asexual parasite activity and human cell cytotoxicity. Structural modifications we have implemented improved LipE, aqueous solubility and in vitro metabolism while preserving fast acting P. falciparum asexual stage activity. The lead compounds demonstrated equipotent activity against P. knowlesi parasites and were not predisposed to resistance mechanisms of clinically used antimalarials. The optimized compounds exhibited modest activity against early-stage gametocytes, but no activity against pre-erythrocytic liver parasites. Confoundingly, the refined physicochemical properties installed in the compounds did not engender improved oral efficacy in a P. berghei mouse model of malaria compared to earlier studies on the 2-anilino quinazoline class. This study provides the framework for further development of this antimalarial class.

Histone deacetylases 1 and 2 inhibition suppresses cytokine production and osteoclast bone resorption in vitro.

The regulation of epigenetic factors is an emerging therapeutic target of immune function in a variety of osteolytic pathologies. Histone deacetylases (HDAC) modify core histone proteins and transcriptional processes, in addition to nonhistone protein activity. The activated immune response in rheumatoid arthritis, periodontitis, and prosthetic implant particle release stimulates the catabolic activity of osteoclasts. In this study, we investigated the effects of novel therapeutic agents targeting HDAC isozymes (HDAC 1, 2, and 5), previously shown to be upregulated in inflammatory bone disorders, in cytokine-stimulated human monocytes and osteoclasts in vitro. Inhibiting HDAC 1 and 2 significantly reduced gene expression of IL-1ß, TNF, MCP-1, and MIP-1α in TNF-stimulated monocytes, while suppressing secretions of IL-1ß, IL-10, INF-γ, and MCP-1 (P < .05). Osteoclast formation and bone resorption were also significantly diminished with HDAC 1 and 2 inhibition, through reduced NFATc1 expression and osteoclast specific target genes, TRAF6, CTR, TRAP, and Cathepsin K (P < .05). Similar trends were observed when inhibiting HDAC 1 and to a lesser extent, HDAC 2, in isolation. However, their combined inhibition had the greatest anti-inflammatory and antiosteoclastic effects. Targeting HDAC 5 had minimal effects on these processes investigated in this study, whereas a broad acting HDACi, 1179.4b, had widespread suppressive outcomes. This study demonstrates that targeting HDACs is a potent and effective way of regulating the inflammatory and catabolic processes in human monocytes and osteoclasts. It also demonstrates the importance of targeting individual HDACs with an overall aim to improve efficiency and reduce any potential off target effects.

Absence of Coxiella burnetii in kangaroo ticks (Amblyomma triguttatum) from a high seroprevalence population of eastern grey kangaroos.

Q fever, caused by Coxiella burnetii, is an important zoonotic and public health concern worldwide. Kangaroos are thought to be a likely wildlife reservoir for C. burnetii in Australia and the kangaroo tick (Amblyomma triguttatum) has often been considered a vector. In this descriptive study of ticks collected from a population of eastern grey kangaroos (Macropus giganteus) with a high serological (84 %) and molecular (65 %) prevalence of C. burnetii in northern New South Wales, a total of 72 A. triguttatum ticks were tested by PCRs targeting the IS1111, htpAB, and com1 genes of the Coxiella genome. Despite the remarkably high prevalence of coxiellosis in the host population, none of the ticks were positive for Coxiella. This finding suggests that the kangaroo tick may not play a significant role in the transmission dynamics of C. burnetii in this particular host population.

Structure activity refinement of phenylsulfonyl piperazines as antimalarials that block erythrocytic invasion.

The emerging resistance to combination therapies comprised of artemisinin derivatives has driven a need to identify new antimalarials with novel mechanisms of action. Central to the survival and proliferation of the malaria parasite is the invasion of red blood cells by Plasmodium merozoites, providing an attractive target for novel therapeutics. A screen of the Medicines for Malaria Venture Pathogen Box employing transgenic P. falciparum parasites expressing the nanoluciferase bioluminescent reporter identified the phenylsulfonyl piperazine class as a specific inhibitor of erythrocyte invasion. Here, we describe the optimization and further characterization of the phenylsulfonyl piperazine class. During the optimization process we defined the functionality required for P. falciparum asexual stage activity and determined the alpha-carbonyl S-methyl isomer was important for antimalarial potency. The optimized compounds also possessed comparable activity against multidrug resistant strains of P. falciparum and displayed weak activity against sexual stage gametocytes. We determined that the optimized compounds blocked erythrocyte invasion consistent with the asexual activity observed and therefore the phenylsulfonyl piperazine analogues described could serve as useful tools for studying Plasmodium erythrocyte invasion.