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1.
Circ Res ; 133(8): 674-686, 2023 09 29.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37675562

RESUMO

BACKGROUND: The ADAMTS7 locus was genome-wide significantly associated with coronary artery disease. Lack of the ECM (extracellular matrix) protease ADAMTS-7 (A disintegrin and metalloproteinase-7) was shown to reduce atherosclerotic plaque formation. Here, we sought to identify molecular mechanisms and downstream targets of ADAMTS-7 mediating the risk of atherosclerosis. METHODS: Targets of ADAMTS-7 were identified by high-resolution mass spectrometry of atherosclerotic plaques from Apoe-/- and Apoe-/-Adamts7-/- mice. ECM proteins were identified using solubility profiling. Putative targets were validated using immunofluorescence, in vitro degradation assays, coimmunoprecipitation, and Förster resonance energy transfer-based protein-protein interaction assays. ADAMTS7 expression was measured in fibrous caps of human carotid artery plaques. RESULTS: In humans, ADAMTS7 expression was higher in caps of unstable as compared to stable carotid plaques. Compared to Apoe-/- mice, atherosclerotic aortas of Apoe-/- mice lacking Adamts-7 (Apoe-/-Adamts7-/-) contained higher protein levels of Timp-1 (tissue inhibitor of metalloprotease-1). In coimmunoprecipitation experiments, the catalytic domain of ADAMTS-7 bound to TIMP-1, which was degraded in the presence of ADAMTS-7 in vitro. ADAMTS-7 reduced the inhibitory capacity of TIMP-1 at its canonical target MMP-9 (matrix metalloprotease-9). As a downstream mechanism, we investigated collagen content in plaques of Apoe-/- and Apoe-/-Adamts7-/- mice after a Western diet. Picrosirius red staining of the aortic root revealed less collagen as a readout of higher MMP-9 activity in Apoe-/- as compared to Apoe-/- Adamts7-/- mice. To facilitate high-throughput screening for ADAMTS-7 inhibitors with the aim of decreasing TIMP-1 degradation, we designed a Förster resonance energy transfer-based assay targeting the ADAMTS-7 catalytic site. CONCLUSIONS: ADAMTS-7, which is induced in unstable atherosclerotic plaques, decreases TIMP-1 stability reducing its inhibitory effect on MMP-9, which is known to promote collagen degradation and is likewise associated with coronary artery disease. Disrupting the interaction of ADAMTS-7 and TIMP-1 might be a strategy to increase collagen content and plaque stability for the reduction of atherosclerosis-related events.


Assuntos
Proteína ADAMTS7 , Aterosclerose , Doença da Artéria Coronariana , Placa Aterosclerótica , Inibidor Tecidual de Metaloproteinase-1 , Animais , Humanos , Camundongos , Proteína ADAMTS7/genética , Aterosclerose/genética , Colágeno/metabolismo , Doença da Artéria Coronariana/genética , Metaloproteinase 9 da Matriz , Placa Aterosclerótica/metabolismo , Inibidor Tecidual de Metaloproteinase-1/genética , Inibidor Tecidual de Metaloproteinase-1/metabolismo , Camundongos Knockout para ApoE
2.
Brief Bioinform ; 23(1)2022 01 17.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34472587

RESUMO

Chemosensitivity assays are commonly used for preclinical drug discovery and clinical trial optimization. However, data from independent assays are often discordant, largely attributed to uncharacterized variation in the experimental materials and protocols. We report here the launching of Minimal Information for Chemosensitivity Assays (MICHA), accessed via https://micha-protocol.org. Distinguished from existing efforts that are often lacking support from data integration tools, MICHA can automatically extract publicly available information to facilitate the assay annotation including: 1) compounds, 2) samples, 3) reagents and 4) data processing methods. For example, MICHA provides an integrative web server and database to obtain compound annotation including chemical structures, targets and disease indications. In addition, the annotation of cell line samples, assay protocols and literature references can be greatly eased by retrieving manually curated catalogues. Once the annotation is complete, MICHA can export a report that conforms to the FAIR principle (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Reusable) of drug screening studies. To consolidate the utility of MICHA, we provide FAIRified protocols from five major cancer drug screening studies as well as six recently conducted COVID-19 studies. With the MICHA web server and database, we envisage a wider adoption of a community-driven effort to improve the open access of drug sensitivity assays.

3.
Bioinformatics ; 39(1)2023 01 01.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36322820

RESUMO

MOTIVATION: Drug discovery practitioners in industry and academia use semantic tools to extract information from online scientific literature to generate new insights into targets, therapeutics and diseases. However, due to complexities in access and analysis, patent-based literature is often overlooked as a source of information. As drug discovery is a highly competitive field, naturally, tools that tap into patent literature can provide any actor in the field an advantage in terms of better informed decision-making. Hence, we aim to facilitate access to patent literature through the creation of an automatic tool for extracting information from patents described in existing public resources. RESULTS: Here, we present PEMT, a novel patent enrichment tool, that takes advantage of public databases like ChEMBL and SureChEMBL to extract relevant patent information linked to chemical structures and/or gene names described through FAIR principles and metadata annotations. PEMT aims at supporting drug discovery and research by establishing a patent landscape around genes of interest. The pharmaceutical focus of the tool is mainly due to the subselection of International Patent Classification codes, but in principle, it can be used for other patent fields, provided that a link between a concept and chemical structure is investigated. Finally, we demonstrate a use-case in rare diseases by generating a gene-patent list based on the epidemiological prevalence of these diseases and exploring their underlying patent landscapes. AVAILABILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION: PEMT is an open-source Python tool and its source code and PyPi package are available at https://github.com/Fraunhofer-ITMP/PEMT and https://pypi.org/project/PEMT/, respectively. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.


Assuntos
Metadados , Software , Bases de Dados Factuais
4.
Biol Chem ; 404(4): 355-375, 2023 03 28.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36774650

RESUMO

Modulation of two-pore domain potassium (K2P) channels has emerged as a novel field of therapeutic strategies as they may regulate immune cell activation and metabolism, inflammatory signals, or barrier integrity. One of these ion channels is the TWIK-related potassium channel 1 (TREK1). In the current study, we report the identification and validation of new TREK1 activators. Firstly, we used a modified potassium ion channel assay to perform high-throughput-screening of new TREK1 activators. Dose-response studies helped to identify compounds with a high separation between effectiveness and toxicity. Inside-out patch-clamp measurements of Xenopus laevis oocytes expressing TREK1 were used for further validation of these activators regarding specificity and activity. These approaches yielded three substances, E1, B3 and A2 that robustly activate TREK1. Functionally, we demonstrated that these compounds reduce levels of adhesion molecules on primary human brain and muscle endothelial cells without affecting cell viability. Finally, we studied compound A2 via voltage-clamp recordings as this activator displayed the strongest effect on adhesion molecules. Interestingly, A2 lacked TREK1 activation in the tested neuronal cell type. Taken together, this study provides data on novel TREK1 activators that might be employed to pharmacologically modulate TREK1 activity.


Assuntos
Canais de Potássio de Domínios Poros em Tandem , Humanos , Canais de Potássio de Domínios Poros em Tandem/metabolismo , Células Endoteliais/metabolismo , Doenças Neuroinflamatórias , Encéfalo/metabolismo , Moléculas de Adesão Celular/metabolismo
5.
Int J Mol Sci ; 23(3)2022 Jan 19.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35162972

RESUMO

SARS-CoV-2 uses the human cell surface protein angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) as the receptor by which it gains access into lung and other tissue. Early in the pandemic, there was speculation that a number of commonly used medications-including ibuprofen and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)-have the potential to upregulate ACE2, thereby possibly facilitating viral entry and increasing the severity of COVID-19. We investigated the influence of the NSAIDS with a range of cyclooxygenase (COX)1 and COX2 selectivity (ibuprofen, flurbiprofen, etoricoxib) and paracetamol on the level of ACE2 mRNA/protein expression and activity as well as their influence on SARS-CoV-2 infection levels in a Caco-2 cell model. We also analysed the ACE2 mRNA/protein levels and activity in lung, heart and aorta in ibuprofen treated mice. The drugs had no effect on ACE2 mRNA/protein expression and activity in the Caco-2 cell model. There was no up-regulation of ACE2 mRNA/protein expression and activity in lung, heart and aorta tissue in ibuprofen-treated mice in comparison to untreated mice. Viral load was significantly reduced by both flurbiprofen and ibuprofen at high concentrations. Ibuprofen, flurbiprofen, etoricoxib and paracetamol demonstrated no effects on ACE2 expression or activity in vitro or in vivo. Higher concentrations of ibuprofen and flurbiprofen reduced SARS-CoV-2 replication in vitro.


Assuntos
Enzima de Conversão de Angiotensina 2 , Anti-Inflamatórios não Esteroides/farmacologia , COVID-19/genética , Acetaminofen/farmacologia , Enzima de Conversão de Angiotensina 2/genética , Enzima de Conversão de Angiotensina 2/metabolismo , Animais , COVID-19/metabolismo , COVID-19/patologia , Células CACO-2 , Progressão da Doença , Ativação Enzimática/efeitos dos fármacos , Etoricoxib/farmacologia , Flurbiprofeno/farmacologia , Regulação Enzimológica da Expressão Gênica/efeitos dos fármacos , Humanos , Ibuprofeno/farmacologia , Masculino , Camundongos , Camundongos Endogâmicos C57BL , SARS-CoV-2/efeitos dos fármacos , SARS-CoV-2/fisiologia , Internalização do Vírus/efeitos dos fármacos
6.
Angew Chem Int Ed Engl ; 61(46): e202205858, 2022 11 14.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36115062

RESUMO

SARS-CoV-2 (SCoV2) and its variants of concern pose serious challenges to the public health. The variants increased challenges to vaccines, thus necessitating for development of new intervention strategies including anti-virals. Within the international Covid19-NMR consortium, we have identified binders targeting the RNA genome of SCoV2. We established protocols for the production and NMR characterization of more than 80 % of all SCoV2 proteins. Here, we performed an NMR screening using a fragment library for binding to 25 SCoV2 proteins and identified hits also against previously unexplored SCoV2 proteins. Computational mapping was used to predict binding sites and identify functional moieties (chemotypes) of the ligands occupying these pockets. Striking consensus was observed between NMR-detected binding sites of the main protease and the computational procedure. Our investigation provides novel structural and chemical space for structure-based drug design against the SCoV2 proteome.


Assuntos
Tratamento Farmacológico da COVID-19 , SARS-CoV-2 , Humanos , Proteoma , Ligantes , Desenho de Fármacos
7.
Cell Biol Toxicol ; 37(2): 229-243, 2021 04.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32564278

RESUMO

The embryonic stem cell test (EST) represents the only validated and accepted in vitro system for the detection and classification of compounds according to their developmental and reproductive teratogenic potency. The widespread implementation of the EST, however, in particular for routine application in pharmaceutical development, has not been achieved so far. Several drawbacks still limit the high-throughput screening of potential drug candidates in this format: The long assay period, the use of non-homogeneous viability assays, the low throughput analysis of marker protein expression and the compatibility of the assay procedures to automation. We have therefore introduced several advancements into the EST workflow: A reduction of the assay period, an introduction of homogeneous viability assays, and a straightforward analysis of marker proteins by flow cytometry and high content imaging to assess the impact of small molecules on differentiation capacity. Most importantly, essential parts of the assay procedure have been adapted to lab automation in 96-well format, thus enabling the interrogation of several compounds in parallel. In addition, extensive investigations were performed to explore the predictive capacity of this next-generation EST, by testing a set of well-known embryotoxicants that encompasses the full range of chemical-inherent embryotoxic potencies possible. Due to these significant improvements, the augmented workflow provides a basis for a sensitive, more rapid, and reproducible high throughput screening compatible platform to predict in vivo developmental toxicity from in vitro data which paves the road towards application in an industrial setting. Graphical abstract •The embryonic stem cell test to predict teratogenicity was made automation-compatible. •Several key improvements to the assay procedure have been introduced to increase performance. •The workflow was adapted to human iPS cells and isogenic fibroblast donor cells.


Assuntos
Desenvolvimento Embrionário , Ensaios de Triagem em Larga Escala , Células-Tronco Pluripotentes/metabolismo , Reprodução , Bibliotecas de Moléculas Pequenas/farmacologia , Testes de Toxicidade , Trifosfato de Adenosina/farmacologia , Animais , Automação , Bioensaio , Morte Celular/efeitos dos fármacos , Sobrevivência Celular/efeitos dos fármacos , Corpos Embrioides/efeitos dos fármacos , Corpos Embrioides/metabolismo , Desenvolvimento Embrionário/efeitos dos fármacos , Fibroblastos/efeitos dos fármacos , Fibroblastos/metabolismo , Humanos , Células-Tronco Pluripotentes Induzidas/efeitos dos fármacos , Células-Tronco Pluripotentes Induzidas/metabolismo , Camundongos , Células-Tronco Embrionárias Murinas/efeitos dos fármacos , Células-Tronco Embrionárias Murinas/metabolismo , Miócitos Cardíacos/efeitos dos fármacos , Miócitos Cardíacos/metabolismo , Células NIH 3T3 , Células-Tronco Pluripotentes/efeitos dos fármacos , Reprodução/efeitos dos fármacos
8.
Cryobiology ; 103: 57-69, 2021 12.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34582849

RESUMO

The gold standard in cryopreservation is still conventional slow freezing of single cells or small aggregates in suspension, although major cell loss and limitation to non-specialised cell types in stem cell technology are known drawbacks. The requirement for rapidly available therapeutic and diagnostic cell types is increasing constantly. In the case of human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) or their derivates, more sophisticated cryopreservation protocols are needed to address this demand. These should allow a preservation in their physiological, adherent state, an efficient re-cultivation and upscaling upon thawing towards high-throughput applications in cell therapies or disease modelling in drug discovery. Here, we present a novel vitrification-based method for adherent hiPSCs, designed for automated handling by microfluidic approaches and with ready-to-use potential e.g. in suspension-based bioreactors after thawing. Modifiable alginate microcarriers serve as a growth surface for adherent hiPSCs that were cultured in a suspension-based bioreactor and subsequently cryopreserved via droplet-based vitrification in comparison to conventional slow freezing. Soft (0.35%) versus stiff (0.65%) alginate microcarriers in concert with adhesion time variation have been examined. Findings revealed specific optimal conditions leading to an adhesion time and growth surface (matrix) elasticity dependent hypothesis on cryo-induced damaging regimes for adherent cell types. Deviations from the found optimum parameters give rise to membrane ruptures assessed via SEM and major cell loss after adherent vitrification. Applying the optimal conditions, droplet-based vitrification was superior to conventional slow freezing. A decreased microcarrier stiffness was found to outperform stiffer material regarding cell recovery, whereas the stemness characteristics of rewarmed hiPSCs were preserved.


Assuntos
Células-Tronco Pluripotentes Induzidas , Vitrificação , Alginatos , Criopreservação/métodos , Elasticidade , Congelamento , Humanos
9.
Int J Mol Sci ; 20(11)2019 May 31.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31159170

RESUMO

The serine protease Caseinolytic protease subunit P (ClpP) plays an important role for protein homeostasis in bacteria and contributes to various developmental processes, as well as virulence. Therefore, ClpP is considered as a potential drug target in Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. In this study, we utilized a biochemical assay to screen several small molecule libraries of approved and investigational drugs for Escherichia coli ClpP inhibitors. The approved drugs bortezomib, cefmetazole, cisplatin, as well as the investigational drug cDPCP, and the protease inhibitor 3,4-dichloroisocoumarin (3,4-DIC) emerged as ClpP inhibitors with IC50 values ranging between 0.04 and 31 µM. Compound profiling of the inhibitors revealed cefmetazole and cisplatin not to inhibit the serine protease bovine α-chymotrypsin, and for cefmetazole no cytotoxicity against three human cell lines was detected. Surface plasmon resonance studies demonstrated all novel ClpP inhibitors to bind covalently to ClpP. Investigation of the potential binding mode for cefmetazole using molecular docking suggested a dual covalent binding to Ser97 and Thr168. While only the antibiotic cefmetazole demonstrated an intrinsic antibacterial effect, cDPCP clearly delayed the bacterial growth recovery time upon chemically induced nitric oxide stress in a ClpP-dependent manner.


Assuntos
Antibacterianos/química , Antibacterianos/farmacologia , Descoberta de Drogas , Endopeptidase Clp/antagonistas & inibidores , Proteínas de Escherichia coli/antagonistas & inibidores , Inibidores de Proteases/química , Inibidores de Proteases/farmacologia , Antineoplásicos/química , Antineoplásicos/farmacologia , Linhagem Celular Tumoral , Sobrevivência Celular/efeitos dos fármacos , Relação Dose-Resposta a Droga , Descoberta de Drogas/métodos , Humanos , Concentração Inibidora 50 , Simulação de Acoplamento Molecular , Simulação de Dinâmica Molecular , Estrutura Molecular , Ligação Proteica , Conformação Proteica , Relação Estrutura-Atividade
10.
Mar Drugs ; 15(4)2017 Mar 23.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28333084

RESUMO

As part of an international research project, the marine fungal strain collection of the Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research (GEOMAR) research centre was analysed for secondary metabolite profiles associated with anticancer activity. Strain MF458 was identified as Tolypocladium geodes, by internal transcribed spacer region (ITS) sequence similarity and its natural product production profile. By using five different media in two conditions and two time points, we were able to identify eight natural products produced by MF458. As well as cyclosporin A (1), efrapeptin D (2), pyridoxatin (3), terricolin A (4), malettinins B and E (5 and 6), and tolypocladenols A1/A2 (8), we identified a new secondary metabolite which we termed tolypocladenol C (7). All compounds were analysed for their anticancer potential using a selection of the NCI60 cancer cell line panel, with malettinins B and E (5 and 6) being the most promising candidates. In order to obtain sufficient quantities of these compounds to start preclinical development, their production was transferred from a static flask culture to a stirred tank reactor, and fermentation medium development resulted in a nearly eight-fold increase in compound production. The strain MF458 is therefore a producer of a number of interesting and new secondary metabolites and their production levels can be readily improved to achieve higher yields.


Assuntos
Antineoplásicos/metabolismo , Antineoplásicos/farmacologia , Organismos Aquáticos/metabolismo , Fungos/metabolismo , Hypocreales/metabolismo , Metabolismo Secundário/fisiologia , Produtos Biológicos/metabolismo , Produtos Biológicos/farmacologia , Linhagem Celular Tumoral , Meios de Cultura/metabolismo , Fermentação/fisiologia , Humanos
11.
Mov Disord ; 30(3): 301-12, 2015 Mar.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-25546831

RESUMO

The introduction of stem cell-associated molecular factors into human patient-derived cells allows for their reprogramming in the laboratory environment. As a result, human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC) can now be reprogrammed epigenetically without disruption of their overall genomic integrity. For patients with neurodegenerative diseases characterized by progressive loss of functional neurons, the ability to reprogram any individual's cells and drive their differentiation toward susceptible neuronal subtypes holds great promise. Apart from applications in regenerative medicine and cell replacement-based therapy, hiPSCs are increasingly used in preclinical research for establishing disease models and screening for drug toxicities. The rapid developments in this field prompted us to review recent progress toward the applications of stem cell technologies for movement disorders. We introduce reprogramming strategies and explain the critical steps in the differentiation of hiPSCs to clinical relevant subtypes of cells in the context of movement disorders. We summarize and discuss recent discoveries in this field, which, based on the rapidly expanding basic science literature as well as upcoming trends in personalized medicine, will strongly influence the future therapeutic options available to practitioners working with patients suffering from such disorders.


Assuntos
Reprogramação Celular/fisiologia , Células-Tronco Pluripotentes Induzidas/fisiologia , Transtornos dos Movimentos/terapia , Transplante de Células-Tronco , Animais , Diferenciação Celular , Humanos
12.
Sci Data ; 11(1): 507, 2024 May 16.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38755219

RESUMO

In the pharmaceutical industry, the patent protection of drugs and medicines is accorded importance because of the high costs involved in the development of novel drugs. Over the years, researchers have analyzed patent documents to identify freedom-to-operate spaces for novel drug candidates. To assist this, several well-established public patent document data repositories have enabled automated methodologies for extracting information on therapeutic agents. In this study, we delve into one such publicly available patent database, SureChEMBL, which catalogues patent documents related to life sciences. Our exploration begins by identifying patent compounds across public chemical data resources, followed by pinpointing sections in patent documents where the chemical annotations were found. Next, we exhibit the potential of compounds to serve as drug candidates by evaluating their conformity to drug-likeness criteria. Lastly, we examine the drug development stage reported for these compounds to understand their clinical success. In summary, our investigation aims at providing a comprehensive overview of the patent compounds catalogued in SureChEMBL, assessing their relevance to pharmaceutical drug discovery.


Assuntos
Bases de Dados Factuais , Descoberta de Drogas , Patentes como Assunto , Indústria Farmacêutica
13.
Virus Res ; 343: 199356, 2024 05.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38490582

RESUMO

Coronaviruses contain one of the largest genomes among the RNA viruses, coding for 14-16 non-structural proteins (nsp) that are involved in proteolytic processing, genome replication and transcription, and four structural proteins that build the core of the mature virion. Due to conservation across coronaviruses, nsps form a group of promising drug targets as their inhibition directly affects viral replication and, therefore, progression of infection. A minimal but fully functional replication and transcription complex was shown to be formed by one RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (nsp12), one nsp7, two nsp8 accessory subunits, and two helicase (nsp13) enzymes. Our approach involved, targeting nsp12 and nsp13 to allow multiple starting point to interfere with virus infection progression. Here we report a combined in-vitro repurposing screening approach, identifying new and confirming reported SARS-CoV-2 nsp12 and nsp13 inhibitors.


Assuntos
COVID-19 , SARS-CoV-2 , Humanos , SARS-CoV-2/metabolismo , Reposicionamento de Medicamentos , RNA Polimerases Dirigidas por DNA , DNA Helicases/genética , DNA Helicases/metabolismo , Proteínas não Estruturais Virais/metabolismo
14.
ACS Omega ; 8(33): 30177-30185, 2023 Aug 22.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37636935

RESUMO

E3 ligases are enzymes that play a critical role in ubiquitin-mediated protein degradation and are involved in various cellular processes. Pharmacophore analysis is a useful approach for predicting E3 ligase binding selectivity, which involves identifying key chemical features necessary for a ligand to interact with a specific protein target cavity. While pharmacophore analysis is not always sufficient to accurately predict ligand binding affinity, it can be a valuable tool for filtering and/or designing focused libraries for screening campaigns. In this study, we present a fast and an inexpensive approach using a pharmacophore fingerprinting scheme known as ErG, which is used in a multi-class machine learning classification model. This model can assign the correct E3 ligase binder to its known E3 ligase and predict the probability of each molecule to bind to different E3 ligases. Practical applications of this approach are demonstrated on commercial libraries such as Asinex for the rational design of E3 ligase binders. The scripts and data associated with this study can be found on GitHub at https://github.com/Fraunhofer-ITMP/E3_binder_Model.

15.
Bioinform Adv ; 3(1): vbad045, 2023.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37187795

RESUMO

Summary: The outbreak of Mpox virus (MPXV) infection in May 2022 is declared a global health emergency by WHO. A total of 84 330 cases have been confirmed as of 5 January 2023 and the numbers are on the rise. The MPXV pathophysiology and its underlying mechanisms are unfortunately not yet understood. Likewise, the knowledge of biochemicals and drugs used against MPXV and their downstream effects is sparse. In this work, using Knowledge Graph (KG) representations we have depicted chemical and biological aspects of MPXV. To achieve this, we have collected and rationally assembled several biological study results, assays, drug candidates and pre-clinical evidence to form a dynamic and comprehensive network. The KG is compliant with FAIR annotations allowing seamless transformation and integration to/with other formats and infrastructures. Availability and implementation: The programmatic scripts for Mpox KG are publicly available at https://github.com/Fraunhofer-ITMP/mpox-kg. It is hosted publicly at https://doi.org/10.18119/N9SG7D. Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics Advances online.

16.
Sci Rep ; 13(1): 22820, 2023 12 20.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38129678

RESUMO

Bunyaviruses constitute a large and diverse group of viruses encompassing many emerging pathogens, such as Rift Valley fever virus (family Phenuiviridae), with public and veterinary health relevance but with very limited medical countermeasures are available. For the development of antiviral strategies, the identification and validation of virus-specific targets would be of high value. The cap-snatching mechanism is an essential process in the life cycle of bunyaviruses to produce capped mRNAs, which are then recognized and translated into viral proteins by the host cell translation machinery. Cap-snatching involves cap-binding as well as endonuclease functions and both activities have been demonstrated to be druggable in related influenza viruses. Here, we explore the suitability of the phenuivirus cap-binding function as a target in medium- and high-throughput drug discovery approaches. We developed a range of in vitro assays aiming to detect the interaction between the cap-binding domain (CBD) and the analogue of its natural cap-ligand m7GTP. However, constricted by its shallow binding pocket and low affinity for m7GTP, we conclude that the CBD has limited small molecule targeting potential using classical in vitro drug discovery approaches.


Assuntos
Orthobunyavirus , Orthomyxoviridae , Vírus de RNA , Animais , Capuzes de RNA/metabolismo , Ensaios de Triagem em Larga Escala , RNA Mensageiro/metabolismo , Vírus de RNA/metabolismo , Orthomyxoviridae/metabolismo
17.
Viruses ; 15(5)2023 05 09.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37243214

RESUMO

During the COVID-19 pandemic, drug repurposing represented an effective strategy to obtain quick answers to medical emergencies. Based on previous data on methotrexate (MTX), we evaluated the anti-viral activity of several DHFR inhibitors in two cell lines. We observed that this class of compounds showed a significant influence on the virus-induced cytopathic effect (CPE) partly attributed to the intrinsic anti-metabolic activity of these drugs, but also to a specific anti-viral function. To elucidate the molecular mechanisms, we took advantage of our EXSCALATE platform for in-silico molecular modelling and further validated the influence of these inhibitors on nsp13 and viral entry. Interestingly, pralatrexate and trimetrexate showed superior effects in counteracting the viral infection compared to other DHFR inhibitors. Our results indicate that their higher activity is due to their polypharmacological and pleiotropic profile. These compounds can thus potentially give a clinical advantage in the management of SARS-CoV-2 infection in patients already treated with this class of drugs.


Assuntos
COVID-19 , SARS-CoV-2 , Humanos , SARS-CoV-2/metabolismo , Pandemias , Simulação de Acoplamento Molecular , Antivirais/farmacologia , Antivirais/metabolismo , Reposicionamento de Medicamentos/métodos
18.
J Control Release ; 364: 654-671, 2023 Dec.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37939853

RESUMO

Despite tremendous global efforts since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, still only a limited number of prophylactic and therapeutic options are available. Although vaccination is the most effective measure in preventing morbidity and mortality, there is a need for safe and effective post-infection treatment medication. In this study, we explored a pipeline of 21 potential candidates, examined in the Calu-3 cell line for their antiviral efficacy, for drug repurposing. Ralimetinib and nafamostat, clinically used drugs, have emerged as attractive candidates. Due to the inherent limitations of the selected drugs, we formulated targeted liposomes suitable for both systemic and intranasal administration. Non-targeted and targeted nafamostat liposomes (LipNaf) decorated with an Apolipoprotein B peptide (ApoB-P) as a specific lung-targeting ligand were successfully developed. The developed liposomal formulations of nafamostat were found to possess favorable physicochemical properties including nano size (119-147 nm), long-term stability of the normally rapidly degrading compound in aqueous solution, negligible leakage from the liposomes upon storage, and a neutral surface charge with low polydispersity index (PDI). Both nafamostat and ralimetinib liposomes showed good cellular uptake and lack of cytotoxicity, and non-targeted LipNaf demonstrated enhanced accumulation in the lungs following intranasal (IN) administration in non-infected mice. LipNaf retained its anti-SARS-CoV 2 activity in Calu 3 cells with only a modest decrease, exhibiting complete inhibition at concentrations >100 nM. IN, but not intraperitoneal (IP) treatment with targeted LipNaf resulted in a trend to reduced viral load in the lungs of K18-hACE2 mice compared to targeted empty Lip. Nevertheless, upon removal of outlier data, a statistically significant 1.9-fold reduction in viral load was achieved. This observation further highlights the importance of a targeted delivery into the respiratory tract. In summary, we were able to demonstrate a proof-of-concept of drug repurposing by liposomal formulations with anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity. The biodistribution and bioactivity studies with LipNaf suggest an IN or inhalation route of administration for optimal therapeutic efficacy.


Assuntos
COVID-19 , Humanos , Camundongos , Animais , Lipossomos , Reposicionamento de Medicamentos , Pandemias , Distribuição Tecidual , Pulmão , SARS-CoV-2
19.
Sci Data ; 10(1): 291, 2023 05 19.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37208349

RESUMO

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the need for FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable) data more than any other scientific challenge to date. We developed a flexible, multi-level, domain-agnostic FAIRification framework, providing practical guidance to improve the FAIRness for both existing and future clinical and molecular datasets. We validated the framework in collaboration with several major public-private partnership projects, demonstrating and delivering improvements across all aspects of FAIR and across a variety of datasets and their contexts. We therefore managed to establish the reproducibility and far-reaching applicability of our approach to FAIRification tasks.


Assuntos
COVID-19 , Conjuntos de Dados como Assunto , Humanos , Pandemias , Parcerias Público-Privadas , Reprodutibilidade dos Testes
20.
Sci Data ; 10(1): 292, 2023 05 19.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37208467

RESUMO

The notion that data should be Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Reusable, according to the FAIR Principles, has become a global norm for good data stewardship and a prerequisite for reproducibility. Nowadays, FAIR guides data policy actions and professional practices in the public and private sectors. Despite such global endorsements, however, the FAIR Principles are aspirational, remaining elusive at best, and intimidating at worst. To address the lack of practical guidance, and help with capability gaps, we developed the FAIR Cookbook, an open, online resource of hands-on recipes for "FAIR doers" in the Life Sciences. Created by researchers and data managers professionals in academia, (bio)pharmaceutical companies and information service industries, the FAIR Cookbook covers the key steps in a FAIRification journey, the levels and indicators of FAIRness, the maturity model, the technologies, the tools and the standards available, as well as the skills required, and the challenges to achieve and improve data FAIRness. Part of the ELIXIR ecosystem, and recommended by funders, the FAIR Cookbook is open to contributions of new recipes.

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