Palindromic oligonucleotide-directed enzymatic determination of 2'-deoxythymidine 5'-triphosphate and 2'-deoxycytidine 5'-triphosphate in human cells.

A new method is presented for the determination of 2'-deoxythymidine 5'-triphosphate and 2'-deoxycytidine 5'-triphosphate concentrations within human cells based on a DNA polymerase reaction directed by a palindromic oligonucleotide precursor. Two 19-mer oligonucleotide precursors are employed that contain a common 8-mer palindromic sequence followed by a sequence-specific insertion site and a 5'-oligodeoxythymidylate tail. To conduct a measurement, two molecules of the 19-mer oligonucleotide precursor are first annealed to form a pair of symmetrical template-primer addition sites at their 3'-termini that are coded for the analyte of interest, present in limiting amounts. The Klenow fragment of Escherichia coli DNA polymerase I then elongates the template-primer by the addition of two molecules of the complementary deoxyribonucleotide analyte. Following the addition of the analyte molecules, the template-primer is extended with a 10-mer oligo(dA) tail in the presence of excess dATP and the Klenow fragment. The result is a 30-mer palindromic oligonucleotide that can be separated from any remaining 19-mer precursor and quantified by paired-ion HPLC using UV detection. Since the molar extinction coefficient of the 30-mer palindromic oligonucleotide is much larger than that of the nucleotide analyte alone, the UV signal is markedly enhanced, thereby increasing sensitivity. Details describing this method and the application of it to measure these analytes in as few as 2.5 x 10(6) human cells are presented.

Antiviral activity of biological response modifiers in a murine model of AIDS. Requirement for augmentation of natural killer cell activity and synergy with oral AZT.

We employed the Rauscher murine leukemia virus (RMuLV) as a murine retrovirus model of AIDS, to test biological response modifiers (BRM) and antiviral agents for potential therapeutic activity against the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). We examined the relationship between the augmentation of natural killer (NK) cell activity and antiviral efficacy of a series of BRM, most of which are known inducers of interferon, in this model. Poly [I,C]-LC, MVE-2, and CL 246,738, but not Ampligen, soluble glucan, or 7-thia-8-oxoguanosine, consistently produced antiviral activity. In addition, the combination of suboptimal doses of oral 3'-azido-3'-deoxythymidine (AZT) (in drinking water) and poly [I,C]-LC produced a synergistic antiviral effect. With all the BRM tested, a consistent pattern emerged, namely that antiviral activity always correlated with the augmentation of splenic NK cell activity in infected animals. For instance, poly [I,C]-LC boosted NK activity much more in infected mice treated therapeutically (treatment initiated after infection) than prophylactically (treatment initiated before infection), and it had greater antiviral activity therapeutically than prophylactically. For the BRM tested, antiviral activity did not occur without augmentation of NK activity in infected mice. In contrast, augmentation of NK activity in uninfected mice bore no relationship to antiviral activity. Furthermore, elimination of NK cells by treating mice with anti-asialo GM1 abolished the antiviral activity of poly [I,C]-LC. Although splenic NK activity was ablated by anti-asialo GM1, serum interferon levels were not affected by this treatment. These results point to a causal connection between the augmentation of NK cell activity and the antiviral efficacy of these BRM in this murine AIDS model. NK cells thus appear to play a key role in resistance to this retrovirus, as has been suggested for HIV.

Comparative kinetic analyses of interaction of inhibitors with Rauscher murine leukemia virus and human immunodeficiency virus reverse transcriptases.

The inhibitory effects of several nucleoside triphosphate analogs on Rauscher murine leukemia virus (RMuLV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) type 1 reverse transcriptases (RTs) were studied. With RNA as the template, the apparent K(m) and apparent K(i) values of HIV RT toward its substrates and inhibitors are 12 to 500 times lower than the corresponding values for RMuLV RT. However, the k(i)/k(m) ratios (inhibition efficiencies) for HIV and RMuLV RTs'are similar for AZTTP (zidovudine triphosphate), d4TTP [3'-deoxythymidine-2'-ene-(3'-deoxy-2',3'-didehydrothymidine) triphosphate], PMEADP [9-(2-phosphonylmethoxyethyl)adenine diphosphate], FIAUTP [1-(2-fluoro-2-deoxy-beta-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-iodouracil triphosphate], and HPMPCDP [(S)-1-(3-hydroxy-2-phosphylmethoxypropyl) cytosine diphosphate]. With DNA as the template, the K(m) values are similar for HIV and RMuLV RTs. However, the K(i)/K(m) values of HIV and RMuLV RTs are significantly different for ddCTP, ddATP, and 3TCTP (2',3'-dideoxy-3'-thiacytidine). The RTs of RMuLV and HIV are sufficiently different from one another that the kinetic inhibition constants for a particular antiviral compounds should be determined to indicate whether anti-RMuLV activity is likely to be predictive for the anti-HIV activity of the compound. This information, in conjunction with species-specific drug metabolism differences and tissue culture antiviral activity, is important in determining the suitability of a particular animal model.

Effects of SKF 108922, an HIV-1 protease inhibitor, on retrovirus replication in mice.

Rationally designed synthetic inhibitors of retroviral proteases inhibit the processing of viral polypeptides in cultures of human T lymphocytes infected with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) and therefore suppress the infectivity of HIV-1 in vitro. We have previously reported the antiviral activity in vitro of HIV-1 protease inhibitors against the C-type retrovirus Rauscher murine leukemia virus (RMuLV) and the lentivirus simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV). The same compounds which blocked the infectivity of HIV-1 also inhibited the infectivity of RMuLV and SIV in vitro. This report extends these findings by testing the antiviral activity of HIV-1 protease inhibitors in vivo in the RMuLV model. RMuLV-infected mice were treated twice a day (bid) with either an active (SKF 108922) or inactive (SKF 109273) compound for fourteen days by the intraperitoneal (i.p.) route. Compared with excipient control, SKF 108922, formulated with hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin (HPB), reduced virus-induced splenomegaly, viremia, and serum reverse transcriptase (RT) levels, while SKF 109273 was inactive. The HPB vehicle by itself enhanced replication of RMuLV. The effects of changing the formulation and the route of administration were examined. SKF 108922, formulated in HPB, had similar antiviral activity when administered by the i.p. or subcutaneous (SC) routes. However, SKF 108922 administered as a colloidal suspension in cholesterol sulfate (CS) had no detectable antiviral effect. Measurements of the circulating levels of the protease inhibitor in plasma explained this result. Plasma concentrations of SKF 108922 exceeded 1000 nM within 10 min after SC administration of the compound solubilized in HPB, but SKF 108922 was not detected in plasma after SC administration of the same dose formulated with CS. Information on optimal conditions for administering these agents should prove useful in guiding their clinical application Therefore, RMuLV should provide a good model for the preclinical evaluation and development of this class of agents for the treatment of HIV.

Comparison of replication rates and pathogenicities between the SA14 parent and SA14-14-2 vaccine strains of Japanese encephalitis virus in mouse brain neurons.

The replication rates and pathogenicities of the SA 14 parent and SA 14-14-2 vaccine strains of Japanese encephalitis (JE) virus in neurons of the mouse brain following intracerebral inoculation were compared. All the mice inoculated with the SA 14 parent strain died within one week postinoculation (p.i.), whereas all the mice inoculated with the SA 14-14-2 vaccine strains survived without showing any signs of central nervous system (CNS) involvement. The virus titers of the mouse brains inoculated with the SA 14 strain reached progressively higher levels until day 5 when the animals died. On the other hand, the virus titers of the mouse brains inoculated with the SA 14-14-2 strain persisted at low levels for several days and could not be detected after 10 days. In the routine electron microscopical study, a majority of neurons in the mouse brains inoculated with the SA 14 strain contained virions and showed characteristic cytopathological changes in connection with viral replication. In the brains inoculated with the SA 14-14-2 strain, however, we failed to find neurons containing virions or showing characteristic cytopathological changes. In the alkaline phosphatase immunostaining of paraffin-embedded sections, a majority of neurons in the brains of mice inoculated with the SA 14 strain stained positively on day 5 p.i., but only a small number of neurons in scattered small foci stained positively in the brains inoculated with the SA 14-14-2 strain. The immunogold staining of Vibratome sections also revealed the identical patterns; moreover, electron microscopical examination of the immunopositive foci of the brain inoculated with the vaccine strain revealed neurons that contained virions in dilated cisternae of rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER), indicating that the SA 14-14-2 strain also replicated, albeit poorly, in neurons. The present results showed that upon intracerebral inoculation into mice the SA 14 parent strain of JE virus grew vigorously in a large number of neurons, killing the animals, while the SA 14-14-2 vaccine strain grew poorly only in a small number of neurons without causing mortality. Possible mechanisms involved in the alteration of pathogenicity between the SA 14 parent virus and the SA 14-14-2 vaccine virus are discussed.

Antiretroviral activities of protease inhibitors against murine leukemia virus and simian immunodeficiency virus in tissue culture.

Rationally designed synthetic inhibitors of retroviral proteases inhibit the processing of viral polyproteins in cultures of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1)-infected T lymphocytes and, as a result, inhibit the infectivity of HIV-1 for such cultures. The ability of HIV-1 protease inhibitors to suppress replication of the C-type retrovirus Rauscher murine leukemia virus (R-MuLV) and the HIV-related lentivirus simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) was examined in plaque reduction assays and syncytium reduction assays, respectively. Three of seven compounds examined blocked production of infectious R-MuLV, with 50% inhibitory concentrations of < or = 1 microM. Little or no cellular cytotoxicity was detectable at concentrations up to 100 microM. The same compounds which inhibited the infectivity of HIV-1 also produced activity against SIV and R-MuLV. Electron microscopic examination revealed the presence of many virions with atypical morphologies in cultures treated with the active compounds. Morphometric analysis demonstrated that the active compounds reduced the number of membrane-associated virus particles. These results demonstrate that synthetic peptide analog inhibitors of retroviral proteases significantly inhibit proteolytic processing of the gag polyproteins of R-MuLV and SIV and inhibit the replication of these retroviruses. These results are similar to those for inhibition of HIV-1 infectivity by these compounds, and thus, R-MuLV and SIV might be suitable models for the in vivo evaluation of the antiretroviral activities of these protease inhibitors.

New hypoxanthine nucleosides with RNA antiviral activity.

A series of novel C-2 functionalized hypoxanthine and purine ribonucleosides have been synthesized and evaluated against exotic RNA viruses of the family or genus alpha, arena, flavi, and rhabdo. Both specific and broad-spectrum antiviral activities were discovered but only with hypoxanthine nucleosides.

Synthesis and antiviral evaluation of N-carboxamidine-substituted analogues of 1-beta-D-ribofuranosyl-1,2,4-triazole-3-carboxamidine hydrochloride.

Ten, hitherto unreported, analogues of 1-beta-D-ribofuranosyl-1,2,4-triazole-3-carboxamidine hydrochloride (2a, ribamidine) and methyl carboximidate 5 have been synthesized. These include the N-cyano (2b), N-alkyl (2c-e), N-amino acid (2f-h), N,N'-disubstituted (6, 7a,b), and the N-methylated carboxamide (1f) analogues of ribavirin. In addition, a new facile synthesis of carboxamidine 2a was also developed. All compounds were evaluated for biological activity against the following RNA viruses: Punta Toro (PT) and sandfly fever (SF) viruses (bunyaviruses); Japanese encephalitis (JE), yellow fever (YF), and dengue-4 viruses (flaviviruses); parainfluenza type 3 (PIV3), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and measles viruses (paramyxoviruses); influenza A and influenza B viruses (orthomyxoviruses); Venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis virus (VEE, alphavirus); human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1, lentivirus); the DNA-containing vaccinia (VV) virus (poxvirus); and adeno type 5 (Ad5) viruses. All of the compounds except for 2b and 7a,b exhibited activity against the bunyaviruses such as that observed with 2a; however, higher IC50 values were generally observed. Glycine analogue 2f showed activity in PT-virus-infected mice in terms of increased survivors and decreased markers of viral pathogenicity. Carboxamidine 2a, carboximidate 5, and dimethyl amidine 6 exhibited activity against dengue type-4 virus. Monomethyl amidine 2c demonstrated activity against RSV, PIV3, and, to a lesser extent, influenza A and B. Activity of 2c generally required higher IC50 values than unsubstituted 2a. The latter exhibited hitherto unreported activity against RSV; therapeutic indices for 2a against RSV and PIV3 were greater than 64 and greater than 21. No substantial in vitro activity was observed for any of the compounds tested against Ad5, measles, JE, YF, VEE, or HIV-1. In addition, evidence is presented which argues in favor of a distinct antiviral mechanism of action for carboxamidines, e.g. 6, in contrast to a role as a carboxamide precursor.

Ribavirin mitigates wart growth in rabbits at early stages of infection with cottontail rabbit papillomavirus.

The challenge to develop antiviral agents effective against DNA viruses such as human papillomavirus (HPV) has been dependent on finding an animal model which mimics the human forms of the disease. We have used an existing model system for the purpose of measuring the effect of antiviral drugs on the inhibition of growth of these lesions. This was based upon domestic rabbits which efficiently grow cutaneous papillomas (warts) when infected with cottontail rabbit papillomavirus (CRPV). One agent which had shown significant success in achieving these goals was ribavirin. Ribavirin was administered intradermally shortly prior to infection at multiple sites with CRPV. Following daily injections of this drug for eight weeks, we have shown a dose-dependent response which had markedly reduced the number of warts, the time of first appearance of warts and reduced the tumor mass as compared to placebo-treated control animals. At the highest dose of ribavirin tested, 30 mg/kg/day, compared to controls, the average reduction in the number of warts was 52%, the average time of first appearance of warts was 49% longer, and the average mass of the warts was reduced by 98%. No detectable antibodies to CRPV were observed in any of the animals. The only side effects which were observed was focal alopecia, and a decrease in body growth upon prolonged treatment, both of which were completely reversible. Pharmacokinetic studies established the metabolism of ribavirin over a 24-h period of time. Ribavirin administered beginning 12 or 30 days post-infection, while not reducing the number of warts, slightly retarded the growth of warts as determined by date of first appearance of warts and mass of warts.

Effect of cyclophosphamide, total body irradiation, and zidovudine on retrovirus proliferation and disease progression in murine AIDS.

Murine acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (MAIDS) develops when C57B1/6 mice are inoculated with LP-BM5 murine leukemia viruses. Disease progression in these animals is characterized by lymphadenopathy, polyclonal B-cell activation, severe immunodeficiency, and death. Mice with MAIDS have been used to examine the efficacy of antiretroviral therapies for possible use in AIDS patients. In the present work, MAIDS mice were employed to test the hypothesis that established retroviral infection might be cured by the combined use of a cytotoxic agent (cyclophosphamide) and total body irradiation--a regimen reported to have successfully cured HIV-1 infection in one AIDS patient. Results indicate that the ablation of retrovirus-infected lymphoid cells reduced but did not eliminate LP-BM5 infection. Moreover, this regimen was no more effective at controlling virus proliferation or preventing the polyclonal IgG activation characteristic of murine AIDS than was AZT alone.

Imexon and biological response modifiers in murine models of AIDS.

The Rauscher murine leukemia retrovirus system provides an in vivo model of the human acquired immune deficiency syndrome for testing the ability of antiviral agents and biological response modifiers (BRM) to suppress viremia and retroviral disease. In the present report we examined three agents in the Rauscher retrovirus model: imexon, Ampligen and poly[I,C]-LC. Imexon reduced splenomegaly, viremia, and serum reverse transcriptase levels even when treatment was not initiated until 7 days after virus infection. Imexon also significantly prolonged the survival of infected mice. Thus it proved to be an effective antiviral agent in this system, although imexon did not completely eliminate retroviral infection in treated mice. Poly[I,C]-LC and Ampligen had immunomodulatory effects. Both of these BRM augmented the cytolytic activity of splenic natural killer (NK) cells in infected animals when treatment was initiated 24 h after infection. Poly[I,C]-LC had antiretroviral activity when administered on this schedule. In order to examine the role of NK cell augmentation in the antiviral activity of poly[I,C]-LC, we attempted to deplete NK activity by treatment with rabbit antibody to asialo GM1, a ganglioside on the surface of murine NK cells. Combined treatment of infected mice with poly[I,C]-LC and anti-asialo GM1 decreased the antiviral activity of poly[I,C]-LC. This finding suggests that NK cells may be involved in the antiviral effect of this BRM.

Prophylactic ribavirin treatment of dengue type 1 infection in rhesus monkeys.

The prophylactic efficacy of the broad-spectrum antiviral nucleoside analog ribavirin against flavivirus infection in non-human primates was investigated in a blinded, placebo-controlled study of rhesus monkeys infected with dengue virus. Both placebo- and ribavirin-treated monkeys developed viremia, as measured by direct plaque assay on Aedes albopictus C6/36 cells. Peak viremia occurred between days 3 and 9 after infection. No significant differences in time of onset, duration, or level of viremia were observed between placebo- and ribavirin-treated monkeys. Ribavirin induced predictable and reversible anemia and thrombocytosis. Serum ribavirin reached maximum levels of 30 microM by day 4, which approximates the in vitro minimum inhibitory concentration for dengue virus. Ribavirin appeared ineffective as a prophylactic drug for dengue type 1 viral infection, as evaluated by the magnitude of viremia in this monkey model.

Inhibition of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever viral infectivity yields in vitro by ribavirin.

Ribavirin was evaluated as a potential therapeutic for Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF). Viral yields for strains of CCHF virus from Europe, Asia, and Africa in African green monkey kidney (Vero) cells were markedly reduced by this drug. Some CCHF viral strains appeared more sensitive than others, but in general, ribavirin doses as low as 5 micrograms/ml caused a transient reduction of viral yields. A further reduction in viral yields was induced by a dose of 25 micrograms/ml, and evidence of viral replication was not demonstrated in cells treated with 50 or 250 micrograms/ml. In contrast, a dose of ribavirin at least 9 times greater was required to induce a comparable inhibitory effect on the yields of Rift Valley fever virus, for which the drug has been shown to inhibit replication in monkeys and rodents.

Shiga toxin from Shigella dysenteriae 1 inhibits protein synthesis in reticulocyte lysates by inactivation of aminoacyl-tRNA binding.

Inhibition of the peptide elongation cycle of eukaryotic protein synthesis by Shiga toxin from Shigella dysenteriae 1 was examined in toxin-treated reticulocyte lysate mixtures. Peptidyl transferase activity of toxin-treated ribosomes was measured by following the decrease in peptidyl-tRNA concentrations when puromycin was added after incubation with toxin. Concentrations of [3H]leucine-labeled peptidyl-tRNA were measured by extraction with cetyltrimethylammonium bromide. The data suggest that Shiga toxin inhibited aminoacyl-tRNA binding. Toxin-treated ribosomes retained peptidyl transferase activity, and toxin did not block translocation. Furthermore, no inhibition of initiation of protein synthesis could be observed. Finally, Shiga toxin had no detectable nucleolytic effect on polysomal 28S rRNA, nor was hydrolysis of 5.8S or 5S rRNA observed.

Virus isolations from mosquitoes collected during the 1982 Japanese encephalitis epidemic in northern Thailand.

From 16 June to 15 August, 1982 CDC light traps were used to collect mosquitoes in the province of Kamphaengphet, N. Thailand. 353,042 mosquitoes comprising 59 species were collected and identified, and 345,173 were placed in pools for attempted virus isolation by inoculation of C6/36 Aedes albopictus mosquito cell cultures. Viruses were isolated from 63 mosquito pools. These comprised 56 flaviviruses, identified as 35 isolates of Japanese encephalitis (JE) virus strains, 18 strains of Tembusu (TEM) virus and three untyped flaviviruses (FLA); three alphaviruses, identified as the first isolates of Getah (GET) virus to have been made in Thailand; and four viruses which are still unidentified. Most virus isolates were from Culex tritaeniorhynchus mosquitoes collected in carbon dioxide baited light traps. JE virus was isolated only over a ten-day period and the last isolate was obtained one week before the peak of admission of human encephalitis cases at Kamphaengphet Provincial Hospital. Rapid screening of isolates grown on Ae. pseudoscutellaris (LSTM-AP-61) mosquito cells by indirect immunofluorescence using flavivirus group-specific and JE-specific monoclonal antibodies showed a high degree of correlation with plaque reduction neutralization tests. An antigen capture enzyme immunoassay (EIA) test successfully identified about 50% of the JE virus positive pools, but the method saved considerable processing time.

Virus-specific antibody-producing cells in blood and cerebrospinal fluid in acute Japanese encephalitis.

During an epidemic of Japanese encephalitis (JE) in northern Thailand, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leukocytes and blood leukocytes from 28 patients with suspected JE were tested for spontaneous in vitro synthesis of antibodies to JE virus (JEV). Sixteen patients were subsequently proven to be infected with JEV. Supernatant fluids of three-day cultures of unstimulated peripheral blood mononuclear leukocytes or unstimulated unfractionated CSF leukocytes were tested for JEV IgM and IgG antibodies with isotype-specific "antibody capture" radioimmunoassays. Blood-derived leukocytes from all sixteen JEV-infected patients and CSF-derived leukocytes from four JEV-infected patients synthesized JEV antibodies. Blood-derived and CSF-derived leukocytes from all 12 patients with central nervous system infections caused by agents other than JEV uniformly failed to synthesize JEV antibodies. Virus-specific antibody-producing cells can be detected in the blood and CSF early in the clinical course of acute JE.

Kinetics of IgM and IgG responses to Japanese encephalitis virus in human serum and cerebrospinal fluid.

We measured levels of antibodies to Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) in serum and in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) specimens obtained from 32 patients with acute encephalitis by using "antibody-capture" solid-phase enzyme-linked immunoassays specific for IgM or IgG to JEV. The proportions of confirmed cases with IgM to JEV detectable in CSF were 68% (obtained on day 1), 100% (day 7), 96% (day 30), and 72% (day 180). For IgG in CSF the proportions were 47% (day 1), 89% (day 7), 100% (day 30), and 100% (day 180). Twenty-five CSF samples were obtained from control patients with other diseases with possible nervous system involvement (but none with a clinical diagnosis of viral encephalitis); none had detectable IgM to JEV. Five JEV-infected but asymptomatic siblings of patients with encephalitis were also examined; all had high levels of IgM to JEV in serum, but none had detectable IgM to JEV in CSF.