• Genomics & Informatics
• /
• 제14권3호
• /
• pp.96-103
• /
• 2016

The influenza A (H1N1) virus, also known as swine flu is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality since 2009. There is a need to explore novel anti-viral drugs for overcoming the epidemics. Traditionally, different plant extracts of garlic, ginger, kalmegh, ajwain, green tea, turmeric, menthe, tulsi, etc. have been used as hopeful source of prevention and treatment of human influenza. The H1N1 virus contains an important glycoprotein, known as neuraminidase (NA) that is mainly responsible for initiation of viral infection and is essential for the life cycle of H1N1. It is responsible for sialic acid cleavage from glycans of the infected cell. We employed amino acid sequence of H1N1 NA to predict the tertiary structure using Phyre2 server and validated using ProCheck, ProSA, ProQ, and ERRAT server. Further, the modelled structure was docked with thirteen natural compounds of plant origin using AutoDock4.2. Most of the natural compounds showed effective inhibitory activity against H1N1 NA in binding condition. This study also highlights interaction of these natural inhibitors with amino residues of NA protein. Furthermore, among 13 natural compounds, theaflavin, found in green tea, was observed to inhibit H1N1 NA proteins strongly supported by lowest docking energy. Hence, it may be of interest to consider theaflavin for further in vitro and in vivo evaluation.

• Genomics & Informatics
• /
• 제14권3호
• /
• pp.104-111
• /
• 2016

Zika virus (ZIKV) is a mosquito borne pathogen, belongs to Flaviviridae family having a positive-sense single-stranded RNA genome, currently known for causing large epidemics in Brazil. Its infection can cause microcephaly, a serious birth defect during pregnancy. The recent outbreak of ZIKV in February 2016 in Brazil realized it as a major health risk, demands an enhanced surveillance and a need to develop novel drugs against ZIKV. Amodiaquine, prochlorperazine, quinacrine, and berberine are few promising drugs approved by Food and Drug Administration against dengue virus which also belong to Flaviviridae family. In this study, we performed molecular docking analysis of these drugs against nonstructural 3 (NS3) protein of ZIKV. The protease activity of NS3 is necessary for viral replication and its prohibition could be considered as a strategy for treatment of ZIKV infection. Amongst these four drugs, berberine has shown highest binding affinity of -5.8 kcal/mol and it is binding around the active site region of the receptor. Based on the properties of berberine, more similar compounds were retrieved from ZINC database and a structure-based virtual screening was carried out by AutoDock Vina in PyRx 0.8. Best 10 novel drug-like compounds were identified and amongst them ZINC53047591 (2-(benzylsulfanyl)-3-cyclohexyl-3H-spiro[benzo[h]quinazoline-5,1'-cyclopentan]-4(6H)-one) was found to interact with NS3 protein with binding energy of -7.1 kcal/mol and formed H-bonds with Ser135 and Asn152 amino acid residues. Observations made in this study may extend an assuring platform for developing anti-viral competitive inhibitors against ZIKV infection.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
• /
• 제15권2호
• /
• pp.91-99
• /
• 2015

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) is a common causative agent of genital ulceration and can lead to subsequent neurological disease in some cases. Here, using a genital infection model, we tested the efficacy of vinegar-processed flos of Daphne genkwa (vp-genkwa) to modulate vaginal inflammation caused by HSV-1 infection. Our data revealed that treatment with optimal doses of vp-genkwa after, but not before, HSV-1 infection provided enhanced resistance against HSV-1 infection, as corroborated by reduced mortality and clinical signs. Consistent with these results, treatment with vp-genkwa after HSV-1 infection reduced viral replication in the vaginal tract. Furthermore, somewhat intriguingly, treatment of vp-genkwa after HSV-1 infection increased the frequency and absolute number of $CD3^-NK1.1^+NKp46^+$ natural killer (NK) cells producing interferon (IFN)-${\gamma}$ and granyzme B, which indicates that vp-genkwa treatment induces the activation of NK cells. Supportively, secreted IFN-${\gamma}$ was detected at an increased level in vaginal lavages of mice treated with vp-genkwa after HSV-1 infection. These results indicate that enhanced resistance to HSV-1 infection by treatment with vp-genkwa is associated with NK cell activation. Therefore, our data provide a valuable insight into the use of vp-genkwa to control clinical severity in HSV infection through NK cell activation.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• 제30권1호
• /
• pp.38-43
• /
• 2020

Hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) is caused by enterovirus 71 (EV71) in infants and children under six years of age. HFMD is characterized by fever, mouth ulcers, and vesicular rashes on the palms and feet. EV71 also causes severe neurological manifestations, such as brainstem encephalitis and aseptic meningitis. Recently, frequent outbreaks of EV71 have occurred in the Asia-Pacific region, but currently, no effective antiviral drugs have been developed to treat the disease. In this study, we investigated the antiviral effect of salvianolic acid B (SalB) on EV71. SalB is a major component of the Salvia miltiorrhiza root and has been shown to be an effective treatment for subarachnoid hemorrhages and myocardial infarctions. HeLa cells were cultured in 12-well plates and treated with SalB (100 or 10 ㎍/ml) and 10⁶ PFU/ml of EV71. SalB treatment (100 ㎍/ml) significantly decreased the cleavage of the eukaryotic eIF4G1 protein and reduced the expression of the EV71 capsid protein VP1. In addition, SalB treatment showed a dramatic decrease in viral infection, measured by immunofluorescence staining. The Akt signaling pathway, a key component of cell survival and proliferation, was significantly increased in EV71-infected HeLa cells treated with 100 ㎍/ml SalB. RT-PCR results showed that the mRNA for anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 and the cell cycle regulator Cyclin-D1 were significantly increased by SalB treatment. These results indicate that SalB activates Akt/PKB signaling and inhibits apoptosis in infected HeLa cells. Taken together, these results suggest that SalB could be used to develop a new therapeutic drug for EV71-induced HFMD.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• 제48권12호
• /
• pp.1354-1361
• /
• 2005

목 적 : 로타바이러스는 세계적으로 5세 이하 영유아 설사증의 1/3 이상을 차지하는 주요 원인체이다. 이 로타바이러스에 의한 급성위장관염의 치료는 탈수교정을 위한 경구 및 비경구 수액요법 외엔 특이한 치료법이 없는 상태로서 로타바이러스 감염에 대한 새로운 치료법이 필요한 상태이다. 이에 본 연구에서는 로타바이러스에 대한 난황 항체를 투여하여 환아에서의 로타바이러스 억제 효과 및 임상증상의 치료효과를 조사하였다. 방 법 : 본 연구는 두 부분으로 나누어 첫째 로타바이러스 위장관염 환아의 분변에서 바이러스 입자 감소 정도를 보았으며 둘째 환아에게 난황황체를 환아에게 직접 투여하여 임상증상이 개선되는 지를 보았다. 첫째로, 2001년 12월부터 2002년 9월까지 중앙대학교 용산병원 소아과에 급성 장관염을 주요 증상으로 내원한 환아의 분변을 대상으로 역수동 적혈구 응집반응으로 로타바이러스 항원의 존재 유무를 조사하였고 이중 양성인 13명의 환아의 3일간에 각각 걸친 분변시료를 재료로 정량 PCR을 시행하여 바이러스 양의 감소를 측정하였다. 13명 중 7명에게는 난황항체가 투여되었고 6명에게는 위약이 투여되었다. 둘째로는 같은 기간 로타바이러스 감염으로 진단된 36명을 대상으로 하여 18명에는 항-로타바이러스 난황항체가 함유된 난황 2.5 g을 5 mL의 물에 부유하여 하루 2회(아침, 저녁) 3일 동안 투여하였고 위약군 18명에게는 난황항체가 함유되지 않은 난황을 같은 기간 동안 같은 양을 투여한 이후 양군에서 치료 전후의 발열기간, 설사 횟수, 구토 횟수, 전해질 및 혈청 생화학치, 입원기간, 경구 섭취량, 소변 횟수를 비교 관찰하였다. 결 과 : 첫 번째 실험에서, 정량 PCR을 이용하여 환아 분변에서 바이러스 입자의 감소를 측정한 결과 위약군에서는 지속적으로 증가를 보였으나 투여군에서는 지속적인 바이러스 입자의 감소를 보였다. 두 번째 실험에서는 환아의 임상증상 치료효과 면에서 투여군에서 위약군에 비해 3일째에 설사 증상의 개선을 보였다. 결 론 : 항로타바이러스 난황항체의 로타바이러스 감염에 대한 치료효과를 본 결과 환아의 분변에서 바이러스 입자량의 감소와 함께 설사 증상의 개선의 치료 효과를 보이기 때문에 항로타바이러스 난황항체는 로타바이러스 감염증의 치료제가 될 수 있을 것으로 생각된다.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
• /
• 제15권1호
• /
• pp.55-66
• /
• 1998

사람과 동일한 증상을 나타내는 동물 모델이 없는 신증후출혈열의 병리 기전을 이해하기 위하여 in vitro culture system을 이용하였다. 신증후출혈열의 주된 병변이 혈관내피세포외에 섬유아세포가 많이 존재하는 신세뇨관 간질 및 폐간질임을 기초로 하여 계태아와 Mongolian gerbil의 섬유아세포에서 fibronectin에 대한 수용체인 ${\alpha}_5{\beta}_1$, integrin에 대한 항체를 처리하여 한탄바이러스 감염에 대한 영향을 관찰하였다. 초대 배양하여 사용한 계태아 섬유아세포 및 MGF 모두 한탄바이러스가 잘 감염되었으나 계태아 섬유아세포에 비하여 MGF에서 바이러스의 증식이 더 우수하였다. 계태아 섬유아세포와 MGF에서 ${\alpha}_5{\beta}_1$, integrin에 대한 항체 처리 5일 후 바이러스의 N 단백의 역가는 항체를 처리하지 않은 대조군에 비하여 각각 32.6%, 72.6%로 virion의 역가는 26.8%, 28.7%로 감소하여 두 세포에서 모두 감염력을 가진 바이러스의 양은 거의 동일하게 감소 되었다. 또한 ${\alpha}_5$ subunit와 ${\beta}_1$, subunit에 대한 항체를 MGF 세포에 처리한 후 바이러스의 N단백의 역가는 65.2%, 59.7%로 ${\alpha}_5{\beta}_1$ integrin에 대한 항체 처리하였을 때(72.6%)와 거의 유사하게 감소하였고 감염력을 가진 바이러스의 양도 26.5%, 29.4%로 감소하여 ${\alpha}_5{\beta}_1$ integrin에 대한 항체 처리시(28.7%)와 거의 유사하게 감소하였다. 이러한 결과는 ${\alpha}_5{\beta}_1$ integrin이 한탄바이러스에 대한 수용체로써 작용할 가능성을 시사하였으며 또다른 기전으로는 ${\alpha}_5{\beta}_1$ integrin의 차단에 의한 이차적인 영향으로 한탄바이러스의 증식에 커다란 영향을 미치는 것을 생각할 수 있었다.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
• /
• 제15권2호
• /
• pp.91-99
• /
• 2012

Purpose: The aims of this study was to compare and evaluate the clinical characteristics, laboratory data, and prognosis for infants under age 1 year with CMV hepatitis and those with viral hepatitis of unknown etiology. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted of infants under age 1 year who were admitted with acute hepatitis. The exclusion criteria consisted of: autoimmune, genetic, metabolic, toxic, HAV, HBV, HCV, toxoplasma, rubella, herpes simplex, and Epstein-Barr virus. The 30 patients included were divided into two groups based on markers for CMV (IgM anti-CMV, CMV PCR in urine, CMV culture in urine). Results: The median age of patients (n=15) was 2.8 months. No other organ involvement was detected in any patient. Peak serum total bilirubin levels (n=4) ranged from 2.6 to 6.7 mg/dL. Peak serum ALT levels ranged from 51 to 1,581 IU/L. The duration of ALT elevation ranged from 1.5 weeks to 26 weeks (median 9 weeks). All had recovered in full without ganciclovir; there were no cases of hearing loss. The median age of controls (n=15) was 2.5 months. Peak serum total bilirubin levels (n=4) ranged from 1.6 to 9.1 mg/dL. Peak serum ALT levels ranged from 26 to 1,794 IU/L. No significant differences were observed between both groups regarding the peak serum ALT levels, peak serum total bilirubin levels, duration of hyperbilirubinemia and ALT elevation. Conclusion: Although it was not possible to differentiate congenital infection with perinatal infection in this study, the prognosis of patients with CMV hepatitis without other organ involvement was good without ganciclovir treatment.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
• /
• 제21권2호
• /
• pp.89-105
• /
• 1998

In the past decade, significant progress has been achieved in the battle against hepatitis B virus. In addition to the immunomodulating agents such as interferon-.alpha., and thymosin, many novel antiviral agents have been discovered, among which nucleoside analogues are the mainstay. New-generation compounds such as 3TC and famciclovir have shown promise in the treatment of patients chronically infected by this virus, and are on the line for approval. However, viral rebound after cessation of therapy still remains a major problem. Additionally, the reports on the drug resistance to these antiviral agents suggest that combination therapy will be the eventual strategy (Bartholomew et al., 1997; Tipples et al., 1996). Therefore, developments of safe and effective antiviral agents which do not cross-resist with currently available antiviral drugs are still much needed.

• Genomics & Informatics
• /
• 제11권4호
• /
• pp.289-291
• /
• 2013

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is the leading cause of cancer mortality among women worldwide. The molecular understanding of HPV proteins has significant connotation for understanding their intrusion in the host and designing novel protein vaccines and anti-viral agents, etc. Genomic, proteomic, structural, and disease-related information on HPV is available on the web; yet, with trivial annotations and more so, it is not well customized for data analysis, host-pathogen interaction, strain-disease association, drug designing, and sequence analysis, etc. We attempted to design an online reserve with comprehensive information on HPV for the end users desiring the same. The Human Papillomavirus Proteome Database (hpvPDB) domiciles proteomic and genomic information on 150 HPV strains sequenced to date. Simultaneous easy expandability and retrieval of the strain-specific data, with a provision for sequence analysis and exploration potential of predicted structures, and easy access for curation and annotation through a range of search options at one platform are a few of its important features. Affluent information in this reserve could be of help for researchers involved in structural virology, cancer research, drug discovery, and vaccine design.

• Korean Circulation Journal
• /
• 제48권12호
• /
• pp.1097-1119
• /
• 2018

Although elevated serum low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) is without any doubts accepted as an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD), the role of elevated triglycerides (TGs)-rich lipoproteins as an independent risk factor has until recently been quite controversial. Recent data strongly suggest that elevated TG-rich lipoproteins are an independent risk factor for CVD and that therapeutic targeting of them could possibly provide further benefit in reducing CVD morbidity, events and mortality, apart from LDL-C lowering. Today elevated TGs are treated with lifestyle interventions, and with fibrates which could be combined with omega-3 fatty acids. There are also some new drugs. Volanesorsen, is an antisense oligonucleotid that inhibits the production of the Apo C-III which is crucial in regulating TGs metabolism because it inhibits lipoprotein lipase (LPL) and hepatic lipase activity but also hepatic uptake of TGs-rich particles. Evinacumab is a monoclonal antibody against angiopoietin-like protein 3 (ANGPTL3) and it seems that it can substantially lower elevated TGs levels because ANGPTL3 also regulates TGs metabolism. Pemafibrate is a selective peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha modulator which also decreases TGs, and improves other lipid parameters. It seems that it also has some other possible antiatherogenic effects. Alipogene tiparvovec is a nonreplicating adeno-associated viral vector that delivers copies of the LPL gene to muscle tissue which accelerates the clearance of TG-rich lipoproteins thus decreasing extremely high TGs levels. Pradigastat is a novel diacylglycerol acyltransferase 1 inhibitor which substantially reduces extremely high TGs levels and appears to be promising in treatment of the rare familial chylomicronemia syndrome.