Periodic Reporting for period 3 - NOVIRUSES2BRAIN (''One size fits all'' unique drug to eradicate multiple viral species simultaneously from the central nervous system of co-infected individuals)
Berichtszeitraum: 2022-03-01 bis 2023-05-31
Viruses that infect the brain and other parts of the central nervous system are a worldwide threat of terrible dimensions. Viruses such as Zika, Dengue, Chikungunya, HIV or measles, for instance, and more recently the Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) are responsible for thousands of victims severely impaired at neurological level each year in the world. Besides the pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2, one of the most recent large scale threats in this domain was a Zika virus outbreak in South America. Zika, Dengue and Chikungunya viruses are spread mainly by mosquitoes of the Aedes genus. While Dengue and Chikungunya viruses, as many others, might causes diseases with severe neurological disorders, Zika virus is much more dreadful in this regard. When a pregnant woman is infected, the virus is able to translocate the blood-placental barrier (frontier between blood and placenta) and then the developing blood-brain barrier (frontier between blood and brain cells) of the foetus, causing microcephaly and serious neurological disorders to newly born babies.
Although co-infections with Aedes-borne viruses, such as the above mentioned Zika, Dengue and Chikungunya viruses, are likely because several viral species may coexist in the same mosquito, the classical drug development strategies completely overlook the reality of co-infection for these viruses. Moreover, additional co-infections with HIV, SARS-CoV-2 and measles virus, using other routes of infection, are also possible. A drug able to target a very large spectrum of viral species, simultaneously, is urgently needed. Importantly, this drug must be able to traverse the blood-brain barrier and reach the viruses accumulated in the brain.
NOVIRUSES2BRAIN aims to develop drug leads that are both efficacious and able to cross the blood-placental and blood-brain barriers so that Zika, Dengue, Chikungunya and other viruses, such as the recently discovered SARS-CoV-2, can be targeted across barriers, including during pregnancy.
Although co-infections with Aedes-borne viruses, such as the above mentioned Zika, Dengue and Chikungunya viruses, are likely because several viral species may coexist in the same mosquito, the classical drug development strategies completely overlook the reality of co-infection for these viruses. Moreover, additional co-infections with HIV, SARS-CoV-2 and measles virus, using other routes of infection, are also possible. A drug able to target a very large spectrum of viral species, simultaneously, is urgently needed. Importantly, this drug must be able to traverse the blood-brain barrier and reach the viruses accumulated in the brain.
NOVIRUSES2BRAIN aims to develop drug leads that are both efficacious and able to cross the blood-placental and blood-brain barriers so that Zika, Dengue, Chikungunya and other viruses, such as the recently discovered SARS-CoV-2, can be targeted across barriers, including during pregnancy.
NOVIRUSES2BRAIN aims to develop peptide-based conjugates capable of crossing the blood-placental and blood-brain barriers, and be active against brain-residing viruses such as: Zika, Dengue, HIV, and SARS-CoV-2.
We designed and synthetized a pool of conjugates able to translocate the blood-placental and blood-brain barriers and to have antiviral activity.
To evaluate the ability of the conjugates to cross the blood-brain and blood-placental barriers (BBB and BPB, respectively) as well as their impact in the integrity and functionality of the blood-brain and blood-placental barriers, the conjugates were tested in in vitro models using mouse and human brain cell lines. Some of the conjugates have traversed efficiently the blood-brain barrier and blood-placental barrier models while not compromising barrier integrity. Furthermore, we performed some experiments to unveil the mechanisms of barrier translocation.
In addition, the antiviral efficacy of the conjugates was evaluated against Zika virus (ZIKV), HIV and other relevant viruses.
Finally, the toxicity of the conjugates was assessed in selected cell lines to estimate the appropriate dose ranges to be used in the future tests of antiviral efficiency in vivo.
To evaluate the penetration of the conjugates in brain, in vivo pharmacokinetic studies were implemented.
We designed and synthetized a pool of conjugates able to translocate the blood-placental and blood-brain barriers and to have antiviral activity.
To evaluate the ability of the conjugates to cross the blood-brain and blood-placental barriers (BBB and BPB, respectively) as well as their impact in the integrity and functionality of the blood-brain and blood-placental barriers, the conjugates were tested in in vitro models using mouse and human brain cell lines. Some of the conjugates have traversed efficiently the blood-brain barrier and blood-placental barrier models while not compromising barrier integrity. Furthermore, we performed some experiments to unveil the mechanisms of barrier translocation.
In addition, the antiviral efficacy of the conjugates was evaluated against Zika virus (ZIKV), HIV and other relevant viruses.
Finally, the toxicity of the conjugates was assessed in selected cell lines to estimate the appropriate dose ranges to be used in the future tests of antiviral efficiency in vivo.
To evaluate the penetration of the conjugates in brain, in vivo pharmacokinetic studies were implemented.
NOVIRUSES2BRAIN uses a robust approach based on a unique synergy of medicinal chemistry, biochemistry/biophysics and in vivo virology studies. Chemotherapy against Zika virus and other viruses that reach the brain will definitely be a major achievement in medicinal chemistry worldwide. There are no drugs available against Zika and many other Aedes-borne viruses thus; there is an urgent need for novel antiviral drugs with extremely broad spectrum of action. We strongly believe that the project will translate into effective drug leads feeding into the rather meager pipeline currently available for fighting Zika and related viruses infection.
In the past, we identified molecules with antiviral activity and others molecules with proven capability of crossing biological barriers such as the blood-brain barrier. In tune with this, NOVIRUSES2BRAIN aims to develop a totally innovative chemotherapeutic strategy combining these two types of molecules.
Until now, we were able to develop an initial pool of conjugated molecules, some of which are able to cross biological barriers and maintain antiviral activity while having low cytotoxicity. Moreover, we implemented in vivo assays to investigate conjugates’ brain uptake, organ distribution and toxicity.
The next steps will be to select the best performing conjugates, which will be used in the tasks involving in vivo work. In the end of the project, we expect to have identified conjugates with therapeutic potential that can be translated to industry.
This project will have a huge impact because: (i) New drug leads against viruses that reach the brain will be generated and no alternatives exist for chemotherapy, which will create the benefit of patients and economy; (ii) The drug leads to be generated will be used in cases of co-infection with different mosquito-borne diseases, which is deemed important due to the expansion of Aedes mosquito populations in several continents, including Europe and North America; (iii) Europe will reinforce its capacity to generate, screen, and develop antiviral drugs. Given the structural similarity between these viruses and SARS-CoV-2, this virus is also being addressed, constituting in itself a fourth high gain goal of the project.
These drug leads might awaken the interest of the pharma industry and be translated into effective broad-spectrum antivirals. The impact of such results on improved health and social well-being will be remarkable. The risk/gain balance is highly positive as the gain for science, society, and economy is immense.
In the past, we identified molecules with antiviral activity and others molecules with proven capability of crossing biological barriers such as the blood-brain barrier. In tune with this, NOVIRUSES2BRAIN aims to develop a totally innovative chemotherapeutic strategy combining these two types of molecules.
Until now, we were able to develop an initial pool of conjugated molecules, some of which are able to cross biological barriers and maintain antiviral activity while having low cytotoxicity. Moreover, we implemented in vivo assays to investigate conjugates’ brain uptake, organ distribution and toxicity.
The next steps will be to select the best performing conjugates, which will be used in the tasks involving in vivo work. In the end of the project, we expect to have identified conjugates with therapeutic potential that can be translated to industry.
This project will have a huge impact because: (i) New drug leads against viruses that reach the brain will be generated and no alternatives exist for chemotherapy, which will create the benefit of patients and economy; (ii) The drug leads to be generated will be used in cases of co-infection with different mosquito-borne diseases, which is deemed important due to the expansion of Aedes mosquito populations in several continents, including Europe and North America; (iii) Europe will reinforce its capacity to generate, screen, and develop antiviral drugs. Given the structural similarity between these viruses and SARS-CoV-2, this virus is also being addressed, constituting in itself a fourth high gain goal of the project.
These drug leads might awaken the interest of the pharma industry and be translated into effective broad-spectrum antivirals. The impact of such results on improved health and social well-being will be remarkable. The risk/gain balance is highly positive as the gain for science, society, and economy is immense.