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Viruses Jun 2024Herpes simplex viruses type 1 (HSV-1) and type 2 (HSV-2) are widespread human pathogens that establish chronic latent infections leading to recurrent episodes. Current...
Herpes simplex viruses type 1 (HSV-1) and type 2 (HSV-2) are widespread human pathogens that establish chronic latent infections leading to recurrent episodes. Current treatments are limited, necessitating the development of novel antiviral strategies. This study aimed to assess the antiviral efficacy of novel topical formulations containing interferon alpha-2b (IFN α-2b) against HSV-1 and HSV-2. The formulations, Oftalmoferon forte (eye drops) and Interferon Vaginal Tablets, demonstrated potent antiviral effects against HSV-1 and HSV-2 in Vero cells, respectively, with concentration-dependent inhibition of viral replication. Subsequently, their efficacy was tested in animal models: HSV-1 keratitis in the rabbit eye model and HSV-2 genital herpes in mice. Oftalmoferon forte effectively treated HSV-1 keratitis, reducing clinical symptoms and ulcerations compared to virus control. Interferon Vaginal Tablets showed promising results in controlling HSV-2 genital herpes in mice, improving survival rates, reducing clinical signs, weight loss and viral replication. The novel IFN α-2b formulations exhibited significant antiviral activity against HSV infections in cell culture and animal models. These findings suggest the potential of these formulations as alternative treatments for HSV infections, particularly in cases resistant to current therapies. Further studies are warranted to optimize treatment regimens and assess clinical efficacy in humans.
Topics: Animals; Rabbits; Herpesvirus 1, Human; Herpesvirus 2, Human; Antiviral Agents; Mice; Herpes Genitalis; Disease Models, Animal; Keratitis, Herpetic; Chlorocebus aethiops; Female; Vero Cells; Interferon alpha-2; Virus Replication; Administration, Topical; Ophthalmic Solutions; Interferon-alpha; Humans
PubMed: 38932280
DOI: 10.3390/v16060989 -
Viruses May 2024Humans continue to be at risk from the Zika virus. Although there have been significant research advancements regarding Zika, the absence of a vaccine or approved...
Humans continue to be at risk from the Zika virus. Although there have been significant research advancements regarding Zika, the absence of a vaccine or approved treatment poses further challenges for healthcare providers. In this study, we developed a microparticulate Zika vaccine using an inactivated whole Zika virus as the antigen that can be administered pain-free via intranasal (IN) immunization. These microparticles (MP) were formulated using a double emulsion method developed by our lab. We explored a prime dose and two-booster-dose vaccination strategy using MPL-A and Alhydrogel as adjuvants to further stimulate the immune response. MPL-A induces a Th1-mediated immune response and Alhydrogel (alum) induces a Th2-mediated immune response. There was a high recovery yield of MPs, less than 5 µm in size, and particle charge of -19.42 ± 0.66 mV. IN immunization of Zika MP vaccine and the adjuvanted Zika MP vaccine showed a robust humoral response as indicated by several antibodies (IgA, IgM, and IgG) and several IgG subtypes (IgG1, IgG2a, and IgG3). Vaccine MP elicited a balance Th1- and Th2-mediated immune response. Immune organs, such as the spleen and lymph nodes, exhibited a significant increase in CD4 helper and CD8 cytotoxic T-cell cellular response in both vaccine groups. Zika MP vaccine and adjuvanted Zika MP vaccine displayed a robust memory response (CD27 and CD45R) in the spleen and lymph nodes. Adjuvanted vaccine-induced higher Zika-specific intracellular cytokines than the unadjuvanted vaccine. Our results suggest that more than one dose or multiple doses may be necessary to achieve necessary immunological responses. Compared to unvaccinated mice, the Zika vaccine MP and adjuvanted MP vaccine when administered via intranasal route demonstrated robust humoral, cellular, and memory responses. In this pre-clinical study, we established a pain-free microparticulate Zika vaccine that produced a significant immune response when administered intranasally.
Topics: Animals; Administration, Intranasal; Zika Virus Infection; Zika Virus; Mice; Antibodies, Viral; Viral Vaccines; Female; Immunization; Adjuvants, Immunologic; Disease Models, Animal; Adjuvants, Vaccine; Vaccination; Cytokines; Antibodies, Neutralizing
PubMed: 38932158
DOI: 10.3390/v16060865 -
Viruses May 2024Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a major cause of severe respiratory tract disease worldwide, and a pediatric vaccine is not available. We generated a filamentous...
Intranasal Vaccination with a Respiratory-Syncytial-Virus-Based Virus-like Particle Displaying the G Protein Conserved Region Induces Severe Weight Loss and Pathology upon Challenge with Wildtype Respiratory Syncytial Virus.
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a major cause of severe respiratory tract disease worldwide, and a pediatric vaccine is not available. We generated a filamentous RSV-based virus-like particle (VLP) that presents the central conserved region of the attachment protein G. This was achieved by co-expressing the matrix protein, phosphoprotein, nucleoprotein, and a hybrid fusion protein in which the F ectodomain was replaced with the G central region (GCR). The latter is relatively conserved and contains a receptor binding site and hence is a logical vaccine target. The immunogenicity and efficacy of the resulting VLP, termed VLP-GCR, were examined in mice using intranasal application without adjuvant. VLP-GCR induced substantial anti-N antibody levels but very low anti-G antibody levels, even after three vaccinations. In contrast, a VLP presenting prefusion-stabilized fusion (preF) protein instead of GCR induced both high anti-F and anti-nucleoprotein antibody levels, suggesting that our GCR antigen was poorly immunogenic. Challenge of VLP-GCR-vaccinated mice caused increased weight loss and lung pathology, and both VLPs induced mucus in the lungs. Thus, neither VLP is suitable as a vaccine for RSV-naive individuals. However, VLP-preF enhanced the proportion of preF antibodies and could serve as a multi-antigen mucosal booster vaccine in the RSV-experienced population.
Topics: Animals; Female; Humans; Mice; Administration, Intranasal; Antibodies, Viral; Lung; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections; Respiratory Syncytial Virus Vaccines; Respiratory Syncytial Virus, Human; Vaccination; Vaccines, Virus-Like Particle; Viral Envelope Proteins; Viral Fusion Proteins; Weight Loss
PubMed: 38932136
DOI: 10.3390/v16060843 -
Viruses May 2024Rotavirus infection continues to be a significant public health problem in developing countries, despite the availability of several vaccines. The efficacy of oral... (Review)
Review
Rotavirus infection continues to be a significant public health problem in developing countries, despite the availability of several vaccines. The efficacy of oral rotavirus vaccines in young children may be affected by significant immunological differences between individuals in early life and adults. Therefore, understanding the dynamics of early-life systemic and mucosal immune responses and the factors that affect them is essential to improve the current rotavirus vaccines and develop the next generation of mucosal vaccines. This review focuses on the advances in T-cell development during early life in mice and humans, discussing how immune homeostasis and response to pathogens is established in this period compared to adults. Finally, the review explores how this knowledge of early-life T-cell immunity could be utilized to enhance current and novel rotavirus vaccines.
Topics: Rotavirus Vaccines; Humans; Rotavirus Infections; Animals; Rotavirus; T-Lymphocytes; Administration, Oral; Immunity, Mucosal; Mice
PubMed: 38932111
DOI: 10.3390/v16060818 -
Pharmaceutics Jun 2024Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a fast-growing and aggressive brain tumour, which remains largely resistant to treatment; the prognosis for patients is poor, with a...
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a fast-growing and aggressive brain tumour, which remains largely resistant to treatment; the prognosis for patients is poor, with a median survival time of about 12-18 months, post diagnosis. In an effort to bring more efficacious treatments to patients, we targeted the down regulation of ITCH, an E3 ligase that is overexpressed in a variety of cancers, and which inhibits P73, a tumour suppressor gene. 6-O-glycolchitosan (GC) was used to deliver siRNA ITCH (GC60-siRNA-ITCH) and gemcitabine via the nose to brain route in CD-1 nude mice which had previously been implanted intracranially with U87-MG-luc2 cells. Prior to this in vivo study, an in vitro study established the synergistic effect of siRNA-ITCH in combination with a chemotherapy drug-gemcitabine. A downregulation of ITCH, an upregulation of p73 and enhanced apoptosis were observed in vitro in U87-MG cells, using qPCR, Western blot analysis, confocal laser scanning microscopy, flow cytometry and cytotoxicity assays. When GC60-siRNA-ITCH was combined with gemcitabine, there was a resultant decrease in cell proliferation in vitro. In CD1 mice, the administration of siRNA-ITCH (7 doses of 0.081 mg/kg) alone did not significantly affect animal survival (increasing mean survival from 29 to 33 days when compared to untreated animals), whereas intranasal gemcitabine had a significant effect on survival (increasing survival from 29 to 45 days when compared to untreated animals, < 0.01). The most significant effect was seen with combination therapy (GC60-siRNA-ITCH plus gemcitabine), where survival increased by 89%, increasing from 29 to 54 days ( < 0.01). Our data demonstrate that siRNA chemosensitises brain tumours to gemcitabine and that the nose-to-brain delivery route may be a viable route for the treatment of intracranial tumours.
PubMed: 38931949
DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics16060829 -
Pharmaceutics Jun 2024Skin is the largest organ and a multifunctional interface between the body and its environment. It acts as a barrier against cold, heat, injuries, infections, chemicals,... (Review)
Review
Skin is the largest organ and a multifunctional interface between the body and its environment. It acts as a barrier against cold, heat, injuries, infections, chemicals, radiations or other exogeneous factors, and it is also known as the mirror of the soul. The skin is involved in body temperature regulation by the storage of fat and water. It is an interesting tissue in regard to the local and transdermal application of active ingredients for prevention or treatment of pathological conditions. Topical and transdermal delivery is an emerging route of drug and cosmetic administration. It is beneficial for avoiding side effects and rapid metabolism. Many pharmaceutical, technological and cosmetic innovations have been described and patented recently in the field. In this review, the main features of skin morphology and physiology are presented and are being followed by the description of classical and novel nanoparticulate dermal and transdermal drug formulations. The biophysical aspects of the penetration of drugs and cosmetics into or across the dermal barrier and their investigation in diffusion chambers, skin-on-a-chip devices, high-throughput measuring systems or with advanced analytical techniques are also shown. The current knowledge about mathematical modeling of skin penetration and the future perspectives are briefly discussed in the end, all also involving nanoparticulated systems.
PubMed: 38931938
DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics16060817 -
Pharmaceutics Jun 2024The barrier function of the skin is primarily determined by its outermost layer, the (SC). The SC consists of corneocytes embedded in a lipid matrix composed mainly of... (Review)
Review
The barrier function of the skin is primarily determined by its outermost layer, the (SC). The SC consists of corneocytes embedded in a lipid matrix composed mainly of ceramides, cholesterol, and free fatty acids in equimolar proportions and is organised in a complex lamellar structure with different periodicities and lateral packings. This matrix provides a diffusion pathway across the SC for bioactive compounds that are administered to the skin. In this regard, and as the skin administration route has grown in popularity, there has been an increase in the use of lipid mixtures that closely resemble the SC lipid matrix, either for a deeper biophysical understanding or for pharmaceutical and cosmetic purposes. This review focuses on a systematic analysis of the main outcomes of using lipid mixtures as SC lipid matrix models for pharmaceutical and cosmetic purposes. Thus, a methodical evaluation of the main outcomes based on the SC structure is performed, as well as the main recent developments in finding suitable new in vitro tools for permeation testing based on lipid models.
PubMed: 38931927
DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics16060807 -
Pharmaceutics May 2024The compound 6-methoxyseselin, derived from , demonstrates various therapeutic properties, including vasorelaxation, antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory, and...
The compound 6-methoxyseselin, derived from , demonstrates various therapeutic properties, including vasorelaxation, antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory effects, along with recently discovered antiasthmatic properties. This study aimed to evaluate its preclinical pharmacokinetics and pulmonary delivery in Balb/c mice. The method involved administering the compound via inhalation and intravenous routes, followed by blood sample collection for analysis using high-performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection (HPLC-DAD). The results indicated good linearity, precision, accuracy, and stability of the compound in the biological samples. Pharmacokinetic parameters such as the rate of elimination, half-life, clearance, volume of distribution, area under the curve, and mean residence time were determined for both administration routes, showing similar profiles. The lung concentrations were notably higher than the plasma concentrations, indicating significant lung penetration. These findings suggest 6-methoxyseselin as a promising candidate for new anti-asthmatic drugs, supported by its favorable pharmacokinetic profiles and high lung penetration factors. This study represents the first exploration of the pharmacokinetics and pulmonary delivery of 6-methoxyseselin in mice, highlighting its potential for further drug development.
PubMed: 38931838
DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics16060714 -
Nutrients Jun 2024Liver-expressed antimicrobial peptide-2 (LEAP-2) has mutual antagonism with ghrelin, which evokes food intake under a freely fed state. Nevertheless, the impact of...
Liver-expressed antimicrobial peptide-2 (LEAP-2) has mutual antagonism with ghrelin, which evokes food intake under a freely fed state. Nevertheless, the impact of LEAP-2 on ghrelin under time-restricted feeding (TRF), which has benefits in the context of metabolic disease, is still unknown. This study aims to explore the impact of central administration of LEAP-2 on the ingestion behavior of rats, which was evaluated using their cumulative food intake in the TRF state. Before intracerebroventricular (ICV) administration of -octanoylated ghrelin (0.1 nmol/rat), as a food-stimulatory model, the rats received various doses of LEAP-2 (0.3, 1, 3 nmol/rat, ICV). Cumulative food intake was recorded at 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, and 24 h after ICV injection under 12 h freely fed and TRF states in a light phase. In 12 h freely fed and TRF states, central administration of ghrelin alone induced feeding behavior. Pre-treatment with LEAP-2 (1 and 3 nmol/rat, ICV) suppressed ghrelin-induced food intake in a dose-dependent manner in a 12 h freely fed state instead of a TRF state, which may have disturbed the balance of ghrelin and LEAP-2. This study provides neuroendocrine-based evidence that may explain why TRF sometimes fails in fighting obesity/metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease in clinics.
Topics: Animals; Ghrelin; Male; Rats; Eating; Feeding Behavior; Injections, Intraventricular; Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Consciousness; Blood Proteins
PubMed: 38931301
DOI: 10.3390/nu16121946 -
Nutrients Jun 2024Breast cancer is the most common tumor in women. Chemotherapy is the gold standard for cancer treatment; however, severe side effects and tumor resistance are the major... (Review)
Review
Breast cancer is the most common tumor in women. Chemotherapy is the gold standard for cancer treatment; however, severe side effects and tumor resistance are the major obstacles to chemotherapy success. Numerous dietary components and phytochemicals have been found to inhibit the molecular and signaling pathways associated with different stages of breast cancer development. In particular, this review is focused on the antitumor effects of PUFAs, dietary enzymes, and glucosinolates against breast cancer. The major databases were consulted to search in vitro and preclinical studies; only those with solid scientific evidence and reporting protective effects on breast cancer treatment were included. A consistent number of studies highlighted that dietary components and phytochemicals can have remarkable therapeutic effects as single agents or in combination with other anticancer agents, administered at different concentrations and via different routes of administration. These provide a natural strategy for chemoprevention, reduce the risk of breast cancer recurrence, impair cell proliferation and viability, and induce apoptosis. Some of these bioactive compounds of dietary origin, however, show poor solubility and low bioavailability; hence, encapsulation in nanoformulations are promising tools able to increase clinical efficiency.
Topics: Humans; Breast Neoplasms; Female; Phytochemicals; Diet; Chemoprevention; Drug Synergism; Animals; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; Glucosinolates
PubMed: 38931238
DOI: 10.3390/nu16121883