Liu X, Zhang B, Wang Y, Haymour HS, Zhang F, Xu LC. A universal dual mechanism immunotherapy for the treatment of influenza virus infections. Nat Commun. 2020 Nov 5;11(1):5597
Seasonal influenza epidemics lead to 3-5 million severe infections and 290,000-650,000 annual global deaths. With deaths from the 1918 influenza pandemic estimated at >50,000,000 and future pandemics anticipated, the need for a potent influenza treatment is critical. In this study, we design and synthesize a bifunctional small molecule by conjugating the neuraminidase inhibitor, zanamivir, with the highly immunogenic hapten, dinitrophenyl (DNP), which specifically targets the surface of free virus and viral-infected cells. We show that this leads to simultaneous inhibition of virus release, and immune-mediated elimination of both free virus and virus-infected cells. Intranasal or intraperitoneal administration of a single dose of drug to mice infected with 100x MLD50 virus is shown to eradicate advanced infections from representative strains of both influenza A and B viruses. Since treatments of severe infections remain effective up to three days post lethal inoculation, our approach may successfully treat infections refractory to current therapies.
See Also:
Latest articles in those days:
- The evolution, complexity, and diversity of swine influenza viruses in China: A hidden public health threat 1 days ago
- MHC class II proteins mediate sialic acid independent entry of human and avian H2N2 influenza A viruses 1 days ago
- Histopathologic Features and Viral Antigen Distribution of H5N1 Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Virus Clade 2.3.4.4b from the 2022–2023 Outbreak in Iowa Wild Birds 1 days ago
- Detection and characterization of H5N1 HPAIV in environmental samples from a dairy farm 1 days ago
- Genomic Characterization of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A H5N1 Virus Newly Emerged in Dairy Cattle 1 days ago
[Go Top] [Close Window]