Advances in the treatment of atherosclerosis with ligand-modified nanocarriers.

Atherosclerosis, a chronic disease associated with metabolism, poses a significant risk to human well-being. Currently, existing treatments for atherosclerosis lack sufficient efficiency, while the utilization of surface-modified nanoparticles holds the potential to deliver highly effective therapeutic outcomes. These nanoparticles can target and bind to specific receptors that are abnormally over-expressed in atherosclerotic conditions.

gp120-derived amyloidogenic peptides form amyloid fibrils that increase HIV-1 infectivity.

Apart from mediating viral entry, the function of the free HIV-1 envelope protein (gp120) has yet to be elucidated. Our group previously showed that EP2 derived from one β-strand in gp120 can form amyloid fibrils that increase HIV-1 infectivity. Importantly, gp120 contains ~30 β-strands.

Design, Synthesis, and Anticancer Activity of Novel 3,6-Diunsaturated 2,5-Diketopiperazines.

Based on the marine natural products piperafizine B, XR334, and our previously reported compound , fourteen novel 3,6-diunsaturated 2,5-diketopiperazine (2,5-DKP) derivatives (, , -, -), together with two known ones ( and ), were designed and synthesized as anticancer agents against the A549 and Hela cell lines. The MTT assay results showed that the derivatives , - and had moderate to good anticancer capacities, with IC values ranging from 0.7 to 8.

Sertraline Is an Effective SARS-CoV-2 Entry Inhibitor Targeting the Spike Protein.

The global spread of the novel coronavirus severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and the continuously emerging new variants underscore an urgent need for effective therapeutics for the treatment of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Here, we screened several FDA-approved amphiphilic drugs and determined that sertraline (SRT) exhibits potent antiviral activity against infection of SARS-CoV-2 pseudovirus (PsV) and authentic virus . It effectively inhibits SARS-CoV-2 spike (S)-mediated cell-cell fusion.

Identification of phytochemicals in Qingfei Paidu decoction for the treatment of coronavirus disease 2019 by targeting the virus-host interactome.

Qingfei Paidu decoction (QFPDD) has been clinically proven to be effective in the treatment of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). However, the bioactive components and therapeutic mechanisms remain unclear. This study aimed to explore the effective components and underlying mechanisms of QFPDD in the treatment of COVID-19 by targeting the virus-host interactome and verifying the antiviral activities of its active components in vitro.

Tolcapone Potently Inhibits Seminal Amyloid Fibrils Formation and Blocks Entry of Ebola Pseudoviruses.

Ebola virus (EBOV), the causative pathogen of the deadly EBOV disease (EVD), can be transmitted sexual transmission. Seminal amyloid fibrils have been found enhancers of EBOV infection. Currently, limited preventive vaccine or therapeutic is available to block EBOV infection through sexual intercourse.

A Novel CXCR4 Targeting Protein SDF-1/54 as an HIV-1 Entry Inhibitor.

CXC chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) is a co-receptor for HIV-1 entry into target cells. Its natural ligand, the chemokine SDF-1, inhibits viral entry mediated by this receptor. However, the broad expression pattern of CXCR4 and its critical roles in various physiological and pathological processes indicate that the direct application of SDF-1 as an entry inhibitor might have severe consequences.

The anti-parasitic drug suramin potently inhibits formation of seminal amyloid fibrils and their interaction with HIV-1.

Seminal amyloid fibrils are made up of naturally occurring peptide fragments and are key targets for the development of combination microbicides or antiviral drugs. Previously, we reported that the polysulfonic compound ADS-J1 is a potential candidate microbicide that not only inhibits HIV-1 entry, but also seminal fibrils. However, the carcinogenic azo moieties in ADS-J1 preclude its clinical application.

ADS-J1 disaggregates semen-derived amyloid fibrils.

Semen-derived amyloid fibrils, comprising SEVI (semen-derived enhancer of viral infection) fibrils and SEM1 fibrils, could remarkably enhance HIV-1 sexual transmission and thus are potential targets for the development of an effective microbicide. Previously, we found that ADS-J1, apart from being an HIV-1 entry inhibitor, could also potently inhibit seminal amyloid fibrillization and block fibril-mediated enhancement of viral infection. However, the remodeling effects of ADS-J1 on mature seminal fibrils were unexplored.

[PSB0739 inhibits formation of semen-derived amyloid fibril].

Objective: To explore the inhibitory effect of PSB0739 on the formation of semen-derived amyloid fibrils.

Methods: PAP248-286 (440 μmol/L) was incubated with PSB0739 at different concentrations, and at different time points of incubation, aliquots were taken from each sample for Congo red staining to detect the formation of amyloid fibers. The morphology of amyloid fibrils incubated in the presence or absence of PSB0739 was visualized using transmission electron microscope.

3-Hydroxyphthalic Anhydride- Modified Rabbit Anti-PAP IgG as a Potential Bifunctional HIV-1 Entry Inhibitor.

Several studies have reported that amyloid fibrils in human semen formed from a naturally occurring peptide fragment of prostatic acidic phosphatase (PAP248-286), known as semen-derived enhancer of viral infection (SEVI), could dramatically enhance human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection. Accordingly, SEVI might serve as a novel target for new antiviral drugs or microbicide candidates for the prevention of sexually transmitted HIV. Theoretically, a special anti-PAP or anti-SEVI antibody could reduce the enhancement of viral infection by blocking the binding of HIV and SEVI fibrils.

Sulfonated Compounds Bind with Prostatic Acid Phosphatase (PAP) to Inhibit the Formation of Amyloid Fibrils.

The peptide segment of prostatic acid phosphatase (PAP) aggregates to form SEVI (semen-derived enhancer of virus infection) amyloid fibrils. These are characteristic seminal amyloids that have the ability to promote the effect of HIV infection. In this paper, we explore the binding of sulfonated compounds with PAP through an in silico study.

Chemical constituents from Canarium album Raeusch and their anti-influenza A virus activities.

Two new dyhydrophaseic acid glucoside isomers, (1'S, 3'R, 5'S, 8'R, 2Z, 4E)-dihydrophaseic acid-3'-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (2) and (1'R, 3'S, 5'R, 8'R, 2Z, 4E)-dihydrophaseic acid-3'-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (4), together with 10 known compounds [myo-inositol (1), 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid (3), 3-O-galloyl quinic acid (5), ellagic acid (6), gallic acid (7), ethyl gallate (8), scopoletin (9), ellagic acid-4-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (10), ellagic acid-4-O-α-L-rhamnopyranoside (11), and isocorilagin (12)] were isolated from the chloroform extract of Canarium album Raeusch fruits by repeated chromatography on macroporous adsorption resin, silica gel, Sephadex LH-20, Toyopearl HW-40F, and reverse-phase C18 columns, etc. Their structures and absolute configurations were determined by comprehensive analysis of 1D- and 2D-nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), high-resolution electron spray ionization mass spectrometry (HR-ESI-MS), ESI-MS, optical rotation, circular dichroism spectra, and comparison of NMR data with data of known compounds. Bioassay of their anti-influenza virus A activities showed that compounds 9 and 12 displayed a significant inhibitory effect with IC values of 22.

Penicillixanthone A, a marine-derived dual-coreceptor antagonist as anti-HIV-1 agent.

Marine micro-organisms have been proven to be excellent sources of bioactive compounds against HIV-1. Several natural products obtained from marine-derived fungi were screened for their activities to inhibit HIV-1 infection. Penicillixanthone A (PXA), a natural xanthone dimer from jellyfish-derived fungus , displayed potent anti-HIV-1 activity by inhibiting infection against CCR5-tropic HIV-1 SF162 and CXCR4-tropic HIV-1 NL4-3, with IC of 0.

A Degraded Fragment of HIV-1 Gp120 in Rat Hepatocytes Forms Fibrils and Enhances HIV-1 Infection.

Identification of the host or viral factors that enhance HIV infection is critical for preventing sexual transmission of HIV. Amyloid fibrils derived from human semen, including semen-derived enhancer of virus infection and semenogelins, enhance HIV-1 infection dramatically in vitro. In this study, we reported that a short-degraded peptide fragment 1 (DPF1) derived from native HIV-1 envelope protein gp120-loaded rat hepatocytes, formed fibrils by self-assembly and thus enhanced HIV-1 infection by promoting the binding of HIV-1 to target cells.

[Lactic acid inhibits the formation of semen-derived amyloid fibrils].

Objective: To investigate the inhibitory effect of lactic acid on semen-derived amyloid (SEVI) fibril formation.

Methods: PAP248-286 (2 mg/mL) was incubated with 4.0, 2.

Aspernigrins with anti-HIV-1 activities from the marine-derived fungus Aspergillus niger SCSIO Jcsw6F30.

Two new 2-benzylpyridin-4-one containing metabolites, aspernigrins C (3) and D (4), together with six known compounds (1, 2, and 5-8), were isolated from the marine-derived fungus Aspergillus niger SCSIO Jcsw6F30. The structures of the new compounds were determined by NMR, MS, and optical rotation analyses. All the isolated compounds were evaluated for their inhibitory activities against infection with HIV-1 SF162 in TZM-bl cells.

A Peptide Derived from the HIV-1 gp120 Coreceptor-Binding Region Promotes Formation of PAP248-286 Amyloid Fibrils to Enhance HIV-1 Infection.

Background: Semen is a major vehicle for HIV transmission. Prostatic acid phosphatase (PAP) fragments, such as PAP248-286, in human semen can form amyloid fibrils to enhance HIV infection. Other endogenous or exogenous factors present during sexual intercourse have also been reported to promote the formation of seminal amyloid fibrils.

ADS-J1 inhibits semen-derived amyloid fibril formation and blocks fibril-mediated enhancement of HIV-1 infection.

Semen-derived enhancer of viral infection (SEVI) is composed of amyloid fibrils that can greatly enhance HIV-1 infectivity. By its cationic property, SEVI promotes viral sexual transmission by facilitating the attachment and internalization of HIV-1 to target cells. Therefore, semen-derived amyloid fibrils are potential targets for microbicide design.

Peptides derived from HIV-1 gp120 co-receptor binding domain form amyloid fibrils and enhance HIV-1 infection.

Amyloid fibrils play important roles in HIV-1 infection. We found peptides derived from the HIV-1 gp120 co-receptor binding region, which are defined as enhancing peptides (EPs), could form amyloid fibrils and remarkably enhance HIV-1 infection. EPs bound to the virus and promoted the interaction between HIV-1 and target cells.

Sinomenine suppresses osteoclast formation and Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Ra-induced bone loss by modulating RANKL signaling pathways.

Receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL) is essential for osteoclastogenesis. Targeting RANKL signaling pathways has been an encouraging strategy for treating lytic bone diseases such as osteoporosis and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Sinomenine (SIN), derived from Chinese medicinal plant Sinomenioumacutum, is an active compound to treat RA, but its effect on osteoclasts has been hitherto unknown.

[Virtual screening of small molecular HIV-1 entry inhibitor NC-2 targeting gp120 and its action mechanism].

Objective: To screen the HIV-1 entry inhibitors targeting HIV-1 gp120 from the IBS natural product database by virtual screening based on the binding mode of the neutralizing antibody VRC01 with HIV-1 gp120 and investigate the anti-viral activities of the inhibitors and their action mechanisms.

Methods: The binding interaction of the candidate molecules binding gp120 and changes of the binding free energy were analyzed by MM-PBSA calculation. The anti-HIV-1 activities of the tested compounds were detected by HIV-1 pseudotyped virus, laboratory-adapted HIV-1 and a cell-cell fusion assay.

Polyanionic candidate microbicides accelerate the formation of semen-derived amyloid fibrils to enhance HIV-1 infection.

Polyanionic candidate microbicides, including cellulose sulfate, carrageenan, PRO 2000, were proven ineffective in preventing HIV-1 transmission and even cellulose sulfate showed increased risk of HIV acquisition in the Phase III efficacy trials. Semen plays critical roles in HIV-1 sexual transmission. Specifically, amyloid fibrils formed by fragments of prostatic acidic phosphatase (PAP) in semen termed semen-derived enhancer of virus infection (SEVI) could drastically enhance HIV-1 infection.