Cheryl A. Stoddart

SCH-C (SCH 351125), an orally bioavailable, small molecule antagonist of the chemokine receptor CCR5, is a potent inhibitor of HIV-1 infection in vitro and in vivo

We describe here the identification and properties of SCH-C (SCH 351125), a small molecule inhibitor of HIV-1 entry via the CCR5 coreceptor. SCH-C, an oxime–piperidine compound, is a specific CCR5 antagonist as determined in multiple receptor binding and signal transduction assays. This compound specifically inhibits HIV-1 infection mediated by CCR5 in U-87 astroglioma cells but has no effect on infection of CXCR4-expressing cells. SCH-C has broad and potent antiviral activity in vitro against primary HIV-1 isolates that use CCR5 as their entry coreceptor, with mean 50% inhibitory concentrations ranging between 0.4 and 9 nM. Moreover, SCH-C strongly inhibits the replication of an R5-using HIV-1 isolate in SCID-hu Thy/Liv mice. SCH-C has a favorable pharmacokinetic profile in rodents and primates with an oral bioavailability of 50–60% and a serum half-life of 5–6 h. On the basis of its novel mechanism of action, potent antiviral activity, and in vivo pharmacokinetic profile, SCH-C is a promising new candidate for therapeutic intervention of HIV infection.

Cytotrophoblast induction of arterial apoptosis and lymphangiogenesis in an in vivo model of human placentation

We studied the vascular effects of invasive human cytotrophoblasts in vivo by transplanting placental villi to the fifth mammary fat pads or beneath the kidney capsules of Scid mice. Over 3 weeks, robust cytotrophoblast invasion was observed in both locations. The architecture of the mammary fat pad allowed for detailed analysis of the cells interactions with resident murine blood vessels, which revealed specific induction of apoptosis in the endothelial cells and smooth muscle walls of the arterioles. This finding, and confirmation of the results in an in vitro coculture model, suggests that a parallel process is important for enabling cytotrophoblast endovascular invasion during human pregnancy. Cytotrophoblast invasion of the kidney parenchyma was accompanied by a robust lymphangiogenic response, while in vitro, the cells stimulated lymphatic endothelial cell migration via the actions of VEGF family members, FGF, and TNF-alpha. Immunolocalization analyses revealed that human pregnancy is associated with lymphangiogenesis in the decidua since lymphatic vessels were not a prominent feature of the nonpregnant endometrium. Thus, the placenta triggers the development of a decidual lymphatic circulation, which we theorize plays an important role in maintaining fluid balance during pregnancy, with possible implications for maternal-fetal immune cell trafficking.

IFN-α Secretion by Type 2 Predendritic Cells Up-Regulates MHC Class I in the HIV-1-Infected Thymus

The ability of HIV-1 to evade the host immune response leads to the establishment of chronic infection. HIV-1 has been reported to up-regulate MHC I molecules on the surface of thymocytes from HIV-1-infected thymus. We demonstrate in this study that HIV-1 up-regulates MHC I on both HIV-1-infected and uninfected thymocytes in a manner that is independent of Nef, proportional to viral replication, and entirely mediated by IFN-α. IL-3Rα+ type 2 predendritic cells (preDC2) resident in the thymic medulla secrete IFN-α, which acts on IFN-αβR-expressing immature thymocytes to induce MHC I expression. Furthermore, thymic preDC2 are permissive for HIV-1 infection and positive for intracellular p24. These data demonstrate the ability of IFN-α secreted by preDC2 to induce MHC I up-regulation in the HIV-1-infected human thymus.

Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Nef-Mediated Downregulation of CD4 Correlates with Nef Enhancement of Viral Pathogenesis

ABSTRACT The nef gene products encoded by human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) and simian immunodeficiency virus type 1 (SIV-1) increase viral loads in infected hosts and accelerate clinical progression to AIDS. Nef exhibits a spectrum of biological activities, including the ability to downregulate surface expression of CD4 and major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I antigens, to alter the state of T-cell activation, and to enhance the infectivity of viral particles. To determine which of these in vitro functions most closely correlates with the pathogenic effects of Nef in vivo, we constructed recombinant HIV-1 NL4-3 viruses carrying mutations within the nef gene that selectively impair these functions. These mutant viruses were evaluated for pathogenic potential in severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) mice implanted with human fetal thymus and liver (SCID-hu Thy/Liv mice), in which virus-mediated depletion of thymocytes is known to be Nef dependent. Disruption of the polyproline type II helix (Pxx)4 within Nef (required for binding of Hck and p21-activated kinase-like kinases, downregulation of MHC class I, and enhancement of HIV-1 infectivity in vitro but dispensable for CD4 downregulation) did not impair thymocyte depletion in virus-infected Thy/Liv human thymus implants. Conversely, three separate point mutations in Nef that compromised its ability to downregulate CD4 attenuated thymocyte depletion while not diminishing viral replication. These findings indicate that the functional ability of Nef to downregulate CD4 and not MHC class I downregulation, Hck or PAK binding, or (Pxx)4-associated enhancement of infectivity most closely correlates with Nef-mediated enhancement of HIV-1 pathogenicity in vivo. Nef-mediated CD4 downregulation merits consideration as a new target for the development of small-molecule inhibitors.

Abacavir increases platelet reactivity via competitive inhibition of soluble guanylyl cyclase.

Objective:To provide a molecular mechanism that explains the association of the antiretroviral guanosine analogue, abacavir, with an increased risk of myocardial infarction. Design:Drug effects were studied with biochemical and cellular assays. Methods:Human platelets were incubated with nucleoside analogue drugs ex vivo. Platelet activation stimulated by ADP was studied by measuring surface P-selectin with flow cytometry. Inhibition of purified soluble guanylyl cyclase was quantified using an ELISA to measure cGMP production. Results:Pre-incubation of platelets in abacavir significantly increased activation in response to ADP in a time and dose-dependent manner. The active anabolite of abacavir, carbovir triphosphate, competitively inhibited soluble guanylyl cyclase activity with a Ki of 55u200a&mgr;mol/l. Conclusion:Abacavir competitively inhibits guanylyl cyclase, leading to platelet hyperreactivity. This may explain the observed increased risk of myocardial infarction in HIV patients taking abacavir.

Coxsackievirus B4 Infection of Human Fetal Thymus Cells

ABSTRACT The infection of human fetal thymus organ cultures (FTOC) with coxsackievirus B4 E2 (CVB4 E2) was investigated. Both positive- and negative-strand viral RNA were detected by real-time quantitative reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) in CVB4 E2-infected FTOC, which supported high yields of virus production (∼106 50% tissue culture infective doses/ml), and in flow-sorted thymocyte populations for 7 days after inoculation. Cortical CD4+ CD8+ thymocytes were found to be the principal targets of infection. Inoculation of human FTOC with CVB4 E2 led to a marked and progressive depletion of immature thymocytes (CD4+ CD8+ cells) with no enhancement of Annexin V-positive cells. CVB4 E2 replication caused significant major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I upregulation on these cells. MHC class I upregulation was correlated with positive- and negative-strand RNA quantitative detection and the release of infectious particles. In addition, chloroquine treatment of FTOC and single-thymocyte suspensions suggested that MHC class I upregulation on thymocytes was the result of direct infection rather than caused by production of soluble factors such as alpha interferon. Thus, CVB4 E2 can infect human fetal thymocytes, which subsequently results in quantitative and qualitative abnormalities of these cells.

Antiviral Activity of 2′-Deoxy-3′-Oxa-4′-Thiocytidine (BCH-10652) against Lamivudine-Resistant Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 in SCID-hu Thy/Liv Mice

ABSTRACT Oral administration of 2′-deoxy-3′-oxa-4′-thiocytidine (BCH-10652), a nucleoside analog structurally similar to lamivudine (3TC), caused dose-dependent inhibition of viral replication in SCID-hu Thy/Liv mice infected with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 NL4-3 and with an NL4-3 clone containing the M184V mutation in reverse transcriptase that confers resistance to 3TC. These experiments demonstrate the utility of this mouse model for evaluating drug resistance and for performing direct comparisons between antiviral compounds in vivo.