Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a serious public health threat. Other viral STDs including Herpes simplex virus (HSV) and Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) are also significant threats and the incidence of all three is rising rapidly. Infection with one viral STD can enhance acquisition of others. Since all three viruses cause persistent infection, once infected, the virus is not eliminated. Antivirals help but cannot clear the virus thus the most effective preventative strategy is to block infection. The applicant has identified a series of peptides that block infection with these viruses and the overall goal of this Program Project is to further development of these and other peptides for clinical use in preventing infection. The applicant will characterize the in vitro activity of the peptides, determine the mechanism of action, and measure in vitro toxicity. He will test structural variants to optimize the activity and when possible, test efficacy in appropriate animal models. The second goal of the Program is to use the existing and newly identified peptides as tools to study the process of viral infection. The Program Project consists of five components. Thee projects focus on specific viral STDs. A Peptide Design and Synthesis Core (Core A) directed by Dr. Brian Kay, will support the projects. An Administrative Core (Core B) directed by Dr. Brandt will oversee the Program. Project I, directed by Dr. Mirek Malkovsky, will focus on HIV. Project II, directed by Dr. Curtis Brandt, will focus on HSV, and Project III, directed by Dr. Paul Lambert will focus on HPV. The information gained by the proposed studies will be useful in moving the peptides toward clinical use as agents that can be included in a jelly applied by individuals to reduce or prevent sexual transmission of these viruses.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Type
Research Program Projects (P01)
Project #
5P01AI052049-03
Application #
6648332
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZHD1-DRG-D (18))
Program Officer
Turpin, Jim A
Project Start
2001-09-30
Project End
2005-06-30
Budget Start
2003-07-01
Budget End
2004-06-30
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
2003
Total Cost
$891,417
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Wisconsin Madison
Department
Ophthalmology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
161202122
City
Madison
State
WI
Country
United States
Zip Code
53715
Brandt, Curtis R (2014) Peptide therapeutics for treating ocular surface infections. J Ocul Pharmacol Ther 30:691-9
Altmann, Sharon E; Brandt, Curtis R; Jahrling, Peter B et al. (2012) Antiviral activity of the EB peptide against zoonotic poxviruses. Virol J 9:6
Bultmann, Hermann; Girdaukas, Gary; Kwon, Glen S et al. (2010) The virucidal EB peptide protects host cells from herpes simplex virus type 1 infection in the presence of serum albumin and aggregates proteins in a detergent-like manner. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 54:4275-89
Altmann, S E; Jones, J C; Schultz-Cherry, S et al. (2009) Inhibition of Vaccinia virus entry by a broad spectrum antiviral peptide. Virology 388:248-59
Akkarawongsa, Radeekorn; Pocaro, Nina E; Case, Gary et al. (2009) Multiple peptides homologous to herpes simplex virus type 1 glycoprotein B inhibit viral infection. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 53:987-96
Akkarawongsa, Radeekorn; Potocky, Terra B; English, Emily P et al. (2008) Inhibition of herpes simplex virus type 1 infection by cationic beta-peptides. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 52:2120-9
Teuton, Jeremy R; Brandt, Curtis R (2007) Sialic acid on herpes simplex virus type 1 envelope glycoproteins is required for efficient infection of cells. J Virol 81:3731-9
Brandt, Curtis R; Akkarawongsa, Radeekorn; Altmann, Sharon et al. (2007) Evaluation of a theta-defensin in a Murine model of herpes simplex virus type 1 keratitis. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 48:5118-24
Bultmann, Hermann; Teuton, Jeremy; Brandt, Curtis R (2007) Addition of a C-terminal cysteine improves the anti-herpes simplex virus activity of a peptide containing the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 TAT protein transduction domain. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 51:1596-607
Jones, Jeremy C; Turpin, Elizabeth A; Bultmann, Hermann et al. (2006) Inhibition of influenza virus infection by a novel antiviral peptide that targets viral attachment to cells. J Virol 80:11960-7

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