Herpes simplex virus type-1 (HSV-1) with limited treatment options is a leading cause of infectious blindness and an important indication for corneal transplants in the US. The current treatment options include acyclovir and its derivatives, ganciclovir and foscarnet. All these drugs primarily act upon viral thymidine kinase to inhibit viral DNA replication and in essence have a similar mechanism of action. While these options are effective and show promise in reducing ocular HSV-1 infection including herpes stromal keratitis (HSK), emergence of drug resistance in the recent years has caused significant distress in the clinical care of ocular HSV-1 patients. As a result, there exists an unmet need for the development of new treatments against HSV-1 especially the ones that rely on novel modes of action. In our previous 3-year funding period we have characterized two candidates that target two different stages of HSV-1 infection; viral entry and viral protein synthesis. Against viral entry a highly effective anti-HSV-1 aptamer (DApt) was developed that targets HSV-1 glycoprotein D (gD). Similarly, we demonstrated for the first time that a small molecule PDK-1 inhibitor, BX795, blocks HSV-1 protein synthesis. Both candidates were tested in vivo for topical treatment of corneal HSV-1 infection and we reported significant improvements in disease prognosis. The major goals for the next funding period are to: (1) improve the in vivo efficacy of DApt, (2) understand the molecular basis of antiviral action by BX795, and (3) develop BX795 for systemic treatment of ocular herpes. In the first specific aim, we propose several ways to improve efficacy. We will engineer therapeutic contact lenses for sustained delivery of DApt, improve DApt formulation to include permeating agents such as cylodextrins to increase the depth to which the aptamer is delivered into the corneal tissue, and develop higher efficacy (synergistic or additive) drug combinations using DApt and BX795 or a nucleoside analog. In the second specific aim, we will decode the molecular mechanisms responsible for the antiviral activity of BX795 using both biased and unbiased approaches. Focus on the cap- dependent translation pathways responsible for viral protein synthesis will constitute the biased approach; cell- free and whole cell proteomic analyses using quantitative mass spectrometry and study of post translational modifications will constitute unbiased approaches. In the third specific aim, we will comprehensively study the pharmacokinetic and toxicological profiles of intravenously administered BX795. Using this data, we will finally understand the safe and effective dosage of BX795 required for the effective inhibition of primary and reactivated HSV-1 infection of the cornea using murine models of corneal infection. Taken together our studies will establish novel antiviral mechanisms and help design new prophylactic and therapeutic ways to control HSV-1 infection of the eye.

Public Health Relevance

This proposal will develop new experimental treatments against ocular herpes using two molecules, a novel DNA aptamer (DApt) and a small molecule viral protein synthesis inhibitor, BX795. Analyses of these high efficiency inhibitors will guide new molecular therapies to reduce morbidities associated with ocular herpes.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Eye Institute (NEI)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01EY024710-05
Application #
9852577
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1)
Program Officer
Mckie, George Ann
Project Start
2015-08-01
Project End
2024-01-31
Budget Start
2020-02-01
Budget End
2021-01-31
Support Year
5
Fiscal Year
2020
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Illinois at Chicago
Department
Ophthalmology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
098987217
City
Chicago
State
IL
Country
United States
Zip Code
60612
Koujah, Lulia; Suryawanshi, Rahul K; Shukla, Deepak (2018) Pathological processes activated by herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1) infection in the cornea. Cell Mol Life Sci :
Agelidis, Alex M; Hadigal, Satvik R; Jaishankar, Dinesh et al. (2017) Viral Activation of Heparanase Drives Pathogenesis of Herpes Simplex Virus-1. Cell Rep 20:439-450
Duggal, Neil; Jaishankar, Dinesh; Yadavalli, Tejabhiram et al. (2017) Zinc oxide tetrapods inhibit herpes simplex virus infection of cultured corneas. Mol Vis 23:26-38
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Thakkar, Neel; Yadavalli, Tejabhiram; Jaishankar, Dinesh et al. (2017) Emerging Roles of Heparanase in Viral Pathogenesis. Pathogens 6:
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Jaishankar, Dinesh; Buhrman, Jason S; Valyi-Nagy, Tibor et al. (2016) Extended Release of an Anti-Heparan Sulfate Peptide From a Contact Lens Suppresses Corneal Herpes Simplex Virus-1 Infection. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 57:169-80
Agelidis, Alex M; Shukla, Deepak (2015) Cell entry mechanisms of HSV: what we have learned in recent years. Future Virol 10:1145-1154