Biology subjects

Bjoras, M.

Publications and source records attributed to Bjoras, M..

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2026

Lactate treatment improves brain biochemistry and cognitive function in transgenic Alzheimer's and wild-type mice

Lactate, a well-known metabolite and signalling molecule, holds therapeutic potential for neurodegenerative diseases. Here, we investigated the effects of chronic lactate treatment on cognition and molecular biomarkers in the 5XFAD mouse model of Alzheimers disease (AD) and in wild-type (WT) controls using behavioural testing alongside proteomic and transcriptomic analyses. Mice received lactate or vehicle injections 4 days per week for 11 weeks, with behavioural testing before and after the treatment period. Lactate improved working memory in late-treated AD mice, without eliciting anxiety-like behaviour. At the molecular level, lactate reduced Il1b expression, and in a sex-dependent manner, normalised NEFL, and enhanced synaptic integrity proteins (OPCML, PPFIA2, STXBP3, SYT1, VGLUT2, VSNL1) in AD mice, while also augmenting mitochondrial regulators (ATP5G2, GRPEL1, SLC25A23) across genotypes. Notably, lactate upregulated low-abundance ionotropic glutamate receptor mRNAs (Grik3, Grin2c, Grid2ip) in female AD mice, indicating enhanced glutamatergic signalling. In WT mice, lactate increased expression of neurotrophic factors (Bdnf, Igf1, Vegfa), anti-inflammatory cytokines (Il4 and Il13), and the neuronal lactate transporter Mct2, suggesting promoted neuronal resilience. Together, these findings indicate that lactate treatment can mitigate cognitive decline and enhance molecular pathways of resilience in AD, warranting larger, age-stratified studies to validate its therapeutic potential and elucidate underlying mechanisms.

animal behavior and cognition↗

bioRxiv2025

Apurinic/apyrimidinic endodeoxyribonuclease 1 contributes to the repair of damaged intercalated-motif of telomeric sequences

Apurinic/apyrimidinic endodeoxyribonuclease 1 (APE1) is a key enzyme in the Base Excision Repair pathway, responsible for processing abasic (AP-) sites. Recent studies revealed that APE1 participates in repairing DNA secondary structures as G-quadruplexes (G4). Telomeres, stabilized by shelterin proteins, are rich in G4, where APE1 binds and repairs AP-sites to maintain their integrity. The complementary cytosine-rich strand forms another structure, the i-motif (iM), essential for telomere maintenance, though its repair mechanism remains unclear. Herein we investigate APE1 binding and processing capabilities toward native and damaged telomeric iM, bearing AP-sites in different positions. Using biochemical and biophysical assays, we found that APE1 binds the telomeric iM-sequence and that its cleavage efficiency depends on AP-site position within iM. Proximity Ligation Assay analysis, in HeLa and U2OS cells, highlighted a novel interaction between APE1 and PCBP1, a well-known iM-folding modulator. PCBP1 binds iM with higher affinity than APE1 and inhibits its cleavage activity on damaged iM. Immunofluorescence and Telomere Restriction Fragment analyses showed that depletion of APE1 or PCBP1 impairs their interaction with the shelterin components, affecting telomere length. These results connect APE1 canonical DNA repair activity with the maintenance of non-canonical DNA secondary structures in telomeres, through its interaction with PCBP1. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT O_FIG O_LINKSMALLFIG WIDTH=200 HEIGHT=80 SRC="FIGDIR/small/694817v1_ufig1.gif" ALT="Figure 1"> View larger version (27K): org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1962c63org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@3c3f60org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@164d78borg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1831aae_HPS_FORMAT_FIGEXP M_FIG C_FIG

molecular biology↗

bioRxiv2025

The RecBCD complex interacts directly with the DNA sliding clamp in Escherichia coli

DNA sliding clamps are essential coordinators of genome replication and maintenance across all domains of life and serve as platforms for recruiting diverse binding partners. The bacterial DNA sliding clamp, {beta}-clamp, functions analogous to the eukaryotic proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), yet its full interactome remains incompletely characterized. Here, we identify and characterize a previously unrecognized interaction between {beta}-clamp and the DNA repair helicase-nuclease complex RecBCD, specifically through its RecB subunit. Using bacterial two-hybrid assays, co-immunoprecipitation, and fluorescence microscopy, we show that RecB physically associates with {beta}-clamp. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy demonstrates binding to the canonical ligand binding pocket in {beta}-clamp and identifies a clamp-binding motif within the RecB nuclease domain which targeted mutagenesis abolishes. Moreover, disrupting the interaction between RecB and {beta}-clamp compromises Escherichia coli survival following DNA damage and impairs the DNA degradation activity of RecBCD. These findings expand the known {beta}-clamp interactome and uncover a possible role for {beta}-clamp in DNA double-strand break repair, offering new insights into bacterial DNA metabolism and potential avenues for therapeutic intervention. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT O_FIG O_LINKSMALLFIG WIDTH=200 HEIGHT=81 SRC="FIGDIR/small/671105v1_ufig1.gif" ALT="Figure 1"> View larger version (27K): org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1aa96b9org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@8d80daorg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@6a1f0org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@171c1bc_HPS_FORMAT_FIGEXP M_FIG C_FIG

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2025

Exploring the genetic landscape of ciprofloxacin-induced DNA supercompaction in Escherichia coli

DNA-damaging antibiotics like ciprofloxacin induce extensive double-strand breaks in Escherichia coli, triggering the SOS response and leading to DNA supercompaction. To uncover genes involved in this process beyond the previously identified core factors of recN and recA, we conducted a genome-wide screening using high-content imaging and machine learning-assisted image classification on nearly 4,000 E. coli strains, including the Keio collections single-gene deletion strains and additional in-house strains. Our investigation revealed novel genes contributing to supercompaction, with effects varying by genetic background. DNA supercompaction was consistently observed across eight clinical isolates from diverse bacterial species, underscoring the conservation of this cellular response. Our findings confirm RecN and RecA as primary drivers of DNA supercompaction. Additionally, we identified repair genes and novel genes that contribute to the response, especially in clinical E. coli strains. Notably, select hit gene deletions, including those for the membrane-associated proteins Hfq and YaiW, reduced RecN colocalization with the nucleoid, indicating a potential mechanism by which these genes impair supercompaction. Altogether, this work demonstrates that high-content imaging combined with automated analysis provides a powerful approach to explore population-level nucleoid dynamics and DNA damage responses, opening new avenues for understanding cellular processes and combating bacterial infections. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT O_FIG O_LINKSMALLFIG WIDTH=200 HEIGHT=79 SRC="FIGDIR/small/663469v1_ufig1.gif" ALT="Figure 1"> View larger version (23K): org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@cfbdd9org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@b92022org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1ecd826org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@62d6f6_HPS_FORMAT_FIGEXP M_FIG C_FIG

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2025

Major waves of H2A.Z incorporation during mouse oogenesis

Mammalian oocytes and embryos have distinct epigenomes that undergo major transitions essential for transmitting life to the next generation. Here, we provide the first genome-wide maps of the histone variant H2A.Z during six different stages of mouse oogenesis. Utilizing picogram- scale chromatin immunoprecipitation and sequencing (picoChIP-seq), we reveal major waves of H2A.Z incorporation occurring early in growing oocytes. We identify distinct patterns of H2A.Z signal at oocyte-specific, embryo-specific, and constant H2A.Z loci. Late oocyte-specific loci precede reduced formation of lamina associated domains and early replication timing in the maternal compared to the paternal genome of 2-cell embryos. While constant H2A.Z is strongly associated with CpG islands (CGIs) and H3K4me3 near transcription start sites (TSS) of active genes, tens of thousands of oocyte- and embryo-specific H2A.Z incorporation sites exist independently of CGIs and TSSs. These TSS-distal H2A.Z sites are frequently enriched at transposable elements (TEs), and an intriguing inverse relationship exists between H2A.Z and H3K4me3 in low CpG environments, such as MTA and MTB retrotransposons (RTs). The existence of changes in H2A.Z distribution that persist across related developmental stages enable preservation of epigenetic information despite major concurrent changes in H3K4me3, H3K27me3, and DNA methylation. Altogether, this reveals new layers of regulation advancing our understanding of how histone variants contribute to the epigenetic landscape during mammalian oogenesis and preimplantation embryo development.

developmental biology↗

bioRxiv2025

SUMOylation Restricts Adaptive Thermogenesis by Suppressing Beiging Gene Networks

SUMOylation regulates chromatin states and transcriptional programs that preserve cellular identity, yet how transient perturbation of the SUMO pathway impacts adipocyte plasticity remains unclear. Here we show that brief pharmacologic inhibition of SUMO conjugation in human pre-adipocytes using TAK-981 primes stable de novo beige differentiation in the presence of the PPARG agonist rosiglitazone. Transient TAK-981 exposure before adipogenic induction produces long-lasting changes in the transcriptome and metabolism of mature adipocytes, including robust induction of canonical beiging markers like UCP1 and increased mitochondrial respiration. Mechanistically, ATAC-seq and transcription factor footprinting revealed immediate and durable chromatin remodeling and early mobilization of CEBP family members, followed by stable activation of CEBPA and PPARG regulatory networks. ChIP experiments demonstrated loss of H3K27me3 and gain of H3K27ac at PPAR response elements within key thermogenic enhancers, with increased PPARG occupancy across the UCP1 regulatory unit. This mechanism is enforced by enhanced cAMP-PKA-p38 signaling, and stabilization of beiging transcriptional activators. Our data support a model in which transient relief of SUMO-mediated repression unlocks dominant regulatory units, notably the UCP1 enhancer cluster, producing a monomorphic, cell type specific reprogramming toward adaptive thermogenesis. These findings identify SUMOylation as a reversible epigenetic barrier to adipocyte beiging and suggest that temporally controlled SUMO pathway inhibition combined with PPARG activation could be exploited to modulate adipose tissue thermogenic capacity. Graphical abstract O_FIG O_LINKSMALLFIG WIDTH=200 HEIGHT=85 SRC="FIGDIR/small/642034v3_ufig1.gif" ALT="Figure 1"> View larger version (15K): org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@9efd29org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1fecda3org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@16eb784org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1d25683_HPS_FORMAT_FIGEXP M_FIG C_FIG SUMOylation restricts de novo differentiation of pre-adipocytes into beige adipocytes by repressing cAMP signaling and preventing epigenetic and transcriptional reprogramming of white adipocytes.

molecular biology↗

bioRxiv2025

JAK inhibitors remove innate immune barriers to allow viral propagation

Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors are small-molecule therapeutics that reduce inflammation in autoimmune and inflammatory diseases by modulating the JAK-STAT pathway. While effective in alleviating immune-mediated conditions, JAK inhibitors can impair antiviral defences by suppressing interferon (IFN) responses, potentially increasing susceptibility to viral infections. This study investigates the pro-viral mechanism of JAK inhibitors, focusing on baricitinib, across various cell lines, organoids, and viral strains, including a recombinant Rift Valley fever virus, influenza A virus, SARS-CoV-2, and wild type adenovirus. Our findings demonstrate that baricitinib suppresses transcription of IFN-stimulated genes in non-infected cells (ISGs) which is triggered by type I IFNs produced by infected cells, facilitating viral propagation. The pro-viral effects were influenced by viral load, inhibitor concentration, and structural characteristics of the compound. These results underscore the dual effects of JAK inhibitors: reducing inflammation while potentially exacerbating viral infections. Additionally, the findings highlight opportunities to leverage JAK inhibitors for viral research, vaccine production, and drug screening.

immunology↗

bioRxiv2024

Pharmacological inhibition of SUMOylation recapitulates genetic hypoSUMOylation in the murine epididymal white adipose tissue

Post-translational modification by the small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO) is essential for cellular differentiation and homeostasis. Here, we investigate the role of SUMOylation in adipose tissue development using TAK-981, a pharmacological inhibitor of SUMOylation. Administration of TAK-981 to mice resulted in significant defect in weight gain and adipocyte atrophy in perigonadal white adipose tissue (gWAT) depots. Gene expression analyses revealed a marked downregulation of adipogenic genes, including Pparg, Cebpa, and Fasn. Our data thus indicate that TAK-981 treatment impaired adipogenesis in gWAT, consistent with prior findings that SUMOylation supports transcriptional regulation of adipogenesis and lipid metabolism. We also found significant infiltration of immune cells and efferocytosis in gWAT. Our results thus indicate that SUMOylation inhibition using a small molecule phenocopies genetic hypoSUMOylation models, highlighting its critical role in maintaining adipocyte functionality and immune environment. These findings provide evidence that SUMOylation is essential for fat accumulation in vivo. Furthermore, given that TAK-981 is currently under clinical evaluation for the treatment of solid tumors, our results underscore the importance of considering the potential unintended effects of SUMOylation inhibition on adipose tissue in patients.

developmental biology↗

bioRxiv2024

RecN and RecA orchestrate an ordered DNA supercompaction response following ciprofloxacin exposure in Escherichia coli

Fluoroquinolones induce double-strand breaks in bacterial DNA, triggering the SOS response, a major DNA damage response that ensures the expression of repair proteins but also promotes the emergence and spread of antibiotic resistance. Fluoroquinolone resistance, particularly in Escherichia coli, is a growing global health concern. Understanding bacterial responses to these antibiotics is critical for developing preventive strategies and novel treatments to combat resistance development. This study investigates DNA morphology in E. coli following exposure to ciprofloxacin, a fluoroquinolone antibiotic. We show that ciprofloxacin induces a stepwise DNA reorganization, culminating in a highly dense nucleoid structure at midcell -- a process we term DNA supercompaction. Live cell imaging revealed that RecN, a structural maintenance of chromosomes (SMC)-like protein, is required for DNA supercompaction, and that RecNs dynamics and activity in this response depend on RecA. Additionally, RecN and RecA frequently colocalized at nucleoid-associated positions. We suggest that RecN and RecA play active roles in DNA supercompaction following severe DNA damage, that their interplay is part of a prompt universal survival response to DNA double-strand breaks in E. coli, and that the extent of the compaction response depends on the number of double-strand breaks. O_FIG O_LINKSMALLFIG WIDTH=200 HEIGHT=69 SRC="FIGDIR/small/623168v1_ufig1.gif" ALT="Figure 1"> View larger version (28K): org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@b948e3org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@607014org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@15e4ceforg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@d1b1c_HPS_FORMAT_FIGEXP M_FIG GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT C_FIG

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2024

DNA glycosylases Ogg1 and Mutyh mediate gene expression of PRC2 target genes important for neuronal processes underlying memory formation

Base excision repair (BER) initiated by DNA glycosylases is known to preserve genomic integrity by removing damaged bases. Recently, several DNA glycosylases were identified as potential readers of epigenetic modifications and proteins involved in BER have been associated with active DNA demethylation. DNA glycosylases Ogg1 and Mutyh were shown to alter the hippocampal transcriptome associated with cognitive function and independent of global DNA damage accumulation. However, the mechanism of DNA glycosylases in regulating cognition and their role in epigenetic remodeling in the brain remains elusive. Here we report that the combined deficiency of Ogg1 and Mutyh impairs spatial but not associative long-term memory. We demonstrate that Ogg1 or Mutyh modulate DNA methylation at gene regulatory regions of polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) target genes in the adult hippocampus. Moreover, we find that the distribution of the PRC2 complex and histone modifications associated with PRC2 activity changes in both hippocampal neurons and glia depend on Ogg1 and Mutyh. Epigenetic alterations correlated with cell-type specific gene expression changes which were associated with pathways important for neuronal function and cognition. Our results provide a novel role for Ogg1 and Mutyh beyond DNA repair in modulating the epigenome to control transcriptional responses in the brain important for memory formation.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2024

Genomic 8-oxoguanine modulates gene transcription independent of its repair by DNA glycosylases OGG1 and MUTYH

8-oxo-7,8-dihydroguanine (OG) is one of the most abundant oxidative lesions in the genome and associated with genome instability. Its mutagenic potential is counteracted by a concerted action of 8-oxoguanine DNA glycosylase (OGG1) and mutY homolog DNA glycosylase (MUTYH). It has been suggested that OG and its repair has epigenetic-like properties and mediates transcription, but genome-wide evidence of this interdependence is lacking. Here, we applied an improved OG-sequencing approach reducing artificial background oxidation and RNA-sequencing to correlate genome-wide distribution of OG with gene transcription in OGG1 and/or MUTYH-deficient cells. Our data identified moderate enrichment of OG in the genome that is mainly dependent on the genomic context and not affected by DNA glycosylase-initiated repair. Interestingly, no association was found between genomic OG deposition and gene expression changes upon loss of OGG1 and MUTYH. Regardless of DNA glycosylase activity, OG in promoter regions correlated with expression of genes related to metabolic processes and damage response pathways indicating that OG functions as a cellular stress sensor to regulate transcription. Our work provides novel insights into the mechanism underlying transcriptional regulation by OG and DNA glycosylases OGG1 and MUTYH and suggests that oxidative DNA damage accumulation and its repair utilize different pathways.

genomics↗

bioRxiv2023

Loss of alkyladenine DNA glycosylase alters gene expression in the developing mouse brain and leads to reduced anxiety and improved memory

Neurodevelopment is a tightly coordinated process, during which the genome is exposed to spectra of endogenous agents at different stages of differentiation. Emerging evidence indicates that DNA damage is an important feature of developing brain, tightly linked to gene expression and neuronal activity. Some of the most frequent DNA damage includes changes to DNA bases, which are recognized by DNA glycosylases and repaired through base excision repair (BER) pathway. The only mammalian DNA glycosylase able to remove frequent alkylated DNA based is alkyladenine DNA glycosylase (Aag, aka Mpg). We recently demonstrated that, besides its role in DNA repair, AAG affects expression of neurodevelopmental genes in human cells. Aag was further proposed to act as reader of epigenetic marks, including 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC), in the mouse brain. Despite the potential Aag involvement in the key brain processes, the impact of Aag loss on developing brain remains unknown. Here, by using Aag knockout (Aag-/-) mice, we show that Aag absence leads to reduced DNA break levels, evident in lowered number of {gamma}H2AX foci in postnatal day 5 (P5) hippocampi. This is accompanied by changes in 5hmC signal intensity in different hippocampal regions. Transcriptome analysis of hippocampi and prefrontal cortex, at different developmental stages, indicates that lack of Aag alters gene expression, primarily of genes involved in regulation of response to stress. Across all developmental stages tested aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (Aldh2) emerged as one of the most prominent genes deregulated in Aag-dependent manner. In line with the changes in hippocampal DNA damage levels and the gene expression, adult Aag-/- mice exhibit altered behavior, evident in decreased anxiety levels determined in the Elevated Zero Maze and increased alternations in the Elevated T Maze tests. Taken together these results suggests that Aag has functions in modulation of genome dynamics during brain development, important for animal behavior. HighlightsO_LIAag loss results in reduced DNA damage signal in developing hippocampus; C_LIO_LI5hmC signal intensity is perturbed in hippocampal regions of Aag-/- mice; C_LIO_LIGene expression is altered in Aag-/- hippocampus and prefrontal cortex; C_LIO_LIAag represses Aldh2 expression; C_LIO_LIAag-/- mice have reduced anxiety and improved memory. C_LI

molecular biology↗

bioRxiv2022

MultiOMICs landscape of SARS-CoV-2-induced host responses in human lung epithelial cells

Despite the availability of vaccines and approved therapeutics, the COVID-19 pandemic continues to rise owing to the emergence of newer variants. Several multi-omics studies have made available extensive evidence on host-pathogen interactions and potential therapeutic targets. Nonetheless, an increased understanding of host signaling networks regulated by post-translational modifications and their ensuing effect on the biochemical and cellular dynamics is critical to expanding the current knowledge on the host response to SARS-CoV-2 infections. Here, employing unbiased global transcriptomics, proteomics, acetylomics, phosphoproteomics, and exometabolome analysis of a lung-derived human cell line, we show that SARS-CoV-2 Norway/Trondheim-S15 strain induces time-dependent alterations in the induction of type I IFN response, activation of DNA damage response, dysregulated Hippo signaling, among others. We provide evidence for the interplay of phosphorylation and acetylation dynamics on host proteins and its effect on the altered release of metabolites, especially organic acids and ketone bodies. Together, our findings serve as a resource of potential targets that can aid in designing novel host-directed therapeutic strategies.

systems biology↗

bioRxiv2022

Loss-of-function mutation in human Oxidation Resistance gene 1 disrupts the spatial-temporal regulation of histone arginine methylation in early brain development

We report a loss-of-function mutation in the TLDc domain of human Oxidation Resistance 1 (OXR1) gene, resulting in early-onset epilepsy, developmental delay, cognitive disabilities, and cerebellar atrophy. Patient lymphoblasts show impaired cell survival, proliferation, and hypersensitivity to oxidative stress. These phenotypes are rescued by TLDc domain replacement. We generated patient derived induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) revealing impaired neural differentiation along with dysregulation of genes essential for neurodevelopment. We identified that OXR1 influences histone arginine methylation by activating protein arginine methyltransferases (PRMTs), suggesting OXR1 dependent mechanisms regulating gene expression during neurodevelopment. We modeled the function of OXR1 in early human brain development using patient derived brain organoids revealing that OXR1 contributes to the spatial-temporal regulation of histone arginine methylation in specific brain regions. Our work provides new insights into pathological features and molecular underpinnings associated with OXR1 deficiency, highlighting the therapeutic potential of OXR1 in numerous neurodegenerative and neurodevelopmental disorders.

pathology↗

bioRxiv2022

Mitotic chromosome condensation resets chromatin to maintain transcriptional homeostasis

Mitotic entry correlates with the condensation of the chromosomes, remodeling of histone modifications, exclusion of transcription factors from DNA and the broad downregulation of transcription. However, whether mitotic condensation influences transcription in the subsequent interphase is unknown. Here, we show that preventing one chromosome to condense during mitosis causes it to fail resetting transcription. Rather it diverted the transcription machinery and underwent unscheduled initiation of gene expression. This caused the activation of inducible transcriptional programs, such as the GAL genes, even in absence of the relevant stimuli. Strikingly, aberrant gene expression persisted into the next interphase. Thus, our study identifies the maintenance of transcriptional homeostasis as an unexpected and yet unexplored function of mitotic chromosome condensation. One-Sentence SummaryMitotic chromatin condensation resets the transcriptome to protect cells from transcriptional drifting after anaphase.

molecular biology↗

bioRxiv2022

Age- and sex-dependent effects of DNA glycosylase Neil3 on amyloid pathology, adult neurogenesis, and memory in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease

Oxidative stress generating DNA damage has been shown to be a key characteristic in Alzheimers disease (AD). However, how it affects the pathogenesis of AD is not yet fully understood. Neil3 is a DNA glycosylase initiating repair of oxidative DNA base lesions and with a distinct expression pattern in proliferating cells. In brain, its function has been linked to hippocampal-dependent memory and to induction of neurogenesis after stroke and in prion disease. Here, we generated a novel AD mouse model deficient for Neil3 to study the impact of impaired oxidative base lesion repair on the pathogenesis of AD. Our results demonstrate an age-dependent decrease in amyloid-{beta} (A{beta}) plaque deposition in female Neil3-deficient AD mice, whereas no significant difference was observed in male mice. Furthermore, male but not female Neil3-deficient AD mice show reduced neural stem cell proliferation in the adult hippocampus and impaired working memory compared to controls. These effects seem to be independent of DNA repair as both sexes show increased level of oxidative base lesions in the hippocampus upon loss of Neil3. Thus, our findings suggest an age- and sex-dependent role of Neil3 in the progression of AD by altering cerebral A{beta} accumulation and promoting adult hippocampal neurogenesis to maintain cognitive function.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2022

Broad-spectrum mono- and combinational drug therapies for global viral pandemic preparedness

Broadly effective antiviral therapies must be developed to be ready for clinical trials, which should begin soon after the emergence of new life-threatening viruses. Here, we pave the way towards this goal by analyzing conserved druggable virus-host interactions, mechanisms of action and immunomodulatory properties of broad-spectrum antivirals (BSAs), routes of BSA delivery, and BSA interactions with other antivirals. Based on the analysis we developed scoring systems, which allowed us to predict novel BSAs and BSA-containing drug combinations (BCCs). Thus, we have developed a new strategy to broaden the spectrum of BSA indications and predict novel mono-and combinational therapies that can help better prepare for imminent future viral outbreaks. O_FIG O_LINKSMALLFIG WIDTH=200 HEIGHT=141 SRC="FIGDIR/small/476444v2_ufig1.gif" ALT="Figure 1"> View larger version (47K): org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@7fee8dorg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1069131org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@2632bforg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1cdcbf0_HPS_FORMAT_FIGEXP M_FIG C_FIG

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2021

Active components of commonly prescribed medicines affect influenza A virus-host cell interaction: a pilot study

BackgroundEvery year, millions of people are hospitalized, and thousands die from influenza A virus (FLUAV) infection. Most cases of hospitalizations and death occur among elderly. Many of these elderly patients are reliant on medical treatment of underlying chronic diseases, such as arthritis, diabetes, and hypertension. We hypothesized that the commonly prescribed medicines for treatment of underlying chronic diseases can affect host responses to FLUAV infection, and thus contribute to morbidity and mortality associated with influenza. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine whether commonly prescribed medicines could affect host responses to virus infection in vitro. MethodsWe first identified 45 active compounds of commonly prescribed medicines. Then we constructed a drug-target interaction network and identified potential implication of these interactions for FLUAV-host cell interplay. Finally, we tested the effect of 45 drugs on viability, transcription and metabolism of mock- and FLUAV-infected human retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells. ResultsIn silico drug-target interaction analysis revealed that many drugs, such as atorvastatin, candesartan, and hydroxocobalam, could target and modulate FLUAV-host cell interaction. In vitro experiments showed that these and other compounds at non-cytotoxic concentrations differently affected transcription and metabolism of mock- and FLUAV-infected cells. ConclusionMany commonly prescribed drugs modulate FLUAV-host cell interactions in silico and in vitro and, therefore, could affect their interplay in vivo, thus, contributing to morbidity and mortality of patients with influenza virus infections.

pharmacology and toxicology↗