U.S. patent application number 17/725331 was filed with the patent office on 2022-08-11 for use of ouabain antagonists to inhibit viral infection.
This patent application is currently assigned to The U.S.A., as represented by the Secretary, Department of Health and Human Services. The applicant listed for this patent is The U.S.A., as represented by the Secretary, Department of Health and Human Services, The U.S.A., as represented by the Secretary, Department of Health and Human Services. Invention is credited to Peter L. Collins, Matthias Lingemann, Shirin Munir.
Application Number | 20220249518 17/725331 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | |
Filed Date | 2022-08-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20220249518 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Collins; Peter L. ; et
al. |
August 11, 2022 |
USE OF OUABAIN ANTAGONISTS TO INHIBIT VIRAL INFECTION
Abstract
Embodiments of a method for inhibiting viral infection in a
subject are provided herein. In some embodiments, the method
comprises administration of a competitive antagonist of ouabain
binding to ATP1A1 to inhibit respiratory syncytial virus infection
in the subject.
Inventors: |
Collins; Peter L.; (Silver
Spring, MD) ; Lingemann; Matthias; (Bethesda, MD)
; Munir; Shirin; (Potomac, MD) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
The U.S.A., as represented by the Secretary, Department of Health
and Human Services |
Bethesda |
MD |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
The U.S.A., as represented by the
Secretary, Department of Health and Human Services
Bethesda
MD
|
Appl. No.: |
17/725331 |
Filed: |
April 20, 2022 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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16584679 |
Sep 26, 2019 |
11337988 |
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17725331 |
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62737899 |
Sep 27, 2018 |
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International
Class: |
A61K 31/58 20060101
A61K031/58; A61K 9/00 20060101 A61K009/00; A61P 31/14 20060101
A61P031/14 |
Claims
1. A method of inhibiting a viral infection in a subject,
comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of an
agent to the subject to inhibit the viral infection, wherein the
agent is a competitive antagonist of ouabain binding to ATP1A1.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the agent is a small molecule
competitive antagonist of ouabain binding to ATP1A1.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the agent is PST2238.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the viral infection is an
infection with a negative-sense single-stranded RNA virus.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the viral infection is an
infection with virus of the Pneumoviridae family.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein the viral infection is an
infection with a virus that utilizes epidermal growth factor
receptor signaling for cellular entry.
7. The method of claim 6, wherein the virus is any one of:
Respiratory Syncytial Virus, Adenovirus, Clade A New World
arenavirus Pichinde, African swine fever virus, Hepatitis C virus,
Hepatitis B virus, Human cytomegalovirus, Herpes simplex virus,
Epstein-Barr virus, Influenza A virus, Human papillomavirus, Human
parainfluenza virus Type 1-3, Adeno-associated virus, Enterovirus
71, Rhinovirus, Vaccinia virus, Cowpox virus, Western Reserve,
International Health Department-J, Shope fibroma virus, Human
immunodeficiency virus, Avian erythroblastosis virus, Mouse Cas
NS-1 retrovirus
8. The method of claim 7, wherein the virus is the Respiratory
Syncytial Virus.
9. The method of claim 1, wherein the viral infection is an
infection with a virus that utilizes ATP1A1 signaling for cellular
entry.
10. The method of claim 9, wherein the viral infection is an
infection with any one of influenza virus, Herpes simplex virus,
Chikungunya virus, Human immunodeficiency virus type 1, Adenovirus,
Porcine reproductive, respiratory syndrome virus 1, Ebola virus,
Coronavirus, Hepatitis C virus, Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus,
Lassa virus, or Junin virus.
11. The method of claim 1, wherein the agent is administered to the
subject by oral, intranasal, inhalation, intramuscular,
intravenous, peritoneal, or subcutaneous administration.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein the agent is administered
intranasally to the subject.
13. The method of claim 11, wherein the agent is administered to
the subject with a nebulizer.
14. The method of claim 1, wherein the subject has or is at risk of
the viral infection.
15. The method of claim 14, wherein the subject has the viral
infection and the method treats the viral infection in the
subject.
16. The method of claim 14, wherein the subject is at risk of the
viral infection and the method prevents the viral infection in the
subject or reduces the severity of symptoms of the viral infection
if the subject subsequently becomes infected.
17. The method of claim 1, further comprising selecting a subject
with or at risk of the viral infection for administration of the
agent.
18. A method of inhibiting a Respiratory Syncytial Virus infection
in a subject comprising administering to the subject a
therapeutically effective amount of PST2238.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.
16/584,679, filed Sep. 26, 2019, which claims priority to U.S.
Provisional Application No. 62/737,899, filed Sep. 27, 2018. The
above-listed applications are herein incorporated by reference in
their entirety.
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0002] The present disclosure relates to use of ouabain antagonists
to inhibit a viral infection in a subject, such as a Respiratory
Syncytial Virus infection.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Viral infection and the resulting infectious disease burden
impart a substantial impact in health and productivity. Among
viruses, the human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the leading
viral cause of acute pediatric lower respiratory tract infections
worldwide, with no available vaccine or effective antiviral drug.
RSV also causes repeated infections including severe lower
respiratory tract disease, which may occur at any age, especially
among the elderly or those with compromised cardiac, pulmonary, or
immune systems. Passive immunization currently is used to prevent
severe illness caused by RSV infection, especially in infants with
prematurity, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, or congenital heart
disease. Despite repeated efforts, a need remains for therapeutic
for treating RSV infection.
SUMMARY
[0004] This disclosure provides novel methods of inhibiting and
treating viral infection in a subject, such as RSV infection in a
subject.
[0005] In some embodiments, the method comprises administering a
therapeutically effective amount of an agent to the subject to
inhibit the viral infection, wherein the agent is a competitive
antagonist of ouabain binding to ATPase
Sodium/potassium-transporting subunit alpha-1 (ATP1A1) (such as
PST2238). In some embodiments, the method comprises selecting a
subject with or at risk of the viral infection for administration
of the agent.
[0006] In some embodiments, the viral infection is an infection
with a negative-sense single-stranded RNA virus, a virus of the
Pneumoviridae family, and/or a virus that utilizes ATP1A1 signaling
for cellular entry.
[0007] In some embodiments, viral infection is an infection with
RSV. Infections by other viruses can also be inhibited using the
methods provided herein, including infection with any one of
Adenovirus, Clade A New World arenavirus Pichinde, African swine
fever virus, Hepatitis C virus, Hepatitis B virus, Human
cytomegalovirus, Herpes simplex virus, Epstein-Barr virus,
Influenza A virus, Human papillomavirus, Human parainfluenza virus
Type 1-3, Adeno-associated virus, Enterovirus 71, Rhinovirus,
Vaccinia virus, Cowpox virus, Western Reserve, International Health
Department-J, Shope fibroma virus, Human immunodeficiency virus,
Avian erythroblastosis virus, Mouse Cas NS-1 retrovirus; influenza
virus, Herpes simplex virus, Chikungunya virus, Human
immunodeficiency virus type 1, Adenovirus, Porcine reproductive,
respiratory syndrome virus 1, Ebola virus, Coronavirus, Hepatitis C
virus, Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus, Lassa virus, or Junin
virus.
[0008] The agent can be administered to the subject using any
suitable method, such as oral, intranasal, or inhalation,
administration.
[0009] The foregoing and other features and advantages of this
disclosure will become more apparent from the following detailed
description of several embodiments which proceeds with reference to
the accompanying figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0010] The patent or application file contains at least one drawing
executed in color. Copies of this patent or patent application
publication with color drawing(s) will be provided by the Office
upon request and payment of the necessary fee.
[0011] FIGS. 1A-1D. ATP1A1 knock down by siRNA transfection. A549
cells were transfected with three different siRNAs (siRNA 1-3)
targeting the ATP1A1 mRNA. Cells were harvested 24, 48 and 72 h
post transfection (p.t.) and the ATP1A1 transcript and protein
levels were quantified. As negative control, cells were transfected
with two different negative siRNAs (Neg. siRNA 1, 2) with no known
target in human cells. (FIG. 1A) Relative quantification of ATP1A1
mRNA. Total RNA was isolated and was reverse transcribed with
oligo(dT).sub.12-18 primers to favor reverse transcription of mRNA.
The amount of ATP1A1 mRNA was quantified by an ATP1A1 mRNA specific
TaqMan Assay, values were normalized to 18S rRNA and reported as
fold-change relative to Neg. siRNA 1. Data are shown as mean fold
change relative to Neg. siRNA 1 with error bars indicating the
standard deviation of three independent experiments with three
replicate reactions for each time point. (FIG. 1B) ATP1A1 protein
level. Transfected A549 cells were lysed in 1.times.LDS buffer at
different time points (24, 48 and 72 h p.t.) and the ATP1A1 protein
level was quantified by Western blotting with a rabbit anti-ATP1A1
antibody and a corresponding infrared dye 680RD conjugated goat
anti-rabbit secondary antibody. Alpha-tubulin was used as a loading
control and was detected by a mouse anti-tubulin antibody and an
infrared dye 800CW conjugated goat anti-mouse secondary antibody.
One representative blot of ATP1A1 and its corresponding
alpha-tubulin blot is shown. (FIG. 1C) Quantification of ATP1A1
protein level. The protein levels of three independent experiments,
as described above, were quantified, normalized to alpha-tubulin,
and reported as fold-change relative to Neg. siRNA 1 with error
bars indicating the standard deviation. (FIG. 1D) Cell viability.
An ATP based cell viability assay [CellTiter-Glo (Promega)] was
performed 72 h p.t. to evaluate the viability of the transfected
cells. Cells were lysed, the ATP concentration was determined by
ATP dependent luciferase activity, which was detected with an ELISA
reader, and the viability was reported relative to mock-transfected
cells.
[0012] FIGS. 2A-2D. Effect of ATP1A1 knock down on RSV infection.
A549 cells were transfected with the indicated siRNAs. Cells were
infected with either RSV-GFP (FIG. 2A, MOI=1 PFU/cell) or VSV-GFP
(FIG. 2B, MOI=0.5 PFU/cell) at 48 h post siRNA transfection.
Infection of RSV (FIG. 2A) and VSV (FIG. 2B) were quantified by GFP
intensity of the total well (area scan by ELISA reader) at 17 h
p.i. In addition, RSV GFP expression of single, live, GFP cells was
also examined and quantified by flow cytometry assay 24 h p.i.
(FIG. 2C). Single, live, uninfected cells are shown in the
histogram as reference. The RSV plaque forming unit (PFU) titer was
determined by plaque titration on Vero cells 24 h p.i. (FIG. 2D).
All data are derived from at least three independent experiments
and shown as mean values with error bars indicating the standard
deviation. The statistical significance of difference was
determined by one-way analysis of variance with Dunnett's multiple
comparison post-test and p-values are shown for each
comparison.
[0013] FIGS. 3A and 3B. RSV infection triggers ATP1A1 clustering.
(FIG. 3A) A549 cells were inoculated with wt RSV (MOI=5 PFU/cell)
and incubated for 2 or 5 h at 37.degree. C. Cells were fixed with
4% PFA, permeabilized with 0.1% TritonX100 and stained for ATP1A1
(green) with a rabbit anti-ATP1A1 antibody (ab76020) and Alexa
Fluor 488 conjugated donkey anti-rabbit secondary antibody. RSV F
(red) was detected by a mouse monoclonal anti-RSV F antibody (1129)
and an Alexa Fluor 594 conjugated anti-mouse secondary antibody.
The cell nuclei were stained with DAPI and are shown in all
channels. Images (z-stacks) were acquired on a Leica SP5 confocal
microscope, with a 63.times. objective (NA 1.4) and a zoom of 3.0.
Arrows are indicating co-localization of ATP1A1 and RSV F. Scale
bar 10 .mu.m. (FIG. 3B) Cross section of the marked area of the RSV
5 h p.i. image of FIG. 3A. Scale bare 10 .mu.m.
[0014] FIG. 4. RSV-G is required for ATP1A1 clustering. A549 cells
were inoculated with wt RSV, rgRSV-dSH or rgRSV-dSH dG (MOI=10
PFU/cell) and incubated for 5 h at 37.degree. C. Cells were fixed
with 4% PFA and subjected to immunofluorescence staining, as
described for FIG. 3. ATP1A1 (shown in green) was detected by a
rabbit anti-ATP1A1 antibody (ab76020) and Alexa Fluor 568
conjugated donkey anti-rabbit secondary antibody. RSV N (shown in
red) was detected by a mouse monoclonal anti-RSV N antibody
(ab94806) and an Alexa Fluor 647 conjugated donkey anti-mouse
secondary antibody. The cell nuclei were stained with DAPI and are
shown in all channels. Images (z-stacks) were acquired on a Leica
SP8 confocal microscope, with a 63.times. objective (NA 1.4) and a
zoom of 3.0. Scale bar 10 .mu.m.
[0015] FIGS. 5A-5G. Effect of ouabain and rostafuroxin (PST2238) on
RSV infection. (FIG. 5A) Uninfected A549 cells were treated for 24
h with either 25 nM ouabain or 20 .mu.M rostafuroxin (PST2238) and
subjected to an immunofluorescence staining. ATP1A1 (green) and
EGFR (red) were stained by the primary antibodies rabbit
anti-ATP1A1 (ab76020) and rat anti-EGFR (ab231) and the
corresponding secondary antibodies anti-rabbit Alexa 488 and
anti-rat Alexa 647, respectively. Scale bar 10 .mu.m. (FIGS. 5B and
5C) A549 cells pre-treated overnight with either 25 nM ouabain or
20 .mu.M PST2238 in complete media were inoculated with RSV-GFP
(MOI=1 PFU/cell). Cells were incubated at 37.degree. C. for 17 h
and infectivity is shown in FIG. 5B. GFP signal of the total well
(area scan by ELISA reader) and reported as fold change relative to
mock-treated infected cells. FIG. 5C. Virus titer was determined by
plaque titration on Vero cells 24 h p.i. (FIGS. 5D-5G) 25 nM
ouabain or 20 .mu.M PST2238 was added to A549 cells infected with
RSV-GFP (MOI=3 PFU/cell) at different time points post infection.
GFP intensity, as an indicator of infection, was quantified by flow
cytometry. The histogram shows the GFP intensity of live, single,
infected cells analyzed at 24 h p.i. with different time points of
addition of ouabain (FIG. 5D) or PST2238 (FIG. 5F). The MFI of GFP
positive cells was quantified and expressed as value relative to
mock-treated, RSV-infected cells depending on the time of addition
of ouabain (FIG. 5E) or PST2238 (FIG. 5G).
[0016] FIGS. 6A and 6B. Src-kinase activity is required for
infection. A549 cells were pre-treated with non-toxic
concentrations of the indicated Src-kinase inhibitors (PP2 [12.5
.mu.M], SrcI-I [6.25 .mu.M] or both) or mock-treated (DMSO carrier
control) for 5 h pre-infection. Cells were inoculated with RSV-GFP
(MOI=1 PFU/cell) in media containing the indicated inhibitors.
(FIG. 6A) GFP intensity was measured on ELISA reader 17 h p.i. and
expressed as fold change relative to mock-treated cells that were
infected. (FIG. 6B) RSV titers were determined by plaque titration
on Vero cells 24 h p.i. The statistical significance of the
difference was determined by one-way analysis of variance with
Tukey's multiple-comparison post-test and p-values are shown for
each comparison.
[0017] FIGS. 7A-7D. Effect of EGFR knock down on RSV infection.
(FIG. 7A) A549 cells had been transfected with ATP1A1, EGFR or
negative siRNA and subjected to an immunofluorescence staining for
ATP1A1 (green) and EGFR (red) 48 h post siRNA transfection as
described for FIG. 5A. Images (z-stacks) were acquired on a Leica
SP5 confocal microscope with 63.times. objective NA 1.4 and
2.0.times. zoom. Scale bar 10 .mu.m. (FIGS. 7B and 7C) A549 cells
that had been transfected with an EGFR siRNA or Neg. siRNA 1 or 2
were infected with RSV-GFP (MOI=1 PFU/cell) at 48 h p.t. Infection
was quantified by GFP signal (FIG. 7B) of the total well (area scan
by ELISA reader) at 17 h p.i. and by plaque titration (FIG. 7C) on
Vero cells 24 h p.i. Data are derived from three independent
experiments. The statistical significance of the difference was
determined by one-way analysis of variance with Tukey's
multiple-comparison post-test and p-values of the significance for
each comparison is indicated. (FIG. 7D) An ATP based cell viability
assay [CellTiter-Glo (Promega)] was performed 72 h p.t. to evaluate
the viability of the transfected cells. Cells were lysed, the ATP
concentration was determined by luciferase activation and the
viability was reported relative to mock-transfected cells based on
the reduction of ATP.
[0018] FIGS. 8A-8D. ATP1A1 dependent EGFR phosphorylation at Tyr845
during RSV infection. A549 cells were treated as indicated (either
siRNA knock down for 48 h or pre-treatment with the chemical
compounds ouabain [25 nM], PST2238 [40 .mu.M] or Src Inhibitor-I
(SrcI-I) [6.25 .mu.M] and PP2 [12.5 .mu.M] for 5 h
pre-inoculation). Cells were serum starved overnight, before they
were inoculated with wt RSV (MOI=5 PFU/cell) and incubated at
37.degree. C. Cells were lysed 5 h p.i. and subjected to a
phospho-specific EGFR array (RayBiotech, Inc.). (FIG. 8A)
Representative array spots of pTyr845 EGFR and its corresponding
pan EGFR for each treatment are shown. (FIGS. 8B and 8C) pTyr845
EGFR signals of three independent experiments with two technical
replicates each were normalized to the signal of the internal
positive controls and pan EGFR. Signals are reported as fold-change
relative to the average signal of mock-treated, RSV infected
samples. FIG. 8B shows the siRNA knock down samples and pTyr845
EGFR levels were reported relative to Neg. siRNA 1. FIG. 8C shows
the chemical compound treated samples and pTyr845 EGFR levels were
reported relative to mock-treated, infected samples. (FIG. 8D) As
control, PST2238 or Ouabain pretreated A549 cells were stimulated
with EGF (100 ng/ml) for 45 min and the pTyr845 EGFR signal was
quantified. The statistical significance of the differences were
determined by one-way analysis of variance with Dunnett
multiple-comparison test and the significance p-values are
indicated for each comparison.
[0019] FIGS. 9A-9F. RSV enters the cell by ATP1A1 dependent
macropinocytic uptake that can be blocked by ouabain or PST2238.
(FIG. 9A) A549 cells were serum starved overnight and either
mock-infected or infected with wt RSV (MOI=5 PFU/cell) in media
containing Alexa Fluor 568 conjugated Dextran (10.000 MW,
Dextran-AF568). Cells were fixed with 4% PFA 5 h p.i., nuclei were
counterstained with DAPI, and imaged on a Leica SP5 confocal
microscope with a 40.times. Objective NA 1.3 and 2.0.times. zoom.
(FIG. 9B) Co-localization of ATP1A1 (green channel) RSV-N (red
channel) and Dextran-Alexa Fluor 568 (cyan channel) in RSV infected
(MOI=5 PFU/cell) A549 cells at 5 h p.i. Cells were infected as
described above and fixed with 4% PFA 5 h p.i. Fixed cells were
permeabilized with 0.1% TritonX100 and subjected to an
immunofluorescence staining with rabbit anti-ATP1A1 (ab76020) and
mouse anti-RSV-N (ab94806) primary antibodies, followed by Alexa
Fluor 488 conjugated goat anti-rabbit and Alexa Fluor 647
conjugated goat anti-mouse secondary antibodies. Z-stacks were
acquired on Leica SP8 confocal microscope with 63.times. objective,
NA 1.4 and 3.times. zoom. Arrows indicate co-localization of ATP1A
and RSV N in Dextran-AF568 positive vesicles. (FIG. 9C)
Co-localization of RSV F (green) and RSV N (red) with Dextran-Alexa
Fluor 568 (cyan) in RSV infected (MOI=5 PFU/cell) A549 cells at 5 h
p.i. Cells were stained as described above for FIG. 9B. RSV F was
detected with an Alexa Fluor 488 conjugated mouse monoclonal
anti-RSV F antibody (1129). RSV N was detected with an
allophycocyanin (APC) conjugated mouse monoclonal anti-RSV N
antibody (Novus Biologicals, LLC). Image acquisition and analysis
were performed as described above for FIG. 9B. Arrows indicate
co-localization of RSV F and RSV N in dextran-AF568 positive
vesicles. All scale bars are 10 .mu.m. (FIGS. 9D-9F) Quantification
of Dextran-AF568 uptake during RSV infection. FIG. 9D, A549 cells
were transfected with ATP1A1 siRNA2 (showed strongest effect in all
other assays) or Neg. siRNA 1 and 48 h p.t. cells were inoculated
with wt RSV in Dextran-AF568 containing media. FIG. 9E, A549 cells
were pre-treated with ouabain or PST2238 overnight and inoculated
with wt RSV in Dextran-AF568 containing media. FIG. 9F, Untreated
A549 cells were infected with wt RSV or rgRSV dSHdG in
Dextran-AF568 containing media. For all treatments (FIGS. 9D-9F)
cells were fixed 5 h p.i., counterstained with DAPI and z-stacks
were acquired on a Leica SP8 confocal microscope with 63.times.
objective NA 1.4, 1.0.times. zoom. For each treatment, the uptake
of Dextran-AF568 in vesicles greater than 1.0 .mu.m.sup.3 was
quantified as described in detail in the Method section. Mean
values are reported relative to RSV infected cells transfected with
Neg. siRNA 1 (FIG. 9D), Mock treated, infected cells (FIG. 9E) or
wt RSV infected cells (FIG. 9F). Error bars indicating the standard
deviation of at least three independent experiments. The
statistical significance of difference was determined for (FIG. 9D)
and (FIG. 9E) by one-way analysis of variance with Tukey's multiple
comparison post-test and for (FIG. 9F) by two-tailed unpaired
t-test. P-values are shown for each comparison.
[0020] FIGS. 10A-10C. Effect of cholesterol depletion on RSV
infection. A549 cells were cholesterol depleted by treatment with
methyl-beta-cyclodextrin (MBCD) and Mevinolin or each chemical
separately. MBCD removes cholesterol from the plasma membrane and
Mevinolin inhibits cholesterol biosynthesis. (FIG. 10A) RSV
infection assay of cholesterol depleted A549 cells. A549 cells were
pre-treated for 5 h with the indicated cholesterol depleting
compounds and infected with RSV-GFP (MOI=1 PFU/cell) while the
cholesterol depleting compounds were present. Viral GFP expression
was quantified 17 h p.i. and reported as fold change relative to
mock-treated infected cells. (FIG. 10B) Quantification of
macropinocytosis in cholesterol depleted RSV infected A549 cells.
A549 cells were pre-treated overnight with the indicated
cholesterol depleting compounds and infected with RSV (MOI=5
PFU/cell) in the presence of Alexa Fluor 568 conjugated Dextran
(Dextran-AF568) and incubated at 37.degree. C. and 5% CO.sub.2. 5 h
p.i the cells were fixed with 5% PFA and nuclei were counterstained
with DAPI. The total intensity of Dextran-AF568 uptake in vesicles
larger than 1.0 .mu.m.sup.3 was quantified, as described in detail
in the methods section, and reported as fold change relative to
mock-treated infected cells. The statistical significance of the
differences was determined by one-way analysis of variance with
Tukey's multiple-comparison post-test and the significance p-values
are indicated for each comparison. (FIG. 10C) EGFR Tyr845
phosphorylation in cholesterol depleted cells. A549 cells were
treated with MBCD and Mevinolin overnight to deplete cholesterol
from the plasma membrane. Cells were infected with wt RSV (MOI=5
PFU/cell) and the phosphorylation of EGFR Tyr845 was quantified by
an EGFR phosphorylation antibody array (RayBiotech), as described
in the methods section. The level of pTyr845 was reported relative
to mock-treated and infected cells. The statistical significance of
difference was determined by a two-tailed unpaired t-test.
[0021] FIGS. 11A-11E. Confirmation of the role of ATP1A1 in RSV
entry using primary human small airway epithelial cells (HSAEC).
The results obtained in A549 cells were validated in human small
airway epithelial cells (HSAEC). The experiments were performed in
a similar manner as described for A549 cells in the methods section
and the corresponding Figure legends. (FIG. 11A) siRNA knock down
validation in HSAEC. (FIG. 11B) Efficiency of RSV infection (GFP
quantification by ELISA reader) in ATP1A1 siRNA knock down HSAEC
cells. (FIG. 11C) EGFR Tyr845 phosphorylation in ATP1A1 siRNA 2
knock down HSAEC cells. (FIG. 11D) Inhibition of RSV infection in
ouabain and PST2238 treated HSAEC cells infected with RSV-GFP. The
determined IC.sub.50 values of ouabain and PST2238 for inhibiting
RSV infection were 5- and 8-fold lower than for A549 cells,
respectively. (FIG. 11E) ATP1A1 clustering and colocalization with
RSV-N in HSAEC cells. Scale bar 10 .mu.m.
[0022] FIG. 12. Model of ATP1A1 dependent macropinocytic entry of
RSV. On exposure to respiratory epithelial cells, RSV triggers the
activation and clustering of ATP1A1 in the plasma membrane through
an unknown mechanism. ATP1A1 then signals via phosphorylated Src
kinase and transactivates EGFR by its phosphorylation at Tyr845.
Upon activation, EGFR signaling causes cytoskeletal rearrangement
resulting in plasma membrane ruffling and formation of membrane
extensions that engulf fluid and RSV into membrane bound vesicles,
the morphology of which is characteristic of macropinosomes. RSV is
taken up into the macropinosome in its enveloped state suggesting
that it does not fuse at the cell surface; fusion and release of
nucleocapsid likely occurs after the macropinocytic event. RSV
triggered ATP1A1 activation is independent of the direct physical
interaction of ATP1A1 with the RSV surface G, F, or SH proteins but
requires the presence of G protein on the virion surface which
likely plays a role in an indirect manner. The entry pathway
requires both the presence and signaling function of ATP1A1; EGFR
and Src kinase are also essential but not sufficient alone and
require the activation of upstream ATP1A1 to mediate RSV entry. The
model illustrates a signaling pathway comprised of three main
components, ATP1A1, Src kinase, and EGFR, whose activation and
cross-talk leads to macropinocytic entry of RSV into the host
cell.
[0023] FIG. 13. ATP1A1 clustering induced by UV-inactivated RSV.
A549 cells were inoculated (MOI=5 PFU/cell) as described for FIG. 3
and incubated for 5 h at 37.degree. C. The UV wt RSV inoculum was
UV-inactivated by 0.5 J/cm.sup.2 UV radiation using a Stratalinker
UV Crosslinker 1800 (Agilent). Total inactivation of the inoculum
was confirmed by plaque assay titration on Vero cells as described.
Cells were subjected to immunofluorescence staining for ATP1A1
(Alexa Fluor 488, green) and RSV-N (Alexa Fluor 568, red) and
counterstained with DAPI with the described staining protocol.
Scale bars 10 .mu.m.
[0024] FIG. 14. Effect of ATP1A1 knock down on RSV binding on the
cell surface. A549 cells were transfected with the indicated siRNAs
targeting the ATP1A1 mRNA or unspecific negative siRNA. 48 h p.t.
cells were detached with 1 mM EDTA in 1.times.PBS and the suspended
cells were incubated with wt RSV (MOI=10 PFU/cell) on ice for 30
min. Cells were washed to remove any unbound virus and stained for
RSV F with a pool of mouse monoclonal RSV F specific antibodies
followed by an Alexa Fluor 647 conjugated anti-mouse secondary
antibody. Cells treated with trypsin prior to incubation with virus
served as a negative control for virus binding. Cells were analyzed
by flow cytometry.
[0025] FIGS. 15A-15D. Efficacy (IC.sub.50) and cytotoxicity
titration of ouabain and Rostafuroxin (PST2238) on A549 cells and
primary human small airway epithelial cells (HSAEC). RSV-GFP
infection inhibitor titration of ouabain (FIG. 15A) and PST2238
(FIG. 15B) on A549 cells and HSAEC 24 h p.i. Infection of RSV was
quantified by GFP intensity of the total well (area scan by ELISA
reader) in triplicates for each concentration and reported relative
to mock-treated infected cells with error bars indicating the
standard deviation. Cytotoxicity titration of ouabain (FIG. 15C)
and PST2238 (FIG. 15D) on A549 cells and HSAEC after 24 h
treatment. Cell viability was determined in triplicates for each
concentration by the ATP based viability assay CellTiterGlo
(Promega) and changes in viability are reported as fold change
relative to mock-treated cells with error bars indicating the
standard deviation.
[0026] FIG. 16. Cytotoxicity analyses of chemical compounds on A549
cells. A549 cells were treated for 24 h with each compound at the
highest concentrations used in this study. Cell viability was
determined in triplicates for each compound by the ATP based
viability assay CellTiterGlo (Promega) and changes in viability are
reported as fold change relative to mock-treated cells with error
bars indicating the standard deviation.
[0027] FIGS. 17A and 17B. (FIG. 17A) A representative image of the
EGFR phosphorylation-specific antibody array probed with uninfected
or RSV infected A549 cell lysates as indicated. Array was performed
as described in the methods section. (FIG. 17B) Layout of the EGFR
phospho-specific antibodies and the control spots on the array
(RayBiotech). Each antibody is present in duplicate on each
membrane.
[0028] FIGS. 18A and 18B. RSV induces ATP1A1 clustering in primary
human airway epithelial-air liquid interface (HAE-ALI) cultures.
HAE-ALI cultures were inoculated with wt RSV (106 PFU/tissue),
incubated for 1 or 5 h, fixed and subjected to immunofluorescence
staining as described for A549 cells in FIG. 3 (ATP1A1, green; RSV
F, red; F-Actin, cyan; DAPI; blue). Images are shown without (FIG.
18A) and with (FIG. 18B) F-Actin staining. Scale bars 10 .mu.m.
SEQUENCE LISTING
[0029] The nucleic and amino acid sequences listed in the
accompanying sequence listing are shown using standard letter
abbreviations for nucleotide bases, and three letter code for amino
acids, as defined in 37 C.F.R. 1.822. Only one strand of each
nucleic acid sequence is shown, but the complementary strand is
understood as included by any reference to the displayed strand.
The Sequence Listing is submitted as an ASCII text file, created on
Mar. 16, 2022, 1.37 KB, which is incorporated by reference
herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0030] As disclosed herein, ATP1A1 is a host protein involved with
cellular entry of RSV. RSV entry requires activation of a signaling
cascade mediated by ATP1A1 which resembles the signaling pathway
(also mediated by ATP1A1) triggered by cardiotonic steroids. As
described in the examples, RSV infection triggers ATP1A1 activation
which signals via activated Src, the non-receptor tyrosine kinase,
to transactivate the epidermal growth factor receptor. Epidermal
growth factor receptor tyrosine phosphorylation and downstream
signaling result in the induction of macropinocytosis (the
formation of large fluid filled endocytic vesicles at the plasma
membrane). The macropinocytic vesicles engulf RSV at the cell
membrane and transport RSV into the cell.
[0031] Prior studies have shown that cardiotonic steroids such as
ouabain, which specifically bind and activate ATP1A1 signaling,
inhibit infection and cell entry of RSV and many other types of
viruses.
[0032] However, described herein is the novel finding that
administration to a subject of a competitive antagonist of ouabain
binding to ATP1A1 substantially inhibits RSV infection in the
subject. This result is particularly unexpected given the findings
discussed above, showing that ATP1A1 agonists such as ouabain also
inhibit viral infection.
I. Summary of Terms
[0033] Unless otherwise noted, technical terms are used according
to conventional usage. Definitions of many common terms in
molecular biology may be found in Krebs et al. (eds.), Lewin's
genes XII, published by Jones & Bartlett Learning, 2017.
[0034] The singular terms "a", "an", and "the" include plural
referents unless context clearly indicates otherwise. The term
"comprises" means "includes." Although methods and materials
similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the
practice or testing of the present disclosure, suitable methods and
materials are described below. It is further to be understood that
any and all base sizes or amino acid sizes, and all molecular
weight or molecular mass values, given for nucleic acids or
polypeptides are approximate, and are provided for descriptive
purposes, unless otherwise indicated. In case of conflict, the
present specification, including terms, will control. In addition,
the materials, methods, and examples are illustrative only and not
intended to be limiting. In order to facilitate review of the
various embodiments of the disclosure, the following explanation of
terms is provided:
[0035] About: With reference to a numerical parameter, the term
"about" refers to a plus or minus 5% range around the numerical
parameter. For example, "about 5%" refers to "4.75% to 5.25%."
[0036] Administration: To provide or give to a subject an agent,
for example, PST2238, by any effective route. Administration can be
local or systemic. Exemplary routes of administration include, but
are not limited to, oral (for example, oral administration of a
composition comprising PST2238 that delays release of the PST2238
until the composition is in the intestine, such as the colon),
injection (such as subcutaneous, intramuscular, intradermal,
intraperitoneal, intravenous, direct injection into intestine (for
example, injection into the colon)), sublingual, rectal,
transdermal (for example, topical), intranasal, vaginal, and
inhalation (particularly in the case of a treatment for RSV
infection) routes.
[0037] Agent: Any substance or any combination of substances that
is useful for achieving an end or result; for example, a substance
or combination of substances useful for inhibiting RSV infection in
a subject. Agents include proteins, antibodies, nucleic acid
molecules, compounds, small molecules, organic compounds, inorganic
compounds, or other molecules of interest. An agent can include a
therapeutic agent, a diagnostic agent or a pharmaceutical agent.
Agents include effector molecules and detectable markers. The
skilled artisan will understand that particular agents may be
useful to achieve more than one result.
[0038] Agonist: An agent that binds to a receptor and initiates an
action by the receptor. For example, an agonist that binds to a
cellular receptor initiates a physiological or pharmacological
response characteristic of that receptor.
[0039] Antagonist: An agent that inhibits an action by a receptor.
For example, an antagonist that binds to a cellular receptor
inhibits a physiological or pharmacological response characteristic
of that receptor.
[0040] ATP1A1: Also known as ATPase Na+/K+ transporting subunit
alpha 1, ATP1A1 is the .alpha.-subunit of the Na.sup.+K.sup.+
ATPase complex, which contains in addition a .beta.-subunit, and
usually also .gamma.-subunit (also known as the FXYD subunit)
(Reinhard et al., Cell Mol Life Sciences: CMLS. 2013; 70(2):205-22;
Morth et al., Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol. 2011; 12(1):60-70). ATP1A1 is
the major subunit and contains ten transmembrane helices that embed
the protein complex in the plasma membrane and form the ion
channel. The .beta. and FXYD subunits are important for the
transport properties of the Na.sup.+K.sup.+ ATPase and also
stabilize the complex (Geering. Curr Opin Nephrol Hypertens. 2008;
17(5):526-32). Humans express three additional alpha-isoforms
besides ATP1A1 (ATP1A2, ATP1A3, and ATP1A4). The expression profile
of the four isoforms is cell type dependent, with the ATP1A1 being
expressed ubiquitously and being the predominant isoform expressed
in A549 cells (Liu et al., PloS One. 2016; 11(7):e0159789).
[0041] Na.sup.+K.sup.+ ATPase complexes present in the plasma
membrane play a major role in ion transport, maintaining
electrolyte and fluid balance. In addition, a subpopulation of
Na.sup.+K.sup.+ ATPase is localized in caveolae (Ostrom et al., J
Biol Chem. 2001; 276(45):42063-9; Conner et al., Nature. 2003;
422(6927):37-44), and this subpopulation uniquely can engage in
signal transduction, via the ATP1A1 subunit (Reinhard et al., Cell
Mol Life Sciences: CMLS. 2013; 70(2):205-22; Xie et al., Mol
Interv. 2003; 3(3):157-68; Wang et al., J Biol Chem. 2004;
279(17):17250-9; Liu et al., Am J Physiol Cell Physiol. 2003;
284(6):C1550-60. Na.sup.+K.sup.+ ATPase, bearing the ATP1A1
subunit, has been well-characterized as the sole receptor for
cardiotonic steroids such as ouabain, which are agonists that
initiate ATP1A1-based signaling.
[0042] As disclosed herein, ATP1A1 is a host protein involved with
cellular entry of RSV.
[0043] In humans, ATP1A1 protein is expressed from the ATP1A1 gene
(NCBI Gene ID No. 476). The human protein sequence is set forth as
NCB1 Ref. No. NP_000692.2. Methods of identifying an agent that
modulates ATP1A1 activity are known, for example, as described in
the Examples.
[0044] Competitive antagonist: An agent that binds to a receptor
and blocks an action by the receptor in response to an agonist.
Sufficient concentrations of the competitive antagonist displace
the agonist from the receptor binding site, resulting in a lower
frequency of receptor activation. The level of activity of the
receptor depends on the relative affinity of each molecule
(competitive antagonist and agonist) for the binding site on the
receptor and their relative concentrations.
[0045] Competitive antagonist of ouabain binding to ATP1A1: An
agent that binds to ATP1A1 and competitively blocks ouabain binding
to ATP1A1 without activating ATP1A1. PST2238 is an example of a
competitive antagonist of ouabain binding to ATP1A1. Methods of
identifying an agent that is a competitive antagonist of ouabain
binding to ATP1A1 are known, for example, as described in the
examples and Ferrari et al. (J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 1998;
285(1):83-94).
[0046] Control: A sample or standard used for comparison with an
experimental sample. In some embodiments, the control is a negative
control sample obtained from a healthy patient. In other
embodiments, the control is a positive control sample obtained from
a patient diagnosed with a viral infection, such as an RSV
infection. In still other embodiments, the control is a historical
control or standard reference value or range of values (such as a
previously tested control sample, such as a group of infected
patients with known prognosis or outcome, or group of samples that
represent baseline or normal values).
[0047] Detecting: To identify the existence, presence, or fact of
something. General methods of detecting are known to the skilled
artisan and may be supplemented with the protocols and reagents
disclosed herein. In some examples, detecting an RSV nucleic acid
in a biological sample detects RSV infection in the subject from
whom the biological sample was obtained. Detection can include a
physical readout, such as fluorescence or a reaction output.
[0048] Inhibiting or treating a disease or condition: Inhibiting
the full development of a disease or condition, for example, in a
subject who is at risk of or has a viral infection, such as an RSV
infection. "Treatment" refers to a therapeutic intervention that
ameliorates a sign or symptom of a disease or pathological
condition after it has begun to develop. The term "ameliorating,"
with reference to a disease or pathological condition, refers to
any observable beneficial effect of the treatment. The beneficial
effect can be evidenced, for example, by a delayed onset of
clinical symptoms of the disease in a susceptible subject, a
reduction in severity of some or all clinical symptoms of the
disease, a slower progression of the disease, a reduction in viral
titer, an improvement in the overall health or well-being of the
subject, or by other parameters well known in the art that are
specific to the particular disease. A "prophylactic" treatment is a
treatment administered to a subject who does not exhibit signs of a
disease or exhibits only early signs for the purpose of decreasing
the risk of developing pathology.
[0049] Ouabain: A designation for
(1.beta.,3.beta.,5.beta.,11.alpha.)-3-[(6-Deoxy-.alpha.-L-mannopyranosyl)-
oxy]-1,5,11,14,19-pentahydroxycard-20(22)-enolide (PubChem CID:
439501), which has the following structural formula:
##STR00001##
Ouabain is a cardiotonic steroid that specifically binds to and
activates ATP1A1 to regulate its signaling and ion exchange
function, leading to an increase in blood pressure. Cardiotonic
steroids are a large family of clinically relevant specific
inhibitors of the Na.sup.+/K.sup.+-ATPase, used classically to
treat heart failure. Ouabain is available commercially from
multiple sources, for example, from Sigma-Aldrich, St. Louis,
Mo.
[0050] Pharmaceutically acceptable carriers: The pharmaceutically
acceptable carriers of use are conventional. Remington: The Science
and Practice of Pharmacy, 22.sup.nd ed., London, UK: Pharmaceutical
Press, 2013, describes compositions and formulations suitable for
pharmaceutical delivery of the disclosed agents.
[0051] In general, the nature of the carrier will depend on the
particular mode of administration being employed. For instance,
parenteral formulations usually include injectable fluids that
include pharmaceutically and physiologically acceptable fluids such
as water, physiological saline, balanced salt solutions, aqueous
dextrose, glycerol or the like as a vehicle. For solid compositions
(e.g., powder, pill, tablet, or capsule forms), conventional
non-toxic solid carriers can include, for example, pharmaceutical
grades of mannitol, lactose, starch, or magnesium stearate. In
addition to biologically neutral carriers, pharmaceutical
compositions to be administered can contain minor amounts of
non-toxic auxiliary substances, such as wetting or emulsifying
agents, added preservatives (such as non-natural preservatives),
and pH buffering agents and the like, for example sodium acetate or
sorbitan monolaurate. In particular examples, the pharmaceutically
acceptable carrier is sterile and suitable for parenteral
administration to a subject for example, by injection. In some
embodiments, the active agent and pharmaceutically acceptable
carrier are provided in a unit dosage form such as a pill or in a
selected quantity in a vial. Unit dosage forms can include one
dosage or multiple dosages (for example, in a vial from which
metered dosages of the agents can selectively be dispensed).
[0052] PST2238: A designation for
(3.beta.,5.beta.,14.beta.)-21,23-Epoxy-24-norchola-20,22-diene-3,14,17-tr-
iol (PubChem CID: 153976), which has the following structural
formula:
##STR00002##
PST2238 is also known as Rostafuroxin. PST2238 is a digitoxigenin
derivative that specifically binds to ATP1A1 and competitively
displaces ouabain binding from ATP1A1. Clinical studies have shown
that PST2238 lowers the blood pressure in adducin- and
ouabain-induced forms of hypertension without lowering the normal
systolic blood pressure of healthy individuals. PST2238 has been
shown to be non-toxic in human and animal models (see, e.g.,
Ferrari et al., Cardiovascular Drug Reviews, 17(1): 39-57, 1999,
and Ferrari et al., Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol, 290(3):
R529-535, 2006), including at dosages of 5 mg twice a day for a
week and at 0.5 mg per day for three months (see Ferrari et al., Am
J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol, 290(3): R529-535, 2006).
PST2238 is available commercially from multiple sources, for
example, from Sigma-Aldrich, St. Louis, Mo.
[0053] Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV): An enveloped
non-segmented negative-sense single-stranded RNA virus of the
family Pneumoviridae within the order Mononegavirales. The genome
is approximately 15.2 kb long and contains 10 genes that encode 11
proteins, namely (in 3' to 5' genomic order) the nonstructural
proteins NS1 and NS2; nucleocapsid (N); phosphoprotein (P); matrix
protein (M); the small hydrophobic (SH), attachment (G), and fusion
(F) glycoproteins; the M2-1 and M2-2 proteins that are encoded by
the two overlapping open reading frames in the M2 gene; and the
large polymerase L. The RSV envelope glycoproteins G and F mediate
viral attachment and fusion, respectively, for entry into the host
cell, while SH forms ion channels whose role in infection remains
unclear. SH and G are not essential for virus replication in
immortalized cell lines, but G is important for efficient
replication in vivo. The G protein contains a highly basic heparin
binding domain and a CX3C motif which mediate cell attachment by
binding to the cell surface glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) and the
CX3CR1 chemokine receptor, respectively. The RSV F protein mediates
viral entry, which involves fusion of the viral envelope with the
plasma membrane or with the membranes of intracellular vesicles, as
described below.
[0054] Two antigenic subgroups of human RSV strains have been
described, the A and B subgroups, based primarily on differences in
the antigenicity of the G glycoprotein. RSV strains for other
species are also known, including bovine RSV. Exemplary RSV strain
sequences are known to the person of ordinary skill in the art.
Further, several models of human RSV infection are available,
including model organisms infected with hRSV, as well as model
organisms infected with species specific RSV, such as use of bRSV
infection in cattle (see, e.g., Bern et al., Am J, Physiol. Lung
Cell Mol. Physiol., 301: L148-L156, 2011; and Nam and Kun (Eds.).
Respiratory Syncytial Virus: Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment.
Nova Biomedical Nova Science Publisher, 2011; and Cane (Ed.)
Respiratory Syncytial Virus. Elsevier Science, 2007.)
[0055] Symptoms of RSV infection include bronchiolitis, cough,
wheezing, rales (crackling in the lungs), low grade fever
(38.3.degree. C.), decreased oral intake and in more advanced cases
of infection cyanosis can occur with up to 20% of patients
developing an elevated temperature. In a given year, it is
estimated that in the United States alone, 4-5 million children
under the age of 4 years will develop an acute RSV infection and
more than 125,000 infants are hospitalized with an RSV related
illness. Between 25-40% of infants with RSV infections will show
signs of pneumonia and bronchiolitis. The risk and severity of RSV
infections is increased in infants with, for example, chronic
co-existing medical conditions such as chronic lung disease,
congenital heart disease, those who have been born prematurely and
those with immunodeficiency.
[0056] Small molecule: A compound, typically with a molecular
weight less than 1000, or in some embodiments, less than about 500
Daltons.
[0057] Subject: Any mammal, such as humans, non-human primates,
pigs, sheep, cows, rodents, and the like. In two non-limiting
examples, a subject is a human subject or a bovine subject. Thus,
the term "subject" includes both human and veterinary subjects. In
an additional example, a subject is selected that is in need of
inhibiting of a viral infection, such as an RSV infection. For
example, the subject is either uninfected and at risk of the viral
infection or is infected in need of treatment.
[0058] Therapeutically effective amount: The amount of an agent
(such as an anti-viral agent) or therapy, that alone, or together
with one or more additional agents, induces the desired response,
such as, for example treatment of a viral infection in a subject.
Ideally, a therapeutically effective amount provides a therapeutic
effect without causing a substantial cytotoxic effect in the
subject.
[0059] A therapeutically effective amount of an agent or therapy
that is administered to a human or veterinary subject will vary
depending upon a number of factors associated with that subject,
for example the overall health of the subject. A therapeutically
effective amount can be determined by varying the dosage and
measuring the resulting therapeutic response, such as the reduction
of symptoms associated with viral infection. The agents can be
administered in a single dose, or in several doses, as needed to
obtain the desired response. However, the therapeutically effective
amount can be dependent on the source applied, the subject being
treated, the severity and type of the condition being treated, and
the manner of administration.
[0060] In some embodiments, a therapeutically effective amount of a
competitive inhibitor of ouabain binding to ATP1A1 (such as
PST2238) is sufficient to reduce or eliminate a symptom of a viral
infection. For instance, this can be the amount necessary to
inhibit or prevent viral replication or to measurably alter outward
symptoms of the viral infection. In general, this amount will be
sufficient to measurably inhibit viral replication or
infectivity.
[0061] A therapeutically effective amount encompasses a fractional
dose that contributes in combination with previous or subsequent
administrations to attaining a therapeutic response. For example, a
therapeutically effective amount of an agent can be administered in
a single dose, or in several doses, for example daily, during a
course of treatment lasting several days or weeks. A unit dosage
form of the agent can be packaged in a therapeutic amount, or in
multiples of the therapeutic amount, for example, in a vial (e.g.,
with a pierceable lid) or syringe having sterile components.
[0062] Under conditions sufficient for: A phrase that is used to
describe any environment that permits a desired activity.
[0063] Viral infection: Infection of a subject by a virus,
including acute, chronic, and latent infection. Methods of
identifying and selecting a subject with a viral infection are
known.
II. Treating and Inhibiting Viral Infection
[0064] It is shown herein that administration of a competitive
antagonist of ouabain binding to ATP1A1 to a subject substantially
inhibits viral infection in the subject. Accordingly, methods are
provided herein for the inhibition and treatment of a viral
infection. The methods include administering to a subject a
therapeutically effective amount of a competitive antagonist of
ouabain binding to ATP1A1 (such as PST2238) to a subject with or at
risk of the viral infection (such as an RSV infection). The methods
can be used pre-exposure (for example, to prevent or inhibit
influenza A infection) or in post-exposure prophylaxis.
[0065] In some embodiments, the viral infection is an infection
with a negative-sense single-stranded RNA virus. In some
embodiments, the viral infection is an infection with a virus of
the Pneumoviridae family.
[0066] In some embodiments, the viral infection is an infection
with a virus that utilizes epidermal growth factor receptor
signaling for cellular entry. For example the infection is an
infection with any one of: Respiratory Syncytial Virus, Adenovirus,
Clade A New World arenavirus Pichinde, African swine fever virus,
Hepatitis C virus, Hepatitis B virus, Human cytomegalovirus, Herpes
simplex virus, Epstein-Barr virus, Influenza A virus, Human
papillomavirus, Human parainfluenza virus Type 1-3,
Adeno-associated virus, Enterovirus 71, Rhinovirus, Vaccinia virus,
Cowpox virus, Western Reserve, International Health Department-J,
Shope fibroma virus, Human immunodeficiency virus, Avian
erythroblastosis virus, or Mouse Cas NS-1 retrovirus.
[0067] In some embodiments, the viral infection is an infection
with a virus that utilizes ATP1A1 signaling for cellular entry. For
example, the infection is an infection with any one of: influenza
virus, Herpes simplex virus, Chikungunya virus, Human
immunodeficiency virus type 1, Adenovirus, Porcine reproductive and
respiratory syndrome virus 1, Ebola virus, Coronavirus, Hepatitis C
virus, Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus, Lassa virus, or Junin
virus.
[0068] The viral infection does not need to be completely
eliminated for the method to be effective. For example, the method
can reduce the viral infection by a desired amount, for example by
at least 10%, at least 20%, at least 50%, at least 60%, at least
70%, at least 80%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 98%, or
even at least 100% (elimination of detectable infection) as
compared to the infection in the absence of the treatment. In some
embodiments, the subject can also be treated with a therapeutically
effective amount of an additional agent, such as anti-viral
agent.
[0069] In one embodiment, administration of the competitive
antagonist of ouabain binding to ATP1A1 to the subject (such as
PST2238) results in a reduction in the establishment of the viral
infection and/or reduces subsequent viral disease progression in
the subject. A reduction in the establishment of the viral
infection and/or a reduction in subsequent disease progression
encompass any statistically significant reduction in viral activity
in the subject.
[0070] A subject can be selected for treatment that has, or is at
risk for developing a viral infection, for example because of
exposure or the possibility of exposure to the virus. Following
treatment, the subject can be monitored for infection or symptoms
associated therewith, or both.
[0071] Typical subjects intended for treatment with the methods of
the present disclosure include humans, as well as non-human
primates and other animals, such as cattle.
[0072] To identify subjects for prophylaxis or treatment according
to the methods of the disclosure, accepted screening methods are
employed to determine risk factors associated with a targeted or
suspected disease or condition, or to determine the status of an
existing disease or condition in a subject. These screening methods
include, for example, conventional work-ups to determine
environmental, familial, occupational, and other such risk factors
that may be associated with the targeted or suspected disease or
condition, as well as diagnostic methods, such as various ELISA and
other immunoassay methods, which are available and well known in
the art to detect and/or characterize viral infection (such as RSV
infection). These and other routine methods allow the clinician to
select patients in need of therapy using the methods of the
disclosure. In accordance with these methods and principles, a
composition can be administered according to the teachings herein,
or other conventional methods known to the person of ordinary skill
in the art, as an independent prophylaxis or treatment program, or
as a follow-up, adjunct or coordinate treatment regimen to other
treatments.
[0073] In a preferred embodiment, a desired response according to
the methods of the disclosure is to inhibit or reduce or prevent
RSV infection in a subject. The RSV infection does not need to be
completely eliminated or reduced or prevented for the method to be
effective. For example, administration of a therapeutically
effective amount of the competitive antagonist of ouabain binding
to ATP1A1 to the subject (such as PST2238) can reduce or inhibit
the RSV infection (for example, as measured by infection of cells,
or by number or percentage of subjects infected by RSV, by an
increase in the survival time of infected subjects, or by a
decrease in the severity of symptoms of infected subjects) by a
desired amount, for example by at least 10%, at least 20%, at least
50%, at least 60%, at least 70%, at least 80%, at least 90%, at
least 95%, at least 98%, or even at least 100% (elimination or
prevention of detectable RSV infection, as compared to a suitable
control).
[0074] A subject can be selected for treatment that has, or is at
risk for developing RSV infection, for example because of exposure
or the possibility of exposure to RSV. Following treatment, the
subject can be monitored for RSV infection or symptoms associated
therewith, or both.
[0075] Typical subjects intended for treatment for RSV infection
with the methods of the present disclosure include humans, as well
as non-human primates and other animals, such as cattle. Because
nearly all humans are infected with RSV by the age of 5, the entire
birth cohort is included as a relevant population for treatment.
Subjects at greatest risk of RSV infection with severe symptoms
(e.g. requiring hospitalization) include children with prematurity,
bronchopulmonary dysplasia, and congenital heart disease are most
susceptible to severe disease. Atopy or a family history of atopy
has also been associated with severe disease in infancy. During
childhood and adulthood, disease is milder but can be associated
with lower airway disease and is commonly complicated by sinusitis.
Disease severity increases in the institutionalized elderly (e.g.,
humans over 65 years old). Severe disease also occurs in persons
with severe combined immunodeficiency disease or following bone
marrow or lung transplantation. (See, e.g., Shay et al., JAMA,
282:1440-6, 1999; Hall et al., N Engl J Med. 2009; 360:588-598;
Glezen et al., Am J Dis Child., 1986; 140:543-546; and Graham,
Immunol. Rev., 239:149-166, 2011, each of which is incorporated by
reference herein). In some embodiments, these subjects can be
selected for administration of the competitive antagonist of
ouabain binding to ATP1A1 to the subject (such as PST2238) to
inhibit or treat RSV infection in the subject.
[0076] The administration of a disclosed agent can be for
prophylactic or therapeutic purpose. When provided
prophylactically, the agent can be provided in advance of any
symptom, for example in advance of infection. The prophylactic
administration serves to prevent or ameliorate any subsequent
infection. In some embodiments, the methods can involve selecting a
subject at risk for contracting viral (such as RSV) infection, and
administering a therapeutically effective amount of a competitive
antagonist of ouabain binding to ATP1A1 (such as PST2238) to the
subject. The competitive antagonist of ouabain binding to ATP1A1 to
the subject (such as PST2238) can be provided prior to the
anticipated exposure to RSV so as to attenuate the anticipated
severity, duration or extent of an infection and/or associated
disease symptoms, after exposure or suspected exposure to the
virus, or after the actual initiation of an infection.
[0077] When used therapeutically, the competitive antagonist of
ouabain binding to ATP1A1 (such as PST2238) is provided at or after
the onset of a symptom of RSV infection, or after diagnosis of RSV
infection. Treatment of RSV by inhibiting RSV replication or
infection can include delaying and/or reducing signs or symptoms of
RSV infection in a subject. In some examples, treatment using the
methods disclosed herein prolongs the time of survival of the
subject. In some embodiments, administration of the competitive
antagonist of ouabain binding to ATP1A1 to the subject (such as
PST2238) prevents or inhibits serious lower respiratory tract
disease, such as pneumonia and bronchiolitis, or croup.
[0078] The actual dosage of the competitive antagonist of ouabain
binding to ATP1A1 (such as PST2238) administered to the subject
will vary according to factors such as the disease indication and
particular status of the subject (for example, the subject's age,
size, fitness, extent of symptoms, susceptibility factors, and the
like), time and route of administration, other drugs or treatments
being administered concurrently, as well as the specific
pharmacology of the composition for eliciting the desired activity
or biological response in the subject. Dosage regimens can be
adjusted to provide an optimum prophylactic or therapeutic
response.
[0079] A therapeutically effective amount is also one in which any
toxic or detrimental side effect of the competitive antagonist of
ouabain binding to ATP1A1 (such as PST2238) is outweighed in
clinical terms by therapeutically beneficial effects. A
non-limiting range for a therapeutically effective amount of the
competitive antagonist of ouabain binding to ATP1A1 (such as
PST2238) within the methods of the disclosure is about 0.001 mg/kg
body weight to about 20 mg/kg body weight, such as about 0.005
mg/kg to about 5 mg/kg body weight, about 0.01 mg/kg to about 5
mg/kg body weight, about 0.05 mg/kg to about 5 mg/kg body weight,
about 0.1 mg/kg to about 5 mg/kg body weight, about 0.005 mg/kg to
about 10 mg/kg body weight, or about 0.01 mg/kg to about 10 mg/kg
body weight. In some embodiments, the dosage of the competitive
antagonist of ouabain binding to ATP1A1 (such as PST2238)
administered to the subject is about 5 mg twice a day for a
preselected period of time, such as 7 days or 14 days, or more or
fewer days. In some embodiments, the dosage of the competitive
antagonist of ouabain binding to ATP1A1 (such as PST2238)
administered to the subject is about 0.5 mg per day for a
preselected period of time, such as 7 days or 14 days, or a month,
or two months, or three months, or more or less time. The amount of
agent utilized is selected based on the subject population (e.g.,
infant or elderly). An optimal amount for a particular composition
can be ascertained by standard studies involving observation of
infection status and other responses in subjects. It is understood
that a therapeutically effective amount of the competitive
antagonist of ouabain binding to ATP1A1 (such as PST2238) can
include an amount that is ineffective for treating the viral
infection in the subject by administration of a single dose, but
that is effective upon administration of multiple dosages, for
example over the course of 1-2 weeks.
[0080] For each particular subject, specific dosage regimens can be
evaluated and adjusted over time according to the individual need
and professional judgment of the person administering or
supervising the administration of the competitive antagonist of
ouabain binding to ATP1A1.
[0081] Determination of effective dosages is typically based on
animal model studies followed up by human clinical trials and is
guided by administration protocols that significantly reduce the
occurrence or severity of targeted disease symptoms or conditions
in the subject, or that induce a desired response in the subject.
Suitable models in this regard include, for example, murine, rat,
porcine, feline, ferret, non-human primate, and other accepted
animal model subjects known in the art. Alternatively, effective
dosages can be determined using in vitro models (for example,
airway cells such as A549 cells or primary small airway epithelial
cells). Using such models, only ordinary calculations and
adjustments are required to determine an appropriate concentration
and dose to administer a therapeutically effective amount of the
composition (for example, amounts that are effective to alleviate
one or more symptoms of a targeted disease). In alternative
embodiments, an effective amount or effective dose of the
composition may simply inhibit or enhance one or more selected
biological activities correlated with a disease or condition, as
set forth herein, for either therapeutic or diagnostic
purposes.
III. Compositions and Administration Thereof
[0082] The competitive antagonist of ouabain binding to ATP1A1
(such as PST2238) can be administered to humans or other animals on
whose cells they are effective in various manners such as
topically, orally, intravenously, intramuscularly,
intraperitoneally, intratumorally, intranasally, intradermally,
intrathecally, and subcutaneously, by inhalation, by endotracheal
tube, or by injection into the intestine. By way of example, one
method of administration to the lungs of an individual is by
inhalation through the use of a nebulizer or inhaler. For example,
the competitive antagonist of ouabain binding to ATP1A1 (such as
PST2238) is formulated in an aerosol or particulate and drawn into
the lungs using a nebulizer.
[0083] The particular mode of administration and the dosage regimen
will be selected by the attending clinician, taking into account
the particulars of the case (e.g. the subject, the disease, the
disease state involved, and whether the treatment is prophylactic).
In cases in which more than one agent or composition is being
administered, one or more routes of administration may be used.
Treatment can involve daily or multi-daily doses of compound(s)
over a period of a few days to months, or even years.
[0084] The competitive antagonist of ouabain binding to ATP1A1
(such as PST2238) administered to the subject is typically included
in a pharmaceutical composition including a pharmaceutically
acceptable carrier or excipient. The pharmaceutically acceptable
carriers and excipients useful in the disclosed methods are
conventional. For instance, parenteral formulations usually
comprise fluids that are pharmaceutically and physiologically
acceptable fluid vehicles such as water, physiological saline,
other balanced salt solutions, aqueous dextrose, glycerol or the
like. Excipients that can be included are, for instance, proteins,
such as human serum albumin or plasma preparations. If desired, the
pharmaceutical composition to be administered may also contain
minor amounts of non-toxic auxiliary substances, such as wetting or
emulsifying agents, preservatives, and pH buffering agents and the
like, for example sodium acetate or sorbitan monolaurate. Actual
methods of preparing such dosage forms are known, or will be
apparent, to those skilled in the art.
[0085] The dosage form of the pharmaceutical composition will be
determined by the mode of administration chosen. For instance, in
addition to injectable fluids, topical and oral formulations can be
employed. Topical preparations can include eye drops, ointments,
sprays and the like. Oral formulations can be liquid (e.g. syrups,
solutions or suspensions), or solid (e.g. powders, pills, tablets,
or capsules). For solid compositions, conventional non-toxic solid
carriers can include pharmaceutical grades of mannitol, lactose,
starch, or magnesium stearate. Actual methods of preparing such
dosage forms are known, or will be apparent, to those skilled in
the art.
[0086] In some embodiments, site-specific administration of the
disclosed compounds can be used. Slow-release formulations are
known to those of ordinary skill in the art. By way of example,
polymers such as bis(p-carboxyphenoxy)propane-sebacic-acid or
lecithin suspensions may be used to provide sustained localized
release.
[0087] The formulations can be prepared by combining the
competitive antagonist of ouabain binding to ATP1A1 (such as
PST2238) uniformly and intimately with liquid carriers or finely
divided solid carriers or both. The formulations can also be
prepared by combining microparticles including or consisting of the
nanoparticles uniformly and intimately with liquid carriers or
finely divided solid carriers or both.
[0088] The pharmaceutical compositions that comprise the
competitive antagonist of ouabain binding to ATP1A1 (such as
PST2238) can be formulated in unit dosage form, suitable for
individual administration of precise dosages. The amount of active
compound(s) administered will be dependent on the subject being
treated, the severity of the affliction, and the manner of
administration, and is best left to the judgment of the prescribing
clinician. Within these bounds, the formulation to be administered
will contain a quantity of the active component(s) in amounts
effective to achieve the desired effect in the subject being
treated. Multiple treatments are envisioned, such as over defined
intervals of time, such as daily, bi-weekly, weekly, bi-monthly or
monthly, such that chronic administration is achieved.
Administration may begin whenever appropriate as determined by the
treating physician.
[0089] The compositions or pharmaceutical compositions can include
a nanoparticle including the competitive antagonist of ouabain
binding to ATP1A1 (such as PST2238), which can be administered
locally, such as by pulmonary inhalation or intra-tracheal
delivery. When nanoparticles are provided, or microparticles
including or consisting of these nanoparticles are provided, e.g.
for inhalation or infusion, they are generally suspended in an
aqueous carrier, for example, in an isotonic buffer solution at a
pH of about 3.0 to about 8.0, preferably at a pH of about 3.5 to
about 7.4, 3.5 to 6.0, or 3.5 to about 5.0. Useful buffers include
sodium citrate-citric acid and sodium phosphate-phosphoric acid,
and sodium acetate-acetic acid buffers. A form of repository or
"depot" slow release preparation may be used so that
therapeutically effective amounts of the preparation are delivered
into the bloodstream over many hours or days following transdermal
injection or delivery.
[0090] For administration by inhalation, nanoparticles or
microparticles including the ouabain antagonist (such as PST2238)
can be conveniently delivered in the form of an aerosol spray
presentation from pressurized packs or a nebulizer, with the use of
a suitable propellant, such as dichlorodifluoromethane,
trichlorofluoromethane, dichlorotetrafluoroethane, carbon dioxide
or other suitable gas. In the case of a pressurized aerosol, the
dosage unit can be determined by providing a valve to deliver a
metered amount. Capsules and cartridges for use in an inhaler or
insufflator can be formulated containing a powder mix of the
compound and a suitable powder base such as lactose or starch.
[0091] The site of particle deposition within the respiratory tract
is demarcated based on particle size. In one example, particles of
about 1 to about 500 microns are utilized, such as particles of
about 25 to about 250 microns, or about 10 to about 25 microns are
utilized. In other embodiments, particles of about 1 to 50 microns
are utilized. For use in a metered dose inhaler, for administration
to lungs particles of less than about 10 microns, such as particles
of about 2 to about 8 microns, such as about 1 to about 5 microns,
such as particles of 2 to 3 microns, can be utilized.
[0092] Methods of administration include injection for which the
competitive antagonist of ouabain binding to ATP1A1 (such as
PST2238) or a composition including the competitive antagonist of
ouabain binding to ATP1A1 (such as PST2238) is provided in a
nontoxic pharmaceutically acceptable carrier such as water, saline,
Ringer's solution, dextrose solution, 5% human serum albumin, fixed
oils, ethyl oleate, or liposomes.
[0093] The pharmaceutical compositions that comprise the
competitive antagonist of ouabain binding to ATP1A1 (such as
PST2238) can be formulated in unit dosage form, suitable for
individual administration of precise dosages. The amount of active
compound(s) administered will be dependent on the subject being
treated, the severity of the affliction, and the manner of
administration, and is best left to the judgment of the prescribing
clinician. Within these bounds, the formulation to be administered
will contain a quantity of the active component(s) in amounts
effective to achieve the desired effect in the subject being
treated.
EXAMPLES
[0094] The following examples are provided to illustrate particular
features of certain embodiments, but the scope of the claims should
not be limited to those features exemplified.
Example 1
ATP1A1 Mediates the Macropinocytic Entry of RSV in Human
Respiratory Epithelial Cells
[0095] Human RSV is the leading viral cause of acute pediatric
lower respiratory tract infections worldwide, with no available
vaccine or effective antiviral drug. To gain insight into
virus-host interactions, a genome-wide siRNA screen was performed.
The expression of over 20,000 cellular genes was individually
knocked down in human airway epithelial A549 cells, followed by
infection with RSV expressing enhanced green fluorescent protein
(GFP). Knock-down of expression of the cellular ATP1A1 protein,
which is the major subunit of the Na.sup.+,K.sup.+-ATPase sodium
pump, had the strongest inhibitory effect on GFP expression and
viral titer with minimal effects on cell viability. Inhibition was
not observed for vesicular stomatitis virus, indicating that it was
RSV-specific rather than a general effect. RSV triggered clustering
of ATP1A1 in the plasma membrane very early post-infection, which
was independent of replication but dependent on the attachment
glycoprotein G. RSV also triggered activation of cell surface
ATP1A1, resulting in signaling by autophosphorylation of c-Src
kinase and transactivation of epidermal growth factor receptor
(EGFR) by Tyr845 phosphorylation. Activation of both c-Src and EGFR
was required for RSV entry. The signaling function of ATP1A1 was
found to be essential for RSV entry: entry was inhibited by the
cardiotonic steroids ouabain and PST2238 (rostafuroxin) that bind
specifically to the ATP1A1 extracellular domain and block its
signaling. Signaling events downstream of EGFR culminated in the
macropinocytic entry of RSV into the host cell. RSV virions at the
beginning of infection were found in macropinosomes, suggesting
that this is a major route of RSV uptake, with fusion presumably
occurring in the macropinosomes rather than at the plasma membrane.
The results described below identify ATP1A1 as a host protein
essential for macropinocytic entry of RSV into respiratory
epithelial cells, and also show that PST2238 is effective as an
anti-RSV agent.
Introduction
[0096] A number of host proteins and pathways have been suggested
to play roles in RSV attachment and entry, but a detailed
understanding remained elusive. For instance, it was shown that RSV
utilizes lipid rafts in cholesterol-rich microdomains on the cell
surface known as caveolae as a docking platform (San-Juan-Vergara
et al., J Virol. 2012; 86(3):1832-43) essential for RSV entry. Cell
surface GAGs also appear to be important in RSV attachment to
immortalized cell lines (Hallak et al., J Virol. 2000;
74(22):10508-13), but GAGs do not appear to be present on the
apical surfaces of primary epithelial cells and so may not play an
important role in vivo. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)
signaling has been postulated to play a role in triggering
macropinocytic uptake of RSV (Krzyzaniak et al., PLoS Pathogens.
2013; 9(4):e1003309), but how this occurs was unknown. It remained
unknown if EGFR alone is sufficient or requires other factors to
initiate signaling, or if EGFR and its associated signaling are
somehow physically linked with caveolae. While RSV entry generally
has been thought to involve fusion between the viral envelope and
the plasma membrane, new evidence suggested either of two
additional, different uptake pathways, namely EGFR-triggered
macropinocytosis (Krzyzaniak et al., PLoS Pathogens. 2013;
9(4):e1003309) and clathrin-mediated endocytosis (Kolokoltsov et
al., J Virol. 2007; 81(14):7786-800). It was unclear if one or both
are involved.
[0097] A genome-wide siRNA screen was previously described in which
the expression of over 20,000 genes of human airway epithelial A549
cells was individually knocked down with three individual siRNAs
per gene followed by infection with recombinant RSV expressing
enhanced green fluorescent protein (RSV-GFP) (Mehedi et al., PLOS
Pathogens. 2016; 12(12):e1006062). The goal was to identify host
proteins affecting the efficiency of RSV infection and replication.
The target genes identified by the high throughput screen were
confirmed with at least three additional, different siRNAs per
gene. The greatest reduction of GFP expression, with minimal effect
on cell viability, was observed by knocking down the expression of
the gene encoding the cellular protein ATP1A1, which is the major
subunit of the Na.sup.+K.sup.+ ATPase ion pump. The present example
shows the role of this cellular protein in RSV infection.
[0098] Na.sup.+K.sup.+ ATPase, bearing the ATP1A1 subunit, has been
well-characterized as the sole receptor for cardiotonic steroids
such as ouabain, which are its sole agonists initiating signaling.
Ouabain has been reported in humans as an endogenous hormone-like
agent that contributes to the regulation of blood pressure, among
other things, via ATP1A1 signaling.
[0099] ATP1A1 does not possess a known cytoplasmic signaling
domain, but is bound through its cytoplasmic tail to the cellular
kinase c-src. Ouabain binding to Na.sup.+K.sup.+ ATPase confers a
conformation change to c-src that exposes its kinase domain (Tian
et al., Mol Biology Cell. 2006; 17(1):317-26), leading to
autophosphorylation of c-src at tyrosine 418. This can trigger
several different signaling pathways, depending on the cell type,
including: (i) the PLC-gamma pathway, (ii) the MAPK cascade, and
(iii) the PI3K pathway (reviewed in (Reinhard et al., Cell Mol Life
Sciences: CMLS. 2013; 70(2):205-22; Xie et al., Mol Interv. 2003;
3(3):157-68). The MAPK and PI3K pathways also involve
c-src-mediated transactivation of EGFR. EGFR is a tyrosine kinase
that, upon EGF binding at its ectodomain, is autophosphorylated at
its cytoplasmic domain, resulting in the induction of downstream
signaling. However, c-src-mediated activation of EGFR occurs in an
EGF-independent manner that can involve phosphorylation at
alternative tyrosine residues (Donepudi et al., Cellular
Signalling. 2008; 20(7):1359-67; Biscardi et al., J Biol Chem.
1999; 274(12):8335-43). Notably, ATP1A1 signaling can lead to the
induction of various endocytic pathways. For example, c-src
mediated phosphorylation of EGFR can induce macropinocytosis
(Donepudi et al., Cellular Signalling. 2008; 20(7):1359-67),
similar to the well characterized EGF-induced macropinocytosis
(Swanson et al., Trends Cell Biol. 1995; 5(11):424-8; Hewlett et
al., J Cell Biol. 1994; 124(5):689-703). The PI3K pathway can
induce clathrin-mediated endocytosis, which removes Na.sup.+K.sup.+
ATPase from the plasma membrane for degradation in the lysosome
(Cherniaysky-Lev et al., J Biol Chem. 2014; 289(2):1049-59; Liu et
al., Kidney Int. 2005; 67(5):1844-54). Incidentally, this results
in decreased ion channel activity and increased blood pressure, and
this can be reversed by a synthetic digitoxigenin derivative called
rostafuroxin or PST2238, which competitively inhibits ouabain
binding and signaling (Ferrari et al., J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 1998;
285(1):83-94) and is used therapeutically to lower this kind of
hypertension.
[0100] The mechanism of how ATP1A1 might participate in virus
infection was largely unknown. Here, a novel role for ATP1A1
signaling in enabling RSV entry into human airway epithelial cells
is reported. It is demonstrated that RSV induces the signaling
function of ATP1A1, reminiscent of ouabain-induced ATP1A1
signaling, to enable cell entry by a mechanism that is dependent on
activation of c-Src and EGFR. Evidence is also provided that RSV
enters the host cell engulfed in large fluid filled macropinosomes,
a location where it presumably fuses and releases the nucleocapsids
into the cytoplasm. It is also shown that RSV-induced ATP1A1
signaling occurs at the caveolae, can be inhibited by the
cardiotonic steroid such as ouabain, or a digitoxigenin derivative
PST2238, as well as by cholesterol-depletion.
Results
[0101] Knock-Down of ATP1A1 Expression by siRNA Transfection.
[0102] A high-throughput siRNA screen in human airway epithelial
A549 cells infected with RSV-GFP, with GFP expression as a
surrogate for viral gene expression, showed that knock-down of the
expression of the cellular ATP1A1 gene had the greatest inhibitory
effect on GFP expression, with minimal effects on cell viability.
Three siRNAs with the greatest effect on ATP1A1 expression and RSV
infection were used for further experiments, with two different
scrambled siRNAs (Neg. siRNA 1 and 2) as negative controls. To
confirm the efficiency of knock-down of ATP1A1 mRNA, A549 cells
were transfected with this set of five siRNAs, total
cell-associated RNA was isolated at 24, 48, and 72 h post-infection
(p.i.), and ATP1A1 mRNA was quantified by a TaqMan assay and
reported as fold-change relative to Neg. siRNA1 (FIG. 1A). At 24 h
post transfection (p.t.), the level of ATP1A1 mRNA was reduced to
below 5% compared to Neg. siRNA 1, and showed only modest further
reductions at 48 and 72 h p.t. To measure the expression of ATP1A1
protein, A549 cell lysates were prepared at 24, 48 and 72 h p.t.
and subjected to Western blot analysis (FIG. 1B). The band
intensities were quantified and presented as fold-change relative
to Neg. siRNA1 (FIG. 1C). At 24 h p.t. ATP1A1 protein was reduced
about 50% for all three ATP1A1 specific siRNAs (siRNA 1-3). ATP1A1
protein expression further reduced at 48 h p.t. to 39% (siRNA1 and
3) and 35% (siRNA2) and did not show any further reduction at 72 h
p.t.
[0103] The transfected cells showed no visible cytotoxicity or
morphological changes over the period of 72 h. For more sensitive
evaluation, ATP-dependent luciferase activity, which correlates
with ATP amount and reflects cell viability, was measured in cell
lysates at 72 h p.t. (FIG. 1D). The data are reported as
fold-change relative to mock-transfected cells. The ATP1A1 siRNA
knock-down showed only minimal reductions in cell viability (FIG.
1D). The greatest reduction was observed for siRNA 1 at 18%, while
siRNA 2 and siRNA 3 had reductions of 11% and 5%, respectively
(FIG. 1D).
[0104] ATP1A1 Knock-Down Reduces RSV Infection.
[0105] A549 cells were transfected with the panel of siRNAs
targeting ATP1A1 48 h prior to infection with RSV-GFP at an MOI of
1 plaque forming unit (PFU)/cell. The efficiency of virus infection
and replication were evaluated by GFP expression quantified by
ELISA reader and flow cytometry, shown in FIGS. 2A and 2C,
respectively. By ELISA reader, all three ATP1A1-specific siRNAs
reduced the amount of GFP expression by about 50 to 75% compared to
Neg. siRNA 1 (FIG. 2A). This level of reduction was substantial
given that the residual level of ATP1A1 expression remained 35% or
greater, as was shown in FIG. 1C. The effects on infection with
vesicular stomatitis virus expressing GFP (VSV-GFP) were assessed.
ATP1A1 knock-down had no effect on GFP expression by VSV-GFP (FIG.
2B). This indicated that the reduction in GFP expression observed
with RSV-GFP was specific to RSV, did not affect VSV, and was not
due to some general effect on cellular functions. Analysis of cells
infected with RSV-GFP (MOI=1.0 PFU/cell) by flow cytometry 24 h
p.i. showed that knock-down of ATP1A1 resulted in a broad reduction
in RSV-GFP expression in the infected-cell population rather than a
reduction in the number of GFP-expressing cells (FIG. 2C).
[0106] The effects on the production of progeny RSV were assessed
24 h p.i. The infected cells were collected by scraping, vortexed
to release cell-associated virus, and pelleted by centrifugation.
Virus titers in the clarified supernatants were quantified by
plaque titration on Vero cells (FIG. 2D). This showed that, with
ATP1A1 knock-down, RSV titers were reduced between 5- (siRNA3) and
42-fold (siRNA2) compared to Neg. siRNA 1 at 24 h p.i., an effect
that was even more dramatic than the reduction in GFP expression
described above (FIG. 2D versus 2A and C); ATP1A1 siRNA 2 showed
the strongest effect in both cases.
[0107] ATP1A1 Forms Clusters Early During RSV Infection Independent
of Viral Gene Transcription or Replication.
[0108] A549 cells were infected with wt RSV (MOI=5 PFU/cell), fixed
at different times p.i., and subjected to immunofluorescence
staining for ATP1A1 and RSV F protein. In mock-treated (uninfected)
cells, ATP1A1 was homogenously distributed on the plasma membrane
(FIG. 3A, top row). Following infection with wt RSV, clusters of
ATP1A1 were observed as early as 15 min p.i. (FIG. 3A, second row
from top), whereas these clusters were not evident in uninfected
cells (FIG. 3A, top row). With time, the ATP1A1 clusters became
more prominent and numerous, as shown for 30 min and 5 h p.i. (FIG.
3A, third and fourth rows from top). Some ATP1A1 clusters, but not
all, partially co-localized with RSV F protein (FIG. 3A, indicated
by arrows). The localization of clustered ATP1A1 in close proximity
to RSV F became more noticeable at later time points such as 5 h
p.i. (FIG. 3A, bottom panel). Localization of ATP1A1 clusters close
to RSV N protein also could be observed (FIG. 4 and FIG. 13),
suggesting that the RSV-specific staining most likely reflects
enveloped virions (which had not yet fused). Similar clustering of
ATP1A1 and RSV N protein also was observed for UV-inactivated RSV
(FIG. 13), indicating that the staining largely involved pre-formed
proteins from the incoming virus, and that clustering does not
require transcription of the complete viral genome, viral RNA
replication, and virus replication.
[0109] Cross-sections (FIG. 3B) of images of RSV-infected A549
cells 5 h p.i. indicate that the ATP1A1 clustering occurred at the
cell surface and was localized close to the RSV virions. Given the
very early appearance of ATP1A1 clusters, independent of viral
transcription or replication, it was hypothesized that ATP1A1 might
be involved in an early step of infection such as viral entry.
[0110] Lack of Interaction of ATP1A1 with RSV Proteins.
[0111] If ATP1A1 is involved in early steps of infection, it was
hypothesized that one or more of the RSV proteins, and especially
the three viral surface glycoproteins F, G, and SH, might interact
with ATP1A1. Various immunoprecipitation assays were performed to
investigate binding. For example, we used the human lung epithelial
cell line H1299 ATP1A1-YFP that chromosomally expressed, from one
allele, ATP1A1 genetically fused to yellow fluorescent protein
(YFP) tag (Sigal et al., Nature methods. 2006; 3(7):525-31;
Frenkel-Morgenstern et al., Nucleic acids research. 2010;
38(Database issue):D508-12.). These cells were infected with RSV,
lysed, and co-immunoprecipitation was performed with YFP-specific
antibodies followed by Western blotting with antibodies to RSV
proteins. Comparable co-precipitation experiments in which, prior
to lysis, the cells were treated with the permeable, reversible
cross-linker dithiobis (succinimidyl propionate) were also
performed. RSV virions were also incubated with ATP1A1 immobilized
on beads. However, there was no evidence of binding between ATP1A1
and RSV proteins in these various experiments. A cell-based binding
assay was also performed, as described by Martinez et al. (J
General Virol. 2000; 81(Pt 11):2715-22), with A549 cells that were
siRNA-transfected to knock down ATP1A1 (FIG. 14). At 48 h post
siRNA transfection, cells were detached and incubated with the RSV
inoculum (MOI=10 PFU/cell) on ice for 30 min. Cells were
extensively washed and bound virus was detected with a pool of RSV
F specific antibodies. The samples were analyzed on Canto II flow
cytometer and the MFI reported as fold-change relative to Neg.
siRNA1 transfected cells. ATP1A1 knock-down did not show an
appreciable reduction in RSV binding (FIG. 14), indicating that
ATP1A1 likely did not contribute to attachment by RSV. Treatment of
the cells with heparinase I prior to exposure to RSV to remove cell
surface GAGs, which was done to eliminate GAG-mediated RSV
attachment, also did not reveal any contribution of ATP1A1 to RSV
attachment. Therefore, there was no evidence of stable binding of
any RSV protein to ATP1A1.
[0112] RSV G Protein is Required for ATP1A1 Clustering.
[0113] As another means of exploring early events in RSV infection,
whether RSV mutants bearing the deletion of the SH protein (dSH) or
the deletion of SH and the attachment G glycoprotein (dSH/dG) were
able to trigger the clustering of ATP1A1 (deletion of RSV F could
not be investigated because it abrogates infectivity) was
investigated. A549 cells were infected with wt RSV, RSV dSH, or RSV
dSH/dG (MOI=10 PFU/cell) and incubated for 5 h at 37.degree. C.
Cells were fixed, permeabilized and immunostained with antibodies
specific to ATP1A1 (green) and RSV N (red). Wt RSV was included as
a reference and showed increased cluster formation due to the
increased MOI of 10 PFU/cell (FIG. 4) compared to an MOI of 5
PFU/cell (FIG. 3). The RSV dSH virus induced clustering that was
very similar to that with wt RSV, indicating that deletion of the
SH protein seemed to have no effect on ATP1A1 clustering. On the
other hand, the dSH/dG virus did not induce any ATP1A1 clustering,
and the presumed viral particles, stained for RSV N in red, were
reduced in amount and much more dispersed and did not accumulate in
larger vesicles as seen for wt RSV and the dSH virus. The lack of
ATP1A1 cluster formation with the dSH/dG virus suggested that RSV G
protein is involved in triggering ATP1A1 clustering as part of RSV
entry.
[0114] Ouabain and PST2238 (Rostafuroxin) Inhibit RSV
Infection.
[0115] The clustering of ATP1A1 upon RSV exposure seemed to be
analogous to that observed for cell surface receptors known to
facilitate intracellular signaling in response to ligand binding
(Gopalakrishnan et al., Biophys J. 2005; 89(6):3686-700). This
suggested that the signaling function of ATP1A1 might play a role
in RSV infection. As noted above, the only known agonists for
ATP1A1 signaling are cardiotonic steroids such as ouabain, which
activates non-receptor tyrosine kinase Src-mediated signaling
pathways and induces endocytosis including clathrin-mediated,
caveolin-mediated, and macropinocytosis. The synthetic
digitoxigenin derivative PST2238 is a competitive inhibitor of
ouabain that competes for its binding site on ATP1A1 and thus
inhibits ouabain binding and signaling (Ferrari et al., J Pharmacol
Exp Ther. 1998; 285(1):83-94).
[0116] Serial dilutions of ouabain and PST2238 were evaluated for
cytotoxicity on A549 cells and the IC.sub.50 was determined for
each (FIG. 15). Concentrations for ouabain (25 nM) and PST2238 (20
.mu.M) were selected that had less than 20% reduction in cell
viability 24 h post treatment (FIG. 15C-D), which was the longest
treatment period for these studies. The effects of ouabain and
PST2238 on ATP1A1 and EGFR expression were analyzed by
immunofluorescence microscopy (FIG. 5A) using antibodies specific
for ATP1A1 and EGFR. In mock-treated cells, ATP1A1 and EGFR had
homogeneous membrane distributions as well as diffuse localization
in the cytoplasm (FIG. 5A, left column). After 24 h treatment with
ouabain, the ATP1A1 level was greatly reduced (FIG. 5A, middle
column, top panel)--due to the removal of cell-surface
Na.sup.+,K.sup.+ATPase by clathrin-mediated endocytosis induced by
ATP1A1 signaling (Introduction)--while EGFR expression and
localization appeared unchanged (FIG. 5A, middle column, bottom
panel). On the other hand, PST2238 (FIG. 5A, right panel) had no
discernible effect on the expression and localization of ATP1A1 or
EGFR: this compound does not cause removal of ATP1A1 because it
does not induce ATP1A1 signaling and endocytosis.
[0117] Next, ouabain and PST2238 were tested for their effects on
RSV infection in an experiment similar to that for the siRNA
knock-downs. A549 cells were pre-treated overnight with ouabain or
PST2238, inoculated with RSV-GFP (MOI=1 PFU/cell) and incubated
with the compounds present throughout. RSV infection was evaluated
by (i) GFP expression 17 h p.i. (FIG. 5B), and (ii) the yield of
progeny RSV harvested 24 h p.i., quantified by plaque assay on Vero
cells (FIG. 5C). Both methods correlated well, and demonstrated a
reduction in RSV replication for both compounds that was greater
than that achieved with the ATP1A1-specific siRNAs (siRNA2, FIG.
2). Ouabain had the strongest effect: it reduced viral GFP
expression by 96% and virus yield by almost 3.0 log.sub.10 compared
to mock-treated cells. PST2238 reduced viral GFP expression by 89%
and virus yield by 2.0 log.sub.10 compared to infected cells that
did not receive either drug. These findings suggest that RSV
infection requires an interaction--either by a viral component or
some intermediate--with the extracellular domain of ATP1A1 that can
be blocked by ouabain or PST2238. Since PST2238 does not remove
ATP1A1 from the cell surface, it likely blocks the signaling
function of ATP1A1 through inhibiting RSV triggered ATP
activation.
[0118] To determine the stage of RSV infection that is inhibited by
the compounds, a "time of addition" experiment was performed. A549
cells were infected with RSV-GFP (MOI=3 PFU/cell), and at different
time points ouabain (FIGS. 5 D and E) or PST2238 (FIGS. 5 F and G)
were added. Cells were incubated for a total of 24 h p.i. and the
viral GFP expression intensity of single, live cells was analyzed
by flow cytometry. For both compounds, the strongest inhibitory
effect was observed as early as 0 h when the inhibitor was added
simultaneously with RSV-GFP showing 85% and 66% reduction of GFP
expression by ouabain and PST2238, respectively (FIG. 5 D-G). The
inhibition of infection continued to diminish and was almost
completely lost at 10 h p.i. These results corroborate with the
above described clustering of ATP1A1 (FIG. 3) early during
infection to strongly suggest a role for ATP1A1 in an early event
of infection i.e., possibly signaling and entry.
[0119] Whether PST2238 treatment had any effect on the clustering
of ATP1A1 and RSV proteins was also investigated. A549 cells were
treated with PST2238 overnight (PST2238 was used because it does
not affect the accumulation of ATP1A1), infected with RSV (MOI=5
PFU/cell), incubated for 5 hours, fixed, permeabilized and
immunostained as described above with antibodies specific to ATP1A1
and RSV F protein, and visualized by confocal microscopy. PST2238
treatment had no apparent effect on the clustering of ATP1A1. This
indicates that clustering of ATP1A1 was not affected by the
presence of PST2238 bound to the extracellular domain of ATP1A1.
Clustering also did not depend on signaling from ATP1A1, consistent
with it being induced early in infection.
[0120] Src-Kinase Activity is Required for RSV Entry.
[0121] The downstream signaling pathways of ATP1A1 that might be
involved in ATP1A1 dependent RSV entry was next investigated. As
noted above, binding of ouabain to ATP1A1 activates the
c-Src-kinase that transactivates EGFR signaling. To test the
hypothesis that RSV might use a similar signaling pathway for
entry, it was investigated whether c-Src activity is needed for RSV
infection by using two Src-kinase inhibitors PP2 and Src-Inhibitor
I (SrcI-I). A549 cells were pre-treated with non-toxic
concentrations (FIG. 16) of these inhibitors separately or together
for 5 h followed by infection with RSV-GFP (MOI=1 PFU/cell) in the
continued presence of inhibitors. The efficiency of RSV infection
was evaluated by (i) GFP expression at 17 h p.i. for all treatments
(FIG. 6A), and (ii) RSV titration at 24 h p.i. for cells that had
been treated with both inhibitors (SrcI-I+PP2) (FIG. 6B). Each Src
inhibitor showed a modest, but significant (p<0.0001) reduction
in GFP intensity of 23% (SrcI-I) and 33% (PP2) relative to
mock-treated, infected cells. If added together, the inhibitory
effect was additive reaching 45% reduction compared to
mock-treated, infected cells. The RSV titer (PFU) for the combined
Src-inhibitor treatment showed a 2-fold, significant (two-tailed,
unpaired t-test, p=0.0014) reduction compared to mock-treated,
infected cells. These data confirmed that Src-kinase activity
contributes to RSV infection.
[0122] EGFR Knock-Down Reduces RSV Infection.
[0123] Next, it was investigated whether EGFR, a downstream
signaling partner of Src kinase, made a contribution to RSV
infection. EGFR-specific siRNAs that reduced EGFR expression in
A549 cells to 15% at the protein level compared to Neg. siRNA1 48 h
p.t., with minimal effect on cell viability were identified. A549
cells were transfected with EGFR-specific, ATP1A1-specific, or
control siRNA for 48 h and evaluated by immunofluorescence staining
for EGFR and ATP1A1. This showed that the ATP1A1 and EGFR siRNAs
greatly reduced the expression of their corresponding target
proteins on the plasma membrane (FIG. 7 A, ATP1A1 top panel; EGFR:
bottom panel) without affecting EGFR and ATP1A1, respectively,
whose expression remained similar to that of Neg siRNA.
[0124] EGFR knock-down cells were infected with RSV-GFP and
infection was evaluated by viral GFP intensity quantified by ELISA
reader 17 h p.i. (FIG. 7 B) and by plaque titration 24 h p.i. on
Vero cells (FIG. 7 C). EGFR knock-down resulted in a nearly 50%
reduction in viral GFP expression (FIG. 7B) as compared to Neg.
siRNA 1 (p=0.0001). There also was a 38% reduction in RSV titer
compared to Neg. siRNA 2 (p=0.0015) or mock-transfected cells
(p=0.0001) (FIG. 7 C). There was a modest but consistent reduction
in PFU titer for Neg. siRNA1 for unknown reason and hence the
reduction in titer for EGFR siRNA treated cells was not
significantly lower compared to this particular control siRNA (ns,
p=0.9891), but as noted above the reduction in GFP expression was
highly significant. None of the siRNAs had an effect on cell
viability (FIG. 7 D). Taken together, these data indicate that EGFR
plays a role in RSV infection.
[0125] EGFR Tyrosine 845 is Phosphorylated in Response to RSV
Infection and is ATP1A1 Dependent.
[0126] EGFR phosphorylation during RSV infection was investigated
next. As described in FIG. 8, A549 cells were pretreated by
transfection with ATP1A1 or Neg. siRNAs, or were pretreated with
ouabain or PST2238 or the Src inhibitors SrcI-1+PP2. The cells were
then infected with RSV (MOI=5 PFU/cell) and lysates were prepared
following 5 h of incubation. The lysates were analyzed using an
EGFR phosphorylation array to identify the EGFR sites that were
phosphorylated during infection.
[0127] The array contained phosphospecific antibodies against 17
different specific sites of the human EGFR family, plus a positive
control antibody that binds EGFR irrespective of phosphorylation,
which were spotted on nitrocellulose membrane. Replicate membranes
were incubated with the different cell lysates, and captured EGFR
was quantified by a second, biotinylated, antibody against EGFR
(pan EGFR), followed by horseradish peroxidase conjugated
streptavidin, and luminescence detection by an X-ray film. The spot
intensity values were normalized to internal array controls and to
the total amount of EGFR present in the lysates. Values are
reported relative to Neg. siRNA 1 (for siRNA treated) or to
mock-treated infected (for inhibitor treated) cells.
[0128] EGFR in lysates of uninfected A549 cells had detectable
phosphorylation at Thr686 and Serl113 (FIG. 17). EGFR in
RSV-infected cells contained a similar amount of phosphorylation at
these two sites, and in addition was phosphorylated at Tyr845 (FIG.
8 and FIG. 17A). The level of pTyr845 was significantly
(p<0.0001) reduced in the ATP1A1 siRNA knock-down cells, to an
average of 35% (siRNA1), 22% (siRNA2), and 33% (siRNA3) relative to
Neg. siRNA1 (FIG. 8B). The phosphorylation of Tyr845 in
RSV-infected cells was similar to Neg. siRNA1. While it was
slightly reduced for Neg. siRNA2, the difference was not
significant (p=0.3651) compared to Neg. siRNA1. Consistent with the
ATP1A1 knock-down, a significant reduction in Tyr845
phosphorylation also was observed when the cells were pre-treated
with ouabain, PST2238, or Src-kinase inhibitors (SrcI-I+PP2) prior
to infection with RSV (FIG. 8 C). For ouabain- and PST2238-treated
cells, the level of pTyr845 was reduced to 27% and 26%,
respectively, compared to mock-treated RSV infected cells; the
reduction was similar to that observed for ATP1A1 knock-down. To
confirm a lack of a direct inhibitory effect of Ouabain or PST2238
on EGFR, A549 cells were pre-treated with PST2238 or Ouabain and
stimulated with EGF for 45 min. The EGF-induced phosphorylation of
pTyr845 indeed was not affected by the compounds as compared to
mock-treated cells (FIG. 8D). Inhibiting the Src-kinases
(SrcI-I+PP2) reduced phosphorylation at Tyr845 to 12% compared to
mock-treated, infected cells (FIG. 8C). Thus, phosphorylation at
EGFR Tyr845 could be reduced either by decreasing ATP1A1 expression
or by ATP1A1- or Src-specific inhibitors. This suggested that EGFR
pTyr845 is ATP1A1-dependent and that Src kinase serves as a
signaling effector to transactivate EGFR by Tyr845
phosphorylation.
[0129] Macropinocytosis is Induced by RSV and is Mediated by
ATP1A1.
[0130] EGFR signaling is known to cause actin rearrangement,
membrane ruffling, and activation of endocytosis and
macropinocytosis (Donepudi et al., Cellular Signalling. 2008;
20(7):1359-67; Swanson et al., Trends Cell Biol. 1995; 5(11):424-8;
Hewlett et al., J Cell Biol. 1994; 124(5):689-703).
Macropinocytosis is an unspecific, fluidic uptake at the cell
surface that initiates through actin rearrangement and membrane
ruffling. Limited prior evidence suggested macropinocytosis as a
mode of RSV entry (Krzyzaniak et al., PLoS Pathogens. 2013;
9(4):e1003309; Mehedi et al., PLOS Pathogens. 2016;
12(12):e1006062). In the present study, a fluorescent
dye-conjugated dextran was used as a fluidic uptake marker,
visualized with fluorescence confocal microscopy, to assess
macropinosome formation and the role of ATP1A1 in this process.
A549 cells were infected with wt RSV (MOI=5 PFU/cell) in the
presence of Alexa Fluor 568-conjugated Dextran (10,000 MW). At 5h
p.i., cells were washed and fixed, nuclei were counterstained with
DAPI, and the uptake of dextran was analyzed by fluorescence
confocal microscopy. Cells that had been mock-infected were found
to contain dextran-positive vesicles that were small, round, and
homogeneous in size of an average volume of .about.0.5 .mu.m.sup.3
(FIG. 9A, top panel) and reflect the basal level of dextran uptake.
This phenotype changed dramatically by 5 h after infection with wt
RSV (FIG. 9A, bottom panel). The dextran positive vesicles were
much bigger (average volume of .about.5.7 .mu.m.sup.3), irregular
in shape, and reflected the typical morphology of macropinosomes.
This showed that RSV infection induces macropinocytosis.
[0131] Next, A549 cells were infected with RSV in the presence of
dextran-AF568 and at 5 h p.i. were co-stained for ATP1A1 (Alexa
Fluor 488; green) and RSV-N (marker of RSV virions) (Alexa Fluor
647; red) and visualized them along with dextran (Alexa Fluor 568;
cyan) by fluorescence confocal microscopy. As previously noted, 5 h
p.i. is very early in RSV infection, and the N protein that is
detected would be mainly from the input virus particles, as was
shown with UV-inactivated virus. Clusters of ATP1A1 were observed
co-localized with RSV N protein in the dextran-positive
macropinosomes (FIG. 9B, indicated by arrows), indicating that RSV
was indeed taken up by macropinocytosis. Co-staining for RSV F and
N was also performed and showed that both proteins were
co-localized in the dextran-positive macropinosomes (FIG. 9 C). The
presence of RSV F suggests that the RSV detected in the
macropinosomes was enveloped, indicating that fusion and release of
nucleocapsid presumably occurred subsequently in internal vesicles
rather than at the plasma membrane.
[0132] To examine the role of ATP1A1 in this putative uptake
mechanism, ATP1A1 expression was knocked down with siRNA, or the
cells were treated with ouabain or PST2238, followed by infection
with RSV (MOI=5 PFU/cell) in the presence of dextran-AF568,
followed by fluorescence confocal microscopy to quantify
macropinosomes. Multiple random Z-stack images were acquired by
confocal microscopy and the total amount of dextran uptake was
quantified. Dextran-positive vesicles were detected by Imaris
imaging software, and the total fluorescence intensity per vesicle
was determined. Vesicles smaller than 1.0 .mu.m.sup.3 were excluded
to omit the basal level of dextran uptake and to focus on the large
vesicles that are typical for macropinosomes. The total intensity
of dextran vesicles larger than 1.0 .mu.m.sup.3 was determined per
field, normalized to the number of nuclei and expressed relative to
Neg. siRNA1 or mock-treated cells (FIG. 9D). Dextran uptake was
increased 4-fold in RSV-infected as compared to uninfected cells,
which had both been transfected with Neg. siRNA1 (FIG. 9D),
confirming the visual observation of increased dextran-AF568 uptake
(FIG. 9A). On the other hand, knock-down of ATP1A1 caused a
significant (P=0.0003) reduction of 33% compared to Neg. siRNA1
(FIG. 9D). Ouabain and PST2238 caused an even greater reduction in
RSV-induced macropinosomes, to less than 50% compared to
mock-treated, RSV-infected cells (FIG. 9E). Since RSV G was
suggested to be important for triggering ATP1A1 activation, based
on the loss of clustering observed with the dSH/dG mutant as
described previously in FIG. 4, the macropinosomes in cells
infected with wt RSV or dSH/dG RSV mutant were also quantified.
This showed that macropinosome formation indeed was significantly
(P=0.0039) reduced for the dSH/dG virus as compared to wt RSV,
consistent with a role for the G protein in activating the pathway
leading to macropinosome formation.
[0133] Signaling from ATP1A1 also can induce clathrin-mediated
endocytosis (Introduction), and this endocytic pathway has been
controversially suggested to be involved in RSV entry (Kolokoltsov
et al., J Virol. 2007; 81(14):7786-800). However, preliminary
studies using an inhibitor of clathrin-mediated endocytosis (e.g.,
chlorpromazine) did not detect effects on RSV infection at
non-toxic concentrations, and this was not pursued further.
[0134] Cholesterol is Required for RSV Uptake and Signaling.
[0135] As described above, ATP1A1-Src-EGFR signaling
characteristically is associated with caveolae. The structural
integrity of caveolae depends on the presence of cholesterol, and
its depletion with a cholesterol-sequestering drug, such as
methyl-beta-cyclodextrin (MBCD), disrupts caveolae from the plasma
membrane (Rothberg et al., Cell. 1992; 68(4):673-82; Hailstones et
al., J Lipid Res. 1998; 39(2):369-79). The impact of depleting
cholesterol in A549 cells prior to RSV infection was therefore
evaluated, which was done using MBCD and Mevinolin, individually or
in combination at non-cytotoxic concentrations (FIG. 16). MBCD
removes cholesterol from the plasma membrane whereas Mevinolin
inhibits its biosynthesis and prevents replenishing the plasma
membrane with cholesterol.
[0136] First, cholesterol-depleted A549 cells were infected with
RSV-GFP and it was found that GFP expression at 17 h p.i. was
reduced to approximately 50% with each of the depletions, compared
to control infected cells (FIG. 10A). Next, the level of
RSV-induced macropinocytosis in cholesterol-depleted cells was
quantified by dextran-AF568 uptake into large vesicles. In
RSV-infected cells, dextran uptake was reduced by each of the
cholesterol-depletion treatments, with the most significant
(p<0.0001) reduction of 59% observed for the combined
MBCD-Mevinolin treatment (FIG. 10B). The phosphorylation of EGFR
Tyr845 also was determined in RSV-infected cells pretreated with
MBCD+Mevinolin. A modest but significant (two tailed t-test,
p=0.0163) reduction in pTyr845 was observed (FIG. 10C). These
results show that cholesterol depletion results in reduced EGFR
transactivation, reduced macropinocytosis, and reduced RSV
infection, consistent with caveolae as the site of ATP1A1
signaling.
[0137] Validation of Findings in Primary Human Small Airway
Epithelial Cells and Differentiated Human Airway Epithelial
Air-Liquid Interface (HAE-ALI) Cultures.
[0138] All experiments described above were performed with the
human airway epithelial A549 cell line. Some of the major findings
were confirmed using primary human small airway epithelial cells
(HSAEC) from a 16 yr old healthy male donor. SiRNA transfection
knocked down expression of ATP1A1 protein to 25-30% compared to
Neg. siRNA 1 (FIG. 11A) which was somewhat more than the reduction
of 35-39% observed for A549 cells. Following the same protocols as
for A549 cells, it was found that (i) knockdown of ATP1A1 reduced
the expression of RSV-GFP to 29-42% of the negative control (FIG.
11B), similar to what was observed with A549 cells (FIG. 2A). (ii)
Phosphorylation of EGFR Tyr845 was also significantly (p=0.0038)
reduced in ATP1A1 knock down (siRNA2) HSAEC (FIG. 11C), similar to
what was seen in A549 cells (FIG. 8). (iii) The inhibitory effects
of ouabain and PST2238 on the expression of RSV-GFP were even
stronger in HSAEC than in A549 cells (FIG. 11D). IC.sub.50
titrations of the compounds on HSAEC for RSV-GFP expression showed
that the values were lower (i.e., more effective inhibition) in
HSAEC than A549 cells by 4.9-fold for ouabain (FIG. 15A) and
8.2-fold for PST2238 (FIG. 15B). (iv) RSV-induced ATP1A1 clustering
and colocalization of ATP1A1 and RSV N also was observed in HSAEC
(FIG. 11E), similar to A549 cells (FIG. 3). Thus, the experiments
performed in primary HSAEC cells confirmed the results obtained in
the A549 cell line.
[0139] In addition, we used HAE-ALI cultures, a model of primary,
differentiated, polarized mucociliary airway epithelium, to
investigate the localization of ATP1A1 and to confirm the
phenomenon of RSV-induced ATP1A1 clustering. Cells were infected
with wt RSV (10.sup.6 PFU/transwell), incubated for 1 h or 5 h,
fixed with PFA, permeabilized with TritonX-100, and immunostained
for RSV F (red) and ATP1A1 (green), as described for A549 cells in
FIG. 3. The apical surface was demarcated by staining for F-actin
(cyan) since it is abundant beneath the apical membrane and
provides a close estimation of the apical surface location. To
visualize ATP1A1 location, three-dimensional sections are shown
without (FIG. 18A) and with (FIG. 18B) F-actin staining. In mock
treated cells, ATP1A1 was predominantly present in the basolateral
surfaces of cells with relatively smaller amounts present on the
apical surface in a spotted distribution (FIG. 18, left column).
Upon infection with RSV, ATP1A1 clusters were visible as early as 1
h p.i. (FIG. 18, middle column), which became more noticeable and
larger at 5 h p.i. (FIG. 18, right column). The apical ATP1A1
seemed to increase in amount over time following infection,
suggesting its recruitment to the apical surface. The ATP1A1
clusters were mostly visible in close proximity to RSV F. These
observations were similar to those in A549 cells (FIG. 3),
confirming that RSV-induced ATP1A1 clustering could be reproducibly
demonstrated in different primary cell systems.
Discussion
[0140] In the present study, the host proteins involved in RSV
infection were investigated by performing a genome-wide
high-throughput siRNA screen in human airway A549 cells infected
with a recombinant RSV that expresses GFP. Knockdown of the
cellular gene encoding the protein ATP1A1 provided the greatest
reduction in GFP expression, as a surrogate for RSV transcription
and replication, with minimal effects on cell viability. ATP1A1 is
the major subunit of Na.sup.+K.sup.+ ATPase, a transmembrane
complex that is an ATPase, an ion channel, and also is involved in
signal transduction (Reinhard et al., Cell Mol Life Sciences: CMLS.
2013; 70(2):205-22) leading to clathrin-mediated endocytosis that
removes Na.sup.+K.sup.+ ATPase from the plasma membrane for
lysosomal destruction (Cherniaysky-Lev et al., J Biol Chem. 2014;
289(2):1049-59). In this study, evidence is provided that ATP1A1 is
involved in RSV entry, and that the signal transduction function of
ATP1A1 is needed for efficient RSV infection.
[0141] Treatment with the cardiotonic steroid ouabain, which acts
specifically on ATP1A1, reduced the efficiency of RSV infection.
Inhibition of RSV infection with ouabain was achieved at
sub-nanomolar concentrations that initiate ATP1A1 signaling
cascades (Reinhard et al., Cell Mol Life Sciences: CMLS. 2013;
70(2):205-22; Xie et al., Mol Interv. 2003; 3(3):157-68) but are
not inhibitory for its ATPase and ion channel functions and do not
alter the cytosolic Na.sup.+ and K.sup.+ levels (Liu et al., J Biol
Chem. 2000; 275(36):27838-44). While incubation with ouabain
depletes Na.sup.+K.sup.+ ATPase over time from the plasma membrane,
it is unlikely that this depletion accounts for the inhibition of
RSV infection, because the antiviral effect of ouabain was evident
even when added simultaneously with the virus inoculum. Treatment
with PST2238 also reduced the efficiency of RSV infection. PST2238
is a competitive inhibitor of ouabain that shares a common binding
site on the extracellular domain of ATP1A1. PST2238 blocks ouabain
binding as well as ATP1A1 signaling in response to ouabain or RSV,
and does not induce signaling or endocytosis. Given these major
differences--that ouabain is an ATP1A1 agonist and PST2238 is a
competitive ATP1A1 antagonist--it was surprising that both
compounds inhibited RSV infection. Time-of-addition experiments
indicated that the inhibitory effects of ouabain and PST2238
occurred very early during infection, consistent with some step
prior to activation of ATP1A1 and viral entry.
[0142] A striking phenomenon was observed in which ATP1A1 formed
clusters in the plasma membrane within a few hours following
infection with RSV. This clustering was not affected by treatment
with PST2238, which is consistent with clustering being triggered
very early in infection, preceding rather than following ATP1A1
signaling. Clustering of ATP1A1 also occurred with UV-inactivated
RSV and thus was independent of transcription of the complete
genome, viral RNA replication, and viral replication. This
clustering was reminiscent of the behavior of signaling receptors
following ligand binding, and suggested there might be a physical
interaction between the virions and the cell surface that triggers
ATP1A1 clustering. This might be part of viral attachment or part
of a cellular response to RSV virions. However, physical
interaction between ATP1A1 and any of the RSV surface glycoproteins
(G, F or SH) was not detected by co-immunoprecipitation techniques.
It may be that an interaction between ATP1A1 and one or more RSV
proteins occurs but is insufficiently stable to be detected by
these methods. Using RSV deletion mutants, it was demonstrated that
RSV G protein is required to trigger ATP1A1 clustering. This
implies that an initial virus attachment event involving G is
needed to initiate ATP1A1 clustering. That initial attachment event
might involve a direct interaction between RSV G and ATP1A1,
although there is as yet no evidence of this. It perhaps is more
likely that RSV attachment is an earlier event involving other
cellular structures, and that attachment induces ATP1A1 signaling
through some as-yet unknown intermediate step. Clustering of
signaling receptors in general can increase ligand binding and
signal transduction (Chu et al., Biochem J. 2004; 379(Pt 2):331-41)
by reducing the effective dissociation rate through enhancing
rebinding within the receptor cluster (Gopalakrishnan et al.,
Biophys J. 2005; 89(6):3686-700). Therefore, clustering of ATP1A1
may be beneficial for RSV infection by enhancing the
ATP1A1-mediated signaling that is required for viral uptake.
[0143] It was hypothesized that RSV utilizes ATP1A1 signaling for
uptake into the cell by endocytosis. This could involve any of
various pathways including clathrin- or caveolin-mediated
endocytosis and macropinocytosis. RSV infection indeed induces and
requires ATP1A1 signaling. For example, Src-kinase activity was
induced by RSV infection, and inhibition of c-Src reduced the
efficiency of infection. Also, EGFR is involved in RSV infection,
as previously shown (Krzyzaniak et al., PLoS Pathogens. 2013;
9(4):e1003309), but is not sufficient alone and requires the
upstream activation of ATP1A1 and c-Src for efficient RSV
infection. This was indicated by the observation that
phosphorylation of EGFR Tyr 845 (i) occurred early during RSV
infection, detectable by 5 h p.i., (ii) was dependent on ATP1A1,
e.g., was significantly reduced in cells whose ATP1A1 expression
was knocked down with siRNAs or in which ATP1A1 activity was
reduced by treatment with ouabain or PST2238, and (iii) was
dependent on Src kinase, the downstream signaling effector of
ATP1A1. Inhibition of the Src kinase activity abolished
phosphorylation of EGFR Tyr845 below the detectable levels,
suggesting that this phosphorylation is mediated by
ATP1A1-activated Src kinase.
[0144] Ouabain-induced, ATP1A1-mediated signaling cascades have
been reported to take place in the cholesterol-rich microdomains
called caveolae (Wang et al., J Biol Chem. 2004; 279(17):17250-9;
Liu et al., Am J Physiol Cell Physiol. 2003; 284(6):C1550-60),
which are thought to serve as a region to integrate multiple
signaling pathways by concentrating signaling proteins and creating
temporal and spatial patterns of cell regulation (Ostrom et al., J
Biol Chem. 2001; 276(45):42063-9). Many proteins associated with
signaling functions are present in the caveolae, including ATP1A1,
EGFR and c-Src. It has also been described that cholesterol is
needed for the ouabain-induced ATP1A1-Src-EGFR signaling cascade,
and that depletion of cholesterol reduced the recruitment of c-Src
and therefore reduced ATP1A1 signaling (Wang et al., J Biol Chem.
2004; 279(17):17250-9). Interestingly, it has been reported that
the cholesterol rich lipid rafts are required as docking platform
for RSV entry (San-Juan-Vergara et al., J Virol. 2012;
86(3):1832-43). In the present example, depletion of cholesterol
with MBCD and Mevinolin indeed reduced the efficiency of RSV
infection, consistent with the signaling by ATP1A1, c-Src, and EGFR
taking place in caveolae. As noted, ATP1A1 signaling in response to
ouabain results in clathrin-mediated endocytosis and the uptake and
destruction of Na.sup.+K.sup.+ ATPase, and clathrin-mediated
endocytosis also has been suggested to be involved in the uptake of
RSV (Kolokoltsov et al., J Virol. 2007; 81(14):7786-800). In
preliminary experiments in the present study, inhibitors of
clathrin-mediated endocytosis did not affect RSV infection.
However, RSV infection was found to induce a high level of
macropinocytosis, and that these macropinosomes contained a high
content of RSV virions. Previous studies also have suggested a role
for macropinocyosis in RSV uptake (Krzyzaniak et al., PLoS
Pathogens. 2013; 9(4):e1003309; Mehedi et al., PLOS Pathogens.
2016; 12(12):e1006062). In addition, it has been described that
phosphorylation of EGFR Tyr845 by c-Src, in an EGF-independent
manner, can lead to induction of macropinocytosis (Donepudi et al.,
Cellular Signalling. 2008; 20(7):1359-67; Biscardi et al., J Biol
Chem. 1999; 274(12):8335-43), Src kinase activity plays an
important role during macropinosome formation and trafficking
(Kasahara et al., J Cellular Physiol. 2007; 211(1):220-3), and it
can synergistically enhance macropinocytic induction. Based on
these observations, it is believed that, upon RSV binding,
ATP1A1-signaling is induced, transactivates EGFR via Src and
induces the macropinocytic uptake of RSV. Typical macropinosomes
are formed as a result of extensive, unspecific fluidic uptake at
the plasma membrane that engulfs fluid and solid cargo from outside
of the cell into cytoplasmic vesicles. They are heterogeneous in
size and are larger than other endocytic vesicles with diameters of
0.5-5 .mu.m. Macropinosome formation was visualized and quantified
with fluorochrome-conjugated dextran as a fluidic marker, excluding
vesicles that were smaller than 1 .mu.m.sup.3 that would be
categorized as endosomes. RSV infection clearly induced extensive
macropinocytosis very early on infection. Macropinosome formation
under these conditions was confirmed to be dependent upon ATP1A1,
and was significantly reduced if the membrane ATP1A1 expression was
decreased or if the cells were treated with ouabain or PST2238.
Depletion of cholesterol resulted in a decrease in the formation of
macropinosomes, consistent with the involvement of signaling
complexes in the caveolae. In addition, immunostaining revealed the
co-localization of ATP1A1, RSV F protein (marker of viral envelope)
and RSV N protein (marker of viral nucleocapsid), and dextran in
macropinosomes. This supports a model in which RSV virions are
taken up by the macropinosome, and membrane fusion and release of
the nucleocapsid presumably taking place at a later step after the
macropinocytic uptake. It was surprising that both ouabain and
PST2238 inhibited RSV infection, since they have opposite effects
on ATP1A1 signaling, namely that ouabain induces and PST2238
inhibits. The mechanism by which PST2238 inhibits RSV seems
straight-forward: specifically, blockade of RSV-induced ATP1A1
signaling. The mechanism by which ouabain inhibits RSV is less
clear, since both ouabain and RSV individually induce ATP1A1
signaling. A non-limiting explanation is that the signaling
cascades induced by ouabain versus RSV are not exactly the same.
For example, the outcomes of the signaling cascades are different:
ouabain-induced signaling results in clathrin-mediated endocytosis,
whereas RSV-induced signaling results in macropinocytosis. Also, we
could readily detect phosphorylation of EGFR Tyr845 following
infection with RSV, but not following treatment with ouabain,
suggestive of a quantitative or qualitative difference in EGFR
phosphorylation. Thus, while signaling through ATP1A1 by ouabain
versus RSV may involve a number of steps in a common signal
transduction pathway located in the caveolae, it suggests that the
ouabain-induced signaling cascade from ATP1A1 not only is different
from that of RSV, but also competes with and thereby inhibits
ATP1A1 signaling induced by RSV.
[0145] ATP1A1 also has been implicated as a pro-viral factor in the
infection cycles of Ebola virus (Garcia-Dorival et al., J Proteome
Res. 2014; 13(11):5120-35), coronavirus (Burkard et al., J Virol.
2015; 89(8):4434-48), hepatitis C virus (Lussignol et al., PNAS.
2016; 113(9):2484-9), and mammarenaviruses (Iwasaki et al., PLoS
Pathogens. 2018; 14(2):e1006892), but the nature and mechanism of
its involvement for those viruses remains largely unknown. In the
present study, it is demonstrated that VSV infection was not
inhibited by ATP1A1 knock-down, indicating that the effect is
specific to particular viruses and does not involve a general
inhibitory cellular effect. Ouabain has been described to have
anti-viral properties for several viruses, namely herpes simplex
virus, CHIKV, HIV, adenovirus, and porcine reproductive and
respiratory syndrome virus 1 (Dodson et al., Virology. 2007;
366(2):340-8; Su et al., Antiviral Res. 2008; 79(1):62-70; Ashbrook
et al., mBio. 2016; 7(3); Wong et al., PLoS pathogens. 2013;
9(3):e1003241; Grosso et al., J Virol. 2017; 91(3); Karuppannan et
al., Antiviral Res. 2012; 94(2):188-94), but the mechanism of
inhibition was not conclusively identified. PST2238 has not
previously been shown to have anti-viral activity against any
virus, including RSV. It is believed that PST2238 also inhibits the
replication of other viruses that are ouabain-sensitive or that are
using the ATP1A1-Src-EGFR signaling cascade for entry.
[0146] A model for RSV entry into the human airway epithelial cells
is illustrated in FIG. 12. RSV infection activates ATP1A1 signaling
by an unknown mechanism that involves RSV G protein and does not
involve viral RNA synthesis or replication. Activation of ATP1A1
leads to autophosphorylation of c-Src and transactivation of EGFR.
Signaling events downstream of EGFR cause actin rearrangement and
ruffling at the plasma membrane, where membrane extensions engulf
fluid and RSV into large vesicles known as macropinosomes. RSV is
taken up in its enveloped form into the macropinosome followed by
fusion and entry into the host cell. Evidence is provided that the
ATP1A1-Src-EGFR signaling occurs predominantly in the cholesterol
rich domains of the caveolae which are thus important for efficient
infection. This study identified ATP1A1 signaling as a new target
for the development of anti-RSV agents and shows that PST2238 is an
example of such an agent.
Materials and Methods Cells and Viruses.
[0147] A549 cells (ATCC CCL-185) were maintained in F12-K media
(ATCC, Manassas, Va.) supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum
(FBS, Thermo Scientific, Atlanta, Ga.) and 1.times. L-Glutamine
(Life Technologies, Grand Island, N.Y.), Vero cells (ATCC CCL-81)
were maintained in Opti-MEM I medium with GlutaMax-I (Life
Technologies) supplemented with 5% FBS. The normal primary human
small airway epithelial cells (HSAEC) (ATCC PCS-301-010) were
derived from a 16-year-old male Hispanic/Latino donor (Lot:
64079184) and were maintained in airway cell basal medium (ATCC
PCS-300-030), supplemented with bronchial epithelial cell growth
kit (ATCC PCS-300-040). The primary cells were passaged a maximum
of two times to ensure the maintenance of the primary cell
characteristics and to avoid any cell culture adaptation. For
seeding and maintenance, the cells were detached with Trypsin-EDTA
for primary cells (ATCC PCS-999-003) and Trypsin neutralizing
solution (ATCC PCS-999-004). HAE-ALI cultures (EpiAirway, AIR-100)
were obtained from MatTek Corporation (Ashland, Mass.) and were
cultured at the air-liquid interface as described in the
manufacturer's protocol with the provided maintenance medium, with
daily medium changes. The recombinant viruses RSV-GFP (Munir et
al., J Virol. 2008; 82(17):8780-96), wt RSV A2 (Genbank accession
#KT992094), rgRSV-dSH and rgRSV-dSH dG (Techaarpornkul et al., J
Virol. 2001; 75(15):6825-34) have been previously described. For
all experiments, virus stocks were purified on a discontinuous (60%
and 30% w/v) sucrose gradient as described previously (Munir et
al., J Virol. 2008; 82(17):8780-96).
[0148] Inhibitors and Chemical Compounds.
[0149] The chemical compounds and inhibitors ouabain (PubChem CID:
439501), PST2238 (rostafuroxin, PubChem CID: 153976),
Src-Inhibitor-I (PubChem CID: 1474853), PP2 (PubChem CID: 4878),
methyl-beta-cyclodextrin (MBCD, PubChem CID: 51051622) and
Mevinolin (Lovastatin, PubChem CID: 53232) were obtained from
Sigma-Aldrich, St. Louis, Mo. 50 .mu.M ouabain stock solution was
prepared in sterile ultrapure water. 10 mM stock solutions of
PST2238, Src-Inhibitor-I and PP2 were prepared in DMSO. 76.3 mM
MBCD stock solution was prepared in F12 media. 1 mg/ml Mevinolin
stock solution was prepared in 200 proof ethanol. Working stock
solutions, at concentrations as indicated, were prepared in the
appropriate cell culture media. Non-toxic concentrations for all
chemical compounds were determined by serial dilution on A549 (see
FIG. 16) and the cytotoxicity were quantified by the ATP-based
viability assay, as described below. The final DMSO concentration
was below 0.2% and was considered not to have any effect on the
cells as determined by DMSO control treated cells (FIG. 16).
[0150] siRNA Transfection to Knock Down the Host Proteins ATP1A1
and EGFR.
[0151] To knock down the cellular proteins ATP1A1 and EGFR in A549
cells and HSAEC, cells were siRNA transfected by reverse
transfection protocol with siLentFect transfection reagent
(Bio-Rad, Hercules, Calif.) in a 12-well plate. For the ATP1A1 and
EGFR knock down the following siRNAs (obtained from Qiagen,
Germantown, Md.) were used: Hs_ATP1A1_5 (named siRNA1, CCC GGA AAG
ACT GAA AGA ATA, SEQ ID NO: 1), Hs_ATP1A1_6 (named siRNA2, CTT GAT
GAA CTT CAT CGT AAA, SEQ ID NO: 2), Hs_ATP1A1_7 (named siRNA3, ATC
CAT GAA GCT GAT ACG ACA, SEQ ID NO: 3), Hs_EGFR_3 (named EGFR
siRNA, CAG AGG AAA TAT GTA CTA CGA, SEQ ID NO: 4). The following
controls were included in all siRNA transfection studies: Two
negative control siRNAs, Neg. siRNA 1 (AllStars Neg. Conrol siRNA
[Qiagen 1027281, sequence proprietary]) and Neg. siRNA 2 (Negative
Control siRNA (Qiagen 1027310, AAT TCT CCG AAC GTG TCA CGT, SEQ ID
NO: 5) were used to control for any unspecific siRNA transfection
effects. The cell death positive control siRNA (AllStars Hs Cell
Death siRNA control [Qiagen 1027299]) was used to control for an
efficient transfection. Transfected A549 cells were incubated for
48 h, to ensure an efficient reduction of the target protein,
before they were used for any further studies, e.g. RSV
infection.
[0152] Cell Viability Assay.
[0153] The ATP based cell viability assay CellTiter-Glo (Promega,
Madison, Wis.) was used for the evaluation of the cell viability
and performed as described by the manufacturer's protocol. Cells,
that were seeded in white 96-well plates, were lysed after the
specified treatment at indicated time points and the ATP
concentration was determined by luciferase activation. The
luciferase light emission was analyzed using a Synergy 2 ELISA
reader (BioTek, Winooski, Vt.). The viability was reported relative
to mock-treated cells, based on the reduction of luciferase light
emission and hence reduction of ATP, which was used as a parameter
for cell viability.
[0154] Western Blot Analysis for the Quantification of ATP1A1 in
Knock Down A549 Cells.
[0155] A549 or HSAEC cells were seeded in 12-well plates and
transfected with the indicated siRNAs, as described above. Cells
were lysed with 75 .mu.l 1.times.LDS sample buffer (Life
Technologies) at indicated time points. 22.5 .mu.L lysate was
reduced, denatured, and electrophoresed on a 4-12% Bis-Tris SDS gel
(Life Technologies). Proteins were transferred onto a PVDF membrane
via the iBlot2 transfer system (Life Technologies) and analyzed by
Western blotting. ATP1A1 was detected with a rabbit monoclonal
anti-ATP1A1 (Abcam, Cambridge, Mass.; ab76020) antibody and the
corresponding infrared dye-conjugated goat anti-rabbit
immunoglobulin 680RD (Li-Cor, Lincoln, Nebr.). Tubulin was used as
a loading control and was detected with a mouse anti-tubulin
antibody and an infrared dye-conjugated goat anti-mouse
immunoglobulin 800CW (Li-Cor). Western blot images were acquired on
the Odyssey infrared scanner (Li-Cor) and analyzed with Image
Studio Software (Version 5.2.5, Li-Cor). ATP1A1 band intensity
values were normalized to tubulin and reported relative to Neg.
siRNA1 transfected cells.
[0156] Quantitative RT-PCR.
[0157] Cells were harvested and total RNA was isolated with RNeasy
Mini Kit (Qiagen) as described by the manufacture's protocol,
including on-column DNase digestion to avoid any DNA contamination.
1 .mu.g total RNA was used for reverse transcription of mRNA to
cDNA with oligo(dT).sub.12-18 primers and the SuperScript.TM.
First-Strand Synthesis System for RT-PCR (Life Technologies). The
synthesized cDNA was pre-diluted 1:10 and used for the TaqMan gene
expression analysis of ATP1A1 (Hs00167556_m1) and 18S rRNA
(Hs99999901_s1) as a normalization control. The TaqMan assay
reactions were analyzed on the 2900HT Fast Real-Time PCR system
(Applied Biosystems, Foster City, Calif.). The threshold cycle (Ct)
for each reaction was determined by the SDS RQ manager program
(Applied Biosystems). The relative changes in ATP1A1 transcript
level were calculated by the 2.sup.-.DELTA..DELTA.Ct method (Livak
et al., Methods. 2001; 25(4):402-8) and reported as fold change
relative to cells transfected with Neg. siRNA 1.
[0158] Quantification of RSV Infection by Viral Expressed GFP.
[0159] For the evaluation of RSV infection, RSV-GFP, a
recombinantly derived virus that expresses enhanced green
fluorescent protein (eGFP) from an additional gene inserted between
the P and M genes, was used. SiRNA transfected or pre-treated A549
cells, seeded in a 12-well plate, were inoculated with an MOI of
1.0 PFU/cell. Inoculum was adsorbed for 2 h by incubating on a
rocking platform at 37.degree. C., after which the inoculum was
washed off and replaced with fresh media. The infected cells were
incubated for 17 h at 37.degree. C. and 5% CO.sub.2 and the
infectivity was evaluated by quantifying GFP either by ELISA reader
or flow cytometry. For the ELISA reader quantification, the GFP
intensity of the infected monolayer was quantified by an area scan
(average GFP intensity of 29 individual measurements per well) on a
Synergy 2 ELISA reader (BioTek). The intensity values were
background subtracted and reported as fold-change relative to Neg.
siRNA 1 transfected or mock-treated cells that had been infected
with RSV-GFP. For the flow cytometry based GFP quantification, the
cells were detached with 1 mM EDTA, stained with LIVE/DEAD fixable
dead cell staining kit (Life Technologies), and fixed with 4%
paraformaldehyde (PFA, Electron Microscopy Science, PA). The GFP
intensities of single, live cells were analyzed on a Canto II flow
cytometer (BD Biosciences, Franklin Lakes, N.J.). The median
fluorescence intensity (MFI) of GFP-positive cells was determined
and reported as change relative to Neg. siRNA 1 transfected or
mock-treated cells that had been infected with RSV-GFP.
[0160] Virus Titration.
[0161] A plaque assay was performed to determine the total
(supernatant plus cell-associated) RSV plaque forming unit (PFU)
titer. Infected cell monolayers were scraped into the media
supernatant and collected at indicated time points post
inoculation. The samples were intensively vortexed and clarified by
centrifugation, snap frozen on dry-ice and stored at -80.degree. C.
until further processed. Samples were 10-fold serially diluted and
Vero cells were inoculated with each dilution in duplicates and
incubated for 2 h on a rocking platform at 37.degree. C. To limit
the diffusion of free virus, cells were overlaid with OptiMEM I
(Life Technologies) containing 0.8% methylcelluluose
(Sigma-Aldrich), 1.times. L-Glutamine, 2% FBS and 50 .mu.g/ml
Gentamicin. Cells were incubated for 6 days at 37.degree. C., 5%
CO.sub.2. For RSV that expressed GFP, the plaques were visualized
directly by GFP expression, which was imaged on a Typhoon imaging
system (GE Healthcare, Chicago, Ill.). The wt RSV plaques were
detected by immunostaining after fixation with ice-cold 80%
methanol. A mix of three primary mouse monoclonal antibodies
directed against RSV-F followed by a 680RD infrared dye-conjugated
goat anti-mouse secondary immunoglobulin (Li-Cor) were used. The
plaques were imaged on the Odyssey infrared scanner (Li-Cor) and
were counted using macros within the software ImageJ (Version
1.46r; NIH, Bethesda, Md.).
[0162] Immunofluorescence Microscopy.
[0163] A549 cells were seeded on glass cover slips in 24-well
plates and were treated, as indicated, when sub-confluent. For the
immunofluorescence microscopy-based assays, cells were fixed with
4% paraformaldehyde overnight at 4.degree. C., permeabilized with
0.1% TritonX-100 (Sigma Aldrich) for 15 min and blocked with PBS
containing 5% BSA (Sigma Aldrich) for 1 h at room temperature. All
antibody dilutions were prepared in PBS, containing 5% BSA and 0.1%
TritonX-100. The primary antibody incubation was performed in a
humidified chamber for 2 h with the following antibodies, depending
on the target of interest for the specific assay: rabbit
anti-ATP1A1 (Abcam; ab76020, 1:100), rat anti-EGFR (Abcam; ab231,
1:100), mouse anti-RSV-N (Abcam; ab94806, 1:1,500) and mouse
monoclonal anti-RSV-F (1129). After washing with PBS, the secondary
antibody staining was performed with the respective Alexa Fluor
(AF) conjugated secondary antibodies: donkey anti-rabbit AF488,
goat anti-rabbit AF700, donkey anti-mouse AF647, goat anti-rat
AF647. Primary conjugated antibodies were used for staining
infected cells for RSV-F and RSV-N simultaneously. Mouse monoclonal
anti-RSV-F (1129) was conjugated with AF488 [Antibody Labeling Kit
(Thermo Fisher Scientific, Waltham, Mass.)] and for RSV-N the
allophycocyanin (APC) conjugated mouse monoclonal anti-RSV N
antibody (Novus Biologicals, Littleton, Colo.) was used. The nuclei
were counterstained with DAPI (Life Technologies) at a
concentration of 300 nM in PBS for 5 min and mounted on
glass-slides with ProLong Diamond Antifade mountant (Life
Technologies). Immunostainings of HAE-ALI cells were performed as
described above for A549 cells, except the incubation times of the
primary and secondary antibodies were extended to 16 h at 4.degree.
C. In addition, the cultures were stained for F-Actin with the
SiR-actin kit (CY-SC001; Cytoskeleton; Inc, Denver, Colo.). Images
were acquired on a Leica TCS-SP8 confocal microscope (Leica
Microsystems, Mannheim, Germany) using a 63.times. oil immersion
objective (NA 1.4) and a zoom between 1.0 to 3.5.times..
Fluorochromes were excited using an argon laser at 488 nm for
AF488, 561 nm for AF568 and 633 nm for AF647. DAPI was excited
using a 450 nm diode laser. Detector slits were configured to
minimize any crosstalk between the channels and, if necessary, the
channels were collected sequentially and merged afterwards. Images
were processed using Leica Application Suite X (LAS-X) software,
Imaris (Version 9.0.0, Bitplane AG, Zurich, Switzerland) and
ImageJ.
[0164] Quantification of EGFR Phosphorylation.
[0165] To analyze the ATP1A1 signaling induced EGFR
phosphorylation, an EGFR phosphorylation array (Ray Biotech,
Norcross, Ga.) was used that probed for the phosphorylation of 17
different sites of the EGFR receptor family. Cells were treated as
indicated, either transfected with siRNA 48 h prior or pre-treated
with the indicated chemical compound overnight. All cells were
starved overnight in FBS-free media and incubated with wt RSV
(MOI=5 PFU/cell) for 5 h at 37.degree. C., 5% CO.sub.2. Cells
treated with Ouabain or PST2238 for 16 h were incubated in F12
medium containing EGF (Sigma-Aldrich, 100 ng/ml) for 45 min as
controls for PST2238 and Ouabain specificity. Cells were washed
twice with cold PBS and lysed in the provided lysis buffer,
containing protease and phosphatase inhibitor cocktails. The
protein concentration of the lysate was quantified by bicinchoninic
acid (BCA) assay (Thermo Fisher Scientific) and lysate containing
150 .mu.g total protein was used for each array. The array was
processed as described by the manufacture's protocol, in brief: The
array was incubated with the diluted lysate overnight at 4.degree.
C. on a rocking platform, washed and incubated with a biotinylated
anti-panEGFR antibody, followed by horse radish peroxidase
conjugated streptavidin. The light emission of the array spots was
detected by exposure to X-ray films. The films were scanned and the
intensity values of each spot were quantified by ImageQuant TL
(Array Version 8.1., GE Healthcare). The phospho EGFR signals of
three independent experiments with two technical replicates were
normalized to the signal of the array internal positive controls
and pan EGFR. Signals are reported as fold-change relative to the
average signal of mock-treated, RSV infected samples.
[0166] Dextran Assay.
[0167] For the determination of the macropinocytic uptake activity
of cells, AF568 conjugated Dextran (10.000 MW; Life Technologies)
was used as a fluidic uptake marker. The uptake was quantified by
confocal microscopy as described (Wang et al., Methods X. 2014;
1:36-41). In brief, A549 cells seeded on cover slips, that had been
transfected with siRNA 48 h prior or pre-treated with indicated
chemical compounds overnight, were serum starved. Cells were
infected with wt RSV (MOI=5 PFU/cell) in media containing AF568
conjugated Dextran (Dextran-AF568), incubated for 5 h at 37.degree.
C., washed and fixed overnight with 4% PFA at 4.degree. C. The
cells were counterstained with DAPI (300 nM in PBS for 5 min) and
mounted on glass-slides with ProLong Diamond Antifade mountant. For
each treatment at least ten random images, using the mark and find
function of the Leica LAS-X image acquisition software, were
acquired as Z-stacks on a Leica TCS-SP8 confocal microscope (Leica)
with a 63.times. Objective (NA 1.4) and a zoom of 1.0.times.. The
images were analyzed by batch process with the software Imaris
(Version 9.0.0, Bitplane AG). The DAPI stained nuclei were detected
as spots to count the number of cells per field. The uptake of
dextran was quantified by creating surfaces that recognize distinct
dextran positive vesicles and disregards any background staining.
The total intensity of Dextran-AF568 within the created surfaces,
which had a volume larger than 1.0 .mu.m.sup.3, of one field was
normalized to the number of nuclei per field. The values were
reported as fold change relative to Neg. siRNA 1 transfected cells
that had been infected with RSV. For each experiment at total of at
least 600 cells per condition were analyzed.
[0168] It will be apparent that the precise details of the methods
or compositions described may be varied or modified without
departing from the spirit of the described embodiments. We claim
all such modifications and variations that fall within the scope
and spirit of the claims below.
Sequence CWU 1
1
5121DNAArtificial Sequenceinhibitory nucleic acid molecule
1cccggaaaga ctgaaagaat a 21221DNAArtificial Sequenceinhibitory
nucleic acid molecule 2cttgatgaac ttcatcgtaa a 21318DNAArtificial
Sequenceinhibitory nucleic acid molecule 3catgaagctg atacgaca
18418DNAArtificial Sequenceinhibitory nucleic acid molecule
4aggaaatatg tactacga 18521DNAArtificial Sequenceinhibitory nucleic
acid molecule 5aattctccga acgtgtcacg t 21
* * * * *