Sialidase fusion protein as a novel broad-spectrum inhibitor of influenza virus infection.
Influenza is a highly infectious disease characterized by recurrent annual epidemics and unpredictable major worldwide pandemics. Rapid spread of the highly pathogenic avian H5N1 strain and escalating human infections by the virus have set off the alarm for a global pandemic. To provide an urgently needed alternative treatment modality for influenza, we have generated a recombinant fusion protein composed of a sialidase catalytic domain derived from Actinomyces viscosus fused with a cell surface-anchoring sequence. The sialidase fusion protein is to be applied topically as an inhalant to remove the influenza viral receptors, sialic acids, from the airway epithelium. We demonstrate that a sialidase fusion construct, DAS181, effectively cleaves sialic acid receptors used by both human and avian influenza viruses. The treatment provides long-lasting effect and is nontoxic to the cells. DAS181 demonstrated potent antiviral and cell protective efficacies against a panel of laboratory strains and clinical isolates of IFV A and IFV B, with virus replication inhibition 50% effective concentrations in the range of 0.04 to 0.9 nM. Mouse and ferret studies confirmed significant in vivo efficacy of the sialidase fusion in both prophylactic and treatment modes.
Malakhov
Michael P
MP
NexBio, Inc., 6330 Nancy Ridge Dr., Suite 105, San Diego, CA 92121, USA.
Aschenbrenner
Laura M
LM
Smee
Donald F
DF
Wandersee
Miles K
MK
Sidwell
Robert W
RW
Gubareva
Larisa V
LV
Mishin
Vasiliy P
VP
Hayden
Frederick G
FG
Kim
Do Hyong
DH
Ing
Alice
A
Campbell
Erin R
ER
Yu
Mang
M
Fang
Fang
F
D066258:Amphiregulin; D000818:Animals; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001422:Bacterial Adhesion / Q000187:drug effects; D020134:Catalytic Domain; D002460:Cell Line; D004285:Dogs; D066255:EGF Family of Proteins; D005260:Female; D005289:Ferrets; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000188:drug therapy; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D009439:Neuraminidase / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009975:Orthomyxoviridae / Q000187:drug effects*; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014779:Virus Replication / Q000187:drug effects
C587848:AREG protein, human; D066258:Amphiregulin; D000998:Antiviral Agents; C587849:Areg protein, mouse; D066255:EGF Family of Proteins; D006023:Glycoproteins; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; D009439:Neuraminidase