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Microorganisms
Special Issues
Innovative Antiviral Approaches and New Molecular Targets against Viral Infections
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Innovative Antiviral Approaches and New Molecular Targets against Viral Infections

A special issue of Microorganisms (ISSN 2076-2607). This special issue belongs to the section "Virology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 January 2024) | Viewed by 25764

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Manuela Donalisio

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Laboratory of Molecular Virology and Antiviral Research, Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Turin, 10043 Orbassano, Italy
Interests: viral infections; antiviral drug discovery; new antiviral targets; nanomedicine; antiviral materials

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The discovery of new antiviral components to combat human viral infections is a constant and crucial medical need. Indeed, specific antivirals are still lacking for some viral infections, and currently available antivirals often have important limitations associated with poor bioavailability in the host and the emergence of resistant viral strains. In this context, the aim of this Special Issue is to give an overall perspective on new antiviral strategies to combat viral human pathogens, including small molecules, well-defined chemical compounds, natural compounds and/or fractions extracted from plants, microorganisms and biological matrices. Furthermore, advanced nanotechnological approaches for the delivery of approved antiviral drugs and research on new antiviral materials are welcome. For this purpose, we welcome the submission of full research articles, review articles, and short communications related to the various aspects of antiviral strategies for the treatment of viral diseases. We encourage the submission of in silico docking studies supported by data from biological assays, antiviral studies on cell cultures performed with well-established methodologies, investigations of the mechanisms of action of compounds, and the identification of new drug targets. All data on in vitro or in vivo activity must be supported by appropriate statistical analysis. The scope of the Special Issue includes the discovery of new approaches for the prevention and treatment of viral diseases.

Dr. Manuela Donalisio
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Microorganisms is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • viruses
  • antivirals
  • nanocarriers
  • natural products
  • infectious disease
  • antiviral activity
  • antiviral materials
  • drug target

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

Jump to: Review

14 pages, 2296 KiB  
Article
Antiherpetic Activity of a Root Exudate from Solanum lycopersicum
by Greta Bajetto, Davide Arnodo, Matteo Biolatti, Linda Trifirò, Camilla Albano, Selina Pasquero, Francesca Gugliesi, Eva Campo, Francesca Spyrakis, Cristina Prandi, Marco De Andrea, Valentina Dell’Oste, Ivan Visentin and Marco Blangetti
Microorganisms 2024, 12(2), 373; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms12020373 - 11 Feb 2024
Viewed by 1911
Abstract
The rise of drug resistance to antivirals poses a significant global concern for public health; therefore, there is a pressing need to identify novel compounds that can effectively counteract strains resistant to current antiviral treatments. In light of this, researchers have been exploring [...] Read more.
The rise of drug resistance to antivirals poses a significant global concern for public health; therefore, there is a pressing need to identify novel compounds that can effectively counteract strains resistant to current antiviral treatments. In light of this, researchers have been exploring new approaches, including the investigation of natural compounds as alternative sources for developing potent antiviral therapies. Thus, this work aimed to evaluate the antiviral properties of the organic-soluble fraction of a root exudate derived from the tomato plant Solanum lycopersicum in the context of herpesvirus infections. Our findings demonstrated that a root exudate from Solanum lycopersicum exhibits remarkable efficacy against prominent members of the family Herpesviridae, specifically herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) (EC50 25.57 µg/mL, SI > 15.64) and human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) (EC50 9.17 µg/mL, SI 32.28) by inhibiting a molecular event during the herpesvirus replication phase. Moreover, the phytochemical fingerprint of the Solanum lycopersicum root exudate was characterized through mass spectrometry. Overall, these data have unveiled a novel natural product with antiherpetic activity, presenting a promising and valuable alternative to existing drugs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovative Antiviral Approaches and New Molecular Targets against Viral Infections)
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18 pages, 5024 KiB  
Article
Enhanced Anti-Herpetic Activity of Valacyclovir Loaded in Sulfobutyl-ether-β-cyclodextrin-decorated Chitosan Nanodroplets
by Monica Argenziano, Irene Arduino, Massimo Rittà, Chiara Molinar, Elisa Feyles, David Lembo, Roberta Cavalli and Manuela Donalisio
Microorganisms 2023, 11(10), 2460; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms11102460 - 30 Sep 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2102
Abstract
Valacyclovir (VACV) was developed as a prodrug of the most common anti-herpetic drug Acyclovir (ACV), aiming to enhance its bioavailability. Nevertheless, prolonged VACV oral treatment may lead to the development of important side effects. Nanotechnology-based formulations for vaginal administration represent a promising approach [...] Read more.
Valacyclovir (VACV) was developed as a prodrug of the most common anti-herpetic drug Acyclovir (ACV), aiming to enhance its bioavailability. Nevertheless, prolonged VACV oral treatment may lead to the development of important side effects. Nanotechnology-based formulations for vaginal administration represent a promising approach to increase the concentration of the drug at the site of infection, limiting systemic drug exposure and reducing systemic toxicity. In this study, VACV-loaded nanodroplet (ND) formulations, optimized for vaginal delivery, were designed. Cell-based assays were then carried out to evaluate the antiviral activity of VACV loaded in the ND system. The chitosan-shelled ND exhibited an average diameter of about 400 nm and a VACV encapsulation efficiency of approximately 91% and was characterized by a prolonged and sustained release of VACV. Moreover, a modification of chitosan shell with an anionic cyclodextrin, sulfobutyl ether β-cyclodextrin (SBEβCD), as a physical cross-linker, increased the stability and mucoadhesion capability of the nanosystem. Biological experiments showed that SBEβCD-chitosan NDs enhanced VACV antiviral activity against the herpes simplex viruses type 1 and 2, most likely due to the long-term controlled release of VACV loaded in the ND and an improved delivery of the drug in sub-cellular compartments. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovative Antiviral Approaches and New Molecular Targets against Viral Infections)
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12 pages, 1600 KiB  
Article
Melittin-Related Peptides Interfere with Sandfly Fever Naples Virus Infection by Interacting with Heparan Sulphate
by Annalisa Chianese, Carla Zannella, Francesca Palma, Laura Di Clemente, Alessandra Monti, Nunzianna Doti, Anna De Filippis and Massimiliano Galdiero
Microorganisms 2023, 11(10), 2446; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms11102446 - 29 Sep 2023
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1904
Abstract
Emerging viruses pose an important global public health challenge, and early action is needed to control their spread. The Bunyaviridae family contains a great number of arboviruses which are potentially pathogenic for humans. For example, phleboviruses affect a large range of hosts, including [...] Read more.
Emerging viruses pose an important global public health challenge, and early action is needed to control their spread. The Bunyaviridae family contains a great number of arboviruses which are potentially pathogenic for humans. For example, phleboviruses affect a large range of hosts, including humans and animals. Some infections usually have an asymptomatic course, but others lead to severe complications, such as Toscana virus, which is able to cause meningitis and encephalitis. Unfortunately, to date, no vaccines or antiviral treatments have been found. In the present study, we evaluated the effect of melittin-related peptides, namely the frog-derived RV-23 and AR-23, on sandfly fever Naples virus infection in vitro. Both peptides exhibited a strong antiviral activity by targeting the viral particles and blocking the virus–cell interaction. Their action was directed to an early phase of SFNV infection, in particular at viral adsorption on host cells, by interfering with the binding of common glycosaminoglycan receptors. Given the better antimicrobial behavior of AR-23 and RV-23 compared to melittin in terms of selectivity, our studies expand our understanding of the potential of these peptides as antimicrobials and stimulate further investigations in the direction of novel antiviral strategies against phlebovirus infection. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovative Antiviral Approaches and New Molecular Targets against Viral Infections)
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Review

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38 pages, 3090 KiB  
Review
Vector-Transmitted Flaviviruses: An Antiviral Molecules Overview
by Erica Diani, Anna Lagni, Virginia Lotti, Emil Tonon, Riccardo Cecchetto and Davide Gibellini
Microorganisms 2023, 11(10), 2427; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms11102427 - 28 Sep 2023
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3930
Abstract
Flaviviruses cause numerous pathologies in humans across a broad clinical spectrum with potentially severe clinical manifestations, including hemorrhagic and neurological disorders. Among human flaviviruses, some viral proteins show high conservation and are good candidates as targets for drug design. From an epidemiological point [...] Read more.
Flaviviruses cause numerous pathologies in humans across a broad clinical spectrum with potentially severe clinical manifestations, including hemorrhagic and neurological disorders. Among human flaviviruses, some viral proteins show high conservation and are good candidates as targets for drug design. From an epidemiological point of view, flaviviruses cause more than 400 million cases of infection worldwide each year. In particular, the Yellow Fever, dengue, West Nile, and Zika viruses have high morbidity and mortality—about an estimated 20,000 deaths per year. As they depend on human vectors, they have expanded their geographical range in recent years due to altered climatic and social conditions. Despite these epidemiological and clinical premises, there are limited antiviral treatments for these infections. In this review, we describe the major compounds that are currently under evaluation for the treatment of flavivirus infections and the challenges faced during clinical trials, outlining their mechanisms of action in order to present an overview of ongoing studies. According to our review, the absence of approved antivirals for flaviviruses led to in vitro and in vivo experiments aimed at identifying compounds that can interfere with one or more viral cycle steps. Still, the currently unavailability of approved antivirals poses a significant public health issue. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovative Antiviral Approaches and New Molecular Targets against Viral Infections)
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21 pages, 2550 KiB  
Review
Antiviral Approach to Cytomegalovirus Infection: An Overview of Conventional and Novel Strategies
by Paolo Bottino, Lisa Pastrone, Antonio Curtoni, Alessandro Bondi, Francesca Sidoti, Elisa Zanotto, Rossana Cavallo, Paolo Solidoro and Cristina Costa
Microorganisms 2023, 11(10), 2372; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms11102372 - 22 Sep 2023
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 3856
Abstract
Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is a herpesvirus capable of establishing a lifelong persistence in the host through a chronic state of infection and remains an essential global concern due to its distinct life cycle, mutations, and latency. It represents a life-threatening pathogen for immunocompromised [...] Read more.
Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is a herpesvirus capable of establishing a lifelong persistence in the host through a chronic state of infection and remains an essential global concern due to its distinct life cycle, mutations, and latency. It represents a life-threatening pathogen for immunocompromised patients, such as solid organ transplanted patients, HIV-positive individuals, and hematopoietic stem cell recipients. Multiple antiviral approaches are currently available and administered in order to prevent or manage viral infections in the early stages. However, limitations due to side effects and the onset of antidrug resistance are a hurdle to their efficacy, especially for long-term therapies. Novel antiviral molecules, together with innovative approaches (e.g., genetic editing and RNA interference) are currently in study, with promising results performed in vitro and in vivo. Since HCMV is a virus able to establish latent infection, with a consequential risk of reactivation, infection management could benefit from preventive treatment for critical patients, such as immunocompromised individuals and seronegative pregnant women. This review will provide an overview of conventional antiviral clinical approaches and their mechanisms of action. Additionally, an overview of proposed and developing new molecules is provided, including nucleic-acid-based therapies and immune-mediated approaches. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovative Antiviral Approaches and New Molecular Targets against Viral Infections)
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32 pages, 1743 KiB  
Review
Silver Nanoparticles: Review of Antiviral Properties, Mechanism of Action and Applications
by Angelica Luceri, Rachele Francese, David Lembo, Monica Ferraris and Cristina Balagna
Microorganisms 2023, 11(3), 629; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms11030629 - 28 Feb 2023
Cited by 95 | Viewed by 10313
Abstract
New antiviral drugs and new preventive antiviral strategies are a target of intense scientific interest. Thanks to their peculiar properties, nanomaterials play an important role in this field, and, in particular, among metallic materials, silver nanoparticles were demonstrated to be effective against a [...] Read more.
New antiviral drugs and new preventive antiviral strategies are a target of intense scientific interest. Thanks to their peculiar properties, nanomaterials play an important role in this field, and, in particular, among metallic materials, silver nanoparticles were demonstrated to be effective against a wide range of viruses, in addition to having a strong antibacterial effect. Although the mechanism of antiviral action is not completely clarified, silver nanoparticles can directly act on viruses, and on their first steps of interaction with the host cell, depending on several factors, such as size, shape, functionalization and concentration. This review provides an overview of the antiviral properties of silver nanoparticles, along with their demonstrated mechanisms of action and factors mainly influencing their properties. In addition, the fields of potential application are analyzed, demonstrating the versatility of silver nanoparticles, which can be involved in several devices and applications, including biomedical applications, considering both human and animal health, environmental applications, such as air filtration and water treatment, and for food and textile industry purposes. For each application, the study level of the device is indicated, if it is either a laboratory study or a commercial product. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovative Antiviral Approaches and New Molecular Targets against Viral Infections)
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