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Biomedical subjects

Hiroaki Mitsuya

Publications and source records attributed to Hiroaki Mitsuya.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Altered HIV-1 Gag protein interactions with cyclophilin A (CypA) on the acquisition of H219Q and H219P substitutions in the CypA binding loop.

HIV-1 Gag protein interaction with cyclophilin A (CypA) is critical for viral fitness. Among the amino acid substitutions identified in Gag noncleavage sites in HIV-1 variants resistant to protease inhibitors, H219Q (Gatanaga, H., Suzuki, Y., Tsang, H., Yoshimura, K., Kavlick, M. F., Nagashima, K., Gorelick, R. J., Mardy, S., Tang, C., Summers, M. F., and Mitsuya, H. (2002) J. Biol. Chem. 277, 5952-5961) and H219P substitutions in the viral CypA binding loop confer the greatest replication advantage to HIV-1. These substitutions represent polymorphic amino acid residues. We found that the replication advantage conferred by these substitutions was far greater in CypA-rich MT-2 and H9 cells than in Jurkat cells and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBM), both of which contained less CypA. High intracellular CypA content in H9 and MT-2 cells, resulting in excessive CypA levels in virions, limited wild-type HIV-1 (HIV-1(WT)) replication and H219Q introduction into HIV-1 (HIV-1(H219Q)), reduced CypA incorporation of HIV-1, and potentiated viral replication. H219Q introduction also restored the otherwise compromised replication of HIV-1(P222A) in PBM, although the CypA content in HIV-1(H219Q/P222A) was comparable with that in HIV-1(P222A), suggesting that H219Q affected the conformation of the CypA-binding motif, rendering HIV-1 replicative in a low CypA environment. Structural modeling analyses revealed that although hydrogen bonds are lost with H219Q and H219P substitutions, no significant distortion of the CypA binding loop of Gag occurred. The loop conformation of HIV-1(P222A) was found highly distorted, although H219Q introduction to HIV-1 restored the conformation of the loop close to that of HIV-1 (P222A). The present data suggested that the effect of CypA on HIV-1 replicative (WT) ability is bimodal (both high and low CypA content limits HIV-1 replication), that the conformation of the CypA binding region of Gag is important for viral fitness, and that the function of CypA is to maintain the conformation.

Amino Acid Motifs↗

Immunoselection by natural killer cells of PIGA mutant cells missing stress-inducible ULBP.

The mechanism by which paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) clones expand is unknown. PNH clones harbor PIGA mutations and do not synthesize glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI), resulting in deficiency of GPI-linked membrane proteins. GPI-deficient blood cells often expand in patients with aplastic anemia who sustain immune-mediated marrow injury putatively induced by cytotoxic cells, hence suggesting that the injury allows PNH clones to expand selectively. We previously reported that leukemic K562 cells preferentially survived natural killer (NK) cell-mediated cytotoxicity in vitro when they acquired PIGA mutations. We herein show that the survival is ascribable to the deficiency of stress-inducible GPI-linked membrane proteins ULBP1 and ULBP2, which activate NK and T cells. The ULBPs were detected on GPI-expressing but not on GPI-deficient K562 cells. In the presence of antibodies to either the ULBPs or their receptor NKG2D on NK cells, GPI-expressing cells were as less NK sensitive as GPI-deficient cells. NK cells therefore spared ULBP-deficient cells in vitro. The ULBPs were identified only on GPI-expressing blood cells of a proportion of patients with PNH but none of healthy individuals. Granulocytes of the patients partly underwent killing by autologous cytotoxic cells, implying ULBP-associated blood cell injury. In this setting, the lack of ULBPs may allow immunoselection of PNH clones.

Adult↗

Structure-based design: synthesis and biological evaluation of a series of novel cycloamide-derived HIV-1 protease inhibitors.

The structure-based design and synthesis of a series of novel nonpeptide HIV protease inhibitors are described. The inhibitors were designed based upon the X-ray crystal structure of inhibitor 1 (UIC-94017)-bound HIV-1 protease. The inhibitors incorporated 3-hydroxysalicyclic acid-derived acyclic and cyclic P2 ligand into the (R)-(hydroxyethylamino)sulfonamide isostere. The inhibitors contain only two chiral centers and are readily synthesized in optically active form utilizing Sharpless asymmetric epoxidation, regioselective epoxide opening, and ring-closing olefin metathesis using Grubbs' catalyst as the key steps. We have synthesized 13-15-membered cycloamides and evaluated their HIV-1 protease enzyme inhibitory and antiviral activities in MT-2 cells. Interestingly, all cycloamide-derived inhibitors are noticeably more potent than the corresponding acyclic compounds. The ring size and substituent effects were investigated. It turned out that the 14-membered saturated ring is preferred by the S(1)-S(2) active sites of HIV-1 protease. Macrocycle 26 showed excellent enzyme inhibitory potency with a K(i) value of 0.7 nM and an antiviral IC(50) value of 0.3 microM. In view of their structural simplicity and preliminary interesting results, further optimization of these inhibitors is underway.

Cell Line↗

p15 mRNA expression detected by real-time quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction correlates with the methylation density of the gene in adult acute leukemia.

Cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p15 is frequently inactivated by either methylation or deletion in patients with acute leukemia. To examine pathologic and clinical significance of the p15 gene inactivation, we established a quantitative assay of p15 mRNA expression in the bone marrow cells by real-time quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. p15 mRNA expression in 14 patients with precursor B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (PBC-ALL) well correlated with status of deletion and methylation in the p15 gene analyzed by Southern blotting. Furthermore, two patients with PBC-ALL and 11 acute myeloblastic leukemia (AML) were quantitatively examined for p15 gene methylation using bisulfite genomic sequencing. The data showed that p15 mRNA expression significantly correlated with the CpG island methylation density. Among 108 AML patients, p15 mRNA expression was significantly lower in the myeloid lineage (M1, M2, M3) than the monocytic lineage (M4, M5) (P = 0.0019). Above all, the majority of M3 patients showed low p15 expression compared with M1 and M2 patients (P = 0.029). These observations suggest that quantitative analysis of p15 mRNA will be useful to evaluate transcriptional repression of the p15 gene caused by various degrees of methylation.

Acute Disease↗

Increase of C1q biosynthesis in brain microglia and macrophages during lentivirus infection in the rhesus macaque is sensitive to antiretroviral treatment with 6-chloro-2',3'-dideoxyguanosine.

Complement activation in the brain contributes to the pathology of neuroinflammatory and neurodegenerative diseases such as neuro-AIDS. Using semiquantitative in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry, we observed an early and sustained increase in the expression of C1q, the initial recognition subcomponent of the classical complement cascade, in the CNS during simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) infection of rhesus macaques. Cells of the microglial/macrophage lineage were the sources for C1q protein and transcripts. C1q expression was observed in proliferating and infiltrating cells in SIV-encephalitic brains. All SIV-positive cells were also C1q-positive. Treatment with the CNS-permeant antiretroviral agent 6-chloro-2',3'-dideoxyguanosine decreased C1q synthesis along with SIV burden and focal inflammatory reactions in the brains of AIDS-symptomatic monkeys. Thus, activation of the classical complement arm of innate immunity is an early event in neuro-AIDS and a possible target for intervention.

AIDS Dementia Complex↗

Potent anti-R5 human immunodeficiency virus type 1 effects of a CCR5 antagonist, AK602/ONO4128/GW873140, in a novel human peripheral blood mononuclear cell nonobese diabetic-SCID, interleukin-2 receptor gamma-chain-knocked-out AIDS mouse model.

We established human peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC)-transplanted R5 human immunodeficiency virus type 1 isolate JR-FL (HIV-1(JR-FL))-infected, nonobese diabetic-SCID, interleukin 2 receptor gamma-chain-knocked-out (NOG) mice, in which massive and systemic HIV-1 infection occurred. The susceptibility of the implanted PBMC to the infectivity and cytopathic effect of R5 HIV-1 appeared to stem from hyperactivation of the PBMC, which rapidly proliferated and expressed high levels of CCR5. When a novel spirodiketopiperazine-containing CCR5 inhibitor, AK602/ONO4128/GW873140 (molecular weight, 614), was administered to the NOG mice 1 day after R5 HIV-1 inoculation, the replication and cytopathic effects of R5 HIV-1 were significantly suppressed. In saline-treated mice (n = 7), the mean human CD4(+)/CD8(+) cell ratio was 0.1 on day 16 after inoculation, while levels in mice (n = 8) administered AK602 had a mean value of 0.92, comparable to levels in uninfected mice (n = 7). The mean number of HIV-RNA copies in plasma in saline-treated mice were approximately 10(6)/ml on day 16, while levels in AK602-treated mice were 1.27 x 10(3)/ml (P = 0.001). AK602 also significantly suppressed the number of proviral DNA copies and serum p24 levels (P = 0.001). These data suggest that the present NOG mouse system should serve as a small-animal AIDS model and warrant that AK602 be further developed as a potential therapeutic for HIV-1 infection.

Animals↗

Dehydroxymethylepoxyquinomicin, a novel nuclear factor-kappaB inhibitor, induces apoptosis in multiple myeloma cells in an IkappaBalpha-independent manner.

Nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) is constitutively activated in multiple myeloma cells. Several proteasome inhibitors have been shown to be effective against multiple myeloma and may act by inhibiting degradation of IkappaBalpha. Here, we examined the biological effects of a new type of NF-kappaB inhibitor, dehydroxymethylepoxyquinomicin (DHMEQ), which is reported to directly inhibit the cytoplasm-to-nucleus translocation of NF-kappaB. A multiple myeloma cell line, 12PE, which is defective for IkappaBalpha protein, was utilized to determine if IkappaBalpha is concerned with the action of DHMEQ. Meanwhile, U266 was used as a multiple myeloma cell line with normal IkappaBalpha. A proteasome inhibitor, gliotoxin, which is an inhibitor of degradation of phosphorylated IkappaBalpha, failed to inhibit translocation of NF-kappaB in 12PE. In contrast, DHMEQ equally inhibited translocation of NF-kappaB to the nucleus and induced apoptosis to both multiple myeloma cell lines, suggesting that apoptosis resulting from DHMEQ is IkappaBalpha independent. DHMEQ also induced apoptosis in freshly isolated multiple myeloma cells. After DHMEQ treatment, cleavage of caspase-3 and down-regulation of cyclin D1 were observed in both cell lines. In addition, administration of DHMEQ resulted in a significant reduction in tumor volume in a plasmacytoma mice model compared with control mice. Our results show that DHMEQ could potentially be a new type of molecular target agent for multiple myeloma.

Animals↗

Long-term efficacy of pegylated recombinant human megakaryocyte growth and development factor in therapy of aplastic anemia.

Pegylated recombinant human megakaryocyte growth and development factor (PEG-rHuMGDF) potently stimulates platelet production in humans, mitigates thrombocytopenia associated with nonmyeloablative chemotherapy, and reduces the need for platelet transfusions. Its long-term effect in patients, however, is not well understood. We report a patient with aplastic anaemia who received 3 cycles of PEG-rHuMGDF 3 times a week for up to 2 years. Platelet counts slightly increased 1 week after the initiation of PEG-rHuMGDF therapy, bleeding episodes decreased, and there was no need for platelet transfusion. Administration of PEG-rHuMGDF increased not only platelet numbers but also reticulocyte counts, and reduced the need for erythrocyte transfusions as well. There were no significant adverse events, and no neutralizing antibodies were detected in the patient.

Adult↗

(Z)- and (E)-[2-Fluoro-2-(hydroxymethyl)cyclopropylidene]methylpurines and -pyrimidines, a new class of methylenecyclopropane analogues of nucleosides: synthesis and antiviral activity.

The Z- and E-isomers of fluoromethylenecyclopropane analogues 11a-d and 12a-d were synthesized, and their antiviral activities were evaluated. The purine (Z,E)-methylenecyclopropane carboxylates 13 and 24 were selectively fluorinated using lithium diisopropylamide, LiCl, and N-fluorobenzenesulfonimide to give (Z,E)-fluoroesters 22 and 25. Reduction with LiBH(4) or diisobutylaluminum hydride gave after chromatographic separation Z-isomers 11a and 11e and E-isomers 12a and 12e. The O-demethylation of 11e and 12e afforded guanine analogues 11b and 12b. Fluorination of (Z,E)-cytosine and thymine esters 15 and 16 afforded (Z,E)-fluoroesters 26 and 27, which were resolved before the reduction to analogues 11c and 11d and 12c and 12d. Adenine Z-isomer 11a was the most effective against Towne and AD169 strains of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV, EC(50) 3.6 and 6.0 microM, respectively), but it was less effective against murine virus (MCMV, EC(50) 69 microM). Thymine Z-isomer 11d was effective against HSV-1 in BSC-1 cells (ELISA, EC(50) 2.5 microM) but inactive against HSV-1 or HSV-2 in Vero or HFF cells. All of the analogues with the exception of 12d were effective at least in one of the assays against Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in Daudi or H-1 cells in a micromolar or submicromolar range. Cytosine and thymine Z-isomers 11c and 11d were active against varicella zoster virus (VZV) with EC(50) 0.62 microM. Adenine Z- and E-isomers 11a and 12a were effective against HIV-1 in MT-2 or MT-4 cells with EC(50) 12-22 and 2.3-7.6 microM, respectively, whereas only 12a was effective against hepatitis B virus (HBV) with EC(50) 15 microM. Analogues 11a and 12a were weak substrates for adenosine deaminase.

Adenosine Deaminase↗

Spontaneous recovery of hemoglobin and neutrophil levels in Japanese patients on a long-term Combivir containing regimen.

OBJECTIVE: In order to evaluate long-term toxicity of Combivir, we retrospectively reviewed clinical records of HIV-1 infected cases under treatment with Combivir-containing regimen and we analyzed the clinical data compared to other NRTIs-containing regimens. STUDY DESIGN: A total of 55 patients who were on Combivir and 39 on a control regimen were examined. RESULTS: After starting treatment with Combivir-containing regimens viral load and CD4(+) T-cell count improved as well as the control group. Rates of adverse events in Combivir group and ZDV (400 mg/day) + 3TC group were 50.9% (28/55) and 60% (12/20), respectively. Some of these Japanese patients who started Combivir regimen as a first-line HAART (primary Combivir group) showed some decrease in hemoglobin levels or neutrophil counts within 6 months. However, a significant recovery of these indices of hematological toxicities occurred in patients who continued the regimen for 18-24 months. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that the safety of 600 mg of ZDV is similar to 400 mg/day of ZDV and the existence of mechanisms that compensate for anemia and for the neutropenia associated with long-term use of Combivir.

Adult↗

A 4'-C-ethynyl-2',3'-dideoxynucleoside analogue highlights the role of the 3'-OH in anti-HIV active 4'-C-ethynyl-2'-deoxy nucleosides.

4'-C-ethynyl-2'-deoxynucleosides belong to a novel class of nucleoside analogues endowed with potent activity against a wide spectrum of HIV viruses, including a variety of resistant clones. Although favorable selectivity indices were reported for several of these analogues, some concern still exists regarding the 3'-OH group and its role in cellular toxicity. To address this problem, we removed the 3'-OH group from 4'-C-ethynyl-2'-deoxycytidine (1a). This compound was chosen because of its combined high potency and low selectivity index. The removal of the 3'-OH was not straightforward; it required a different synthetic approach from the one used to synthesize the parent compound. Starting with glycidyl-4-methoxyphenyl ether, the target 4'-C-ethynyl-2',3'-dideoxycytidine analogue (rac-1h) was obtained after 13 steps. In a cellular assay, rac-1h was completely inactive (0.001-10 microM) against HIV(LAI), demonstrating the critical importance of the 3'-OH for antiviral activity. To determine whether the role of the 3'-OH was essential for the phosphorylation of the compound by cellular kinases or for inhibition of DNA polymerization, we synthesized and tested the 5'-triphosphate (rac-1h-TP) for its ability to inhibit HIV reverse transcriptase (RT). rac-1h-TP was slightly more potent than AZT-5'-triphosphate against wild-type HIV RT, suggesting that the role of the 3'-OH is crucial only for the activation of the drug by cellular kinases. The lipase-catalyzed resolution of rac-1h into ent-1h (beta-D-dideoxyribo) and ent-14 (beta-L-dideoxyribo) and the synthesis of the corresponding 5'-triphosphates established the stereochemical assignment based on HIV RT's preference for the beta-D-enantiomer, which was confirmed by assaying against the M184V variant, an RT mutant with a marked preference for incorporating nucleosides in the D-configuration.

Alkynes↗

Novel patterns of nevirapine resistance-associated mutations of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 in treatment-naïve patients.

Several reports have recently shown that drug-resistant human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) is often isolated from treatment-naïve patients. We phenotypically analyzed HIV-1 strains isolated from 44 treatment-naïve individuals and found two strains highly resistant (69- and >310-fold) against nevirapine (NVP). Direct sequencing showed these two isolates had a novel mutation, K238S, in reverse transcriptase (RT), but did not have any reported NVP resistance-associated mutation. A 48-h culture in the presence of NVP, however, selected HIV-1 carrying NVP resistance-associated mutations, V106A, V108I, or both, suggesting that minor viral populations of these two isolates had harbored these mutations. Replication kinetic studies of recombinant HIV-1 clones suggested that K238S conferred a significant resistance against NVP, especially when accompanied with V106A (530-fold) or V108I (56-fold). Our study identified a novel NVP resistance-associated mutation, K238S, which could be persistently detected by genotypic assay longer than V106A and V108I during off-treatment period.

Adult↗

Identification of aberrantly methylated genes in association with adult T-cell leukemia.

In this study, we identified 53 aberrantly hypermethylated DNA sequences in adult T-cell leukemia (ATL) cells using methylated CpG island amplification/representational difference analysis method. We also observed a proportionate increase in the methylation density of these regions with disease progression. Seven genes, which were expressed in normal T cells, but suppressed in ATL cells, were identified near the hypermethylated regions. Among these silenced genes, Kruppel-like factor 4 (KLF4) gene is a cell cycle regulator and early growth response 3 (EGR3) gene is a critical transcriptional factor for induction of Fas ligand (FasL) expression. Treatment with 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine resulted in the recovery of their transcription, indicating that their silencing might be associated with DNA hypermethylation. To study their functions in ATL cells, we transfected recombinant adenovirus vectors expressing KLF4 and EGR3 genes. Expression of KLF4 induced apoptosis of ATL cells whereas enforced expression of EGR3 induced the expression of FasL gene, resulting in apoptosis. Thus, suppressed expression of EGR3 enabled ATL cells to escape from activation-induced cell death mediated by FasL. Our results showed that the methylated CpG island amplification/representational difference analysis method allowed the isolation of hypermethylated DNA regions specific to leukemic cells and thus shed light on the roles of DNA methylation in leukemogenesis.

DNA Methylation↗

Indium-mediated atom-transfer and reductive radical cyclizations of iodoalkynes: synthesis and biological evaluation of HIV-protease inhibitors.

Novel indium-mediated radical cyclization reactions of aliphatic iodoalkynes have been studied. Treatment of iodoalkynes with a catalytic amount of In (0.1 equiv) and I(2) (0.05 equiv) promotes atom-transfer 5-exo cyclization to give five-membered alkenyl iodides. In contrast, reaction with In (2 equiv) and I(2) (1 equiv) yields reductive 5-exo cyclization products via the same 5-exo cyclization. Both processes are most likely initiated by low-valent indium species. To demonstrate versatility of these reactions, optically active HIV protease inhibitors were synthesized by this reductive cyclization method. Among them, several products, which contain a hydroxyethylamine dipeptide isostere as a transition state-mimicking substructure, proved to possess potent activity (IC(50) = 5-39 nM) against a wide spectrum of HIV strains, including multidrug-resistant variants.

Combinatorial Chemistry Techniques↗

The current status of, and challenges in, the development of CCR5 inhibitors as therapeutics for HIV-1 infection.

The discovery of CCR5 as a HIV-1 co-receptor unfolded the cryptic and complicated process of HIV-1 cellular entry and has provided more than a few entry steps as possible modalities for effective viral intervention. The proof-of-principle has already been established for the use of entry inhibitors against HIV-1 and there is a cautious optimism that several CCR5 inhibitors might soon be added to our armamentarium for therapy of HIV-1 infection.

Animals↗

Design, efficient synthesis, and anti-HIV activity of 4'-C-cyano- and 4'-C-ethynyl-2'-deoxy purine nucleosides.

Some 4'-C-ethynyl-2'-deoxy purine nucleosides showed the most potent anti-HIV activity among the series of 4'-C-substituted 2'-deoxynucleosides whose 4'-C-substituents were methyl, ethyl, ethynyl and so on. Our hypothesis is that the smaller the substituent at the C-4' position they have, the more acceptable biological activity they show. Thus, 4'-C-cyano-2'-deoxy purine nucleosides, whose substituent is smaller than the ethynyl group, will have more potent antiviral activity. To prove our hypothesis, we planned to develop an efficient synthesis of 4'-C-cyano-2'-deoxy purine nucleosides (4'-CNdNs) and 4'-C-ethynyl-2'-deoxy purine nucleosides (4'-EdNs). Consequently, we succeeded in developing an efficient synthesis of six 2'-deoxy purine nucleosides bearing either a cyano or an ethynyl group at the C-4' position of the sugar moiety from 2'-deoxyadenosine and 2,6-diaminopurine 2'-deoxyriboside. Unfortunately, 4'-C-cyano derivatives showed lower activity against HIV-1, and two 4'-C-ethynyl derivatives suggested high toxicity in vivo.

Animals↗

Brain virus burden and indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase expression during lentiviral infection of rhesus monkey are concomitantly lowered by 6-chloro-2',3'-dideoxyguanosine.

Increased kynurenine pathway metabolism has been implicated in the aetiology of lentiviral encephalopathy. Indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) initiates the increased production of kynurenine pathway metabolites like quinolinic acid (QUIN). QUIN itself is elevated in AIDS-diseased monkey and human brain parenchyma and cerebrospinal fluid at levels excitotoxic for neurons in vitro. This study investigates the cellular origin of IDO biosynthesis in the brain of rhesus monkeys infected with simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) and explores the effects of CNS-permeant antiretroviral treatment. IDO transcript and protein were absent from the brain of non-infected and SIV-infected asymptomatic monkeys. IDO biosynthesis was induced in the brain of monkeys exhibiting AIDS. Nodule and multinucleated giant cell-forming macrophages were the main sources of IDO synthesis. Treatment with the lipophilic 6-chloro-2',3'-dideoxyguanosine suppressed IDO expression in the brain of AIDS-diseased monkeys. The effectiveness of this treatment was confirmed by the reduction of virus burden and SIV-induced perivascular infiltrates, mononuclear nodules and multinucleated giant cells. Our data demonstrate that brain IDO biosynthesis is induced in a subset of monocyte-derived cells, depends on viral burden and is susceptible to antiretroviral treatment. Thus, IDO induction is associated with reversible overt inflammatory events localized to areas of active viral replication in the SIV-infected brain.

Animals↗