Leen Delang1, Nidya Segura Guerrero2, Ali Tas3, Gilles Quérat4, Boris Pastorino4, Mathy Froeyen5, Kai Dallmeier1, Dirk Jochmans1, Piet Herdewijn5, Felio Bello6, Eric J Snijder3, Xavier de Lamballerie4, Byron Martina7, Johan Neyts8, Martijn J van Hemert3, Pieter Leyssen1. 1. Laboratory for Virology and Experimental Chemotherapy, Rega Institute for Medical Research, KU Leuven, Minderbroedersstraat 10, 3000 Leuven, Belgium. 2. Laboratory for Virology and Experimental Chemotherapy, Rega Institute for Medical Research, KU Leuven, Minderbroedersstraat 10, 3000 Leuven, Belgium Laboratorio de Entomología Médica, Escuela de Medicina y Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad del Rosario, Calle 63D 24-31, Bogotá DC, Colombia. 3. Molecular Virology Laboratory, Department of Medical Microbiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands. 4. UMR_D 190 "Emergence des Pathologies Virales" (Aix-Marseille University, IRD French Institute of Research for Development, EHESP French School of Public Health), Marseille, France. 5. Laboratory for Medicinal Chemistry, Rega Institute for Medical Research, KU Leuven, Minderbroedersstraat 10, 3000 Leuven, Belgium. 6. Laboratorio de Entomología Médica, Escuela de Medicina y Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad del Rosario, Calle 63D 24-31, Bogotá DC, Colombia. 7. Department of Viroscience, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. 8. Laboratory for Virology and Experimental Chemotherapy, Rega Institute for Medical Research, KU Leuven, Minderbroedersstraat 10, 3000 Leuven, Belgium johan.neyts@rega.kuleuven.be.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: T-705, also known as favipiravir, is a small-molecule inhibitor that is currently in clinical development for the treatment of influenza virus infections. This molecule also inhibits the replication of a broad spectrum of other RNA viruses. The objective of this study was to investigate the antiviral effect of favipiravir on chikungunya virus (CHIKV) replication and to contribute to unravelling the molecular mechanism of action against this virus. METHODS: The anti-CHIKV effect of favipiravir was examined in cell culture and in a mouse model of lethal infection. A five-step protocol was used to select for CHIKV variants with reduced susceptibility to favipiravir. The resistant phenotype was confirmed in cell culture and the whole genome was sequenced. The identified mutations were reverse-engineered into an infectious clone to confirm their impact on the antiviral efficacy of favipiravir. RESULTS: Favipiravir inhibits the replication of laboratory strains and clinical isolates of CHIKV, as well as of a panel of other alphaviruses. Several favipiravir-resistant CHIKV variants were independently selected and all of them in particular acquired the unique K291R mutation in the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp). Reverse-engineering of this K291R mutation into an infectious clone of CHIKV confirmed the link between the mutant genotype and the resistant phenotype. Interestingly, this particular lysine is also highly conserved in the RdRp of positive-stranded RNA viruses in general. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides an important insight into the precise molecular mechanism by which favipiravir exerts its antiviral activity against (alpha)viruses, which may be of help in designing other potent broad-spectrum antivirals.
OBJECTIVES:T-705, also known as favipiravir, is a small-molecule inhibitor that is currently in clinical development for the treatment of influenza virus infections. This molecule also inhibits the replication of a broad spectrum of other RNA viruses. The objective of this study was to investigate the antiviral effect of favipiravir on chikungunya virus (CHIKV) replication and to contribute to unravelling the molecular mechanism of action against this virus. METHODS: The anti-CHIKV effect of favipiravir was examined in cell culture and in a mouse model of lethal infection. A five-step protocol was used to select for CHIKV variants with reduced susceptibility to favipiravir. The resistant phenotype was confirmed in cell culture and the whole genome was sequenced. The identified mutations were reverse-engineered into an infectious clone to confirm their impact on the antiviral efficacy of favipiravir. RESULTS:Favipiravir inhibits the replication of laboratory strains and clinical isolates of CHIKV, as well as of a panel of other alphaviruses. Several favipiravir-resistant CHIKV variants were independently selected and all of them in particular acquired the unique K291R mutation in the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp). Reverse-engineering of this K291R mutation into an infectious clone of CHIKV confirmed the link between the mutant genotype and the resistant phenotype. Interestingly, this particular lysine is also highly conserved in the RdRp of positive-stranded RNA viruses in general. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides an important insight into the precise molecular mechanism by which favipiravir exerts its antiviral activity against (alpha)viruses, which may be of help in designing other potent broad-spectrum antivirals.
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