Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Nov 27, 2024 8 hours, 13 minutes ago
Medical News: Mpox, a zoonotic disease caused by the monkeypox virus, has become a growing global health concern. The World Health Organization declared it an emergency in 2022, following an outbreak affecting over 94,000 individuals in 117 countries. Historically less severe than smallpox, Mpox now shows a higher mutation rate of 21%, raising fears of increased virulence.
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Mpox Drug Repurposing Study Yields Promising Insights
This
Medical News report discusses a groundbreaking study aiming to uncover drug targets for Mpox by analyzing host-pathogen interactions. Using advanced computational methods, researchers integrated host-pathogen interaction (HPI) data and weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) to identify genes and pathways crucial to the virus's progression. These findings could guide drug repurposing efforts, expediting the availability of treatments for Mpox.
Who Conducted the Study
The research team involved experts from institutions such as Shulan International Medical College (China), Tarbiat Modares University (Iran), University of Tehran (Iran), BOKU University (Austria), and Southwest Medical University (China). Their multi-disciplinary approach combined molecular genetics, computational biology, and bioinformatics.
Techniques Used in the Study
The researchers employed several innovative techniques:
-HPI and WGCNA Analysis: These methods allowed the team to map interactions between the virus and host cells, revealing the molecular mechanisms underlying Mpox's progression.
-Phylogenetic Analysis: The team constructed detailed evolutionary trees to understand Mpox's genetic diversity and its relationships with other orthopoxviruses.
-Functional Enrichment: By analyzing the roles of key genes, the study pinpointed pathways most affected during infection.
Key Findings on Mpox Drug Targets
The study identified 28 genes significantly altered during Mpox infections, categorizing them into two groups - proviral genes, which aid the virus, and antiviral genes, which counteract it. The most noteworthy findings include:
-Proviral Genes: Genes like ESR2, ERK1, ERK2, STAT3, and CDK4 are involved in pathways that enhance viral replication and immune evasion. These genes were marked as targets for inhibition.
-Antiviral Genes: Genes such as HIPK2 and IKKA play critical roles in immune activation and apoptosis, making them prime candidates for therapeutic activation.
-Signaling Pathways: Proviral genes are associated with the PI3K-AKT, Wnt/β-catenin, and STAT3 signaling pathways, while antiviral genes interact with NF-κB, interferon, and apoptotic pathways. These pathways regulate cell survival, inflammation, and immune responses, illustrating how Mpox manipul
ates the host for its benefit.
Drug Repurposing Highlights
By comparing these gene targets with existing drugs, the researchers identified promising repurposing candidates, including:
-Niclosamide: Originally an anti-parasitic drug, Niclosamide emerged as a leading candidate due to its ability to suppress STAT3 and Wnt/β-catenin signaling, essential for viral replication.
-Kinase Inhibitors: Drugs targeting kinases like ERK1/2 and GSK3β showed potential in disrupting critical pathways for Mpox survival.
-Hormonal Modulators: Compounds such as Estradiol and Medroxyprogesterone acetate were highlighted for their ability to influence antiviral pathways.
These drugs, many FDA-approved, offer a faster route to clinical application, potentially reducing the time required for new drug development.
Broader Implications
The study goes beyond identifying drug targets. It provides a framework for understanding how Mpox evades immune responses and highlights the need for tailored treatments. This includes addressing gender-specific responses to Mpox, as certain hormonal pathways might affect disease outcomes differently in men and women.
Study Conclusions
This research demonstrates the power of integrating computational and biological approaches to combat emerging diseases. By identifying critical pathways and repurposable drugs, the study lays the groundwork for effective Mpox treatments. The findings emphasize the need for further experimental validation and clinical trials to confirm the efficacy of these drug candidates.
The study findings were published in the peer-reviewed journal: Scientific Reports.
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-024-79897-9
For the latest Mpox News, keep on logging to Thailand
Medical News.
Read Also:
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/2023-study-shows-that-even-with-vaccinations-those-indulging-in-continued-risky-behaviors-will-still-contract-mpox
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/plantagoside-and-narcissoside-from-plantago-lanceolata-can-inhibit-monkeypox-mpox-virus-s-profilin-like-protein-a42r
https://www.thailandmedical.news/articles/monkeypox
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