1. Academic Validation
  2. From Naproxen Repurposing to Naproxen Analogues and Their Antiviral Activity against Influenza A Virus

From Naproxen Repurposing to Naproxen Analogues and Their Antiviral Activity against Influenza A Virus

  • J Med Chem. 2018 Aug 23;61(16):7202-7217. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.8b00557.
Sébastien Dilly 1 Aurélien Fotso Fotso 2 Nathalie Lejal 3 Gloria Zedda 4 Mohamad Chebbo 2 Fryad Rahman 2 Simon Companys 4 Hélène C Bertrand 4 Jasmina Vidic 3 Magali Noiray 5 Marie-Christine Alessi 2 Bogdan Tarus 3 Stéphane Quideau 4 Béatrice Riteau 2 Anny Slama-Schwok 1 3
Affiliations

Affiliations

  • 1 Gustave Roussy Institute, Paris Saclay University, UMR8200 CNRS , 94805 Villejuif , France.
  • 2 Aix Marseille University, INSERM, INRA, NORT, UMR 1260/1062 , 13007 Marseille , France.
  • 3 Paris Saclay University, UR 892, INRA , 78352 Jouy en Josas , France.
  • 4 Bordeaux University, ISM (CNRS-UMR 5255) , 33405 Talence , France.
  • 5 Paris Sud University, Paris Saclay University, UMS IPSIT, Intermol , 92290 Châtenay-Malabry , France.
Abstract

The nucleoprotein (NP) of influenza A virus (IAV) required for IAV replication is a promising target for new antivirals. We previously identified by in silico screening naproxen being a dual inhibitor of NP and cyclooxygenase COX2, thus combining Antiviral and anti-inflammatory effects. However, the recently shown strong COX2 Antiviral potential makes COX2 inhibition undesirable. Here we designed and synthesized two new series of naproxen analogues called derivatives 2, 3, and 4 targeting highly conserved residues of the RNA binding groove, stabilizing NP monomer without inhibiting COX2. Derivative 2 presented improved Antiviral effects in infected cells compared to that of naproxen and afforded a total protection of mice against a lethal viral challenge. Derivative 4 also protected infected cells challenged with circulating 2009-pandemic and oseltamivir-resistant H1N1 virus. This improved Antiviral effect likely results from derivatives 2 and 4 inhibiting NP-RNA and NP-polymerase acidic subunit PA N-terminal interactions.

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