Oncolytic reovirus as a combined antiviral and anti-tumour agent for the treatment of liver cancer

Objective: Oncolytic viruses (OVs) represent promising, proinflammatory cancer treatments. Here, we explored whether OV-induced innate immune responses could simultaneously inhibit HCV while suppressing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Furthermore, we extended this exemplar to other models of virus-associated cancer. Design and results: Clinical grade oncolytic orthoreovirus (Reo) elicited innate immune activation within primary human liver tissue in the absence of cytotoxicity and independently of viral genome replication. As well as achieving therapy in preclinical models of HCC through the activation of innate degranulating immune cells, Reo-induced cytokine responses efficiently suppressed HCV replication both in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, Reo-induced innate responses were also effective against models of HBV-associated HCC, as well as an alternative endogenous model of Epstein–Barr virus-associated lymphoma. Interestingly, Reo appeared superior to the majority of OVs in its ability to elicit innate inflammatory responses from primary liver tissue. Conclusions: We propose that Reo and other select proinflammatory OV may be used in the treatment of multiple cancers associated with oncogenic virus infections, simultaneously reducing both virus-associated oncogenic drive and tumour burden. In the case of HCV-associated HCC (HCV-HCC), Reo should be considered as an alternative agent to supplement and support current HCV-HCC therapies, particularly in those countries where access to new HCV antiviral treatments may be limited

Isoform-Specific Mechanisms Of A3β4ˆ—-Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Modulation By The Prototoxin Lynx1

This study investigates - for the first time to our knowledge - the existence and mechanisms of functional interactions between the endogenous mammalian prototoxin, lynx1, and α3- and β4-subunit-containing human nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (α3β4∗-nAChRs). Concatenated gene constructs were used to express precisely defined α3β4∗-nAChR isoforms (α3β4)2β4-, (α3β4)2α3-, (α3β4)2α5(398D)-, and (α3β4)2a5(398N)-nAChR in Xenopus oocytes. In the presence or absence of lynx1, α3β4∗-nAChR agonist responses were recorded by using 2-electrode voltage clamp and single-channel electrophysiology, whereas radioimmunolabeling measured cellsurface expression. Lynx1 reduced (α3β4)2β4-nAChR function principally by lowering cell-surface expression, whereas single-channel effects were primarily responsible for reducing (α3β4)2α3-nAChR function [decreased unitary conductance (‡50%), altered burst proportions (3-fold reduction in the proportion of long bursts), and enhanced closed dwell times (3- to 6-fold increase)]. Alterations in both cell-surface expression and single-channel properties accounted for the reduction in (α3β4)2α5-nAChR function that wasmediated by lynx1. No effects were observed when a3b4∗-nAChRs were coexpressed with mutated lynx1 (control). Lynx1 is expressed in the habenulopeduncular tract, where α3β4∗-α5∗-nAChR subtypes are critical contributors to the balance between nicotine aversion and reward. This gives our findings a high likelihood of physiologic significance. The exquisite isoform selectivity of lynx1 interactions provides new insights into the mechanisms and allosteric sites [α(2)-interface containing] by which prototoxins canmodulatenAChRfunction. - George, A. A., Bloy, A.,Miwa, J. M., Lindstrom, J. M., Lukas, R. J., Whiteaker, P. Isoform-specific mechanisms of α3β4∗-nicotinic acetylcholine receptor modulation by the prototoxin lynx1