06/24/2009

Brazil-based research network announces the effectiveness of a new antiviral

Farmabrasilis announces the publication of the effectiveness of P-MAPA, a new immunomodulator, for antiviral applications, in the journal Antiviral Research.

 

This research was conducted in collaboration with Dr. Brian Gowen at the Institute for Antiviral Research of Utah State University and was funded by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health.

 

The P-MAPA, a proteinaceous aggregate of ammonium and magnesium phospholinoleate-palmitoleate anhydride derived from Aspergillus oryzae, works as an antiviral agent in a mouse model of acute phleboviral disease. This disease was induced by Punta Toro Virus (PTV), which produces a fatal hepatic disease in animals and is closely related to the Rift Valley fever virus, endemic in sub-Saharan Africa.

 

A single dose of P-MAPA, administered 24 hours post-infectious challenge, was effective at preventing death due to Punta Toro virus infection, according to the report published in the August 22 issue of Antiviral Research.

"This collaborative study is a milestone for the P-MAPA development, as it confirms some of the properties of this compound as medicine already in the pipeline for infectious diseases", says the Farmabrasilis CEO ".

 

"The collaborative research with NIAID programs is really an efficient way of speeding up the development of new medicines", adds the Farmabrasilis -Scientific Director.

 

P-MAPA has previously demonstrated anti-tumor activity in several mouse models. Extensive toxicology studies suggest that the compound is a safe drug, since in acute, subchronic and chronic toxicity studies performed in rodents, non-human primates and also in phase I clinical trials, the compound did not display relevant signs of toxicity.

 

Recent studies showed that P-MAPA induced proliferation of white blood cell such as T lymphocytes, increases cytokine production (mainly gamma interferon and interleukin-2), NK cell activity and stimulates nitric oxide release by macrophages. These data indicate that P-MAPA may be broadly active, helping to fight infections caused by intracellular pathogens including viruses. This is feasible because induction of interkeukin-2 (IL-2) and gamma interferon (IFN-γ) are also essential factors in the establishment of protective immunity against viral infection.

 

Farmabrasilis encourages new partnerships and can be reached at this website, e-mail: alliances@farmabrasilis.org

 

References

 

Antiviral Research - Volume 83, Issue 2, August 2009, Pages 143-147

*  doi:10.1016/j.antiviral.2009.04.006

* PubMed

 A biotechnological product and its potential as a new immunomodulator for treatment of animal phlebovirus infection: Punta Toro virus

Nelson Durán, Brian B. Gowen, Fabio T.M. Costa, Giselle Z. Justo, Marcelo Brocchi, Odilon S. Nunes and Iseu S. Nunes

Intracellular pathogens with widespread drug-resistance contribute substantially to the increasing rates in morbidity and mortality due to emerging and reemerging diseases. Thus, the development of new drugs, including those that can enhance the immune response, is urgently needed. The immunomodulator, P-MAPA, a proteinaceous aggregate of ammonium and magnesium phospholinoleate-palmitoleate anhydride derived from Aspergillus oryzae, have been shown to induce antitumor activities. The ability of this compound to elicit protective immunity against viral infections has not been fully explored. Here, we report findings on the use of P-MAPA as an antiviral agent in a mouse model of acute phleboviral (Punta Toro virus) disease. A single dose administered i.p. 24 h post-infectious challenge (100 mg/kg dose of P-MAPA) was remarkably effective at preventing death due to Punta Toro virus infection. This dose also reduced systemic viral burden and liver discoloration assayed on day 3 of infection. Taken together, our findings indicate that non-specific immunotherapy with P-MAPA appears to be an effective treatment for blocking Punta Toro virus-induced disease and suggest that further exploration with other viral disease models is warranted. 

 

* Address correspondence and reprint requests ( full text- 5 pages -PDF files) to Farmabrasilis :  E-mail address: contato@farmabrasilis.org.br

 

** Single Dose Therapeutic Treatment of Phlebovirus (Punta Toro Virus )Infection in Mice with P-MAPA