Systematic Approaches towards the Development of Host-Directed Antiviral Therapeutics

Author: Prussia Andrew   Thepchatri Pahk   Snyder James P.   Plemper Richard K.  

Publisher: MDPI

E-ISSN: 1422-0067|12|6|4027-4052

ISSN: 1422-0067

Source: International Journal of Molecular Sciences, Vol.12, Iss.6, 2011-06, pp. : 4027-4052

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Abstract

Since the onset of antiviral therapy, viral resistance has compromised the clinical value of small-molecule drugs targeting pathogen components. As intracellular parasites, viruses complete their life cycle by hijacking a multitude of host-factors. Aiming at the latter rather than the pathogen directly, host-directed antiviral therapy has emerged as a concept to counteract evolution of viral resistance and develop broad-spectrum drug classes. This approach is propelled by bioinformatics analysis of genome-wide screens that greatly enhance insights into the complex network of host-pathogen interactions and generate a shortlist of potential gene targets from a multitude of candidates, thus setting the stage for a new era of rational identification of drug targets for host-directed antiviral therapies. With particular emphasis on human immunodeficiency virus and influenza virus, two major human pathogens, we review screens employed to elucidate host-pathogen interactions and discuss the state of database ontology approaches applicable to defining a therapeutic endpoint. The value of this strategy for drug discovery is evaluated, and perspectives for bioinformatics-driven hit identification are outlined.