A unique characteristic of the Andes virus strain of hantavirus – endemic to Chile and Argentina – is its ability to transmit from person to person, unlike other hantaviruses found globally, which spread exclusively from rodents to humans. Currently, there is no specific treatment for this potentially fatal disease, which has a fatality rate reaching up to 30%. However, novel research from the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (UC) offers a promising path toward a cure.
Researchers are leveraging the power of artificial intelligence to identify potential antiviral compounds, a strategy that could significantly accelerate the development of effective treatments. This innovative approach focuses on blocking the virus’s entry into cells, thereby inhibiting the spread of infection. The project, funded by Avanza UC, is unfolding in two key phases: an AI-driven search for promising molecules and subsequent laboratory validation of those findings.
“What we want to do is inhibit the process of viral entry to inhibit the spread of infection,” explains Jennifer Angulo, assistant professor and researcher at the UC School of Medicine and the Faculty of Biological Sciences. The team recognizes that creating a novel compound from scratch is a lengthy process, requiring the ability to synthesize new molecules. “The other path is to filter compounds that already exist and can be purchased from companies specializing in chemical synthesis,” says Andreas Schüller, associate professor and researcher at the UC Faculty of Biological Sciences.
Harnessing Artificial Intelligence for Drug Discovery
The health market offers millions of available compounds for potential leverage. “We are going to search with artificial intelligence, in these libraries of great diversity of compounds available. Among the quantity of molecules that exist, we will select those that could have antiviral potential against the Andes Hantavirus,” Schüller stated. The AI will identify these compounds by analyzing information about a specific protein on the hantavirus surface, searching for molecules that complement its structure.
“The virus needs to bind to the cell to infect it. For that, it uses proteins on its surface that must fit with proteins present in the cell,” Schüller explains. “We have a three-dimensional model of a protein on the virus surface, which is the protein necessary for viral entry. What we want to do is put a barrier in this contact, designing a molecule that will cover a certain area of the virus surface. So, if we block this interaction, the virus cannot enter the cell and the infection should not occur.” He illustrates the concept with a simple analogy: “It’s as if two train cars, designed to be connected, had a device placed between them to prevent the connection and keep the cars separated.”
The AI is designed to create a molecule that optimally fits the virus surface, blocking its ability to interact with and enter host cells. This targeted approach aims to disrupt the initial stages of infection, preventing the virus from establishing itself within the body.
From Virtual Screening to Laboratory Validation
Once the AI has selected potential molecules, the research team will acquire them and move to the experimental phase. These compounds will be rigorously tested in a laboratory setting to evaluate their antiviral activity – their ability to prevent hantavirus infection. “The next step is to evaluate them in assays with the virus in cell culture in a biosafety level 3 laboratory,” Angulo says. “Our group has experience working with cultures of the Andes virus under these conditions, so now we will test if these compounds can block the virus from entering the cell. If we observe antiviral activity, then an entire stage of biological validation of the candidates begins.”
The Andes virus, as noted in a recent epidemiological alert from the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), has a history of suggested human-to-human transmission, particularly associated with outbreaks in Argentina and Chile . While transmission is primarily zoonotic, linked to contact with rodents, the potential for person-to-person spread remains a significant public health concern, especially given the virus’s relatively high fatality rate – around 40% .
This research represents a crucial step forward in the fight against Andes virus. The combination of AI-driven drug discovery and rigorous laboratory testing offers a promising strategy for developing effective antiviral treatments and mitigating the impact of this potentially deadly disease. Further research will focus on validating the identified compounds and exploring their potential for clinical application.
Disclaimer: This article provides informational content about medical research and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider for diagnosis and treatment of any medical condition.
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