Autophagy Modulators as Novel Broad-Spectrum Anti-Infective Agents

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In this CETR program 'Autophagy Modulators as Novel Broad-Spectrum Anti-infective Agents', we will discover, validate, and optimize novel broad-spectrum anti-infective agents. Our approach will be to enhance the anti-infective efficacy of a host pathway that is active against a wide range of NIAID priority pathogens. Autophagy and the function of autophagy-related genes (ATG genes) in resistance to infection represent such a pathway. Autophagy and ATG genes are central to immune defense against viruses, bacteria, and parasites including West Nile virus, chikungunya virus, norovirus, M. tuberculosis, S. aureus, T. gondii, L. monocytogenes, and S. typhimurium and therefore provide unique targets for the development of broad-spectrum anti-infective agents. Autophagy is a cellular process in which cytoplasmic cargo, including pathogens and pathogen components, are captured within a double membrane-bound vesicle for delivery to the lysosome and degradation. ATG proteins can also play key roles in host defense via processes that do not require the autophagy pathway. In this CETR program w/e will develop small molecules that stimulate the activity of autophagy and/or ATG genes as broad-spectrum anti-infective agents. Our main deliverable will be semi-optimized lead compounds with protective effects in animals against a range of pathogens. We have already identified an autophagy-inducing peptide that protects mice against infection with diverse viruses, and have completed a high-density compound screen that has identified autophagy-inducing molecules that inhibit bacterial replication. We will develop these initial candidates, and will identify additional validated targets for further compound screens. Our team combines experts in the field including Drs. Skip Virgin, Beth Levine, Ramnik Xavier, and Stuart Schreiber, a group with an extensive history of collaboration and co-publication. To accomplish our goals we will leverage the outstanding facilities and resources of the Broad Institute, the Massachusetts General Hospital, Washington University School of Medicine, and the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School. We will accomplish our goals through four Research Projects, an Administrative Core, and a Genetic and Pathway Analysis Core. Our Projects are: (1) Autophagy-inducing Peptides and Target Identification for Treatment of Viruses (Levine); (2) Genes/Pathways for Autophagy-dependent Inhibition of Bacterial Infection (Xavier); (3) Genes/Pathways for ATG Gene-dependent Inhibition of Virus and Parasite Infection (Virgin); and (4) Enhancing ATG-dependent Defense Against Pathogens with Therapeutic Lead Compounds (Schreiber). By focusing on autophagy and ATG genes, and using cutting edge technologies, our CETR team will optimize already existing therapeutic leads and provide a pipeline of novel targets for the development of a new class of broad-spectrum anti-infective medicines.