DOI
https://doi.org/10.25772/CNVY-TJ48
Defense Date
2012
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science
Department
Microbiology & Immunology
First Advisor
Michael McVoy
Abstract
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections remain a significant problem in congenitally infected infants and immunocompromised individuals. Modest antiviral activities of currently approved drugs coupled with dose-limiting toxicities restrict effectiveness and promote development of resistance. The potential for ribonucleotide reductase (RR) inhibitors hydroxyurea (HU), Didox, and Trimidox to synergize, through reduction of nucleotide pools, with the deoxynucleotide analog Ganciclovir (GCV) was examined. A yield reduction assay that utilizes luciferase expressed by a recombinant virus as a surrogate measure of viral infectious units was developed and used to determine effective dose ranges for each drug. RR inhibitors exhibited intrinsic anti-CMV activities on their own with IC50 values well below toxic levels. Moreover, RR inhibitors significantly synergized with GCV. These findings provide a rationale for exploration of RR inhibitors and deoxynucleotide analogs in anti-CMV combination therapy.
Rights
© The Author
Is Part Of
VCU University Archives
Is Part Of
VCU Theses and Dissertations
Date of Submission
August 2012