Potential Application of Viral Empty Capsids for the Treatment of Acute Lung Injury/Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome
Abstract
The goal of this exploratory project has been to test the hypothesis that recombinant empty capsid of SV40, Virus Like Particles (VLPs), may attenuate ARDS, increasing survival and recovery from this severe clinical condition. The hypothesis was successfully validated. Using the rat 2CLP (cecal ligation and two punctures) model, we found that administration of VLPs reduced mortality from 100% to 25%. The VLPs, or saline control, were administered in 3 equal portions (total dose 0.3 mg/kg VLPs, in saline) for 3 days prior to the 2CLP operation. 2CLP was performed 24 hours later, and animals were sacrificed after additional 24 hours. Body weight of the 2CLP rats of both groups, with and without VLP-administration, decreased sharply after the operation. Two days later VLP-survivors began regaining body weight, at the same rate as the control untreated rats, indicating recovery. The results of the laboratory tests were consistent with body weight data. Tests performed at 24 hours after the operation indicated that all the 2CLP rats, whether they had received saline or VLPs, suffered from severe sepsis. However survivors in the 2CLP+VLPs group showed significantly improved test results when sacrificed 3 days later. Lungs were harvested for pathological examination and for studies on the mechanism elicited by VLPs that attenuate 2CLP-induced sepsis, to be performed as the project continues.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 01, 2016
- Accession Number
- AD1017036
Entities
People
- Ariella Oppenheim
Organizations
- Hebrew University of Jerusalem