Jak/stat inhibitors and mapk/erk inhibitors for rsv infection

Abstract

The present invention concerns a method for treating or reducing the likelihood of developing a respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection in a subject by administering an effective amount of an inhibitor of the janus kinase (JAK)/signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) signaling pathway or the mitogen-activated kinase (MAPK)/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK1/2) signaling pathway to the subject. Another aspect of the invention concerns a pharmaceutical composition that includes an inhibitor of JAK/STAT or MAPK/ERK signaling to the subject; and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. Another aspect of the invention concerns a method for identifying agents useful for treating or reducing the likelihood of developing an RSV infection

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for identifying agents useful for treating or reducing the likelihood of developing a respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection, comprising determining whether a candidate agent acts as an inhibitor of janus kinase (JAK)/signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT) signaling pathway or the mitogen-activated kinase (MAPK)/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) signaling pathway, wherein inhibition of JAK/STAT or MAPK/ERK is indicative of an agent useful for treating or reducing the likelihood of developing RSV infection. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the candidate agent is a polynucleotide. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the candidate agent is a polypeptide. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the candidate agent is an antibody. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the candidate agent is a small molecule. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the candidate agent is a polynucleotide, and wherein the polynucleotide encodes a polypeptide which, when expressed, inhibits JAK/STAT or MAPK/ERK signaling. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the candidate agent is a polynucleotide, and wherein the polynucleotide is an antisense molecule or a small interfering RNA (siRNA) molecule. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the polynucleotide reduces expression of STAT-1 or STAT-3. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the polynucleotide reduces expression of ERK1 or ERK2. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said determining is carried out in vitro. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said determining comprises determining the kinase activity of activated ERK. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said determining comprises determining inhibition of ATPase activity of activated ERK. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said determining comprises quantitating the ability of the candidate agent to bind to ERK. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the candidate agent is radiolabeled, and wherein said quantitating comprises measuring the amount of candidate agent bound to ERK. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said quantitating comprises incubating the candidate agent with ERK bound to a known radioligand in a competition experiment. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising manufacturing the agent that is indicated to be useful for treating or reducing the likelihood of developing RSV infection. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising formulating the agent that is indicated to be useful for treating or reducing the likelihood of developing RSV infection for delivery to the respiratory epithelium.