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Rahmani D, Jafari A, Kesharwani P, Sahebkar A. Molecular targets in SARS-CoV-2 infection: An update on repurposed drug candidates. Pathol Res Pract 2024; 263:155589. [PMID: 39276508 DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2024.155589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2024] [Revised: 08/29/2024] [Accepted: 09/06/2024] [Indexed: 09/17/2024]
Abstract
The 2019 widespread contagion of the human coronavirus novel type (SARS-CoV-2) led to a pandemic declaration by the World Health Organization. A daily increase in patient numbers has formed an urgent necessity to find suitable targets and treatment options for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Despite scientists' struggles to discover quick treatment solutions, few effective specific drugs are approved to control SARS-CoV-2 infections thoroughly. Drug repositioning or Drug repurposing and target-based approaches are promising strategies for facilitating the drug discovery process. Here, we review current in silico, in vitro, in vivo, and clinical updates regarding proposed drugs for prospective treatment options for COVID-19. Drug targets that can direct pharmaceutical sciences efforts to discover new drugs against SARS-CoV-2 are divided into two categories: Virus-based targets, for example, Spike glycoprotein and Nucleocapsid Protein, and host-based targets, for instance, inflammatory cytokines and cell receptors through which the virus infects the cell. A broad spectrum of drugs has been found to show anti-SARS-CoV-2 potential, including antiviral drugs and monoclonal antibodies, statins, anti-inflammatory agents, and herbal products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dibachehr Rahmani
- Department of Biology, Central Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ameneh Jafari
- Proteomics Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Prashant Kesharwani
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi 110062, India.
| | - Amirhossein Sahebkar
- Center for Global Health Research, Saveetha Medical College and Hospitals, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, Chennai, India; Biotechnology Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran; Applied Biomedical Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
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Grewal T, Nguyen MKL, Buechler C. Cholesterol and COVID-19-therapeutic opportunities at the host/virus interface during cell entry. Life Sci Alliance 2024; 7:e202302453. [PMID: 38388172 PMCID: PMC10883773 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.202302453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2023] [Revised: 02/12/2024] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
The rapid development of vaccines to combat severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections has been critical to reduce the severity of COVID-19. However, the continuous emergence of new SARS-CoV-2 subtypes highlights the need to develop additional approaches that oppose viral infections. Targeting host factors that support virus entry, replication, and propagation provide opportunities to lower SARS-CoV-2 infection rates and improve COVID-19 outcome. This includes cellular cholesterol, which is critical for viral spike proteins to capture the host machinery for SARS-CoV-2 cell entry. Once endocytosed, exit of SARS-CoV-2 from the late endosomal/lysosomal compartment occurs in a cholesterol-sensitive manner. In addition, effective release of new viral particles also requires cholesterol. Hence, cholesterol-lowering statins, proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 antibodies, and ezetimibe have revealed potential to protect against COVID-19. In addition, pharmacological inhibition of cholesterol exiting late endosomes/lysosomes identified drug candidates, including antifungals, to block SARS-CoV-2 infection. This review describes the multiple roles of cholesterol at the cell surface and endolysosomes for SARS-CoV-2 entry and the potential of drugs targeting cholesterol homeostasis to reduce SARS-CoV-2 infectivity and COVID-19 disease severity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Grewal
- https://ror.org/0384j8v12 School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Mai Khanh Linh Nguyen
- https://ror.org/0384j8v12 School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Christa Buechler
- https://ror.org/01226dv09 Department of Internal Medicine I, Regensburg University Hospital, Regensburg, Germany
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Das S, Malik M, Dastidar DG, Roy R, Paul P, Sarkar S, Chakraborty P, Maity A, Dasgupta M, Gupta AD, Chatterjee S, Sarker RK, Maiti D, Tribedi P. Piperine, a phytochemical prevents the biofilm city of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus: A biochemical approach to understand the underlying mechanism. Microb Pathog 2024; 189:106601. [PMID: 38423404 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2024.106601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), a drug-resistant human pathogen causes several nosocomial as well as community-acquired infections involving biofilm machinery. Hence, it has gained a wide interest within the scientific community to impede biofilm-induced MRSA-associated health complications. The current study focuses on the utilization of a natural bioactive compound called piperine to control the biofilm development of MRSA. Quantitative assessments like crystal violet, total protein recovery, and fluorescein-di-acetate (FDA) hydrolysis assays, demonstrated that piperine (8 and 16 μg/mL) could effectively compromise the biofilm formation of MRSA. Light and scanning electron microscopic image analysis confirmed the same. Further investigation revealed that piperine could reduce extracellular polysaccharide production by down-regulating the expression of icaA gene. Besides, piperine could reduce the cell-surface hydrophobicity of MRSA, a crucial factor of biofilm formation. Moreover, the introduction of piperine could interfere with microbial motility indicating the interaction of piperine with the quorum-sensing components. A molecular dynamics study showed a stable binding between piperine and AgrA protein (regulator of quorum sensing) suggesting the possible meddling of piperine in quorum-sensing of MRSA. Additionally, the exposure to piperine led to the accumulation of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and potentially heightened cell membrane permeability in inhibiting microbial biofilm formation. Besides, piperine could reduce the secretion of diverse virulence factors from MRSA. Further exploration revealed that piperine interacted with extracellular DNA (e-DNA), causing disintegration by weakening the biofilm architecture. Conclusively, this study suggests that piperine could be a potential antibiofilm molecule against MRSA-associated biofilm infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sharmistha Das
- Microbial Ecology Research Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, The Neotia University, Sarisha, West Bengal, 743368, India.
| | - Moumita Malik
- Microbial Ecology Research Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, The Neotia University, Sarisha, West Bengal, 743368, India.
| | - Debabrata Ghosh Dastidar
- Guru Nanak Institute of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, 157/F Nilgunj Road, Panihati, Kolkata, West Bengal, 700114, India.
| | - Ritwik Roy
- Microbial Ecology Research Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, The Neotia University, Sarisha, West Bengal, 743368, India.
| | - Payel Paul
- Microbial Ecology Research Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, The Neotia University, Sarisha, West Bengal, 743368, India.
| | - Sarita Sarkar
- Microbial Ecology Research Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, The Neotia University, Sarisha, West Bengal, 743368, India.
| | - Poulomi Chakraborty
- Microbial Ecology Research Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, The Neotia University, Sarisha, West Bengal, 743368, India.
| | - Alakesh Maity
- Microbial Ecology Research Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, The Neotia University, Sarisha, West Bengal, 743368, India.
| | - Monikankana Dasgupta
- Microbial Ecology Research Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, The Neotia University, Sarisha, West Bengal, 743368, India.
| | - Anirban Das Gupta
- Microbial Ecology Research Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, The Neotia University, Sarisha, West Bengal, 743368, India.
| | - Sudipta Chatterjee
- Microbial Ecology Research Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, The Neotia University, Sarisha, West Bengal, 743368, India.
| | - Ranojit Kumar Sarker
- Microbial Ecology Research Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, The Neotia University, Sarisha, West Bengal, 743368, India.
| | - Debasish Maiti
- Department of Human Physiology, Tripura University, Suryamaninagar, Agartala, Tripura, 799022, India.
| | - Prosun Tribedi
- Microbial Ecology Research Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, The Neotia University, Sarisha, West Bengal, 743368, India.
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Queirós-Reis L, Mesquita JR, Brancale A, Bassetto M. Exploring the Fatty Acid Binding Pocket in the SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein - Confirmed and Potential Ligands. J Chem Inf Model 2023; 63:7282-7298. [PMID: 37991468 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.3c00803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2023]
Abstract
Severe Acute Respiratory syndrome 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a respiratory virus responsible for coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) and the still ongoing and unprecedented global pandemic. The key viral protein for cell infection is the spike glycoprotein, a surface-exposed fusion protein that both recognizes and mediates entry into host cells. Within the spike glycoprotein, a fatty acid binding pocket (FABP) was confirmed, with the crystallization of linoleic acid (LA) occupying a well-defined site. Importantly, when the pocket is occupied by a fatty acid, an inactive conformation is stabilized, and cell recognition is hindered. In this review, we discuss ligands reported so far for this site, correlating their activity predicted through in silico studies with antispike experimental activity, assessed by either binding assays or cell-infection assays. LA was the first confirmed ligand, cocrystallized in a cryo-EM structure of the spike protein, resulting in increased stability of the inactive conformation of the spike protein. The next identified ligand, lifitegrast, was also experimentally confirmed as a ligand with antiviral activity, suggesting the potential for diverse chemical scaffolds to bind this site. Finally, SPC-14 was also confirmed as a ligand, although no inhibition assays were performed. In this review, we identified 20 studies describing small-molecule compounds predicted to bind the pocket in in silico studies and with confirmed binding or in vitro activity, either inhibitory activity against the spike-ACE2 interaction or antiviral activity in cell-based assays. When considering all ligands confirmed with in vitro assays, a good overall occupation of the pocket should be complemented with the ability to make direct interactions, both hydrophilic and hydrophobic, with key amino acid residues defining the pocket surface. Among the active compounds, long flexible carbon chains are recurrent, with retinoids capable of binding the FABP, although bulkier systems are also capable of affecting viral fitness. Compounds able to bind this site with high affinity have the potential to stabilize the inactive conformation of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and therefore reduce the virus's ability to infect new cells. Since this pocket is conserved in highly pathogenic human coronaviruses, including MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV, this effect could be exploited for the development of new antiviral agents, with broad-spectrum anticoronavirus activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luís Queirós-Reis
- Abel Salazar Institute of Biomedical Sciences (ICBAS), University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
| | - João R Mesquita
- Abel Salazar Institute of Biomedical Sciences (ICBAS), University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
- Epidemiology Research Unit (EPIunit), Institute of Public Health, University of Porto, 4050-091 Porto, Portugal
| | - Andrea Brancale
- University of Chemistry and Technology, Prague, 166 28 Praha, Czechia
| | - Marcella Bassetto
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Biomedical and Life Sciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF10 3BN, U.K
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Swansea University, Swansea SA2 8PP, U.K
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Arfat Y, Zafar I, Sehgal SA, Ayaz M, Sajid M, Khan JM, Ahsan M, Rather MA, Khan AA, Alshehri JM, Akash S, Nepovimova E, Kuca K, Sharma R. In silico designing of multiepitope-based-peptide (MBP) vaccine against MAPK protein express for Alzheimer's disease in Zebrafish. Heliyon 2023; 9:e22204. [PMID: 38058625 PMCID: PMC10695983 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e22204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2023] [Revised: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Understanding the role of the mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) signalling pathway is essential in advancing treatments for neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer's. In this study, we investigate in-silico techniques involving computer-based methods to extract the MAPK1 sequence. Our applied methods enable us to analyze the protein's structure, evaluate its properties, establish its evolutionary relationships, and assess its prevalence in populations. We also predict epitopes, assess their ability to trigger immune responses, and check for allergenicity using advanced computational tools to understand their immunological properties comprehensively. We apply virtual screening, docking, and structure modelling to identify promising drug candidates, analyze their interactions, and enhance drug design processes. We identified a total of 30 cell-targeting molecules against the MAPK1 protein, where we selected top 10 CTL epitopes (PAGGGPNPG, GGGPNPGSG, SAPAGGGPN, AVSAPAGGG, AGGGPNPGS, ATAAVSAPA, TAAVSAPAG, ENIIGINDI, INDIIRTPT, and NDIIRTPTI) for further evaluation to determine their potential efficacy, safety, and suitability for vaccine design based on strong binding potential. The potential to cover a large portion of the world's population with these vaccines is substantial-88.5 % for one type and 99.99 % for another. In exploring the molecular docking analyses, we examined a library of compounds from the ZINC database. Among them, we identified twelve compounds with the lowest binding energy. Critical residues in the MAPK1 protein, such as VAL48, LYS63, CYS175, ASP176, LYS160, ALA61, LEU165, TYR45, SER162, ARG33, PRO365, PHE363, ILE40, ASN163, and GLU42, are pivotal for interactions with these compounds. Our result suggests that these compounds could influence the protein's behaviour. Moreover, our docking analyses revealed that the predicted peptides have a strong affinity for the MAPK1 protein. These peptides form stable complexes, indicating their potential as potent inhibitors. This study contributes to the identification of new drug compounds and the screening of their desired properties. These compounds could potentially help reduce the excessive activity of MAPK1, which is linked to Alzheimer's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasir Arfat
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Okara, Okara, 56300, Pakistan
| | - Imran Zafar
- Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, Virtual University, Punjab, 54700, Pakistan
| | - Sheikh Arslan Sehgal
- Department of Bioinformatics, Institute of Biochemistry, Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur, Pakistan
| | - Mazhar Ayaz
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Cholistan University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Bahawalpur, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Sajid
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Okara, Okara, 56300, Pakistan
| | - Jamal Muhammad Khan
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Cholistan University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Bahawalpur, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Ahsan
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Institute of Environmental and Agricultural Sciences, University of Okara, Okara, 56300, Pakistan
| | - Mohd Ashraf Rather
- Division of Fish Genetics and Biotechnology, Faculty of Fisheries, Rangil- Gandarbal (SKAUST-K), India
| | - Azmat Ali Khan
- Pharmaceutical Biotechnology Laboratory, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Jamilah M. Alshehri
- Pharmaceutical Biotechnology Laboratory, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Shopnil Akash
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Daffodil International, University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Eugenie Nepovimova
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Hradec Králové, Hradec Králové, 50 003, Czech Republic
| | - Kamil Kuca
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Hradec Králové, Hradec Králové, 50 003, Czech Republic
- Biomedical Research Center, University Hospital Hradec Kralove, 50005, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - Rohit Sharma
- Department of Rasashastra and Bhaishajya Kalpana, Faculty of Ayurveda, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India
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Kovanen PT, Vuorio A. SARS-CoV-2 reinfection: Adding insult to dysfunctional endothelium in patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. ATHEROSCLEROSIS PLUS 2023; 53:1-5. [PMID: 37293388 PMCID: PMC10238112 DOI: 10.1016/j.athplu.2023.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Revised: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
In this short narrative review, we aim at defining the pathophysiological role endothelial dysfunction in the observed COVID-19-associated rise in risk of cardiovascular disease. Variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus have caused several epidemic waves of COVID-19, and the emergence and rapid spread of new variants and subvariants are likely. Based on a large cohort study, the incidence rate of SARS-CoV-2 reinfection is about 0.66 per 10 000 person-weeks. Both the first infection and reinfection with SARS-CoV-2 increase cardiac event risk, particularly in vulnerable patients with cardiovascular risk factors and the accompanying systemic endothelial dysfunction. By worsening pre-existing endothelial dysfunction, both the first infection and reinfection with ensuing COVID-19 may turn the endothelium procoagulative and prothrombotic, and ultimately lead to local thrombus formation. When occurring in an epicardial coronary artery, the risk of an acute coronary syndrome increases, and when occurring in intramyocardial microvessels, scattered myocardial injuries will ensue, both predisposing the COVID-19 patients to adverse cardiovascular outcomes. In conclusion, considering weakened protection against the cardiovascular risk-enhancing reinfections with emerging new subvariants of SARS-CoV-2, treatment of COVID-19 patients with statins during the illness and thereafter is recommended, partly because the statins tend to reduce endothelial dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Alpo Vuorio
- Mehiläinen, Airport Health Center, Vantaa, Finland
- University of Helsinki, Department of Forensic Medicine, Helsinki, Finland
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Vuorio A, Raal F, Kovanen PT. Familial hypercholesterolemia: The nexus of endothelial dysfunction and lipoprotein metabolism in COVID-19. Curr Opin Lipidol 2023; 34:119-125. [PMID: 36924390 DOI: 10.1097/mol.0000000000000876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/18/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Patients with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HeFH) are at increased risk for COVID-19 cardiovascular complications in the acute phase of the infection. Elevated levels of LDL-C and often lipoprotein(a) are present from birth and lead to endothelial dysfunction, which is aggravated by a direct viral attack of the endothelial cells and their exposure to the toxic levels of circulating proinflammatory and prothrombotic mediators during the hyperinflammatory reaction typical of COVID-19. RECENT FINDINGS Evidence to date shows the benefit of lipid-lowering therapy in patients with COVID-19. In HeFH patients who are at much higher cardiovascular risk, the focus should, therefore, be on the effective lowering of LDL-C levels, the root cause of the greater cardiovascular vulnerability to COVID-19 infection in these patients. The ongoing use of statins and other lipid-lowering therapies should be encouraged during the ongoing COVID pandemic to mitigate the risk of cardiovascular complications from COVID-19, particularly in HeFH patients. SUMMARY Epidemiologic registry data show that the incidence of myocardial infarction is increased in SARS-CoV-2-infected HeFH patients. There is a need to study whether the risk for acute cardiovascular events is increased in the long-term and if there are changes in lipid metabolism after SARS-CoV infection(s) in patients with HeFH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alpo Vuorio
- Mehiläinen Airport Health Centre, Vantaa
- Department of Forensic Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Frederick Raal
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Petri T Kovanen
- Wihuri Research Institute, Atherosclerosis Research Laboratory, Helsinki, Finland
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Meher G, Bhattacharjya S, Chakraborty H. Membrane cholesterol regulates the oligomerization and fusogenicity of SARS-CoV fusion peptide: implications in viral entry. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2023; 25:7815-7824. [PMID: 36857640 DOI: 10.1039/d2cp04741a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/16/2023]
Abstract
N-terminal residues (770-788) of the S2 glycoprotein of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) have been recognized as a potential fusion peptide that can be involved in the entry of the virus into the host cell. Membrane composition plays an important role in lipid-peptide interaction and the oligomeric status of the peptide. SARS-CoV fusion peptide (S2 fusion peptide) is known to undergo cholesterol-dependent oligomerization in the membrane; however, its significance in membrane fusion is still speculative. This study aimed to investigate the oligomerization of SARS-CoV fusion peptide in a membrane containing phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, and phosphatidylglycerol, with varying concentrations of cholesterol, and to evaluate peptide-induced membrane fusion to correlate the importance of peptide oligomerization with membrane fusion. Peptide-induced modulation of membrane organization and dynamics was explored by steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopic measurements using depth-dependent probes. The results clearly demonstrated the induction of S2 fusion peptide oligomerization by membrane cholesterol and the higher efficiency of the oligomer in promoting membrane fusion compared to its monomeric counterpart. Cholesterol-dependent peptide oligomerization and membrane fusion are important aspects of viral infection since the cholesterol level can change with age as well as with the onset of various pathophysiological conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geetanjali Meher
- School of Chemistry, Sambalpur University, Jyoti Vihar, Burla, Odisha, 768 019, India.
| | - Surajit Bhattacharjya
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, 60 Nanyang Drive, 637551, Singapore.
| | - Hirak Chakraborty
- School of Chemistry, Sambalpur University, Jyoti Vihar, Burla, Odisha, 768 019, India. .,Centre of Excellence in Natural Products and Therapeutics, Sambalpur University, Jyoti Vihar, Burla, Odisha, 768 019, India
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Españo E, Kim JK. Effects of Statin Combinations on Zika Virus Infection in Vero Cells. Pharmaceutics 2022; 15:pharmaceutics15010050. [PMID: 36678679 PMCID: PMC9864436 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15010050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2022] [Revised: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The Zika virus (ZIKV) remains a global health concern. Thus far, no antiviral or vaccine has been approved to prevent or treat ZIKV infection. In a previous study, we found that lipophilic statins can inhibit ZIKV production in Vero cells. These statins appear to have different potencies against ZIKV infection. Here, we determined whether combinations of statins would have synergistic effects to maximize the efficacy of the statins and to reduce potential side effects. Specifically, we used a modified fixed-ratio assay for the combinations of atorvastatin (ATO) or fluvastatin (FLU) with mevastatin (MEV) or simvastatin (SIM). All combinations with MEV tended towards synergy, especially with higher fractions of MEV in the combinations. The ATO + SIM combination tended towards additivity. The FLU + SIM combination also tended towards additivity except for one combination which had the highest fraction of FLU over SIM among the tested combinations. Overall, certain combinations of ATO or FLU with SIM or MEV may be synergistic. More exhaustive combinatorial assays in vitro and in vivo could help define whether combining lipophilic statins would be beneficial and safe for treating ZIKV infections.
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Vuorio A, Raal F, Kovanen PT. Familial Hypercholesterolemia Patients with COVID-19-Effective Cholesterol-Lowering Therapy is Urgent both during and after Infection. Rev Cardiovasc Med 2022; 23:410. [PMID: 39076654 PMCID: PMC11270387 DOI: 10.31083/j.rcm2312410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2022] [Revised: 10/16/2022] [Accepted: 11/04/2022] [Indexed: 07/31/2024] Open
Abstract
Heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HeFH) patients are the prime example of subjects who are at high risk for both acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and ischemic stroke during, and post, SARS-CoV-2 infection. HeFH per se, if left untreated, results in premature clinical atherosclerosis often presenting in the fourth or fifth decade of life. The other concern in HeFH is endothelial dysfunction which is already evident from early childhood. In untreated HeFH patients, the severe hypercholesterolemia causes endothelial dysfunction from an early age, and as a result thereof, atherosclerotic lesions develop prematurely, particularly in the coronary arteries, and result in further endothelial dysfunction and inflammation in these critical segments of the arterial tree. As the pre-existing endothelial dysfunction in HeFH patients is most likely sensitive to further direct and indirect SARS-CoV-2 virus-dependent damage, we can infer that HeFH serves as an example of a comorbidity that predicts a poorer prognosis with COVID-19 infection. Indeed, a large US national database study showed that patients diagnosed with HeFH and SARS-CoV-2 infection had significantly increased Annualized Incidence Density Rates (AIDRs) of AMI when compared to matched HeFH controls not having been diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Effective cholesterol lowering is essential for the prevention, or at least alleviation, of the detrimental effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection among HeFH patients. Due to the pre-existing subclinical or even clinical atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease in subjects with HeFH, cholesterol-lowering treatment needs to be continued or, better still, intensified during, and for an extended period post, SARS-CoV-2 infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alpo Vuorio
- Mehiläinen Airport Health Centre, 01530 Vantaa, Finland
- Department of Forensic Medicine, University of Helsinki, 00100 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Frederick Raal
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Witwatersrand, 2193 Johannesburg, South Africa
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Mégarbane B. Statin Therapy to Improve Outcome of COVID-19 Patients: Useful or Not Useful? J Pers Med 2022; 12:jpm12101627. [PMID: 36294766 PMCID: PMC9605438 DOI: 10.3390/jpm12101627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2022] [Accepted: 09/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Bruno Mégarbane
- Department of Medical and Toxicological Critical Care, Lariboisière Hospital, INSERM UMRS-1144, Paris Cité University, 75010 Paris, France
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12
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Tanimoto S, Itoh SG, Okumura H. State-of-the-Art Molecular Dynamics Simulation Studies of RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase of SARS-CoV-2. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms231810358. [PMID: 36142270 PMCID: PMC9499461 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231810358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2022] [Revised: 08/26/2022] [Accepted: 08/31/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations are powerful theoretical methods that can reveal biomolecular properties, such as structure, fluctuations, and ligand binding, at the level of atomic detail. In this review article, recent MD simulation studies on these biomolecular properties of the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp), which is a multidomain protein, of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) are presented. Although the tertiary structures of RdRps in SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV are almost identical, the RNA synthesis activity of RdRp of SARS-CoV is higher than SARS-CoV-2. Recent MD simulations observed a difference in the dynamic properties of the two RdRps, which may cause activity differences. RdRp is also a drug target for Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Nucleotide analogs, such as remdesivir and favipiravir, are considered to be taken up by RdRp and inhibit RNA replication. Recent MD simulations revealed the recognition mechanism of RdRp for these drug molecules and adenosine triphosphate (ATP). The ligand-recognition ability of RdRp decreases in the order of remdesivir, favipiravir, and ATP. As a typical recognition process, it was found that several lysine residues of RdRp transfer these ligand molecules to the binding site such as a “bucket brigade.” This finding will contribute to understanding the mechanism of the efficient ligand recognition by RdRp. In addition, various simulation studies on the complexes of SARS-CoV-2 RdRp with several nucleotide analogs are reviewed, and the molecular mechanisms by which these compounds inhibit the function of RdRp are discussed. The simulation studies presented in this review will provide useful insights into how nucleotide analogs are recognized by RdRp and inhibit the RNA replication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shoichi Tanimoto
- Institute for Molecular Science, National Institutes of Natural Sciences, Okazaki 444-8787, Aichi, Japan
- Exploratory Research Center on Life and Living Systems, National Institutes of Natural Sciences, Okazaki 444-8787, Aichi, Japan
| | - Satoru G. Itoh
- Institute for Molecular Science, National Institutes of Natural Sciences, Okazaki 444-8787, Aichi, Japan
- Exploratory Research Center on Life and Living Systems, National Institutes of Natural Sciences, Okazaki 444-8787, Aichi, Japan
- Department of Structural Molecular Science, SOKENDAI (The Graduate University for Advanced Studies), Okazaki 444-8787, Aichi, Japan
| | - Hisashi Okumura
- Institute for Molecular Science, National Institutes of Natural Sciences, Okazaki 444-8787, Aichi, Japan
- Exploratory Research Center on Life and Living Systems, National Institutes of Natural Sciences, Okazaki 444-8787, Aichi, Japan
- Department of Structural Molecular Science, SOKENDAI (The Graduate University for Advanced Studies), Okazaki 444-8787, Aichi, Japan
- Correspondence:
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