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Gupta G, Verkhivker G. Exploring Binding Pockets in the Conformational States of the SARS-CoV-2 Spike Trimers for the Screening of Allosteric Inhibitors Using Molecular Simulations and Ensemble-Based Ligand Docking. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:4955. [PMID: 38732174 PMCID: PMC11084335 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25094955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2024] [Revised: 04/24/2024] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Understanding mechanisms of allosteric regulation remains elusive for the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, despite the increasing interest and effort in discovering allosteric inhibitors of the viral activity and interactions with the host receptor ACE2. The challenges of discovering allosteric modulators of the SARS-CoV-2 spike proteins are associated with the diversity of cryptic allosteric sites and complex molecular mechanisms that can be employed by allosteric ligands, including the alteration of the conformational equilibrium of spike protein and preferential stabilization of specific functional states. In the current study, we combine conformational dynamics analysis of distinct forms of the full-length spike protein trimers and machine-learning-based binding pocket detection with the ensemble-based ligand docking and binding free energy analysis to characterize the potential allosteric binding sites and determine structural and energetic determinants of allosteric inhibition for a series of experimentally validated allosteric molecules. The results demonstrate a good agreement between computational and experimental binding affinities, providing support to the predicted binding modes and suggesting key interactions formed by the allosteric ligands to elicit the experimentally observed inhibition. We establish structural and energetic determinants of allosteric binding for the experimentally known allosteric molecules, indicating a potential mechanism of allosteric modulation by targeting the hinges of the inter-protomer movements and blocking conformational changes between the closed and open spike trimer forms. The results of this study demonstrate that combining ensemble-based ligand docking with conformational states of spike protein and rigorous binding energy analysis enables robust characterization of the ligand binding modes, the identification of allosteric binding hotspots, and the prediction of binding affinities for validated allosteric modulators, which is consistent with the experimental data. This study suggested that the conformational adaptability of the protein allosteric sites and the diversity of ligand bound conformations are both in play to enable efficient targeting of allosteric binding sites and interfere with the conformational changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grace Gupta
- Keck Center for Science and Engineering, Graduate Program in Computational and Data Sciences, Schmid College of Science and Technology, Chapman University, Orange, CA 92866, USA;
| | - Gennady Verkhivker
- Keck Center for Science and Engineering, Graduate Program in Computational and Data Sciences, Schmid College of Science and Technology, Chapman University, Orange, CA 92866, USA;
- Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chapman University School of Pharmacy, Irvine, CA 92618, USA
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2
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Hurwitz SJ, De R, LeCher JC, Downs-Bowen JA, Goh SL, Zandi K, McBrayer T, Amblard F, Patel D, Kohler JJ, Bhasin M, Dobosh BS, Sukhatme V, Tirouvanziam RM, Schinazi RF. Why Certain Repurposed Drugs Are Unlikely to Be Effective Antivirals to Treat SARS-CoV-2 Infections. Viruses 2024; 16:651. [PMID: 38675992 PMCID: PMC11053489 DOI: 10.3390/v16040651] [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: 03/08/2024] [Revised: 04/10/2024] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Most repurposed drugs have proved ineffective for treating COVID-19. We evaluated median effective and toxic concentrations (EC50, CC50) of 49 drugs, mostly from previous clinical trials, in Vero cells. Ratios of reported unbound peak plasma concentrations, (Cmax)/EC50, were used to predict the potential in vivo efficacy. The 20 drugs with the highest ratios were retested in human Calu-3 and Caco-2 cells, and their CC50 was determined in an expanded panel of cell lines. Many of the 20 drugs with the highest ratios were inactive in human Calu-3 and Caco-2 cells. Antivirals effective in controlled clinical trials had unbound Cmax/EC50 ≥ 6.8 in Calu-3 or Caco-2 cells. EC50 of nucleoside analogs were cell dependent. This approach and earlier availability of more relevant cultures could have reduced the number of unwarranted clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Selwyn J. Hurwitz
- Center for ViroScience and Cure, Laboratory of Biochemical Pharmacology, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, 1760 Haygood Drive, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; (S.J.H.); (R.D.); (J.C.L.); (J.A.D.-B.); (S.L.G.); (K.Z.); (T.M.); (F.A.); (D.P.); (J.J.K.)
| | - Ramyani De
- Center for ViroScience and Cure, Laboratory of Biochemical Pharmacology, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, 1760 Haygood Drive, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; (S.J.H.); (R.D.); (J.C.L.); (J.A.D.-B.); (S.L.G.); (K.Z.); (T.M.); (F.A.); (D.P.); (J.J.K.)
| | - Julia C. LeCher
- Center for ViroScience and Cure, Laboratory of Biochemical Pharmacology, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, 1760 Haygood Drive, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; (S.J.H.); (R.D.); (J.C.L.); (J.A.D.-B.); (S.L.G.); (K.Z.); (T.M.); (F.A.); (D.P.); (J.J.K.)
| | - Jessica A. Downs-Bowen
- Center for ViroScience and Cure, Laboratory of Biochemical Pharmacology, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, 1760 Haygood Drive, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; (S.J.H.); (R.D.); (J.C.L.); (J.A.D.-B.); (S.L.G.); (K.Z.); (T.M.); (F.A.); (D.P.); (J.J.K.)
| | - Shu Ling Goh
- Center for ViroScience and Cure, Laboratory of Biochemical Pharmacology, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, 1760 Haygood Drive, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; (S.J.H.); (R.D.); (J.C.L.); (J.A.D.-B.); (S.L.G.); (K.Z.); (T.M.); (F.A.); (D.P.); (J.J.K.)
| | - Keivan Zandi
- Center for ViroScience and Cure, Laboratory of Biochemical Pharmacology, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, 1760 Haygood Drive, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; (S.J.H.); (R.D.); (J.C.L.); (J.A.D.-B.); (S.L.G.); (K.Z.); (T.M.); (F.A.); (D.P.); (J.J.K.)
| | - Tamara McBrayer
- Center for ViroScience and Cure, Laboratory of Biochemical Pharmacology, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, 1760 Haygood Drive, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; (S.J.H.); (R.D.); (J.C.L.); (J.A.D.-B.); (S.L.G.); (K.Z.); (T.M.); (F.A.); (D.P.); (J.J.K.)
| | - Franck Amblard
- Center for ViroScience and Cure, Laboratory of Biochemical Pharmacology, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, 1760 Haygood Drive, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; (S.J.H.); (R.D.); (J.C.L.); (J.A.D.-B.); (S.L.G.); (K.Z.); (T.M.); (F.A.); (D.P.); (J.J.K.)
| | - Dharmeshkumar Patel
- Center for ViroScience and Cure, Laboratory of Biochemical Pharmacology, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, 1760 Haygood Drive, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; (S.J.H.); (R.D.); (J.C.L.); (J.A.D.-B.); (S.L.G.); (K.Z.); (T.M.); (F.A.); (D.P.); (J.J.K.)
| | - James J. Kohler
- Center for ViroScience and Cure, Laboratory of Biochemical Pharmacology, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, 1760 Haygood Drive, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; (S.J.H.); (R.D.); (J.C.L.); (J.A.D.-B.); (S.L.G.); (K.Z.); (T.M.); (F.A.); (D.P.); (J.J.K.)
| | - Manoj Bhasin
- Center for Cystic Fibrosis & Airways Disease Research, Division of Pulmonary, Allergy & Immunology, Cystic Fibrosis and Sleep, Emory University and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, 2015 Uppergate Drive, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; (M.B.); (B.S.D.); (R.M.T.)
| | - Brian S. Dobosh
- Center for Cystic Fibrosis & Airways Disease Research, Division of Pulmonary, Allergy & Immunology, Cystic Fibrosis and Sleep, Emory University and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, 2015 Uppergate Drive, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; (M.B.); (B.S.D.); (R.M.T.)
| | - Vikas Sukhatme
- Morningside Center for Innovative and Affordable Medicine, Departments of Medicine and Hematology and Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA;
| | - Rabindra M. Tirouvanziam
- Center for Cystic Fibrosis & Airways Disease Research, Division of Pulmonary, Allergy & Immunology, Cystic Fibrosis and Sleep, Emory University and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, 2015 Uppergate Drive, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; (M.B.); (B.S.D.); (R.M.T.)
| | - Raymond F. Schinazi
- Center for ViroScience and Cure, Laboratory of Biochemical Pharmacology, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, 1760 Haygood Drive, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; (S.J.H.); (R.D.); (J.C.L.); (J.A.D.-B.); (S.L.G.); (K.Z.); (T.M.); (F.A.); (D.P.); (J.J.K.)
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3
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Kaddoura R, Mohamed Ibrahim MI, Al-Amri M, Prabhakaran Nair A, Alharafsheh A, Alyafei SA, Albakri M. COVID-19-associated hypertriglyceridemia and impact of treatment. Front Med (Lausanne) 2024; 11:1326156. [PMID: 38449886 PMCID: PMC10915025 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2024.1326156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) associated hypertriglyceridemia was observed among patients admitted to intensive care units (ICU) in Qatar. This study aimed to describe COVID-19-associated-hypertriglyceridemia in ICU patients and the impact of treating hypertriglyceridemia on clinical outcomes. Methods A retrospective observational cohort study of adult patients who were admitted to the ICU with a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 pneumonia according to the World Health Organization criteria. Hypertriglyceridemia was defined as triglyceride level of 1.7 mmol/L (≥150 mg/dL) and severe hypertriglyceridemia as fasting TG of ≥5.6 mmol/L (≥500 mg/dL). Results Of 1,234 enrolled patients, 1,016 (82.3%) had hypertriglyceridemia. Median age was 50 years and 87.9% were males. Patients with hypertriglyceridemia showed significantly longer time to COVID-19 recovery, ICU and hospital stay, and time to death (29.3 vs. 16.9 days) without a difference in mortality between groups. Of patients with hypertriglyceridemia, 343 (33.8%) received treatment (i.e., fibrate and/or omega-3). Patients in treatment group showed longer time to COVID-19 recovery and hospital stay with no difference in death rates in comparison with those in no-treatment group. Relatively older patients were less likely to experience hypertriglyceridemia (odd ratio (OR) 0.976; 95% CI: 0.956, 0.995) or to receive treatment (OR 0.977; 95% CI: 0.960, 0.994). Whereas patients who received tocilizumab were more likely to experience high TG level (OR 3.508; 95% CI: 2.046, 6.015) and to receive treatment for it (OR 2.528; 95% CI: 1.628, 3.926). Conclusion Hypertriglyceridemia associated with COVID-19 did not increase death rate, but prolonged time to death and length of stay. Treating hypertriglyceridemia did not translate into improvement in clinical outcomes including mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rasha Kaddoura
- Pharmacy Department, Heart Hospital, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | | | - Maha Al-Amri
- Pharmacy Department, Heart Hospital, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Arun Prabhakaran Nair
- Department of Infectious Disease, Communicable Disease Center, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Ahmad Alharafsheh
- Pharmacy Department, Hazm Mebaireek General Hospital, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | | | - Mutaz Albakri
- Pulmonary Medicine Department, Hamad General Hospital, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
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Dasgupta A, Gangai S, Narayan R, Kapoor S. Mapping the Lipid Signatures in COVID-19 Infection: Diagnostic and Therapeutic Solutions. J Med Chem 2023; 66:14411-14433. [PMID: 37899546 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c01238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic ignited research centered around the identification of robust biomarkers and therapeutic targets. SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible, hijacks the metabolic machinery of the host cells. It relies on lipids and lipoproteins of host cells for entry, trafficking, immune evasion, viral replication, and exocytosis. The infection causes host cell lipid metabolic remodelling. Targeting lipid-based processes is thus a promising strategy for countering COVID-19. Here, we review the role of lipids in the different steps of the SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis and identify lipid-centric targetable avenues. We discuss lipidome changes in infected patients and their relevance as potential clinical diagnostic or prognostic biomarkers. We summarize the emerging direct and indirect therapeutic approaches for targeting COVID-19 using lipid-inspired approaches. Given that viral protein-targeted therapies may become less effective due to mutations in emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants, lipid-inspired interventions may provide additional and perhaps better means of combating this and future pandemics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aishi Dasgupta
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai 400076, India
- IIT-Bombay Monash Academy, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai 400076, India
| | - Shon Gangai
- School of Chemical and Materials Sciences (SCMS), Institute of Technology Goa, Farmagudi, Ponda, Goa 403401, India
| | - Rishikesh Narayan
- School of Chemical and Materials Sciences (SCMS), Institute of Technology Goa, Farmagudi, Ponda, Goa 403401, India
- School of Interdisciplinary Life Sciences (SILS), Institute of Technology Goa, Farmagudi, Ponda, Goa 403401, India
| | - Shobhna Kapoor
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai 400076, India
- IIT-Bombay Monash Academy, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai 400076, India
- Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima 739-8528, Japan
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5
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Pu Y, Cheng CK, Zhang H, Luo JY, Wang L, Tomlinson B, Huang Y. Molecular mechanisms and therapeutic perspectives of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α agonists in cardiovascular health and disease. Med Res Rev 2023; 43:2086-2114. [PMID: 37119045 DOI: 10.1002/med.21970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2022] [Revised: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 04/30/2023]
Abstract
The prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) has been rising due to sedentary lifestyles and unhealthy dietary patterns. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα) is a nuclear receptor regulating multiple biological processes, such as lipid metabolism and inflammatory response critical to cardiovascular homeostasis. Healthy endothelial cells (ECs) lining the lumen of blood vessels maintains vascular homeostasis, where endothelial dysfunction associated with increased oxidative stress and inflammation triggers the pathogenesis of CVD. PPARα activation decreases endothelial inflammation and senescence, contributing to improved vascular function and reduced risk of atherosclerosis. Phenotypic switch and inflammation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) exacerbate vascular dysfunction and atherogenesis, in which PPARα activation improves VSMC homeostasis. Different immune cells participate in the progression of vascular inflammation and atherosclerosis. PPARα in immune cells plays a critical role in immunological events, such as monocyte/macrophage adhesion and infiltration, macrophage polarization, dendritic cell (DC) embedment, T cell activation, and B cell differentiation. Cardiomyocyte dysfunction, a major risk factor for heart failure, can also be alleviated by PPARα activation through maintaining cardiac mitochondrial stability and inhibiting cardiac lipid accumulation, oxidative stress, inflammation, and fibrosis. This review discusses the current understanding and future perspectives on the role of PPARα in the regulation of the cardiovascular system as well as the clinical application of PPARα ligands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yujie Pu
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Chak Kwong Cheng
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Hongsong Zhang
- Department of Cardiology, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jiang-Yun Luo
- Institute for Cardiovascular Development and Regenerative Medicine, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Li Wang
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Brian Tomlinson
- Faculty of Medicine, Macau University of Science & Technology, Macau, China
| | - Yu Huang
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
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Verkhivker G, Alshahrani M, Gupta G. Exploring Conformational Landscapes and Cryptic Binding Pockets in Distinct Functional States of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.1 and BA.2 Trimers: Mutation-Induced Modulation of Protein Dynamics and Network-Guided Prediction of Variant-Specific Allosteric Binding Sites. Viruses 2023; 15:2009. [PMID: 37896786 PMCID: PMC10610873 DOI: 10.3390/v15102009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2023] [Revised: 09/23/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
A significant body of experimental structures of SARS-CoV-2 spike trimers for the BA.1 and BA.2 variants revealed a considerable plasticity of the spike protein and the emergence of druggable binding pockets. Understanding the interplay of conformational dynamics changes induced by the Omicron variants and the identification of cryptic dynamic binding pockets in the S protein is of paramount importance as exploring broad-spectrum antiviral agents to combat the emerging variants is imperative. In the current study, we explore conformational landscapes and characterize the universe of binding pockets in multiple open and closed functional spike states of the BA.1 and BA.2 Omicron variants. By using a combination of atomistic simulations, a dynamics network analysis, and an allostery-guided network screening of binding pockets in the conformational ensembles of the BA.1 and BA.2 spike conformations, we identified all experimentally known allosteric sites and discovered significant variant-specific differences in the distribution of binding sites in the BA.1 and BA.2 trimers. This study provided a structural characterization of the predicted cryptic pockets and captured the experimentally known allosteric sites, revealing the critical role of conformational plasticity in modulating the distribution and cross-talk between functional binding sites. We found that mutational and dynamic changes in the BA.1 variant can induce the remodeling and stabilization of a known druggable pocket in the N-terminal domain, while this pocket is drastically altered and may no longer be available for ligand binding in the BA.2 variant. Our results predicted the experimentally known allosteric site in the receptor-binding domain that remains stable and ranks as the most favorable site in the conformational ensembles of the BA.2 variant but could become fragmented and less probable in BA.1 conformations. We also uncovered several cryptic pockets formed at the inter-domain and inter-protomer interface, including functional regions of the S2 subunit and stem helix region, which are consistent with the known role of pocket residues in modulating conformational transitions and antibody recognition. The results of this study are particularly significant for understanding the dynamic and network features of the universe of available binding pockets in spike proteins, as well as the effects of the Omicron-variant-specific modulation of preferential druggable pockets. The exploration of predicted druggable sites can present a new and previously underappreciated opportunity for therapeutic interventions for Omicron variants through the conformation-selective and variant-specific targeting of functional sites involved in allosteric changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gennady Verkhivker
- Keck Center for Science and Engineering, Graduate Program in Computational and Data Sciences, Schmid College of Science and Technology, Chapman University, Orange, CA 92866, USA; (M.A.); (G.G.)
- Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chapman University School of Pharmacy, Irvine, CA 92618, USA
| | - Mohammed Alshahrani
- Keck Center for Science and Engineering, Graduate Program in Computational and Data Sciences, Schmid College of Science and Technology, Chapman University, Orange, CA 92866, USA; (M.A.); (G.G.)
| | - Grace Gupta
- Keck Center for Science and Engineering, Graduate Program in Computational and Data Sciences, Schmid College of Science and Technology, Chapman University, Orange, CA 92866, USA; (M.A.); (G.G.)
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Kogami M, Abe S, Nakamura H, Aoshiba K. Fenofibrate attenuates the cytotoxic effect of cisplatin on lung cancer cells by enhancing the antioxidant defense system in vitro. Oncol Lett 2023; 26:313. [PMID: 37332337 PMCID: PMC10272955 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2023.13899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Fenofibrate (FF) is a peroxisome proliferator- activated receptor (PPAR)-α agonist that is widely used for the treatment of hyperlipidemia. It has been shown to have pleiotropic actions beyond its hypolipidemic effect. FF has been shown to exert a cytotoxic effect on some cancer cells when used at higher than clinically relevant concentrations; on the other hand, its cytoprotective effect on normal cells has also been reported. The present study assessed the effect of FF on cisplatin (CDDP) cytotoxicity to lung cancer cells in vitro. The results demonstrated that the effect of FF on lung cancer cells depends on its concentration. FF at ≤50 µM, which is a clinically achievable blood concentration, attenuated CDDP cytotoxicity to lung cancer cells, whereas FF at ≥100 µM, albeit clinically unachievable, had an anticancer effect. The mechanism of FF attenuation of CDDP cytotoxicity involved PPAR-α-dependent aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) expression, which in turn stimulated nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) expression and antioxidant production, resulting in lung cancer cell protection from CDDP-evoked oxidative damage. In conclusion, the present study revealed that FF, at clinically relevant concentrations, attenuated CDDP cytotoxicity to lung cancer cells by enhancing the antioxidant defense system through activation of a pathway that involves the PPAR-α-PPAR response element-AhR xenobiotic response element-Nrf2-antioxidant response element. These findings suggested that concomitant use of FF with CDDP may compromise the efficacy of chemotherapy. Although the anticancer property of FF has recently attracted much attention, concentrations that exceed clinically relevant concentrations are required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariko Kogami
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Tokyo Medical University Ibaraki Medical Center, Ami, Ibaraki 300-0395, Japan
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo 160-0023, Japan
| | - Shinji Abe
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo 160-0023, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Nakamura
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Tokyo Medical University Ibaraki Medical Center, Ami, Ibaraki 300-0395, Japan
| | - Kazutetsu Aoshiba
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Tokyo Medical University Ibaraki Medical Center, Ami, Ibaraki 300-0395, Japan
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8
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Lee HJ, Choi H, Nowakowska A, Kang LW, Kim M, Kim YB. Antiviral Activity Against SARS-CoV-2 Variants Using in Silico and in Vitro Approaches. J Microbiol 2023; 61:703-711. [PMID: 37358709 DOI: 10.1007/s12275-023-00062-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Revised: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/27/2023]
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) emergence in 2019 led to global health crises and the persistent risk of viral mutations. To combat SARS-CoV-2 variants, researchers have explored new approaches to identifying potential targets for coronaviruses. This study aimed to identify SARS-CoV-2 inhibitors using drug repurposing. In silico studies and network pharmacology were conducted to validate targets and coronavirus-associated diseases to select potential candidates, and in vitro assays were performed to evaluate the antiviral effects of the candidate drugs to elucidate the mechanisms of the viruses at the molecular level and determine the effective antiviral drugs for them. Plaque and cytopathic effect reduction were evaluated, and real-time quantitative reverse transcription was used to evaluate the antiviral activity of the candidate drugs against SARS-CoV-2 variants in vitro. Finally, a comparison was made between the molecular docking binding affinities of fenofibrate and remdesivir (positive control) to conventional and identified targets validated from protein-protein interaction (PPI). Seven candidate drugs were obtained based on the biological targets of the coronavirus, and potential targets were identified by constructing complex disease targets and PPI networks. Among the candidates, fenofibrate exhibited the strongest inhibition effect 1 h after Vero E6 cell infection with SARS-CoV-2 variants. This study identified potential targets for coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and SARS-CoV-2 and suggested fenofibrate as a potential therapy for COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hee-Jung Lee
- Department of Biomedical Science and Engineering, Konkuk University, Seoul, 05029, Republic of Korea
| | - Hanul Choi
- Department of Biomedical Science and Engineering, Konkuk University, Seoul, 05029, Republic of Korea
| | - Aleksandra Nowakowska
- Department of Biomedical Science and Engineering, Konkuk University, Seoul, 05029, Republic of Korea
| | - Lin-Woo Kang
- Department of Biological Sciences, Konkuk University, Seoul, 05029, Republic of Korea
| | - Minjee Kim
- Department of Biomedical Science and Engineering, Konkuk University, Seoul, 05029, Republic of Korea.
| | - Young Bong Kim
- Department of Biomedical Science and Engineering, Konkuk University, Seoul, 05029, Republic of Korea.
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9
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Dutsch A, Schunkert H. RAAS inhibition and beyond-cardiovascular medications in patients at risk of or affected by COVID-19. Herz 2023:10.1007/s00059-023-05168-4. [PMID: 37097476 PMCID: PMC10127983 DOI: 10.1007/s00059-023-05168-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/24/2023] [Indexed: 04/26/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic led to an enormous burden on healthcare systems worldwide. Causal therapy is still in its infancy. Contrary to initial views that the use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEi)/angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) may increase the risk for a deleterious disease course, it has been shown that these agents may actually be beneficial for patients affected by COVID-19. In this article, we provide an overview of the three most commonly used classes of drugs in cardiovascular disease (ACEi/ARB, statins, beta-blockers) and their potential role in COVID-19 therapy. More results from randomized clinical trials are necessary to identify patients that can benefit most from the use of the respective drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Dutsch
- Klinik für Herz- und Kreislauferkrankungen, Deutsches Herzzentrum München, Technische Universität München, Lazarettstraße 36, 80636, Munich, Germany
- DZHK e. V. (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), Partner site Munich Heart Alliance, Munich, Germany
| | - Heribert Schunkert
- Klinik für Herz- und Kreislauferkrankungen, Deutsches Herzzentrum München, Technische Universität München, Lazarettstraße 36, 80636, Munich, Germany.
- DZHK e. V. (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), Partner site Munich Heart Alliance, Munich, Germany.
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Huang J, Chan KC, Zhou R. Novel Inhibitory Role of Fenofibric Acid by Targeting Cryptic Site on the RBD of SARS-CoV-2. Biomolecules 2023; 13:biom13020359. [PMID: 36830728 PMCID: PMC9953482 DOI: 10.3390/biom13020359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2022] [Revised: 02/05/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023] Open
Abstract
The emergence of the recent pandemic causing severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has created an alarming situation worldwide. It also prompted extensive research on drug repurposing to find a potential treatment for SARS-CoV-2 infection. An active metabolite of the hyperlipidemic drug fenofibrate (also called fenofibric acid or FA) was found to destabilize the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the viral spike protein and therefore inhibit its binding to human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (hACE2) receptor. Despite being considered as a potential drug candidate for SARS-CoV-2, FA's inhibitory mechanism remains to be elucidated. We used molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to investigate the binding of FA to the RBD of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and revealed a potential cryptic FA binding site. Free energy calculations were performed for different FA-bound RBD complexes. The results suggest that the interaction of FA with the cryptic binding site of RBD alters the conformation of the binding loop of RBD and effectively reduces its binding affinity towards ACE2. Our study provides new insights for the design of SARS-CoV-2 inhibitors targeting cryptic sites on the RBD of SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianxiang Huang
- Institute of Quantitative Biology, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China
| | - Kevin C. Chan
- Institute of Quantitative Biology, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China
- Shanghai Institute for Advanced Study, Zhejiang University, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Ruhong Zhou
- Institute of Quantitative Biology, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China
- Shanghai Institute for Advanced Study, Zhejiang University, Shanghai 201203, China
- The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
- Department of Chemistry, Colombia University, New York, NY 10027, USA
- Correspondence:
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11
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Ehrlich A, Ioannidis K, Nasar M, Abu Alkian I, Daskal Y, Atari N, Kliker L, Rainy N, Hofree M, Shafran Tikva S, Houri I, Cicero A, Pavanello C, Sirtori CR, Cohen JB, Chirinos JA, Deutsch L, Cohen M, Gottlieb A, Bar-Chaim A, Shibolet O, Mandelboim M, Maayan SL, Nahmias Y. Efficacy and safety of metabolic interventions for the treatment of severe COVID-19: in vitro, observational, and non-randomized open-label interventional study. eLife 2023; 12:79946. [PMID: 36705566 PMCID: PMC9937660 DOI: 10.7554/elife.79946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2022] [Accepted: 01/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Viral infection is associated with a significant rewire of the host metabolic pathways, presenting attractive metabolic targets for intervention. Methods We chart the metabolic response of lung epithelial cells to SARS-CoV-2 infection in primary cultures and COVID-19 patient samples and perform in vitro metabolism-focused drug screen on primary lung epithelial cells infected with different strains of the virus. We perform observational analysis of Israeli patients hospitalized due to COVID-19 and comparative epidemiological analysis from cohorts in Italy and the Veteran's Health Administration in the United States. In addition, we perform a prospective non-randomized interventional open-label study in which 15 patients hospitalized with severe COVID-19 were given 145 mg/day of nanocrystallized fenofibrate added to the standard of care. Results SARS-CoV-2 infection produced transcriptional changes associated with increased glycolysis and lipid accumulation. Metabolism-focused drug screen showed that fenofibrate reversed lipid accumulation and blocked SARS-CoV-2 replication through a PPARα-dependent mechanism in both alpha and delta variants. Analysis of 3233 Israeli patients hospitalized due to COVID-19 supported in vitro findings. Patients taking fibrates showed significantly lower markers of immunoinflammation and faster recovery. Additional corroboration was received by comparative epidemiological analysis from cohorts in Europe and the United States. A subsequent prospective non-randomized interventional open-label study was carried out on 15 patients hospitalized with severe COVID-19. The patients were treated with 145 mg/day of nanocrystallized fenofibrate in addition to standard-of-care. Patients receiving fenofibrate demonstrated a rapid reduction in inflammation and a significantly faster recovery compared to patients admitted during the same period. Conclusions Taken together, our data suggest that pharmacological modulation of PPARα should be strongly considered as a potential therapeutic approach for SARS-CoV-2 infection and emphasizes the need to complete the study of fenofibrate in large randomized controlled clinical trials. Funding Funding was provided by European Research Council Consolidator Grants OCLD (project no. 681870) and generous gifts from the Nikoh Foundation and the Sam and Rina Frankel Foundation (YN). The interventional study was supported by Abbott (project FENOC0003). Clinical trial number NCT04661930.
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Affiliation(s)
- Avner Ehrlich
- Grass Center for Bioengineering, Benin School of Computer Science and EngineeringJerusalemIsrael
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Silberman Institute of Life SciencesJerusalemIsrael
| | - Konstantinos Ioannidis
- Grass Center for Bioengineering, Benin School of Computer Science and EngineeringJerusalemIsrael
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Silberman Institute of Life SciencesJerusalemIsrael
| | - Makram Nasar
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Barzilai Medical CenterAshkelonIsrael
| | | | - Yuval Daskal
- Grass Center for Bioengineering, Benin School of Computer Science and EngineeringJerusalemIsrael
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Silberman Institute of Life SciencesJerusalemIsrael
| | - Nofar Atari
- Central Virology Laboratory, Public Health Services, Ministry of Health and Sheba Medical CenterTel HashomerIsrael
| | - Limor Kliker
- Central Virology Laboratory, Public Health Services, Ministry of Health and Sheba Medical CenterTel HashomerIsrael
| | - Nir Rainy
- Laboratory Division, Shamir (Assaf Harofeh) Medical CenterZerifinItaly
| | - Matan Hofree
- Klarman Cell Observatory, The Broad Institute of Harvard and MITCambridgeUnited States
| | - Sigal Shafran Tikva
- Laboratory Division, Shamir (Assaf Harofeh) Medical CenterZerifinItaly
- Hadassah Research and Innovation CenterJerusalemIsrael
- Department of Nursing, Faculty of School of Life and Health Sciences, The Jerusalem College of Technology Lev Academic CenterJerusalemIsrael
| | - Inbal Houri
- Department of Gastroenterology, Sourasky Medical CenterTel AvivIsrael
| | - Arrigo Cicero
- IRCSS S.Orsola-Malpighi University HospitalBolognaItaly
| | - Chiara Pavanello
- Centro Grossi Paoletti, Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari, Università degli Studi di MilanoMilanoItaly
- Centro Dislipidemie, Niguarda HospitalMilanoItaly
| | | | - Jordana B Cohen
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaUnited States
| | - Julio A Chirinos
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaUnited States
| | | | - Merav Cohen
- Grass Center for Bioengineering, Benin School of Computer Science and EngineeringJerusalemIsrael
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Silberman Institute of Life SciencesJerusalemIsrael
| | - Amichai Gottlieb
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Barzilai Medical CenterAshkelonIsrael
| | - Adina Bar-Chaim
- Laboratory Division, Shamir (Assaf Harofeh) Medical CenterZerifinItaly
| | - Oren Shibolet
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv UniversityTel AvivIsrael
| | | | - Shlomo L Maayan
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Barzilai Medical CenterAshkelonIsrael
| | - Yaakov Nahmias
- Grass Center for Bioengineering, Benin School of Computer Science and EngineeringJerusalemIsrael
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Silberman Institute of Life SciencesJerusalemIsrael
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12
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Vuorio A, Brinck J, Kovanen PT. Continuation of fibrate therapy in patients with metabolic syndrome and COVID-19: a beneficial regime worth pursuing. Ann Med 2022; 54:1952-1955. [PMID: 35818956 PMCID: PMC9278418 DOI: 10.1080/07853890.2022.2095667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Based on separate protective mechanisms related to lipid metabolism, viral cell entry and inflammation, fibrate treatment might be advantageous among patients who have been taking fibrates before SARS-CoV-2 infection and continue taking them during the infection. Based on published data on hospitalized COVID-19 patients, we recommend that the clinicians should ask their patients with metabolic syndrome who are already taking fibrates to continue fibrate treatment during the COVID-19 illness. This recommendation applies to both outpatients and hospitalized patients. However, results from the ongoing randomized controlled trials (RCTs) using fenofibrate treatment for the prevention or treatment of COVID-19 have yet to prove that fenofibrate is clinically significant for this indication.KEY MESSAGESThe role of fibrates as a repurpose to treat SARS-CoV-2 is under investigation in at least three ongoing RCTs.Obesity, diabetes, hypertension and dyslipidaemia, individually or clustered as a discrete phenotype, the metabolic syndrome, typically associate with a more severe course of COVID-19.Fibrate treatment seems to be most advantageous among patients who have been taken fibrates before SARS-CoV-2 infection and are continuing to take them during the infection.We recommend that the clinicians encourage their patients who are already taking fibrate to continue using the drug throughout the COVID-19 illness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alpo Vuorio
- Mehiläinen Airport Health Centre, Vantaa, Finland.,Department of Forensic Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Jonas Brinck
- Department of Medicine Huddinge (MEDH7), Karolinska Institutet, Endokrinexpeditionerna C2:94, Karolinska Universitetssjukhuset Huddinge, Stockholm, Sweden.,Unit of Endocrinology, Theme Inflammation and Aging, Karolinska University Hospital Huddinge, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Petri T Kovanen
- Atherosclerosis Research Laboratory, Wihuri Research Institute, Helsinki, Finland
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13
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Chirinos JA, Lopez-Jaramillo P, Giamarellos-Bourboulis EJ, Dávila-Del-Carpio GH, Bizri AR, Andrade-Villanueva JF, Salman O, Cure-Cure C, Rosado-Santander NR, Cornejo Giraldo MP, González-Hernández LA, Moghnieh R, Angeliki R, Cruz Saldarriaga ME, Pariona M, Medina C, Dimitroulis I, Vlachopoulos C, Gutierrez C, Rodriguez-Mori JE, Gomez-Laiton E, Cotrina Pereyra R, Ravelo Hernández JL, Arbañil H, Accini-Mendoza J, Pérez-Mayorga M, Milionis C, Poulakou G, Sánchez G, Valdivia-Vega R, Villavicencio-Carranza M, Ayala-García RJ, Castro-Callirgos CA, Alfaro Carrasco RM, Garrido Lecca Danos W, Sharkoski T, Greene K, Pourmussa B, Greczylo C, Ortega-Legaspi J, Jacoby D, Chittams J, Katsaounou P, Alexiou Z, Sympardi S, Sweitzer NK, Putt M, Cohen JB. A randomized clinical trial of lipid metabolism modulation with fenofibrate for acute coronavirus disease 2019. Nat Metab 2022; 4:1847-1857. [PMID: 36344766 PMCID: PMC9640855 DOI: 10.1038/s42255-022-00698-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2022] [Accepted: 10/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) cytotoxicity may involve inhibition of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha. Fenofibrate activates peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha and inhibits SARS-CoV-2 replication in vitro. Whether fenofibrate can be used to treat coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection in humans remains unknown. Here, we randomly assigned inpatients and outpatients with COVID-19 within 14 d of symptom onset to 145 mg of oral fenofibrate nanocrystal formulation versus placebo for 10 d, in a double-blinded fashion. The primary endpoint was a severity score whereby participants were ranked across hierarchical tiers incorporating time to death, mechanical ventilation duration, oxygenation, hospitalization and symptom severity and duration. In total, 701 participants were randomized to fenofibrate (n = 351) or placebo (n = 350). The mean age of participants was 49 ± 16 years, 330 (47%) were female, mean body mass index was 28 ± 6 kg/m2 and 102 (15%) had diabetes. Death occurred in 41 participants. Compared with placebo, fenofibrate had no effect on the primary endpoint. The median (interquartile range) rank in the placebo arm was 347 (172, 453) versus 345 (175, 453) in the fenofibrate arm (P = 0.819). There was no difference in secondary and exploratory endpoints, including all-cause death, across arms. There were 61 (17%) adverse events in the placebo arm compared with 46 (13%) in the fenofibrate arm, with slightly higher incidence of gastrointestinal side effects in the fenofibrate group. Overall, among patients with COVID-19, fenofibrate has no significant effect on various clinically relevant outcomes ( NCT04517396 ).
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Affiliation(s)
- Julio A Chirinos
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
| | - Patricio Lopez-Jaramillo
- Instituto de Investigación MASIRA, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Santander, Bucaramanga, Colombia
| | - Evangelos J Giamarellos-Bourboulis
- 4th Department of Internal Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Medical School and Hellenic Institute for the Study of Sepsis, Athens, Greece
| | | | | | | | - Oday Salman
- 4th Department of Internal Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Medical School and Hellenic Institute for the Study of Sepsis, Athens, Greece
- Department of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | | | | | | | - Luz A González-Hernández
- Unidad de VIH, Hospital Civil de Guadalajara and Universidad de Guadalajara, Guadalajara, Mexico
| | - Rima Moghnieh
- Department of Medicine, Makassed General Hospital, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Rapti Angeliki
- 6th Department of Pulmonary Medicine, SOTIRIA Athens General Hospital of Chest Disease, Athens, Greece
| | - María E Cruz Saldarriaga
- Centro de Investigación de Enfermedades Infecciosas y Tropicales, Hospital Nacional Adolfo Guevara Velasco, Cuzco, Peru
| | - Marcos Pariona
- Hospital Nacional Edgardo Rebagliati Martins, EsSalud, Lima, Peru
| | - Carola Medina
- Hospital Nacional Edgardo Rebagliati Martins, EsSalud, Lima, Peru
| | - Ioannis Dimitroulis
- 6th Department of Pulmonary Medicine, SOTIRIA Athens General Hospital of Chest Disease, Athens, Greece
| | - Charalambos Vlachopoulos
- 1st Department of Cardiology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Medical School,, Athens, Greece
| | | | - Juan E Rodriguez-Mori
- Department of Nephrology, Hospital Nacional Alberto Sabogal Sologuren, EsSalud, Lima, Peru
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Charalampos Milionis
- Department of Internal Medicine, Ioannina University General Hospital, Ioannina, Greece
| | - Garyfallia Poulakou
- 3rd Department of Internal Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Medical School, Athens, Greece
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Tiffany Sharkoski
- 4th Department of Internal Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Medical School and Hellenic Institute for the Study of Sepsis, Athens, Greece
| | - Katherine Greene
- 4th Department of Internal Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Medical School and Hellenic Institute for the Study of Sepsis, Athens, Greece
| | - Bianca Pourmussa
- 4th Department of Internal Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Medical School and Hellenic Institute for the Study of Sepsis, Athens, Greece
| | - Candy Greczylo
- 4th Department of Internal Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Medical School and Hellenic Institute for the Study of Sepsis, Athens, Greece
| | - Juan Ortega-Legaspi
- 4th Department of Internal Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Medical School and Hellenic Institute for the Study of Sepsis, Athens, Greece
| | - Douglas Jacoby
- 4th Department of Internal Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Medical School and Hellenic Institute for the Study of Sepsis, Athens, Greece
| | - Jesse Chittams
- Biostatistics Analysis Core, Office of Nursing Research, University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Paraskevi Katsaounou
- Section of Pneumonology and Respiratory Failure, 1st Department of Critical Care Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Medical School, Athens, Greece
| | - Zoi Alexiou
- 2nd Department of Internal Medicine, THRIASIO Eleusis General Hospital, Eleusis, Greece
| | - Styliani Sympardi
- 1st Department of Internal Medicine, THRIASIO Eleusis General Hospital, Eleusis, Greece
| | - Nancy K Sweitzer
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
- Division of Cardiology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Mary Putt
- Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology & Informatics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Jordana B Cohen
- Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology & Informatics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Renal-Electrolyte and Hypertension Division, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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14
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Ji X, Meng X, Zhu X, He Q, Cui Y. Research and development of Chinese anti-COVID-19 drugs. Acta Pharm Sin B 2022; 12:4271-4286. [PMID: 36119967 PMCID: PMC9472487 DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2022.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2022] [Revised: 07/06/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The outbreak and spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) highlighted the importance and urgency of the research and development of therapeutic drugs. Very early into the COVID-19 pandemic, China has begun developing drugs, with some notable progress. Herein, we summarizes the anti-COVID-19 drugs and promising drug candidates originally developed and researched in China. Furthermore, we discussed the developmental prospects, mechanisms of action, and advantages and disadvantages of the anti-COVID-19 drugs in development, with the aim to contribute to the rational use of drugs in COVID-19 treatment and more effective development of new drugs against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and the variants. Neutralizing antibody is an effective approach to overcome COVID-19. However, drug resistance induced by rapid virus mutation will likely to challenge neutralizing antibodies. Taking into account current epidemic trends, small molecule drugs have a crucial role in fighting COVID-19 due to their significant advantage of convenient administration and affordable and broad-spectrum. Traditional Chinese medicines, including natural products and traditional Chinese medicine prescriptions, contribute to the treatment of COVID-19 due to their unique mechanism of action. Currently, the research and development of Chinese anti-COVID-19 drugs have led to some promising achievements, thus prompting us to expect even more rapidly available solutions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiwei Ji
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing 100034, China
| | - Xiangrui Meng
- Xiyuan Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100091, China
| | - Xiao Zhu
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacy Administration, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Qingfeng He
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacy Administration, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Yimin Cui
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing 100034, China
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15
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Kowalska K, Sabatowska Z, Forycka J, Młynarska E, Franczyk B, Rysz J. The Influence of SARS-CoV-2 Infection on Lipid Metabolism—The Potential Use of Lipid-Lowering Agents in COVID-19 Management. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10092320. [PMID: 36140421 PMCID: PMC9496398 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10092320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2022] [Revised: 08/31/2022] [Accepted: 09/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Several studies have indicated lipid metabolism alterations during COVID-19 infection, specifically a decrease in high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) concentrations and an increase in triglyceride (TG) levels during the infection. However, a decline in triglycerides can also be observed in critical cases. A direct correlation can be observed between a decrease in serum cholesterol, HDL-C, LDL-C and TGs, and the severity of the disease; these laboratory findings can serve as potential markers for patient outcomes. The transmission of coronavirus increases proportionally with rising levels of cholesterol in the cell membrane. This is due to the fact that cholesterol increases the number of viral entry spots and the concentration of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor, crucial for viral penetration. Studies have found that lower HDL-C levels correspond with a higher susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection and infections in general, while higher HDL-C levels were related to a lower risk of developing them. However, extremely high HDL-C levels in serum increase the risk of infectious diseases and is associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular events. Low HDL-C levels are already accepted as a marker for risk stratification in critical illnesses, and higher HDL-C levels prior to the infection is associated with a lower risk of death in older patients. The correlation between LDL-C levels and disease severity is still unclear. However, TG levels were significantly higher in non-surviving severe patients compared to those that survived; therefore, elevated TG-C levels in COVID-19 patients may be considered an indicator of uncontrolled inflammation and an increased risk of death.
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Nikolova I, Slavchev I, Zagranyarska I, Nikolova N, Vilhelmova N, Stoyanova A, Grozdanov P, Mukova L, Galabov AS, Lessigiarska I, Tsakovska I, Dobrikov GM. Synthesis and QSAR Analysis of Diaryl Ethers and Their Analogues as Potential Antiviral Agents. ChemistrySelect 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/slct.202203088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ivanka Nikolova
- Stephan Angeloff Institute of Microbiology Bulgarian Academy of Sciences Acad. G. Bonchev str., bl. 26 Sofia 1113 Bulgaria
| | - Ivaylo Slavchev
- Institute of Organic Chemistry with Centre of Phytochemistry Bulgarian Academy of Sciences Acad. G. Bonchev str., bl. 9 Sofia 1113 Bulgaria
| | - Irena Zagranyarska
- Institute of Organic Chemistry with Centre of Phytochemistry Bulgarian Academy of Sciences Acad. G. Bonchev str., bl. 9 Sofia 1113 Bulgaria
| | - Nadya Nikolova
- Stephan Angeloff Institute of Microbiology Bulgarian Academy of Sciences Acad. G. Bonchev str., bl. 26 Sofia 1113 Bulgaria
| | - Neli Vilhelmova
- Stephan Angeloff Institute of Microbiology Bulgarian Academy of Sciences Acad. G. Bonchev str., bl. 26 Sofia 1113 Bulgaria
| | - Adelina Stoyanova
- Stephan Angeloff Institute of Microbiology Bulgarian Academy of Sciences Acad. G. Bonchev str., bl. 26 Sofia 1113 Bulgaria
| | - Petar Grozdanov
- Stephan Angeloff Institute of Microbiology Bulgarian Academy of Sciences Acad. G. Bonchev str., bl. 26 Sofia 1113 Bulgaria
| | - Lucia Mukova
- Stephan Angeloff Institute of Microbiology Bulgarian Academy of Sciences Acad. G. Bonchev str., bl. 26 Sofia 1113 Bulgaria
| | - Angel S. Galabov
- Stephan Angeloff Institute of Microbiology Bulgarian Academy of Sciences Acad. G. Bonchev str., bl. 26 Sofia 1113 Bulgaria
| | - Iglika Lessigiarska
- Institute of Biophysics and Biomedical Engineering Bulgarian Academy of Sciences Acad. G. Bonchev Str., bl. 105 1113 Sofia Bulgaria
| | - Ivanka Tsakovska
- Institute of Biophysics and Biomedical Engineering Bulgarian Academy of Sciences Acad. G. Bonchev Str., bl. 105 1113 Sofia Bulgaria
| | - Georgi M. Dobrikov
- Institute of Organic Chemistry with Centre of Phytochemistry Bulgarian Academy of Sciences Acad. G. Bonchev str., bl. 9 Sofia 1113 Bulgaria
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17
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Chirinos J, Lopez-Jaramillo P, Giamarellos-Bourboulis E, Dávila-Del-Carpio G, Bizri A, Andrade-Villanueva J, Salman O, Cure-Cure C, Rosado-Santander N, Giraldo MC, González-Hernández L, Moghnieh R, Angeliki R, Saldarriaga MC, Pariona M, Medina C, Dimitroulis I, Vlachopoulos C, Gutierrez C, Rodriguez-Mori J, Gomez-Laiton E, Pereyra R, Hernández JR, Arbañil H, Accini-Mendoza J, Pérez-Mayorga M, Milionis H, Poulakou G, Sánchez G, Valdivia-Vega R, Villavicencio-Carranza M, Ayala-Garcia R, Castro-Callirgos C, Carrasco RA, Danos WL, Sharkoski T, Greene K, Pourmussa B, Greczylo C, Chittams J, Katsaounou P, Alexiou Z, Sympardi S, Sweitzer N, Putt M, Cohen J. A Randomized Trial of Lipid Metabolism Modulation with Fenofibrate for Acute Coronavirus Disease 2019. RESEARCH SQUARE 2022:rs.3.rs-1933913. [PMID: 35982675 PMCID: PMC9387540 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-1933913/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Background Abnormal cellular lipid metabolism appears to underlie SARS-CoV-2 cytotoxicity and may involve inhibition of peroxisome proliferator activated receptor alpha (PPARα). Fenofibrate, a PPAR-α activator, modulates cellular lipid metabolism. Fenofibric acid has also been shown to affect the dimerization of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2, the cellular receptor for SARS-CoV-2. Fenofibrate and fenofibric acid have been shown to inhibit SARS-CoV-2 replication in cell culture systems in vitro . Methods We randomly assigned 701 participants with COVID-19 within 14 days of symptom onset to 145 mg of fenofibrate (nanocrystal formulation with dose adjustment for renal function or dose-equivalent preparations of micronized fenofibrate or fenofibric acid) vs. placebo for 10 days, in a double-blinded fashion. The primary endpoint was a ranked severity score in which participants were ranked across hierarchical tiers incorporating time to death, duration of mechanical ventilation, oxygenation parameters, subsequent hospitalizations and symptom severity and duration. ClinicalTrials.gov registration: NCT04517396. Findings: Mean age of participants was 49 ± 16 years, 330 (47%) were female, mean BMI was 28 ± 6 kg/m 2 , and 102 (15%) had diabetes mellitus. A total of 41 deaths occurred. Compared with placebo, fenofibrate administration had no effect on the primary endpoint. The median (interquartile range [IQR]) rank in the placebo arm was 347 (172, 453) vs. 345 (175, 453) in the fenofibrate arm (P = 0.819). There was no difference in various secondary and exploratory endpoints, including all-cause death, across randomization arms. These results were highly consistent across pre-specified sensitivity and subgroup analyses. Conclusion Among patients with COVID-19, fenofibrate has no significant effect on various clinically relevant outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Oday Salman
- Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and Perelman School of Medicine, American University of Beirut
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Tiffany Sharkoski
- Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and Perelman School of Medicine
| | - Katherine Greene
- Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and Perelman School of Medicine
| | - Bianca Pourmussa
- Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and Perelman School of Medicine
| | - Candy Greczylo
- Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and Perelman School of Medicine
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Mary Putt
- Perelman School of Medicine. University of Pennsylvania
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18
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Geng F, Chen J, Tang S, Azzam E, Zhang J, Zhang S. Additional Evidence for Commonalities between COVID-19 and Radiation Injury: Novel Insight into COVID-19 Candidate Drugs. Radiat Res 2022; 198:306-317. [PMID: 35834824 DOI: 10.1667/rade-22-00058.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
COVID-19 is a challenge to biosecurity and public health. The speed of vaccine development lags behind that of virus evolution and mutation. To date, no agent has been demonstrated to be fully effective against COVID-19. Therefore, it remains of great urgency to rapidly develop promising therapeutic and diagnostic candidates. Intriguingly, mounting evidence hints at parallel etiologies between SARS-CoV-2 infection and radiation injury. Herein, from the perspectives of immunogenic pathway activation and metabolic alterations, we provide novel evidence of commonalities between these two pathological conditions based on the most recent findings. Since numerous agents have been developed to prevent or reverse radiation injury in the past 70 years to ensure nuclear safety, we also advocate investigating the promising function of radioprotectors and radiomitigators against COVID-19 in clinical settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fenghao Geng
- West China School of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China.,West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Jianhui Chen
- West China School of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Shaokai Tang
- West China School of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Edouard Azzam
- Radiobiology and Health, Isotopes, Radiobiology & Environment Directorate (IRED), Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL), Chalk River, ON K0J 1J0, Canada
| | - Jie Zhang
- Institute of Preventive Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China
| | - Shuyu Zhang
- West China School of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China.,West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China.,Second Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu Medical College, China National Nuclear Corporation 416 Hospital, Chengdu 610051, China.,NHC Key Laboratory of Nuclear Technology Medical Transformation, Mianyang Central Hospital, Mianyang 621099, China
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19
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Eweas AF, Osman HEH, Naguib IA, Abourehab MAS, Abdel-Moneim AS. Virtual Screening of Repurposed Drugs as Potential Spike Protein Inhibitors of Different SARS-CoV-2 Variants: Molecular Docking Study. Curr Issues Mol Biol 2022; 44:3018-3029. [PMID: 35877432 PMCID: PMC9319331 DOI: 10.3390/cimb44070208] [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: 06/06/2022] [Revised: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 07/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Like most of the RNA viruses, SARS-CoV-2 continuously mutates. Although many mutations have an insignificant impact on the virus properties, mutations in the surface protein, especially those in the receptor-binding domain, may lead to immune or vaccine escape variants, or altered binding activities to both the cell receptor and the drugs targeting such a protein. The current study intended to assess the ability of different variants of interest (VOIs) and variants of concern (VOCs) of SARS-CoV-2 for their affinities of binding to different repurposed drugs. Seven FDA approved drugs, namely, camostat, nafamostat mesylate, fenofibrate, umifenovir, nelfinavir, cefoperazone and ceftazidime, were selected based on their reported in vitro and clinical activities against SARA-CoV-2. The S1 protein subunit from eleven different variants, including the latest highly contiguous omicron variant, were used as targets for the docking study. The docking results revealed that all tested drugs possess moderate to high binding energies to the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the S1 protein for all different variants. Cefoperazone was found to possess the highest binding energy to the RBD of the S1 protein of all the eleven variants. Ceftazidime was the second-best drug in terms of binding affinity towards the S1 RBD of the investigated variants. On the other hand, fenofibrate showed the least binding affinity towards the RBD of the S1 protein of all eleven variants. The binding affinities of anti-spike drugs varied among different variants. Most of the interacting amino acid residues of the receptor fall within the RBD (438–506).
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmad F. Eweas
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, National Research Centre, Cairo 12622, Egypt;
- Department of Science, University of Technology and Applied Sciences Rustaq, Rustaq 133, Oman
| | - Hosam-Eldin H. Osman
- Department of Anatomy, College of Medicine, Taif University, P.O. Box 11099, Taif 21944, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Ibrahim A. Naguib
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, Taif University, P.O. Box 11099, Taif 21944, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Mohammed A. S. Abourehab
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah 21955, Saudi Arabia;
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, Minia University, Minia 61519, Egypt
| | - Ahmed S. Abdel-Moneim
- Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, Taif University, P.O. Box 11099, Taif 21944, Saudi Arabia
- Correspondence: or
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20
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Mudshinge SR, Yang Y, Xu B, Hammond GB, Lu Z. Gold (I/III)-Catalyzed Trifluoromethylthiolation and Trifluoromethylselenolation of Organohalides. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2022; 61:e202115687. [PMID: 35061930 PMCID: PMC10854012 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202115687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
The first C-SCF3 /SeCF3 cross-coupling reactions using gold redox catalysis [(MeDalphos)AuCl], AgSCF3 or Me4 NSeCF3 , and organohalides as substrates are reported. The new methodology enables a one-stop shop synthesis of aryl/alkenyl/alkynyl trifluoromethylthio- and selenoethers with a broad substrate scope (>60 examples with up to 97 % isolated yield). The method is scalable, and its robustness is evidenced by the late-stage functionalization of various bioactive molecules, which makes this reaction an attractive alternative in the synthesis of trifluoromethylthio- and selenoethers for pharmaceutical and agrochemical research and development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sagar R Mudshinge
- Department of Chemistry, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40292, USA
| | - Yuhao Yang
- Department of Chemistry, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40292, USA
| | - Bo Xu
- College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Donghua University, 2999 North Renmin Lu, Shanghai, 201620, China
| | - Gerald B Hammond
- Department of Chemistry, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40292, USA
| | - Zhichao Lu
- Department of Chemistry, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40292, USA
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21
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Mudshinge SR, Yang Y, Xu B, Hammond GB, Lu Z. Gold (I/III)‐Catalyzed Trifluoromethylthiolation and Trifluoromethylselenolation of Organohalides. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.202115687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sagar R. Mudshinge
- Department of Chemistry University of Louisville Louisville KY 40292 USA
| | - Yuhao Yang
- Department of Chemistry University of Louisville Louisville KY 40292 USA
| | - Bo Xu
- College of Chemistry Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology Donghua University 2999 North Renmin Lu Shanghai 201620 China
| | - Gerald B. Hammond
- Department of Chemistry University of Louisville Louisville KY 40292 USA
| | - Zhichao Lu
- Department of Chemistry University of Louisville Louisville KY 40292 USA
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22
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Feng S, Song F, Guo W, Tan J, Zhang X, Qiao F, Guo J, Zhang L, Jia X. Potential Genes Associated with COVID-19 and Comorbidity. Int J Med Sci 2022; 19:402-415. [PMID: 35165525 PMCID: PMC8795808 DOI: 10.7150/ijms.67815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2021] [Accepted: 01/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and coronary artery disease are common comorbidities and dangerous factors for infection and serious COVID-19. Polymorphisms in genes associated with comorbidities may help observe susceptibility and disease severity variation. However, specific genetic factors and the extent to which they can explain variation in susceptibility of severity are unclear. Therefore, we evaluated candidate genes associated with COVID-19 and hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and coronary artery disease. In particular, we performed searches against OMIM, NCBI, and other databases, protein-protein interaction network construction, and GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analyses. Results showed that the associated overlapping genes were TLR4, NLRP3, MBL2, IL6, IL1RN, IL1B, CX3CR1, CCR5, AGT, ACE, and F2. GO and KEGG analyses yielded 302 GO terms (q < 0.05) and 29 signaling pathways (q < 0.05), respectively, mainly including coronavirus disease-COVID-19 and cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction. IL6 and AGT were central in the PPI, with 8 and 5 connections, respectively. In this study, we identified 11 genes associated with both COVID-19 and three comorbidities that may contribute to infection and disease severity. The key genes IL6 and AGT are involved in regulating immune response, cytokine activity, and viral infection. Therefore, RAAS inhibitors, AGT antisense nucleotides, cytokine inhibitors, vitamin D, fenofibrate, and vaccines regulating non-immune and immune factors could be potential strategies to prevent and cure COVID-19. The study provides a basis for further investigation of genes and pathways with predictive value for the risk of infection and prognosis and could help guide drug and vaccine development to improve treatment efficacy and the development of personalised treatments, especially for COVID-19 individuals with common comorbidities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shanshan Feng
- College of Medical Technology, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Non-coding RNA and Drug Discovery Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Fuqiang Song
- Department of medical Laboratory, The General Hospital of Western Theater Command, Chengdu, China
| | | | - Jishan Tan
- Department of medical Laboratory, The General Hospital of Western Theater Command, Chengdu, China
| | - Xianqin Zhang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Fengling Qiao
- College of Medical Technology, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Jinlin Guo
- Key Laboratory of Systematic Research of Distinctive Chinese Medicine Resources in Southwest China, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Sichuan-Chongqing Co-construction for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Lin Zhang
- Department of Pharmacy, Shaoxing People's Hospital, Shaoxing Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Shaoxing, China
| | - Xu Jia
- Non-coding RNA and Drug Discovery Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
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23
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Yasmin F, Zeeshan MH, Ullah I. The role of fenofibrate in the treatment of COVID-19. Ann Med Surg (Lond) 2021; 74:102974. [PMID: 34745595 PMCID: PMC8563083 DOI: 10.1016/j.amsu.2021.102974] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2021] [Revised: 10/14/2021] [Accepted: 10/28/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Farah Yasmin
- Department of Internal Medicine, Dow Medical College, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Hamayl Zeeshan
- Department of Internal Medicine, Dow Medical College, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Irfan Ullah
- Department of Community Medicine, Kabir Medical College (Gandhara University), Peshawar, Pakistan
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24
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Moos WH, Faller DV, Glavas IP, Harpp DN, Kamperi N, Kanara I, Kodukula K, Mavrakis AN, Pernokas J, Pernokas M, Pinkert CA, Powers WR, Steliou K, Tamvakopoulos C, Vavvas DG, Zamboni RJ, Sampani K. Pathogenic mitochondrial dysfunction and metabolic abnormalities. Biochem Pharmacol 2021; 193:114809. [PMID: 34673016 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2021.114809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2021] [Revised: 10/10/2021] [Accepted: 10/12/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Herein we trace links between biochemical pathways, pathogenesis, and metabolic diseases to set the stage for new therapeutic advances. Cellular and acellular microorganisms including bacteria and viruses are primary pathogenic drivers that cause disease. Missing from this statement are subcellular compartments, importantly mitochondria, which can be pathogenic by themselves, also serving as key metabolic disease intermediaries. The breakdown of food molecules provides chemical energy to power cellular processes, with mitochondria as powerhouses and ATP as the principal energy carrying molecule. Most animal cell ATP is produced by mitochondrial synthase; its central role in metabolism has been known for >80 years. Metabolic disorders involving many organ systems are prevalent in all age groups. Progressive pathogenic mitochondrial dysfunction is a hallmark of genetic mitochondrial diseases, the most common phenotypic expression of inherited metabolic disorders. Confluent genetic, metabolic, and mitochondrial axes surface in diabetes, heart failure, neurodegenerative disease, and even in the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Walter H Moos
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
| | - Douglas V Faller
- Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA; Cancer Research Center, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ioannis P Glavas
- Department of Ophthalmology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - David N Harpp
- Department of Chemistry, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Natalia Kamperi
- Center for Clinical, Experimental Surgery and Translational Research Pharmacology-Pharmacotechnology, Biomedical Research Foundation, Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | | | | | - Anastasios N Mavrakis
- Department of Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine, St. Elizabeth's Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Julie Pernokas
- Advanced Dental Associates of New England, Woburn, MA, USA
| | - Mark Pernokas
- Advanced Dental Associates of New England, Woburn, MA, USA
| | - Carl A Pinkert
- Department of Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA
| | - Whitney R Powers
- Department of Health Sciences, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Anatomy, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kosta Steliou
- Cancer Research Center, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA; PhenoMatriX, Inc., Natick, MA, USA
| | - Constantin Tamvakopoulos
- Center for Clinical, Experimental Surgery and Translational Research Pharmacology-Pharmacotechnology, Biomedical Research Foundation, Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Demetrios G Vavvas
- Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Retina Service, Angiogenesis Laboratory, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Robert J Zamboni
- Department of Chemistry, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Konstantina Sampani
- Beetham Eye Institute, Joslin Diabetes Center, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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25
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Talasaz AH, Sadeghipour P, Aghakouchakzadeh M, Dreyfus I, Kakavand H, Ariannejad H, Gupta A, Madhavan MV, Van Tassell BW, Jimenez D, Monreal M, Vaduganathan M, Fanikos J, Dixon DL, Piazza G, Parikh SA, Bhatt DL, Lip GYH, Stone GW, Krumholz HM, Libby P, Goldhaber SZ, Bikdeli B. Investigating Lipid-Modulating Agents for Prevention or Treatment of COVID-19: JACC State-of-the-Art Review. J Am Coll Cardiol 2021; 78:1635-1654. [PMID: 34649702 PMCID: PMC8504484 DOI: 10.1016/j.jacc.2021.08.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2021] [Revised: 08/12/2021] [Accepted: 08/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) is associated with systemic inflammation, endothelial activation, and multiorgan manifestations. Lipid-modulating agents may be useful in treating patients with COVID-19. These agents may inhibit viral entry by lipid raft disruption or ameliorate the inflammatory response and endothelial activation. In addition, dyslipidemia with lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and higher triglyceride levels portend worse outcomes in patients with COVID-19. Upon a systematic search, 40 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with lipid-modulating agents were identified, including 17 statin trials, 14 omega-3 fatty acids RCTs, 3 fibrate RCTs, 5 niacin RCTs, and 1 dalcetrapib RCT for the management or prevention of COVID-19. From these 40 RCTs, only 2 have reported preliminary results, and most others are ongoing. This paper summarizes the ongoing or completed RCTs of lipid-modulating agents in COVID-19 and the implications of these trials for patient management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Azita H Talasaz
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Tehran Heart Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Department of Pharmacotherapy and Outcome Science, School of Pharmacy, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Parham Sadeghipour
- Cardiovascular Intervention Research Center, Rajaie Cardiovascular Medical and Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Maryam Aghakouchakzadeh
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Isaac Dreyfus
- NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Hessam Kakavand
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hamid Ariannejad
- Tehran Heart Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Aakriti Gupta
- NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York, USA; Clinical Trials Center, Cardiovascular Research Foundation, New York, New York, USA; Center for Outcomes Research and Evaluation (CORE), Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Mahesh V Madhavan
- NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York, USA; Clinical Trials Center, Cardiovascular Research Foundation, New York, New York, USA
| | - Benjamin W Van Tassell
- Department of Pharmacotherapy and Outcome Science, School of Pharmacy, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA; Pauley Heart Center, Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Pharmacy, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - David Jimenez
- Respiratory Department, Hospital Ramón y Cajal and Medicine Department, Universidad de Alcalá (Instituto de Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria), Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Respiratorias, Madrid, Spain
| | - Manuel Monreal
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hospital Universitari Germans Trials i Pujol, Universidad Católica San Antonio de Murcia, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Muthiah Vaduganathan
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine Division, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - John Fanikos
- Department of Pharmacy, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Dave L Dixon
- Department of Pharmacotherapy and Outcome Science, School of Pharmacy, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA; Pauley Heart Center, Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Pharmacy, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Gregory Piazza
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine Division, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Sahil A Parikh
- NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York, USA; Clinical Trials Center, Cardiovascular Research Foundation, New York, New York, USA
| | - Deepak L Bhatt
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine Division, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Gregory Y H Lip
- Liverpool Centre for Cardiovascular Science, Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom; Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Gregg W Stone
- Clinical Trials Center, Cardiovascular Research Foundation, New York, New York, USA; Zena and Michael A. Wiener Cardiovascular Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Harlan M Krumholz
- Center for Outcomes Research and Evaluation (CORE), Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA; Department of Health Policy and Administration, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, USA; Section of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Peter Libby
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine Division, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Samuel Z Goldhaber
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine Division, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Behnood Bikdeli
- Clinical Trials Center, Cardiovascular Research Foundation, New York, New York, USA; Center for Outcomes Research and Evaluation (CORE), Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA; Division of Cardiovascular Medicine Division, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
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26
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Gupta RK, Nwachuku EL, Zusman BE, Jha RM, Puccio AM. Drug repurposing for COVID-19 based on an integrative meta-analysis of SARS-CoV-2 induced gene signature in human airway epithelium. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0257784. [PMID: 34582497 PMCID: PMC8478222 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0257784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2021] [Accepted: 09/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Drug repurposing has the potential to bring existing de-risked drugs for effective intervention in an ongoing pandemic-COVID-19 that has infected over 131 million, with 2.8 million people succumbing to the illness globally (as of April 04, 2021). We have used a novel `gene signature'-based drug repositioning strategy by applying widely accepted gene ranking algorithms to prioritize the FDA approved or under trial drugs. We mined publically available RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) data using CLC Genomics Workbench 20 (QIAGEN) and identified 283 differentially expressed genes (FDR<0.05, log2FC>1) after a meta-analysis of three independent studies which were based on severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection in primary human airway epithelial cells. Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) revealed that SARS-CoV-2 activated key canonical pathways and gene networks that intricately regulate general anti-viral as well as specific inflammatory pathways. Drug database, extracted from the Metacore and IPA, identified 15 drug targets (with information on COVID-19 pathogenesis) with 46 existing drugs as potential-novel candidates for repurposing for COVID-19 treatment. We found 35 novel drugs that inhibit targets (ALPL, CXCL8, and IL6) already in clinical trials for COVID-19. Also, we found 6 existing drugs against 4 potential anti-COVID-19 targets (CCL20, CSF3, CXCL1, CXCL10) that might have novel anti-COVID-19 indications. Finally, these drug targets were computationally prioritized based on gene ranking algorithms, which revealed CXCL10 as the common and strongest candidate with 2 existing drugs. Furthermore, the list of 283 SARS-CoV-2-associated proteins could be valuable not only as anti-COVID-19 targets but also useful for COVID-19 biomarker development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajaneesh K. Gupta
- Department of Neurosurgery, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Enyinna L. Nwachuku
- Department of Neurosurgery, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Benjamin E. Zusman
- Department of Neurosurgery, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Ruchira M. Jha
- Departments of Neurology, Neurobiology, Neurosurgery, Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, Arizona, United States of America
| | - Ava M. Puccio
- Department of Neurosurgery, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
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27
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Ciprofibrate-Loaded Nanoparticles Prepared by Nanoprecipitation: Synthesis, Characterization, and Drug Release. Polymers (Basel) 2021; 13:polym13183158. [PMID: 34578074 PMCID: PMC8468397 DOI: 10.3390/polym13183158] [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: 08/27/2021] [Revised: 09/14/2021] [Accepted: 09/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Ciprofibrate (CIP) is a highly lipophilic and poorly water-soluble drug, typically used for dyslipidemia treatment. Although it is already commercialized in capsules, no previous studies report its solid-state structure; thus, information about the correlation with its physicochemical properties is lacking. In parallel, recent studies have led to the improvement of drug administration, including encapsulation in polymeric nanoparticles (NPs). Here, we present CIP's crystal structure determined by PXRD data. We also propose an encapsulation method for CIP in micelles produced from Pluronic P123/F127 and PEO-b-PCL, aiming to improve its solubility, hydrophilicity, and delivery. We determined the NPs' physicochemical properties by DLS, SLS, ELS, SAXS and the loaded drug amount by UV-Vis spectroscopy. Micelles showed sizes around 10-20 nm for Pluronic and 35-45 nm for the PEO-b-PCL NPs with slightly negative surface charge and successful CIP loading, especially for the latter; a substantial reduction in ζ-potential may be evidenced. For Pluronic nanoparticles, we scanned different conditions for the CIP loading, and its encapsulation efficiency was reduced while the drug content increased in the nanoprecipitation protocol. We also performed in vitro release experiments; results demonstrate that probe release is driven by Fickian diffusion for the Pluronic NPs and a zero-order model for PEO-b-PCL NPs.
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