1
|
Rahmani A, Soleymani A, Almukhtar M, Behzad Moghadam K, Vaziri Z, Hosein Tabar Kashi A, Adabi Firoozjah R, Jafari Tadi M, Zolfaghari Dehkharghani M, Valadi H, Moghadamnia AA, Gasser RB, Rostami A. Exosomes, and the potential for exosome-based interventions against COVID-19. Rev Med Virol 2024; 34:e2562. [PMID: 38924213 DOI: 10.1002/rmv.2562] [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: 09/08/2023] [Revised: 05/17/2024] [Accepted: 06/08/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
Since late 2019, the world has been devastated by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) induced by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), with more than 760 million people affected and ∼seven million deaths reported. Although effective treatments for COVID-19 are currently limited, there has been a strong focus on developing new therapeutic approaches to address the morbidity and mortality linked to this disease. An approach that is currently being investigated is the use of exosome-based therapies. Exosomes are small, extracellular vesicles that play a role in many clinical diseases, including viral infections, infected cells release exosomes that can transmit viral components, such as miRNAs and proteins, and can also include receptors for viruses that facilitate viral entry into recipient cells. SARS-CoV-2 has the ability to impact the formation, secretion, and release of exosomes, thereby potentially facilitating or intensifying the transmission of the virus among cells, tissues and individuals. Therefore, designing synthetic exosomes that carry immunomodulatory cargo and antiviral compounds are proposed to be a promising strategy for the treatment of COVID-19 and other viral diseases. Moreover, exosomes generated from mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) might be employed as cell-free therapeutic agents, as MSC-derived exosomes can diminish the cytokine storm and reverse the suppression of host anti-viral defences associated with COVID-19, and boost the repair of lung damage linked to mitochondrial activity. The present article discusses the significance and roles of exosomes in COVID-19, and explores potential future applications of exosomes in combating this disease. Despite the challenges posed by COVID-19, exosome-based therapies could represent a promising avenue for improving patient outcomes and reducing the impact of this disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Abolfazl Rahmani
- Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
| | - Ali Soleymani
- Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
| | | | - Kimia Behzad Moghadam
- Independent Researcher, Former University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Zahra Vaziri
- Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
| | - Ali Hosein Tabar Kashi
- Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
| | - Reza Adabi Firoozjah
- Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
| | - Mehrdad Jafari Tadi
- Department of Cell and Molecular Medicine, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Maryam Zolfaghari Dehkharghani
- Department of Healthcare Administration and Policy, School of Public Health, University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV), Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
| | - Hadi Valadi
- Department of Rheumatology and Inflammation Research Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Ali Akbar Moghadamnia
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
| | - Robin B Gasser
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Faculty of Science, Melbourne Veterinary School, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Ali Rostami
- Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Grewal T, Nguyen MKL, Buechler C. Cholesterol and COVID-19-therapeutic opportunities at the host/virus interface during cell entry. Life Sci Alliance 2024; 7:e202302453. [PMID: 38388172 PMCID: PMC10883773 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.202302453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2023] [Revised: 02/12/2024] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
The rapid development of vaccines to combat severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections has been critical to reduce the severity of COVID-19. However, the continuous emergence of new SARS-CoV-2 subtypes highlights the need to develop additional approaches that oppose viral infections. Targeting host factors that support virus entry, replication, and propagation provide opportunities to lower SARS-CoV-2 infection rates and improve COVID-19 outcome. This includes cellular cholesterol, which is critical for viral spike proteins to capture the host machinery for SARS-CoV-2 cell entry. Once endocytosed, exit of SARS-CoV-2 from the late endosomal/lysosomal compartment occurs in a cholesterol-sensitive manner. In addition, effective release of new viral particles also requires cholesterol. Hence, cholesterol-lowering statins, proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 antibodies, and ezetimibe have revealed potential to protect against COVID-19. In addition, pharmacological inhibition of cholesterol exiting late endosomes/lysosomes identified drug candidates, including antifungals, to block SARS-CoV-2 infection. This review describes the multiple roles of cholesterol at the cell surface and endolysosomes for SARS-CoV-2 entry and the potential of drugs targeting cholesterol homeostasis to reduce SARS-CoV-2 infectivity and COVID-19 disease severity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Grewal
- https://ror.org/0384j8v12 School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Mai Khanh Linh Nguyen
- https://ror.org/0384j8v12 School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Christa Buechler
- https://ror.org/01226dv09 Department of Internal Medicine I, Regensburg University Hospital, Regensburg, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Shellenberger BM, Basile ON, Cassel J, Olsen MR, Salvino JM, Montaner LJ, Tietjen I, Henry GE. Synthesis, SARS-CoV-2 main protease inhibition, molecular docking and in silico ADME studies of furanochromene-quinoline hydrazone derivatives. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2024; 102:129679. [PMID: 38423371 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2024.129679] [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: 12/24/2023] [Revised: 02/06/2024] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
Seven furanochromene-quinoline derivatives containing a hydrazone linker were synthesized by condensing a furanochromene hydrazide with quinoline 2-, 3-, 4-, 5-, 6-, and 8-carbaldehydes, including 8-hydroxyquinoline-2-carbaldehye. Structure-activity correlations were investigated to determine the influence of the location of the hydrazone linker on the quinoline unit on SARS-CoV-2 Mpro enzyme inhibition. The 3-, 5-, 6- and 8-substituted derivatives showed moderate inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 Mpro with IC50 values ranging from 16 to 44 μM. Additionally, all of the derivatives showed strong interaction with the SARS-CoV-2 Mpro substrate binding pocket, with docking energy scores ranging from -8.0 to -8.5 kcal/mol. These values are comparable to that of N3 peptide (-8.1 kcal/mol) and more favorable than GC-373 (-7.6 kcal/mol) and ML-188 (-7.5 kcal/mol), all of which are known SARS-CoV-2 Mpro inhibitors. Furthermore, in silico absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME) profiles indicate that the derivatives have good drug-likeness properties. Overall, this study highlights the potential of the furanochromene-quinoline hydrazone scaffold as a SARS-CoV-2 Mpro inhibitor.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Blake M Shellenberger
- Department of Chemistry, Susquehanna University, 514 University Avenue, Selinsgrove, PA 17870, USA
| | - Olivia N Basile
- Department of Chemistry, Susquehanna University, 514 University Avenue, Selinsgrove, PA 17870, USA
| | - Joel Cassel
- The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Morgan R Olsen
- Department of Chemistry, Bucknell University, One Dent Drive, Lewisburg, PA 17837, USA
| | | | | | - Ian Tietjen
- The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
| | - Geneive E Henry
- Department of Chemistry, Susquehanna University, 514 University Avenue, Selinsgrove, PA 17870, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Akasov RA, Chepikova OE, Pallaeva TN, Gorokhovets NV, Siniavin AE, Gushchin VA, Savvateeva LV, Vinokurov IA, Khochenkov DA, Zamyatnin AA, Khaydukov EV. Evaluation of molecular mechanisms of riboflavin anti-COVID-19 action reveals anti-inflammatory efficacy rather than antiviral activity. Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj 2024; 1868:130582. [PMID: 38340879 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2024.130582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2023] [Revised: 01/03/2024] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Riboflavin (vitamin B2) is one of the most important water-soluble vitamins and a coenzyme involved in many biochemical processes. It has previously been shown that adjuvant therapy with flavin mononucleotide (a water-soluble form of riboflavin) correlates with normalization of clinically relevant immune markers in patients with COVID-19, but the mechanism of this effect remains unclear. Here, the antiviral and anti-inflammatory effects of riboflavin were investigated to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying the riboflavin-induced effects. METHODS Riboflavin was evaluated for recombinant SARS-CoV-2 PLpro inhibition in an enzyme kinetic assay and for direct inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 replication in Vero E6 cells, as well as for anti-inflammatory activity in polysaccharide-induced inflammation models, including endothelial cells in vitro and acute lung inflammation in vivo. RESULTS For the first time, the ability of riboflavin at high concentrations (above 50 μM) to inhibit SARS-CoV-2 PLpro protease in vitro was demonstrated; however, no inhibition of viral replication in Vero E6 cells in vitro was found. At the same time, riboflavin exerted a pronounced anti-inflammatory effect in the polysaccharide-induced inflammation model, both in vitro, preventing polysaccharide-induced cell death, and in vivo, reducing inflammatory markers (IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α) and normalizing lung histology. CONCLUSIONS It is concluded that riboflavin reveals anti-inflammatory rather than antiviral activity for SARS-CoV-2 infection. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE Riboflavin could be suggested as a promising compound for the therapy of inflammatory diseases of broad origin.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Roman A Akasov
- Federal Scientific Research Center "Crystallography and Photonics" of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 119333, Russia; Institute of Molecular Theranostics, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow 119991, Russia; Moscow State Pedagogical University, Moscow 119435, Russia.
| | - Olga E Chepikova
- Institute of Translational Medicine and Biotechnology, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow 119991, Russia; Research Center for Translational Medicine, Sirius University of Science and Technology, Sochi 354340, Russia
| | - Tatiana N Pallaeva
- Federal Scientific Research Center "Crystallography and Photonics" of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 119333, Russia; Research Center for Translational Medicine, Sirius University of Science and Technology, Sochi 354340, Russia
| | - Neonila V Gorokhovets
- Institute of Translational Medicine and Biotechnology, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow 119991, Russia
| | - Andrei E Siniavin
- Federal State Budget Institution "National Research Centre for Epidemiology and Microbiology Named after Honorary Academician N F Gamaleya" of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow 123098, Russia; Department of Molecular Neuroimmune Signalling, Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 117997, Russia
| | - Vladimir A Gushchin
- Federal State Budget Institution "National Research Centre for Epidemiology and Microbiology Named after Honorary Academician N F Gamaleya" of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow 123098, Russia; Department of Virology, Biological Faculty, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow 119991, Russia
| | - Lyudmila V Savvateeva
- Institute of Translational Medicine and Biotechnology, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow 119991, Russia
| | - Ivan A Vinokurov
- Petrovsky National Research Center of Surgery, Moscow 119991, Russia
| | - Dmitry A Khochenkov
- N.N. Blokhin National Medical Research Center of Oncology, Moscow 115478, Russia; Togliatti State University, Togliatti 445020, Russia
| | - Andrey A Zamyatnin
- Research Center for Translational Medicine, Sirius University of Science and Technology, Sochi 354340, Russia; Faculty of Bioengineering and Bioinformatics, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow 119234, Russia; Belozersky Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow 119992, Russia
| | - Evgeny V Khaydukov
- Federal Scientific Research Center "Crystallography and Photonics" of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 119333, Russia; Moscow State Pedagogical University, Moscow 119435, Russia
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Bischof E. Mitigating COVID-19 Mortality and Morbidity in China's Aging Population: A Focus on Available Medications and Future Developments. Aging Dis 2023; 14:1967-1976. [PMID: 37199593 PMCID: PMC10676792 DOI: 10.14336/ad.2023.0318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 03/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic, often referred to as the geropandemic, has put immense pressure on global healthcare systems worldwide, leading to a rush in the development and approval of medications for the treatment of the viral infection. Clinical trials on efficacy and safety had a limited spectrum on inclusion and endpoints because of the urgent need for fast results. The chronologically and biologically aged population is especially at risk for severe or lethal disease, as well as treatment-associated toxicity. In China, the growing elderly population segment has been a focus in public health measurements of COVID-19, guiding towards herd immunity with a mild variant, thus minimizing overall deaths and morbidity. While the COVID-19 pandemic has now been reclassified and the virus weakened, there is a clear need for novel therapies to protect the elderly. This paper reviews the current safety and efficacy of available COVID-19 medications in China, with a specific focus on 3CL protease inhibitors and the aging population. The current COVID wave in China has demonstrated a significant impact on the elderly and the need for new drugs that are effective at low doses and can be used alone, without harmful side effects, generation of viral resistance, and drug-drug interactions. The rush to develop and approve COVID-19 medications has brought up important questions about the balance between speed and caution, resulting in a pipeline of novel therapies now moving through clinical trials, including third-generation 3CL protease inhibitors. A majority of those therapeutics are being developed in China.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Evelyne Bischof
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Department of Oncology, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.
- Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, Federico II University of Naples, Naples, Italy.
- Shanghai University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Shanghai, China.
| |
Collapse
|