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Cardona F, Pérez-Tur J. Special Issue "Molecular and Genetic Aspects of SARS-CoV-2 Infection and COVID-19 Disease". Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:4670. [PMID: 38731889 PMCID: PMC11083453 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25094670] [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: 04/18/2024] [Accepted: 04/19/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
We are pleased to present the first and second editions of this Special Issue, titled "Molecular and Genetic Aspects of SARS-CoV-2 Infection and COVID-19 Disease", of the International Journal of Molecular Sciences [...].
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernando Cardona
- Unitat de Genètica Molecular, Institut de Biomedicina de València-CSIC, Jaume Roig 11, 46010 València, Spain
- CIBERNED, ISCIII, 46010 València, Spain
| | - Jordi Pérez-Tur
- Unitat de Genètica Molecular, Institut de Biomedicina de València-CSIC, Jaume Roig 11, 46010 València, Spain
- CIBERNED, ISCIII, 46010 València, Spain
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Mansour HM. The interference between SARS-COV-2 and Alzheimer's disease: Potential immunological and neurobiological crosstalk from a kinase perspective reveals a delayed pandemic. Ageing Res Rev 2024; 94:102195. [PMID: 38244862 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2024.102195] [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: 11/14/2022] [Revised: 01/06/2024] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 01/22/2024]
Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has infected over 700 million people, with up to 30% developing neurological manifestations, including dementias. However, there is a lack of understanding of common molecular brain markers causing Alzheimer's disease (AD). COVID-19 has etiological cofactors with AD, making patients with AD a vulnerable population at high risk of experiencing more severe symptoms and worse consequences. Both AD and COVID-19 have upregulated several shared kinases, leading to the repositioning of kinase inhibitors (KIs) for the treatment of both diseases. This review provides an overview of the interactions between the immune system and the nervous system in relation to receptor tyrosine kinases, including epidermal growth factor receptors, vascular growth factor receptors, and non-receptor tyrosine kinases such as Bruton tyrosine kinase, spleen tyrosine kinase, c-ABL, and JAK/STAT. We will discuss the promising results of kinase inhibitors in pre-clinical and clinical studies for both COVID-19 and Alzheimer's disease (AD), as well as the challenges in repositioning KIs for these diseases. Understanding the shared kinases between AD and COVID-19 could help in developing therapeutic approaches for both.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heba M Mansour
- General Administration of Innovative Products, Central Administration of Biological, Innovative Products, and Clinical Studies (Bio-INN), Egyptian Drug Authority (EDA), Giza, Egypt.
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Huynh TTX, Pham TX, Lee GH, Lee JB, Lee SG, Tark D, Lim YS, Hwang SB. Amuvatinib Blocks SARS-CoV-2 Infection at the Entry Step of the Viral Life Cycle. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0510522. [PMID: 36995225 PMCID: PMC10269473 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.05105-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the causative agent of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). SARS-CoV-2 propagation is mediated by the protein interaction between viral proteins and host cells. Tyrosine kinase has been implicated in viral replication, and hence, it has become a target for developing antiviral drugs. We have previously reported that receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor blocks the replication of hepatitis C virus (HCV). In the present study, we investigated two receptor tyrosine kinase-specific inhibitors, amuvatinib and imatinib, for their potential antiviral efficacies against SARS-CoV-2. Treatment with either amuvatinib or imatinib displays an effective inhibitory activity against SARS-CoV-2 propagation without an obvious cytopathic effect in Vero E6 cells. Notably, amuvatinib exerts a stronger antiviral activity than imatinib against SARS-CoV-2 infection. Amuvatinib blocks SARS-CoV-2 infection with a 50% effective concentration (EC50) value ranging from ~0.36 to 0.45 μM in Vero E6 cells. We further demonstrate that amuvatinib inhibits SARS-CoV-2 propagation in human lung Calu-3 cells. Using pseudoparticle infection assay, we verify that amuvatinib blocks SARS-CoV-2 at the entry step of the viral life cycle. More specifically, amuvatinib inhibits SARS-CoV-2 infection at the binding-attachment step. Moreover, amuvatinib exhibits highly efficient antiviral activity against emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants. Importantly, we demonstrate that amuvatinib inhibits SARS-CoV-2 infection by blocking ACE2 cleavage. Taken together, our data suggest that amuvatinib may provide a potential therapeutic agent for the treatment of COVID-19. IMPORTANCE Tyrosine kinase has been implicated in viral replication and has become an antiviral drug target. Here, we chose two well-known receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors, amuvatinib and imatinib, and evaluated their drug potencies against SARS-CoV-2. Surprisingly, amuvatinib displays a stronger antiviral activity than imatinib against SARS-CoV-2. Amuvatinib blocks SARS-CoV-2 infection by inhibiting ACE2 cleavage and the subsequent soluble ACE2 receptor. All these data suggest that amuvatinib may be a potential therapeutic agent in SARS-CoV-2 prevention for those experiencing vaccine breakthroughs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Trang T. X. Huynh
- Laboratory of RNA Viral Diseases, Korea Zoonosis Research Institute, Jeonbuk National University, Iksan, South Korea
| | - Thuy X. Pham
- Laboratory of RNA Viral Diseases, Korea Zoonosis Research Institute, Jeonbuk National University, Iksan, South Korea
| | - Gun-Hee Lee
- Laboratory for Infectious Disease Prevention, Korea Zoonosis Research Institute, Jeonbuk National University, Iksan, South Korea
| | - Jae-Bong Lee
- Korea Zoonosis Research Institute, Jeonbuk National University, Iksan, South Korea
| | - Sung-Geun Lee
- Korea Zoonosis Research Institute, Jeonbuk National University, Iksan, South Korea
| | - Dongseob Tark
- Laboratory for Infectious Disease Prevention, Korea Zoonosis Research Institute, Jeonbuk National University, Iksan, South Korea
| | - Yun-Sook Lim
- Laboratory of RNA Viral Diseases, Korea Zoonosis Research Institute, Jeonbuk National University, Iksan, South Korea
| | - Soon B. Hwang
- Laboratory of RNA Viral Diseases, Korea Zoonosis Research Institute, Jeonbuk National University, Iksan, South Korea
- Ilsong Institute of Life Science, Hallym University, Seoul, South Korea
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Rieder AS, Deniz BF, Netto CA, Wyse ATS. A Review of In Silico Research, SARS-CoV-2, and Neurodegeneration: Focus on Papain-Like Protease. Neurotox Res 2022; 40:1553-1569. [PMID: 35917086 PMCID: PMC9343570 DOI: 10.1007/s12640-022-00542-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2022] [Revised: 06/17/2022] [Accepted: 06/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Since the appearance of SARS-CoV-2 and the COVID-19 pandemic, the search for new approaches to treat this disease took place in the scientific community. The in silico approach has gained importance at this moment, once the methodologies used in this kind of study allow for the identification of specific protein-ligand interactions, which may serve as a filter step for molecules that can act as specific inhibitors. In addition, it is a low-cost and high-speed technology. Molecular docking has been widely used to find potential viral protein inhibitors for structural and non-structural proteins of the SARS-CoV-2, aiming to block the infection and the virus multiplication. The papain-like protease (PLpro) participates in the proteolytic processing of SARS-CoV-2 and composes one of the main targets studied for pharmacological intervention by in silico methodologies. Based on that, we performed a systematic review about PLpro inhibitors from the perspective of in silico research, including possible therapeutic molecules in relation to this viral protein. The neurological problems triggered by COVID-19 were also briefly discussed, especially relative to the similarities of neuroinflammation present in Alzheimer's disease. In this context, we focused on two molecules, curcumin and glycyrrhizinic acid, given their PLpro inhibitory actions and neuroprotective properties and potential therapeutic effects on COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra S Rieder
- Laboratory of Neuroprotection and Neurometabolic Diseases, Wyse's Lab, Department of Biochemistry, ICBS, Universidade Federal Do Rio Grande Do Sul (UFRGS), Rua Ramiro Barcelos, 2600-Anexo, Porto Alegre, RS, 90035-003, Brazil
| | - Bruna F Deniz
- Laboratory of Neuroprotection and Neurometabolic Diseases, Wyse's Lab, Department of Biochemistry, ICBS, Universidade Federal Do Rio Grande Do Sul (UFRGS), Rua Ramiro Barcelos, 2600-Anexo, Porto Alegre, RS, 90035-003, Brazil
| | - Carlos Alexandre Netto
- Laboratory of Neuroprotection and Neurometabolic Diseases, Wyse's Lab, Department of Biochemistry, ICBS, Universidade Federal Do Rio Grande Do Sul (UFRGS), Rua Ramiro Barcelos, 2600-Anexo, Porto Alegre, RS, 90035-003, Brazil
| | - Angela T S Wyse
- Laboratory of Neuroprotection and Neurometabolic Diseases, Wyse's Lab, Department of Biochemistry, ICBS, Universidade Federal Do Rio Grande Do Sul (UFRGS), Rua Ramiro Barcelos, 2600-Anexo, Porto Alegre, RS, 90035-003, Brazil.
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Amani B, Zareei S, Amani B, Zareei M, Zareei N, Shabestan R, Akbarzadeh A. Artesunate, imatinib, and infliximab in COVID‐19: A rapid review and meta‐analysis of current evidence. Immun Inflamm Dis 2022; 10:e628. [PMID: 35634954 PMCID: PMC9092000 DOI: 10.1002/iid3.628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Revised: 03/26/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and Objective Despite the pervasive vaccination program against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19), people who got fully vaccinated are still contaminated by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, making an effective and safe therapeutic intervention a crucial need for the patients' survival. The purpose of the present study is to seek available evidence for the efficacy and safety of three promising medications artesunate, imatinib, and infliximab against COVID‐19. Methods A literature search was conducted in PubMed, Cochrane Library, medRxive, and Google Scholar, and the relevant articles published up to January 2022 were found. Furthermore, the clinical trial databases were screened for finding more citations. Data analysis was carried out applying The Cochrane Collaboration tool and Newcastle–Ottawa scale to assess the included studies. Meta‐analysis was performed using RevMan 5.4.1. Results Five published studies were identified as eligible. Meta‐analysis showed that there was no significant difference between the infliximab and control groups in terms of mortality rate (risk ratio [RR]: 0.65; confidence interval [CI] 95%: 0.40–1.07; p = .09). However, a significant difference was observed between the two groups for the hospital discharge (RR: 1.37; CI 95%: 1.04–1.80; p = .03). No remarkable clinical benefit was observed for using imatinib in COVID‐19 patients. Artesunate showed significant improvement in patients with COVID‐19. Conclusion In the present, limited evidence exists for the efficacy and safety of artesunate, imatinib, and infliximab in patients with COVID‐19. The findings of WHO's Solidarity international trial will provide further information regarding these therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bahman Amani
- Department of Health Management and Economics, School of Public Health Tehran University of Medical Sciences Tehran Iran
| | - Sara Zareei
- Department of Cell & Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences Kharazmi University Tehran Iran
| | - Behnam Amani
- Department of Health Management and Economics, School of Public Health Tehran University of Medical Sciences Tehran Iran
| | - Mahsa Zareei
- Department of Health Services Management, School of Health Management and Information Sciences Iran University of Medical Sciences Tehran Iran
| | - Neda Zareei
- Shiraz Transplant Research Center Shiraz University of Medical Sciences Shiraz Iran
| | - Rouhollah Shabestan
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, School of Public Health Tehran University of Medical Sciences Tehran Iran
| | - Arash Akbarzadeh
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, School of Public Health Tehran University of Medical Sciences Tehran Iran
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Strobelt R, Adler J, Paran N, Yahalom-Ronen Y, Melamed S, Politi B, Shulman Z, Schmiedel D, Shaul Y. Imatinib inhibits SARS-CoV-2 infection by an off-target-mechanism. Sci Rep 2022; 12:5758. [PMID: 35388061 PMCID: PMC8984672 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-09664-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2021] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the causal agent of the COVID-19 pandemic. More than 274 million individuals have suffered from COVID-19 and over five million people have died from this disease so far. Therefore, there is an urgent need for therapeutic drugs. Repurposing FDA approved drugs should be favored since evaluation of safety and efficacy of de-novo drug design are both costly and time consuming. We report that imatinib, an Abl tyrosine kinase inhibitor, robustly decreases SARS-CoV-2 infection and uncover a mechanism of action. We show that imatinib inhibits the infection of SARS-CoV-2 and its surrogate lentivector pseudotype. In latter, imatinib inhibited both routes of viral entry, endocytosis and membrane-fusion. We utilized a system to quantify in real-time cell-cell membrane fusion mediated by the SARS-CoV-2 surface protein, Spike, and its receptor, hACE2, to demonstrate that imatinib inhibits this process in an Abl1 and Abl2 independent manner. Furthermore, cellular thermal shift assay revealed a direct imatinib-Spike interaction that affects Spike susceptibility to trypsin digest. Collectively, our data suggest that imatinib inhibits Spike mediated viral entry by an off-target mechanism. These findings mark imatinib as a promising therapeutic drug in inhibiting the early steps of SARS-CoV-2 infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Romano Strobelt
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Julia Adler
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Nir Paran
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness Ziona, Israel
| | - Yfat Yahalom-Ronen
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness Ziona, Israel
| | - Sharon Melamed
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness Ziona, Israel
| | - Boaz Politi
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness Ziona, Israel
| | - Ziv Shulman
- Department of Immunology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Dominik Schmiedel
- Department of Immunology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Yosef Shaul
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel.
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Mulgaonkar N, Wang H, Mallawarachchi S, Růžek D, Martina B, Fernando S. In silico and in vitro evaluation of imatinib as an inhibitor for SARS-CoV-2. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2022; 41:3052-3061. [PMID: 35220926 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2022.2045221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
The rapid geographic expansion of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the infectious agent of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, poses an immediate need for potent drugs. Enveloped viruses infect the host cell by cellular membrane fusion, a crucial mechanism required for virus replication. The SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein, due to its primary interaction with the human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) cell-surface receptor, is considered a potential target for drug development. In this study, around 5,800 molecules were virtually screened using molecular docking. Five molecules were selected for in vitro experiments from those that reported docking scores lower than -6 kcal/mol. Imatinib, a Bcr-Abl tyrosine kinase inhibitor, showed maximum antiviral activity in Vero cells. We further investigated the interaction of imatinib, a compound under clinical trials for the treatment of COVID-19, with SARS-CoV-2 RBD, using in silico methods. Molecular dynamics simulations verified that imatinib interacts with RBD residues that are critical for ACE2 binding. This study also provides significant molecular insights on potential repurposable small-molecule drugs and chemical scaffolds for the development of novel drugs targeting the SARS-CoV-2 spike RBD.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nirmitee Mulgaonkar
- Biological and Agricultural Engineering Department, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Haoqi Wang
- Biological and Agricultural Engineering Department, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Samavath Mallawarachchi
- Biological and Agricultural Engineering Department, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Daniel Růžek
- Veterinary Research Institute, Brno, and Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Byron Martina
- Artemis One Health Research Institute, Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Sandun Fernando
- Biological and Agricultural Engineering Department, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
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