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Álvarez-Miguel I, Fodor B, López GG, Biglione C, Grape ES, Inge AK, Hidalgo T, Horcajada P. Metal-Organic Frameworks: Unconventional Nanoweapons against COVID. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2024; 16:32118-32127. [PMID: 38862123 PMCID: PMC11212624 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.4c06174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2024] [Revised: 06/03/2024] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/13/2024]
Abstract
The SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic outbreak led to enormous social and economic repercussions worldwide, felt even to this date, making the design of new therapies to combat fast-spreading viruses an imperative task. In the face of this, diverse cutting-edge nanotechnologies have risen as promising tools to treat infectious diseases such as COVID-19, as well as challenging illnesses such as cancer and diabetes. Aside from these applications, nanoscale metal-organic frameworks (nanoMOFs) have attracted much attention as novel efficient drug delivery systems for diverse pathologies. However, their potential as anti-COVID-19 therapeutic agents has not been investigated. Herein, we propose a pioneering anti-COVID MOF approach by studying their potential as safe and intrinsically antiviral agents through screening various nanoMOF. The iron(III)-trimesate MIL-100 showed a noteworthy antiviral effect against SARS-CoV-2 at the micromolar range, ensuring a high biocompatibility profile (90% of viability) in a real infected human cellular scenario. This research effectively paves the way toward novel antiviral therapies based on nanoMOFs, not only against SARS-CoV-2 but also against other challenging infectious and/or pulmonary diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inés Álvarez-Miguel
- Advanced
Porous Materials Unit, IMDEA Energy, Ramón de la Sagra 3, 28935 Móstoles-Madrid, Spain
| | - Beatrice Fodor
- Advanced
Porous Materials Unit, IMDEA Energy, Ramón de la Sagra 3, 28935 Móstoles-Madrid, Spain
| | - Guillermo G. López
- Advanced
Porous Materials Unit, IMDEA Energy, Ramón de la Sagra 3, 28935 Móstoles-Madrid, Spain
| | - Catalina Biglione
- Advanced
Porous Materials Unit, IMDEA Energy, Ramón de la Sagra 3, 28935 Móstoles-Madrid, Spain
| | - Erik Svensson Grape
- Wallenberg
Initiative Materials Science for Sustainability, Department of Materials
and Environmental Chemistry, Stockholm University, Stockholm 106 91, Sweden
| | - A. Ken Inge
- Wallenberg
Initiative Materials Science for Sustainability, Department of Materials
and Environmental Chemistry, Stockholm University, Stockholm 106 91, Sweden
| | - Tania Hidalgo
- Advanced
Porous Materials Unit, IMDEA Energy, Ramón de la Sagra 3, 28935 Móstoles-Madrid, Spain
| | - Patricia Horcajada
- Advanced
Porous Materials Unit, IMDEA Energy, Ramón de la Sagra 3, 28935 Móstoles-Madrid, Spain
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2
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Fernández-Soto D, Bueno P, Garaigorta U, Gastaminza P, Bueno JL, Duarte RF, Jara R, Valés-Gómez M, Reyburn HT. SARS-CoV-2 membrane protein-specific antibodies from critically ill SARS-CoV-2-infected individuals interact with Fc receptor-expressing cells but do not neutralize the virus. J Leukoc Biol 2024; 115:985-991. [PMID: 38245016 DOI: 10.1093/jleuko/qiae017] [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: 07/19/2023] [Revised: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 01/22/2024] Open
Abstract
The membrane (M) glycoprotein of SARS-CoV-2 is one of the key viral proteins regulating virion assembly and morphogenesis. Immunologically, the M protein is a major source of peptide antigens driving T cell responses, and most individuals who have been infected with SARS-CoV-2 make antibodies to the N-terminal, surface-exposed peptide of the M protein. We now report that although the M protein is abundant in the viral particle, antibodies to the surface-exposed N-terminal epitope of M do not appear to neutralize the virus. M protein-specific antibodies do, however, activate antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity and cytokine secretion by primary human natural killer cells. Interestingly, while patients with severe or mild disease make comparable levels of M antigen-binding antibodies, M-specific antibodies from the serum of critically ill patients are significantly more potent activators of antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity than antibodies found in individuals with mild or asymptomatic infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Fernández-Soto
- Department of Immunology and Oncology, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, C. Darwin 3, Madrid 28049, Spain
| | - Paula Bueno
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, C. Darwin 3, Madrid 28049, Spain
| | - Urtzi Garaigorta
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, C. Darwin 3, Madrid 28049, Spain
| | - Pablo Gastaminza
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, C. Darwin 3, Madrid 28049, Spain
| | - José L Bueno
- Department of Hematology, Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro Majadahonda, C. Joaquín Rodrigo 1, Madrid, Spain
| | - Rafael F Duarte
- Department of Hematology, Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro Majadahonda, C. Joaquín Rodrigo 1, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ricardo Jara
- Immunostep, S.L., Centro Investigación del Cáncer, Avda. Universidad de Coimbra, s/n, Salamanca 37007, Spain
| | - Mar Valés-Gómez
- Department of Immunology and Oncology, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, C. Darwin 3, Madrid 28049, Spain
| | - Hugh T Reyburn
- Department of Immunology and Oncology, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, C. Darwin 3, Madrid 28049, Spain
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3
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Freidel MR, Vakhariya PA, Sardarni SK, Armen RS. The Dual-Targeted Fusion Inhibitor Clofazimine Binds to the S2 Segment of the SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein. Viruses 2024; 16:640. [PMID: 38675980 PMCID: PMC11054727 DOI: 10.3390/v16040640] [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: 03/01/2024] [Revised: 03/29/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Clofazimine and Arbidol have both been reported to be effective in vitro SARS-CoV-2 fusion inhibitors. Both are promising drugs that have been repurposed for the treatment of COVID-19 and have been used in several previous and ongoing clinical trials. Small-molecule bindings to expressed constructs of the trimeric S2 segment of Spike and the full-length SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein were measured using a Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) binding assay. We demonstrate that Clofazimine, Toremifene, Arbidol and its derivatives bind to the S2 segment of the Spike protein. Clofazimine provided the most reliable and highest-quality SPR data for binding with S2 over the conditions explored. A molecular docking approach was used to identify the most favorable binding sites on the S2 segment in the prefusion conformation, highlighting two possible small-molecule binding sites for fusion inhibitors. Results related to molecular docking and modeling of the structure-activity relationship (SAR) of a newly reported series of Clofazimine derivatives support the proposed Clofazimine binding site on the S2 segment. When the proposed Clofazimine binding site is superimposed with other experimentally determined coronavirus structures in structure-sequence alignments, the changes in sequence and structure may rationalize the broad-spectrum antiviral activity of Clofazimine in closely related coronaviruses such as SARS-CoV, MERS, hCoV-229E, and hCoV-OC43.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Roger S. Armen
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Thomas Jefferson University, 901 Walnut St. Suite 918, Philadelphia, PA 19170, USA (P.A.V.); (S.K.S.)
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4
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Yu D, Wagner S, Schütz M, Jeon Y, Seo M, Kim J, Brückner N, Kicuntod J, Tillmanns J, Wangen C, Hahn F, Kaufer BB, Neipel F, Eickhoff J, Klebl B, Nam K, Marschall M. An Antiherpesviral Host-Directed Strategy Based on CDK7 Covalently Binding Drugs: Target-Selective, Picomolar-Dose, Cross-Virus Reactivity. Pharmaceutics 2024; 16:158. [PMID: 38399219 PMCID: PMC10892818 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics16020158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2023] [Revised: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
The repertoire of currently available antiviral drugs spans therapeutic applications against a number of important human pathogens distributed worldwide. These include cases of the pandemic severe acute respiratory coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2 or COVID-19), human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1 or AIDS), and the pregnancy- and posttransplant-relevant human cytomegalovirus (HCMV). In almost all cases, approved therapies are based on direct-acting antivirals (DAAs), but their benefit, particularly in long-term applications, is often limited by the induction of viral drug resistance or side effects. These issues might be addressed by the additional use of host-directed antivirals (HDAs). As a strong input from long-term experiences with cancer therapies, host protein kinases may serve as HDA targets of mechanistically new antiviral drugs. The study demonstrates such a novel antiviral strategy by targeting the major virus-supportive host kinase CDK7. Importantly, this strategy focuses on highly selective, 3D structure-derived CDK7 inhibitors carrying a warhead moiety that mediates covalent target binding. In summary, the main experimental findings of this study are as follows: (1) the in vitro verification of CDK7 inhibition and selectivity that confirms the warhead covalent-binding principle (by CDK-specific kinase assays), (2) the highly pronounced antiviral efficacies of the hit compounds (in cultured cell-based infection models) with half-maximal effective concentrations that reach down to picomolar levels, (3) a particularly strong potency of compounds against strains and reporter-expressing recombinants of HCMV (using infection assays in primary human fibroblasts), (4) additional activity against further herpesviruses such as animal CMVs and VZV, (5) unique mechanistic properties that include an immediate block of HCMV replication directed early (determined by Western blot detection of viral marker proteins), (6) a substantial drug synergism in combination with MBV (measured by a Loewe additivity fixed-dose assay), and (7) a strong sensitivity of clinically relevant HCMV mutants carrying MBV or ganciclovir resistance markers. Combined, the data highlight the huge developmental potential of this host-directed antiviral targeting concept utilizing covalently binding CDK7 inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- DongHoon Yu
- Qurient Co., Ltd., C-Dong, 242 Pangyo-ro, C801 Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si 13487, Republic of Korea
| | - Sabrina Wagner
- Institute for Clinical and Molecular Virolosgy, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Schlossgarten 4, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Martin Schütz
- Institute for Clinical and Molecular Virolosgy, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Schlossgarten 4, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Yeejin Jeon
- Qurient Co., Ltd., C-Dong, 242 Pangyo-ro, C801 Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si 13487, Republic of Korea
| | - Mooyoung Seo
- Qurient Co., Ltd., C-Dong, 242 Pangyo-ro, C801 Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si 13487, Republic of Korea
| | - Jaeseung Kim
- Qurient Co., Ltd., C-Dong, 242 Pangyo-ro, C801 Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si 13487, Republic of Korea
| | - Nadine Brückner
- Institute for Clinical and Molecular Virolosgy, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Schlossgarten 4, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Jintawee Kicuntod
- Institute for Clinical and Molecular Virolosgy, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Schlossgarten 4, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Julia Tillmanns
- Institute for Clinical and Molecular Virolosgy, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Schlossgarten 4, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Christina Wangen
- Institute for Clinical and Molecular Virolosgy, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Schlossgarten 4, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Friedrich Hahn
- Institute for Clinical and Molecular Virolosgy, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Schlossgarten 4, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Benedikt B. Kaufer
- Institute of Virology, Freie Universität Berlin, Robert-von-Ostertag-Straße 7–13, 14163 Berlin, Germany
| | - Frank Neipel
- Institute for Clinical and Molecular Virolosgy, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Schlossgarten 4, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Jan Eickhoff
- Lead Discovery Center GmbH, Otto-Hahn-Straße 15, 44227 Dortmund, Germany
| | - Bert Klebl
- Lead Discovery Center GmbH, Otto-Hahn-Straße 15, 44227 Dortmund, Germany
- The Norwegian College of Fishery Science UiT, Arctic University of Norway, 9037 Tromsø, Norway
| | - Kiyean Nam
- Qurient Co., Ltd., C-Dong, 242 Pangyo-ro, C801 Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si 13487, Republic of Korea
| | - Manfred Marschall
- Institute for Clinical and Molecular Virolosgy, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Schlossgarten 4, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
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Chen K, Wang F. Cell-specific genome-scale metabolic modeling of SARS-CoV-2-infected lung to identify antiviral enzymes. FEBS Open Bio 2023; 13:2172-2186. [PMID: 37734920 PMCID: PMC10699103 DOI: 10.1002/2211-5463.13710] [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: 06/21/2023] [Revised: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Computational systems biology plays a key role in the discovery of suitable antiviral targets. We designed a cell-specific, constraint-based modeling technique for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)-infected lungs. We used the gene sequence of the alpha variant of SARS-CoV-2 to build a viral biomass reaction (VBR). We also used the mass proportion of lipids between the viral biomass and its host cell to estimate the stoichiometric coefficients of viral lipids in the reaction. We then integrated the VBR, the gene expression of the alpha variant of SARS-CoV-2, and the generic human metabolic network Recon3D to reconstruct a cell-specific genome-scale metabolic model. An antiviral target discovery (AVTD) platform was introduced using this model to identify therapeutic drug targets for combating COVID-19. The AVTD platform not only identified antiviral genes for eliminating viral replication but also predicted side effects of treatments. Our computational results revealed that knocking out dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODH) might reduce the synthesis rate of cytidine-5'-triphosphate and uridine-5'-triphosphate, which terminate the viral building blocks of DNA and RNA for SARS-CoV-2 replication. Our results also indicated that DHODH is a promising antiviral target that causes minor side effects, which is consistent with the results of recent reports. Moreover, we discovered that the genes that participate in the de novo biosynthesis of glycerophospholipids and ceramides become unidentifiable if the VBR does not involve the stoichiometry of lipids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ke‐Lin Chen
- Department of Chemical EngineeringNational Chung Cheng UniversityChiayiTaiwan
| | - Feng‐Sheng Wang
- Department of Chemical EngineeringNational Chung Cheng UniversityChiayiTaiwan
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6
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Chu SW, Wang FS. Fuzzy optimization for identifying antiviral targets for treating SARS-CoV-2 infection in the heart. BMC Bioinformatics 2023; 24:364. [PMID: 37759157 PMCID: PMC10537911 DOI: 10.1186/s12859-023-05487-7] [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: 06/24/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
In this paper, a fuzzy hierarchical optimization framework is proposed for identifying potential antiviral targets for treating severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection in the heart. The proposed framework comprises four objectives for evaluating the elimination of viral biomass growth and the minimization of side effects during treatment. In the application of the framework, Dulbecco's modified eagle medium (DMEM) and Ham's medium were used as uptake nutrients on an antiviral target discovery platform. The prediction results from the framework reveal that most of the antiviral enzymes in the aforementioned media are involved in fatty acid metabolism and amino acid metabolism. However, six enzymes involved in cholesterol biosynthesis in Ham's medium and three enzymes involved in glycolysis in DMEM are unable to eliminate the growth of the SARS-CoV-2 biomass. Three enzymes involved in glycolysis, namely BPGM, GAPDH, and ENO1, in DMEM combine with the supplemental uptake of L-cysteine to increase the cell viability grade and metabolic deviation grade. Moreover, six enzymes involved in cholesterol biosynthesis reduce and fail to reduce viral biomass growth in a culture medium if a cholesterol uptake reaction does not occur and occurs in this medium, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sz-Wei Chu
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Chung Cheng University, Chiayi, 621301, Taiwan
| | - Feng-Sheng Wang
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Chung Cheng University, Chiayi, 621301, Taiwan.
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7
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Metry A, Pandor A, Ren S, Shippam A, Clowes M, Dark P, McMullan R, Stevenson M. Cost-effectiveness of therapeutics for COVID-19 patients: a rapid review and economic analysis. Health Technol Assess 2023; 27:1-92. [PMID: 37840452 PMCID: PMC10591210 DOI: 10.3310/nafw3527] [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] [Indexed: 10/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 is the virus that causes coronavirus disease 2019. Over six million deaths worldwide have been associated with coronavirus disease 2019. Objective To assess the cost-effectiveness of treatments used for the treatment of coronavirus disease 2019 in hospital or used in the community in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 at high risk of hospitalisation. Setting Treatments provided in United Kingdom hospital and community settings. Methods Clinical effectiveness estimates were taken from the coronavirus disease-network meta-analyses initiative and the metaEvidence initiative. A mathematical model was constructed to explore how the interventions impacted on patient health, measured in quality-adjusted life-years gained. The costs associated with treatment, including those of hospital care, were also estimated and used to form a cost per quality-adjusted life-year gained value which was compared with thresholds published by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Estimates of cost-effectiveness compared against current standard of care were produced in both the hospital and community settings at three different levels of efficacy: mean, low and high. Public list prices were used for interventions with neither confidential patient access schemes nor confidential list prices considered. Results incorporating confidential pricing data were provided to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence appraisal committee. Results The treatments were estimated to be clinically effective although not all reached statistical significance. All treatments in the hospital setting, or community, were estimated to plausibly have a cost per quality-adjusted life-year gained value below National Institute for Health and Care Excellence's thresholds when compared with standard of care. However, almost all drugs could plausibly have cost per quality-adjusted life-years above National Institute for Health and Care Excellence's thresholds. However, there is considerable uncertainty in the results as the prevalent severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 variant, vaccination status, history of being infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 and standard of care have all evolved since the pivotal studies were conducted which could have significant impact on the efficacy of each drug. For drugs used in high-risk patients in the community setting, the proportion of people at high risk who need hospital admission was a large driver of the cost per quality-adjusted life-year. Limitations No studies were identified that were conducted in current conditions. This may be a large limitation as the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 variant changes. No head-to-head studies of interventions were identified. Conclusions The results produced could be informative to decision-makers, although conclusions regarding the most clinical - and cost-effectiveness of each intervention should be tentative due to the evolving nature of the decision problem and, in this report, the use of list prices only. Comparisons between interventions should also be treated with caution due to potentially large heterogeneity between studies. Future work Research assessing the relative clinical effectiveness of interventions within head-to-head studies in current conditions would be beneficial. Contemporary information related to the probability of hospital admission and death for patients at high risk in the community would improve the precision of the estimates generated. Funding This project was funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Evidence Synthesis programme (NIHR135564) and will be published in full in Health Technology Assessment; Vol. 27, No. 14. See the NIHR Journals Library website for further project information.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Metry
- School of Health and Related Research (ScHARR), The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Abdullah Pandor
- School of Health and Related Research (ScHARR), The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Shijie Ren
- School of Health and Related Research (ScHARR), The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Andrea Shippam
- School of Health and Related Research (ScHARR), The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Mark Clowes
- School of Health and Related Research (ScHARR), The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Paul Dark
- The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Ronan McMullan
- School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences, Wellcome Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK
| | - Matt Stevenson
- School of Health and Related Research (ScHARR), The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
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Vila Méndez ML, Antón Sanz C, Cárdenas García ADR, Bravo Malo A, Torres Martínez FJ, Martín Moros JM, Real Torrijos M, Vendrell Covisa JFJ, Guzmán Sierra O, Molina Barcena V, Viejo Pinero N, Fernández Díaz C, Arroyo Burguillo P, Blanco Gallego AM, Guirao Sánchez C, Montilla Bernabé A, Villanueva Morán MDP, Juárez Antón S, Fernández Rodríguez Á, Somoza Calvo MÁ, Cerrada EC, Pérez Mañas G, Sánchez Calso A, Vallejo Somohano F, Cauqui Díaz C, Viñas Fernández G, Molina París J, González Godoy M, Lumbreras García G, Rosado Martín J, Rodríguez Hernández A, López Antúñez S, Vázquez Perfecto G, Marcello Andrés MC, Puente García NM, Gil C, Martínez A, Soler López B. Efficacy of Bromhexine versus Standard of Care in Reducing Viral Load in Patients with Mild-to-Moderate COVID-19 Disease Attended in Primary Care: A Randomized Open-Label Trial. J Clin Med 2022; 12:jcm12010142. [PMID: 36614943 PMCID: PMC9821213 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12010142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2022] [Revised: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
A 28-day randomized open-label multicenter study was conducted to assess the efficacy of bromhexine plus standard of care (SOC) (n = 98) vs. SOC alone (n = 93) in 191 outpatients with mild-to-moderate COVID-19 in the primary health care setting. Bromhexine three daily doses of 10 mL (48 mg/day) were administered for seven days. The primary efficacy endpoint was the reduction of viral load estimated as the cycle thresholds (Ct) to detect ORF1ab, N Protein, and S Protein genes by RT-qPCR in saliva samples on day 4 as compared with baseline. Ct values of the three genes increased from baseline throughout days 4 to 14 (p < 0.001) but significant differences between the study groups were not found. Differences in the percentages of patients with low, medium, and high viral loads at 4, 7, and 14 days were not found either. In summary, treatment with bromhexine plus SCO was associated with a viral load reduction of ORF1ab, N Protein, and S Protein genes at day 4, which was not significantly different than similar viral load reductions observed with SOC alone. The present findings do not seem to favor the use of bromhexine as an antiviral in patients with COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Carmen Gil
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas “Margarita Salas” (CSIC), 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana Martínez
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas “Margarita Salas” (CSIC), 28040 Madrid, Spain
- Correspondence: (A.M.); (B.S.L.); Tel.: +34-91-8373112 (A.M.); +34-91-6300480 (B.S.L.)
| | - Begoña Soler López
- E-C-BIO, S.L., Las Rozas, 28230 Madrid, Spain
- Correspondence: (A.M.); (B.S.L.); Tel.: +34-91-8373112 (A.M.); +34-91-6300480 (B.S.L.)
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9
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Fàbrega-Ferrer M, Herrera-Morandé A, Muriel-Goñi S, Pérez-Saavedra J, Bueno P, Castro V, Garaigorta U, Gastaminza P, Coll M. Structure and inhibition of SARS-CoV-1 and SARS-CoV-2 main proteases by oral antiviral compound AG7404. Antiviral Res 2022; 208:105458. [PMID: 36336176 PMCID: PMC9632241 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2022.105458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2022] [Revised: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 10/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronaviruses 1 and 2 (SARS-CoV-1 and SARS-CoV-2) pose a threat to global public health. The 3C-like main protease (Mpro), which presents structural similarity with the active site domain of enterovirus 3C protease, is one of the best-characterized drug targets of these viruses. Here we studied the antiviral activity of the orally bioavailable enterovirus protease inhibitor AG7404 against SARS-CoV-1 and SARS-CoV-2 from a structural, biochemical, and cellular perspective, comparing it with the related molecule rupintrivir (AG7800). Crystallographic structures of AG7404 in complex with SARS-CoV-1 Mpro and SARS-CoV-2 Mpro and of rupintrivir in complex with SARS-CoV-2 Mpro were solved, revealing that all protein residues interacting with the inhibitors are conserved between the two proteins. A detailed analysis of protein-inhibitor interactions indicates that AG7404 has a better fit to the active site of the target protease than rupintrivir. This observation was further confirmed by biochemical FRET assays showing IC50 values of 47 μM and 101 μM for AG7404 and rupintrivir, respectively, in the case of SARS-CoV-2 Mpro. Equivalent IC50 values for SARS-CoV-1 also revealed greater inhibitory capacity of AG7404, with a value of 29 μM vs. 66 μM for rupintrivir. Finally, the antiviral activity of the two inhibitors against SARS-CoV-2 was confirmed in a human cell culture model of SARS-CoV-2 infection, although rupintrivir showed a higher potency and selectivity index in this assay.
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Affiliation(s)
- Montserrat Fàbrega-Ferrer
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine IRB Barcelona, The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Baldiri Reixac 10, 08028, Barcelona, Spain,Institut de Biologia Molecular de Barcelona IBMB-CSIC, Baldiri Reixac 10, Barcelona, 08028, Spain
| | - Alejandra Herrera-Morandé
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine IRB Barcelona, The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Baldiri Reixac 10, 08028, Barcelona, Spain,Institut de Biologia Molecular de Barcelona IBMB-CSIC, Baldiri Reixac 10, Barcelona, 08028, Spain
| | - Sara Muriel-Goñi
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine IRB Barcelona, The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Baldiri Reixac 10, 08028, Barcelona, Spain,Institut de Biologia Molecular de Barcelona IBMB-CSIC, Baldiri Reixac 10, Barcelona, 08028, Spain
| | - Julia Pérez-Saavedra
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine IRB Barcelona, The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Baldiri Reixac 10, 08028, Barcelona, Spain,Institut de Biologia Molecular de Barcelona IBMB-CSIC, Baldiri Reixac 10, Barcelona, 08028, Spain
| | - Paula Bueno
- Centro Nacional de Biotecnología, CNB-CSIC, Darwin 3, Madrid, 28049, Spain
| | - Victoria Castro
- Centro Nacional de Biotecnología, CNB-CSIC, Darwin 3, Madrid, 28049, Spain
| | - Urtzi Garaigorta
- Centro Nacional de Biotecnología, CNB-CSIC, Darwin 3, Madrid, 28049, Spain
| | - Pablo Gastaminza
- Centro Nacional de Biotecnología, CNB-CSIC, Darwin 3, Madrid, 28049, Spain
| | - Miquel Coll
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine IRB Barcelona, The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Baldiri Reixac 10, 08028, Barcelona, Spain,Institut de Biologia Molecular de Barcelona IBMB-CSIC, Baldiri Reixac 10, Barcelona, 08028, Spain,Corresponding author. Institute for Research in Biomedicine IRB Barcelona, The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Baldiri Reixac 10, 08028, Barcelona, Spain
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10
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Alegría-Arcos M, Barbosa T, Sepúlveda F, Combariza G, González J, Gil C, Martínez A, Ramírez D. Network pharmacology reveals multitarget mechanism of action of drugs to be repurposed for COVID-19. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:952192. [PMID: 36052135 PMCID: PMC9424758 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.952192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic accelerated drug/vaccine development processes, integrating scientists all over the globe to create therapeutic alternatives against this virus. In this work, we have collected information regarding proteins from SARS-CoV-2 and humans and how these proteins interact. We have also collected information from public databases on protein–drug interactions. We represent this data as networks that allow us to gain insights into protein–protein interactions between both organisms. With the collected data, we have obtained statistical metrics of the networks. This data analysis has allowed us to find relevant information on which proteins and drugs are the most relevant from the network pharmacology perspective. This method not only allows us to focus on viral proteins as the main targets for COVID-19 but also reveals that some human proteins could be also important in drug repurposing campaigns. As a result of the analysis of the SARS-CoV-2–human interactome, we have identified some old drugs, such as disulfiram, auranofin, gefitinib, suloctidil, and bromhexine as potential therapies for the treatment of COVID-19 deciphering their potential complex mechanism of action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa Alegría-Arcos
- Facultad de Ingeniería y Negocios, Universidad de Las Américas, Sede Providencia, Santiago, Chile
| | - Tábata Barbosa
- Departamento de Nutrición y Bioquímica, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Sede Bogotá, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Felipe Sepúlveda
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Biological Sciences Faculty, Pontifical Catholic University of Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - German Combariza
- Universidad Externado de Colombia, Departamento de Matemáticas, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Janneth González
- Departamento de Nutrición y Bioquímica, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Sede Bogotá, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Carmen Gil
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Margarita Salas (CIB-CSIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana Martínez
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Margarita Salas (CIB-CSIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - David Ramírez
- Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Universidad Autónoma de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Research Center for the Development of Novel Therapeutic Alternatives for Alcohol Use Disorders, Santiago, Chile
- *Correspondence: David Ramírez,
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11
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Peng H, Ding C, Jiang L, Tang W, Liu Y, Zhao L, Yi Z, Ren H, Li C, He Y, Zheng X, Tang H, Chen Z, Qi Z, Zhao P. Discovery of potential anti-SARS-CoV-2 drugs based on large-scale screening in vitro and effect evaluation in vivo. SCIENCE CHINA. LIFE SCIENCES 2022; 65:1181-1197. [PMID: 34962614 PMCID: PMC8713546 DOI: 10.1007/s11427-021-2031-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2021] [Accepted: 11/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a global crisis. Clinical candidates with high efficacy, ready availability, and that do not develop resistance are in urgent need. Despite that screening to repurpose clinically approved drugs has provided a variety of hits shown to be effective against SARS-CoV-2 infection in cell culture, there are few confirmed antiviral candidates in vivo. In this study, 94 compounds showing high antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2 in Vero E6 cells were identified from 2,580 FDA-approved small-molecule drugs. Among them, 24 compounds with low cytotoxicity were selected, and of these, 17 compounds also effectively suppressed SARS-CoV-2 infection in HeLa cells transduced with human ACE2. Six compounds disturb multiple processes of the SARS-CoV-2 life cycle. Their prophylactic efficacies were determined in vivo using Syrian hamsters challenged with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Seven compounds reduced weight loss and promoted weight regain of hamsters infected not only with the original strain but also the D614G variant. Except for cisatracurium, six compounds reduced hamster pulmonary viral load, and IL-6 and TNF-α mRNA when assayed at 4 d postinfection. In particular, sertraline, salinomycin, and gilteritinib showed similar protective effects as remdesivir in vivo and did not induce antiviral drug resistance after 10 serial passages of SARS-CoV-2 in vitro, suggesting promising application for COVID-19 treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haoran Peng
- Department of Microbiology, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Biodefense, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Cuiling Ding
- Department of Microbiology, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Biodefense, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Liangliang Jiang
- Department of Microbiology, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Biodefense, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Wanda Tang
- Department of Microbiology, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Biodefense, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Yan Liu
- Department of Microbiology, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Biodefense, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Lanjuan Zhao
- Department of Microbiology, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Biodefense, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Zhigang Yi
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Hao Ren
- Department of Microbiology, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Biodefense, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Chong Li
- Cancer Institute, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200000, China
| | - Yanhua He
- Department of Microbiology, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Biodefense, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Xu Zheng
- Department of Microbiology, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Biodefense, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Hailin Tang
- Department of Microbiology, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Biodefense, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Zhihui Chen
- Department of Infectious Disease, Changhai Hospital, Shanghai, 200433, China.
| | - Zhongtian Qi
- Department of Microbiology, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Biodefense, Shanghai, 200433, China.
| | - Ping Zhao
- Department of Microbiology, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Biodefense, Shanghai, 200433, China.
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12
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Ahamad S, Ali H, Secco I, Giacca M, Gupta D. Anti-Fungal Drug Anidulafungin Inhibits SARS-CoV-2 Spike-Induced Syncytia Formation by Targeting ACE2-Spike Protein Interaction. Front Genet 2022; 13:866474. [PMID: 35401674 PMCID: PMC8990323 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.866474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Accepted: 03/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Drug repositioning continues to be the most effective, practicable possibility to treat COVID-19 patients. The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus enters target cells by binding to the ACE2 receptor via its spike (S) glycoprotein. We used molecular docking-based virtual screening approaches to categorize potential antagonists, halting ACE2-spike interactions by utilizing 450 FDA-approved chemical compounds. Three drug candidates (i.e., anidulafungin, lopinavir, and indinavir) were selected, which show high binding affinity toward the ACE2 receptor. The conformational stability of selected docked complexes was analyzed through molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. The MD simulation trajectories were assessed and monitored for ACE2 deviation, residue fluctuation, the radius of gyration, solvent accessible surface area, and free energy landscapes. The inhibitory activities of the selected compounds were eventually tested in-vitro using Vero and HEK-ACE2 cells. Interestingly, besides inhibiting SARS-CoV-2 S glycoprotein induced syncytia formation, anidulafungin and lopinavir also blocked S-pseudotyped particle entry into target cells. Altogether, anidulafungin and lopinavir are ranked the most effective among all the tested drugs against ACE2 receptor-S glycoprotein interaction. Based on these findings, we propose that anidulafungin is a novel potential drug targeting ACE2, which warrants further investigation for COVID-19 treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shahzaib Ahamad
- Translational Bioinformatics Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, New Delhi, India
| | - Hashim Ali
- School of Cardiovascular Medicine and Sciences, British Heart Foundation Centre of Research Excellence, King's College London, London, United Kingdom.,Division of Virology, Department of Pathology, Addenbrooke's Hospital, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Ilaria Secco
- School of Cardiovascular Medicine and Sciences, British Heart Foundation Centre of Research Excellence, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Mauro Giacca
- School of Cardiovascular Medicine and Sciences, British Heart Foundation Centre of Research Excellence, King's College London, London, United Kingdom.,Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy.,International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Trieste, Italy
| | - Dinesh Gupta
- Translational Bioinformatics Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, New Delhi, India
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13
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Sencanski M, Perovic V, Milicevic J, Todorovic T, Prodanovic R, Veljkovic V, Paessler S, Glisic S. Identification of SARS-CoV-2 Papain-like Protease (PLpro) Inhibitors Using Combined Computational Approach. ChemistryOpen 2022; 11:e202100248. [PMID: 35103413 PMCID: PMC8805381 DOI: 10.1002/open.202100248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2021] [Revised: 01/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
In the current pandemic, finding an effective drug to prevent or treat the infection is the highest priority. A rapid and safe approach to counteract COVID-19 is in silico drug repurposing. The SARS-CoV-2 PLpro promotes viral replication and modulates the host immune system, resulting in inhibition of the host antiviral innate immune response, and therefore is an attractive drug target. In this study, we used a combined in silico virtual screening for candidates for SARS-CoV-2 PLpro protease inhibitors. We used the Informational spectrum method applied for Small Molecules for searching the Drugbank database followed by molecular docking. After in silico screening of drug space, we identified 44 drugs as potential SARS-CoV-2 PLpro inhibitors that we propose for further experimental testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milan Sencanski
- National Institute of the Republic of SerbiaUniversity of BelgradeMike Petrovica Alasa 12–1411000BelgradeSerbia
| | - Vladimir Perovic
- National Institute of the Republic of SerbiaUniversity of BelgradeMike Petrovica Alasa 12–1411000BelgradeSerbia
| | - Jelena Milicevic
- National Institute of the Republic of SerbiaUniversity of BelgradeMike Petrovica Alasa 12–1411000BelgradeSerbia
| | - Tamara Todorovic
- Faculty of ChemistryUniversity of BelgradeStudentski Trg 12–1611000BelgradeSerbia
| | - Radivoje Prodanovic
- Faculty of ChemistryUniversity of BelgradeStudentski Trg 12–1611000BelgradeSerbia
| | | | - Slobodan Paessler
- Department of PathologyUniversity of Texas Medical BranchGalvestonTX 77550USA
- Institute for Human Infections and ImmunityUniversity of Texas Medical BranchGalvestonTX 77555USA
| | - Sanja Glisic
- National Institute of the Republic of SerbiaUniversity of BelgradeMike Petrovica Alasa 12–1411000BelgradeSerbia
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14
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Wang FS, Chen KL, Chu SW. Human/SARS-CoV-2 Genome-Scale Metabolic Modeling to Discover Potential Antiviral Targets for COVID-19. J Taiwan Inst Chem Eng 2022; 133:104273. [PMID: 35186172 PMCID: PMC8843340 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtice.2022.104273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2021] [Revised: 02/06/2022] [Accepted: 02/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Feng-Sheng Wang
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Chung Cheng University, Chiayi 621301, Taiwan
| | - Ke-Lin Chen
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Chung Cheng University, Chiayi 621301, Taiwan
| | - Sz-Wei Chu
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Chung Cheng University, Chiayi 621301, Taiwan
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15
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Baricitinib combination therapy: a narrative review of repurposed Janus kinase inhibitor against severe SARS-CoV-2 infection. Infection 2022; 50:295-308. [PMID: 34902115 PMCID: PMC8666469 DOI: 10.1007/s15010-021-01730-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2021] [Accepted: 11/06/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is one of the most devastating global problems. Regarding the lack of disease-specific treatments, repurposing drug therapy is currently considered a promising therapeutic approach in pandemic situations. Recently, the combination therapy of Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor baricitinib has been authorized for emergency COVID-19 hospitalized patients; however, this strategy's safety, drug-drug interactions, and cellular signaling pathways remain a tremendous challenge. METHODS In this study, we aimed to provide a deep insight into the baricitinib combination therapies in severe COVID-19 patients through reviewing the published literature on PubMed, Scopus, and Google scholar databases. We also focused on cellular and subcellular pathways related to the synergistic effects of baricitinib plus antiviral agents, virus entry, and cytokine storm (CS) induction. The safety and effectiveness of this strategy have also been discussed in moderate to severe forms of COVID-19 infection. RESULTS The severity of COVID-19 is commonly associated with a dysregulated immune response and excessive release of pro-inflammatory agents, resulting in CS. It has been shown that baricitinib combined with antiviral agents could modulate the inflammatory response and provide a series of positive therapeutic outcomes in hospitalized adults and pediatric patients (age ≥ two years old). CONCLUSION Baricitinib plus the standard of care treatment might be a potential strategy in hospitalized patients with severe COVID-19.
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16
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Jimenez-Aleman GH, Castro V, Londaitsbehere A, Gutierrez-Rodríguez M, Garaigorta U, Solano R, Gastaminza P. SARS-CoV-2 Fears Green: The Chlorophyll Catabolite Pheophorbide A Is a Potent Antiviral. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:ph14101048. [PMID: 34681272 PMCID: PMC8538351 DOI: 10.3390/ph14101048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2021] [Revised: 10/10/2021] [Accepted: 10/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 pandemic is having devastating consequences worldwide. Although vaccination advances at good pace, effectiveness against emerging variants is unpredictable. The virus has displayed a remarkable resistance to treatments and no drugs have been proved fully effective against COVID-19. Thus, despite the international efforts, there is still an urgent need for new potent and safe antivirals against SARS-CoV-2. Here, we exploited the enormous potential of plant metabolism using the bryophyte Marchantia polymorpha L. and identified a potent SARS-CoV-2 antiviral, following a bioactivity-guided fractionation and mass-spectrometry approach. We found that the chlorophyll derivative Pheophorbide a (PheoA), a porphyrin compound similar to animal Protoporphyrin IX, has an extraordinary antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2, preventing infection of cultured monkey and human cells, without noticeable cytotoxicity. We also show that PheoA targets the viral particle, interfering with its infectivity in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Besides SARS-CoV-2, PheoA also displayed a broad-spectrum antiviral activity against enveloped RNA viral pathogens such as HCV, West Nile, and other coronaviruses. Our results indicate that PheoA displays a remarkable potency and a satisfactory therapeutic index, which together with its previous use in photoactivable cancer therapy in humans, suggest that it may be considered as a potential candidate for antiviral therapy against SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guillermo H. Jimenez-Aleman
- National Centre for Biotechnology (CNB-CSIC), Department of Plant Molecular Genetics, 28049 Madrid, Spain; (G.H.J.-A.); (A.L.)
| | - Victoria Castro
- National Centre for Biotechnology (CNB-CSIC), Department of Cell & Molecular Biology, 28049 Madrid, Spain; (V.C.); (U.G.)
| | - Addis Londaitsbehere
- National Centre for Biotechnology (CNB-CSIC), Department of Plant Molecular Genetics, 28049 Madrid, Spain; (G.H.J.-A.); (A.L.)
| | - Marta Gutierrez-Rodríguez
- Medicinal Chemistry Institute (IQM-CSIC), Department of Biomimetics for Drug Discovery, 28006 Madrid, Spain;
| | - Urtzi Garaigorta
- National Centre for Biotechnology (CNB-CSIC), Department of Cell & Molecular Biology, 28049 Madrid, Spain; (V.C.); (U.G.)
| | - Roberto Solano
- National Centre for Biotechnology (CNB-CSIC), Department of Plant Molecular Genetics, 28049 Madrid, Spain; (G.H.J.-A.); (A.L.)
- Correspondence: (R.S.); (P.G.)
| | - Pablo Gastaminza
- National Centre for Biotechnology (CNB-CSIC), Department of Cell & Molecular Biology, 28049 Madrid, Spain; (V.C.); (U.G.)
- Correspondence: (R.S.); (P.G.)
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17
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Coghi P, Yang LJ, Ng JPL, Haynes RK, Memo M, Gianoncelli A, Wong VKW, Ribaudo G. A Drug Repurposing Approach for Antimalarials Interfering with SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein Receptor Binding Domain (RBD) and Human Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 (ACE2). Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:954. [PMID: 34681178 PMCID: PMC8537658 DOI: 10.3390/ph14100954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2021] [Revised: 09/20/2021] [Accepted: 09/20/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Host cell invasion by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is mediated by the interaction of the viral spike protein (S) with human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) through the receptor-binding domain (RBD). In this work, computational and experimental techniques were combined to screen antimalarial compounds from different chemical classes, with the aim of identifying small molecules interfering with the RBD-ACE2 interaction and, consequently, with cell invasion. Docking studies showed that the compounds interfere with the same region of the RBD, but different interaction patterns were noted for ACE2. Virtual screening indicated pyronaridine as the most promising RBD and ACE2 ligand, and molecular dynamics simulations confirmed the stability of the predicted complex with the RBD. Bio-layer interferometry showed that artemisone and methylene blue have a strong binding affinity for RBD (KD = 0.363 and 0.226 μM). Pyronaridine also binds RBD and ACE2 in vitro (KD = 56.8 and 51.3 μM). Overall, these three compounds inhibit the binding of RBD to ACE2 in the μM range, supporting the in silico data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paolo Coghi
- School of Pharmacy, Macau University of Science and Technology, Taipa 999078, China;
| | - Li Jun Yang
- Neher’s Biophysics Laboratory for Innovative Drug Discovery, State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Taipa 999078, China; (L.J.Y.); (J.P.L.N.)
| | - Jerome P. L. Ng
- Neher’s Biophysics Laboratory for Innovative Drug Discovery, State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Taipa 999078, China; (L.J.Y.); (J.P.L.N.)
| | - Richard K. Haynes
- Center of Excellence for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, North-West University Potchefstroom, Potchefstroom 2531, South Africa;
| | - Maurizio Memo
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, 25121 Brescia, Italy; (M.M.); (A.G.)
| | - Alessandra Gianoncelli
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, 25121 Brescia, Italy; (M.M.); (A.G.)
| | - Vincent Kam Wai Wong
- Neher’s Biophysics Laboratory for Innovative Drug Discovery, State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Taipa 999078, China; (L.J.Y.); (J.P.L.N.)
| | - Giovanni Ribaudo
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, 25121 Brescia, Italy; (M.M.); (A.G.)
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18
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Mahajan S, Choudhary S, Kumar P, Tomar S. Antiviral strategies targeting host factors and mechanisms obliging +ssRNA viral pathogens. Bioorg Med Chem 2021; 46:116356. [PMID: 34416512 PMCID: PMC8349405 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2021.116356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2021] [Revised: 07/30/2021] [Accepted: 07/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, periodic recurrence of viral infections, and the emergence of challenging variants has created an urgent need of alternative therapeutic approaches to combat the spread of viral infections, failing to which may pose a greater risk to mankind in future. Resilience against antiviral drugs or fast evolutionary rate of viruses is stressing the scientific community to identify new therapeutic approaches for timely control of disease. Host metabolic pathways are exquisite reservoir of energy to viruses and contribute a diverse array of functions for successful replication and pathogenesis of virus. Targeting the host factors rather than viral enzymes to cease viral infection, has emerged as an alternative antiviral strategy. This approach offers advantage in terms of increased threshold to viral resistance and can provide broad-spectrum antiviral action against different viruses. The article here provides substantial review of literature illuminating the host factors and molecular mechanisms involved in innate/adaptive responses to viral infection, hijacking of signalling pathways by viruses and the intracellular metabolic pathways required for viral replication. Host-targeted drugs acting on the pathways usurped by viruses are also addressed in this study. Host-directed antiviral therapeutics might prove to be a rewarding approach in controlling the unprecedented spread of viral infection, however the probability of cellular side effects or cytotoxicity on host cell should not be ignored at the time of clinical investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Supreeti Mahajan
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Uttarakhand 247667, India
| | - Shweta Choudhary
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Uttarakhand 247667, India
| | - Pravindra Kumar
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Uttarakhand 247667, India
| | - Shailly Tomar
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Uttarakhand 247667, India.
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19
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Loas G, Le Corre P. Update on Functional Inhibitors of Acid Sphingomyelinase (FIASMAs) in SARS-CoV-2 Infection. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:691. [PMID: 34358117 PMCID: PMC8308787 DOI: 10.3390/ph14070691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Revised: 07/15/2021] [Accepted: 07/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The SARS-CoV-2 outbreak is characterized by the need of the search for curative drugs for treatment. In this paper, we present an update of knowledge about the interest of the functional inhibitors of acid sphingomyelinase (FIASMAs) in SARS-CoV-2 infection. Forty-nine FIASMAs have been suggested in the treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infection using in silico, in vitro or in vivo studies. Further studies using large-sized, randomized and double-blinded controlled clinical trials are needed to evaluate FIASMAs in SARS-CoV-2 infection as off-label therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gwenolé Loas
- Department of Psychiatry, Hôpital Erasme, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), 1070 Brussels, Belgium
- Research Unit (ULB 266), Hôpital Erasme, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), 1050 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Pascal Le Corre
- Pôle Pharmacie, Service Hospitalo-Universitaire de Pharmacie, CHU de Rennes, 35033 Rennes, France;
- Irset (Institut de Recherche en Santé, Environnement et Travail)-Inserm UMR 1085, University of Rennes, CHU Rennes, INSERM, EHESP, 35000 Rennes, France
- Laboratoire de Biopharmacie et Pharmacie Clinique, Faculté de Pharmacie, Université de Rennes 1, 35043 Rennes, France
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