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Functional Carbon Quantum Dots as Medical Countermeasures to Human Coronavirus
Aleksandra Łoczechin1,2, Karin Séron3, Alexandre Barras1
1University of Lille, CNRS, Centrale Lille, ISEN , University of Valenciennes , UMR 8520 - IEMN, Lille F-59000 , France.
Abstract:
Therapeutic options for the highly pathogenic human coronavirus (HCoV) infections are urgently needed. Anticoronavirus therapy is however challenging, as coronaviruses are biologically diverse and rapidly mutating. In this work, the antiviral activity of seven different carbon quantum dots (CQDs) for the treatment of human coronavirus HCoV-229E infections was investigated. The first generation of antiviral CQDs was derived from hydrothermal carbonization of ethylenediamine/citric acid as carbon precursors and postmodified with boronic acid ligands. These nanostructures showed a concentration-dependent virus inactivation with an estimated EC50 of 52 ± 8 μg mL-1. CQDs derived from 4-aminophenylboronic acid without any further modification resulted in the second-generation of anti-HCoV nanomaterials with an EC50 lowered to 5.2 ± 0.7 μg mL-1. The underlying mechanism of action of these CQDs was revealed to be inhibition of HCoV-229E entry that could be due to interaction of the functional groups of the CQDs with HCoV-229E entry receptors; surprisingly, an equally large inhibition activity was observed at the viral replication step.
Insights
New carbon quantum dots (CQDs) show potent antiviral activity against human coronavirus (HCoV) infections. These CQDs effectively inhibit HCoV-229E entry and replication, offering a promising therapeutic strategy.
Area of Science:
- Nanotechnology
- Virology
- Medicinal Chemistry
Background:
- Human coronavirus (HCoV) infections pose a significant public health threat, necessitating novel therapeutic interventions.
- Developing effective antiviral therapies against diverse and rapidly mutating coronaviruses remains a challenge.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the antiviral efficacy of novel carbon quantum dots (CQDs) against human coronavirus HCoV-229E.
- To explore the mechanism of action for CQD-mediated antiviral activity.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis and characterization of seven different carbon quantum dots (CQDs).
- Evaluation of antiviral activity against HCoV-229E in a concentration-dependent manner.
- Determination of EC50 values and investigation of the mechanism of viral inhibition.
Main Results:
- First-generation boronic acid-modified CQDs demonstrated concentration-dependent HCoV-229E inactivation (EC50 = 52 ± 8 μg mL−1).
- Second-generation CQDs derived from 4-aminophenylboronic acid exhibited enhanced antiviral potency (EC50 = 5.2 ± 0.7 μg mL−1).
- CQDs inhibited both HCoV-229E entry, likely via receptor interaction, and viral replication.
Conclusions:
- Carbon quantum dots represent a promising class of nanomaterials for developing novel anti-HCoV therapeutics.
- The enhanced efficacy of second-generation CQDs highlights the potential for targeted design of antiviral nanomedicines.
- CQDs demonstrate a dual mechanism of action, inhibiting viral entry and replication, offering a robust strategy against HCoV infections.
