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Vimentin as a target for the treatment of COVID-19
Zhenlin Li1, Denise Paulin1, Patrick Lacolley2
1Biological Adaptation and Ageing, CNRS UMR 8256, Inserm U1164, Sorbonne Université, Institut de Biologie Paris-Seine, Paris, France.
Abstract:
We and others propose vimentin as a possible cellular target for the treatment of COVID-19. This innovative idea is so recent that it requires further attention and debate. The significant role played by vimentin in virus-induced infection however is well established: (1) vimentin has been reported as a co-receptor and/or attachment site for SARS-CoV; (2) vimentin is involved in viral replication in cells; (3) vimentin plays a fundamental role in both the viral infection and the consequent explosive immune-inflammatory response and (4) a lower vimentin expression is associated with the inhibition of epithelial to mesenchymal transition and fibrosis. Moreover, the absence of vimentin in mice makes them resistant to lung injury. Since vimentin has a twofold role in the disease, not only being involved in the viral infection but also in the associated life-threatening lung inflammation, the use of vimentin-targeted drugs may offer a synergistic advantage as compared with other treatments not targeting vimentin. Consequently, we speculate here that drugs which decrease the expression of vimentin can be used for the treatment of patients with COVID-19 and advise that several Food and Drug Administration-approved drugs be immediately tested in clinical trials against SARS-CoV-2, thus broadening therapeutic options for this type of viral infection.
Insights
Vimentin is a potential target for treating COVID-19, as it plays a key role in viral infection and lung inflammation. Targeting vimentin may offer synergistic benefits for patients with COVID-19.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical research
- Infectious diseases
- Cell biology
Background:
- Vimentin is implicated in viral infections, acting as a co-receptor or attachment site for SARS-CoV.
- Vimentin is involved in viral replication and contributes to the immune-inflammatory response during infection.
- Reduced vimentin expression inhibits epithelial-mesenchymal transition and fibrosis, and its absence confers resistance to lung injury in mice.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore vimentin as a cellular target for COVID-19 treatment.
- To investigate the dual role of vimentin in viral infection and associated lung inflammation.
- To propose the use of vimentin-targeting drugs for COVID-19 therapy.
Main Methods:
- Literature review and analysis of vimentin's role in viral infections and inflammation.
- Speculative analysis of vimentin's potential as a therapeutic target.
- Proposal for clinical trials of existing FDA-approved drugs targeting vimentin.
Main Results:
- Vimentin is integral to SARS-CoV-2 infection and the resulting inflammatory lung injury.
- Targeting vimentin may provide a synergistic therapeutic advantage.
- Existing FDA-approved drugs targeting vimentin warrant immediate clinical investigation.
Conclusions:
- Vimentin presents a promising target for novel COVID-19 therapies.
- Repurposing FDA-approved drugs to target vimentin could rapidly expand treatment options.
- Further research and clinical trials are essential to validate vimentin-targeted therapies for COVID-19.
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