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Targeting Proteases for Treating COVID-19
Binquan Luan1, Tien Huynh1, Xuemei Cheng2
1Computational Biological Center, IBM Thomas J. Watson Research, Yorktown Heights, New York 10598, United States.
Abstract:
The unprecedented pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) demands effective treatment for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. The infection of SARS-CoV-2 critically depends on diverse viral or host proteases, which mediate viral entry, viral protein maturation, as well as the pathogenesis of the viral infection. Endogenous and exogenous agents targeting for proteases have been proved to be effective toward a variety of viral infections ranging from HIV to influenza virus, suggesting protease inhibitors as a promising antiviral treatment for COVID-19. In this Review, we discuss how host and viral proteases participated in the pathogenesis of COVID-19 as well as the prospects and ongoing clinical trials of protease inhibitors as treatments.
Insights
Protease inhibitors show promise for treating coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Targeting viral and host proteases is crucial for combating severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection and its pathogenesis.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Infectious Diseases
- Drug Discovery
Background:
- Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) poses a significant global health challenge.
- Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) relies on proteases for its lifecycle and pathogenesis.
- Protease inhibitors have demonstrated efficacy against other viral infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the role of host and viral proteases in COVID-19 pathogenesis.
- To explore the potential of protease inhibitors as antiviral treatments for COVID-19.
- To summarize ongoing clinical trials of protease inhibitors for COVID-19.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of scientific articles and clinical trial data.
- Analysis of the mechanisms by which proteases contribute to SARS-CoV-2 infection.
- Synthesis of information on the development and evaluation of protease inhibitors.
Main Results:
- Host and viral proteases are essential for SARS-CoV-2 entry, replication, and spread.
- Protease inhibitors offer a targeted therapeutic strategy against SARS-CoV-2.
- Several protease inhibitors are currently under investigation in clinical trials for COVID-19 treatment.
Conclusions:
- Protease inhibitors represent a promising therapeutic avenue for managing COVID-19.
- Targeting proteases could mitigate disease severity and viral transmission.
- Further research and clinical evaluation are essential to establish the role of protease inhibitors in COVID-19 treatment.
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