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Live Imaging and Quantification of Viral Infection in K18 hACE2 Transgenic Mice Using Reporter-Expressing Recombinant SARS-CoV-2
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Soluble ACE2 as a potential therapy for COVID-19.
Sudarshan Krishnamurthy1, Richard F Lockey2, Narasaiah Kolliputi2
1Wake Forest School of Medicine, Bowman Gray Center for Medical Education, Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
American Journal of Physiology. Cell Physiology
|January 27, 2021
Summary
Soluble angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (sACE2) can neutralize SARS-CoV-2 by acting as a decoy receptor. This therapy preserves native ACE2 function, mitigating COVID-19-related inflammation.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Virology
- Immunology
Background:
- Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) uses angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptors for cell entry.
- ACE2 plays a critical role in regulating the renin-angiotensin system and inflammation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the therapeutic potential of soluble angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (sACE2) for treating coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
- To investigate engineered high-affinity sACE2 variants as decoy receptors against SARS-CoV-2.
Main Methods:
- High-throughput mutagenesis was employed to engineer high-affinity sACE2 variants.
- The mechanism of sACE2 variants acting as decoy receptors was analyzed.
Main Results:
- Engineered sACE2 variants effectively neutralize SARS-CoV-2 infection by binding to the spike (S) protein.
- These variants act as decoy receptors, preventing viral entry and preserving native ACE2 function.
- Preserved ACE2 activity facilitates the conversion of angiotensin II to angiotensin-1,7, reducing inflammation.
Conclusions:
- Soluble angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (sACE2) represents a promising therapeutic strategy for COVID-19.
- sACE2 decoy receptors offer a dual benefit of viral neutralization and modulation of the inflammatory response.
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