Coronaviruses, cholesterol and statins: Involvement and application for Covid-19

Area of Science:

• Virology
• Cell Biology
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Coronavirus infectivity relies on host cell membrane cholesterol.
• Viral entry mechanisms involve cholesterol-enriched membrane microdomains.
• Statins disrupt cholesterol biosynthesis, affecting cell membrane integrity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the potential of statins as a host-targeted antiviral therapy against coronaviruses.
• To investigate statin-induced disruption of cholesterol-dependent viral entry.
• To propose Atorvastatin as a candidate drug for early-phase COVID-19 treatment.

Main Methods:

• In vitro studies on cholesterol-altering agents and membrane microdomains.
• Review of existing literature on statin pleiotropic effects and antiviral activities.
• Hypothesizing a therapeutic strategy based on drug repurposing.

Main Results:

• Statins can disorganize cholesterol-enriched membrane microdomains in vitro.
• Statins have demonstrated anti-bacterial and anti-viral effects on cholesterol-dependent pathogens.
• Statin use in vivo shows pleiotropic effects beyond cholesterol reduction.

Conclusions:

• High-dose statins could inhibit coronavirus entry into target cells, controlling viral load.
• Atorvastatin is a potential candidate for treating early-stage COVID-19.
• This host-targeted, repurposed drug strategy offers a high efficacy-to-toxicity ratio and avoids viral resistance.