Targeted IL-27-based gene therapy in preventing SARS-CoV-2 entry

Coronaviruses such as SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 have caused severe respiratory syndromes and prominent global health crises over the past two decades. Despite vaccines and antiviral therapies, treatment limitations persist, particularly in preventing viral entry and addressing emerging variants. ACE2, the primary receptor for SARS-CoV-2, represents a critical target for intervention. Cell-based approaches, including mesenchymal stromal cell therapies, have shown safety and promise in clinical trials. Building on our prior success with IL-27 gene therapy for acute respiratory distress syndrome, we explored ACE2-targeted IL-27 delivery as a potential strategy to reduce SARS-CoV-2 entry.

We developed an in vitro model using SARS-CoV-2 spike pseudotyped lentivirus to mimic viral entry. Human adipose-derived stromal cells were electroporated with plasmid DNA encoding either ACE2-targeted or non-targeted IL-27, and conditioned media were collected. Two regimens were tested: "prevention," where cells were pre-treated with conditioned media before viral exposure, and "treatment," where conditioned media and pseudotyped virus were added simultaneously. Viral entry was quantified using luciferase reporter activity and genome copy units in HEK293-ACE2 and A549-ACE2 cells. ACE2-targeted IL-27 showed a concentration-dependent trend toward reduced lentiviral entry, particularly in A549-ACE2 cells, although differences were not statistically significant.

These findings provide proof-of-concept that ACE2-targeted IL-27 stromal cell-based gene therapy may help inhibit SARS-CoV-2 entry. Further optimization of dosing, delivery platforms, and testing in models that assess viral replication and inflammation, as well as evaluation against spike variants, are warranted to explore its potential as an adjunct to COVID-19 treatments.