New Drug Blocks COVID-19 Entry into the Host Cell

On the surface of the SARS-CoV2, spike proteins that help the virus to attach to proteins called as ACE2 (Angiotensin-converting enzyme-2) receptors are present.

Before the attachment process, the spike proteins have to be removed by enzymes called proteases which are secreted by the human cells.

‘Entry of SARS-CoV2 into the host cell is facilitated by the enzyme protease which helps to remove spike proteins. Protease inhibitor drug aprotinin can block this enzyme and hence prevent entry of virus. Aerosol aprotinin is already approved in Russia for influenza treatment which has similar mechanism.’

The international scientific team was led by Professor Jindrich Cinatl, Institute for Medical Virology at the University Hospital Frankfurt, Professor Martin Michaelis, and Dr Mark Wass (both University of Kent).

They demonstrated in cell culture experiments that a protease inhibitor drug called as aprotinin can block the replication of the coronavirus by preventing its entry into the host cells.

The drug was also seen to compensate for the SARS-CoV2-induced reduction of endogenous protease inhibitors in the already infected cells.

Similar to coronavirus, the influenza virus also requires proteases for entry into the host cell, hence in Russia aprotinin aerosol is already approved for the treatment of influenza.

Professor Jindrich Cinatl said," Our findings show that aprotinin is effective against SARS-CoV2 in concentrations that can be achieved in patients. In aprotinin we have a drug candidate for the treatment of COVID-19 that is already approved for other indications and could readily be tested in patients."

Source: Medindia