In order for the SARS-CoV2 virus to enter host cells,
its 鈥渟pike" protein has to be cleaved by the cell's own enzymes - proteases. The
protease inhibitor aprotinin can prevent cell infection, as scientists at
51猎奇, the University of Kent and the Hannover Medical School have
now discovered. An aprotinin aerosol is already approved in Russia for the
treatment of influenza and could readily be tested for the treatment of
COVID-19.
FRANKFURT. The
surface of the SARS-CoV-2 virus is studded with spike proteins. The virus needs
these in order to dock onto proteins (ACE2 receptors) on the surface of the
host cell. Before this docking is possible, parts of the spike protein have to
be cleaved by the host cell's enzymes 鈥� proteases.
In cell culture experiments with various
cell types, the international scientific team 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) demonstrated that
the protease inhibitor aprotinin can inhibit virus replication by preventing
SARS-CoV2 entry into host cells. Moreover, aprotinin appears to compensate for
a SARS-CoV2-induced reduction of endogenous protease inhibitors in
virus-infected cells.
Influenza viruses require host cell
proteases for cell entry in a similar way as coronaviruses. Hence, an aprotinin
aerosol is already approved in Russia for the treatment of influenza.
Professor Jindrich Cinatl said: 鈥淥ur
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."
Publication:
Denisa Bojkova, Marco Bechtel, Katie-May
McLaughlin, Jake E. McGreig, Kevin Klann, Carla Bellinghausen, Gernot Rohde,
Danny Jonigk, Peter Braubach, Sandra Ciesek, Christian M眉nch,
Mark N. Wass, Martin Michaelis, Jindrich Cinatl jr. Aprotinin inhibits SARS-CoV-2 replication. Cells
2020,
Further information:
Professor
Dr. rer. nat. Jindrich Cinatl
Institute for Medical Virology
University Hospital Frankfurt am Main
Tel. +49 69 6301-6409
cinatl@em.uni-frankfurt.de
