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The drug aprotinin inhibits entry of SARS-CoV2 in host cells, study finds

Date:
November 23, 2020
Source:
Goethe University Frankfurt
Summary:
In order for the SARS-CoV2 virus to enter host cells, its 'spike' protein has to be cleaved by the cell's own enzymes -- proteases. The protease inhibitor aprotinin can prevent cell infection, as scientists 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.
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In order for the SARS-CoV2 virus to enter host cells, its "spike" protein has to be cleaved by the cell's own enzymes -- proteases. The protease inhibitor aprotinin can prevent cell infection, as scientists at Goethe University, 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.

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 -- 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: "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."


Story Source:

Materials provided by Goethe University Frankfurt. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.


Journal Reference:

  1. Denisa Bojkova, Marco Bechtel, Katie-May McLaughlin, Jake E. McGreig, Kevin Klann, Carla Bellinghausen, Gernot Rohde, Danny Jonigk, Peter Braubach, Sandra Ciesek, Christian Münch, Mark N. Wass, Martin Michaelis, Jindrich Cinatl. Aprotinin Inhibits SARS-CoV-2 Replication. Cells, 2020; 9 (11): 2377 DOI: 10.3390/cells9112377

Cite This Page:

Goethe University Frankfurt. "The drug aprotinin inhibits entry of SARS-CoV2 in host cells, study finds." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 23 November 2020. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/11/201123112444.htm>.
Goethe University Frankfurt. (2020, November 23). The drug aprotinin inhibits entry of SARS-CoV2 in host cells, study finds. ScienceDaily. Retrieved November 20, 2024 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/11/201123112444.htm
Goethe University Frankfurt. "The drug aprotinin inhibits entry of SARS-CoV2 in host cells, study finds." ScienceDaily. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/11/201123112444.htm (accessed November 20, 2024).

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