Crosstalk between endoplasmic reticulum stress and anti-viral activities: A novel therapeutic target for COVID-19

Aditi Banerjee, Steven J. Czinn, Russel J. Reiter, Thomas G. Blanchard

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

97 Scopus citations

Abstract

The outbreak of COVID-19 caused by 2019–nCov/SARS-CoV-2 has become a pandemic with an urgent need for understanding the mechanisms and identifying a treatment. Viral infections including SARS-CoV are associated with increased levels of reactive oxygen species, disturbances of Ca++ caused by unfolded protein response (UPR) mediated by endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and is due to the exploitation of virus's own protein i.e., viroporins into the host cells. Several clinical trials are on-going including testing Remdesivir (anti-viral), Chloroquine and Hydroxychloroquine derivatives (anti-malarial drugs) etc. Unfortunately, each drug has specific limitations. Herein, we review the viral protein involvement to activate ER stress transducers (IRE-1, PERK, ATF-6) and their downstream signals; and evaluate combination therapies for COVID-19 mediated ER stress alterations. Melatonin is an immunoregulator, anti-pyretic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and ER stress modulator during viral infections. It enhances protective mechanisms for respiratory tract disorders. Andrographolide, isolated from Andrographis paniculata, has versatile biological activities including immunomodulation and determining SARS-CoV-2 binding site. Considering the properties of both compounds in terms of anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-pyrogenic, anti-viral and ER stress modulation and computational approaches revealing andrographolide docks with the SARS-CoV2 binding site, we predict that this combination therapy may have potential utility against COVID-19.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number117842
JournalLife Sciences
Volume255
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 15 2020

Keywords

  • 2019-nCov/SARS-CoV-2
  • Andrographolide
  • COVID-19
  • Endoplasmic reticulum stress
  • Melatonin
  • Unfolded protein response

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutics
  • General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

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