scholarly journals Functionalized Dendrimer Platforms as a New Forefront Arsenal Targeting SARS-CoV-2: An Opportunity

Pharmaceutics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (9) ◽  
pp. 1513
Author(s):  
Serge Mignani ◽  
Xiangyang Shi ◽  
Andrii Karpus ◽  
Giovanni Lentini ◽  
Jean-Pierre Majoral
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ◽  
Inflammatory Cytokines ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Cytokine Storm ◽  
Human Coronavirus ◽  
Important Means ◽  
Inflammatory Drugs ◽  
Approved Drugs ◽  
Pro Inflammatory Cytokines

The novel human coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) has caused a pandemic. There are currently several marketed vaccines and many in clinical trials targeting SARS-CoV-2. Another strategy is to repurpose approved drugs to decrease the burden of the COVID-19 (official name for the coronavirus disease) pandemic. as the FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) approved antiviral drugs and anti-inflammatory drugs to arrest the cytokine storm, inducing the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Another view to solve these unprecedented challenges is to analyze the diverse nanotechnological approaches which are able to improve the COVID-19 pandemic. In this original minireview, as promising candidates we analyze the opportunity to develop biocompatible dendrimers as drugs themselves or as nanocarriers against COVID-19 disease. From the standpoint of COVID-19, we suggest developing dendrimers as shields against COVID-19 infection based on their capacity to be incorporated in several environments outside the patients and as important means to stop transmission of SARS-CoV-2.

scholarly journals Prospective approach to manage COVID-19-related cytokine storm; an updated review on current concepts

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. e20-e20
Author(s):  
Mohaddeseh Bahmani ◽  
Lillian Saberian
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Immune System ◽  
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ◽  
Inflammatory Cytokines ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Cytokine Storm ◽  
Human Coronavirus ◽  
Immune Imbalance ◽  
The City ◽  
Secondary Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis

Coronavirus disease 2019 or COVID-19, caused by the novel human coronavirus named severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), first emerged in late 2019, in the city of Wuhan, Hubei province, China. Unfortunately, despite many efforts to find cures for SARS-CoV-2 disease, still the management of severe cases remains challenging. In severe forms of COVID-19, proinflammatory cytokines are notably elevated (3) and reminiscent of the secondary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH). According to many studies, immune imbalance and an uncontrolled massive release of inflammatory cytokines have a significant role in COVID-19 severity and ARDS pathophysiology. Accordingly, targeting the over-activated immune system to prevent tissue damage is now one of the most noticed possible strategies to manage severe COVID-19 cases. In the present study, we reviewed studies and clinical trials conducted in this regard.

scholarly journals Inflammatory Response in COVID-19 Patients Resulting from the Interaction of the Inflammasome and SARS-CoV-2

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (15) ◽  
pp. 7914
Author(s):  
So Yeong Cheon ◽  
Bon-Nyeo Koo
Keyword(s):  
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ◽  
Inflammatory Response ◽  
Immune Complex ◽  
Inflammatory Cytokines ◽  
Immune Cells ◽  
Organ Damage ◽  
Cytokine Storm ◽  
Cytokine Release ◽  
Cytokine Release Syndrome ◽  
Pro Inflammatory Cytokines

The outbreak of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) began at the end of 2019. COVID-19 is caused by infection with the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and patients with COVID-19 may exhibit poor clinical outcomes. Some patients with severe COVID-19 experience cytokine release syndrome (CRS) or a cytokine storm—elevated levels of hyperactivated immune cells—and circulating pro-inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-18. This severe inflammatory response can lead to organ damage/failure and even death. The inflammasome is an intracellular immune complex that is responsible for the secretion of IL-1β and IL-18 in various human diseases. Recently, there has been a growing number of studies revealing a link between the inflammasome and COVID-19. Therefore, this article summarizes the current literature regarding the inflammasome complex and COVID-19.

scholarly journals COVID-19 Pathology on Various Organs and Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell-Based Interventions

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Babak Arjmand ◽  
Sepideh Alavi-Moghadam ◽  
Peyvand Parhizkar Roudsari ◽  
Mostafa Rezaei-Tavirani ◽  
Fakher Rahim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cell ◽  
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ◽  
Inflammatory Cytokines ◽  
Systemic Inflammation ◽  
Multiple Organ ◽  
Cytokine Storm ◽  
Functional Impairments ◽  
Therapeutic Approaches ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
Pro Inflammatory Cytokines

Severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus 2, a novel betacoronavirus, has caused the global outbreak of a contagious infection named coronavirus disease-2019. Severely ill subjects have shown higher levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Cytokine storm is the term that can be used for a systemic inflammation leading to the production of inflammatory cytokines and activation of immune cells. In coronavirus disease-2019 infection, a cytokine storm contributes to the mortality rate of the disease and can lead to multiple-organ dysfunction syndrome through auto-destructive responses of systemic inflammation. Direct effects of the severe acute respiratory syndrome associated with infection as well as hyperinflammatory reactions are in association with disease complications. Besides acute respiratory distress syndrome, functional impairments of the cardiovascular system, central nervous system, kidneys, liver, and several others can be mentioned as the possible consequences. In addition to the current therapeutic approaches for coronavirus disease-2019, which are mostly supportive, stem cell-based therapies have shown the capacity for controlling the inflammation and attenuating the cytokine storm. Therefore, after a brief review of novel coronavirus characteristics, this review aims to explain the effects of coronavirus disease-2019 cytokine storm on different organs of the human body. The roles of stem cell-based therapies on attenuating cytokine release syndrome are also stated.

scholarly journals Preventing Mortality in COVID-19 Patients: Which Cytokine to Target in a Raging Storm?

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ligong Lu ◽  
Hui Zhang ◽  
Meixiao Zhan ◽  
Jun Jiang ◽  
Hua Yin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ◽  
Inflammatory Cytokines ◽  
Inflammatory Cytokine ◽  
Inflammatory Mediator ◽  
Therapeutic Strategies ◽  
Cytokine Storm ◽  
Critical Factors ◽  
Patient Death ◽  
Three Stages

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) from severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection has resulted in tremendous morbidity and mortality worldwide. A major underlying cause of COVID-19 mortality is a hyperinflammatory cytokine storm in severe/critically ill patients. Although many clinical trials are testing the efficacy of targeting inflammatory cytokines/chemokines in COVID-19 patients, the critical inflammatory mediator initiating COVID-19 patient death is undefined. Here we suggest that the immunopathological pathway leading to COVID-19 mortality can be divided into three stages with distinct clinical features that can be used to guide therapeutic strategies. Our interpretation of the recently published clinical trials from COVID-19 patients suggests that the clinical efficacy in preventing COVID-19 mortality using IL-1 blockade is subjected to notable caveats, while that for IL-6 blockade is suboptimal. We discuss critical factors in determining appropriate inflammatory cytokine/chemokine targets, timing, and combination of treatments to prevent COVID-19 mortality.

scholarly journals Computational Identification of Potential Anti-Inflammatory Natural Compounds Targeting the p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase (MAPK): Implications for COVID-19-Induced Cytokine Storm

Biomolecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 653
Author(s):  
Seth O. Asiedu ◽  
Samuel K. Kwofie ◽  
Emmanuel Broni ◽  
Michael D. Wilson
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Docking ◽  
P38 Mapk ◽  
Inflammatory Cytokines ◽  
Binding Energies ◽  
Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase ◽  
Inflammatory Activity ◽  
Computational Techniques ◽  
Cytokine Storm ◽  
Anti Inflammatory ◽  
Pro Inflammatory Cytokines

Severely ill coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients show elevated concentrations of pro-inflammatory cytokines, a situation commonly known as a cytokine storm. The p38 MAPK receptor is considered a plausible therapeutic target because of its involvement in the platelet activation processes leading to inflammation. This study aimed to identify potential natural product-derived inhibitory molecules against the p38α MAPK receptor to mitigate the eliciting of pro-inflammatory cytokines using computational techniques. The 3D X-ray structure of the receptor with PDB ID 3ZS5 was energy minimized using GROMACS and used for molecular docking via AutoDock Vina. The molecular docking was validated with an acceptable area under the curve (AUC) of 0.704, which was computed from the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. A compendium of 38,271 natural products originating from Africa and China together with eleven known p38 MAPK inhibitors were screened against the receptor. Four potential lead compounds ZINC1691180, ZINC5519433, ZINC4520996 and ZINC5733756 were identified. The compounds formed strong intermolecular bonds with critical residues Val38, Ala51, Lys53, Thr106, Leu108, Met109 and Phe169. Additionally, they exhibited appreciably low binding energies which were corroborated via molecular mechanics Poisson–Boltzmann surface area (MM-PBSA) calculations. The compounds were also predicted to have plausible pharmacological profiles with insignificant toxicity. The molecules were also predicted to be anti-inflammatory, kinase inhibitors, antiviral, platelet aggregation inhibitors, and immunosuppressive, with probable activity (Pa) greater than probable inactivity (Pi). ZINC5733756 is structurally similar to estradiol with a Tanimoto coefficient value of 0.73, which exhibits anti-inflammatory activity by targeting the activation of Nrf2. Similarly, ZINC1691180 has been reported to elicit anti-inflammatory activity in vitro. The compounds may serve as scaffolds for the design of potential biotherapeutic molecules against the cytokine storm associated with COVID-19.

scholarly journals Macrophage Activation and Cytokine Release Syndrome in COVID-19: Current Updates and Analysis of Repurposed and Investigational Anti-Cytokine Drugs

Drug Research ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ashif Iqubal ◽  
Farazul Hoda ◽  
Abul Kalam Najmi ◽  
Syed Ehtaishamul Haque
Keyword(s):  
Immune Response ◽  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Macrophage Activation ◽  
Fatality Rate ◽  
Cytokine Storm ◽  
Cytokine Release ◽  
Cytokine Release Syndrome ◽  
Disease Condition ◽  
Inflammatory Drugs ◽  
Anti Inflammatory

AbstractCoronavirus disease (COVID-19) emerged from Wuhan, has now become pandemic and the mortality rate is growing exponentially. Clinical complication and fatality rate is much higher for patients having co-morbid issues. Compromised immune response and hyper inflammation is hall mark of pathogenesis and major cause of mortality. Cytokine release syndrome (CRS) or cytokine storm is a term used to affiliate the situation of hyper inflammation and therefore use of anti-cytokine and anti-inflammatory drugs is used to take care of this situation. Looking into the clinical benefit of these anti-inflammatory drugs, many of them enter into clinical trials. However, understanding the immunopathology of COVID-19 is important otherwise, indiscriminate use of these drugs could be fetal as there exists a very fine line of difference between viral clearing cytokines and inflammatory cytokines. If any drug suppresses the viral clearing cytokines, it will worsen the situation and hence, the use of these drugs must be based on the clinical condition, viral load, co-existing disease condition and severity of the infection.

scholarly journals Role of Inflammatory Cytokines in COVID-19 Patients: A Review on Molecular Mechanisms, Immune Functions, Immunopathology and Immunomodulatory Drugs to Counter Cytokine Storm

Vaccines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 436
Author(s):  
Ali A. Rabaan ◽  
Shamsah H. Al-Ahmed ◽  
Javed Muhammad ◽  
Amjad Khan ◽  
Anupam A Sule ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Inflammatory Cytokines ◽  
Inflammatory Markers ◽  
Therapeutic Drug ◽  
Molecular Pathways ◽  
Cytokine Storm ◽  
Immunomodulatory Drugs ◽  
Alveolar Cells ◽  
Systemic Complications ◽  
Anti Inflammatory ◽  
Pro Inflammatory Cytokines

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), is a severe pandemic of the current century. The vicious tentacles of the disease have been disseminated worldwide with unknown complications and repercussions. Advanced COVID-19 syndrome is characterized by the uncontrolled and elevated release of pro-inflammatory cytokines and suppressed immunity, leading to the cytokine storm. The uncontrolled and dysregulated secretion of inflammatory and pro-inflammatory cytokines is positively associated with the severity of the viral infection and mortality rate. The secretion of various pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α, IL-1, and IL-6 leads to a hyperinflammatory response by recruiting macrophages, T and B cells in the lung alveolar cells. Moreover, it has been hypothesized that immune cells such as macrophages recruit inflammatory monocytes in the alveolar cells and allow the production of large amounts of cytokines in the alveoli, leading to a hyperinflammatory response in severely ill patients with COVID-19. This cascade of events may lead to multiple organ failure, acute respiratory distress, or pneumonia. Although the disease has a higher survival rate than other chronic diseases, the incidence of complications in the geriatric population are considerably high, with more systemic complications. This review sheds light on the pivotal roles played by various inflammatory markers in COVID-19-related complications. Different molecular pathways, such as the activation of JAK and JAK/STAT signaling are crucial in the progression of cytokine storm; hence, various mechanisms, immunological pathways, and functions of cytokines and other inflammatory markers have been discussed. A thorough understanding of cytokines’ molecular pathways and their activation procedures will add more insight into understanding immunopathology and designing appropriate drugs, therapies, and control measures to counter COVID-19. Recently, anti-inflammatory drugs and several antiviral drugs have been reported as effective therapeutic drug candidates to control hypercytokinemia or cytokine storm. Hence, the present review also discussed prospective anti-inflammatory and relevant immunomodulatory drugs currently in various trial phases and their possible implications.

Montelukast - Its Immunomodulatory and Antiviral Action in COVID-19

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (21) ◽  
pp. 1731-1732
Author(s):  
Prashant Ramesh Chakkarwar
Keyword(s):  
Tissue Factor ◽  
Inflammatory Cytokines ◽  
Factor Vii ◽  
Clotting Factor ◽  
Activate Factor ◽  
Cytokine Storm ◽  
Oak Ridge ◽  
Montelukast Sodium ◽  
Tnf Α ◽  
Pro Inflammatory Cytokines

Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) is the deadliest pandemic that the whole world is facing today. COVID-19 is different from normal flu by its two lethal manifestations which includes deadly pneumonia which may lead to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) due to hyper-inflammation of alveolar tissues and pulmonary intravascular coagulopathy (PIC).1,2 It is noteworthy here to mention that both these lethal manifestations of COVID-19 are due to abnormally high levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines like interleukin (IL) - 1β, IL - 6, and tumour necrosis factor (TNF) - α, termed as “cytokine storm.”3,4 There is a certain link between pro-inflammatory cytokines like IL - 1β, IL - 6, and TNF - α and its pro-coagulatory influence on coagulation pathway mediated by tissue factor that binds and activate factor VII, leading to formation of tissue factor – VII a complexes which results in the activation of clotting factor X and IX.4 Recently the researchers in China and some European countries have found raised level of pro-inflammatory cytokines particularly IL - 6 in severe cases of COVID-19. They also found raised D-dimer, fibrinogen levels and prothrombin time in moderate to severe COVID-19 cases.5,6 Both of these lethal manifestations of COVID-19 – ARDS and PIC are linked to raised levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, particularly, IL - 6. It is not very clear that the pro-inflammatory action of cytokines is mediated through leukotrienes as the biochemical assay for leukotrienes are not widely available but possibility of this probable mechanism cannot be ruled out. Hence, development of any molecule with ability to inhibit pro-inflammatory cytokines, particularly IL-6 may be able to tame the lethal nature of COVID-19, and may ultimately reduce the mortality of this deadly pandemic. Montelukast sodium is such molecule which has capacity to inhibit proinflammatory cytokines such as IL - 1β, IL - 6, and TNF - α.7 Montelukast sodium is leukotriene receptor antagonist that inhibits the cysteinyl leukotriene type-1 receptor. Leukotrienes modulate the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines.8 Its antagonist action on leukotriene receptors can inhibit the production of these pro-inflammatory cytokines. Even recent in silico study by Jacobson at Oak Ridge National Lab, was found that excess bradykinin production may be responsible for pulmonary, cardiac, neurological and nephrological lethal manifestations of COVID-19.9 Crimi et al.10 already found that Montelukast is effective to control bradykinin induced bronchoconstriction. Thus, theoretically, montelukast seems to be best molecule to deal with deadly manifestation of COVID-19 even if we go by cytokine storm hypothesis or bradykinin hypothesis.

scholarly journals Emerging Therapeutic Modalities against COVID-19

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (8) ◽  
pp. 188 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shipra Malik ◽  
Anisha Gupta ◽  
Xiaobo Zhong ◽  
Theodore P. Rasmussen ◽  
Jose E. Manautou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Small Molecules ◽  
Therapeutic Interventions ◽  
Pharmaceutical Companies ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Comprehensive Overview ◽  
Therapeutic Modalities ◽  
Academic Researchers ◽  
Approved Drugs ◽  
Fda Approved Drugs

The novel SARS-CoV-2 virus has quickly spread worldwide, bringing the whole world as well as the economy to a standstill. As the world is struggling to minimize the transmission of this devastating disease, several strategies are being actively deployed to develop therapeutic interventions. Pharmaceutical companies and academic researchers are relentlessly working to investigate experimental, repurposed or FDA-approved drugs on a compassionate basis and novel biologics for SARS-CoV-2 prophylaxis and treatment. Presently, a tremendous surge of COVID-19 clinical trials are advancing through different stages. Among currently registered clinical efforts, ~86% are centered on testing small molecules or antibodies either alone or in combination with immunomodulators. The rest ~14% of clinical efforts are aimed at evaluating vaccines and convalescent plasma-based therapies to mitigate the disease's symptoms. This review provides a comprehensive overview of current therapeutic modalities being evaluated against SARS-CoV-2 virus in clinical trials.

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