Lectin Protein as a Promising Component to Functionalize Micelles, Liposomes and Lipid NPs against Coronavirus.

Mehran Alavi,Ali Nokhodchi,Kofi Asare-Addo

doi:10.3390/biomedicines8120580

Mehran Alavi, Ali Nokhodchi + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines8120580

Copy DOI

Abstract

The outbreak of a novel strain coronavirus as the causative agent of COVID-19 pneumonia, first identified in Wuhan, China in December 2019, has resulted in considerable focus on virulence abilities of coronavirus. Lectins are natural proteins with the ability to bind specific carbohydrates related to various microorganisms, including viruses, bacteria, fungi and parasites. Lectins have the ability to agglutinate and neutralize these pathogeneses. The delivery of the encapsulated antiviral agents or vaccines across the cell membrane can be possible by functionalized micellar and liposomal formulations. In this mini-review, recent advances and challenges related to important lectins with inhibition activities against coronaviruses are presented to obtain a novel viewpoint of microformulations or nanoformulations by micellar and liposomal cell-binding carriers.

Highlights

Coronaviruses, a large family of RNA viruses, belong to the subfamily Orthocoronavirinae in the family of Coronaviridae in the order Nidovirales [1]
NP of formulations agents, improved drugcarriers absorption and dissolution, desirable bioavailability, and presented as novel for encapsulation and loading of antiviral agents.passive. This may beactive useful in targeting capacity, simple sterilization, and large scale production are demonstrated by these colloidal obtaining a new viewpoint about microformulations and nanoformulations of antiviral agents carriers against health-threatening diseases caused by coronaviruses COVID-19 pneumonia
The commonly exploited micro- and nano-vesicles with a single bilayer leaflet for passive and active drug delivery applications are liposomes. In this regard, promising cell-binding drug carriers in the delivery of antiviral agents and vaccines can be obtained by actively using targeted micro- and nano-liposomes

Summary

Introduction

Coronaviruses, a large family of RNA viruses (a positive sense, single-stranded RNA in the range size of 27–32 kb), belong to the subfamily Orthocoronavirinae in the family of Coronaviridae in the order Nidovirales [1]. The novel virus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has led to COVID-19. A recent study showed that human recombinant soluble ACE2 (hrsACE2) can hinder the early stages of SARS-CoV-2 infections significantly [41]. These receptors are single-pass type I membrane proteins with a higher expression on the surface of epithelial cells of the pulmonary alveolus, vascular endothelial cells of the heart and the kidneys, and small intestine enterocytes. The S1 domain of the spike protein of SARS-CoV can bind these metallopeptide receptors [42] In this regard, patients with hypertension, cardiac diseases and diabetes may experience severe COVID-19 infection owing to the use of ACE2-enhancing drugs [43]. Prevention of conformational changes and fusion of viruses with the cells represents the third class of inhibitors [40]

Lectins

Micelles and Liposomes

Application of Lectins in Micelle and Liposome Formulation

Findings

Conclusions