Abstract
The emergence of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus has led to an unprecedented pandemic, which demands urgent development of antiviral drugs and antibodies; as well as prophylactic approaches, namely vaccines. Algae biotechnology has much to offer in this scenario given the diversity of such organisms, which are a valuable source of antiviral and anti-inflammatory compounds that can also be used to produce vaccines and antibodies. Antivirals with possible activity against SARS-CoV-2 are summarized, based on previously reported activity against Coronaviruses or other enveloped or respiratory viruses. Moreover, the potential of algae-derived anti-inflammatory compounds to treat severe cases of COVID-19 is contemplated. The scenario of producing biopharmaceuticals in recombinant algae is presented and the cases of algae-made vaccines targeting viral diseases is highlighted as valuable references for the development of anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccines. Successful cases in the production of functional antibodies are described. Perspectives on how specific algae species and genetic engineering techniques can be applied for the production of anti-viral compounds antibodies and vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 are provided.
Highlights
Coronaviruses are enveloped viruses having single-stranded, positive sense RNA genome carrying the spike protein on their surface that mediate virus entry into the target cell [1]
COVID-19 was declared a pandemic on March 2020 [2] and by the mid of August over 23 million people were infected by SARS-CoV-2 with more than 800,000 deaths registered
GRFT was systemically accumulated at relevant therapeutic concentrations, which were tolerated with minimal toxicity in treated animals with single and chronical subcutaneous administration; serum of GRFT-treated animals showed antiviral activity against human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1
Summary
Coronaviruses are enveloped viruses having single-stranded, positive sense RNA genome carrying the spike protein on their surface that mediate virus entry into the target cell [1]. Micro and macroalgae and cyanobacteria have gained attention due to their unique metabolic pathways, whose products could be a source of commercially valuable products such as carotenoids, polyunsaturated fatty acids, proteins, phycobiliproteins, and polysaccharides [10]. Many of these compounds have antiviral and anti-inflammatory activities with a potential application in the development of drugs and treatments against COVID-19.
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