Work

SARS‐CoV‐2 targeting by RNAi and host complement inhibition: A two‐pronged subterfuge for COVID‐19 treatment

Year: 2021

Type: article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: The lack of knowledge about the specific preventive measures and limited scientific information on severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) led to an excruciating onset and progression of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Swift development of various successful vaccines around the globe is striving to contain the exponential surges of COVID-19 cases. However, the ongoing struggle to vaccinate the global population and alarming spread of highly transmissible variants may thwart global initiatives to contain SARS-CoV-2 as observed by less robust protective immunity. METHODS: In this perspective, we propose a thought-provoking, two-pronged strategy involving RNA interference approach to degrade essential SARS-CoV-2 ORFs required for replication and entry in conjunction with a complement inhibitor (compstatin) to stymie the detrimental proinflammatory cytokine storm that exacerbate disease progression and severity. RESULTS: We provide supporting evidence suggesting that concurrent targeting of viral and host components will be a superior strategy to effectively suppress viral spread and clinical manifestations of COVID-19. CONCLUSION: SARS-CoV-2 specific RNAi in conjunction with systemic delivery of compstatin will be an effective two-pronged strategy to combat local and systemic immune responses in both symptomatic and asymptomatic COVID-19 patients.

Source: Immunity Inflammation and Disease

DOI: 10.1002/iid3.549

Authors: Raza Ali Naqvi, Deepak Shukla, Afsar R. Naqvi

Institutions: University of Illinois Chicago, University of Illinois Hospital & Health Sciences System

Language: English

Topic: SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 Research

Subfield: Infectious Diseases

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,530