The SARS-CoV2 envelope differs from host cells, exposes procoagulant lipids, and is disrupted in vivo by oral rinses
Year: 2022
Type: article
Abstract: The lipid envelope of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is an essential component of the virus; however, its molecular composition is undetermined. Addressing this knowledge gap could support the design of antiviral agents as well as further our understanding of viral-host protein interactions, infectivity, pathogenicity, and innate immune system clearance. Lipidomics revealed that the virus envelope comprised mainly phospholipids (PLs), with some cholesterol and sphingolipids, and with cholesterol/phospholipid ratio similar to lysosomes. Unlike cellular membranes, procoagulant amino-PLs were present on the external side of the viral envelope at levels exceeding those on activated platelets. Accordingly, virions directly promoted blood coagulation. To investigate whether these differences could enable selective targeting of the viral envelope in vivo, we tested whether oral rinses containing lipid-disrupting chemicals could reduce infectivity. Products containing PL-disrupting surfactants (such as cetylpyridinium chloride) met European virucidal standards in vitro; however, components that altered the critical micelle concentration reduced efficacy, and products containing essential oils, povidone-iodine, or chlorhexidine were ineffective. This result was recapitulated in vivo, where a 30-s oral rinse with cetylpyridinium chloride mouthwash eliminated live virus in the oral cavity of patients with coronavirus disease 19 for at least 1 h, whereas povidone-iodine and saline mouthwashes were ineffective. We conclude that the SARS-CoV-2 lipid envelope i) is distinct from the host plasma membrane, which may enable design of selective antiviral approaches; ii) contains exposed phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylserine, which may influence thrombosis, pathogenicity, and inflammation; and iii) can be selectively targeted in vivo by specific oral rinses.
Source: Journal of Lipid Research
Authors: Zack Saud, Victoria J. Tyrrell, Andreas Zaragkoulias, Majd B. Protty, Evelina Statkute, Anzelika Rubina, Kirsten Bentley, Daniel A. White, Patricia Dos Santos Rodrigues, Robert C. Murphy, Harald Köfeler, William J. Griffiths, Jorge Alvarez-Jarreta, Richard William Brown, Robert G. Newcombe, James Heyman, Manon Pritchard, Robert WJ. Mcleod, Arvind Arya, Ceri-Ann Lynch, David Owens, P Vince Jenkins, Niklaas J. Buurma, Valerie B. O’Donnell, David W. Thomas, Richard J. Stanton
Institutions: Cardiff University, University of Colorado Denver, Medical University of Graz, Swansea University, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, Wrexham Maelor Hospital, Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, Royal Glamorgan Hospital, Cwm Taf University Health Board, University Hospital of Wales
Language: English
Subfield: Infectious Diseases
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,500
Funders: Wellcome Trust, UK Research and Innovation, Llywodraeth Cymru, National Institute for Health and Care Research, Cardiff University, UK Coronavirus Immunology Consortium, National Institutes of Health, Directorate for Biological Sciences, Medical Research Council, Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council
OpenAlex ID: W4223979303