2. Academic Validation
  3. Ceragenins exhibit antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2 by increasing the expression and release of type I interferons upon activation of the host's immune response

Ceragenins exhibit antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2 by increasing the expression and release of type I interferons upon activation of the host's immune response

  • Antiviral Res. 2023 Jul 20;105676. doi: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2023.105676.
Łukasz Suprewicz 1,  Artur Szczepański 2,  Marzena Lenart 2,  Ewelina Piktel 3,  Krzysztof Fiedoruk 1,  Emilia Barreto-Duran 2,  Anna Kula-Pacurar 2,  Paul B Savage 4,  Aleksandra Milewska 2,  Robert Bucki 5,  Krzysztof Pyrć 6
Affiliations

Affiliations

  • 1 Department of Medical Microbiology and Nanobiomedical Engineering, Medical University of Bialystok, Bialystok, Poland.
  • 2 Virogenetics Laboratory of Virology, Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland.
  • 3 Independent Laboratory of Nanomedicine, Medical University of Bialystok, Bialystok, Poland.
  • 4 Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA.
  • 5 Department of Medical Microbiology and Nanobiomedical Engineering, Medical University of Bialystok, Bialystok, Poland. Electronic address: buckirobert@gmail.com.
  • 6 Virogenetics Laboratory of Virology, Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland. Electronic address: k.a.pyrc@uj.edu.pl.
PMID: 37481038 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2023.105676
Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) heavily burdened the entire world socially and economically. Despite a generation of vaccines and therapeutics to confront Infection, it remains a threat. Most available antivirals target Viral Proteins and block their activity or function. While such an approach is considered effective and safe, finding treatments for specific viruses of concern leaves us unprepared for developed resistance and future viral pandemics of unknown origin. Here, we propose ceragenins (CSAs), synthetic amphipathic molecules designed to mimic the properties of cationic antimicrobial Peptides (cAMPs), as potential broad-spectrum antivirals. We show that selected CSAs exhibit Antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2 and low-pathogenic human coronaviruses 229E, OC43, and NL63. The mechanism of action of CSAs against coronaviruses is mainly attributed to the stimulation of Antiviral cytokines, such as type I interferons or IL-6. Our study provides insight into a novel immunomodulatory strategy that might play an essential role during the current pandemic and future outbreaks.

Keywords

Antivirals; Ceragenins; Human coronaviruses; SARS-CoV-2; Type I interferon.

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