Potential Therapeutic Targets and Vaccine Development for SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 Pandemic Management: A Review on the Recent Update

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a highly pathogenic novel virus that has caused a massive pandemic called coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) worldwide. Wuhan, a city in China became the epicenter of the outbreak of COVID-19 in December 2019. The disease was declared a pandemic globally by the World Health Organization (WHO) on 11 March 2020. SARS-CoV-2 is a beta CoV of the Coronaviridae family which usually causes respiratory symptoms that resemble common cold. Multiple countries have experienced multiple waves of the disease and scientific experts are consistently working to find answers to several unresolved questions, with the aim to find the most suitable ways to contain the virus. Furthermore, potential therapeutic strategies and vaccine development for COVID-19 management are also considered. Currently, substantial efforts have been made to develop successful and safe treatments and SARS-CoV-2 vaccines. Some vaccines, such as inactivated vaccines, nucleic acid-based, and vector-based vaccines, have entered phase 3 clinical trials. Additionally, diverse small molecule drugs, peptides and antibodies are being developed to treat COVID-19. We present here an overview of the virus interaction with the host and environment and anti-CoV therapeutic strategies; including vaccines and other methodologies, designed for prophylaxis and treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infection with the hope that this integrative analysis could help develop novel therapeutic approaches against COVID-19.

Download Full-text

Nucleic Acid-Based Vaccines Platform Against Covid-19 Pandemic

Current Molecular Medicine ◽

10.2174/1566524022666220106160403 ◽

2022 ◽

Vol 22 ◽

Author(s):

Roghayyeh Baghban ◽

Shirin Mahmoodi

Keyword(s):

Nucleic Acid ◽

Vaccine Development ◽

Scientific Evidence ◽

World Health ◽

Subunit Vaccines ◽

Humoral Immune ◽

Humoral Immune Responses ◽

The World ◽

Inactivated Vaccines ◽

Health Organization

Background: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) has affected millions of people globally, in this regard, known as a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO). There is sufficient scientific evidence that a preventive COVID-19 vaccine is the most effective approach to combat with COVID-19 pandemic, therefore there is an essential need for safe and protective vaccines to fight it. Methods: Global efforts in developing a vaccine against COVID-19 have resulted in the development of different vaccine platforms with various safety and efficacy including live-attenuated vaccines, inactivated vaccines, subunit vaccines, and nucleic acid-based vaccines against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Nucleic acid-based vaccines consist of mRNA and DNA vaccines have shown promising results in stimulating cellular and humoral immune responses properly against COVID-19, which their rapid and easy manufacturing process compared to others have made them considerable. mRNA-based vaccines platform by Pfizer/BioNtech and Moderna companies are the first approved vaccines for emergency use against COVID-19. Results: This narrative review highlights the recent advances in developing nucleic acid-based vaccines for COVID-19. Conclusion: The fast global dissemination of the coronavirus has highlighted the urgent necessity to build an efficient vaccine to inhibit disease. Cooperative attempts throughout the world have paid to the fast and unprecedented production of vaccines. Much needs to be learned regarding SARSCoV-2 and vaccine development against it.

Download Full-text

New Approaches and Repurposed Antiviral Drugs for the Treatment of the SARS-CoV-2 Infection

Pharmaceuticals ◽

10.3390/ph14060503 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 14 (6) ◽

pp. 503

Author(s):

Bauso Luana Vittoria ◽

Chiara Imbesi ◽

Gasparo Irene ◽

Gabriella Calì ◽

Alessandra Bitto

Keyword(s):

Monoclonal Antibodies ◽

Viral Infections ◽

Specific Treatment ◽

Antiviral Drugs ◽

Host Cells ◽

World Health ◽

Therapeutic Approaches ◽

Small Molecule Drugs ◽

Health Organization ◽

Key Questions

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the virus that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The outbreak of this coronavirus was first identified in Wuhan (Hubei, China) in December 2019, and it was declared as pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO) in March 2020. Today, several vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 have been approved, and some neutralizing monoclonal antibodies are being tested as therapeutic approaches for COVID-19 but, one of the key questions is whether both vaccines and monoclonal antibodies could be effective against infections by new SARS-CoV-2 variants. Nevertheless, there are currently more than 1000 ongoing clinical trials focusing on the use and effectiveness of antiviral drugs as a possible therapeutic treatment. Among the classes of antiviral drugs are included 3CL protein inhibitors, RNA synthesis inhibitors and other small molecule drugs which target the ability of SARS-COV-2 to interact with host cells. Considering the need to find specific treatment to prevent the emergent outbreak, the aim of this review is to explain how some repurposed antiviral drugs, indicated for the treatment of other viral infections, could be potential candidates for the treatment of COVID-19.

Download Full-text

Myths about COVID-19

International Journal of Research in Pharmaceutical Sciences ◽

10.26452/ijrps.v11ispl1.3124 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 11 (SPL1) ◽

pp. 907-912

Author(s):

Deepika Masurkar ◽

Priyanka Jaiswal

Keyword(s):

World Health ◽

Indian Society ◽

Common People ◽

The World ◽

New Type ◽

The Media ◽

Personal Level ◽

Novel Virus ◽

The Common ◽

Health Organization

Recently at the end of 2019, a new disease was found in Wuhan, China. This disease was diagnosed to be caused by a new type of coronavirus and affected almost the whole world. Chinese researchers named this novel virus as 2019-nCov or Wuhan-coronavirus. However, to avoid misunderstanding the World Health Organization noises it as COVID-19 virus when interacting with the media COVID-19 is new globally as well as in India. This has disturbed peoples mind. There are various rumours about the coronavirus in Indian society which causes panic in peoples mind. It is the need of society to know myths and facts about coronavirus to reduce the panic and take the proper precautionary actions for our safety against the coronavirus. Thus this article aims to bust myths and present the facts to the common people. We need to verify myths spreading through social media and keep our self-ready with facts so that we can protect our self in a better way. People must prevent COVID 19 at a personal level. Appropriate action in individual communities and countries can benefit the entire world.

Download Full-text

The chronicle of COVID-19: possible strategies to curb the pandemic

Current Medicinal Chemistry ◽

10.2174/0929867327666200702151018 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 27 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Rajesh Kumar ◽

Seetha Harilal ◽

Abdullah G. Al-Sehemi ◽

Githa Elizabeth Mathew ◽

Simone Carradori ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Life Cycle ◽

Research And Development ◽

Vaccine Development ◽

Therapeutic Strategies ◽

Antiviral Drugs ◽

Limited Data ◽

Social Distancing ◽

The World ◽

Novel Virus ◽

Day By Day

: COVID-19, an epidemic that emerged in Wuhan, has become a pandemic affecting worldwide and is in a rapidly evolving condition. Day by day, the confirmed cases and deaths are increasing many folds. SARS-CoV-2 is a novel virus; therefore, limited data are available to curb the disease. Epidemiological approaches, isolation, quarantine, social distancing, lockdown, and curfew are being employed to halt the spread of the disease. Individual and joint efforts all over the world are producing a wealth of data and information which are expected to produce therapeutic strategies against COVID-19. Current research focuses on the utilization of antiviral drugs, repurposing strategies, vaccine development as well as basic to advanced research about the organism and the infection. The review focuses on the life cycle, targets, and possible therapeutic strategies, which can lead to further research and development of COVID-19 therapy.

Download Full-text

Endothelial activation and dysfunction in COVID-19: from basic mechanisms to potential therapeutic approaches

Signal Transduction and Targeted Therapy ◽

10.1038/s41392-020-00454-7 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 5 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Yuefei Jin ◽

Wangquan Ji ◽

Haiyan Yang ◽

Shuaiyin Chen ◽

Weiguo Zhang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Molecular Mechanisms ◽

Endothelial Activation ◽

World Health ◽

Therapeutic Approaches ◽

Inflammatory Reactions ◽

Angiotensin Converting Enzyme 2 ◽

Therapeutic Implications ◽

Endothelial Inflammation ◽

The World ◽

Health Organization

AbstractOn 12 March 2020, the outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization. As of 4 August 2020, more than 18 million confirmed infections had been reported globally. Most patients have mild symptoms, but some patients develop respiratory failure which is the leading cause of death among COVID-19 patients. Endothelial cells with high levels of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 expression are major participants and regulators of inflammatory reactions and coagulation. Accumulating evidence suggests that endothelial activation and dysfunction participate in COVID-19 pathogenesis by altering the integrity of vessel barrier, promoting pro-coagulative state, inducing endothelial inflammation, and even mediating leukocyte infiltration. This review describes the proposed cellular and molecular mechanisms of endothelial activation and dysfunction during COVID-19 emphasizing the principal mediators and therapeutic implications.

Download Full-text

The 2016 Vaccine Development Pipeline: A special issue from the World Health Organization Product Development for Vaccine Advisory Committee (PDVAC)

Vaccine ◽

10.1016/j.vaccine.2016.04.041 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 34 (26) ◽

pp. 2863-2864 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Birgitte K. Giersing ◽

Kayvon Modjarrad ◽

David C. Kaslow ◽

Jean-Marie Okwo-Bele ◽

Vasee S. Moorthy

Keyword(s):

Product Development ◽

World Health Organization ◽

Advisory Committee ◽

Vaccine Development ◽

World Health ◽

Special Issue ◽

The World ◽

Development Pipeline ◽

Health Organization

Download Full-text

Antibody titers measured by commercial assays are correlated with neutralizing antibody titers calibrated by international standards

10.1101/2021.07.16.21260618 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Yu-An Kung ◽

Chung-Guei Huang ◽

Sheng-Yu Huang ◽

Kuan-Ting Liu ◽

Peng-Nien Huang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Neutralizing Antibodies ◽

Vaccine Development ◽

Geometric Mean ◽

Neutralizing Antibody ◽

Diagnostic Techniques ◽

International Standards ◽

World Health ◽

Serum Samples ◽

Antibody Titers ◽

Health Organization

The World Health Organization (WHO) has highlighted the importance of an international standard (IS) for SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibody titer detection, with the aim of calibrating different diagnostic techniques. In this study, IS was applied to calibrate neutralizing antibody titers (IU/mL) and binding antibody titers (BAU/mL) in response to SARS-CoV-2 vaccines. Serum samples were collected from participants receiving the Moderna (n = 20) and Pfizer (n = 20) vaccines at three time points: pre-vaccination, after one dose, and after two doses. We obtained geometric mean titers of 1404.16 and 928.75 IU/mL for neutralizing antibodies after two doses of the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines, respectively. These values provide an important baseline for vaccine development and the implementation of non-inferiority trials. We also compared three commercially available kits from Roche, Abbott, and MeDiPro for the detection of COVID-19 antibodies based on binding affinity to S1 and/or RBD. Our results demonstrated that antibody titers measured by commercial assays are highly correlated with neutralizing antibody titers calibrated by IS.

Download Full-text

COVID-19: Current Developments and Further Opportunities in Drug Delivery and Therapeutics

Pharmaceutics ◽

10.3390/pharmaceutics12100945 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (10) ◽

pp. 945

Author(s):

Saman Zafar ◽

Muhammad Sohail Arshad ◽

Sameen Fatima ◽

Amna Ali ◽

Aliyah Zaman ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Drug Delivery ◽

Vaccine Development ◽

Viral Vector ◽

Age Groups ◽

World Health ◽

Disease Spread ◽

Plasma Therapy ◽

Antiviral Therapies ◽

Health Organization ◽

Spread Of Infection

SARS-CoV-2 has affected people from all age groups, races and ethnicities. Given that many infected individuals are asymptomatic, they transmit the disease to others unknowingly, which has resulted in the spread of infection at an alarming rate. This review aims to provide an overview of the pathophysiology, preventive measures to reduce the disease spread, therapies currently in use, an update on vaccine development and opportunities for vaccine delivery. The World Health Organization has advised several precautions including social distancing, hand washing and the use of PPE including gloves and face masks for minimizing the spread of SARS-CoV-2 infection. At present, several antiviral therapies previously approved for other infections are being repositioned to study their efficacy against SARS-CoV-2. In addition, some medicines (i.e., remdesivir, chloroquine, hydroxychloroquine) have received emergency use authorisation from the FDA. Plasma therapy has also been authorised for emergency use for the treatment of COVID-19 on a smaller scale. However, no vaccine has been approved so far against this virus. Nevertheless, several potential vaccine targets have been reported, and development of different types of vaccines including DNA, mRNA, viral vector, inactivated, subunit and vaccine-like particles is in process. It is concluded that a suitable candidate delivered through an advanced drug delivery approach would effectively boost the immune system against this coronavirus.

Download Full-text

Investigating host-bacterial interactions among enteric pathogens

BMC Genomics ◽

10.1186/s12864-019-6398-2 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 20 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Tungadri Bose ◽

K. V. Venkatesh ◽

Sharmila S. Mande

Keyword(s):

Gut Microbiome ◽

Therapeutic Strategies ◽

Enteric Pathogens ◽

World Health ◽

Core Set ◽

Pathogen Protein ◽

Health Organization ◽

Species Specific ◽

Novel Therapeutic Strategies ◽

Gut Pathogens

Abstract Background In 2017, World Health Organization (WHO) published a catalogue of 12 families of antibiotic-resistant “priority pathogens” that are posing the greatest threats to human health. Six of these dreaded pathogens are known to infect the human gastrointestinal system. In addition to causing gastrointestinal and systemic infections, these pathogens can also affect the composition of other microbes constituting the healthy gut microbiome. Such aberrations in gut microbiome can significantly affect human physiology and immunity. Identifying the virulence mechanisms of these enteric pathogens are likely to help in developing newer therapeutic strategies to counter them. Results Using our previously published in silico approach, we have evaluated (and compared) Host-Pathogen Protein-Protein Interaction (HPI) profiles of four groups of enteric pathogens, namely, different species of Escherichia, Shigella, Salmonella and Vibrio. Results indicate that in spite of genus/ species specific variations, most enteric pathogens possess a common repertoire of HPIs. This core set of HPIs are probably responsible for the survival of these pathogen in the harsh nutrient-limiting environment within the gut. Certain genus/ species specific HPIs were also observed. Conslusions The identified bacterial proteins involved in the core set of HPIs are expected to be helpful in understanding the pathogenesis of these dreaded gut pathogens in greater detail. Possible role of genus/ species specific variations in the HPI profiles in the virulence of these pathogens are also discussed. The obtained results are likely to provide an opportunity for development of novel therapeutic strategies against the most dreaded gut pathogens.

Download Full-text

Advances in Diagnostic Methods for Zika Virus Infection

Journal of Medical Devices ◽

10.1115/1.4041086 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 12 (4) ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Carlos A. Herrada ◽

Md. Alamgir Kabir ◽

Rommel Altamirano ◽

Waseem Asghar

Keyword(s):

Reverse Transcription ◽

Zika Virus ◽

Vaccine Development ◽

Genome Structure ◽

Diagnostic Methods ◽

World Health ◽

Health Concern ◽

Localized Surface Plasmon ◽

Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽

Health Organization

The Zika virus (ZIKV) is one of the most infamous mosquito-borne flavivirus on recent memory due to its potential association with high mortality rates in fetuses, microcephaly and neurological impairments in neonates, and autoimmune disorders. The severity of the disease, as well as its fast spread over several continents, has urged the World Health Organization (WHO) to declare ZIKV a global health concern. In consequence, over the past couple of years, there has been a significant effort for the development of ZIKV diagnostic methods, vaccine development, and prevention strategies. This review focuses on the most recent aspects of ZIKV research which includes the outbreaks, genome structure, multiplication and propagation of the virus, and more importantly, the development of serological and molecular detection tools such as Zika IgM antibody capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (Zika MAC-ELISA), plaque reduction neutralization test (PRNT), reverse transcription quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), reverse transcription-loop mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP), localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) biosensors, nucleic acid sequence-based amplification (NASBA), and recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA). Additionally, we discuss the limitations of currently available diagnostic methods, the potential of newly developed sensing technologies, and also provide insight into future areas of research.

Download Full-text