The search for novel therapies that complement vaccine-induced immune protection against SARS-CoV-2 continues. In previous work, researchers at QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute and collaborators developed a cell-permeable and highly selective peptide called NACE2i, targeting nuclear angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). In particular, NACE2i spans and targets the ACE2 nuclear localization signal motif, successfully inhibiting nuclear translocation of ACE2 and viral replication in human cell lines infected with SARS-CoV-2.
Researchers from NYU Grossman School of Medicine reported on a new strategy intended to provide long-term protection against the SARS-CoV-2 virus using an experimental decoy.
New research has identified a novel receptor that interacts with the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) by which the SARS-CoV-2 enters host cells, and shown it can be inhibited with marketed drugs, reducing expression of ACE2 and blocking viral entry.
The soluble form of human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (hsACE2) could prevent SARS-CoV-2 from binding to the host cell receptors through competitive inhibition, which may avoid viral infection. However, the relatively short half-life of the recombinant hsACE2 limits its clinical application.
Since the isolation of SARS-CoV-2 and the study of its infection mechanisms, scientists have been trying to understand how this virus accesses the brain and produces neurological symptoms. The receptor necessary for the virus to enter the cell by endocytosis (the receptor for angiotensin-converting enzyme 2, ACE2) is only expressed by some neurons and is hardly detected in the brain.
Since the isolation of SARS-CoV-2 and the study of its infection mechanisms, scientists have been trying to understand how this virus accesses the brain and produces neurological symptoms.
Investigators at Boston Children's Hospital have demonstrated that SARS-CoV-2 infection of blood monocytes and lung macrophages in the lung could kill the cells via pyroptosis, increasing inflammation and leading to severe COVID-19.
Investigators at Boston Children's Hospital have demonstrated that SARS-CoV-2 infection of blood monocytes and lung macrophages in the lung could kill the cells via pyroptosis, increasing inflammation and leading to severe COVID-19.
BEIJING – Androgen receptor (AR) antagonist developer Kintor Pharmaceutical Ltd., of Suzhou, China, is going to provide its proxalutamide (GT-0918) to an ongoing clinical trial in male patients, led by U.S. firm Applied Biology Inc., in Brazil for COVID-19, after preliminary clinical research suggested a potential link between androgenetic alopecia and COVID-19 pathogenesis.
LONDON – Two papers published online in Nature following accelerated peer review provide fine detail of how the spike protein on the COVID-19 coronavirus binds to the angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) through which it infects its human host.