Topoisomerase 1 inhibition therapy protects against SARS-CoV-2-induced inflammation and death in animal models
SUMMARY
The ongoing pandemic caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is currently affecting millions of lives worldwide. Large retrospective studies indicate that an elevated level of inflammatory cytokines and pro-inflammatory factors are associated with both increased disease severity and mortality. Here, using multidimensional epigenetic, transcriptional, in vitro and in vivo analyses, we report that Topoisomerase 1 (Top1) inhibition suppresses lethal inflammation induced by SARS-CoV-2. Therapeutic treatment with two doses of Topotecan (TPT), a FDA-approved Top1 inhibitor, suppresses infection-induced inflammation in hamsters. TPT treatment as late as four days post-infection reduces morbidity and rescues mortality in a transgenic mouse model. These results support the potential of Top1 inhibition as an effective host-directed therapy against severe SARS-CoV-2 infection. TPT and its derivatives are inexpensive clinical-grade inhibitors available in most countries. Clinical trials are needed to evaluate the efficacy of repurposing Top1 inhibitors for COVID-19 in humans.
Competing Interest Statement
The Garcia-Sastre Laboratory has received research support from Pfizer, Senhwa Biosciences, 7Hills Pharma, Pharmamar, Blade Therapuetics, Avimex, Johnson & Johnson, Dynavax, Kenall Manufacturing and ImmunityBio. Adolfo Garcia-Sastre has consulting agreements for the following companies involving cash and/or stock: Vivaldi Biosciences, Contrafect, 7Hills Pharma, Avimex, Vaxalto, Accurius and Esperovax. M.J.T. is an employee, and M.S. is a co-founder of Enhanc3D Genomics Ltd. I.M. is an inventor in the patent, Serial Number: 16/063,009
Subject Area
- Biochemistry (11752)
- Bioengineering (8752)
- Bioinformatics (29200)
- Biophysics (14974)
- Cancer Biology (12096)
- Cell Biology (17411)
- Clinical Trials (138)
- Developmental Biology (9421)
- Ecology (14182)
- Epidemiology (2067)
- Evolutionary Biology (18308)
- Genetics (12245)
- Genomics (16803)
- Immunology (11869)
- Microbiology (28097)
- Molecular Biology (11594)
- Neuroscience (60969)
- Paleontology (451)
- Pathology (1871)
- Pharmacology and Toxicology (3238)
- Physiology (4959)
- Plant Biology (10427)
- Synthetic Biology (2886)
- Systems Biology (7340)
- Zoology (1651)