Nanoantidote for repression of acidosis pH promoting COVID-19 infection

VIEW, 2022 · DOI: 10.1002/VIW.20220004 · Published: March 2, 2022

Simple Explanation

The study investigates the impact of acidosis, a condition characterized by a decrease in blood pH, on SARS-CoV-2 infection. Acidosis is often observed in severe COVID-19 cases and is associated with increased mortality. The researchers found that an acidic environment promotes SARS-CoV-2 infection. To combat this, the researchers developed a nanoantidote composed of calcium carbonate nanoparticles (CaCO3-NPs). This nanoantidote effectively neutralizes excess hydrogen ions, which are responsible for the acidic pH, and restores the pH to normal levels. The CaCO3-NPs nanoantidote prevented the increased SARS-CoV-2 infection efficiency typically seen at pH 6.8, suggesting it could be a superior alternative to sodium bicarbonate for treating acidosis in COVID-19 patients.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

HEK293T-ACE2 cells and human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC)

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
Acidosis-related pH (6.8) increases the expression of SARS-CoV-2 receptor ACE2 on the cell membrane.
2
CaCO3-NPs effectively neutralized the acidic pH and prevented the heightened SARS-CoV-2 infection efficiency due to pH 6.8.
3
Acidic pH conditions inhibit actin polymerization, leading to increased ACE2 expression on the cell membrane, and subsequently, increased SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Research Summary

This study reveals that acidosis-related pH promotes SARS-CoV-2 infection by increasing ACE2 expression on the cell membrane, suggesting a positive feedback loop where SARS-CoV-2 infection-induced acidosis enhances further infection. The researchers synthesized CaCO3-NPs, a nanoantidote that neutralizes excess hydrogen ions and restores pH from 6.8 to approximately 7.4, effectively preventing the heightened SARS-CoV-2 infection efficiency due to pH 6.8. The study suggests that antacid therapy is necessary for acidosis COVID-19 patients and that CaCO3-NPs may become an effective antacid nanoantidote superior to sodium bicarbonate.

Practical Implications

Therapeutic Intervention

CaCO3-NPs may represent a novel therapeutic approach for managing COVID-19 patients with acidosis by neutralizing the acidic environment and reducing viral infectivity.

Drug Delivery Systems

The biodegradability of CaCO3-NPs under slightly acidic conditions makes them potential candidates for drug delivery systems, enabling targeted administration of therapeutic agents.

Reduce Disease Severity

Antacid therapy using CaCO3-NPs could potentially disrupt the positive feedback loop between SARS-CoV-2 infection and acidosis, leading to reduced disease severity and improved patient outcomes.

Study Limitations

1
The study primarily uses in vitro models, and further in vivo studies are needed to validate the efficacy and safety of CaCO3-NPs in treating COVID-19-induced acidosis.
2
The precise mechanisms by which CaCO3-NPs interact with cells and modulate ACE2 expression require further investigation.
3
The long-term effects and potential toxicity of CaCO3-NPs need to be thoroughly assessed before clinical application.

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