Engineered nanomaterials as fighters against SARS-CoV-2: The way to control and treat pandemics

Abstract

In this editorial trend, we aim to collect and present recently available data about the characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 virus, severity, infection, replication, diagnosis, and current medications. In addition, we propose the role of nanomaterials in controlling and treating COVID-19 through their antiviral and antibacterial potential with suggested action mechanisms indicating the capability of interaction between these nanomaterials and SARS-CoV-2. These nanomaterials might be among the possible and most effective cures against coronavirus.

Keywords: COVID-19; Corona viruses; Nano-vaccines; Nanodrugs; Nanomaterials.

Fig. 1

Antimicrobial potential of different synthesized NPs where (a) measuring the activity of different NPs by zone of inhibition (ZOI) method against E. coli bacterial cells, (b) suggested reaction mechanism of some nanoparticles (Ag and Au NPs) and drugs nanocarriers against bacterial cells ((I): NPs are firstly-interact with the external part of the pathogenic bacteria and change their membrane composition, and then they easily-enter bacterial cells because of their small nano-size; (II) NPs are quickly-diffused across bacterial cells and interacted with the main bacterial organelles and bio-molecules and increased cellular toxicity, loss of protein stability, and finally genotoxicity; (III) NPs generated active ROS inside bacterial cells and initiated bacterial cell disruption; and (VI) NPs have alternated the cellular sign system causing cell disorder. Also, NPs might serve as a vehicle to deliver their ions to the bacterial cytoplasm leading to a reduction in the proton motive force (PMF) which might decrease the bacterial cell pH to less than 3.5, and promoting the liberations of their ions), (c) normal E. coli growth without the effect of any synthesized NPs which appears as normal cell with a rigid cell wall and high cell count, and (d) malformed and distorted bacterial cell (E. coli) following the treatment of NPs suggesting the usage of NPs in fighting the secondary bacterial infection associated with viral diseases

Fig. 2

Proposed reaction mechanisms of various engineered NMs against SARS-CoV-2, action mechanisms outside host cell (I) blocking of virus entry through either binding with the virus spike protein or blocking its cell receptor (ACE2) by virus-like NPs, polymeric NPs, and SARS-CoV-2 spike protein NPs (has not been prepared yet); (II) dissolving the lipid bilayer of SARS-CoV-2 envelope by nano-emulsion, liposomes, and solid-lipid NPs; and (III) initiation of extracellular ROS by Ag NPs. Actions inside host cell include activation of transcription factors by receptor signaling as a response of viral RNA and either the formation of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1B) and activation of Th2 pathway ending with the formation of neutralizing antibodies (IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13) or Th1 pathway activation and the formation of opsonizing antibodies (IgE, C4b, C3b, and IgG)