Nanotechnology as a Shield against COVID-19: Current Advancement and Limitations

Abstract

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a global health problem that the WHO declared a pandemic. COVID-19 has resulted in a worldwide lockdown and threatened to topple the global economy. The mortality of COVID-19 is comparatively low compared with previous SARS outbreaks, but the rate of spread of the disease and its morbidity is alarming. This virus can be transmitted human-to-human through droplets and close contact, and people of all ages are susceptible to this virus. With the advancements in nanotechnology, their remarkable properties, including their ability to amplify signal, can be used for the development of nanobiosensors and nanoimaging techniques that can be used for early-stage detection along with other diagnostic tools. Nano-based protection equipment and disinfecting agents can provide much-needed protection against SARS-CoV-2. Moreover, nanoparticles can serve as a carrier for antigens or as an adjuvant, thereby making way for the development of a new generation of vaccines. The present review elaborates the role of nanotechnology-based tactics used for the detection, diagnosis, protection, and treatment of COVID-19 caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

Keywords: COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; detection; nanotechnology; treatment.

Figure 1

COVID-19 and host immune responses. Following inhalation of SARS-CoV2 into the respiratory tract, the virus traverses deep into the lower lung, where it infects a range of cells expressing its receptor ACE2, including alveolar airway epithelial cells, vascular endothelial cells, and alveolar macrophages. In the innate arm, immune cells primarily recognize the viral RNA by their receptors, such as Toll-like receptors (TLRs) that signal downstream to produce type-I/III interferons (IFNs) and pro-inflammatory mediators as the first line of defense. Furthermore, IFN triggers JAK/STAT signaling to activate interferon stimulating genes (ISGs) to fight SARS-CoV2. In the adaptive arm, the viral peptides are presented through major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I proteins expressed by dendritic cells (DC) to CD8 T cells; these cells directly kill the virus-infected cells. Further, helper CD4+ T cells are activated through MHC-class II and differentiate B cells into plasma cells (antibody-producing cells) and memory cells. These SARS-CoV2 specific antibodies can neutralize the virus. Overall, both cells play an important role in eradicating SARS-CoV2 from the host.

Figure 2

Nanotechnology applications for preparation of PPE Kit [36].

Figure 3

Equipment that could be 3D printed [43].

Figure 4

Nanomedicine in Therapeutics and Vaccine Development.

Figure 5

Potential strategies to tackle SARS-CoV-2 utilizing nanotechnology.