- COVID-19 shows age and sex specific severity
- Estrogen and progesterone might serve protective purpose through antiviral activity or immune-mediating mechanism

Smith College

As of today there are no antiviral therapies available for the treatment of COVID-19. However, there have been identified some potential druggable targets.

Potential Therapeutic Targets for the Treatment of COVID-19

Cattrini, C., Bersanelli, M., Latocca, M. M., Conte, B., Vallome, G., & Boccardo, F. (2020). Sex Hormones and Hormone Therapy during COVID-19 Pandemic: Implications for Patients with Cancer. Cancers, 12(8), 2325.
https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6694/12/8/2325

Sex Hormones and Hormone Therapy during COVID-19 Pandemic: Implications for Patients with Cancer

- Inhibition of the binding between the spike protein present on the surface of the virus and the ACE-2 receptor present in the membrane of the host cell. This interaction mediates the entry of the virus in the cell. 
- Because ACE 2 plays a central role in the pathogenesis of COVID-19, it is thought that it could be an efficient drug target that could either treat or prevent infection. 

ACE2 normal role:
-Critical to regulate processes such as pressure, wound healing, and inflammation. 


-It helps modulate ANGII, a protein that increases blood pressure and inflammation, increasing damage to blood vessel lining and tissue. 

COVID-19:
-In response to COVID-19, ANGII has increased inflammation and the death of alveoli cells which are critical for bringing oxygen into the body...ACE2 prevents this.

-When COVID-19 virus binds to ACE2, it inhibits its action, thus increasing the effects of ANGII
 

ACE 2 Receptor as a Pharmacological Target for Treating or Preventing COVID-19

Inhibition of the viral entry by targeting the Clathrin-mediated endocytosis of the virus.

Targeting Clathrin-mediated endocytosis of SARS-CoV-2

Inhibition of important membrane, nucleocapsid and envelope viral proteins. These are structural proteins that are crucial for the virus to propagate and infect other cells.

Targeting viral membranes

Suppressing the hyper-response of the immune system due to the SARS-CoV-2 infection.

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