Abstract
The emergence of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus has led to an unprecedented pandemic, which demands urgent development of antiviral drugs and antibodies; as well as prophylactic approaches, namely vaccines. Algae biotechnology has much to offer in this scenario given the diversity of such organisms, which are a valuable source of antiviral and anti-inflammatory compounds that can also be used to produce vaccines and antibodies. Antivirals with possible activity against SARS-CoV-2 are summarized, based on previously reported activity against Coronaviruses or other enveloped or respiratory viruses. Moreover, the potential of algae-derived anti-inflammatory compounds to treat severe cases of COVID-19 is contemplated. The scenario of producing biopharmaceuticals in recombinant algae is presented and the cases of algae-made vaccines targeting viral diseases is highlighted as valuable references for the development of anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccines. Successful cases in the production of functional antibodies are described. Perspectives on how specific algae species and genetic engineering techniques can be applied for the production of anti-viral compounds antibodies and vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 are provided.
Keywords:
COVID-19; Chlamydomonas reinhardtii; MERS-CoV; SARS-CoV-2; monoclonal antibody; recombinant antigen; transplastomic.
MeSH terms
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Antiviral Agents / chemistry
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Antiviral Agents / isolation & purification
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Antiviral Agents / pharmacology*
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Betacoronavirus / drug effects
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Betacoronavirus / pathogenicity
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Biological Products / chemistry
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Biological Products / isolation & purification
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Biological Products / pharmacology*
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COVID-19
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COVID-19 Vaccines
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Cell Nucleus / chemistry
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Cell Nucleus / genetics
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Cell Nucleus / metabolism
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Chlamydomonas reinhardtii / chemistry
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Chlamydomonas reinhardtii / genetics*
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Chlamydomonas reinhardtii / metabolism
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Chloroplasts / chemistry
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Chloroplasts / genetics
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Chloroplasts / metabolism
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Coronavirus Infections / drug therapy*
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Coronavirus Infections / prevention & control
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Genetic Engineering / methods
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Humans
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Lectins / chemistry
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Lectins / isolation & purification
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Lectins / pharmacology*
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Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus / drug effects
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Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus / pathogenicity
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Pandemics
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Pneumonia, Viral / drug therapy*
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Polyphenols / chemistry
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Polyphenols / isolation & purification
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Polyphenols / pharmacology*
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Polysaccharides / chemistry
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Polysaccharides / isolation & purification
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Polysaccharides / pharmacology*
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SARS-CoV-2
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Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome / drug therapy
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Severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus / drug effects
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Severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus / pathogenicity
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Viral Vaccines / biosynthesis
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Viral Vaccines / pharmacology
Substances
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Antiviral Agents
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Biological Products
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COVID-19 Vaccines
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Lectins
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Polyphenols
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Polysaccharides
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Viral Vaccines