Ac2-26 mimetic peptide of annexin A1 to treat severe COVID-19: A hypothesis

Med Hypotheses. 2020 Dec:145:110352. doi: 10.1016/j.mehy.2020.110352. Epub 2020 Oct 21.

Abstract

The Coronavirus Diseases-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic leads many researchers around the world to study the SARS-CoV-s2 infection and pathology to find a treatment for it. This generates a massive production of papers including pre-clinical, clinical and revisions but till now no specific treatment were identified. Meanwhile, like other coronavirus infections, COVID-19 leads to the cytokine storm syndrome resulting in hyperinflammation, exacerbated immune response and multiple organ dysfunctions indicating that drugs that modulate this response, as glucocorticoids could be a treatment option. However glucocorticoids have several side effects or usage limitations. In this sense a drug with anti-inflammatory effects and capable to reduce inflammation but with less after-effects could be a powerful tool to combat COVID-19. Thus the Ac2-26 Mimetic Peptide of Annexin A1 emerges as a possible therapy. The peptide has many anti-inflammatory effects described including the reduction of interleukin (IL)-6, one of the main mediators of cytokine storm syndrome. Therefore the hypothesis to use the Ac2-26 peptide to treat severe COVID-19 will be highlighted in this paper.

Keywords: Ac2-26 peptide; AnnexinA1; Anti-inflammatory; COVID-19; Cytokine-storm.

MeSH terms

  • Annexin A1 / chemistry*
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / chemistry
  • COVID-19 / immunology*
  • COVID-19 / therapy*
  • COVID-19 Drug Treatment*
  • Cytokines / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Inflammation
  • Interleukin-6 / metabolism
  • Models, Theoretical
  • Peptides / chemistry*
  • Protein Binding

Substances

  • ANXA1 protein, human
  • Annexin A1
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Cytokines
  • IL6 protein, human
  • Interleukin-6
  • Peptides
  • annexin A1 peptide (2-26)