Role of specialized pro-resolving lipid mediators and their receptors in virus infection: a promising therapeutic strategy for SARS-CoV-2 cytokine storm

Arch Pharm Res. 2021 Jan;44(1):84-98. doi: 10.1007/s12272-020-01299-y. Epub 2021 Jan 4.

Abstract

Unexpected viral infections outbreaks, significantly affect human health, leading to increased mortality and life disruption. Among them is the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) which emerged as a deadly pandemic, calling for intense research efforts on its pathogenicity mechanism and development of therapeutic strategies. In the SARS-CoV-2 cytokine storm, systemic inflammation has been associated with severe illness and mortality. Recent studies have demonstrated special pro-resolving lipids mediators (SPMs) lipoxins, resolvins, maresins, and protectins as potential therapeutic options for abnormal viral-triggered inflammation. Pro-resolving lipids mediators have shown great promise for the treatment of Herpes simplex virus, respiratory syncytial virus, human immunodeficiency virus, and hepatitis C virus. Based on this, studies are being conducted on their therapeutic effects in SARS-CoV-2 infection. In this review, we discussed SPMs and reviewed evidence from recent studies on SPMs as therapeutic options for viral infections, including SARS-CoV2. Based on our analysis of the previous study, we argue that SPMs are a potential treatment for SARS-CoV-2 infection and other viral infections. We expect further research on how SPMs modulate viral-triggered inflammation through G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), and chemical stability and druggability of SPMs.

Keywords: Chemerin receptor 1; Cytokine storm; FPR2/ALX, SARS-CoV2; Specialized pro-resolving lipid mediators; Virus infection.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • COVID-19 / metabolism*
  • COVID-19 Drug Treatment*
  • Cytokine Release Syndrome / drug therapy*
  • Cytokine Release Syndrome / metabolism*
  • Fatty Acids, Unsaturated / administration & dosage
  • Fatty Acids, Unsaturated / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Lipoxins / administration & dosage
  • Lipoxins / metabolism*
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / metabolism

Substances

  • Fatty Acids, Unsaturated
  • Lipoxins
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled
  • lipoxin A4