The Antiviral Roles of Hydrogen Sulfide by Blocking the Interaction between SARS-CoV-2 and Its Potential Cell Surface Receptors

Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2021 Sep 3:2021:7866992. doi: 10.1155/2021/7866992. eCollection 2021.

Abstract

The ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is posing a great threat to the global economy and public health security. Together with the acknowledged angiotensin-converting enzyme 2, glucose-regulated protein 78, transferrin receptor, AXL, kidney injury molecule-1, and neuropilin 1 are also identified as potential receptors to mediate SARS-CoV-2 infection. Therefore, how to inhibit or delay the binding of SARS-CoV-2 with the abovementioned receptors is a key step for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19. As the third gasotransmitter, hydrogen sulfide (H2S) plays an important role in many physiological and pathophysiological processes. Recently, survivors were reported to have significantly higher H2S levels in COVID-19 patients, and mortality was significantly greater among patients with decreased H2S levels. Considering that the beneficial role of H2S against COVID-19 and COVID-19-induced comorbidities and multiorgan damage has been well-examined and reported in some excellent reviews, this review will discuss the recent findings on the potential receptors of SARS-CoV-2 and how H2S modulates the above receptors, in turn blocking SARS-CoV-2 entry into host cells.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antiviral Agents / pharmacology*
  • Humans
  • Hydrogen Sulfide / pharmacology*
  • Organ Specificity / drug effects
  • Protective Agents / pharmacology
  • Receptors, Cell Surface / metabolism*
  • SARS-CoV-2 / drug effects
  • SARS-CoV-2 / metabolism*

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • Protective Agents
  • Receptors, Cell Surface
  • Hydrogen Sulfide