Ångstrom-scale silver particles potently combat SARS-CoV-2 infection by suppressing the ACE2 expression and inflammatory responses

J Mater Chem B. 2022 Jul 20;10(28):5454-5464. doi: 10.1039/d2tb00336h.

Abstract

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has become a severe global public health event, and the development of protective and therapeutic strategies is urgently needed. Downregulation of angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2; one of the important SARS-CoV-2 entry receptors) and aberrant inflammatory responses (cytokine storm) are the main targets to inhibit and control COVID-19 invasion. Silver nanomaterials have well-known pharmaceutical properties, including antiviral, antibacterial, and anticancer properties. Here, based on a self-established metal evaporation-condensation-size graded collection system, smaller silver particles reaching the Ångstrom scale (AgÅPs) were fabricated and coated with fructose to obtain a stabilized AgÅP solution (F-AgÅPs). F-AgÅPs potently inactivated SARS-CoV-2 and prevented viral infection. Considering the application of anti-SARS-CoV-2, a sterilized F-AgÅP solution was produced via spray formulation. In our model, the F-AgÅP spray downregulated ACE2 expression and attenuated proinflammatory factors. Moreover, F-AgÅPs were found to be rapidly eliminated to avoid respiratory and systemic toxicity in this study as well as our previous studies. This work presents a safe and potent anti-SARS-CoV-2 agent using an F-AgÅP spray.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2*
  • COVID-19 Drug Treatment*
  • Humans
  • Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A / metabolism
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • Silver / pharmacology

Substances

  • Silver
  • Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A
  • Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2