Am J Physiol Cell Physiol H 2 S as a Potential Defence Against COVID-19?

[tetano]

Am J Physiol Cell Physiol


. 2020 Jun 9.
doi: 10.1152/ajpcell.00187.2020. Online ahead of print.
H ₂ S as a Potential Defence Against COVID-19?

Guangdong Yang ¹


Affiliations

• PMID: 32515982
• DOI: 10.1152/ajpcell.00187.2020

Abstract

The outbreak of COVID-19 pneumonia caused by a new coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) is posing a global health emergency and has led to more than 380,000 deaths worldwide. The cell entry of SARS-CoV-2 depends on two host proteins angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and TMPRSS2. There is currently no vaccine available and also no effective drug for the treatment of COVID-19. Hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) as a novel gasotransmitter has been shown to protect against lung damage via its anti-inflammation, anti-oxidative stress, anti-viral, pro-survival, and anti-aging effects. In light of the research advances on H₂S signalling in biology and medicine, this review proposed H₂S as a potential defence against COVID-19. It is suggested that H₂S may block SARS-CoV-2 entry into host cells by interfering with ACE2 and TMPRSS2, inhibit SARS-CoV-2 replication by attenuating virus assembly/release, and protect SARS-CoV-2-induced lung damage by suppressing immune response and inflammation development. Preclinical studies and clinical trials with slow-releasing H₂S donor(s) or the activators of endogenous H₂S-generating enzymes should be considered as a preventative treatment or therapy for COVID-19.

Keywords: ACE2; COVID-19; H2S; SARS-CoV-2; TMPRSS2.