Targeting Host Calcium Channels and Viroporins: A Promising Strategy for SARS-CoV-2 Therapy

Abstract

Despite passing the pandemic phase of the COVID-19, researchers are still investigating various drugs. Previous evidence suggests that blocking the calcium channels may be a suitable treatment option. Ca²⁺ is required to enhance the fusion process of SARS-CoV-2. Also, some important inflammatory factors during SARS-CoV-2 infection are dependent on Ca²⁺ level. On the other hand, viroporins have emerged as attractive targets for antiviral therapy due to their essential role in viral replication and pathogenesis. By inhibiting the host calcium channels and viroporins, it is possible to limit the spread of infection. Therefore, calcium channel blockers (CCBs) and drugs targeting viroporins can be considered an effective option in the fight against SARS-CoV-2.

Keywords:

• calcium channel blocker
• COVID-19
• SARS-CoV-2
• viroporins

Author contributions

The conceptualization and designing of the review were performed by S Ghafari and M Fani. The first draft of the manuscript was written by M Fani and M Moossavi. The editing and the revision of the draft was performed by A Nasiri Jahrodi, H Bakhshi, and S Ghafari. Searching the data was performed by M R Khazdair and AH Zardast.

All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Financial disclosure

The authors have no financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

Competing interest disclosure

The authors have no competing interests or relevant affiliations with any organization or entity with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

Writing disclosure

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.