Functionalized Nanoparticles in Prevention and Targeted Therapy of Viral Diseases With Neurotropism Properties, Special Insight on COVID-19

Abstract

Neurotropic viruses have neural-invasive and neurovirulent properties to damage the central nervous system (CNS), leading to humans’ fatal symptoms. Neurotropic viruses comprise a lot of viruses, such as Zika virus (ZIKV), herpes simplex virus (HSV), rabies virus (RABV), and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Effective therapy is needed to prevent infection by these viruses in vivo and in vitro. However, the blood-brain barrier (BBB) usually prevents macromolecules from entering the CNS, which challenges the usage of the traditional probes, antiviral drugs, or neutralizing antibodies in the CNS. Functionalized nanoparticles (NPs) have been increasingly reported in the targeted therapy of neurotropic viruses due to their sensitivity and targeting characteristics. Therefore, the present review outlines efficient functionalized NPs to further understand the recent trends, challenges, and prospects of these materials.

Antiviral Effects of Heparan Sulfate Analogue‐Modified Two‐Dimensional MXene Nanocomposites on PRRSV and SARS‐CoV‐2

“…[ 12 , 60 , 61 ] Some biomolecules can directly bind to the surface of nanomaterials for target viruses. [ 62 , 63 , 64 ] In this study, combined with the excellent biocompatibility of Ti 3 C 2 nanosheets, MPS was modified on the surface of nanosheets, enabling the functionally modified nanocomposite to have significant antiviral activity and allowing the functionalized Ti 3 C 2 nanosheets to inhibit the proliferation of viruses with heparan sulfate as receptor or co‐receptor for the first time. In general, the nanocomposite entry inhibitor can minimize the effects of viral mutation and host toxicity without conferring immunogenicity, [ 65 , 66 , 67 ] and Ti 3 C 2 ‐Au‐MPS nanocomposites may also have relevant properties.…”

From Prevention to Therapy: A Roadmap of Nanotechnologies to Stay Ahead of Future Pandemics

“…Notably, several nanomaterials (e.g., dendrimers, liposomes, carbon nanotubes, and polymeric nanoparticles) demonstrate great potential as nanocarriers for drug delivery across the blood–brain barrier, 64 − 67 including functionalized nanoparticles that can be targeted for tissue- or cell-specific drug delivery. 68 One caveat for this approach is that such nanoparticles are subject to clearance by the reticuloendothelial system and thus should be formulated to reduce their clearance by this mechanism.…”

“…This may be of significant importance since data now indicate that several established and emerging viral pathogens (e.g., human respiratory syncytial virus, influenza, and multiple coronaviruses, including SARS-CoV-2) exhibit neurovirulence, neuroinvasiveness, or neurotropism associated with neural pathology and thus the ability of drugs to cross the blood–brain barrier may be critical in treating the neuropathology of these infections. Notably, several nanomaterials (e.g., dendrimers, liposomes, carbon nanotubes, and polymeric nanoparticles) demonstrate great potential as nanocarriers for drug delivery across the blood–brain barrier, − including functionalized nanoparticles that can be targeted for tissue- or cell-specific drug delivery . One caveat for this approach is that such nanoparticles are subject to clearance by the reticuloendothelial system and thus should be formulated to reduce their clearance by this mechanism.…”

RVG Peptide-Functionalized Favipiravir Nanoparticle Delivery System Facilitates Antiviral Therapy of Neurotropic Virus Infection in a Mouse Model

“…These viral diseases seriously endangered animal health for a long time, causing substantial economic losses. When antiviral drugs are used to treat neurotropic virus infections, the blood-brain barrier blocks drug exchange between peripheral blood and CNS, thereby inhibiting therapeutic efficacy [ 7 ]. For the prevention of neurotropic virus infection, it is challenging for neutralizing antibodies produced by virus vaccination to enter the CNS through the BBB [ 8 , 9 , 10 ].…”

“…Rabies virus glycopeptide (RVG) is a polypeptide fragment consisting of 29 amino acids in the rabies virus G protein [ 18 ]. As a specific ligand, the RVG peptide can recognize the γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) to promote viral transportation to the CNS [ 7 , 19 , 20 ]. The RVG peptide can be modified in the drug delivery system to improve its intracerebral delivery efficiency to facilitate the study of neuroscience issues in the brain.…”