Peptide candidates for the development of therapeutics and vaccines against β-coronavirus infection

Abstract

Betacoronaviruses (β-CoVs) have caused major viral outbreaks in the last two decades in the world. The mutation and recombination abilities in β-CoVs resulted in zoonotic diseases in humans. Proteins responsible for viral attachment and replication are highly conserved in β-CoVs. These conserved proteins have been extensively studied as targets for preventing infection and the spread of β-CoVs. Peptides are among the most promising candidates for developing vaccines and therapeutics against viral pathogens. The immunostimulatory and viral inhibitory potential of natural and synthetic peptides has been extensively studied since the SARS-CoV outbreak. Food-derived peptides demonstrating high antiviral activity can be used to develop effective therapeutics against β-CoVs. Specificity, tolerability, and customizability of peptides can be explored to develop potent drugs against β-CoVs. However, the proteolytic susceptibility and low bioavailability of peptides pose challenges for the development of therapeutics. This review illustrates the potential role of peptides in eliciting an adaptive immune response and inhibiting different stages of the β-CoV life cycle. Further, the challenges and future directions associated with developing peptide-based therapeutics and vaccines against existing and future β-CoV pathogens have been discussed.

Protegrin-2, a potential inhibitor for targeting SARS-CoV-2 main protease Mpro

“…High selectivity, safety, tolerability, and efficacy of peptides have attracted the interest of researchers in developing peptide-based treatments [40] , [41] . The identification of anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity in numerous naturally and synthetically created peptides targeting viral attachment and replication reinforces the need for peptide-based prophylactics and treatment against SARS-CoV-2.…”

Recent Advances in Formulations for Long-Acting Delivery of Therapeutic Peptides

“…Peptide vaccines can provide a good safety profile, ease of production, and high specificity . In recent years, numerous studies have focused on the development of peptide vaccines for the treatment of various diseases such as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-Cov-2) − and the Zaire ebolavirus . Hence, it is expected that there will be a high demand for antiviral peptide delivery formulations to improve the treatment of viral diseases in the near future.…”

Diagnostic value of BinaxNOW antigen card for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2

“…According to the latest report by the World Health Organization (WHO), the rapid worldwide spread of COVID-19 resulted in 218,946,836 cases and 4,539,723 deaths on 3 September 2021; this has had an extremely severe impact on global health [ 5 ]. Although a soaring number of people are being vaccinated, the emergence of several concerned variants that comprised Alpha, Beta, Delta, Gamma, and Omicron, led to a new wave of SARS-CoV-2 infection, which caused health crisis, tidy loss of lives, and economic stagnation around the world [ 6 , 7 ]. The rapid and accurate detection of SARS-CoV-2 still plays an essential role in slowing down the spread of the virus.…”