Synergy of melanin and vitamin-D may play a fundamental role in preventing SARS-CoV-2 infections and halt COVID-19 by inactivating furin protease

Abstract

Since the birth of Christ, in these 2019 years, the man on earth has never experienced a survival challenge from any acellular protist compared to SARS-CoV-2. No specific drugs yet been approved. The host immunity is the only alternative to prevent and or reduce the infection and mortality rate as well. Here, a novel mechanism of melanin mediated host immunity is proposed having potent biotechnological prospects in health care management of COVID-19. Vitamin D is known to enhance the rate of melanin synthesis; and this may concurrently regulate the expression of furin expression. In silico analyses have revealed that the intermediates of melanin are capable of binding strongly with the active site of furin protease. On the other hand, furin expression is negatively regulated via 1-α-hydroxylase (CYP27B1), that belongs to vitamin-D pathway and controls cellular calcium levels. Here, we have envisaged the availability of biological melanin and elucidated the bio-medical potential. Thus, we propose a possible synergistic application of melanin and the enzyme CYP27B1 (regulates vitamin D biosynthesis) as a novel strategy to prevent viral entry through the inactivation of furin protease and aid in boosting our immunity at the cellular and humoral levels.

Preventing Respiratory Viral Diseases with Antimicrobial Peptide Master Regulators in the Lung Airway Habitat

“…Vitamin D3 has also been observed to promote hBD2 expression in peripheral mononuclear cells in humans, lowering infection rates [ 124 ]. Vitamin D3 has been suggested as a therapeutic method for bacterial infection and viral infections such as COVID-19 [ 125 ]. Additionally, vitamin D3 may be utilized to treat respiratory viral infections as a treatment option because HBD2 is known to be produced in the respiratory tract during viral infections.…”

Ефекти Вітаміну D При Різних Патологіях

“…Кателіцидини характеризуються прямою антимікробною дією на грампозитивні, грамнегативні бактерії, грибки та віруси. Ці пептиди вбивають патогенні мікроорганізми, порушуючи їх клітинні мембрани [66].…”

“…VD також перешкоджає утворенню прозапальних цитокінів, таких як TNF-α, IL-8, IL-6, IFN-β та RANTES в епітеліальному шарі легень. Останній цитокін, поряд з IL-6, бере участь у порушенні імунного гомеостазу при інфекції COVID-19 [66].…”

COVID-19: The question of genetic diversity and therapeutic intervention approaches

“…Estradiol and vitamin D were also able to affect furin’s activity in rat, mouse, and human cells ( Glinsky, 2020 ). The treatment with Vitamin D is still controversial, while some studies have found negative correlation between vitamin D levels and COVID-19 cases ( Ilie et al ., 2020 ) other hypothesis an alleviation on lung inflammation caused by SARS-CoV-2 because vitamin D seems upregulating ACE2 human receptor and decreasing inflammatory cytokines ( Xiao et al ., 2021 ).Since, Vitamin D is known to enhance the rate of melanin synthesis; and this may concurrently regulate the expression of furin expression both vitamin D and melanin may have significant impact in management of COVID-19 ( Paria et al ., 2020 ). Additionally irisin, luteolin, and nafamostat have demonstrated inhibitory activity against furin ( Peng et al ., 2017 ; de Oliveira et al ., 2020 ; Yamamoto M et al ., 2020 ).…”