Evaluating Molecular Mechanism of Viral Inhibition of Aerosolized Smart Nano-Enabled Antiviral Therapeutic (SNAT) on SARS-CoV-2-Infected Hamsters.

ABSTRACT: Smart Nano-enabled Antiviral Therapeutic (SNAT) is a promising nanodrug that previously demonstrated efficacy in preclinical studies to alleviate SARS-CoV-2 pathology in hamsters. SNAT comprises taxoid (Tx)-decorated amino (NH₂)-functionalized near-atomic size positively charged silver nanoparticles (Tx-[NH₂-AgNPs]). Herein, we aimed to elucidate the molecular mechanism of the viral inhibition and safety of aerosolized SNAT treatment in SARS-CoV-2-infected golden Syrian hamsters. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM) coupled with energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and ELISAs showed SNAT binds directly to the SARS-CoV-2 virus by interacting with intact spike (S) protein, specifically to S2 subunit. SNAT (≥1 µg/mL) treatment significantly lowered S

SUBMITTER: Bauer AN 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11280845 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature