The PIKfyve Inhibitor Apilimod: A Double-Edged Sword against COVID-19
Maksim V. Baranov, Frans Bianchi, Geert van den Bogaart
Abstract
The PIKfyve inhibitor apilimod is currently undergoing clinical trials for treatment of COVID-19. However, although apilimod might prevent viral invasion by inhibiting host cell proteases, the same proteases are critical for antigen presentation leading to T cell activation and there is good evidence from both in vitro studies and the clinic that apilimod blocks antiviral immune responses. We therefore warn that the immunosuppression observed in many COVID-19 patients might be aggravated by apilimod.
Topics & Concepts
ProteasesCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)ImmunosuppressionImmune systemCell mediated immunitySWORDSevere acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)2019-20 coronavirus outbreakImmunologyVirologyMedicineBiologyImmunityEnzymePathologyBiochemistryInfectious disease (medical specialty)Operating systemComputer scienceDiseaseOutbreakSARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 ResearchCOVID-19 Clinical Research StudiesViral Infections and Outbreaks Research