Nanoengineered Red Blood Cells Loaded with TMPRSS2 and Cathepsin L Inhibitors Block SARS‐CoV‐2 Pseudovirus Entry into Lung ACE2+ Cells

Abstract

AbstractThe enzymatic activities of Furin, Transmembrane serine proteinase 2 (TMPRSS2), Cathepsin L (CTSL), and Angiotensin‐converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor binding are necessary for the entry of coronaviruses into host cells. Precise inhibition of these key proteases in ACE2+ lung cells during a viral infection cycle shall prevent viral Spike (S) protein activation and its fusion with a host cell membrane, consequently averting virus entry to the cells. In this study, dual‐drug‐combined (TMPRSS2 inhibitor Camostat and CTSL inhibitor E‐64d) nanocarriers (NCs) are constructed conjugated with an anti‐human ACE2 (hACE2) antibody and employ Red Blood Cell (RBC)‐hitchhiking, termed “Nanoengineered RBCs,” for targeting lung cells. The significant therapeutic efficacy of the dual‐drug‐loaded nanoengineered RBCs in pseudovirus‐infected K18‐hACE2 transgenic mice is reported. Notably, the modular nanoengineered RBCs (anti‐receptor antibody+NCs+RBCs) precisely target key proteases of host cells in the lungs to block the entry of Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2), regardless of virus variations. These findings are anticipated to benefit the development of a series of novel and safe host‐cell‐protecting antiviral therapies.