Author:
Wang Ke,Chen Wei,Zhou Yu-Sen,Lian Jian-Qi,Zhang Zheng,Du Peng,Gong Li,Zhang Yang,Cui Hong-Yong,Geng Jie-Jie,Wang Bin,Sun Xiu-Xuan,Wang Chun-Fu,Yang Xu,Lin Peng,Deng Yong-Qiang,Wei Ding,Yang Xiang-Min,Zhu Yu-Meng,Zhang Kui,Zheng Zhao-Hui,Miao Jin-Lin,Guo Ting,Shi Ying,Zhang Jun,Fu Ling,Wang Qing-Yi,Bian Huijie,Zhu Ping,Chen Zhi-Nan
Abstract
SUMMARYCurrently, COVID-19 caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has been widely spread around the world; nevertheless, so far there exist no specific antiviral drugs for treatment of the disease, which poses great challenge to control and contain the virus. Here, we reported a research finding that SARS-CoV-2 invaded host cells via a novel route of CD147-spike protein (SP). SP bound to CD147, a receptor on the host cells, thereby mediating the viral invasion. Our further research confirmed this finding. First, in vitro antiviral tests indicated Meplazumab, an anti-CD147 humanized antibody, significantly inhibited the viruses from invading host cells, with an EC50 of 24.86 μg/mL and IC50 of 15.16 μg/mL. Second, we validated the interaction between CD147 and SP, with an affinity constant of 1.85×10−7M. Co-Immunoprecipitation and ELISA also confirmed the binding of the two proteins. Finally, the localization of CD147 and SP was observed in SARS-CoV-2 infected Vero E6 cells by immuno-electron microscope. Therefore, the discovery of the new route CD147-SP for SARS-CoV-2 invading host cells provides a critical target for development of specific antiviral drugs.
Publisher
Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory