Broad‐Spectrum Antiviral Peptides and Polymers. Issue 23 (19th October 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kuroki, Agnès; Tay, Joyce; Lee, Guan Huei; Yang, Yi Yan
• Is Part Of: Advanced healthcare materials. Volume 10:Issue 23(2021)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2021-10-19
• Subjects: antiviral mechanisms -- antivirals -- chemical structures -- peptides -- polymers; Biomedical materials -- Periodicals; 610.28
• DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202101113
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2192-2640

Abstract

Abstract: As the human cost of the pandemic caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) is still being witnessed worldwide, the development of broad‐spectrum antiviral agents against emerging and re‐emerging viruses is seen as a necessity to hamper the spread of infections. Various targets during the viral life‐cycle can be considered to inhibit viral infection, from viral attachment to viral fusion or replication. Macromolecules represent a particularly attractive class of therapeutics due to their multivalency and versatility. Although several antiviral macromolecules hold great promise in clinical applications, the emergence of resistance after prolonged exposure urges the need for improved solutions. In the present article, the recent advancement in the discovery of antiviral peptides and polymers with diverse structural features and antiviral mechanisms is reviewed. Future perspectives, such as, the development of virucidal peptides/polymers and their coatings against SARS‐CoV‐2 infection, standardization of antiviral testing protocols, and use of artificial intelligence or machine learning as a tool to accelerate the discovery of antiviral macromolecules, are discussed. Abstract : Various targets of the viral life‐cycle can be exploited to inhibit viral infection, from viral attachment to viral fusion or replication. This review discusses antiviral peptides and polymers with diverse structural features and functional mechanisms, analyzes limitations of polymers/peptides as therapeutics, provides future perspectives of accelerated peptide/polymer development, and ways to bring them from the lab to the clinic.