TRP channels in COVID-19 disease: Potential targets for prevention and treatment

• Published in: Chemico-biological interactions Vol. 345; p. 109567
• Main Authors: Jaffal, Sahar M., Abbas, Manal A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 25-08-2021
• Subjects: COVID-19; Prevention; SARS-CoV-2; Symptoms; Treatment; TRP channels; COVID-19; Prevention; SARS-CoV-2; Treatment; Symptoms; TRP channels
• ISSN: 0009-2797; 1872-7786
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cbi.2021.109567

Coronavirus disease 2019 [COVID-19] is a global health threat caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 [SARS-CoV2] that requires two proteins for entry: angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 [ACE2] and -membrane protease serine 2 [TMPRSS2]. Many patients complain from pneumonia, cough, fever, and gastrointestinal (GI) problems. Notably, different TRP channels are expressed in various tissues infected by SARS-CoV-2. TRP channels are cation channels that show a common architecture with high permeability to calcium [Ca2+] in most sub-families. Literature review shed light on the possible role of TRP channels in COVID-19 disease. TRP channels may take part in inflammation, pain, fever, anosmia, ageusia, respiratory, cardiovascular, GI and neurological complications related to COVID-19. Also, TRP channels could be the targets for many active compounds that showed effectiveness against SARS-CoV-2. Desensitization or blocking TRP channels by antibodies, aptamers, small molecules or venoms can be an option for COVID-19 prevention and future treatment. This review provides insights into the involvement of TRP channels in different symptoms and mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2 , potential treatments targeting these channels and highlights missing gaps in literature.
•Lysosomal TRPML2 channel affects COVID-19 trafficking in endosome, thus viral entry.•TRPV4 and TRPC6 channels are implicated in pulmonary edema.•TRPM7 channel is involved in pulmonary fibrosis.•Several symptoms of COVID-19 result from the activation of TRP channels.•Targeting TRP channels can be useful for COVID-19 prevention/treatment.