Human embryonic stem cell-derived cardiomyocyte platform screens inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 infection

Commun Biol. 2021 Jul 29;4(1):926. doi: 10.1038/s42003-021-02453-y.

Abstract

Patients with cardiovascular comorbidities are more susceptible to severe infection with SARS-CoV-2, known to directly cause pathological damage to cardiovascular tissue. We outline a screening platform using human embryonic stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes, confirmed to express the protein machinery critical for SARS-CoV-2 infection, and a SARS-CoV-2 spike-pseudotyped virus system. The method has allowed us to identify benztropine and DX600 as novel inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 infection in a clinically relevant stem cell-derived cardiomyocyte line. Discovery of new medicines will be critical for protecting the heart in patients with SARS-CoV-2, and for individuals where vaccination is contraindicated.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antiviral Agents / pharmacology*
  • Benztropine / pharmacology
  • Drug Evaluation, Preclinical / methods*
  • Human Embryonic Stem Cells / cytology*
  • Humans
  • Myocytes, Cardiac / cytology
  • Myocytes, Cardiac / drug effects*
  • Myocytes, Cardiac / virology*
  • Peptides / pharmacology
  • SARS-CoV-2 / physiology*

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • DX600 peptide
  • Peptides
  • Benztropine