The Potential of Algal Biotechnology to Produce Antiviral Compounds and Biopharmaceuticals
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The emergence of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus has led to an unprecedented pandemic, which demands urgent development of antiviral drugs and antibodies; as well as prophylactic approaches, namely vaccines. Algae biotechnology has much to offer in this scenario given the diversity of such organisms, which are a valuable source of antiviral and anti-inflammatory compounds that can also be used to produce vaccines and antibodies. Antivirals with possible activity against SARS-CoV-2 are summarized, based on previously reported activity against Coronaviruses or other enveloped or respiratory viruses. Moreover, the potential of algae-derived anti-inflammatory compounds to treat severe cases of COVID-19 is contemplated. The scenario of producing biopharmaceuticals in recombinant algae is presented and the cases of algae-made vaccines targeting viral diseases is highlighted as valuable references for the development of anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccines. Successful cases in the production of functional antibodies are described. Perspectives on how specific algae species and genetic engineering techniques can be applied for the production of anti-viral compounds antibodies and vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 are provided. © 2020 by the authors.
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Chlamydomonas reinhardtii; COVID-19; MERS-CoV; Monoclonal antibody; Recombinant antigen; SARS-CoV-2; Transplastomic antivirus agent; biological product; COVID-19 vaccine; lectin; polyphenol; polysaccharide; virus vaccine; Betacoronavirus; biosynthesis; cell nucleus; chemistry; Chlamydomonas reinhardtii; chloroplast; Coronavirus infection; drug effect; genetic engineering; genetics; human; isolation and purification; metabolism; Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus; pandemic; pathogenicity; procedures; SARS coronavirus; severe acute respiratory syndrome; virus pneumonia; Antiviral Agents; Betacoronavirus; Biological Products; Cell Nucleus; Chlamydomonas reinhardtii; Chloroplasts; Coronavirus Infections; Genetic Engineering; Humans; Lectins; Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus; Pandemics; Pneumonia, Viral; Polyphenols; Polysaccharides; SARS Virus; Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome; Viral Vaccines
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