The PIKfyve Inhibitor Apilimod: A Double-Edged Sword against COVID-19

Maksim V. Baranov; Frans Bianchi; Geert van den Bogaart

doi:10.3390/cells10010030

Cells (Dec 2020)

The PIKfyve Inhibitor Apilimod: A Double-Edged Sword against COVID-19

Maksim V. Baranov,
Frans Bianchi,
Geert van den Bogaart

Affiliations

Maksim V. Baranov: Department of Molecular Immunology and Microbiology, Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute, University of Groningen, 9747AG Groningen, The Netherlands
Frans Bianchi: Department of Molecular Immunology and Microbiology, Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute, University of Groningen, 9747AG Groningen, The Netherlands
Geert van den Bogaart: Department of Molecular Immunology and Microbiology, Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute, University of Groningen, 9747AG Groningen, The Netherlands

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/cells10010030
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 10, no. 1
p. 30

Abstract

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The PIKfyve inhibitor apilimod is currently undergoing clinical trials for treatment of COVID-19. However, although apilimod might prevent viral invasion by inhibiting host cell proteases, the same proteases are critical for antigen presentation leading to T cell activation and there is good evidence from both in vitro studies and the clinic that apilimod blocks antiviral immune responses. We therefore warn that the immunosuppression observed in many COVID-19 patients might be aggravated by apilimod.

Published in Cells

ISSN: 2073-4409 (Online)
Publisher: MDPI AG
Country of publisher: Switzerland
LCC subjects: Science: Biology (General): Cytology
Website: https://www.mdpi.com/journal/cells

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