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bioRxiv · 10.1101/2020.08.12.246389

Maraviroc inhibits SARS-CoV-2 multiplication and s-protein mediated cell fusion in cell culture

Risner, K.·Tieu, K. V.·Wang, Y.·Bakovic, A.·Bhalla, N.·Nathan, S.·Conway, D. E.·Macklin, P.·Narayanan, A.
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Abstract

In an effort to identify therapeutic intervention strategies for the treatment of COVID-19, we have investigated a selection of FDA-approved small molecules and biologics that are commonly used to treat other human diseases. A investigation into 18 small molecules and 3 biologics was conducted in cell culture and the impact of treatment on viral titer was quantified by plaque assay. The investigation identified 4 FDA-approved small molecules, Maraviroc, FTY720 (Fingolimod), Atorvastatin and Nitazoxanide that were able to inhibit SARS-CoV-2 infection. Confocal microscopy with over expressed S-protein demonstrated that Maraviroc reduced the extent of S-protein mediated cell fusion as observed by fewer multinucleate cells in the context of drugtreatment. Mathematical modeling of drug-dependent viral multiplication dynamics revealed that prolonged drug treatment will exert an exponential decrease in viral load in a multicellular/tissue environment. Taken together, the data demonstrate that Maraviroc, Fingolimod, Atorvastatin and Nitazoxanide inhibit SARS-CoV-2 in cell culture.

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Risner, K., Tieu, K. V., Wang, Y., Bakovic, A., Bhalla, N., Nathan, S., Conway, D. E., Macklin, P., Narayanan, A.. 2020-08-13. Maraviroc inhibits SARS-CoV-2 multiplication and s-protein mediated cell fusion in cell culture. https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.08.12.246389

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