🩺 COVID-19: scientists succeed in reactivating our natural defenses against the virus

In a study published in the Journal of Virology, scientists demonstrate, in vitro, that by reactivating cellular defense systems hijacked by SARS-CoV-2 for its own benefit, it is possible to trigger an antiviral response.

AMPK: a target to block SARS-CoV-2 replication

In our cells, a protein called AMPK plays the role of an energy conductor. When activated, it slows down energy-consuming pathways, such as lipid and protein synthesis, and stimulates internal recycling mechanisms, including autophagy—a process through which the cell "cleans" its waste to extract nutrients.


But some viruses, like SARS-CoV-2, responsible for COVID-19, hijack this system to their advantage. They block autophagy and accumulate lipid droplets in viral factories that sustain viral replication. This strongly promotes their multiplication.

In a paper published in the journal Journal of Virology, scientists explored a promising approach to block this hijacking: activating AMPK to restart the cell's natural defenses.

MK-8722: a promising antiviral candidate against SARS-CoV-2 variants

The molecule MK-8722 is a specific activator of AMPK. Scientists have shown in the laboratory that MK-8722 has a strong ability to effectively block infection by the Alpha and Omicron variants of SARS-CoV-2 in Vero76 model epithelial cells and human bronchial epithelial Calu-3 cells at a micromolar concentration. Even when administered 4 hours after infection, MK-8722 treatment remains effective.

MK-8722 works by reactivating autophagy, leading to the destruction of newly synthesized viral proteins and the reduction of lipid metabolism, facilitating virus elimination. Additionally, the treatment increases the response to type I interferon (IFN-I), a key molecule in antiviral defense mediated by our immune system. Finally, this MK-8722 treatment does not reduce and even slightly increases the response of SARS-CoV-2-specific CD8+ T cells, immune cells induced by vaccination.

By activating AMPK, MK-8722 acts as an effective antiviral against SARS-CoV-2 infection, even after exposure, paving the way for preclinical trials aimed at inhibiting viral replication and improving patient symptoms.