angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor on the cell surface, the virus can enter the cell. Lung spheroid cells or LSCs are a natural mix of lung epithelial stem cells and mesenchymal cells and also express ACE2, which makes it an ideal medium for deceiving the virus. The researchers turned the LSCs into nanovesicles or minute cell membrane bubbles with ACE2 receptors and other lung cell-specific proteins on the surface.
According to the researchers, the spike protein clings to the ACE2 receptors on the decoys in vitro. They then used a created SARS-Co-V-2 imitating virus for in vivo experiment in a mouse model and used inhalation treatment to administer the decoys. The nanodecoys, on the other hand, stayed in the mice’s lungs for 72 hours following a single dose, assisting in the rapid clearance of the imitating virus.
Later, in a pilot trial in a macaque model, a contract research firm discovered that inhalation therapy using nanodecoys not only expedited viral clearance but also minimized fibrosis and inflammation in the lungs. Both the mouse and macaque studies found no harm; however, further research is required to try this treatment on humans and to determine exactly how the nanodecoys are eliminated by the body.
According to the researchers, the LSC nanodecoys also have three other advantages. First, nanodecoys can be delivered to the lungs non-invasively by inhalation therapy. Second, being acellular, which means they do not have any living cells inside, the nanodecoys can be easily conserved and kept stable for longer periods of time, allowing for ready-made application. Thirdly, because LSCs have been employed in other clinical studies, they have high possibilities to be used anytime in the future.
