Key result
Targeting cellular ion channels pharmacologically represents a potential new, broad-ranging anti-viral therapeutic strategy by impeding virus life cycles.
Targeting host cell ion channels represents a potential new, pharmacologically safe, and broad-ranging anti-viral therapeutic strategy.
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May support ion channel modulators as antivirals; leaves open randomized trials to confirm efficacy and safety.
The broad range of cellular functions governed by ion channels represents an attractive target for viral manipulation. Indeed, modulation of host cell ion channel activity by viral proteins is being increasingly identified as an important virus-host interaction. Recent examples have demonstrated that virion entry, virus egress and the maintenance of a cellular environment conducive to virus persistence are, in part, dependent on virus manipulation of ion channel activity. Most excitingly, evidence has emerged that targeting ion channels pharmacologically can impede virus life cycles. Here, we discuss current examples of virus-ion channel interactions and the potential of targeting ion channel function as a new, pharmacologically safe and broad-ranging anti-viral therapeutic strategy.
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Hover et al. (2017) conducted a review in Viral infections. Pharmacological targeting of cellular ion channels was evaluated. Targeting cellular ion channels pharmacologically represents a potential new, broad-ranging anti-viral therapeutic strategy by impeding virus life cycles.
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