Validation of FDA-approved small molecule kinase inhibitor (SMKI) candidates as SARS-CoV-2 therapeutics in a human ex vivo system
Project leader: Dr. Husni Elbahesh
Key areas
- Antiviral strategies: agents and vaccines, antibodies
- Pathophysiology: immunmodulation and immune control
Who is involved?
- Dr. Husni Elbahesh (Project leader, TiHo)
- Prof. Dr. Guus F. Rimmelzwaan (TiHo)
- PD. Dr. Mark P. Kühnel (MHH)
- Prof. Dr. med. Danny Jognik (MHH)
What is the aim?
The aim of this project is to validate the therapeutic potential of recently identified promising SMKI candidates against SARS-CoV-2 infection. We will use a physiologically relevant human ex vivo model of precision-cut lung slices infected with SARS-CoV-2 in presence or absence of candidate SMKIs. Unlike virus-targeted compounds which are typically evaluated solely on virus titer reduction, we will also evaluate additional parameters including increased tissue-viability, reduced infectivity and proinflammatory chemokine/cytokine production compared to untreated infections.