RGD‐binding integrins and TGF‐β in SARS‐CoV‐2 infections – novel targets to treat COVID‐19 patients?

The new coronavirus SARS‐CoV‐2 is a global pandemic and a severe public health crisis. SARS‐CoV‐2 is highly contagious and shows high mortality rates, especially in elderly and patients with pre‐existing medical conditions. At the current stage, no effective drugs are available to treat these patients. In this review, we analyse the rationale of targeting RGD‐binding integrins to potentially inhibit viral cell infection and to block TGF‐β activation, which is involved in the severity of several human pathologies, including the complications of severe COVID‐19 cases. Furthermore, we demonstrate the correlation between ACE2 and TGF‐β expression and the possible consequences for severe COVID‐19 infections. Finally, we list approved drugs or drugs in clinical trials for other diseases that also target the RGD‐binding integrins or TGF‐β. These drugs have already shown a good safety profile and, therefore, can be faster brought into a trial to treat COVID‐19 patients.