MEK1/2 inhibitor ATR-002 reshapes host transcriptome and modulates immune regulatory genes in SARS-CoV-2 infection - Takeaways - MDSpire

MEK1/2 inhibitor ATR-002 reshapes host transcriptome and modulates immune regulatory genes in SARS-CoV-2 infection

  • By

  • Franziska Rodner

  • Klaus Schughart

  • Stephan Ludwig

  • André Schreiber

  • May 29, 2026

  • 0 min

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  • 1

    ATR-002, a MEK1/2 inhibitor, shows potential as an antiviral and anti-inflammatory therapy for severe COVID-19 infections.

  • 2

    Transcriptome analysis revealed ATR-002 significantly alters immune regulatory gene expression during SARS-CoV-2 infection.

  • 3

    Key innate immune-response genes like CXCL10 and CCL5 were upregulated during infection but could be reversed by ATR-002.

  • 4

    NLRP1 was identified as a novel target of MEK1/2 inhibition, linking Raf/MEK/ERK signaling to IL-1β processing.

  • 5

    The study highlights the importance of host-targeted antivirals like ATR-002 in managing cytokine storms in COVID-19.

Original Source(s)

MEK1/2 inhibitor ATR-002 reshapes host transcriptome and modulates immune regulatory genes in SARS-CoV-2 infection

  • by Franziska Rodner, Klaus Schughart, Stephan Ludwig, André Schreiber

  • May 29, 2026

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