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Hao M, He Y, Song T, Guo H, Rayman MP, Zhang J. Dopamine and its precursor levodopa inactivate SARS-CoV-2 main protease by forming a quinoprotein. Free Radic Biol Med 2024; 220:167-178. [PMID: 38718952 DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2024.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2024] [Revised: 04/10/2024] [Accepted: 05/04/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024]
Abstract
Many studies show either the absence, or very low levels of, SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA and/or antigen in the brain of COVID-19 patients. Reports consistently indicate an abortive infection phenomenon in nervous cells despite the fact that they contain the SARS-CoV-2 receptor, ACE2. Dopamine levels in different brain regions are in the range of micromolar to millimolar concentrations. We have shown that sub-micromolar to low micromolar concentrations of dopamine or its precursor (levodopa) time- and dose-dependently inhibit the activity of SARS-CoV-2 main protease (Mpro), which is vital for the viral life cycle, by forming a quinoprotein. Thiol detection coupled with the assessment of Mpro activity suggests that among the 12 cysteinyl thiols, the active site, Cys145-SH, is preferentially conjugated to the quinone derived from the oxidation of dopamine or levodopa. LC-MS/MS analyses show that the Cys145-SH is covalently conjugated by dopamine- or levodopa-o-quinone. These findings help explain why SARS-CoV-2 causes inefficient replication in many nerve cell lines. It is well recognized that inhaled pulmonary drug delivery is the most robust therapy pathway for lung diseases. CVT-301 (orally inhaled levodopa) was approved by the FDA as a drug for Parkinson's patients prior to the outbreak of COVID-19 in 2018. Based on the fact that SARS-CoV-2 causes inefficient replication in the CNS with abundant endogenous Mpro inhibitor in addition to the current finding that levodopa has an Mpro-inhibitory effect somewhat stronger than dopamine, we should urgently investigate the use of CVT-301 as a lung-targeting, COVID-19, Mpro inhibitor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng Hao
- State Key Laboratory of Tea Plant Biology and Utilization, School of Tea & Food Science, Institute of Health and Medicine, Hefei Comprehensive National Science Center, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, 230036, China
| | - Yufeng He
- State Key Laboratory of Tea Plant Biology and Utilization, School of Tea & Food Science, Institute of Health and Medicine, Hefei Comprehensive National Science Center, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, 230036, China
| | - Tingting Song
- State Key Laboratory of Tea Plant Biology and Utilization, School of Tea & Food Science, Institute of Health and Medicine, Hefei Comprehensive National Science Center, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, 230036, China
| | - Huimin Guo
- Center for Biological Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, 230036, China
| | - Margaret P Rayman
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, GU2 7XH, UK
| | - Jinsong Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Tea Plant Biology and Utilization, School of Tea & Food Science, Institute of Health and Medicine, Hefei Comprehensive National Science Center, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, 230036, China.
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2
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Salvio AL, Fernandes RA, Ferreira HFA, Duarte LA, Gutman EG, Raposo-Vedovi JV, Filho CHFR, da Costa Nunes Pimentel Coelho WL, Passos GF, Andraus MEC, da Costa Gonçalves JP, Cavalcanti MG, Amaro MP, Kader R, de Andrade Medronho R, Figueiredo CP, Amado-Leon LA, Alves-Leon SV. High Levels of NfL, GFAP, TAU, and UCH-L1 as Potential Predictor Biomarkers of Severity and Lethality in Acute COVID-19. Mol Neurobiol 2024; 61:3545-3558. [PMID: 37996731 PMCID: PMC11087339 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-023-03803-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023]
Abstract
Few studies showed that neurofilament light chain (NfL), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), total tubulin-associated unit (TAU), and ubiquitin carboxy-terminal hydrolase-L1 (UCH-L1) may be related to neurological manifestations and severity during and after SARS-CoV-2 infection. The objective of this work was to investigate the relationship among nervous system biomarkers (NfL, TAU, GFAP, and UCH-L1), biochemical parameters, and viral loads with heterogeneous outcomes in a cohort of severe COVID-19 patients admitted in Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of a university hospital. For that, 108 subjects were recruited within the first 5 days at ICU. In parallel, 16 mild COVID-19 patients were enrolled. Severe COVID-19 group was divided between "deceased" and "survivor." All subjects were positive for SARS-CoV-2 detection. NfL, total TAU, GFAP, and UCH-L1 quantification in plasma was performed using SIMOA SR-X platform. Of 108 severe patients, 36 (33.33%) presented neurological manifestation and 41 (37.96%) died. All four biomarkers - GFAP, NfL, TAU, and UCH-L1 - were significantly higher among deceased patients in comparison to survivors (p < 0.05). Analyzing biochemical biomarkers, higher Peak Serum Ferritin, D-Dimer Peak, Gamma-glutamyltransferase, and C-Reactive Protein levels were related to death (p < 0.0001). In multivariate analysis, GFAP, NfL, TAU, UCH-L1, and Peak Serum Ferritin levels were correlated to death. Regarding SARS-CoV-2 viral load, no statistical difference was observed for any group. Thus, Ferritin, NFL, GFAP, TAU, and UCH-L1 are early biomarkers of severity and lethality of SARS-COV-2 infection and may be important tools for therapeutic decision-making in the acute phase of disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreza Lemos Salvio
- Laboratory of Translacional Neurosciences, Biomedical Institute, Federal University of the State of Rio de Janeiro-UNIRIO, Rio de Janeiro, 22290-240, Brazil
| | - Renan Amphilophio Fernandes
- Laboratory of Translacional Neurosciences, Biomedical Institute, Federal University of the State of Rio de Janeiro-UNIRIO, Rio de Janeiro, 22290-240, Brazil
| | - Helena França Alcaraz Ferreira
- Laboratory of Translacional Neurosciences, Biomedical Institute, Federal University of the State of Rio de Janeiro-UNIRIO, Rio de Janeiro, 22290-240, Brazil
| | - Larissa Araujo Duarte
- Laboratory of Translacional Neurosciences, Biomedical Institute, Federal University of the State of Rio de Janeiro-UNIRIO, Rio de Janeiro, 22290-240, Brazil
| | - Elisa Gouvea Gutman
- Laboratory of Translacional Neurosciences, Biomedical Institute, Federal University of the State of Rio de Janeiro-UNIRIO, Rio de Janeiro, 22290-240, Brazil
| | - Jessica Vasques Raposo-Vedovi
- Laboratory of Translacional Neurosciences, Biomedical Institute, Federal University of the State of Rio de Janeiro-UNIRIO, Rio de Janeiro, 22290-240, Brazil
| | | | | | | | - Maria Emília Cosenza Andraus
- Clementino Fraga Filho University Hospital, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, 21941-901, Brazil
| | - João Paulo da Costa Gonçalves
- Laboratory of Translacional Neurosciences, Biomedical Institute, Federal University of the State of Rio de Janeiro-UNIRIO, Rio de Janeiro, 22290-240, Brazil
| | - Marta Guimarães Cavalcanti
- Clementino Fraga Filho University Hospital, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, 21941-901, Brazil
- Epidemiology and Evaluation Service, Clementino Fraga Filho University Hospital, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, 21941-901, Brazil
| | - Marisa Pimentel Amaro
- Clementino Fraga Filho University Hospital, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, 21941-901, Brazil
- School of Medicine, Post-Graduate Program in Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, 21941-901, Brazil
| | - Rafael Kader
- Clementino Fraga Filho University Hospital, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, 21941-901, Brazil
- School of Medicine, Post-Graduate Program in Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, 21941-901, Brazil
| | - Roberto de Andrade Medronho
- Epidemiology and Evaluation Service, Clementino Fraga Filho University Hospital, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, 21941-901, Brazil
| | | | - Luciane Almeida Amado-Leon
- Clementino Fraga Filho University Hospital, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, 21941-901, Brazil.
| | - Soniza Vieira Alves-Leon
- Laboratory of Translacional Neurosciences, Biomedical Institute, Federal University of the State of Rio de Janeiro-UNIRIO, Rio de Janeiro, 22290-240, Brazil.
- Clementino Fraga Filho University Hospital, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, 21941-901, Brazil.
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3
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Silva-Aguiar RP, Teixeira DE, Peruchetti DB, Peres RAS, Alves SAS, Calil PT, Arruda LB, Costa LJ, Silva PL, Schmaier AH, Rocco PRM, Pinheiro AAS, Caruso-Neves C. Toll like receptor 4 mediates the inhibitory effect of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein on proximal tubule albumin endocytosis. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2024; 1870:167155. [PMID: 38579939 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2024.167155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2023] [Revised: 03/27/2024] [Accepted: 03/29/2024] [Indexed: 04/07/2024]
Abstract
Tubular proteinuria is a common feature in COVID-19 patients, even in the absence of established acute kidney injury. SARS-CoV-2 spike protein (S protein) was shown to inhibit megalin-mediated albumin endocytosis in proximal tubule epithelial cells (PTECs). Angiotensin-converting enzyme type 2 (ACE2) was not directly involved. Since Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) mediates S protein effects in various cell types, we hypothesized that TLR4 could be participating in the inhibition of PTECs albumin endocytosis elicited by S protein. Two different models of PTECs were used: porcine proximal tubule cells (LLC-PK1) and human embryonic kidney cells (HEK-293). S protein reduced Akt activity by specifically inhibiting of threonine 308 (Thr308) phosphorylation, a process mediated by phosphoinositide-dependent kinase 1 (PDK1). GSK2334470, a PDK1 inhibitor, decreased albumin endocytosis and megalin expression mimicking S protein effect. S protein did not change total TLR4 expression but decreased its surface expression. LPS-RS, a TLR4 antagonist, also counteracted the effects of the S protein on Akt phosphorylation at Thr308, albumin endocytosis, and megalin expression. Conversely, these effects of the S protein were replicated by LPS, an agonist of TLR4. Incubation of PTECs with a pseudovirus containing S protein inhibited albumin endocytosis. Null or VSV-G pseudovirus, used as control, had no effect. LPS-RS prevented the inhibitory impact of pseudovirus containing the S protein on albumin endocytosis but had no influence on virus internalization. Our findings demonstrate that the inhibitory effect of the S protein on albumin endocytosis in PTECs is mediated through TLR4, resulting from a reduction in megalin expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rodrigo P Silva-Aguiar
- Carlos Chagas Filho Biophysics Institute, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Douglas E Teixeira
- Carlos Chagas Filho Biophysics Institute, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Diogo B Peruchetti
- Carlos Chagas Filho Biophysics Institute, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo A S Peres
- Carlos Chagas Filho Biophysics Institute, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Sarah A S Alves
- Carlos Chagas Filho Biophysics Institute, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Pedro T Calil
- Paulo de Góes Microbiology Institute, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Luciana B Arruda
- Paulo de Góes Microbiology Institute, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Luciana J Costa
- Paulo de Góes Microbiology Institute, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Pedro L Silva
- Carlos Chagas Filho Biophysics Institute, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Rio de Janeiro Innovation Network in Nanosystems for Health-NanoSAÚDE/FAPERJ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; National Institute of Science and Technology for Regenerative Medicine, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Alvin H Schmaier
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA; University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Patricia R M Rocco
- Carlos Chagas Filho Biophysics Institute, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Rio de Janeiro Innovation Network in Nanosystems for Health-NanoSAÚDE/FAPERJ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; National Institute of Science and Technology for Regenerative Medicine, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Ana Acacia S Pinheiro
- Carlos Chagas Filho Biophysics Institute, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Rio de Janeiro Innovation Network in Nanosystems for Health-NanoSAÚDE/FAPERJ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Celso Caruso-Neves
- Carlos Chagas Filho Biophysics Institute, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Rio de Janeiro Innovation Network in Nanosystems for Health-NanoSAÚDE/FAPERJ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; National Institute of Science and Technology for Regenerative Medicine, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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4
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Singh A, Adam A, Aditi, Peng BH, Yu X, Zou J, Kulkarni VV, Kan P, Jiang W, Shi PY, Samir P, Cisneros I, Wang T. A murine model of post-acute neurological sequelae following SARS-CoV-2 variant infection. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1384516. [PMID: 38765009 PMCID: PMC11099216 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1384516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Viral variant is one known risk factor associated with post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC), yet the pathogenesis is largely unknown. Here, we studied SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant-induced PASC in K18-hACE2 mice. The virus replicated productively, induced robust inflammatory responses in lung and brain tissues, and caused weight loss and mortality during the acute infection. Longitudinal behavior studies in surviving mice up to 4 months post-acute infection revealed persistent abnormalities in neuropsychiatric state and motor behaviors, while reflex and sensory functions recovered over time. In the brain, no detectable viral RNA and minimal residential immune cell activation was observed in the surviving mice post-acute infection. Transcriptome analysis revealed persistent activation of immune pathways, including humoral responses, complement, and phagocytosis, and gene expression levels associated with ataxia telangiectasia, impaired cognitive function and memory recall, and neuronal dysfunction and degeneration. Furthermore, surviving mice maintained potent systemic T helper 1 prone cellular immune responses and strong sera neutralizing antibodies against Delta and Omicron variants months post-acute infection. Overall, our findings suggest that infection in K18-hACE2 mice recapitulates the persistent clinical symptoms reported in long-COVID patients and provides new insights into the role of systemic and brain residential immune factors in PASC pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ankita Singh
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, United States
| | - Awadalkareem Adam
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, United States
| | - Aditi
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, United States
| | - Bi-Hung Peng
- Department of Neuroscience, Cell Biology and Anatomy, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, United States
| | - Xiaoying Yu
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Population Health, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, United States
| | - Jing Zou
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, United States
| | - Vikram V. Kulkarni
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, United States
| | - Peter Kan
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, United States
| | - Wei Jiang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Pei-Yong Shi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, United States
| | - Parimal Samir
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, United States
| | - Irma Cisneros
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, United States
- NeuroInfectious Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, United States
- Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, United States
| | - Tian Wang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, United States
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, United States
- NeuroInfectious Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, United States
- Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, United States
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5
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Partiot E, Hirschler A, Colomb S, Lutz W, Claeys T, Delalande F, Deffieu MS, Bare Y, Roels JRE, Gorda B, Bons J, Callon D, Andreoletti L, Labrousse M, Jacobs FMJ, Rigau V, Charlot B, Martens L, Carapito C, Ganesh G, Gaudin R. Brain exposure to SARS-CoV-2 virions perturbs synaptic homeostasis. Nat Microbiol 2024; 9:1189-1206. [PMID: 38548923 DOI: 10.1038/s41564-024-01657-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/21/2024]
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection is associated with short- and long-term neurological complications. The variety of symptoms makes it difficult to unravel molecular mechanisms underlying neurological sequalae after coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Here we show that SARS-CoV-2 triggers the up-regulation of synaptic components and perturbs local electrical field potential. Using cerebral organoids, organotypic culture of human brain explants from individuals without COVID-19 and post-mortem brain samples from individuals with COVID-19, we find that neural cells are permissive to SARS-CoV-2 to a low extent. SARS-CoV-2 induces aberrant presynaptic morphology and increases expression of the synaptic components Bassoon, latrophilin-3 (LPHN3) and fibronectin leucine-rich transmembrane protein-3 (FLRT3). Furthermore, we find that LPHN3-agonist treatment with Stachel partially restored organoid electrical activity and reverted SARS-CoV-2-induced aberrant presynaptic morphology. Finally, we observe accumulation of relatively static virions at LPHN3-FLRT3 synapses, suggesting that local hindrance can contribute to synaptic perturbations. Together, our study provides molecular insights into SARS-CoV-2-brain interactions, which may contribute to COVID-19-related neurological disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma Partiot
- CNRS, Institut de Recherche en Infectiologie de Montpellier (IRIM), Montpellier, France
- Univ Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Aurélie Hirschler
- Laboratoire de Spectrométrie de Masse Bio-Organique, IPHC, UMR 7178, CNRS-Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
- Infrastructure Nationale de Protéomique ProFI─FR2048, Strasbourg, France
| | - Sophie Colomb
- EDPFM (Equipe de Droit Pénal et de Sciences Forensiques de Montpellier), Univ Montpellier, Montpellier, France
- Emergency Pole, Forensic Medicine Department, Montpellier University Hospital, Montpellier, France
| | - Willy Lutz
- CNRS, Institut de Recherche en Infectiologie de Montpellier (IRIM), Montpellier, France
- Univ Montpellier, Montpellier, France
- UM-CNRS Laboratoire d'Informatique de Robotique et de Microelectronique de Montpellier (LIRMM), Montpellier, France
| | - Tine Claeys
- VIB-UGent Center for Medical Biotechnology, VIB, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - François Delalande
- Laboratoire de Spectrométrie de Masse Bio-Organique, IPHC, UMR 7178, CNRS-Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
- Infrastructure Nationale de Protéomique ProFI─FR2048, Strasbourg, France
| | - Maika S Deffieu
- CNRS, Institut de Recherche en Infectiologie de Montpellier (IRIM), Montpellier, France
- Univ Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Yonis Bare
- CNRS, Institut de Recherche en Infectiologie de Montpellier (IRIM), Montpellier, France
- Univ Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Judith R E Roels
- Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Barbara Gorda
- CNRS, Institut de Recherche en Infectiologie de Montpellier (IRIM), Montpellier, France
- Univ Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Joanna Bons
- Laboratoire de Spectrométrie de Masse Bio-Organique, IPHC, UMR 7178, CNRS-Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
- Infrastructure Nationale de Protéomique ProFI─FR2048, Strasbourg, France
| | - Domitille Callon
- University of Reims Champagne-Ardenne, Medicine Faculty, Laboratory of Virology, CardioVir UMR-S 1320, Reims, France
- Forensic, Virology and ENT Departments, University Hospital Centre (CHU), Reims, France
| | - Laurent Andreoletti
- University of Reims Champagne-Ardenne, Medicine Faculty, Laboratory of Virology, CardioVir UMR-S 1320, Reims, France
- Forensic, Virology and ENT Departments, University Hospital Centre (CHU), Reims, France
| | - Marc Labrousse
- Forensic, Virology and ENT Departments, University Hospital Centre (CHU), Reims, France
- Anatomy laboratory, UFR Médecine, Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne, Reims, France
| | - Frank M J Jacobs
- Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Valérie Rigau
- Univ Montpellier, Montpellier, France
- Pathological Department and Biological Resources Center BRC, Montpellier University Hospital, 'Cerebral plasticity, Stem cells and Glial tumors' team. IGF- Institut de génomique fonctionnelle INSERM U 1191 - CNRS UMR 5203, Univ Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Benoit Charlot
- Univ Montpellier, Montpellier, France
- Institut d'Electronique et des Systèmes (IES), CNRS, Montpellier, France
| | - Lennart Martens
- VIB-UGent Center for Medical Biotechnology, VIB, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Christine Carapito
- Laboratoire de Spectrométrie de Masse Bio-Organique, IPHC, UMR 7178, CNRS-Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
- Infrastructure Nationale de Protéomique ProFI─FR2048, Strasbourg, France
| | - Gowrishankar Ganesh
- Univ Montpellier, Montpellier, France
- UM-CNRS Laboratoire d'Informatique de Robotique et de Microelectronique de Montpellier (LIRMM), Montpellier, France
| | - Raphael Gaudin
- CNRS, Institut de Recherche en Infectiologie de Montpellier (IRIM), Montpellier, France.
- Univ Montpellier, Montpellier, France.
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6
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Gutman EG, Salvio AL, Fernandes RA, Duarte LA, Raposo-Vedovi JV, Alcaraz HF, Teixeira MA, Passos GF, de Medeiros KQM, Hammerle MB, Pires KL, Vasconcelos CCF, Leon LAA, Figueiredo CP, Alves-Leon SV. Long COVID: plasma levels of neurofilament light chain in mild COVID-19 patients with neurocognitive symptoms. Mol Psychiatry 2024:10.1038/s41380-024-02554-0. [PMID: 38678084 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-024-02554-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Revised: 04/02/2024] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024]
Abstract
It is well known the potential of severe acute respiratory coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection to induce post-acute sequelae, a condition called Long COVID. This syndrome includes several symptoms, but the central nervous system (CNS) main one is neurocognitive dysfunction. Recently it has been demonstrated the relevance of plasma levels of neurofilament light chain (pNfL), as a biomarker of early involvement of the CNS in COVID-19. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between pNfL in patients with post-acute neurocognitive symptoms and the potential of NfL as a prognostic biomarker in these cases. A group of 63 long COVID patients ranging from 18 to 59 years-old were evaluated, submitted to a neurocognitive battery assessment, and subdivided in different groups, according to results. Plasma samples were collected during the long COVID assessment and used for measurement of pNfL with the Single molecule array (SIMOA) assays. Levels of pNfL were significantly higher in long COVID patients with neurocognitive symptoms when compared to HC (p = 0.0031). Long COVID patients with cognitive impairment and fatigue symptoms presented higher pNfL levels when compared to long COVID patients without these symptoms, individually and combined (p = 0.0263, p = 0.0480, and 0.0142, respectively). Correlation analysis showed that levels of cognitive lost and exacerbation of fatigue in the neurocognitive evaluation had a significative correlation with higher pNfL levels (p = 0.0219 and 0.0255, respectively). Previous reports suggested that pNfL levels are related with higher risk of severity and predict lethality of COVID-19. Our findings demonstrate that SARS-CoV-2 infection seems to have a long-term impact on the brain, even in patients who presented mild acute disease. NfL measurements might be useful to identify CNS involvement in long COVID associated with neurocognitive symptoms and to identify who will need continuous monitoring and treatment support.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Gouvea Gutman
- Translational Neuroscience Laboratory (LabNet), Biomedical Institute, Federal University of the State of Rio de Janeiro/UNIRIO, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, ZIP CODE 20211-040, Brazil
- Clinical Medicine post-graduation program, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Andreza Lemos Salvio
- Translational Neuroscience Laboratory (LabNet), Biomedical Institute, Federal University of the State of Rio de Janeiro/UNIRIO, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, ZIP CODE 20211-040, Brazil
| | - Renan Amphilophio Fernandes
- Translational Neuroscience Laboratory (LabNet), Biomedical Institute, Federal University of the State of Rio de Janeiro/UNIRIO, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, ZIP CODE 20211-040, Brazil
| | - Larissa Araujo Duarte
- Translational Neuroscience Laboratory (LabNet), Biomedical Institute, Federal University of the State of Rio de Janeiro/UNIRIO, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, ZIP CODE 20211-040, Brazil
- Clinical Medicine post-graduation program, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Jessica Vasques Raposo-Vedovi
- Translational Neuroscience Laboratory (LabNet), Biomedical Institute, Federal University of the State of Rio de Janeiro/UNIRIO, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, ZIP CODE 20211-040, Brazil
| | - Helena França Alcaraz
- Translational Neuroscience Laboratory (LabNet), Biomedical Institute, Federal University of the State of Rio de Janeiro/UNIRIO, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, ZIP CODE 20211-040, Brazil
| | - Milene Ataíde Teixeira
- Translational Neuroscience Laboratory (LabNet), Biomedical Institute, Federal University of the State of Rio de Janeiro/UNIRIO, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, ZIP CODE 20211-040, Brazil
| | | | | | - Mariana Beiral Hammerle
- Division of Neurology, Gaffrée and Guinle University Hospital, Federal University of the State of Rio de Janeiro/UNIRIO, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Karina Lebeis Pires
- Division of Neurology, Gaffrée and Guinle University Hospital, Federal University of the State of Rio de Janeiro/UNIRIO, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | | | | | | | - Soniza Vieira Alves-Leon
- Translational Neuroscience Laboratory (LabNet), Biomedical Institute, Federal University of the State of Rio de Janeiro/UNIRIO, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, ZIP CODE 20211-040, Brazil.
- Department of Neurology, Clementino Fraga Filho University Hospital, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
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7
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Chau CW, To A, Au-Yeung RKH, Tang K, Xiang Y, Ruan D, Zhang L, Wong H, Zhang S, Au MT, Chung S, Song E, Choi DH, Liu P, Yuan S, Wen C, Sugimura R. SARS-CoV-2 infection activates inflammatory macrophages in vascular immune organoids. Sci Rep 2024; 14:8781. [PMID: 38627497 PMCID: PMC11021416 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-59405-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 provokes devastating tissue damage by cytokine release syndrome and leads to multi-organ failure. Modeling the process of immune cell activation and subsequent tissue damage is a significant task. Organoids from human tissues advanced our understanding of SARS-CoV-2 infection mechanisms though, they are missing crucial components: immune cells and endothelial cells. This study aims to generate organoids with these components. We established vascular immune organoids from human pluripotent stem cells and examined the effect of SARS-CoV-2 infection. We demonstrated that infections activated inflammatory macrophages. Notably, the upregulation of interferon signaling supports macrophages' role in cytokine release syndrome. We propose vascular immune organoids are a useful platform to model and discover factors that ameliorate SARS-CoV-2-mediated cytokine release syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiu Wang Chau
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong
| | - Alex To
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong
| | - Rex K H Au-Yeung
- Department of Pathology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong
| | - Kaiming Tang
- Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong
| | - Yang Xiang
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong
| | - Degong Ruan
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong
| | - Lanlan Zhang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Hong Kong
| | - Hera Wong
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong
| | - Shihui Zhang
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong
| | - Man Ting Au
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Hong Kong
| | | | | | | | - Pentao Liu
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong
- Centre for Translational Stem Cell Biology, Sha Tin, Hong Kong
| | - Shuofeng Yuan
- Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong
| | - Chunyi Wen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Hong Kong.
| | - Ryohichi Sugimura
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong.
- Centre for Translational Stem Cell Biology, Sha Tin, Hong Kong.
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8
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Qiu Y, Mo C, Chen L, Ye W, Chen G, Zhu T. Alterations in microbiota of patients with COVID-19: implications for therapeutic interventions. MedComm (Beijing) 2024; 5:e513. [PMID: 38495122 PMCID: PMC10943180 DOI: 10.1002/mco2.513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2023] [Revised: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) recently caused a global pandemic, resulting in more than 702 million people being infected and over 6.9 million deaths. Patients with coronavirus disease (COVID-19) may suffer from diarrhea, sleep disorders, depression, and even cognitive impairment, which is associated with long COVID during recovery. However, there remains no consensus on effective treatment methods. Studies have found that patients with COVID-19 have alterations in microbiota and their metabolites, particularly in the gut, which may be involved in the regulation of immune responses. Consumption of probiotics may alleviate the discomfort caused by inflammation and oxidative stress. However, the pathophysiological process underlying the alleviation of COVID-19-related symptoms and complications by targeting the microbiota remains unclear. In the current study, we summarize the latest research and evidence on the COVID-19 pandemic, together with symptoms of SARS-CoV-2 and vaccine use, with a focus on the relationship between microbiota alterations and COVID-19-related symptoms and vaccine use. This work provides evidence that probiotic-based interventions may improve COVID-19 symptoms by regulating gut microbiota and systemic immunity. Probiotics may also be used as adjuvants to improve vaccine efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong Qiu
- Department of AnesthesiologyNational Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics and The Research Units of West China (2018RU012)West China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduChina
- Laboratory of Anesthesia and Critical Care MedicineNational‐Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Translational Medicine of AnesthesiologyWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Chunheng Mo
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children of MOEState Key Laboratory of BiotherapyWest China Second University HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Lu Chen
- Department of AnesthesiologyNational Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics and The Research Units of West China (2018RU012)West China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduChina
- Laboratory of Anesthesia and Critical Care MedicineNational‐Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Translational Medicine of AnesthesiologyWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Wanlin Ye
- Department of AnesthesiologyNational Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics and The Research Units of West China (2018RU012)West China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduChina
- Laboratory of Anesthesia and Critical Care MedicineNational‐Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Translational Medicine of AnesthesiologyWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Guo Chen
- Department of AnesthesiologyNational Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics and The Research Units of West China (2018RU012)West China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduChina
- Laboratory of Anesthesia and Critical Care MedicineNational‐Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Translational Medicine of AnesthesiologyWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Tao Zhu
- Department of AnesthesiologyNational Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics and The Research Units of West China (2018RU012)West China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduChina
- Laboratory of Anesthesia and Critical Care MedicineNational‐Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Translational Medicine of AnesthesiologyWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduChina
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9
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Grant RA, Poor TA, Sichizya L, Diaz E, Bailey JI, Soni S, Senkow KJ, Pérez-Leonor XG, Abdala-Valencia H, Lu Z, Donnelly HK, Simons LM, Ozer EA, Tighe RM, Lomasney JW, Wunderink RG, Singer BD, Misharin AV, Budinger GS. Prolonged exposure to lung-derived cytokines is associated with activation of microglia in patients with COVID-19. JCI Insight 2024; 9:e178859. [PMID: 38502186 PMCID: PMC11141878 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.178859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUNDSurvivors of pneumonia, including SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia, are at increased risk for cognitive dysfunction and dementia. In rodent models, cognitive dysfunction following pneumonia has been linked to the systemic release of lung-derived pro-inflammatory cytokines. Microglia are poised to respond to inflammatory signals from the circulation, and their dysfunction has been linked to cognitive impairment in murine models of dementia and in humans.METHODSWe measured levels of 55 cytokines and chemokines in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and plasma from 341 patients with respiratory failure and 13 healthy controls, including 93 unvaccinated patients with COVID-19 and 203 patients with other causes of pneumonia. We used flow cytometry to sort neuroimmune cells from postmortem brain tissue from 5 patients who died from COVID-19 and 3 patients who died from other causes for single-cell RNA-sequencing.RESULTSMicroglia from patients with COVID-19 exhibited a transcriptomic signature suggestive of their activation by circulating pro-inflammatory cytokines. Peak levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines were similar in patients with pneumonia irrespective of etiology, but cumulative cytokine exposure was higher in patients with COVID-19. Treatment with corticosteroids reduced expression of COVID-19-specific cytokines.CONCLUSIONProlonged lung inflammation results in sustained elevations in circulating cytokines in patients with SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia compared with those with pneumonia secondary to other pathogens. Microglia from patients with COVID-19 exhibit transcriptional responses to inflammatory cytokines. These findings support data from rodent models causally linking systemic inflammation with cognitive dysfunction in pneumonia and support further investigation into the role of microglia in pneumonia-related cognitive dysfunction.FUNDINGSCRIPT U19AI135964, UL1TR001422, P01AG049665, P01HL154998, R01HL149883, R01LM013337, R01HL153122, R01HL147290, R01HL147575, R01HL158139, R01ES034350, R01ES027574, I01CX001777, U01TR003528, R21AG075423, T32AG020506, F31AG071225, T32HL076139.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rogan A. Grant
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine; and
| | - Taylor A. Poor
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine; and
| | - Lango Sichizya
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine; and
| | - Estefani Diaz
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine; and
| | - Joseph I. Bailey
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine; and
| | - Sahil Soni
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine; and
| | - Karolina J. Senkow
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine; and
| | | | | | - Ziyan Lu
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine; and
| | - Helen K. Donnelly
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine; and
| | - Lacy M. Simons
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
- Center for Pathogen Genomics and Microbial Evolution, Robert J. Havey, MD Institute for Global Health, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Egon A. Ozer
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
- Center for Pathogen Genomics and Microbial Evolution, Robert J. Havey, MD Institute for Global Health, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Robert M. Tighe
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | | | | | - Benjamin D. Singer
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine; and
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, and Department of Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | | | - G.R. Scott Budinger
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine; and
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10
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Maia JRLCB, Machado LKA, Fernandes GG, Vitorino LC, Antônio LS, Araújo SMB, Colodeti LC, Fontes-Dantas FL, Zeidler JD, Saraiva GN, Da Poian AT, Figueiredo CP, Passos GF, da Costa R. Mitotherapy prevents peripheral neuropathy induced by oxaliplatin in mice. Neuropharmacology 2024; 245:109828. [PMID: 38158014 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2023.109828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2023] [Revised: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Oxaliplatin (OXA) is an antineoplastic agent used for the treatment of cisplatin-resistant tumours, presenting lower incidence of nephrotoxicity and myelotoxicity than other platinum-based drugs. However, OXA treatment is highly associated with painful peripheral neuropathy, a well-known and relevant side effect caused by mitochondrial dysfunction. The transfer of functional exogenous mitochondria (mitotherapy) is a promising therapeutic strategy for mitochondrial diseases. We investigated the effect of mitotherapy on oxaliplatin-induced painful peripheral neuropathy (OIPN) in male mice. OIPN was induced by i.p. injections of oxaliplatin (3 mg/kg) over 5 consecutive days. Mechanical (von Frey test) and cold (acetone drop test) allodynia were evaluated between 7 and 17 days after the first OXA treatment. Mitochondria was isolated from donor mouse livers and mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation was assessed with high resolution respirometry. After confirming that the isolated mitochondria were functional, the organelles were administered at the dose of 0.5 mg/kg of mitochondrial protein on days 1, 3 and 5. Treatment with OXA caused both mechanical and cold allodynia in mice that were significant 7 days after the initial injection of OXA and persisted for up to 17 days. Mitotherapy significantly prevented the development of both sensory alterations, and attenuated body weight loss induced by OXA. Mitotherapy also prevented spinal cord ERK1/2 activation, microgliosis and the increase in TLR4 mRNA levels. Mitotherapy prevented OIPN by inhibiting neuroinflammation and the consequent cellular overactivity in the spinal cord, presenting a potential therapeutic strategy for pain management in oncologic patients undergoing OXA treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- João R L C B Maia
- Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Loreena K A Machado
- Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Gabriel G Fernandes
- Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Louise C Vitorino
- Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Letícia S Antônio
- Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Suzana Maria B Araújo
- Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Lilian C Colodeti
- Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Fabrícia L Fontes-Dantas
- Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil; Departamento de Farmacologia e Psicobiologia, Instituto de Biologia Roberto Alcântara Gomes, Universidade Estadual do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Julianna D Zeidler
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Georgia N Saraiva
- Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Goés, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Andrea T Da Poian
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Claudia P Figueiredo
- Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
| | - Giselle F Passos
- Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
| | - Robson da Costa
- Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
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11
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Wang M, Wang J, Ren Y, Lu L, Xiong W, Li L, Xu S, Tang M, Yuan Y, Xie Y, Li W, Chen L, Zhou D, Ying B, Li J. Current clinical findings of acute neurological syndromes after SARS-CoV-2 infection. MedComm (Beijing) 2024; 5:e508. [PMID: 38463395 PMCID: PMC10924641 DOI: 10.1002/mco2.508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2023] [Revised: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 03/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Neuro-COVID, a condition marked by persistent symptoms post-COVID-19 infection, notably affects various organs, with a particular focus on the central nervous system (CNS). Despite scant evidence of SARS-CoV-2 invasion in the CNS, the increasing incidence of Neuro-COVID cases indicates the onset of acute neurological symptoms early in infection. The Omicron variant, distinguished by heightened neurotropism, penetrates the CNS via the olfactory bulb. This direct invasion induces inflammation and neuronal damage, emphasizing the need for vigilance regarding potential neurological complications. Our multicenter study represents a groundbreaking revelation, documenting the definite presence of SARS-CoV-2 in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of a significant proportion of Neuro-COVID patients. Furthermore, notable differences emerged between RNA-CSF-positive and negative patients, encompassing aspects such as blood-brain barrier integrity, extent of neuronal damage, and the activation status of inflammation. Despite inherent limitations, this research provides pivotal insights into the intricate interplay between SARS-CoV-2 and the CNS, underscoring the necessity for ongoing research to fully comprehend the virus's enduring effects on the CNS. The findings underscore the urgency of continuous investigation Neuro-COVID to unravel the complexities of this relationship, and pivotal in addressing the long-term consequences of COVID-19 on neurological health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minjin Wang
- Department of NeurologyWest China Hospital of Sichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
- Department of Laboratory MedicineWest China Hospital of Sichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
- Institute of Brain Science and Brain‐inspired TechnologyWest China Hospital of Sichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
| | - Jierui Wang
- Department of NeurologyWest China Hospital of Sichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
- Institute of Brain Science and Brain‐inspired TechnologyWest China Hospital of Sichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
| | - Yan Ren
- Department of Laboratory MedicineWest China Hospital of Sichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
| | - Lu Lu
- Department of NeurologyWest China Hospital of Sichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
- Institute of Brain Science and Brain‐inspired TechnologyWest China Hospital of Sichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
| | - Weixi Xiong
- Department of NeurologyWest China Hospital of Sichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
- Institute of Brain Science and Brain‐inspired TechnologyWest China Hospital of Sichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
| | - Lifeng Li
- Genskey Medical biotechnology Company LimitedBeijingChina
| | - Songtao Xu
- National Institute for Viral Disease Control and PreventionChinese Center for Disease Control and PreventionBeijingChina
| | - Meng Tang
- Department of Laboratory MedicineWest China Hospital of Sichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
| | - Yushang Yuan
- Department of Laboratory MedicineWest China Hospital of Sichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
| | - Yi Xie
- Department of Laboratory MedicineWest China Hospital of Sichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
| | - Weimin Li
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care MedicineWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
| | - Lei Chen
- Department of NeurologyWest China Hospital of Sichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
- Institute of Brain Science and Brain‐inspired TechnologyWest China Hospital of Sichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
| | - Dong Zhou
- Department of NeurologyWest China Hospital of Sichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
- Institute of Brain Science and Brain‐inspired TechnologyWest China Hospital of Sichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
| | - Binwu Ying
- Department of Laboratory MedicineWest China Hospital of Sichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
| | - Jinmei Li
- Department of NeurologyWest China Hospital of Sichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
- Institute of Brain Science and Brain‐inspired TechnologyWest China Hospital of Sichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
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12
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Peluso MJ, Abdel-Mohsen M, Henrich TJ, Roan NR. Systems analysis of innate and adaptive immunity in Long COVID. Semin Immunol 2024; 72:101873. [PMID: 38460395 DOI: 10.1016/j.smim.2024.101873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2023] [Revised: 02/22/2024] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 03/11/2024]
Abstract
Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, significant progress has been made in developing effective preventive and therapeutic strategies against severe acute SARS-CoV-2 infection. However, the management of Long COVID (LC), an infection-associated chronic condition that has been estimated to affect 5-20% of individuals following SARS-CoV-2 infection, remains challenging due to our limited understanding of its mechanisms. Although LC is a heterogeneous disease that is likely to have several subtypes, immune system disturbances appear common across many cases. The extent to which these immune perturbations contribute to LC symptoms, however, is not entirely clear. Recent advancements in multi-omics technologies, capable of detailed, cell-level analysis, have provided valuable insights into the immune perturbations associated with LC. Although these studies are largely descriptive in nature, they are the crucial first step towards a deeper understanding of the condition and the immune system's role in its development, progression, and resolution. In this review, we summarize the current understanding of immune perturbations in LC, covering both innate and adaptive immune responses, and the cytokines and analytes involved. We explore whether these findings support or challenge the primary hypotheses about LC's underlying mechanisms. We also discuss the crosstalk between various immune system components and how it can be disrupted in LC. Finally, we emphasize the need for more tissue- and subtype-focused analyses of LC, and for enhanced collaborative efforts to analyze common specimens from large cohorts, including those undergoing therapeutic interventions. These collective efforts are vital to unravel the fundaments of this new disease, and could also shed light on the prevention and treatment of the larger family of chronic illnesses linked to other microbial infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael J Peluso
- Division of HIV, Infectious Diseases, and Global Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, USA
| | | | - Timothy J Henrich
- Division of Experimental Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, USA
| | - Nadia R Roan
- Gladstone Institutes, University of California, San Francisco, USA; Department of Urology, University of California, San Francisco, USA.
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13
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Collins CP, Longo DL, Murphy WJ. The immunobiology of SARS-CoV-2 infection and vaccine responses: potential influences of cross-reactive memory responses and aging on efficacy and off-target effects. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1345499. [PMID: 38469293 PMCID: PMC10925677 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1345499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Immune responses to both SARS-CoV-2 infection and its associated vaccines have been highly variable within the general population. The increasing evidence of long-lasting symptoms after resolution of infection, called post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC) or "Long COVID," suggests that immune-mediated mechanisms are at play. Closely related endemic common human coronaviruses (hCoV) can induce pre-existing and potentially cross-reactive immunity, which can then affect primary SARS-CoV-2 infection, as well as vaccination responses. The influence of pre-existing immunity from these hCoVs, as well as responses generated from original CoV2 strains or vaccines on the development of new high-affinity responses to CoV2 antigenic viral variants, needs to be better understood given the need for continuous vaccine adaptation and application in the population. Due in part to thymic involution, normal aging is associated with reduced naïve T cell compartments and impaired primary antigen responsiveness, resulting in a reliance on the pre-existing cross-reactive memory cell pool which may be of lower affinity, restricted in diversity, or of shorter duration. These effects can also be mediated by the presence of down-regulatory anti-idiotype responses which also increase in aging. Given the tremendous heterogeneity of clinical data, utilization of preclinical models offers the greatest ability to assess immune responses under a controlled setting. These models should now involve prior antigen/viral exposure combined with incorporation of modifying factors such as age on immune responses and effects. This will also allow for mechanistic dissection and understanding of the different immune pathways involved in both SARS-CoV-2 pathogen and potential vaccine responses over time and how pre-existing memory responses, including potential anti-idiotype responses, can affect efficacy as well as potential off-target effects in different tissues as well as modeling PASC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Craig P. Collins
- Graduate Program in Immunology, University of California (UC) Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Dan L. Longo
- Harvard Medical School, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
| | - William J. Murphy
- Departments of Dermatology and Internal Medicine (Hematology/Oncology), University of California (UC) Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, United States
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14
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Valencia I, Lumpuy-Castillo J, Magalhaes G, Sánchez-Ferrer CF, Lorenzo Ó, Peiró C. Mechanisms of endothelial activation, hypercoagulation and thrombosis in COVID-19: a link with diabetes mellitus. Cardiovasc Diabetol 2024; 23:75. [PMID: 38378550 PMCID: PMC10880237 DOI: 10.1186/s12933-023-02097-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Early since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the medical and scientific community were aware of extra respiratory actions of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Endothelitis, hypercoagulation, and hypofibrinolysis were identified in COVID-19 patients as subsequent responses of endothelial dysfunction. Activation of the endothelial barrier may increase the severity of the disease and contribute to long-COVID syndrome and post-COVID sequelae. Besides, it may cause alterations in primary, secondary, and tertiary hemostasis. Importantly, these responses have been highly decisive in the evolution of infected patients also diagnosed with diabetes mellitus (DM), who showed previous endothelial dysfunction. In this review, we provide an overview of the potential triggers of endothelial activation related to COVID-19 and COVID-19 under diabetic milieu. Several mechanisms are induced by both the viral particle itself and by the subsequent immune-defensive response (i.e., NF-κB/NLRP3 inflammasome pathway, vasoactive peptides, cytokine storm, NETosis, activation of the complement system). Alterations in coagulation mediators such as factor VIII, fibrin, tissue factor, the von Willebrand factor: ADAMST-13 ratio, and the kallikrein-kinin or plasminogen-plasmin systems have been reported. Moreover, an imbalance of thrombotic and thrombolytic (tPA, PAI-I, fibrinogen) factors favors hypercoagulation and hypofibrinolysis. In the context of DM, these mechanisms can be exacerbated leading to higher loss of hemostasis. However, a series of therapeutic strategies targeting the activated endothelium such as specific antibodies or inhibitors against thrombin, key cytokines, factor X, complement system, the kallikrein-kinin system or NETosis, might represent new opportunities to address this hypercoagulable state present in COVID-19 and DM. Antidiabetics may also ameliorate endothelial dysfunction, inflammation, and platelet aggregation. By improving the microvascular pathology in COVID-19 and post-COVID subjects, the associated comorbidities and the risk of mortality could be reduced.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inés Valencia
- Molecular Neuroinflammation and Neuronal Plasticity Research Laboratory, Hospital Universitario Santa Cristina, IIS Hospital Universitario de La Princesa, 28009, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Jairo Lumpuy-Castillo
- Laboratory of Diabetes and Vascular Pathology, IIS-Fundación Jiménez Díaz, 28040, Madrid, Spain
- Spanish Biomedical Research Centre On Diabetes and Associated Metabolic Disorders (CIBERDEM) Network, Madrid, Spain
| | - Giselle Magalhaes
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, 28029, Madrid, Spain
| | - Carlos F Sánchez-Ferrer
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, 28029, Madrid, Spain
- Vascular Pharmacology and Metabolism (FARMAVASM), IdiPAZ, Madrid, Spain
| | - Óscar Lorenzo
- Laboratory of Diabetes and Vascular Pathology, IIS-Fundación Jiménez Díaz, 28040, Madrid, Spain.
- Spanish Biomedical Research Centre On Diabetes and Associated Metabolic Disorders (CIBERDEM) Network, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Concepción Peiró
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, 28029, Madrid, Spain.
- Vascular Pharmacology and Metabolism (FARMAVASM), IdiPAZ, Madrid, Spain.
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15
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Khan R, Ji W, Guzman-Rivera J, Madhvi A, Andrews T, Richlin B, Suarez C, Gaur S, Cuddy W, Singh AR, Bukulmez H, Kaelber D, Kimura Y, Ganapathi U, Michailidis IE, Ukey R, Moroso-Fela S, Kuster JK, Casseus M, Roy J, Kleinman LC, Horton DB, Lakhani SA, Gennaro ML. A genetically modulated Toll-like-receptor-tolerant phenotype in peripheral blood cells of children with multisystem inflammatory syndrome. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2024:2024.02.02.24301686. [PMID: 38370700 PMCID: PMC10871447 DOI: 10.1101/2024.02.02.24301686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/20/2024]
Abstract
Dysregulated innate immune responses contribute to multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C), characterized by gastrointestinal, mucocutaneous, and/or cardiovascular injury occurring weeks after SARS-CoV-2 exposure. To investigate innate immune functions in MIS-C, we stimulated ex vivo peripheral blood cells from MIS-C patients with agonists of Toll-like receptors (TLR), key innate immune response initiators. We found severely dampened cytokine responses and elevated gene expression of negative regulators of TLR signaling. Increased plasma levels of zonulin, a gut leakage marker, were also detected. These effects were also observed in children enrolled months after MIS-C recovery. Moreover, cells from MIS-C children carrying rare genetic variants of lysosomal trafficking regulator (LYST) were less refractory to TLR stimulation and exhibited lysosomal and mitochondrial abnormalities with altered energy metabolism. Our results strongly suggest that MIS-C hyperinflammation and/or excessive or prolonged stimulation with gut-originated TLR ligands drive immune cells to a lasting refractory state. TLR hyporesponsiveness is likely beneficial, as suggested by excess lymphopenia among rare LYST variant carriers. Our findings point to cellular mechanisms underlying TLR hyporesponsiveness; identify genetic determinants that may explain the MIS-C clinical spectrum; suggest potential associations between innate refractory states and long COVID; and highlight the need to monitor long-term consequences of MIS-C.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rehan Khan
- Public Health Research Institute, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, Newark, NJ
| | - Weizhen Ji
- Pediatric Genomics Discovery Program, Department of Pediatrics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510
| | - Jeisac Guzman-Rivera
- Public Health Research Institute, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, Newark, NJ
| | - Abhilasha Madhvi
- Public Health Research Institute, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, Newark, NJ
| | - Tracy Andrews
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Rutgers School of Public Health, Piscataway, NJ
| | - Benjamin Richlin
- Pediatric Clinical Research Center, and Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, NJ
| | - Christian Suarez
- Pediatric Clinical Research Center, and Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, NJ
| | - Sunanda Gaur
- Department of Pediatrics, Clinical Research Center, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, NJ
| | | | - Aalok R Singh
- Maria Fareri Children's Hospital, Valhalla, NY
- New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY
| | - Hulya Bukulmez
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Rheumatology, MetroHealth System, Cleveland OH
| | - David Kaelber
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Rheumatology, MetroHealth System, Cleveland OH
- Center for Clinical Informatics Research and Education, MetroHealth System, Cleveland OH
- Department of Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, and Population and Quantitative Health Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland OH
| | - Yukiko Kimura
- Hackensack University Medical Center, Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine, Nutley, NJ
| | - Usha Ganapathi
- Public Health Research Institute, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, Newark, NJ
| | - Ioannis E Michailidis
- Public Health Research Institute, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, Newark, NJ
| | - Rahul Ukey
- Public Health Research Institute, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, Newark, NJ
| | - Sandra Moroso-Fela
- Department of Pediatrics, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, NJ
| | - John K Kuster
- Pediatric Genomics Discovery Program, Department of Pediatrics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510
| | - Myriam Casseus
- Department of Pediatrics, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, NJ
| | - Jason Roy
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Rutgers School of Public Health, Piscataway, NJ
| | - Lawrence C Kleinman
- Department of Pediatrics, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, NJ
- Department of Global Urban Health, Rutgers School of Public Health, Piscataway, NJ
| | - Daniel B Horton
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Rutgers School of Public Health, Piscataway, NJ
- Department of Pediatrics, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, NJ
- Rutgers Center for Pharmacoepidemiology and Treatment Science, Institute for Health, Health Care Policy and Aging Research, New Brunswick, NJ
| | - Saquib A Lakhani
- Pediatric Genomics Discovery Program, Department of Pediatrics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510
| | - Maria Laura Gennaro
- Public Health Research Institute, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, Newark, NJ
- Department of Medicine, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, Newark, NJ
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16
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Murphy WJ, Collins CP, Ashwood P. Potential role of anti-Idiotype responses on the neurological effects of post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC). Brain Behav Immun 2024; 116:317-320. [PMID: 38123027 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2023.12.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2023] [Revised: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- William J Murphy
- Departments of Dermatology and Internal Medicine (Hematology/Oncology), UC Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, United States.
| | - Craig P Collins
- Graduate Program in Immunology, UC Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Paul Ashwood
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, MIND Institute, UC Davis, Sacramento, CA, United States
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17
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Scardua-Silva L, Amorim da Costa B, Karmann Aventurato Í, Batista Joao R, Machado de Campos B, Rabelo de Brito M, Bechelli JF, Santos Silva LC, Ferreira Dos Santos A, Koutsodontis Machado Alvim M, Vieira Nunes Ludwig G, Rocha C, Kaue Alves Silva Souza T, Mendes MJ, Waku T, de Oliveira Boldrini V, Silva Brunetti N, Nora Baptista S, da Silva Schmitt G, Duarte de Sousa JG, Marchiori de Oliveira Cardoso TA, Schwambach Vieira A, Barbosa Santos LM, Dos Santos Farias A, Nogueira MH, Cendes F, Lin Yasuda C. Microstructural brain abnormalities, fatigue, and cognitive dysfunction after mild COVID-19. Sci Rep 2024; 14:1758. [PMID: 38242927 PMCID: PMC10798999 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-52005-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2022] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 01/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Although some studies have shown neuroimaging and neuropsychological alterations in post-COVID-19 patients, fewer combined neuroimaging and neuropsychology evaluations of individuals who presented a mild acute infection. Here we investigated cognitive dysfunction and brain changes in a group of mildly infected individuals. We conducted a cross-sectional study of 97 consecutive subjects (median age of 41 years) without current or history of psychiatric symptoms (including anxiety and depression) after a mild infection, with a median of 79 days (and mean of 97 days) after diagnosis of COVID-19. We performed semi-structured interviews, neurological examinations, 3T-MRI scans, and neuropsychological assessments. For MRI analyses, we included a group of non-infected 77 controls. The MRI study included white matter (WM) investigation with diffusion tensor images (DTI) and functional connectivity with resting-state functional MRI (RS-fMRI). The patients reported memory loss (36%), fatigue (31%) and headache (29%). The quantitative analyses confirmed symptoms of fatigue (83% of participants), excessive somnolence (35%), impaired phonemic verbal fluency (21%), impaired verbal categorical fluency (13%) and impaired logical memory immediate recall (16%). The WM analyses with DTI revealed higher axial diffusivity values in post-infected patients compared to controls. Compared to controls, there were no significant differences in the functional connectivity of the posterior cingulum cortex. There were no significant correlations between neuropsychological scores and neuroimaging features (including DTI and RS-fMRI). Our results suggest persistent cognitive impairment and subtle white matter abnormalities in individuals mildly infected without anxiety or depression symptoms. The longitudinal analyses will clarify whether these alterations are temporary or permanent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas Scardua-Silva
- Brazilian Institute of Neuroscience and Neurotechnology (BRAINN), University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil
- Department of Neurology, Clinics Hospital, University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil
| | - Beatriz Amorim da Costa
- Brazilian Institute of Neuroscience and Neurotechnology (BRAINN), University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil
- Department of Neurology, Clinics Hospital, University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil
| | - Ítalo Karmann Aventurato
- Brazilian Institute of Neuroscience and Neurotechnology (BRAINN), University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil
- Department of Neurology, Clinics Hospital, University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil
| | - Rafael Batista Joao
- Brazilian Institute of Neuroscience and Neurotechnology (BRAINN), University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil
- Department of Neurology, Clinics Hospital, University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil
| | - Brunno Machado de Campos
- Brazilian Institute of Neuroscience and Neurotechnology (BRAINN), University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil
| | - Mariana Rabelo de Brito
- Brazilian Institute of Neuroscience and Neurotechnology (BRAINN), University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil
- Department of Neurology, Clinics Hospital, University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil
| | - José Flávio Bechelli
- Brazilian Institute of Neuroscience and Neurotechnology (BRAINN), University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil
- Department of Neurology, Clinics Hospital, University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil
| | - Leila Camila Santos Silva
- Brazilian Institute of Neuroscience and Neurotechnology (BRAINN), University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil
- Department of Neurology, Clinics Hospital, University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil
| | - Alan Ferreira Dos Santos
- Brazilian Institute of Neuroscience and Neurotechnology (BRAINN), University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil
- Department of Neurology, Clinics Hospital, University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil
| | - Marina Koutsodontis Machado Alvim
- Brazilian Institute of Neuroscience and Neurotechnology (BRAINN), University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil
- Department of Neurology, Clinics Hospital, University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil
| | - Guilherme Vieira Nunes Ludwig
- Brazilian Institute of Neuroscience and Neurotechnology (BRAINN), University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil
- Institute of Mathematics, Statistics and Scientific Computing, University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil
| | - Cristiane Rocha
- Brazilian Institute of Neuroscience and Neurotechnology (BRAINN), University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil
- Molecular Genetics Laboratory, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil
| | - Thierry Kaue Alves Silva Souza
- Brazilian Institute of Neuroscience and Neurotechnology (BRAINN), University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil
- Department of Neurology, Clinics Hospital, University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil
| | - Maria Julia Mendes
- Brazilian Institute of Neuroscience and Neurotechnology (BRAINN), University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil
- Department of Neurology, Clinics Hospital, University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil
| | - Takeshi Waku
- Brazilian Institute of Neuroscience and Neurotechnology (BRAINN), University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil
| | | | | | - Sophia Nora Baptista
- Autoimmune Research Lab, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil
| | | | | | | | - André Schwambach Vieira
- Molecular Genetics Laboratory, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil
- Autoimmune Research Lab, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil
| | | | | | - Mateus Henrique Nogueira
- Brazilian Institute of Neuroscience and Neurotechnology (BRAINN), University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil.
- Department of Neurology, Clinics Hospital, University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil.
| | - Fernando Cendes
- Brazilian Institute of Neuroscience and Neurotechnology (BRAINN), University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil.
- Department of Neurology, Clinics Hospital, University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil.
| | - Clarissa Lin Yasuda
- Brazilian Institute of Neuroscience and Neurotechnology (BRAINN), University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil.
- Department of Neurology, Clinics Hospital, University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil.
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18
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Singh A, Adam A, Aditi, Peng BH, Yu X, Zou J, Kulkarni VV, Kan P, Jiang W, Shi PY, Samir P, Cisneros I, Wang T. A Murine Model of Post-acute Neurological Sequelae Following SARS-CoV-2 Variant Infection. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.01.03.574064. [PMID: 38260531 PMCID: PMC10802283 DOI: 10.1101/2024.01.03.574064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
Viral variant is one known risk factor associated with post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC), yet the pathogenesis is largely unknown. Here, we studied SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant-induced PASC in K18-hACE2 mice. The virus replicated productively, induced robust inflammatory responses in lung and brain tissues, and caused weight loss and mortality during the acute infection. Longitudinal behavior studies in surviving mice up to 4 months post-acute infection revealed persistent abnormalities in neuropsychiatric state and motor behaviors, while reflex and sensory functions recovered over time. Surviving mice showed no detectable viral RNA in the brain and minimal neuroinflammation post-acute infection. Transcriptome analysis revealed persistent activation of immune pathways, including humoral responses, complement, and phagocytosis, and reduced levels of genes associated with ataxia telangiectasia, impaired cognitive function and memory recall, and neuronal dysfunction and degeneration. Furthermore, surviving mice maintained potent T helper 1 prone cellular immune responses and high neutralizing antibodies against Delta and Omicron variants in the periphery for months post-acute infection. Overall, infection in K18-hACE2 mice recapitulates the persistent clinical symptoms reported in long COVID patients and may be useful for future assessment of the efficacy of vaccines and therapeutics against SARS-CoV-2 variants.
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19
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Zhang Y, Li Y. Clinical Translation of Aptamers for COVID-19. J Med Chem 2023; 66:16568-16578. [PMID: 37880142 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c01607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 etiologic agent, SARS-CoV-2, continues to be one of the leading causes of death on a global scale. Although efficient methods for diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19 have been developed, new methods of battling SARS-CoV-2 variants and long COVID are still urgently needed. A number of aptamers have demonstrated tremendous potential to be developed into diagnostic and therapeutic agents for COVID-19. The translation of the aptamers for clinical uses, however, has been extremely slow. Overcoming the difficulties faced by aptamers would advance this technology toward clinical use for COVID-19 and other serious disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Zhang
- College of Science, Harbin Institute of Technology (Shenzhen), Shenzhen, Guangdong 518055, China
| | - Yongen Li
- College of Science, Harbin Institute of Technology (Shenzhen), Shenzhen, Guangdong 518055, China
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20
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Dey R, Bishayi B. Microglial Inflammatory Responses to SARS-CoV-2 Infection: A Comprehensive Review. Cell Mol Neurobiol 2023; 44:2. [PMID: 38099973 DOI: 10.1007/s10571-023-01444-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023]
Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is primarily a respiratory disease causing a worldwide pandemic in the year of 2019. SARS-CoV-2 is an enveloped, positive-stranded RNA virus that could invade the host through spike protein and exhibits multi-organ effects. The Brain was considered to be a potential target for SARS-CoV-2 infection. Although neuropsychiatric symptoms and cognitive impairments were observed in COVID-19 patients even after recovery the mechanism of action is not well documented. In this review, the contribution of microglia in response to SARS-CoV-2 infection was discussed aiming to design a therapeutic regimen for the management of neuroinflammation and psycho-behavioral alterations. Priming of microglia facilitates the hyper-activation state when it interacts with SARS-CoV-2 known as the 'second hit'. Moreover, the microgliosis produces reactive free radicals and pro-inflammatory cytokines like IL-1β, IFN-γ, and IL-6 which ultimately contribute to a 'cytokine storm', thereby increasing the occurrence of cognitive and neurological dysfunction. It was reported that elevated CCL11 may be responsible for psychiatric disorders and ROS/RNS-induced oxidative stress could promote major depressive disorder (MDD) and phenotypic switching. Additionally, during SARS-CoV-2 infection microglia-CD8+ T cell interaction may have a significant role in neuronal cell death. This cytokine-mediated cellular cross-talking plays a crucial role in pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory balance within the COVID-19 patient's brain. Therefore, all these aspects will be taken into consideration for developing novel therapeutic strategies to combat SARS-CoV-2-induced neuroinflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajen Dey
- Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, School of Allied Health Sciences, Swami Vivekananda University, Telinipara, Barasat-Barrackpore Rd, Bara Kanthalia, West Bengal, 700121, India.
| | - Biswadev Bishayi
- Immunology Laboratory, Department of Physiology, University of Calcutta, University Colleges of Science and Technology, 92 APC Road, Calcutta, West Bengal, 700009, India
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21
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Carvalho-Barbosa N, Zeidler JD, Savio LEB, Coutinho-Silva R. Purinergic signaling in the battlefield of viral infections. Purinergic Signal 2023:10.1007/s11302-023-09981-8. [PMID: 38038801 DOI: 10.1007/s11302-023-09981-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 11/19/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Purinergic signaling has been associated with immune defenses against pathogens such as bacteria, protozoa, fungi, and viruses, acting as a sentinel system that signals to the cells when a threat is present. This review focuses on the roles of purinergic signaling and its therapeutic potential for viral infections. In this context, the purinergic system may play potent antiviral roles by boosting interferon signaling. In other cases, though, it can contribute to a hyperinflammatory response and disease severity, resulting in poor outcomes, such as during flu and potentially COVID-19. Lastly, a third situation may occur since viruses are obligatory intracellular parasites that hijack the host cell machinery for their infection and replication. Viruses such as HIV-1 use the purinergic system to favor their infection and persistence within the host cell. Therefore, understanding the particular nuances of purinergic signaling in each viral infection may contribute to designing proper therapeutic strategies to treat viral diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nayara Carvalho-Barbosa
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Edifício do Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Bloco G. Av. Carlos Chagas Filho, 373. Cidade Universitária, Ilha do Fundão, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21941-902, Brazil
| | - Julianna Dias Zeidler
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Edifício do Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Bloco G. Av. Carlos Chagas Filho, 373. Cidade Universitária, Ilha do Fundão, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21941-902, Brazil
| | - Luiz Eduardo Baggio Savio
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Edifício do Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Bloco G. Av. Carlos Chagas Filho, 373. Cidade Universitária, Ilha do Fundão, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21941-902, Brazil
| | - Robson Coutinho-Silva
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Edifício do Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Bloco G. Av. Carlos Chagas Filho, 373. Cidade Universitária, Ilha do Fundão, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21941-902, Brazil.
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22
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Huot N, Planchais C, Rosenbaum P, Contreras V, Jacquelin B, Petitdemange C, Lazzerini M, Beaumont E, Orta-Resendiz A, Rey FA, Reeves RK, Le Grand R, Mouquet H, Müller-Trutwin M. SARS-CoV-2 viral persistence in lung alveolar macrophages is controlled by IFN-γ and NK cells. Nat Immunol 2023; 24:2068-2079. [PMID: 37919524 PMCID: PMC10681903 DOI: 10.1038/s41590-023-01661-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023]
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) RNA generally becomes undetectable in upper airways after a few days or weeks postinfection. Here we used a model of viral infection in macaques to address whether SARS-CoV-2 persists in the body and which mechanisms regulate its persistence. Replication-competent virus was detected in bronchioalveolar lavage (BAL) macrophages beyond 6 months postinfection. Viral propagation in BAL macrophages occurred from cell to cell and was inhibited by interferon-γ (IFN-γ). IFN-γ production was strongest in BAL NKG2r+CD8+ T cells and NKG2Alo natural killer (NK) cells and was further increased in NKG2Alo NK cells after spike protein stimulation. However, IFN-γ production was impaired in NK cells from macaques with persisting virus. Moreover, IFN-γ also enhanced the expression of major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-E on BAL macrophages, possibly inhibiting NK cell-mediated killing. Macaques with less persisting virus mounted adaptive NK cells that escaped the MHC-E-dependent inhibition. Our findings reveal an interplay between NK cells and macrophages that regulated SARS-CoV-2 persistence in macrophages and was mediated by IFN-γ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas Huot
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris-Cité, HIV, Inflammation and Persistence Unit, Paris, France.
| | - Cyril Planchais
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, INSERM U1222, Humoral Immunology Unit, Paris, France
| | - Pierre Rosenbaum
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, INSERM U1222, Humoral Immunology Unit, Paris, France
| | - Vanessa Contreras
- Université Paris-Saclay, INSERM, CEA, Immunologie des Maladies Virales, Auto-Immunes, Hématologiques et Bactériennes (IMVA-HB/IDMIT/UMR1184), Fontenay-aux-Roses & Kremlin Bicêtre, France
| | - Beatrice Jacquelin
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris-Cité, HIV, Inflammation and Persistence Unit, Paris, France
| | - Caroline Petitdemange
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris-Cité, HIV, Inflammation and Persistence Unit, Paris, France
| | - Marie Lazzerini
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris-Cité, HIV, Inflammation and Persistence Unit, Paris, France
| | - Emma Beaumont
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris-Cité, HIV, Inflammation and Persistence Unit, Paris, France
| | - Aurelio Orta-Resendiz
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris-Cité, HIV, Inflammation and Persistence Unit, Paris, France
| | - Félix A Rey
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris-Cité, Structural Virology Unit, CNRS UMR3569, Paris, France
| | - R Keith Reeves
- Center for Virology and Vaccine Research, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Division of Innate and Comparative Immunology, Center for Human Systems Immunology, Department of Surgery, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
- Ragon Institute of Massachusetts General Hospital, MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Duke Research and Discovery at RTP, Duke University Health System, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Roger Le Grand
- Université Paris-Saclay, INSERM, CEA, Immunologie des Maladies Virales, Auto-Immunes, Hématologiques et Bactériennes (IMVA-HB/IDMIT/UMR1184), Fontenay-aux-Roses & Kremlin Bicêtre, France
| | - Hugo Mouquet
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, INSERM U1222, Humoral Immunology Unit, Paris, France
| | - Michaela Müller-Trutwin
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris-Cité, HIV, Inflammation and Persistence Unit, Paris, France
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23
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Gutman EG, Fernandes RA, Raposo-Vedovi JV, Salvio AL, Duarte LA, Tardim CF, Costa VGC, Pereira VCSR, Bahia PRV, da Silva MM, Fontes-Dantas FL, Alves-Leon SV. Molecular Mimicry between SARS-CoV-2 Proteins and Human Self-Antigens Related with Autoimmune Central Nervous System (CNS) Disorders. Microorganisms 2023; 11:2902. [PMID: 38138047 PMCID: PMC10745528 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11122902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2023] [Revised: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 can trigger autoimmune central nervous system (CNS) diseases in genetically susceptible individuals, a mechanism poorly understood. Molecular mimicry (MM) has been identified in other viral diseases as potential triggers of autoimmune CNS events. This study investigated if MM is the process through which SARS-CoV-2 induces the breakdown of immune tolerance. The frequency of autoimmune CNS disorders was evaluated in a prospective cohort with patients admitted to the COVID-19 Intense Care Unity (ICU) in Rio de Janeiro. Then, an in silico analysis was performed to identify the conserved regions that share a high identity between SARS-CoV-2 antigens and human proteins. The sequences with significant identity and antigenic properties were then assessed for their binding capacity to HLA subtypes. Of the 112 patients included, 3 were classified as having an autoimmune disorder. A total of eleven combinations had significant linear and three-dimensional overlap. NMDAR1, MOG, and MPO were the self-antigens with more significant combinations, followed by GAD65. All sequences presented at least one epitope with strong or intermediate binding capacity to the HLA subtypes selected. This study underscores the possibility that CNS autoimmune attacks observed in COVID-19 patients, including those in our population, could be driven by MM in genetically predisposed individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Gouvea Gutman
- Translational Neuroscience Laboratory (LabNet), Biomedical Institute, Federal University of the State of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 20211-030, RJ, Brazil; (E.G.G.); (R.A.F.); (J.V.R.-V.); (A.L.S.); (L.A.D.)
- Clinical Medicine Post-Graduation Program, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-913, RJ, Brazil
| | - Renan Amphilophio Fernandes
- Translational Neuroscience Laboratory (LabNet), Biomedical Institute, Federal University of the State of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 20211-030, RJ, Brazil; (E.G.G.); (R.A.F.); (J.V.R.-V.); (A.L.S.); (L.A.D.)
| | - Jéssica Vasques Raposo-Vedovi
- Translational Neuroscience Laboratory (LabNet), Biomedical Institute, Federal University of the State of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 20211-030, RJ, Brazil; (E.G.G.); (R.A.F.); (J.V.R.-V.); (A.L.S.); (L.A.D.)
| | - Andreza Lemos Salvio
- Translational Neuroscience Laboratory (LabNet), Biomedical Institute, Federal University of the State of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 20211-030, RJ, Brazil; (E.G.G.); (R.A.F.); (J.V.R.-V.); (A.L.S.); (L.A.D.)
| | - Larissa Araujo Duarte
- Translational Neuroscience Laboratory (LabNet), Biomedical Institute, Federal University of the State of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 20211-030, RJ, Brazil; (E.G.G.); (R.A.F.); (J.V.R.-V.); (A.L.S.); (L.A.D.)
- Clinical Medicine Post-Graduation Program, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-913, RJ, Brazil
| | - Caio Faria Tardim
- Department of Neurology, Clementino Fraga Filho University Hospital, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-913, RJ, Brazil; (C.F.T.); (V.C.S.R.P.); (M.M.d.S.)
| | | | - Valéria Coelho Santa Rita Pereira
- Department of Neurology, Clementino Fraga Filho University Hospital, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-913, RJ, Brazil; (C.F.T.); (V.C.S.R.P.); (M.M.d.S.)
| | - Paulo Roberto Valle Bahia
- Department of Radiology, Clementino Fraga Filho University Hospital, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-913, RJ, Brazil;
| | - Marcos Martins da Silva
- Department of Neurology, Clementino Fraga Filho University Hospital, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-913, RJ, Brazil; (C.F.T.); (V.C.S.R.P.); (M.M.d.S.)
| | - Fabrícia Lima Fontes-Dantas
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Biology, Rio de Janeiro State University, Rio de Janeiro 20950-000, RJ, Brazil
| | - Soniza Vieira Alves-Leon
- Translational Neuroscience Laboratory (LabNet), Biomedical Institute, Federal University of the State of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 20211-030, RJ, Brazil; (E.G.G.); (R.A.F.); (J.V.R.-V.); (A.L.S.); (L.A.D.)
- Department of Neurology, Clementino Fraga Filho University Hospital, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-913, RJ, Brazil; (C.F.T.); (V.C.S.R.P.); (M.M.d.S.)
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24
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Volk P, Rahmani Manesh M, Warren ME, Besko K, Gonçalves de Andrade E, Wicki-Stordeur LE, Swayne LA. Long-term neurological dysfunction associated with COVID-19: Lessons from influenza and inflammatory diseases? J Neurochem 2023. [PMID: 38014645 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.16016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Revised: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 11/05/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
As the COVID-19 pandemic persists, SARS-CoV-2 infection is increasingly associated with long-term neurological side effects including cognitive impairment, fatigue, depression, and anxiety, colloquially known as "long-COVID." While the full extent of long-COVID neuropathology across years or even decades is not yet known, we can perhaps take direction from long-standing research into other respiratory diseases, such as influenza, that can present with similar long-term neurological consequences. In this review, we highlight commonalities in the neurological impacts of influenza and COVID-19. We first focus on the common potential mechanisms underlying neurological sequelae of long-COVID and influenza, namely (1) viral neurotropism and (2) dysregulated peripheral inflammation. The latter, namely heightened peripheral inflammation leading to central nervous system dysfunction, is emerging as a shared mechanism in various peripheral inflammatory or inflammation-associated diseases and conditions. We then discuss historical and modern examples of influenza- and COVID-19-associated cognitive impairment, depression, anxiety, and fatigue, revealing key similarities in their neurological sequelae. Although we are learning that the effects of influenza and COVID differ somewhat in terms of their influence on the brain, as the impacts of long-COVID grow, such comparisons will likely prove valuable in guiding ongoing research into long-COVID, and perhaps foreshadow what could be in store for individuals with COVID-19 and their brain health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parker Volk
- Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
| | | | - Mary E Warren
- Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Katie Besko
- Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
| | | | - Leigh E Wicki-Stordeur
- Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Leigh Anne Swayne
- Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
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25
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Yousefbeigi S, Marsusi F. Structural insights into ACE2 interactions and immune activation of SARS-CoV-2 and its variants: an in-silico study. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2023:1-14. [PMID: 37982275 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2023.2283158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 11/21/2023]
Abstract
The initial interaction between COVID-19 and the human body involves the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the viral spike protein with the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor. Likewise, the spike protein can engage with immune-related proteins, such as toll-like receptors (TLRs) and pulmonary surfactant proteins A (SP-A) and D (SP-D), thereby triggering immune responses. In this study, we utilize computational methods to investigate the interactions between the spike protein and TLRs (specifically TLR2 and TLR4), as well as (SP-A) and (SP-D). The study is conducted on four variants of concern (VOC) to differentiate and identify common virus behaviours. An assessment of the structural stability of various variants indicates slight changes attributed to mutations, yet overall structural integrity remains preserved. Our findings reveal the spike protein's ability to bind with TLR4 and TLR2, prompting immune activation. In addition, our in-silico results reveal almost similar docking scores and therefore affinity for both ACE2-spike and TLR4-spike complexes. We demonstrate that even minor changes due to mutations in all variants, surfactant A and D proteins can function as inhibitors against the spike in all variants, hindering the ACE2-RBD interaction.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarina Yousefbeigi
- Department of Physics and Energy Engineering, Amirkabir University of Technology, Tehran, Iran
| | - Farah Marsusi
- Department of Physics and Energy Engineering, Amirkabir University of Technology, Tehran, Iran
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26
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Taylor K, Pearson M, Das S, Sardell J, Chocian K, Gardner S. Genetic risk factors for severe and fatigue dominant long COVID and commonalities with ME/CFS identified by combinatorial analysis. J Transl Med 2023; 21:775. [PMID: 37915075 PMCID: PMC10621206 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-023-04588-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Long COVID is a debilitating chronic condition that has affected over 100 million people globally. It is characterized by a diverse array of symptoms, including fatigue, cognitive dysfunction and respiratory problems. Studies have so far largely failed to identify genetic associations, the mechanisms behind the disease, or any common pathophysiology with other conditions such as myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) that present with similar symptoms. METHODS We used a combinatorial analysis approach to identify combinations of genetic variants significantly associated with the development of long COVID and to examine the biological mechanisms underpinning its various symptoms. We compared two subpopulations of long COVID patients from Sano Genetics' Long COVID GOLD study cohort, focusing on patients with severe or fatigue dominant phenotypes. We evaluated the genetic signatures previously identified in an ME/CFS population against this long COVID population to understand similarities with other fatigue disorders that may be triggered by a prior viral infection. Finally, we also compared the output of this long COVID analysis against known genetic associations in other chronic diseases, including a range of metabolic and neurological disorders, to understand the overlap of pathophysiological mechanisms. RESULTS Combinatorial analysis identified 73 genes that were highly associated with at least one of the long COVID populations included in this analysis. Of these, 9 genes have prior associations with acute COVID-19, and 14 were differentially expressed in a transcriptomic analysis of long COVID patients. A pathway enrichment analysis revealed that the biological pathways most significantly associated with the 73 long COVID genes were mainly aligned with neurological and cardiometabolic diseases. Expanded genotype analysis suggests that specific SNX9 genotypes are a significant contributor to the risk of or protection against severe long COVID infection, but that the gene-disease relationship is context dependent and mediated by interactions with KLF15 and RYR3. Comparison of the genes uniquely associated with the Severe and Fatigue Dominant long COVID patients revealed significant differences between the pathways enriched in each subgroup. The genes unique to Severe long COVID patients were associated with immune pathways such as myeloid differentiation and macrophage foam cells. Genes unique to the Fatigue Dominant subgroup were enriched in metabolic pathways such as MAPK/JNK signaling. We also identified overlap in the genes associated with Fatigue Dominant long COVID and ME/CFS, including several involved in circadian rhythm regulation and insulin regulation. Overall, 39 SNPs associated in this study with long COVID can be linked to 9 genes identified in a recent combinatorial analysis of ME/CFS patient from UK Biobank. Among the 73 genes associated with long COVID, 42 are potentially tractable for novel drug discovery approaches, with 13 of these already targeted by drugs in clinical development pipelines. From this analysis for example, we identified TLR4 antagonists as repurposing candidates with potential to protect against long term cognitive impairment pathology caused by SARS-CoV-2. We are currently evaluating the repurposing potential of these drug targets for use in treating long COVID and/or ME/CFS. CONCLUSION This study demonstrates the power of combinatorial analytics for stratifying heterogeneous populations in complex diseases that do not have simple monogenic etiologies. These results build upon the genetic findings from combinatorial analyses of severe acute COVID-19 patients and an ME/CFS population and we expect that access to additional independent, larger patient datasets will further improve the disease insights and validate potential treatment options in long COVID.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krystyna Taylor
- PrecisionLife Ltd, Unit 8B Bankside, Hanborough Business Park, Oxford, OX29 8LJ, UK
| | - Matthew Pearson
- PrecisionLife Ltd, Unit 8B Bankside, Hanborough Business Park, Oxford, OX29 8LJ, UK
| | - Sayoni Das
- PrecisionLife Ltd, Unit 8B Bankside, Hanborough Business Park, Oxford, OX29 8LJ, UK
| | - Jason Sardell
- PrecisionLife Ltd, Unit 8B Bankside, Hanborough Business Park, Oxford, OX29 8LJ, UK
| | - Karolina Chocian
- PrecisionLife Ltd, Unit 8B Bankside, Hanborough Business Park, Oxford, OX29 8LJ, UK
| | - Steve Gardner
- PrecisionLife Ltd, Unit 8B Bankside, Hanborough Business Park, Oxford, OX29 8LJ, UK.
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Hulscher N, Procter BC, Wynn C, McCullough PA. Clinical Approach to Post-acute Sequelae After COVID-19 Infection and Vaccination. Cureus 2023; 15:e49204. [PMID: 38024037 PMCID: PMC10663976 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.49204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 has been found to exhibit pathogenic characteristics and be a possible cause of post-acute sequelae after SARS-CoV-2 infection or COVID-19 vaccination. COVID-19 vaccines utilize a modified, stabilized prefusion spike protein that may share similar toxic effects with its viral counterpart. The aim of this study is to investigate possible mechanisms of harm to biological systems from SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and vaccine-encoded spike protein and to propose possible mitigation strategies. We searched PubMed, Google Scholar, and 'grey literature' to find studies that (1) investigated the effects of the spike protein on biological systems, (2) helped differentiate between viral and vaccine-generated spike proteins, and (3) identified possible spike protein detoxification protocols and compounds that had signals of benefit and acceptable safety profiles. We found abundant evidence that SARS-CoV-2 spike protein may cause damage in the cardiovascular, hematological, neurological, respiratory, gastrointestinal, and immunological systems. Viral and vaccine-encoded spike proteins have been shown to play a direct role in cardiovascular and thrombotic injuries from both SARS-CoV-2 and vaccination. Detection of spike protein for at least 6-15 months after vaccination and infection in those with post-acute sequelae indicates spike protein as a possible primary contributing factor to long COVID. We rationalized that these findings give support to the potential benefit of spike protein detoxification protocols in those with long-term post-infection and/or vaccine-induced complications. We propose a base spike detoxification protocol, composed of oral nattokinase, bromelain, and curcumin. This approach holds immense promise as a base of clinical care, upon which additional therapeutic agents are applied with the goal of aiding in the resolution of post-acute sequelae after SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 vaccination. Large-scale, prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials are warranted in order to determine the relative risks and benefits of the base spike detoxification protocol.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas Hulscher
- Epidemiology, Unversity of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, USA
| | | | - Cade Wynn
- Family Medicine, McKinney Family Medicine, McKinney, USA
| | - Peter A McCullough
- Internal Medicine, Cardiology, McKinney Family Medicine, McKinney, USA
- Cardiology, Epidemiology, and Public Health, McCullough Foundation, Dallas, USA
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28
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Ma T, Suryawanshi RK, Miller SR, Ly KK, Thomas R, Elphick N, Yin K, Luo X, Kaliss N, Chen IP, Montano M, Sreekumar B, Standker L, Münch J, Heath Damron F, Palop JJ, Ott M, Roan NR. Post-acute immunological and behavioral sequelae in mice after Omicron infection. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.06.05.543758. [PMID: 37333294 PMCID: PMC10274741 DOI: 10.1101/2023.06.05.543758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/20/2023]
Abstract
Progress in understanding long COVID and developing effective therapeutics is hampered in part by the lack of suitable animal models. Here we used ACE2-transgenic mice recovered from Omicron (BA.1) infection to test for pulmonary and behavioral post-acute sequelae. Through in-depth phenotyping by CyTOF, we demonstrate that naïve mice experiencing a first Omicron infection exhibit profound immune perturbations in the lung after resolving acute infection. This is not observed if mice were first vaccinated with spike-encoding mRNA. The protective effects of vaccination against post-acute sequelae were associated with a highly polyfunctional SARS-CoV-2-specific T cell response that was recalled upon BA.1 breakthrough infection but not seen with BA.1 infection alone. Without vaccination, the chemokine receptor CXCR4 was uniquely upregulated on multiple pulmonary immune subsets in the BA.1 convalescent mice, a process previously connected to severe COVID-19. Taking advantage of recent developments in machine learning and computer vision, we demonstrate that BA.1 convalescent mice exhibited spontaneous behavioral changes, emotional alterations, and cognitive-related deficits in context habituation. Collectively, our data identify immunological and behavioral post-acute sequelae after Omicron infection and uncover a protective effect of vaccination against post-acute pulmonary immune perturbations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tongcui Ma
- Gladstone Institutes of Virology, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Urology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, United States
| | | | - Stephanie R. Miller
- Gladstone Institute of Neurological Disease, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
- Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Katie K. Ly
- Gladstone Institute of Neurological Disease, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
- Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Reuben Thomas
- Gladstone Institute of Data Science and Biotechnology, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Natalie Elphick
- Gladstone Institute of Data Science and Biotechnology, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Kailin Yin
- Gladstone Institutes of Virology, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Urology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, United States
| | - Xiaoyu Luo
- Gladstone Institutes of Virology, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Urology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, United States
| | - Nick Kaliss
- Gladstone Institute of Neurological Disease, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
- Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Irene P Chen
- Gladstone Institutes of Virology, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, University of California San Francisco; San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco; San Francisco, CA, USA
- Core Facility Functional Peptidomics, Ulm University Medical Center, Meyerhofstrasse 1, Ulm, Germany
| | | | | | - Ludger Standker
- Core Facility Functional Peptidomics, Ulm University Medical Center, Meyerhofstrasse 1, Ulm, Germany
| | - Jan Münch
- Core Facility Functional Peptidomics, Ulm University Medical Center, Meyerhofstrasse 1, Ulm, Germany
| | - F. Heath Damron
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Cell Biology, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown WV, USA
| | - Jorge J. Palop
- Gladstone Institute of Neurological Disease, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
- Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Melanie Ott
- Gladstone Institutes of Virology, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco; San Francisco, CA, USA
- Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Nadia R. Roan
- Gladstone Institutes of Virology, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Urology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, United States
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29
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Parry PI, Lefringhausen A, Turni C, Neil CJ, Cosford R, Hudson NJ, Gillespie J. 'Spikeopathy': COVID-19 Spike Protein Is Pathogenic, from Both Virus and Vaccine mRNA. Biomedicines 2023; 11:2287. [PMID: 37626783 PMCID: PMC10452662 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11082287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2023] [Revised: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic caused much illness, many deaths, and profound disruption to society. The production of 'safe and effective' vaccines was a key public health target. Sadly, unprecedented high rates of adverse events have overshadowed the benefits. This two-part narrative review presents evidence for the widespread harms of novel product COVID-19 mRNA and adenovectorDNA vaccines and is novel in attempting to provide a thorough overview of harms arising from the new technology in vaccines that relied on human cells producing a foreign antigen that has evidence of pathogenicity. This first paper explores peer-reviewed data counter to the 'safe and effective' narrative attached to these new technologies. Spike protein pathogenicity, termed 'spikeopathy', whether from the SARS-CoV-2 virus or produced by vaccine gene codes, akin to a 'synthetic virus', is increasingly understood in terms of molecular biology and pathophysiology. Pharmacokinetic transfection through body tissues distant from the injection site by lipid-nanoparticles or viral-vector carriers means that 'spikeopathy' can affect many organs. The inflammatory properties of the nanoparticles used to ferry mRNA; N1-methylpseudouridine employed to prolong synthetic mRNA function; the widespread biodistribution of the mRNA and DNA codes and translated spike proteins, and autoimmunity via human production of foreign proteins, contribute to harmful effects. This paper reviews autoimmune, cardiovascular, neurological, potential oncological effects, and autopsy evidence for spikeopathy. With many gene-based therapeutic technologies planned, a re-evaluation is necessary and timely.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter I. Parry
- Children’s Health Research Clinical Unit, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, South Brisbane, QLD 4101, Australia
- Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA 5042, Australia
| | - Astrid Lefringhausen
- Children’s Health Defence (Australia Chapter), Huskisson, NSW 2540, Australia; (A.L.); (R.C.); (J.G.)
| | - Conny Turni
- Microbiology Research, QAAFI (Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation), The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia;
| | - Christopher J. Neil
- Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia;
| | - Robyn Cosford
- Children’s Health Defence (Australia Chapter), Huskisson, NSW 2540, Australia; (A.L.); (R.C.); (J.G.)
| | - Nicholas J. Hudson
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia;
| | - Julian Gillespie
- Children’s Health Defence (Australia Chapter), Huskisson, NSW 2540, Australia; (A.L.); (R.C.); (J.G.)
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30
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Peron JPS. Direct and indirect impact of SARS-CoV-2 on the brain. Hum Genet 2023; 142:1317-1326. [PMID: 37004544 PMCID: PMC10066989 DOI: 10.1007/s00439-023-02549-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2023] [Indexed: 04/04/2023]
Abstract
Although COVID-19 is mostly a pulmonary disease, it is now well accepted that it can cause a much broader spectrum of signs and symptoms and affect many other organs and tissue. From mild anosmia to severe ischemic stroke, the impact of SARS-CoV-2 on the central nervous system is still a great challenge to scientists and health care practitioners. Besides the acute and severe neurological problems described, as encephalopathies, leptomeningitis, and stroke, after 2 years of pandemic, the chronic impact observed during long-COVID or the post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC) greatly intrigues scientists worldwide. Strikingly, even asymptomatic, and mild diseased patients may evolve with important neurological and psychiatric symptoms, as confusion, memory loss, cognitive decline, chronic fatigue, associated or not with anxiety and depression. Thus, the knowledge on the correlation between COVID-19 and the central nervous system is of great relevance. In this sense, here we discuss some important mechanisms obtained from in vitro and in vivo investigation regarding how SARS-CoV-2 impacts the brain and its cells and function.
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Affiliation(s)
- J P S Peron
- Neuroimmune Interactions Laboratory, Department of Immunology, University of Sao Paulo, Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes, 1730 Lab 232. Cidade Universitária, São Paulo, SP, CEP 05508-000, Brazil.
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31
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Li Z, Zhang Z, Zhang Z, Wang Z, Li H. Cognitive impairment after long COVID-19: current evidence and perspectives. Front Neurol 2023; 14:1239182. [PMID: 37583958 PMCID: PMC10423939 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2023.1239182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 08/17/2023] Open
Abstract
COVID-19, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, is a respiratory infectious disease. While most patients recover after treatment, there is growing evidence that COVID-19 may result in cognitive impairment. Recent studies reveal that some individuals experience cognitive deficits, such as diminished memory and attention, as well as sleep disturbances, suggesting that COVID-19 could have long-term effects on cognitive function. Research indicates that COVID-19 may contribute to cognitive decline by damaging crucial brain regions, including the hippocampus and anterior cingulate cortex. Additionally, studies have identified active neuroinflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and microglial activation in COVID-19 patients, implying that these factors may be potential mechanisms leading to cognitive impairment. Given these findings, the possibility of cognitive impairment following COVID-19 treatment warrants careful consideration. Large-scale follow-up studies are needed to investigate the impact of COVID-19 on cognitive function and offer evidence to support clinical treatment and rehabilitation practices. In-depth neuropathological and biological studies can elucidate precise mechanisms and provide a theoretical basis for prevention, treatment, and intervention research. Considering the risks of the long-term effects of COVID-19 and the possibility of reinfection, it is imperative to integrate basic and clinical research data to optimize the preservation of patients' cognitive function and quality of life. This integration will also offer valuable insights for responding to similar public health events in the future. This perspective article synthesizes clinical and basic evidence of cognitive impairment following COVID-19, discussing potential mechanisms and outlining future research directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhitao Li
- Wangjing Hospital of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
- The Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Zhen Zhang
- Xiyuan Hospital of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zhuoya Zhang
- Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhiyong Wang
- Xiyuan Hospital of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Hao Li
- Wangjing Hospital of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
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32
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Vlaicu SI, Tatomir A, Cuevas J, Rus V, Rus H. COVID, complement, and the brain. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1216457. [PMID: 37533859 PMCID: PMC10391634 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1216457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The brains of COVID-19 patients are affected by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, and these effects may contribute to several COVID-19 sequelae, including cognitive dysfunction (termed "long COVID" by some researchers). Recent advances concerning the role of neuroinflammation and the consequences for brain function are reviewed in this manuscript. Studies have shown that respiratory SARS-CoV-2 infection in mice and humans is associated with selective microglial reactivity in the white matter, persistently impaired hippocampal neurogenesis, a decrease in the number of oligodendrocytes, and myelin loss. Brain MRI studies have revealed a greater reduction in grey matter thickness in the orbitofrontal cortex and parahippocampal gyrus, associated with a greater reduction in global brain size, in those with SARS-CoV-2 and a greater cognitive decline. COVID-19 can directly infect endothelial cells of the brain, potentially promoting clot formation and stroke; complement C3 seems to play a major role in this process. As compared to controls, the brain tissue of patients who died from COVID-19 have shown a significant increase in the extravasation of fibrinogen, indicating leakage in the blood-brain barrier; furthermore, recent studies have documented the presence of IgG, IgM, C1q, C4d, and C5b-9 deposits in the brain tissue of COVID-19 patients. These data suggest an activation of the classical complement pathway and an immune-mediated injury to the endothelial cells. These findings implicate both the classical and alternative complement pathways, and they indicate that C3b and the C5b-9 terminal complement complex (membrane attack complex, MAC) are acting in concert with neuroinflammatory and immune factors to contribute to the neurological sequelae seen in patients with COVID.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonia I. Vlaicu
- Department of Neurology, University of Maryland, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Department of Medicine, Medical Clinic Nr. 1, “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Alexandru Tatomir
- Department of Neurology, University of Maryland, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Jacob Cuevas
- Department of Neurology, University of Maryland, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Violeta Rus
- Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University of Maryland, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Horea Rus
- Department of Neurology, University of Maryland, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Neurology Service, Baltimore Veterans Administration Medical Center, Baltimore, MD, United States
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33
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Panzer B, Kopp CW, Neumayer C, Koppensteiner R, Jozkowicz A, Poledniczek M, Gremmel T, Jilma B, Wadowski PP. Toll-like Receptors as Pro-Thrombotic Drivers in Viral Infections: A Narrative Review. Cells 2023; 12:1865. [PMID: 37508529 PMCID: PMC10377790 DOI: 10.3390/cells12141865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Revised: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Toll-like receptors (TLRs) have a critical role in the pathogenesis and disease course of viral infections. The induced pro-inflammatory responses result in the disturbance of the endovascular surface layer and impair vascular homeostasis. The injury of the vessel wall further promotes pro-thrombotic and pro-coagulatory processes, eventually leading to micro-vessel plugging and tissue necrosis. Moreover, TLRs have a direct role in the sensing of viruses and platelet activation. TLR-mediated upregulation of von Willebrand factor release and neutrophil, as well as macrophage extra-cellular trap formation, further contribute to (micro-) thrombotic processes during inflammation. The following review focuses on TLR signaling pathways of TLRs expressed in humans provoking pro-thrombotic responses, which determine patient outcome during viral infections, especially in those with cardiovascular diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Panzer
- Department of Cardiology, Wilhelminenspital, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Christoph W Kopp
- Division of Angiology, Department of Internal Medicine II, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Christoph Neumayer
- Division of Vascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Renate Koppensteiner
- Division of Angiology, Department of Internal Medicine II, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Alicja Jozkowicz
- Faculty of Biophysics, Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Department of Medical Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, 30-387 Krakow, Poland
| | - Michael Poledniczek
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine II, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Thomas Gremmel
- Institute of Cardiovascular Pharmacotherapy and Interventional Cardiology, Karl Landsteiner Society, 3100 St. Pölten, Austria
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Cardiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Landesklinikum Mistelbach-Gänserndorf, 2130 Mistelbach, Austria
| | - Bernd Jilma
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Patricia P Wadowski
- Division of Angiology, Department of Internal Medicine II, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
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Frank MG, Fleshner M, Maier SF. Exploring the immunogenic properties of SARS-CoV-2 structural proteins: PAMP:TLR signaling in the mediation of the neuroinflammatory and neurologic sequelae of COVID-19. Brain Behav Immun 2023; 111:259-269. [PMID: 37116592 PMCID: PMC10132835 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2023.04.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Revised: 04/07/2023] [Accepted: 04/23/2023] [Indexed: 04/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) produces an array of neurologic and neuropsychiatric symptoms in the acute and post-acute phase of infection (PASC; post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection). Neuroinflammatory processes are considered key factors in the etiology of these symptoms. Several mechanisms underpinning the development of inflammatory events in the brain have been proposed including SARS-CoV-2 neurotropism and peripheral inflammatory responses (i.e., cytokine storm) to infection, which might produce neuroinflammation via immune-to-brain signaling pathways. In this review, we explore evidence in support of an alternate mechanism whereby structural proteins (e.g., spike and spike S1 subunit) derived from SARS-CoV-2 virions function as pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) to elicit proinflammatory immune responses in the periphery and/or brain via classical Toll-Like Receptor (TLR) inflammatory pathways. We propose that SARS-CoV-2 structural proteins might directly produce inflammatory processes in brain independent of and/or in addition to peripheral proinflammatory effects, which might converge to play a causal role in the development of neurologic/neuropsychiatric symptoms in COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew G Frank
- Department of Integrative Physiology, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder CO 80301, United States.
| | - Monika Fleshner
- Department of Integrative Physiology, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder CO 80301, United States
| | - Steven F Maier
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Center for Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder CO 80301, United States
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Zelek WM, Harrison RA. Complement and COVID-19: Three years on, what we know, what we don't know, and what we ought to know. Immunobiology 2023; 228:152393. [PMID: 37187043 PMCID: PMC10174470 DOI: 10.1016/j.imbio.2023.152393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2023] [Revised: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus was identified in China in 2019 as the causative agent of COVID-19, and quickly spread throughout the world, causing over 7 million deaths, of which 2 million occurred prior to the introduction of the first vaccine. In the following discussion, while recognising that complement is just one of many players in COVID-19, we focus on the relationship between complement and COVID-19 disease, with limited digression into directly-related areas such as the relationship between complement, kinin release, and coagulation. Prior to the 2019 COVID-19 outbreak, an important role for complement in coronavirus diseases had been established. Subsequently, multiple investigations of patients with COVID-19 confirmed that complement dysregulation is likely to be a major driver of disease pathology, in some, if not all, patients. These data fuelled evaluation of many complement-directed therapeutic agents in small patient cohorts, with claims of significant beneficial effect. As yet, these early results have not been reflected in larger clinical trials, posing questions such as who to treat, appropriate time to treat, duration of treatment, and optimal target for treatment. While significant control of the pandemic has been achieved through a global scientific and medical effort to comprehend the etiology of the disease, through extensive SARS-CoV-2 testing and quarantine measures, through vaccine development, and through improved therapy, possibly aided by attenuation of the dominant strains, it is not yet over. In this review, we summarise complement-relevant literature, emphasise its main conclusions, and formulate a hypothesis for complement involvement in COVID-19. Based on this we make suggestions as to how any future outbreak might be better managed in order to minimise impact on patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wioleta M Zelek
- Dementia Research Institute and Division of Infection and Immunity, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom
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36
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Gressett TE, Leist SR, Ismael S, Talkington G, Dinnon KH, Baric RS, Bix G. Mouse Adapted SARS-CoV-2 Model Induces "Long-COVID" Neuropathology in BALB/c Mice. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.03.18.533204. [PMID: 36993423 PMCID: PMC10055301 DOI: 10.1101/2023.03.18.533204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/31/2023]
Abstract
The novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 has caused significant global morbidity and mortality and continues to burden patients with persisting neurological dysfunction. COVID-19 survivors develop debilitating symptoms to include neuro-psychological dysfunction, termed "Long COVID", which can cause significant reduction of quality of life. Despite vigorous model development, the possible cause of these symptoms and the underlying pathophysiology of this devastating disease remains elusive. Mouse adapted (MA10) SARS-CoV-2 is a novel mouse-based model of COVID-19 which simulates the clinical symptoms of respiratory distress associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection in mice. In this study, we evaluated the long-term effects of MA10 infection on brain pathology and neuroinflammation. 10-week and 1-year old female BALB/cAnNHsd mice were infected intranasally with 10 4 plaque-forming units (PFU) and 10 3 PFU of SARS-CoV-2 MA10, respectively, and the brain was examined 60 days post-infection (dpi). Immunohistochemical analysis showed a decrease in the neuronal nuclear protein NeuN and an increase in Iba-1 positive amoeboid microglia in the hippocampus after MA10 infection, indicating long-term neurological changes in a brain area which is critical for long-term memory consolidation and processing. Importantly, these changes were seen in 40-50% of infected mice, which correlates to prevalence of LC seen clinically. Our data shows for the first time that MA10 infection induces neuropathological outcomes several weeks after infection at similar rates of observed clinical prevalence of "Long COVID". These observations strengthen the MA10 model as a viable model for study of the long-term effects of SARS-CoV-2 in humans. Establishing the viability of this model is a key step towards the rapid development of novel therapeutic strategies to ameliorate neuroinflammation and restore brain function in those suffering from the persistent cognitive dysfunction of "Long-COVID".
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37
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Alves VS, Santos SACS, Leite-Aguiar R, Paiva-Pereira E, dos Reis RR, Calazans ML, Fernandes GG, Antônio LS, de Lima EV, Kurtenbach E, Silva JL, Fontes-Dantas FL, Passos GF, Figueiredo CP, Coutinho-Silva R, Savio LEB. SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein alters microglial purinergic signaling. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1158460. [PMID: 37114062 PMCID: PMC10126242 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1158460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite long-term sequelae of COVID-19 are emerging as a substantial public health concern, the mechanism underlying these processes still unclear. Evidence demonstrates that SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein can reach different brain regions, irrespective of viral brain replication resulting in activation of pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) and neuroinflammation. Considering that microglia dysfunction, which is regulated by a whole array of purinergic receptors, may be a central event in COVID-19 neuropathology, we investigated the impact of SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein on microglial purinergic signaling. Here, we demonstrate that cultured microglial cells (BV2 line) exposed to Spike protein induce ATP secretion and upregulation of P2Y6, P2Y12, NTPDase2 and NTPDase3 transcripts. Also, immunocytochemistry analysis shows that spike protein increases the expression of P2X7, P2Y1, P2Y6, and P2Y12 in BV2 cells. Additional, hippocampal tissue of Spike infused animals (6,5ug/site, i.c.v.) presents increased mRNA levels of P2X7, P2Y1, P2Y6, P2Y12, NTPDase1, and NTPDase2. Immunohistochemistry experiments confirmed high expression of the P2X7 receptor in microglial cells in CA3/DG hippocampal regions after spike infusion. These findings suggest that SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein modulates microglial purinergic signaling and opens new avenues for investigating the potential of purinergic receptors to mitigate COVID-19 consequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vinícius Santos Alves
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | - Raíssa Leite-Aguiar
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Elaine Paiva-Pereira
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Renata Rodrigues dos Reis
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Mariana L. Calazans
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | - Leticia Silva Antônio
- Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Emanuelle V. de Lima
- Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Eleonora Kurtenbach
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Jerson Lima Silva
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Fabricia Lima Fontes-Dantas
- Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
- Departamento de Farmacologia e Psicobiologia, Instituto de Biologia Roberto Alcântara Gomes Institute Biology (IBRAG), Universidade Estadual do Rio de Janeiro (UERJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | | | - Robson Coutinho-Silva
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Luiz Eduardo Baggio Savio
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- *Correspondence: Luiz Eduardo Baggio Savio,
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