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Lu RXZ, Zhao Y, Radisic M. The emerging role of heart-on-a-chip systems in delineating mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2-induced cardiac dysfunction. Bioeng Transl Med 2024; 9:e10581. [PMID: 38818123 PMCID: PMC11135153 DOI: 10.1002/btm2.10581] [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: 05/16/2023] [Revised: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been a major global health concern since its emergence in 2019, with over 680 million confirmed cases as of April 2023. While COVID-19 has been strongly associated with the development of cardiovascular complications, the specific mechanisms by which viral infection induces myocardial dysfunction remain largely controversial as studies have shown that the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 can lead to heart failure both directly, by causing damage to the heart cells, and indirectly, by triggering an inflammatory response throughout the body. In this review, we summarize the current understanding of potential mechanisms that drive heart failure based on in vitro studies. We also discuss the significance of three-dimensional heart-on-a-chip technology in the context of the current and future pandemics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rick Xing Ze Lu
- Institute of Biomedical EngineeringUniversity of TorontoTorontoOntarioCanada
| | - Yimu Zhao
- Institute of Biomedical EngineeringUniversity of TorontoTorontoOntarioCanada
- Toronto General Hospital Research InstituteUniversity Health NetworkTorontoOntarioCanada
| | - Milica Radisic
- Institute of Biomedical EngineeringUniversity of TorontoTorontoOntarioCanada
- Toronto General Hospital Research InstituteUniversity Health NetworkTorontoOntarioCanada
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied ChemistryUniversity of TorontoTorontoOntarioCanada
- Terence Donnelly Centre for Cellular & Biomolecular ResearchUniversity of TorontoTorontoOntarioCanada
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2
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Tangos M, Jarkas M, Akin I, El-Battrawy I, Hamdani N. Cardiac damage and tropism of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. Curr Opin Microbiol 2024; 78:102437. [PMID: 38394964 DOI: 10.1016/j.mib.2024.102437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2023] [Revised: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024]
Abstract
Until now, the World Health Organization registered over 771 million cases of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection worldwide, of which 6.97 million resulted in death. Virus-related cardiovascular events and pre-existing heart problems have been identified as major contributing factors to global infection-related morbidity and mortality, emphasizing the necessity for risk assessment and future prevention. In this review, we highlight cardiac manifestations that might arise from an infection with SARS-CoV-2 and provide an overview of known comorbidities that worsen the outcome. Additionally, we aim to summarize the therapeutic strategies proposed to reverse virus-associated myocardial damage, which will be further highlighted in this review, with an outlook to successful recovery and prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melina Tangos
- Institute of Physiology, Department of Cellular and Translational Physiology, Medical Faculty, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany; Institut für Forschung und Lehre (IFL), Molecular and Experimental Cardiology, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany; Department of Cardiology, St. Josef-Hospital of the Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Muhammad Jarkas
- Institute of Physiology, Department of Cellular and Translational Physiology, Medical Faculty, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany; Institut für Forschung und Lehre (IFL), Molecular and Experimental Cardiology, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany; Department of Cardiology, St. Josef-Hospital of the Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Ibrahim Akin
- First Department of Medicine, University Medical Centre Mannheim (UMM), Mannheim, Germany
| | - Ibrahim El-Battrawy
- Institute of Physiology, Department of Cellular and Translational Physiology, Medical Faculty, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany; Institut für Forschung und Lehre (IFL), Molecular and Experimental Cardiology, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany; Department of Cardiology and Angiology, Bergmannsheil University Hospital, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Nazha Hamdani
- Institute of Physiology, Department of Cellular and Translational Physiology, Medical Faculty, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany; Institut für Forschung und Lehre (IFL), Molecular and Experimental Cardiology, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany; Department of Cardiology, St. Josef-Hospital of the Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany; HCEMM-SU Cardiovascular Comorbidities Research Group, Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Semmelweis University, 1089 Budapest, Hungary; Department of Physiology, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht University Maastricht, Maastricht, the Netherlands.
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3
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Mannherz HG, Budde H, Jarkas M, Hassoun R, Malek-Chudzik N, Mazur AJ, Skuljec J, Pul R, Napirei M, Hamdani N. Reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton during the formation of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs). Eur J Cell Biol 2024; 103:151407. [PMID: 38555846 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejcb.2024.151407] [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: 08/10/2023] [Revised: 03/19/2024] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024] Open
Abstract
We analyzed actin cytoskeleton alterations during NET extrusion by neutrophil-like dHL-60 cells and human neutrophils in the absence of DNase1 containing serum to avoid chromatin degradation and microfilament disassembly. NET-formation by dHL-60 cells and neutrophils was induced by Ionomycin or phorbol-12-myristat-13-acetate (PMA). Subsequent staining with anti-actin and TRITC-phalloidin showed depolymerization of the cortical F-actin at spatially confined areas, the NET extrusion sites, effected by transient activation of the monooxygenase MICAL-1 supported by the G-actin binding proteins cofilin, profilin, thymosin ß4 and probably the F-actin fragmenting activity of gelsolin and/or its fragments, which also decorated the formed NETs. MICAL-1 itself appeared to be proteolyzed by neutrophil elastase possibly to confine its activity to the NET-extrusion area. The F-actin oxidization activity of MICAL-1 is inhibited by Levosimendan leading to reduced NET-formation. Anti-gasdermin-D immunohistochemistry showed a cytoplasmic distribution in non-stimulated cells. After stimulation the NET-extrusion pore displayed reduced anti-gasdermin-D staining but accumulated underneath the plasma membrane of the remaining cell body. A similar distribution was observed for myosin that concentrated together with cortical F-actin along the periphery of the remaining cell body suggesting force production by acto-myosin interactions supporting NET expulsion as indicated by the inhibitory action of the myosin ATPase inhibitor blebbistatin. Isolated human neutrophils displayed differences in their content of certain cytoskeletal proteins. After stimulation neutrophils with high gelsolin content preferentially formed "cloud"-like NETs, whereas those with low or no gelsolin formed long "filamentous" NETs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hans Georg Mannherz
- Department of Anatomy and Molecular Embryology, Medical Faculty, Ruhr-University Bochum, Germany; Department of Cellular and Translational Physiology, Institute of Physiology, Medical Faculty, Ruhr-University Bochum, and Molecular and Experimental Cardiology, Institute for Research and Education, St. Josef Hospital, Clinics of the Ruhr-University Bochum, Germany.
| | - Heidi Budde
- Department of Cellular and Translational Physiology, Institute of Physiology, Medical Faculty, Ruhr-University Bochum, and Molecular and Experimental Cardiology, Institute for Research and Education, St. Josef Hospital, Clinics of the Ruhr-University Bochum, Germany.
| | - Muhammad Jarkas
- Department of Cellular and Translational Physiology, Institute of Physiology, Medical Faculty, Ruhr-University Bochum, and Molecular and Experimental Cardiology, Institute for Research and Education, St. Josef Hospital, Clinics of the Ruhr-University Bochum, Germany.
| | - Roua Hassoun
- Department of Cellular and Translational Physiology, Institute of Physiology, Medical Faculty, Ruhr-University Bochum, and Molecular and Experimental Cardiology, Institute for Research and Education, St. Josef Hospital, Clinics of the Ruhr-University Bochum, Germany.
| | - Natalia Malek-Chudzik
- Department of Chemical Biology and Bioimaging, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Wroclaw, Poland.
| | - Antonina J Mazur
- Department of Cell Pathology, Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Wroclaw, Poland.
| | - Jelena Skuljec
- Department of Neurology, University Medicine Essen, Germany; Center for Translational Neuro- and Behavioral Sciences (C-TNBS), University Medicine Essen, Germany.
| | - Refik Pul
- Department of Neurology, University Medicine Essen, Germany; Center for Translational Neuro- and Behavioral Sciences (C-TNBS), University Medicine Essen, Germany.
| | - Markus Napirei
- Department of Anatomy and Molecular Embryology, Medical Faculty, Ruhr-University Bochum, Germany
| | - Nazha Hamdani
- Department of Cellular and Translational Physiology, Institute of Physiology, Medical Faculty, Ruhr-University Bochum, and Molecular and Experimental Cardiology, Institute for Research and Education, St. Josef Hospital, Clinics of the Ruhr-University Bochum, Germany; Department of Physiology, University Maastricht, Maastricht, the Netherlands; HCEMM-SU Cardiovascular Comorbidities Research Group, Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Semmelweis University, Budapest 1089, Hungary.
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4
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Chen S, Fu Z, Chen K, Zheng X, Fu Z. Decoding HiPSC-CM's Response to SARS-CoV-2: mapping the molecular landscape of cardiac injury. BMC Genomics 2024; 25:271. [PMID: 38475718 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-024-10194-5] [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: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Acute cardiac injury caused by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) increases mortality. Acute cardiac injury caused by COVID-19 requires understanding how severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) directly infects cardiomyocytes. This study provides a solid foundation for related studies by using a model of SARS-CoV-2 infection in human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs) at the transcriptome level, highlighting the relevance of this study to related studies. SARS-CoV-2 infection in hiPSC-CMs has previously been studied by bioinformatics without presenting the full molecular biological process. We present a unique bioinformatics view of the complete molecular biological process of SARS-CoV-2 infection in hiPSC-CMs. METHODS To validate the RNA-seq datasets, we used GSE184715 and GSE150392 for the analytical studies, GSE193722 for validation at the cellular level, and GSE169241 for validation in heart tissue samples. GeneCards and MsigDB databases were used to find genes associated with the phenotype. In addition to differential expression analysis and principal component analysis (PCA), we also performed protein-protein interaction (PPI) analysis, functional enrichment analysis, hub gene analysis, upstream transcription factor prediction, and drug prediction. RESULTS Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were classified into four categories: cardiomyocyte cytoskeletal protein inhibition, proto-oncogene activation and inflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and intracellular cytoplasmic physiological function. Each of the hub genes showed good diagnostic prediction, which was well validated in other datasets. Inhibited biological functions included cardiomyocyte cytoskeletal proteins, adenosine triphosphate (ATP) synthesis and electron transport chain (ETC), glucose metabolism, amino acid metabolism, fatty acid metabolism, pyruvate metabolism, citric acid cycle, nucleic acid metabolism, replication, transcription, translation, ubiquitination, autophagy, and cellular transport. Proto-oncogenes, inflammation, nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB) pathways, and interferon signaling were activated, as well as inflammatory factors. Viral infection activates multiple pathways, including the interferon pathway, proto-oncogenes and mitochondrial oxidative stress, while inhibiting cardiomyocyte backbone proteins and energy metabolism. Infection limits intracellular synthesis and metabolism, as well as the raw materials for mitochondrial energy synthesis. Mitochondrial dysfunction and energy abnormalities are ultimately caused by proto-oncogene activation and SARS-CoV-2 infection. Activation of the interferon pathway, proto-oncogene up-regulation, and mitochondrial oxidative stress cause the inflammatory response and lead to diminished cardiomyocyte contraction. Replication, transcription, translation, ubiquitination, autophagy, and cellular transport are among the functions that decline physiologically. CONCLUSION SARS-CoV-2 infection in hiPSC-CMs is fundamentally mediated via mitochondrial dysfunction. Therapeutic interventions targeting mitochondrial dysfunction may alleviate the cardiovascular complications associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sicheng Chen
- Department of Cardiology, Shantou Central Hospital, Shantou, 515031, China
| | - Zhenquan Fu
- School of Information Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Kaitong Chen
- Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Xinyao Zheng
- Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, 515041, China
- Department of Cardiology, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Zhenyang Fu
- Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, 510080, China.
- Department of Cardiology, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510080, China.
- Department of Cardiology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510630, China.
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5
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Mostafa RH, Moustafa A. Beyond acute infection: molecular mechanisms underpinning cardiovascular complications in long COVID. Front Cardiovasc Med 2024; 11:1268571. [PMID: 38495940 PMCID: PMC10942004 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2024.1268571] [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: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024] Open
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2, responsible for the global COVID-19 pandemic, has manifested significant cardiovascular implications for the infected population. These cardiovascular repercussions not only linger beyond the initial phase of illness but have also been observed in individuals who remain asymptomatic. This extended and pervasive impact is often called the post-acute COVID-19 syndrome (PACS) or "Long COVID". With the number of confirmed global cases approaching an alarming 756 million, the multifaceted challenges of Long COVID are undeniable. These challenges span from individual health complications to considerable burdens on worldwide healthcare systems. Our review comprehensively examines the complications of the persistent cardiovascular complications associated with COVID-19. Furthermore, we shed light on emerging therapeutic strategies that promise to manage and possibly mitigate these complications. We also introduce and discuss the profound concerns regarding the potential transgenerational repercussions of SARS-CoV-2, emphasizing the need for a proactive and informed approach to future research and clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roba Hamed Mostafa
- Systems Genomics Laboratory, American University in Cairo, New Cairo, Egypt
- Biotechnology Graduate Program, American University in Cairo, New Cairo, Egypt
| | - Ahmed Moustafa
- Systems Genomics Laboratory, American University in Cairo, New Cairo, Egypt
- Biotechnology Graduate Program, American University in Cairo, New Cairo, Egypt
- Department of Biology, American University in Cairo, New Cairo, Egypt
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Chang YY, Wei AC. Transcriptome and machine learning analysis of the impact of COVID-19 on mitochondria and multiorgan damage. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0297664. [PMID: 38295140 PMCID: PMC10830027 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0297664] [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: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/02/2024] Open
Abstract
The effects of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) primarily concern the respiratory tract and lungs; however, studies have shown that all organs are susceptible to infection by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). COVID-19 may involve multiorgan damage from direct viral invasion through angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), through inflammatory cytokine storms, or through other secondary pathways. This study involved the analysis of publicly accessible transcriptome data from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database for identifying significant differentially expressed genes related to COVID-19 and an investigation relating to the pathways associated with mitochondrial, cardiac, hepatic, and renal toxicity in COVID-19. Significant differentially expressed genes were identified and ranked by statistical approaches, and the genes derived by biological meaning were ranked by feature importance; both were utilized as machine learning features for verification. Sample set selection for machine learning was based on the performance, sample size, imbalanced data state, and overfitting assessment. Machine learning served as a verification tool by facilitating the testing of biological hypotheses by incorporating gene list adjustment. A subsequent in-depth study for gene and pathway network analysis was conducted to explore whether COVID-19 is associated with cardiac, hepatic, and renal impairments via mitochondrial infection. The analysis showed that potential cardiac, hepatic, and renal impairments in COVID-19 are associated with ACE2, inflammatory cytokine storms, and mitochondrial pathways, suggesting potential medical interventions for COVID-19-induced multiorgan damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Yu Chang
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Electronics and Bioinformatics, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - An-Chi Wei
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Electronics and Bioinformatics, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
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7
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Bhowal C, Ghosh S, Ghatak D, De R. Pathophysiological involvement of host mitochondria in SARS-CoV-2 infection that causes COVID-19: a comprehensive evidential insight. Mol Cell Biochem 2023; 478:1325-1343. [PMID: 36308668 PMCID: PMC9617539 DOI: 10.1007/s11010-022-04593-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2022] [Accepted: 10/13/2022] [Indexed: 10/31/2022]
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 is a positive-strand RNA virus that infects humans through the nasopharyngeal and oral route causing COVID-19. Scientists left no stone unturned to explore a targetable key player in COVID-19 pathogenesis against which therapeutic interventions can be initiated. This article has attempted to review, coordinate and accumulate the most recent observations in support of the hypothesis predicting the altered state of mitochondria concerning mitochondrial redox homeostasis, inflammatory regulations, morphology, bioenergetics and antiviral signalling in SARS-CoV-2 infection. Mitochondria is extremely susceptible to physiological as well as pathological stimuli, including viral infections. Recent studies suggest that SARS-CoV-2 pathogeneses alter mitochondrial integrity, in turn mitochondria modulate cellular response against the infection. SARS-CoV-2 M protein inhibited mitochondrial antiviral signalling (MAVS) protein aggregation in turn hinders innate antiviral response. Viral open reading frames (ORFs) also play an instrumental role in altering mitochondrial regulation of immune response. Notably, ORF-9b and ORF-6 impair MAVS activation. In aged persons, the NLRP3 inflammasome is over-activated due to impaired mitochondrial function, increased mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mtROS), and/or circulating free mitochondrial DNA, resulting in a hyper-response of classically activated macrophages. This article also tries to understand how mitochondrial fission-fusion dynamics is affected by the virus. This review comprehends the overall mitochondrial attribute in pathogenesis as well as prognosis in patients infected with COVID-19 taking into account pertinent in vitro, pre-clinical and clinical data encompassing subjects with a broad range of severity and morbidity. This endeavour may help in exploring novel non-canonical therapeutic strategies to COVID-19 disease and associated complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chandan Bhowal
- Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University, Plot No: 36, 37 & 38, Major Arterial Road, Action Area II, Kadampukur Village, Newtown, Kolkata, 700135, West Bengal, India
| | - Sayak Ghosh
- Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University, Plot No: 36, 37 & 38, Major Arterial Road, Action Area II, Kadampukur Village, Newtown, Kolkata, 700135, West Bengal, India
| | - Debapriya Ghatak
- Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science, Jadavpur, 700032, Kolkata, India
| | - Rudranil De
- Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University, Plot No: 36, 37 & 38, Major Arterial Road, Action Area II, Kadampukur Village, Newtown, Kolkata, 700135, West Bengal, India.
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Huang X, Fan W, Sun J, Yang J, Zhang Y, Wang Q, Li P, Zhang Y, Zhang S, Li H, Wang J, Feng L, Zhao J, Chen L, Linbing Q. SARS-CoV-2 induces cardiomyocyte apoptosis and inflammation but can be ameliorated by ACE inhibitor Captopril. Antiviral Res 2023; 215:105636. [PMID: 37207821 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2023.105636] [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: 11/13/2022] [Revised: 05/02/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Although the clinical manifestation of COVID-19 is mainly respiratory symptoms, approximately 20% of patients suffer from cardiac complications. COVID-19 patients with cardiovascular disease have higher severity of myocardial injury and poor outcomes. The underlying mechanism of myocardial injury caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection remains unclear. Using a non-transgenic mouse model infected with Beta variant (B.1.351), we found that the viral RNA could be detected in lungs and hearts of infected mice. Pathological analysis showed thinner ventricular wall, disorganized and ruptured myocardial fiber, mild inflammatory infiltration, and mild epicardia or interstitial fibrosis in hearts of infected mice. We also found that SARS-CoV-2 could infect cardiomyocytes and produce infectious progeny viruses in human pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocyte-like cells (hPSC-CMs). SARS-CoV-2 infection caused apoptosis, reduction of mitochondrial integrity and quantity, and cessation of beating in hPSC-CMs. In order to dissect the mechanism of myocardial injury caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection, we employed transcriptome sequencing of hPSC-CMs at different time points after viral infection. Transcriptome analysis showed robust induction of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, up-regulation of MHC class I molecules, activation of apoptosis signaling and cell cycle arresting. These may cause aggravate inflammation, immune cell infiltration, and cell death. Furthermore, we found that Captopril (hypotensive drugs targeting ACE) treatment could alleviate SARS-CoV-2 induced inflammatory response and apoptosis in cardiomyocytes via inactivating TNF signaling pathways, suggesting Captopril may be beneficial for reducing COVID-19 associated cardiomyopathy. These findings preliminarily explain the molecular mechanism of pathological cardiac injury caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection, providing new perspectives for the discovery of antiviral therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaohan Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, Guangdong Laboratory of Computational Biomedicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510530, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 101408, China
| | - Wenxia Fan
- Guangzhou Laboratory, Guangzhou, 510320, China
| | - Jing Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510120, China
| | - Jiaqing Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510120, China; Guangzhou Laboratory, Guangzhou, 510320, China
| | - Yanjun Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510120, China
| | - Qian Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510120, China
| | - Pingchao Li
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, Guangdong Laboratory of Computational Biomedicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510530, China
| | - Yudi Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, Guangdong Laboratory of Computational Biomedicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510530, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 101408, China
| | - Shengnan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, Guangdong Laboratory of Computational Biomedicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510530, China
| | - Heying Li
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, Guangdong Laboratory of Computational Biomedicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510530, China
| | - Jianhua Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, Guangdong Laboratory of Computational Biomedicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510530, China
| | - Liqiang Feng
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, Guangdong Laboratory of Computational Biomedicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510530, China
| | - Jincun Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510120, China.
| | - Ling Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, Guangdong Laboratory of Computational Biomedicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510530, China; State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510120, China; Guangzhou Laboratory, Guangzhou, 510320, China.
| | - Qu Linbing
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, Guangdong Laboratory of Computational Biomedicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510530, China.
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Impaired VEGF-A-Mediated Neurovascular Crosstalk Induced by SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein: A Potential Hypothesis Explaining Long COVID-19 Symptoms and COVID-19 Vaccine Side Effects? Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10122452. [PMID: 36557705 PMCID: PMC9784975 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10122452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2022] [Revised: 12/03/2022] [Accepted: 12/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Long coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) is a newly discovered syndrome characterized by multiple organ manifestations that persist for weeks to months, following the recovery from acute disease. Occasionally, neurological and cardiovascular side effects mimicking long COVID-19 have been reported in recipients of COVID-19 vaccines. Hypothetically, the clinical similarity could be due to a shared pathogenic role of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) spike (S) protein produced by the virus or used for immunization. The S protein can bind to neuropilin (NRP)-1, which normally functions as a coreceptor for the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A. By antagonizing the docking of VEGF-A to NRP-1, the S protein could disrupt physiological pathways involved in angiogenesis and nociception. One consequence could be the increase in unbound forms of VEGF-A that could bind to other receptors. SARS-CoV-2-infected individuals may exhibit increased plasma levels of VEGF-A during both acute illness and convalescence, which could be responsible for diffuse microvascular and neurological damage. A few studies suggest that serum VEGF-A may also be a potential biomarker for long COVID-19, whereas evidence for COVID-19 vaccines is lacking and merits further investigation.
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