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Yuan W, Shi X, Lee LTO. RNA therapeutics in targeting G protein-coupled receptors: Recent advances and challenges. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2024; 35:102195. [PMID: 38741614 PMCID: PMC11089380 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2024.102195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are the major targets of existing drugs for a plethora of human diseases and dominate the pharmaceutical market. However, over 50% of the GPCRs remain undruggable. To pursue a breakthrough and overcome this situation, there is significant clinical research for developing RNA-based drugs specifically targeting GPCRs, but none has been approved so far. RNA therapeutics represent a unique and promising approach to selectively targeting previously undruggable targets, including undruggable GPCRs. However, the development of RNA therapeutics faces significant challenges in areas of RNA stability and efficient in vivo delivery. This review presents an overview of the advances in RNA therapeutics and the diverse types of nanoparticle RNA delivery systems. It also describes the potential applications of GPCR-targeted RNA drugs for various human diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wanjun Yuan
- Cancer Centre, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Taipa 999078, Macau, China
| | - Xiangyang Shi
- State Key Laboratory for Modification of Chemical Fibers and Polymer Materials, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Nano-Biomaterials and Regenerative Medicine, College of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Donghua University, Shanghai 201620, People’s Republic of China
| | - Leo Tsz On Lee
- Cancer Centre, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Taipa 999078, Macau, China
- Ministry of Education Frontiers Science Center for Precision Oncology, University of Macau, Taipa 999078, Macau, China
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Villalba-López F, García-Bernal D, Mateo SV, Vidal-Correoso D, Jover-Aguilar M, Alconchel F, Martínez-Alarcón L, López-López V, Ríos-Zambudio A, Cascales P, Pons JA, Ramírez P, Pelegrín P, Baroja-Mazo A. Endothelial cell activation mediated by cold ischemia-released mitochondria is partially inhibited by defibrotide and impacts on early allograft function following liver transplantation. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 167:115529. [PMID: 37729732 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115529] [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: 06/05/2023] [Revised: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023] Open
Abstract
DAMPs (danger-associated molecular patterns) are self-molecules of the organism that appear after damage. The endothelium plays several roles in organ rejection, such as presenting alloantigens to T cells and contributing to the development of inflammation and thrombosis. This study aimed to assess whether DAMPs present in the organ preservation solution (OPS) after cold ischemic storage (CIS) contribute to exacerbating the endothelial response to an inflammatory challenge and whether defibrotide treatment could counteract this effect. The activation of cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) was analyzed after challenging with end-ischemic OPS (eiOPS) obtained after CIS. Additionally, transwell assays were performed to study the ability of eiOPS to attract lymphocytes across the endothelium. The study revealed that eiOPS upregulated the expression of MCP-1 and IL-6 in HUVECs. Moreover, eiOPS increased the membrane expression of ICAM-1and HLA-DR, which facilitated leukocyte migration toward a chemokine gradient. Furthermore, eiOPS demonstrated its chemoattractant ability. This activation was mediated by free mitochondria. Defibrotide was found to partially inhibit the eiOPS-mediated activation. Moreover, the eiOPS-mediated activation of endothelial cells (ECs) correlated with early allograft dysfunction in liver transplant patients. Our finding provide support for the hypothesis that mitochondria released during cold ischemia could trigger EC activation, leading to complications in graft outcomes. Therefore, the analysis and quantification of free mitochondria in the eiOPS samples obtained after CIS could provide a predictive value for monitoring the progression of transplantation. Moreover, defibrotide emerges as a promising therapeutic agent to mitigate the damage induced by ischemia in donated organs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisco Villalba-López
- Molecular Inflammation Group, University Clinical Hospital Virgen de la Arrixaca, Biomedical Research Institute of Murcia (IMIB-Pascual Parrilla), 30120 Murcia, Spain
| | - David García-Bernal
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology B and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Murcia, 30120 Murcia, Spain; Hematopoietic Transplant and Cell Therapy Group, Biomedical Research Institute of Murcia (IMIB-Pascual Parrilla), 30120 Murcia, Spain.
| | - Sandra V Mateo
- Molecular Inflammation Group, University Clinical Hospital Virgen de la Arrixaca, Biomedical Research Institute of Murcia (IMIB-Pascual Parrilla), 30120 Murcia, Spain
| | - Daniel Vidal-Correoso
- Molecular Inflammation Group, University Clinical Hospital Virgen de la Arrixaca, Biomedical Research Institute of Murcia (IMIB-Pascual Parrilla), 30120 Murcia, Spain
| | - Marta Jover-Aguilar
- Molecular Inflammation Group, University Clinical Hospital Virgen de la Arrixaca, Biomedical Research Institute of Murcia (IMIB-Pascual Parrilla), 30120 Murcia, Spain
| | - Felipe Alconchel
- Molecular Inflammation Group, University Clinical Hospital Virgen de la Arrixaca, Biomedical Research Institute of Murcia (IMIB-Pascual Parrilla), 30120 Murcia, Spain; General Surgery and Abdominal Solid Organ Transplantation Unit, University Clinical Hospital Virgen de la Arrixaca, Murcia, Spain
| | - Laura Martínez-Alarcón
- Molecular Inflammation Group, University Clinical Hospital Virgen de la Arrixaca, Biomedical Research Institute of Murcia (IMIB-Pascual Parrilla), 30120 Murcia, Spain
| | - Víctor López-López
- Molecular Inflammation Group, University Clinical Hospital Virgen de la Arrixaca, Biomedical Research Institute of Murcia (IMIB-Pascual Parrilla), 30120 Murcia, Spain; General Surgery and Abdominal Solid Organ Transplantation Unit, University Clinical Hospital Virgen de la Arrixaca, Murcia, Spain
| | - Antonio Ríos-Zambudio
- Molecular Inflammation Group, University Clinical Hospital Virgen de la Arrixaca, Biomedical Research Institute of Murcia (IMIB-Pascual Parrilla), 30120 Murcia, Spain; General Surgery and Abdominal Solid Organ Transplantation Unit, University Clinical Hospital Virgen de la Arrixaca, Murcia, Spain
| | - Pedro Cascales
- Molecular Inflammation Group, University Clinical Hospital Virgen de la Arrixaca, Biomedical Research Institute of Murcia (IMIB-Pascual Parrilla), 30120 Murcia, Spain; General Surgery and Abdominal Solid Organ Transplantation Unit, University Clinical Hospital Virgen de la Arrixaca, Murcia, Spain
| | - José A Pons
- Molecular Inflammation Group, University Clinical Hospital Virgen de la Arrixaca, Biomedical Research Institute of Murcia (IMIB-Pascual Parrilla), 30120 Murcia, Spain; Hepatology and Liver Transplant Unit, University Clinical Hospital Virgen de la Arrixaca, 30120 Murcia, Spain
| | - Pablo Ramírez
- Molecular Inflammation Group, University Clinical Hospital Virgen de la Arrixaca, Biomedical Research Institute of Murcia (IMIB-Pascual Parrilla), 30120 Murcia, Spain; General Surgery and Abdominal Solid Organ Transplantation Unit, University Clinical Hospital Virgen de la Arrixaca, Murcia, Spain
| | - Pablo Pelegrín
- Molecular Inflammation Group, University Clinical Hospital Virgen de la Arrixaca, Biomedical Research Institute of Murcia (IMIB-Pascual Parrilla), 30120 Murcia, Spain; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology B and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Murcia, 30120 Murcia, Spain
| | - Alberto Baroja-Mazo
- Molecular Inflammation Group, University Clinical Hospital Virgen de la Arrixaca, Biomedical Research Institute of Murcia (IMIB-Pascual Parrilla), 30120 Murcia, Spain.
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Stueck AE, Fiel MI. Hepatic graft-versus-host disease: what we know, when to biopsy, and how to diagnose. Hum Pathol 2023; 141:170-182. [PMID: 37541449 DOI: 10.1016/j.humpath.2023.07.007] [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: 01/09/2023] [Revised: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/06/2023]
Abstract
Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is one of the serious complications that may develop after hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT), for hematologic malignancies, solid organ transplantation, and other hematologic disorders. GVHD develops due to T lymphocytes present in the graft attacking the host antigens, which results in tissue damage. A significant number of HCT patients develop acute or chronic GVHD, which may affect multiple organs including the liver. The diagnosis of hepatic GVHD (hGVHD) is challenging as many other conditions in HCT patients may lead to liver dysfunction. Particularly challenging among the various conditions that give rise to liver dysfunction is differentiating sinusoidal obstruction syndrome and drug-induced liver injury (DILI) from hGVHD on clinical grounds and laboratory tests. Despite the minimal risks involved in performing a liver biopsy, the information gleaned from the histopathologic changes may help in the management of these very complex patients. There is a spectrum of histologic features found in hGVHD, and most involve histopathologic changes affecting the interlobular bile ducts. These include nuclear and cytoplasmic abnormalities including dysmorphic bile ducts, apoptosis, and cholangiocyte necrosis, among others. The hepatitic form of hGVHD typically shows severe acute hepatitis. With chronic hGVHD, there is progressive bile duct loss and eventually fibrosis. Accurate diagnosis of hGVHD is paramount so that timely treatment and management can be initiated. Techniques to prevent and lower the risk of GVHD from developing have recently evolved. If a diagnosis of acute GVHD is made, the first-line of treatment is steroids. Recurrence is common and steroid resistance or dependency is not unusual in this setting. Second-line therapies differ among institutions and have not been uniformly established. The development of GVHD, particularly hGVHD, is associated with increased morbidity and mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley E Stueck
- Department of Pathology, Dalhousie University, 715 - 5788 University Avenue, Halifax, NS, B3H 2Y9, Canada.
| | - M Isabel Fiel
- Department of Pathology, Molecular and Cell-Based Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1468 Madison Ave, New York, NY, 10029, USA.
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Elhadad S, Redmond D, Tan A, Huang J, Rodriguez BL, Racine-Brzostek SE, Subrahmanian S, Ahamed J, Laurence J. Defibrotide mitigates endothelial cell injury induced by plasmas from patients with COVID-19 and related vasculopathies. Thromb Res 2023; 225:47-56. [PMID: 37001283 PMCID: PMC10033153 DOI: 10.1016/j.thromres.2023.03.009] [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: 01/04/2023] [Revised: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/24/2023]
Abstract
Background and objectives COVID-19 progression is characterized by systemic small vessel arterial and venous thrombosis. Microvascular endothelial cell (MVEC) activation and injury, platelet activation, and histopathologic features characteristic of acute COVID-19 also describe certain thrombotic microangiopathies, including atypical hemolytic-uremic syndrome (aHUS), thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP), and hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT)-associated veno-occlusive disease (VOD). We explored the effect of clinically relevant doses of defibrotide, approved for HSCT-associated VOD, on MVEC activation/injury. Methods Human dermal MVEC were exposed to plasmas from patients with acute TMAs or acute COVID-19 in the presence and absence of defibrotide (5 μg/ml) and caspase 8, a marker of EC activation and apoptosis, was assessed. RNAseq was used to explore potential mechanisms of defibrotide activity. Results Defibrotide suppressed TMA plasma-induced caspase 8 activation in MVEC (mean 60.2 % inhibition for COVID-19; p = 0.0008). RNAseq identified six major cellular pathways associated with defibrotide's alteration of COVID-19-associated MVEC changes: TNF-α signaling; IL-17 signaling; extracellular matrix (ECM)-EC receptor and platelet receptor interactions; ECM formation; endothelin activity; and fibrosis. Communications across these pathways were revealed by STRING analyses. Forty transcripts showing the greatest changes induced by defibrotide in COVID-19 plasma/MVEC cultures included: claudin 14 and F11R (JAM), important in maintaining EC tight junctions; SOCS3 and TNFRSF18, involved in suppression of inflammation; RAMP3 and transgelin, which promote angiogenesis; and RGS5, which regulates caspase activation and apoptosis. Conclusion Our data, in the context of a recent clinical trial in severe COVID-19, suggest benefits to further exploration of defibrotide and these pathways in COVID-19 and related endotheliopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonia Elhadad
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - David Redmond
- Division of Regenerative Medicine, Hartman Institute fort Therapeutic Organ Regeneration, Ansary Stem Cell Institute, United States of America
| | - Adrian Tan
- Genomics Resources Core Facility, Weill Cornell Medicine, United States of America
| | - Jenny Huang
- Division of Regenerative Medicine, Hartman Institute fort Therapeutic Organ Regeneration, Ansary Stem Cell Institute, United States of America
| | - Beatriz Lorenzo Rodriguez
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, United States of America
| | | | - Sandeep Subrahmanian
- Cardiovascular Biology Research Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City, OK, United States of America
| | - Jasimuddin Ahamed
- Cardiovascular Biology Research Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City, OK, United States of America
| | - Jeffrey Laurence
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, United States of America.
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Pauly I, Kumar Singh A, Kumar A, Singh Y, Thareja S, Kamal MA, Verma A, Kumar P. Current Insights and Molecular Docking Studies of the Drugs under Clinical Trial as RdRp Inhibitors in COVID-19 Treatment. Curr Pharm Des 2023; 28:3677-3705. [PMID: 36345244 DOI: 10.2174/1381612829666221107123841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2022] [Revised: 09/08/2022] [Accepted: 09/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Study Background & Objective: After the influenza pandemic (1918), COVID-19 was declared a Vth pandemic by the WHO in 2020. SARS-CoV-2 is an RNA-enveloped single-stranded virus. Based on the structure and life cycle, Protease (3CLpro), RdRp, ACE2, IL-6, and TMPRSS2 are the major targets for drug development against COVID-19. Pre-existing several drugs (FDA-approved) are used to inhibit the above targets in different diseases. In coronavirus treatment, these drugs are also in different clinical trial stages. Remdesivir (RdRp inhibitor) is the only FDA-approved medicine for coronavirus treatment. In the present study, by using the drug repurposing strategy, 70 preexisting clinical or under clinical trial molecules were used in scrutiny for RdRp inhibitor potent molecules in coronavirus treatment being surveyed via docking studies. Molecular simulation studies further confirmed the binding mechanism and stability of the most potent compounds. MATERIAL AND METHODS Docking studies were performed using the Maestro 12.9 module of Schrodinger software over 70 molecules with RdRp as the target and remdesivir as the standard drug and further confirmed by simulation studies. RESULTS The docking studies showed that many HIV protease inhibitors demonstrated remarkable binding interactions with the target RdRp. Protease inhibitors such as lopinavir and ritonavir are effective. Along with these, AT-527, ledipasvir, bicalutamide, and cobicistat showed improved docking scores. RMSD and RMSF were further analyzed for potent ledipasvir and ritonavir by simulation studies and were identified as potential candidates for corona disease. CONCLUSION The drug repurposing approach provides a new avenue in COVID-19 treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irine Pauly
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Natural Products, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, 151401, India
| | - Ankit Kumar Singh
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Natural Products, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, 151401, India
| | - Adarsh Kumar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Natural Products, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, 151401, India
| | - Yogesh Singh
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Natural Products, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, 151401, India
| | - Suresh Thareja
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Natural Products, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, 151401, India
| | - Mohammad A Kamal
- King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jaddah, Saudi Arabia.,Enzymoics, 7 Peterlee Place, Hebersham, NSW 2770, Australia.,Novel Global Community Educational Foundation, Australia Institutes for Systems Genetics, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, Australia
| | - Amita Verma
- Bioorganic and Medicinal Chemistry Research Laboratory, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences, Prayagraj, 211007, India
| | - Pradeep Kumar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Natural Products, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, 151401, India
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Frame D, Scappaticci GB, Braun TM, Maliarik M, Sisson TH, Pipe SW, Lawrence DA, Richardson PG, Holinstat M, Hyzy RC, Kaul DR, Gregg KS, Lama VN, Yanik GA. Defibrotide Therapy for SARS-CoV-2 ARDS. Chest 2022; 162:346-355. [PMID: 35413279 PMCID: PMC8993696 DOI: 10.1016/j.chest.2022.03.046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2022] [Revised: 03/23/2022] [Accepted: 03/31/2022] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND SARS-CoV-2-related ARDS is associated with endothelial dysfunction and profound dysregulation of the thrombotic-fibrinolytic pathway. Defibrotide is a polyanionic compound with fibrinolytic, antithrombotic, and antiinflammatory properties. RESEARCH QUESTION What is the safety and tolerability of defibrotide in patients with severe SARS-CoV-2 infections? STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS We report a prospective, open-label, single-center safety trial of defibrotide for the management of SARS-CoV-2-related ARDS. Eligible participants were 18 years of age or older with clinical and radiographic signs of ARDS, no signs of active bleeding, a serum D-dimer of more than twice upper limit of normal, and positive polymerase chain reaction-based results for SARS-CoV-2. Defibrotide (6.25 mg/kg/dose IV q6h) was administered for a planned 7-day course, with serum D-dimer levels and respiratory function monitored daily during therapy. RESULTS Twelve patients (median age, 63 years) were treated, with 10 patients receiving mechanical ventilation and 6 receiving vasopressor support at study entry. The median D-dimer was 3.25 μg/ml (range, 1.33-12.3) at study entry. The median duration of therapy was 7 days. No hemorrhagic or thrombotic complications occurred during therapy. No other adverse events attributable to defibrotide were noted. Four patients met the day 7 pulmonary response parameter, all four showing a decrease in serum D-dimer levels within the initial 72 h of defibrotide therapy. Three patients died of progressive pulmonary disease 11, 17, and 34 days after study entry. Nine patients (75%) remain alive 64 to 174 days after initiation of defibrotide. Day 30 all-cause mortality was 17% (95% CI, 0%-35%). All patients with a baseline Pao2 to Fio2 ratio of ≥ 125 mm Hg survived, whereas the three patients with a baseline Pao2 to Fio2 ratio of < 125 mm Hg died. INTERPRETATION The use of defibrotide for management of SARS-CoV-2-related ARDS proved safe and tolerable. No hemorrhagic or thrombotic complications were reported during therapy, with promising outcomes in a patient population with a historically high mortality rate. TRIAL REGISTRY ClinicalTrials.gov; No.: NCT04530604; URL: www. CLINICALTRIALS gov.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Frame
- Blood and Marrow Transplant Program, Michigan Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI,Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Michigan Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Gianni B. Scappaticci
- Blood and Marrow Transplant Program, Michigan Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI,Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Michigan Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Thomas M. Braun
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Mary Maliarik
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Michigan Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Thomas H. Sisson
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Michigan Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Steven W. Pipe
- Division of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Michigan Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Daniel A. Lawrence
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Michigan Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Paul G. Richardson
- Division of Hematologic Malignancies, Department of Medical Oncology, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Michael Holinstat
- Division of Pharmacology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Robert C. Hyzy
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Michigan Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Daniel R. Kaul
- Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Internal Medicine, Michigan Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Kevin S. Gregg
- Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Internal Medicine, Michigan Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Vibha N. Lama
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Michigan Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Gregory A. Yanik
- Blood and Marrow Transplant Program, Michigan Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI,Division of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Michigan Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI,CORRESPONDENCE TO: Gregory A. Yanik, MD
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Gustafson D, Ngai M, Wu R, Hou H, Schoffel AC, Erice C, Mandla S, Billia F, Wilson MD, Radisic M, Fan E, Trahtemberg U, Baker A, McIntosh C, Fan CPS, Dos Santos CC, Kain KC, Hanneman K, Thavendiranathan P, Fish JE, Howe KL. Cardiovascular signatures of COVID-19 predict mortality and identify barrier stabilizing therapies. EBioMedicine 2022; 78:103982. [PMID: 35405523 PMCID: PMC8989492 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2022.103982] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Revised: 03/15/2022] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Endothelial cell (EC) activation, endotheliitis, vascular permeability, and thrombosis have been observed in patients with severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), indicating that the vasculature is affected during the acute stages of SARS-CoV-2 infection. It remains unknown whether circulating vascular markers are sufficient to predict clinical outcomes, are unique to COVID-19, and if vascular permeability can be therapeutically targeted. Methods Prospectively evaluating the prevalence of circulating inflammatory, cardiac, and EC activation markers as well as developing a microRNA atlas in 241 unvaccinated patients with suspected SARS-CoV-2 infection allowed for prognostic value assessment using a Random Forest model machine learning approach. Subsequent ex vivo experiments assessed EC permeability responses to patient plasma and were used to uncover modulated gene regulatory networks from which rational therapeutic design was inferred. Findings Multiple inflammatory and EC activation biomarkers were associated with mortality in COVID-19 patients and in severity-matched SARS-CoV-2-negative patients, while dysregulation of specific microRNAs at presentation was specific for poor COVID-19-related outcomes and revealed disease-relevant pathways. Integrating the datasets using a machine learning approach further enhanced clinical risk prediction for in-hospital mortality. Exposure of ECs to COVID-19 patient plasma resulted in severity-specific gene expression responses and EC barrier dysfunction, which was ameliorated using angiopoietin-1 mimetic or recombinant Slit2-N. Interpretation Integration of multi-omics data identified microRNA and vascular biomarkers prognostic of in-hospital mortality in COVID-19 patients and revealed that vascular stabilizing therapies should be explored as a treatment for endothelial dysfunction in COVID-19, and other severe diseases where endothelial dysfunction has a central role in pathogenesis. Funding Information This work was directly supported by grant funding from the Ted Rogers Center for Heart Research, Toronto, Ontario, Canada and the Peter Munk Cardiac Center, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dakota Gustafson
- Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada; Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Michelle Ngai
- Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
| | - Ruilin Wu
- Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada; Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Huayun Hou
- Program in Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada
| | | | - Clara Erice
- Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA
| | - Serena Mandla
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Filio Billia
- Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada; Peter Munk Cardiac Centre, Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
| | - Michael D Wilson
- Program in Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada; Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Milica Radisic
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Eddy Fan
- Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada; Interdepartmental Division of Critical Care and Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada; Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Uriel Trahtemberg
- Keenan Research Center for Biomedical Research, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, Canada; Critical Care Department, Galilee Medical Center, Nahariya, Israel
| | - Andrew Baker
- Interdepartmental Division of Critical Care and Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada; Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada; Critical Care Department, Galilee Medical Center, Nahariya, Israel
| | - Chris McIntosh
- Peter Munk Cardiac Centre, Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada; Joint Department of Medical Imaging, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada; Techna Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada; Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada; Vector Institute, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Chun-Po S Fan
- Peter Munk Cardiac Centre, Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
| | - Claudia C Dos Santos
- Interdepartmental Division of Critical Care and Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada; Keenan Research Center for Biomedical Research, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Kevin C Kain
- Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada; Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Kate Hanneman
- Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada; Peter Munk Cardiac Centre, Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada; Joint Department of Medical Imaging, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Paaladinesh Thavendiranathan
- Peter Munk Cardiac Centre, Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada; Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada; Joint Department of Medical Imaging, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada; Ted Rogers Program in Cardiotoxicity Prevention, Toronto General Hospital, Toronto, Canada
| | - Jason E Fish
- Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada; Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada; Peter Munk Cardiac Centre, Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada; Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.
| | - Kathryn L Howe
- Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada; Peter Munk Cardiac Centre, Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada; Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada; Division of Vascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.
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