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Beyer D, Vaccarin C, Deupi X, Mapanao AK, Cohrs S, Sozzi-Guo F, Grundler PV, van der Meulen NP, Wang J, Tanriver M, Bode JW, Schibli R, Müller C. A tool for nuclear imaging of the SARS-CoV-2 entry receptor: molecular model and preclinical development of ACE2-selective radiopeptides. EJNMMI Res 2023; 13:32. [PMID: 37074529 PMCID: PMC10113987 DOI: 10.1186/s13550-023-00979-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 04/20/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE The angiotensin converting enzyme-2 (ACE2)-entry receptor of SARS-CoV-2-and its homologue, the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), play a pivotal role in maintaining cardiovascular homeostasis. Potential changes in ACE2 expression levels and dynamics after SARS-CoV-2 infection have been barely investigated. The aim of this study was to develop an ACE2-targeting imaging agent as a noninvasive imaging tool to determine ACE2 regulation. METHODS DOTA-DX600, NODAGA-DX600 and HBED-CC-DX600 were obtained through custom synthesis and labeled with gallium-67 (T1/2 = 3.26 d) as a surrogate radioisotope for gallium-68 (T1/2 = 68 min). ACE2- and ACE-transfected HEK cells were used for the in vitro evaluation of these radiopeptides. The in vivo tissue distribution profiles of the radiopeptides were assessed in HEK-ACE2 and HEK-ACE xenografted mice and imaging studies were performed using SPECT/CT. RESULTS The highest molar activity was obtained for [67Ga]Ga-HBED-CC-DX600 (60 MBq/nmol), whereas the labeling efficiency of the other peptides was considerably lower (20 MBq/nmol). The radiopeptides were stable over 24 h in saline (> 99% intact peptide). All radiopeptides showed uptake in HEK-ACE2 cells (36-43%) with moderate ACE2-binding affinity (KD value: 83-113 nM), but no uptake in HEK-ACE cells (< 0.1%) was observed. Accumulation of the radiopeptides was observed in HEK-ACE2 xenografts (11-16% IA/g) at 3 h after injection, but only background signals were seen in HEK-ACE xenografts (< 0.5% IA/g). Renal retention was still high 3 h after injection of [67Ga]Ga-DOTA-DX600 and [67Ga]Ga-NODAGA-DX600 (~ 24% IA/g), but much lower for [67Ga]Ga-HBED-CC-DX600 (7.2 ± 2.2% IA/g). SPECT/CT imaging studies confirmed the most favorable target-to-nontarget ratio for [67Ga]Ga-HBED-CC-DX600. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrated ACE2 selectivity for all radiopeptides. [67Ga]Ga-HBED-CC-DX600 was revealed as the most promising candidate due to its favorable tissue distribution profile. Importantly, the HBED-CC chelator enabled 67Ga-labeling at high molar activity, which would be essential to obtain images with high signal-to-background contrast to detect (patho)physiological ACE2 expression levels in patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darja Beyer
- Center for Radiopharmaceutical Sciences, ETH-PSI, Paul Scherrer Institute, 5232, Villigen-PSI, Switzerland
| | - Christian Vaccarin
- Center for Radiopharmaceutical Sciences, ETH-PSI, Paul Scherrer Institute, 5232, Villigen-PSI, Switzerland
| | - Xavier Deupi
- Condensed Matter Theory Group, Division of Scientific Computing, Theory, and Data, Paul Scherrer Institute, 5232, Villigen-PSI, Switzerland
- Laboratory of Biomolecular Research, Paul Scherrer Institute, 5232, Villigen-PSI, Switzerland
- Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics (SIB), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Ana Katrina Mapanao
- Center for Radiopharmaceutical Sciences, ETH-PSI, Paul Scherrer Institute, 5232, Villigen-PSI, Switzerland
| | - Susan Cohrs
- Center for Radiopharmaceutical Sciences, ETH-PSI, Paul Scherrer Institute, 5232, Villigen-PSI, Switzerland
| | - Fan Sozzi-Guo
- Center for Radiopharmaceutical Sciences, ETH-PSI, Paul Scherrer Institute, 5232, Villigen-PSI, Switzerland
| | - Pascal V Grundler
- Center for Radiopharmaceutical Sciences, ETH-PSI, Paul Scherrer Institute, 5232, Villigen-PSI, Switzerland
| | - Nicholas P van der Meulen
- Center for Radiopharmaceutical Sciences, ETH-PSI, Paul Scherrer Institute, 5232, Villigen-PSI, Switzerland
- Laboratory of Radiochemistry, Paul Scherrer Institute, 5232, Villigen-PSI, Switzerland
| | - Jinling Wang
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, ETH Zurich, 8093, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Matthias Tanriver
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, ETH Zurich, 8093, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Jeffrey W Bode
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, ETH Zurich, 8093, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Roger Schibli
- Center for Radiopharmaceutical Sciences, ETH-PSI, Paul Scherrer Institute, 5232, Villigen-PSI, Switzerland
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, ETH Zurich, 8093, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Cristina Müller
- Center for Radiopharmaceutical Sciences, ETH-PSI, Paul Scherrer Institute, 5232, Villigen-PSI, Switzerland.
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, ETH Zurich, 8093, Zurich, Switzerland.
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D’Auria E, Calcaterra V, Verduci E, Ghezzi M, Lamberti R, Vizzuso S, Baldassarre P, Pendezza E, Perico V, Bosetti A, Zuccotti GV. Immunonutrition and SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Children with Obesity. Nutrients 2022; 14:nu14091701. [PMID: 35565668 PMCID: PMC9101404 DOI: 10.3390/nu14091701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Revised: 04/14/2022] [Accepted: 04/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Since the beginning of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, there has been much discussion about the role of diet and antiviral immunity in the context of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Intake levels of vitamins D, C, B12, and iron have been demonstrated to be correlated with lower COVID-19 incidence and mortality. Obesity has been demonstrated to be an independent risk for the severity of COVID-19 infection in adults and also in children. This may be due to different mechanisms, mainly including the gut dysbiosis status observed in obese children. Moreover, the existence of a gut-lung axis added new knowledge to on the potential mechanisms by which diet and dietary substances may affect immune function. The aim of this narrative review is to address the intricate inter-relationship between COVID-19, immune function, and obesity-related inflammation and to describe the role of nutrients and dietary patterns in enhancing the immune system. Two ways to fight against COVID-19 disease exist: one with an antiviral response through immune system boosting and another with antioxidants with an anti-inflammatory effect. In the current pandemic situation, the intake of a varied and balanced diet, rich in micronutrients and bioactive compounds including fibers, should be recommended. However, clinical studies conducted on children affected by SARS-CoV-2 infection and comorbidity are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enza D’Auria
- Pediatric Department, “Vittore Buzzi” Children’s Hospital, 20154 Milan, Italy; (E.D.); (V.C.); (M.G.); (R.L.); (S.V.); (P.B.); (E.P.); (V.P.); (A.B.); (G.V.Z.)
| | - Valeria Calcaterra
- Pediatric Department, “Vittore Buzzi” Children’s Hospital, 20154 Milan, Italy; (E.D.); (V.C.); (M.G.); (R.L.); (S.V.); (P.B.); (E.P.); (V.P.); (A.B.); (G.V.Z.)
- Pediatric and Adolescent Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Elvira Verduci
- Pediatric Department, “Vittore Buzzi” Children’s Hospital, 20154 Milan, Italy; (E.D.); (V.C.); (M.G.); (R.L.); (S.V.); (P.B.); (E.P.); (V.P.); (A.B.); (G.V.Z.)
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Milan, 20142 Milan, Italy
- Correspondence:
| | - Michele Ghezzi
- Pediatric Department, “Vittore Buzzi” Children’s Hospital, 20154 Milan, Italy; (E.D.); (V.C.); (M.G.); (R.L.); (S.V.); (P.B.); (E.P.); (V.P.); (A.B.); (G.V.Z.)
| | - Rossella Lamberti
- Pediatric Department, “Vittore Buzzi” Children’s Hospital, 20154 Milan, Italy; (E.D.); (V.C.); (M.G.); (R.L.); (S.V.); (P.B.); (E.P.); (V.P.); (A.B.); (G.V.Z.)
| | - Sara Vizzuso
- Pediatric Department, “Vittore Buzzi” Children’s Hospital, 20154 Milan, Italy; (E.D.); (V.C.); (M.G.); (R.L.); (S.V.); (P.B.); (E.P.); (V.P.); (A.B.); (G.V.Z.)
| | - Paola Baldassarre
- Pediatric Department, “Vittore Buzzi” Children’s Hospital, 20154 Milan, Italy; (E.D.); (V.C.); (M.G.); (R.L.); (S.V.); (P.B.); (E.P.); (V.P.); (A.B.); (G.V.Z.)
| | - Erica Pendezza
- Pediatric Department, “Vittore Buzzi” Children’s Hospital, 20154 Milan, Italy; (E.D.); (V.C.); (M.G.); (R.L.); (S.V.); (P.B.); (E.P.); (V.P.); (A.B.); (G.V.Z.)
| | - Veronica Perico
- Pediatric Department, “Vittore Buzzi” Children’s Hospital, 20154 Milan, Italy; (E.D.); (V.C.); (M.G.); (R.L.); (S.V.); (P.B.); (E.P.); (V.P.); (A.B.); (G.V.Z.)
| | - Alessandra Bosetti
- Pediatric Department, “Vittore Buzzi” Children’s Hospital, 20154 Milan, Italy; (E.D.); (V.C.); (M.G.); (R.L.); (S.V.); (P.B.); (E.P.); (V.P.); (A.B.); (G.V.Z.)
| | - Gian Vincenzo Zuccotti
- Pediatric Department, “Vittore Buzzi” Children’s Hospital, 20154 Milan, Italy; (E.D.); (V.C.); (M.G.); (R.L.); (S.V.); (P.B.); (E.P.); (V.P.); (A.B.); (G.V.Z.)
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Science “L. Sacco”, University of Milan, 20157 Milan, Italy
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Vo T, Paudel K, Choudhary I, Patial S, Saini Y. Ozone exposure upregulates the expression of host susceptibility protein TMPRSS2 to SARS-CoV-2. Sci Rep 2022; 12:1357. [PMID: 35079032 PMCID: PMC8789794 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-04906-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2020] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2, a novel coronavirus and an etiologic agent for the current global health emergency, causes acute infection of the respiratory tract leading to severe disease and significant mortality. Ever since the start of SARS-CoV-2, also known as the COVID-19 pandemic, countless uncertainties have been revolving around the pathogenesis and epidemiology of the SARS-CoV-2 infection. While air pollution has been shown to be strongly correlated to increased SARS-CoV-2 morbidity and mortality, whether environmental pollutants such as ground-level ozone affects the susceptibility of individuals to SARS-CoV-2 is not yet established. To investigate the impact of ozone inhalation on the expression levels of signatures associated with host susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2, we analyzed lung tissues collected from mice that were sub-chronically exposed to air or 0.8 ppm ozone for three weeks (4 h/night, 5 nights/week), and analyzed the expression of signatures associated with host susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2. SARS-CoV-2 entry into the host cells is dependent on the binding of the virus to the host cellular receptor, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE2), and its subsequent proteolytic priming by the host-derived protease, transmembrane protease serine 2 (TMPRSS2). The Ace2 transcripts were significantly elevated in the parenchyma, but not in the extrapulmonary airways and alveolar macrophages, from ozone-exposed mice. The TMPRSS2 protein and Tmprss2 transcripts were significantly elevated in the extrapulmonary airways, parenchyma, and alveolar macrophages from ozone-exposed mice. A significant proportion of additional known SARS-CoV-2 host susceptibility genes were upregulated in alveolar macrophages and parenchyma from ozone-exposed mice. Our data indicate that the unhealthy levels of ozone in the environment may predispose individuals to severe SARS-CoV-2 infection. Given the severity of this pandemic and the challenges associated with direct testing of host-environment interactions in clinical settings, we believe that this ozone exposure-based study informs the scientific community of the potentially detrimental effects of the ambient ozone levels in determining the host susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thao Vo
- Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, 1909 Skip Bertman Drive, Baton Rouge, LA, 70803, USA
| | - Kshitiz Paudel
- Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, 1909 Skip Bertman Drive, Baton Rouge, LA, 70803, USA
| | - Ishita Choudhary
- Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, 1909 Skip Bertman Drive, Baton Rouge, LA, 70803, USA
| | - Sonika Patial
- Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, 1909 Skip Bertman Drive, Baton Rouge, LA, 70803, USA
| | - Yogesh Saini
- Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, 1909 Skip Bertman Drive, Baton Rouge, LA, 70803, USA.
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Kozińska M, Augustynowicz-Kopeć E. COVID-19 in Patients with Active Tuberculosis. Diagnostics (Basel) 2021; 11:1768. [PMID: 34679466 PMCID: PMC8534410 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics11101768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2021] [Revised: 09/20/2021] [Accepted: 09/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Data on the coincidence of tuberculosis (TB) and COVID-19 are limited, and previous observations are based on the results of just a few studies, which has led to polarized views on the course of infection with SARS-CoV-2 in patients with active TB. We present the first two cases of TB and COVID-19 coinfection in the population of patients in Poland, diagnosed shortly after the outbreak of the global pandemic. In the first patient, TB was very advanced at the time of infection with SARS-CoV-2. From the third day of hospitalisation, respiratory failure was increasing, with no improvement after the use of high-flow oxygen therapy and mechanical ventilation. On the seventh day of hospitalization, the patient died. In the second presented case, therapeutic success was achieved despite the coincidence of COVID-19, infection with HIV, and extrapulmonary and pulmonary TB. The patient had symptoms of renal failure and the SARS-CoV-2 infection was mild and asymptomatic. Because both patients were in the care of a homeless shelter, a molecular epidemiological investigation was carried out. Different DNA profiles of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex isolates detected in clinical materials from patients ruled out the transmission of tuberculosis. Based on our analysis, it is impossible to clearly define the influence of active TB on the course of SARS-CoV-2 infection. We can only suggest that coinfection is particularly dangerous for socially disadvantaged people, the elderly, and people with other comorbidities. In the coming years, a negative impact of the current pandemic on control programmes will be observed for many infectious diseases, including TB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monika Kozińska
- Department of Microbiology, National Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases Research Institute, Plocka 26, 01-138 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Ewa Augustynowicz-Kopeć
- Department of Microbiology, National Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases Research Institute, Plocka 26, 01-138 Warsaw, Poland
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5
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Sun J, Fahmi NA, Nassereddeen H, Cheng S, Martinez I, Fan D, Yong J, Zhang W. Computational Methods to Study Human Transcript Variants in COVID-19 Infected Lung Cancer Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:9684. [PMID: 34575842 PMCID: PMC8464664 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22189684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2021] [Revised: 08/27/2021] [Accepted: 08/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Microbes and viruses are known to alter host transcriptomes by means of infection. In light of recent challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, a deeper understanding of the disease at the transcriptome level is needed. However, research about transcriptome reprogramming by post-transcriptional regulation is very limited. In this study, computational methods developed by our lab were applied to RNA-seq data to detect transcript variants (i.e., alternative splicing (AS) and alternative polyadenylation (APA) events). The RNA-seq data were obtained from a publicly available source, and they consist of mock-treated and SARS-CoV-2 infected (COVID-19) lung alveolar (A549) cells. Data analysis results show that more AS events are found in SARS-CoV-2 infected cells than in mock-treated cells, whereas fewer APA events are detected in SARS-CoV-2 infected cells. A combination of conventional differential gene expression analysis and transcript variants analysis revealed that most of the genes with transcript variants are not differentially expressed. This indicates that no strong correlation exists between differential gene expression and the AS/APA events in the mock-treated or SARS-CoV-2 infected samples. These genes with transcript variants can be applied as another layer of molecular signatures for COVID-19 studies. In addition, the transcript variants are enriched in important biological pathways that were not detected in the studies that only focused on differential gene expression analysis. Therefore, the pathways may lead to new molecular mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiao Sun
- Department of Computer Science, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL 32816, USA; (J.S.); (N.A.F.)
- Genomics and Bioinformatics Cluster, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL 32816, USA;
| | - Naima Ahmed Fahmi
- Department of Computer Science, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL 32816, USA; (J.S.); (N.A.F.)
- Genomics and Bioinformatics Cluster, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL 32816, USA;
| | - Heba Nassereddeen
- Genomics and Bioinformatics Cluster, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL 32816, USA;
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL 32816, USA
| | - Sze Cheng
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biophysics, University of Minnesota Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA;
| | - Irene Martinez
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology, Universität Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany;
| | - Deliang Fan
- School of Electrical, Computer and Energy Engineering, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA;
| | - Jeongsik Yong
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biophysics, University of Minnesota Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA;
| | - Wei Zhang
- Department of Computer Science, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL 32816, USA; (J.S.); (N.A.F.)
- Genomics and Bioinformatics Cluster, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL 32816, USA;
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Dioguardi M, Cazzolla AP, Arena C, Sovereto D, Caloro GA, Dioguardi A, Crincoli V, Laino L, Troiano G, Lo Muzio L. Innate Immunity in Children and the Role of ACE2 Expression in SARS-CoV-2 Infection. Pediatr Rep 2021; 13:363-382. [PMID: 34287338 PMCID: PMC8293341 DOI: 10.3390/pediatric13030045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2021] [Revised: 06/28/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019) is an emerging viral disease caused by the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2), which leads to severe respiratory infections in humans. The first reports came in December 2019 from the city of Wuhan in the province of Hubei in China. It was immediately clear that children developed a milder disease than adults. The reasons for the milder course of the disease were attributed to several factors: innate immunity, difference in ACE2 (angiotensin-converting enzyme II) receptor expression, and previous infections with other common coronaviruses (CovH). This literature review aims to summarize aspects of innate immunity by focusing on the role of ACE2 expression and viral infections in children in modulating the antibody response to SARS-CoV-2 infection. This review was conducted using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Articles deemed potentially eligible were considered, including those dealing with COVID-19 in children and providing more up-to-date and significant data in terms of epidemiology, prognosis, course, and symptoms, focusing on the etiopathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2 disease in children. The bibliographic search was conducted using the search engines PubMed and Scopus. The following search terms were entered in PubMed and Scopus: COVID-19 AND ACE2 AND Children; COVID-19 AND Immunity innate AND children. The search identified 857 records, and 18 studies were applicable based on inclusion and exclusion criteria that addressed the issues of COVID-19 concerning the role of ACE2 expression in children. The scientific literature agrees that children develop milder COVID-19 disease than adults. Milder symptomatology could be attributed to innate immunity or previous CovH virus infections, while it is not yet fully understood how the differential expression of ACE2 in children could contribute to milder disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario Dioguardi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, Via Rovelli 50, 71122 Foggia, Italy; (A.P.C.); (C.A.); (D.S.); (G.T.); (L.L.M.)
| | - Angela Pia Cazzolla
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, Via Rovelli 50, 71122 Foggia, Italy; (A.P.C.); (C.A.); (D.S.); (G.T.); (L.L.M.)
| | - Claudia Arena
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, Via Rovelli 50, 71122 Foggia, Italy; (A.P.C.); (C.A.); (D.S.); (G.T.); (L.L.M.)
| | - Diego Sovereto
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, Via Rovelli 50, 71122 Foggia, Italy; (A.P.C.); (C.A.); (D.S.); (G.T.); (L.L.M.)
| | - Giorgia Apollonia Caloro
- Unità Operativa Nefrologia e Dialisi, Presidio Ospedaliero Scorrano, ASL (Azienda Sanitaria Locale) Lecce, Via Giuseppina Delli Ponti, 73020 Scorrano, Italy;
| | - Antonio Dioguardi
- U.S.C.A. “Unità Speciali di Continuità Assistenziale” Troia 2, ASL “Azienda Sanitaria Locale” Foggia Contrada Fontanelle, 71029 Troia, Italy;
| | - Vito Crincoli
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and Sensory Organs, Division of Complex Operating Unit of Dentistry, “Aldo Moro” University of Bari, Piazza G. Cesare 11, 70124 Bari, Italy;
| | - Luigi Laino
- Multidisciplinary Department of Medical-Surgical and Odontostomatological Specialties, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80121 Naples, Italy;
| | - Giuseppe Troiano
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, Via Rovelli 50, 71122 Foggia, Italy; (A.P.C.); (C.A.); (D.S.); (G.T.); (L.L.M.)
| | - Lorenzo Lo Muzio
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, Via Rovelli 50, 71122 Foggia, Italy; (A.P.C.); (C.A.); (D.S.); (G.T.); (L.L.M.)
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Wu Y, Ma L, Cai S, Zhuang Z, Zhao Z, Jin S, Xie W, Zhou L, Zhang L, Zhao J, Cui J. RNA-induced liquid phase separation of SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein facilitates NF-κB hyper-activation and inflammation. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2021; 6:167. [PMID: 33895773 PMCID: PMC8065320 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-021-00575-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2021] [Revised: 03/06/2021] [Accepted: 03/18/2021] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The ongoing 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) caused by SARS-CoV-2 has posed a worldwide pandemic and a major global public health threat. The severity and mortality of COVID-19 are associated with virus-induced dysfunctional inflammatory responses and cytokine storms. However, the interplay between host inflammatory responses and SARS-CoV-2 infection remains largely unknown. Here, we demonstrate that SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid (N) protein, the major structural protein of the virion, promotes the virus-triggered activation of NF-κB signaling. After binding to viral RNA, N protein robustly undergoes liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS), which recruits TAK1 and IKK complex, the key kinases of NF-κB signaling, to enhance NF-κB activation. Moreover, 1,6-hexanediol, the inhibitor of LLPS, can attenuate the phase separation of N protein and restrict its regulatory functions in NF-κB activation. These results suggest that LLPS of N protein provides a platform to induce NF-κB hyper-activation, which could be a potential therapeutic target against COVID-19 severe pneumonia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaoxing Wu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Ling Ma
- MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Sihui Cai
- MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Zhen Zhuang
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Zhiyao Zhao
- MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Shouheng Jin
- MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Weihong Xie
- MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Lingli Zhou
- MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Lei Zhang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Jincun Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
| | - Jun Cui
- MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
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Cao B, Zhang L, Liu H, Ma S, Mi K. The Dynamic Expression of Potential Mediators of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Cellular Entry in Fetal, Neonatal, and Adult Rhesus Monkeys. Front Genet 2021; 11:607479. [PMID: 33537060 PMCID: PMC7848180 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2020.607479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2020] [Accepted: 12/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, induced by the pathogenic severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has spread rapidly all over the world. There is considerable variability among neonates, children, and adults in the incidence of infection and severe disease following exposure to SARS-CoV-2. In our study, we analyzed the transcriptome data of primate animal model of Rhesus monkeys to evaluate the expression levels of possible SARS-CoV-2 receptors and proteases and immunologic features in the lungs, colons, livers, and brains at different developmental stages. Our results revealed that ACE2 and TMPRSS2 were highly expressed in neonates compared with other populations, which imply the high incidence of infection. Other potential receptors and Type II transmembrane serine proteases (TTSPs) and cathepsin of endosomal proteases also exhibited dynamic and differential expression patterns. The expression of receptors (ACE2, BSG, and DPP4) and proteases (TMPRSS2, TMPRSS9, CTSL, and CTSB) were highly correlated during lung development, suggesting the high susceptibility of the lungs. TMPRSS9 was specifically highly expressed in the lungs and reached the highest level in neonates, similar to TMPRSS2. Moreover, the immune cell infiltration analysis revealed immunity immaturity in neonates, implying the association with the mild or moderate type of COVID-19. The results might help researchers design protective and therapeutic strategies for COVID-19 in populations at different ages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bangrong Cao
- Radiation Oncology Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Cancer Center, School of Medicine, Sichuan Cancer Hospital and Institute, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Liping Zhang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Sichuan Provincial Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, The Affiliated Women’s and Children’s Hospital of Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, China
| | - Huifen Liu
- Radiation Oncology Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Cancer Center, School of Medicine, Sichuan Cancer Hospital and Institute, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Shiqi Ma
- Radiation Oncology Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Cancer Center, School of Medicine, Sichuan Cancer Hospital and Institute, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Kun Mi
- Radiation Oncology Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Cancer Center, School of Medicine, Sichuan Cancer Hospital and Institute, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
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Rangon CM, Krantic S, Moyse E, Fougère B. The Vagal Autonomic Pathway of COVID-19 at the Crossroad of Alzheimer's Disease and Aging: A Review of Knowledge. J Alzheimers Dis Rep 2020; 4:537-551. [PMID: 33532701 PMCID: PMC7835993 DOI: 10.3233/adr-200273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic-triggered mortality is significantly higher in older than in younger populations worldwide. Alzheimer's disease (AD) is related to aging and was recently reported to be among the major risk factors for COVID-19 mortality in older people. The symptomatology of COVID-19 indicates that lethal outcomes of infection rely on neurogenic mechanisms. The present review compiles the available knowledge pointing to the convergence of COVID-19 complications with the mechanisms of autonomic dysfunctions in AD and aging. The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is prone to neuroinvasion from the lung along the vagus nerve up to the brainstem autonomic nervous centers involved in the coupling of cardiovascular and respiratory rhythms. The brainstem autonomic network allows SARS-CoV-2 to trigger a neurogenic switch to hypertension and hypoventilation, which may act in synergy with aging- and AD-induced dysautonomias, along with an inflammatory "storm". The lethal outcomes of COVID-19, like in AD and unhealthy aging, likely rely on a critical hypoactivity of the efferent vagus nerve cholinergic pathway, which is involved in lowering cardiovascular pressure and systemic inflammation tone. We further discuss the emerging evidence supporting the use of 1) the non-invasive stimulation of vagus nerve as an additional therapeutic approach for severe COVID-19, and 2) the demonstrated vagal tone index, i.e., heart rate variability, via smartphone-based applications as a non-serological low-cost diagnostic of COVID-19. These two well-known medical approaches are already available and now deserve large-scale testing on human cohorts in the context of both AD and COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire-Marie Rangon
- Pain and Neuromodulation Unit, Division of Neurosurgery, Hôpital Fondation Ophtalmologique A. De Rothschild, Paris, France
| | - Slavica Krantic
- Sorbonne Université, St. Antoine Research Center (CRSA), Inserm UMRS-938, Hopital St-Antoine, Paris, France
| | - Emmanuel Moyse
- INRAE Centre Val-de-Loire, Physiology of Reproduction and Behavior Unit (PRC, UMR-85), Team ER2, Nouzilly, France
| | - Bertrand Fougère
- Division of Geriatric Medicine, Tours University Hospital, Tours, France
- Education, Ethics, Health (EA 7505), Tours University, Tours, France
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Vo T, Paudel K, Choudhary I, Patial S, Saini Y. Ozone exposure upregulates the expression of host susceptibility protein TMPRSS2 to SARS-CoV-2. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2020. [PMID: 33200134 DOI: 10.1101/2020.11.10.377408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Background SARS-CoV-2, a novel coronavirus, and the etiologic agent for the current global health emergency, causes acute infection of the respiratory tract leading to severe disease and significant mortality. Ever since the start of SARS-CoV-2, also known as COVID-19 pandemic, countless uncertainties have been revolving around the pathogenesis and epidemiology of the SARS-CoV-2 infection. While air pollution has been shown to be strongly correlated to increased SARS-CoV-2 morbidity and mortality, whether environmental pollutants such as ground level ozone affects the susceptibility of individuals to SARS-CoV-2 is not yet established. Objective To investigate the impact of ozone inhalation on the expression levels of signatures associated with host susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2. Methods We analyzed lung tissues collected from mice that were sub-chronically exposed to air or 0.8ppm ozone for three weeks (4h/night, 5 nights/week), and analyzed the expression of signatures associated with host susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2. Results SARS-CoV-2 entry into the host cells requires proteolytic priming by the host-derived protease, transmembrane protease serine 2 (TMPRSS2). The TMPRSS2 protein and Tmprss2 transcripts were significantly elevated in the extrapulmonary airways, parenchyma, and alveolar macrophages from ozone-exposed mice. A significant proportion of additional known SARS-CoV-2 host susceptibility genes were upregulated in alveolar macrophages and parenchyma from ozone-exposed mice. Conclusions Our data indicate that the unhealthy levels of ozone in the environment may predispose individuals to severe SARS-CoV-2 infection. Given the severity of this pandemic, and the challenges associated with direct testing of host-environment interactions in clinical settings, we believe that this mice-ozone-exposure based study informs the scientific community of the potentially detrimental effects of the ambient ozone levels determining the host susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2.
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