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Cappelletti G, Colombrita C, Limanaqi F, Invernizzi S, Garziano M, Vanetti C, Moscheni C, Santangelo S, Zecchini S, Trabattoni D, Silani V, Clerici M, Ratti A, Biasin M. Human motor neurons derived from induced pluripotent stem cells are susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Front Cell Neurosci 2023; 17:1285836. [PMID: 38116398 PMCID: PMC10728732 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2023.1285836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction COVID-19 typically causes Q7 respiratory disorders, but a high proportion of patients also reports neurological and neuromuscular symptoms during and after SARSCoV-2 infection. Despite a number of studies documenting SARS-CoV-2 infection of various neuronal cell populations, the impact of SARS-CoV-2 exposure on motor neuronal cells specifically has not been investigated so far. Methods Thus, by using human iPSC-derived motor neurons (iPSC-MNs) we assessed: (i) the expression of SARS-CoV-2 main receptors; (ii) iPSC-MN infectability by SARS-CoV-2; and (iii) the effect of SARS-CoV-2 exposure on iPSC-MN transcriptome. Results Gene expression profiling and immunofluorescence (IF) analysis of the main host cell receptors recognized by SARS-CoV-2 revealed that all of them are expressed in iPSC-MNs, with CD147 and NRP1 being the most represented ones. By analyzing SARS-CoV-2 N1 and N2 gene expression over time, we observed that human iPSC-MNs were productively infected by SARS-CoV-2 in the absence of cytopathic effect. Supernatants collected from SARS-CoV-2-infected iPSC-MNs were able to re-infect VeroE6 cells. Image analyses of SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid proteins by IF confirmed iPSC-MN infectability. Furthermore, SARS-CoV-2 infection in iPSCMNs significantly altered the expression of genes (IL-6, ANG, S1PR1, BCL2, BAX, Casp8, HLA-A, ERAP1, CD147, MX1) associated with cell survival and metabolism, as well as antiviral and inflammatory response. Discussion These results suggest for the very first time that SARS-CoV-2 can productively infect human iPSC-derived MNs probably by binding CD147 and NRP1 receptors. Such information will be important to unveil the biological bases of neuromuscular disorders characterizing SARS-CoV-2 infection and the so called long-COVID symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gioia Cappelletti
- Laboratory of Immune-Biology, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Claudia Colombrita
- Department of Neurology and Laboratory of Neuroscience, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milan, Italy
| | - Fiona Limanaqi
- Laboratory of Immune-Biology, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
- Laboratory of Immunology, Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Sabrina Invernizzi
- Department of Neurology and Laboratory of Neuroscience, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milan, Italy
| | - Micaela Garziano
- Laboratory of Immune-Biology, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
- Laboratory of Immunology, Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Claudia Vanetti
- Laboratory of Immune-Biology, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Claudia Moscheni
- Laboratory of Immune-Biology, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Serena Santangelo
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, Aldo Ravelli Center for Neurotechnology and Experimental Brain Therapeutics, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Silvia Zecchini
- Laboratory of Immune-Biology, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Daria Trabattoni
- Laboratory of Immune-Biology, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Silani
- Department of Neurology and Laboratory of Neuroscience, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milan, Italy
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, “Dino Ferrari” Center, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Mario Clerici
- Laboratory of Immunology, Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
- Don C. Gnocchi Foundation, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Foundation, Milan, Italy
| | - Antonia Ratti
- Department of Neurology and Laboratory of Neuroscience, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milan, Italy
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, Aldo Ravelli Center for Neurotechnology and Experimental Brain Therapeutics, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Mara Biasin
- Laboratory of Immune-Biology, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
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Sultana MF, Abo H, Kawashima H. Human and mouse angiogenins: Emerging insights and potential opportunities. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:1022945. [PMID: 36466652 PMCID: PMC9714274 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.1022945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2022] [Accepted: 11/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Angiogenin, a well-known angiogenic factor, is crucial to the angiogenesis in gastrointestinal tumors. Human angiogenin has only one gene, whereas the murine angiogenin family has extended to incorporate six genes. Evolutionary studies have suggested functional variations among murine angiogenin paralogs, even though the three-dimensional structures of angiogenin proteins are remarkably similar. In addition to angiogenesis, the ubiquitous pattern of angiogenin expression suggests a variety of functions, such as tumorigenesis, neuroprotective, antimicrobial activity, and innate immunity. Here, we comprehensively reviewed studies on the structures and functions of human and mouse angiogenins. Understanding the structure and function of angiogenins from a broader perspective could facilitate future research related to development of novel therapeutics on its biological processes, especially in gastrointestinal cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mst. Farzana Sultana
- Laboratory of Microbiology and Immunology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
- Department of Pharmacy, Jashore University of Science and Technology, Jashore, Bangladesh
| | - Hirohito Abo
- Laboratory of Microbiology and Immunology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Hiroto Kawashima
- Laboratory of Microbiology and Immunology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
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Perveen S, Sharma R. Screening approaches and therapeutic targets: The two driving wheels of tuberculosis drug discovery. Biochem Pharmacol 2022; 197:114906. [PMID: 34990594 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2021.114906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2021] [Revised: 12/28/2021] [Accepted: 12/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease, infecting a quarter of world's population. Drug resistant TB further exacerbates the grim scenario of the drying TB drug discovery pipeline. The limited arsenal to fight TB presses the need for thorough efforts for identifying promising hits to combat the disease. The review highlights the efforts in the field of tuberculosis drug discovery, with an emphasis on massive drug screening campaigns for identifying novel hits against Mtb in both industry and academia. As an intracellular pathogen, mycobacteria reside in a complicated intracellular environment with multiple factors at play. Here, we outline various strategies employed in an effort to mimic the intracellular milieu for bringing the screening models closer to the actual settings. The review also focuses on the novel targets and pathways that could aid in target-based drug discovery in TB. The recent high throughput screening efforts resulting in the identification of potent hits against Mtb has been summarized in this article. There is a pressing need for effective screening strategies and approaches employing innovative tools and recent technologies; including nanotechnology, gene-editing tools such as CRISPR-cas system, host-directed bacterial killing and high content screening to augment the TB drug discovery pipeline with safer and shorter drug regimens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Summaya Perveen
- Infectious Diseases Division, CSIR- Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Jammu 180001, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India
| | - Rashmi Sharma
- Infectious Diseases Division, CSIR- Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Jammu 180001, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India.
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Garnett ER, Raines RT. Emerging biological functions of ribonuclease 1 and angiogenin. Crit Rev Biochem Mol Biol 2021; 57:244-260. [PMID: 34886717 DOI: 10.1080/10409238.2021.2004577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic-type ribonucleases (ptRNases) are a large family of vertebrate-specific secretory endoribonucleases. These enzymes catalyze the degradation of many RNA substrates and thereby mediate a variety of biological functions. Though the homology of ptRNases has informed biochemical characterization and evolutionary analyses, the understanding of their biological roles is incomplete. Here, we review the functions of two ptRNases: RNase 1 and angiogenin. RNase 1, which is an abundant ptRNase with high catalytic activity, has newly discovered roles in inflammation and blood coagulation. Angiogenin, which promotes neovascularization, is now known to play roles in the progression of cancer and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, as well as in the cellular stress response. Ongoing work is illuminating the biology of these and other ptRNases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily R Garnett
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Ronald T Raines
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
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Angiogenin and Copper Crossing in Wound Healing. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms221910704. [PMID: 34639045 PMCID: PMC8509573 DOI: 10.3390/ijms221910704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2021] [Revised: 09/29/2021] [Accepted: 10/01/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Angiogenesis plays a key role in the wound healing process, involving the migration, growth, and differentiation of endothelial cells. Angiogenesis is controlled by a strict balance of different factors, and among these, the angiogenin protein plays a relevant role. Angiogenin is a secreted protein member of the ribonuclease superfamily that is taken up by cells and translocated to the nucleus when the process of blood vessel formation has to be promoted. However, the chemical signaling that activates the protein, normally present in the plasma, and the transport pathways through which the protein enters the cell are still largely unclear. Copper is also an angiogenic factor that regulates angiogenin expression and participates in the activation of common signaling pathways. The interaction between angiogenin and copper could be a relevant mechanism in regulating the formation of new blood vessel pathways and paving the way to the development of new drugs for chronic non-healing wounds.
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Noschka R, Wondany F, Kizilsavas G, Weil T, Weidinger G, Walther P, Michaelis J, Stenger S. Gran1: A Granulysin-Derived Peptide with Potent Activity against Intracellular Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22168392. [PMID: 34445098 PMCID: PMC8395039 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22168392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2021] [Revised: 08/02/2021] [Accepted: 08/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Granulysin is an antimicrobial peptide (AMP) expressed by human T-lymphocytes and natural killer cells. Despite a remarkably broad antimicrobial spectrum, its implementation into clinical practice has been hampered by its large size and off-target effects. To circumvent these limitations, we synthesized a 29 amino acid fragment within the putative cytolytic site of Granulysin (termed “Gran1”). We evaluated the antimicrobial activity of Gran1 against the major human pathogen Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) and a panel of clinically relevant non-tuberculous mycobacteria which are notoriously difficult to treat. Gran1 efficiently inhibited the mycobacterial proliferation in the low micro molar range. Super-resolution fluorescence microscopy and scanning electron microscopy indicated that Gran1 interacts with the surface of Mtb, causing lethal distortions of the cell wall. Importantly, Gran1 showed no off-target effects (cytokine release, chemotaxis, cell death) in primary human cells or zebrafish embryos (cytotoxicity, developmental toxicity, neurotoxicity, cardiotoxicity). Gran1 was selectively internalized by macrophages, the major host cell of Mtb, and restricted the proliferation of the pathogen. Our results demonstrate that the hypothesis-driven design of AMPs is a powerful approach for the identification of small bioactive compounds with specific antimicrobial activity. Gran1 is a promising component for the design of AMP-containing nanoparticles with selective activity and favorable pharmacokinetics to be pushed forward into experimental in vivo models of infectious diseases, most notably tuberculosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reiner Noschka
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, University Hospital Ulm, 89081 Ulm, Germany;
| | - Fanny Wondany
- Institute of Biophysics, Ulm University, 89081 Ulm, Germany; (F.W.); (J.M.)
| | - Gönül Kizilsavas
- Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, 55128 Mainz, Germany; (G.K.); (T.W.)
| | - Tanja Weil
- Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, 55128 Mainz, Germany; (G.K.); (T.W.)
| | - Gilbert Weidinger
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Ulm University, 89081 Ulm, Germany;
| | - Paul Walther
- Central Facility for Electron Microscopy, Ulm University, 89081 Ulm, Germany;
| | - Jens Michaelis
- Institute of Biophysics, Ulm University, 89081 Ulm, Germany; (F.W.); (J.M.)
| | - Steffen Stenger
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, University Hospital Ulm, 89081 Ulm, Germany;
- Correspondence:
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