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Marazziti D, Diep PT, Carter S, Carbone MG. Oxytocin: An Old Hormone, A Novel Psychotropic Drug And Possible Use In Treating Psychiatric Disorders. Curr Med Chem 2022; 29:5615-5687. [PMID: 35894453 DOI: 10.2174/0929867329666220727120646] [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: 11/02/2021] [Revised: 03/17/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Oxytocin is a nonapeptide synthesized in the paraventricular and supraoptic nuclei of the hypothalamus. Historically, this molecule has been involved as a key factor in the formation of infant attachment, maternal behavior and pair bonding and, more generally, in linking social signals with cognition, behaviors and reward. In the last decades, the whole oxytocin system has gained a growing interest as it was proposed to be implicated in etiopathogenesis of several neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders. METHODS With the main goal of an in-depth understanding of the oxytocin role in the regulation of different functions and complex behaviors as well as its intriguing implications in different neuropsychiatric disorders, we performed a critical review of the current state of art. We carried out this work through PubMed database up to June 2021 with the search terms: 1) "oxytocin and neuropsychiatric disorders"; 2) "oxytocin and neurodevelopmental disorders"; 3) "oxytocin and anorexia"; 4) "oxytocin and eating disorders"; 5) "oxytocin and obsessive-compulsive disorder"; 6) "oxytocin and schizophrenia"; 7) "oxytocin and depression"; 8) "oxytocin and bipolar disorder"; 9) "oxytocin and psychosis"; 10) "oxytocin and anxiety"; 11) "oxytocin and personality disorder"; 12) "oxytocin and PTSD". RESULTS Biological, genetic, and epigenetic studies highlighted quality and quantity modifications in the expression of oxytocin peptide or in oxytocin receptor isoforms. These alterations would seem to be correlated with a higher risk of presenting several neuropsychiatric disorders belonging to different psychopathological spectra. Collaterally, the exogenous oxytocin administration has shown to ameliorate many neuropsychiatric clinical conditions. CONCLUSION Finally, we briefly analyzed the potential pharmacological use of oxytocin in patient with severe symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection due to its anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative and immunoregulatory properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donatella Marazziti
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Section of Psychiatry, University of Pisa, Italy.,Saint Camillus International University of Health and Medical Sciences, Rome, Italy
| | - Phuoc-Tan Diep
- Department of Histopathology, Royal Lancaster Infirmary, University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust, Lancaster, United Kingdom
| | - Sue Carter
- Director Kinsey Institute, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA
| | - Manuel G Carbone
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Division of Psychiatry, University of Insubria, 21100 Varese, Italy
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2
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Batista Simões JL, Sobierai LD, Pereira SM, Rodrigues Dos Santos MV, Bagatini MD. Therapeutic potential of P2X7 purinergic receptor modulation in the main organs affected by the COVID-19 cytokine storm. Curr Pharm Des 2022; 28:1798-1814. [PMID: 35838210 DOI: 10.2174/1381612828666220713115906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Defined by the World Health Organization as a global public health pandemic, coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) has a global impact and the death of thousands of people. The "severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2" virus (SARS-CoV-2) is the etiologic agent of this disease, which uses the angiotensin-converting enzyme receptor 2 (ACE2) to infect the body, so any organ that expresses the gene ACE2 is a possible target for the new coronavirus. In addition, in severe cases of COVID-19, a cytokine storm occurs, which triggers widespread systemic inflammation due to the uncontrolled release of proinflammatory cytokines. In this perspective, the modulation of purinergic receptors are highlighted in the literature as a possible therapy, considering its application in other viral infections and systemic inflammation. Therefore, the objective of this review is to gather information on the modulation of the P2X7 receptor in the main organs directly affected by the virus and by the cytokine storm: heart, brain, lung, liver and kidneys. Thus, demonstrating possible therapies for reducing inflammation, as well as reducing the level of morbidity and mortality of COVID-19.
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3
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Chen T, Polak P, Uryasev S. Classification and severity progression measure of COVID-19 patients using pairs of multi-omic factors. J Appl Stat 2022; 50:2473-2503. [PMID: 37529561 PMCID: PMC10388828 DOI: 10.1080/02664763.2022.2064975] [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: 12/20/2020] [Accepted: 04/06/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Early detection and effective treatment of severe COVID-19 patients remain two major challenges during the current pandemic. Analysis of molecular changes in blood samples of severe patients is one of the promising approaches to this problem. From thousands of proteomic, metabolomic, lipidomic, and transcriptomic biomarkers selected in other research, we identify several pairs of biomarkers that after additional nonlinear spline transformation are highly effective in classifying and predicting severe COVID-19 cases. The performance of these pairs is evaluated in-sample, in a cross-validation exercise, and in an out-of-sample analysis on two independent datasets. We further improve our classifier by identifying complementary pairs using hierarchical clustering. In a result, we achieve 96-98% AUC on the validation data. Our findings can help medical experts to identify small groups of biomarkers that after nonlinear transformation can be used to construct a cost-effective test for patient screening and prediction of severity progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teng Chen
- Department of Applied Math & Statistics, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
| | - Paweł Polak
- Department of Applied Math & Statistics, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
| | - Stanislav Uryasev
- Department of Applied Math & Statistics, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
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4
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Wang SC, Zhang F, Zhu H, Yang H, Liu Y, Wang P, Parpura V, Wang YF. Potential of Endogenous Oxytocin in Endocrine Treatment and Prevention of COVID-19. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:799521. [PMID: 35592777 PMCID: PMC9110836 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.799521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2021] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 or COVID-19 caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has become a significant threat to the health of human beings. While wearing mask, maintaining social distance and performing self-quarantine can reduce virus spreading passively, vaccination actively enhances immune defense against COVID-19. However, mutations of SARS-CoV-2 and presence of asymptomatic carriers frustrate the effort of completely conquering COVID-19. A strategy that can reduce the susceptibility and thus prevent COVID-19 while blocking viral invasion and pathogenesis independent of viral antigen stability is highly desirable. In the pathogenesis of COVID-19, endocrine disorders have been implicated. Correspondingly, many hormones have been identified to possess therapeutic potential of treating COVID-19, such as estrogen, melatonin, corticosteroids, thyroid hormone and oxytocin. Among them, oxytocin has the potential of both treatment and prevention of COVID-19. This is based on oxytocin promotion of immune-metabolic homeostasis, suppression of inflammation and pre-existing comorbidities, acceleration of damage repair, and reduction of individuals' susceptibility to pathogen infection. Oxytocin may specifically inactivate SARS-COV-2 spike protein and block viral entry into cells via angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 by suppressing serine protease and increasing interferon levels and number of T-lymphocytes. In addition, oxytocin can promote parasympathetic outflow and the secretion of body fluids that could dilute and even inactivate SARS-CoV-2 on the surface of cornea, oral cavity and gastrointestinal tract. What we need to do now is clinical trials. Such trials should fully balance the advantages and disadvantages of oxytocin application, consider the time- and dose-dependency of oxytocin effects, optimize the dosage form and administration approach, combine oxytocin with inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 replication, apply specific passive immunization, and timely utilize efficient vaccines. Meanwhile, blocking COVID-19 transmission chain and developing other efficient anti-SARS-CoV-2 drugs are also important. In addition, relative to the complex issues with drug applications over a long term, oxytocin can be mobilized through many physiological stimuli, and thus used as a general prevention measure. In this review, we explore the potential of oxytocin for treatment and prevention of COVID-19 and perhaps other similar pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephani C. Wang
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of California-Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
| | - Fengmin Zhang
- Department of Microbiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Hui Zhu
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Haipeng Yang
- Neonatal Division of the Department of Pediatrics, Harbin Medical University The Fourth Affiliated Hospital, Harbin, China
| | - Yang Liu
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Ping Wang
- Department of Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Vladimir Parpura
- Department of Neurobiology, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States
| | - Yu-Feng Wang
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
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5
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Mégarbane B. The Time Has Come to Understand the Mechanisms by Which Comorbidities Contribute to COVID-19 Severity. J Pers Med 2022; 12:123. [PMID: 35207612 PMCID: PMC8878418 DOI: 10.3390/jpm12020123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2022] [Accepted: 01/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
A new coronavirus named severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) has been responsible for a worldwide pandemic for two years, resulting in almost 280 million infections and 5 [...].
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno Mégarbane
- Department of Medical and Toxicological Critical Care, Lariboisière Hospital, INSERM UMRS-1144, Paris-University, 75010 Paris, France
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6
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Collins AB, Zhao L, Zhu Z, Givens NT, Bai Q, Wakefield MR, Fang Y. Impact of COVID-19 on male fertility. Urology 2022; 164:33-39. [PMID: 35007621 PMCID: PMC8741337 DOI: 10.1016/j.urology.2021.12.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2021] [Revised: 12/10/2021] [Accepted: 12/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
COVID-19, the clinical condition caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, has been associated with massive cytokine storm and damage to multiple organ systems. Although evidence for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 virus in the testis remains scarce, testicular damage and dysregulation of gonadotropins associated with inflammation has been reported. Additionally, as a result of the rapidly evolving pandemic, frequently updated medical interventions and public policies leading to delays of care can play a role in fertility. This narrative review aims to summarize the current literature on how COVID-19 may influence male fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander B Collins
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Pathology, Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Des Moines, IA, USA
| | - Lei Zhao
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, the 2nd People's Hospital of Hefei and Hefei Hospital Affiliated to Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Ziwen Zhu
- Department of Surgery, University of Missouri School of Medicine, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Nathan T Givens
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Pathology, Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Des Moines, IA, USA
| | - Qian Bai
- Department of Surgery, University of Missouri School of Medicine, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Mark R Wakefield
- Department of Surgery, University of Missouri School of Medicine, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Yujiang Fang
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Pathology, Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Des Moines, IA, USA; Department of Surgery, University of Missouri School of Medicine, Columbia, MO, USA..
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7
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Pesce M, Agostoni P, Bøtker HE, Brundel B, Davidson SM, Caterina RD, Ferdinandy P, Girao H, Gyöngyösi M, Hulot JS, Lecour S, Perrino C, Schulz R, Sluijter JP, Steffens S, Tancevski I, Gollmann-Tepeköylü C, Tschöpe C, Linthout SV, Madonna R. COVID-19-related cardiac complications from clinical evidences to basic mechanisms: opinion paper of the ESC Working Group on Cellular Biology of the Heart. Cardiovasc Res 2021; 117:2148-2160. [PMID: 34117887 DOI: 10.1093/cvr/cvab201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2020] [Accepted: 06/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The pandemic of coronavirus disease (COVID)-19 is a global threat, causing high mortality, especially in the elderly. The main symptoms and the primary cause of death are related to interstitial pneumonia. Viral entry also into myocardial cells mainly via the angiotensin converting enzyme type 2 (ACE2) receptor and excessive production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, however, also make the heart susceptible to injury. In addition to the immediate damage caused by the acute inflammatory response, the heart may also suffer from long-term consequences of COVID-19, potentially causing a post-pandemic increase in cardiac complications. Although the main cause of cardiac damage in COVID-19 remains coagulopathy with micro- (and to a lesser extent macro-) vascular occlusion, open questions remain about other possible modalities of cardiac dysfunction, such as direct infection of myocardial cells, effects of cytokines storm, and mechanisms related to enhanced coagulopathy. In this opinion paper, we focus on these lesser appreciated possibilities and propose experimental approaches that could provide a more comprehensive understanding of the cellular and molecular bases of cardiac injury in COVID-19 patients. We first discuss approaches to characterize cardiac damage caused by possible direct viral infection of cardiac cells, followed by formulating hypotheses on how to reproduce and investigate the hyperinflammatory and pro-thrombotic conditions observed in the heart of COVID-19 patients using experimental in vitro systems. Finally, we elaborate on strategies to discover novel pathology biomarkers using omics platforms.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Piergiuseppe Agostoni
- Centro Cardiologico Monzino, IRCCS, Milan, Italy
- Dipartimento di Scienze Cliniche e di Comunità, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Hans-Erik Bøtker
- Department of Cardiology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus N, Denmark
| | - Bianca Brundel
- Department of Physiology, Amsterdam University Medical Centers (UMC), Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Sean M Davidson
- The Hatter Cardiovascular Institute, University College London, London, UK
| | | | - Peter Ferdinandy
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
- Pharmahungary Group, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Henrique Girao
- Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), Clinical Academic Centre of Coimbra (CACC), Faculty of Medicine, Univ Coimbra, Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research (iCBR), Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Mariann Gyöngyösi
- Department of Cardiology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Jean-Sebastien Hulot
- Université de Paris, PARCC, INSERM, Paris, France
- CIC1418 and DMU CARTE, AP-HP, Hôpital Européen Georges-Pompidou, Paris, France
| | - Sandrine Lecour
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Hatter Institute for Cardiovascular Research in Africa and Cape Heart Institute, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Cinzia Perrino
- Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, Federico II University, Naples, Italy
| | - Rainer Schulz
- Institute of Physiology, Justus-Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Joost Pg Sluijter
- Laboratory for Experimental Cardiology, Department of Cardiology, Utrecht Regenerative Medicine Center, Circulatory Health Laboratory, University Utrecht, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Sabine Steffens
- Institute for Cardiovascular Prevention, German Centre for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Ludwig-Maximilians-University (LMU) Munich, Partner Site Munich Heart Alliance, Munich, Germany
| | - Ivan Tancevski
- Department of Internal Medicine II, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | | | - Carsten Tschöpe
- Department of Cardiology, Charité, Campus Virchow Klinikum, Berlin, Germany
- BIH Center for Regenerative Therapies (BCRT), Berlin Institute of Health at Charité-Universitätmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Sophie van Linthout
- Department of Cardiology, Charité, Campus Virchow Klinikum, Berlin, Germany
- BIH Center for Regenerative Therapies (BCRT), Berlin Institute of Health at Charité-Universitätmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Rosalinda Madonna
- Cardiology Chair, University of Pisa, Pisa University Hospital, Pisa, Italy
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Medical School in Houston, Houston, TX, USA
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8
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Solanich X, Vargas-Parra G, van der Made CI, Simons A, Schuurs-Hoeijmakers J, Antolí A, Del Valle J, Rocamora-Blanch G, Setién F, Esteller M, van Reijmersdal SV, Riera-Mestre A, Sabater-Riera J, Capellá G, van de Veerdonk FL, van der Hoven B, Corbella X, Hoischen A, Lázaro C. Genetic Screening for TLR7 Variants in Young and Previously Healthy Men With Severe COVID-19. Front Immunol 2021; 12:719115. [PMID: 34367187 PMCID: PMC8343010 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.719115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2021] [Accepted: 07/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Loss-of-function TLR7 variants have been recently reported in a small number of males to underlie strong predisposition to severe COVID-19. We aimed to determine the presence of these rare variants in young men with severe COVID-19. Methods We prospectively studied males between 18 and 50 years-old without predisposing comorbidities that required at least high-flow nasal oxygen to treat COVID-19. The coding region of TLR7 was sequenced to assess the presence of potentially deleterious variants. Results TLR7 missense variants were identified in two out of 14 patients (14.3%). Overall, the median age was 38 (IQR 30-45) years. Both variants were not previously reported in population control databases and were predicted to be damaging by in silico predictors. In a 30-year-old patient a maternally inherited variant [c.644A>G; p.(Asn215Ser)] was identified, co-segregating in his 27-year-old brother who also contracted severe COVID-19. A second variant [c.2797T>C; p.(Trp933Arg)] was found in a 28-year-old patient, co-segregating in his 24-year-old brother who developed mild COVID-19. Functional testing of this variant revealed decreased type I and II interferon responses in peripheral mononuclear blood cells upon stimulation with the TLR7 agonist imiquimod, confirming a loss-of-function effect. Conclusions This study supports a rationale for the genetic screening for TLR7 variants in young men with severe COVID-19 in the absence of other relevant risk factors. A diagnosis of TLR7 deficiency could not only inform on treatment options for the patient, but also enables pre-symptomatic testing of at-risk male relatives with the possibility of instituting early preventive and therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xavier Solanich
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Gardenia Vargas-Parra
- Hereditary Cancer Program, Catalan Institute of Oncology, Program in Molecular Mechanisms and Experimental Therapy in Oncology (Oncobell), Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Caspar I van der Made
- Department of Human Genetics, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands.,Department of Internal Medicine and Radboud Center for Infectious Diseases (RCI), Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences (RIMLS), Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands.,Radboud Expertise Center for Immunodeficiency and Autoinflammation and Radboud Center for Infectious Disease (RCI), Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Annet Simons
- Department of Human Genetics, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | | | - Arnau Antolí
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jesús Del Valle
- Hereditary Cancer Program, Catalan Institute of Oncology, Program in Molecular Mechanisms and Experimental Therapy in Oncology (Oncobell), Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Gemma Rocamora-Blanch
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Fernando Setién
- Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute (IJC), Badalona, Spain
| | - Manel Esteller
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain.,Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute (IJC), Badalona, Spain.,Institucio Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA), Barcelona, Spain.,Physiological Sciences Department, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Barcelona (UB), Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Antoni Riera-Mestre
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain.,Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Joan Sabater-Riera
- Department of Intensive Care, Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Gabriel Capellá
- Hereditary Cancer Program, Catalan Institute of Oncology, Program in Molecular Mechanisms and Experimental Therapy in Oncology (Oncobell), Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Frank L van de Veerdonk
- Department of Internal Medicine and Radboud Center for Infectious Diseases (RCI), Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences (RIMLS), Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands.,Radboud Expertise Center for Immunodeficiency and Autoinflammation and Radboud Center for Infectious Disease (RCI), Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | | | - Xavier Corbella
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain.,School of Medicine, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Alexander Hoischen
- Department of Human Genetics, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands.,Department of Internal Medicine and Radboud Center for Infectious Diseases (RCI), Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences (RIMLS), Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands.,Radboud Expertise Center for Immunodeficiency and Autoinflammation and Radboud Center for Infectious Disease (RCI), Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Conxi Lázaro
- Hereditary Cancer Program, Catalan Institute of Oncology, Program in Molecular Mechanisms and Experimental Therapy in Oncology (Oncobell), Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain
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9
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Ong SYQ, Flyamer IM, Bickmore WA, Biddie SC. From bedside to bench: regulation of host factors in SARS-CoV-2 infection. Exp Mol Med 2021; 53:483-494. [PMID: 33828231 PMCID: PMC8024942 DOI: 10.1038/s12276-021-00595-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2020] [Revised: 02/01/2021] [Accepted: 02/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The zoonotic coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2), which causes COVID-19 (coronavirus disease-2019), has resulted in a pandemic. This has led to an urgent need to understand the molecular determinants of SARS-CoV-2 infection, factors associated with COVID-19 heterogeneity and severity, and therapeutic options for these patients. In this review, we discuss the role of host factors in SARS-CoV-2 infection and describe variations in host factor expression as mechanisms underlying the symptoms and severity of COVID-19. We focus on two host factors, angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and transmembrane serine protease 2 (TMPRSS2), implicated in SARS-CoV-2 infection. We also discuss genetic variants associated with COVID-19 severity revealed in selected patients and based on genome-wide association studies (GWASs). Furthermore, we highlight important advances in cell and chromatin biology, such as single-cell RNA and chromatin sequencing and chromosomal conformation assays, as methods that may aid in the discovery of viral-host interactions in COVID-19. Understanding how regulation of host factor genes varies in physiological and pathological states might explain the heterogeneity observed in SARS-CoV-2 infection, help identify pathways for therapeutic development, and identify patients most likely to progress to severe COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ilya M Flyamer
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH4 2XU, UK
| | - Wendy A Bickmore
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH4 2XU, UK
| | - Simon C Biddie
- Intensive Care Medicine, NHS Lothian, Edinburgh, UK. .,MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH4 2XU, UK.
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10
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Wang SC, Wang YF. Cardiovascular protective properties of oxytocin against COVID-19. Life Sci 2021; 270:119130. [PMID: 33513400 PMCID: PMC7837104 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2021.119130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2020] [Revised: 01/17/2021] [Accepted: 01/18/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 infection or COVID-19 has become a worldwide pandemic; however, effective treatment for COVID-19 remains to be established. Along with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), new and old cardiovascular injuries are important causes of significant morbidity and mortality in COVID-19. Exploring new approaches managing cardiovascular complications is essential in controlling the disease progression and preventing long-term complications. Oxytocin (OXT), an immune-regulating neuropeptide, has recently emerged as a strong candidate for treatment and prevention of COVID-19 pandemic. OXT carries special functions in immunologic defense, homeostasis and surveillance. It suppresses neutrophil infiltration and inflammatory cytokine release, activates T-lymphocytes, and antagonizes negative effects of angiotensin II and other key pathological events of COVID-19. Additionally, OXT can promote γ-interferon expression to inhibit cathepsin L and increases superoxide dismutase expression to reduce heparin and heparan sulphate fragmentation. Through these mechanisms, OXT can block viral invasion, suppress cytokine storm, reverse lymphocytopenia, and prevent progression to ARDS and multiple organ failures. Importantly, besides prevention of metabolic disorders associated with atherosclerosis and diabetes mellitus, OXT can protect the heart and vasculature through suppressing hypertension and brain-heart syndrome, and promoting regeneration of injured cardiomyocytes. Unlike other therapeutic agents, exogenous OXT can be used safely without the side-effects seen in remdesivir and corticosteroid. Importantly, OXT can be mobilized endogenously to prevent pathogenesis of COVID-19. This article summarizes our current understandings of cardiovascular pathogenesis caused by COVID-19, explores the protective potentials of OXT against COVID-19-associated cardiovascular diseases, and discusses challenges in applying OXT in treatment and prevention of COVID-19. Chemical compounds Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2); atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP); cathepsin L; heparan sulphate proteoglycans (HSPGs); interferon; interleukin; oxytocin; superoxide dismutase; transmembrane serine protease isoform 2 (TMPRSS2).
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephani C Wang
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of California-Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA.
| | - Yu-Feng Wang
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China.
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11
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Ma X, Guan C, Chen R, Wang Y, Feng S, Wang R, Qu G, Zhao S, Wang F, Wang X, Zhang D, Liu L, Liao A, Yuan S. Pathological and molecular examinations of postmortem testis biopsies reveal SARS-CoV-2 infection in the testis and spermatogenesis damage in COVID-19 patients. Cell Mol Immunol 2020; 18:487-489. [PMID: 33318629 PMCID: PMC7734388 DOI: 10.1038/s41423-020-00604-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 98] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2020] [Accepted: 11/20/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Xixiang Ma
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, 430030, China
| | - Chuhuai Guan
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, 430030, China
| | - Rong Chen
- Department of Pathology, Wuhan Jinyintan Hospital, Wuhan, Hubei, 430023, China
| | - Yunyun Wang
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, 430030, China
| | - Shenglei Feng
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, 430030, China
| | - Rongshuai Wang
- Hubei Chongxin Judicial Expertise Center, Wuhan, Hubei, 430415, China
| | - Guoqiang Qu
- Hubei Chongxin Judicial Expertise Center, Wuhan, Hubei, 430415, China
| | - Sijia Zhao
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, 430030, China
| | - Fengli Wang
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, 430030, China
| | - Xiaoli Wang
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, 430030, China
| | - Dingyu Zhang
- Research Center for Translational Medicine, Wuhan Jinyintan Hospital, Wuhan, Hubei, 430023, China.,Joint Laboratory of Infectious Diseases and Health, Wuhan Institute of Virology and Wuhan Jinyintan Hospital, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei, 430023, China
| | - Liang Liu
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, 430030, China.
| | - Aihua Liao
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, 430030, China.
| | - Shuiqiao Yuan
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, 430030, China.
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12
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Salamanna F, Maglio M, Landini MP, Fini M. Body Localization of ACE-2: On the Trail of the Keyhole of SARS-CoV-2. Front Med (Lausanne) 2020; 7:594495. [PMID: 33344479 PMCID: PMC7744810 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2020.594495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 131] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2020] [Accepted: 11/16/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The explosion of the new coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic has brought the role of the angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) back into the scientific limelight. Since SARS-CoV-2 must bind the ACE2 for entering the host cells in humans, its expression and body localization are critical to track the potential target organ of this infection and to outline disease progression and clinical outcomes. Here, we mapped the physiological body distribution, expression, and activities of ACE2 and discussed its potential correlations and mutal interactions with the disparate symptoms present in SARS-CoV-2 patients at the level of different organs. We highlighted that despite during SARS-CoV-2 infection ACE2-expressing organs may become direct targets, leading to severe pathological manifestations, and subsequent multiple organ failures, the exact mechanism and the potential interactions through which ACE2 acts in these organs is still heavily debated. Further scientific efforts, also considering a personalized approach aimed to consider specific patient differences in the mutual interactions ACE2-SARS-CoV-2 and the long-term health effects associated with COVID-19 are currently mandatory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Salamanna
- Surgical Sciences and Technologies, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Bologna, Italy
| | - Melania Maglio
- Surgical Sciences and Technologies, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Bologna, Italy
| | - Maria Paola Landini
- Scientific Direction, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Bologna, Italy
| | - Milena Fini
- Surgical Sciences and Technologies, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Bologna, Italy
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13
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Coate KC, Cha J, Shrestha S, Wang W, Gonçalves LM, Almaça J, Kapp ME, Fasolino M, Morgan A, Dai C, Saunders DC, Bottino R, Aramandla R, Jenkins R, Stein R, Kaestner KH, Vahedi G, Brissova M, Powers AC. SARS-CoV-2 Cell Entry Factors ACE2 and TMPRSS2 Are Expressed in the Microvasculature and Ducts of Human Pancreas but Are Not Enriched in β Cells. Cell Metab 2020; 32:1028-1040.e4. [PMID: 33207245 PMCID: PMC7664344 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmet.2020.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 129] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2020] [Revised: 10/19/2020] [Accepted: 11/10/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Isolated reports of new-onset diabetes in individuals with COVID-19 have led to the hypothesis that SARS-CoV-2 is directly cytotoxic to pancreatic islet β cells. This would require binding and entry of SARS-CoV-2 into β cells via co-expression of its canonical cell entry factors, angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and transmembrane serine protease 2 (TMPRSS2); however, their expression in human pancreas has not been clearly defined. We analyzed six transcriptional datasets of primary human islet cells and found that ACE2 and TMPRSS2 were not co-expressed in single β cells. In pancreatic sections, ACE2 and TMPRSS2 protein was not detected in β cells from donors with and without diabetes. Instead, ACE2 protein was expressed in islet and exocrine tissue microvasculature and in a subset of pancreatic ducts, whereas TMPRSS2 protein was restricted to ductal cells. These findings reduce the likelihood that SARS-CoV-2 directly infects β cells in vivo through ACE2 and TMPRSS2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katie C Coate
- Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Jeeyeon Cha
- Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Shristi Shrestha
- Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Wenliang Wang
- Department of Genetics and Institute for Diabetes, Obesity, and Metabolism, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Luciana Mateus Gonçalves
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Joana Almaça
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Meghan E Kapp
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Maria Fasolino
- Department of Genetics and Institute for Diabetes, Obesity, and Metabolism, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Ashleigh Morgan
- Department of Genetics and Institute for Diabetes, Obesity, and Metabolism, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Chunhua Dai
- Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Diane C Saunders
- Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Rita Bottino
- Institute of Cellular Therapeutics, Allegheny Health Network, Pittsburgh, PA 15212, USA; Imagine Pharma, Devon, PA 19333, USA
| | - Radhika Aramandla
- Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Regina Jenkins
- Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Roland Stein
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Klaus H Kaestner
- Department of Genetics and Institute for Diabetes, Obesity, and Metabolism, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Golnaz Vahedi
- Department of Genetics and Institute for Diabetes, Obesity, and Metabolism, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Marcela Brissova
- Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA.
| | - Alvin C Powers
- Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; VA Tennessee Valley Healthcare System, Nashville, TN 37212, USA; Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN 37232, USA.
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14
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Coate KC, Cha J, Shrestha S, Wang W, Gonçalves LM, Almaça J, Kapp ME, Fasolino M, Morgan A, Dai C, Saunders DC, Bottino R, Aramandla R, Jenkins R, Stein R, Kaestner KH, Vahedi G, Consortium H, Brissova M, Powers AC. SARS-CoV-2 Cell Entry Factors ACE2 and TMPRSS2 are Expressed in the Pancreas but are Not Enriched in Islet Endocrine Cells. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2020. [PMID: 33106804 DOI: 10.1101/2020.08.31.275719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Reports of new-onset diabetes and diabetic ketoacidosis in individuals with COVID-19 have led to the hypothesis that SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, is directly cytotoxic to pancreatic islet β cells. This would require binding and entry of SARS-CoV-2 into host β cells via cell surface co-expression of ACE2 and TMPRSS2, the putative receptor and effector protease, respectively. To define ACE2 and TMPRSS2 expression in the human pancreas, we examined six transcriptional datasets from primary human islet cells and assessed protein expression by immunofluorescence in pancreata from donors with and without diabetes. ACE2 and TMPRSS2 transcripts were low or undetectable in pancreatic islet endocrine cells as determined by bulk or single cell RNA sequencing, and neither protein was detected in α or β cells from these donors. Instead, ACE2 protein was expressed in the islet and exocrine tissue microvasculature and also found in a subset of pancreatic ducts, whereas TMPRSS2 protein was restricted to ductal cells. The absence of significant ACE2 and TMPRSS2 co-expression in islet endocrine cells reduces the likelihood that SARS-CoV-2 directly infects pancreatic islet β cells through these cell entry proteins.
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15
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SARS-CoV-2 receptor networks in diabetic and COVID-19-associated kidney disease. Kidney Int 2020; 98:1502-1518. [PMID: 33038424 PMCID: PMC7543950 DOI: 10.1016/j.kint.2020.09.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2020] [Revised: 09/01/2020] [Accepted: 09/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
COVID-19 morbidity and mortality are increased via unknown mechanisms in patients with diabetes and kidney disease. SARS-CoV-2 uses angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) for entry into host cells. Because ACE2 is a susceptibility factor for infection, we investigated how diabetic kidney disease and medications alter ACE2 receptor expression in kidneys. Single cell RNA profiling of kidney biopsies from healthy living donors and patients with diabetic kidney disease revealed ACE2 expression primarily in proximal tubular epithelial cells. This cell-specific localization was confirmed by in situ hybridization. ACE2 expression levels were unaltered by exposures to renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitors in diabetic kidney disease. Bayesian integrative analysis of a large compendium of public -omics datasets identified molecular network modules induced in ACE2-expressing proximal tubular epithelial cells in diabetic kidney disease (searchable at hb.flatironinstitute.org/covid-kidney) that were linked to viral entry, immune activation, endomembrane reorganization, and RNA processing. The diabetic kidney disease ACE2-positive proximal tubular epithelial cell module overlapped with expression patterns seen in SARS-CoV-2–infected cells. Similar cellular programs were seen in ACE2-positive proximal tubular epithelial cells obtained from urine samples of 13 hospitalized patients with COVID-19, suggesting a consistent ACE2-coregulated proximal tubular epithelial cell expression program that may interact with the SARS-CoV-2 infection processes. Thus SARS-CoV-2 receptor networks can seed further research into risk stratification and therapeutic strategies for COVID-19–related kidney damage.
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