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Al-Emran HM, Rahman F, Sarkar L, Das PK, Mondol P, Yesmin S, Sultana P, Ahammed T, Parvez R, Hasan MS, Sarkar SL, Rahman MS, Hossain A, Rahman M, Islam OK, Islam MT, Nigar S, Akter S, Rubayet Ul Alam ASM, Rahman MM, Jahid IK, Hossain MA. Emergence of SARS-CoV-2 Variants Are Induced by Coinfections With Dengue. Bioinform Biol Insights 2024; 18:11779322241272399. [PMID: 39290577 PMCID: PMC11406487 DOI: 10.1177/11779322241272399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2024] [Accepted: 06/29/2024] [Indexed: 09/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) that emerged in late 2019 has accumulated a series of point mutations and evolved into several variants of concern (VOCs), some of which are more transmissible and potentially more severe than the original strain. The most notable VOCs are Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta, and Omicron, which have spread to various parts of the world. This study conducted surveillance in Jashore, Bangladesh to identify the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 coinfected with dengue virus and their genomic effect on the emergence of VOCs. A hospital-based COVID-19 surveillance from June to August, 2021 identified 9 453 positive patients in the surveillance area. The study enrolled 572 randomly selected COVID-19-positive patients, of which 11 (2%) had dengue viral coinfection. Whole genome sequences of SARS-CoV-2 were analyzed and compared between coinfection positive and negative group. In addition, we extracted 185 genome sequences from GISAID to investigate the cross-correlation function between SARS-CoV-2 mutations and VOC; multiple ARIMAX(p,d,q) models were developed to estimate the average number of amino acid (aa) substitution among different SARS-CoV-2 VOCs. The results of the study showed that the coinfection group had an average of 30.6 (±1.7) aa substitutions in SARS-CoV-2, whereas the dengue-negative COVID-19 group had that average of 25.6 (±1.8; P < .01). The coinfection group showed a significant difference of aa substitutions in open reading frame (ORF) and N-protein when compared to dengue-negative group (P = .03). Our ARIMAX models estimated that the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants Delta required additional 9 to 12 aa substitutions than Alpha, Beta, or Gamma variant. The emergence of Omicron accumulated additional 19 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 15.74, 21.95) aa substitution than Delta. Increased number of point mutations in SARS-CoV-2 genome identified from coinfected cases could be due to the compromised immune function of host and induced adaptability of pathogens during coinfections. As a result, new variants might be emerged when series of coinfection events occur during concurrent two epidemics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hassan M Al-Emran
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Jashore University of Science and Technology, Jashore, Bangladesh
| | - Fazlur Rahman
- Department of Accounting and Information Systems, Jashore University of Science and Technology, Jashore, Bangladesh
| | - Laxmi Sarkar
- Department of Microbiology, Jashore University of Science and Technology, Jashore, Bangladesh
| | - Prosanto Kumar Das
- Department of Microbiology, Jashore University of Science and Technology, Jashore, Bangladesh
| | - Provakar Mondol
- Department of Microbiology, Jashore University of Science and Technology, Jashore, Bangladesh
| | - Suriya Yesmin
- Department of Microbiology, Jashore University of Science and Technology, Jashore, Bangladesh
| | - Pipasha Sultana
- Department of Microbiology, Jashore University of Science and Technology, Jashore, Bangladesh
| | - Toukir Ahammed
- Department of Microbiology, Jashore University of Science and Technology, Jashore, Bangladesh
| | - Rasel Parvez
- Department of Microbiology, Jashore University of Science and Technology, Jashore, Bangladesh
| | - Md Shazid Hasan
- Department of Microbiology, Jashore University of Science and Technology, Jashore, Bangladesh
| | - Shovon Lal Sarkar
- Department of Microbiology, Jashore University of Science and Technology, Jashore, Bangladesh
| | - M Shaminur Rahman
- Department of Microbiology, Jashore University of Science and Technology, Jashore, Bangladesh
| | - Anamica Hossain
- Department of Microbiology, Dhaka University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | | | - Ovinu Kibria Islam
- Department of Microbiology, Jashore University of Science and Technology, Jashore, Bangladesh
| | - Md Tanvir Islam
- Department of Microbiology, Jashore University of Science and Technology, Jashore, Bangladesh
| | - Shireen Nigar
- Department of Nutrition and Food Technology, Jashore University of Science and Technology, Jashore, Bangladesh
| | - Selina Akter
- Department of Microbiology, Jashore University of Science and Technology, Jashore, Bangladesh
| | - A S M Rubayet Ul Alam
- Department of Microbiology, Jashore University of Science and Technology, Jashore, Bangladesh
| | - Mohammad Mahfuzur Rahman
- Department of Climate and Disaster Management, Jashore University of Science and Technology, Jashore, Bangladesh
| | - Iqbal Kabir Jahid
- Department of Microbiology, Jashore University of Science and Technology, Jashore, Bangladesh
- Genome Centre, Jashore University of Science and Technology, Jashore, Bangladesh
| | - M Anwar Hossain
- Genome Centre, Jashore University of Science and Technology, Jashore, Bangladesh
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Vanaga I, Kolesova O, Kolesovs A, Sture G, Hagina E, Storozenko J, Nikitina-Zake L, Viksna L. Association of human leukocyte antigen class II alleles with epithelial cell apoptosis and extracellular matrix production in acute COVID-19. Cent Eur J Immunol 2023; 48:322-329. [PMID: 38558559 PMCID: PMC10976658 DOI: 10.5114/ceji.2023.133684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Pathogenic mechanisms and long-term consequences of COVID-19 require attention in studies on SARS-CoV-2. The association of the severity of COVID-19 with genetic factors, such as human leukocyte antigen (HLA) genes, remains underexplored. Our study assessed the relationships between HLA class II alleles and COVID-19 severity and blood-based indicators of systemic inflammation and organ damage, serum markers of epithelial cell apoptosis such as caspase-cleaved CK18 fragment M30 (CK18-M30) and the extracellular matrix product hyaluronic acid (HA). Material and methods The study included 101 hospitalized COVID-19 patients (mean age 60 ±14 years). Clinical tests were performed at admission to the hospital. The levels of CK18-M30 and HA were detected in serum by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). HLA typing was performed in HLA-DRB1, -DQA1, and -DQB1 loci by the polymerase chain reaction with low-resolution sequence-specific primers. Results Sixty-one patients had a non-severe and 40 had a severe or critical disease course (following the WHO definition). The severity was associated with older age, male gender, higher HA, CK18-M30, and some indicators of inflammation. Despite the lack of direct association between HLA alleles and the severity of COVID-19, the presence of HLA-DRB1*04 and 12 alleles in the genotype was associated with lowered or elevated HA, respectively. The HLA-DQB1*03:01 allele was associated with lowered CK18-M30, aspartate aminotransferase, and ferritin. In addition, HLA-DQB1*06:01 was associated with elevated alanine aminotransferase. Conclusions Associations of HLA class II alleles with markers of epithelial cell apoptosis and extracellular matrix production indirectly support the influence of HLA genes on acute COVID-19 severity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ieva Vanaga
- Riga Stradins University, Riga, Latvia
- Riga East Clinical University Hospital, Riga, Latvia
| | | | | | - Gunta Sture
- Riga Stradins University, Riga, Latvia
- Riga East Clinical University Hospital, Riga, Latvia
| | | | | | | | - Ludmila Viksna
- Riga Stradins University, Riga, Latvia
- Riga East Clinical University Hospital, Riga, Latvia
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Shoraka S, Mohebbi SR, Hosseini SM, Zali MR. Comparison of plasma mitochondrial DNA copy number in asymptomatic and symptomatic COVID-19 patients. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1256042. [PMID: 37869674 PMCID: PMC10587688 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1256042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, a wide clinical spectrum, from asymptomatic infection to mild or severe disease and death, have been reported in COVID-19 patients. Studies have suggested several possible factors, which may affect the clinical outcome of COVID-19. A pro-inflammatory state and impaired antiviral response have been suggested as major contributing factors in severe COVID-19. Considering that mitochondria have an important role in regulating the immune responses to pathogens, pro-inflammatory signaling, and cell death, it has received much attention in SARS-CoV-2 infection. Recent studies have demonstrated that high levels of cell-free mitochondrial DNA (cf-mtDNA) are associated with an increased risk of COVID-19 intensive care unit (ICU) admission and mortality. However, there have been few studies on cf-mtDNA in SARS-CoV-2 infection, mainly focusing on critically ill COVID-19 cases. In the present study, we investigated cf-mtDNA copy number in COVID-19 patients and compared between asymptomatic and symptomatic cases, and assessed the clinical values. We also determined the cf-nuclear DNA (cf-nDNA) copy number and mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM) mRNA level in the studied groups. Materials and methods Plasma and buffy coat samples were collected from 37 COVID-19 patients and 33 controls. Briefly, after total DNA extraction, plasma cf-mtDNA, and cf-nDNA copy numbers were measured by absolute qPCR using a standard curve method. Furthermore, after total RNA extraction from buffy coat and cDNA synthesis, TFAM mRNA levels were evaluated by qPCR. Results The results showed that cf-mtDNA levels in asymptomatic COVID-19 patients were statistically significantly higher than in symptomatic cases (p value = 0.01). However, cf-nDNA levels were higher in symptomatic patients than in asymptomatic cases (p value = 0.00). There was no significant difference between TFAM levels in the buffy coat of these two groups (p value > 0.05). Also, cf-mtDNA levels showed good diagnostic potential in COVID-19 subgroups. Conclusion cf-mtDNA is probably important in the outcome of SARS-CoV-2 infection due to its role in inflammation and immune response. It can also be a promising candidate biomarker for the diagnosis of COVID-19 subgroups. Further investigation will help understanding the COVID-19 pathophysiology and effective diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shahrzad Shoraka
- Department of Microbiology and Microbial Biotechnology, Faculty of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Seyed Reza Mohebbi
- Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Seyed Masoud Hosseini
- Department of Microbiology and Microbial Biotechnology, Faculty of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Reza Zali
- Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Zheng J, Channappanavar R, Perlman S. Immunization of MERS-CoV-2-infected mice with a sublethal dose of MERS-CoV or VRP-MERS-S. STAR Protoc 2023; 4:102171. [PMID: 36920912 PMCID: PMC9968614 DOI: 10.1016/j.xpro.2023.102171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2022] [Revised: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Here, we detail the immunization of mice with a sublethal dose of MERS-CoV or two doses of replication-incompetent alphavirus replicon particles expressing MERS-CoV spike protein. We then describe steps to determine the outcome of immunization by challenging immunized mice with a lethal dose of MERS-CoV, as well as by detecting virus-specific neutralizing antibody and virus-specific T cell response via neutralization assay and flow cytometry, respectively. This protocol can be used to evaluate other CoV infections or vaccine-induced immune responses. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Zheng et al. (2021).1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Zheng
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40202, USA; Center for Predictive Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40202, USA; Departments of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Rudra Channappanavar
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, USA
| | - Stanley Perlman
- Departments of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA; Departments of Pediatrics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA.
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da Silva CL, Sousa TMM, de Sousa Junior JB, Nakano EY. Nutritional factors associated with mortality in hospitalized patients with COVID-19. CLINICAL NUTRITION OPEN SCIENCE 2022; 45:17-26. [PMID: 36035064 PMCID: PMC9391077 DOI: 10.1016/j.nutos.2022.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2022] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Background & aims Malnutrition is a risk factor that can lead to diminished physical and mental function and impaired clinical outcome from diseases. This study was performed to investigate the influence of nutritional characteristics, age and the presence of pre-comorbidities in hospital mortality or medical discharge in a sample of hospitalized patients with COVID-19. Methods This historical cohort study was conducted in adults and elderly patients with COVID-19 who were admitted to a nursing ward at the University Hospital of Brasilia (Brazil). Data regarding demographics, comorbidities, laboratory parameters, nutritional characteristics (NRS 2002, SARC-F, BMI) and discharge or death were retrospectively extracted from medical records. Differences in each group (in-hospital mortality or discharge) were assessed using unpaired Student's t test for continuous variables, or Pearson Chi-square tests for categorical data. Results A total of 222 patients with COVID-19 were enrolled in this study. Nutritional risk and sarcopenia risk were higher in patients who died compared to patients who were discharged (3.55 ± 1.30 vs 2.96 ± 1.30; p = 0.005, 6.81 ± 1.84 vs 4.96 ± 2.95; p < 0.001, respectively). BMI, albumin, and total protein were lower in mortality group than in the discharge group (25.10 ± 5.46 vs 27.82 ± 6.76; p = 0.009, 2.81 ± 0.62 vs 3.27 ± 0.53; p < 0.001, 6.08 ± 0.87 vs 6.48 ± 0.86; p = 0.007, respectively). The mean age between groups was also different with a higher age in the mortality group (70.24 ± 16.23) than in the discharge group (60.54 ± 16.57). Conclusions Uses of validated tools to identify risk for malnutrition and sarcopenia would be beneficial in hospitalized patients with COVID-19 in order to optimize the treatment between them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clíslian Luzia da Silva
- University of Brasília, University Hospital of Brasília, Sector of Big Areas North 605 - Asa Norte, Brasília, DF, 70840-901, Brazil
| | - Thaís Muniz Montalvão Sousa
- University of Brasília, University Hospital of Brasília, Sector of Big Areas North 605 - Asa Norte, Brasília, DF, 70840-901, Brazil
| | - Josimar Barbosa de Sousa Junior
- University of Brasília, University Hospital of Brasília, Sector of Big Areas North 605 - Asa Norte, Brasília, DF, 70840-901, Brazil
| | - Eduardo Yoshio Nakano
- University of Brasília, Department of Statistics, University of Brasília - CIC Building Est Campus Darcy Ribeiro - Asa Norte, Brasília, DF, 70910-900, Brazil
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Immunomodulatory Activity of the Most Commonly Used Antihypertensive Drugs-Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitors and Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23031772. [PMID: 35163696 PMCID: PMC8836033 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23031772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2022] [Revised: 02/01/2022] [Accepted: 02/02/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
This review article is focused on antihypertensive drugs, namely angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) and angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARB), and their immunomodulatory properties reported in hypertensive patients as well as in experimental settings involving studies on animal models and cell lines. The immune regulatory action of ACEI and ARB is mainly connected with the inhibition of proinflammatory cytokine secretion, diminished expression of adhesion molecules, and normalization of CRP concentration in the blood plasma. The topic has significant importance in future medical practice in the therapy of patients with comorbidities with underlying chronic inflammatory responses. Thus, this additional effect of immune regulatory action of ACEI and ARB may also benefit the treatment of patients with metabolic syndrome, allergies, or autoimmune disorders.
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Hong M, Cheng L, Liu Y, Wu Z, Zhang P, Zhang X. A Natural Plant Source-Tea Polyphenols, a Potential Drug for Improving Immunity and Combating Virus. Nutrients 2022; 14:nu14030550. [PMID: 35276917 PMCID: PMC8839699 DOI: 10.3390/nu14030550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2021] [Revised: 01/25/2022] [Accepted: 01/26/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is still in a global epidemic, which has profoundly affected people’s lives. Tea polyphenols (TP) has been reported to enhance the immunity of the body to COVID-19 and other viral infectious diseases. The inhibitory effect of TP on COVID-19 may be achieved through a series of mechanisms, including the inhibition of multiple viral targets, the blocking of cellular receptors, and the activation of transcription factors. Emerging evidence shows gastrointestinal tract is closely related to respiratory tract, therefore, the relationship between the state of the gut–lung axis microflora and immune homeostasis of the host needs further research. This article summarized that TP can improve the disorder of flora, reduce the occurrence of cytokine storm, improve immunity, and prevent COVID-19 infection. TP may be regarded as a potential and valuable source for the design of new antiviral drugs with high efficiency and low toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengyu Hong
- Department of Food Science and Engineering, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China; (M.H.); (Y.L.); (Z.W.)
| | - Lu Cheng
- Department of Food Science, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA;
| | - Yanan Liu
- Department of Food Science and Engineering, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China; (M.H.); (Y.L.); (Z.W.)
| | - Zufang Wu
- Department of Food Science and Engineering, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China; (M.H.); (Y.L.); (Z.W.)
| | - Peng Zhang
- Department of Student Affairs, Xinyang Normal University, Xinyang 464000, China
- Correspondence: (P.Z.); (X.Z.)
| | - Xin Zhang
- Department of Food Science and Engineering, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China; (M.H.); (Y.L.); (Z.W.)
- Correspondence: (P.Z.); (X.Z.)
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The analysis of Fe-dependent serum enzymes in severe COVID-19 with a pulmonary thrombotic event. Cent Eur J Immunol 2022; 47:293-298. [PMID: 36817400 PMCID: PMC9901253 DOI: 10.5114/ceji.2022.124076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2022] [Accepted: 09/25/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction COVID-19 patients in critical condition requiring ICU admission are more likely to experience thromboembolic complications, especially pulmonary embolism. Since the outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), clinicians have struggled with the attempt to diagnose and manage the severe and fatal complications of COVID-19 appropriately. Several reports have described significant procoagulatory events, including life-threatening pulmonary embolism, in these patients. The aim of the study was to analyze the results of selected serum enzymes in patients with a radiologically confirmed pulmonary thrombotic event based on the pulmonary tissue involvement assessed in a computed tomography (CT) scan. Material and methods The retrospective study covered a group of 226 COVID-19 patients. Groups were divided based on the degree of lung tissue involvement in CT examinations, including patients with confirmed pulmonary embolism. The analyzed group consisted of 136 men and 90 women with mean age of 70 years. Results The group consisted of patients with < 50% of lung volume changes who had higher parameter values in each analyzed parameter, except red blood cells (RBC) (p < 0.05). Especially, the level of ferritin was much higher in the first group (p = 0.000008). Elevated ferritin levels were observed in all patients with lung tissue involvement. Discussion This line of research is critical in order to assess the predisposing conditions for pulmonary embolism occurrence in COVID-19, which can be used as a predictive factor for course of the disease. The conducted research will resolve whether there is a relationship between the selected laboratory parameters and the occurrence of pulmonary embolism in patients with COVID-19. Conclusions The study demonstrated that elevated levels of several inflammatory and thrombotic parameters such as ferritin, D-dimer, C-reactive protein (CRP) as well as hemoglobin do not correlate with the degree of lung tissue involvement in the computed tomography image.
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Witkowski JM. Immune system aging and the aging-related diseases in the COVIID-19 era. Immunol Lett 2022; 243:19-27. [PMID: 35108570 PMCID: PMC8801734 DOI: 10.1016/j.imlet.2022.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2021] [Revised: 01/26/2022] [Accepted: 01/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The interest in the process of aging, and specifically in how aging affects the working of our immune system, has recently enormously grown among both specialists (immunologists and gerontologists) and representatives of other disciplines of health sciences. An obvious reason for this interest is the current pandemics of COVID-19, known to affect the elderly more than younger people. In this paper current knowledge about mechanisms and complex facets of human immune system aging is presented, stemming from the knowledge about the working of various parts of the immune system, and leading to understanding of immunological mechanisms of chronic, inflammatory, aging-related diseases and of COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacek M Witkowski
- Department of Pathophysiology, Medical University of Gdańsk, Dębinki 7, 80-211, Gdańsk, Poland.
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Rodriguez T, Dobrovolny HM. Estimation of viral kinetics model parameters in young and aged SARS-CoV-2 infected macaques. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2021; 8:202345. [PMID: 34804559 PMCID: PMC8595996 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.202345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The SARS-CoV-2 virus disproportionately causes serious illness and death in older individuals. In order to have the greatest impact in decreasing the human toll caused by the virus, antiviral treatment should be targeted to older patients. For this, we need a better understanding of the differences in viral dynamics between SARS-CoV-2 infection in younger and older adults. In this study, we use previously published averaged viral titre measurements from the nose and throat of SARS-CoV-2 infection in young and aged cynomolgus macaques to parametrize a viral kinetics model. We find that all viral kinetics parameters differ between young and aged macaques in the nasal passages, but that there are fewer differences in parameter estimates from the throat. We further use our parametrized model to study the antiviral treatment of young and aged animals, finding that early antiviral treatment is more likely to lead to a lengthening of the infection in aged animals, but not in young animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thalia Rodriguez
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, TX, USA
| | - Hana M. Dobrovolny
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, TX, USA
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Sarohan AR, Kızıl M, İnkaya AÇ, Mahmud S, Akram M, Cen O. A novel hypothesis for COVID-19 pathogenesis: Retinol depletion and retinoid signaling disorder. Cell Signal 2021; 87:110121. [PMID: 34438017 PMCID: PMC8380544 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2021.110121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2021] [Revised: 08/18/2021] [Accepted: 08/19/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The SARS-CoV-2 virus has caused a worldwide COVID-19 pandemic. In less than a year and a half, more than 200 million people have been infected and more than four million have died. Despite some improvement in the treatment strategies, no definitive treatment protocol has been developed. The pathogenesis of the disease has not been clearly elucidated yet. A clear understanding of its pathogenesis will help develop effective vaccines and drugs. The immunopathogenesis of COVID-19 is characteristic with acute respiratory distress syndrome and multiorgan involvement with impaired Type I interferon response and hyperinflammation. The destructive systemic effects of COVID-19 cannot be explained simply by the viral tropism through the ACE2 and TMPRSS2 receptors. In addition, the recently identified mutations cannot fully explain the defect in all cases of Type I interferon synthesis. We hypothesize that retinol depletion and resulting impaired retinoid signaling play a central role in the COVID-19 pathogenesis that is characteristic for dysregulated immune system, defect in Type I interferon synthesis, severe inflammatory process, and destructive systemic multiorgan involvement. Viral RNA recognition mechanism through RIG-I receptors can quickly consume a large amount of the body's retinoid reserve, which causes the retinol levels to fall below the normal serum levels. This causes retinoid insufficiency and impaired retinoid signaling, which leads to interruption in Type I interferon synthesis and an excessive inflammation. Therefore, reconstitution of the retinoid signaling may prove to be a valid strategy for management of COVID-19 as well for some other chronic, degenerative, inflammatory, and autoimmune diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aziz Rodan Sarohan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medicina Plus Medical Center, 75. Yıl Mah., İstiklal Cad. 1305 Sk., No: 16 Sultangazi, İstanbul, Turkey.
| | - Murat Kızıl
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Dicle University. Diyarbakır, Turkey
| | - Ahmet Çağkan İnkaya
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Hacettepe University, Ankara 06230, Turkey
| | - Shokhan Mahmud
- Department of Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, Hawler Medical University, Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq
| | - Muhammad Akram
- Department of Eastern Medicine Government College, University Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - Osman Cen
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States of America; Department of Natural Sciences and Engineering, John Wood College, Quincy, IL, United States of America
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ACE2, the Counter-Regulatory Renin-Angiotensin System Axis and COVID-19 Severity. J Clin Med 2021; 10:jcm10173885. [PMID: 34501332 PMCID: PMC8432177 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10173885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2021] [Revised: 08/25/2021] [Accepted: 08/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Angiotensin (ANG)-converting enzyme (ACE2) is an entry receptor of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). ACE2 also contributes to a deviation of the lung renin-angiotensin system (RAS) towards its counter-regulatory axis, thus transforming harmful ANG II to protective ANG (1-7). Based on this purported ACE2 double function, it has been put forward that the benefit from ACE2 upregulation with renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitors (RAASi) counterbalances COVID-19 risks due to counter-regulatory RAS axis amplification. In this manuscript we discuss the relationship between ACE2 expression and function in the lungs and other organs and COVID-19 severity. Recent data suggested that the involvement of ACE2 in the lung counter-regulatory RAS axis is limited. In this setting, an augmentation of ACE2 expression and/or a dissociation of ACE2 from the ANG (1-7)/Mas pathways that leaves unopposed the ACE2 function, the SARS-CoV-2 entry receptor, predisposes to more severe disease and it appears to often occur in the relevant risk factors. Further, the effect of RAASi on ACE2 expression and on COVID-19 severity and the overall clinical implications are discussed.
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