The Crossroads between Host Copper Metabolism and Influenza Infection

Nanoparticle‑based antiviral strategies to combat the influenza virus (Review)

The rapid availability of effective antiviral treatments would be beneficial during the early phases of a pandemic, as they could reduce viral loads and control serious infections until antigenic vaccines become widely available. One promising alternative therapy to combat pandemics is nanotechnology, which has the potential to inhibit a wide variety of viruses, including the influenza virus. This review summarizes the recent progress using gold, copper, silver, silicone, zinc and selenium nanoparticles, since these materials have shown remarkable antiviral capacity against influenza A virus.

The interplay between copper metabolism and microbes: in perspective of host copper-dependent ATPases ATP7A/B

Copper, a vital element in various physiological processes, is transported from the gastrointestinal tract to tissues and cells through diverse copper transporters. Among these transporters, ATP7A and ATP7B play significant roles in regulating systemic copper metabolism and exhibit precise regulation in their intracellular trafficking. These transporters undergo dynamic shuttling between the trans-Golgi network (TGN) and the plasma membrane via the endocytic recycling mechanism, which involves the retromer and other associated factors. Interestingly, the antimicrobial attribute of copper implies a potential connection between microbial infection and copper metabolism. Several microbes, including Salmonella enterica, Cryptococcus, Influenza A virus (IAV) and Zika virus (ZIKV) have been observed to impact the regulatory mechanisms of ATP7A/B, either directly or indirectly, as a means of survival. This review summarizes the key features and trafficking mechanisms of the copper transporters ATP7A/B, and examines the intricate interplay between microbes and copper metabolism. Ultimately, it highlights how microbes can perturb copper homeostasis through interactions with host factors, offering valuable insights into the mechanistic aspects of host-microbe interactions.

Chemical background of silver nanoparticles interfering with mammalian copper metabolism

The rapidly increasing application of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) boosts their release into the environment, which raises a reasonable alarm for ecologists and health specialists. This is manifested as increased research devoted to the influence of AgNPs on physiological and cellular processes in various model systems, including mammals. The topic of the present paper is the ability of silver to interfere with copper metabolism, the potential health effects of this interference, and the danger of low silver concentrations to humans. The chemical properties of ionic and nanoparticle silver, supporting the possibility of silver release by AgNPs in extracellular and intracellular compartments of mammals, are discussed. The possibility of justified use of silver for the treatment of some severe diseases, including tumors and viral infections, based on the specific molecular mechanisms of the decrease in copper status by silver ions released from AgNPs is also discussed.

Genetic analysis of cuproptosis subtypes and immunological features in severe influenza

The mechanisms regulating cuproptosis in severe influenza are still unknown. We aimed to identify the molecular subtypes of cuproptosis and immunological characteristics associated with severe influenza in patients requiring invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV). The expression of cuproptosis modulatory factors and immunological characteristics of these patients were analyzed using the public datasets (GSE101702, GSE21802, and GSE111368) from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO). Seven cuproptotic-associated genes (ATP7B, ATP7A, FDX1, LIAS, DLD, MTF1, DBT) related to active immune responses were identified in patients suffering from severe and non-severe influenza and two cuproptosis-associated molecular subtypes were discovered in severe influenza patients. Singe-set gene set expression analysis (SsGSEA) indicated that compared with subtype 2, subtype 1 was characterized by reduced adaptive cellular immune responses and increased neutrophil activation. Gene set variation assessment revealed that cluster-specific differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in subtype 1 were involved in autophagy, apoptosis, oxidative phosphorylation, and T cell, immune, and inflammatory responses, amongst others. The random forest (RF) model revealed the most differentiating efficiency with relatively small residual and root mean square error and an increased area under the curve value (AUC = 0.857). Lastly, a five-gene-based RF model (CD247, GADD45A, KIF1B, LIN7A, HLA_DPA1) was established, which showed satisfactory efficiency in the test datasets GSE111368 (AUC = 0.819). Nomogram calibration and decision curve analysis demonstrated its accuracy for the prediction of severe influenza. This study suggests that cuproptosis might be associated with the immunopathology of severe influenza. Additionally, an efficient model for the prediction of cuproptosis subtypes was developed which will contribute to the prevention and treatment of severe influenza patients needing IMV.

Immunomodulatory Role of Microelements in COVID-19 Outcome: a Relationship with Nutritional Status

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). SARS-CoV-2 infection can activate innate and adaptive immune responses and result in massive inflammatory responses in the disease. A comprehensive understanding of the participation of micronutrients in the immune response to COVID-19 will allow the creation of prevention and supplementation scenarios in malnutrition states. Microelement deficiency can be decisive in the progression of diseases and their optimal levels can act as protective factors, helping to maintain homeostasis. Vitamin A, B, D, selenium, zinc, and copper, through their complementary and synergistic effects, allow the components of innate and adaptive immunity to counteract infections like those occurring in the respiratory tract.Thus, alterations in nutritional status are related to metabolic diseases, systemic inflammation, and deterioration of the immune system that alter the response against viral infections, such as COVID-19. The aim of this review is to describe the micronutrients that play an important role as immunomodulators and its relationship between malnutrition and the development of respiratory infections with an emphasis on severe and critical COVID-19. We conclude that although an unbalanced diet is not the only risk factor that predisposes to COVID-19, a correct and balanced diet, which provides the optimal amount of micronutrients and favors an adequate nutritional status, could confer beneficial effects for prevention and improvement of clinical results. The potential usefulness of micronutrient supplementation in special cases is highlighted.

Non-Negligible Role of Trace Elements in Influenza Virus Infection

Influenza virus has continuously spread around the globe for more than 100 years since the first influenza epidemic in 1918. The rapid and unpredictable gene variation of the influenza virus could possibly bring about another pandemic in future, which might threaten to overwhelm us without adequate preparation. Consequently, it is extremely urgent to identify effective broad-spectrum antiviral treatments for a variety of influenza virus variants. As essential body components, trace elements are great potential candidates with an as yet poorly understood ability to protect the host from influenza infection. Herein, we have summarized the present state of knowledge concerning the function of trace elements in influenza virus replication along with an analysis of their potential molecular mechanisms. Modulation of host immune responses to the influenza virus is one of the most common modes to achieve the anti-influenza activity of trace elements, such as selenium and zinc. Simultaneously, some antioxidant and antiviral signal pathways can be altered with the participation of trace elements. More interestingly, some micro-elements including selenium, zinc, copper and manganese, directly target viral proteins and regulate their stability and activity to influence the life cycle of the influenza virus. Further verification of the antiviral effect and the mechanism will promote the application of trace elements as adjuvants in the clinic.