Potential role of PIM1 inhibition in the treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infection

BACKGROUND

SARS-CoV-2 infection involves disturbing multiple molecular pathways related to immunity and cellular functions. PIM1 is a serine/threonine-protein kinase found to be involved in the pathogenesis of several viral infections. One PIM1 substrate, Myc, was reported to interact with TMPRSS2, which is crucial for SARS-CoV-2 cell entry. PIM1 inhibitors were reported to have antiviral activity through multiple mechanisms related to immunity and proliferation. This study aimed to evaluate the antiviral activity of 2-pyridone PIM1 inhibitor against SARS-CoV-2 and its potential role in hindering the progression of COVID-19. It also aimed to assess PIM1 inhibitor's effect on the expression of several genes of Notch signaling and Wnt pathways. In vitro study was conducted on Vero-E6 cells infected by SARS-CoV-2 "NRC-03-nhCoV" virus. Protein-protein interaction of the study genes was assessed to evaluate their relation to cell proliferation and immunity. The effect of 2-pyridone PIM1 inhibitor treatment on viral load and mRNA expression of target genes was assessed at three time points.

RESULTS

Treatment with 2-pyridone PIM1 inhibitor showed potential antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2 (IC₅₀ of 37.255 µg/ml), significantly lowering the viral load. Functional enrichments of the studied genes include negative regulation of growth rate, several biological processes involved in cell proliferation, and Interleukin-4 production, with interleukin-6 as a predicted functional partner. These results suggest an interplay between study genes with relation to cell proliferation and immunity. Following in vitro SARS-CoV-2 infection, Notch pathway genes, CTNNB1, SUMO1, and TDG, were found to be overexpressed compared to uninfected cells. Treatment with 2-pyridone PIM1 inhibitor significantly lowers the expression levels of study genes, restoring Notch1 and BCL9 to the control level while decreasing Notch2 and CTNNB1 below control levels.

CONCLUSION

2-pyridone PIM1 inhibitor could hinder cellular entry of SARS-CoV-2 and modulate several pathways implicated in immunity, suggesting a potential benefit in the development of anti-SARS-CoV-2 therapeutic approach.

Efficacy of BaySir-8514 and precocene II against the grey flesh fly Parasarcophaga dux (Thomson) (Diptera: Sarcophagidae)

Five doses (1, 0.5, 0.25, 0.125 and 0.0625) of the chitin inhibitor BaySir-8514, and anti-juvenoid precocene II were topically applied to the third larval instar of the grey flesh fly Parasarcophaga dux. Toxicity of both compounds were recorded against different developmental stages at the different dose levels. The lowest dose (0.0625) of both compounds caused a low toxicity percent (0.1). On the other hand, the highest dose (1mg) increased the larval, pupal and adult malformations after larval treatment by both compounds. Highest percentage of larval deformations was obtained by the maximal dose-level (1mg), which in turn did not lead to the highest percentage of adult deformations. Shortening of larval-pupal durations and adult longevities were observed. Sterilizing action of precocene II on P. dux could be remarkably detected by the effect of higher doses (0.5 and 1%) on the 3rd larval instar because no larvae were deposited by the emerging adult females. Doses of 0.125 and 0.0625 mg inhibited the female natality.

Mites infesting two migratory birds, Coturnix c. coturnix (quail or Simmaan) and Sturnus v. vulgaris (starling or zarzuur) with reference to avian zoonosis

Birds are a marvelous group of creatures. Their beautiful coloration, singing, dancing and their attractive ways of life offer great pleasure to birdwatcher. Egypt is one of the most important countries of migratory birds. Not less than 300 species of birds visit Egypt annually from allover the world. The mite fauna of two migratory birds was studied in North Sinai Governorate and Suez Canal Zone. Thirty-one species of mites were recovered from quail and 39 from starling. Both types of birds serve hosts for 26 species of mites. Besides, five species were only recovered from quail and 13 species from starling. These totaled 44 species belonging to 30 families of three suborders (Mesostigmata, Trombidiformes and Sarcoptidiformes). The mite index on quail ranged between 1.0 to 5.0 in North Sinai G. and 1.0 to 17.0 in Suez Canal Z. The mite index on starling ranged between 1.0 to 4.75 in North Sinai G. and 1.0 to 4.5 in Suez Canal Z. Sixteen of the recovered species of mites were not recorded before on the Egyptian resident birds (house sparrow and laughing dove). The medical and veterinary importance of avian zoonosis was discussed. It is hoped to stimulate the awareness to migratory birds as reservoir hosts for microorganisms and parasites from allover the world. Besides, there is an urgent need to protect the resident and the visiting birds.

Soluble adhesion molecules as a marker of disease severity in human fascioliasis

Fasciola gigantica is one of the parasites which affect the liver by producing biliary tract lumen syndrome. Soluble adhesion molecules namely soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1) and soluble E-selection (sELAM-1) were assayed in human fascioliasis cases with or without complications. It was found that sICAM-1 and sELAM-1 were significantly increases in complicated cases more than the control group, while only sICAM-1 was significantly increased in complicated cases more than non complicated ones. However, non of both soluble adhesion molecules were significantly elevated in non complicated cases as compared to controls suggesting that sICAM-1 is a useful marker for differentiation between complicated and non complicated cases of human fascioliasis.

On the morphology of Heligmosomoides polygyrus (Nematoda-Trichostrongylidae) from the field mouse apodemus sylvaticus

The morphology of the trichostrongylid nematode Heligmosomoides polygyrus is described by light and scanning electron microscopy. In light microscope, the present material agrees with the original description given by Baylis (1926), except for the addition of more details about the structure of the genital cone and the synlophe. The scanning electron microscopy of the present nematode revealed that the oral opening of the immature worm (L5) is rounded and its cuticular surface is loosely attached to the body, while the oral opening of the mature worm is triangular, the two copulatory spicules of the male are alate and closely adhering to each other and the right lobe of the male bursa is longer than the left one. Male prebursal and bursal papillae are described. The female posterior extremity is characterized by crescent vulval and anal openings and a terminal spike.

Chironomid potent allergens causing respiratory allergy in children

Generally speaking, chironomids contain potent inhalant allergens. The skin prick tests with chironomid crude extract (Chironomus (C.) calipterus) were positive in 20 out of 25 children with respiratory allergy. The skin prick tests with house dust mite crude extract (Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus) were positive in 3 of these 20 chironomoid positive skin tests. Chironomid-specific IgE-ELISA were demonstrated in the sera of 17 (85%) of the chironomid skin positive patients. These 17 patients gave negative skin prick test to house dust mite crude extract. It is concluded that chironomid allergens should be considered when dealing with human respiratory allergy caused by arthropods.

Evaluation of the IgG4 in Egyptian bancroftian filariasis

The IgG4 response against antigen extracts from Wuchereria bancrofti microfilariae and Dirofilaria immitis adult worms was determined by ELISA in 65 Egyptian adult male patients suffering from different clinical manifestations of W. bancrofti infection. They were divided into microfilaremic (n-35) and amicrofilaremic (n = 30) and these divisions were subdivided into early asymptomatic, hydrocele and late chronic elephantiasis subgroups. The IgG4 responses were significantly higher in early asymptomatic patients whether microfilaremic or amicrofilaremic than in hydrocele or in chronic elephantiasis (P < 0.05) & (P < 0.001) respectively. The IgG4 response was slightly higher in microfilaremic than in amicrofilaremic subjects. The mean OD value of IgG4 among the microfilaremics against the microfilaria antigen in early asymptomatic patients (0.840 nm) was lower than the IgG4 response against the adult antigen in the same group (0.960 nm), while among the early asymptomatic amicrofilaremics it was the same (0.690 nm) in both microfilaria and adult antigens.

Evaluation of ELISA kit hypodermosis in serodiagnosis of Przhevalskiana silenus in goats and Cephalopenia titillator in camels

Myiasis is a problem of Medical and Veterinary importance worldwide. It affects human welfare both directly and indirectly. ELISA kit hypodermosis was evaluated in detecting antibodies against two oestrid larvae, Przhevalskiana silenus in goats and Cephalopina titillator in camels. Both animals were parasitologically proved to have oestrid myiasis infestation. Antibodies against P. silenus were detected in 38 out of 40 (95%) infested goats and negative results among the control group. With C. titillator, antibodies were detected in 39 out of 40 (97.5%) infested camels. But one of the control (10%) gave false seropositivity. ELISA kit hypodermosis diagnosed antibodies against P. silenus in goats and C. titillator in camels. Consequently, there are cross reactions between anti-hypoderma antibodies and antibodies against both Przhevalskiana and Cephalopina. ELISA is confirmed to be an easy and economic tool in diagnosing myiasis infestation when direct examination is not a simple mean and/or for epidemiological studies. The whole results were discussed. Focusing on the clinical pictures and pathogenesis of human myiasis was included to clarify the zoonotic importance of myiasis in Egypt.

Cellular and humoral immunological changes in chronic renal failure associated with schistosomiasis

The changes that occur in cell mediated and humoral immunity in patients suffering from chronic renal failure associated with schistosomiasis were studied. There was a decrease in T3%, T4% and T4/T8 ratio. IgG, IgM and IgE levels were found to be increased in such cases. It was concluded that there was a reciprocal relationship between cell mediated immunity and IgE levels in cases with chronic renal failure associated with bilharzial hepatosplenomegaly.

Natural Babesia infection sought in black and Norway rats trapped in five Egyptian Governorates

Babesiosis is a protozoal disease caused by members of the genus Babesia transmitted by the ixodid ticks. It is a parasite of various mammalian hosts as bovine (B. bovis), equine (B. equi), rodent (B. microti), canine (B. canis) and others. Human cases of babesiosis have been reported from several countries including Egypt. It is now well established that man may become infected (Fulminating or Subclinical) with several species of Babesia without prior splenectomy. In this paper, a total of 398 Rattus rattus and 90 R. norvegicus were trapped in Suez, Ismailia, Port Said, North Sinai and South Sinai Governorates. Blood films were taken from the atil after a simple cut of its end. The films were fixed in acetone free methyl alcohol and stained with Giemsa stain as usual. The results showed that all rats trapped in Ismailia had Babesia infection, then decreased in North Sinai, Port Said, South Sinai and was zero in Suez. As double infection. Trypanosoma lewisi was found in rats trapped in Port Said, North Sinai and South Sinai. But none had Theileria infection. The medical and veterinary importance of these results were discussed.

Studies on chronic liver diseases in patients with and without Toxoplasma latent infection

Chronic liver diseases mainly due to schistosomiasis is a common clinical feature in Egypt. On the other hand, Toxoplasma latent infection is another common feature. In this paper, it was aimed to study the role of Toxoplasma latent infection in patients with chronic liver diseases mainly due to schistosomiasis. The latent Toxoplasma infection was measured by the positivity of IgG to ELISA and the negativity of IgM to DS-ELISA. The cellular immunity was assessed by the dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) skin test. The clinical and the laboratory studies showed that latent Toxoplasma infection had no marked effect on the progression of the chronic liver diseases.

Study of human and parasitic factors in relation to bancroftian filariasis in Egypt

The Human Leucocytic Antigen (HLA) and the histochemical reaction of microfilaria were studied by using cytotoxicity test and microfilarial acid phosphatase activity respectively to evaluate the role of the genetic factors and the parasitic factor in the pathogenesis of filariasis. Statistical significant association was found between HLA-B7 and the susceptibility for retaining microfilariae in blood and the development of clinical manifestations of filariasis. Histochemical study reported more or less the same results obtained in Egypt in elsewhere.

The possibility of lice allergy among Egyptian patients with asthmatic bronchitis

The aim of this work was to study the possibility of lice allergy among Egyptian asthmatic patients. Sixty asthmatic patients were examined by prick skin tests as compared to ten normal subjects as controls using HD, CD, MP, MM, CH, DH, F, W, and two lice extracts: one was prepared from head and salivary glands and the second was prepared from the abdomen. Precipitin tests with the 2 lice extracts were done using the double immunodiffusion test for both patients and controls. Out of the sixty asthmatic patients only six gave positive skin reactions to both lice extracts. All the controls gave negative skin reactions. There was statistically insignificant difference between both groups and there was no difference between reactivity to different parts of lice body used as skin test antigens at the dilutions 1/10 and 1/100. On the other hand, 25 reacted to H.D., of whom two patients gave positive skin reactions to lice extracts. Twelve asthmatic patients (20%) gave positive skin reactions to M.M. of whom 2 patients (16.7%) gave positive skin reactions to lice extracts. Thirteen asthmatic patients reacted to C.D. of whom 3 cases gave positive skin reactions to lice extracts. These results were statistically insignificant. The precipitin tests were negative in both asthmatic and control groups. It was concluded that the lice allergens have insignificant role in asthmatic bronchitis.

Two cases of human ophthalmomyiasis

Myiasis is a subject of medical and veterinary importance. This paper reports two human cases of ophthalmomyiasis due to Oestrus ovis and Wohlfahrtia magnifica.

Ecto and endoparasites in two primary schools in Qualyob City, Egypt

Ecto and endoparasites are still one of the public health problems in Egypt. This is particularly true among school students who are exposed to the parasitic infections or infestations by autoinfection or by contagious. In this paper, two primary schools were selected in Qualyob City, Qualyobia Governorate (in the Nile Delta). Examination of 486 school children (6-12 years old) revealed pediculosis (16.04), schistosomiasis (8.8%), amoebiasis (7.81%), giardiasis (9.05%), taeniasis saginata (0.41%), ascariasis (9.05%), enterobiasis (0.9%) and hymenolepiasis nana (9.87%). It was found that ectoparasites (lice) represented 17.8% of the total parasites detected in the children. Endoparasites transmitted by autoinfection represented 43.02%, those transmitted by skin penetration represented 9.84%, those transmitted by meat consumption represented 0.45% and by other modes of infection represented 28.8%. It was concluded that school children are the group of individuals at risk. They spend long time outside their homes in a crowd area. Besides, they convey the parasites, particularly those transmitted by contagious and autoinfection to their family members.

The level of IgG and IgM in Pneumocystis carinii infection

Sputum examination for detection of P. carinii can be substituted for more invasive techniques especially in debilitated patients. There was an increase level of IgG and IgM in patients with P. carinii pneumonia (PCP) in the serum and sputum. But the high frequency of these immunoglobulins among the general human population limits their value in the diagnosis of pneumocystosis.