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Zhang L, Mann M, Syed ZA, Reynolds HM, Tian E, Samara NL, Zeldin DC, Tabak LA, Ten Hagen KG. Furin cleavage of the SARS-CoV-2 spike is modulated by O-glycosylation. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:e2109905118. [PMID: 34732583 PMCID: PMC8617502 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2109905118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus responsible for the global pandemic contains a novel furin cleavage site in the spike protein (S) that increases viral infectivity and syncytia formation in cells. Here, we show that O-glycosylation near the furin cleavage site is mediated by members of the GALNT enzyme family, resulting in decreased furin cleavage and decreased syncytia formation. Moreover, we show that O-glycosylation is dependent on the novel proline at position 681 (P681). Mutations of P681 seen in the highly transmissible alpha and delta variants abrogate O-glycosylation, increase furin cleavage, and increase syncytia formation. Finally, we show that GALNT family members capable of glycosylating S are expressed in human respiratory cells that are targets for SARS-CoV-2 infection. Our results suggest that host O-glycosylation may influence viral infectivity/tropism by modulating furin cleavage of S and provide mechanistic insight into the role of the P681 mutations found in the highly transmissible alpha and delta variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liping Zhang
- Developmental Glycobiology Section, National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR), NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892-4370
| | - Matthew Mann
- Section on Biological Chemistry, NIDCR, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892-4370
| | - Zulfeqhar A Syed
- Developmental Glycobiology Section, National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR), NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892-4370
| | - Hayley M Reynolds
- Developmental Glycobiology Section, National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR), NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892-4370
| | - E Tian
- Developmental Glycobiology Section, National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR), NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892-4370
| | - Nadine L Samara
- Structural Biochemistry Unit, NIDCR, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892-4370
| | - Darryl C Zeldin
- Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, NIH, Research Triangle Park, NC 27514
| | - Lawrence A Tabak
- Section on Biological Chemistry, NIDCR, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892-4370
| | - Kelly G Ten Hagen
- Developmental Glycobiology Section, National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR), NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892-4370;
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Zhang S, Wang K, Wang WL, Nguyen HT, Chen S, Lu M, Go EP, Ding H, Steinbock RT, Desaire H, Kappes JC, Sodroski J, Mao Y. Asymmetric Structures and Conformational Plasticity of the Uncleaved Full-Length Human Immunodeficiency Virus Envelope Glycoprotein Trimer. J Virol 2021; 95:e0052921. [PMID: 34549974 PMCID: PMC8610584 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00529-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2021] [Accepted: 09/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The functional human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) envelope glycoprotein (Env) trimer [(gp120/gp41)3] is produced by cleavage of a conformationally flexible gp160 precursor. gp160 cleavage or the binding of BMS-806, an entry inhibitor, stabilizes the pretriggered, "closed" (state 1) conformation recognized by rarely elicited broadly neutralizing antibodies. Poorly neutralizing antibodies (pNAbs) elicited at high titers during natural infection recognize more "open" Env conformations (states 2 and 3) induced by binding the receptor, CD4. We found that BMS-806 treatment and cross-linking decreased the exposure of pNAb epitopes on cell surface gp160; however, after detergent solubilization, cross-linked and BMS-806-treated gp160 sampled non-state-1 conformations that could be recognized by pNAbs. Cryo-electron microscopy of the purified BMS-806-bound gp160 revealed two hitherto unknown asymmetric trimer conformations, providing insights into the allosteric coupling between trimer opening and structural variation in the gp41 HR1N region. The individual protomer structures in the asymmetric gp160 trimers resemble those of other genetically modified or antibody-bound cleaved HIV-1 Env trimers, which have been suggested to assume state-2-like conformations. Asymmetry of the uncleaved Env potentially exposes surfaces of the trimer to pNAbs. To evaluate the effect of stabilizing a state-1-like conformation of the membrane Env precursor, we treated cells expressing wild-type HIV-1 Env with BMS-806. BMS-806 treatment decreased both gp160 cleavage and the addition of complex glycans, implying that gp160 conformational flexibility contributes to the efficiency of these processes. Selective pressure to maintain flexibility in the precursor of functional Env allows the uncleaved Env to sample asymmetric conformations that potentially skew host antibody responses toward pNAbs. IMPORTANCE The envelope glycoprotein (Env) trimers on the surface of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) mediate the entry of the virus into host cells and serve as targets for neutralizing antibodies. The functional Env trimer is produced by cleavage of the gp160 precursor in the infected cell. We found that the HIV-1 Env precursor is highly plastic, allowing it to assume different asymmetric shapes. This conformational plasticity is potentially important for Env cleavage and proper modification by sugars. Having a flexible, asymmetric Env precursor that can misdirect host antibody responses without compromising virus infectivity would be an advantage for a persistent virus like HIV-1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shijian Zhang
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Microbiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Kunyu Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Artificial Microstructures and Mesoscopic Physics, School of Physics, Center for Quantitative Biology, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Wei Li Wang
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- State Key Laboratory for Artificial Microstructures and Mesoscopic Physics, School of Physics, Center for Quantitative Biology, Peking University, Beijing, China
- Intel Parallel Computing Center for Structural Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Hanh T. Nguyen
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Microbiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Shuobing Chen
- State Key Laboratory for Artificial Microstructures and Mesoscopic Physics, School of Physics, Center for Quantitative Biology, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Maolin Lu
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Eden P. Go
- Department of Chemistry, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, USA
| | - Haitao Ding
- Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Robert T. Steinbock
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Heather Desaire
- Department of Chemistry, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, USA
| | - John C. Kappes
- Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Alabama, USA
- Birmingham Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Research Service, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Joseph Sodroski
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Microbiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Disease, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Youdong Mao
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- State Key Laboratory for Artificial Microstructures and Mesoscopic Physics, School of Physics, Center for Quantitative Biology, Peking University, Beijing, China
- Intel Parallel Computing Center for Structural Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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53
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Khoury EE, Fokra A, Kinaneh S, Knaney Y, Aronson D, Abassi Z. Distribution of Cardiac and Renal Corin and Proprotein Convertase Subtilisin/Kexin-6 in the Experimental Model of Cardio-Renal Syndrome of Various Severities. Front Physiol 2021; 12:673497. [PMID: 34733169 PMCID: PMC8558519 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2021.673497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2021] [Accepted: 09/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Congestive heart failure (CHF) often leads to progressive cardiac hypertrophy and salt/water retention. However, its pathogenesis remains largely unclarified. Corin, a cardiac serine protease, is responsible for converting proANP and proBNP to biologically active peptides. Although the involvement of corin in cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure was extensively studied, the alterations in corin and proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin-6 (PCSK6), a key enzyme in the conversion of procorin to corin, has not been studied simultaneously in the cardiac and renal tissues in cardiorenal syndrome. Thus, this study aims to examine the status of PCSK6/corin in the cardiac and renal tissues of rats with CHF induced by the creation of aorto-caval fistula (ACF). We divided rats with ACF into two subgroups based on the pattern of their urinary sodium excretion, namely, compensated and decompensated. Placement of ACF led to cardiac hypertrophy, pulmonary congestion, and renal dysfunction, which were more profound in the decompensated subgroup. Corin immunoreactive peptides were detected in all heart chambers at the myocyte membranal and cytosolic localization and in the renal tissue, especially in the apical membrane of the proximal tubule, mTAL, and the collecting duct. Interestingly, the expression and abundance of corin in both the cardiac ventricles and renal tissues were significantly increased in compensated animals as compared with the decompensated state. Noteworthy, the abundance of PCSK6 in these tissues followed a similar pattern as corin. In contrast, furin expression was upregulated in the cardiac and renal tissues in correlation with CHF severity. We hypothesize that the obtained upregulation of cardiac and renal PCSK6/corin in rats with compensated CHF may represent a compensatory response aiming at maintaining normal Na+ balance, whereas the decline in these two enzymes may contribute to the pathogenesis of avid sodium retention, cardiac hypertrophy, and blunted atrial natriuretic peptide/brain natriuretic peptide actions in decompensated CHF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emad E Khoury
- Department of Physiology, Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Ahmad Fokra
- Department of Physiology, Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Safa Kinaneh
- Department of Physiology, Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Yara Knaney
- Department of Physiology, Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Doron Aronson
- Department of Cardiology, Rambam Health Care Campus, Haifa, Israel
| | - Zaid Abassi
- Department of Physiology, Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel.,Department of Laboratory Medicine, Rambam Health Care Campus, Haifa, Israel
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Jia H, Ding D, Hu J, Dai J, Yang J, Li G, Lou X, Xia F. AIEgen-Based Lifetime-Probes for Precise Furin Quantification and Identification of Cell Subtypes. Adv Mater 2021; 33:e2104615. [PMID: 34553420 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202104615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2021] [Revised: 08/10/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Biochemical sensing probes based on aggregation-induced-emission luminogens (AIEgens) are widely used in biological imaging and therapy, chemical sensing, and material sciences. However, it is still a great challenge to quantify the targets through fluorescence intensity of AIEgen probes due to their undesirable aggregations. Here, a PyTPA-ZGO probe with three lifetime signals for precise quantification of furin is constructed: the lifetime signal 1 and signal 2 comes from AIEgen PyTPA-P (τPn ) and inorganic nanoparticles Zn2 GeO4 :Mn2+ -NH2 (τZn ), respectively, while the lifetime signal 3 is marked as the composite dual-lifetime signal (CDLSn , C D L S n = τ Z n τ P n ). In contrast, the fluorescence intensity signal of PyTPA-P shows defectively quantitative performance. Furthermore, it is found that the CDLSn exhibits higher significant differences than the two other lifetime signals (τPn and τZn ) thanks to its wide range between the maximum and minimum signal values and small standard deviation. Therefore, CDLSn is further used to accurately identify cell subtypes based on the specific concentration of furin in each subtype. The lifetime criterion can realize precise quantification, and it should be a promising direction of AIEgen-based quantitative analysis in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Jia
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, Engineering Research Center of Nano-Geomaterials of Ministry of Education, Faculty of Materials Science and Chemistry, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430074, China
| | - Defang Ding
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, Engineering Research Center of Nano-Geomaterials of Ministry of Education, Faculty of Materials Science and Chemistry, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430074, China
| | - Jingjing Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, Engineering Research Center of Nano-Geomaterials of Ministry of Education, Faculty of Materials Science and Chemistry, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430074, China
| | - Jun Dai
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, China
| | - Juliang Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, Engineering Research Center of Nano-Geomaterials of Ministry of Education, Faculty of Materials Science and Chemistry, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430074, China
| | - Guogang Li
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, Engineering Research Center of Nano-Geomaterials of Ministry of Education, Faculty of Materials Science and Chemistry, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430074, China
| | - Xiaoding Lou
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, Engineering Research Center of Nano-Geomaterials of Ministry of Education, Faculty of Materials Science and Chemistry, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430074, China
| | - Fan Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, Engineering Research Center of Nano-Geomaterials of Ministry of Education, Faculty of Materials Science and Chemistry, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430074, China
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Li D, Liu X, Zhang L, He J, Chen X, Liu S, Fu J, Fu S, Chen H, Fu J, Cheng J. COVID-19 disease and malignant cancers: The impact for the furin gene expression in susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2. Int J Biol Sci 2021; 17:3954-3967. [PMID: 34671211 PMCID: PMC8495395 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.63072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2021] [Accepted: 09/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Furin is a proprotein convertase that activates different kinds of regulatory proteins, including SARS-CoV-2 spike protein which contains an additional furin-specific cleavage site. It is essential in predicting cancer patients' susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 and the disease outcomes due to varying furin expressions in tumor tissues. In this study, we analyzed furin's expression, methylation, mutation rate, functional enrichment, survival rate and COVID-19 outcomes in normal and cancer tissues using online databases, and our IHC. As a result, furin presented with biased expression profiles in normal tissues, showing 12.25-fold higher than ACE2 in the lungs. The furin expression in tumors were significantly increased in ESCA and TGCT, and decreased in DLBC and THYM, indicating furin may play critical mechanistic functions in COVID-19 viral entry into cells in these cancer patients. Line with furin over/downexpression, furin promoter hypo-/hyper-methylation may be the regulatory cause of disease and lead to pathogenesis of ESCA and THYM. Furthermore, presence of FURIN-201 isoform with functional domains (P_proprotein, Peptidase_S8 and S8_pro-domain) is highest in all cancer types in comparison to other isoforms, demonstrating its use in tumorigenesis and SARS-Cov-2 entry into tumor tissues. Furin mutation frequency was highest in UCES, and its mutation might elevate ACE2 expression in LUAD and UCEC, reduce ACE2 expression in COAD, elevate HSPA5 expression in PAAD, and elevate TMPRSS2 expression in BRCA. These results showed that furin mutations mostly increased expression of ACE2, HSPA5, and TMPRSS2 in certain cancers, indicating furin mutations might facilitate COVID-19 cell entry in cancer patients. In addition, high expression of furin was significantly inversely correlated with long overall survival (OS) in LGG and correlated with long OS in COAD and KIRC, indicating that it could be used as a favorable prognostic marker for cancer patients' survival. GO and KEGG demonstrated that furin was mostly enriched in genes for metabolic and biosynthetic processes, retinal dehydrogenase activity, tRNA methyltransferase activity, and genes involving COVID-19, further supporting its role in COVID-19 and cancer metabolism. Moreover, Cordycepin (CD) inhibited furin expression in a dosage dependent manner. Altogether, furin's high expression might not only implies increased susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 and higher severity of COVID-19 symptoms in cancer patients, but also it highlights the need for cancer treatment and therapy during the COVID-19 pandemic. CD might have a potential to develop an anti-SARS-CoV-2 drug through inhibiting furin expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dabing Li
- Basic Medical School, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, Sichuan Province, China.,Key Laboratory of Epigenetics and Oncology, the Research Center for Preclinical Medicine, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Xiaoyan Liu
- Key Laboratory of Epigenetics and Oncology, the Research Center for Preclinical Medicine, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Lianmei Zhang
- Department of Pathology, the Affiliated Huaian No. 1 People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Huai'an 223300, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Jiayue He
- Key Laboratory of Epigenetics and Oncology, the Research Center for Preclinical Medicine, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Xianmao Chen
- Basic Medical School, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, Sichuan Province, China.,Key Laboratory of Epigenetics and Oncology, the Research Center for Preclinical Medicine, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Shuguang Liu
- Key Laboratory of Epigenetics and Oncology, the Research Center for Preclinical Medicine, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Jiewen Fu
- Key Laboratory of Epigenetics and Oncology, the Research Center for Preclinical Medicine, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Shangyi Fu
- School of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston 77030, Texas, USA.,Human Genome Sequencing Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston 77030, Texas, USA
| | - Hanchun Chen
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha 410013, Hunan Province, China
| | - Junjiang Fu
- Key Laboratory of Epigenetics and Oncology, the Research Center for Preclinical Medicine, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Jingliang Cheng
- Key Laboratory of Epigenetics and Oncology, the Research Center for Preclinical Medicine, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, Sichuan Province, China.,Department of Medical Technology, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
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Moghaddar M, Radman R, Macreadie I. Severity, Pathogenicity and Transmissibility of Delta and Lambda Variants of SARS-CoV-2, Toxicity of Spike Protein and Possibilities for Future Prevention of COVID-19. Microorganisms 2021; 9:2167. [PMID: 34683488 PMCID: PMC8540532 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9102167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2021] [Revised: 10/13/2021] [Accepted: 10/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The World Health Organization reports that SARS-CoV-2 has infected over 220 million people and claimed over 4.7 million lives globally. While there are new effective vaccines, the differences in behavior of variants are causing challenges in vaccine development or treatment. Here, we discuss Delta, a variant of concern, and Lambda, a variant of interest. They demonstrate high infectivity and are less responsive to the immune response in vaccinated individuals. In this review, we briefly summarize the reason for infectivity and the severity of the novel variants. Delta and Lambda variants exhibit more changes in NSPs proteins and the S protein, compared to the original Wuhan strain. Lambda also has numerous amino acid substitutions in NSPs and S proteins, plus a deletion in the NTD of S protein, leading to partial escape from neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) in vaccinated individuals. We discuss the role of furin protease and the ACE2 receptor in virus infection, hotspot mutations in the S protein, the toxicity of the S protein and the increased pathogenicity of Delta and Lambda variants. We discuss future therapeutic strategies, including those based on high stability of epitopes, conservation of the N protein and the novel intracellular antibody receptor, tripartite-motif protein 21 (TRIM21) recognized by antibodies against the N protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehrnoosh Moghaddar
- School of Science, RMIT University, Bundoora, VIC 3083, Australia; (M.M.); (R.R.)
| | - Ramtin Radman
- School of Science, RMIT University, Bundoora, VIC 3083, Australia; (M.M.); (R.R.)
- School of Health and Medicine, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Ian Macreadie
- School of Science, RMIT University, Bundoora, VIC 3083, Australia; (M.M.); (R.R.)
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Abstract
Spike (S) protein cleavage is a crucial step in coronavirus infection. In this review, this process is discussed, with particular focus on the novel coronavirus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2). Compared with influenza virus and paramyxovirus membrane fusion proteins, the cleavage activation mechanism of coronavirus S protein is much more complex. The S protein has two cleavage sites (S1/S2 and S2′), and the cleavage motif for furin protease at the S1/S2 site that results from a unique four‐amino acid insertion is one of the distinguishing features of SARS‐CoV‐2. The viral particle incorporates the S protein, which has already undergone S1/S2 cleavage by furin, and then undergoes further cleavage at the S2′ site, mediated by the type II transmembrane serine protease transmembrane protease serine 2 (TMPRSS2), after binding to the receptor angiotensin‐converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) to facilitate membrane fusion at the plasma membrane. In addition, SARS‐CoV‐2 can enter the cell by endocytosis and be proteolytically activated by cathepsin L, although this is not a major mode of SARS‐CoV‐2 infection. SARS‐CoV‐2 variants with enhanced infectivity have been emerging throughout the ongoing pandemic, and there is a close relationship between enhanced infectivity and changes in S protein cleavability. All four variants of concern carry the D614G mutation, which indirectly enhances S1/S2 cleavability by furin. The P681R mutation of the delta variant directly increases S1/S2 cleavability, enhancing membrane fusion and SARS‐CoV‐2 virulence. Changes in S protein cleavability can significantly impact viral infectivity, tissue tropism, and virulence. Understanding these mechanisms is critical to counteracting the coronavirus pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Makoto Takeda
- Department of Virology 3, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan
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Rahbar Saadat Y, Hosseiniyan Khatibi SM, Zununi Vahed S, Ardalan M. Host Serine Proteases: A Potential Targeted Therapy for COVID-19 and Influenza. Front Mol Biosci 2021; 8:725528. [PMID: 34527703 PMCID: PMC8435734 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2021.725528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2021] [Accepted: 08/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The ongoing pandemic illustrates limited therapeutic options for controlling SARS-CoV-2 infections, calling a need for additional therapeutic targets. The viral spike S glycoprotein binds to the human receptor angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and then is activated by the host proteases. Based on the accessibility of the cellular proteases needed for SARS-S activation, SARS-CoV-2 entrance and activation can be mediated by endosomal (such as cathepsin L) and non-endosomal pathways. Evidence indicates that in the non-endosomal pathway, the viral S protein is cleaved by the furin enzyme in infected host cells. To help the virus enter efficiently, the S protein is further activated by the serine protease 2 (TMPRSS2), provided that the S has been cleaved by furin previously. In this review, important roles for host proteases within host cells will be outlined in SARS-CoV-2 infection and antiviral therapeutic strategies will be highlighted. Although there are at least five highly effective vaccines at this time, the appearance of the new viral mutations demands the development of therapeutic agents. Targeted inhibition of host proteases can be used as a therapeutic approach for viral infection.
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Akerman AW, Collins EN, Peterson AR, Collins LB, Harrison JK, DeVaughn A, Townsend JM, Vanbuskirk RL, Riopedre‐Maqueira J, Reyes A, Oh JE, Raybuck CM, Jones JA, Ikonomidis JS. miR-133a Replacement Attenuates Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm in Mice. J Am Heart Assoc 2021; 10:e019862. [PMID: 34387094 PMCID: PMC8475064 DOI: 10.1161/jaha.120.019862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2020] [Accepted: 04/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Background Thoracic aortic aneurysms (TAAs) occur because of abnormal remodeling of aortic extracellular matrix and are accompanied by the emergence of proteolytically active myofibroblasts. The microRNA miR-133a regulates cellular phenotypes and is reduced in clinical TAA specimens. This study tested the hypothesis that miR-133a modulates aortic fibroblast phenotype, and overexpression by lentivirus attenuates the development of TAA in a murine model. Methods and Results TAA was induced in mice. Copy number of miR-133a was reduced in TAA tissue and linear regression analysis confirmed an inverse correlation between aortic diameter and miR-133a. Analyses of phenotypic markers revealed an mRNA expression profile consistent with myofibroblasts in TAA tissue. Fibroblasts were isolated from the thoracic aortae of mice with/without TAA. When compared with controls, miR-133a was reduced, migration was increased, adhesion was reduced, and the ability to contract a collagen disk was increased. Overexpression/knockdown of miR-133a controlled these phenotypes. After TAA induction in mice, a single tail-vein injection of either miR-133a overexpression or scrambled sequence (control) lentivirus was performed. Overexpression of miR-133a attenuated TAA development. The pro-protein convertase furin was confirmed to be a target of miR-133a by luciferase reporter assay. Furin was elevated in this murine model of TAA and repressed by miR-133a replacement in vivo resulting in reduced proteolytic activation. Conclusions miR-133a regulates aortic fibroblast phenotype and over-expression prevented the development of TAA in a murine model. These findings suggest that stable alterations in aortic fibroblasts are associated with development of TAA and regulation by miR-133a may lead to a novel therapeutic strategy.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Aorta, Thoracic/metabolism
- Aorta, Thoracic/pathology
- Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic/chemically induced
- Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic/genetics
- Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic/metabolism
- Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic/prevention & control
- Calcium Chloride
- Cell Adhesion
- Cell Movement
- Cells, Cultured
- Dilatation, Pathologic
- Disease Models, Animal
- Fibroblasts/metabolism
- Fibroblasts/pathology
- Furin/genetics
- Furin/metabolism
- Genetic Therapy
- Genetic Vectors
- Lentivirus/genetics
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- MicroRNAs/genetics
- MicroRNAs/metabolism
- Phenotype
- Vascular Remodeling
- Mice
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam W. Akerman
- Division of Cardiothoracic SurgeryDepartment of SurgeryUniversity of North CarolinaChapel HillNC
| | - Elizabeth N. Collins
- Division of Cardiothoracic SurgeryDepartment of SurgeryUniversity of North CarolinaChapel HillNC
| | - Andrew R. Peterson
- Division of Cardiothoracic SurgeryDepartment of SurgeryUniversity of North CarolinaChapel HillNC
| | - Lauren B. Collins
- Division of Cardiothoracic SurgeryDepartment of SurgeryUniversity of North CarolinaChapel HillNC
| | - Jessica K. Harrison
- Division of Cardiothoracic SurgeryDepartment of SurgeryUniversity of North CarolinaChapel HillNC
| | - Amari DeVaughn
- Division of Cardiothoracic SurgeryDepartment of SurgeryUniversity of North CarolinaChapel HillNC
| | - Jaleel M. Townsend
- Division of Cardiothoracic SurgeryDepartment of SurgeryUniversity of North CarolinaChapel HillNC
| | - Rebecca L. Vanbuskirk
- Division of Cardiothoracic SurgeryDepartment of SurgeryUniversity of North CarolinaChapel HillNC
| | | | - Ailet Reyes
- Division of Cardiothoracic SurgeryDepartment of SurgeryUniversity of North CarolinaChapel HillNC
| | - Joyce E. Oh
- Division of Cardiothoracic SurgeryDepartment of SurgeryUniversity of North CarolinaChapel HillNC
| | - Charles M. Raybuck
- Division of Cardiothoracic SurgeryDepartment of SurgeryUniversity of North CarolinaChapel HillNC
| | - Jeffrey A. Jones
- Division of Cardiothoracic SurgeryDepartment of SurgeryMedical University of South CarolinaCharlestonSC
- Research ServiceRalph H. Johnson VA Medical CenterCharlestonSC
| | - John S. Ikonomidis
- Division of Cardiothoracic SurgeryDepartment of SurgeryUniversity of North CarolinaChapel HillNC
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Cheng YW, Chao TL, Li CL, Wang SH, Kao HC, Tsai YM, Wang HY, Hsieh CL, Lin YY, Chen PJ, Chang SY, Yeh SH. D614G Substitution of SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein Increases Syncytium Formation and Virus Titer via Enhanced Furin-Mediated Spike Cleavage. mBio 2021; 12:e0058721. [PMID: 34311586 DOI: 10.1128/mBio.00587-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Since the D614G substitution in the spike (S) protein of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) emerged, the variant strain has undergone a rapid expansion to become the most abundant strain worldwide. Therefore, this substitution may provide an advantage for viral spreading. To explore the mechanism, we analyzed 18 viral isolates containing S proteins with either G614 or D614 (S-G614 and S-D614, respectively). The plaque assay showed a significantly higher virus titer in S-G614 than in S-D614 isolates. We further found increased cleavage of the S protein at the furin substrate site, a key event that promotes syncytium formation, in S-G614 isolates. The enhancement of the D614G substitution in the cleavage of the S protein and in syncytium formation has been validated in cells expressing S protein. The effect on the syncytium was abolished by furin inhibitor treatment and mutation of the furin cleavage site, suggesting its dependence on cleavage by furin. Our study pointed to the impact of the D614G substitution on syncytium formation through enhanced furin-mediated S cleavage, which might increase the transmissibility and infectivity of SARS-CoV-2 strains containing S-G614.
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Zhang Y, Xu C, Tang Z, Guo D, Yao R, Zhao H, Chen Z, Ni X. Furin is involved in uterine activation for labor. FASEB J 2021; 35:e21565. [PMID: 33864414 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202002128rr] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2020] [Revised: 03/16/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The uterus undergoes distinct molecular and functional changes during pregnancy and parturition. These processes are associated with the dramatic changes in various proteins. Given that the maturation and activation of many proteins require proteolytic processing by proprotein convertases (PCs), we sought to explore the role of PCs in uterine activation for labor. First, we found that furin was the most dramatically increased PC member in myometrial tissues from the pregnant women after onset of labor at term. Using the model of cultured human myometrial smooth muscle cells (HMSMCs), we showed that furin inhibitor CMK, D6R treatment and furin siRNA transfection suppressed contractility. Inhibition of furin activity or interfering furin expression decreased connexin 43 (CX43), prostaglandin (PG) endoperoxide synthase-2 (COX-2) and PGF2α receptor (FP) expression and NF-κB activation. In mouse model, administration of furin inhibitors prolonged gestational length. However, D6R treatment did not affect RU38486- and lipopolysaccharides (LPS)-induced preterm birth. Furthermore, D6R and furin siRNA treatment reduced the release of soluble form of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-related weak inducer of apoptosis (TWEAK), while furin overexpression led to an increase in soluble TWEAK release in cultured HMSMCs. D6R treatment decreased TWEAK level in blood of pregnant mice. TWEAK treatment promoted contractility and NF-κB activation, while TWEAK receptor fibroblast growth factor-inducible 14 (FN14) antagonist treatment inhibited contractility and NF-κB activation in HMSMCs. In pregnant mice, administration of FN14 antagonist prolonged gestational length. Our data suggest that furin can act as a stimulator for uterine activation for labor at term. TWEAK is one of the potential substrates which mediate furin regulation of parturition initiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youyi Zhang
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Research Center for Molecular Metabolomics, Xiangya Hospital Central South University, Changsha, China.,Department of Physiology, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China.,Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, General Hospital of Western Theater Command of PLA, Chengdu, China
| | - Chen Xu
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Shanghai Medical School of Fundan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhengshan Tang
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Research Center for Molecular Metabolomics, Xiangya Hospital Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Dewei Guo
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Research Center for Molecular Metabolomics, Xiangya Hospital Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Ruojin Yao
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Research Center for Molecular Metabolomics, Xiangya Hospital Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Huina Zhao
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Changhai Hospital, Shanghai, China.,Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Shanghai Seventh People's Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Zixi Chen
- Department of Physiology, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xin Ni
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Research Center for Molecular Metabolomics, Xiangya Hospital Central South University, Changsha, China.,Department of Physiology, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital Central South University, Changsha, China
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Mattila SO, Tuhkanen HE, Lackman JJ, Konzack A, Morató X, Argerich J, Saftig P, Ciruela F, Petäjä-Repo UE. GPR37 is processed in the N-terminal ectodomain by ADAM10 and furin. FASEB J 2021; 35:e21654. [PMID: 34042202 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202002385rr] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2020] [Revised: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
GPR37 is an orphan G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) implicated in several neurological diseases and important physiological pathways in the brain. We previously reported that its long N-terminal ectodomain undergoes constitutive metalloprotease-mediated cleavage and shedding, which have been rarely described for class A GPCRs. Here, we demonstrate that the protease that cleaves GPR37 at Glu167↓Gln168 is a disintegrin and metalloprotease 10 (ADAM10). This was achieved by employing selective inhibition, RNAi-mediated downregulation, and genetic depletion of ADAM10 in cultured cells as well as in vitro cleavage of the purified receptor with recombinant ADAM10. In addition, the cleavage was restored in ADAM10 knockout cells by overexpression of the wild type but not the inactive mutant ADAM10. Finally, postnatal conditional depletion of ADAM10 in mouse neuronal cells was found to reduce cleavage of the endogenous receptor in the brain cortex and hippocampus, confirming the physiological relevance of ADAM10 as a GPR37 sheddase. Additionally, we discovered that the receptor is subject to another cleavage step in cultured cells. Using site-directed mutagenesis, the site (Arg54↓Asp55) was localized to a highly conserved region at the distal end of the ectodomain that contains a recognition site for the proprotein convertase furin. The cleavage by furin was confirmed by using furin-deficient human colon carcinoma LoVo cells and proprotein convertase inhibitors. GPR37 is thus the first multispanning membrane protein that has been validated as an ADAM10 substrate and the first GPCR that is processed by both furin and ADAM10. The unconventional N-terminal processing may represent an important regulatory element for GPR37.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Orvokki Mattila
- Medical Research Center Oulu, Research Unit of Biomedicine, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Hanna E Tuhkanen
- Medical Research Center Oulu, Research Unit of Biomedicine, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Jarkko J Lackman
- Medical Research Center Oulu, Research Unit of Biomedicine, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Anja Konzack
- Medical Research Center Oulu, Research Unit of Biomedicine, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Xavier Morató
- Unitat de Farmacologia, Departament de Patologia i Terapèutica Experimental, Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut, IDIBELL, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Josep Argerich
- Unitat de Farmacologia, Departament de Patologia i Terapèutica Experimental, Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut, IDIBELL, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Paul Saftig
- Institute of Biochemistry, Kiel University, Kiel, Germany
| | - Francisco Ciruela
- Unitat de Farmacologia, Departament de Patologia i Terapèutica Experimental, Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut, IDIBELL, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Institut de Neurociències, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ulla E Petäjä-Repo
- Medical Research Center Oulu, Research Unit of Biomedicine, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
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Swärd P, Rosengren BE, Jehpsson L, Karlsson MK. Association between circulating furin levels, obesity and pro-inflammatory markers in children. Acta Paediatr 2021; 110:1863-1868. [PMID: 33486829 DOI: 10.1111/apa.15774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2020] [Revised: 01/04/2021] [Accepted: 01/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
AIM To, in children, investigate the associations between serum furin, obesity, overweight, body fat and circulating markers reflecting adipose tissue or systemic inflammation. METHODS We analysed furin, leptin, adipocyte fatty acid-binding protein, triglycerides, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8 and C-reactive protein in serum from 166 children in the Pediatric Osteoporosis Prevention (POP) study collected at mean age (SD) 9.9 (0.6) years. Children were classified as low-to-normal weight, overweight or obese. Total body fat mass (kg), trunk fat mass (kg) and total body lean mass (kg) were measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Body fat percentage (%) was calculated. RESULTS We found that circulating furin levels were higher in children with obesity and overweight compared with children with low-to-normal weight (p < 0.001 and p = 0.006, respectively). Also, there were positive correlations between circulating furin, total body fat mass, trunk fat mass, body fat percentage, triglycerides, adipokines and pro-inflammatory markers. CONCLUSION This study indicates associations between furin, adiposity and a pro-inflammatory milieu in children. We suggest that future studies investigate the role of furin in fat tissue inflammation and associated increased risk of cardiometabolic diseases in children. Studies should also investigate whether higher furin levels could be a link between obesity and severe coronavirus disease 2019 in children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Per Swärd
- Clinical and Molecular Osteoporosis Research Unit Departments of Orthopaedics and Clinical Sciences Skåne University Hospital Lund University Malmö Sweden
| | - Björn E. Rosengren
- Clinical and Molecular Osteoporosis Research Unit Departments of Orthopaedics and Clinical Sciences Skåne University Hospital Lund University Malmö Sweden
| | - Lars Jehpsson
- Clinical and Molecular Osteoporosis Research Unit Departments of Orthopaedics and Clinical Sciences Skåne University Hospital Lund University Malmö Sweden
| | - Magnus K. Karlsson
- Clinical and Molecular Osteoporosis Research Unit Departments of Orthopaedics and Clinical Sciences Skåne University Hospital Lund University Malmö Sweden
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Kocyigit A, Sogut O, Durmus E, Kanimdan E, Guler EM, Kaplan O, Yenigun VB, Eren C, Ozman Z, Yasar O. Circulating furin, IL-6, and presepsin levels and disease severity in SARS-CoV-2-infected patients. Sci Prog 2021; 104:368504211026119. [PMID: 34187224 PMCID: PMC10305811 DOI: 10.1177/00368504211026119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has resulted in a vast number of infections and deaths that deeply affect the world. When the virus encounters the host cell, it binds to angiotensin-converting enzyme 2, then the S protein of the virus is broken down by the transmembrane protease serine 2 with the help of furin, allowing the virus to enter the cell. The elevated inflammatory cytokines suggest that a cytokine storm, also known as cytokine release syndrome, may play a major role in the pathology of COVID-19. Therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between circulating furin levels, disease severity, and inflammation in patients with SARS-CoV-2. A total of 52 SARS-CoV-2 patients and 36 healthy control participants were included in this study. SARS- CoV-2 patients were scored by the disease activity score. Serum furin, presepsin, and interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels were assessed using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The mean furin, presepsin, and IL-6 levels were significantly higher in the peripheral blood of SARS-CoV-2 compared to the controls (p < 0.001). There were close positive relationship between serum furin and IL-6, furin and presepsin, and furin and disease severity (r = 0.793, p < 0001; r = 0.521, p < 0.001; and r = 0,533, p < 0.001, respectively) in patients with SARS-CoV-2. These results suggest that furin may contribute to the exacerbation of SARS-CoV-2 infection and increased inflammation, and could be used as a predictor of disease severity in COVID-19 patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdurrahim Kocyigit
- Department of Medical Biochemistry,
Bezmialem Vakif University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Ozgur Sogut
- Department of Emergency Medicine,
Health Science University, Haseki Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul,
Turkey
| | - Ezgi Durmus
- Department of Medical Biochemistry,
Bezmialem Vakif University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Ebru Kanimdan
- Department of Medical Biochemistry,
Bezmialem Vakif University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Eray Metin Guler
- Department of Medical Biochemistry,
Bezmialem Vakif University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Onur Kaplan
- Department of Emergency Medicine,
Health Science University, Haseki Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul,
Turkey
| | - Vildan Betul Yenigun
- Department of Medical Biochemistry,
Bezmialem Vakif University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Canan Eren
- Marmara University Pendik Training and
Research Hospital, Medical Microbiology and Blood Centre, Pendik, Istanbul
| | - Zeynep Ozman
- Department of Medical Biochemistry,
Bezmialem Vakif University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Oznur Yasar
- Department of Medical Biochemistry,
Bezmialem Vakif University, Istanbul, Turkey
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Langnau C, Rohlfing AK, Gekeler S, Günter M, Pöschel S, Petersen-Uribe Á, Jaeger P, Avdiu A, Harm T, Kreisselmeier KP, Castor T, Bakchoul T, Rath D, Gawaz MP, Autenrieth SE, Mueller KAL. Platelet Activation and Plasma Levels of Furin Are Associated With Prognosis of Patients With Coronary Artery Disease and COVID-19. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2021; 41:2080-2096. [PMID: 33910372 PMCID: PMC8147700 DOI: 10.1161/atvbaha.120.315698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2020] [Accepted: 04/08/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
[Figure: see text].
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolin Langnau
- Department of Cardiology and Angiology (C.L., A.-K.R., S.G., Á.P.-U., P.J., A.A., T.H., K.-P.K., T.C., D.R., M.P.G., K.A.L.M.), University Hospital Tuebingen, Eberhard Karls University Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Anne-Katrin Rohlfing
- Department of Cardiology and Angiology (C.L., A.-K.R., S.G., Á.P.-U., P.J., A.A., T.H., K.-P.K., T.C., D.R., M.P.G., K.A.L.M.), University Hospital Tuebingen, Eberhard Karls University Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Sarah Gekeler
- Department of Cardiology and Angiology (C.L., A.-K.R., S.G., Á.P.-U., P.J., A.A., T.H., K.-P.K., T.C., D.R., M.P.G., K.A.L.M.), University Hospital Tuebingen, Eberhard Karls University Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Manina Günter
- Department of Hematology, Oncology, Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology (M.G., S.P., S.E.A.), University Hospital Tuebingen, Eberhard Karls University Tuebingen, Germany
- Department of Dendritic Cells in Infection and Cancer, German Cancer Research Centre, Heidelberg (M.G., S.E.A.)
| | - Simone Pöschel
- Department of Hematology, Oncology, Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology (M.G., S.P., S.E.A.), University Hospital Tuebingen, Eberhard Karls University Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Álvaro Petersen-Uribe
- Department of Cardiology and Angiology (C.L., A.-K.R., S.G., Á.P.-U., P.J., A.A., T.H., K.-P.K., T.C., D.R., M.P.G., K.A.L.M.), University Hospital Tuebingen, Eberhard Karls University Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Philippa Jaeger
- Department of Cardiology and Angiology (C.L., A.-K.R., S.G., Á.P.-U., P.J., A.A., T.H., K.-P.K., T.C., D.R., M.P.G., K.A.L.M.), University Hospital Tuebingen, Eberhard Karls University Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Alban Avdiu
- Department of Cardiology and Angiology (C.L., A.-K.R., S.G., Á.P.-U., P.J., A.A., T.H., K.-P.K., T.C., D.R., M.P.G., K.A.L.M.), University Hospital Tuebingen, Eberhard Karls University Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Tobias Harm
- Department of Cardiology and Angiology (C.L., A.-K.R., S.G., Á.P.-U., P.J., A.A., T.H., K.-P.K., T.C., D.R., M.P.G., K.A.L.M.), University Hospital Tuebingen, Eberhard Karls University Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Klaus-Peter Kreisselmeier
- Department of Cardiology and Angiology (C.L., A.-K.R., S.G., Á.P.-U., P.J., A.A., T.H., K.-P.K., T.C., D.R., M.P.G., K.A.L.M.), University Hospital Tuebingen, Eberhard Karls University Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Tatsiana Castor
- Department of Cardiology and Angiology (C.L., A.-K.R., S.G., Á.P.-U., P.J., A.A., T.H., K.-P.K., T.C., D.R., M.P.G., K.A.L.M.), University Hospital Tuebingen, Eberhard Karls University Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Tamam Bakchoul
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Transfusion Medicine (T.B.), University Hospital Tuebingen, Eberhard Karls University Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Dominik Rath
- Department of Cardiology and Angiology (C.L., A.-K.R., S.G., Á.P.-U., P.J., A.A., T.H., K.-P.K., T.C., D.R., M.P.G., K.A.L.M.), University Hospital Tuebingen, Eberhard Karls University Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Meinrad Paul Gawaz
- Department of Cardiology and Angiology (C.L., A.-K.R., S.G., Á.P.-U., P.J., A.A., T.H., K.-P.K., T.C., D.R., M.P.G., K.A.L.M.), University Hospital Tuebingen, Eberhard Karls University Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Stella E. Autenrieth
- Department of Hematology, Oncology, Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology (M.G., S.P., S.E.A.), University Hospital Tuebingen, Eberhard Karls University Tuebingen, Germany
- Department of Dendritic Cells in Infection and Cancer, German Cancer Research Centre, Heidelberg (M.G., S.E.A.)
| | - Karin Anne Lydia Mueller
- Department of Cardiology and Angiology (C.L., A.-K.R., S.G., Á.P.-U., P.J., A.A., T.H., K.-P.K., T.C., D.R., M.P.G., K.A.L.M.), University Hospital Tuebingen, Eberhard Karls University Tuebingen, Germany
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Kaur G, Yogeswaran S, Muthumalage T, Rahman I. Persistently Increased Systemic ACE2 Activity Is Associated With an Increased Inflammatory Response in Smokers With COVID-19. Front Physiol 2021; 12:653045. [PMID: 34122129 PMCID: PMC8194708 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2021.653045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2021] [Accepted: 04/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Tobacco smoking is known to be involved in the pathogenesis of several cardiopulmonary diseases. Additionally, smokers are highly susceptible to infectious agents due to weakened immunity. However, the progression of lung injury based on SARS-CoV-2-mediated COVID-19 pathogenesis amongst smokers and those with pre-existing pulmonary diseases is not known. We determined the systemic levels and activity of COVID-19 associated proteins, cytokine/chemokines, and lipid mediators (lipidomics) amongst COVID-19 patients with and without a history of smoking to understand the underlying susceptible factor in the pathogenesis of COVID-19. Methods: We obtained serum from healthy (CoV−), COVID-19 positive (CoV+), and COVID-19 recovered (CoV Rec) subjects with and without a history of smoking. We conducted a Luminex multiplex assay (cytokine levels), LC/MS (eicosanoids or oxylipin panel), and ACE2 enzymatic activity assays on the serum samples to determine the systemic changes in COVID-19 patients. Results: On comparing the levels of serum ACE2 amongst COVID-19 (positive and recovered) patients and healthy controls, we found a pronounced increase in serum ACE2 levels in patients with COVID-19 infection. Furthermore, ACE2 enzyme activity was significantly increased amongst COVID-19 patients with a smoking history. Also, we analyzed the levels of Angiotensin 1–7 (Ang1–7) peptide, the product of enzymatic action of ACE2, in the serum samples. We found significantly high levels of Ang1–7 in the serum of both CoV+ and CoV Rec patients. Our data further demonstrated a smoking-induced increase in serum furin and inflammatory cytokine [IFNγ(p = 0.0836), Eotaxin (p < 0.05), MCP-1 (p < 0.05), and IL-9 (p = 0.0991)] levels in COVID-19 patients as compared to non-smoking controls. Overall, our results show that smoking adversely affects the levels of systemic inflammatory markers and COVID-19 associated proteins, thus suggesting that COVID-19 infection may have severe outcomes amongst smokers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gagandeep Kaur
- Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, United States
| | - Shaiesh Yogeswaran
- Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, United States
| | - Thivanka Muthumalage
- Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, United States
| | - Irfan Rahman
- Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, United States
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Müller P, Maus H, Hammerschmidt SJ, Knaff P, Mailänder V, Schirmeister T, Kersten C. Interfering with Host Proteases in SARS-CoV-2 Entry as a Promising Therapeutic Strategy. Curr Med Chem 2021; 29:635-665. [PMID: 34042026 DOI: 10.2174/0929867328666210526111318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2020] [Revised: 02/05/2021] [Accepted: 02/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Due to its fast international spread and substantial mortality, the coronavirus disease COVID-19 evolved to a global threat. Since currently, there is no causative drug against this viral infection available, science is striving for new drugs and approaches to treat the new disease. Studies have shown that the cell entry of coronaviruses into host cells takes place through the binding of the viral spike (S) protein to cell receptors. Priming of the S protein occurs via hydrolysis by different host proteases. The inhibition of these proteases could impair the processing of the S protein, thereby affecting the interaction with the host-cell receptors and preventing virus cell entry. Hence, inhibition of these proteases could be a promising strategy for treatment against SARS-CoV-2. In this review, we discuss the current state of the art of developing inhibitors against the entry proteases furin, the transmembrane serine protease type-II (TMPRSS2), trypsin, and cathepsin L.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Müller
- Institute for Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Staudingerweg 5, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Hannah Maus
- Institute for Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Staudingerweg 5, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Stefan Josef Hammerschmidt
- Institute for Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Staudingerweg 5, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Philip Knaff
- Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Ackermannweg 10, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Volker Mailänder
- Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Ackermannweg 10, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Tanja Schirmeister
- Institute for Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Staudingerweg 5, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Christian Kersten
- Institute for Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Staudingerweg 5, 55128 Mainz, Germany
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Salas Orozco MF, Niño-Martínez N, Martínez-Castañón GA, Patiño Marín N, Sámano Valencia C, Dipp Velázquez FA, Sosa Munguía PDC, Casillas Santana MA. Presence of SARS-CoV-2 and Its Entry Factors in Oral Tissues and Cells: A Systematic Review. Medicina (Kaunas) 2021; 57:523. [PMID: 34070998 PMCID: PMC8224617 DOI: 10.3390/medicina57060523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2021] [Revised: 05/13/2021] [Accepted: 05/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Background and Objectives: The aim of this systematic review is to summarize the current data about the presence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and its entry factors in oral tissues and cells. Materials and Methods: This systematic review was carried out based on the Preferred Reporting Items for a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA). Three databases were analyzed (Pubmed, Web of science and Scopus) by three independent researchers. From the 18 identified studies, 10 of them met the inclusion criteria. The presence of SARS-CoV-2 or its entry factors (angiotensin-converting enzyme II (ACE2), transmembrane serine proteases (TMPRSS), and furin) was analyzed in these 10 studies during the pandemic. Results: ACE2 expression was analyzed in 9 of the 10 studies. ACE2 is expressed mainly in the tongue, oral mucosa, salivary glands and epithelial cells. The expression of the TMPRSS2 gene or protein was analyzed in 6 studies. These studies reported that the expression of TMPRSS2 was mainly in the salivary glands, tongue, sulcular epithelium and oral mucosa; as well as in cells of the salivary glands (ductal, acinar and myoepithelial cells) and the tongue (the spinous-based cell layer, horny layer and the epithelial surface). Other TMPRSS were also reported. The expression of TMPRSS3, TMPRSS4, TMPRSS5, TMPRSS7 and TMPRSS11D was reported mainly in salivary glands and in epithelial-type cells. Furan expression was analyzed in three studies. The expression of furin was detected mainly in epithelial cells of the tongue. A variety of methods were used to carry out the detection of SARS-CoV-2 or its input molecules. Conclusions: These results show that SARS-CoV-2 can infect a wide variety of oral tissues and cells, and that together with the theories dedicated to explaining the oral symptoms present in SARS-CoV-2 positive patients, it provides us with a good scientific basis for understanding the virus infection in the oral cavity and its consequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Felipe Salas Orozco
- Doctorado en Ciencias Odontológicas, Facultad de Estomatología, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, San Luis Potosí C.P. 78290, Mexico;
| | - Nereyda Niño-Martínez
- Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, San Luis Potosí C.P. 78210, Mexico; (N.N.-M.); (G.-A.M.-C.)
| | | | - Nuria Patiño Marín
- Doctorado en Ciencias Odontológicas, Facultad de Estomatología, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, San Luis Potosí C.P. 78290, Mexico;
| | - Carolina Sámano Valencia
- Maestría en Estomatología con Opción Terminal en Ortodoncia, Facultad de Estomatología, Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, Puebla C.P. 72410, Mexico; (C.S.V.); (F.A.D.V.)
| | - Farid Alonso Dipp Velázquez
- Maestría en Estomatología con Opción Terminal en Ortodoncia, Facultad de Estomatología, Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, Puebla C.P. 72410, Mexico; (C.S.V.); (F.A.D.V.)
| | - Paulina del Carmen Sosa Munguía
- Residente de la Maestría en Ciencias Médicas e Investigación, Facultad de Medicina, Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, Puebla C.P. 72410, Mexico;
| | - Miguel Angel Casillas Santana
- Maestría en Estomatología con Opción Terminal en Ortodoncia, Facultad de Estomatología, Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, Puebla C.P. 72410, Mexico; (C.S.V.); (F.A.D.V.)
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Hasan A, Paray BA, Hussain A, Qadir FA, Attar F, Aziz FM, Sharifi M, Derakhshankhah H, Rasti B, Mehrabi M, Shahpasand K, Saboury AA, Falahati M. A review on the cleavage priming of the spike protein on coronavirus by angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 and furin. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2021; 39:3025-3033. [PMID: 32274964 PMCID: PMC7189411 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2020.1754293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 165] [Impact Index Per Article: 55.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2020] [Accepted: 04/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The widespread antigenic changes lead to the emergence of a new type of coronavirus (CoV) called as severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)-CoV-2 that is immunologically different from the previous circulating species. Angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 (ACE-2) is one of the most important receptors on the cell membrane of the host cells (HCs) which its interaction with spike protein (SP) with a furin-cleavage site results in the SARS-CoV-2 invasion. Hence, in this review, we presented an overview on the interaction of ACE-2 and furin with SP. As several kinds of CoVs, from various genera, have at their S1/S2 binding site a preserved site, we further surveyed the role of furin cleavage site (FCS) on the life cycle of the CoV. Furthermore, we discussed that the small molecular inhibitors can limit the interaction of ACE-2 and furin with SP and can be used as potential therapeutic platforms to combat the spreading CoV epidemic. Finally, some ongoing challenges and future prospects for the development of potential drugs to promote targeting specific activities of the CoV were reviewed. In conclusion, this review may pave the way for providing useful information about different compounds involved in improving the effectiveness of CoV vaccine or drugs with minimum toxicity against human health.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anwarul Hasan
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, College of Engineering, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
- Biomedical Research Center, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Bilal Ahamad Paray
- Department of Zoology, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Arif Hussain
- School of Life Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
| | - Fikry Ali Qadir
- Department of Biology, Salahaddin University-Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq
| | - Farnoosh Attar
- Faculty of Food Industry and Agriculture, Department of Biology, Standard Research Institute (SRI), Karaj, Iran
| | | | - Majid Sharifi
- Department of Nanotechnology, Faculty of Advanced Science and Technology, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran;
| | - Hossein Derakhshankhah
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Behnam Rasti
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Basic Sciences, Lahijan Branch, Islamic Azad University (IAU), Lahijan, Guilan, Iran
| | - Masoumeh Mehrabi
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Basic Sciences, Lahijan Branch, Islamic Azad University (IAU), Lahijan, Guilan, Iran
| | - Koorosh Shahpasand
- Department of Stem Cells and Developmental Biology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology (RI-SCBT), Tehran, Iran
| | - Ali Akbar Saboury
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mojtaba Falahati
- Department of Nanotechnology, Faculty of Advanced Science and Technology, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran;
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Rose M, Duhamel M, Rodet F, Salzet M. The Role of Proprotein Convertases in the Regulation of the Function of Immune Cells in the Oncoimmune Response. Front Immunol 2021; 12:667850. [PMID: 33995401 PMCID: PMC8117212 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.667850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2021] [Accepted: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Proprotein convertases (PC) are a family of 9 serine proteases involved in the processing of cellular pro-proteins. They trigger the activation, inactivation or functional changes of many hormones, neuropeptides, growth factors and receptors. Therefore, these enzymes are essential for cellular homeostasis in health and disease. Nine PC subtilisin/kexin genes (PCSK1 to PCSK9) encoding for PC1/3, PC2, furin, PC4, PC5/6, PACE4, PC7, SKI-1/S1P and PCSK9 are known. The expression of PC1/3, PC2, PC5/6, Furin and PC7 in lymphoid organs such as lymph nodes, thymus and spleen has suggested a role for these enzymes in immunity. In fact, knock-out of Furin in T cells was associated with high secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines and autoantibody production in mice. This suggested a key role for this enzyme in immune tolerance. Moreover, Furin through its proteolytic activity, regulates the suppressive functions of Treg and thus prevents chronic inflammation and autoimmune diseases. In macrophages, Furin is also involved in the regulation of their inflammatory phenotype. Similarly, PC1/3 inhibition combined with TLR4 stimulation triggers the activation of the NF-κB signaling pathway with an increased secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Factors secreted by PC1/3 KD macrophages stimulated with LPS exert a chemoattractive effect on naive auxiliary T lymphocytes (Th0) and anti-tumoral activities. The link between TLR and PCs is thus very important in inflammatory response regulation. Furin regulates TL7 and TLR8 processing and trafficking whereas PC1/3 controls TLR4 and TLR9 trafficking. Since PC1/3 and Furin are key regulators of both the innate and adaptive immune responses their inhibition may play a major role in oncoimmune therapy. The role of PCs in the oncoimmune response and therapeutic strategies based on PCs inhibition are proposed in the present review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mélanie Rose
- Université Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, U1192, Laboratoire Protéomique, Réponse Inflammatoire et Spectrométrie de Masse (PRISM), Lille, France
| | - Marie Duhamel
- Université Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, U1192, Laboratoire Protéomique, Réponse Inflammatoire et Spectrométrie de Masse (PRISM), Lille, France
| | - Franck Rodet
- Université Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, U1192, Laboratoire Protéomique, Réponse Inflammatoire et Spectrométrie de Masse (PRISM), Lille, France
| | - Michel Salzet
- Université Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, U1192, Laboratoire Protéomique, Réponse Inflammatoire et Spectrométrie de Masse (PRISM), Lille, France
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Ouyang Y, Bagalkot T, Fitzgerald W, Sadovsky E, Chu T, Martínez-Marchal A, Brieño-Enríquez M, Su EJ, Margolis L, Sorkin A, Sadovsky Y. Term Human Placental Trophoblasts Express SARS-CoV-2 Entry Factors ACE2, TMPRSS2, and Furin. mSphere 2021; 6:e00250-21. [PMID: 33853873 DOI: 10.1128/mSphere.00250-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has had a massive impact on human lives worldwide. While the airborne SARS-CoV-2 primarily affects the lungs, viremia is not uncommon. As placental trophoblasts are directly bathed in maternal blood, they are vulnerable to SARS-CoV-2. Intriguingly, the human fetus is largely spared from SARS-CoV-2 infection. We tested whether the human placenta expresses the main SARS-CoV-2 entry factors angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), transmembrane protease serine 2 (TMPRSS2), and furin and showed that ACE2 and TMPRSS2 are expressed in the trophoblast rather than in other placental villous cells. While furin is expressed in the main placental villous cell types, we surveyed, trophoblasts exhibit the highest expression. In line with the expression of these entry factors, we demonstrated that a SARS-CoV-2 pseudovirus could enter primary human trophoblasts. Mechanisms underlying placental defense against SARS-CoV-2 infection likely involve postentry processing, which may be germane for mitigating interventions against SARS-CoV-2. IMPORTANCE Pregnant women worldwide have been affected by COVID-19. As the virus is commonly spread to various organs via the bloodstream and because human placental trophoblasts are directly bathed in maternal blood, feto-placental infection by SARS-CoV-2 seems likely. However, despite the heightened risk to pregnant women, thus far the transmission risk of COVID-19 to the feto-placental unit seems extremely low. This has been recently attributed to a negligible expression of SARS-CoV-2 entry factors in the human placenta. We therefore sought to explore the expression of the entry factors ACE2 and TMPRSS2 in the different cell types of human placental villi. Using a combination of transcriptome sequencing (RNA-seq), real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR), in situ hybridization, and immunofluorescence, we found that trophoblasts, but not the other main villous cell types, express ACE2 and TMPRSS2, with a broad expression of furin. Correspondingly, we also showed that primary human trophoblasts are permissive to entry of SARS-CoV-2 pseudovirus particles.
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Inchingolo AD, Inchingolo AM, Bordea IR, Malcangi G, Xhajanka E, Scarano A, Lorusso F, Farronato M, Tartaglia GM, Isacco CG, Marinelli G, D’Oria MT, Hazballa D, Santacroce L, Ballini A, Contaldo M, Inchingolo F, Dipalma G. SARS-CoV-2 Disease through Viral Genomic and Receptor Implications: An Overview of Diagnostic and Immunology Breakthroughs. Microorganisms 2021; 9:793. [PMID: 33920179 PMCID: PMC8070527 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9040793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2021] [Revised: 04/03/2021] [Accepted: 04/07/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2), which is believed to have originated in China towards the end of November 2019, has now spread across the globe, causing a pandemic in 192 countries. The World Health Organization has called it the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Rapid dissemination of the virus occurs mainly through the saliva (Flügge's droplets) and aerosol, together with nasal and lachrymal passages. The literature associated with the recent advancement in terms of rapid diagnostics and SARS-CoV-2 vaccines has thoroughly studied the role of ACE2 receptors and Furin, as well as viral agent access into the host cell and its significant persistence at the level of the oral mucosa, which represents the main access to the virus. The purpose of this review was to underline the processes of SARS-CoV-2 infection mechanisms and novel breakthroughs in diagnostics and vaccines. Different technologies, such as the RT-PCR molecular test and the antigenic test, have been developed to identify subjects affected by the SARS-CoV-2 in order to improve the tracking of infection geographical diffusion. Novel rapid and highly sensitive diagnostic tests has been proposed for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 to improve the screening capability of suspected contagions. The strengthening of the vaccination campaign represents the most effective means to combat the SARS-CoV-2 infection and prevent severe manifestations of the virus-different classes of vaccines have been developed for this purpose. Further attention on the novel SARS-CoV-2 variant is necessary in order to verify the protection efficacy and virulence reduction of the infective agent in the recent vaccine campaign.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessio Danilo Inchingolo
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, University of Medicine Aldo Moro, 70124 Bari, Italy; (A.D.I.); (A.M.I.); (C.G.I.); (G.M.); (M.T.D.); (D.H.); (L.S.); (F.I.); (G.D.)
| | - Angelo Michele Inchingolo
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, University of Medicine Aldo Moro, 70124 Bari, Italy; (A.D.I.); (A.M.I.); (C.G.I.); (G.M.); (M.T.D.); (D.H.); (L.S.); (F.I.); (G.D.)
| | - Ioana Roxana Bordea
- Department of Oral Rehabilitation, Faculty of Dentistry, Iuliu Hațieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Giuseppina Malcangi
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, University of Medicine Aldo Moro, 70124 Bari, Italy; (A.D.I.); (A.M.I.); (C.G.I.); (G.M.); (M.T.D.); (D.H.); (L.S.); (F.I.); (G.D.)
| | - Edit Xhajanka
- Department of Dental Prosthesis, Medical University of Tirana, Rruga e Dibrës, U.M.T., 1001 Tirana, Albania;
| | - Antonio Scarano
- Department of Innovative Technologies in Medicine and Dentistry, University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy;
| | - Felice Lorusso
- Department of Innovative Technologies in Medicine and Dentistry, University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy;
| | - Marco Farronato
- UOC Maxillo-Facial Surgery and Dentistry, Department of Biomedical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, School of Dentistry, Fondazione IRCCS Ca Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, University of Milan, 20100 Milan, Italy; (M.F.); (G.M.T.)
| | - Gianluca Martino Tartaglia
- UOC Maxillo-Facial Surgery and Dentistry, Department of Biomedical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, School of Dentistry, Fondazione IRCCS Ca Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, University of Milan, 20100 Milan, Italy; (M.F.); (G.M.T.)
| | - Ciro Gargiulo Isacco
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, University of Medicine Aldo Moro, 70124 Bari, Italy; (A.D.I.); (A.M.I.); (C.G.I.); (G.M.); (M.T.D.); (D.H.); (L.S.); (F.I.); (G.D.)
- Director of Research at Human Stem Cells Research Center HSC, Ho Chi Minh 70000, Vietnam
- Embryology and Regenerative Medicine and Immunology at Pham Chau Trinh University of Medicine, Hoi An 51300, Vietnam
| | - Grazia Marinelli
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, University of Medicine Aldo Moro, 70124 Bari, Italy; (A.D.I.); (A.M.I.); (C.G.I.); (G.M.); (M.T.D.); (D.H.); (L.S.); (F.I.); (G.D.)
| | - Maria Teresa D’Oria
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, University of Medicine Aldo Moro, 70124 Bari, Italy; (A.D.I.); (A.M.I.); (C.G.I.); (G.M.); (M.T.D.); (D.H.); (L.S.); (F.I.); (G.D.)
- Department of Medical and Biological Sciences, University of Udine, Via delle Scienze, 206, 33100 Udine, Italy
| | - Denisa Hazballa
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, University of Medicine Aldo Moro, 70124 Bari, Italy; (A.D.I.); (A.M.I.); (C.G.I.); (G.M.); (M.T.D.); (D.H.); (L.S.); (F.I.); (G.D.)
- Kongresi Elbasanit, Rruga: Aqif Pasha, 3001 Elbasan, Albania
| | - Luigi Santacroce
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, University of Medicine Aldo Moro, 70124 Bari, Italy; (A.D.I.); (A.M.I.); (C.G.I.); (G.M.); (M.T.D.); (D.H.); (L.S.); (F.I.); (G.D.)
| | - Andrea Ballini
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Biopharmaceutics, Campus Universitario Ernesto Quagliariello, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70125 Bari, Italy;
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Maria Contaldo
- Multidisciplinary Department of Medical-Surgical and Dental Specialties, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Via Luigi de Crecchio, 6, 80138 Naples, Italy;
| | - Francesco Inchingolo
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, University of Medicine Aldo Moro, 70124 Bari, Italy; (A.D.I.); (A.M.I.); (C.G.I.); (G.M.); (M.T.D.); (D.H.); (L.S.); (F.I.); (G.D.)
| | - Gianna Dipalma
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, University of Medicine Aldo Moro, 70124 Bari, Italy; (A.D.I.); (A.M.I.); (C.G.I.); (G.M.); (M.T.D.); (D.H.); (L.S.); (F.I.); (G.D.)
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Khoury EE, Knaney Y, Fokra A, Kinaneh S, Azzam Z, Heyman SN, Abassi Z. Pulmonary, cardiac and renal distribution of ACE2, furin, TMPRSS2 and ADAM17 in rats with heart failure: Potential implication for COVID-19 disease. J Cell Mol Med 2021; 25:3840-3855. [PMID: 33660945 PMCID: PMC8014258 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.16310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2020] [Revised: 12/23/2020] [Accepted: 01/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Congestive heart failure (CHF) is often associated with kidney and pulmonary dysfunction. Activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) contributes to avid sodium retention, cardiac hypertrophy and oedema formation, including lung congestion. While the status of the classic components of RAAS such as renin, angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE), angiotensin II (Ang II) and angiotensin II receptor AT-1 is well studied in CHF, the expression of angiotensin converting enzyme-2 (ACE2), a key enzyme of angiotensin 1-7 (Ang 1-7) generation in the pulmonary, cardiac and renal systems has not been studied thoroughly in this clinical setting. This issue is of a special interest as Ang 1-7 counterbalance the vasoconstrictory, pro-inflammatory and pro-proliferative actions of Ang II. Furthermore, CHF predisposes to COVID-19 disease severity, while ACE2 also serves as the binding domain of SARS-CoV-2 in human host-cells, and acts in concert with furin, an important enzyme in the synthesis of BNP in CHF, in permeating viral functionality along TMPRSST2. ADAM17 governs ACE2 shedding from cell membranes. Therefore, the present study was designed to investigate the expression of ACE2, furin, TMPRSS2 and ADAM17 in the lung, heart and kidneys of rats with CHF to understand the exaggerated susceptibility of clinical CHF to COVID-19 disease. Heart failure was induced in male Sprague Dawley rats by the creation of a surgical aorto-caval fistula. Sham-operated rats served as controls. One week after surgery, the animals were subdivided into compensated and decompensated CHF according to urinary sodium excretion. Both groups and their controls were sacrificed, and their hearts, lungs and kidneys were harvested for assessment of tissue remodelling and ACE2, furin, TMPRSS2 and ADAM17 immunoreactivity, expression and immunohistochemical staining. ACE2 immunoreactivity and mRNA levels increased in pulmonary, cardiac and renal tissues of compensated, but not in decompensated CHF. Furin immunoreactivity was increased in both compensated and decompensated CHF in the pulmonary, cardiac tissues and renal cortex but not in the medulla. Interestingly, both the expression and abundance of pulmonary, cardiac and renal TMPRSS2 decreased in CHF in correlation with the severity of the disease. Pulmonary, cardiac and renal ADAM17 mRNA levels were also downregulated in decompensated CHF. Circulating furin levels increased in proportion to CHF severity, whereas plasma ACE2 remained unchanged. In summary, ACE2 and furin are overexpressed in the pulmonary, cardiac and renal tissues of compensated and to a lesser extent of decompensated CHF as compared with their sham controls. The increased expression of the ACE2 in heart failure may serve as a compensatory mechanism, counterbalancing the over-activity of the deleterious isoform, ACE. Downregulated ADAM17 might enhance membranal ACE2 in COVID-19 disease, whereas the suppression of TMPRSS2 in CHF argues against its involvement in the exaggerated susceptibility of CHF patients to SARS-CoV2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emad E. Khoury
- Department of Physiology and BiophysicsRappaport Faculty of MedicineTechnion‐Israel Institute of TechnologyHaifaIsrael
| | - Yara Knaney
- Department of Physiology and BiophysicsRappaport Faculty of MedicineTechnion‐Israel Institute of TechnologyHaifaIsrael
| | - Ahmad Fokra
- Department of Physiology and BiophysicsRappaport Faculty of MedicineTechnion‐Israel Institute of TechnologyHaifaIsrael
| | - Safa Kinaneh
- Department of Physiology and BiophysicsRappaport Faculty of MedicineTechnion‐Israel Institute of TechnologyHaifaIsrael
| | - Zaher Azzam
- Department of Internal MedicineRambam Medical CenterHaifaIsrael
| | - Samuel N. Heyman
- Department of MedicineHadassah Hebrew University HospitalJerusalemIsrael
| | - Zaid Abassi
- Department of Physiology and BiophysicsRappaport Faculty of MedicineTechnion‐Israel Institute of TechnologyHaifaIsrael
- Laboratory MedicineRambam Medical CenterHaifaIsrael
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López JJ, Siegfried G, Cantonero C, Soulet F, Descarpentrie J, Smani T, Badiola I, Pernot S, Evrard S, Rosado JA, Khatib AM. Furin Prodomain ppFurin Enhances Ca 2+ Entry Through Orai and TRPC6 Channels' Activation in Breast Cancer Cells. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:1670. [PMID: 33916304 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13071670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2021] [Revised: 03/24/2021] [Accepted: 03/26/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Furin, a proprotein convertase that belongs to a family of Ca2+-dependent serine peptidases, is involved in the maturation of a variety of proproteins, including growth factors, receptors and differentiation factors, adhesion molecules and proteases. Furin have been associated with tumorigenesis and tumor progression and metastasis; therefore, it has been hypothesized that Furin may constitute a new potential target for cancer therapy. In triple negative breast cancer cells, inhibition of Furin by the prodomain ppFurin results in enhancement of Ca2+ influx, which involves both the increase of store-operated calcium entry (SOCE) and the activation of constitutive Ca2+ entry. The latter involves the activation of Orai and TRPC6 channels, while the increase of SOCE observed in ppFurin-expressing cells is entirely dependent on Orai channels. As a result, ppFurin expression reduces triple negative breast cancer cell viability and ability to migrate and enhances their sensitization to hydrogen peroxide-induced apoptosis. Abstract The intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) modulation plays a key role in the regulation of cellular growth and survival in normal cells and failure of [Ca2+]i homeostasis is involved in tumor initiation and progression. Here we showed that inhibition of Furin by its naturally occurring inhibitor the prodomain ppFurin in the MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells resulted in enhanced store-operated calcium entry (SOCE) and reduced the cell malignant phenotype. Expression of ppFurin in a stable manner in MDA-MB-231 and the melanoma MDA-MB-435 cell lines inhibits Furin activity as assessed by in vitro digestion assays. Accordingly, cell transfection experiments revealed that the ppFurin-expressing cells are unable to adequately process the proprotein convertase (PC) substrates vascular endothelial growth factor C (proVEGF-C) and insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (proIGF-1R). Compared to MDA-MB-435 cells, expression of ppFurin in MDA-MB-231 and BT20 cells significantly enhanced SOCE and induced constitutive Ca2+ entry. The enhanced SOCE is impaired by inhibition of Orai channels while the constitutive Ca2+ entry is attenuated by silencing or inhibition of TRPC6 or inhibition of Orai channels. Analysis of TRPC6 activation revealed its upregulated tyrosine phosphorylation in ppFurin-expressing MDA-MB-231 cells. In addition, while ppFurin had no effect on MDA-MB-435 cell viability, in MDA-MB-231 cells ppFurin expression reduced their viability and ability to migrate and enhanced their sensitization to the apoptosis inducer hydrogen peroxide and similar results were observed in BT20 cells. These findings suggest that Furin inhibition by ppFurin may be a useful strategy to interfere with Ca2+ mobilization, leading to breast cancer cells’ malignant phenotype repression and reduction of their resistance to treatments.
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Hancock JT, Rouse RC, Stone E, Greenhough A. Interacting Proteins, Polymorphisms and the Susceptibility of Animals to SARS-CoV-2. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:797. [PMID: 33809265 PMCID: PMC8000148 DOI: 10.3390/ani11030797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Revised: 03/02/2021] [Accepted: 03/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
COVID-19, caused by SARS-CoV-2, is a world-wide problem for the human population. It is known that some animal species, such as mink, can become infected and transmit the virus. However, the susceptibility of most animals is not known. Here, we review the use of sequence analysis of the proteins which are known to interact with SARS-CoV-2 as a way to estimate an animal's susceptibility. Although most such work concentrates on the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 receptor (ACE2), here TMPRSS2 (Transmembrane Serine Protease 2), neuropilin-1 and furin are also considered. Polymorphisms, especially ones which are known to alter viral/host interactions are also discussed. Analysis of ACE2 and TMPRSS2 protein sequences across species suggests this approach may be of some utility in predicting susceptibility; however, this analysis fails to highlight some susceptible animals such as mink. However, combined with observational data which emerges over time about which animals actually become infected, this may, in the future, be a useful tool to assist the management of risks associated with human/animal contact and support conservation and animal welfare measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- John T. Hancock
- Department of Applied Sciences, University of the West of England, Bristol BS16 1QY, UK; (E.S.); (A.G.)
| | - Ros C. Rouse
- Research, Business and Innovation, University of the West of England, Bristol BS16 1QY, UK;
| | - Emma Stone
- Department of Applied Sciences, University of the West of England, Bristol BS16 1QY, UK; (E.S.); (A.G.)
| | - Alexander Greenhough
- Department of Applied Sciences, University of the West of England, Bristol BS16 1QY, UK; (E.S.); (A.G.)
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76
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Kaur U, Chakrabarti SS, Ojha B, Pathak BK, Singh A, Saso L, Chakrabarti S. Targeting Host Cell Proteases to Prevent SARS-CoV-2 Invasion. Curr Drug Targets 2021; 22:192-201. [PMID: 32972339 DOI: 10.2174/1389450121666200924113243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2020] [Revised: 08/16/2020] [Accepted: 08/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) has spread worldwide and caused widespread devastation. In the absence of definitive therapy, symptomatic management remains the standard of care. Repurposing of many existing drugs, including several anti-viral drugs, is being attempted to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic. However, most of them have failed to show significant benefit in clinical trials. An attractive approach may be to target host proteases involved in SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis. The priming of the spike (S) protein of the virus by proteolytic cleavage by the transmembrane serine protease-2 (TMPRSS2) is necessary for the fusion of the virus to the host cell after it binds to its receptor angiotensin converting enzyme-2 (ACE2). There are other proteases with varying spatiotemporal locations that may be important for viral entry and subsequent replication inside the cells, and these include trypsin, furin and cathepsins. In this report, we have discussed the tentative therapeutic role of inhibitors of TMPRSS2, cathepsin, trypsin, furin, plasmin, factor X and elastase in infection caused by SARS-CoV-2. Both available evidence, as well as hypotheses, are discussed, with emphasis on drugs which are approved for other indications such as bromhexine, ammonium chloride, nafamostat, camostat, tranexamic acid, epsilon amino-caproic acid, chloroquine, ulinastatin, aprotinin and anticoagulant drugs. Simultaneously, novel compounds being tested and problems with using these agents are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Upinder Kaur
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, UP, India
| | - Sankha Shubhra Chakrabarti
- Department of Geriatric Medicine, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, UP, India
| | - Bisweswar Ojha
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, India
| | - Bhairav Kumar Pathak
- Department of Biochemistry and Central Research Cell, MM Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Maharishi Markandeshwar (deemed to be) University, Mullana, Ambala, Haryana, India
| | - Amit Singh
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, India
| | - Luciano Saso
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Sasanka Chakrabarti
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, India
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Inchingolo AD, Inchingolo AM, Bordea IR, Malcangi G, Xhajanka E, Scarano A, Lorusso F, Farronato M, Tartaglia GM, Isacco CG, Marinelli G, D’Oria MT, Hazballa D, Santacroce L, Ballini A, Contaldo M, Inchingolo F, Dipalma G. SARS-CoV-2 Disease Adjuvant Therapies and Supplements Breakthrough for the Infection Prevention. Microorganisms 2021; 9:525. [PMID: 33806624 PMCID: PMC7999785 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9030525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2021] [Revised: 02/28/2021] [Accepted: 03/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) is a high-risk viral agent involved in the recent pandemic stated worldwide by the World Health Organization. The infection is correlated to a severe systemic and respiratory disease in many cases, which is clinically treated with a multi-drug pharmacological approach. The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate through a literature overview the effect of adjuvant therapies and supplements for the SARS-CoV-2 infection. The research has analyzed the advantage of the EK1C4, by also assessing the studies on the resveratrol, vitamin D, and melatonin as adjuvant supplements for long hauler patients' prognosis. The evaluated substances reported important benefits for the improvement of the immune system and as a potential inhibitor molecules against SARS-CoV-2, highlighting the use of sartans as therapy. The adjuvant supplements seem to create an advantage for the healing of the long hauler patients affected by chronic symptoms of constant chest and heart pain, intestinal disorders, headache, difficulty concentrating, memory loss, and tachycardia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessio Danilo Inchingolo
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, University of Medicine Aldo Moro, 70124 Bari, Italy; (A.D.I.); (A.M.I.); (C.G.I.); (G.M.); (M.T.D.); (D.H.); (L.S.); (F.I.); (G.D.)
| | - Angelo Michele Inchingolo
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, University of Medicine Aldo Moro, 70124 Bari, Italy; (A.D.I.); (A.M.I.); (C.G.I.); (G.M.); (M.T.D.); (D.H.); (L.S.); (F.I.); (G.D.)
| | - Ioana Roxana Bordea
- Department of Oral Rehabilitation, Faculty of Dentistry, Iuliu Hațieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Giuseppina Malcangi
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, University of Medicine Aldo Moro, 70124 Bari, Italy; (A.D.I.); (A.M.I.); (C.G.I.); (G.M.); (M.T.D.); (D.H.); (L.S.); (F.I.); (G.D.)
| | - Edit Xhajanka
- Dental Prosthesis Department, Medical University of Tirana, UMT, Rruga e Dibrës, Tirana 1001, Albania;
| | - Antonio Scarano
- Department of Innovative Technologies in Medicine and Dentistry, University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy;
| | - Felice Lorusso
- Department of Innovative Technologies in Medicine and Dentistry, University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy;
| | - Marco Farronato
- Department of Biomedical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, School of Dentistry, University of Milan, UOC Maxillo-Facial Surgery and Dentistry, Fondazione IRCCS Ca Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20100 Milan, Italy; (M.F.); (G.M.T.)
| | - Gianluca Martino Tartaglia
- Department of Biomedical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, School of Dentistry, University of Milan, UOC Maxillo-Facial Surgery and Dentistry, Fondazione IRCCS Ca Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20100 Milan, Italy; (M.F.); (G.M.T.)
| | - Ciro Gargiulo Isacco
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, University of Medicine Aldo Moro, 70124 Bari, Italy; (A.D.I.); (A.M.I.); (C.G.I.); (G.M.); (M.T.D.); (D.H.); (L.S.); (F.I.); (G.D.)
- Human Stem Cells Research Center HSC of Ho Chi Minh, Ho Chi Minh 70000, Vietnam
- Embryology and Regenerative Medicine and Immunology, Pham Chau Trinh University of Medicine Hoi An, Hoi An 70000, Vietnam
| | - Grazia Marinelli
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, University of Medicine Aldo Moro, 70124 Bari, Italy; (A.D.I.); (A.M.I.); (C.G.I.); (G.M.); (M.T.D.); (D.H.); (L.S.); (F.I.); (G.D.)
| | - Maria Teresa D’Oria
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, University of Medicine Aldo Moro, 70124 Bari, Italy; (A.D.I.); (A.M.I.); (C.G.I.); (G.M.); (M.T.D.); (D.H.); (L.S.); (F.I.); (G.D.)
- Department of Medical and Biological Sciences, Via delle Scienze, Università degli Studi di Udine, 206, 33100 Udine, Italy
| | - Denisa Hazballa
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, University of Medicine Aldo Moro, 70124 Bari, Italy; (A.D.I.); (A.M.I.); (C.G.I.); (G.M.); (M.T.D.); (D.H.); (L.S.); (F.I.); (G.D.)
- Kongresi Elbasanit, Rruga: Aqif Pasha, 3001 Elbasan, Albania
| | - Luigi Santacroce
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, University of Medicine Aldo Moro, 70124 Bari, Italy; (A.D.I.); (A.M.I.); (C.G.I.); (G.M.); (M.T.D.); (D.H.); (L.S.); (F.I.); (G.D.)
| | - Andrea Ballini
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Biopharmaceutics, Campus Universitario, University of Bari, 70125 Bari, Italy;
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Maria Contaldo
- Multidisciplinary Department of Medical-Surgical and Dental Specialties, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Via Luigi de Crecchio, 6, 80138 Naples, Italy;
| | - Francesco Inchingolo
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, University of Medicine Aldo Moro, 70124 Bari, Italy; (A.D.I.); (A.M.I.); (C.G.I.); (G.M.); (M.T.D.); (D.H.); (L.S.); (F.I.); (G.D.)
| | - Gianna Dipalma
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, University of Medicine Aldo Moro, 70124 Bari, Italy; (A.D.I.); (A.M.I.); (C.G.I.); (G.M.); (M.T.D.); (D.H.); (L.S.); (F.I.); (G.D.)
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Tang T, Jaimes JA, Bidon MK, Straus MR, Daniel S, Whittaker GR. Proteolytic Activation of SARS-CoV-2 Spike at the S1/S2 Boundary: Potential Role of Proteases beyond Furin. ACS Infect Dis 2021; 7:264-272. [PMID: 33432808 PMCID: PMC7839419 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.0c00701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 34.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) uses its spike (S) protein to mediate viral entry into host cells. Cleavage of the S protein at the S1/S2 and/or S2' site(s) is associated with viral entry, which can occur at either the cell plasma membrane (early pathway) or the endosomal membrane (late pathway), depending on the cell type. Previous studies show that SARS-CoV-2 has a unique insert at the S1/S2 site that can be cleaved by furin, which appears to expand viral tropism to cells with suitable protease and receptor expression. Here, we utilize viral pseudoparticles and protease inhibitors to study the impact of the S1/S2 cleavage on infectivity. Our results demonstrate that S1/S2 cleavage is essential for early pathway entry into Calu-3 cells, a model lung epithelial cell line, but not for late pathway entry into Vero E6 cells, a model cell line. The S1/S2 cleavage was found to be processed by other proteases beyond furin. Using bioinformatic tools, we also analyze the presence of a furin S1/S2 site in related CoVs and offer thoughts on the origin of the insertion of the furin-like cleavage site in SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiffany Tang
- Robert Frederick Smith School of Chemical and
Biomolecular Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York
14853, United States
| | - Javier A. Jaimes
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology,
Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United
States
| | - Miya K. Bidon
- Robert Frederick Smith School of Chemical and
Biomolecular Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York
14853, United States
| | - Marco R. Straus
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology,
Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United
States
| | - Susan Daniel
- Robert Frederick Smith School of Chemical and
Biomolecular Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York
14853, United States
| | - Gary R. Whittaker
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology,
Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United
States
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Graier T, Golob-Schwarzl N, Weger W, Benezeder T, Painsi C, Salmhofer W, Wolf P. Furin Expression in Patients With Psoriasis-A Patient Cohort Endangered to SARS-COV2? Front Med (Lausanne) 2021; 8:624462. [PMID: 33644099 PMCID: PMC7902756 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2021.624462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2020] [Accepted: 01/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: SARS-Cov2 has raised concerns among dermatologists regarding psoriasis and its respective treatments. Comorbidities, which induce the expression of the proprotease furin have been associated with severe course of COVID-19. Furin and angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) play a major role in viral host cell entry of SARS-Cov2. Objective: To evaluate mRNA expression of Furin and ACE2 from blood cells in psoriasis patients, and whether systemic or topical treatment reduces expression levels. Methods: This observational translational study analyzed blood samples from patients from a clinical trial and samples retrieved from the biobank of the Psoriasis Registry Austria (PsoRA). Furin and ACE2 expression levels were analyzed prior to as well as 3 and 12–24 months after start of biologic treatment with either ustekinumab or secukinumab. Additionally, the study analyzed expression levels prior to, 6 days after start of dithranol treatment and 4–6 weeks after end of dithranol treatment. Results: Furin mRNA expression was significantly increased at baseline in the biologic (4.9 ± 2.6 fold, p < 0.0001) and in the dithranol group (2.7 ± 1.4 fold, p < 0.001) compared to controls. There was a trend for arthritis patients to express more furin than patients with psoriatic skin involvement only (5.26 ± 2.30 vs. 3.48 ± 2.27, p = 0.078). Analyzing furin mRNA expression after treatment initiation with secukinumab or ustekinumab revealed a normalization of levels after 3 and 12 to 24 months. Similar findings were obtained for patients treated with dithranol, with significantly decreased expression levels 6 days after start of dithranol treatment and also at follow-up, (4–6 weeks after dithranol treatment had been terminated). ACE2 expression levels did not differ from controls at any timepoint, regardless of biologic or topical treatment. Conclusion: Significantly overexpressed levels of furin were observed in untreated patients, and, thus, these patients may be at risk for infection and a severe course of COVID-19. However, the data indicate that successful therapeutic intervention in psoriasis, by systemic biologic or topical treatment, can efficiently reduce furin levels in blood cells, possibly limiting the risk of psoriasis patients for a severe COVID-19 course. Clinical Trial Registration:ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier NCT02752672.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Graier
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Nicole Golob-Schwarzl
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Wolfgang Weger
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Theresa Benezeder
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Clemens Painsi
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology, State Hospital, Klagenfurt, Austria
| | - Wolfgang Salmhofer
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Peter Wolf
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
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80
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Nejabat M, Ghodsi R, Hadizadeh F. Coumarins and Quinolones as Effective Multiple Targeted Agents Versus Covid-19: An in Silico Study. Med Chem 2021; 18:220-237. [PMID: 33563156 DOI: 10.2174/1573406417666210208223924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2020] [Revised: 11/08/2020] [Accepted: 11/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Covid-19 virus emerged a few months ago in China and infections rapidly escalated into a pandemic. OBJECTIVE To date, there is no selective antiviral agent for the management of pathologies associated with covid-19 and the need for an effective agent against it is essential. METHOD In this work two home-made databases from synthetic quinolines and coumarins were virtually docked against viral proteases (3CL and PL), human cell surface proteases (TMPRSS2 and furin) and spike proteins (S1 and S2). Chloroquine, a reference drug without a clear mechanism against coronavirus was also docked on mentioned targets and the binding affinities compared with title compounds. RESULT The best compounds of synthetic coumarins and quinolines for each target were determined. All compounds against all targets showed binding affinity between -5.80 to -8.99 kcal/mol in comparison with the FDA-approved drug, Chloroquine, with binding affinity of -5.7 to -7.98 kcal/mol. Two compounds, quinoline-1 and coumarin-24, were found to be effective on three targets - S2, TMPRSS2 and furin - simultaneously, with good predicted affinity between -7.54 to -8.85 kcal/mol. In silico ADME studies also confirmed good oral absorption for them. Furthermore, PASS prediction was calculated and coumarin-24 had higher probable activity (Pa) than probable inactivity (Pi) with acceptable protease inhibitory as well as good antiviral activity against Hepatitis C virus (HCV), Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and influenza. CONCLUSION Quinoline-1 and Coumarin-24 have the potential to be used against Covid-19. Hence these agents could be useful in combating covid-19 infection after further in vitro and in vivo studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mojgan Nejabat
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, . Iran
| | - Razieh Ghodsi
- Biotechnology Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, . Iran
| | - Farzin Hadizadeh
- Biotechnology Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, . Iran
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81
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Wang W, Wei Q, Hao Q, Zhang Y, Li Y, Bi Y, Jin Z, Liu H, Liu X, Yang Z, Xiao S. Cellular CARD11 Inhibits the Fusogenic Activity of Newcastle Disease Virus via CBM Signalosome-Mediated Furin Reduction in Chicken Fibroblasts. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:607451. [PMID: 33603723 PMCID: PMC7884349 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.607451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2020] [Accepted: 01/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Newcastle disease virus (NDV) causes an infectious disease that poses a major threat to poultry health. Our previous study identified a chicken brain-specific caspase recruitment domain-containing protein 11 (CARD11) that was upregulated in chicken neurons and inhibited NDV replication. This raises the question of whether CARD11 plays a role in inhibiting viruses in non-neural cells. Here, chicken fibroblasts were used as a non-neural cell model to investigate the role. CARD11 expression was not significantly upregulated by either velogenic or lentogenic NDV infection in chicken fibroblasts. Viral replication was decreased in DF-1 cells stably overexpressing CARD11, while viral growth was significantly increased in the CARD11-knockdown DF-1 cell line. Moreover, CARD11 colocalized with the viral P protein and aggregated around the fibroblast nucleus, suggesting that an interaction existed between CARD11 and the viral P protein; this interaction was further examined by suppressing viral RNA polymerase activity by using a minigenome assay. Viral replication was inhibited by CARD11 in fibroblasts, and this result was consistent with our previous report in chicken neurons. Importantly, CARD11 was observed to reduce the syncytia induced by either velogenic virus infection or viral haemagglutinin-neuraminidase (HN) and F cotransfection in fibroblasts. We found that CARD11 inhibited the expression of the host protease furin, which is essential for cleavage of the viral F protein to trigger fusogenic activity. Furthermore, the CARD11-Bcl10-MALT1 (CBM) signalosome was found to suppress furin expression, which resulted in a reduction in the cleavage efficiency of the viral F protein to further inhibit viral syncytia. Taken together, our findings mainly demonstrated a novel CARD11 inhibitory mechanism for viral fusogenic activity in chicken fibroblasts, and this mechanism explains the antiviral roles of this molecule in NDV pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenbin Wang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China.,Poultry Institute, Shandong Academy of Agricultural Science, Jinan, China
| | - Qiaolin Wei
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
| | - Qiqi Hao
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
| | - Yajie Zhang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
| | - Yongshan Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
| | - Youkun Bi
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
| | - Zhongyuan Jin
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
| | - Haijin Liu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
| | - Xuelan Liu
- Poultry Institute, Shandong Academy of Agricultural Science, Jinan, China
| | - Zengqi Yang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
| | - Sa Xiao
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
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O'Sullivan MJ, Mitchel JA, Mwase C, McGill M, Kanki P, Park JA. In well-differentiated primary human bronchial epithelial cells, TGF- β1 and TGF- β2 induce expression of furin. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol 2021; 320:L246-L253. [PMID: 33174447 PMCID: PMC7900917 DOI: 10.1152/ajplung.00423.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2020] [Revised: 11/04/2020] [Accepted: 11/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic is an ongoing threat to public health. Since the identification of COVID-19, the disease caused by SARS-CoV-2, no drugs have been developed to specifically target SARS-CoV-2. To develop effective and safe treatment options, a better understanding of cellular mechanisms underlying SARS-CoV-2 infection is required. To fill this knowledge gap, researchers require reliable experimental systems that express the host factor proteins necessary for the cellular entry of SARS-CoV-2. These proteins include the viral receptor, angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), and the proteases, transmembrane serine protease 2 (TMPRSS2) and furin. A number of studies have reported cell-type-specific expression of the genes encoding these molecules. However, less is known about the protein expression of these molecules. We assessed the suitability of primary human bronchial epithelial (HBE) cells maintained in an air-liquid interface (ALI) as an experimental system for studying SARS-CoV-2 infection in vitro. During cellular differentiation, we measured the expression of ACE2, TMPRSS2, and furin over progressive ALI days by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), Western blot, and immunofluorescence staining. We also explored the effect of the fibrotic cytokine TGF-β on the expression of these proteins in well-differentiated HBE cells. Like ACE2, TMPRSS2 and furin proteins are localized in differentiated ciliated cells, as confirmed by immunofluorescence staining. These data suggest that well-differentiated HBE cells maintained in ALI are a reliable in vitro system for investigating cellular mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2 infection. We further identified that the profibrotic mediators, TGF-β1 and TGF-β2, increase the expression of furin, which is a protease required for the cellular entry of SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael J O'Sullivan
- Program in Molecular and Integrative Physiological Sciences, Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Jennifer A Mitchel
- Program in Molecular and Integrative Physiological Sciences, Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Chimwemwe Mwase
- Program in Molecular and Integrative Physiological Sciences, Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Maureen McGill
- Program in Molecular and Integrative Physiological Sciences, Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Phyllis Kanki
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Jin-Ah Park
- Program in Molecular and Integrative Physiological Sciences, Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
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Abstract
Extracellular proteases can activate the epithelial Na channel (ENaC) by cleavage of the γ subunit. Here, we investigated the cleavage state of the channel in the kidneys of mice and rats on a low-salt diet. We identified the cleaved species of channels expressed in Fisher rat thyroid cells by coexpressing the apical membrane-bound protease channel-activating protease 1 (CAP1; prostasin). To compare the peptides produced in the heterologous system with those in the mouse kidney, we treated both lysates with PNGaseF to remove N-linked glycosylation. The apparent molecular mass of the smallest COOH-terminal fragment of γENaC (52 kDa) was indistinguishable from that of the CAP1-induced species in Fisher rat thyroid cells. Similar cleaved peptides were observed in total and cell surface fractions of the rat kidney. This outcome suggests that most of the subunits at the surface have been processed by extracellular proteases. This was confirmed using nonreducing gels, in which the NH2- and COOH-terminal fragments of γENaC are linked by a disulfide bond. Under these conditions, the major cleaved form in the rat kidney had an apparent molecular mass of 56 kDa, ∼4 kDa lower than that of the full-length form, consistent with excision of a short peptide by two proteolytic events. We conclude that the most abundant γENaC species in the apical membrane of rat and mouse kidneys on a low-Na diet is the twice-cleaved, presumably activated form.NEW & NOTEWORTHY We have identified the major aldosterone-dependent cleaved form of the epithelial Na channel (ENaC) γ subunit in the kidney as a twice-cleaved peptide. This form appears to be identical in size with a subunit cleaved in vitro by the extracellular protease channel-activating protease 1 (prostasin). In the absence of reducing agents, it has an overall molecular mass less than that of the intact subunit, consistent with the excision of an inhibitory domain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gustavo Frindt
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Weill Cornell School of Medicine, New York, New York
| | - Shujie Shi
- Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Thomas R Kleyman
- Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.,Department of Cell Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.,Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Lawrence G Palmer
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Weill Cornell School of Medicine, New York, New York
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84
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Yuan Y, Raj P, Zhang J, Siddhanta S, Barman I, Bulte JWM. Furin-Mediated Self-Assembly of Olsalazine Nanoparticles for Targeted Raman Imaging of Tumors. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2021; 60:3923-3927. [PMID: 33325142 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202014839] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Olsalazine (Olsa) is a broad-spectrum anti-cancer agent acting as a DNA-methylation inhibitor. When conjugated to 2-cyano-6-aminobenzothiazole and a peptide substrate specific for the tumor-overexpressed enzyme furin, it can self-assemble into nanoparticles that can be detected by chemical-exchange saturation-transfer magnetic-resonance imaging (CEST MRI). We report here that these nano-assemblies can also be detected with high specificity in furin-overexpressing tumor cells by Raman spectroscopy with a distinct scattering signature and demonstrate the utility of this sensing mechanism in vitro and in vivo. Our findings suggest that Raman spectroscopy could be used for high-resolution image-guided surgery to precisely delineate tumor margins during and after resection in real-time as well as to determine microscopic tumor invasion and multifocal locoregional tumor spread, which are currently impossible to visualize with available imaging technologies, including CEST MRI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Yuan
- The Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Division of MR Research, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.,Cellular Imaging Section and Vascular Biology Program, Institute for Cell Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.,Department of Chemistry, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Piyush Raj
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Jia Zhang
- The Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Division of MR Research, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Soumik Siddhanta
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.,Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, Hauz Khas, New Delhi, 110016, India
| | - Ishan Barman
- The Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Division of MR Research, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.,Department of Mechanical Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.,Department of Oncology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Jeff W M Bulte
- The Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Division of MR Research, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.,Cellular Imaging Section and Vascular Biology Program, Institute for Cell Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
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85
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Condor Capcha JM, Lambert G, Dykxhoorn DM, Salerno AG, Hare JM, Whitt MA, Pahwa S, Jayaweera DT, Shehadeh LA. Generation of SARS-CoV-2 Spike Pseudotyped Virus for Viral Entry and Neutralization Assays: A 1-Week Protocol. Front Cardiovasc Med 2021; 7:618651. [PMID: 33521067 PMCID: PMC7843445 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2020.618651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2020] [Accepted: 12/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus requires reliable assays for studying viral entry mechanisms which remains poorly understood. This knowledge is important for the development of therapeutic approaches to control SARS-CoV-2 infection by permitting the screening for neutralizing antibodies and other agents that can block infection. This is particularly important for patients who are at high risk for severe outcomes related to COVID-19. The production of pseudotyped viral particles may seem like a daunting task for a non-virology laboratory without experience in the two most commonly used pseudotyping systems, namely retro/lentiviruses and vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) which lacks the VSV envelope glycoprotein (VSVΔG). By incorporating the most up-to-date knowledge, we have developed a detailed, easy-to-follow novel protocol for producing SARS-CoV-2 spike-bearing pseudovirus using the VSV-ΔG system. We describe the infection assay which uses GFP fluorescence as a measure of infection in a 24-well live imaging system. We present results of our optimization of the system to enhance viral infection levels through the over-expression of human ACE2 receptor and the overexpression of at least one of two proteases - TMPRSS2 or Furin, as well as, supplementation with Poloxamer 407 (P407) and Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) as adjuvants. We show that the system works efficiently in three unrelated, clinically relevant cell lines: human 293T (renal epithelial) cells, human Calu-3 (lung epithelial) cells, and the non-human primate (African Green Monkey) cell line, Vero-E6 (renal epithelial) cells. In addition, we have used this system to show infection of human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (iPS-CMs). This system is efficient (virus generation, titration, and infection assays can be performed in 1 week), quantitative, inexpensive, and readily scalable for application in drug development and therapeutic screening approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jose Manuel Condor Capcha
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States.,Interdisciplinary Stem Cell Institute, University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Guerline Lambert
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Derek M Dykxhoorn
- Dr. John T. Macdonald Foundation Department of Human Genetics, John P. Hussman Institute for Human Genomics, University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Alessandro G Salerno
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States.,Interdisciplinary Stem Cell Institute, University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Joshua M Hare
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States.,Interdisciplinary Stem Cell Institute, University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Michael A Whitt
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Biochemistry, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, United States
| | - Savita Pahwa
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Dushyantha T Jayaweera
- Interdisciplinary Stem Cell Institute, University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States.,Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Lina A Shehadeh
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States.,Interdisciplinary Stem Cell Institute, University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States.,Peggy and Harold Katz Family Drug Discovery Center, University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States
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86
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Bitossi C, Frasca F, Viscido A, Oliveto G, Scordio M, Belloni L, Cimino G, Pietropaolo V, Gentile M, d’Ettorre G, Midulla F, Trancassini M, Antonelli G, Pierangeli A, Scagnolari C. SARS-CoV-2 Entry Genes Expression in Relation with Interferon Response in Cystic Fibrosis Patients. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9010093. [PMID: 33401565 PMCID: PMC7824643 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9010093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2020] [Revised: 12/23/2020] [Accepted: 12/29/2020] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The expression rate of SARS-CoV-2 entry genes, angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), the main viral receptor and the proteases, furin and transmembrane serine protease 2 (TMPRSS2) in cystic fibrosis (CF) individuals is poorly known. Hence, we examined their levels in upper respiratory samples of CF patients (n = 46) and healthy controls (n = 45). Moreover, we sought to understand the interplay of type I interferon (IFN-I) with ACE2, furin and TMPRSS2 by evaluating their gene expression with respect to ISG15, a well-known marker of IFN activation, in upper respiratory samples and after ex vivo IFNβ exposure. Lower ACE2 levels and trends toward the reduction of furin and TMPRSS2 were found in CF patients compared with the healthy controls; decreased ACE2 amounts were also detected in CF individuals with pancreatic insufficiency and in those receiving inhaled antibiotics. Moreover, there was a strong positive correlation between ISG15 and ACE2 levels. However, after ex vivo IFNβ stimulation of nasopharyngeal cells, the truncated isoform (dACE2), recently demonstrated as the IFN stimulated one with respect to the full-length isoform (flACE2), slightly augmented in cells from CF patients whereas in those from healthy donors, dACE2 levels showed variable levels of upregulation. An altered expression of SARS-COV-2 entry genes and a poor responsiveness of dACE2 to IFN-I stimulation might be crucial in the diffusion of SARS-CoV-2 infection in CF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camilla Bitossi
- Laboratory of Virology, Department of Molecular Medicine, Istituto Pasteur Italia, Sapienza University, 00161 Rome, Italy; (C.B.); (F.F.); (A.V.); (G.O.); (M.S.); (M.G.); (G.A.); (A.P.)
| | - Federica Frasca
- Laboratory of Virology, Department of Molecular Medicine, Istituto Pasteur Italia, Sapienza University, 00161 Rome, Italy; (C.B.); (F.F.); (A.V.); (G.O.); (M.S.); (M.G.); (G.A.); (A.P.)
| | - Agnese Viscido
- Laboratory of Virology, Department of Molecular Medicine, Istituto Pasteur Italia, Sapienza University, 00161 Rome, Italy; (C.B.); (F.F.); (A.V.); (G.O.); (M.S.); (M.G.); (G.A.); (A.P.)
| | - Giuseppe Oliveto
- Laboratory of Virology, Department of Molecular Medicine, Istituto Pasteur Italia, Sapienza University, 00161 Rome, Italy; (C.B.); (F.F.); (A.V.); (G.O.); (M.S.); (M.G.); (G.A.); (A.P.)
| | - Mirko Scordio
- Laboratory of Virology, Department of Molecular Medicine, Istituto Pasteur Italia, Sapienza University, 00161 Rome, Italy; (C.B.); (F.F.); (A.V.); (G.O.); (M.S.); (M.G.); (G.A.); (A.P.)
| | - Laura Belloni
- Department of Internal Medicine, Sapienza University, 00161 Rome, Italy;
| | - Giuseppe Cimino
- Lazio Reference Center for Cystic Fibrosis, Policlinico Umberto I University Hospital, Sapienza University, 00161 Rome, Italy;
| | - Valeria Pietropaolo
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University, 00161 Rome, Italy; (V.P.); (G.d.); (M.T.)
- Microbiology and Virology Unit, Policlinico Umberto I University Hospital, Sapienza University, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Massimo Gentile
- Laboratory of Virology, Department of Molecular Medicine, Istituto Pasteur Italia, Sapienza University, 00161 Rome, Italy; (C.B.); (F.F.); (A.V.); (G.O.); (M.S.); (M.G.); (G.A.); (A.P.)
- Microbiology and Virology Unit, Policlinico Umberto I University Hospital, Sapienza University, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Gabriella d’Ettorre
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University, 00161 Rome, Italy; (V.P.); (G.d.); (M.T.)
| | - Fabio Midulla
- Department of Maternal Science, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy;
| | - Maria Trancassini
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University, 00161 Rome, Italy; (V.P.); (G.d.); (M.T.)
- Microbiology and Virology Unit, Policlinico Umberto I University Hospital, Sapienza University, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Guido Antonelli
- Laboratory of Virology, Department of Molecular Medicine, Istituto Pasteur Italia, Sapienza University, 00161 Rome, Italy; (C.B.); (F.F.); (A.V.); (G.O.); (M.S.); (M.G.); (G.A.); (A.P.)
- Microbiology and Virology Unit, Policlinico Umberto I University Hospital, Sapienza University, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandra Pierangeli
- Laboratory of Virology, Department of Molecular Medicine, Istituto Pasteur Italia, Sapienza University, 00161 Rome, Italy; (C.B.); (F.F.); (A.V.); (G.O.); (M.S.); (M.G.); (G.A.); (A.P.)
| | - Carolina Scagnolari
- Laboratory of Virology, Department of Molecular Medicine, Istituto Pasteur Italia, Sapienza University, 00161 Rome, Italy; (C.B.); (F.F.); (A.V.); (G.O.); (M.S.); (M.G.); (G.A.); (A.P.)
- Correspondence:
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87
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He Y, Zhu H, Zhang M, Li J, Ma S, Lu Y, Chen L, Zhang M, Peng H. Association Between Serum Furin and Fasting Glucose: A Cross-Sectional Study in Chinese Adults. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2021; 12:781890. [PMID: 35046896 PMCID: PMC8761844 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2021.781890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2021] [Accepted: 12/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Furin has been associated with glucose metabolic phenotypes in small sampled clinical studies. However, this association has not yet been studied in Chinese. Here, we aimed to examine the association between serum furin and fasting glucose in Chinese adults. METHODS Serum furin and fasting plasma glucose were assayed for 2,172 participants (mean aged 53 years, 38% men) in the Gusu cohort. A median regression model was applied to examine the association between serum furin and fasting glucose, adjusting for age, sex, education level, cigarette smoking, alcohol drinking, obesity, blood pressure, and lipids. To facilitate data interpretation, the association between serum furin and prevalent diabetes was also examined. RESULTS Serum furin was negatively associated with fasting glucose (β=-0.18, P<0.001 for log-furin). In participants with diabetes, serum furin was significantly lower than those with normal glucose (median: 0.90 ng/mL vs. 1.05 ng/mL, P=0.001). Compared with participants in the highest quartile of serum furin, those in the lowest quartile had 42% and 80% increased risk of prevalent prediabetes (OR=1.42, 95%CI: 1.05-1.92, P=0.023) and diabetes (OR=1.80, 95%CI: 1.13-2.91, P=0.015), respectively. CONCLUSIONS Serum furin was negatively associated with prediabetes and diabetes in Chinese adults. Our findings suggest that serum furin may be a risk factor or a biomarker of diabetes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan He
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Hanyun Zhu
- Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Min Zhang
- Central Office, Suzhou National New and Hi-Tech Industrial Development Zone Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Suzhou, China
| | - Jing Li
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Shengqi Ma
- Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Yin Lu
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Linan Chen
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Mingzhi Zhang
- Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Hao Peng, ; Mingzhi Zhang,
| | - Hao Peng
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Preventive and Translational Medicine for Geriatric Diseases, Suzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Hao Peng, ; Mingzhi Zhang,
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88
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Al Rifai O, Susan-Resiga D, Essalmani R, Creemers JWM, Seidah NG, Ferron M. In Vivo Analysis of the Contribution of Proprotein Convertases to the Processing of FGF23. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2021; 12:690681. [PMID: 34149625 PMCID: PMC8213403 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2021.690681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2021] [Accepted: 05/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) is a hormone secreted from fully differentiated osteoblasts and osteocytes that inhibits phosphate reabsorption by kidney proximal tubules. The full-length (i.e., intact) protein mediates FGF23 endocrine functions, while endoproteolytic cleavage at a consensus cleavage sequence for the proprotein convertases (PCs) inactivates FGF23. Two PCs, furin and PC5, were shown to cleave FGF23 in vitro at RHTR179↓, but whether they are fulfilling this function in vivo is currently unknown. To address this question, we used here mice lacking either or both furin and PC5 in cell-specific manners and mice lacking the paired basic amino acid-cleaving enzyme 4 (PACE4) in all cells. Our analysis shows that furin inactivation in osteoblasts and osteocytes results in a 25% increase in circulating intact FGF23, without any significant impact on serum phosphate levels, whether mice are maintained on a normal or a low phosphate diet. Under conditions of iron deficiency, FGF23 is normally processed in control mice, but its processing is impaired in mice lacking furin in osteoblasts and osteocytes. In contrast, FGF23 is normally cleaved following erythropoietin or IL-1β injections in mice lacking furin or both furin and PC5, and in PACE4-deficient mice. Altogether, these studies suggest that furin is only partially responsible for FGF23 cleavage under certain conditions in vivo. The processing of FGF23 may therefore involve the redundant action of multiple PCs or of other peptidases in osteoblasts, osteocytes and hematopoietic cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Omar Al Rifai
- Unité de recherche en physiologie moléculaire, Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Programme de biologie moléculaire, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Delia Susan-Resiga
- Unité de recherche en biochimie neuroendocrinienne, Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Rachid Essalmani
- Unité de recherche en biochimie neuroendocrinienne, Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - John W. M. Creemers
- Department of Human Genetics, Katholieke Universiteit (KU) Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Nabil G. Seidah
- Unité de recherche en biochimie neuroendocrinienne, Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Mathieu Ferron
- Unité de recherche en physiologie moléculaire, Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Programme de biologie moléculaire, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Département de Médecine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Division of Experimental Medicine, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
- *Correspondence: Mathieu Ferron,
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89
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Adu-Agyeiwaah Y, Grant MB, Obukhov AG. The Potential Role of Osteopontin and Furin in Worsening Disease Outcomes in COVID-19 Patients with Pre-Existing Diabetes. Cells 2020; 9:cells9112528. [PMID: 33238570 PMCID: PMC7700577 DOI: 10.3390/cells9112528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2020] [Revised: 11/10/2020] [Accepted: 11/20/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has caused the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, with more than 50 million cases reported globally. Findings have consistently identified an increased severity of SARS-CoV-2 infection in individuals with diabetes. Osteopontin, a cytokine-like matrix-associated phosphoglycoprotein, is elevated in diabetes and drives the expression of furin, a proprotein convertase implicated in the proteolytic processing and activation of several precursors, including chemokines, growth factors, hormones, adhesion molecules, and receptors. Elevated serum furin is a signature of diabetes mellitus progression and is associated with a dysmetabolic phenotype and increased risk of diabetes-linked premature mortality. Additionally, furin plays an important role in enhancing the infectivity of SARS-CoV-2 by promoting its entry and replication in the host cell. Here, we hypothesize that diabetes-induced osteopontin and furin protein upregulation results in worse outcomes in diabetic patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection owing to the roles of these protein in promoting viral infection and increasing metabolic dysfunction. Thus, targeting the osteopontin-furin axis may be a plausible strategy for reducing mortality in SARS-CoV-2 patients with diabetes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yvonne Adu-Agyeiwaah
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, School of Medicine, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA; (Y.A.-A.); (M.B.G.)
| | - Maria B. Grant
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, School of Medicine, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA; (Y.A.-A.); (M.B.G.)
| | - Alexander G. Obukhov
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology & Physiology, The Indiana University School of Medicine, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-317-274-8078
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90
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Baig AM. Can Neurotropic Free-Living Amoeba Serve as a Model to Study SARS-CoV-2 Pathogenesis? ACS Chem Neurosci 2020; 11:3697-3700. [PMID: 33119251 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.0c00653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Of the single-celled eukaryotic microbes, Naegleria fowleri, Balamuthia mandrillaris, and Acanthamoeba spp. are known to cause fatal encephalitis in humans. Being eukaryotes, these cells have been used as a model for studying and understanding complex cellular processes in humans like cell motility, phagocytosis, and metabolism. The ongoing pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 that infects multiple organs has emerged as a challenge to unravel its mode of infection and the pathogenicity resulting in eukaryotic cell death. Working with these single-celled eukaryotic microbes provided us the opportunity to plan bioinformatic approaches to look into the likelihood of studying the known and alternative mode of infection of the SARS-CoV-2 in eukaryotic cells. Genome databases of N. fowleri, B. mandrillaris, and Acanthamoeba spp. were used to explore the expression of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), androgen-regulated serine protease precursor (TMPRSS2), CD4, CD147, and furin that are known to be cardinal for SARS-CoV-2 in recognition and binding to human cells. It was hypothesized that if a receptor-dependent or phagocytosis-assisted SARS-CoV-2 uptake does occur in free-living amoebae (FLA), this model can provide an alternative to human cells to study cellular recognition and binding of SARS-CoV-2 that can help design drugs and treatment modalities in COVID-19. We show that, of the FLA, ACE2 and TMPRSS2 are not expressed in Acanthamoeba spp. and B. mandrillaris, but primitive forms of these cell recognition proteins were seen to be encoded in N. fowleri. Acanthamoeba spp. and N. fowleri encode for human-like furin which is a known SARS-CoV-2 spike protein involved in host cell recognition and binding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdul Mannan Baig
- Department of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Aga Khan University, Karachi 74800, Pakistan
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91
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Yang Q, Hughes TA, Kelkar A, Yu X, Cheng K, Park S, Huang WC, Lovell JF, Neelamegham S. Inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 viral entry upon blocking N- and O-glycan elaboration. eLife 2020; 9:e61552. [PMID: 33103998 PMCID: PMC7685702 DOI: 10.7554/elife.61552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 121] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2020] [Accepted: 10/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The Spike protein of SARS-CoV-2, its receptor-binding domain (RBD), and its primary receptor ACE2 are extensively glycosylated. The impact of this post-translational modification on viral entry is yet unestablished. We expressed different glycoforms of the Spike-protein and ACE2 in CRISPR-Cas9 glycoengineered cells, and developed corresponding SARS-CoV-2 pseudovirus. We observed that N- and O-glycans had only minor contribution to Spike-ACE2 binding. However, these carbohydrates played a major role in regulating viral entry. Blocking N-glycan biosynthesis at the oligomannose stage using both genetic approaches and the small molecule kifunensine dramatically reduced viral entry into ACE2 expressing HEK293T cells. Blocking O-glycan elaboration also partially blocked viral entry. Mechanistic studies suggest multiple roles for glycans during viral entry. Among them, inhibition of N-glycan biosynthesis enhanced Spike-protein proteolysis. This could reduce RBD presentation on virus, lowering binding to host ACE2 and decreasing viral entry. Overall, chemical inhibitors of glycosylation may be evaluated for COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Yang
- Chemical & Biological Engineering, State University of New YorkBuffaloUnited States
| | - Thomas A Hughes
- Chemical & Biological Engineering, State University of New YorkBuffaloUnited States
| | - Anju Kelkar
- Chemical & Biological Engineering, State University of New YorkBuffaloUnited States
| | - Xinheng Yu
- Chemical & Biological Engineering, State University of New YorkBuffaloUnited States
| | - Kai Cheng
- Chemical & Biological Engineering, State University of New YorkBuffaloUnited States
| | - Sheldon Park
- Chemical & Biological Engineering, State University of New YorkBuffaloUnited States
| | - Wei-Chiao Huang
- Biomedical Engineering, State University of New YorkBuffaloUnited States
| | - Jonathan F Lovell
- Chemical & Biological Engineering, State University of New YorkBuffaloUnited States
- Biomedical Engineering, State University of New YorkBuffaloUnited States
| | - Sriram Neelamegham
- Chemical & Biological Engineering, State University of New YorkBuffaloUnited States
- Biomedical Engineering, State University of New YorkBuffaloUnited States
- Medicine, State University of New YorkBuffaloUnited States
- Clinical & Translational Research CenterBuffaloUnited States
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92
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Bai L, Chang HM, Zhang L, Zhu YM, Leung PCK. BMP2 increases the production of BDNF through the upregulation of proBDNF and furin expression in human granulosa-lutein cells. FASEB J 2020; 34:16129-16143. [PMID: 33047388 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202000940r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2020] [Revised: 08/26/2020] [Accepted: 09/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Locally produced in human granulosa cells of the developing follicle, bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2) plays a crucial role in the regulation of ovarian folliculogenesis and luteal formation. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is an intraovarian neurotrophic factor that has been shown to promote oocyte maturation and subsequent fertilization competency. At present, little is known regarding the intracellular regulation, assembly and secretion of endogenous BDNF in human granulosa cells. The aim of this study was to explore the effect of BMP2 on the expression and production of BDNF in human granulosa cells and the molecular mechanisms underlying this effect. An immortalized human granulosa cell line (SVOG) and primary human granulosa-lutein (hGL) cells were utilized as in vitro study models. Our results showed that BMP2 significantly increased the mRNA and secreted levels of BDNF. Additionally, BMP2 upregulated the expression of furin at the transcriptional and translational levels. Knockdown of endogenous furin partially attenuated the BMP2-induced increase in BDNF production, indicating that furin is involved in the maturation process of BDNF. Using pharmacological (kinase receptor inhibitors) and siRNA-mediated inhibition approaches, we demonstrated that BMP2-induced upregulation of BDNF and furin expression is most likely mediated by the activin receptor-like kinase (ALK)2/ALK3-SMAD4 signaling pathway. Notably, analysis using clinical samples revealed that there was a positive correlation between follicular fluid concentrations of BMP2 and those of BDNF. These results indicate that BMP2 increases the production of mature BDNF by upregulating the precursor BDNF and promoting the proteolytic processing of mature BDNF. Finally, we also investigated the effects of BMP2 on ovarian steroidogenesis and the results showed that BMP2 treatment significantly increased the accumulated level of estradiol (by upregulating the expression of FSH receptor and cytochrome P450 aromatase), whereas it decreased the accumulated level of progesterone (by downregulating the expression of LH receptors and steroidogenic acute regulatory protein) in primary hGL cells. Our findings provide a novel paracrine mechanism underlying the regulation of an intraovarian growth factor in human granulosa cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Long Bai
- Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Women's Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of British Columbia, BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Hsun-Ming Chang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of British Columbia, BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Liang Zhang
- Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science, Zhejiang Academy of Agriculture Science, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yi-Min Zhu
- Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Women's Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Peter C K Leung
- Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Women's Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of British Columbia, BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada
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93
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Margolin E, Oh YJ, Verbeek M, Naude J, Ponndorf D, Meshcheriakova YA, Peyret H, van Diepen MT, Chapman R, Meyers AE, Lomonossoff GP, Matoba N, Williamson A, Rybicki EP. Co-expression of human calreticulin significantly improves the production of HIV gp140 and other viral glycoproteins in plants. Plant Biotechnol J 2020; 18:2109-2117. [PMID: 32096288 PMCID: PMC7540014 DOI: 10.1111/pbi.13369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2019] [Revised: 02/10/2020] [Accepted: 02/17/2020] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Plant molecular farming (PMF) is rapidly gaining traction as a viable alternative to the currently accepted paradigm of producing biologics. While the platform is potentially cheaper and more scalable than conventional manufacturing systems, expression yields and appropriate post-translational modifications along the plant secretory pathway remain a challenge for certain proteins. Viral fusion glycoproteins in particular are often expressed at low yields in plants and, in some cases, may not be appropriately processed. Recently, however, transiently or stably engineering the host plant has shown promise as a strategy for producing heterologous proteins with more complex maturation requirements. In this study we investigated the co-expression of a suite of human chaperones to improve the production of a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) type 1 soluble gp140 vaccine candidate in Nicotiana benthamiana plants. The co-expression of calreticulin (CRT) resulted in a dramatic increase in Env expression and ameliorated the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress response - as evidenced by lower transcript abundance of representative stress-responsive genes. The co-expression of CRT similarly improved accumulation of glycoproteins from Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) and chikungunya virus (CHIKV), suggesting that the endogenous chaperone machinery may impose a bottleneck for their production. We subsequently successfully combined the co-expression of human CRT with the transient expression of human furin, to enable the production of an appropriately cleaved HIV gp140 antigen. These transient plant host engineering strategies are a promising approach for the production of high yields of appropriately processed and cleaved viral glycoproteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmanuel Margolin
- Division of Medical VirologyDepartment of PathologyFaculty of Health SciencesUniversity of Cape TownCape TownSouth Africa
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Infectious Disease Research in AfricaUniversity of Cape TownCape TownSouth Africa
- Faculty of Health SciencesInstitute of Infectious Disease and Molecular MedicineUniversity of Cape TownCape TownSouth Africa
- Biopharming Research UnitDepartment of Molecular and Cell BiologyUniversity of Cape TownCape TownSouth Africa
| | - Youngjun J. Oh
- Department of Pharmacology and ToxicologyUniversity of Louisville School of MedicineLouisvilleKYUSA
| | - Matthew Verbeek
- Biopharming Research UnitDepartment of Molecular and Cell BiologyUniversity of Cape TownCape TownSouth Africa
| | - Jason Naude
- Biopharming Research UnitDepartment of Molecular and Cell BiologyUniversity of Cape TownCape TownSouth Africa
| | - Daniel Ponndorf
- Department of Biological ChemistryJohn Innes CentreNorwichUK
| | | | - Hadrien Peyret
- Department of Biological ChemistryJohn Innes CentreNorwichUK
| | - Michiel T. van Diepen
- Division of Medical VirologyDepartment of PathologyFaculty of Health SciencesUniversity of Cape TownCape TownSouth Africa
- Faculty of Health SciencesInstitute of Infectious Disease and Molecular MedicineUniversity of Cape TownCape TownSouth Africa
| | - Ros Chapman
- Division of Medical VirologyDepartment of PathologyFaculty of Health SciencesUniversity of Cape TownCape TownSouth Africa
- Faculty of Health SciencesInstitute of Infectious Disease and Molecular MedicineUniversity of Cape TownCape TownSouth Africa
| | - Ann E. Meyers
- Biopharming Research UnitDepartment of Molecular and Cell BiologyUniversity of Cape TownCape TownSouth Africa
| | | | - Nobuyuki Matoba
- Department of Pharmacology and ToxicologyUniversity of Louisville School of MedicineLouisvilleKYUSA
| | - Anna‐Lise Williamson
- Division of Medical VirologyDepartment of PathologyFaculty of Health SciencesUniversity of Cape TownCape TownSouth Africa
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Infectious Disease Research in AfricaUniversity of Cape TownCape TownSouth Africa
- Faculty of Health SciencesInstitute of Infectious Disease and Molecular MedicineUniversity of Cape TownCape TownSouth Africa
| | - Edward P. Rybicki
- Faculty of Health SciencesInstitute of Infectious Disease and Molecular MedicineUniversity of Cape TownCape TownSouth Africa
- Biopharming Research UnitDepartment of Molecular and Cell BiologyUniversity of Cape TownCape TownSouth Africa
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94
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Cheng YW, Chao TL, Li CL, Chiu MF, Kao HC, Wang SH, Pang YH, Lin CH, Tsai YM, Lee WH, Tao MH, Ho TC, Wu PY, Jang LT, Chen PJ, Chang SY, Yeh SH. Furin Inhibitors Block SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein Cleavage to Suppress Virus Production and Cytopathic Effects. Cell Rep 2020; 33:108254. [PMID: 33007239 PMCID: PMC7510585 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2020.108254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 163] [Impact Index Per Article: 40.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2020] [Revised: 08/31/2020] [Accepted: 09/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Development of specific antiviral agents is an urgent unmet need for SARS-coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. This study focuses on host proteases that proteolytically activate the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, critical for its fusion after binding to angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), as antiviral targets. We first validate cleavage at a putative furin substrate motif at SARS-CoV-2 spikes by expressing it in VeroE6 cells and find prominent syncytium formation. Cleavage and the syncytium are abolished by treatment with the furin inhibitors decanoyl-RVKR-chloromethylketone (CMK) and naphthofluorescein, but not by the transmembrane protease serine 2 (TMPRSS2) inhibitor camostat. CMK and naphthofluorescein show antiviral effects on SARS-CoV-2-infected cells by decreasing virus production and cytopathic effects. Further analysis reveals that, similar to camostat, CMK blocks virus entry, but it further suppresses cleavage of spikes and the syncytium. Naphthofluorescein acts primarily by suppressing viral RNA transcription. Therefore, furin inhibitors may be promising antiviral agents for prevention and treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infection. The furin cleavage site in the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein mediates syncytium formation The SARS-CoV-2 spike-mediated syncytium is suppressed by specific furin inhibitors Furin inhibitors block SARS-CoV-2 virus entry and virus replication Furin inhibitors are potential antiviral agents for SARS-CoV-2 infection and pathogenesis
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Affiliation(s)
- Ya-Wen Cheng
- Department of Microbiology, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei 100, Taiwan
| | - Tai-Ling Chao
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences and Medical Biotechnology, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei 100, Taiwan
| | - Chiao-Ling Li
- Department of Microbiology, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei 100, Taiwan
| | - Mu-Fan Chiu
- Department of Microbiology, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei 100, Taiwan
| | - Han-Chieh Kao
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences and Medical Biotechnology, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei 100, Taiwan
| | - Sheng-Han Wang
- Hepatitis Research Center, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei 100, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Hao Pang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences and Medical Biotechnology, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei 100, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Hui Lin
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences and Medical Biotechnology, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei 100, Taiwan
| | - Ya-Min Tsai
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences and Medical Biotechnology, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei 100, Taiwan
| | - Wen-Hau Lee
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences and Medical Biotechnology, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei 100, Taiwan
| | - Mi-Hua Tao
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei 115, Taiwan
| | - Tung-Ching Ho
- Department of Microbiology, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei 100, Taiwan
| | - Ping-Yi Wu
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei 115, Taiwan
| | - Li-Ting Jang
- Biomedical Resource Core at the First Core Labs, Branch Office of Research and Development, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei 100, Taiwan
| | - Pei-Jer Chen
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei 100, Taiwan; Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei 100, Taiwan; National Taiwan University Center for Genomic Medicine, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei 100, Taiwan
| | - Sui-Yuan Chang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences and Medical Biotechnology, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei 100, Taiwan; Department of Laboratory Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei 100, Taiwan.
| | - Shiou-Hwei Yeh
- Department of Microbiology, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei 100, Taiwan; Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences and Medical Biotechnology, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei 100, Taiwan; National Taiwan University Center for Genomic Medicine, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei 100, Taiwan.
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95
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Yu C, Li S, Zhang X, Khan I, Ahmad I, Zhou Y, Li S, Shi J, Wang Y, Zheng YH. MARCH8 Inhibits Ebola Virus Glycoprotein, Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Envelope Glycoprotein, and Avian Influenza Virus H5N1 Hemagglutinin Maturation. mBio 2020; 11:e01882-20. [PMID: 32934085 DOI: 10.1128/mBio.01882-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Enveloped viruses express three classes of fusion proteins that are required for their entry into host cells via mediating virus and cell membrane fusion. Class I fusion proteins are produced from influenza viruses, retroviruses, Ebola viruses, and coronaviruses. They are first synthesized as a type I transmembrane polypeptide precursor that is subsequently glycosylated and oligomerized. Most of these precursors are cleaved en route to the plasma membrane by a cellular protease furin in the late secretory pathway, generating the trimeric N-terminal receptor-binding and C-terminal fusion subunits. Here, we show that a cellular protein, MARCH8, specifically inhibits the furin-mediated cleavage of EBOV GP, HIV-1 Env, and H5N1 HA. Further analyses uncovered that MARCH8 blocked the EBOV GP glycosylation in the Golgi and inhibited its transport from the Golgi to the plasma membrane. Thus, MARCH8 has a very broad antiviral activity by specifically inactivating different viral fusion proteins. Membrane-associated RING-CH-type 8 (MARCH8) strongly blocks human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) envelope glycoprotein (Env) incorporation into virions by downregulating its cell surface expression, but the mechanism is still unclear. We now report that MARCH8 also blocks the Ebola virus (EBOV) glycoprotein (GP) incorporation via surface downregulation. To understand how these viral fusion proteins are downregulated, we investigated the effects of MARCH8 on EBOV GP maturation and externalization via the conventional secretion pathway. MARCH8 interacted with EBOV GP and furin when detected by immunoprecipitation and retained the GP/furin complex in the Golgi when their location was tracked by a bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) assay. MARCH8 did not reduce the GP expression or affect the GP modification by high-mannose N-glycans in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), but it inhibited the formation of complex N-glycans on the GP in the Golgi. Additionally, the GP O-glycosylation and furin-mediated proteolytic cleavage were also inhibited. Moreover, we identified a novel furin cleavage site on EBOV GP and found that only those fully glycosylated GPs were processed by furin and incorporated into virions. Furthermore, the GP shedding and secretion were all blocked by MARCH8. MARCH8 also blocked the furin-mediated cleavage of HIV-1 Env (gp160) and the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus H5N1 hemagglutinin (HA). We conclude that MARCH8 has a very broad antiviral activity by prohibiting different viral fusion proteins from glycosylation and proteolytic cleavage in the Golgi, which inhibits their transport from the Golgi to the plasma membrane and incorporation into virions.
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96
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Sakaguchi W, Kubota N, Shimizu T, Saruta J, Fuchida S, Kawata A, Yamamoto Y, Sugimoto M, Yakeishi M, Tsukinoki K. Existence of SARS-CoV-2 Entry Molecules in the Oral Cavity. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21176000. [PMID: 32825469 PMCID: PMC7503451 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21176000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 122] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2020] [Revised: 08/19/2020] [Accepted: 08/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) receptor, angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), transmembrane protease serine 2 (TMPRSS2), and furin, which promote entry of the virus into the host cell, have been identified as determinants of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Dorsal tongue and gingiva, saliva, and tongue coating samples were examined to determine the presence of these molecules in the oral cavity. Immunohistochemical analyses showed that ACE2 was expressed in the stratified squamous epithelium of the dorsal tongue and gingiva. TMPRSS2 was strongly expressed in stratified squamous epithelium in the keratinized surface layer and detected in the saliva and tongue coating samples via Western blot. Furin was localized mainly in the lower layer of stratified squamous epithelium and detected in the saliva but not tongue coating. ACE2, TMPRSS2, and furin mRNA expression was observed in taste bud-derived cultured cells, which was similar to the immunofluorescence observations. These data showed that essential molecules for SARS-CoV-2 infection were abundant in the oral cavity. However, the database analysis showed that saliva also contains many protease inhibitors. Therefore, although the oral cavity may be the entry route for SARS-CoV-2, other factors including protease inhibitors in the saliva that inhibit viral entry should be considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wakako Sakaguchi
- Division of Environmental Pathology, Department of Oral Science, Kanagawa Dental University, 82 Inaoka, Yokosuka, Kanagawa 238-0003, Japan; (W.S.); (N.K.); (M.Y.); (K.T.)
| | - Nobuhisa Kubota
- Division of Environmental Pathology, Department of Oral Science, Kanagawa Dental University, 82 Inaoka, Yokosuka, Kanagawa 238-0003, Japan; (W.S.); (N.K.); (M.Y.); (K.T.)
| | - Tomoko Shimizu
- Department of Highly Advanced Oral Medicine, Kanagawa Dental University, 3-31-6 Tsuruya-cho, Yokohama, Kanagawa 221-0835, Japan;
| | - Juri Saruta
- Division of Environmental Pathology, Department of Oral Science, Kanagawa Dental University, 82 Inaoka, Yokosuka, Kanagawa 238-0003, Japan; (W.S.); (N.K.); (M.Y.); (K.T.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel./Fax: +81-46-822-9537
| | - Shinya Fuchida
- Division of Dental Sociology, Department of Disaster Medicine and Dental Sociology, Kanagawa Dental University, 82 Inaoka, Yokosuka, Kanagawa 238-0003, Japan;
| | - Akira Kawata
- Division of Histology, Embryology and Neuroanatomy, Department of Oral Science, Kanagawa Dental University, 82 Inaoka, Yokosuka, Kanagawa 238-0003, Japan;
| | - Yuko Yamamoto
- Division of Dental Hygiene, Kanagawa Dental University Junior College, 82 Inaoka, Yokosuka, Kanagawa 238-0003, Japan;
| | - Masahiro Sugimoto
- Research and Development Center for Minimally Invasive Therapies, Medical Research Institute, Tokyo Medical University, 6-1-1 Shinjuku, Tokyo 160-8402, Japan;
| | - Mayumi Yakeishi
- Division of Environmental Pathology, Department of Oral Science, Kanagawa Dental University, 82 Inaoka, Yokosuka, Kanagawa 238-0003, Japan; (W.S.); (N.K.); (M.Y.); (K.T.)
| | - Keiichi Tsukinoki
- Division of Environmental Pathology, Department of Oral Science, Kanagawa Dental University, 82 Inaoka, Yokosuka, Kanagawa 238-0003, Japan; (W.S.); (N.K.); (M.Y.); (K.T.)
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97
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Xing Y, Li X, Gao X, Dong Q. Natural Polymorphisms Are Present in the Furin Cleavage Site of the SARS-CoV-2 Spike Glycoprotein. Front Genet 2020; 11:783. [PMID: 32765596 PMCID: PMC7379507 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2020.00783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2020] [Accepted: 07/01/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The furin cleavage site in the spike glycoprotein of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus is considered important for the virus to enter the host cells. By analyzing 45828 SARS-CoV-2 genome sequences, we identified 103 strains of SARS-CoV-2 with various DNA mutations including 18 unique non-synonymous point mutations, one deletion, and six gains of premature stop codon that may affect the furin cleavage site. Our results revealed that the furin cleavage site might not be required for SARS-CoV-2 to enter human cells in vivo. The identified mutants may represent a new subgroup of SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus with reduced tropism and transmissibility as potential live-attenuated vaccine candidates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Xing
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
| | - Xiao Li
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
| | - Xiang Gao
- Department of Medicine, Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, IL, United States
| | - Qunfeng Dong
- Department of Medicine, Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, IL, United States
- Center for Biomedical Informatics, Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, IL, United States
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98
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Acosta-Elias J, Espinosa-Tanguma R. The Folate Concentration and/or Folic Acid Metabolites in Plasma as Factor for COVID-19 Infection. Front Pharmacol 2020; 11:1062. [PMID: 32765270 PMCID: PMC7379025 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2020.01062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2020] [Accepted: 06/30/2020] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Pregnant women appear to be more susceptible to infectious diseases than women in reproductive age. According to the California Department of Public Health pregnant women were 9.6-folds more likely to be hospitalized during the 2009 influenza outbreak when compared to non-pregnant women in reproductive age. In contrast, it was reported that of 16,749 COVID-19 patients that were hospitalized in the UK, the probability for pregnant women to require in-patient care due to infection by SARS-CoV-2 was 0.95 versus non-pregnant women. Therefore 9.6/0.95 = 10.10, which brings us to the conclusion that pregnant women are 10.10-folds less likely to be hospitalized for a SARS-CoV-2 infection than for the 2009 H1N1 pandemic. Folic acid supplementation during pregnancy could be the factor that is protecting these patients against SARS-CoV-2 infection. Two independent papers that used informatic simulation proved that folic acid reduced the replication of this virus. One of them showed that folic acid inhibits the furin protease which the virus needs in order to enter its host cell, while the other one explained that folic acid inactivates protease 3CL pro , a protein that the virus needs to replicate. Nonetheless the probability that folic acid blocks two different proteins is very low, therefore the mechanism by which folic acid has apparently protected pregnant women during the COVID-19 pandemic has not been determined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesus Acosta-Elias
- Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, San Luis Potosí, Mexico
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99
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Makovoz B, Møller R, Eriksen AZ, tenOever BR, Blenkinsop TA. SARS-CoV-2 Infection of Ocular Cells from Human Adult Donor Eyes and hESC-Derived Eye Organoids. SSRN 2020:3650574. [PMID: 32742243 PMCID: PMC7385483 DOI: 10.2139/ssrn.3650574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2020] [Revised: 07/15/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
The outbreak of COVID-19 caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus has created an unparalleled disruption of global behavior and a significant loss of human lives. To minimize SARS-CoV-2 spread, understanding the mechanisms of infection from all possible viral entry routes is essential. As aerosol transmission is thought to be the primary route of spread, we sought to investigate whether the eyes are potential entry portals for SARS-CoV-2. While virus has been detected in the eye, in order for this mucosal membrane to be a bone fide entry source SARS-CoV-2 would need the capacity to productively infect ocular surface cells. As such, we conducted RNA sequencing in ocular cells isolated from adult human cadaver donor eyes as well as from a pluripotent stem cell-derived whole eye organoid model to evaluate the expression of ACE2 and TMPRSS2, essential proteins that mediate SARS-CoV-2 viral entry. We also infected eye organoids and adult human ocular cells with SARS-CoV-2 and evaluated virus replication and the host response to infection. We found the limbus was most susceptible to infection, whereas the central cornea exhibited only low levels of replication. Transcriptional profiling of the limbus upon SARS-CoV-2 infection, found that while type I or III interferons were not detected in the lung epithelium, a significant inflammatory response was mounted. Together these data suggest that the human eye can be directly infected by SARS-CoV-2 and thus is a route warranting protection. Funding: The National Eye Institute (NEI), Bethesda, MD, USA, extramural grant 1R21EY030215-01 and the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai supported this study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bar Makovoz
- Black Family Stem Cell Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Rasmus Møller
- Department of Microbiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Anne Zebitz Eriksen
- Department of Cell Development and Regenerative Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
- Black Family Stem Cell Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Benjamin R. tenOever
- Department of Microbiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Timothy A Blenkinsop
- Department of Cell Development and Regenerative Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
- Black Family Stem Cell Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
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100
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Cortese M, Kumar A, Matula P, Kaderali L, Scaturro P, Erfle H, Acosta EG, Buehler S, Ruggieri A, Chatel-Chaix L, Rohr K, Bartenschlager R. Reciprocal Effects of Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor Signaling on Dengue Virus Replication and Virion Production. Cell Rep 2020; 27:2579-2592.e6. [PMID: 31141684 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2019.04.105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2018] [Revised: 03/27/2019] [Accepted: 04/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Dengue virus (DENV) is a human arboviral pathogen accounting for 390 million infections every year. The available vaccine has limited efficacy, and DENV-specific drugs have not been generated. To better understand DENV-host cell interaction, we employed RNA interference-based screening of the human kinome and identified fibroblast growth factor receptor 4 (FGFR4) to control the DENV replication cycle. Pharmacological inhibition of FGFR exerts a reciprocal effect by reducing DENV RNA replication and promoting the production of infectious virus particles. Addressing the latter effect, we found that the FGFR signaling pathway modulates intracellular distribution of DENV particles in a PI3K-dependent manner. Upon FGFR inhibition, virions accumulate in the trans-Golgi network compartment, where they undergo enhanced maturation cleavage of the envelope protein precursor membrane (prM), rendering virus particles more infectious. This study reveals an unexpected reciprocal role of a cellular receptor tyrosine kinase regulating DENV RNA replication and the production of infectious virions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirko Cortese
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Molecular Virology, Heidelberg University, Im Neuenheimer Feld 344, Heidelberg 69120, Germany
| | - Anil Kumar
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Molecular Virology, Heidelberg University, Im Neuenheimer Feld 344, Heidelberg 69120, Germany
| | - Petr Matula
- Biomedical Computer Vision Group, Heidelberg University, BioQuant, IPMB, and German Cancer Research Center, Im Neuenheimer Feld 267, Heidelberg 69120, Germany
| | - Lars Kaderali
- ViroQuant Research Group Modeling, BioQuant, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Pietro Scaturro
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Molecular Virology, Heidelberg University, Im Neuenheimer Feld 344, Heidelberg 69120, Germany
| | - Holger Erfle
- Advanced Biological Screening Facility, BioQuant, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg 69120, Germany
| | - Eliana Gisela Acosta
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Molecular Virology, Heidelberg University, Im Neuenheimer Feld 344, Heidelberg 69120, Germany
| | - Sandra Buehler
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Molecular Virology, Heidelberg University, Im Neuenheimer Feld 344, Heidelberg 69120, Germany
| | - Alessia Ruggieri
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Molecular Virology, Heidelberg University, Im Neuenheimer Feld 344, Heidelberg 69120, Germany
| | - Laurent Chatel-Chaix
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Molecular Virology, Heidelberg University, Im Neuenheimer Feld 344, Heidelberg 69120, Germany; Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique, Institut Armand-Frappier, 531, Boulevard des Prairies Laval, Québec, QC H7V 1B7, Canada
| | - Karl Rohr
- Biomedical Computer Vision Group, Heidelberg University, BioQuant, IPMB, and German Cancer Research Center, Im Neuenheimer Feld 267, Heidelberg 69120, Germany
| | - Ralf Bartenschlager
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Molecular Virology, Heidelberg University, Im Neuenheimer Feld 344, Heidelberg 69120, Germany; German Center for Infection Research, Heidelberg Partner Site, Im Neuenheimer Feld 344, Heidelberg 69120, Germany.
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