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Rachid Zaim S, Pebworth MP, McGrath I, Okada L, Weiss M, Reading J, Czartoski JL, Torgerson TR, McElrath MJ, Bumol TF, Skene PJ, Li XJ. MOCHA's advanced statistical modeling of scATAC-seq data enables functional genomic inference in large human cohorts. Nat Commun 2024; 15:6828. [PMID: 39122670 PMCID: PMC11316085 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-50612-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2024] [Indexed: 08/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Single-cell assay for transposase-accessible chromatin using sequencing (scATAC-seq) is being increasingly used to study gene regulation. However, major analytical gaps limit its utility in studying gene regulatory programs in complex diseases. In response, MOCHA (Model-based single cell Open CHromatin Analysis) presents major advances over existing analysis tools, including: 1) improving identification of sample-specific open chromatin, 2) statistical modeling of technical drop-out with zero-inflated methods, 3) mitigation of false positives in single cell analysis, 4) identification of alternative transcription-starting-site regulation, and 5) modules for inferring temporal gene regulatory networks from longitudinal data. These advances, in addition to open chromatin analyses, provide a robust framework after quality control and cell labeling to study gene regulatory programs in human disease. We benchmark MOCHA with four state-of-the-art tools to demonstrate its advances. We also construct cross-sectional and longitudinal gene regulatory networks, identifying potential mechanisms of COVID-19 response. MOCHA provides researchers with a robust analytical tool for functional genomic inference from scATAC-seq data.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Lauren Okada
- Allen Institute for Immunology, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Morgan Weiss
- Allen Institute for Immunology, Seattle, WA, USA
| | | | - Julie L Czartoski
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | | | - M Juliana McElrath
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | | | | | - Xiao-Jun Li
- Allen Institute for Immunology, Seattle, WA, USA.
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2
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Focosi D, Spezia PG, Maggi F. Subsequent Waves of Convergent Evolution in SARS-CoV-2 Genes and Proteins. Vaccines (Basel) 2024; 12:887. [PMID: 39204013 PMCID: PMC11358953 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines12080887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2024] [Revised: 08/02/2024] [Accepted: 08/03/2024] [Indexed: 09/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Beginning in 2022, following widespread infection and vaccination among the global population, the SARS-CoV-2 virus mainly evolved to evade immunity derived from vaccines and past infections. This review covers the convergent evolution of structural, nonstructural, and accessory proteins in SARS-CoV-2, with a specific look at common mutations found in long-lasting infections that hint at the virus potentially reverting to an enteric sarbecovirus type.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniele Focosi
- North-Western Tuscany Blood Bank, Pisa University Hospital, 56124 Pisa, Italy;
| | - Pietro Giorgio Spezia
- Laboratory of Virology and Laboratory of Biosecurity, National Institute of Infectious Diseases Lazzaro Spallanzani—IRCCS, 00149 Rome, Italy;
| | - Fabrizio Maggi
- Laboratory of Virology and Laboratory of Biosecurity, National Institute of Infectious Diseases Lazzaro Spallanzani—IRCCS, 00149 Rome, Italy;
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3
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Carvajal JJ, García-Castillo V, Cuellar SV, Campillay-Véliz CP, Salazar-Ardiles C, Avellaneda AM, Muñoz CA, Retamal-Díaz A, Bueno SM, González PA, Kalergis AM, Lay MK. New insights into the pathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2 during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1363572. [PMID: 38911850 PMCID: PMC11190347 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1363572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 06/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is responsible for the respiratory distress condition known as COVID-19. This disease broadly affects several physiological systems, including the gastrointestinal, renal, and central nervous (CNS) systems, significantly influencing the patient's overall quality of life. Additionally, numerous risk factors have been suggested, including gender, body weight, age, metabolic status, renal health, preexisting cardiomyopathies, and inflammatory conditions. Despite advances in understanding the genome and pathophysiological ramifications of COVID-19, its precise origins remain elusive. SARS-CoV-2 interacts with a receptor-binding domain within angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). This receptor is expressed in various organs of different species, including humans, with different abundance. Although COVID-19 has multiorgan manifestations, the main pathologies occur in the lung, including pulmonary fibrosis, respiratory failure, pulmonary embolism, and secondary bacterial pneumonia. In the post-COVID-19 period, different sequelae may occur, which may have various causes, including the direct action of the virus, alteration of the immune response, and metabolic alterations during infection, among others. Recognizing the serious adverse health effects associated with COVID-19, it becomes imperative to comprehensively elucidate and discuss the existing evidence surrounding this viral infection, including those related to the pathophysiological effects of the disease and the subsequent consequences. This review aims to contribute to a comprehensive understanding of the impact of COVID-19 and its long-term effects on human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonatan J. Carvajal
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Marine Sciences and Biological Resources, University of Antofagasta, Antofagasta, Chile
| | - Valeria García-Castillo
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Marine Sciences and Biological Resources, University of Antofagasta, Antofagasta, Chile
| | - Shelsy V. Cuellar
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Marine Sciences and Biological Resources, University of Antofagasta, Antofagasta, Chile
| | | | - Camila Salazar-Ardiles
- Center for Research in Physiology and Altitude Medicine (FIMEDALT), Biomedical Department, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Antofagasta, Antofagasta, Chile
| | - Andrea M. Avellaneda
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Marine Sciences and Biological Resources, University of Antofagasta, Antofagasta, Chile
- Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, Universidad Santo Tomás, Antofagasta, Chile
| | - Christian A. Muñoz
- Research Center in Immunology and Biomedical Biotechnology of Antofagasta (CIIBBA), University of Antofagasta, Antofagasta, Chile
- Department of Medical Technology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Antofagasta, Antofagasta, Chile
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Marine Sciences and Biological Resources, Department of Medical Technology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Antofagasta, Antofagasta, Chile
| | - Angello Retamal-Díaz
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Marine Sciences and Biological Resources, University of Antofagasta, Antofagasta, Chile
- Research Center in Immunology and Biomedical Biotechnology of Antofagasta (CIIBBA), University of Antofagasta, Antofagasta, Chile
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Marine Sciences and Biological Resources, Department of Medical Technology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Antofagasta, Antofagasta, Chile
| | - Susan M. Bueno
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Pablo A. González
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Alexis M. Kalergis
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Departamento de Endocrinología, Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Margarita K. Lay
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Marine Sciences and Biological Resources, University of Antofagasta, Antofagasta, Chile
- Research Center in Immunology and Biomedical Biotechnology of Antofagasta (CIIBBA), University of Antofagasta, Antofagasta, Chile
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Marine Sciences and Biological Resources, Department of Medical Technology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Antofagasta, Antofagasta, Chile
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4
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Maiti AK. Progressive Evolutionary Dynamics of Gene-Specific ω Led to the Emergence of Novel SARS-CoV-2 Strains Having Super-Infectivity and Virulence with Vaccine Neutralization. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:6306. [PMID: 38928018 PMCID: PMC11204377 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25126306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2024] [Revised: 05/21/2024] [Accepted: 05/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
An estimation of the proportion of nonsynonymous to synonymous mutation (dn/ds, ω) of the SARS-CoV-2 genome would indicate the evolutionary dynamics necessary to evolve into novel strains with increased infection, virulence, and vaccine neutralization. A temporal estimation of ω of the whole genome, and all twenty-nine SARS-CoV-2 genes of major virulent strains of alpha, delta and omicron demonstrates that the SARS-CoV-2 genome originally emerged (ω ~ 0.04) with a strong purifying selection (ω < 1) and reached (ω ~ 0.85) in omicron towards diversifying selection (ω > 1). A marked increase in the ω occurred in the spike gene from alpha (ω = 0.2) to omicron (ω = 1.97). The ω of the replication machinery genes including RDRP, NSP3, NSP4, NSP7, NSP8, NSP10, NSP13, NSP14, and ORF9 are markedly increased, indicating that these genes/proteins are yet to be evolutionary stabilized and are contributing to the evolution of novel virulent strains. The delta-specific maximum increase in ω in the immunomodulatory genes of NSP8, NSP10, NSP16, ORF4, ORF5, ORF6, ORF7A, and ORF8 compared to alpha or omicron indicates delta-specific vulnerabilities for severe COVID-19 related hospitalization and death. The maximum values of ω are observed for spike (S), NSP4, ORF8 and NSP15, which indicates that the gene-specific temporal estimation of ω identifies specific genes for its super-infectivity and virulency that could be targeted for drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amit K Maiti
- Department of Genetics and Genomics, Mydnavar, 28475 Greenfield Rd, Southfield, MI 48076, USA
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5
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Yin Q, Liu W, Jiang Y, Feng Q, Wang X, Dou H, Liu Z, He F, Fan Y, Jiao B, Jiao B. Comprehensive genomic analysis of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant BA.2.76 in Jining City, China, 2022. BMC Genomics 2024; 25:378. [PMID: 38632523 PMCID: PMC11022347 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-024-10246-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study aims to analyze the molecular characteristics of the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) Omicron variant BA.2.76 in Jining City, China. METHODS Whole-genome sequencing was performed on 87 cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Evolutionary trees were constructed using bioinformatics software to analyze sequence homology, variant sites, N-glycosylation sites, and phosphorylation sites. RESULTS All 87 SARS-CoV-2 whole-genome sequences were classified under the evolutionary branch of the Omicron variant BA.2.76. Their similarity to the reference strain Wuhan-Hu-1 ranged from 99.72 to 99.74%. In comparison to the reference strain Wuhan-Hu-1, the 87 sequences exhibited 77-84 nucleotide differences and 27 nucleotide deletions. A total of 69 amino acid variant sites, 9 amino acid deletions, and 1 stop codon mutation were identified across 18 proteins. Among them, the spike (S) protein exhibited the highest number of variant sites, and the ORF8 protein showed a Q27 stop mutation. Multiple proteins displayed variations in glycosylation and phosphorylation sites. CONCLUSION SARS-CoV-2 continues to evolve, giving rise to new strains with enhanced transmission, stronger immune evasion capabilities, and reduced pathogenicity. The application of high-throughput sequencing technologies in the epidemic prevention and control of COVID-19 provides crucial insights into the evolutionary and variant characteristics of the virus at the genomic level, thereby holding significant implications for the prevention and control of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiang Yin
- Department of Laboratory, Jining Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Jining, China
| | - Wei Liu
- Department of Laboratory, Jining Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Jining, China
| | - Yajuan Jiang
- Department of Laboratory, Jining Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Jining, China
| | - Qiang Feng
- Department of Laboratory, Rencheng Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Jining, China
| | - Xiaoyu Wang
- Department of Laboratory, Jining Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Jining, China
| | - Huixin Dou
- Department of Laboratory, Jining Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Jining, China
| | - Zanzan Liu
- Department of Laboratory, Jining Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Jining, China
| | - Feifei He
- Computer Information Technology, Northern Arizona University, Arizona, USA
| | - Yingying Fan
- Department of Laboratory, Jining Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Jining, China.
| | - Baihai Jiao
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT, USA.
| | - Boyan Jiao
- Department of Laboratory, Jining Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Jining, China.
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6
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Wagner C, Kistler KE, Perchetti GA, Baker N, Frisbie LA, Torres LM, Aragona F, Yun C, Figgins M, Greninger AL, Cox A, Oltean HN, Roychoudhury P, Bedford T. Positive selection underlies repeated knockout of ORF8 in SARS-CoV-2 evolution. Nat Commun 2024; 15:3207. [PMID: 38615031 PMCID: PMC11016114 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-47599-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Knockout of the ORF8 protein has repeatedly spread through the global viral population during SARS-CoV-2 evolution. Here we use both regional and global pathogen sequencing to explore the selection pressures underlying its loss. In Washington State, we identified transmission clusters with ORF8 knockout throughout SARS-CoV-2 evolution, not just on novel, high fitness viral backbones. Indeed, ORF8 is truncated more frequently and knockouts circulate for longer than for any other gene. Using a global phylogeny, we find evidence of positive selection to explain this phenomenon: nonsense mutations resulting in shortened protein products occur more frequently and are associated with faster clade growth rates than synonymous mutations in ORF8. Loss of ORF8 is also associated with reduced clinical severity, highlighting the diverse clinical impacts of SARS-CoV-2 evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cassia Wagner
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA, USA.
| | - Kathryn E Kistler
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Garrett A Perchetti
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Noah Baker
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | | | | | - Frank Aragona
- Washington State Department of Health, Shoreline, WA, USA
| | - Cory Yun
- Washington State Department of Health, Shoreline, WA, USA
| | - Marlin Figgins
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA, USA
- Department of Applied Mathematics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Alexander L Greninger
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA, USA
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Alex Cox
- Washington State Department of Health, Shoreline, WA, USA
| | - Hanna N Oltean
- Washington State Department of Health, Shoreline, WA, USA
| | - Pavitra Roychoudhury
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA, USA
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Trevor Bedford
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Seattle, WA, USA
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7
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Hamdorf M, Imhof T, Bailey-Elkin B, Betz J, Theobald SJ, Simonis A, Di Cristanziano V, Gieselmann L, Dewald F, Lehmann C, Augustin M, Klein F, Alejandre Alcazar MA, Rongisch R, Fabri M, Rybniker J, Goebel H, Stetefeld J, Brachvogel B, Cursiefen C, Koch M, Bock F. The unique ORF8 protein from SARS-CoV-2 binds to human dendritic cells and induces a hyper-inflammatory cytokine storm. J Mol Cell Biol 2024; 15:mjad062. [PMID: 37891014 PMCID: PMC11181941 DOI: 10.1093/jmcb/mjad062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2022] [Revised: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The novel coronavirus pandemic, first reported in December 2019, was caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). SARS-CoV-2 infection leads to a strong immune response and activation of antigen-presenting cells, which can elicit acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) characterized by the rapid onset of widespread inflammation, the so-called cytokine storm. In response to viral infections, monocytes are recruited into the lung and subsequently differentiate into dendritic cells (DCs). DCs are critical players in the development of acute lung inflammation that causes ARDS. Here, we focus on the interaction of a specific SARS-CoV-2 open reading frame protein, ORF8, with DCs. We show that ORF8 binds to DCs, causes pre-maturation of differentiating DCs, and induces the secretion of multiple proinflammatory cytokines by these cells. In addition, we identified DC-SIGN as a possible interaction partner of ORF8 on DCs. Blockade of ORF8 leads to reduced production of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-12p70, TNF-α, MCP-1 (also named CCL2), and IL-10 by DCs. Therefore, a neutralizing antibody blocking the ORF8-mediated cytokine and chemokine response could be an improved therapeutic strategy against SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthias Hamdorf
- Cornea Lab Experimental Ophthalmology, Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, 50937 Cologne, Germany
- Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation, Los Angeles, CA 90024, USA
| | - Thomas Imhof
- Center for Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany
- Institute for Experimental Dentistry and Oral Musculoskeletal Biology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany
| | - Ben Bailey-Elkin
- Department of Microbiology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg MB R3B 2E9 Manitoba, Canada
| | - Janina Betz
- Center for Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany
- Institute for Experimental Dentistry and Oral Musculoskeletal Biology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany
| | - Sebastian J Theobald
- Department I of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, 50937 Cologne, Germany
- Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, University of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany
| | - Alexander Simonis
- Department I of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, 50937 Cologne, Germany
- Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, University of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany
| | - Veronica Di Cristanziano
- Institute of Virology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, 50935 Cologne, Germany
| | - Lutz Gieselmann
- Institute of Virology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, 50935 Cologne, Germany
| | - Felix Dewald
- Institute of Virology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, 50935 Cologne, Germany
| | - Clara Lehmann
- Department I of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, 50937 Cologne, Germany
- Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, University of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Bonn-Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany
| | - Max Augustin
- Department I of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, 50937 Cologne, Germany
- Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, University of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Bonn-Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany
| | - Florian Klein
- Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, University of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany
- Institute of Virology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, 50935 Cologne, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Bonn-Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany
| | - Miguel A Alejandre Alcazar
- Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, University of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany
- Department of Children and Adolescent Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany
- Cologne Excellence Cluster Stress Responses in Aging-associated Diseases, 50931 Cologne, Germany
- Institute for Lung Health (ILH), Universities of Gießen and Marburg Lung Centre, Member of the German Center for Lung Research, 35392 Gießen, Germany
| | - Robert Rongisch
- Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, 50937 Cologne, Germany
| | - Mario Fabri
- Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, 50937 Cologne, Germany
| | - Jan Rybniker
- Department I of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, 50937 Cologne, Germany
- Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, University of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany
| | - Heike Goebel
- Institute of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, 50937 Cologne, Germany
| | - Jörg Stetefeld
- Department of Microbiology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg MB R3B 2E9 Manitoba, Canada
| | - Bent Brachvogel
- Center for Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Experimental Neonatology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany
| | - Claus Cursiefen
- Cornea Lab Experimental Ophthalmology, Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, 50937 Cologne, Germany
- Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, University of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany
| | - Manuel Koch
- Center for Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany
- Institute for Experimental Dentistry and Oral Musculoskeletal Biology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany
| | - Felix Bock
- Cornea Lab Experimental Ophthalmology, Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, 50937 Cologne, Germany
- Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, University of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany
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8
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Willett JDS, Gravel A, Dubuc I, Gudimard L, Dos Santos Pereira Andrade AC, Lacasse É, Fortin P, Liu JL, Cervantes JA, Galvez JH, Djambazian HHV, Zwaig M, Roy AM, Lee S, Chen SH, Ragoussis J, Flamand L. SARS-CoV-2 rapidly evolves lineage-specific phenotypic differences when passaged repeatedly in immune-naïve mice. Commun Biol 2024; 7:191. [PMID: 38365933 PMCID: PMC10873417 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-024-05878-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 02/18/2024] Open
Abstract
The persistence of SARS-CoV-2 despite the development of vaccines and a degree of herd immunity is partly due to viral evolution reducing vaccine and treatment efficacy. Serial infections of wild-type (WT) SARS-CoV-2 in Balb/c mice yield mouse-adapted strains with greater infectivity and mortality. We investigate if passaging unmodified B.1.351 (Beta) and B.1.617.2 (Delta) 20 times in K18-ACE2 mice, expressing the human ACE2 receptor, in a BSL-3 laboratory without selective pressures, drives human health-relevant evolution and if evolution is lineage-dependent. Late-passage virus causes more severe disease, at organism and lung tissue scales, with late-passage Delta demonstrating antibody resistance and interferon suppression. This resistance co-occurs with a de novo spike S371F mutation, linked with both traits. S371F, an Omicron-characteristic mutation, is co-inherited at times with spike E1182G per Nanopore sequencing, existing in different within-sample viral variants at others. Both S371F and E1182G are linked to mammalian GOLGA7 and ZDHHC5 interactions, which mediate viral-cell entry and antiviral response. This study demonstrates SARS-CoV-2's tendency to evolve with phenotypic consequences, its evolution varying by lineage, and suggests non-dominant quasi-species contribution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julian Daniel Sunday Willett
- Quantitative Life Sciences Ph.D. Program, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- McGill Genome Centre, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Lady Davis Institute, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Annie Gravel
- Axe maladies infectieuses et immunitaires, Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Québec- Université Laval, Québec, Canada
| | - Isabelle Dubuc
- Axe maladies infectieuses et immunitaires, Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Québec- Université Laval, Québec, Canada
| | - Leslie Gudimard
- Axe maladies infectieuses et immunitaires, Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Québec- Université Laval, Québec, Canada
| | | | - Émile Lacasse
- Axe maladies infectieuses et immunitaires, Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Québec- Université Laval, Québec, Canada
| | - Paul Fortin
- Axe maladies infectieuses et immunitaires, Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Québec- Université Laval, Québec, Canada
- Centre de Recherche ARThrite-Arthrite, Recherche et Traitements, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, CHU de Québec-Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
| | - Ju-Ling Liu
- McGill Genome Centre, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Jose Avila Cervantes
- McGill Genome Centre, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Jose Hector Galvez
- Canadian Centre for Computational Genomics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Haig Hugo Vrej Djambazian
- McGill Genome Centre, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Melissa Zwaig
- McGill Genome Centre, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Anne-Marie Roy
- McGill Genome Centre, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Sally Lee
- McGill Genome Centre, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Shu-Huang Chen
- McGill Genome Centre, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Jiannis Ragoussis
- McGill Genome Centre, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.
| | - Louis Flamand
- Axe maladies infectieuses et immunitaires, Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Québec- Université Laval, Québec, Canada.
- Département de microbiologie-infectiologie et d'immunologie, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada.
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9
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Móvio MI, de Almeida GWC, Martines IDGL, Barros de Lima G, Sasaki SD, Kihara AH, Poole E, Nevels M, Carlan da Silva MC. SARS-CoV-2 ORF8 as a Modulator of Cytokine Induction: Evidence and Search for Molecular Mechanisms. Viruses 2024; 16:161. [PMID: 38275971 PMCID: PMC10819295 DOI: 10.3390/v16010161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2023] [Revised: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 01/14/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Severe cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection are characterized by an immune response that leads to the overproduction of pro-inflammatory cytokines, resulting in lung damage, cardiovascular symptoms, hematologic symptoms, acute kidney injury and multiple organ failure that can lead to death. This remarkable increase in cytokines and other inflammatory molecules is primarily caused by viral proteins, and particular interest has been given to ORF8, a unique accessory protein specific to SARS-CoV-2. Despite plenty of research, the precise mechanisms by which ORF8 induces proinflammatory cytokines are not clear. Our investigations demonstrated that ORF8 augments production of IL-6 induced by Poly(I:C) in human embryonic kidney (HEK)-293 and monocyte-derived dendritic cells (mono-DCs). We discuss our findings and the multifaceted roles of ORF8 as a modulator of cytokine response, focusing on type I interferon and IL-6, a key component of the immune response to SARS-CoV-2. In addition, we explore the hypothesis that ORF8 may act through pattern recognition receptors of dsRNA such as TLRs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marília Inês Móvio
- Laboratório de Neurogenética, Universidade Federal do ABC (UFABC), São Bernardo do Campo, São Paulo 09606-070, Brazil; (M.I.M.)
| | - Giovana Waner Carneiro de Almeida
- Centro de Ciências Naturais e Humanas (CCNH), Universidade Federal do UFABC (UFABC), São Bernardo do Campo, São Paulo 09606-070, Brazil; (G.W.C.d.A.); (G.B.d.L.); (S.D.S.)
| | - Isabella das Graças Lopes Martines
- Centro de Ciências Naturais e Humanas (CCNH), Universidade Federal do UFABC (UFABC), São Bernardo do Campo, São Paulo 09606-070, Brazil; (G.W.C.d.A.); (G.B.d.L.); (S.D.S.)
| | - Gilmara Barros de Lima
- Centro de Ciências Naturais e Humanas (CCNH), Universidade Federal do UFABC (UFABC), São Bernardo do Campo, São Paulo 09606-070, Brazil; (G.W.C.d.A.); (G.B.d.L.); (S.D.S.)
| | - Sergio Daishi Sasaki
- Centro de Ciências Naturais e Humanas (CCNH), Universidade Federal do UFABC (UFABC), São Bernardo do Campo, São Paulo 09606-070, Brazil; (G.W.C.d.A.); (G.B.d.L.); (S.D.S.)
| | - Alexandre Hiroaki Kihara
- Laboratório de Neurogenética, Universidade Federal do ABC (UFABC), São Bernardo do Campo, São Paulo 09606-070, Brazil; (M.I.M.)
| | - Emma Poole
- Division of Virology, Department of Pathology, Cambridge University, Level 5, Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - Michael Nevels
- School of Biology, University of St Andrews, St Andrews KY16 9ST, UK;
| | - Maria Cristina Carlan da Silva
- Centro de Ciências Naturais e Humanas (CCNH), Universidade Federal do UFABC (UFABC), São Bernardo do Campo, São Paulo 09606-070, Brazil; (G.W.C.d.A.); (G.B.d.L.); (S.D.S.)
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10
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Shi W, Li T, Li H, Ren J, Lv M, Wang Q, He Y, Yu Y, Liu L, Jin S, Chen H. Bioinformatics approach to identify the hub gene associated with COVID-19 and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. IET Syst Biol 2023; 17:336-351. [PMID: 37814484 PMCID: PMC10725713 DOI: 10.1049/syb2.12080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2022] [Revised: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/11/2023] Open
Abstract
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has developed into a global health crisis. Pulmonary fibrosis, as one of the complications of SARS-CoV-2 infection, deserves attention. As COVID-19 is a new clinical entity that is constantly evolving, and many aspects of disease are remain unknown. The datasets of COVID-19 and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis were obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus. The hub genes were screened out using the Random Forest (RF) algorithm depending on the severity of patients with COVID-19. A risk prediction model was developed to assess the prognosis of patients infected with SARS-CoV-2, which was evaluated by another dataset. Six genes (named NELL2, GPR183, S100A8, ALPL, CD177, and IL1R2) may be associated with the development of PF in patients with severe SARS-CoV-2 infection. S100A8 is thought to be an important target gene that is closely associated with COVID-19 and pulmonary fibrosis. Construction of a neural network model was successfully predicted the prognosis of patients with COVID-19. With the increasing availability of COVID-19 datasets, bioinformatic methods can provide possible predictive targets for the diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of the disease and show intervention directions for the development of clinical drugs and vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenchao Shi
- Department of RespirationThe Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical UniversityHarbin Medical UniversityHarbinHeilongjiangChina
| | - Tinghui Li
- Department of RespirationHainan Cancer HospitalHaikouHainanChina
| | - Huiwen Li
- Department of RespirationThe Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical UniversityHarbin Medical UniversityHarbinHeilongjiangChina
| | - Juan Ren
- Department of RespirationThe Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical UniversityHarbin Medical UniversityHarbinHeilongjiangChina
| | - Meiyu Lv
- Department of RespirationThe Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical UniversityHarbin Medical UniversityHarbinHeilongjiangChina
| | - Qi Wang
- Department of RespirationThe Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical UniversityHarbin Medical UniversityHarbinHeilongjiangChina
| | - Yaowu He
- Department of RespirationThe Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical UniversityHarbin Medical UniversityHarbinHeilongjiangChina
| | - Yao Yu
- Department of RespirationThe Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical UniversityHarbin Medical UniversityHarbinHeilongjiangChina
| | - Lijie Liu
- Department of RespirationThe Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical UniversityHarbin Medical UniversityHarbinHeilongjiangChina
| | - Shoude Jin
- Department of RespirationThe Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical UniversityHarbin Medical UniversityHarbinHeilongjiangChina
| | - Hong Chen
- Department of RespirationThe Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical UniversityHarbin Medical UniversityHarbinHeilongjiangChina
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11
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Fu B, Xiong Y, Sha Z, Xue W, Xu B, Tan S, Guo D, Lin F, Wang L, Ji J, Luo Y, Lin X, Wu H. SEPTIN2 suppresses an IFN-γ-independent, proinflammatory macrophage activation pathway. Nat Commun 2023; 14:7441. [PMID: 37978190 PMCID: PMC10656488 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-43283-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) signaling is necessary for the proinflammatory activation of macrophages but IFN-γ-independent pathways, for which the initiating stimuli and downstream mechanisms are lesser known, also contribute. Here we identify, by high-content screening, SEPTIN2 (SEPT2) as a negative regulation of IFN-γ-independent macrophage autoactivation. Mechanistically, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress induces the expression of SEPT2, which balances the competition between acetylation and ubiquitination of heat shock protein 5 at position Lysine 327, thereby alleviating ER stress and constraining M1-like polarization and proinflammatory cytokine release. Disruption of this negative feedback regulation leads to the accumulation of unfolded proteins, resulting in accelerated M1-like polarization, excessive inflammation and tissue damage. Our study thus uncovers an IFN-γ-independent macrophage proinflammatory autoactivation pathway and suggests that SEPT2 may play a role in the prevention or resolution of inflammation during infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beibei Fu
- School of Life Sciences, Chongqing University, 401331, Chongqing, China
| | - Yan Xiong
- School of Life Sciences, Chongqing University, 401331, Chongqing, China
| | - Zhou Sha
- School of Life Sciences, Chongqing University, 401331, Chongqing, China
| | - Weiwei Xue
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chongqing University, 401331, Chongqing, China
| | - Binbin Xu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chongqing University, 401331, Chongqing, China
| | - Shun Tan
- Chongqing Public Health Medical Center, 400036, Chongqing, China
| | - Dong Guo
- School of Life Sciences, Chongqing University, 401331, Chongqing, China
| | - Feng Lin
- School of Life Sciences, Chongqing University, 401331, Chongqing, China
| | - Lulu Wang
- School of Life Sciences, Chongqing University, 401331, Chongqing, China
| | - Jianjian Ji
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Pediatric Respiratory Disease, Institute of Pediatrics, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, 210023, Nanjing, China
| | - Yang Luo
- Center of Smart Laboratory and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, NHC Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Reproductive Health, Chongqing University, 400044, Chongqing, China.
| | - Xiaoyuan Lin
- Institut für Virologie, Freie Universität Berlin, Robert-von-Ostertag-Str. 7-13, 14163, Berlin, Germany.
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Immunology, College of Pharmacy and Medical Laboratory, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), 400038, Chongqing, China.
| | - Haibo Wu
- School of Life Sciences, Chongqing University, 401331, Chongqing, China.
- Center of Smart Laboratory and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, NHC Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Reproductive Health, Chongqing University, 400044, Chongqing, China.
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12
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Grand RJ. SARS-CoV-2 and the DNA damage response. J Gen Virol 2023; 104:001918. [PMID: 37948194 PMCID: PMC10768691 DOI: 10.1099/jgv.0.001918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The recent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic was caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). COVID-19 is characterized by respiratory distress, multiorgan dysfunction and, in some cases, death. The virus is also responsible for post-COVID-19 condition (commonly referred to as 'long COVID'). SARS-CoV-2 is a single-stranded, positive-sense RNA virus with a genome of approximately 30 kb, which encodes 26 proteins. It has been reported to affect multiple pathways in infected cells, resulting, in many cases, in the induction of a 'cytokine storm' and cellular senescence. Perhaps because it is an RNA virus, replicating largely in the cytoplasm, the effect of SARS-Cov-2 on genome stability and DNA damage responses (DDRs) has received relatively little attention. However, it is now becoming clear that the virus causes damage to cellular DNA, as shown by the presence of micronuclei, DNA repair foci and increased comet tails in infected cells. This review considers recent evidence indicating how SARS-CoV-2 causes genome instability, deregulates the cell cycle and targets specific components of DDR pathways. The significance of the virus's ability to cause cellular senescence is also considered, as are the implications of genome instability for patients suffering from long COVID.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roger J. Grand
- Institute for Cancer and Genomic Science, The Medical School, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
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13
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Bello-Perez M, Hurtado-Tamayo J, Mykytyn AZ, Lamers MM, Requena-Platek R, Schipper D, Muñoz-Santos D, Ripoll-Gómez J, Esteban A, Sánchez-Cordón PJ, Enjuanes L, Haagmans BL, Sola I. SARS-CoV-2 ORF8 accessory protein is a virulence factor. mBio 2023; 14:e0045123. [PMID: 37623322 PMCID: PMC10653805 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.00451-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 07/04/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE The relevance of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) ORF8 in the pathogenesis of COVID-19 is unclear. Virus natural isolates with deletions in ORF8 were associated with wild milder disease, suggesting that ORF8 might contribute to SARS-CoV-2 virulence. This manuscript shows that ORF8 is involved in inflammation and in the activation of macrophages in two experimental systems: humanized K18-hACE2 transgenic mice and organoid-derived human airway cells. These results identify ORF8 protein as a potential target for COVID-19 therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- M. Bello-Perez
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, National Center for Biotechnology (CNB-CSIC), Campus Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - J. Hurtado-Tamayo
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, National Center for Biotechnology (CNB-CSIC), Campus Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - A. Z. Mykytyn
- Viroscience Department, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - M. M. Lamers
- Viroscience Department, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - R. Requena-Platek
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, National Center for Biotechnology (CNB-CSIC), Campus Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - D. Schipper
- Viroscience Department, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - D. Muñoz-Santos
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, National Center for Biotechnology (CNB-CSIC), Campus Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - J. Ripoll-Gómez
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, National Center for Biotechnology (CNB-CSIC), Campus Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - A. Esteban
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, National Center for Biotechnology (CNB-CSIC), Campus Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - P. J. Sánchez-Cordón
- Veterinary Pathology Department, Animal Health Research Center (CISA), National Institute of Research, Agricultural and Food Technology, Valdeolmos, Spain
| | - L. Enjuanes
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, National Center for Biotechnology (CNB-CSIC), Campus Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - B. L. Haagmans
- Viroscience Department, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - I. Sola
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, National Center for Biotechnology (CNB-CSIC), Campus Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
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14
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Shin J, Shimomura I. COVID-19, Obesity, and GRP78: Unraveling the Pathological Link. J Obes Metab Syndr 2023; 32:183-196. [PMID: 37752707 PMCID: PMC10583770 DOI: 10.7570/jomes23053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2023] [Revised: 09/16/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, driven by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has led to an unprecedented global surge in infections and fatalities. Notably, obesity has emerged as an important susceptibility factor for COVID-19; however, the pathological mechanisms for this remain poorly understood. Recent studies proposed a role for glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78), a protein implicated in both obesity and metabolic syndrome, which may function as a binding partner and/or co-receptor for SARS-CoV-2. Given its crucial involvement in diverse biological processes, GRP78 likely plays a major role in multiple facets of the viral life cycle and the pathology of COVID-19. This perspective review discusses the potential contributions of GRP78 to the dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 infection and pathology, particularly in the context of obesity. The primary objective is to facilitate a deeper understanding of the pathogenesis of COVID-19. Through this exploration, we aim to illuminate the complex interactions underpinning the nexus of COVID-19, obesity, and GRP78, ultimately paving the way for informed therapeutic strategies and preventive measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jihoon Shin
- Department of Metabolic Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
- Department of Diabetes Care Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Iichiro Shimomura
- Department of Metabolic Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
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15
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Huang Y, Fang Y, Jie H, Yang H, Zhou W, Chen Y, Zhong B. Network pharmacology and molecular docking to scientifically validate the potential mechanism of Lonicerae japonicae flos in the clinical treatment of COVID-19. Nat Prod Res 2023:1-8. [PMID: 37732603 DOI: 10.1080/14786419.2023.2260070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 09/10/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023]
Abstract
Using network pharmacology and molecular docking, we predicted the potential mechanisms of Lonicerae japonicae flos (LJF) therapy for COVID-19. A total of 493 component-related targets and 6,233 COVID-19-related genes were identified, and 267 core genes with overlapping of the two types of genes were identified. The target AKT1, CASP3, IL1B, IL6, PTGS2, TNF and JUN were the hub genes in PPI network according to MCODE score. Component-Target analysis showed the close relationship between targets and components. The results of functional enrichment analyses revealed that LJF exerted pharmacological effects on COVID-19 by regulating IL-17 signalling pathway, TNF signalling pathway, AGE-RAGE signalling pathway in diabetic complications, and Toll-like receptor signalling pathway. Finally, molecular docking confirmed a strong binding affinity between the 7 main active components with the hub genes. The findings suggested that beta-sitosterol, kaempferol and luteolin might be the promising leading components due to their good molecular docking scores.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yisheng Huang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Ganzhou People's Hospital, Ganzhou, P.R. China
- Department of Anesthesiology, Nanfang Hospital Affiliated to Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Yan Fang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Ganzhou People's Hospital, Ganzhou, P.R. China
| | - Huanhuan Jie
- Department of Anesthesiology, Ganzhou People's Hospital, Ganzhou, P.R. China
| | - Hongbiao Yang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Ganzhou People's Hospital, Ganzhou, P.R. China
| | - Wen Zhou
- Department of Anesthesiology, Ganzhou People's Hospital, Ganzhou, P.R. China
| | - Yijian Chen
- Department of Anesthesiology, Ganzhou People's Hospital, Ganzhou, P.R. China
| | - Baolin Zhong
- Department of Anesthesiology, Ganzhou People's Hospital, Ganzhou, P.R. China
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16
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Wu F, Chen X, Ma Y, Wu Y, Li R, Huang Y, Zhang R, Zhou Y, Zhan J, Liu S, Xu W. Glycosylated, Lipid-Binding, CDR-Like Domains of SARS-CoV-2 ORF8 Indicate Unique Sites of Immune Regulation. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0123423. [PMID: 37318366 PMCID: PMC10434001 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.01234-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2023] Open
Abstract
The outbreak of the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 has posed a significant threat to human health and the global economy since the end of 2019. Unfortunately, due to the virus's rapid evolution, preventingand controlling the epidemic remains challenging. The ORF8 protein is a unique accessory protein in SARS-CoV-2 that plays a crucial role in immune regulation, but its molecular details are still largely unknown. In this study, we successfully expressed SARS-CoV-2 ORF8 in mammalian cells and determined its structure using X-ray crystallography at a resolution of 2.3 Å. Our findings reveal several novel features of ORF8. We found that four pairs of disulfide bonds and glycosylation at residue N78 are essential for stabilizing ORF8's protein structure. Additionally, we identified a lipid-binding pocket and three functional loops that tend to form CDR-like domains that may interact with immune-related proteins to regulate the host immune system. On cellular experiments also demonstrated that glycosylation at N78 regulats of ORF8's ability to bind to monocytes cells. These novel features of ORF8 provide structural insights to into its immune-related function and may serve as new targets for developing ORF8-mediated immune regulation inhibitors. IMPORTANCE COVID-19, caused by the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 virus, has triggered a global outbreak. The virus's continuous mutation increases its infectivity and may be directly related to the immune escape response of viral proteins. In this study, we used X-ray crystallography to determine the structure of SARS-CoV-2 ORF8 protein, a unique accessory protein expressed in mammalian cells, at a resolution of 2.3 Å. Our novel structure reveals important structure details that shed light on ORF8's involvement in immune regulation, including conservation disulfide bonds, a glycosylation site at N78, a lipid-binding pocket, and three functional loops that tend to form CDR-like domains that may interact with immune-related proteins to modulate the host immune system. We also conducted preliminary validation experiments on immune cells. These new insights into ORF8's structure and function provide potential targets for developing inhibitors to block the ORF8-mediated immune regulation between viral protein and host, ultimately contributing to the development of novel therapeutics for COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang Wu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xin Chen
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yanhong Ma
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yuzhe Wu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Rui Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yuanwei Huang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Rong Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Biosafety Level 3 Laboratory, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yaoqi Zhou
- Institute for Systems and Physical Biology, Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Jian Zhan
- Institute for Systems and Physical Biology, Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Shuwen Liu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wei Xu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
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17
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Ponde NO, Shoger KE, Khatun S, Sarkar MK, Dey I, Taylor TC, Cisney RN, Arunkumar SP, Gudjonsson JE, Kolls JK, Gottschalk RA, Gaffen SL. SARS-CoV-2 ORF8 Mediates Signals in Macrophages and Monocytes through MyD88 Independently of the IL-17 Receptor. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2023; 211:252-260. [PMID: 37265402 PMCID: PMC10330444 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.2300110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 has caused an estimated 7 million deaths worldwide to date. A secreted SARS-CoV-2 accessory protein, known as open reading frame 8 (ORF8), elicits inflammatory pulmonary cytokine responses and is associated with disease severity in COVID-19 patients. Recent reports proposed that ORF8 mediates downstream signals in macrophages and monocytes through the IL-17 receptor complex (IL-17RA, IL-17RC). However, generally IL-17 signals are found to be restricted to the nonhematopoietic compartment, thought to be due to rate-limiting expression of IL-17RC. Accordingly, we revisited the capacity of IL-17 and ORF8 to induce cytokine gene expression in mouse and human macrophages and monocytes. In SARS-CoV-2-infected human and mouse lungs, IL17RC mRNA was undetectable in monocyte/macrophage populations. In cultured mouse and human monocytes and macrophages, ORF8 but not IL-17 led to elevated expression of target cytokines. ORF8-induced signaling was fully preserved in the presence of anti-IL-17RA/RC neutralizing Abs and in Il17ra-/- cells. ORF8 signaling was also operative in Il1r1-/- bone marrow-derived macrophages. However, the TLR/IL-1R family adaptor MyD88, which is dispensable for IL-17R signaling, was required for ORF8 activity yet MyD88 is not required for IL-17 signaling. Thus, we conclude that ORF8 transduces inflammatory signaling in monocytes and macrophages via MyD88 independently of the IL-17R.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole O. Ponde
- Division of Rheumatology & Clinical Immunology, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, PA
| | | | | | | | - Ipsita Dey
- Division of Rheumatology & Clinical Immunology, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, PA
| | - Tiffany C. Taylor
- Division of Rheumatology & Clinical Immunology, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, PA
| | - Rylee N. Cisney
- Division of Rheumatology & Clinical Immunology, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, PA
| | - Samyuktha P. Arunkumar
- Division of Rheumatology & Clinical Immunology, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, PA
| | | | | | | | - Sarah L. Gaffen
- Division of Rheumatology & Clinical Immunology, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, PA
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18
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Rodriguez-Rodriguez BA, Ciabattoni GO, Duerr R, Valero-Jimenez AM, Yeung ST, Crosse KM, Schinlever AR, Bernard-Raichon L, Rodriguez Galvan J, McGrath ME, Vashee S, Xue Y, Loomis CA, Khanna KM, Cadwell K, Desvignes L, Frieman MB, Ortigoza MB, Dittmann M. A neonatal mouse model characterizes transmissibility of SARS-CoV-2 variants and reveals a role for ORF8. Nat Commun 2023; 14:3026. [PMID: 37230979 PMCID: PMC10211296 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-38783-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2022] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Small animal models have been a challenge for the study of SARS-CoV-2 transmission, with most investigators using golden hamsters or ferrets. Mice have the advantages of low cost, wide availability, less regulatory and husbandry challenges, and the existence of a versatile reagent and genetic toolbox. However, adult mice do not robustly transmit SARS-CoV-2. Here we establish a model based on neonatal mice that allows for transmission of clinical SARS-CoV-2 isolates. We characterize tropism, respiratory tract replication and transmission of ancestral WA-1 compared to variants Alpha (B.1.1.7), Beta (B.1.351), Gamma (P.1), Delta (B.1.617.2), Omicron BA.1 and Omicron BQ.1.1. We identify inter-variant differences in timing and magnitude of infectious particle shedding from index mice, both of which shape transmission to contact mice. Furthermore, we characterize two recombinant SARS-CoV-2 lacking either the ORF6 or ORF8 host antagonists. The removal of ORF8 shifts viral replication towards the lower respiratory tract, resulting in significantly delayed and reduced transmission in our model. Our results demonstrate the potential of our neonatal mouse model to characterize viral and host determinants of SARS-CoV-2 transmission, while revealing a role for an accessory protein in this context.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Grace O Ciabattoni
- Department of Microbiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10016, USA
| | - Ralf Duerr
- Department of Microbiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10016, USA
- Department of Medicine/Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10016, USA
- Vaccine Center, NYU Grossmann of Medicine, New York, NY, 10016, USA
| | - Ana M Valero-Jimenez
- Department of Microbiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10016, USA
| | - Stephen T Yeung
- Department of Microbiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10016, USA
| | - Keaton M Crosse
- Department of Microbiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10016, USA
| | - Austin R Schinlever
- Department of Microbiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10016, USA
| | - Lucie Bernard-Raichon
- Department of Microbiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10016, USA
| | - Joaquin Rodriguez Galvan
- Department of Microbiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10016, USA
| | - Marisa E McGrath
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Center for Pathogen Research, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
| | - Sanjay Vashee
- Department of Synthetic Biology and Bioenergy, J. Craig Venter Institute, Rockville, MD, 20850, USA
| | - Yong Xue
- Department of Synthetic Biology and Bioenergy, J. Craig Venter Institute, Rockville, MD, 20850, USA
| | - Cynthia A Loomis
- Department of Pathology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10016, USA
| | - Kamal M Khanna
- Department of Microbiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10016, USA
- Perlmutter Cancer Center, New York University Langone Health, New York, NY, 10016, USA
| | - Ken Cadwell
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Ludovic Desvignes
- Department of Medicine/Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10016, USA
- High Containment Laboratories - Office of Science and Research, NYU Langone Health, New York, NY, 10016, USA
| | - Matthew B Frieman
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Center for Pathogen Research, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
| | - Mila B Ortigoza
- Department of Microbiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10016, USA.
- Department of Medicine/Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10016, USA.
| | - Meike Dittmann
- Department of Microbiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10016, USA.
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19
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Chen TH, Chang CJ, Hung PH. Possible Pathogenesis and Prevention of Long COVID: SARS-CoV-2-Induced Mitochondrial Disorder. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:8034. [PMID: 37175745 PMCID: PMC10179190 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24098034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Revised: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Patients who have recovered from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection may experience chronic fatigue when exercising, despite no obvious heart or lung abnormalities. The present lack of effective treatments makes managing long COVID a major challenge. One of the underlying mechanisms of long COVID may be mitochondrial dysfunction. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections can alter the mitochondria responsible for energy production in cells. This alteration leads to mitochondrial dysfunction which, in turn, increases oxidative stress. Ultimately, this results in a loss of mitochondrial integrity and cell death. Moreover, viral proteins can bind to mitochondrial complexes, disrupting mitochondrial function and causing the immune cells to over-react. This over-reaction leads to inflammation and potentially long COVID symptoms. It is important to note that the roles of mitochondrial damage and inflammatory responses caused by SARS-CoV-2 in the development of long COVID are still being elucidated. Targeting mitochondrial function may provide promising new clinical approaches for long-COVID patients; however, further studies are needed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of such approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tsung-Hsien Chen
- Department of Internal Medicine, Ditmanson Medical Foundation Chia-Yi Christian Hospital, Chiayi 60002, Taiwan;
| | - Chia-Jung Chang
- Division of Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Ditmanson Medical Foundation Chia-Yi Christian Hospital, Chiayi 60002, Taiwan
| | - Peir-Haur Hung
- Department of Internal Medicine, Ditmanson Medical Foundation Chia-Yi Christian Hospital, Chiayi 60002, Taiwan;
- Department of Life and Health Science, Chia-Nan University of Pharmacy and Science, Tainan 717301, Taiwan
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20
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Godbold GD, Hewitt FC, Kappell AD, Scholz MB, Agar SL, Treangen TJ, Ternus KL, Sandbrink JB, Koblentz GD. Improved understanding of biorisk for research involving microbial modification using annotated sequences of concern. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2023; 11:1124100. [PMID: 37180048 PMCID: PMC10167326 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2023.1124100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Regulation of research on microbes that cause disease in humans has historically been focused on taxonomic lists of 'bad bugs'. However, given our increased knowledge of these pathogens through inexpensive genome sequencing, 5 decades of research in microbial pathogenesis, and the burgeoning capacity of synthetic biologists, the limitations of this approach are apparent. With heightened scientific and public attention focused on biosafety and biosecurity, and an ongoing review by US authorities of dual-use research oversight, this article proposes the incorporation of sequences of concern (SoCs) into the biorisk management regime governing genetic engineering of pathogens. SoCs enable pathogenesis in all microbes infecting hosts that are 'of concern' to human civilization. Here we review the functions of SoCs (FunSoCs) and discuss how they might bring clarity to potentially problematic research outcomes involving infectious agents. We believe that annotation of SoCs with FunSoCs has the potential to improve the likelihood that dual use research of concern is recognized by both scientists and regulators before it occurs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Stacy L. Agar
- Signature Science, LLC, Charlottesville, VA, United States
| | - Todd J. Treangen
- Department of Computer Science, Rice University, Houston, TX, United States
| | | | - Jonas B. Sandbrink
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Gregory D. Koblentz
- Schar School of Policy and Government, George Mason University, Arlington, VA, United States
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21
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Moriyama M, Lucas C, Monteiro V, Iwasaki A. Enhanced inhibition of MHC-I expression by SARS-CoV-2 Omicron subvariants. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2221652120. [PMID: 37036977 PMCID: PMC10120007 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2221652120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/09/2023] [Indexed: 04/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants of concern (VOCs) possess mutations that confer resistance to neutralizing antibodies within the Spike protein and are associated with breakthrough infection and reinfection. By contrast, less is known about the escape from CD8+ T cell-mediated immunity by VOC. Here, we demonstrated that all SARS-CoV-2 VOCs possess the ability to suppress major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC-I) expression. We identified several viral genes that contribute to the suppression of MHC I expression. Notably, MHC-I upregulation was strongly inhibited after SARS-CoV-2 but not influenza virus infection in vivo. While earlier VOCs possess similar capacity as the ancestral strain to suppress MHC-I, the Omicron subvariants exhibited a greater ability to suppress surface MHC-I expression. We identified a common mutation in the E protein of Omicron that further suppressed MHC-I expression. Collectively, our data suggest that in addition to escaping from neutralizing antibodies, the success of Omicron subvariants to cause breakthrough infection and reinfection may in part be due to its optimized evasion from T cell recognition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miyu Moriyama
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT06520
| | - Carolina Lucas
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT06520
| | | | | | - Akiko Iwasaki
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT06520
- Department of Molecular Cellular and Developmental Biology, Yale University, New HavenCT06520
- HHMI, Chevy Chase, MD20815
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22
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Arduini A, Laprise F, Liang C. SARS-CoV-2 ORF8: A Rapidly Evolving Immune and Viral Modulator in COVID-19. Viruses 2023; 15:871. [PMID: 37112851 PMCID: PMC10141009 DOI: 10.3390/v15040871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2023] [Revised: 03/26/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in upwards of 6.8 million deaths over the past three years, and the frequent emergence of variants continues to strain global health. Although vaccines have greatly helped mitigate disease severity, SARS-CoV-2 is likely to remain endemic, making it critical to understand its viral mechanisms contributing to pathogenesis and discover new antiviral therapeutics. To efficiently infect, this virus uses a diverse set of strategies to evade host immunity, accounting for its high pathogenicity and rapid spread throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Behind some of these critical host evasion strategies is the accessory protein Open Reading Frame 8 (ORF8), which has gained recognition in SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis due to its hypervariability, secretory property, and unique structure. This review discusses the current knowledge on SARS-CoV-2 ORF8 and proposes actualized functional models describing its pivotal roles in both viral replication and immune evasion. A better understanding of ORF8's interactions with host and viral factors is expected to reveal essential pathogenic strategies utilized by SARS-CoV-2 and inspire the development of novel therapeutics to improve COVID-19 disease outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ariana Arduini
- Lady Davis Institute, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, QC H3T 1E2, Canada; (A.A.); (F.L.)
- Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3G 2M1, Canada
| | - Frederique Laprise
- Lady Davis Institute, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, QC H3T 1E2, Canada; (A.A.); (F.L.)
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Chen Liang
- Lady Davis Institute, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, QC H3T 1E2, Canada; (A.A.); (F.L.)
- Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3G 2M1, Canada
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada
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23
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Wang Y, Ding M, Chi J, Wang T, Zhang Y, Li Z, Li Q. Based on network pharmacology and bioinformatics to analyze the mechanism of action of Astragalus membranaceus in the treatment of vitiligo and COVID-19. Sci Rep 2023; 13:3884. [PMID: 36890149 PMCID: PMC9993359 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-29207-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 03/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is spreading rapidly around the world. However, the treatment of vitiligo combined with COVID-19 has not been reported. Astragalus membranaceus (AM) has a therapeutic effect on patients with vitiligo and COVID-19. This study aims to discover its possible therapeutic mechanisms and provide potential drug targets. Using the Chinese Medicine System Pharmacological Database (TCMSP), GEO database and Genecards websites and other databases, AM target, vitiligo disease target, and COVID-19 related gene set were established. Then find the crossover genes by taking the intersection. Then use GO, KEGG enrichment analysis, and PPI network to discover its underlying mechanism. Finally, by importing drugs, active ingredients, crossover genes, and enriched signal pathways into Cytoscape software, a "drug-active ingredient-target signal pathway-" network is constructed. TCMSP screened and obtained 33 active ingredients including baicalein (MOL002714), NEOBAICALEIN (MOL002934), Skullcapflavone II (MOL002927), and wogonin (MOL000173), which acted on 448 potential targets. 1166 differentially expressed genes for vitiligo were screened by GEO. CIVID-19 related genes were screened by Genecards. Then by taking the intersection, a total of 10 crossover genes (PTGS2, CDK1, STAT1, BCL2L1, SCARB1, HIF1A, NAE1, PLA2G4A, HSP90AA1, and HSP90B1) were obtained. KEGG analysis found that it was mainly enriched in signaling pathways such as IL-17 signaling pathway, Th17 cell differentiation, Necroptosis, NOD-like receptor signaling pathway. Five core targets (PTGS2, STAT1, BCL2L1, HIF1A, and HSP90AA1) were obtained by analyzing the PPI network. The network of "active ingredients-crossover genes" was constructed by Cytoscape, and the 5 main active ingredients acting on the 5 core crossover genes acacetin, wogonin, baicalein, bis2S)-2-ethylhexyl) benzene-1,2-dicarboxylate and 5,2'-Dihydroxy-6,7,8-trimethoxyflavone. The core crossover genes obtained by PPI and the core crossover genes obtained by the "active ingredient-crossover gene" network are intersected to obtain the three most important core genes (PTGS2, STAT1, HSP90AA1). AM may act on PTGS2, STAT1, HSP90AA1, etc. through active components such as acacetin, wogonin, baicalein, bis2S)-2-ethylhexyl) benzene-1,2-dicarboxylate and 5,2'-Dihydroxy-6,7,8-trimethoxyflavone to activate IL-17 signaling pathway, Th17 cell differentiation, Necroptosis, NOD-like receptor signaling pathway, Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus infection, and VEGF signaling pathway and other signaling pathways to achieve the effect of treating vitiligo and COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaojun Wang
- Graduate School, Hebei North University, Zhangjiakou, 075000, China.,Department of Dermatology, Air Force Medical Center, PLA, Beijing, 100142, China
| | - Ming Ding
- The Fifth School of Clinical Medicine, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China.,Department of Dermatology, Air Force Medical Center, PLA, Beijing, 100142, China
| | - Jiaoni Chi
- The Fifth School of Clinical Medicine, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China.,Department of Dermatology, Air Force Medical Center, PLA, Beijing, 100142, China
| | - Tao Wang
- The Fifth School of Clinical Medicine, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China.,Department of Dermatology, Air Force Medical Center, PLA, Beijing, 100142, China
| | - Yue Zhang
- Department of Dermatology, Air Force Medical Center, PLA, Beijing, 100142, China
| | - Zhimin Li
- Graduate School, Hebei North University, Zhangjiakou, 075000, China
| | - Qiang Li
- The Fifth School of Clinical Medicine, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China. .,Department of Dermatology, Air Force Medical Center, PLA, Beijing, 100142, China.
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24
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de Sousa Palmeira PH, Peixoto RF, Csordas BG, de Medeiros IA, de Azevedo FDLAA, Veras RC, Janebro DI, Amaral IP, Keesen TSL. Differential regulatory T cell signature after recovery from mild COVID-19. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1078922. [PMID: 36969257 PMCID: PMC10030602 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1078922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is characterized by a range of symptoms in which host immune response have been associated with disease progression. However, the putative role of regulatory T cells (Tregs) in determining COVID-19 outcomes has not been thoroughly investigated. Here, we compared peripheral Tregs between volunteers not previously infected with SARS-CoV-2 (healthy control [HC]) and volunteers who recovered from mild (Mild Recovered) and severe (Severe Recovered) COVID-19. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were stimulated with SARS-CoV-2 synthetic peptides (Pool Spike CoV-2 and Pool CoV-2) or staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB). Results of a multicolor flow cytometric assay showed higher Treg frequency and expression of IL-10, IL-17, perforin, granzyme B, PD-1, and CD39/CD73 co-expression in Treg among the PBMC from the Mild Recovered group than in the Severe Recovered or HC groups for certain SARS-CoV-2 related stimulus. Moreover, Mild Recovered unstimulated samples presented a higher Tregs frequency and expression of IL-10 and granzyme B than did that of HC. Compared with Pool CoV-2 stimuli, Pool Spike CoV-2 reduced IL-10 expression and improved PD-1 expression in Tregs from volunteers in the Mild Recovered group. Interestingly, Pool Spike CoV-2 elicited a decrease in Treg IL-17+ frequency in the Severe Recovered group. In HC, the expression of latency-associated peptide (LAP) and cytotoxic granule co-expression by Tregs was higher in Pool CoV-2 stimulated samples. While Pool Spike CoV-2 stimulation reduced the frequency of IL-10+ and CTLA-4+ Tregs in PBMC from volunteers in the Mild Recovered group who had not experienced certain symptoms, higher levels of perforin and perforin+granzyme B+ co-expression by Tregs were found in the Mild Recovered group in volunteers who had experienced dyspnea. Finally, we found differential expression of CD39 and CD73 among volunteers in the Mild Recovered group between those who had and had not experienced musculoskeletal pain. Collectively, our study suggests that changes in the immunosuppressive repertoire of Tregs can influence the development of a distinct COVID-19 clinical profile, revealing that a possible modulation of Tregs exists among volunteers of the Mild Recovered group between those who did and did not develop certain symptoms, leading to mild disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro Henrique de Sousa Palmeira
- Postgraduate program in Physiology Science, Immunology Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Paraiba, João Pessoa, Paraíba, Brazil
| | - Rephany Fonseca Peixoto
- Postgraduate program in Physiology Science, Immunology Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Paraiba, João Pessoa, Paraíba, Brazil
| | - Bárbara Guimarães Csordas
- Postgraduate program in Natural and Synthetic Bioactive Products, Immunology Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, Federal University of Paraiba, João Pessoa, Paraíba, Brazil
| | - Isac Almeida de Medeiros
- Research Institute for Drugs and Medicines, Federal University of Paraiba, João Pessoa, Paraíba, Brazil
| | | | - Robson Cavalcante Veras
- Research Institute for Drugs and Medicines, Federal University of Paraiba, João Pessoa, Paraíba, Brazil
| | - Daniele Idalino Janebro
- Research Institute for Drugs and Medicines, Federal University of Paraiba, João Pessoa, Paraíba, Brazil
| | - Ian P.G. Amaral
- Biotechnology Graduation Program, Immunology Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, Federal University of Paraiba, João Pessoa, Paraíba, Brazil
| | - Tatjana Souza Lima Keesen
- Immunology Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Paraiba, João Pessoa, Paraíba, Brazil
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25
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Intragenomic rearrangements involving 5'-untranslated region segments in SARS-CoV-2, other betacoronaviruses, and alphacoronaviruses. Virol J 2023; 20:36. [PMID: 36829234 PMCID: PMC9957694 DOI: 10.1186/s12985-023-01998-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2022] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 02/26/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Variation of the betacoronavirus SARS-CoV-2 has been the bane of COVID-19 control. Documented variation includes point mutations, deletions, insertions, and recombination among closely or distantly related coronaviruses. Here, we describe yet another aspect of genome variation by beta- and alphacoronaviruses that was first documented in an infectious isolate of the betacoronavirus SARS-CoV-2, obtained from 3 patients in Hong Kong that had a 5'-untranslated region segment at the end of the ORF6 gene that in its new location translated into an ORF6 protein with a predicted modified carboxyl terminus. While comparing the amino acid sequences of translated ORF8 genes in the GenBank database, we found a subsegment of the same 5'-UTR-derived amino acid sequence modifying the distal end of ORF8 of an isolate from the United States and decided to carry out a systematic search. METHODS Using the nucleotide and in the case of SARS-CoV-2 also the translated amino acid sequence in three reading frames of the genomic termini of coronaviruses as query sequences, we searched for 5'-UTR sequences in regions other than the 5'-UTR in SARS-CoV-2 and reference strains of alpha-, beta-, gamma-, and delta-coronaviruses. RESULTS We here report numerous genomic insertions of 5'-untranslated region sequences into coding regions of SARS-CoV-2, other betacoronaviruses, and alphacoronaviruses, but not delta- or gammacoronaviruses. To our knowledge this is the first systematic description of such insertions. In many cases, these insertions would change viral protein sequences and further foster genomic flexibility and viral adaptability through insertion of transcription regulatory sequences in novel positions within the genome. Among human Embecorivus betacoronaviruses, for instance, from 65% to all of the surveyed sequences in publicly available databases contain inserted 5'-UTR sequences. CONCLUSION The intragenomic rearrangements involving 5'-untranslated region sequences described here, which in several cases affect highly conserved genes with a low propensity for recombination, may underlie the generation of variants homotypic with those of concern or interest and with potentially differing pathogenic profiles. Intragenomic rearrangements thus add to our appreciation of how variants of SARS-CoV-2 and other beta- and alphacoronaviruses may arise.
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26
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Fan L, Feng S, Wang T, Ding X, An X, Wang Z, Zhou K, Wang M, Zhai X, Li Y. Chemical composition and therapeutic mechanism of Xuanbai Chengqi Decoction in the treatment of COVID-19 by network pharmacology, molecular docking and molecular dynamic analysis. Mol Divers 2023; 27:81-102. [PMID: 35258759 PMCID: PMC8902854 DOI: 10.1007/s11030-022-10415-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2022] [Accepted: 02/18/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Xuanbai Chengqi Decoction (XBCQD), a classic traditional Chinese medicine, has been widely used to treat COVID-19 in China with remarkable curative effect. However, the chemical composition and potential therapeutic mechanism is still unknown. Here, we used multiple open-source databases and literature mining to select compounds and potential targets for XBCQD. The COVID-19 related targets were collected from GeneCards and NCBI gene databases. After identifying putative targets of XBCQD for the treatment of COVID-19, PPI network was constructed by STRING database. The hub targets were extracted by Cytoscape 3.7.2 and MCODE analysis was carried out to extract modules in the PPI network. R 3.6.3 was used for GO enrichment and KEGG pathway analysis. The effective compounds were obtained via network pharmacology and bioinformatics analysis. Drug-likeness analysis and ADMET assessments were performed to select core compounds. Moreover, interactions between core compounds and hub targets were investigated through molecular docking, molecular dynamic (MD) simulations and MM-PBSA calculations. As a result, we collected 638 targets from 61 compounds of XBCQD and 845 COVID-19 related targets, of which 79 were putative targets. Based on the bioinformatics analysis, 10 core compounds and 34 hub targets of XBCQD for the treatment of COVID-19 were successfully screened. The enrichment analysis of GO and KEGG indicated that XBCQD mainly exerted therapeutic effects on COVID-19 by regulating signal pathways related to viral infection and inflammatory response. Meanwhile, the results of molecular docking showed that there was a stable binding between the core compounds and hub targets. Moreover, MD simulations and MM-PBSA analyses revealed that these compounds exhibited stable conformations and interacted well with hub targets during the simulations. In conclusion, our research comprehensively explained the multi-component, multi-target, and multi-pathway intervention mechanism of XBCQD in the treatment of COVID-19, which provided evidence and new insights for further research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liming Fan
- Biomedicine Key Laboratory of Shaanxi Province, College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi'an, 710069, China
| | - Shuai Feng
- Biomedicine Key Laboratory of Shaanxi Province, College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi'an, 710069, China
| | - Ting Wang
- Biomedicine Key Laboratory of Shaanxi Province, College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi'an, 710069, China
| | - Xinli Ding
- Biomedicine Key Laboratory of Shaanxi Province, College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi'an, 710069, China
| | - Xinxin An
- Biomedicine Key Laboratory of Shaanxi Province, College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi'an, 710069, China
| | - Zhen Wang
- Biomedicine Key Laboratory of Shaanxi Province, College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi'an, 710069, China
| | - Kun Zhou
- Biomedicine Key Laboratory of Shaanxi Province, College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi'an, 710069, China
| | - Minjuan Wang
- Physical and Chemical Laboratory, Shaanxi Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Xi'an, 710054, China
| | - Xifeng Zhai
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Xi'an Medical University, Xi'an, 710021, China
| | - Yang Li
- Biomedicine Key Laboratory of Shaanxi Province, College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi'an, 710069, China.
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27
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Lin X, Fu B, Xiong Y, Xing N, Xue W, Guo D, Zaky M, Pavani K, Kunec D, Trimpert J, Wu H. Unconventional secretion of unglycosylated ORF8 is critical for the cytokine storm during SARS-CoV-2 infection. PLoS Pathog 2023; 19:e1011128. [PMID: 36689483 PMCID: PMC9894554 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1011128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2022] [Revised: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 is a respiratory infectious disease caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Evidence on the pathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2 is accumulating rapidly. In addition to structural proteins such as Spike and Envelope, the functional roles of non-structural and accessory proteins in regulating viral life cycle and host immune responses remain to be understood. Here, we show that open reading frame 8 (ORF8) acts as messenger for inter-cellular communication between alveolar epithelial cells and macrophages during SARS-CoV-2 infection. Mechanistically, ORF8 is a secretory protein that can be secreted by infected epithelial cells via both conventional and unconventional secretory pathways. Conventionally secreted ORF8 is glycosylated and loses the ability to recognize interleukin 17 receptor A of macrophages, possibly due to the steric hindrance imposed by N-glycosylation at Asn78. However, unconventionally secreted ORF8 does not undergo glycosylation without experiencing the ER-Golgi trafficking, thereby activating the downstream NF-κB signaling pathway and facilitating a burst of cytokine release. Furthermore, we show that ORF8 deletion in SARS-CoV-2 attenuates inflammation and yields less lung lesions in hamsters. Our data collectively highlights a role of ORF8 protein in the development of cytokine storms during SARS-CoV-2 infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyuan Lin
- School of Life Sciences, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
- Institut für Virologie, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Beibei Fu
- School of Life Sciences, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yan Xiong
- School of Life Sciences, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
| | - Na Xing
- Institut für Virologie, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Weiwei Xue
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
| | - Dong Guo
- School of Life Sciences, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
| | - Mohamed Zaky
- Molecular Physiology Division, Faculty of Science, Beni-Suef University, Beni-Suef, Egypt
| | - Krishna Pavani
- Department of Reproduction, Obstetrics and Herd Health, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Dusan Kunec
- Institut für Virologie, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jakob Trimpert
- Institut für Virologie, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Haibo Wu
- School of Life Sciences, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
- * E-mail:
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Hurtado-Tamayo J, Requena-Platek R, Enjuanes L, Bello-Perez M, Sola I. Contribution to pathogenesis of accessory proteins of deadly human coronaviruses. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1166839. [PMID: 37197199 PMCID: PMC10183600 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1166839] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Coronaviruses (CoVs) are enveloped and positive-stranded RNA viruses with a large genome (∼ 30kb). CoVs include essential genes, such as the replicase and four genes coding for structural proteins (S, M, N and E), and genes encoding accessory proteins, which are variable in number, sequence and function among different CoVs. Accessory proteins are non-essential for virus replication, but are frequently involved in virus-host interactions associated with virulence. The scientific literature on CoV accessory proteins includes information analyzing the effect of deleting or mutating accessory genes in the context of viral infection, which requires the engineering of CoV genomes using reverse genetics systems. However, a considerable number of publications analyze gene function by overexpressing the protein in the absence of other viral proteins. This ectopic expression provides relevant information, although does not acknowledge the complex interplay of proteins during virus infection. A critical review of the literature may be helpful to interpret apparent discrepancies in the conclusions obtained by different experimental approaches. This review summarizes the current knowledge on human CoV accessory proteins, with an emphasis on their contribution to virus-host interactions and pathogenesis. This knowledge may help the search for antiviral drugs and vaccine development, still needed for some highly pathogenic human CoVs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Isabel Sola
- *Correspondence: Melissa Bello-Perez, ; Isabel Sola,
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Bonifácio LP, Ramacciotti E, Agati LB, Vilar FC, Silva ACTD, Louzada Júnior P, Fonseca BALD, Souza HCCD, Oliveira CCCD, Aguiar VCR, Quadros CADA, Dusilek C, Itinose K, Risson R, Ferreira LRR, Lopes RD, Kallas EG, Bellissimo-Rodrigues F. Efficacy and safety of Ixekizumab vs. low-dose IL-2 vs. Colchicine vs. standard of care in the treatment of patients hospitalized with moderate-to-critical COVID-19: A pilot randomized clinical trial (STRUCK: Survival Trial Using Cytokine Inhibitors). Rev Soc Bras Med Trop 2023; 56:e0565. [PMID: 37075454 PMCID: PMC10109354 DOI: 10.1590/0037-8682-0565-2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2022] [Accepted: 03/08/2023] [Indexed: 04/21/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) requiring hospitalization continue to appear in vulnerable populations, highlighting the importance of novel treatments. The hyperinflammatory response underlies the severity of the disease, and targeting this pathway may be useful. Herein, we tested whether immunomodulation focusing on interleukin (IL)-6, IL-17, and IL-2, could improve the clinical outcomes of patients admitted with COVID-19. METHODS This multicenter, open-label, prospective, randomized controlled trial was conducted in Brazil. Sixty hospitalized patients with moderate-to-critical COVID-19 received in addition to standard of care (SOC): IL-17 inhibitor (ixekizumab 80 mg SC/week) 1 dose every 4 weeks; low-dose IL-2 (1.5 million IU per day) for 7 days or until discharge; or indirect IL-6 inhibitor (colchicine) orally (0.5 mg) every 8 hours for 3 days, followed by 4 weeks at 0.5 mg 2x/day; or SOC alone. The primary outcome was accessed in the "per protocol" population as the proportion of patients with clinical improvement, defined as a decrease greater or equal to two points on the World Health Organization's (WHO) seven-category ordinal scale by day 28. RESULTS All treatments were safe, and the efficacy outcomes did not differ significantly from those of SOC. Interestingly, in the colchicine group, all participants had an improvement of greater or equal to two points on the WHO seven-category ordinal scale and no deaths or patient deterioration were observed. CONCLUSIONS Ixekizumab, colchicine, and IL-2 were demonstrated to be safe but ineffective for COVID-19 treatment. These results must be interpreted cautiously because of the limited sample size.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lívia Pimenta Bonifácio
- Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brasil
| | - Eduardo Ramacciotti
- Science Valley Research Institute, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
- Grupo Leforte, Hospital e Maternidade Christóvão da Gama, Santo André, SP, Brasil
| | | | | | | | - Paulo Louzada Júnior
- Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brasil
| | | | | | | | - Valéria Cristina Resende Aguiar
- Science Valley Research Institute, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
- Grupo Leforte, Hospital e Maternidade Christóvão da Gama, Santo André, SP, Brasil
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Renato Delascio Lopes
- Brazilian Clinical Research Institute, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
- Duke University Medical Center - Duke Clinical Research Institute, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Esper Georges Kallas
- Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina, Departamento de Moléstias Infecciosas e Parasitárias, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
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Defective ORF8 dimerization in SARS-CoV-2 delta variant leads to a better adaptive immune response due to abrogation of ORF8-MHC1 interaction. Mol Divers 2023; 27:45-57. [PMID: 35243596 PMCID: PMC8893242 DOI: 10.1007/s11030-022-10405-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2021] [Accepted: 02/08/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
In India, during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, the breakthrough infections were mainly caused by the SARS-COV-2 delta variant (B.1.617.2). It was reported that, among majority of the infections due to the delta variant, only 9.8% percent cases required hospitalization, whereas only 0.4% fatality was observed. Sudden dropdown in COVID-19 infections cases were observed within a short timeframe, suggesting better host adaptation with evolved delta variant. Downregulation of host immune response against SARS-CoV-2 by ORF8 induced MHC-I degradation has been reported earlier. The Delta variant carried mutations (deletion) at Asp119 and Phe120 amino acids which are critical for ORF8 dimerization. The deletions of amino acids Asp119 and Phe120 in ORF8 of delta variant resulted in structural instability of ORF8 dimer caused by disruption of hydrogen bonds and salt bridges as revealed by structural analysis and MD simulation studies. Further, flexible docking of wild type and mutant ORF8 dimer revealed reduced interaction of mutant ORF8 dimer with MHC-I as compared to wild-type ORF8 dimer with MHC-1, thus implicating its possible role in MHC-I expression and host immune response against SARS-CoV-2. We thus propose that mutant ORF8 of SARS-CoV-2 delta variant may not be hindering the MHC-I expression thereby resulting in a better immune response against the SARS-CoV-2 delta variant, which partly explains the possible reason for sudden drop of SARS-CoV-2 infection rate in the second wave of SARS-CoV-2 predominated by delta variant in India.
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Barh D, Tiwari S, Rodrigues Gomes LG, Ramalho Pinto CH, Andrade BS, Ahmad S, Aljabali AAA, Alzahrani KJ, Banjer HJ, Hassan SS, Redwan EM, Raza K, Góes-Neto A, Sabino-Silva R, Lundstrom K, Uversky VN, Azevedo V, Tambuwala MM. SARS-CoV-2 Variants Show a Gradual Declining Pathogenicity and Pro-Inflammatory Cytokine Stimulation, an Increasing Antigenic and Anti-Inflammatory Cytokine Induction, and Rising Structural Protein Instability: A Minimal Number Genome-Based Approach. Inflammation 2023; 46:297-312. [PMID: 36215001 PMCID: PMC9549046 DOI: 10.1007/s10753-022-01734-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2022] [Revised: 08/12/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Hyper-transmissibility with decreased disease severity is a typical characteristic of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant. To understand this phenomenon, we used various bioinformatics approaches to analyze randomly selected genome sequences (one each) of the Gamma, Delta, and Omicron variants submitted to NCBI from December 15 to 31, 2021. We report that the pathogenicity of SARS-CoV-2 variants decreases in the order of Wuhan > Gamma > Delta > Omicron; however, the antigenic property follows the order of Omicron > Gamma > Wuhan > Delta. The Omicron spike RBD shows lower pathogenicity but higher antigenicity than other variants. The reported decreased disease severity by the Omicron variant may be due to its decreased pro-inflammatory and IL-6 stimulation and increased IFN-γ and IL-4 induction efficacy. The mutations in the N protein are probably associated with this decreased IL-6 induction and human DDX21-mediated increased IL-4 production for Omicron. Due to the mutations, the stability of S, M, N, and E proteins decreases in the order of Omicron > Gamma > Delta > Wuhan. Although a stronger spike RBD-hACE2 binding of Omicron increases its transmissibility, the lowest stability of its spike protein makes spike RBD-hACE2 interaction weak for systemic infection and for causing severe disease. Finally, the highest instability of the Omicron E protein may also be associated with decreased viral maturation and low viral load, leading to less severe disease and faster recovery. Our findings will contribute to the understanding of the dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 variants and the management of emerging variants. This minimal genome-based method may be used for other similar viruses avoiding robust analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Debmalya Barh
- Centre for Genomics and Applied Gene Technology, Institute of Integrative Omics and Applied Biotechnology (IIOAB), Nonakuri, West Bengal, 721172, Purba Medinipur, India. .,Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Genetics (LGCM) and PG Program in Bioinformatics, Department of Genetics, Ecology and Evolution, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, CEP, 31270-901, Brazil.
| | - Sandeep Tiwari
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Genetics (LGCM) and PG Program in Bioinformatics, Department of Genetics, Ecology and Evolution, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, CEP 31270-901 Brazil
| | - Lucas Gabriel Rodrigues Gomes
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Genetics (LGCM) and PG Program in Bioinformatics, Department of Genetics, Ecology and Evolution, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, CEP 31270-901 Brazil
| | - Cecília Horta Ramalho Pinto
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, 31270-901 Brazil
| | - Bruno Silva Andrade
- Laboratory of Bioinformatics and Computational Chemistry, Department of Biological Sciences, State University of Southwest Bahia (UESB), Jequié, 45206-190 Brazil
| | - Shaban Ahmad
- Department of Computer Science, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, 110025 India
| | - Alaa A. A. Aljabali
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Yarmouk University, P O BOX 566, Irbid, 21163 Jordan
| | - Khalid J. Alzahrani
- Department of Clinical Laboratories Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Taif University, P.O. Box 11099, Taif, 21944 Saudi Arabia
| | - Hamsa Jameel Banjer
- Department of Clinical Laboratories Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Taif University, P.O. Box 11099, Taif, 21944 Saudi Arabia
| | - Sk. Sarif Hassan
- Department of Mathematics, Pingla Thana Mahavidyalaya, Maligram, 721140 India
| | - Elrashdy M. Redwan
- Department of Biological Science, Faculty of Science, King Abdulazizi University, Jeddah, 21589 Saudi Arabia
| | - Khalid Raza
- Department of Computer Science, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, 110025 India
| | - Aristóteles Góes-Neto
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Genetics (LGCM) and PG Program in Bioinformatics, Department of Genetics, Ecology and Evolution, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, CEP 31270-901 Brazil
| | - Robinson Sabino-Silva
- Department of Physiology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Uberlandia, Minas Gerais, Uberlandia, CEP 38400-902 Brazil
| | | | - Vladimir N. Uversky
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612 USA
| | - Vasco Azevedo
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Genetics (LGCM) and PG Program in Bioinformatics, Department of Genetics, Ecology and Evolution, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, CEP 31270-901 Brazil
| | - Murtaza M. Tambuwala
- Lincoln Medical School, University of Lincoln, Brayford Pool Campus, Lincoln, LN6 7TS UK
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Xu J, Liu M, Niu X, Hanson J, Jung K, Ru P, Tu H, Jones DM, Vlasova AN, Saif LJ, Wang Q. The Cold-Adapted, Temperature-Sensitive SARS-CoV-2 Strain TS11 Is Attenuated in Syrian Hamsters and a Candidate Attenuated Vaccine. Viruses 2022; 15:95. [PMID: 36680135 PMCID: PMC9867033 DOI: 10.3390/v15010095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2022] [Accepted: 12/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Live attenuated vaccines (LAVs) replicate in the respiratory/oral mucosa, mimic natural infection, and can induce mucosal and systemic immune responses to the full repertoire of SARS-CoV-2 structural/nonstructural proteins. Generally, LAVs produce broader and more durable protection than current COVID-19 vaccines. We generated a temperature-sensitive (TS) SARS-CoV-2 mutant TS11 via cold-adaptation of the WA1 strain in Vero E6 cells. TS11 replicated at >4 Log10-higher titers at 32 °C than at 39 °C. TS11 has multiple mutations, including those in nsp3, a 12-amino acid-deletion spanning the furin cleavage site of the S protein and a 371-nucleotide-deletion spanning the ORF7b-ORF8 genes. We tested the pathogenicity and protective efficacy of TS11 against challenge with a heterologous virulent SARS-CoV-2 D614G strain 14B in Syrian hamsters. Hamsters were randomly assigned to mock immunization-challenge (Mock-C) and TS11 immunization-challenge (TS11-C) groups. Like the mock group, TS11-vaccinated hamsters did not show any clinical signs and continuously gained body weight. TS11 replicated well in the nasal cavity but poorly in the lungs and caused only mild lesions in the lungs. After challenge, hamsters in the Mock-C group lost weight. In contrast, the animals in the TS11-C group continued gaining weight. The virus titers in the nasal turbinates and lungs of the TS11-C group were significantly lower than those in the Mock-C group, confirming the protective effects of TS11 immunization of hamsters. Histopathological examination demonstrated that animals in the Mock-C group had severe pulmonary lesions and large amounts of viral antigens in the lungs post-challenge; however, the TS11-C group had minimal pathological changes and few viral antigen-positive cells. In summary, the TS11 mutant was attenuated and induced protection against disease after a heterologous SARS-CoV-2 challenge in Syrian hamsters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiayu Xu
- Center for Food Animal Health, Department of Animal Sciences, College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, The Ohio State University, Wooster, OH 44691, USA
- Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Mingde Liu
- Center for Food Animal Health, Department of Animal Sciences, College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, The Ohio State University, Wooster, OH 44691, USA
- Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Xiaoyu Niu
- Center for Food Animal Health, Department of Animal Sciences, College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, The Ohio State University, Wooster, OH 44691, USA
- Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Juliette Hanson
- Center for Food Animal Health, Department of Animal Sciences, College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, The Ohio State University, Wooster, OH 44691, USA
| | - Kwonil Jung
- Center for Food Animal Health, Department of Animal Sciences, College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, The Ohio State University, Wooster, OH 44691, USA
| | - Peng Ru
- The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University James Cancer Center, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Huolin Tu
- James Molecular Laboratory at Polaris, The Ohio State University James Cancer Center, Columbus, OH 43240, USA
| | - Daniel M. Jones
- The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University James Cancer Center, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
- James Molecular Laboratory at Polaris, The Ohio State University James Cancer Center, Columbus, OH 43240, USA
- Department of Pathology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Anastasia N. Vlasova
- Center for Food Animal Health, Department of Animal Sciences, College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, The Ohio State University, Wooster, OH 44691, USA
- Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Linda J. Saif
- Center for Food Animal Health, Department of Animal Sciences, College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, The Ohio State University, Wooster, OH 44691, USA
- Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Qiuhong Wang
- Center for Food Animal Health, Department of Animal Sciences, College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, The Ohio State University, Wooster, OH 44691, USA
- Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
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The Potential Importance of CXCL1 in the Physiological State and in Noncancer Diseases of the Cardiovascular System, Respiratory System and Skin. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 24:ijms24010205. [PMID: 36613652 PMCID: PMC9820720 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24010205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2022] [Revised: 12/11/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
In this paper, we present a literature review of the role of CXC motif chemokine ligand 1 (CXCL1) in physiology, and in selected major non-cancer diseases of the cardiovascular system, respiratory system and skin. CXCL1, a cytokine belonging to the CXC sub-family of chemokines with CXC motif chemokine receptor 2 (CXCR2) as its main receptor, causes the migration and infiltration of neutrophils to the sites of high expression. This implicates CXCL1 in many adverse conditions associated with inflammation and the accumulation of neutrophils. The aim of this study was to describe the significance of CXCL1 in selected diseases of the cardiovascular system (atherosclerosis, atrial fibrillation, chronic ischemic heart disease, hypertension, sepsis including sepsis-associated encephalopathy and sepsis-associated acute kidney injury), the respiratory system (asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), chronic rhinosinusitis, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), influenza, lung transplantation and ischemic-reperfusion injury and tuberculosis) and the skin (wound healing, psoriasis, sunburn and xeroderma pigmentosum). Additionally, the significance of CXCL1 is described in vascular physiology, such as the effects of CXCL1 on angiogenesis and arteriogenesis.
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Al‐Kuraishy HM, Al‐Gareeb AI, Mohammed AA, Alexiou A, Papadakis M, Batiha GE. The potential link between Covid-19 and multiple myeloma: A new saga. Immun Inflamm Dis 2022; 10:e701. [PMID: 36444620 PMCID: PMC9673426 DOI: 10.1002/iid3.701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2022] [Revised: 08/26/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Covid-19 is considered a primary respiratory disease-causing viral pneumonia and, in severe cases, leads to acute lung injury and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). In addition, though, extra-pulmonary manifestations of Covid-19 have been shown. Furthermore, severe acute respiratory distress syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection may coexist with several malignancies, including multiple myeloma (MM). METHODS This critical literature review aimed to find the potential association between SARS-CoV-2 infection and MM in Covid-19 patients with underlying MM. Narrative literature and databases search revealed that ARDS is developed in both MM and Covid-19 due to hypercalcemia and proteasome dysfunction. RESULTS Notably, the expression of angiogenic factors and glutamine deficiency could link Covid-19 severity and MM in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular complications. MM and Covid-19 share thrombosis as a typical complication; unlike thrombosis in Covid-19, which reflects disease severity, thrombosis does not reflect disease severity in MM. In both conditions, thromboprophylaxis is essential to prevent pulmonary thrombosis and other thromboembolic disorders. Moreover, Covid-19 may exacerbate the development of acute kidney injury and neurological complications in MM patients. CONCLUSION These findings highlighted that MM patients might be a risk group for Covid-19 severity due to underlying immunosuppression and most of those patients need specific management in the Covid-19 era.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hayder M. Al‐Kuraishy
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Medicine, College of MedicineALmustansiriyia UniversityBaghdadIraq
| | - Ali I. Al‐Gareeb
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Medicine, College of MedicineALmustansiriyia UniversityBaghdadIraq
| | - Ali A Mohammed
- The Chest Clinic, Barts Health NHS TrustWhipps Cross University HospitalLondonUK
| | - Athanasios Alexiou
- Department of Science and EngineeringNovel Global Community Educational FoundationHebershamAustralia
- AFNP MedWienAustria
| | - Marios Papadakis
- Department of Surgery II, University Hospital Witten‐HerdeckeUniversity of Witten‐HerdeckeWuppertalGermany
| | - Gaber El‐Saber Batiha
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Faculty of Veterinary MedicineDamanhour UniversityDamanhourEgypt
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Cruz CAK, Medina PMB. Temporal changes in the accessory protein mutations of SARS-CoV-2 variants and their predicted structural and functional effects. J Med Virol 2022; 94:5189-5200. [PMID: 35764775 PMCID: PMC9349927 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.27964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2022] [Revised: 06/22/2022] [Accepted: 06/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Emerging variants enable the continuous spread of SARS-CoV-2 in humans. The factors contributing to behavioral differences in variants remain elusive despite associations with several Spike protein mutations. Exploring accessory proteins may provide a wider understanding of these differences since these proteins may affect viral processes that occur beyond infection. Various bioinformatics tools were utilized to identify significant accessory protein mutations and determine their structural and functional effects over time. The ViruClust web application was used to retrieve accessory protein amino acid sequences and determine mutation frequencies in these sequences across time. The structural and functional effects of the mutations were determined using Missense3D and PROVEAN, respectively. The accessory and Spike protein mutations were compared using mutation densities. Q57H and T151I of ORF3a; T21I and W27L of ORF6; G38V, V82A, and T120I of ORF7a; S31P and T40I of ORF7b; and R52I, C61F, and I121L of ORF8 were highly frequent in most variants of concern and were within known functional domains. Thus, these are good candidates for further experimental evaluation. Among the accessory proteins, ORF6 and ORF8 were highlighted because of their strong and weak correlation with Spike protein mutations, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Alfredo K. Cruz
- Biological Models Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of MedicineUniversity of the Philippines ManilaManila, Metro ManilaPhilippines
| | - Paul Mark B. Medina
- Biological Models Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of MedicineUniversity of the Philippines ManilaManila, Metro ManilaPhilippines
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Hildebrand RE, Chandrasekar SS, Riel M, Touray BJB, Aschenbroich SA, Talaat AM. Superinfection with SARS-CoV-2 Has Deleterious Effects on Mycobacterium bovis BCG Immunity and Promotes Dissemination of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Microbiol Spectr 2022; 10:e0307522. [PMID: 36200898 PMCID: PMC9603897 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.03075-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2022] [Accepted: 09/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
An estimated one-third of the world's population is infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis, with the majority being vaccinated with Mycobacterium bovis BCG. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) remains a threat, and we must understand how SARS-CoV-2 can modulate both BCG immunity and tuberculosis pathogenesis. Interestingly, neither BCG vaccination nor tuberculosis infection resulted in differences in clinical outcomes associated with SARS-CoV-2 in transgenic mice. Surprisingly, earlier M. tuberculosis infection resulted in lower SARS-CoV-2 viral loads, mediated by the heightened immune microenvironment of the murine lungs, unlike vaccination with BCG, which had no impact. In contrast, M. tuberculosis-infected tissues had increased bacterial loads and decreased histiocytic inflammation in the lungs following SARS-CoV-2 superinfection. SARS-CoV-2 modulated BCG-induced type 17 responses while decreasing type 1 and increasing type 2 cytokines in M. tuberculosis-infected mice. These findings challenge initial findings of BCG's positive impact on SARS-CoV-2 infection and suggest potential ramifications for M. tuberculosis reactivation upon SARS-CoV-2 superinfection. IMPORTANCE Prior to SARS-CoV-2, M. tuberculosis was the leading infectious disease killer, with an estimated one-third of the world's population infected and 1.7 million deaths a year. Here, we show that SARS-CoV-2 superinfection caused increased bacterial dissemination in M. tuberculosis-infected mice along with immune and pathological changes. SARS-CoV-2 also impacted the immunity of BCG-vaccinated mice, resulting in decreased interleukin-17 (IL-17) levels, while offering no protective effect against SARS-CoV-2. These results demonstrate that SARS-CoV-2 may have a deleterious effect on the ongoing M. tuberculosis pandemic and potentially limit BCG's efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel E. Hildebrand
- Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin—Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Shaswath Sekar Chandrasekar
- Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin—Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Mariah Riel
- Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin—Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Bubacarr J. B. Touray
- Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin—Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Sophie A. Aschenbroich
- Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin—Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Adel M. Talaat
- Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin—Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- Pan Genome Systems, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
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Vinjamuri S, Li L, Bouvier M. SARS-CoV-2 ORF8: One protein, seemingly one structure, and many functions. Front Immunol 2022; 13:1035559. [PMID: 36353628 PMCID: PMC9637571 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1035559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 is the virus responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic. The genome of SARS-CoV-2 encodes nine accessory proteins that are involved in host-pathogen interaction. ORF8 is unique among these accessory proteins. SARS-CoV-2 ORF8 shares a surprisingly low amino acid sequence similarity with SARS-COV ORF8 (30%), and it is presumed to have originated from bat. Studies have shown that ORF8 exerts multiple different functions that interfere with host immune responses, including the downregulation of MHC class I molecules. These functions may represent strategies of host immune evasion. The x-ray crystal structure of ORF8 revealed an immunoglobulin-like domain with several distinguishing features. To date, there are numerous unanswered questions about SARS-CoV-2 ORF8 protein and its structure-function relationship that we discuss in this mini-review. A better understanding of how ORF8 interacts with components of the immune system is needed for elucidating COVID-19 pathogenesis and to develop new avenues for the treatment of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Marlene Bouvier
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Illinois at Chicago, College of Medicine, Chicago, IL, United States
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Kee J, Thudium S, Renner DM, Glastad K, Palozola K, Zhang Z, Li Y, Lan Y, Cesare J, Poleshko A, Kiseleva AA, Truitt R, Cardenas-Diaz FL, Zhang X, Xie X, Kotton DN, Alysandratos KD, Epstein JA, Shi PY, Yang W, Morrisey E, Garcia BA, Berger SL, Weiss SR, Korb E. SARS-CoV-2 disrupts host epigenetic regulation via histone mimicry. Nature 2022; 610:381-388. [PMID: 36198800 PMCID: PMC9533993 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-022-05282-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2020] [Accepted: 08/26/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) emerged at the end of 2019 and caused the devastating global pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), in part because of its ability to effectively suppress host cell responses1-3. In rare cases, viral proteins dampen antiviral responses by mimicking critical regions of human histone proteins4-8, particularly those containing post-translational modifications required for transcriptional regulation9-11. Recent work has demonstrated that SARS-CoV-2 markedly disrupts host cell epigenetic regulation12-14. However, how SARS-CoV-2 controls the host cell epigenome and whether it uses histone mimicry to do so remain unclear. Here we show that the SARS-CoV-2 protein encoded by ORF8 (ORF8) functions as a histone mimic of the ARKS motifs in histone H3 to disrupt host cell epigenetic regulation. ORF8 is associated with chromatin, disrupts regulation of critical histone post-translational modifications and promotes chromatin compaction. Deletion of either the ORF8 gene or the histone mimic site attenuates the ability of SARS-CoV-2 to disrupt host cell chromatin, affects the transcriptional response to infection and attenuates viral genome copy number. These findings demonstrate a new function of ORF8 and a mechanism through which SARS-CoV-2 disrupts host cell epigenetic regulation. Further, this work provides a molecular basis for the finding that SARS-CoV-2 lacking ORF8 is associated with decreased severity of COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Kee
- Department of Genetics at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Epigenetics Institute at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Samuel Thudium
- Department of Genetics at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Epigenetics Institute at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - David M Renner
- Department of Microbiology at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Penn Center for Research on Coronaviruses and Other Emerging Pathogens at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Karl Glastad
- Epigenetics Institute at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Katherine Palozola
- Department of Genetics at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Epigenetics Institute at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Zhen Zhang
- Epigenetics Institute at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Yize Li
- Department of Microbiology at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Penn Center for Research on Coronaviruses and Other Emerging Pathogens at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Yemin Lan
- Epigenetics Institute at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Joseph Cesare
- Epigenetics Institute at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Andrey Poleshko
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Anna A Kiseleva
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Penn Cardiovascular Institute at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Rachel Truitt
- Department of Medicine at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Fabian L Cardenas-Diaz
- Department of Medicine at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Penn-CHOP Lung Biology Institute at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Xianwen Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Xuping Xie
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Darrell N Kotton
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, Boston University and Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
- The Pulmonary Center and Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Konstantinos D Alysandratos
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, Boston University and Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
- The Pulmonary Center and Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jonathan A Epstein
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Penn Cardiovascular Institute at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Medicine at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Pei-Yong Shi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Wenli Yang
- Department of Medicine at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Edward Morrisey
- Department of Medicine at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Penn-CHOP Lung Biology Institute at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Benjamin A Garcia
- Epigenetics Institute at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Shelley L Berger
- Epigenetics Institute at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Biology at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Susan R Weiss
- Department of Microbiology at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Penn Center for Research on Coronaviruses and Other Emerging Pathogens at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Erica Korb
- Department of Genetics at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
- Epigenetics Institute at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
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Al-kuraishy HM, Al-Gareeb AI, Negm WA, Alexiou A, Batiha GES. Ursolic acid and SARS-CoV-2 infection: a new horizon and perspective. Inflammopharmacology 2022; 30:1493-1501. [PMID: 35922738 PMCID: PMC9362167 DOI: 10.1007/s10787-022-01038-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2022] [Accepted: 07/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2) has been identified as the source of a world coronavirus pandemic in 2019. Covid-19 is considered a main respiratory disease-causing viral pneumonia and, in severe cases, leads to acute lung injury (ALI) and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Although, extrapulmonary manifestations of Covid-19 like neurological, cardiovascular, and gastrointestinal have been confirmed. Exaggerated immune response and release of a high amount of pro-inflammatory cytokines may progress, causing a cytokine storm. Consequently, direct and indirect effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection can evolve into systemic complications due to the progression of hyper inflammation, oxidative stress and dysregulation of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS). Therefore, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant agents could be efficient in alleviating these disorders. Ursolic acid has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antiviral effects; it reduces the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, improves anti-inflammatory cytokines, and inhibits the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). In virtue of its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, ursolic acid may minimize SARS-CoV-2 infection-induced complications. Also, by regulating RAS and inflammatory signaling pathways, ursolic acid might effectively reduce the development of ALI in ARDS in Covid-19. In this state, this perspective discusses how ursolic acid can mitigate hyper inflammation and oxidative stress in Covid-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hayder M. Al-kuraishy
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Medicine, College of Medicine, ALmustansiriyia University, Baghdad, Iraq
| | - Ali I. Al-Gareeb
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Medicine, College of Medicine, ALmustansiriyia University, Baghdad, Iraq
| | - Walaa A. Negm
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tanta University, Tanta, 31527 Egypt
| | - Athanasios Alexiou
- Department of Science and Engineering, Novel Global Community Educational Foundation, Hebersham, NSW Australia
- AFNP Med, Vienna, Austria
| | - Gaber El-Saber Batiha
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Damanhour University, AL Beheira, Damanhour, 22511 Egypt
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40
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Kohyama M, Suzuki T, Nakai W, Ono C, Matsuoka S, Iwatani K, Liu Y, Sakai Y, Nakagawa A, Tomii K, Ohmura K, Okada M, Matsuura Y, Ohshima S, Maeda Y, Okamoto T, Arase H. SARS-CoV-2 ORF8 is a viral cytokine regulating immune responses. Int Immunol 2022; 35:43-52. [PMID: 36053553 PMCID: PMC9494306 DOI: 10.1093/intimm/dxac044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2022] [Accepted: 09/01/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Many patients with severe COVID-19 suffer from pneumonia and the elucidation of the mechanisms underlying the development of this severe condition is important. The in vivo function of the ORF8 protein secreted by SARS-CoV-2 is not well understood. Here, we analyzed the function of ORF8 protein by generating ORF8-knockout SARS-CoV-2 and found that the lung inflammation observed in wild-type SARS-CoV-2-infected hamsters was decreased in ORF8-knockout SARS-CoV-2-infected hamsters. Administration of recombinant ORF8 protein to hamsters also induced lymphocyte infiltration into the lungs. Similar pro-inflammatory cytokine production was observed in primary human monocytes treated with recombinant ORF8 protein. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the serum ORF8 protein levels are well-correlated with clinical markers of inflammation. These results demonstrated that the ORF8 protein is a SARS-CoV-2 viral cytokine involved in the immune dysregulation observed in COVID-19 patients, and that the ORF8 protein could be a novel therapeutic target in severe COVID-19 patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masako Kohyama
- Department of Immunochemistry, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan,Laboratory of Immunochemistry, World Premier International Immunology Frontier Research Centre, Osaka University, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
| | - Tatsuya Suzuki
- Institute for Advanced Co-Creation Studies, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan,Center for Infectious Diseases Education and Research, Osaka University, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
| | - Wataru Nakai
- Department of Immunochemistry, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan,Laboratory of Immunochemistry, World Premier International Immunology Frontier Research Centre, Osaka University, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
| | - Chikako Ono
- Department of Molecular Virology, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
| | - Sumiko Matsuoka
- Department of Immunochemistry, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan,Laboratory of Immunochemistry, World Premier International Immunology Frontier Research Centre, Osaka University, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
| | - Koichi Iwatani
- Department of Immunochemistry, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan,Laboratory of Immunochemistry, World Premier International Immunology Frontier Research Centre, Osaka University, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
| | - Yafei Liu
- Department of Immunochemistry, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan,Laboratory of Immunochemistry, World Premier International Immunology Frontier Research Centre, Osaka University, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
| | - Yusuke Sakai
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, Yamaguchi University, Yamaguchi, Japan
| | - Atsushi Nakagawa
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Kobe City Medical Center General Hospital, Hyogo, 650-0047, Japan
| | - Keisuke Tomii
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Kobe City Medical Center General Hospital, Hyogo, 650-0047, Japan
| | - Koichiro Ohmura
- Department of Rheumatology, Kobe City Medical Center General Hospital, Hyogo, 650-0047, Japan
| | - Masato Okada
- Center for Infectious Diseases Education and Research, Osaka University, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan,Department of Oncogene Research, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
| | - Yoshiharu Matsuura
- Center for Infectious Diseases Education and Research, Osaka University, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan,Department of Molecular Virology, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
| | - Shiro Ohshima
- Department of Clinical Research, Osaka Minami Medical Center, Osaka, 586-8521, Japan
| | - Yusuke Maeda
- Department of Molecular Virology, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
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41
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Shin J, Toyoda S, Fukuhara A, Shimomura I. GRP78, a Novel Host Factor for SARS-CoV-2: The Emerging Roles in COVID-19 Related to Metabolic Risk Factors. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10081995. [PMID: 36009544 PMCID: PMC9406123 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10081995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Revised: 08/08/2022] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The outbreak of coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19), caused by the infection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has resulted in an unprecedented amount of infection cases and deaths, leading to the global health crisis. Despite many research efforts, our understanding of COVID-19 remains elusive. Recent studies have suggested that cell surface glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78) acts as a host co-receptor for SARS-CoV-2 infection and is related to COVID-19 risks, such as older age, obesity, and diabetes. Given its significance in a wide range of biological processes, such as protein homeostasis and cellular signaling, GRP78 might also play an important role in various stages of the viral life cycle and pathology of SARS-CoV-2. In this perspective, we explore the emerging and potential roles of GRP78 in SARS-CoV-2 infection. Additionally, we discuss the association with COVID-19 risks and symptoms. We hope this review article will be helpful to understand COVID-19 pathology and promote attention and study of GRP78 from many clinical and basic research fields.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jihoon Shin
- Department of Metabolic Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
- Department of Diabetes Care Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
- Correspondence:
| | - Shinichiro Toyoda
- Department of Metabolic Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Atsunori Fukuhara
- Department of Metabolic Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
- Department of Adipose Management, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Iichiro Shimomura
- Department of Metabolic Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
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Zhong Y, Ashley CL, Steain M, Ataide SF. Assessing the suitability of long non-coding RNAs as therapeutic targets and biomarkers in SARS-CoV-2 infection. Front Mol Biosci 2022; 9:975322. [PMID: 36052163 PMCID: PMC9424846 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2022.975322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are RNA transcripts that are over 200 nucleotides and rarely encode proteins or peptides. They regulate gene expression and protein activities and are heavily involved in many cellular processes such as cytokine secretion in respond to viral infection. In severe COVID-19 cases, hyperactivation of the immune system may cause an abnormally sharp increase in pro-inflammatory cytokines, known as cytokine release syndrome (CRS), which leads to severe tissue damage or even organ failure, raising COVID-19 mortality rate. In this review, we assessed the correlation between lncRNAs expression and cytokine release syndrome by comparing lncRNA profiles between COVID-19 patients and health controls, as well as between severe and non-severe cases. We also discussed the role of lncRNAs in CRS contributors and showed that the lncRNA profiles display consistency with patients’ clinic symptoms, thus suggesting the potential of lncRNAs as drug targets or biomarkers in COVID-19 treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yichen Zhong
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Caroline L. Ashley
- School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Megan Steain
- School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Sandro Fernandes Ataide
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- *Correspondence: Sandro Fernandes Ataide,
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Mahmanzar M, Houseini ST, Rahimian K, Namini AM, Gholamzad A, Tokhanbigli S, Sisakht MM, Farhadi A, Kuehu DL, Deng Y. The First Geographic Identification by Country of Sustainable Mutations of SARS-COV2 Sequence Samples: Worldwide Natural Selection Trends. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2022:2022.07.18.500565. [PMID: 35898341 PMCID: PMC9327626 DOI: 10.1101/2022.07.18.500565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The high mutation rates of RNA viruses, coupled with short generation times and large population sizes, allow viruses to evolve rapidly and adapt to the host environment. The rapidity of viral mutation also causes problems in developing successful vaccines and antiviral drugs. With the spread of SARS-CoV-2 worldwide, thousands of mutations have been identified, some of which have relatively high incidences, but their potential impacts on virus characteristics remain unknown. The present study analyzed mutation patterns, SARS-CoV-2 AASs retrieved from the GISAID database containing 10,500,000 samples. Python 3.8.0 programming language was utilized to pre-process FASTA data, align to the reference sequence, and analyze the sequences. Upon completion, all mutations discovered were categorized based on geographical regions and dates. The most stable mutations were found in nsp1(8% S135R), nsp12(99.3% P323L), nsp16 (1.2% R216C), envelope (30.6% T9I), spike (97.6% D614G), and Orf8 (3.5% S24L), and were identified in the United States on April 3, 2020, and England, Gibraltar, and, New Zealand, on January 1, 2020, respectively. The study of mutations is the key to improving understanding of the function of the SARS-CoV-2, and recent information on mutations helps provide strategic planning for the prevention and treatment of this disease. Viral mutation studies could improve the development of vaccines, antiviral drugs, and diagnostic assays designed with high accuracy, specifically useful during pandemics. This knowledge helps to be one step ahead of new emergence variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammadamin Mahmanzar
- Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI 96813, USA
| | - Seyed Taleb Houseini
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Basic Sciences, Qaemshahr Branch, Islamic Azad University, Mazandaran, Iran
| | - Karim Rahimian
- Bioinformatics and Computational Omics Lab (BioCOOL), Department of Biophysics. Faculty of Biological Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Arsham Mikaeili Namini
- Department of Animal Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Amir Gholamzad
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Paramedical Sciences, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Samaneh Tokhanbigli
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Sciences, Faculty of Advanced Sciences and Technology, pharmaceutical Sciences Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran (IAUPS)
| | - Mahsa Mollapour Sisakht
- Department of Biochemistry, Erasmus University Medical Center, P.O. Box 2040, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Amin Farhadi
- Department of Biology, Payame Noor University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Donna Lee Kuehu
- Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI 96813, USA
| | - Youping Deng
- Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI 96813, USA
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44
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Short KK, Lathrop SK, Davison CJ, Partlow HA, Kaiser JA, Tee RD, Lorentz EB, Evans JT, Burkhart DJ. Using Dual Toll-like Receptor Agonism to Drive Th1-Biased Response in a Squalene- and α-Tocopherol-Containing Emulsion for a More Effective SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:1455. [PMID: 35890352 PMCID: PMC9318334 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14071455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2022] [Revised: 06/29/2022] [Accepted: 06/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
A diversity of vaccines is necessary to reduce the mortality and morbidity of SARS-CoV-2. Vaccines must be efficacious, easy to manufacture, and stable within the existing cold chain to improve their availability around the world. Recombinant protein subunit vaccines adjuvanted with squalene-based emulsions such as AS03™ and MF59™ have a long and robust history of safe, efficacious use with straightforward production and distribution. Here, subunit vaccines were made with squalene-based emulsions containing novel, synthetic toll-like receptor (TLR) agonists, INI-2002 (TLR4 agonist) and INI-4001 (TLR7/8 agonist), using the recombinant receptor-binding domain (RBD) of SARS-CoV-2 S protein as an antigen. The addition of the TLR4 and TLR7/8 agonists, alone or in combination, maintained the formulation characteristics of squalene-based emulsions, including a sterile filterable droplet size (<220 nm), high homogeneity, and colloidal stability after months of storage at 4, 25, and 40 °C. Furthermore, the addition of the TLR agonists skewed the immune response from Th2 towards Th1 in immunized C57BL/6 mice, resulting in an increased production of IgG2c antibodies and a lower antigen-specific production of IL-5 with a higher production of IFNγ by lymphocytes. As such, incorporating TLR4 and TLR7/8 agonists into emulsions leveraged the desirable formulation and stability characteristics of emulsions and can induce Th1-type humoral and cell-mediated immune responses to combat the continued threat of SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristopher K. Short
- Center for Translational Medicine, University of Montana, Missoula, MT 59812, USA; (K.K.S.); (S.K.L.); (C.J.D.); (H.A.P.); (J.A.K.); (R.D.T.); (E.B.L.); (J.T.E.)
- Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Montana, Missoula, MT 59812, USA
| | - Stephanie K. Lathrop
- Center for Translational Medicine, University of Montana, Missoula, MT 59812, USA; (K.K.S.); (S.K.L.); (C.J.D.); (H.A.P.); (J.A.K.); (R.D.T.); (E.B.L.); (J.T.E.)
- Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Montana, Missoula, MT 59812, USA
| | - Clara J. Davison
- Center for Translational Medicine, University of Montana, Missoula, MT 59812, USA; (K.K.S.); (S.K.L.); (C.J.D.); (H.A.P.); (J.A.K.); (R.D.T.); (E.B.L.); (J.T.E.)
- Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Montana, Missoula, MT 59812, USA
| | - Haley A. Partlow
- Center for Translational Medicine, University of Montana, Missoula, MT 59812, USA; (K.K.S.); (S.K.L.); (C.J.D.); (H.A.P.); (J.A.K.); (R.D.T.); (E.B.L.); (J.T.E.)
- Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Montana, Missoula, MT 59812, USA
| | - Johnathan A. Kaiser
- Center for Translational Medicine, University of Montana, Missoula, MT 59812, USA; (K.K.S.); (S.K.L.); (C.J.D.); (H.A.P.); (J.A.K.); (R.D.T.); (E.B.L.); (J.T.E.)
- Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Montana, Missoula, MT 59812, USA
| | - Rebekah D. Tee
- Center for Translational Medicine, University of Montana, Missoula, MT 59812, USA; (K.K.S.); (S.K.L.); (C.J.D.); (H.A.P.); (J.A.K.); (R.D.T.); (E.B.L.); (J.T.E.)
- Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Montana, Missoula, MT 59812, USA
| | - Elizabeth B. Lorentz
- Center for Translational Medicine, University of Montana, Missoula, MT 59812, USA; (K.K.S.); (S.K.L.); (C.J.D.); (H.A.P.); (J.A.K.); (R.D.T.); (E.B.L.); (J.T.E.)
- Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Montana, Missoula, MT 59812, USA
| | - Jay T. Evans
- Center for Translational Medicine, University of Montana, Missoula, MT 59812, USA; (K.K.S.); (S.K.L.); (C.J.D.); (H.A.P.); (J.A.K.); (R.D.T.); (E.B.L.); (J.T.E.)
- Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Montana, Missoula, MT 59812, USA
| | - David J. Burkhart
- Center for Translational Medicine, University of Montana, Missoula, MT 59812, USA; (K.K.S.); (S.K.L.); (C.J.D.); (H.A.P.); (J.A.K.); (R.D.T.); (E.B.L.); (J.T.E.)
- Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Montana, Missoula, MT 59812, USA
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45
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Troyano-Hernáez P, Reinosa R, Holguín Á. Evolution of SARS-CoV-2 in Spain during the First Two Years of the Pandemic: Circulating Variants, Amino Acid Conservation, and Genetic Variability in Structural, Non-Structural, and Accessory Proteins. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:6394. [PMID: 35742840 PMCID: PMC9223475 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23126394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2022] [Revised: 06/06/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Monitoring SARS-CoV-2’s genetic diversity and emerging mutations in this ongoing pandemic is crucial to understanding its evolution and ensuring the performance of COVID-19 diagnostic tests, vaccines, and therapies. Spain has been one of the main epicenters of COVID-19, reaching the highest number of cases and deaths per 100,000 population in Europe at the beginning of the pandemic. This study aims to investigate the epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 in Spain and its 18 Autonomous Communities across the six epidemic waves established from February 2020 to January 2022. We report on the circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants in each epidemic wave and Spanish region and analyze the mutation frequency, amino acid (aa) conservation, and most frequent aa changes across each structural/non-structural/accessory viral protein among the Spanish sequences deposited in the GISAID database during the study period. The overall SARS-CoV-2 mutation frequency was 1.24 × 10−5. The aa conservation was >99% in the three types of protein, being non-structural the most conserved. Accessory proteins had more variable positions, while structural proteins presented more aa changes per sequence. Six main lineages spread successfully in Spain from 2020 to 2022. The presented data provide an insight into the SARS-CoV-2 circulation and genetic variability in Spain during the first two years of the pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - África Holguín
- HIV-1 Molecular Epidemiology Laboratory, Microbiology Department and Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria (IRYCIS) in Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal, CIBER en Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Red en Investigación Translacional en Infecciones Pediátricas (RITIP), 28034 Madrid, Spain; (P.T.-H.); (R.R.)
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Beaudoin-Bussières G, Arduini A, Bourassa C, Medjahed H, Gendron-Lepage G, Richard J, Pan Q, Wang Z, Liang C, Finzi A. SARS-CoV-2 Accessory Protein ORF8 Decreases Antibody-Dependent Cellular Cytotoxicity. Viruses 2022; 14:v14061237. [PMID: 35746708 PMCID: PMC9230529 DOI: 10.3390/v14061237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Revised: 05/27/2022] [Accepted: 06/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Viruses use many different strategies to evade host immune responses. In the case of SARS-CoV-2, its Spike mutates rapidly to escape from neutralizing antibodies. In addition to this strategy, ORF8, a small accessory protein encoded by SARS-CoV-2, helps immune evasion by reducing the susceptibility of SARS-CoV-2-infected cells to the cytotoxic CD8+ T cell response. Interestingly, among all accessory proteins, ORF8 is rapidly evolving and a deletion in this protein has been linked to milder disease. Here, we studied the effect of ORF8 on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). Specifically, we found that ORF8 can bind monocytes as well as NK cells. Strikingly, ORF8 binds CD16a (FcγRIIIA) with nanomolar affinity and decreases the overall level of CD16 at the surface of monocytes and, to a lesser extent, NK cells. This decrease significantly reduces the capacity of PBMCs and particularly monocytes to mediate antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC). Overall, our data identifies a new immune-evasion activity used by SARS-CoV-2 to escape humoral responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guillaume Beaudoin-Bussières
- Centre de Recherche du CHUM, Montreal, QC H2X 0A9, Canada; (G.B.-B.); (C.B.); (H.M.); (G.G.-L.); (J.R.)
- Département de Microbiologie, Infectiologie et Immunologie, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC H3C 3J7, Canada
| | - Ariana Arduini
- Lady Davis Institute, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, QC H3T 1E2, Canada; (A.A.); (Q.P.); (Z.W.)
- Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3G 2M1, Canada
| | - Catherine Bourassa
- Centre de Recherche du CHUM, Montreal, QC H2X 0A9, Canada; (G.B.-B.); (C.B.); (H.M.); (G.G.-L.); (J.R.)
| | - Halima Medjahed
- Centre de Recherche du CHUM, Montreal, QC H2X 0A9, Canada; (G.B.-B.); (C.B.); (H.M.); (G.G.-L.); (J.R.)
| | - Gabrielle Gendron-Lepage
- Centre de Recherche du CHUM, Montreal, QC H2X 0A9, Canada; (G.B.-B.); (C.B.); (H.M.); (G.G.-L.); (J.R.)
| | - Jonathan Richard
- Centre de Recherche du CHUM, Montreal, QC H2X 0A9, Canada; (G.B.-B.); (C.B.); (H.M.); (G.G.-L.); (J.R.)
- Département de Microbiologie, Infectiologie et Immunologie, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC H3C 3J7, Canada
| | - Qinghua Pan
- Lady Davis Institute, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, QC H3T 1E2, Canada; (A.A.); (Q.P.); (Z.W.)
| | - Zhen Wang
- Lady Davis Institute, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, QC H3T 1E2, Canada; (A.A.); (Q.P.); (Z.W.)
| | - Chen Liang
- Lady Davis Institute, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, QC H3T 1E2, Canada; (A.A.); (Q.P.); (Z.W.)
- Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3G 2M1, Canada
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 0G4, Canada
- Correspondence: (C.L.); (A.F.)
| | - Andrés Finzi
- Centre de Recherche du CHUM, Montreal, QC H2X 0A9, Canada; (G.B.-B.); (C.B.); (H.M.); (G.G.-L.); (J.R.)
- Département de Microbiologie, Infectiologie et Immunologie, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC H3C 3J7, Canada
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 0G4, Canada
- Correspondence: (C.L.); (A.F.)
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Satta S, Shahabipour F, Gao W, Lentz SR, Perlman S, Ashammakhi N, Hsiai T. Engineering viral genomics and nano-liposomes in microfluidic platforms for patient-specific analysis of SARS-CoV-2 variants. Theranostics 2022; 12:4779-4790. [PMID: 35832078 PMCID: PMC9254234 DOI: 10.7150/thno.72339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2022] [Accepted: 04/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
New variants of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) are continuing to spread globally, contributing to the persistence of the COVID-19 pandemic. Increasing resources have been focused on developing vaccines and therapeutics that target the Spike glycoprotein of SARS-CoV-2. Recent advances in microfluidics have the potential to recapitulate viral infection in the organ-specific platforms, known as organ-on-a-chip (OoC), in which binding of SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein to the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) of the host cells occurs. As the COVID-19 pandemic lingers, there remains an unmet need to screen emerging mutations, to predict viral transmissibility and pathogenicity, and to assess the strength of neutralizing antibodies following vaccination or reinfection. Conventional detection of SARS-CoV-2 variants relies on two-dimensional (2-D) cell culture methods, whereas simulating the micro-environment requires three-dimensional (3-D) systems. To this end, analyzing SARS-CoV-2-mediated pathogenicity via microfluidic platforms minimizes the experimental cost, duration, and optimization needed for animal studies, and obviates the ethical concerns associated with the use of primates. In this context, this review highlights the state-of-the-art strategy to engineer the nano-liposomes that can be conjugated with SARS-CoV-2 Spike mutations or genomic sequences in the microfluidic platforms; thereby, allowing for screening the rising SARS-CoV-2 variants and predicting COVID-19-associated coagulation. Furthermore, introducing viral genomics to the patient-specific blood accelerates the discovery of therapeutic targets in the face of evolving viral variants, including B1.1.7 (Alpha), B.1.351 (Beta), B.1.617.2 (Delta), c.37 (Lambda), and B.1.1.529 (Omicron). Thus, engineering nano-liposomes to encapsulate SARS-CoV-2 viral genomic sequences enables rapid detection of SARS-CoV-2 variants in the long COVID-19 era.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandro Satta
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Department of Medicine, Greater Los Angeles VA Healthcare System, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Fahimeh Shahabipour
- Skin Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran
| | - Wei Gao
- Medical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, California, Pasadena, USA
| | - Steven R. Lentz
- Section of Hematology, Oncology, and Blood & Marrow Transplantation, Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa, USA
| | - Stanley Perlman
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine, University of Iowa, USA
| | - Nureddin Ashammakhi
- Department of Bioengineering, Henry Samueli School of Engineering & Applied Science, University of California, CA, USA
- Institute for Quantitative Health Science & Engineering and Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, Michigan State University, MI, USA
| | - Tzung Hsiai
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Department of Medicine, Greater Los Angeles VA Healthcare System, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA
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Chou JM, Tsai JL, Hung JN, Chen IH, Chen ST, Tsai MH. The ORF8 Protein of SARS-CoV-2 Modulates the Spike Protein and Its Implications in Viral Transmission. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:883597. [PMID: 35663899 PMCID: PMC9161165 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.883597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Accepted: 04/01/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
COVID-19 is currently global pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Accompanying the rapid spread of the error-prone RNA-based genome, several dominant SARS-CoV-2 variants have been genetically identified. The mutations in the spike protein, which are essential for receptor binding and fusion, have been intensively investigated for their contributions to viral transmission. Nevertheless, the importance of other viral proteins and their mutations in SARS-CoV-2 lifecycle and transmission remains fairly understood. Here, we report the strong potency of an accessory protein ORF8 in modulating the level and processing of the spike protein. The expression of ORF8 protein does not affect propagation but expression of spike protein, which may lead to pseudovirions with less spike protein on the surface, therefore less infection potential. At the protein level, ORF8 expression led to downregulation and insufficient S1/S2 cleavage of the spike protein in a dose-dependent manner. ORF8 exhibits a strong interaction with the spike protein mainly at S1 domains and mediates its degradation through multiple pathways. The dominant clinical isolated ORF8 variants with the reduced protein stability exhibited the increased capacity of viral transmission without compromising their inhibitory effects on HLA-A2. Although the increase in spike protein level and Spike pseudovirus production observed by using highly transmissible clinical spike variants, there was no significant compromise in ORF8-mediated downregulation. Because ORF8 is important for immune surveillance and might be required for viral fitness in vivo, the alteration of the spike protein might be an optional strategy used by SARS-CoV-2 to promote viral transmission by escaping the inhibitory effects of ORF8. Therefore, our report emphasized the importance of ORF8 in SARS-CoV-2 spike protein production, maturation, and possible evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jen-Mei Chou
- Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
- Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Jo-Ling Tsai
- Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
- Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Jo-Ning Hung
- Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
- Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - I-Hua Chen
- Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
- Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
- College of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Szu-Ting Chen
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
- Research Center for Epidemic Prevention, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Han Tsai
- Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
- Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Research Center for Epidemic Prevention, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
- *Correspondence: Ming-Han Tsai,
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Yu T, Ling Q, Xu M, Wang N, Wang L, Lin H, Cao M, Ma Y, Wang Y, Li K, Liubing D, Jin Y, Li Y, Guo D, Peng X, Chen Y, Zhao B, Pan J. ORF8 protein of SARS‐CoV‐2 reduces male fertility in mice. J Med Virol 2022; 94:4193-4205. [PMID: 35570330 PMCID: PMC9348351 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.27855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2022] [Revised: 05/07/2022] [Accepted: 05/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
As one of the most rapidly evolving proteins of the genus Betacoronavirus, open reading frames (ORF8's) function and potential pathological consequence in vivo are still obscure. In this study, we show that the secretion of ORF8 is dependent on its N‐terminal signal peptide sequence and can be inhibited by reactive oxygen species scavenger and endoplasmic reticulum‐Golgi transportation inhibitor in cultured cells. To trace the effect of its possible in vivo secretion, we examined the plasma samples of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) convalescent patients and found that the patients aged from 40 to 60 had higher antibody titers than those under 40. To explore ORF8's in vivo function, we administered the mice with ORF8 via tail‐vein injection to simulate the circulating ORF8 in the patient. Although no apparent difference in body weight, food intake, and vitality was detected between vehicle‐ and ORF8‐treated mice, the latter displayed morphological abnormalities of testes and epididymides, as indicated by the loss of the central ductal lumen accompanied by a decreased fertility in 5‐week‐old male mice. Furthermore, the analysis of gene expression in the testes between vehicle‐ and ORF8‐treated mice identified a decreased expression of Col1a1, the loss of which is known to be associated with mice's infertility. Although whether our observation in mice could be translated to humans remains unclear, our study provides a potential mouse model that can be used to investigate the impact of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) infection on the human reproductive system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting Yu
- The Center for Infection and Immunity Study and Molecular Cancer Research Center, School of Medicine, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat‐sen University, No. 66, Gongchang Road, Guangming District, ShenzhenGuangdong518107China
| | - Qiao Ling
- The Center for Infection and Immunity Study and Molecular Cancer Research Center, School of Medicine, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat‐sen University, No. 66, Gongchang Road, Guangming District, ShenzhenGuangdong518107China
| | - Mengxin Xu
- School of Public Health (Shenzhen)Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat‐sen UniversityNo. 66, Gongchang Road, Guangming District, ShenzhenGuangdong518107China
| | - Niu Wang
- The Center for Infection and Immunity Study and Molecular Cancer Research Center, School of Medicine, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat‐sen University, No. 66, Gongchang Road, Guangming District, ShenzhenGuangdong518107China
| | - Lixia Wang
- The Center for Infection and Immunity Study and Molecular Cancer Research Center, School of Medicine, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat‐sen University, No. 66, Gongchang Road, Guangming District, ShenzhenGuangdong518107China
| | - Hanwen Lin
- The Center for Infection and Immunity Study and Molecular Cancer Research Center, School of Medicine, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat‐sen University, No. 66, Gongchang Road, Guangming District, ShenzhenGuangdong518107China
| | - Manqi Cao
- The Center for Infection and Immunity Study and Molecular Cancer Research Center, School of Medicine, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat‐sen University, No. 66, Gongchang Road, Guangming District, ShenzhenGuangdong518107China
| | - Yong Ma
- School of Public Health (Shenzhen)Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat‐sen UniversityNo. 66, Gongchang Road, Guangming District, ShenzhenGuangdong518107China
| | - Yuanyuan Wang
- School of Public Health (Shenzhen)Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat‐sen UniversityNo. 66, Gongchang Road, Guangming District, ShenzhenGuangdong518107China
| | - Kuibiao Li
- Guangzhou Center for Diseases Control and Prevention, GuangzhouGuangdongChina
| | - Du Liubing
- The Center for Infection and Immunity Study and Molecular Cancer Research Center, School of Medicine, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat‐sen University, No. 66, Gongchang Road, Guangming District, ShenzhenGuangdong518107China
| | - Yunyun Jin
- The Center for Infection and Immunity Study and Molecular Cancer Research Center, School of Medicine, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat‐sen University, No. 66, Gongchang Road, Guangming District, ShenzhenGuangdong518107China
| | - Ying Li
- The Center for Infection and Immunity Study and Molecular Cancer Research Center, School of Medicine, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat‐sen University, No. 66, Gongchang Road, Guangming District, ShenzhenGuangdong518107China
| | - Deyin Guo
- The Center for Infection and Immunity Study and Molecular Cancer Research Center, School of Medicine, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat‐sen University, No. 66, Gongchang Road, Guangming District, ShenzhenGuangdong518107China
| | - Xiaoxue Peng
- The Center for Infection and Immunity Study and Molecular Cancer Research Center, School of Medicine, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat‐sen University, No. 66, Gongchang Road, Guangming District, ShenzhenGuangdong518107China
| | - Yao‐qing Chen
- School of Public Health (Shenzhen)Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat‐sen UniversityNo. 66, Gongchang Road, Guangming District, ShenzhenGuangdong518107China
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control (Sun Yat‐sen University), Ministry of EducationGuangzhouChina
| | - Bo Zhao
- The Center for Infection and Immunity Study and Molecular Cancer Research Center, School of Medicine, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat‐sen University, No. 66, Gongchang Road, Guangming District, ShenzhenGuangdong518107China
| | - Ji‐An Pan
- The Center for Infection and Immunity Study and Molecular Cancer Research Center, School of Medicine, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat‐sen University, No. 66, Gongchang Road, Guangming District, ShenzhenGuangdong518107China
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Effect of cannabidiol on apoptosis and cellular interferon and interferon-stimulated gene responses to the SARS-CoV-2 genes ORF8, ORF10 and M protein. Life Sci 2022; 301:120624. [PMID: 35568225 PMCID: PMC9091075 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2022.120624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Revised: 05/05/2022] [Accepted: 05/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
AIMS To study effects on cellular innate immune responses to ORF8, ORF10, and Membrane protein (M protein) from the Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) that causes COVID-19, in combination with cannabidiol (CBD). MAIN METHODS HEK293 cells transfected with plasmids expressing control vector, ORF8, ORF10, or M protein were assayed for cell number and markers of apoptosis at 24 h, and interferon and interferon-stimulated gene expression at 14 h, with or without CBD. Cells transfected with polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid (Poly (I:C)) were also studied as a general model of RNA-type viral infection. KEY FINDINGS Reduced cell number and increased early and late apoptosis were found when expression of viral genes was combined with 1-2 μM CBD treatment, but not in control-transfected cells treated with CBD, or in cells expressing viral genes but treated only with vehicle. In cells expressing viral genes, CBD augmented expression of IFNγ, IFNλ1 and IFNλ2/3, as well as the 2'-5'-oligoadenylate synthetase (OAS) family members OAS1, OAS2, OAS3, and OASL. CBD also augmented expression of these genes in control cells not expressing viral genes, but without enhancing apoptosis. CBD similarly enhanced the cellular anti-viral response to Poly (I:C). SIGNIFICANCE Our results demonstrate a poor ability of HEK293 cells to respond to SARS-CoV-2 genes alone, but an augmented innate anti-viral response to these genes in the presence of CBD. Thus, CBD may prime components of the innate immune system, increasing readiness to respond to RNA-type viral infection without activating apoptosis, and could be studied for potential in prophylaxis.
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