1
|
Hao M, He Y, Song T, Guo H, Rayman MP, Zhang J. Dopamine and its precursor levodopa inactivate SARS-CoV-2 main protease by forming a quinoprotein. Free Radic Biol Med 2024; 220:167-178. [PMID: 38718952 DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2024.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2024] [Revised: 04/10/2024] [Accepted: 05/04/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024]
Abstract
Many studies show either the absence, or very low levels of, SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA and/or antigen in the brain of COVID-19 patients. Reports consistently indicate an abortive infection phenomenon in nervous cells despite the fact that they contain the SARS-CoV-2 receptor, ACE2. Dopamine levels in different brain regions are in the range of micromolar to millimolar concentrations. We have shown that sub-micromolar to low micromolar concentrations of dopamine or its precursor (levodopa) time- and dose-dependently inhibit the activity of SARS-CoV-2 main protease (Mpro), which is vital for the viral life cycle, by forming a quinoprotein. Thiol detection coupled with the assessment of Mpro activity suggests that among the 12 cysteinyl thiols, the active site, Cys145-SH, is preferentially conjugated to the quinone derived from the oxidation of dopamine or levodopa. LC-MS/MS analyses show that the Cys145-SH is covalently conjugated by dopamine- or levodopa-o-quinone. These findings help explain why SARS-CoV-2 causes inefficient replication in many nerve cell lines. It is well recognized that inhaled pulmonary drug delivery is the most robust therapy pathway for lung diseases. CVT-301 (orally inhaled levodopa) was approved by the FDA as a drug for Parkinson's patients prior to the outbreak of COVID-19 in 2018. Based on the fact that SARS-CoV-2 causes inefficient replication in the CNS with abundant endogenous Mpro inhibitor in addition to the current finding that levodopa has an Mpro-inhibitory effect somewhat stronger than dopamine, we should urgently investigate the use of CVT-301 as a lung-targeting, COVID-19, Mpro inhibitor.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Meng Hao
- State Key Laboratory of Tea Plant Biology and Utilization, School of Tea & Food Science, Institute of Health and Medicine, Hefei Comprehensive National Science Center, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, 230036, China
| | - Yufeng He
- State Key Laboratory of Tea Plant Biology and Utilization, School of Tea & Food Science, Institute of Health and Medicine, Hefei Comprehensive National Science Center, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, 230036, China
| | - Tingting Song
- State Key Laboratory of Tea Plant Biology and Utilization, School of Tea & Food Science, Institute of Health and Medicine, Hefei Comprehensive National Science Center, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, 230036, China
| | - Huimin Guo
- Center for Biological Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, 230036, China
| | - Margaret P Rayman
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, GU2 7XH, UK
| | - Jinsong Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Tea Plant Biology and Utilization, School of Tea & Food Science, Institute of Health and Medicine, Hefei Comprehensive National Science Center, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, 230036, China.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Frank MG, Ball JB, Hopkins S, Kelley T, Kuzma AJ, Thompson RS, Fleshner M, Maier SF. SARS-CoV-2 S1 subunit produces a protracted priming of the neuroinflammatory, physiological, and behavioral responses to a remote immune challenge: A role for corticosteroids. Brain Behav Immun 2024; 121:87-103. [PMID: 39043345 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2024.07.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2024] [Revised: 07/08/2024] [Accepted: 07/20/2024] [Indexed: 07/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Long COVID is a major public health consequence of COVID-19 and is characterized by multiple neurological and neuropsychatric symptoms. SARS-CoV-2 antigens (e.g., spike S1 subunit) are found in the circulation of Long COVID patients, have been detected in post-mortem brain of COVID patients, and exhibit neuroinflammatory properties. Considering recent observations of chronic neuroinflammation in Long COVID patients, the present study explores the idea that antigens derived from SARS-CoV-2 might produce a long-term priming or sensitization of neuroinflammatory processes, thereby potentiating the magnitude and/or duration of the neuroinflammatory response to future inflammatory insults. Rats were administered S1 or vehicle intra-cisterna magna and 7d later challenged with vehicle or LPS. The neuroinflammatory, physiological, and behavioral responses to LPS were measured at various time points post-LPS. We found that prior S1 treatment potentiated many of these responses to LPS suggesting that S1 produces a protracted priming of these processes. Further, S1 produced a protracted reduction in basal brain corticosteroids. Considering the anti-inflammatory properties of corticosteroids, these findings suggest that S1 might disinhibit innate immune processes in brain by reducing anti-inflammatory drive, thereby priming neuroinflammatory processes. Given that hypocortisolism is observed in Long COVID, we propose that similar S1-induced innate immune priming processes might play role in the pathophysiology of Long COVID.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Matthew G Frank
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO 80301, USA; Department of Integrative Physiology, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO 80301, USA.
| | - Jayson B Ball
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO 80301, USA
| | - Shelby Hopkins
- Department of Integrative Physiology, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO 80301, USA
| | - Tel Kelley
- Department of Integrative Physiology, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO 80301, USA
| | - Angelina J Kuzma
- Department of Integrative Physiology, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO 80301, USA
| | - Robert S Thompson
- Department of Integrative Physiology, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO 80301, USA
| | - Monika Fleshner
- Department of Integrative Physiology, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO 80301, USA
| | - Steven F Maier
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO 80301, USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Chen W, Jiang X, Liang W, Bai H, Xu M, Liu Z, Yi L, Liu Y, Huang Y, Zhang Y, Xu L, Xie B, Zhang N, Yu J, Lu J, Xiao H, Li X. SARS-CoV-2 Omicron Variants Show Attenuated Neurovirulence Compared with the Wild-Type Strain in Elderly Human Brain Spheroids. RESEARCH (WASHINGTON, D.C.) 2024; 7:0376. [PMID: 38741604 PMCID: PMC11089278 DOI: 10.34133/research.0376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2023] [Accepted: 04/13/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
Infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 Omicron variants still causes neurological complications in elderly individuals. However, whether and how aging brains are affected by Omicron variants in terms of neuroinvasiveness and neurovirulence are unknown. Here, we utilize resected paracarcinoma brain tissue from elderly individuals to generate primary brain spheroids (BSs) for investigating the replication capability of live wild-type (WT) strain and Omicron (BA.1/BA.2), as well as the mechanisms underlying their neurobiological effects. We find that both WT and Omicron BA.1/BA.2 are able to enter BSs but weakly replicate. There is no difference between Omicron BA.1/BA.2 and WT strains in neurotropism in aging BSs. However, Omicron BA.1/BA.2 exhibits ameliorating neurological damage. Transcriptional profiling indicates that Omicron BA.1/BA.2 induces a lower neuroinflammatory response than WT strain in elderly BSs, suggesting a mechanistic explanation for their attenuated neuropathogenicity. Moreover, we find that both Omicron BA.1/BA.2 and WT strain infections disrupt neural network activity associated with neurodegenerative disorders by causing neuron degeneration and amyloid-β deposition in elderly BSs. These results uncover Omicron-specific mechanisms and cellular immune responses associated with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2-induced neurological complications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Weikang Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery,
The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510000, China
- Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510000, China
| | - Xiaobing Jiang
- Department of Neurosurgery/Neuro-Oncology, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China,
Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center (SYSUCC), Guangzhou 510000, China
| | - Wei Liang
- Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510000, China
| | - Haojie Bai
- Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510000, China
| | - Mingze Xu
- Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510000, China
| | - Zhe Liu
- Guangdong Provincial Institution of Public Health, Guangdong Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Guangzhou 510000, China
| | - Lina Yi
- Guangdong Provincial Institution of Public Health, Guangdong Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Guangzhou 510000, China
| | - Yanming Liu
- Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510000, China
| | - Yanxia Huang
- Department of Neurosurgery,
The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510000, China
| | - Yongxin Zhang
- Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510000, China
| | - Lixia Xu
- Department of Oncology,
The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510000, China
| | - Baoshu Xie
- Department of Neurosurgery,
The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510000, China
| | - Nu Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery,
The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510000, China
| | - Jun Yu
- Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510000, China
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics and Institute of Digestive Disease, State Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease,
The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR 999077, China
| | - Jing Lu
- Guangdong Provincial Institution of Public Health, Guangdong Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Guangzhou 510000, China
| | - Haipeng Xiao
- Department of Endocrinology,
The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510000, China
| | - Xiaoxing Li
- Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510000, China
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Bransfield RC, Mao C, Greenberg R. Microbes and Mental Illness: Past, Present, and Future. Healthcare (Basel) 2023; 12:83. [PMID: 38200989 PMCID: PMC10779437 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare12010083] [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: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
A review of the association between microbes and mental illness is performed, including the history, relevant definitions, infectious agents associated with mental illnesses, complex interactive infections, total load theory, pathophysiology, psychoimmunology, psychoneuroimmunology, clinical presentations, early-life infections, clinical assessment, and treatment. Perspectives on the etiology of mental illness have evolved from demonic possession toward multisystem biologically based models that include gene expression, environmental triggers, immune mediators, and infectious diseases. Microbes are associated with a number of mental disorders, including autism, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depressive disorders, and anxiety disorders, as well as suicidality and aggressive or violent behaviors. Specific microbes that have been associated or potentially associated with at least one of these conditions include Aspergillus, Babesia, Bartonella, Borna disease virus, Borrelia burgdorferi (Lyme disease), Candida, Chlamydia, coronaviruses (e.g., SARS-CoV-2), Cryptococcus neoformans, cytomegalovirus, enteroviruses, Epstein-Barr virus, hepatitis C, herpes simplex virus, human endogenous retroviruses, human immunodeficiency virus, human herpesvirus-6 (HHV-6), human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1, influenza viruses, measles virus, Mycoplasma, Plasmodium, rubella virus, Group A Streptococcus (PANDAS), Taenia solium, Toxoplasma gondii, Treponema pallidum (syphilis), Trypanosoma, and West Nile virus. Recognition of the microbe and mental illness association with the development of greater interdisciplinary research, education, and treatment options may prevent and reduce mental illness morbidity, disability, and mortality.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Robert C. Bransfield
- Rutgers-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
- Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine, Nutey, NJ 07110, USA
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
5
|
Clark IA, Vissel B. Autocrine positive feedback of tumor necrosis factor from activated microglia proposed to be of widespread relevance in chronic neurological disease. Pharmacol Res Perspect 2023; 11:e01136. [PMID: 37750203 PMCID: PMC10520644 DOI: 10.1002/prp2.1136] [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: 06/29/2023] [Revised: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 09/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Over a decade's experience of post-stroke rehabilitation by administering the specific anti-TNF biological, etanercept, by the novel perispinal route, is consistent with a wide range of chronically diminished neurological function having been caused by persistent excessive cerebral levels of TNF. We propose that this TNF persistence, and cerebral disease chronicity, largely arises from a positive autocrine feedback loop of this cytokine, allowing the persistence of microglial activation caused by the excess TNF that these cells produce. It appears that many of these observations have never been exploited to construct a broad understanding and treatment of certain chronic, yet reversible, neurological illnesses. We propose that this treatment allows these chronically activated microglia to revert to their normal quiescent state, rather than simply neutralizing the direct harmful effects of this cytokine after its release from microglia. Logically, this also applies to the chronic cerebral aspects of various other neurological conditions characterized by activated microglia. These include long COVID, Lyme disease, post-stroke syndromes, traumatic brain injury, chronic traumatic encephalopathy, post-chemotherapy, post-irradiation cerebral dysfunction, cerebral palsy, fetal alcohol syndrome, hepatic encephalopathy, the antinociceptive state of morphine tolerance, and neurogenic pain. In addition, certain psychiatric states, in isolation or as sequelae of infectious diseases such as Lyme disease and long COVID, are candidates for being understood through this approach and treated accordingly. Perispinal etanercept provides the prospect of being able to treat various chronic central nervous system illnesses, whether they are of infectious or non-infectious origin, through reversing excess TNF generation by microglia.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ian A. Clark
- Research School of Biology, Australian National UniversityCanberraAustralian Capital TerritoryAustralia
| | - Bryce Vissel
- St Vincent's Hospital Centre for Applied Medical ResearchSt Vincent's HospitalDarlinghurstAustralia
- UNSW Medicine & Health, St Vincent's Healthcare Clinical Campus, Faculty of Medicine and HealthSchool of Clinical Medicine, UNSW SydneySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Pereira PDC, Diniz DG, da Costa ER, Magalhães NGDM, da Silva ADJF, Leite JGS, Almeida NIP, Cunha KDN, de Melo MAD, Vasconcelos PFDC, Diniz JAP, Brites D, Anthony DC, Diniz CWP, Guerreiro-Diniz C. Genes, inflammatory response, tolerance, and resistance to virus infections in migratory birds, bats, and rodents. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1239572. [PMID: 37711609 PMCID: PMC10497949 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1239572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Normally, the host immunological response to viral infection is coordinated to restore homeostasis and protect the individual from possible tissue damage. The two major approaches are adopted by the host to deal with the pathogen: resistance or tolerance. The nature of the responses often differs between species and between individuals of the same species. Resistance includes innate and adaptive immune responses to control virus replication. Disease tolerance relies on the immune response allowing the coexistence of infections in the host with minimal or no clinical signs, while maintaining sufficient viral replication for transmission. Here, we compared the virome of bats, rodents and migratory birds and the molecular mechanisms underlying symptomatic and asymptomatic disease progression. We also explore the influence of the host physiology and environmental influences on RNA virus expression and how it impacts on the whole brain transcriptome of seemingly healthy semipalmated sandpiper (Calidris pusilla) and spotted sandpiper (Actitis macularius). Three time points throughout the year were selected to understand the importance of longitudinal surveys in the characterization of the virome. We finally revisited evidence that upstream and downstream regulation of the inflammatory response is, respectively, associated with resistance and tolerance to viral infections.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Douglas Corrêa Pereira
- Ciência e Tecnologia do Pará, Laboratório de Biologia Molecular e Neuroecologia, Instituto Federal de Educação, Bragança, Pará, Brazil
| | - Daniel Guerreiro Diniz
- Seção de Hepatologia, Laboratório de Microscopia Eletrônica, Instituto Evandro Chagas, Belém, Pará, Brazil
- Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Hospital Universitário João de Barros Barreto, Laboratório de Investigações em Neurodegeneração e Infecção, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, Pará, Brazil
| | - Emanuel Ramos da Costa
- Ciência e Tecnologia do Pará, Laboratório de Biologia Molecular e Neuroecologia, Instituto Federal de Educação, Bragança, Pará, Brazil
- Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Hospital Universitário João de Barros Barreto, Laboratório de Investigações em Neurodegeneração e Infecção, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, Pará, Brazil
| | - Nara Gyzely de Morais Magalhães
- Ciência e Tecnologia do Pará, Laboratório de Biologia Molecular e Neuroecologia, Instituto Federal de Educação, Bragança, Pará, Brazil
| | - Anderson de Jesus Falcão da Silva
- Ciência e Tecnologia do Pará, Laboratório de Biologia Molecular e Neuroecologia, Instituto Federal de Educação, Bragança, Pará, Brazil
| | - Jéssica Gizele Sousa Leite
- Ciência e Tecnologia do Pará, Laboratório de Biologia Molecular e Neuroecologia, Instituto Federal de Educação, Bragança, Pará, Brazil
| | - Natan Ibraim Pires Almeida
- Ciência e Tecnologia do Pará, Laboratório de Biologia Molecular e Neuroecologia, Instituto Federal de Educação, Bragança, Pará, Brazil
| | - Kelle de Nazaré Cunha
- Ciência e Tecnologia do Pará, Laboratório de Biologia Molecular e Neuroecologia, Instituto Federal de Educação, Bragança, Pará, Brazil
| | - Mauro André Damasceno de Melo
- Ciência e Tecnologia do Pará, Laboratório de Biologia Molecular e Neuroecologia, Instituto Federal de Educação, Bragança, Pará, Brazil
| | - Pedro Fernando da Costa Vasconcelos
- Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade do Estado do Pará, Belém, Pará, Brazil
- Seção de Arbovirologia e Febres Hemorrágicas, Instituto Evandro Chagas, Ananindeua, Pará, Brazil
| | - José Antonio Picanço Diniz
- Seção de Hepatologia, Laboratório de Microscopia Eletrônica, Instituto Evandro Chagas, Belém, Pará, Brazil
| | - Dora Brites
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Medicines, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Daniel Clive Anthony
- Department of Pharmacology, Laboratory of Experimental Neuropathology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Cristovam Wanderley Picanço Diniz
- Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Hospital Universitário João de Barros Barreto, Laboratório de Investigações em Neurodegeneração e Infecção, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, Pará, Brazil
| | - Cristovam Guerreiro-Diniz
- Ciência e Tecnologia do Pará, Laboratório de Biologia Molecular e Neuroecologia, Instituto Federal de Educação, Bragança, Pará, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|