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D'Aversa E, Salvatori F, Vaccarezza M, Antonica B, Grisafi M, Singh AV, Secchiero P, Zauli G, Tisato V, Gemmati D. circRNAs as Epigenetic Regulators of Integrity in Blood-Brain Barrier Architecture: Mechanisms and Therapeutic Strategies in Multiple Sclerosis. Cells 2024; 13:1316. [PMID: 39195206 DOI: 10.3390/cells13161316] [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: 07/03/2024] [Revised: 07/30/2024] [Accepted: 08/03/2024] [Indexed: 08/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory neurodegenerative disease leading to progressive demyelination and neuronal loss, with extensive neurological symptoms. As one of the most widespread neurodegenerative disorders, with an age onset of about 30 years, it turns out to be a socio-health and economic issue, thus necessitating therapeutic interventions currently unavailable. Loss of integrity in the blood-brain barrier (BBB) is one of the distinct MS hallmarks. Brain homeostasis is ensured by an endothelial cell-based monolayer at the interface between the central nervous system (CNS) and systemic bloodstream, acting as a selective barrier. MS results in enhanced barrier permeability, mainly due to the breakdown of tight (TJs) and adherens junctions (AJs) between endothelial cells. Specifically, proinflammatory mediator release causes failure in cytoplasmic exposure of junctions, resulting in compromised BBB integrity that enables blood cells to cross the barrier, establishing iron deposition and neuronal impairment. Cells with a compromised cytoskeletal protein network, fiber reorganization, and discontinuous junction structure can occur, resulting in BBB dysfunction. Recent investigations on spatial transcriptomics have proven circularRNAs (circRNAs) to be powerful multi-functional molecules able to epigenetically regulate transcription and structurally support proteins. In the present review, we provide an overview of the recent role ascribed to circRNAs in maintaining BBB integrity/permeability via cytoskeletal stability. Increased knowledge of the mechanisms responsible for impairment and circRNA's role in driving BBB damage and dysfunction might be helpful for the recognition of novel therapeutic targets to overcome BBB damage and unrestrained neurodegeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabetta D'Aversa
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Francesca Salvatori
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Mauro Vaccarezza
- Curtin Medical School & Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute (CHIRI), Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, Bentley, WA 6102, Australia
| | - Bianca Antonica
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Miriana Grisafi
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Ajay Vikram Singh
- Department of Chemical and Product Safety, German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), 10589 Berlin, Germany
| | - Paola Secchiero
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Giorgio Zauli
- Research Department, King Khaled Eye Specialistic Hospital, Riyadh 11462, Saudi Arabia
| | - Veronica Tisato
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
- University Strategic Centre for Studies on Gender Medicine, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
- LTTA Centre, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Donato Gemmati
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
- University Strategic Centre for Studies on Gender Medicine, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
- Centre Haemostasis & Thrombosis, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
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Gasparello J, Papi C, Zurlo M, Volpi S, Gambari R, Corradini R, Casnati A, Sansone F, Finotti A. Cationic Calix[4]arene Vectors to Efficiently Deliver AntimiRNA Peptide Nucleic Acids (PNAs) and miRNA Mimics. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:2121. [PMID: 37631335 PMCID: PMC10460053 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15082121] [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: 06/04/2023] [Revised: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
One of the most appealing approaches for regulating gene expression, named the "microRNA therapeutic" method, is based on the regulation of the activity of microRNAs (miRNAs), the intracellular levels of which are dysregulated in many diseases, including cancer. This can be achieved by miRNA inhibition with antimiRNA molecules in the case of overexpressed microRNAs, or by using miRNA-mimics to restore downregulated microRNAs that are associated with the target disease. The development of new efficient, low-toxic, and targeted vectors of such molecules represents a key topic in the field of the pharmacological modulation of microRNAs. We compared the delivery efficiency of a small library of cationic calix[4]arene vectors complexed with fluorescent antimiRNA molecules (Peptide Nucleic Acids, PNAs), pre-miRNA (microRNA precursors), and mature microRNAs, in glioma- and colon-cancer cellular models. The transfection was assayed by cytofluorimetry, cell imaging assays, and RT-qPCR. The calix[4]arene-based vectors were shown to be powerful tools to facilitate the uptake of both neutral (PNAs) and negatively charged (pre-miRNAs and mature microRNAs) molecules showing low toxicity in transfected cells and ability to compete with commercially available vectors in terms of delivery efficiency. These results could be of great interest to validate microRNA therapeutics approaches for future application in personalized treatment and precision medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Gasparello
- Section of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (J.G.); (C.P.); (M.Z.); (R.G.)
| | - Chiara Papi
- Section of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (J.G.); (C.P.); (M.Z.); (R.G.)
| | - Matteo Zurlo
- Section of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (J.G.); (C.P.); (M.Z.); (R.G.)
| | - Stefano Volpi
- Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, 43124 Parma, Italy; (S.V.); (R.C.); (A.C.)
| | - Roberto Gambari
- Section of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (J.G.); (C.P.); (M.Z.); (R.G.)
| | - Roberto Corradini
- Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, 43124 Parma, Italy; (S.V.); (R.C.); (A.C.)
| | - Alessandro Casnati
- Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, 43124 Parma, Italy; (S.V.); (R.C.); (A.C.)
| | - Francesco Sansone
- Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, 43124 Parma, Italy; (S.V.); (R.C.); (A.C.)
| | - Alessia Finotti
- Section of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (J.G.); (C.P.); (M.Z.); (R.G.)
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Lin Y, Sun Q, Zhang B, Zhao W, Shen C. The regulation of lncRNAs and miRNAs in SARS-CoV-2 infection. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1229393. [PMID: 37576600 PMCID: PMC10416254 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1229393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was a global endemic that continues to cause a large number of severe illnesses and fatalities. There is increasing evidence that non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are crucial regulators of viral infection and antiviral immune response and the role of non-coding RNAs in SARS-CoV-2 infection has now become the focus of scholarly inquiry. After SARS-CoV-2 infection, some ncRNAs' expression levels are regulated to indirectly control the expression of antiviral genes and viral gene replication. However, some other ncRNAs are hijacked by SARS-CoV-2 in order to help the virus evade the immune system by suppressing the expression of type I interferon (IFN-1) and controlling cytokine levels. In this review, we summarize the recent findings of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and microRNAs (miRNAs) among non-coding RNAs in SARS-CoV-2 infection and antiviral response, discuss the potential mechanisms of actions, and prospects for the detection, treatment, prevention and future directions of SARS-CoV-2 infection research.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Wei Zhao
- BSL-3 Laboratory (Guangdong), Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research, School of Public Health, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Chenguang Shen
- BSL-3 Laboratory (Guangdong), Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research, School of Public Health, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
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Wong SL, Kardia E, Vijayan A, Umashankar B, Pandzic E, Zhong L, Jaffe A, Waters SA. Molecular and Functional Characteristics of Airway Epithelium under Chronic Hypoxia. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24076475. [PMID: 37047450 PMCID: PMC10095024 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24076475] [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: 03/03/2023] [Revised: 03/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 04/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Localized and chronic hypoxia of airway mucosa is a common feature of progressive respiratory diseases, including cystic fibrosis (CF). However, the impact of prolonged hypoxia on airway stem cell function and differentiated epithelium is not well elucidated. Acute hypoxia alters the transcription and translation of many genes, including the CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR). CFTR-targeted therapies (modulators) have not been investigated in vitro under chronic hypoxic conditions found in CF airways in vivo. Nasal epithelial cells (hNECs) derived from eight CF and three non-CF participants were expanded and differentiated at the air-liquid interface (26-30 days) at ambient and 2% oxygen tension (hypoxia). Morphology, global proteomics (LC-MS/MS) and function (barrier integrity, cilia motility and ion transport) of basal stem cells and differentiated cultures were assessed. hNECs expanded at chronic hypoxia, demonstrating epithelial cobblestone morphology and a similar proliferation rate to hNECs expanded at normoxia. Hypoxia-inducible proteins and pathways in stem cells and differentiated cultures were identified. Despite the stem cells' plasticity and adaptation to chronic hypoxia, the differentiated epithelium was significantly thinner with reduced barrier integrity. Stem cell lineage commitment shifted to a more secretory epithelial phenotype. Motile cilia abundance, length, beat frequency and coordination were significantly negatively modulated. Chronic hypoxia reduces the activity of epithelial sodium and CFTR ion channels. CFTR modulator drug response was diminished. Our findings shed light on the molecular pathophysiology of hypoxia and its implications in CF. Targeting hypoxia can be a strategy to augment mucosal function and may provide a means to enhance the efficacy of CFTR modulators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sharon L Wong
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
- Molecular and Integrative Cystic Fibrosis Research Centre (miCF_RC), University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
- School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Egi Kardia
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
- Molecular and Integrative Cystic Fibrosis Research Centre (miCF_RC), University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
- School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Abhishek Vijayan
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
- Molecular and Integrative Cystic Fibrosis Research Centre (miCF_RC), University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Bala Umashankar
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
- Molecular and Integrative Cystic Fibrosis Research Centre (miCF_RC), University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
- School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Elvis Pandzic
- Katharina Gaus Light Microscopy Facility, Mark Wainwright Analytical Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Ling Zhong
- Bioanalytical Mass Spectrometry Facility, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Adam Jaffe
- Molecular and Integrative Cystic Fibrosis Research Centre (miCF_RC), University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
- School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Sydney Children's Hospital, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Shafagh A Waters
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
- Molecular and Integrative Cystic Fibrosis Research Centre (miCF_RC), University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
- School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Sydney Children's Hospital, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
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Niculae CM, Hristea A, Moroti R. Mechanisms of COVID-19 Associated Pulmonary Thrombosis: A Narrative Review. Biomedicines 2023; 11:biomedicines11030929. [PMID: 36979908 PMCID: PMC10045826 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11030929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Revised: 03/13/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/19/2023] Open
Abstract
COVID-19, the infectious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), is frequently associated with pulmonary thrombotic events, especially in hospitalized patients. Severe SARS-CoV-2 infection is characterized by a proinflammatory state and an associated disbalance in hemostasis. Immune pathology analysis supports the inflammatory nature of pulmonary arterial thrombi composed of white blood cells, especially neutrophils, CD3+ and CD20+ lymphocytes, fibrin, red blood cells, and platelets. Immune cells, cytokines, chemokines, and the complement system are key drivers of immunothrombosis, as they induce the damage of endothelial cells and initiate proinflammatory and procoagulant positive feedback loops. Neutrophil extracellular traps induced by COVID-19-associated “cytokine storm”, platelets, red blood cells, and coagulation pathways close the inflammation–endotheliopathy–thrombosis axis, contributing to SARS-CoV-2-associated pulmonary thrombotic events. The hypothesis of immunothrombosis is also supported by the minor role of venous thromboembolism with chest CT imaging data showing peripheral blood clots associated with inflammatory lesions and the high incidence of thrombotic events despite routine thromboprophylaxis. Understanding the complex mechanisms behind COVID-19-induced pulmonary thrombosis will lead to future combination therapies for hospitalized patients with severe disease that would target the crossroads of inflammatory and coagulation pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristian-Mihail Niculae
- Infectious Diseases Department, Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Carol Davila”, 37 Dionisie Lupu Street, 020021 Bucharest, Romania; (A.H.); (R.M.)
- National Institute for Infectious Diseases “Prof. Dr. Matei Bals”, 1 Calistrat Grozovici Street, 021105 Bucharest, Romania
- Correspondence:
| | - Adriana Hristea
- Infectious Diseases Department, Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Carol Davila”, 37 Dionisie Lupu Street, 020021 Bucharest, Romania; (A.H.); (R.M.)
- National Institute for Infectious Diseases “Prof. Dr. Matei Bals”, 1 Calistrat Grozovici Street, 021105 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Ruxandra Moroti
- Infectious Diseases Department, Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Carol Davila”, 37 Dionisie Lupu Street, 020021 Bucharest, Romania; (A.H.); (R.M.)
- National Institute for Infectious Diseases “Prof. Dr. Matei Bals”, 1 Calistrat Grozovici Street, 021105 Bucharest, Romania
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Identifying MicroRNA Markers That Predict COVID-19 Severity Using Machine Learning Methods. LIFE (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 12:life12121964. [PMID: 36556329 PMCID: PMC9784129 DOI: 10.3390/life12121964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2022] [Revised: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Individuals with the SARS-CoV-2 infection may experience a wide range of symptoms, from being asymptomatic to having a mild fever and cough to a severe respiratory impairment that results in death. MicroRNA (miRNA), which plays a role in the antiviral effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection, has the potential to be used as a novel marker to distinguish between patients who have various COVID-19 clinical severities. In the current study, the existing blood expression profiles reported in two previous studies were combined for deep analyses. The final profiles contained 1444 miRNAs in 375 patients from six categories, which were as follows: 30 patients with mild COVID-19 symptoms, 81 patients with moderate COVID-19 symptoms, 30 non-COVID-19 patients with mild symptoms, 137 patients with severe COVID-19 symptoms, 31 non-COVID-19 patients with severe symptoms, and 66 healthy controls. An efficient computational framework containing four feature selection methods (LASSO, LightGBM, MCFS, and mRMR) and four classification algorithms (DT, KNN, RF, and SVM) was designed to screen clinical miRNA markers, and a high-precision RF model with a 0.780 weighted F1 was constructed. Some miRNAs, including miR-24-3p, whose differential expression was discovered in patients with acute lung injury complications brought on by severe COVID-19, and miR-148a-3p, differentially expressed against SARS-CoV-2 structural proteins, were identified, thereby suggesting the effectiveness and accuracy of our framework. Meanwhile, we extracted classification rules based on the DT model for the quantitative representation of the role of miRNA expression in differentiating COVID-19 patients with different severities. The search for novel biomarkers that could predict the severity of the disease could aid in the clinical diagnosis of COVID-19 and in exploring the specific mechanisms of the complications caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection. Moreover, new therapeutic targets for the disease may be found.
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Non-coding RNA in SARS-CoV-2: Progress toward therapeutic significance. Int J Biol Macromol 2022; 222:1538-1550. [PMID: 36152703 PMCID: PMC9492401 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2022.09.105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2022] [Revised: 09/09/2022] [Accepted: 09/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The recently developed pathogenic virus, SARS-CoV-2, was found in the Hubei Province, China. Giving rise to a broad spectrum of symptoms, SARS-CoV-2 rapidly spread across the globe, causing multi-systemic and dangerous complications, with death in extreme cases. Thereby, the number of research cases increases every day on preventing infection and treating its resulting damage. Accumulating evidence suggests noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) are necessary for modifying virus infection and antiviral immune reaction, along with biological processes regulating SARS-CoV-2 and subsequent disease states. Therefore, understanding these mechanisms might provide a further understanding of the pathogenesis and feasible therapy alternatives against SARS-CoV2. Consequently, the molecular biology of SARS-CoV-2, ncRNA's role in its infection, and various RNA therapy tactics against the virus have been presented in this review section.
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Hu H, Tang N, Zhang F, Li L, Li L. Bioinformatics and System Biology Approach to Identify the Influences of COVID-19 on Rheumatoid Arthritis. Front Immunol 2022; 13:860676. [PMID: 35464423 PMCID: PMC9021444 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.860676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2022] [Accepted: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID -19) has led to a rapid increase in mortality worldwide. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) was a high-risk factor for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, whereas the molecular mechanisms underlying RA and CVOID-19 are not well understood. The objectives of this study were to analyze potential molecular mechanisms and identify potential drugs for the treatment of COVID-19 and RA using bioinformatics and a systems biology approach. Methods Two Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) sets extracted from GSE171110 and GSE1775544 datasets were intersected to generate common DEGs, which were used for functional enrichment, pathway analysis, and candidate drugs analysis. Results A total of 103 common DEGs were identified in the two datasets between RA and COVID-19. A protein-protein interaction (PPI) was constructed using various combinatorial statistical methods and bioinformatics tools. Subsequently, hub genes and essential modules were identified from the PPI network. In addition, we performed functional analysis and pathway analysis under ontological conditions and found that there was common association between RA and progression of COVID-19 infection. Finally, transcription factor-gene interactions, protein-drug interactions, and DEGs-miRNAs coregulatory networks with common DEGs were also identified in the datasets. Conclusion We successfully identified the top 10 hub genes that could serve as novel targeted therapy for COVID-19 and screened out some potential drugs useful for COVID-19 patients with RA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huan Hu
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China.,Clinical Medical College, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
| | - Nana Tang
- Medical Intensive Care Unit, The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
| | - Facai Zhang
- Department of Urology/Institute of Urology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Li Li
- Medical Intensive Care Unit, The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
| | - Long Li
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
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Barilli A, Visigalli R, Ferrari F, Bianchi MG, Dall’Asta V, Rotoli BM. Immune-Mediated Inflammatory Responses of Alveolar Epithelial Cells: Implications for COVID-19 Lung Pathology. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10030618. [PMID: 35327420 PMCID: PMC8945544 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10030618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Revised: 03/03/2022] [Accepted: 03/03/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background. Clinical and experimental evidence point to a dysregulated immune response caused by SARS-CoV-2 as the primary mechanism of lung disease in COVID-19. However, the pathogenic mechanisms underlying COVID-19-associated ARDS (Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome) remain incompletely understood. This study aims to explore the inflammatory responses of alveolar epithelial cells to either the spike S1 protein or to a mixture of cytokines secreted by S1-activated macrophages. Methods and Results. The exposure of alveolar A549 cells to supernatants from spike-activated macrophages caused a further release of inflammatory mediators, with IL-8 reaching massive concentrations. The investigation of the molecular pathways indicated that NF-kB is involved in the transcription of IP-10 and RANTES, while STATs drive the expression of all the cytokines/chemokines tested, with the exception of IL-8 which is regulated by AP-1. Cytokines/chemokines produced by spike-activated macrophages are also likely responsible for the observed dysfunction of barrier integrity in Human Alveolar Epithelial Lentivirus-immortalized cells (hAELVi), as demonstrated by an increased permeability of the monolayers to mannitol, a marked decrease of TEER and a disorganization of claudin-7 distribution. Conclusion. Upon exposure to supernatants from S1-activated macrophages, A549 cells act both as targets and sources of cytokines/chemokines, suggesting that alveolar epithelium along with activated macrophages may orchestrate lung inflammation and contribute to alveolar injury, a hallmark of ARDS.
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Wilson JC, Kealy D, James SR, Plowman T, Newling K, Jagger C, Filbey K, Mann ER, Konkel JE, Menon M, Knight SB, Simpson A, Prihartadi A, Forshaw G, Todd N, Yates DR, Grainger JR, Hussell T, Kaye PM, Signoret N, Lagos D. Integrated miRNA/cytokine/chemokine profiling reveals severity-associated step changes and principal correlates of fatality in COVID-19. iScience 2022; 25:103672. [PMID: 34957382 PMCID: PMC8686203 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2021.103672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Revised: 12/08/2021] [Accepted: 12/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Inflammatory cytokines and chemokines (CC) drive COVID-19 pathology. Yet, patients with similar circulating CC levels present with different disease severity. Here, we determined 171 microRNAomes from 58 hospitalized COVID-19 patients (Cohort 1) and levels of 25 cytokines and chemokines (CC) in the same samples. Combining microRNA (miRNA) and CC measurements allowed for discrimination of severe cases with greater accuracy than using miRNA or CC levels alone. Severity group-specific associations between miRNAs and COVID-19-associated CC (e.g., IL6, CCL20) or clinical hallmarks of COVID-19 (e.g., neutrophilia, hypoalbuminemia) separated patients with similar CC levels but different disease severity. Analysis of an independent cohort of 108 patients from a different center (Cohort 2) demonstrated feasibility of CC/miRNA profiling in leftover hospital blood samples with similar severe disease CC and miRNA profiles, and revealed CCL20, IL6, IL10, and miR-451a as key correlates of fatal COVID-19. These findings highlight that systemic miRNA/CC networks underpin severe COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie C. Wilson
- Department of Mathematics, University of York, York YO10 5DD, UK
| | - David Kealy
- Hull York Medical School, University of York, Wentworth Way, York YO10 5DD, UK
- York Biomedical Research Institute, University of York, York YO10 5DD, UK
| | - Sally R. James
- York Biosciences Technology Facility, University of York, Wentworth Way, York YO10 5DD, UK
| | - Tobias Plowman
- Hull York Medical School, University of York, Wentworth Way, York YO10 5DD, UK
- York Biomedical Research Institute, University of York, York YO10 5DD, UK
| | - Katherine Newling
- York Biosciences Technology Facility, University of York, Wentworth Way, York YO10 5DD, UK
| | - Christopher Jagger
- Lydia Becker Institute of Immunology and Inflammation, Division of Infection, Immunity & Respiratory Medicine, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Core Technology Facility, Room 2.16, 46 Grafton Street, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
| | - Kara Filbey
- Lydia Becker Institute of Immunology and Inflammation, Division of Infection, Immunity & Respiratory Medicine, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Core Technology Facility, Room 2.16, 46 Grafton Street, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
| | - Elizabeth R. Mann
- Lydia Becker Institute of Immunology and Inflammation, Division of Infection, Immunity & Respiratory Medicine, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Core Technology Facility, Room 2.16, 46 Grafton Street, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
- Maternal and Fetal Health Centre, Division of Developmental Biology, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, 5th Floor St. Mary's Hospital, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9WL, UK
| | - Joanne E. Konkel
- Lydia Becker Institute of Immunology and Inflammation, Division of Infection, Immunity & Respiratory Medicine, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Core Technology Facility, Room 2.16, 46 Grafton Street, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
| | - Madhvi Menon
- Lydia Becker Institute of Immunology and Inflammation, Division of Infection, Immunity & Respiratory Medicine, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Core Technology Facility, Room 2.16, 46 Grafton Street, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
| | - Sean B. Knight
- Lydia Becker Institute of Immunology and Inflammation, Division of Infection, Immunity & Respiratory Medicine, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Core Technology Facility, Room 2.16, 46 Grafton Street, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
- Respiratory Department, Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust, Stott Lane, Salford M6 8HD, UK
| | - Angela Simpson
- Division of Infection, Immunity and Respiratory Medicine, Manchester NIHR BRC, Education and Research Centre, Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester, UK
| | | | - Aliya Prihartadi
- Hull York Medical School, University of York, Wentworth Way, York YO10 5DD, UK
| | - Greg Forshaw
- York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, York YO31 8HE, UK
| | - Neil Todd
- York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, York YO31 8HE, UK
| | - David R.A. Yates
- Hull York Medical School, University of York, Wentworth Way, York YO10 5DD, UK
- The Members of the Coronavirus Immune Response and Clinical Outcomes (CIRCO) Collaborative Group
| | - John R. Grainger
- Lydia Becker Institute of Immunology and Inflammation, Division of Infection, Immunity & Respiratory Medicine, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Core Technology Facility, Room 2.16, 46 Grafton Street, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
| | - Tracy Hussell
- Lydia Becker Institute of Immunology and Inflammation, Division of Infection, Immunity & Respiratory Medicine, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Core Technology Facility, Room 2.16, 46 Grafton Street, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
| | - Paul M. Kaye
- Hull York Medical School, University of York, Wentworth Way, York YO10 5DD, UK
- York Biomedical Research Institute, University of York, York YO10 5DD, UK
| | - Nathalie Signoret
- Hull York Medical School, University of York, Wentworth Way, York YO10 5DD, UK
- York Biomedical Research Institute, University of York, York YO10 5DD, UK
| | - Dimitris Lagos
- Hull York Medical School, University of York, Wentworth Way, York YO10 5DD, UK
- York Biomedical Research Institute, University of York, York YO10 5DD, UK
- Corresponding author
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