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Tuttolomondo M, Pham STD, Terp MG, Cendán Castillo V, Kalisi N, Vogel S, Langkjær N, Hansen UM, Thisgaard H, Schrøder HD, Palarasah Y, Ditzel HJ. A novel multitargeted self-assembling peptide-siRNA complex for simultaneous inhibition of SARS-CoV-2-host cell interaction and replication. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2024; 35:102227. [PMID: 38939051 PMCID: PMC11203390 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2024.102227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/29/2024]
Abstract
Effective therapeutics are necessary for managing severe COVID-19 disease despite the availability of vaccines. Small interfering RNA (siRNA) can silence viral genes and restrict SARS-CoV-2 replication. Cell-penetrating peptides is a robust method for siRNA delivery, enhancing siRNA stability and targeting specific receptors. We developed a peptide HE25 that blocks SARS-CoV-2 replication by various mechanisms, including the binding of multiple receptors involved in the virus's internalization, such as ACE2, integrins and NRP1. HE25 not only acts as a vehicle to deliver the SARS-CoV-2 RNA-dependent RNA polymerase siRNA into cells but also facilitates their internalization through endocytosis. Once inside endosomes, the siRNA is released into the cytoplasm through the Histidine-proton sponge effect and the selective cleavage of HE25 by cathepsin B. These mechanisms effectively inhibited the replication of the ancestral SARS-CoV-2 and the Omicron variant BA.5 in vitro. When HE25 was administered in vivo, either by intravenous injection or inhalation, it accumulated in lungs, veins and arteries, endothelium, or bronchial structure depending on the route. Furthermore, the siRNA/HE25 complex caused gene silencing in lung cells in vitro. The SARS-CoV-2 siRNA/HE25 complex is a promising therapeutic for COVID-19, and a similar strategy can be employed to combat future emerging viral diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Tuttolomondo
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Unit of Cancer and Inflammation Research, University of Southern Denmark, 5000 Odense, Denmark
| | - Stephanie Thuy Duong Pham
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Unit of Cancer and Inflammation Research, University of Southern Denmark, 5000 Odense, Denmark
| | - Mikkel Green Terp
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Unit of Cancer and Inflammation Research, University of Southern Denmark, 5000 Odense, Denmark
| | - Virginia Cendán Castillo
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Unit of Cancer and Inflammation Research, University of Southern Denmark, 5000 Odense, Denmark
| | - Nazmie Kalisi
- Department of Physics, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Southern Denmark, 5000 Odense, Denmark
| | - Stefan Vogel
- Department of Physics, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Southern Denmark, 5000 Odense, Denmark
| | - Niels Langkjær
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Odense University Hospital, 5000 Odense, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, 5000 Odense, Denmark
| | - Ulla Melchior Hansen
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Imaging Core Facility, DaMBIC, University of Southern Denmark, 5000 Odense, Denmark
| | - Helge Thisgaard
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Odense University Hospital, 5000 Odense, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, 5000 Odense, Denmark
| | - Henrik Daa Schrøder
- Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, 5000 Odense, Denmark
- Department of Pathology, Odense University Hospital, 5000 Odense, Denmark
| | - Yaseelan Palarasah
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Unit of Cancer and Inflammation Research, University of Southern Denmark, 5000 Odense, Denmark
| | - Henrik Jørn Ditzel
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Unit of Cancer and Inflammation Research, University of Southern Denmark, 5000 Odense, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, 5000 Odense, Denmark
- Department of Oncology, Odense University Hospital, 5000 Odense, Denmark
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Pereira-Silva GC, Cornélio CKCA, Pacheco G, Rochael NC, Gomes IAB, Cajado AG, Silva KC, Gonçalves BS, Temerozo JR, Bastos RS, Rocha JA, Souza LP, Souza MHLP, Lima-Júnior RCP, Medeiros JVR, Filgueiras MC, Bou-Habib DC, Saraiva EM, Nicolau LAD. Diminazene aceturate inhibits the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein-induced inflammation involving leukocyte migration and DNA extracellular traps formation. Life Sci 2024; 352:122895. [PMID: 38986896 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2024.122895] [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: 04/12/2024] [Revised: 06/16/2024] [Accepted: 07/03/2024] [Indexed: 07/12/2024]
Abstract
AIMS To investigate the SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein (Spk)-induced inflammatory response and its downmodulation by diminazene aceturate (DIZE). MATERIALS AND METHODS Through inducing Spk inflammation in murine models, leukocyte migration to the peritoneum, levels of myeloperoxidase (MPO), malondialdehyde (MDA), rolling and adhesion of mesenteric leukocytes, and vascular permeability were investigated. Extracellular DNA traps (DETs) induced by Spk and the production of IL-6 and TNF-α were analyzed using human neutrophils, monocytes, and macrophages. In silico assays assessed the molecular interaction between DIZE and molecules related to leukocyte migration and DETs induction. KEY FINDINGS Spk triggered acute inflammation, demonstrated by increasing leukocyte migration. Oxidative stress was evidenced by elevated levels of MPO and MDA in the peritoneal liquid. DIZE attenuated cell migration, rolling, and leukocyte adhesion, improved vascular barrier function, mitigated DETs, and reduced the production of Spk-induced pro-inflammatory cytokines. Computational studies supported our findings, showing the molecular interaction of DIZE with targets such as β2 integrin, PI3K, and PAD2 due to its intermolecular coupling. SIGNIFICANCE Our results outline a novel role of DIZE as a potential therapeutic agent for mitigating Spk-induced inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gean C Pereira-Silva
- Laboratory on Innate Immunity, Department of Immunology, Institute of Microbiology Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Cassia K C A Cornélio
- Biotechnology and Biodiversity Center Research, Laboratory of Inflammation and Translational Gastroenterology, Universidade Federal do Delta do Parnaíba (UFDPar), Parnaíba, PI, Brazil
| | - Gabriella Pacheco
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Health Sciences Center, Universidade Federal do Piauí (UFPI), Teresina, PI, Brazil
| | - Natalia C Rochael
- Laboratory on Innate Immunity, Department of Immunology, Institute of Microbiology Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Isaac A B Gomes
- Biotechnology and Biodiversity Center Research, Laboratory of Inflammation and Translational Gastroenterology, Universidade Federal do Delta do Parnaíba (UFDPar), Parnaíba, PI, Brazil
| | - Aurilene G Cajado
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Universidade Federal do Ceará (UFC), Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - Katriane C Silva
- Biotechnology and Biodiversity Center Research, Laboratory of Inflammation and Translational Gastroenterology, Universidade Federal do Delta do Parnaíba (UFDPar), Parnaíba, PI, Brazil
| | | | - Jairo R Temerozo
- Laboratory on Thymus Research, Oswaldo Cruz Institute (Fiocruz), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil; National Institute of Science and Technology on Neuroimmunemodulation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Ruan S Bastos
- Biotechnology and Biodiversity Center Research, Laboratory of Inflammation and Translational Gastroenterology, Universidade Federal do Delta do Parnaíba (UFDPar), Parnaíba, PI, Brazil
| | - Jefferson A Rocha
- Biotechnology and Biodiversity Center Research, Laboratory of Inflammation and Translational Gastroenterology, Universidade Federal do Delta do Parnaíba (UFDPar), Parnaíba, PI, Brazil
| | - Leonardo P Souza
- Biotechnology and Biodiversity Center Research, Laboratory of Inflammation and Translational Gastroenterology, Universidade Federal do Delta do Parnaíba (UFDPar), Parnaíba, PI, Brazil
| | - Marcellus H L P Souza
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Universidade Federal do Ceará (UFC), Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - Roberto C P Lima-Júnior
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Universidade Federal do Ceará (UFC), Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - Jand V R Medeiros
- Biotechnology and Biodiversity Center Research, Laboratory of Inflammation and Translational Gastroenterology, Universidade Federal do Delta do Parnaíba (UFDPar), Parnaíba, PI, Brazil; Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Health Sciences Center, Universidade Federal do Piauí (UFPI), Teresina, PI, Brazil
| | - Marcelo C Filgueiras
- Biotechnology and Biodiversity Center Research, Laboratory of Inflammation and Translational Gastroenterology, Universidade Federal do Delta do Parnaíba (UFDPar), Parnaíba, PI, Brazil
| | - Dumith Chequer Bou-Habib
- Laboratory on Thymus Research, Oswaldo Cruz Institute (Fiocruz), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil; National Institute of Science and Technology on Neuroimmunemodulation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Elvira M Saraiva
- Laboratory on Innate Immunity, Department of Immunology, Institute of Microbiology Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
| | - Lucas A D Nicolau
- Biotechnology and Biodiversity Center Research, Laboratory of Inflammation and Translational Gastroenterology, Universidade Federal do Delta do Parnaíba (UFDPar), Parnaíba, PI, Brazil; Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Health Sciences Center, Universidade Federal do Piauí (UFPI), Teresina, PI, Brazil.
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Karasu M, Cevik M, Biberoglu S, Kaplanoglu ES, Cetinkaya N, Konukoglu D, Kucur M. The relationship between Nuclear Factor-Kappa B and Inhibitor-Kappa B parameters with clinical course in COVID-19 patients. Mol Biol Rep 2024; 51:813. [PMID: 39008220 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-024-09729-6] [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: 04/13/2024] [Accepted: 06/14/2024] [Indexed: 07/16/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND We aimed to investigate the serum Nuclear Factor Kappa B (NF-κB) p105, NF-κB p65 and Inhibitor Kappa B Alpha (IκBα) levels in patients with mild/moderate Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) and their association with the course of the disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS Blood was drawn from 35 COVID-19 patients who applied to the Department of Emergency Medicine of Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa at the time of diagnosis and from 35 healthy individuals. The patients were evaluated to have mild/moderate degree of disease according to National Early Warning Score 2 (NEWS2) scoring and computed tomography (CT) findings. The markers were studied in the obtained serum samples, using enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA). Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) analysis was performed. Statistical significance was evaluated to be p < 0.05. RESULTS NF-κB p105 levels were significantly higher in the COVID-19 group compared to the control group. C-reactive protein (CRP), D-dimer, ferritin levels of the patients were significantly higher (p < 0.001) compared to the control group, while the lymphocyte count was found lower (p = 0.001). IκBα and NF-κB p65 levels are similar in both groups. Threshold value for NF-κB p105 was above 0.78 ng/mL, sensitivity was 71.4% and specificity was 97.1% (p < 0.05). NF-κB p105 levels at the time of diagnosis of the patients who required supplemental oxygen (O2), were significantly higher (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS The rise in serum NF-κB p105 levels during the early stages of infection holds diagnostic value. Besides its relation with severity might have a prognostic feature to foresee the requirement for supplemental O2 that occurs during hospitalization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melek Karasu
- Cerrahpasa Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medical Biochemistry, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Turkey.
| | - Muhdi Cevik
- Cerrahpasa Faculty of Medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Serap Biberoglu
- Cerrahpasa Faculty of Medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Emine Selva Kaplanoglu
- Cerrahpasa Faculty of Medicine Hospital, Fikret Biyal Biochemistry Laboratory, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Nilgun Cetinkaya
- Cerrahpasa Faculty of Medicine Hospital, Fikret Biyal Biochemistry Laboratory, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Dildar Konukoglu
- Cerrahpasa Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medical Biochemistry, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Turkey
- Cerrahpasa Faculty of Medicine Hospital, Fikret Biyal Biochemistry Laboratory, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Mine Kucur
- Cerrahpasa Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medical Biochemistry, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Turkey
- Cerrahpasa Faculty of Medicine Hospital, Fikret Biyal Biochemistry Laboratory, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Turkey
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4
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Buoninfante A, Andeweg A, Genov G, Cavaleri M. Myocarditis associated with COVID-19 vaccination. NPJ Vaccines 2024; 9:122. [PMID: 38942751 PMCID: PMC11213864 DOI: 10.1038/s41541-024-00893-1] [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: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Following the start of the COVID-19 vaccination campaign, the adverse events of myocarditis and pericarditis were linked mainly to mRNA COVID-19 vaccines by the regulatory authorities worldwide. COVID-19 vaccines have been administered to several million people and the risk of myocarditis post COVID-19 vaccination has been characterised in great detail. At the present time the research data available are scarce and there is still no clear understanding of the biological mechanism/s responsible for this disease. This manuscript provides a concise overview of the epidemiology of myocarditis and the most prominent mechanistic insights in the pathophysiology of the disease. Most importantly it underscores the needed next steps in the research agenda required to characterize the pathophysiology of this disease post-COVID-19 vaccination. Finally, it shares our perspectives and considerations for public health.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Arno Andeweg
- Public Health Threats, European Medicines Agency, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Georgy Genov
- Pharmacovigilance Office, European Medicines Agency, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Marco Cavaleri
- Public Health Threats, European Medicines Agency, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
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5
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She CH, Tsang HW, Yang X, Tsao SS, Tang CS, Chan SH, Kwan MY, Chua GT, Yang W, Ip P. Genome-wide association study of BNT162b2 vaccine-related myocarditis identifies potential predisposing functional areas in Hong Kong adolescents. BMC Genom Data 2024; 25:51. [PMID: 38844841 PMCID: PMC11155081 DOI: 10.1186/s12863-024-01238-6] [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: 04/12/2024] [Accepted: 05/27/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Vaccine-related myocarditis associated with the BNT162b2 vaccine is a rare complication, with a higher risk observed in male adolescents. However, the contribution of genetic factors to this condition remains uncertain. In this study, we conducted a comprehensive genetic association analysis in a cohort of 43 Hong Kong Chinese adolescents who were diagnosed with myocarditis shortly after receiving the BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 vaccine. A comparison of whole-genome sequencing data was performed between the confirmed myocarditis cases and a control group of 481 healthy individuals. To narrow down potential genomic regions of interest, we employed a novel clustering approach called ClusterAnalyzer, which prioritised 2,182 genomic regions overlapping with 1,499 genes for further investigation. Our pathway analysis revealed significant enrichment of these genes in functions related to cardiac conduction, ion channel activity, plasma membrane adhesion, and axonogenesis. These findings suggest a potential genetic predisposition in these specific functional areas that may contribute to the observed side effect of the vaccine. Nevertheless, further validation through larger-scale studies is imperative to confirm these findings. Given the increasing prominence of mRNA vaccines as a promising strategy for disease prevention and treatment, understanding the genetic factors associated with vaccine-related myocarditis assumes paramount importance. Our study provides valuable insights that significantly advance our understanding in this regard and serve as a valuable foundation for future research endeavours in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chun Hing She
- Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Hing Wai Tsang
- Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Xingtian Yang
- Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Sabrina Sl Tsao
- Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Clara Sm Tang
- Department of Surgery, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Sophelia Hs Chan
- Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Mike Yw Kwan
- Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Gilbert T Chua
- Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Wanling Yang
- Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China.
| | - Patrick Ip
- Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China.
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Lemay SE, Montesinos MS, Grobs Y, Yokokawa T, Shimauchi T, Romanet C, Sauvaget M, Breuils-Bonnet S, Bourgeois A, Théberge C, Pelletier A, El Kabbout R, Martineau S, Yamamoto K, Ray AS, Lippa B, Goodwin B, Lin FY, Wang H, Dowling JE, Lu M, Qiao Q, McTeague TA, Moy TI, Potus F, Provencher S, Boucherat O, Bonnet S. Exploring Integrin α5β1 as a Potential Therapeutic Target for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Insights from Comprehensive Multicenter Preclinical Studies. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.05.27.596052. [PMID: 38854025 PMCID: PMC11160677 DOI: 10.1101/2024.05.27.596052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2024]
Abstract
Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is characterized by obliterative vascular remodeling of the small pulmonary arteries (PA) and progressive increase in pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) leading to right ventricular (RV) failure. Although several drugs are approved for the treatment of PAH, mortality remains high. Accumulating evidence supports a pathological function of integrins in vessel remodeling, which are gaining renewed interest as drug targets. However, their role in PAH remains largely unexplored. We found that the arginine-glycine-aspartate (RGD)-binding integrin α5β1 is upregulated in PA endothelial cells (PAEC) and PA smooth muscle cells (PASMC) from PAH patients and remodeled PAs from animal models. Blockade of the integrin α5β1 or depletion of the α5 subunit resulted in mitotic defects and inhibition of the pro-proliferative and apoptosis-resistant phenotype of PAH cells. Using a novel small molecule integrin inhibitor and neutralizing antibodies, we demonstrated that α5β1 integrin blockade attenuates pulmonary vascular remodeling and improves hemodynamics and RV function in multiple preclinical models. Our results provide converging evidence to consider α5β1 integrin inhibition as a promising therapy for pulmonary hypertension. One sentence summary The α5β1 integrin plays a crucial role in pulmonary vascular remodeling.
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Dror S, Lucotti S, Asao T, Li J, Wortzel I, Berger LS, Matei I, Boudreau N, Zhang H, Jones D, Bromberg J, Lyden D. Tumour-derived Extracellular Vesicle and Particle Reprogramming of Interstitial Macrophages in the Lung Pre-Metastatic Niche Enhances Vascular Permeability and Metastatic Potential. RESEARCH SQUARE 2024:rs.3.rs-4462139. [PMID: 38853850 PMCID: PMC11160910 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-4462139/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2024]
Abstract
Extracellular vesicles and particles (EVPs) are pivotal mediators of pre-metastatic niche formation and cancer progression, including induction of vascular permeability, which facilitates tumor cell extravasation and metastasis. However, the mechanisms through which EVPs exert this effect remain poorly understood. Here, we elucidate a novel mechanism by which tumor EVPs enhance endothelial cell permeability, tumor extravasation, and lung metastasis to different degrees, depending on tumor type. Strikingly, vascular leakiness is observed within 48h following tumor implantation and as early as one hour following intravenous injection of tumour-derived EVPs in naïve mice. Surprisingly, rather than acting directly on endothelial cells, EVPs first activate interstitial macrophages (IMs) leading to activation of JAK/STAT signaling and IL-6 secretion in IMs which subsequently promote endothelial permeability. Depletion of IMs significantly reduces tumour-derived EVP-dependent vascular leakiness and metastatic potential. Tumour EVPs that strongly induce vascular leakiness express high levels of ITGα5, and ITGα5 ablation impairs IM activation, cytokine secretion, and subsequently vascular permeability and metastasis. Importantly, IL-6 expression is elevated in IMs from non-involved tumor-adjacent lung tissue compared to distal lung tissue in lung cancer patients, highlight the clinical relevance of our discovery. Our findings identify a key role for IM activation as an initiating step in tumor type-specific EVP-driven vascular permeability and metastasis, offering promising targets for therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shani Dror
- Children’s Cancer and Blood Foundation Laboratories, Departments of Pediatrics, and Cell and Developmental Biology, Drukier Institute for Children’s Health, Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Serena Lucotti
- Children’s Cancer and Blood Foundation Laboratories, Departments of Pediatrics, and Cell and Developmental Biology, Drukier Institute for Children’s Health, Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Tetsuhiko Asao
- Children’s Cancer and Blood Foundation Laboratories, Departments of Pediatrics, and Cell and Developmental Biology, Drukier Institute for Children’s Health, Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Jianlong Li
- Children’s Cancer and Blood Foundation Laboratories, Departments of Pediatrics, and Cell and Developmental Biology, Drukier Institute for Children’s Health, Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Inbal Wortzel
- Children’s Cancer and Blood Foundation Laboratories, Departments of Pediatrics, and Cell and Developmental Biology, Drukier Institute for Children’s Health, Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Lee Shaashua Berger
- Children’s Cancer and Blood Foundation Laboratories, Departments of Pediatrics, and Cell and Developmental Biology, Drukier Institute for Children’s Health, Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Irina Matei
- Children’s Cancer and Blood Foundation Laboratories, Departments of Pediatrics, and Cell and Developmental Biology, Drukier Institute for Children’s Health, Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Nancy Boudreau
- Children’s Cancer and Blood Foundation Laboratories, Departments of Pediatrics, and Cell and Developmental Biology, Drukier Institute for Children’s Health, Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Haiying Zhang
- Children’s Cancer and Blood Foundation Laboratories, Departments of Pediatrics, and Cell and Developmental Biology, Drukier Institute for Children’s Health, Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - David Jones
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Jacqueline Bromberg
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - David Lyden
- Children’s Cancer and Blood Foundation Laboratories, Departments of Pediatrics, and Cell and Developmental Biology, Drukier Institute for Children’s Health, Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
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8
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Marquez-Martinez S, Khan S, van der Lubbe J, Solforosi L, Costes LMM, Choi Y, Boedhoe S, Verslegers M, van Heerden M, Roosen W, Jonghe SD, Kristyanto H, Rezelj V, Hendriks J, Serroyen J, Tolboom J, Wegmann F, Zahn RC. The Biodistribution of the Spike Protein after Ad26.COV2.S Vaccination Is Unlikely to Play a Role in Vaccine-Induced Immune Thrombotic Thrombocytopenia. Vaccines (Basel) 2024; 12:559. [PMID: 38793810 PMCID: PMC11126103 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines12050559] [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: 03/15/2024] [Revised: 04/25/2024] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Ad26.COV2.S vaccination can lead to vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia (VITT), a rare but severe adverse effect, characterized by thrombocytopenia and thrombosis. The mechanism of VITT induction is unclear and likely multifactorial, potentially including the activation of platelets and endothelial cells mediated by the vaccine-encoded spike protein (S protein). Here, we investigated the biodistribution of the S protein after Ad26.COV2.S dosing in three animal models and in human serum samples. The S protein was transiently present in draining lymph nodes of rabbits after Ad26.COV2.S dosing. The S protein was detected in the serum in all species from 1 day to 21 days after vaccination with Ad26.COV2.S, but it was not detected in platelets, the endothelium lining the blood vessels, or other organs. The S protein S1 and S2 subunits were detected at different ratios and magnitudes after Ad26.COV2.S or COVID-19 mRNA vaccine immunization. However, the S1/S2 ratio did not depend on the Ad26 platform, but on mutation of the furin cleavage site, suggesting that the S1/S2 ratio is not VITT related. Overall, our data suggest that the S-protein biodistribution and kinetics after Ad26.COV2.S dosing are likely not main contributors to the development of VITT, but other S-protein-specific parameters require further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Selina Khan
- Janssen Vaccines & Prevention (JVP), 2333 CN Leiden, The Netherlands; (S.M.-M.)
| | - Joan van der Lubbe
- Janssen Vaccines & Prevention (JVP), 2333 CN Leiden, The Netherlands; (S.M.-M.)
| | - Laura Solforosi
- Janssen Vaccines & Prevention (JVP), 2333 CN Leiden, The Netherlands; (S.M.-M.)
| | - Lea M. M. Costes
- Janssen Vaccines & Prevention (JVP), 2333 CN Leiden, The Netherlands; (S.M.-M.)
| | - Ying Choi
- Janssen Vaccines & Prevention (JVP), 2333 CN Leiden, The Netherlands; (S.M.-M.)
| | - Satish Boedhoe
- Janssen Vaccines & Prevention (JVP), 2333 CN Leiden, The Netherlands; (S.M.-M.)
| | | | | | - Wendy Roosen
- Janssen Research & Development (JRD), B-2340 Beerse, Belgium
| | | | - Hendy Kristyanto
- Janssen Vaccines & Prevention (JVP), 2333 CN Leiden, The Netherlands; (S.M.-M.)
| | - Veronica Rezelj
- Janssen Vaccines & Prevention (JVP), 2333 CN Leiden, The Netherlands; (S.M.-M.)
| | - Jenny Hendriks
- Janssen Vaccines & Prevention (JVP), 2333 CN Leiden, The Netherlands; (S.M.-M.)
| | - Jan Serroyen
- Janssen Research & Development (JRD), B-2340 Beerse, Belgium
| | - Jeroen Tolboom
- Janssen Research & Development (JRD), B-2340 Beerse, Belgium
| | - Frank Wegmann
- Janssen Vaccines & Prevention (JVP), 2333 CN Leiden, The Netherlands; (S.M.-M.)
| | - Roland C. Zahn
- Janssen Vaccines & Prevention (JVP), 2333 CN Leiden, The Netherlands; (S.M.-M.)
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9
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Severa M, Etna MP, Andreano E, Ricci D, Cairo G, Fiore S, Canitano A, Cara A, Stefanelli P, Rappuoli R, Palamara AT, Coccia EM. Functional diversification of innate and inflammatory immune responses mediated by antibody fragment crystallizable activities against SARS-CoV-2. iScience 2024; 27:109703. [PMID: 38706870 PMCID: PMC11068556 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.109703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2023] [Revised: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 04/06/2024] [Indexed: 05/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Monoclonal antibodies (mAb) targeting the SARS-CoV-2 Spike (S) glycoprotein have been exploited for the treatment of severe COVID-19. In this study, we evaluated the immune-regulatory features of two neutralizing anti-S mAbs (nAbs), named J08 and F05, with wild-type (WT) conformation or silenced Fc functions. In the presence of D614G SARS-CoV-2, WT nAbs enhance intracellular viral uptake in immune cells and amplify antiviral type I Interferon and inflammatory cytokine and chemokine production without viral replication, promoting the differentiation of CD16+ inflammatory monocytes and innate/adaptive PD-L1+ and PD-L1+CD80+ plasmacytoid Dendritic Cells. In spite of a reduced neutralizing property, WT J08 nAb still promotes the IL-6 production and differentiation of CD16+ monocytes once binding Omicron BA.1 variant. Fc-mediated regulation of antiviral and inflammatory responses, in the absence of viral replication, highlighted in this study, might positively tune immune response during SARS-CoV-2 infection and be exploited also in mAb-based therapeutic and prophylactic strategies against viral infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Severa
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Marilena Paola Etna
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Emanuele Andreano
- Monoclonal Antibody Discovery Lab, Fondazione Toscana Life Sciences, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Daniela Ricci
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy
- Department of Sciences, Roma Tre University, 00154 Rome, Italy
| | - Giada Cairo
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Stefano Fiore
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Andrea Canitano
- National Center for Global Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Andrea Cara
- National Center for Global Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Paola Stefanelli
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Rino Rappuoli
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
- Fondazione Biotecnopolo di Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Anna Teresa Palamara
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Eliana Marina Coccia
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy
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10
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Mussbacher M, Basílio J, Belakova B, Pirabe A, Ableitner E, Campos-Medina M, Schmid JA. Effects of Chronic Inflammatory Activation of Murine and Human Arterial Endothelial Cells at Normal Lipoprotein and Cholesterol Levels In Vivo and In Vitro. Cells 2024; 13:773. [PMID: 38727309 PMCID: PMC11083315 DOI: 10.3390/cells13090773] [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: 12/22/2023] [Revised: 04/24/2024] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
The activation of endothelial cells is crucial for immune defense mechanisms but also plays a role in the development of atherosclerosis. We have previously shown that inflammatory stimulation of endothelial cells on top of elevated lipoprotein/cholesterol levels accelerates atherogenesis. The aim of the current study was to investigate how chronic endothelial inflammation changes the aortic transcriptome of mice at normal lipoprotein levels and to compare this to the inflammatory response of isolated endothelial cells in vitro. We applied a mouse model expressing constitutive active IκB kinase 2 (caIKK2)-the key activator of the inflammatory NF-κB pathway-specifically in arterial endothelial cells and analyzed transcriptomic changes in whole aortas, followed by pathway and network analyses. We found an upregulation of cell death and mitochondrial beta-oxidation pathways with a predicted increase in endothelial apoptosis and necrosis and a simultaneous reduction in protein synthesis genes. The highest upregulated gene was ACE2, the SARS-CoV-2 receptor, which is also an important regulator of blood pressure. Analysis of isolated human arterial and venous endothelial cells supported these findings and also revealed a reduction in DNA replication, as well as repair mechanisms, in line with the notion that chronic inflammation contributes to endothelial dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marion Mussbacher
- Department of Vascular Biology and Thrombosis Research, Centre for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria; (M.M.); (J.B.); (B.B.); (A.P.); (M.C.-M.)
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Graz, 8010 Graz, Austria;
| | - José Basílio
- Department of Vascular Biology and Thrombosis Research, Centre for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria; (M.M.); (J.B.); (B.B.); (A.P.); (M.C.-M.)
- INESC ID, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, 1000-029 Lisboa, Portugal
- Institute of Pathophysiology and Allergy Research, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Barbora Belakova
- Department of Vascular Biology and Thrombosis Research, Centre for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria; (M.M.); (J.B.); (B.B.); (A.P.); (M.C.-M.)
| | - Anita Pirabe
- Department of Vascular Biology and Thrombosis Research, Centre for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria; (M.M.); (J.B.); (B.B.); (A.P.); (M.C.-M.)
| | - Elisabeth Ableitner
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Graz, 8010 Graz, Austria;
| | - Manuel Campos-Medina
- Department of Vascular Biology and Thrombosis Research, Centre for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria; (M.M.); (J.B.); (B.B.); (A.P.); (M.C.-M.)
| | - Johannes A. Schmid
- Department of Vascular Biology and Thrombosis Research, Centre for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria; (M.M.); (J.B.); (B.B.); (A.P.); (M.C.-M.)
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11
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Power Guerra N, Bierkämper M, Pablik J, Hummel T, Witt M. Histochemical Evidence for Reduced Immune Response in Nasal Mucosa of Patients with COVID-19. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:4427. [PMID: 38674011 PMCID: PMC11050322 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25084427] [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: 03/07/2024] [Revised: 04/14/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The primary entry point of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the nasal mucosa, where viral-induced inflammation occurs. When the immune response fails against SARS-CoV-2, understanding the altered response becomes crucial. This study aimed to compare SARS-CoV-2 immunological responses in the olfactory and respiratory mucosa by focusing on epithelia and nerves. Between 2020 and 2022, we obtained post mortem tissues from the olfactory cleft from 10 patients with histologically intact olfactory epithelia (OE) who died with or from COVID-19, along with four age-matched controls. These tissues were subjected to immunohistochemical reactions using antibodies against T cell antigens CD3, CD8, CD68, and SARS spike protein for viral evidence. Deceased patients with COVID-19 exhibited peripheral lymphopenia accompanied by a local decrease in CD3+ cells in the OE. However, SARS-CoV-2 spike protein was sparsely detectable in the OE. With regard to the involvement of nerve fibers, the present analysis suggested that SARS-CoV-2 did not significantly alter the immune response in olfactory or trigeminal fibers. On the other hand, SARS spike protein was detectable in both nerves. In summary, the post mortem investigation demonstrated a decreased T cell response in patients with COVID-19 and signs of SARS-CoV-2 presence in olfactory and trigeminal fibers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Power Guerra
- Smell & Taste Clinic, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, 01309 Dresden, Germany; (N.P.G.); (M.B.); (T.H.)
| | - Martin Bierkämper
- Smell & Taste Clinic, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, 01309 Dresden, Germany; (N.P.G.); (M.B.); (T.H.)
| | - Jessica Pablik
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, 01309 Dresden, Germany;
| | - Thomas Hummel
- Smell & Taste Clinic, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, 01309 Dresden, Germany; (N.P.G.); (M.B.); (T.H.)
| | - Martin Witt
- Department of Anatomy, Institute of Biostructural Foundations of Medical Sciences, Poznań University of Medical Sciences, 61-781 Poznań, Poland
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, 01309 Dresden, Germany
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12
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Zhang L, Chi J, Wu H, Xia X, Xu C, Hao H, Liu Z. Extracellular vesicles and endothelial dysfunction in infectious diseases. JOURNAL OF EXTRACELLULAR BIOLOGY 2024; 3:e148. [PMID: 38938849 PMCID: PMC11080793 DOI: 10.1002/jex2.148] [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] [Received: 11/06/2023] [Revised: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 06/29/2024]
Abstract
Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) remain the leading cause of mortality and morbidity globally. Studies have shown that infections especially bacteraemia and sepsis are associated with increased risks for endothelial dysfunction and related CVDs including atherosclerosis. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are small, sealed membrane-derived structures that are released into body fluids and blood from cells and/or microbes and are critically involved in a variety of important cell functions and disease development, including intercellular communications, immune responses and inflammation. It is known that EVs-mediated mechanism(s) is important in the development of endothelial dysfunction in infections with a diverse spectrum of microorganisms including Escherichia coli, Candida albicans, SARS-CoV-2 (the virus for COVID-19) and Helicobacter pylori. H. pylori infection is one of the most common infections globally. During H. pylori infection, EVs can carry H. pylori components, such as lipopolysaccharide, cytotoxin-associated gene A, or vacuolating cytotoxin A, and transfer these substances into endothelial cells, triggering inflammatory responses and endothelial dysfunction. This review is to illustrate the important role of EVs in the pathogenesis of infectious diseases, and the development of endothelial dysfunction in infectious diseases especially H. pylori infection, and to discuss the potential mechanisms and clinical implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linfang Zhang
- Department of GastroenterologyThe Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang UniversityNanchangJiangxiChina
- Center for Precision Medicine and Division of Cardiovascular MedicineDepartment of MedicineUniversity of Missouri School of MedicineColumbiaMissouriUSA
| | - Jingshu Chi
- Center for Precision Medicine and Division of Cardiovascular MedicineDepartment of MedicineUniversity of Missouri School of MedicineColumbiaMissouriUSA
- Department of Gastroenterologythe Third Xiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaHunanChina
| | - Hao Wu
- Center for Precision Medicine and Division of Cardiovascular MedicineDepartment of MedicineUniversity of Missouri School of MedicineColumbiaMissouriUSA
| | - Xiujuan Xia
- Center for Precision Medicine and Division of Cardiovascular MedicineDepartment of MedicineUniversity of Missouri School of MedicineColumbiaMissouriUSA
| | - Canxia Xu
- Department of Gastroenterologythe Third Xiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaHunanChina
| | - Hong Hao
- Center for Precision Medicine and Division of Cardiovascular MedicineDepartment of MedicineUniversity of Missouri School of MedicineColumbiaMissouriUSA
| | - Zhenguo Liu
- Center for Precision Medicine and Division of Cardiovascular MedicineDepartment of MedicineUniversity of Missouri School of MedicineColumbiaMissouriUSA
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13
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Zhang RG, Liu XJ, Guo YL, Chen CL. SARS-CoV-2 spike protein receptor binding domain promotes IL-6 and IL-8 release via ATP/P2Y 2 and ERK1/2 signaling pathways in human bronchial epithelia. Mol Immunol 2024; 167:53-61. [PMID: 38359646 DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2024.02.005] [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: 10/24/2023] [Revised: 02/03/2024] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024]
Abstract
The spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 as well as its receptor binding domain (RBD) has been demonstrated to be capable of activating the release of pro-inflammatory mediators in endothelial cells and immune cells such as monocytes. However, the effects of spike protein or its RBD on airway epithelial cells and mechanisms underlying these effects have not been adequately characterized. Here, we show that the RBD of spike protein alone can induce bronchial epithelial inflammation in a manner of ATP/P2Y2 dependence. Incubation of human bronchial epithelia with RBD induced IL-6 and IL-8 release, which could be inhibited by antibody. The incubation of RBD also up-regulated the expression of inflammatory indicators such as ho-1 and mkp-1. Furthermore, ATP secretion was observed after RBD treatment, P2Y2 receptor knock down by siRNA significantly suppressed the IL-6 and IL-8 release evoked by RBD. Additionally, S-RBD elevated the phosphorylation level of ERK1/2, and the effect that PD98059 can inhibit the pro-inflammatory cytokine release suggested the participation of ERK1/2. These novel findings provide new evidence of SARS-CoV-2 on airway inflammation and introduce purinergic signaling as promising treatment target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui-Gang Zhang
- Department of Physiology, Basic Medical School, Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, China.
| | - Xing-Jian Liu
- Department of Physiology, Basic Medical School, Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Yu-Ling Guo
- First Clinical School, Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Chun-Ling Chen
- Department of Physiology, Basic Medical School, Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, China
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14
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Chang H, Chen E, Hu Y, Wu L, Deng L, Ye‐Lehmann S, Mao X, Zhu T, Liu J, Chen C. Extracellular Vesicles: The Invisible Heroes and Villains of COVID-19 Central Neuropathology. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2024; 11:e2305554. [PMID: 38143270 PMCID: PMC10933635 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202305554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2023] [Revised: 11/18/2023] [Indexed: 12/26/2023]
Abstract
Acknowledging the neurological symptoms of COVID-19 and the long-lasting neurological damage even after the epidemic ends are common, necessitating ongoing vigilance. Initial investigations suggest that extracellular vesicles (EVs), which assist in the evasion of the host's immune response and achieve immune evasion in SARS-CoV-2 systemic spreading, contribute to the virus's attack on the central nervous system (CNS). The pro-inflammatory, pro-coagulant, and immunomodulatory properties of EVs contents may directly drive neuroinflammation and cerebral thrombosis in COVID-19. Additionally, EVs have attracted attention as potential candidates for targeted therapy in COVID-19 due to their innate homing properties, low immunogenicity, and ability to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) freely. Mesenchymal stromal/stem cell (MSCs) secreted EVs are widely applied and evaluated in patients with COVID-19 for their therapeutic effect, considering the limited antiviral treatment. This review summarizes the involvement of EVs in COVID-19 neuropathology as carriers of SARS-CoV-2 or other pathogenic contents, as predictors of COVID-19 neuropathology by transporting brain-derived substances, and as therapeutic agents by delivering biotherapeutic substances or drugs. Understanding the diverse roles of EVs in the neuropathological aspects of COVID-19 provides a comprehensive framework for developing, treating, and preventing central neuropathology and the severe consequences associated with the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haiqing Chang
- Department of AnesthesiologyWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityLaboratory of Anesthesia and Critical Care MedicineNational‐Local Joint Engineering Research Centre of Translational Medicine of AnesthesiologyWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduSichuan610041China
| | - Erya Chen
- Department of AnesthesiologyWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityLaboratory of Anesthesia and Critical Care MedicineNational‐Local Joint Engineering Research Centre of Translational Medicine of AnesthesiologyWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduSichuan610041China
| | - Yi Hu
- Department of Cardiology, Honghui hospitalXi'an Jiaotong UniversityXi'an710049China
| | - Lining Wu
- Department of AnesthesiologyWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityLaboratory of Anesthesia and Critical Care MedicineNational‐Local Joint Engineering Research Centre of Translational Medicine of AnesthesiologyWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduSichuan610041China
| | - Liyun Deng
- Department of AnesthesiologyWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityLaboratory of Anesthesia and Critical Care MedicineNational‐Local Joint Engineering Research Centre of Translational Medicine of AnesthesiologyWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduSichuan610041China
| | - Shixin Ye‐Lehmann
- Diseases and Hormones of the Nervous System University of Paris‐Scalay Bicêtre Hosptial BâtGrégory Pincus 80 Rue du Gal Leclerc, CedexLe Kremlin Bicêtre94276France
| | - Xiaobo Mao
- Department of NeurologyInstitute of Cell EngineeringSchool of MedicineJohns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreMD21218USA
| | - Tao Zhu
- Department of AnesthesiologyWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityLaboratory of Anesthesia and Critical Care MedicineNational‐Local Joint Engineering Research Centre of Translational Medicine of AnesthesiologyWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduSichuan610041China
| | - Jin Liu
- Department of AnesthesiologyWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityLaboratory of Anesthesia and Critical Care MedicineNational‐Local Joint Engineering Research Centre of Translational Medicine of AnesthesiologyWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduSichuan610041China
| | - Chan Chen
- Department of AnesthesiologyWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityLaboratory of Anesthesia and Critical Care MedicineNational‐Local Joint Engineering Research Centre of Translational Medicine of AnesthesiologyWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduSichuan610041China
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15
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Lui KO, Ma Z, Dimmeler S. SARS-CoV-2 induced vascular endothelial dysfunction: direct or indirect effects? Cardiovasc Res 2024; 120:34-43. [PMID: 38159046 DOI: 10.1093/cvr/cvad191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2023] [Revised: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Clinical evidence reveals that manifestations of endothelial dysfunction are widely observed in COVID-19 and long-COVID patients. However, whether these detrimental effects are caused by direct infection of the endothelium or are indirectly mediated by systemic inflammation has been a matter of debate. It has been well acknowledged that endothelial cells (ECs) of the cardiovascular system ubiquitously express the SARS-CoV-2 entry receptor angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), yet accumulating evidence suggests that it is more predominantly expressed by pericytes and vascular smooth muscle cells of the mammalian blood vessel. Besides, replicative infection of ECs by SARS-CoV-2 has yet to be demonstrated both in vitro and in vivo. In this study, we review latest research on endothelial ACE2 expression in different vascular beds, and the heterogeneity in various EC subsets with differential ACE2 expression in response to SARS-CoV-2. We also discuss ACE2-independent alternative mechanisms underlying endothelial activation in COVID-19, and the clinical manifestations of SARS-CoV-2-induced endothelial dysfunction. Altogether, understanding ACE2-dependent and ACE2-independent mechanisms driving SARS-CoV-2-induced vascular dysfunction would shed light on strategies of more effective therapies targeting cardiovascular complications associated with COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathy O Lui
- Department of Chemical Pathology, and Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Science, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, 30-32 Ngan Shing Street, Sha Tin, New Territories, 999077 Hong Kong, China
| | - Zhangjing Ma
- Department of Chemical Pathology, and Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Science, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, 30-32 Ngan Shing Street, Sha Tin, New Territories, 999077 Hong Kong, China
| | - Stefanie Dimmeler
- Institute for Cardiovascular Regeneration, and Faculty of Biological Sciences, Goethe University Frankfurt, Theodor Stern Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany
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16
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Heil M. Self-DNA driven inflammation in COVID-19 and after mRNA-based vaccination: lessons for non-COVID-19 pathologies. Front Immunol 2024; 14:1259879. [PMID: 38439942 PMCID: PMC10910434 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1259879] [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: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 12/26/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2024] Open
Abstract
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic triggered an unprecedented concentration of economic and research efforts to generate knowledge at unequalled speed on deregulated interferon type I signalling and nuclear factor kappa light chain enhancer in B-cells (NF-κB)-driven interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-18 secretion causing cytokine storms. The translation of the knowledge on how the resulting systemic inflammation can lead to life-threatening complications into novel treatments and vaccine technologies is underway. Nevertheless, previously existing knowledge on the role of cytoplasmatic or circulating self-DNA as a pro-inflammatory damage-associated molecular pattern (DAMP) was largely ignored. Pathologies reported 'de novo' for patients infected with Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (SARS-CoV)-2 to be outcomes of self-DNA-driven inflammation in fact had been linked earlier to self-DNA in different contexts, e.g., the infection with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)-1, sterile inflammation, and autoimmune diseases. I highlight particularly how synergies with other DAMPs can render immunogenic properties to normally non-immunogenic extracellular self-DNA, and I discuss the shared features of the gp41 unit of the HIV-1 envelope protein and the SARS-CoV 2 Spike protein that enable HIV-1 and SARS-CoV-2 to interact with cell or nuclear membranes, trigger syncytia formation, inflict damage to their host's DNA, and trigger inflammation - likely for their own benefit. These similarities motivate speculations that similar mechanisms to those driven by gp41 can explain how inflammatory self-DNA contributes to some of most frequent adverse events after vaccination with the BNT162b2 mRNA (Pfizer/BioNTech) or the mRNA-1273 (Moderna) vaccine, i.e., myocarditis, herpes zoster, rheumatoid arthritis, autoimmune nephritis or hepatitis, new-onset systemic lupus erythematosus, and flare-ups of psoriasis or lupus. The hope is to motivate a wider application of the lessons learned from the experiences with COVID-19 and the new mRNA vaccines to combat future non-COVID-19 diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Heil
- Departamento de Ingeniería Genética, Laboratorio de Ecología de Plantas, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados (CINVESTAV)-Unidad Irapuato, Irapuato, Mexico
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17
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He Y, Gang B, Zhang M, Bai Y, Wan Z, Pan J, Liu J, Liu G, Gu W. ACE2 improves endothelial cell function and reduces acute lung injury by downregulating FAK expression. Int Immunopharmacol 2024; 128:111535. [PMID: 38246001 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2024.111535] [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: 11/16/2023] [Revised: 01/01/2024] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
Endothelial cell (EC) barrier dysfunction and increased adhesion of immune inflammatory cells to ECs crucially contribute to acute lung injury (ALI). Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is an essential regulator of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) and exerts characteristic vasodilatory and anti-inflammatory effects. SARS-COV-2 infects the lungs by binding to ACE2, which can lead to dysregulation of ACE2 expression, further leading to ALI with predominantly vascular inflammation and eventually to more severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Therefore, restoration of ACE2 expression represents a valuable therapeutic approach for SARS-COV-2-related ALI/ARDS. In this study, we used polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (Poly(I:C)), a double-stranded RNA analog, to construct a mouse ALI model that mimics virus infection. After Poly(I:C) exposure, ACE2 was downregulated in mouse lung tissues and in cultured ECs. Treatment with DIZE, an ACE2-activating compound, upregulated ACE2 expression and relieved ALI in mice. DIZE also improved barrier function and reduced the number of THP-1 monocytes adhering to cultured ECs. Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and phosphorylated FAK (p-FAK) levels were increased in lung tissues of ALI mice as well as in Poly(I:C)-treated ECs in vitro. Both DIZE and the FAK inhibitor PF562271 decreased FAK/p-FAK expression in both ALI models, attenuating ALI severity in vivo and increasing barrier function and reducing monocyte adhesion in cultured ECs. Furthermore, in vivo experiments using ANG 1-7 and the MAS inhibitor A779 corroborated that DIZE-mediated ACE2 activation stimulated the activity of the ANG 1-7/MAS axis, which inhibited FAK/p-FAK expression in the mouse lung. These findings provide further evidence that activation of ACE2 in ECs may be a valuable therapeutic strategy for ALI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yixuan He
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Laboratory Medicine, and Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Cancer Translational Medicine, Bengbu Medical University, 2600 Donghai Avenue, Bengbu, Anhui Province 233030, PR China
| | - Baocai Gang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Laboratory Medicine, and Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Cancer Translational Medicine, Bengbu Medical University, 2600 Donghai Avenue, Bengbu, Anhui Province 233030, PR China
| | - Mengjie Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Laboratory Medicine, and Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Cancer Translational Medicine, Bengbu Medical University, 2600 Donghai Avenue, Bengbu, Anhui Province 233030, PR China
| | - Yuting Bai
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Laboratory Medicine, and Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Cancer Translational Medicine, Bengbu Medical University, 2600 Donghai Avenue, Bengbu, Anhui Province 233030, PR China
| | - Ziyu Wan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Laboratory Medicine, and Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Cancer Translational Medicine, Bengbu Medical University, 2600 Donghai Avenue, Bengbu, Anhui Province 233030, PR China
| | - Jiesong Pan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Laboratory Medicine, and Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Cancer Translational Medicine, Bengbu Medical University, 2600 Donghai Avenue, Bengbu, Anhui Province 233030, PR China
| | - Jie Liu
- College of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Southwest Minzu University, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, PR China
| | - Guoquan Liu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Laboratory Medicine, and Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Cancer Translational Medicine, Bengbu Medical University, 2600 Donghai Avenue, Bengbu, Anhui Province 233030, PR China.
| | - Wei Gu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Laboratory Medicine, and Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Cancer Translational Medicine, Bengbu Medical University, 2600 Donghai Avenue, Bengbu, Anhui Province 233030, PR China.
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18
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de Sousa PMB, Silva EA, Campos MAG, Lages JS, Corrêa RDGCF, Silva GEB. Fatal Myocarditis following COVID-19 mRNA Immunization: A Case Report and Differential Diagnosis Review. Vaccines (Basel) 2024; 12:194. [PMID: 38400177 PMCID: PMC10891853 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines12020194] [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: 01/02/2024] [Revised: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Carditis in childhood is a rare disease with several etiologies. We report a case of infant death due to pericarditis and myocarditis after the mRNA vaccine against COVID-19 (COVIDmRNAV). A 7-year-old male child received the first dose of the COVIDmRNAV and presented with monoarthritis and a fever non-responsive to oral antibiotics. The laboratory investigation showed signs of infection (leukocytosis, high levels of c-reactive protein). His condition rapidly deteriorated, and the patient died. The autopsy identified pericardial fibrin deposits, hemorrhagic areas in the myocardium, and normal valves. A diffuse intermyocardial inflammatory infiltrate composed of T CD8+ lymphocytes and histiocytes was identified. An antistreptolysin O (ASO) dosage showed high titers. The presence of arthritis, elevated ASO, and carditis fulfills the criteria for rheumatic fever. However, valve disease and Aschoff's nodules, present in 90% of rheumatic carditis cases, were absent in this case. The temporal correlation with mRNA vaccination prompted its inclusion as one of the etiologies. In cases of myocardial damage related to COVID-19mRNAV, it appears to be related to the expression of exosomes and lipid nanoparticles, leading to a cytokine storm. The potential effects of the COVID-19mRNAV must be considered in the pathogenesis of this disease, whether as an etiology or a contributing factor to a previously initiated myocardial injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro Manuel Barros de Sousa
- University Hospital of the Federal University of Maranhão, Barão de Itapari Street 227, São Luís 65020-070, MA, Brazil; (P.M.B.d.S.)
| | - Elon Almeida Silva
- University Hospital of the Federal University of Maranhão, Barão de Itapari Street 227, São Luís 65020-070, MA, Brazil; (P.M.B.d.S.)
| | - Marcos Adriano Garcia Campos
- Clinical Hospital of Botucatu Medical School, São Paulo State University, Professor Mário Rubens Guimarães Montenegro Avenue, Botucatu 18618-687, SP, Brazil
| | - Joyce Santos Lages
- University Hospital of the Federal University of Maranhão, Barão de Itapari Street 227, São Luís 65020-070, MA, Brazil; (P.M.B.d.S.)
| | | | - Gyl Eanes Barros Silva
- University Hospital of the Federal University of Maranhão, Barão de Itapari Street 227, São Luís 65020-070, MA, Brazil; (P.M.B.d.S.)
- Department of Pathology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto 14049-900, SP, Brazil
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19
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Zheng G, Qiu G, Qian H, Shu Q, Xu J. Multifaceted role of SARS-CoV-2 structural proteins in lung injury. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1332440. [PMID: 38375473 PMCID: PMC10875085 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1332440] [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: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the third human coronavirus to cause acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and contains four structural proteins: spike, envelope, membrane, and nucleocapsid. An increasing number of studies have demonstrated that all four structural proteins of SARS-CoV-2 are capable of causing lung injury, even without the presence of intact virus. Therefore, the topic of SARS-CoV-2 structural protein-evoked lung injury warrants more attention. In the current article, we first synopsize the structural features of SARS-CoV-2 structural proteins. Second, we discuss the mechanisms for structural protein-induced inflammatory responses in vitro. Finally, we list the findings that indicate structural proteins themselves are toxic and sufficient to induce lung injury in vivo. Recognizing mechanisms of lung injury triggered by SARS-CoV-2 structural proteins may facilitate the development of targeted modalities in treating COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Guanguan Qiu
- Shaoxing Second Hospital, Shaoxing, Zhejiang, China
| | - Huifeng Qian
- Shaoxing Second Hospital, Shaoxing, Zhejiang, China
| | - Qiang Shu
- The Children’s Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine and National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jianguo Xu
- Shaoxing Second Hospital, Shaoxing, Zhejiang, China
- The Children’s Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine and National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
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20
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Perez-Favila A, Garza-Veloz I, Hernandez-Marquez LDS, Gutierrez-Vela EF, Flores-Morales V, Martinez-Fierro ML. Antifibrotic Drugs against Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis and Pulmonary Fibrosis Induced by COVID-19: Therapeutic Approaches and Potential Diagnostic Biomarkers. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:1562. [PMID: 38338840 PMCID: PMC10855955 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25031562] [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: 12/30/2023] [Revised: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the health and economy of the global population. Even after recovery from the disease, post-COVID-19 symptoms, such as pulmonary fibrosis, continue to be a concern. This narrative review aims to address pulmonary fibrosis (PF) from various perspectives, including the fibrotic mechanisms involved in idiopathic and COVID-19-induced pulmonary fibrosis. On the other hand, we also discuss the current therapeutic drugs in use, as well as those undergoing clinical or preclinical evaluation. Additionally, this article will address various biomarkers with usefulness for PF prediction, diagnosis, treatment, prognosis, and severity assessment in order to provide better treatment strategies for patients with this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Margarita L. Martinez-Fierro
- Doctorado en Ciencias con Orientación en Medicina Molecular, Unidad Académica de Medicina Humana y CS, Universidad Autónoma de Zacatecas, Zacatecas 98160, Mexico; (A.P.-F.); (I.G.-V.); (L.d.S.H.-M.); (E.F.G.-V.); (V.F.-M.)
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21
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Cai Z, Bai H, Ren D, Xue B, Liu Y, Gong T, Zhang X, Zhang P, Zhu J, Shi B, Zhang C. Integrin αvβ1 facilitates ACE2-mediated entry of SARS-CoV-2. Virus Res 2024; 339:199251. [PMID: 37884208 PMCID: PMC10651773 DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2023.199251] [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: 03/30/2023] [Revised: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023]
Abstract
Integrins have been suggested to be involved in SARS-CoV-2 infection, but the underlying mechanisms remain largely unclear. This study aimed to investigate how integrins facilitate the ACE2-mediated cellular entry of SARS-CoV-2. We first tested the susceptibility of a panel of human cell lines to SARS-CoV-2 infection using the spike protein pseudotyped virus assay and examined the expression levels of integrins in these cell lines by qPCR, western blot and flow cytometry. We found that integrin αvβ1 was highly enriched in the SARS-CoV-2 susceptible cell lines. Additional studies demonstrated that RGD (403-405)→AAA mutant was defective in binding to integrin αvβ1 compared to its wild type counterpart, and anti-αvβ1 integrin antibodies significantly inhibited the entry of SARS-CoV-2 into the cells. Further studies using mouse NIH3T3 cells expressing human ACE2, integrin αv, integrin β1, and/or integrin αvβ1 suggest that integrin αvβ1 was unable to function as an independent receptor but could significantly facilitate the cellular entry of SASR-CoV-2. Finally, we observed that the Omicron exhibited a significant increase in the ACE2-mediated viral entry. Our findings may enhance our understanding of the pathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2 infection and offer potential therapeutic target for COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeqiong Cai
- The MED-X Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Building 21, Western China Science and Technology Innovation Harbor, Xi'an 710000, China
| | - Han Bai
- The MED-X Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Building 21, Western China Science and Technology Innovation Harbor, Xi'an 710000, China
| | - Doudou Ren
- The MED-X Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Building 21, Western China Science and Technology Innovation Harbor, Xi'an 710000, China
| | - Biyun Xue
- The MED-X Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Building 21, Western China Science and Technology Innovation Harbor, Xi'an 710000, China
| | - Yijia Liu
- Precision Medicine Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, 277 Yanta West Road, Xi'an 710061, China
| | - Tian Gong
- Center for Molecular Diagnosis and Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, 17 Yongwai Zhengjie, Nanchang 330006, China; Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, 17 Yongwai Zhengjie, Nanchang 330006, China
| | - Xuan Zhang
- Center for Molecular Diagnosis and Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, 17 Yongwai Zhengjie, Nanchang 330006, China; Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, 17 Yongwai Zhengjie, Nanchang 330006, China
| | - Peng Zhang
- Center for Molecular Diagnosis and Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, 17 Yongwai Zhengjie, Nanchang 330006, China; Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, 17 Yongwai Zhengjie, Nanchang 330006, China
| | - Junsheng Zhu
- The MED-X Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Building 21, Western China Science and Technology Innovation Harbor, Xi'an 710000, China
| | - Binyin Shi
- Department of Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, 277 Yanta West Road, Xi'an 710061, China.
| | - Chengsheng Zhang
- Center for Molecular Diagnosis and Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, 17 Yongwai Zhengjie, Nanchang 330006, China; Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, 17 Yongwai Zhengjie, Nanchang 330006, China; Department of Medical Genetics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, 17 Yongwai Zhengjie, Nanchang 330006, China.
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22
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Perico L, Benigni A, Remuzzi G. SARS-CoV-2 and the spike protein in endotheliopathy. Trends Microbiol 2024; 32:53-67. [PMID: 37393180 PMCID: PMC10258582 DOI: 10.1016/j.tim.2023.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Revised: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 07/03/2023]
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2, the causative agent of COVID-19, primarily affects the epithelial compartment in the upper and lower airways. There is evidence that the microvasculature in both the pulmonary and extrapulmonary systems is a major target of SARS-CoV-2. Consistent with this, vascular dysfunction and thrombosis are the most severe complications in COVID-19. The proinflammatory milieu triggered by the hyperactivation of the immune system by SARS-CoV-2 has been suggested to be the main trigger for endothelial dysfunction during COVID-19. More recently, a rapidly growing number of reports have indicated that SARS-CoV-2 can interact directly with endothelial cells through the spike protein, leading to multiple instances of endothelial dysfunction. Here, we describe all the available findings showing the direct effect of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein on endothelial cells and offer mechanistic insights into the molecular basis of vascular dysfunction in severe COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Perico
- Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Centro Anna Maria Astori, Bergamo, Italy.
| | - Ariela Benigni
- Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Centro Anna Maria Astori, Bergamo, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Remuzzi
- Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Centro Anna Maria Astori, Bergamo, Italy
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23
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Cosenza LC, Marzaro G, Zurlo M, Gasparello J, Zuccato C, Finotti A, Gambari R. Inhibitory effects of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and BNT162b2 vaccine on erythropoietin-induced globin gene expression in erythroid precursor cells from patients with β-thalassemia. Exp Hematol 2024; 129:104128. [PMID: 37939833 DOI: 10.1016/j.exphem.2023.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2023] [Revised: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023]
Abstract
During the recent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic several patients with β-thalassemia have been infected by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), and most patients were vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2. Recent studies demonstrate an impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection on the hematopoietic system. The main objective of this study was to verify the effects of exposure of erythroid precursor cells (ErPCs) from patients with β-thalassemia to SARS-CoV-2 spike protein (S-protein) and the BNT162b2 vaccine. Erythropoietin (EPO)-cultured ErPCs have been either untreated or treated with S-protein or BNT162b2 vaccine. The employed ErPCs were from a β-thalassemia cellular Biobank developed before the COVID-19 pandemic. The genotypes were β+-IVSI-110/β+-IVSI-110 (one patient), β039/β+-IVSI-110 (3 patients), and β039/ β039 (2 patients). After treatment with S-protein or BNT162b2 for 5 days, lysates were analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), for hemoglobin production, and isolated RNA was assayed by RT-qPCR, for detection of globin gene expression. The main conclusions of the results obtained are that SARS-CoV-2 S-protein and BNT162b2 vaccine (a) inhibit fetal hemoglobin (HbF) production by β-thalassemic ErPCs and (b) inhibit γ-globin mRNA accumulation. In addition, we have performed in silico studies suggesting a high affinity of S-protein to HbF. Remarkably, the binding interaction energy of fetal hemoglobin to S-protein was comparable with that of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). Our results are consistent with the hypothesis of a relevant impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 vaccination on the hematopoietic system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Carmela Cosenza
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Section of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Giovanni Marzaro
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Matteo Zurlo
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Section of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Jessica Gasparello
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Section of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Cristina Zuccato
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Section of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy; Center "Chiara Gemmo and Elio Zago" for the Research on Thalassemia, Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Alessia Finotti
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Section of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy; Center "Chiara Gemmo and Elio Zago" for the Research on Thalassemia, Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Roberto Gambari
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Section of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy; Center "Chiara Gemmo and Elio Zago" for the Research on Thalassemia, Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy.
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24
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Robles JP, Zamora M, Garcia-Rodrigo JF, Perez AL, Bertsch T, Martinez de la Escalera G, Triebel J, Clapp C. Vasoinhibin's Apoptotic, Inflammatory, and Fibrinolytic Actions Are in a Motif Different From Its Antiangiogenic HGR Motif. Endocrinology 2023; 165:bqad185. [PMID: 38057149 DOI: 10.1210/endocr/bqad185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2023] [Revised: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023]
Abstract
Vasoinhibin, a proteolytic fragment of the hormone prolactin, inhibits blood vessel growth (angiogenesis) and permeability, stimulates the apoptosis and inflammation of endothelial cells, and promotes fibrinolysis. The antiangiogenic and antivasopermeability properties of vasoinhibin were recently traced to the HGR motif located in residues 46 to 48 (H46-G47-R48), allowing the development of potent, orally active, HGR-containing vasoinhibin analogues for therapeutic use against angiogenesis-dependent diseases. However, whether the HGR motif is also responsible for the apoptotic, inflammatory, and fibrinolytic properties of vasoinhibin has not been addressed. Here, we report that HGR-containing analogues are devoid of these properties. Instead, the incubation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells with oligopeptides containing the sequence HNLSSEM, corresponding to residues 30 to 36 of vasoinhibin, induced apoptosis, nuclear translocation of NF-κB, expression of genes encoding leukocyte adhesion molecules (VCAM1 and ICAM1) and proinflammatory cytokines (IL1B, IL6, and TNF), and adhesion of peripheral blood leukocytes. Also, intravenous or intra-articular injection of HNLSSEM-containing oligopeptides induced the expression of Vcam1, Icam1, Il1b, Il6, and Tnf in the lung, liver, kidney, eye, and joints of mice and, like vasoinhibin, these oligopeptides promoted the lysis of plasma fibrin clots by binding to plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1). Moreover, the inhibition of PAI-1, urokinase plasminogen activator receptor, or NF-κB prevented the apoptotic and inflammatory actions. In conclusion, the functional properties of vasoinhibin are segregated into 2 different structural determinants. Because apoptotic, inflammatory, and fibrinolytic actions may be undesirable for antiangiogenic therapy, HGR-containing vasoinhibin analogues stand as selective and safe agents for targeting pathological angiogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Pablo Robles
- Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Querétaro 76230, México
- VIAN Therapeutics, Inc., San Francisco, CA 94107, USA
| | - Magdalena Zamora
- Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Querétaro 76230, México
| | - Jose F Garcia-Rodrigo
- Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Querétaro 76230, México
| | - Alma Lorena Perez
- Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Querétaro 76230, México
| | - Thomas Bertsch
- Laboratory Medicine and Transfusion Medicine, Institute for Clinical Chemistry, Nuremberg General Hospital & Paracelsus Medical University, Nuremberg 90419, Germany
| | | | - Jakob Triebel
- Laboratory Medicine and Transfusion Medicine, Institute for Clinical Chemistry, Nuremberg General Hospital & Paracelsus Medical University, Nuremberg 90419, Germany
| | - Carmen Clapp
- Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Querétaro 76230, México
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25
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Len JS, Koh CWT, Chan KR. The Functional Roles of MDSCs in Severe COVID-19 Pathogenesis. Viruses 2023; 16:27. [PMID: 38257728 PMCID: PMC10821470 DOI: 10.3390/v16010027] [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: 11/17/2023] [Revised: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Severe COVID-19 is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, especially among those with co-morbidities, the elderly, and the immunocompromised. However, the molecular determinants critical for severe COVID-19 progression remain to be fully elucidated. Meta-analyses of transcriptomic RNAseq and single-cell sequencing datasets comparing severe and mild COVID-19 patients have demonstrated that the early expansion of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) could be a key feature of severe COVID-19 progression. Besides serving as potential early prognostic biomarkers for severe COVID-19 progression, several studies have also indicated the functional roles of MDSCs in severe COVID-19 pathogenesis and possibly even long COVID. Given the potential links between MDSCs and severe COVID-19, we examine the existing literature summarizing the characteristics of MDSCs, provide evidence of MDSCs in facilitating severe COVID-19 pathogenesis, and discuss the potential therapeutic avenues that can be explored to reduce the risk and burden of severe COVID-19. We also provide a web app where users can visualize the temporal changes in specific genes or MDSC-related gene sets during severe COVID-19 progression and disease resolution, based on our previous study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Soon Len
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637551, Singapore;
| | - Clara W. T. Koh
- Programme in Emerging Infectious Diseases, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore 169857, Singapore;
| | - Kuan Rong Chan
- Programme in Emerging Infectious Diseases, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore 169857, Singapore;
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26
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Zurlo M, Gasparello J, Verona M, Papi C, Cosenza LC, Finotti A, Marzaro G, Gambari R. The anti-SARS-CoV-2 BNT162b2 vaccine suppresses mithramycin-induced erythroid differentiation and expression of embryo-fetal globin genes in human erythroleukemia K562 cells. Exp Cell Res 2023; 433:113853. [PMID: 37944576 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2023.113853] [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: 09/16/2023] [Revised: 11/04/2023] [Accepted: 11/05/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is causative of the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein (S-protein) plays an important role in the early phase of SARS-CoV-2 infection through efficient interaction with ACE2. The S-protein is produced by RNA-based COVID-19 vaccines, that were fundamental for the reduction of the viral spread within the population and the clinical severity of COVID-19. However, the S-protein has been hypothesized to be responsible for damaging cells of several tissues and for some important side effects of RNA-based COVID-19 vaccines. Considering the impact of COVID-19 and SARS-CoV-2 infection on the hematopoietic system, the aim of this study was to verify the effect of the BNT162b2 vaccine on erythroid differentiation of the human K562 cell line, that has been in the past intensively studied as a model system mimicking some steps of erythropoiesis. In this context, we focused on hemoglobin production and induced expression of embryo-fetal globin genes, that are among the most important features of K562 erythroid differentiation. We found that the BNT162b2 vaccine suppresses mithramycin-induced erythroid differentiation of K562 cells. Reverse-transcription-qPCR and Western blotting assays demonstrated that suppression of erythroid differentiation was associated with sharp inhibition of the expression of α-globin and γ-globin mRNA accumulation. Inhibition of accumulation of ζ-globin and ε-globin mRNAs was also observed. In addition, we provide in silico studies suggesting a direct interaction between SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein and Hb Portland, that is the major hemoglobin produced by K562 cells. This study thus provides information suggesting the need of great attention on possible alteration of hematopoietic parameters following SARS-CoV-2 infection and/or COVID-19 vaccination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Zurlo
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Section of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy.
| | - Jessica Gasparello
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Section of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Marco Verona
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Chiara Papi
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Section of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Lucia Carmela Cosenza
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Section of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Alessia Finotti
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Section of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; Center 'Chiara Gemmo and Elio Zago' for the Research on Thalassemia, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Giovanni Marzaro
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Roberto Gambari
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Section of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; Center 'Chiara Gemmo and Elio Zago' for the Research on Thalassemia, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy.
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27
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Zhang H, Wang Z, Nguyen HTT, Watson AJ, Lao Q, Li A, Zhu J. Integrin α 5β 1 contributes to cell fusion and inflammation mediated by SARS-CoV-2 spike via RGD-independent interaction. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2311913120. [PMID: 38060559 PMCID: PMC10723138 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2311913120] [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: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus infects host cells by engaging its spike (S) protein with human ACE2 receptor. Recent studies suggest the involvement of integrins in SARS-CoV-2 infection through interaction with the S protein, but the underlying mechanism is not well understood. This study investigated the role of integrin α5β1, which recognizes the Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) motif in its physiological ligands, in S-mediated virus entry and cell-cell fusion. Our results showed that α5β1 does not directly contribute to S-mediated cell entry, but it enhances S-mediated cell-cell fusion in collaboration with ACE2. This effect cannot be inhibited by the putative α5β1 inhibitor ATN-161 or the high-affinity RGD-mimetic inhibitor MK-0429 but requires the participation of α5 cytoplasmic tail (CT). We detected a direct interaction between α5β1 and the S protein, but this interaction does not rely on the RGD-containing receptor binding domain of the S1 subunit of the S protein. Instead, it involves the S2 subunit of the S protein and α5β1 homo-oligomerization. Furthermore, we found that the S protein induces inflammatory responses in human endothelial cells, characterized by NF-κB activation, gasdermin D cleavage, and increased secretion of proinflammatory cytokines IL-6 and IL-1β. These effects can be attenuated by the loss of α5 expression or inhibition of the α5 CT binding protein phosphodiesterase-4D (PDE4D), suggesting the involvement of α5 CT and PDE4D pathway. These findings provide molecular insights into the pathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2 mediated by a nonclassical RGD-independent ligand-binding and signaling function of integrin α5β1 and suggest potential targets for antiviral treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heng Zhang
- Thrombosis and Hemostasis Program, Versiti Blood Research Institute, Milwaukee, WI53226
| | - Zhengli Wang
- Thrombosis and Hemostasis Program, Versiti Blood Research Institute, Milwaukee, WI53226
| | - Huong T. T. Nguyen
- Thrombosis and Hemostasis Program, Versiti Blood Research Institute, Milwaukee, WI53226
| | - Abigail J. Watson
- Thrombosis and Hemostasis Program, Versiti Blood Research Institute, Milwaukee, WI53226
| | - Qifang Lao
- Thrombosis and Hemostasis Program, Versiti Blood Research Institute, Milwaukee, WI53226
| | - An Li
- Thrombosis and Hemostasis Program, Versiti Blood Research Institute, Milwaukee, WI53226
| | - Jieqing Zhu
- Thrombosis and Hemostasis Program, Versiti Blood Research Institute, Milwaukee, WI53226
- Department of Biochemistry, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI53226
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28
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Khan S, Marquez-Martinez S, Erkens T, de Wilde A, Costes LMM, Vinken P, De Jonghe S, Roosen W, Talia C, Chamanza R, Serroyen J, Tolboom J, Zahn RC, Wegmann F. Intravenous Administration of Ad26.COV2.S Does Not Induce Thrombocytopenia or Thrombotic Events or Affect SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein Bioavailability in Blood Compared with Intramuscular Vaccination in Rabbits. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:1792. [PMID: 38140195 PMCID: PMC10747520 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11121792] [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: 10/25/2023] [Revised: 11/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/25/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia (VITT) is a very rare but serious adverse reaction that can occur after Ad26.COV2.S vaccination in humans, leading to thrombosis at unusual anatomic sites. One hypothesis is that accidental intravenous (IV) administration of Ad26.COV2.S or drainage of the vaccine from the muscle into the circulatory system may result in interaction of the vaccine with blood factors associated with platelet activation, leading to VITT. Here, we demonstrate that, similar to intramuscular (IM) administration of Ad26.COV2.S in rabbits, IV dosing was well tolerated, with no significant differences between dosing routes for the assessed hematologic, coagulation time, innate immune, or clinical chemistry parameters and no histopathologic indication of thrombotic events. For both routes, all other non-adverse findings observed were consistent with a normal vaccine response and comparable to those observed for unrelated or other Ad26-based control vaccines. However, Ad26.COV2.S induced significantly higher levels of C-reactive protein on day 1 after IM vaccination compared with an Ad26-based control vaccine encoding a different transgene, suggesting an inflammatory effect of the vaccine-encoded spike protein. Although based on a limited number of animals, these data indicate that an accidental IV injection of Ad26.COV2.S may not represent an increased risk for VITT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Selina Khan
- Janssen Vaccines & Prevention, 2333 CN Leiden, The Netherlands; (S.M.-M.); (A.d.W.); (L.M.M.C.); (J.S.); (J.T.); (F.W.)
| | - Sonia Marquez-Martinez
- Janssen Vaccines & Prevention, 2333 CN Leiden, The Netherlands; (S.M.-M.); (A.d.W.); (L.M.M.C.); (J.S.); (J.T.); (F.W.)
| | - Tim Erkens
- Janssen Research & Development—A Division of Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, 2340 Beerse, Belgium; (T.E.); (S.D.J.); (W.R.); (C.T.)
| | - Adriaan de Wilde
- Janssen Vaccines & Prevention, 2333 CN Leiden, The Netherlands; (S.M.-M.); (A.d.W.); (L.M.M.C.); (J.S.); (J.T.); (F.W.)
| | - Lea M. M. Costes
- Janssen Vaccines & Prevention, 2333 CN Leiden, The Netherlands; (S.M.-M.); (A.d.W.); (L.M.M.C.); (J.S.); (J.T.); (F.W.)
| | - Petra Vinken
- Janssen Research & Development—A Division of Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, 2340 Beerse, Belgium; (T.E.); (S.D.J.); (W.R.); (C.T.)
| | - Sandra De Jonghe
- Janssen Research & Development—A Division of Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, 2340 Beerse, Belgium; (T.E.); (S.D.J.); (W.R.); (C.T.)
| | - Wendy Roosen
- Janssen Research & Development—A Division of Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, 2340 Beerse, Belgium; (T.E.); (S.D.J.); (W.R.); (C.T.)
| | - Chiara Talia
- Janssen Research & Development—A Division of Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, 2340 Beerse, Belgium; (T.E.); (S.D.J.); (W.R.); (C.T.)
| | - Ronnie Chamanza
- Janssen Research & Development—A Division of Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, 2340 Beerse, Belgium; (T.E.); (S.D.J.); (W.R.); (C.T.)
| | - Jan Serroyen
- Janssen Vaccines & Prevention, 2333 CN Leiden, The Netherlands; (S.M.-M.); (A.d.W.); (L.M.M.C.); (J.S.); (J.T.); (F.W.)
| | - Jeroen Tolboom
- Janssen Vaccines & Prevention, 2333 CN Leiden, The Netherlands; (S.M.-M.); (A.d.W.); (L.M.M.C.); (J.S.); (J.T.); (F.W.)
| | - Roland C. Zahn
- Janssen Vaccines & Prevention, 2333 CN Leiden, The Netherlands; (S.M.-M.); (A.d.W.); (L.M.M.C.); (J.S.); (J.T.); (F.W.)
| | - Frank Wegmann
- Janssen Vaccines & Prevention, 2333 CN Leiden, The Netherlands; (S.M.-M.); (A.d.W.); (L.M.M.C.); (J.S.); (J.T.); (F.W.)
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Hulscher N, Procter BC, Wynn C, McCullough PA. Clinical Approach to Post-acute Sequelae After COVID-19 Infection and Vaccination. Cureus 2023; 15:e49204. [PMID: 38024037 PMCID: PMC10663976 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.49204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 has been found to exhibit pathogenic characteristics and be a possible cause of post-acute sequelae after SARS-CoV-2 infection or COVID-19 vaccination. COVID-19 vaccines utilize a modified, stabilized prefusion spike protein that may share similar toxic effects with its viral counterpart. The aim of this study is to investigate possible mechanisms of harm to biological systems from SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and vaccine-encoded spike protein and to propose possible mitigation strategies. We searched PubMed, Google Scholar, and 'grey literature' to find studies that (1) investigated the effects of the spike protein on biological systems, (2) helped differentiate between viral and vaccine-generated spike proteins, and (3) identified possible spike protein detoxification protocols and compounds that had signals of benefit and acceptable safety profiles. We found abundant evidence that SARS-CoV-2 spike protein may cause damage in the cardiovascular, hematological, neurological, respiratory, gastrointestinal, and immunological systems. Viral and vaccine-encoded spike proteins have been shown to play a direct role in cardiovascular and thrombotic injuries from both SARS-CoV-2 and vaccination. Detection of spike protein for at least 6-15 months after vaccination and infection in those with post-acute sequelae indicates spike protein as a possible primary contributing factor to long COVID. We rationalized that these findings give support to the potential benefit of spike protein detoxification protocols in those with long-term post-infection and/or vaccine-induced complications. We propose a base spike detoxification protocol, composed of oral nattokinase, bromelain, and curcumin. This approach holds immense promise as a base of clinical care, upon which additional therapeutic agents are applied with the goal of aiding in the resolution of post-acute sequelae after SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 vaccination. Large-scale, prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials are warranted in order to determine the relative risks and benefits of the base spike detoxification protocol.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas Hulscher
- Epidemiology, Unversity of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, USA
| | | | - Cade Wynn
- Family Medicine, McKinney Family Medicine, McKinney, USA
| | - Peter A McCullough
- Internal Medicine, Cardiology, McKinney Family Medicine, McKinney, USA
- Cardiology, Epidemiology, and Public Health, McCullough Foundation, Dallas, USA
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30
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Stüdle C, Nishihara H, Wischnewski S, Kulsvehagen L, Perriot S, Ishikawa H, Schroten H, Frank S, Deigendesch N, Du Pasquier R, Schirmer L, Pröbstel AK, Engelhardt B. SARS-CoV-2 infects epithelial cells of the blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier rather than endothelial cells or pericytes of the blood-brain barrier. Fluids Barriers CNS 2023; 20:76. [PMID: 37875964 PMCID: PMC10598911 DOI: 10.1186/s12987-023-00479-4] [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: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 10/26/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND As a consequence of SARS-CoV-2 infection various neurocognitive and neuropsychiatric symptoms can appear, which may persist for several months post infection. However, cell type-specific routes of brain infection and underlying mechanisms resulting in neuroglial dysfunction are not well understood. METHODS Here, we investigated the susceptibility of cells constituting the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and the blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier (BCSFB) of the choroid plexus (ChP) to SARS-CoV-2 infection using human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived cellular models and a ChP papilloma-derived epithelial cell line as well as ChP tissue from COVID-19 patients, respectively. RESULTS We noted a differential infectibility of hiPSC-derived brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMECs) depending on the differentiation method. Extended endothelial culture method (EECM)-BMECs characterized by a complete set of endothelial markers, good barrier properties and a mature immune phenotype were refractory to SARS-CoV-2 infection and did not exhibit an activated phenotype after prolonged SARS-CoV-2 inoculation. In contrast, defined medium method (DMM)-BMECs, characterized by a mixed endothelial and epithelial phenotype and excellent barrier properties were productively infected by SARS-CoV-2 in an ACE2-dependent manner. hiPSC-derived brain pericyte-like cells (BPLCs) lacking ACE2 expression were not susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Furthermore, the human choroid plexus papilloma-derived epithelial cell line HIBCPP, modeling the BCSFB was productively infected by SARS-CoV-2 preferentially from the basolateral side, facing the blood compartment. Assessment of ChP tissue from COVID-19 patients by RNA in situ hybridization revealed SARS-CoV-2 transcripts in ChP epithelial and ChP stromal cells. CONCLUSIONS Our study shows that the BCSFB of the ChP rather than the BBB is susceptible to direct SARS-CoV-2 infection. Thus, neuropsychiatric symptoms because of COVID-19 may rather be associated with dysfunction of the BCSFB than the BBB. Future studies should consider a role of the ChP in underlying neuropsychiatric symptoms following SARS-CoV-2 infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Stüdle
- Theodor Kocher Institute, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
| | - Hideaki Nishihara
- Theodor Kocher Institute, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Department of Neurotherapeutics, Yamaguchi University, Yamaguchi, Japan
| | - Sven Wischnewski
- Department of Neurology, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Laila Kulsvehagen
- Departments of Neurology, Biomedicine and Clinical Research, Research Center for Clinical Neuroimmunology and Neuroscience Basel (RC2NB), University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Sylvain Perriot
- Laboratory of Neuroimmunology, Neuroscience Research Centre, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV) and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Hiroshi Ishikawa
- Laboratory of Clinical Regenerative Medicine, Department of Neurosurgery, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, 305-8575, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Horst Schroten
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Stephan Frank
- Pathology, Institute of Medical Genetics and Pathology, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Nikolaus Deigendesch
- Pathology, Institute of Medical Genetics and Pathology, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Renaud Du Pasquier
- Laboratory of Neuroimmunology, Neuroscience Research Centre, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV) and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Service of Neurology, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV), University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Lucas Schirmer
- Department of Neurology, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
- Center for Translational Neuroscience and Institute for Innate Immunoscience, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
- Interdisciplinary Center for Neurosciences, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Anne-Katrin Pröbstel
- Departments of Neurology, Biomedicine and Clinical Research, Research Center for Clinical Neuroimmunology and Neuroscience Basel (RC2NB), University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
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31
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Wei H, Yin Y, Yang W, Zhu J, Chen L, Guo R, Yang Z, Li S. Nuciferine induces autophagy to relieve vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 activation via repressing the Akt/mTOR/AP1 signal pathway in the vascular endothelium. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1264324. [PMID: 37841916 PMCID: PMC10569124 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1264324] [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: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Pro-inflammatory factor-associated vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM1) activation initiates cardiovascular events. This study aimed to explore the protective role of nuciferine on TNFα-induced VCAM1 activation. Nuciferine was administrated to both high-fat diet (HFD)-fed mice and the TNFα-exposed human vascular endothelial cell line. VCAM1 expression and further potential mechanism(s) were explored. Our data revealed that nuciferine intervention alleviated VCAM1 activation in response to both high-fat diet and TNFα exposure, and this protective effect was closely associated with autophagy activation since inhibiting autophagy by either genetic or pharmaceutical approaches blocked the beneficial role of nuciferine. Mechanistical studies revealed that Akt/mTOR inhibition, rather than AMPK, SIRT1, and p38 signal pathways, contributed to nuciferine-activated autophagy, which further ameliorated TNFα-induced VCAM1 via repressing AP1 activation, independent of transcriptional regulation by IRF1, p65, SP1, and GATA6. Collectively, our data uncovered a novel biological function for nuciferine in protecting VCAM1 activation, implying its potential application in improving cardiovascular events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haibin Wei
- School of Public Health, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
- Department of Biobank, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- School of Life Science, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yujie Yin
- School of Life Science, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Wenwen Yang
- School of Public Health, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jinyan Zhu
- School of Public Health, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Lin Chen
- School of Public Health, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Rui Guo
- School of Public Health, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Zhen Yang
- School of Life Science, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Songtao Li
- School of Public Health, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
- Department of Clinical Nutrition, Affiliated Zhejiang Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
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32
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Roy A, Shi L, Chang A, Dong X, Fernandez A, Kraft JC, Li J, Le VQ, Winegar RV, Cherf GM, Slocum D, Poulson PD, Casper GE, Vallecillo-Zúniga ML, Valdoz JC, Miranda MC, Bai H, Kipnis Y, Olshefsky A, Priya T, Carter L, Ravichandran R, Chow CM, Johnson MR, Cheng S, Smith M, Overed-Sayer C, Finch DK, Lowe D, Bera AK, Matute-Bello G, Birkland TP, DiMaio F, Raghu G, Cochran JR, Stewart LJ, Campbell MG, Van Ry PM, Springer T, Baker D. De novo design of highly selective miniprotein inhibitors of integrins αvβ6 and αvβ8. Nat Commun 2023; 14:5660. [PMID: 37704610 PMCID: PMC10500007 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-41272-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The RGD (Arg-Gly-Asp)-binding integrins αvβ6 and αvβ8 are clinically validated cancer and fibrosis targets of considerable therapeutic importance. Compounds that can discriminate between homologous αvβ6 and αvβ8 and other RGD integrins, stabilize specific conformational states, and have high thermal stability could have considerable therapeutic utility. Existing small molecule and antibody inhibitors do not have all these properties, and hence new approaches are needed. Here we describe a generalized method for computationally designing RGD-containing miniproteins selective for a single RGD integrin heterodimer and conformational state. We design hyperstable, selective αvβ6 and αvβ8 inhibitors that bind with picomolar affinity. CryoEM structures of the designed inhibitor-integrin complexes are very close to the computational design models, and show that the inhibitors stabilize specific conformational states of the αvβ6 and the αvβ8 integrins. In a lung fibrosis mouse model, the αvβ6 inhibitor potently reduced fibrotic burden and improved overall lung mechanics, demonstrating the therapeutic potential of de novo designed integrin binding proteins with high selectivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anindya Roy
- Department of Biochemistry and Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Lei Shi
- Department of Biochemistry and Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
- Encodia Inc, 5785 Oberlin Drive, San Diego, CA, 92121, USA
| | - Ashley Chang
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, 84602, USA
| | - Xianchi Dong
- Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Children's Hospital Boston, and Departments of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology and of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
- Engineering Research Center of Protein and Peptide Medicine, Ministry of Education, Nanjing, China
| | - Andres Fernandez
- Division of Basic Sciences, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA, 98109, USA
| | - John C Kraft
- Department of Biochemistry and Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Jing Li
- Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Children's Hospital Boston, and Departments of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology and of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Viet Q Le
- Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Children's Hospital Boston, and Departments of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology and of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Rebecca Viazzo Winegar
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, 84602, USA
| | - Gerald Maxwell Cherf
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
- Denali Therapeutics, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Dean Slocum
- Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Children's Hospital Boston, and Departments of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology and of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - P Daniel Poulson
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, 84602, USA
| | - Garrett E Casper
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, 84602, USA
| | | | - Jonard Corpuz Valdoz
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, 84602, USA
| | - Marcos C Miranda
- Department of Biochemistry and Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
- Department of Medicine Solna, Division of Immunology and Allergy, Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Hua Bai
- Department of Biochemistry and Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Yakov Kipnis
- Department of Biochemistry and Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Audrey Olshefsky
- Department of Biochemistry and Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Tanu Priya
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Lauren Carter
- Department of Biochemistry and Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Rashmi Ravichandran
- Department of Biochemistry and Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Cameron M Chow
- Department of Biochemistry and Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Max R Johnson
- Department of Biochemistry and Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Suna Cheng
- Department of Biochemistry and Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - McKaela Smith
- Department of Biochemistry and Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Catherine Overed-Sayer
- Research and Early Development, Respiratory and Immunology, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, UK
- Bioscience COPD/IPF, Research and Early Development, Respiratory and Immunology, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, UK
| | - Donna K Finch
- Research and Early Development, Respiratory and Immunology, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, UK
- Alchemab Therapeutics Ltd, Cambridge, UK
| | - David Lowe
- Research and Early Development, Respiratory and Immunology, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, UK
- Evox Therapeutics Limited, Oxford Science Park, Medawar Centre, East Building, Robert Robinson Avenue, Oxford, OX4 4HG, England
| | - Asim K Bera
- Department of Biochemistry and Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Gustavo Matute-Bello
- Center for Lung Biology, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, USA
| | - Timothy P Birkland
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Frank DiMaio
- Department of Biochemistry and Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Ganesh Raghu
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Dept of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Jennifer R Cochran
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Lance J Stewart
- Department of Biochemistry and Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Melody G Campbell
- Division of Basic Sciences, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA, 98109, USA.
| | - Pam M Van Ry
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, 84602, USA.
| | - Timothy Springer
- Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Children's Hospital Boston, and Departments of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology and of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - David Baker
- Department of Biochemistry and Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA.
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA.
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33
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Montezano AC, Camargo LL, Mary S, Neves KB, Rios FJ, Stein R, Lopes RA, Beattie W, Thomson J, Herder V, Szemiel AM, McFarlane S, Palmarini M, Touyz RM. SARS-CoV-2 spike protein induces endothelial inflammation via ACE2 independently of viral replication. Sci Rep 2023; 13:14086. [PMID: 37640791 PMCID: PMC10462711 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-41115-3] [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: 10/06/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023] Open
Abstract
COVID-19, caused by SARS-CoV-2, is a respiratory disease associated with inflammation and endotheliitis. Mechanisms underling inflammatory processes are unclear, but angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), the receptor which binds the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 may be important. Here we investigated whether spike protein binding to ACE2 induces inflammation in endothelial cells and determined the role of ACE2 in this process. Human endothelial cells were exposed to SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, S1 subunit (rS1p) and pro-inflammatory signaling and inflammatory mediators assessed. ACE2 was modulated pharmacologically and by siRNA. Endothelial cells were also exposed to SARS-CoV-2. rSP1 increased production of IL-6, MCP-1, ICAM-1 and PAI-1, and induced NFkB activation via ACE2 in endothelial cells. rS1p increased microparticle formation, a functional marker of endothelial injury. ACE2 interacting proteins involved in inflammation and RNA biology were identified in rS1p-treated cells. Neither ACE2 expression nor ACE2 enzymatic function were affected by rSP1. Endothelial cells exposed to SARS-CoV-2 virus did not exhibit viral replication. We demonstrate that rSP1 induces endothelial inflammation via ACE2 through processes that are independent of ACE2 enzymatic activity and viral replication. We define a novel role for ACE2 in COVID-19- associated endotheliitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Augusto C Montezano
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (RI-MUHC), Site Glen-Block E-Office: E01.3362, 1001, Boul. Decarie, Montreal, QC, H4A3J1, Canada.
- School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Health, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.
| | - Livia L Camargo
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (RI-MUHC), Site Glen-Block E-Office: E01.3362, 1001, Boul. Decarie, Montreal, QC, H4A3J1, Canada
| | - Sheon Mary
- School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Health, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Karla B Neves
- School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Health, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK
| | - Francisco J Rios
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (RI-MUHC), Site Glen-Block E-Office: E01.3362, 1001, Boul. Decarie, Montreal, QC, H4A3J1, Canada
| | - Ross Stein
- School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Health, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Rheure A Lopes
- School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Health, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Wendy Beattie
- School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Health, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Jacqueline Thomson
- School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Health, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Vanessa Herder
- MRC Centre for Virus Research, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | | | - Steven McFarlane
- MRC Centre for Virus Research, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | | | - Rhian M Touyz
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (RI-MUHC), Site Glen-Block E-Office: E01.3362, 1001, Boul. Decarie, Montreal, QC, H4A3J1, Canada.
- School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Health, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.
- McGill University, Montreal, Canada.
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34
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Ivanko I, Ćelap I, Margetić S, Marijančević D, Josipović J, Gaćina P. Changes in haemostasis and inflammatory markers after mRNA BNT162b2 and vector Ad26.CoV2.S SARS-CoV-2 vaccination. Thromb Res 2023; 228:137-144. [PMID: 37329722 PMCID: PMC10264328 DOI: 10.1016/j.thromres.2023.06.008] [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: 01/25/2023] [Revised: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Reported thromboembolic events after SARS-CoV-2 vaccinations are still raising concerns, predominantly in non-scientific population. The aim of our study was to investigate the differences between haemostasis and inflammatory markers in the subjects vaccinated with mRNA BNT162b2 and vector Ad26.CoV2.S vaccine. MATERIALS AND METHODS The study included 87 subjects vaccinated with mRNA BNT162b2 and 84 with Ad26.CoV2.S vaccine. All the laboratory parameters (TAT, F 1 + 2, IL-6, CRP, big endothelin-1, platelets, fibrinogen, D-dimers, VWF activity) were investigated for the mRNA vaccine at five (before the first dose, 7 and 14 days after the first and second vaccine dose), and three time points (before the first dose, 7 and 14 days after) for the vector vaccine, respectively. All the markers were measured by well-established laboratory methods. RESULTS Our results have shown statistically higher CRP levels in the vector group 7 days after vaccination (P = 0.014). Furthermore, study has revealed statistically significant rise in D-dimers (P = 0.004) between tested time points in both vaccine groups but without clinical repercussions. CONCLUSION Although statistically significant changes in haemostasis markers have been obtained, they remained clinically irrelevant. Thus, our study implicates that there is no plausible scientific evidence of a significant disruption in the coagulation and inflammatory processes after vaccination with BNT162b2 mRNA and Ad26.CoV2.S vector SARS-CoV-2 vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- I Ivanko
- Department of Haematology, Sestre Milosrdnice University Hospital Center, Zagreb, Croatia.
| | - I Ćelap
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, Sestre Milosrdnice University Hospital Center, Zagreb, Croatia; Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - S Margetić
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, Sestre Milosrdnice University Hospital Center, Zagreb, Croatia; School of Medicine, Catholic University of Croatia, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - D Marijančević
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, Sestre Milosrdnice University Hospital Center, Zagreb, Croatia; School of Medicine, Catholic University of Croatia, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - J Josipović
- School of Medicine, Catholic University of Croatia, Zagreb, Croatia; Department of Nephrology, Sestre Milosrdnice University Hospital Center, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - P Gaćina
- Department of Haematology, Sestre Milosrdnice University Hospital Center, Zagreb, Croatia; School of Dental Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
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Xia X. Identification of host receptors for viral entry and beyond: a perspective from the spike of SARS-CoV-2. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1188249. [PMID: 37560522 PMCID: PMC10407229 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1188249] [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: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Identification of the interaction between the host membrane receptor and viral receptor-binding domain (RBD) represents a crucial step for understanding viral pathophysiology and for developing drugs against pathogenic viruses. While all membrane receptors and carbohydrate chains could potentially be used as receptors for viruses, prioritized searches focus typically on membrane receptors that are known to have been used by the relatives of the pathogenic virus, e.g., ACE2 used as a receptor for SARS-CoV is a prioritized candidate receptor for SARS-CoV-2. An ideal receptor protein from a viral perspective is one that is highly expressed in epithelial cell surface of mammalian respiratory or digestive tracts, strongly conserved in evolution so many mammalian species can serve as potential hosts, and functionally important so that its expression cannot be readily downregulated by the host in response to the infection. Experimental confirmation of host receptors includes (1) infection studies with cell cultures/tissues/organs with or without candidate receptor expression, (2) experimental determination of protein structure of the complex between the putative viral RDB and the candidate host receptor, and (3) experiments with mutant candidate receptor or homologues of the candidate receptor in other species. Successful identification of the host receptor opens the door for mechanism-based development of candidate drugs and vaccines and facilitates the inference of what other animal species are vulnerable to the viral pathogen. I illustrate these approaches with research on identification of the receptor and co-factors for SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuhua Xia
- Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Ottawa Institute of Systems Biology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
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Roy A, Shi L, Chang A, Dong X, Fernandez A, Kraft JC, Li J, Le VQ, Winegar RV, Cherf GM, Slocum D, Daniel Poulson P, Casper GE, Vallecillo-Zúniga ML, Valdoz JC, Miranda MC, Bai H, Kipnis Y, Olshefsky A, Priya T, Carter L, Ravichandran R, Chow CM, Johnson MR, Cheng S, Smith M, Overed-Sayer C, Finch DK, Lowe D, Bera AK, Matute-Bello G, Birkland TP, DiMaio F, Raghu G, Cochran JR, Stewart LJ, Campbell MG, Van Ry PM, Springer T, Baker D. De novo design of highly selective miniprotein inhibitors of integrins αvβ6 and αvβ8. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.06.12.544624. [PMID: 37398153 PMCID: PMC10312613 DOI: 10.1101/2023.06.12.544624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/04/2023]
Abstract
The RGD (Arg-Gly-Asp)-binding integrins αvβ6 and αvβ8 are clinically validated cancer and fibrosis targets of considerable therapeutic importance. Compounds that can discriminate between the two closely related integrin proteins and other RGD integrins, stabilize specific conformational states, and have sufficient stability enabling tissue restricted administration could have considerable therapeutic utility. Existing small molecules and antibody inhibitors do not have all of these properties, and hence there is a need for new approaches. Here we describe a method for computationally designing hyperstable RGD-containing miniproteins that are highly selective for a single RGD integrin heterodimer and conformational state, and use this strategy to design inhibitors of αvβ6 and αvβ8 with high selectivity. The αvβ6 and αvβ8 inhibitors have picomolar affinities for their targets, and >1000-fold selectivity over other RGD integrins. CryoEM structures are within 0.6-0.7Å root-mean-square deviation (RMSD) to the computational design models; the designed αvβ6 inhibitor and native ligand stabilize the open conformation in contrast to the therapeutic anti-αvβ6 antibody BG00011 that stabilizes the bent-closed conformation and caused on-target toxicity in patients with lung fibrosis, and the αvβ8 inhibitor maintains the constitutively fixed extended-closed αvβ8 conformation. In a mouse model of bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis, the αvβ6 inhibitor potently reduced fibrotic burden and improved overall lung mechanics when delivered via oropharyngeal administration mimicking inhalation, demonstrating the therapeutic potential of de novo designed integrin binding proteins with high selectivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anindya Roy
- Department of Biochemistry and Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Lei Shi
- Department of Biochemistry and Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
- Current Address: Encodia Inc, 5785 Oberlin Drive, San Diego, CA 92121
| | - Ashley Chang
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA
| | - Xianchi Dong
- Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Children’s Hospital Boston, and Departments of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology and of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, United States
- Current address: State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China; Engineering Research Center of Protein and Peptide Medicine,Ministry of Education
| | - Andres Fernandez
- Division of Basic Sciences, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - John C. Kraft
- Department of Biochemistry and Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Jing Li
- Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Children’s Hospital Boston, and Departments of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology and of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, United States
| | - Viet Q. Le
- Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Children’s Hospital Boston, and Departments of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology and of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, United States
| | - Rebecca Viazzo Winegar
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA
| | - Gerald Maxwell Cherf
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford CA 94305
- Current Address: Denali Therapeutics, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Dean Slocum
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA
| | - P. Daniel Poulson
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA
| | - Garrett E. Casper
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA
| | | | - Jonard Corpuz Valdoz
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA
| | - Marcos C. Miranda
- Department of Biochemistry and Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
- Current Address: Department of Medicine Solna, Division of Immunology and Allergy, Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Hua Bai
- Department of Biochemistry and Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Yakov Kipnis
- Department of Biochemistry and Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - Audrey Olshefsky
- Department of Biochemistry and Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Tanu Priya
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
- Current Address: Department of Pharmacology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine; Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Lauren Carter
- Department of Biochemistry and Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Rashmi Ravichandran
- Department of Biochemistry and Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Cameron M. Chow
- Department of Biochemistry and Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Max R. Johnson
- Department of Biochemistry and Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Suna Cheng
- Department of Biochemistry and Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - McKaela Smith
- Department of Biochemistry and Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Catherine Overed-Sayer
- Research and Early Development, Respiratory and Immunology, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Current Address: Bioscience COPD/IPF, Research and Early Development, Respiratory and Immunology, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, UK
| | - Donna K. Finch
- Research and Early Development, Respiratory and Immunology, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Current Address: Alchemab Therapeutics Ltd, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - David Lowe
- Research and Early Development, Respiratory and Immunology, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Current Address: Evox Therapeutics Limited, Oxford Science Park, Medawar Centre, East Building, Robert Robinson Avenue, Oxford, OX4 4HG
| | - Asim K. Bera
- Department of Biochemistry and Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Gustavo Matute-Bello
- Center for Lung Biology, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, University of Washington
| | - Timothy P Birkland
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - Frank DiMaio
- Department of Biochemistry and Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Ganesh Raghu
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | | | - Lance J. Stewart
- Department of Biochemistry and Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Melody G. Campbell
- Division of Basic Sciences, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Pam M. Van Ry
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA
| | - Timothy Springer
- Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Children’s Hospital Boston, and Departments of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology and of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, United States
| | - David Baker
- Department of Biochemistry and Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
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37
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Cox D. Sepsis - it is all about the platelets. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1210219. [PMID: 37350961 PMCID: PMC10282552 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1210219] [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: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Sepsis is accompanied by thrombocytopenia and the severity of the thrombocytopenia is associated with mortality. This thrombocytopenia is characteristic of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), the sepsis-associated coagulopathy. Many of the pathogens, both bacterial and viral, that cause sepsis also directly activate platelets, which suggests that pathogen-induced platelet activation leads to systemic thrombosis and drives the multi-organ failure of DIC. In this paper we review the mechanisms of platelet activation by pathogens and the evidence for a role for anti-platelet agents in the management of sepsis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dermot Cox
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
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38
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Matsumori A. Nuclear Factor-κB is a Prime Candidate for the Diagnosis and Control of Inflammatory Cardiovascular Disease. Eur Cardiol 2023; 18:e40. [PMID: 37456770 PMCID: PMC10345985 DOI: 10.15420/ecr.2023.10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/17/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) is responsible for the regulation of genes involved in inflammation and immune responses. NF-κB may play an important role in cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), atherosclerosis and diabetes. Several therapeutic agents used for the treatment of CVDs and diabetes, such as pimobendan and sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors, exert anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting NF-κB activation; anti-inflammatory therapy may have beneficial effects in CVDs and diabetes. Several pharmacological agents and natural compounds may inhibit NF-κB, and these agents alone or in combination may be used to treat various inflammatory diseases. Immunoglobulin-free light chains could be surrogate biomarkers of NF-κB activation and may be useful for evaluating the efficacy of these agents. This review discusses recent advances in our understanding of how the NF-κB signalling pathway controls inflammation, metabolism and immunity, and how improved knowledge of these pathways may lead to better diagnostics and therapeutics for various human diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akira Matsumori
- Clinical Research Institute, National Hospital Organization, Kyoto Medical Center Kyoto, Japan
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39
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Halma MTJ, Plothe C, Marik P, Lawrie TA. Strategies for the Management of Spike Protein-Related Pathology. Microorganisms 2023; 11:1308. [PMID: 37317282 PMCID: PMC10222799 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11051308] [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: 03/16/2023] [Revised: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2023] Open
Abstract
In the wake of the COVID-19 crisis, a need has arisen to prevent and treat two related conditions, COVID-19 vaccine injury and long COVID-19, both of which can trace at least part of their aetiology to the spike protein, which can cause harm through several mechanisms. One significant mechanism of harm is vascular, and it is mediated by the spike protein, a common element of the COVID-19 illness, and it is related to receiving a COVID-19 vaccine. Given the significant number of people experiencing these two related conditions, it is imperative to develop treatment protocols, as well as to consider the diversity of people experiencing long COVID-19 and vaccine injury. This review summarizes the known treatment options for long COVID-19 and vaccine injury, their mechanisms, and their evidentiary basis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Christof Plothe
- Center for Biophysical Osteopathy, Am Wegweiser 27, 55232 Alzey, Germany
| | - Paul Marik
- Front Line COVID-19 Critical Care Alliance (FLCCC), 2001 L St. NW Suite 500, Washington, DC 20036, USA;
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40
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Roytenberg R, García-Sastre A, Li W. Vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia: what do we know hitherto? Front Med (Lausanne) 2023; 10:1155727. [PMID: 37261122 PMCID: PMC10227460 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2023.1155727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia (VITT), also known as thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome, is a catastrophic and life-threatening reaction to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines, which occurs disproportionately in response to vaccination with non-replicating adenovirus vector (AV) vaccines. The mechanism of VITT is not well defined and it has not been resolved why cases of VITT are predominated by vaccination with AV vaccines. However, virtually all VITT patients have positive platelet-activating anti-platelet factor 4 (PF4) antibody titers. Subsequently, platelets are activated and depleted in an Fcγ-receptor IIa (FcγRIIa or CD32a)-dependent manner, but it is not clear why or how the anti-PF4 response is mounted. This review describes the pathogenesis of VITT and provides insight into possible mechanisms that prompt the formation of a PF4/polyanion complex, which drives VITT pathology, as an amalgam of current experimental data or hypotheses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renat Roytenberg
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine at Marshall University, Huntington, WV, United States
| | - Adolfo García-Sastre
- Department of Microbiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
- The Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
- Department of Pathology, Molecular and Cell-Based Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
- Global Health and Emerging Pathogens Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
| | - Wei Li
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine at Marshall University, Huntington, WV, United States
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Weiss S, Waidha K, Rajendran S, Benharroch D, Khalilia J, Levy H, Bar-David E, Golan-Goldhirsh A, Gopas J, Ben-Shmuel A. In Vitro and In Vivo Therapeutic Potential of 6,6'-Dihydroxythiobinupharidine (DTBN) from Nuphar lutea on Cells and K18- hACE2 Mice Infected with SARS-CoV-2. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24098327. [PMID: 37176034 PMCID: PMC10179516 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24098327] [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: 03/21/2023] [Revised: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
We have previously published research on the anti-viral properties of an alkaloid mixture extracted from Nuphar lutea, the major components of the partially purified mixture found by NMR analysis. These are mostly dimeric sesquiterpene thioalkaloids called thiobinupharidines and thiobinuphlutidines against the negative strand RNA measles virus (MV). We have previously reported that this extract inhibits the MV as well as its ability to downregulate several MV proteins in persistently MV-infected cells, especially the P (phospho)-protein. Based on our observation that the Nuphar extract is effective in vitro against the MV, and the immediate need that the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic created, we tested here the ability of 6,6'-dihydroxythiobinupharidine DTBN, an active small molecule, isolated from the Nuphar lutea extract, on COVID-19. As shown here, DTBN effectively inhibits SARS-CoV-2 production in Vero E6 cells at non-cytotoxic concentrations. The short-term daily administration of DTBN to infected mice delayed the occurrence of severe clinical outcomes, lowered virus levels in the lungs and improved survival with minimal changes in lung histology. The viral load on lungs was significantly reduced in the treated mice. DTBN is a pleiotropic small molecule with multiple targets. Its anti-inflammatory properties affect a variety of pathogens including SARS-CoV-2 as shown here. Its activity appears to target both pathogen specific (as suggested by docking analysis) as well as cellular proteins, such as NF-κB, PKCs, cathepsins and topoisomerase 2, that we have previously identified in our work. Thus, this combined double action of virus inhibition and anti-inflammatory activity may enhance the overall effectivity of DTBN. The promising results from this proof-of-concept in vitro and in vivo preclinical study should encourage future studies to optimize the use of DTBN and/or its molecular derivatives against this and other related viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shay Weiss
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness Ziona 7410001, Israel
| | - Kamran Waidha
- The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Genetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva 8410501, Israel
| | - Saravanakumar Rajendran
- Chemistry Division, SAS, Vellore Institute of Technology, Chennai Campus, Chennai 600127, India
| | - Daniel Benharroch
- Department of Pathology, Soroka University Medical Center and Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva 8410501, Israel
| | - Jannat Khalilia
- The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Genetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva 8410501, Israel
| | - Haim Levy
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness Ziona 7410001, Israel
| | - Elad Bar-David
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness Ziona 7410001, Israel
| | - Avi Golan-Goldhirsh
- The Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research (BIDR), Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Sede Boqer Campus, Sde Boker 8410501, Israel
| | - Jacob Gopas
- The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Genetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva 8410501, Israel
| | - Amir Ben-Shmuel
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness Ziona 7410001, Israel
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Nakamura F, Awaya T, Ohira M, Enomoto Y, Moroi M, Nakamura M. Graves' Disease after mRNA COVID-19 Vaccination, with the Presence of Autoimmune Antibodies Even One Year Later. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:vaccines11050934. [PMID: 37243038 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11050934] [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: 03/20/2023] [Revised: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 04/30/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
A 45-year-old man who had received his second mRNA COVID-19 vaccination one week earlier was presented to the emergency department with chest discomfort. Therefore, we suspected post-vaccination myocarditis; however, the patient showed no signs of myocarditis. After 2 weeks, he revisited the hospital complaining of palpitations, hand tremors, and weight loss. The patient exhibited high free thyroxine (FT4) (6.42 ng/dL), low thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) (<0.01 μIU/mL), and high TSH receptor antibody (17.5 IU/L) levels, and was diagnosed with Graves' disease. Thiamazole was administered, and the patient's FT4 levels normalized after 30 days. One year later, the patient's FT4 is stable; however, their TSH receptor antibodies have not become negative and thiamazole has continued. This is the first case report to follow the course of Graves' disease one year after mRNA COVID-19 vaccination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fuminori Nakamura
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Toho University Ohashi Medical Center, 2-22-36 Ohashi, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 153-8515, Japan
| | - Toru Awaya
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Toho University Ohashi Medical Center, 2-22-36 Ohashi, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 153-8515, Japan
| | - Masahiro Ohira
- Department of Diabetes, Metabolism and Endocrinology, Toho University Ohashi Medical Center, Tokyo 153-8515, Japan
| | - Yoshinari Enomoto
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Toho University Ohashi Medical Center, 2-22-36 Ohashi, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 153-8515, Japan
| | - Masao Moroi
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Toho University Ohashi Medical Center, 2-22-36 Ohashi, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 153-8515, Japan
| | - Masato Nakamura
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Toho University Ohashi Medical Center, 2-22-36 Ohashi, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 153-8515, Japan
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Beaudoin CA, Petsolari E, Hamaia SW, Hala S, Alofi FS, Pandurangan AP, Blundell TL, Chaitanya Vedithi S, Huang CLH, Jackson AP. SARS-CoV-2 Omicron subvariant spike N405 unlikely to rapidly deamidate. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2023; 666:61-67. [PMID: 37178506 PMCID: PMC10152834 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2023.04.088] [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: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
The RGD motif on the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein has been suggested to interact with RGD-binding integrins αVβ3 and α5β1 to enhance viral cell entry and alter downstream signaling cascades. The D405N mutation on the Omicron subvariant spike proteins, resulting in an RGN motif, has recently been shown to inhibit binding to integrin αVβ3. Deamidation of asparagines in protein ligand RGN motifs has been demonstrated to generate RGD and RGisoD motifs that permit binding to RGD-binding integrins. Two asparagines, N481 and N501, on the Wild-type spike receptor-binding domain have been previously shown to have deamidation half-lives of 16.5 and 123 days, respectively, which may occur during the viral life cycle. Deamidation of Omicron subvariant N405 may recover the ability to interact with RGD-binding integrins. Thus, herein, all-atom molecular dynamics simulations of the Wild-type and Omicron subvariant spike protein receptor-binding domains were conducted to investigate the potential for asparagines, the Omicron subvariant N405 in particular, to assume the optimized geometry for deamidation to occur. In summary, the Omicron subvariant N405 was primarily found to be stabilized in a state unfavourable for deamidation after hydrogen bonding with downstream E406. Nevertheless, a small number of RGD or RGisoD motifs on the Omicron subvariant spike proteins may restore the ability to interact with RGD-binding integrins. The simulations also provided structural clarification regarding the deamidation rates of Wild-type N481 and N501 and highlighted the utility of tertiary structure dynamics information in predicting asparagine deamidation. Further work is needed to characterize the effects of deamidation on spike-integrin interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher A Beaudoin
- Department of Biochemistry, Hopkins Building, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1QW, United Kingdom.
| | - Emmanouela Petsolari
- Department of Biochemistry, Sanger Building, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1GA, United Kingdom
| | - Samir W Hamaia
- Department of Biochemistry, Hopkins Building, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1QW, United Kingdom
| | - Sharif Hala
- Infectious Disease Research Department, King Abdullah International Medical Research Centre, Ministry of National Guard Health Affairs, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Ministry of National Guard Health Affairs, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Fadwa S Alofi
- Infectious Disease Research Department, King Abdullah International Medical Research Centre, Ministry of National Guard Health Affairs, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Arun P Pandurangan
- Heart and Lung Research Institute, University of Cambridge, Papworth Road, Cambridge, CB2 0BB, United Kingdom
| | - Tom L Blundell
- Heart and Lung Research Institute, University of Cambridge, Papworth Road, Cambridge, CB2 0BB, United Kingdom
| | - Sundeep Chaitanya Vedithi
- Heart and Lung Research Institute, University of Cambridge, Papworth Road, Cambridge, CB2 0BB, United Kingdom
| | - Christopher L-H Huang
- Department of Biochemistry, Hopkins Building, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1QW, United Kingdom; Physiological Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EG, United Kingdom
| | - Antony P Jackson
- Department of Biochemistry, Hopkins Building, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1QW, United Kingdom.
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Abstract
Vascular age is determined by functional and structural changes in the arterial wall. When measured by its proxy, pulse wave velocity, it has been shown to predict cardiovascular and total mortality. Disconcordance between chronological and vascular age might represent better or worse vascular health. Cell senescence is caused by oxidative stress and sustained cell replication. Senescent cells acquire senescence-associated secretory phenotype. Oxidative stress, endothelial dysfunction, dysregulation of coagulation and leucocyte infiltration are observed in the aging endothelium. All of these mechanisms lead to increased vascular calcification and stiffness. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) can involve the vascular endothelium. It enters cells using angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE-2) receptors, which are abundant in endothelial cells. The damage this virus does to the endothelium can be direct or indirect. Indirect damage is caused by hyperinflammation. Direct damage results from effects on ACE-2 receptors. The reduction of ACE-2 levels seen during coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection might cause vasoconstriction and oxidative stress. COVID-19 and vascular aging share some pathways. Due to the novelty of the virus, there is an urgent need for studies that investigate its long-term effects on vascular health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ignas Badaras
- Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania,Ignas Badaras, Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius
University, M. K. Ciurlionio g. 21/27, LT-03101, Vilnius 01513, Lithuania.
| | - Agnė Laučytė-Cibulskienė
- Department of Nephrology, Skåne University
Hospital, Malmö, Sweden,Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden
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Giannotta G, Murrone A, Giannotta N. COVID-19 mRNA Vaccines: The Molecular Basis of Some Adverse Events. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:vaccines11040747. [PMID: 37112659 PMCID: PMC10145134 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11040747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2023] [Revised: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Each injection of any known vaccine results in a strong expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines. This is the result of the innate immune system activation, without which no adaptive response to the injection of vaccines is possible. Unfortunately, the degree of inflammation produced by COVID-19 mRNA vaccines is variable, probably depending on genetic background and previous immune experiences, which through epigenetic modifications could have made the innate immune system of each individual tolerant or reactive to subsequent immune stimulations.We hypothesize that we can move from a limited pro-inflammatory condition to conditions of increasing expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines that can culminate in multisystem hyperinflammatory syndromes following COVID-19 mRNA vaccines (MIS-V). We have graphically represented this idea in a hypothetical inflammatory pyramid (IP) and we have correlated the time factor to the degree of inflammation produced after the injection of vaccines. Furthermore, we have placed the clinical manifestations within this hypothetical IP, correlating them to the degree of inflammation produced. Surprisingly, excluding the possible presence of an early MIS-V, the time factor and the complexity of clinical manifestations are correlated to the increasing degree of inflammation: symptoms, heart disease and syndromes (MIS-V).
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Yonker LM, Swank Z, Bartsch YC, Burns MD, Kane A, Boribong BP, Davis JP, Loiselle M, Novak T, Senussi Y, Cheng CA, Burgess E, Edlow AG, Chou J, Dionne A, Balaguru D, Lahoud-Rahme M, Arditi M, Julg B, Randolph AG, Alter G, Fasano A, Walt DR. Circulating Spike Protein Detected in Post-COVID-19 mRNA Vaccine Myocarditis. Circulation 2023; 147:867-876. [PMID: 36597886 PMCID: PMC10010667 DOI: 10.1161/circulationaha.122.061025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 75.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cases of adolescents and young adults developing myocarditis after vaccination with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)-targeted mRNA vaccines have been reported globally, but the underlying immunoprofiles of these individuals have not been described in detail. METHODS From January 2021 through February 2022, we prospectively collected blood from 16 patients who were hospitalized at Massachusetts General for Children or Boston Children's Hospital for myocarditis, presenting with chest pain with elevated cardiac troponin T after SARS-CoV-2 vaccination. We performed extensive antibody profiling, including tests for SARS-CoV-2-specific humoral responses and assessment for autoantibodies or antibodies against the human-relevant virome, SARS-CoV-2-specific T-cell analysis, and cytokine and SARS-CoV-2 antigen profiling. Results were compared with those from 45 healthy, asymptomatic, age-matched vaccinated control subjects. RESULTS Extensive antibody profiling and T-cell responses in the individuals who developed postvaccine myocarditis were essentially indistinguishable from those of vaccinated control subjects, despite a modest increase in cytokine production. A notable finding was that markedly elevated levels of full-length spike protein (33.9±22.4 pg/mL), unbound by antibodies, were detected in the plasma of individuals with postvaccine myocarditis, whereas no free spike was detected in asymptomatic vaccinated control subjects (unpaired t test; P<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS Immunoprofiling of vaccinated adolescents and young adults revealed that the mRNA vaccine-induced immune responses did not differ between individuals who developed myocarditis and individuals who did not. However, free spike antigen was detected in the blood of adolescents and young adults who developed post-mRNA vaccine myocarditis, advancing insight into its potential underlying cause.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lael M. Yonker
- Mucosal Immunology and Biology Research Center (L.M.Y., M.D.B., A.K., B.P.B., J.P.D., M.L., A.F.), Division of Infectious Disease, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston
- Department of Pediatrics (L.M.Y., M.D.B., A.K., B.P.B., J.P.D., M.L., D.B., M.L.-R., A.F.), Division of Infectious Disease, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA (L.M.Y., Z.S., Y.C.B., B.P.B., T.N., Y.S., C.-A.C., J.C., A.D., D.B., M.L.-R., B.J., A.G.R., G.A., A.F., D.R.W.)
| | - Zoe Swank
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA (L.M.Y., Z.S., Y.C.B., B.P.B., T.N., Y.S., C.-A.C., J.C., A.D., D.B., M.L.-R., B.J., A.G.R., G.A., A.F., D.R.W.)
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA (Z.S., Y.S., C.-A.C., D.R.W.)
| | - Yannic C. Bartsch
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA (L.M.Y., Z.S., Y.C.B., B.P.B., T.N., Y.S., C.-A.C., J.C., A.D., D.B., M.L.-R., B.J., A.G.R., G.A., A.F., D.R.W.)
- Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA (Y.C.B., E.B., B.J., G.A.)
| | - Madeleine D. Burns
- Mucosal Immunology and Biology Research Center (L.M.Y., M.D.B., A.K., B.P.B., J.P.D., M.L., A.F.), Division of Infectious Disease, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston
- Department of Pediatrics (L.M.Y., M.D.B., A.K., B.P.B., J.P.D., M.L., D.B., M.L.-R., A.F.), Division of Infectious Disease, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston
| | - Abigail Kane
- Mucosal Immunology and Biology Research Center (L.M.Y., M.D.B., A.K., B.P.B., J.P.D., M.L., A.F.), Division of Infectious Disease, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston
- Department of Pediatrics (L.M.Y., M.D.B., A.K., B.P.B., J.P.D., M.L., D.B., M.L.-R., A.F.), Division of Infectious Disease, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston
| | - Brittany P. Boribong
- Mucosal Immunology and Biology Research Center (L.M.Y., M.D.B., A.K., B.P.B., J.P.D., M.L., A.F.), Division of Infectious Disease, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston
- Department of Pediatrics (L.M.Y., M.D.B., A.K., B.P.B., J.P.D., M.L., D.B., M.L.-R., A.F.), Division of Infectious Disease, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA (L.M.Y., Z.S., Y.C.B., B.P.B., T.N., Y.S., C.-A.C., J.C., A.D., D.B., M.L.-R., B.J., A.G.R., G.A., A.F., D.R.W.)
| | - Jameson P. Davis
- Mucosal Immunology and Biology Research Center (L.M.Y., M.D.B., A.K., B.P.B., J.P.D., M.L., A.F.), Division of Infectious Disease, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston
- Department of Pediatrics (L.M.Y., M.D.B., A.K., B.P.B., J.P.D., M.L., D.B., M.L.-R., A.F.), Division of Infectious Disease, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston
| | - Maggie Loiselle
- Mucosal Immunology and Biology Research Center (L.M.Y., M.D.B., A.K., B.P.B., J.P.D., M.L., A.F.), Division of Infectious Disease, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston
- Department of Pediatrics (L.M.Y., M.D.B., A.K., B.P.B., J.P.D., M.L., D.B., M.L.-R., A.F.), Division of Infectious Disease, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston
| | - Tanya Novak
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA (L.M.Y., Z.S., Y.C.B., B.P.B., T.N., Y.S., C.-A.C., J.C., A.D., D.B., M.L.-R., B.J., A.G.R., G.A., A.F., D.R.W.)
- Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care and Pain Medicine (T.N., A.G.R.), Boston Children’s Hospital, MA
| | - Yasmeen Senussi
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA (L.M.Y., Z.S., Y.C.B., B.P.B., T.N., Y.S., C.-A.C., J.C., A.D., D.B., M.L.-R., B.J., A.G.R., G.A., A.F., D.R.W.)
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA (Z.S., Y.S., C.-A.C., D.R.W.)
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA (Z.S., Y.S., C.-A.C., D.R.W.)
| | - Chi-An Cheng
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA (L.M.Y., Z.S., Y.C.B., B.P.B., T.N., Y.S., C.-A.C., J.C., A.D., D.B., M.L.-R., B.J., A.G.R., G.A., A.F., D.R.W.)
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA (Z.S., Y.S., C.-A.C., D.R.W.)
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA (Z.S., Y.S., C.-A.C., D.R.W.)
| | - Eleanor Burgess
- Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA (Y.C.B., E.B., B.J., G.A.)
| | - Andrea G. Edlow
- Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology (A.G.E.), Division of Infectious Disease, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston
- Vincent Center for Reproductive Biology (A.G.E.), Division of Infectious Disease, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston
- Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care and Pain Medicine (T.N., A.G.R.), Boston Children’s Hospital, MA
| | - Janet Chou
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA (L.M.Y., Z.S., Y.C.B., B.P.B., T.N., Y.S., C.-A.C., J.C., A.D., D.B., M.L.-R., B.J., A.G.R., G.A., A.F., D.R.W.)
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Immunology (J.C.), Boston Children’s Hospital, MA
| | - Audrey Dionne
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA (L.M.Y., Z.S., Y.C.B., B.P.B., T.N., Y.S., C.-A.C., J.C., A.D., D.B., M.L.-R., B.J., A.G.R., G.A., A.F., D.R.W.)
- Department of Cardiology (A.D.), Boston Children’s Hospital, MA
| | - Duraisamy Balaguru
- Department of Pediatrics (L.M.Y., M.D.B., A.K., B.P.B., J.P.D., M.L., D.B., M.L.-R., A.F.), Division of Infectious Disease, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA (L.M.Y., Z.S., Y.C.B., B.P.B., T.N., Y.S., C.-A.C., J.C., A.D., D.B., M.L.-R., B.J., A.G.R., G.A., A.F., D.R.W.)
| | - Manuella Lahoud-Rahme
- Department of Pediatrics (L.M.Y., M.D.B., A.K., B.P.B., J.P.D., M.L., D.B., M.L.-R., A.F.), Division of Infectious Disease, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA (L.M.Y., Z.S., Y.C.B., B.P.B., T.N., Y.S., C.-A.C., J.C., A.D., D.B., M.L.-R., B.J., A.G.R., G.A., A.F., D.R.W.)
| | - Moshe Arditi
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Infectious and Immunologic Diseases Research Center, and Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA (M.A.)
| | - Boris Julg
- Department of Medicine (B.J.), Division of Infectious Disease, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA (L.M.Y., Z.S., Y.C.B., B.P.B., T.N., Y.S., C.-A.C., J.C., A.D., D.B., M.L.-R., B.J., A.G.R., G.A., A.F., D.R.W.)
- Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA (Y.C.B., E.B., B.J., G.A.)
| | - Adrienne G. Randolph
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA (L.M.Y., Z.S., Y.C.B., B.P.B., T.N., Y.S., C.-A.C., J.C., A.D., D.B., M.L.-R., B.J., A.G.R., G.A., A.F., D.R.W.)
| | - Galit Alter
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA (L.M.Y., Z.S., Y.C.B., B.P.B., T.N., Y.S., C.-A.C., J.C., A.D., D.B., M.L.-R., B.J., A.G.R., G.A., A.F., D.R.W.)
- Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA (Y.C.B., E.B., B.J., G.A.)
| | - Alessio Fasano
- Mucosal Immunology and Biology Research Center (L.M.Y., M.D.B., A.K., B.P.B., J.P.D., M.L., A.F.), Division of Infectious Disease, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston
- Department of Pediatrics (L.M.Y., M.D.B., A.K., B.P.B., J.P.D., M.L., D.B., M.L.-R., A.F.), Division of Infectious Disease, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA (L.M.Y., Z.S., Y.C.B., B.P.B., T.N., Y.S., C.-A.C., J.C., A.D., D.B., M.L.-R., B.J., A.G.R., G.A., A.F., D.R.W.)
| | - David R. Walt
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA (L.M.Y., Z.S., Y.C.B., B.P.B., T.N., Y.S., C.-A.C., J.C., A.D., D.B., M.L.-R., B.J., A.G.R., G.A., A.F., D.R.W.)
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA (Z.S., Y.S., C.-A.C., D.R.W.)
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA (Z.S., Y.S., C.-A.C., D.R.W.)
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Albertos-Arranz H, Martínez-Gil N, Sánchez-Sáez X, Noailles A, Monferrer Adsuara C, Remolí Sargues L, Pérez-Santonja JJ, Lax P, Calvo Andrés R, Cuenca N. Microglia activation and neuronal alterations in retinas from COVID-19 patients: correlation with clinical parameters. EYE AND VISION (LONDON, ENGLAND) 2023; 10:12. [PMID: 36855168 PMCID: PMC9974399 DOI: 10.1186/s40662-023-00329-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 01/08/2023] [Indexed: 03/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Different ocular alterations have been described in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Our aim was to determine whether COVID-19 affected retinal cells and establish correlations with clinical parameters. METHODS Retinal sections and flat-mount retinas from human donors with COVID-19 (n = 16) and controls (n = 15) were immunostained. The location of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and the morphology of microglial cells, Müller cells, astrocytes, and photoreceptors were analyzed by confocal microscopy. Microglial quantification and the area occupied by them were measured. Correlations among retinal and clinical parameters were calculated. RESULTS ACE2 was mainly located in the Müller cells, outer segment of cones and retinal pigment epithelium. Cell bodies of Müller cells in COVID-19 group showed greater staining of ACE2 and cellular retinaldehyde-binding protein (CRALBP). The 81.3% of COVID-19 patients presented disorganization of honeycomb-like pattern formed by Müller cells. Gliosis was detected in 56.3% of COVID-19 patients compared to controls (40%) as well as epiretinal membranes (ERMs) or astrocytes protruding (50%). Activated or ameboid-shape microglia was the main sign in the COVID-19 group (93.8%). Microglial migration towards the vessels was greater in the COVID-19 retinas (P < 0.05) and the area occupied by microglia was also reduced (P < 0.01) compared to control group. Cone degeneration was more severe in the COVID-19 group. Duration of the disease, age and respiratory failure were the most relevant clinical data in relation with retinal degeneration. CONCLUSIONS The retinas of patients with COVID-19 exhibit glial activation and neuronal alterations, mostly related to the inflammation, hypoxic conditions, and age.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henar Albertos-Arranz
- grid.5268.90000 0001 2168 1800Department of Physiology, Genetics and Microbiology, University of Alicante, San Vicente del Raspeig Road W/N, 03690 Alicante, Spain
| | - Natalia Martínez-Gil
- grid.5268.90000 0001 2168 1800Department of Physiology, Genetics and Microbiology, University of Alicante, San Vicente del Raspeig Road W/N, 03690 Alicante, Spain
| | - Xavier Sánchez-Sáez
- grid.5268.90000 0001 2168 1800Department of Physiology, Genetics and Microbiology, University of Alicante, San Vicente del Raspeig Road W/N, 03690 Alicante, Spain
| | - Agustina Noailles
- grid.5268.90000 0001 2168 1800Department of Physiology, Genetics and Microbiology, University of Alicante, San Vicente del Raspeig Road W/N, 03690 Alicante, Spain
| | - Clara Monferrer Adsuara
- grid.106023.60000 0004 1770 977XDepartment of Ophthalmology, General University Hospital Consortium of Valencia (CHGUV), 46014 Valencia, Spain
| | - Lidia Remolí Sargues
- grid.106023.60000 0004 1770 977XDepartment of Ophthalmology, General University Hospital Consortium of Valencia (CHGUV), 46014 Valencia, Spain
| | - Juan J. Pérez-Santonja
- grid.411086.a0000 0000 8875 8879Department of Ophthalmology, General University Hospital of Alicante (HGUA), 03010 Alicante, Spain ,grid.513062.30000 0004 8516 8274Alicante Institute for Health and Biomedical Research (ISABIAL), Alicante, Spain
| | - Pedro Lax
- grid.5268.90000 0001 2168 1800Department of Physiology, Genetics and Microbiology, University of Alicante, San Vicente del Raspeig Road W/N, 03690 Alicante, Spain
| | - Ramón Calvo Andrés
- grid.106023.60000 0004 1770 977XDepartment of Ophthalmology, General University Hospital Consortium of Valencia (CHGUV), 46014 Valencia, Spain
| | - Nicolás Cuenca
- Department of Physiology, Genetics and Microbiology, University of Alicante, San Vicente del Raspeig Road W/N, 03690, Alicante, Spain. .,Alicante Institute for Health and Biomedical Research (ISABIAL), Alicante, Spain. .,National Institute of Health Carlos III (ISCIII), (RETICS) Cooperative Health Network for Research in Ophthalmology (Oftared), 28040, Madrid, Spain.
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48
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Norris EG, Pan XS, Hocking DC. Receptor-binding domain of SARS-CoV-2 is a functional αv-integrin agonist. J Biol Chem 2023; 299:102922. [PMID: 36669646 PMCID: PMC9846890 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.102922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Revised: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Among the novel mutations distinguishing SARS-CoV-2 from similar coronaviruses is a K403R substitution in the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the viral spike (S) protein within its S1 region. This amino acid substitution occurs near the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2-binding interface and gives rise to a canonical RGD adhesion motif that is often found in native extracellular matrix proteins, including fibronectin. Here, the ability of recombinant S1-RBD to bind to cell surface integrins and trigger downstream signaling pathways was assessed and compared with RGD-containing, integrin-binding fragments of fibronectin. We determined that S1-RBD supported adhesion of fibronectin-null mouse embryonic fibroblasts as well as primary human small airway epithelial cells, while RBD-coated microparticles attached to epithelial monolayers in a cation-dependent manner. Cell adhesion to S1-RBD was RGD dependent and inhibited by blocking antibodies against αv and β3 but not α5 or β1 integrins. Similarly, we observed direct binding of S1-RBD to recombinant human αvβ3 and αvβ6 integrins, but not α5β1 integrins, using surface plasmon resonance. S1-RBD adhesion initiated cell spreading, focal adhesion formation, and actin stress fiber organization to a similar extent as fibronectin. Moreover, S1-RBD stimulated tyrosine phosphorylation of the adhesion mediators FAK, Src, and paxillin; triggered Akt activation; and supported cell proliferation. Thus, the RGD sequence of S1-RBD can function as an αv-selective integrin agonist. This study provides evidence that cell surface αv-containing integrins can respond functionally to spike protein and raises the possibility that S1-mediated dysregulation of extracellular matrix dynamics may contribute to the pathogenesis and/or post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma G Norris
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Xuan Sabrina Pan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Denise C Hocking
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York, USA.
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49
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Tillman TS, Chen Q, Bondarenko V, Coleman JA, Xu Y, Tang P. SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein Downregulates Cell Surface α7nAChR through a Helical Motif in the Spike Neck. ACS Chem Neurosci 2023; 14:689-698. [PMID: 36745901 PMCID: PMC9923440 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.2c00610] [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] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
A deficiency of the functional α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7nAChR) impairs neuronal and immune systems. The SARS-CoV-2 spike protein (S12) facilitates virus cell entry during COVID-19 infection and can also independently disrupt cellular functions. Here, we found that S12 expression significantly downregulated surface expression of α7nAChR in mammalian cells. A helical segment of S12 (L1145-L1152) in the spike neck was identified to be responsible for the downregulation of α7nAChR, as the mutant S12AAA (L1145A-F1148A-L1152A) had minimal effects on surface α7nAChR expression. This S12 segment is homologous to the α7nAChR intracellular helical motif known for binding chaperone proteins RIC3 and Bcl-2 to promote α7nAChR surface expression. Competition from S12 for binding these proteins likely underlies suppression of surface α7nAChR. Considering the critical roles of α7nAChR in cellular functions, these findings provide a new perspective for improving mRNA vaccines and developing treatment options for certain symptoms related to long COVID.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tommy S Tillman
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15260, United States
| | - Qiang Chen
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15260, United States
| | - Vasyl Bondarenko
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15260, United States
| | - Jonathan A Coleman
- Department of Structural Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15260, United States
| | - Yan Xu
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15260, United States
- Department of Structural Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15260, United States
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15260, United States
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15260, United States
| | - Pei Tang
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15260, United States
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15260, United States
- Department of Computational and Systems Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15260, United States
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50
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Clancy J, Hoffmann CS, Pickett BE. Transcriptomics secondary analysis of severe human infection with SARS-CoV-2 identifies gene expression changes and predicts three transcriptional biomarkers in leukocytes. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2023; 21:1403-1413. [PMID: 36785619 PMCID: PMC9908618 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2023.02.003] [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: 08/18/2022] [Revised: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023] Open
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 is the causative agent of COVID-19, which has greatly affected human health since it first emerged. Defining the human factors and biomarkers that differentiate severe SARS-CoV-2 infection from mild infection has become of increasing interest to clinicians. To help address this need, we retrieved 269 public RNA-seq human transcriptome samples from GEO that had qualitative disease severity metadata. We then subjected these samples to a robust RNA-seq data processing workflow to calculate gene expression in PBMCs, whole blood, and leukocytes, as well as to predict transcriptional biomarkers in PBMCs and leukocytes. This process involved using Salmon for read mapping, edgeR to calculate significant differential expression levels, and gene ontology enrichment using Camera. We then performed a random forest machine learning analysis on the read counts data to identify genes that best classified samples based on the COVID-19 severity phenotype. This approach produced a ranked list of leukocyte genes based on their Gini values that includes TGFBI, TTYH2, and CD4, which are associated with both the immune response and inflammation. Our results show that these three genes can potentially classify samples with severe COVID-19 with accuracy of ∼88% and an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 92.6--indicating acceptable specificity and sensitivity. We expect that our findings can help contribute to the development of improved diagnostics that may aid in identifying severe COVID-19 cases, guide clinical treatment, and improve mortality rates.
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