The relationship of soluble neuropilin-1 to severe COVID-19 risk factors in polycystic ovary syndrome

Al-buhadiliy A, De Waard M, Sabatier JM, Khan Khalil AA, Saad HM, Batiha GES. Role of Neuropilin 1 in COVID-19 Patients with Acute Ischemic Stroke

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection can trigger the adaptive and innate immune responses, leading to uncontrolled inflammatory reactions and associated local and systematic tissue damage, along with thromboembolic disorders that may increase the risk of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) in COVID-19 patients. The neuropilin (NRP-1) which is a co-receptor for the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), integrins, and plexins, is involved in the pathogenesis of AIS. NRP-1 is also regarded as a co-receptor for the entry of SARS-CoV-2 and facilitates its entry into the brain through the olfactory epithelium. NRP-1 is regarded as a cofactor for binding of SARS-CoV-2 with angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), since the absence of ACE2 reduces SARS-CoV-2 infectivity even in presence of NRP-1. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to clarify the potential role of NRP-1 in COVID-19 patients with AIS. SARS-CoV-2 may transmit to the brain through NRP-1 in the olfactory epithelium of the nasal cavity, leading to different neurological disorders, and therefore about 45% of COVID-19 patients had neurological manifestations. NRP-1 has the potential capability to attenuate neuroinflammation, blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability, cerebral endothelial dysfunction (ED), and neuronal dysfunction that are uncommon in COVID-19 with neurological involvement, including AIS. Similarly, high NRP-1 serum level is linked with ED, oxidative stress, and the risk of pulmonary thrombosis in patients with severe COVID-19, suggesting a compensatory mechanism to overcome immuno-inflammatory disorders. In conclusion, NRP-1 has an important role in the pathogenesis of COVID-19 and AIS, and could be the potential biomarker linking the development of AIS in COVID-19. The present findings cannot provide a final conclusion, and thus in silico, experimental, in vitro, in vivo, preclinical, and clinical studies are recommended to confirm the potential role of NRP-1 in COVID-19, and to elucidate the pharmacological role of NRP-1 receptor agonists and antagonists in COVID-19.

Discovery of natural products to block SARS-CoV-2 S-protein interaction with Neuropilin-1 receptor: A molecular dynamics simulation approach

Neuropilin-1 (NRP1) is a widely expressed cell surface receptor protein characterized by its pleiotropic function. Recent reports highlighted NRP1 as an additional entry point of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, enhancing viral infectivity by interacting with the S-protein of SARS-CoV-2. The ubiquitous distribution and mechanism of action of NRP1 enable the SARS-CoV-2 virus to attack multiple organs in the body simultaneously. Therefore, blocking NRP1 is a potential therapeutic approach against SARS-CoV-2 infection. The current study screened the South African natural compounds database (SANCDB) for molecules that can disrupt the SARS-CoV-2 S protein-NRP1 interaction as a potential antiviral target for SARS-CoV-2 cellular entry. Following excessive screening and validation analysis 3-O-Methylquercetin and Esculetin were identified as potential compounds to disrupt the S-protein-NRP1 interaction. Furthermore, to understand the conformational stability and dynamic features between NRP1 interaction with the selected natural products, we performed 200 ns molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. In addition, molecular mechanics-generalized Born surface area (MM/GBSA) was utilized to calculate the free binding energies of the natural products interacting with NRP1. 3-O-methylquercetin showed an inhibitory effect with binding energies ΔG of -25.52 ± 0.04 kcal/mol to NRP1, indicating the possible disruption of the NRP1-S-protein interaction. Our analysis demonstrated that 3-O-methylquercetin presents a potential antiviral compound against SARS-CoV-2 infectivity. These results set the path for future functional in-vitro and in-vivo studies in SARS-CoV-2 research.

Triangle of cytokine storm, central nervous system involvement, and viral infection in COVID-19: the role of sFasL and neuropilin-1

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV2) is identified as the cause of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), and is often linked to extreme inflammatory responses by over activation of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), cytokine storm, and sepsis. These are robust causes for multi-organ damage. In particular, potential routes of SARS-CoV2 entry, such as angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), have been linked to central nervous system (CNS) involvement. CNS has been recognized as one of the most susceptible compartments to cytokine storm, which can be affected by neuropilin-1 (NRP-1). ACE2 is widely-recognized as a SARS-CoV2 entry pathway; However, NRP-1 has been recently introduced as a novel path of viral entry. Apoptosis of cells invaded by this virus involves Fas receptor-Fas ligand (FasL) signaling; moreover, Fas receptor may function as a controller of inflammation. Furthermore, NRP-1 may influence FasL and modulate cytokine profile. The neuroimmunological insult by SARS-CoV2 infection may be inhibited by therapeutic approaches targeting soluble Fas ligand (sFasL), cytokine storm elements, or related viral entry pathways. In the current review, we explain pivotal players behind the activation of cytokine storm that are associated with vast CNS injury. We also hypothesize that sFasL may affect neuroinflammatory processes and trigger the cytokine storm in COVID-19.

The Role of Neuropilin-1 (NRP-1) in SARS-CoV-2 Infection: Review

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), discovered in 2019, is responsible for the global coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) pandemic. The main protein that interacts with the host cell receptor is the Spike-1 (S1) subunit of the coronavirus. This subunit binds with receptors present on the host cell membrane. It has been identified from several studies that neuropilin-1 (NRP-1) is one of the co-receptors for SARS-CoV-2 entry. Therefore, in this review, we focus on the significance of NRP-1 in SARS-CoV-2 infection. MEDLINE/PubMed database was used for a search of available literature. In the current review, we report that NRP-1 plays many important functions, including angiogenesis, neuronal development, and the regulation of immune responses. Additionally, the presence of this glycoprotein on the host cell membrane significantly augments the infection and spread of SARS-CoV-2. Literature data suggest that NRP-1 facilitates entry of the virus into the central nervous system through the olfactory epithelium of the nasal cavity. Moreover, published findings show that interfering with VEGF-A/NRP-1 using NRP-1 inhibitors may produce an analgesic effect. The review describes an association between NRP-1, SARS-CoV-2 and, inter alia, pathological changes in the retina. Based on the published findings, we suggest that NRP-1 is a very important mediator implicated in, inter alia, neurological manifestations of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Additionally, it appears that the use of NRP-1 inhibitors is a promising therapeutic strategy for the treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Neuropilin 1: A Novel Entry Factor for SARS-CoV-2 Infection and a Potential Therapeutic Target

The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is severely challenging the healthcare systems and economies of the world, which urgently demand vaccine and therapy development to combat severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Hence, advancing our understanding of the comprehensive entry mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2, especially the host factors that facilitate viral infection, is crucial for the discovery of effective vaccines and antiviral drugs. SARS-CoV-2 has previously been documented to reach cells by binding with ACE2 and CD147 receptors in host cells that interact with the spike (S) protein of SARS-CoV-2. A novel entry factor, called neuropilin 1(NRP1), has recently been discovered as a co-receptor facilitating the entry of SARS-CoV-2. NRP1 is a single-pass transmembrane glycoprotein widely distributed throughout the tissues of the body and acts as a multifunctional co-receptor to bind with different ligand proteins and play diverse physiological roles as well as pathological and therapeutic roles in different clinical conditions/diseases, including COVID-19. The current review, therefore, briefly provides the overview of SARS-CoV-2 entry mechanisms, the structure of NRP1, and their roles in health and various diseases, as well as extensively discusses the current understanding of the potential implication of NRP1 in SARS-CoV-2 entry and COVID-19 treatment.