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Baldassarro VA, Alastra G, Cescatti M, Quadalti C, Lorenzini L, Giardino L, Calzà L. SARS-CoV-2-related peptides induce endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition in endothelial capillary cells derived from different body districts: focus on membrane (M) protein. Cell Tissue Res 2024:10.1007/s00441-024-03900-y. [PMID: 38953987 DOI: 10.1007/s00441-024-03900-y] [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: 03/04/2024] [Accepted: 05/30/2024] [Indexed: 07/04/2024]
Abstract
The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), responsible for the COVID-19, may lead to multiple organ dysfunctions and long-term complications. The induction of microvascular dysfunction is regarded as a main player in these pathological processes. To investigate the possible impact of SARS-CoV-2-induced endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) on fibrosis in "long-COVID" syndrome, we used primary cultures of human microvascular cells derived from the lungs, as the main infection target, compared to cells derived from different organs (dermis, heart, kidney, liver, brain) and to the HUVEC cell line. To mimic the virus action, we used mixed SARS-CoV-2 peptide fragments (PepTivator®) of spike (S), nucleocapsid (N), and membrane (M) proteins. TGFβ2 and cytokine mix (IL-1β, IL-6, TNFα) were used as positive controls. The percentage of cells positive to mesenchymal and endothelial markers was quantified by high content screening. We demonstrated that S+N+M mix induces irreversible EndMT in all analyzed endothelial cells via the TGFβ pathway, as demonstrated by ApoA1 treatment. We then tested the contribution of single peptides in lung and brain cells, demonstrating that EndMT is triggered by M peptide. This was confirmed by transfection experiment, inducing the endogenous expression of the glycoprotein M in lung-derived cells. In conclusion, we demonstrated that SARS-CoV-2 peptides induce EndMT in microvascular endothelial cells from multiple body districts. The different peptides play different roles in the induction and maintenance of the virus-mediated effects, which are organ-specific. These results corroborate the hypothesis of the SARS-CoV-2-mediated microvascular damage underlying the multiple organ dysfunctions and the long-COVID syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vito Antonio Baldassarro
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences (DIMEVET), University of Bologna, Ozzano dell'Emilia, Bologna, Italy
- Interdepartmental Centre for Industrial Research in Health Sciences and Technology ICIR-HST, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Alastra
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences (DIMEVET), University of Bologna, Ozzano dell'Emilia, Bologna, Italy
| | | | - Corinne Quadalti
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology (FaBiT), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Luca Lorenzini
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences (DIMEVET), University of Bologna, Ozzano dell'Emilia, Bologna, Italy
- Interdepartmental Centre for Industrial Research in Health Sciences and Technology ICIR-HST, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Luciana Giardino
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences (DIMEVET), University of Bologna, Ozzano dell'Emilia, Bologna, Italy
- Interdepartmental Centre for Industrial Research in Health Sciences and Technology ICIR-HST, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Laura Calzà
- Interdepartmental Centre for Industrial Research in Health Sciences and Technology ICIR-HST, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology (FaBiT), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
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2
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Huang D, Jiao X, Huang S, Liu J, Si H, Qi D, Pei X, Lu D, Wang Y, Li Z. Analysis of the heterogeneity and complexity of murine extraorbital lacrimal gland via single-cell RNA sequencing. Ocul Surf 2024; 34:60-95. [PMID: 38945476 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtos.2024.06.005] [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: 08/26/2022] [Revised: 06/22/2024] [Accepted: 06/26/2024] [Indexed: 07/02/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE The lacrimal gland is essential for maintaining ocular surface health and avoiding external damage by secreting an aqueous layer of the tear film. However, a healthy lacrimal gland's inventory of cell types and heterogeneity remains understudied. METHODS Here, 10X Genome-based single-cell RNA sequencing was used to generate an unbiased classification of cellular diversity in the extraorbital lacrimal gland (ELG) of C57BL/6J mice. From 43,850 high-quality cells, we produced an atlas of cell heterogeneity and defined cell types using classic marker genes. The possible functions of these cells were analyzed through bioinformatics analysis. Additionally, the CellChat was employed for a preliminary analysis of the cell-cell communication network in the ELG. RESULTS Over 37 subclasses of cells were identified, including seven types of glandular epithelial cells, three types of fibroblasts, ten types of myeloid-derived immune cells, at least eleven types of lymphoid-derived immune cells, and five types of vascular-associated cell subsets. The cell-cell communication network analysis revealed that fibroblasts and immune cells play a pivotal role in the dense intercellular communication network within the mouse ELG. CONCLUSIONS This study provides a comprehensive transcriptome atlas and related database of the mouse ELG.
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Affiliation(s)
- Duliurui Huang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Zhengzhou University People's Hospital, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Xinwei Jiao
- Henan Eye Institute, Henan Eye Hospital and Henan Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, People's Hospital of Henan University, Zhengzhou, 450000, China
| | - Shenzhen Huang
- Henan Eye Institute, Henan Eye Hospital and Henan Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, People's Hospital of Henan University, Zhengzhou, 450000, China
| | - Jiangman Liu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Zhengzhou University People's Hospital, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Hongli Si
- Department of Ophthalmology, Zhengzhou University People's Hospital, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Di Qi
- Henan Eye Institute, Henan Eye Hospital and Henan Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, People's Hospital of Henan University, Zhengzhou, 450000, China
| | - Xiaoting Pei
- Henan Eye Institute, Henan Eye Hospital and Henan Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, People's Hospital of Henan University, Zhengzhou, 450000, China
| | - Dingli Lu
- Henan Eye Institute, Henan Eye Hospital and Henan Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, People's Hospital of Henan University, Zhengzhou, 450000, China
| | - Yimian Wang
- Division of Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University College London, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Zhijie Li
- Department of Ophthalmology, Zhengzhou University People's Hospital, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, Henan, China; Henan Eye Institute, Henan Eye Hospital and Henan Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, People's Hospital of Henan University, Zhengzhou, 450000, China.
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3
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Biasetti L, Zervogiannis N, Shaw K, Trewhitt H, Serpell L, Bailey D, Wright E, Hall CN. Risk factors for severe COVID-19 disease increase SARS-CoV-2 infectivity of endothelial cells and pericytes. Open Biol 2024; 14:230349. [PMID: 38862017 DOI: 10.1098/rsob.230349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 06/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was initially considered a primarily respiratory disease but is now known to affect other organs including the heart and brain. A major route by which COVID-19 impacts different organs is via the vascular system. We studied the impact of apolipoprotein E (APOE) genotype and inflammation on vascular infectivity by pseudo-typed severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) viruses in mouse and human cultured endothelial cells and pericytes. Possessing the APOE4 allele or having existing systemic inflammation is known to enhance the severity of COVID-19. Using targeted replacement human APOE3 and APOE4 mice and inflammation induced by bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS), we investigated infection by SARS-CoV-2. Here, we show that infectivity was higher in murine cerebrovascular pericytes compared to endothelial cells and higher in cultures expressing APOE4. Furthermore, increasing the inflammatory state of the cells by prior incubation with LPS increased infectivity into human and mouse pericytes and human endothelial cells. Our findings provide insights into the mechanisms underlying severe COVID-19 infection, highlighting how risk factors such as APOE4 genotype and prior inflammation may exacerbate disease severity by augmenting the virus's ability to infect vascular cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Biasetti
- Sussex Neuroscience, School of Psychology, University of Sussex , East Sussex BN1 9QG, UK
| | - Nikos Zervogiannis
- Sussex Neuroscience, School of Psychology, University of Sussex , East Sussex BN1 9QG, UK
| | - Kira Shaw
- Sussex Neuroscience, School of Psychology, University of Sussex , East Sussex BN1 9QG, UK
| | - Harry Trewhitt
- Sussex Neuroscience, School of Psychology, University of Sussex , East Sussex BN1 9QG, UK
| | - Louise Serpell
- Sussex Neuroscience, School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex , East Sussex BN1 9QG, UK
| | | | - Edward Wright
- Viral Pseudotype Unit, School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex , , East Sussex BN1 9QG, UK
| | - Catherine N Hall
- Sussex Neuroscience, School of Psychology, University of Sussex , East Sussex BN1 9QG, UK
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4
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Scheim DE, Parry PI, Rabbolini DJ, Aldous C, Yagisawa M, Clancy R, Borody TJ, Hoy WE. Back to the Basics of SARS-CoV-2 Biochemistry: Microvascular Occlusive Glycan Bindings Govern Its Morbidities and Inform Therapeutic Responses. Viruses 2024; 16:647. [PMID: 38675987 PMCID: PMC11054389 DOI: 10.3390/v16040647] [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: 03/14/2024] [Revised: 04/12/2024] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Consistent with the biochemistry of coronaviruses as well established over decades, SARS-CoV-2 makes its initial attachment to host cells through the binding of its spike protein (SP) to sialylated glycans (containing the monosaccharide sialic acid) on the cell surface. The virus can then slide over and enter via ACE2. SARS-CoV-2 SP attaches particularly tightly to the trillions of red blood cells (RBCs), platelets and endothelial cells in the human body, each cell very densely coated with sialic acid surface molecules but having no ACE2 or minimal ACE2. These interlaced attachments trigger the blood cell aggregation, microvascular occlusion and vascular damage that underlie the hypoxia, blood clotting and related morbidities of severe COVID-19. Notably, the two human betacoronaviruses that express a sialic acid-cleaving enzyme are benign, while the other three-SARS, SARS-CoV-2 and MERS-are virulent. RBC aggregation experimentally induced in several animal species using an injected polysaccharide caused most of the same morbidities of severe COVID-19. This glycan biochemistry is key to disentangling controversies that have arisen over the efficacy of certain generic COVID-19 treatment agents and the safety of SP-based COVID-19 vaccines. More broadly, disregard for the active physiological role of RBCs yields unreliable or erroneous reporting of pharmacokinetic parameters as routinely obtained for most drugs and other bioactive agents using detection in plasma, with whole-blood levels being up to 30-fold higher. Appreciation of the active role of RBCs can elucidate the microvascular underpinnings of other health conditions, including cardiovascular disease, and therapeutic opportunities to address them.
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Affiliation(s)
- David E. Scheim
- US Public Health Service, Commissioned Corps, Inactive Reserve, Blacksburg, VA 24060, USA
| | - Peter I. Parry
- Children’s Health Research Clinical Unit, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, South Brisbane, QLD 4101, Australia;
- Department of Psychiatry, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA 5042, Australia
| | - David J. Rabbolini
- Kolling Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, St Leonards, NSW 2064, Australia
| | - Colleen Aldous
- College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 4041, South Africa;
| | - Morimasa Yagisawa
- Satoshi Omura Memorial Research Institute, Kitasato University, Tokyo 108-8641, Japan
- Louis Pasteur Center for Medical Research, Kyoto 606-8225, Japan
| | - Robert Clancy
- Emeritus Professor, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NE1 7RU, Australia
| | | | - Wendy E. Hoy
- Emeritus Professor of Medicine, University of Queensland, Herston, QLD 4029, Australia
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5
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Chau CW, To A, Au-Yeung RKH, Tang K, Xiang Y, Ruan D, Zhang L, Wong H, Zhang S, Au MT, Chung S, Song E, Choi DH, Liu P, Yuan S, Wen C, Sugimura R. SARS-CoV-2 infection activates inflammatory macrophages in vascular immune organoids. Sci Rep 2024; 14:8781. [PMID: 38627497 PMCID: PMC11021416 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-59405-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 provokes devastating tissue damage by cytokine release syndrome and leads to multi-organ failure. Modeling the process of immune cell activation and subsequent tissue damage is a significant task. Organoids from human tissues advanced our understanding of SARS-CoV-2 infection mechanisms though, they are missing crucial components: immune cells and endothelial cells. This study aims to generate organoids with these components. We established vascular immune organoids from human pluripotent stem cells and examined the effect of SARS-CoV-2 infection. We demonstrated that infections activated inflammatory macrophages. Notably, the upregulation of interferon signaling supports macrophages' role in cytokine release syndrome. We propose vascular immune organoids are a useful platform to model and discover factors that ameliorate SARS-CoV-2-mediated cytokine release syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiu Wang Chau
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong
| | - Alex To
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong
| | - Rex K H Au-Yeung
- Department of Pathology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong
| | - Kaiming Tang
- Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong
| | - Yang Xiang
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong
| | - Degong Ruan
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong
| | - Lanlan Zhang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Hong Kong
| | - Hera Wong
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong
| | - Shihui Zhang
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong
| | - Man Ting Au
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Hong Kong
| | | | | | | | - Pentao Liu
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong
- Centre for Translational Stem Cell Biology, Sha Tin, Hong Kong
| | - Shuofeng Yuan
- Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong
| | - Chunyi Wen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Hong Kong.
| | - Ryohichi Sugimura
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong.
- Centre for Translational Stem Cell Biology, Sha Tin, Hong Kong.
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6
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Mateus Gonçalves L, Andrade Barboza C, Almaça J. Diabetes as a Pancreatic Microvascular Disease-A Pericytic Perspective. J Histochem Cytochem 2024; 72:131-148. [PMID: 38454609 PMCID: PMC10956440 DOI: 10.1369/00221554241236535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Diabetes is not only an endocrine but also a vascular disease. Vascular defects are usually seen as consequence of diabetes. However, at the level of the pancreatic islet, vascular alterations have been described before symptom onset. Importantly, the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying these early vascular defects have not been identified, neither how these could impact the function of islet endocrine cells. In this review, we will discuss the possibility that dysfunction of the mural cells of the microvasculature-known as pericytes-underlies vascular defects observed in islets in pre-symptomatic stages. Pericytes are crucial for vascular homeostasis throughout the body, but their physiological and pathophysiological functions in islets have only recently started to be explored. A previous study had already raised interest in the "microvascular" approach to this disease. With our increased understanding of the crucial role of the islet microvasculature for glucose homeostasis, here we will revisit the vascular aspects of islet function and how their deregulation could contribute to diabetes pathogenesis, focusing in particular on type 1 diabetes (T1D).
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Affiliation(s)
- Luciana Mateus Gonçalves
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
| | - Catarina Andrade Barboza
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
| | - Joana Almaça
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
- Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology Graduate Program, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
- Diabetes Research Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
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7
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Kitselman A K, Bédard-Matteau J, Rousseau S, Tabrizchi R, Daneshtalab N. Sex differences in vascular endothelial function related to acute and long COVID-19. Vascul Pharmacol 2024; 154:107250. [PMID: 38043758 DOI: 10.1016/j.vph.2023.107250] [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: 09/13/2023] [Revised: 11/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023]
Abstract
The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus has been at the forefront of health sciences research since its emergence in China in 2019 that quickly led to a global pandemic. As a result of this research, and the large numbers of infected patients globally, there were rapid enhancements made in our understanding of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pathology, including its role in the development of uncontrolled immune responses and its link to the development of endotheliitis and endothelial dysfunction. There were also some noted differences in the rate and severity of infection between males and females with acute COVID. Some individuals infected with SARS-CoV-2 also experience long-COVID, an important hallmark symptom of this being Myalgic Encephalomyelitis-Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME-CFS), also experienced differently between males and females. The purpose of this review is to discuss the impact of sex on the vasculature during acute and long COVID-19, present any link between ME-CFS and endothelial dysfunction, and provide evidence for the relationship between ME-CFS and the immune system. We also will delineate biological sex differences observed in other post viral infections and, assess if sex differences exist in how the immune system responds to viral infection causing ME-CFS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kayla Kitselman A
- Faculty of Medicine, Division of Biomedical Sciences at Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
| | - Jérôme Bédard-Matteau
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Québec, Canada; Meakins-Christie Laboratories, RI-MUHC, Block EOffice EM3.2244Lab E03.21371001 Decarie Blvd., Montreal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada
| | - Simon Rousseau
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Québec, Canada; Faculty of Medicine, Department of Experimental Medicine, McGill University, Québec, Canada; Meakins-Christie Laboratories, RI-MUHC, Block EOffice EM3.2244Lab E03.21371001 Decarie Blvd., Montreal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada
| | - Reza Tabrizchi
- Faculty of Medicine, Division of Biomedical Sciences at Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
| | - Noriko Daneshtalab
- School of Pharmacy at Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.
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8
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Passi R, Cholewa-Waclaw J, Wereski R, Bennett M, Veizades S, Berkeley B, Caporali A, Li Z, Rodor J, Dewerchin M, Mills NL, Beqqali A, Brittan M, Baker AH. COVID-19 plasma induces subcellular remodelling within the pulmonary microvascular endothelium. Vascul Pharmacol 2024; 154:107277. [PMID: 38266794 DOI: 10.1016/j.vph.2024.107277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2023] [Revised: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 01/26/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND COVID-19 caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) can affect multiple organ systems, including the pulmonary vasculature. Endothelial cells (ECs) are thought to play a key role in the propagation of COVID-19, however, our understanding of the exact scale of dysregulation sustained by the pulmonary microvasculature (pMV) remains incomplete. Here we aim to identify transcriptional, phenotypic, and functional changes within the pMV induced by COVID-19. METHODS AND RESULTS Human pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells (HPMVEC) treated with plasma acquired from patients hospitalised with severe COVID-19 were compared to HPMVEC treated with plasma from patients hospitalised without COVID-19 but with other severe illnesses. Exposure to COVID-19 plasma caused a significant functional decline in HPMVECs as seen by a decrease in both cell viability via the WST-1 cell-proliferation assay and cell-to-cell barrier function as measured by electric cell-substrate impedance sensing. High-content imaging using a Cell Painting image-based assay further quantified morphological variations within sub-cellular organelles to show phenotypic changes in the whole endothelial cell, nucleus, mitochondria, plasma membrane and nucleolus morphology. RNA-sequencing of HPMVECs treated with COVID-19 plasma suggests the observed phenotype may, in part, be regulated by genes such as SMAD7, BCOR, SFMBT1, IFIT5 and ZNF566 which are involved in transcriptional regulation, protein monoubiquitination and TGF-β signalling. CONCLUSION AND IMPACT During COVID-19, the pMV undergoes significant remodelling, which is evident based on the functional, phenotypic, and transcriptional changes seen following exposure to COVID-19 plasma. The observed morphological variation may be responsible for downstream complications, such as a decline in overall cellular function and cell-to-cell barrier integrity. Moreover, genes identified through bulk RNA sequencing may contribute to our understanding of the observed phenotype and assist in developing strategies that can inform the rescue of the dysregulated endothelium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rainha Passi
- BHF Centre for Cardiovascular Science, University of Edinburgh, 47 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, UK; Laboratory of Angiogenesis and Vascular Metabolism, Department of Oncology and Leuven Cancer Institute (LKI), KU Leuven, and VIB Centre for Cancer Biology, VIB, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Justyna Cholewa-Waclaw
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Institute for Regeneration and Repair, Edinburgh Bioquarter, University of Edinburgh, 5 Little France Drive, Edinburgh EH16 4UU, UK
| | - Ryan Wereski
- BHF Centre for Cardiovascular Science, University of Edinburgh, 47 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, UK
| | - Matthew Bennett
- BHF Centre for Cardiovascular Science, University of Edinburgh, 47 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, UK
| | - Stefan Veizades
- BHF Centre for Cardiovascular Science, University of Edinburgh, 47 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, UK; Stanford Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University, Stanford 94305, CA, USA
| | - Bronwyn Berkeley
- BHF Centre for Cardiovascular Science, University of Edinburgh, 47 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, UK
| | - Andrea Caporali
- BHF Centre for Cardiovascular Science, University of Edinburgh, 47 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, UK
| | - Ziwen Li
- BHF Centre for Cardiovascular Science, University of Edinburgh, 47 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, UK
| | - Julie Rodor
- BHF Centre for Cardiovascular Science, University of Edinburgh, 47 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, UK
| | - Mieke Dewerchin
- Laboratory of Angiogenesis and Vascular Metabolism, Department of Oncology and Leuven Cancer Institute (LKI), KU Leuven, and VIB Centre for Cancer Biology, VIB, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Nicholas L Mills
- BHF Centre for Cardiovascular Science, University of Edinburgh, 47 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, UK
| | - Abdelaziz Beqqali
- BHF Centre for Cardiovascular Science, University of Edinburgh, 47 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, UK
| | - Mairi Brittan
- BHF Centre for Cardiovascular Science, University of Edinburgh, 47 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, UK
| | - Andrew H Baker
- BHF Centre for Cardiovascular Science, University of Edinburgh, 47 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, UK; Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), Maastricht University Medical Centre, 6229 HX Maastricht, the Netherlands.
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9
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Kemerley A, Gupta A, Thirunavukkarasu M, Maloney M, Burgwardt S, Maulik N. COVID-19 Associated Cardiovascular Disease-Risks, Prevention and Management: Heart at Risk Due to COVID-19. Curr Issues Mol Biol 2024; 46:1904-1920. [PMID: 38534740 DOI: 10.3390/cimb46030124] [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: 11/28/2023] [Revised: 02/16/2024] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The SARS-CoV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2) virus and the resulting COVID-19 pandemic have had devastating and lasting impact on the global population. Although the main target of the disease is the respiratory tract, clinical outcomes, and research have also shown significant effects of infection on other organ systems. Of interest in this review is the effect of the virus on the cardiovascular system. Complications, including hyperinflammatory syndrome, myocarditis, and cardiac failure, have been documented in the context of COVID-19 infection. These complications ultimately contribute to worse patient outcomes, especially in patients with pre-existing conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, or cardiovascular disease (CVD). Importantly and interestingly, reports have demonstrated that COVID-19 also causes myocardial injury in adults without pre-existing conditions and contributes to systemic complications in pediatric populations, such as the development of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C). Although there is still a debate over the exact mechanisms by which such complications arise, understanding the potential paths by which the virus can influence the cardiovascular system to create an inflammatory environment may clarify how SARS-CoV-2 interacts with human physiology. In addition to describing the mechanisms of disease propagation and patient presentation, this review discusses the diagnostic findings and treatment strategies and the evolution of management for patients presenting with cardiovascular complications, focusing on disease treatment and prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Kemerley
- Department of Surgery, Molecular Cardiology and Angiogenesis Laboratory, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, UConn Health, 263 Farmington Avenue, Farmington, CT 06030, USA
| | - Abhishek Gupta
- Department of Surgery, Molecular Cardiology and Angiogenesis Laboratory, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, UConn Health, 263 Farmington Avenue, Farmington, CT 06030, USA
| | - Mahesh Thirunavukkarasu
- Department of Surgery, Molecular Cardiology and Angiogenesis Laboratory, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, UConn Health, 263 Farmington Avenue, Farmington, CT 06030, USA
| | - Monica Maloney
- Department of Surgery, Molecular Cardiology and Angiogenesis Laboratory, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, UConn Health, 263 Farmington Avenue, Farmington, CT 06030, USA
| | - Sean Burgwardt
- Department of Surgery, Molecular Cardiology and Angiogenesis Laboratory, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, UConn Health, 263 Farmington Avenue, Farmington, CT 06030, USA
| | - Nilanjana Maulik
- Department of Surgery, Molecular Cardiology and Angiogenesis Laboratory, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, UConn Health, 263 Farmington Avenue, Farmington, CT 06030, USA
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10
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Maulana MY, Raissa R, Nurrudin A, Andreani AS, Angelina M, Septiani NLW, Yuliarto B, Jenie SNA. An ultra-sensitive SARS-CoV-2 antigen optical biosensor based on angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE-2) functionalized magnetic-fluorescent silica nanoparticles. NANOTECHNOLOGY 2024; 35:205702. [PMID: 38330490 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6528/ad27aa] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024]
Abstract
This work reports on the design and synthesis of an angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE-2) functionalized magnetic fluorescent silica nanoparticles (Fe-FSNP) as a biosensing platform to detect severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) antigen. Iron oxide (Fe3O4) nanoparticles were synthesized via ultrasonic-assisted coprecipitation and then coated with fluorescent silica nanoparticles (FSNP) through thesol-gelmethod forming the Fe-FSNP samples. Silica obtained from local geothermal powerplant was used in this work and Rhodamine B was chosen as the incorporated fluorescent dye, hence this reports for the first time ACE-2 was immobilized on the natural silica surface. The Fe-FSNP nanoparticle consists of a 18-25 nm magnetic core and a silica shell with a thickness of 30 nm as confirmed from the transmission electron microscopy image. Successful surface functionalization of the Fe-FSNP with ACE-2 as bioreceptor was conducted through hydrosylilation reaction and confirmed through the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The detection of SARS-Cov-2 antigen by Fe-FSNP/ACE2 was measured through the change in its maximum fluorescence intensity at 588 nm where fluorescence- quenching had occurred. The biosensing platform showed a rapid response at 30 min with a linear range of 10-6to 10-2μg ml-1. The magnetic-fluorescent properties of the nanoparticle enables an ultra-sensitive detection of SARS-Cov-2 antigen with the limit of detection as low as 2 fg ml-1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Yovinanda Maulana
- Advanced Functional Material Research Group, Faculty of Industrial Technology, Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB), Bandung 40132, Indonesia
| | - Raissa Raissa
- Doctoral Program of Engineering Physics, Faculty of Industrial Technology, Institut Teknologi Bandung, Bandung 40132, Indonesia
- Department of Chemistry, Universitas Pertamina, Jakarta 12200, Indonesia
| | - Ahmad Nurrudin
- Advanced Functional Material Research Group, Faculty of Industrial Technology, Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB), Bandung 40132, Indonesia
- BRIN and ITB Collaboration Research Centre for Biosensor and Biodevices, Jl. Ganesha 10, Bandung, Jawa Barat 40132, Indonesia
| | - Agustina Sus Andreani
- BRIN and ITB Collaboration Research Centre for Biosensor and Biodevices, Jl. Ganesha 10, Bandung, Jawa Barat 40132, Indonesia
- Research Centre for Chemistry, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Building 452, Kawasan Puspitek, South Tangerang 15314, Indonesia
| | - Marissa Angelina
- BRIN and ITB Collaboration Research Centre for Biosensor and Biodevices, Jl. Ganesha 10, Bandung, Jawa Barat 40132, Indonesia
- Research Center for Pharmaceutical Ingredients and Traditional Medicine, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Cibinong Science Center (CSC), Bogor, West Java 16911, Indonesia
| | - Ni Luh Wulan Septiani
- Research Centre for Advanced Materials, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Kawasan Puspitek, South Tangerang 15314, Indonesia
| | - Brian Yuliarto
- Advanced Functional Material Research Group, Faculty of Industrial Technology, Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB), Bandung 40132, Indonesia
- BRIN and ITB Collaboration Research Centre for Biosensor and Biodevices, Jl. Ganesha 10, Bandung, Jawa Barat 40132, Indonesia
- Research Center for Nanosciences and Nanotechnology, Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB), Bandung 40132, Indonesia
| | - S N Aisyiyah Jenie
- BRIN and ITB Collaboration Research Centre for Biosensor and Biodevices, Jl. Ganesha 10, Bandung, Jawa Barat 40132, Indonesia
- Research Centre for Chemistry, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Building 452, Kawasan Puspitek, South Tangerang 15314, Indonesia
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11
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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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12
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Villacampa A, Alfaro E, Morales C, Díaz-García E, López-Fernández C, Bartha JL, López-Sánchez F, Lorenzo Ó, Moncada S, Sánchez-Ferrer CF, García-Río F, Cubillos-Zapata C, Peiró C. SARS-CoV-2 S protein activates NLRP3 inflammasome and deregulates coagulation factors in endothelial and immune cells. Cell Commun Signal 2024; 22:38. [PMID: 38225643 PMCID: PMC10788971 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-023-01397-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/17/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hyperinflammation, hypercoagulation and endothelial injury are major findings in acute and post-COVID-19. The SARS-CoV-2 S protein has been detected as an isolated element in human tissues reservoirs and is the main product of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines. We investigated whether the S protein alone triggers pro-inflammatory and pro-coagulant responses in primary cultures of two cell types deeply affected by SARS-CoV-2, such are monocytes and endothelial cells. METHODS In human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) and monocytes, the components of NF-κB and the NLRP3 inflammasome system, as well as coagulation regulators, were assessed by qRT-PCR, Western blot, flow cytometry, or indirect immunofluorescence. RESULTS S protein activated NF-κB, promoted pro-inflammatory cytokines release, and triggered the priming and activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome system resulting in mature IL-1β formation in both cell types. This was paralleled by enhanced production of coagulation factors such as von Willebrand factor (vWF), factor VIII or tissue factor, that was mediated, at least in part, by IL-1β. Additionally, S protein failed to enhance ADAMTS-13 levels to counteract the pro-coagulant activity of vWF multimers. Monocytes and HUVEC barely expressed angiotensin-converting enzyme-2. Pharmacological approaches and gene silencing showed that TLR4 receptors mediated the effects of S protein in monocytes, but not in HUVEC. CONCLUSION S protein behaves both as a pro-inflammatory and pro-coagulant stimulus in human monocytes and endothelial cells. Interfering with the receptors or signaling pathways evoked by the S protein may help preventing immune and vascular complications driven by such an isolated viral element. Video Abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alicia Villacampa
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Enrique Alfaro
- Respiratory Diseases Group, Respiratory Service, La Paz University Hospital, IdiPAZ, Madrid, Spain
- Biomedical Research Networking Center on Respiratory Diseases (CIBERES), Madrid, Spain
| | - Cristina Morales
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Elena Díaz-García
- Respiratory Diseases Group, Respiratory Service, La Paz University Hospital, IdiPAZ, Madrid, Spain
- Biomedical Research Networking Center on Respiratory Diseases (CIBERES), Madrid, Spain
| | - Cristina López-Fernández
- Respiratory Diseases Group, Respiratory Service, La Paz University Hospital, IdiPAZ, Madrid, Spain
| | - José Luis Bartha
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
- Gynecology and Obstetrics Service, La Paz University Hospital, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Óscar Lorenzo
- Laboratory of Diabetes and Vascular pathology, IIS-Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Madrid, Spain
- Biomedical Research Networking Centre on Diabetes and Associated Metabolic Disorders (CIBERDEM), Madrid, Spain
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Salvador Moncada
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Carlos F Sánchez-Ferrer
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
- Vascular Pharmacology and Metabolism (FARMAVASM) group, IdiPAZ, Madrid, Spain
| | - Francisco García-Río
- Respiratory Diseases Group, Respiratory Service, La Paz University Hospital, IdiPAZ, Madrid, Spain
- Biomedical Research Networking Center on Respiratory Diseases (CIBERES), Madrid, Spain
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Carolina Cubillos-Zapata
- Respiratory Diseases Group, Respiratory Service, La Paz University Hospital, IdiPAZ, Madrid, Spain.
- Biomedical Research Networking Center on Respiratory Diseases (CIBERES), Madrid, Spain.
| | - Concepción Peiró
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain.
- Vascular Pharmacology and Metabolism (FARMAVASM) group, IdiPAZ, Madrid, Spain.
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13
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van Splunder H, Villacampa P, Martínez-Romero A, Graupera M. Pericytes in the disease spotlight. Trends Cell Biol 2024; 34:58-71. [PMID: 37474376 PMCID: PMC10777571 DOI: 10.1016/j.tcb.2023.06.001] [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: 02/15/2023] [Revised: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023]
Abstract
Pericytes are known as the mural cells in small-caliber vessels that interact closely with the endothelium. Pericytes play a key role in vasculature formation and homeostasis, and when dysfunctional contribute to vasculature-related diseases such as diabetic retinopathy and neurodegenerative conditions. In addition, significant extravascular roles of pathological pericytes are being discovered with relevant implications for cancer and fibrosis. Pericyte research is challenged by the lack of consistent molecular markers and clear discrimination criteria versus other (mural) cells. However, advances in single-cell approaches are uncovering and clarifying mural cell identities, biological functions, and ontogeny across organs. We discuss the latest developments in pericyte pathobiology to inform future research directions and potential outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hielke van Splunder
- Endothelial Pathobiology and Microenviroment Group, Josep Carreras Leukemia Research Institute (IJC), 08916 Badalona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Pilar Villacampa
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Barcelona and Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), Carrer de la Feixa Llarga s/n, 08907 l'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Anabel Martínez-Romero
- Endothelial Pathobiology and Microenviroment Group, Josep Carreras Leukemia Research Institute (IJC), 08916 Badalona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Mariona Graupera
- Endothelial Pathobiology and Microenviroment Group, Josep Carreras Leukemia Research Institute (IJC), 08916 Badalona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain; Institución Catalana de Investigación y Estudios Avanzados (ICREA), Passeig de Lluís Companys 23, Barcelona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Avenida de Monforte de Lemos 5, 28029 Madrid, Spain.
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14
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Schnabellehner S, Kraft M, Schoofs H, Ortsäter H, Mäkinen T. Penile cavernous sinusoids are Prox1-positive hybrid vessels. VASCULAR BIOLOGY (BRISTOL, ENGLAND) 2024; 6:e230014. [PMID: 38051669 PMCID: PMC10831540 DOI: 10.1530/vb-23-0014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/07/2023]
Abstract
Endothelial cells (ECs) of blood and lymphatic vessels have distinct identity markers that define their specialized functions. Recently, hybrid vasculatures with both blood and lymphatic vessel-specific features have been discovered in multiple tissues. Here, we identify the penile cavernous sinusoidal vessels (pc-Ss) as a new hybrid vascular bed expressing key lymphatic EC identity genes Prox1, Vegfr3,and Lyve1. Using single-cell transcriptome data of human corpus cavernosum tissue, we found heterogeneity within pc-S endothelia and observed distinct transcriptional alterations related to inflammatory processes in hybrid ECs in erectile dysfunction associated with diabetes. Molecular, ultrastructural, and functional studies further established hybrid identity of pc-Ss in mouse, and revealed their morphological adaptations and ability to perform lymphatic-like function in draining high-molecular-weight tracers. Interestingly, we found that inhibition of the key lymphangiogenic growth factor VEGF-C did not block the development of pc-Ss in mice, distinguishing them from other lymphatic and hybrid vessels analyzed so far. Our findings provide a detailed molecular characterization of hybrid pc-Ss and pave the way for the identification of molecular targets for therapies in conditions of dysregulated penile vasculature, including erectile dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Schnabellehner
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Marle Kraft
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Hans Schoofs
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Henrik Ortsäter
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Taija Mäkinen
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
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15
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McQuaid C, Montagne A. SARS-CoV-2 and vascular dysfunction: a growing role for pericytes. Cardiovasc Res 2023; 119:2591-2593. [PMID: 36063106 PMCID: PMC9494379 DOI: 10.1093/cvr/cvac143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2022] [Accepted: 08/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Conor McQuaid
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, UK Dementia Research Institute at the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh Medical School, Chancellor’s Building, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK
| | - Axel Montagne
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, UK Dementia Research Institute at the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh Medical School, Chancellor’s Building, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK
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16
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Scheim DE, Vottero P, Santin AD, Hirsh AG. Sialylated Glycan Bindings from SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein to Blood and Endothelial Cells Govern the Severe Morbidities of COVID-19. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:17039. [PMID: 38069362 PMCID: PMC10871123 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242317039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 11/24/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Consistent with well-established biochemical properties of coronaviruses, sialylated glycan attachments between SARS-CoV-2 spike protein (SP) and host cells are key to the virus's pathology. SARS-CoV-2 SP attaches to and aggregates red blood cells (RBCs), as shown in many pre-clinical and clinical studies, causing pulmonary and extrapulmonary microthrombi and hypoxia in severe COVID-19 patients. SARS-CoV-2 SP attachments to the heavily sialylated surfaces of platelets (which, like RBCs, have no ACE2) and endothelial cells (having minimal ACE2) compound this vascular damage. Notably, experimentally induced RBC aggregation in vivo causes the same key morbidities as for severe COVID-19, including microvascular occlusion, blood clots, hypoxia and myocarditis. Key risk factors for COVID-19 morbidity, including older age, diabetes and obesity, are all characterized by markedly increased propensity to RBC clumping. For mammalian species, the degree of clinical susceptibility to COVID-19 correlates to RBC aggregability with p = 0.033. Notably, of the five human betacoronaviruses, the two common cold strains express an enzyme that releases glycan attachments, while the deadly SARS, SARS-CoV-2 and MERS do not, although viral loads for COVID-19 and the two common cold infections are similar. These biochemical insights also explain the previously puzzling clinical efficacy of certain generics against COVID-19 and may support the development of future therapeutic strategies for COVID-19 and long COVID patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- David E Scheim
- US Public Health Service, Commissioned Corps, Inactive Reserve, Blacksburg, VA 24060, USA
| | - Paola Vottero
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 1Z2, Canada
| | - Alessandro D Santin
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences, Yale School of Medicine, P.O. Box 208063, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
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17
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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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18
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Reveret L, Leclerc M, Emond V, Tremblay C, Loiselle A, Bourassa P, Bennett DA, Hébert SS, Calon F. Higher angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) levels in the brain of individuals with Alzheimer's disease. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2023; 11:159. [PMID: 37784209 PMCID: PMC10544218 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-023-01647-1] [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: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 10/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Cognitive decline due to Alzheimer's disease (AD) is frequent in the geriatric population, which has been disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. In this study, we investigated the levels of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), a regulator of the renin-angiotensin system and the main entry receptor of SARS-CoV-2 in host cells, in postmortem parietal cortex samples from two independent AD cohorts, totalling 142 persons. Higher concentrations of ACE2 protein (p < 0.01) and mRNA (p < 0.01) were found in individuals with a neuropathological diagnosis of AD compared to age-matched healthy control subjects. Brain levels of soluble ACE2 were inversely associated with cognitive scores (p = 0.02) and markers of pericytes (PDGFRβ, p = 0.02 and ANPEP, p = 0.007), but positively correlated with concentrations of soluble amyloid-β peptides (Aβ) (p = 0.01) and insoluble phospho-tau (S396/404, p = 0.002). However, no significant differences in ACE2 were observed in the 3xTg-AD mouse model of tau and Aβ neuropathology. Results from immunofluorescence and Western blots showed that ACE2 protein is predominantly localized in microvessels in the mouse brain whereas it is more frequently found in neurons in the human brain. The present data suggest that higher levels of soluble ACE2 in the human brain may contribute to AD, but their role in CNS infection by SARS-CoV-2 remains unclear.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louise Reveret
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Laval University, Quebec, QC, Canada
- CHU de Quebec Research Center, 2705, Boulevard Laurier, Room T2-05, Québec, QC, G1V 4G2, Canada
| | - Manon Leclerc
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Laval University, Quebec, QC, Canada
- CHU de Quebec Research Center, 2705, Boulevard Laurier, Room T2-05, Québec, QC, G1V 4G2, Canada
| | - Vincent Emond
- CHU de Quebec Research Center, 2705, Boulevard Laurier, Room T2-05, Québec, QC, G1V 4G2, Canada
| | - Cyntia Tremblay
- CHU de Quebec Research Center, 2705, Boulevard Laurier, Room T2-05, Québec, QC, G1V 4G2, Canada
| | - Andréanne Loiselle
- CHU de Quebec Research Center, 2705, Boulevard Laurier, Room T2-05, Québec, QC, G1V 4G2, Canada
| | - Philippe Bourassa
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Laval University, Quebec, QC, Canada
- CHU de Quebec Research Center, 2705, Boulevard Laurier, Room T2-05, Québec, QC, G1V 4G2, Canada
| | - David A Bennett
- Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Sébastien S Hébert
- CHU de Quebec Research Center, 2705, Boulevard Laurier, Room T2-05, Québec, QC, G1V 4G2, Canada
- Faculty of Medicine, Laval University, Quebec, QC, Canada
| | - Frédéric Calon
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Laval University, Quebec, QC, Canada.
- CHU de Quebec Research Center, 2705, Boulevard Laurier, Room T2-05, Québec, QC, G1V 4G2, Canada.
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19
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Jones EAV. Mechanism of COVID-19-Induced Cardiac Damage from Patient, In Vitro and Animal Studies. Curr Heart Fail Rep 2023; 20:451-460. [PMID: 37526812 PMCID: PMC10589152 DOI: 10.1007/s11897-023-00618-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 08/02/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Though patient studies have been important for understanding the disease, research done in animals and cell culture complement our knowledge from patient data and provide insight into the mechanism of the disease. Understanding how COVID causes damage to the heart is essential to understanding possible long-term consequences. RECENT FINDINGS COVID-19 is primarily a disease that attacks the lungs; however, it is known to have important consequences in many other tissues including the heart. Though myocarditis does occur in some patients, for most cases of cardiac damage, the injury arises from scarring either due to myocardial infarction or micro-infarction. The main focus is on how COVID affects blood flow through the coronaries. We review how endothelial activation leads to a hypercoagulative state in COVID-19. We also emphasize the effects that the cytokine storm can directly have on the regulation of coronary blood flow. Since the main two cell types that can be infected in the heart are pericytes and cardiomyocytes, we further describe the known effects on pericyte function and how that can further lead to microinfarcts within the heart. Though many of these effects are systemic, this review focuses on the consequences on cardiac tissue of this dysregulation and the role that it has in the formation of myocardial scarring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth A V Jones
- Centre for Molecular and Vascular Biology, Herestraat 49, Bus 911, 3000, KU, Leuven, Belgium.
- Department of Cardiology, CARIM School for Cardiovascular Diseases, Maastricht University, Universiteitssingel 50, 6229 ER, Maastricht, Netherlands.
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20
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Karam M, Auclair C. Sphingosine-1-Phosphate as Lung and Cardiac Vasculature Protecting Agent in SARS-CoV-2 Infection. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:13088. [PMID: 37685894 PMCID: PMC10488186 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241713088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2023] [Revised: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/19/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) may cause severe respiratory illness with high mortality. SARS-CoV-2 infection results in a massive inflammatory cell infiltration into the infected lungs accompanied by excessive pro-inflammatory cytokine production. The lung histology of dead patients shows that some areas are severely emphysematous, with enormously dilated blood vessels and micro-thromboses. The inappropriate inflammatory response damaging the pulmonary interstitial arteriolar walls suggests that the respiratory distress may come in a large part from lung vasculature injuries. It has been recently observed that low plasmatic sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) is a marker of a worse prognosis of clinical outcome in severe coronavirus disease (COVID) patients. S1P is an angiogenic molecule displaying anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic properties, that promote intercellular interactions between endothelial cells and pericytes resulting in the stabilization of arteries and capillaries. In this context, it can be hypothesized that the benefit of a normal S1P level is due to its protective effect on lung vasculature functionality. This paper provides evidence supporting this concept, opening the way for the design of a pharmacological approach involving the use of an S1P lyase inhibitor to increase the S1P level that in turn will rescue the lung vasculature functionality.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Christian Auclair
- AC BioTech, Villejuif Biopark, Cancer Campus, 1 mail du Professeur Georges Mathé, 94800 Villejuif, France;
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21
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Dudley AC, Griffioen AW. Pathological angiogenesis: mechanisms and therapeutic strategies. Angiogenesis 2023; 26:313-347. [PMID: 37060495 PMCID: PMC10105163 DOI: 10.1007/s10456-023-09876-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 78.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/26/2023] [Indexed: 04/16/2023]
Abstract
In multicellular organisms, angiogenesis, the formation of new blood vessels from pre-existing ones, is an essential process for growth and development. Different mechanisms such as vasculogenesis, sprouting, intussusceptive, and coalescent angiogenesis, as well as vessel co-option, vasculogenic mimicry and lymphangiogenesis, underlie the formation of new vasculature. In many pathological conditions, such as cancer, atherosclerosis, arthritis, psoriasis, endometriosis, obesity and SARS-CoV-2(COVID-19), developmental angiogenic processes are recapitulated, but are often done so without the normal feedback mechanisms that regulate the ordinary spatial and temporal patterns of blood vessel formation. Thus, pathological angiogenesis presents new challenges yet new opportunities for the design of vascular-directed therapies. Here, we provide an overview of recent insights into blood vessel development and highlight novel therapeutic strategies that promote or inhibit the process of angiogenesis to stabilize, reverse, or even halt disease progression. In our review, we will also explore several additional aspects (the angiogenic switch, hypoxia, angiocrine signals, endothelial plasticity, vessel normalization, and endothelial cell anergy) that operate in parallel to canonical angiogenesis mechanisms and speculate how these processes may also be targeted with anti-angiogenic or vascular-directed therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew C Dudley
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Cancer Biology, The University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 22908, USA.
| | - Arjan W Griffioen
- Angiogenesis Laboratory, Department of Medical Oncology, Amsterdam UMC, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
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22
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Abstract
Pericytes are specialized cells located in close proximity to endothelial cells within the microvasculature. They play a crucial role in regulating blood flow, stabilizing vessel walls, and maintaining the integrity of the blood-brain barrier. The loss of pericytes has been associated with the development and progression of various diseases, such as diabetes, Alzheimer's disease, sepsis, stroke, and traumatic brain injury. This review examines the detection of pericyte loss in different diseases, explores the methods employed to assess pericyte coverage, and elucidates the potential mechanisms contributing to pericyte loss in these pathological conditions. Additionally, current therapeutic strategies targeting pericytes are discussed, along with potential future interventions aimed at preserving pericyte function and promoting disease mitigation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Hongkuan Fan
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA;
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23
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Escaffre O, Szaniszlo P, Törő G, Vilas CL, Servantes BJ, Lopez E, Juelich TL, Levine CB, McLellan SLF, Cardenas JC, Freiberg AN, Módis K. Hydrogen Sulfide Ameliorates SARS-CoV-2-Associated Lung Endothelial Barrier Disruption. Biomedicines 2023; 11:1790. [PMID: 37509430 PMCID: PMC10376201 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11071790] [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: 05/18/2023] [Revised: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/17/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent studies have confirmed that lung microvascular endothelial injury plays a critical role in the pathophysiology of COVID-19. Our group and others have demonstrated the beneficial effects of H2S in several pathological processes and provided a rationale for considering the therapeutic implications of H2S in COVID-19 therapy. Here, we evaluated the effect of the slow-releasing H2S donor, GYY4137, on the barrier function of a lung endothelial cell monolayer in vitro, after challenging the cells with plasma samples from COVID-19 patients or inactivated SARS-CoV-2 virus. We also assessed how the cytokine/chemokine profile of patients' plasma, endothelial barrier permeability, and disease severity correlated with each other. Alterations in barrier permeability after treatments with patient plasma, inactivated virus, and GYY4137 were monitored and assessed by electrical impedance measurements in real time. We present evidence that GYY4137 treatment reduced endothelial barrier permeability after plasma challenge and completely reversed the endothelial barrier disruption caused by inactivated SARS-CoV-2 virus. We also showed that disease severity correlated with the cytokine/chemokine profile of the plasma but not with barrier permeability changes in our assay. Overall, these data demonstrate that treatment with H2S-releasing compounds has the potential to ameliorate SARS-CoV-2-associated lung endothelial barrier disruption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivier Escaffre
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
- Institute for Human Infections & Immunity, Sealy & Smith Foundation, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Peter Szaniszlo
- Department of Surgery, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Gabor Törő
- Department of Surgery, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Caitlyn L. Vilas
- John Sealy School of Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Brenna J. Servantes
- Department of Surgery, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Ernesto Lopez
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Terry L. Juelich
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Corri B. Levine
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Susan L. F. McLellan
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Jessica C. Cardenas
- The Center for Translational Injury Research, Department of Surgery, UTHealth McGovern Medical School, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Alexander N. Freiberg
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
- Institute for Human Infections & Immunity, Sealy & Smith Foundation, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
- The Center for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Katalin Módis
- Department of Surgery, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
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24
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Sykes RA, Neves KB, Alves-Lopes R, Caputo I, Fallon K, Jamieson NB, Kamdar A, Legrini A, Leslie H, McIntosh A, McConnachie A, Morrow A, McFarlane RW, Mangion K, McAbney J, Montezano AC, Touyz RM, Wood C, Berry C. Vascular mechanisms of post-COVID-19 conditions: Rho-kinase is a novel target for therapy. EUROPEAN HEART JOURNAL. CARDIOVASCULAR PHARMACOTHERAPY 2023; 9:371-386. [PMID: 37019821 PMCID: PMC10236521 DOI: 10.1093/ehjcvp/pvad025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2023] [Revised: 02/24/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 04/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In post-coronavirus disease-19 (post-COVID-19) conditions (long COVID), systemic vascular dysfunction is implicated, but the mechanisms are uncertain, and the treatment is imprecise. METHODS AND RESULTS Patients convalescing after hospitalization for COVID-19 and risk factor matched controls underwent multisystem phenotyping using blood biomarkers, cardiorenal and pulmonary imaging, and gluteal subcutaneous biopsy (NCT04403607). Small resistance arteries were isolated and examined using wire myography, histopathology, immunohistochemistry, and spatial transcriptomics. Endothelium-independent (sodium nitroprusside) and -dependent (acetylcholine) vasorelaxation and vasoconstriction to the thromboxane A2 receptor agonist, U46619, and endothelin-1 (ET-1) in the presence or absence of a RhoA/Rho-kinase inhibitor (fasudil), were investigated. Thirty-seven patients, including 27 (mean age 57 years, 48% women, 41% cardiovascular disease) 3 months post-COVID-19 and 10 controls (mean age 57 years, 20% women, 30% cardiovascular disease), were included. Compared with control responses, U46619-induced constriction was increased (P = 0.002) and endothelium-independent vasorelaxation was reduced in arteries from COVID-19 patients (P < 0.001). This difference was abolished by fasudil. Histopathology revealed greater collagen abundance in COVID-19 arteries {Masson's trichrome (MT) 69.7% [95% confidence interval (CI): 67.8-71.7]; picrosirius red 68.6% [95% CI: 64.4-72.8]} vs. controls [MT 64.9% (95% CI: 59.4-70.3) (P = 0.028); picrosirius red 60.1% (95% CI: 55.4-64.8), (P = 0.029)]. Greater phosphorylated myosin light chain antibody-positive staining in vascular smooth muscle cells was observed in COVID-19 arteries (40.1%; 95% CI: 30.9-49.3) vs. controls (10.0%; 95% CI: 4.4-15.6) (P < 0.001). In proof-of-concept studies, gene pathways associated with extracellular matrix alteration, proteoglycan synthesis, and viral mRNA replication appeared to be upregulated. CONCLUSION Patients with post-COVID-19 conditions have enhanced vascular fibrosis and myosin light change phosphorylation. Rho-kinase activation represents a novel therapeutic target for clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert A Sykes
- School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Health, University of Glasgow, UK
- West of Scotland Heart and Lung Centre, Golden Jubilee National Hospital, Glasgow, UK
| | - Karla B Neves
- School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Health, University of Glasgow, UK
- Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK
| | - Rhéure Alves-Lopes
- School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Health, University of Glasgow, UK
| | - Ilaria Caputo
- Università degli Studi di Padova, 35122 Padova, Italy
| | - Kirsty Fallon
- Clinical Research Facility, Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde Health Board, Glasgow, UK
| | - Nigel B Jamieson
- Wolfson Wohl Cancer Research Centre, School of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Anna Kamdar
- School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Health, University of Glasgow, UK
| | - Assya Legrini
- Wolfson Wohl Cancer Research Centre, School of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Holly Leslie
- Wolfson Wohl Cancer Research Centre, School of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Alasdair McIntosh
- Robertson Centre for Biostatistics, School of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Alex McConnachie
- Robertson Centre for Biostatistics, School of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Andrew Morrow
- School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Health, University of Glasgow, UK
- West of Scotland Heart and Lung Centre, Golden Jubilee National Hospital, Glasgow, UK
| | | | - Kenneth Mangion
- School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Health, University of Glasgow, UK
- Department of Cardiology, Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde Health Board, Glasgow, UK
| | - John McAbney
- Institute of Biomedical and Life Sciences (FBLS), University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Augusto C Montezano
- School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Health, University of Glasgow, UK
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (RI-MUHC), Montreal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada
| | - Rhian M Touyz
- School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Health, University of Glasgow, UK
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (RI-MUHC), Montreal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada
| | - Colin Wood
- Wolfson Wohl Cancer Research Centre, School of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Colin Berry
- School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Health, University of Glasgow, UK
- West of Scotland Heart and Lung Centre, Golden Jubilee National Hospital, Glasgow, UK
- Department of Cardiology, Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde Health Board, Glasgow, UK
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25
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Patel P, Nandi A, Verma SK, Kaushik N, Suar M, Choi EH, Kaushik NK. Zebrafish-based platform for emerging bio-contaminants and virus inactivation research. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 872:162197. [PMID: 36781138 PMCID: PMC9922160 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.162197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Emerging bio-contaminants such as viruses have affected health and environment settings of every country. Viruses are the minuscule entities resulting in severe contagious diseases like SARS, MERS, Ebola, and avian influenza. Recent epidemic like the SARS-CoV-2, the virus has undergone mutations strengthen them and allowing to escape from the remedies. Comprehensive knowledge of viruses is essential for the development of targeted therapeutic and vaccination treatments. Animal models mimicking human biology like non-human primates, rats, mice, and rabbits offer competitive advantage to assess risk of viral infections, chemical toxins, nanoparticles, and microbes. However, their economic maintenance has always been an issue. Furthermore, the redundancy of experimental results due to aforementioned aspects is also in examine. Hence, exploration for the alternative animal models is crucial for risk assessments. The current review examines zebrafish traits and explores the possibilities to monitor emerging bio-contaminants. Additionally, a comprehensive picture of the bio contaminant and virus particle invasion and abatement mechanisms in zebrafish and human cells is presented. Moreover, a zebrafish model to investigate the emerging viruses such as coronaviridae and poxviridae has been suggested.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paritosh Patel
- Plasma Bioscience Research Center, Department of Electrical and Biological Physics, Kwangwoon University, 01897 Seoul, South Korea
| | - Aditya Nandi
- School of Biotechnology, KIIT University, Bhubaneswar 751024, Odisha, India
| | - Suresh K Verma
- School of Biotechnology, KIIT University, Bhubaneswar 751024, Odisha, India; Condensed Matter Theory Group, Materials Theory Division, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Uppsala University, Box 516, SE-751 20 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Neha Kaushik
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Engineering, The University of Suwon, 18323 Hwaseong, Republic of Korea
| | - Mrutyunjay Suar
- School of Biotechnology, KIIT University, Bhubaneswar 751024, Odisha, India
| | - Eun Ha Choi
- Plasma Bioscience Research Center, Department of Electrical and Biological Physics, Kwangwoon University, 01897 Seoul, South Korea.
| | - Nagendra Kumar Kaushik
- Plasma Bioscience Research Center, Department of Electrical and Biological Physics, Kwangwoon University, 01897 Seoul, South Korea.
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26
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Sutanto H, Soegiarto G. Risk of Thrombosis during and after a SARS-CoV-2 Infection: Pathogenesis, Diagnostic Approach, and Management. Hematol Rep 2023; 15:225-243. [PMID: 37092518 PMCID: PMC10123679 DOI: 10.3390/hematolrep15020024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2023] [Revised: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) increases the risk of thromboembolic events, especially in patients with severe infections requiring intensive care and cardiorespiratory support. COVID-19 patients with thromboembolic complications have a higher risk of death, and if they survive, these complications are expected to negatively affect these patients’ quality of life. Moreover, recent data reported that the risk of thromboembolism remains high months after a COVID-19 infection. Therefore, understanding the pathogenesis of thrombosis in the setting of COVID-19 may facilitate the early prevention and treatment of COVID-19-associated thromboembolism to reduce concomitant morbidity, mortality, and disability. This review will first discuss the clinical characteristics of COVID-19 infections, particularly with regard to the underlying pathophysiology. Then, the pathogenesis of COVID-19-associated thrombosis at the molecular and cellular levels will be comprehensively reviewed. Next, the clinical manifestations of venous and arterial thromboembolism in COVID-19 as well as the potential benefits of several laboratory markers of thrombosis will be further discussed. Lastly, the preventive and therapeutic management of thromboembolism during and after COVID-19 will also be explained.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henry Sutanto
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya 60132, Indonesia
- Department of Internal Medicine, Dr. Soetomo Teaching Hospital, Surabaya 60286, Indonesia
| | - Gatot Soegiarto
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya 60132, Indonesia
- Department of Internal Medicine, Dr. Soetomo Teaching Hospital, Surabaya 60286, Indonesia
- Division of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya 60132, Indonesia
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27
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Leng A, Shah M, Ahmad SA, Premraj L, Wildi K, Li Bassi G, Pardo CA, Choi A, Cho SM. Pathogenesis Underlying Neurological Manifestations of Long COVID Syndrome and Potential Therapeutics. Cells 2023; 12:816. [PMID: 36899952 PMCID: PMC10001044 DOI: 10.3390/cells12050816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 54.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2023] [Revised: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/03/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The development of long-term symptoms of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) more than four weeks after primary infection, termed "long COVID" or post-acute sequela of COVID-19 (PASC), can implicate persistent neurological complications in up to one third of patients and present as fatigue, "brain fog", headaches, cognitive impairment, dysautonomia, neuropsychiatric symptoms, anosmia, hypogeusia, and peripheral neuropathy. Pathogenic mechanisms of these symptoms of long COVID remain largely unclear; however, several hypotheses implicate both nervous system and systemic pathogenic mechanisms such as SARS-CoV2 viral persistence and neuroinvasion, abnormal immunological response, autoimmunity, coagulopathies, and endotheliopathy. Outside of the CNS, SARS-CoV-2 can invade the support and stem cells of the olfactory epithelium leading to persistent alterations to olfactory function. SARS-CoV-2 infection may induce abnormalities in innate and adaptive immunity including monocyte expansion, T-cell exhaustion, and prolonged cytokine release, which may cause neuroinflammatory responses and microglia activation, white matter abnormalities, and microvascular changes. Additionally, microvascular clot formation can occlude capillaries and endotheliopathy, due to SARS-CoV-2 protease activity and complement activation, can contribute to hypoxic neuronal injury and blood-brain barrier dysfunction, respectively. Current therapeutics target pathological mechanisms by employing antivirals, decreasing inflammation, and promoting olfactory epithelium regeneration. Thus, from laboratory evidence and clinical trials in the literature, we sought to synthesize the pathophysiological pathways underlying neurological symptoms of long COVID and potential therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Albert Leng
- Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Manuj Shah
- Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Syed Ameen Ahmad
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Lavienraj Premraj
- Department of Neurology, Griffith University School of Medicine, Gold Coast, Brisbane, QLD 4215, Australia
- Critical Care Research Group, The Prince Charles Hospital, Brisbane, QLD 4032, Australia
| | - Karin Wildi
- Critical Care Research Group, The Prince Charles Hospital, Brisbane, QLD 4032, Australia
| | - Gianluigi Li Bassi
- Critical Care Research Group, The Prince Charles Hospital, Brisbane, QLD 4032, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD 4000, Australia
- Intensive Care Unit, St Andrew’s War Memorial Hospital and the Wesley Hospital, Uniting Care Hospitals, Brisbane, QLD 4000, Australia
- Wesley Medical Research, Auchenflower, QLD 4066, Australia
| | - Carlos A. Pardo
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Alex Choi
- Division of Neurosciences Critical Care, Department of Neurosurgery, UT Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Sung-Min Cho
- Divisions of Neurosciences Critical Care and Cardiac Surgery, Departments of Neurology, Surgery, Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine and Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
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28
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Thieulent CJ, Dittmar W, Balasuriya UBR, Crossland NA, Wen X, Richt JA, Carossino M. Mouse-Adapted SARS-CoV-2 MA10 Strain Displays Differential Pulmonary Tropism and Accelerated Viral Replication, Neurodissemination, and Pulmonary Host Responses in K18-hACE2 Mice. mSphere 2023; 8:e0055822. [PMID: 36728430 PMCID: PMC9942576 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00558-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2022] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Several models were developed to study the pathogenicity of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) as well as the in vivo efficacy of vaccines and therapeutics. Since wild-type mice are naturally resistant to infection by ancestral SARS-CoV-2 strains, several transgenic mouse models expressing human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (hACE2) were developed. An alternative approach has been to develop mouse-adapted SARS-CoV-2 strains. Here, we compared the clinical progression, viral replication kinetics and dissemination, pulmonary tropism, and host innate immune response dynamics between the mouse-adapted MA10 strain and its parental strain (USA-WA1/2020) following intranasal inoculation of K18-hACE2 mice, a widely used model. Compared to its parental counterpart, the MA10 strain induced earlier clinical decline with significantly higher viral replication and earlier neurodissemination. Importantly, the MA10 strain also showed a wider tropism, with infection of bronchiolar epithelia. While both SARS-CoV-2 strains induced comparable pulmonary cytokine/chemokine responses, many proinflammatory and monocyte-recruitment chemokines, such as interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), IP-10/CXCL10, and MCP-1/CCL2, showed an earlier peak in MA10-infected mice. Furthermore, both strains induced a similar downregulation of murine Ace2, with only a transient downregulation of Tmprss2 and no alterations in hACE2 expression. Overall, these data demonstrate that in K18-hACE2 mice, the MA10 strain has a pulmonary tropism that more closely resembles SARS-CoV-2 tropism in humans (airways and pneumocytes) than its parental strain. Its rapid replication and neurodissemination and early host pulmonary responses can have a significant impact on the clinical outcomes of infection and are, therefore, critical features to consider for study designs using these strains and mouse model. IMPORTANCE The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by SARS-CoV-2, is still significantly impacting health care systems around the globe. Refined animal models are needed to study SARS-CoV-2 pathogenicity as well as efficacy of vaccines and therapeutics. In line with this, thorough evaluation of animal models and virus strains/variants are paramount for standardization and meaningful comparisons. Here, we demonstrated differences in replication dynamics between the Wuhan-like USA-WA1/2020 strain and the derivative mouse-adapted MA10 strain in K18-hACE2 mice. The MA10 strain showed accelerated viral replication and neurodissemination, differential pulmonary tropism, and earlier pulmonary innate immune responses. The observed differences allow us to better refine experimental designs when considering the use of the MA10 strain in the widely utilized K18-hACE2 murine model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Côme J. Thieulent
- Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA
- Louisiana Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA
| | - Wellesley Dittmar
- Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA
- Louisiana Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA
| | - Udeni B. R. Balasuriya
- Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA
- Louisiana Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA
| | - Nicholas A. Crossland
- National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories (NEIDL), Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Xue Wen
- Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA
| | - Juergen A. Richt
- Department of Diagnostic Medicine and Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas, USA
| | - Mariano Carossino
- Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA
- Louisiana Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA
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29
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Hirunpattarasilp C, James G, Kwanthongdee J, Freitas F, Huo J, Sethi H, Kittler JT, Owens RJ, McCoy LE, Attwell D. SARS-CoV-2 triggers pericyte-mediated cerebral capillary constriction. Brain 2023; 146:727-738. [PMID: 35867861 PMCID: PMC9384509 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awac272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2022] [Revised: 07/04/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The SARS-CoV-2 receptor, ACE2, is found on pericytes, contractile cells enwrapping capillaries that regulate brain, heart and kidney blood flow. ACE2 converts vasoconstricting angiotensin II into vasodilating angiotensin-(1-7). In brain slices from hamster, which has an ACE2 sequence similar to human ACE2, angiotensin II evoked a small pericyte-mediated capillary constriction via AT1 receptors, but evoked a large constriction when the SARS-CoV-2 receptor binding domain (RBD, original Wuhan variant) was present. A mutated non-binding RBD did not potentiate constriction. A similar RBD-potentiated capillary constriction occurred in human cortical slices, and was evoked in hamster brain slices by pseudotyped virions expressing SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. This constriction reflects an RBD-induced decrease in the conversion of angiotensin II to angiotensin-(1-7) mediated by removal of ACE2 from the cell surface membrane and was mimicked by blocking ACE2. The clinically used drug losartan inhibited the RBD-potentiated constriction. Thus, AT1 receptor blockers could be protective in COVID-19 by preventing pericyte-mediated blood flow reductions in the brain, and perhaps the heart and kidney.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chanawee Hirunpattarasilp
- Department of Neuroscience, Physiology and Pharmacology, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK
- Princess Srisavangavadhana College of Medicine, Chulabhorn Royal Academy, Talat Bang Khen, Lak Si, Bangkok, 10210, Thailand
| | - Greg James
- Department of Neuroscience, Physiology and Pharmacology, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK
- Department of Neurosurgery, Great Ormond Street Hospital, London WC1N 3JH, UK
| | - Jaturon Kwanthongdee
- Department of Neuroscience, Physiology and Pharmacology, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK
- Princess Srisavangavadhana College of Medicine, Chulabhorn Royal Academy, Talat Bang Khen, Lak Si, Bangkok, 10210, Thailand
| | - Felipe Freitas
- Department of Neuroscience, Physiology and Pharmacology, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Jiandong Huo
- Division of Structural Biology, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7BN, UK
- Protein Production UK, The Research Complex at Harwell, and Rosalind Franklin Institute, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot OX11 0GD, UK
| | - Huma Sethi
- Division of Neurosurgery, National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, Queen Square, London WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Josef T Kittler
- Department of Neuroscience, Physiology and Pharmacology, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Raymond J Owens
- Division of Structural Biology, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7BN, UK
- Protein Production UK, The Research Complex at Harwell, and Rosalind Franklin Institute, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot OX11 0GD, UK
| | - Laura E McCoy
- Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, London NW3 2PP, UK
| | - David Attwell
- Department of Neuroscience, Physiology and Pharmacology, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK
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Brechbühl J, Ferreira F, Lopes AC, Corset E, Gilliand N, Broillet MC. Ocular Symptoms Associated with COVID-19 Are Correlated with the Expression Profile of Mouse SARS-CoV-2 Binding Sites. Viruses 2023; 15:v15020354. [PMID: 36851565 PMCID: PMC9961464 DOI: 10.3390/v15020354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2022] [Revised: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2023] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has engendered significant scientific efforts in the understanding of its infectious agent SARS-CoV-2 and of its associated symptoms. A peculiar characteristic of this virus lies in its ability to challenge our senses, as its infection can lead to anosmia and ageusia. While ocular symptoms, such as conjunctivitis, optic neuritis or dry eyes, are also reported after viral infection, they have lower frequencies and severities, and their functional development is still elusive. Here, using combined technical approaches based on histological and gene profiling methods, we characterized the expression of SARS-CoV-2 binding sites (Ace2/Tmprss2) in the mouse eye. We found that ACE2 was ectopically expressed in subtissular ocular regions, such as in the optic nerve and in the Harderian/intraorbital lacrimal glands. Moreover, we observed an important variation of Ace2/Tmprss2 expression that is not only dependent on the age and sex of the animal, but also highly heterogenous between individuals. Our results thus give new insight into the expression of SARS-CoV-2 binding sites in the mouse eye and propose an interpretation of the human ocular-associated symptoms linked to SARS-CoV-2.
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Kong D, Park KH, Kim DH, Kim NG, Lee SE, Shin N, Kook MG, Kim YB, Kang KS. Cortical-blood vessel assembloids exhibit Alzheimer's disease phenotypes by activating glia after SARS-CoV-2 infection. Cell Death Dis 2023; 9:32. [PMID: 36697403 PMCID: PMC9876421 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-022-01288-8] [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: 11/04/2022] [Revised: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 12/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
A correlation between COVID-19 and Alzheimer's disease (AD) has been proposed recently. Although the number of case reports on neuroinflammation in COVID-19 patients has increased, studies of SARS-CoV-2 neurotrophic pathology using brain organoids have restricted recapitulation of those phenotypes due to insufficiency of immune cells and absence of vasculature. Cerebral pericytes and endothelial cells, the major components of blood-brain barrier, express viral entry receptors for SARS-CoV-2 and response to systemic inflammation including direct cell death. To overcome the limitations, we developed cortical-blood vessel assembloids by fusing cortical organoid with blood vessel organoid to provide vasculature to brain organoids a nd obtained the characteristics of increased expression of microglia and astrocytes in brain organoids. Furthermore, we observed AD pathologies, including β-amyloid plaques, which were affected by the inflammatory response from SARS-CoV-2 infection. These findings provide an advanced platform to investigate human neurotrophic diseases, including COVID-19, and suggest that neuroinflammation caused by viral infection facilitates AD pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dasom Kong
- grid.31501.360000 0004 0470 5905Adult Stem Cell Research Center and Research Institute for Veterinary Science, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826 Republic of Korea
| | - Ki Hoon Park
- Department of Research and Development, KR BIOTECH CO., Ltd., Seoul, 05029 Republic of Korea
| | - Da-Hyun Kim
- grid.31501.360000 0004 0470 5905Adult Stem Cell Research Center and Research Institute for Veterinary Science, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826 Republic of Korea
| | - Nam Gyo Kim
- grid.31501.360000 0004 0470 5905Adult Stem Cell Research Center and Research Institute for Veterinary Science, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826 Republic of Korea
| | - Seung-Eun Lee
- grid.31501.360000 0004 0470 5905Adult Stem Cell Research Center and Research Institute for Veterinary Science, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826 Republic of Korea
| | - Nari Shin
- grid.31501.360000 0004 0470 5905Adult Stem Cell Research Center and Research Institute for Veterinary Science, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826 Republic of Korea
| | - Myung Geun Kook
- grid.31501.360000 0004 0470 5905Adult Stem Cell Research Center and Research Institute for Veterinary Science, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826 Republic of Korea
| | - Young Bong Kim
- grid.258676.80000 0004 0532 8339Department of Biomedical Science and Engineering, Konkuk Institute of Science and Technology, Konkuk University, Seoul, 05029 Republic of Korea
| | - Kyung-Sun Kang
- grid.31501.360000 0004 0470 5905Adult Stem Cell Research Center and Research Institute for Veterinary Science, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826 Republic of Korea
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32
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Louise R, Manon L, Vincent E, Andréanne L, Philippe B, Cyntia T, Bennett DA, Sébastien H, Frédéric C. Higher Angiotensin I Converting Enzyme 2 (ACE2) levels in the brain of individuals with Alzheimer's disease. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.01.17.524254. [PMID: 36711734 PMCID: PMC9882134 DOI: 10.1101/2023.01.17.524254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a major cause of death in the elderly. Cognitive decline due to Alzheimer's disease (AD) is frequent in the geriatric population disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Interestingly, central nervous system (CNS) manifestations have been reported in SARS-CoV-2-infected patients. In this study, we investigated the levels of Angiotensin I Converting Enzyme 2 (ACE2), the main entry receptor of SARS-COV-2 in cells, in postmortem parietal cortex samples from two independent AD cohorts, totalling 142 persons. Higher concentrations of ACE2 protein and mRNA were found in individuals with a neuropathological diagnosis of AD compared to age-matched healthy control subjects. Brain levels of soluble ACE2 were inversely associated with cognitive scores (p = 0.02), markers of pericytes (PDGFRβ, p=0.02 and ANPEP, p = 0.007) and caveolin1 (p = 0.03), but positively correlated with soluble amyloid-β peptides (Aβ) concentrations (p = 0.01) and insoluble phospho- tau (S396/404, p = 0.002). No significant differences in ACE2 were observed in the 3xTgAD mouse model of tau and Aβ neuropathology. Results from immunofluorescence and Western blots showed that ACE2 protein is mainly localized in neurons in the human brain but predominantly in microvessels in the mouse brain. The present data show that an AD diagnosis is associated with higher levels of soluble ACE2 in the human brain, which might contribute to a higher risk of CNS SARS-CoV-2 infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reveret Louise
- Faculty of pharmacy, Laval University, Quebec, QC, Canada
- CHU de Quebec Research Center, Quebec, QC, Canada
| | - Leclerc Manon
- Faculty of pharmacy, Laval University, Quebec, QC, Canada
- CHU de Quebec Research Center, Quebec, QC, Canada
| | | | | | - Bourassa Philippe
- Faculty of pharmacy, Laval University, Quebec, QC, Canada
- CHU de Quebec Research Center, Quebec, QC, Canada
| | | | - David A Bennett
- Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Hébert Sébastien
- CHU de Quebec Research Center, Quebec, QC, Canada
- Faculty of medicine, Laval University, Quebec, QC, Canada
| | - Calon Frédéric
- Faculty of pharmacy, Laval University, Quebec, QC, Canada
- CHU de Quebec Research Center, Quebec, QC, Canada
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MacLachlan R, Evans CE, Chai SY, Good MA, Kehoe PG, Miners JS. Age-related reduction in brain ACE-2 is not exacerbated by Alzheimer's disease pathology in mouse models of Alzheimer's disease. AGING BRAIN 2023; 3:100062. [PMID: 36911263 PMCID: PMC9997187 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbas.2022.100062] [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: 07/13/2022] [Revised: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
An imbalance in the circulatory and organ-specific renin-angiotensin system (RAS) pathways is associated with age-related dysfunction and disease including cardiovascular burden and more recently Alzheimer's disease (AD). It is currently unclear whether an age-associated imbalance in components of the RAS within the brain precedes the onset of AD or whether a RAS imbalance is associated with the onset of disease pathology and cognitive decline. Angiotensin-converting enzyme-1 (ACE-1) and -2 (ACE-2) protein (ELISA) and enzyme activity (FRET assay), markers of the classical and counter-regulatory RAS axis respectively, and Ang-II and Ang-(1-7) peptide levels (ELISA), were measured in the left cortex across four transgenic AD mouse models of amyloid pathology (5xFAD - 2, 6, and 12 months of age; Apd9 - 3-4, 12, and 18 months of age; Tg2576 - 3-4 and 24 months of age; and PDAPP - 3-4, 7, 11, 15, and 18 months of age) and littermate wild-type (WT) controls. ACE-1 level, and enzyme activity, was unaltered in relation to age in WT mice and across all four models. In contrast, ACE-2 level and enzyme activity, was reduced and Ang-II increased with ageing in both WT animals and disease models. The changes in ACE-2 and Ang-II in AD models mirrored WT mice, except for the 5xFAD model, when the reduction in ACE-2 (and elevated Ang-II) was observed at a younger age. These data indicate an age-related dysregulation of brain RAS is likely to be driven by a reduction in ACE-2. The reduction in ACE-2 occurs at a young age, coinciding with early pathological changes and the initial deposition of Aβ, and preceding neuronal loss and cognitive decline, in the transgenic AD models. However, the age-related loss was mirrored in WT mice suggesting that the change was independent of pathological Aβ deposition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert MacLachlan
- Dementia Research Group, Clinical Neurosciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Learning and Research Building, Southmead Hospital, BS10 5NB, United Kingdom
| | - Charles E Evans
- School of Psychology, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF10 3AT, United Kingdom
| | - Siew Yeen Chai
- Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Department of Physiology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - Mark A Good
- School of Psychology, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF10 3AT, United Kingdom
| | - Patrick Gavin Kehoe
- Dementia Research Group, Clinical Neurosciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Learning and Research Building, Southmead Hospital, BS10 5NB, United Kingdom
| | - J Scott Miners
- Dementia Research Group, Clinical Neurosciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Learning and Research Building, Southmead Hospital, BS10 5NB, United Kingdom
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Carvajal J, Casanello P, Toso A, Farías M, Carrasco-Negue K, Araujo K, Valero P, Fuenzalida J, Solari C, Sobrevia L. Functional consequences of SARS-CoV-2 infection in pregnant women, fetoplacental unit, and neonate. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2023; 1869:166582. [PMID: 36273675 PMCID: PMC9581789 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2022.166582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2022] [Revised: 10/09/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
The SARS-CoV-2 infection causes COVID-19 disease, characterized by acute respiratory distress syndrome, bilateral pneumonia, and organ failure. The consequences of maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection for the pregnant woman, fetus, and neonate are controversial. Thus, it is required to determine whether there is viral and non-viral vertical transmission in COVID-19. The disease caused by SARS-CoV-2 leads to functional alterations in asymptomatic and symptomatic pregnant women, the fetoplacental unit and the neonate. Several diseases of pregnancy, including COVID-19, affect the fetoplacental function, which causes in utero programming for young and adult diseases. A generalized inflammatory state and a higher risk of infection are seen in pregnant women with COVID-19. Obesity, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension may increase the vulnerability of pregnant women to infection by SARS-CoV-2. Alpha, Delta, and Omicron variants of SARS-CoV-2 show specific mutations that seem to increase the capacity of the virus to infect the pregnant woman, likely due to increasing its interaction via the virus S protein and angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 receptors. This review shows the literature addressing to what extent COVID-19 in pregnancy affects the pregnant woman, fetoplacental unit, and neonate. Prospective studies that are key in managing SARS-CoV-2 infection in pregnancy are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge Carvajal
- Department of Obstetrics, School of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago 8330024, Chile.
| | - Paola Casanello
- Department of Obstetrics, School of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago 8330024, Chile,Department of Neonatology, School of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago 8330024, Chile,Department of Pathology and Medical Biology, Division of Pathology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG), 9713GZ, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Alberto Toso
- Department of Neonatology, School of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago 8330024, Chile
| | - Marcelo Farías
- Department of Obstetrics, School of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago 8330024, Chile
| | - Karina Carrasco-Negue
- Department of Obstetrics, School of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago 8330024, Chile
| | - Kenny Araujo
- Department of Obstetrics, School of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago 8330024, Chile
| | - Paola Valero
- Cellular and Molecular Physiology Laboratory (CMPL), Department of Obstetrics, Division of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, School of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago 8330024, Chile,Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad de Talca, Talca 3460000, Chile
| | - Javiera Fuenzalida
- Department of Obstetrics, School of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago 8330024, Chile
| | - Caterina Solari
- Department of Obstetrics, School of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago 8330024, Chile
| | - Luis Sobrevia
- Department of Obstetrics, School of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago 8330024, Chile; Cellular and Molecular Physiology Laboratory (CMPL), Department of Obstetrics, Division of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, School of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago 8330024, Chile; Medical School (Faculty of Medicine), Sao Paulo State University (UNESP), Brazil; Department of Physiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidad de Sevilla, Seville E-41012, Spain; University of Queensland, Centre for Clinical Research (UQCCR), Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Queensland, Herston 4029, Queensland, Australia; Department of Pathology and Medical Biology, Division of Pathology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG), 9713GZ, Groningen, the Netherlands; Tecnologico de Monterrey, Eutra, The Institute for Obesity Research (IOR), School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico.
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Jin R, Niu C, Wu F, Zhou S, Han T, Zhang Z, Li E, Zhang X, Xu S, Wang J, Tian S, Chen W, Ye Q, Cao C, Cheng L. DNA damage contributes to age-associated differences in SARS-CoV-2 infection. Aging Cell 2022; 21:e13729. [PMID: 36254583 PMCID: PMC9741512 DOI: 10.1111/acel.13729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Revised: 09/01/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), is known to disproportionately affect older individuals. How aging processes affect SARS-CoV-2 infection and disease progression remains largely unknown. Here, we found that DNA damage, one of the hallmarks of aging, promoted SARS-CoV-2 infection in vitro and in vivo. SARS-CoV-2 entry was facilitated by DNA damage caused by extrinsic genotoxic stress or telomere dysfunction and hampered by inhibition of the DNA damage response (DDR). Mechanistic analysis revealed that DDR increased expression of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), the primary receptor of SARS-CoV-2, by activation of transcription factor c-Jun. Importantly, in vivo experiment using a mouse-adapted viral strain also verified the significant roles of DNA damage in viral entry and severity of infection. Expression of ACE2 was elevated in the older human and mice tissues and positively correlated with γH2AX, a DNA damage biomarker, and phosphorylated c-Jun (p-c-Jun). Finally, nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) and MDL-800, which promote DNA repair, alleviated SARS-CoV-2 infection and disease severity in vitro and in vivo. Taken together, our data provide insights into the age-associated differences in SARS-CoV-2 infection and a novel approach for antiviral intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Jin
- Beijing Institute of BiotechnologyBeijingChina
| | - Chang Niu
- College of Life SciencesCapital Normal UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Fengyun Wu
- College of Life SciencesCapital Normal UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Sixin Zhou
- Department of SurgeryChinese PLA General HospitalBeijingChina
| | - Tao Han
- BaYi Children's Hospital, the Seventh Medical CenterChinese PLA General HospitalBeijingChina
| | - Zhe Zhang
- Beijing Institute of BiotechnologyBeijingChina
| | - Entao Li
- Key Laboratory of Jilin Province for Zoonosis Prevention and Control, Changchun Veterinary Research InstituteChinese Academy of Agricultural SciencesChangchunChina
| | - Xiaona Zhang
- College of Life SciencesCapital Normal UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Shanrong Xu
- School of Life ScienceAnqing Normal UniversityAnqingChina
| | - Jiadong Wang
- Department of Radiation Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Institute of Systems BiomedicinePeking University Health Science CenterBeijingChina
| | - Shen Tian
- College of Life SciencesCapital Normal UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Wei Chen
- Beijing Institute of BiotechnologyBeijingChina
| | - Qinong Ye
- Beijing Institute of BiotechnologyBeijingChina
| | - Cheng Cao
- Beijing Institute of BiotechnologyBeijingChina
| | - Long Cheng
- Beijing Institute of BiotechnologyBeijingChina
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Pelisek J, Reutersberg B, Greber UF, Zimmermann A. Vascular dysfunction in COVID-19 patients: update on SARS-CoV-2 infection of endothelial cells and the role of long non-coding RNAs. Clin Sci (Lond) 2022; 136:1571-1590. [PMID: 36367091 PMCID: PMC9652506 DOI: 10.1042/cs20220235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2022] [Revised: 10/13/2022] [Accepted: 10/14/2022] [Indexed: 08/16/2023]
Abstract
Although COVID-19 is primarily a respiratory disease, it may affect also the cardiovascular system. COVID-19 patients with cardiovascular disorder (CVD) develop a more severe disease course with a significantly higher mortality rate than non-CVD patients. A common denominator of CVD is the dysfunction of endothelial cells (ECs), increased vascular permeability, endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition, coagulation, and inflammation. It has been assumed that clinical complications in COVID-19 patients suffering from CVD are caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection of ECs through the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor and the cellular transmembrane protease serine 2 (TMPRSS2) and the consequent dysfunction of the infected vascular cells. Meanwhile, other factors associated with SARS-CoV-2 entry into the host cells have been described, including disintegrin and metalloproteinase domain-containing protein 17 (ADAM17), the C-type lectin CD209L or heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPG). Here, we discuss the current data about the putative entry of SARS-CoV-2 into endothelial and smooth muscle cells. Furthermore, we highlight the potential role of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) affecting vascular permeability in CVD, a process that might exacerbate disease in COVID-19 patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaroslav Pelisek
- Department of Vascular Surgery, University Hospital Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | | | - Urs F Greber
- Department of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zürich, Switzerland
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Abstract
Persistent neurological and neuropsychiatric symptoms affect a substantial fraction of people after COVID-19 and represent a major component of the post-acute COVID-19 syndrome, also known as long COVID. Here, we review what is understood about the pathobiology of post-acute COVID-19 impact on the CNS and discuss possible neurobiological underpinnings of the cognitive symptoms affecting COVID-19 survivors. We propose the chief mechanisms that may contribute to this emerging neurological health crisis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle Monje
- Department of Neurology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Stanford University, USA.
| | - Akiko Iwasaki
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Yale University, USA.
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Muhl L, Mocci G, Pietilä R, Liu J, He L, Genové G, Leptidis S, Gustafsson S, Buyandelger B, Raschperger E, Hansson EM, Björkegren JL, Vanlandewijck M, Lendahl U, Betsholtz C. A single-cell transcriptomic inventory of murine smooth muscle cells. Dev Cell 2022; 57:2426-2443.e6. [DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2022.09.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2022] [Revised: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Aleksova A, Fluca AL, Gagno G, Pierri A, Padoan L, Derin A, Moretti R, Noveska EA, Azzalini E, D'Errico S, Beltrami AP, Zumla A, Ippolito G, Sinagra G, Janjusevic M. Long-term effect of SARS-CoV-2 infection on cardiovascular outcomes and all-cause mortality. Life Sci 2022; 310:121018. [PMID: 36183780 PMCID: PMC9561478 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2022.121018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2022] [Revised: 09/19/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Since the very beginning of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in early 2020, it was evident that patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD) were at an increased risk of developing severe illness, and complications spanning cerebrovascular disorders, dysrhythmias, acute coronary syndrome, ischemic and non-ischemic heart disease, pericarditis, myocarditis, heart failure, thromboembolic disease, stroke, and death. Underlying these was excessive systemic inflammation and coagulopathy due to SARS-COV-2 infection, the effects of which also continued long-term as evidenced by post-COVID-19 cardiovascular complications. The acute and chronic cardiovascular effects of COVID-19 occurred even among those who were not hospitalized and had no previous CVD or those with mild symptoms. This comprehensive review summarizes the current understanding of molecular mechanisms triggered by the SARS-CoV-2 virus on various cells that express the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2, leading to endothelial dysfunction, inflammation, myocarditis, impaired coagulation, myocardial infarction, arrhythmia and a multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children or Kawasaki-like disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aneta Aleksova
- Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Giuliano Isontina, Cardiothoracovascular Department, Trieste, Italy; Department of Medical Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy.
| | - Alessandra Lucia Fluca
- Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Giuliano Isontina, Cardiothoracovascular Department, Trieste, Italy; Department of Medical Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Giulia Gagno
- Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Giuliano Isontina, Cardiothoracovascular Department, Trieste, Italy; Department of Medical Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Alessandro Pierri
- Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Giuliano Isontina, Cardiothoracovascular Department, Trieste, Italy; Department of Medical Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Laura Padoan
- Department of Cardiology and Cardiovascular Physiopathology, Università degli Studi di Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Agnese Derin
- Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Giuliano Isontina, Cardiothoracovascular Department, Trieste, Italy
| | - Rita Moretti
- Department of Internal Medicine and Neurology, Neurological Clinic, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Elena Aleksova Noveska
- Department of Pediatric and Preventive Dentistry, Faculty of Dental Medicine, Ss. Cyril and Methodius University, Skopje, Macedonia
| | - Eros Azzalini
- Department of Medical Sciences (DSM), University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Stefano D'Errico
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | | | - Alimuddin Zumla
- Department of Infection, Division of Infection and Immunity, Centre for Clinical Microbiology, University College London, London, UK; National Institute for Health Research Biomedical Research Centre, University College London Hospitals, London, UK
| | | | - Gianfranco Sinagra
- Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Giuliano Isontina, Cardiothoracovascular Department, Trieste, Italy; Department of Medical Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Milijana Janjusevic
- Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Giuliano Isontina, Cardiothoracovascular Department, Trieste, Italy; Department of Medical Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
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Bani Hani A, Abu Tarboush N, Bani Ali M, Alabhoul F, Alansari F, Abuhani A, Al-Kawak M, Shamoun B, Albdour S, Abu Abeeleh M, Ahram M. Serum ACE2 Level is Associated With Severe SARS-CoV-2 Infection: A Cross-Sectional Observational Study. Biomark Insights 2022; 17:11772719221125123. [PMID: 36156891 PMCID: PMC9500304 DOI: 10.1177/11772719221125123] [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: 03/04/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Objectives: Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) represents the primary receptor for SARS-CoV-2 to enter endothelial cells, causing coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19). In this study, we investigate the association between circulating ACE2 levels with the severity of COVID-19. Methods: Serum ACE2 levels were measured in 144 COVID-19-positive subjects at hospital admission, and 123 COVID-19-negative control subjects. The association between ACE2 and clinical outcomes was analyzed. Results: About 144 COVID-19 patients and 123 healthy controls data were analyzed, the mean age of patients was 62 years and 50% of them were males. The mean age of the control group was 55 years and 63% were males. ACE-II level was measured and compared between COVID-19 patients and controls and revealed no significant differences (P > .05). ACE-II level was measured in COVID-19 patients and compared between different patient’s subgroups, ACE II level was not dependent on gender, smoking, ACE intake, or comorbidities (P > .05), and was significantly correlated with cardiovascular diseases (CVS) (P-value = .046) ICU admission (P-value = .0007) and Death (P-value = .0082). Conclusion: There was no significant difference between the COVID-19 and Control group, however, ACE2 serum level was significantly higher in patients with COVID-19 who were critically ill or non-survivors, its increased level is also associated with length of stay. Elevated ACE2 level is associated with the severity of COVID-19 disease, and it has the potential to be a predictor of the severity of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amjad Bani Hani
- Department of General Surgery, School of Medicine, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
| | - Nafez Abu Tarboush
- Department of Biochemistry and Physiology, School of Medicine, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
| | - Mo'ath Bani Ali
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
| | - Fahad Alabhoul
- Department of Biochemistry and Physiology, School of Medicine, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
| | - Fahad Alansari
- Department of Biochemistry and Physiology, School of Medicine, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
| | - Ahmad Abuhani
- Department of Biochemistry and Physiology, School of Medicine, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
| | - Mustafa Al-Kawak
- Department of Biochemistry and Physiology, School of Medicine, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
| | - Badea'a Shamoun
- Department of Anesthesia and Critical Care, Prince Hamza Hospital, Amman, Jordan
| | - Suzan Albdour
- Department of Biochemistry and Physiology, School of Medicine, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
| | - Mahmoud Abu Abeeleh
- Department of General Surgery, School of Medicine, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
| | - Mamoun Ahram
- Department of General Surgery, School of Medicine, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
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Abstract
SARS‐CoV‐2, the virus that causes coronavirus disease (COVID)‐19, has become a persistent global health threat. Individuals who are symptomatic for COVID‐19 frequently exhibit respiratory illness, which is often accompanied by neurological symptoms of anosmia and fatigue. Mounting clinical data also indicate that many COVID‐19 patients display long‐term neurological disorders postinfection such as cognitive decline, which emphasizes the need to further elucidate the effects of COVID‐19 on the central nervous system. In this review article, we summarize an emerging body of literature describing the impact of SARS‐CoV‐2 infection on central nervous system (CNS) health and highlight important areas of future investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nick R Natale
- Division of Infectious Diseases and International Health, Department of Medicine, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA.,Center for Brain Immunology and Glia (BIG), Department of Neuroscience, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA.,Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA.,Global Biothreats Graduate Training Program, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - John R Lukens
- Center for Brain Immunology and Glia (BIG), Department of Neuroscience, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA.,Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA.,Global Biothreats Graduate Training Program, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA.,Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Cancer Biology, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - William A Petri
- Division of Infectious Diseases and International Health, Department of Medicine, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA.,Center for Brain Immunology and Glia (BIG), Department of Neuroscience, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA.,Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA.,Global Biothreats Graduate Training Program, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA.,Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Cancer Biology, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA.,Department of Medicine, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA.,Department of Pathology, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
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Betsholtz C. Toward a granular molecular-anatomic map of the blood vasculature - single-cell RNA sequencing makes the leap. Ups J Med Sci 2022; 127:9051. [PMID: 36337278 PMCID: PMC9602202 DOI: 10.48101/ujms.v127.9051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNAseq) marks the birth of a new era in physiology and medicine. Within foreseeable future, we will know exactly what genes are expressed - and at what levels - in all the different cell types and subtypes that make up our bodies. We will also learn how a particular cell state, whether it occurs during development, tissue repair, or disease, reflects precise changes in gene expression. While profoundly impacting all areas of life science, scRNAseq may lead to a particular leap in vascular biology research. Blood vessels pervade and fulfill essential functions in all organs, but the functions differ. Innumerable organ-specific vascular adaptations and specializations are required. These, in turn, are dictated by differential gene expression by the two principal cellular building blocks of blood vessels: endothelial cells and mural cells. An organotypic vasculature is essential for functions as diverse as thinking, gas exchange, urine excretion, and xenobiotic detoxification in the brain, lung, kidney, and liver, respectively. In addition to the organotypicity, vascular cells also differ along the vascular arterio-venous axis, referred to as zonation, differences that are essential for the regulation of blood pressure and flow. Moreover, gene expression-based molecular changes dictate states of cellular activity, necessary for angiogenesis, vascular permeability, and immune cell trafficking, i.e. functions necessary for development, inflammation, and repair. These different levels of cellular heterogeneity create a nearly infinite phenotypic diversity among vascular cells. In this review, I summarize and exemplify what scRNAseq has brought to the picture in just a few years and point out where it will take us.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christer Betsholtz
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Rudbeck Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
- Department of Medicine-Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden
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