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Drozd M, Ritter JM, Samuelson JP, Parker M, Wang L, Sander SJ, Yoshicedo J, Wright L, Odani J, Shrader T, Lee E, Lockhart SR, Ghai RR, Terio KA. Mortality associated with SARS-CoV-2 in nondomestic felids. Vet Pathol 2024; 61:609-620. [PMID: 38323378 DOI: 10.1177/03009858231225500] [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] [Indexed: 02/08/2024]
Abstract
Between September and November 2021, 5 snow leopards (Panthera uncia) and 1 lion (Panthera leo) were naturally infected with severe acute respiratory coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and developed progressive respiratory disease that resulted in death. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 sequencing identified the delta variant in all cases sequenced, which was the predominant human variant at that time. The time between initial clinical signs and death ranged from 3 to 45 days. Gross lesions in all 6 cats included nasal turbinate hyperemia with purulent discharge and marked pulmonary edema. Ulcerative tracheitis and bronchitis were noted in 4 cases. Histologically, there was necrotizing and ulcerative rhinotracheitis and bronchitis with fibrinocellular exudates and fibrinosuppurative to pyogranulomatous bronchopneumonia. The 4 cats that survived longer than 8 days had fungal abscesses. Concurrent bacteria were noted in 4 cases, including those with more acute disease courses. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 was detected by in situ hybridization using probes against SARS-CoV-2 spike and nucleocapsid genes and by immunohistochemistry. Viral nucleic acid and protein were variably localized to mucosal and glandular epithelial cells, pneumocytes, macrophages, and fibrinocellular debris. Based on established criteria, SARS-CoV-2 was considered a contributing cause of death in all 6 cats. While mild clinical infections are more common, these findings suggest that some SARS-CoV-2 variants may cause more severe disease and that snow leopards may be more severely affected than other felids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary Drozd
- University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE
| | - Jana M Ritter
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA
| | | | | | - Leyi Wang
- University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL
| | | | | | - Louden Wright
- Great Plain Zoo, Sioux Falls, SD
- Nashville Zoo at Grassmere, Nashville, TN
| | - Jenee Odani
- University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI
| | | | - Elizabeth Lee
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA
| | | | - Ria R Ghai
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA
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2
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Salvio AL, Fernandes RA, Ferreira HFA, Duarte LA, Gutman EG, Raposo-Vedovi JV, Filho CHFR, da Costa Nunes Pimentel Coelho WL, Passos GF, Andraus MEC, da Costa Gonçalves JP, Cavalcanti MG, Amaro MP, Kader R, de Andrade Medronho R, Figueiredo CP, Amado-Leon LA, Alves-Leon SV. High Levels of NfL, GFAP, TAU, and UCH-L1 as Potential Predictor Biomarkers of Severity and Lethality in Acute COVID-19. Mol Neurobiol 2024; 61:3545-3558. [PMID: 37996731 PMCID: PMC11087339 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-023-03803-z] [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: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023]
Abstract
Few studies showed that neurofilament light chain (NfL), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), total tubulin-associated unit (TAU), and ubiquitin carboxy-terminal hydrolase-L1 (UCH-L1) may be related to neurological manifestations and severity during and after SARS-CoV-2 infection. The objective of this work was to investigate the relationship among nervous system biomarkers (NfL, TAU, GFAP, and UCH-L1), biochemical parameters, and viral loads with heterogeneous outcomes in a cohort of severe COVID-19 patients admitted in Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of a university hospital. For that, 108 subjects were recruited within the first 5 days at ICU. In parallel, 16 mild COVID-19 patients were enrolled. Severe COVID-19 group was divided between "deceased" and "survivor." All subjects were positive for SARS-CoV-2 detection. NfL, total TAU, GFAP, and UCH-L1 quantification in plasma was performed using SIMOA SR-X platform. Of 108 severe patients, 36 (33.33%) presented neurological manifestation and 41 (37.96%) died. All four biomarkers - GFAP, NfL, TAU, and UCH-L1 - were significantly higher among deceased patients in comparison to survivors (p < 0.05). Analyzing biochemical biomarkers, higher Peak Serum Ferritin, D-Dimer Peak, Gamma-glutamyltransferase, and C-Reactive Protein levels were related to death (p < 0.0001). In multivariate analysis, GFAP, NfL, TAU, UCH-L1, and Peak Serum Ferritin levels were correlated to death. Regarding SARS-CoV-2 viral load, no statistical difference was observed for any group. Thus, Ferritin, NFL, GFAP, TAU, and UCH-L1 are early biomarkers of severity and lethality of SARS-COV-2 infection and may be important tools for therapeutic decision-making in the acute phase of disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreza Lemos Salvio
- Laboratory of Translacional Neurosciences, Biomedical Institute, Federal University of the State of Rio de Janeiro-UNIRIO, Rio de Janeiro, 22290-240, Brazil
| | - Renan Amphilophio Fernandes
- Laboratory of Translacional Neurosciences, Biomedical Institute, Federal University of the State of Rio de Janeiro-UNIRIO, Rio de Janeiro, 22290-240, Brazil
| | - Helena França Alcaraz Ferreira
- Laboratory of Translacional Neurosciences, Biomedical Institute, Federal University of the State of Rio de Janeiro-UNIRIO, Rio de Janeiro, 22290-240, Brazil
| | - Larissa Araujo Duarte
- Laboratory of Translacional Neurosciences, Biomedical Institute, Federal University of the State of Rio de Janeiro-UNIRIO, Rio de Janeiro, 22290-240, Brazil
| | - Elisa Gouvea Gutman
- Laboratory of Translacional Neurosciences, Biomedical Institute, Federal University of the State of Rio de Janeiro-UNIRIO, Rio de Janeiro, 22290-240, Brazil
| | - Jessica Vasques Raposo-Vedovi
- Laboratory of Translacional Neurosciences, Biomedical Institute, Federal University of the State of Rio de Janeiro-UNIRIO, Rio de Janeiro, 22290-240, Brazil
| | | | | | | | - Maria Emília Cosenza Andraus
- Clementino Fraga Filho University Hospital, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, 21941-901, Brazil
| | - João Paulo da Costa Gonçalves
- Laboratory of Translacional Neurosciences, Biomedical Institute, Federal University of the State of Rio de Janeiro-UNIRIO, Rio de Janeiro, 22290-240, Brazil
| | - Marta Guimarães Cavalcanti
- Clementino Fraga Filho University Hospital, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, 21941-901, Brazil
- Epidemiology and Evaluation Service, Clementino Fraga Filho University Hospital, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, 21941-901, Brazil
| | - Marisa Pimentel Amaro
- Clementino Fraga Filho University Hospital, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, 21941-901, Brazil
- School of Medicine, Post-Graduate Program in Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, 21941-901, Brazil
| | - Rafael Kader
- Clementino Fraga Filho University Hospital, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, 21941-901, Brazil
- School of Medicine, Post-Graduate Program in Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, 21941-901, Brazil
| | - Roberto de Andrade Medronho
- Epidemiology and Evaluation Service, Clementino Fraga Filho University Hospital, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, 21941-901, Brazil
| | | | - Luciane Almeida Amado-Leon
- Clementino Fraga Filho University Hospital, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, 21941-901, Brazil.
| | - Soniza Vieira Alves-Leon
- Laboratory of Translacional Neurosciences, Biomedical Institute, Federal University of the State of Rio de Janeiro-UNIRIO, Rio de Janeiro, 22290-240, Brazil.
- Clementino Fraga Filho University Hospital, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, 21941-901, Brazil.
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Cheyne I, Gopinath VS, Muppa N, Armas AE, Gil Agurto MS, Akula SA, Nagpal S, Yousaf MS, Haider A. The Neurological Implications of COVID-19: A Comprehensive Narrative Review. Cureus 2024; 16:e60376. [PMID: 38887342 PMCID: PMC11181960 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.60376] [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] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic caused by the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 revealed a huge number of problems as well as discoveries in medicine, notably, regarding the effects of the virus on the central nervous system (CNS) and peripheral nervous system (PNS). This paper is a narrative review that takes a deep dive into the complex interactions between COVID-19 and the NS. Therefore, this paper explains the broad range of neurological manifestations and neurodegenerative diseases caused by the virus. It carefully considers the routes through which SARS-CoV-2 reaches the NS, including the olfactory system and of course, the hematogenous route, which are also covered when discussing the virus's direct and indirect mechanisms of neuropathogenesis. Besides neurological pathologies such as stroke, encephalitis, Guillain-Barré syndrome, Parkinson's disease, and multiple sclerosis, the focus area is also given to the challenges of making diagnosis, treatment, and management of these conditions during the pandemic. The review also examines the strategic and interventional approaches utilized to prevent these disorders, as well as the ACE2 receptors implicated in the mediation of neurological effects caused by COVID-19. This detailed overview, which combines research outputs with case data, is directed at tackling this pandemic challenge, with a view toward better patient care and outcomes in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ithamar Cheyne
- Critical Care, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, POL
| | | | - Neeharika Muppa
- School of Medicine, St. George's University, St. George's, GRD
| | - Angel Emanuel Armas
- Internal Medicine, Cardiac Arrhythmia Service, Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA
| | | | - Sai Abhigna Akula
- Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, St. George's University, St. George's, GRD
| | - Shubhangi Nagpal
- Internal Medicine, Guru Gobind Singh Government Hospital, New Delhi, IND
| | | | - Ali Haider
- Allied Health Sciences, The University of Lahore, Gujrat Campus, Gujrat, PAK
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Wu ML, Xie C, Li X, Sun J, Zhao J, Wang JH. Mast cell activation triggered by SARS-CoV-2 causes inflammation in brain microvascular endothelial cells and microglia. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2024; 14:1358873. [PMID: 38638822 PMCID: PMC11024283 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2024.1358873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024] Open
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2-induced excessive inflammation in brain leads to damage of blood-brain barrier, hypoxic-ischemic injury, and neuron degeneration. The production of inflammatory cytokines by brain microvascular endothelial cells and microglia is reported to be critically associated with the brain pathology of COVID-19 patients. However, the cellular mechanisms for SARS-CoV-2-inducing activation of brain cells and the subsequent neuroinflammation remain to be fully delineated. Our research, along with others', has recently demonstrated that SARS-CoV-2-induced accumulation and activation of mast cells (MCs) in mouse lung could further induce inflammatory cytokines and consequent lung damages. Intracerebral MCs activation and their cross talk with other brain cells could induce neuroinflammation that play important roles in neurodegenerative diseases including virus-induced neuro-pathophysiology. In this study, we investigated the role of MC activation in SARS-CoV-2-induced neuroinflammation. We found that (1) SARS-CoV-2 infection triggered MC accumulation in the cerebrovascular region of mice; (2) spike/RBD (receptor-binding domain) protein-triggered MC activation induced inflammatory factors in human brain microvascular endothelial cells and microglia; (3) MC activation and degranulation destroyed the tight junction proteins in brain microvascular endothelial cells and induced the activation and proliferation of microglia. These findings reveal a cellular mechanism of SARS-CoV-2-induced neuroinflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng-Li Wu
- Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Chengzuo Xie
- Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Xin Li
- Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jing Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Jincun Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Jian-Hua Wang
- Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
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5
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Vavougios GD, Tseriotis VS, Liampas A, Mavridis T, de Erausquin GA, Hadjigeorgiou G. Type I interferon signaling, cognition and neurodegeneration following COVID-19: update on a mechanistic pathogenetic model with implications for Alzheimer's disease. Front Hum Neurosci 2024; 18:1352118. [PMID: 38562226 PMCID: PMC10982434 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2024.1352118] [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: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
COVID-19's effects on the human brain reveal a multifactorial impact on cognition and the potential to inflict lasting neuronal damage. Type I interferon signaling, a pathway that represents our defense against pathogens, is primarily affected by COVID-19. Type I interferon signaling, however, is known to mediate cognitive dysfunction upon its dysregulation following synaptopathy, microgliosis and neuronal damage. In previous studies, we proposed a model of outside-in dysregulation of tonic IFN-I signaling in the brain following a COVID-19. This disruption would be mediated by the crosstalk between central and peripheral immunity, and could potentially establish feed-forward IFN-I dysregulation leading to neuroinflammation and potentially, neurodegeneration. We proposed that for the CNS, the second-order mediators would be intrinsic disease-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) such as proteopathic seeds, without the requirement of neuroinvasion to sustain inflammation. Selective vulnerability of neurogenesis sites to IFN-I dysregulation would then lead to clinical manifestations such as anosmia and cognitive impairment. Since the inception of our model at the beginning of the pandemic, a growing body of studies has provided further evidence for the effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection on the human CNS and cognition. Several preclinical and clinical studies have displayed IFN-I dysregulation and tauopathy in gene expression and neuropathological data in new cases, correspondingly. Furthermore, neurodegeneration identified with a predilection for the extended olfactory network furthermore supports the neuroanatomical concept of our model, and its independence from fulminant neuroinvasion and encephalitis as a cause of CNS damage. In this perspective, we summarize the data on IFN-I as a plausible mechanism of cognitive impairment in this setting, and its potential contribution to Alzheimer's disease and its interplay with COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- George D. Vavougios
- Department of Neurology, Medical School, University of Cyprus, Lefkosia, Cyprus
| | | | - Andreas Liampas
- Department of Neurology, Medical School, University of Cyprus, Lefkosia, Cyprus
| | - Theodore Mavridis
- Tallaght University Hospital (TUH)/The Adelaide and Meath Hospital Dublin, Incorporating the National Children's Hospital (AMNCH), Dublin, Ireland
| | - Gabriel A. de Erausquin
- Laboratory of Brain Development, Modulation and Repair, The Glenn Biggs Institute of Alzheimer's and Neurodegenerative Disorders, Joe R. and Teresa Lozano Long School of Medicine, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States
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6
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Huang X, Huang S, Fu F, Song J, Zhang Y, Yue F. Characterization of preclinical Alzheimer's disease model: spontaneous type 2 diabetic cynomolgus monkeys with systemic pro-inflammation, positive biomarkers and developing AD-like pathology. Alzheimers Res Ther 2024; 16:52. [PMID: 38459540 PMCID: PMC10921774 DOI: 10.1186/s13195-024-01416-9] [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: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/10/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The key to the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is to be able to predict and diagnose AD at the preclinical or early stage, but the lack of a preclinical model of AD is the critical factor that causes this problem to remain unresolved. METHODS We assessed 18 monkeys in vivo evaluation of pro-inflammatory cytokines and AD pathological biomarkers (n = 9 / type 2 diabetic mellitus (T2DM) group, age 20, fasting plasma glucose (FPG) ≥ 100 mg/dL, and n = 9 / negative control (NC) group, age 17, FPG < 100 mg/dL). Levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and AD pathological biomarkers was measured by ELISA and Simoa Technology, respectively. 9 monkeys evaluated ex vivo for AD-like pathology (n = 6 / T2DM group, age 22.17, FPG ≥ 126 mg/dL, and n = 3 / NC group, age 14.67, FPG < 100 mg/dL). To evaluate the pathological features of AD in the brains of T2DM monkeys, we assessed the levels of Aβ, phospho-tau, and neuroinflammation using immunohistochemistry, which further confirmed the deposition of Aβ plaques by Bielschowsky's silver, Congo red, and Thioflavin S staining. Synaptic damage and neurodegeneration were assessed by immunofluorescence. RESULTS We found not only increased levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in peripheral blood (PB) and brain of T2DM monkeys but also changes in PB of AD pathological biomarkers such as decreased β-amyloid (Aβ) 42 and Aβ40 levels. Most notably, we observed AD-like pathological features in the brain of T2DM monkeys, including Aβ plaque deposition, p-tau from neuropil thread to pre-neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs), and even the appearance of extracellular NFT. Microglia were activated from a resting state to an amoeboid. Astrocytes showed marked hypertrophy and an increased number of cell bodies and protrusions. Finally, we observed impairment of the postsynaptic membrane but no neurodegeneration or neuronal death. CONCLUSIONS Overall, T2DM monkeys showed elevated levels of peripheral and intracerebral inflammation, positive AD biomarkers in body fluids, and developing AD-like pathology in the brain, including Aβ and tau pathology, glial cell activation, and partial synaptic damage, but no neuronal degeneration or death as compared to the healthy normal group. Hereby, we consider the T2DM monkeys with elevation of the peripheral pro-inflammatory factors and positive AD biomarkers can be potentially regarded as a preclinical AD model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinxin Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Digital Medical Engineering, School of Biomedical Engineering, Hainan University, Sanya, 572025, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of One Health, Hainan University, Hainan University, Haikou, 570228, China
| | - Shanshan Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Digital Medical Engineering, School of Biomedical Engineering, Hainan University, Sanya, 572025, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of One Health, Hainan University, Hainan University, Haikou, 570228, China
| | - Fangyan Fu
- State Key Laboratory of Digital Medical Engineering, School of Biomedical Engineering, Hainan University, Sanya, 572025, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of One Health, Hainan University, Hainan University, Haikou, 570228, China
| | - Junzhen Song
- State Key Laboratory of Digital Medical Engineering, School of Biomedical Engineering, Hainan University, Sanya, 572025, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of One Health, Hainan University, Hainan University, Haikou, 570228, China
| | - Yuling Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Digital Medical Engineering, School of Biomedical Engineering, Hainan University, Sanya, 572025, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of One Health, Hainan University, Hainan University, Haikou, 570228, China
| | - Feng Yue
- State Key Laboratory of Digital Medical Engineering, School of Biomedical Engineering, Hainan University, Sanya, 572025, China.
- Collaborative Innovation Center of One Health, Hainan University, Hainan University, Haikou, 570228, China.
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7
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Wang M, Wang J, Ren Y, Lu L, Xiong W, Li L, Xu S, Tang M, Yuan Y, Xie Y, Li W, Chen L, Zhou D, Ying B, Li J. Current clinical findings of acute neurological syndromes after SARS-CoV-2 infection. MedComm (Beijing) 2024; 5:e508. [PMID: 38463395 PMCID: PMC10924641 DOI: 10.1002/mco2.508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2023] [Revised: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 03/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Neuro-COVID, a condition marked by persistent symptoms post-COVID-19 infection, notably affects various organs, with a particular focus on the central nervous system (CNS). Despite scant evidence of SARS-CoV-2 invasion in the CNS, the increasing incidence of Neuro-COVID cases indicates the onset of acute neurological symptoms early in infection. The Omicron variant, distinguished by heightened neurotropism, penetrates the CNS via the olfactory bulb. This direct invasion induces inflammation and neuronal damage, emphasizing the need for vigilance regarding potential neurological complications. Our multicenter study represents a groundbreaking revelation, documenting the definite presence of SARS-CoV-2 in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of a significant proportion of Neuro-COVID patients. Furthermore, notable differences emerged between RNA-CSF-positive and negative patients, encompassing aspects such as blood-brain barrier integrity, extent of neuronal damage, and the activation status of inflammation. Despite inherent limitations, this research provides pivotal insights into the intricate interplay between SARS-CoV-2 and the CNS, underscoring the necessity for ongoing research to fully comprehend the virus's enduring effects on the CNS. The findings underscore the urgency of continuous investigation Neuro-COVID to unravel the complexities of this relationship, and pivotal in addressing the long-term consequences of COVID-19 on neurological health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minjin Wang
- Department of NeurologyWest China Hospital of Sichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
- Department of Laboratory MedicineWest China Hospital of Sichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
- Institute of Brain Science and Brain‐inspired TechnologyWest China Hospital of Sichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
| | - Jierui Wang
- Department of NeurologyWest China Hospital of Sichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
- Institute of Brain Science and Brain‐inspired TechnologyWest China Hospital of Sichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
| | - Yan Ren
- Department of Laboratory MedicineWest China Hospital of Sichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
| | - Lu Lu
- Department of NeurologyWest China Hospital of Sichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
- Institute of Brain Science and Brain‐inspired TechnologyWest China Hospital of Sichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
| | - Weixi Xiong
- Department of NeurologyWest China Hospital of Sichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
- Institute of Brain Science and Brain‐inspired TechnologyWest China Hospital of Sichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
| | - Lifeng Li
- Genskey Medical biotechnology Company LimitedBeijingChina
| | - Songtao Xu
- National Institute for Viral Disease Control and PreventionChinese Center for Disease Control and PreventionBeijingChina
| | - Meng Tang
- Department of Laboratory MedicineWest China Hospital of Sichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
| | - Yushang Yuan
- Department of Laboratory MedicineWest China Hospital of Sichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
| | - Yi Xie
- Department of Laboratory MedicineWest China Hospital of Sichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
| | - Weimin Li
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care MedicineWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
| | - Lei Chen
- Department of NeurologyWest China Hospital of Sichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
- Institute of Brain Science and Brain‐inspired TechnologyWest China Hospital of Sichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
| | - Dong Zhou
- Department of NeurologyWest China Hospital of Sichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
- Institute of Brain Science and Brain‐inspired TechnologyWest China Hospital of Sichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
| | - Binwu Ying
- Department of Laboratory MedicineWest China Hospital of Sichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
| | - Jinmei Li
- Department of NeurologyWest China Hospital of Sichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
- Institute of Brain Science and Brain‐inspired TechnologyWest China Hospital of Sichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
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8
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Chang H, Chen E, Hu Y, Wu L, Deng L, Ye‐Lehmann S, Mao X, Zhu T, Liu J, Chen C. Extracellular Vesicles: The Invisible Heroes and Villains of COVID-19 Central Neuropathology. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2024; 11:e2305554. [PMID: 38143270 PMCID: PMC10933635 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202305554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2023] [Revised: 11/18/2023] [Indexed: 12/26/2023]
Abstract
Acknowledging the neurological symptoms of COVID-19 and the long-lasting neurological damage even after the epidemic ends are common, necessitating ongoing vigilance. Initial investigations suggest that extracellular vesicles (EVs), which assist in the evasion of the host's immune response and achieve immune evasion in SARS-CoV-2 systemic spreading, contribute to the virus's attack on the central nervous system (CNS). The pro-inflammatory, pro-coagulant, and immunomodulatory properties of EVs contents may directly drive neuroinflammation and cerebral thrombosis in COVID-19. Additionally, EVs have attracted attention as potential candidates for targeted therapy in COVID-19 due to their innate homing properties, low immunogenicity, and ability to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) freely. Mesenchymal stromal/stem cell (MSCs) secreted EVs are widely applied and evaluated in patients with COVID-19 for their therapeutic effect, considering the limited antiviral treatment. This review summarizes the involvement of EVs in COVID-19 neuropathology as carriers of SARS-CoV-2 or other pathogenic contents, as predictors of COVID-19 neuropathology by transporting brain-derived substances, and as therapeutic agents by delivering biotherapeutic substances or drugs. Understanding the diverse roles of EVs in the neuropathological aspects of COVID-19 provides a comprehensive framework for developing, treating, and preventing central neuropathology and the severe consequences associated with the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haiqing Chang
- Department of AnesthesiologyWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityLaboratory of Anesthesia and Critical Care MedicineNational‐Local Joint Engineering Research Centre of Translational Medicine of AnesthesiologyWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduSichuan610041China
| | - Erya Chen
- Department of AnesthesiologyWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityLaboratory of Anesthesia and Critical Care MedicineNational‐Local Joint Engineering Research Centre of Translational Medicine of AnesthesiologyWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduSichuan610041China
| | - Yi Hu
- Department of Cardiology, Honghui hospitalXi'an Jiaotong UniversityXi'an710049China
| | - Lining Wu
- Department of AnesthesiologyWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityLaboratory of Anesthesia and Critical Care MedicineNational‐Local Joint Engineering Research Centre of Translational Medicine of AnesthesiologyWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduSichuan610041China
| | - Liyun Deng
- Department of AnesthesiologyWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityLaboratory of Anesthesia and Critical Care MedicineNational‐Local Joint Engineering Research Centre of Translational Medicine of AnesthesiologyWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduSichuan610041China
| | - Shixin Ye‐Lehmann
- Diseases and Hormones of the Nervous System University of Paris‐Scalay Bicêtre Hosptial BâtGrégory Pincus 80 Rue du Gal Leclerc, CedexLe Kremlin Bicêtre94276France
| | - Xiaobo Mao
- Department of NeurologyInstitute of Cell EngineeringSchool of MedicineJohns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreMD21218USA
| | - Tao Zhu
- Department of AnesthesiologyWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityLaboratory of Anesthesia and Critical Care MedicineNational‐Local Joint Engineering Research Centre of Translational Medicine of AnesthesiologyWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduSichuan610041China
| | - Jin Liu
- Department of AnesthesiologyWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityLaboratory of Anesthesia and Critical Care MedicineNational‐Local Joint Engineering Research Centre of Translational Medicine of AnesthesiologyWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduSichuan610041China
| | - Chan Chen
- Department of AnesthesiologyWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityLaboratory of Anesthesia and Critical Care MedicineNational‐Local Joint Engineering Research Centre of Translational Medicine of AnesthesiologyWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduSichuan610041China
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Drozd M, Ritter JM, Samuelson JP, Parker M, Wang L, Sander SJ, Yoshicedo J, Wright L, Odani J, Shrader T, Lee E, Lockhart SR, Ghai RR, Terio KA. Mortality associated with SARS-CoV-2 in nondomestic felids. Vet Pathol 2024. [DOI: https:/doi.org/10.1177/03009858231225500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/21/2024]
Abstract
Between September and November 2021, 5 snow leopards ( Panthera uncia) and 1 lion ( Panthera leo) were naturally infected with severe acute respiratory coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and developed progressive respiratory disease that resulted in death. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 sequencing identified the delta variant in all cases sequenced, which was the predominant human variant at that time. The time between initial clinical signs and death ranged from 3 to 45 days. Gross lesions in all 6 cats included nasal turbinate hyperemia with purulent discharge and marked pulmonary edema. Ulcerative tracheitis and bronchitis were noted in 4 cases. Histologically, there was necrotizing and ulcerative rhinotracheitis and bronchitis with fibrinocellular exudates and fibrinosuppurative to pyogranulomatous bronchopneumonia. The 4 cats that survived longer than 8 days had fungal abscesses. Concurrent bacteria were noted in 4 cases, including those with more acute disease courses. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 was detected by in situ hybridization using probes against SARS-CoV-2 spike and nucleocapsid genes and by immunohistochemistry. Viral nucleic acid and protein were variably localized to mucosal and glandular epithelial cells, pneumocytes, macrophages, and fibrinocellular debris. Based on established criteria, SARS-CoV-2 was considered a contributing cause of death in all 6 cats. While mild clinical infections are more common, these findings suggest that some SARS-CoV-2 variants may cause more severe disease and that snow leopards may be more severely affected than other felids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary Drozd
- University of Nebraska–Lincoln, Lincoln, NE
| | | | | | | | - Leyi Wang
- University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL
| | | | | | - Louden Wright
- Great Plain Zoo, Sioux Falls, SD
- Nashville Zoo at Grassmere, Nashville, TN
| | - Jenee Odani
- University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI
| | | | - Elizabeth Lee
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA
| | | | - Ria R. Ghai
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA
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10
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Rieder AS, Wyse ATS. Regulation of Inflammation by IRAK-M Pathway Can Be Associated with nAchRalpha7 Activation and COVID-19. Mol Neurobiol 2024; 61:581-592. [PMID: 37640915 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-023-03567-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
In spite of the vaccine development and its importance, the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic is still impacting the world. It is known that the COVID-19 severity is related to the cytokine storm phenomenon, being inflammation a common disease feature. The nicotinic cholinergic system has been widely associated with COVID-19 since it plays a protective role in inflammation via nicotinic receptor alpha 7 (nAchRalpha7). In addition, SARS-CoV-2 spike protein (Spro) subunits can interact with nAchRalpha7. Moreover, Spro causes toll-like receptor (TLR) activation, leading to pro- and anti-inflammatory pathways. The increase and maturation of the IL-1 receptor-associated kinase (IRAK) family are mediated by activation of membrane receptors, such as TLRs. IRAK-M, a member of this family, is responsible for negatively regulating the activity of other active IRAKs. In addition, IRAK-M can regulate microglia phenotype by specific protein expression. Furthermore, there exists an antagonist influence of SARS-CoV-2 Spro and the cholinergic system action on the IRAK-M pathway and microglia phenotype. We discuss the overexpression and suppression of IRAK-M in inflammatory cell response to inflammation in SARS-CoV-2 infection when the cholinergic system is constantly activated via nAchRalpha7.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessanda S Rieder
- Laboratory of Neuroprotection and Neurometabolic Diseases (Wyse's Lab), Department of Biochemistry, ICBS, Universidade Federal Do Rio Grande Do Sul (UFRGS), Rua Ramiro Barcelos, 2600-Anexo, Porto Alegre RS, 90035-003, Brazil
| | - Angela T S Wyse
- Laboratory of Neuroprotection and Neurometabolic Diseases (Wyse's Lab), Department of Biochemistry, ICBS, Universidade Federal Do Rio Grande Do Sul (UFRGS), Rua Ramiro Barcelos, 2600-Anexo, Porto Alegre RS, 90035-003, Brazil.
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11
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Wellford SA, Moseman EA. Olfactory immune response to SARS-CoV-2. Cell Mol Immunol 2024; 21:134-143. [PMID: 38143247 PMCID: PMC10806031 DOI: 10.1038/s41423-023-01119-5] [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: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 12/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Numerous pathogens can infect the olfactory tract, yet the pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 has strongly emphasized the importance of the olfactory mucosa as an immune barrier. Situated in the nasal passages, the olfactory mucosa is directly exposed to the environment to sense airborne odorants; however, this also means it can serve as a direct route of entry from the outside world into the brain. As a result, olfactotropic infections can have serious consequences, including dysfunction of the olfactory system, CNS invasion, dissemination to the lower respiratory tract, and transmission between individuals. Recent research has shown that a distinctive immune response is needed to protect this neuronal and mucosal tissue. A better understanding of innate, adaptive, and structural immune barriers in the olfactory mucosa is needed to develop effective therapeutics and vaccines against olfactotropic microbes such as SARS-CoV-2. Here, we summarize the ramifications of SARS-CoV-2 infection of the olfactory mucosa, review the subsequent immune response, and discuss important areas of future research for olfactory immunity to infectious disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian A Wellford
- Department of Integrative Immunobiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - E Ashley Moseman
- Department of Integrative Immunobiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA.
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12
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Luczo JM, Edwards SJ, Ardipradja K, Suen WW, Au GG, Marsh GA, Godde N, Rootes CL, Bingham J, Sundaramoorthy V. SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 display limited neuronal infection and lack the ability to transmit within synaptically connected axons in stem cell-derived human neurons. J Neurovirol 2024; 30:39-51. [PMID: 38172412 PMCID: PMC11035468 DOI: 10.1007/s13365-023-01187-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2023] [Revised: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
Sarbecoviruses such as SARS and SARS-CoV-2 have been responsible for two major outbreaks in humans, the latter resulting in a global pandemic. While sarbecoviruses primarily cause an acute respiratory infection, they have been shown to infect the nervous system. However, mechanisms of sarbecovirus neuroinvasion and neuropathogenesis remain unclear. In this study, we examined the infectivity and trans-synaptic transmission potential of the sarbecoviruses SARS and SARS-CoV-2 in human stem cell-derived neural model systems. We demonstrated limited ability of sarbecoviruses to infect and replicate in human stem cell-derived neurons. Furthermore, we demonstrated an inability of sarbecoviruses to transmit between synaptically connected human stem cell-derived neurons. Finally, we determined an absence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in olfactory neurons in experimentally infected ferrets. Collectively, this study indicates that sarbecoviruses exhibit low potential to infect human stem cell-derived neurons, lack an ability to infect ferret olfactory neurons, and lack an inbuilt molecular mechanism to utilise retrograde axonal trafficking and trans-synaptic transmission to spread within the human nervous system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jasmina M Luczo
- Diagnostics, Surveillance and Response, Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Geelong, VIC, Australia
| | - Sarah J Edwards
- Health and Biosecurity, Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Geelong, VIC, Australia
| | - Katie Ardipradja
- Diagnostics, Surveillance and Response, Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Geelong, VIC, Australia
| | - Willy W Suen
- Diagnostics, Surveillance and Response, Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Geelong, VIC, Australia
| | - Gough G Au
- Health and Biosecurity, Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Geelong, VIC, Australia
| | - Glenn A Marsh
- Health and Biosecurity, Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Geelong, VIC, Australia
| | - Nathan Godde
- Diagnostics, Surveillance and Response, Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Geelong, VIC, Australia
| | - Christina L Rootes
- Health and Biosecurity, Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Geelong, VIC, Australia
| | - John Bingham
- Diagnostics, Surveillance and Response, Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Geelong, VIC, Australia
| | - Vinod Sundaramoorthy
- Diagnostics, Surveillance and Response, Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Geelong, VIC, Australia.
- School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, Australia.
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13
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Choi S, Lee J, Kim S, Lee YW, Kim GC, Hong SM, An SH, Noh H, Kim KE, On D, Lee SG, Jang HJ, Kim SH, Kim J, Seo JS, Kim JJ, Park IH, Oh J, Kim DJ, Yoon JH, Seok SH, Lee YJ, Kim SY, Kim YB, Hwang JY, Lee HJ, Kim HB, Park JW, Yun JW, Shin JS, Seo JY, Nam KT, Choi KS, Kwon HK, Lee HY, Kim JK, Seong JK. A longitudinal molecular and cellular lung atlas of lethal SARS-CoV-2 infection in K18-hACE2 transgenic mice. EBioMedicine 2024; 99:104932. [PMID: 38118400 PMCID: PMC10772566 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2023.104932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2022] [Revised: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The global pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has led to approximately 500 million cases and 6 million deaths worldwide. Previous investigations into the pathophysiology of SARS-CoV-2 primarily focused on peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients, lacking detailed mechanistic insights into the virus's impact on inflamed tissue. Existing animal models, such as hamster and ferret, do not faithfully replicate the severe SARS-CoV-2 infection seen in patients, underscoring the need for more relevant animal system-based research. METHODS In this study, we employed single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) with lung tissues from K18-hACE2 transgenic (TG) mice during SARS-CoV-2 infection. This approach allowed for a comprehensive examination of the molecular and cellular responses to the virus in lung tissue. FINDINGS Upon SARS-CoV-2 infection, K18-hACE2 TG mice exhibited severe lung pathologies, including acute pneumonia, alveolar collapse, and immune cell infiltration. Through scRNA-seq, we identified 36 different types of cells dynamically orchestrating SARS-CoV-2-induced pathologies. Notably, SPP1+ macrophages in the myeloid compartment emerged as key drivers of severe lung inflammation and fibrosis in K18-hACE2 TG mice. Dynamic receptor-ligand interactions, involving various cell types such as immunological and bronchial cells, defined an enhanced TGFβ signaling pathway linked to delayed tissue regeneration, severe lung injury, and fibrotic processes. INTERPRETATION Our study provides a comprehensive understanding of SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis in lung tissue, surpassing previous limitations in investigating inflamed tissues. The identified SPP1+ macrophages and the dysregulated TGFβ signaling pathway offer potential targets for therapeutic intervention. Insights from this research may contribute to the development of innovative diagnostics and therapies for COVID-19. FUNDING This research was supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) grant funded by the Korea government (MSIT) (2020M3A9I2109027, 2021R1A2C2004501).
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Affiliation(s)
- Seunghoon Choi
- Laboratory of Developmental Biology and Genomics, Research Institute for Veterinary Science, and BK21 Project for Creative Veterinary Science Research, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea; Korea Mouse Phenotyping Center, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Jusung Lee
- Department of New Biology, DGIST, Daegu 42988, Republic of Korea
| | - Suhyeon Kim
- Korea Mouse Phenotyping Center, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea; BIO-MAX Institute, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Youn Woo Lee
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam 23488, Republic of Korea
| | - Gi-Cheon Kim
- Institute of Immunology and Immunological Diseases, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea; Department of Microbiology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung-Min Hong
- Laboratory of Avian Diseases, BK21 Project for Veterinary Science and Research Institute for Veterinary Science, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Se-Hee An
- Laboratory of Avian Diseases, BK21 Project for Veterinary Science and Research Institute for Veterinary Science, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyuna Noh
- Korea Mouse Phenotyping Center, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyung Eun Kim
- Laboratory of Developmental Biology and Genomics, Research Institute for Veterinary Science, and BK21 Project for Creative Veterinary Science Research, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea; Korea Mouse Phenotyping Center, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Dain On
- Laboratory of Developmental Biology and Genomics, Research Institute for Veterinary Science, and BK21 Project for Creative Veterinary Science Research, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea; Korea Mouse Phenotyping Center, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang Gyu Lee
- Korea Mouse Phenotyping Center, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea; Interdisciplinary Program for Bioinformatics, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Hui Jeong Jang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam 23488, Republic of Korea
| | - Sung-Hee Kim
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea; Graduate School of Medical Science, BK21 Project, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Jiseon Kim
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea; Graduate School of Medical Science, BK21 Project, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Jung Seon Seo
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea; Graduate School of Medical Science, BK21 Project, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeong Jin Kim
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea; Graduate School of Medical Science, BK21 Project, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - In Ho Park
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea; Institute of Immunology and Immunological Diseases, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Jooyeon Oh
- Graduate School of Medical Science, BK21 Project, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea; Institute of Immunology and Immunological Diseases, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea; Department of Microbiology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Da-Jung Kim
- Graduate School of Medical Science, BK21 Project, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea; Institute of Immunology and Immunological Diseases, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea; Department of Microbiology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Jong-Hwi Yoon
- Institute of Immunology and Immunological Diseases, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea; Department of Microbiology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang-Hyuk Seok
- Division of Biomedical Convergence, College of Biomedical Science, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon 24342, Republic of Korea
| | - Yu Jin Lee
- Division of Biomedical Convergence, College of Biomedical Science, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon 24342, Republic of Korea
| | - Seo Yeon Kim
- Preclinical Research Center, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam 23488, Republic of Korea
| | - Young Been Kim
- Preclinical Research Center, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam 23488, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji-Yeon Hwang
- Preclinical Research Center, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam 23488, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyo-Jung Lee
- Department of Periodontology, Section of Dentistry, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam 23620, Republic of Korea
| | - Hong Bin Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seongnam 23620, Republic of Korea
| | - Jun Won Park
- Division of Biomedical Convergence, College of Biomedical Science, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon 24342, Republic of Korea
| | - Jun-Won Yun
- Laboratory of Veterinary Toxicology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Research Institute for Veterinary Science, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeon-Soo Shin
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea; Graduate School of Medical Science, BK21 Project, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea; Institute of Immunology and Immunological Diseases, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea; Department of Microbiology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Jun-Young Seo
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea; Graduate School of Medical Science, BK21 Project, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Ki Taek Nam
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea; Graduate School of Medical Science, BK21 Project, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Kang-Seuk Choi
- Laboratory of Avian Diseases, BK21 Project for Veterinary Science and Research Institute for Veterinary Science, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea.
| | - Ho-Keun Kwon
- Graduate School of Medical Science, BK21 Project, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea; Institute of Immunology and Immunological Diseases, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea; Department of Microbiology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea.
| | - Ho-Young Lee
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam 23488, Republic of Korea; Department of Nuclear Medicine, Seoul National University, College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, South Korea.
| | - Jong Kyoung Kim
- Department of New Biology, DGIST, Daegu 42988, Republic of Korea; Department of Life Sciences, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang 37673, Republic of Korea.
| | - Je Kyung Seong
- Laboratory of Developmental Biology and Genomics, Research Institute for Veterinary Science, and BK21 Project for Creative Veterinary Science Research, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea; Korea Mouse Phenotyping Center, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea; BIO-MAX Institute, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea; Interdisciplinary Program for Bioinformatics, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea.
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14
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Wang P, Zhang S, Qi C, Wang C, Zhu Z, Shi L, Cheng L, Zhang X. Blood microbial analyses reveal long-term effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection on patients who recovered from COVID-19. Comput Biol Med 2024; 168:107721. [PMID: 38016374 DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiomed.2023.107721] [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: 09/23/2023] [Revised: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 11/30/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Few symptoms persist for a long time after patients recover from COVID-19, called "long COVID". We explored the potential microbial risk factors for COVID-19 for a deeper understanding and assistance in the follow-up treatment of these sequelae. METHODS Microbiome re-annotation was performed using whole blood RNA-Seq data collected from recovered COVID-19 patients and healthy controls at multiple time points. Subsequently, a series of downstream analyses were conducted to reveal the microbial characteristics of patients who recovered from SARS-CoV-2 infection. RESULTS The blood microbiome at 12 weeks post-infection was most evidently disturbed, including an increasing ratio of Bacillota/Bacteroidota and a higher microbial alpha diversity. In addition, a group of pathogenic microbes at 12 weeks post-infection were identified, including Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which were positively associated with host genes involved in immune regulatory and olfactory transduction pathways. Several microbes, such as Streptococcus pneumoniae were associated with infiltrating immune cells, such as M2 macrophages. CONCLUSION This study provides insights into the relationship between the blood microbiome and COVID-19 sequelae. Several pathogenic microbes were enriched in recovered COVID-19 patients and thus affected host genes participating in the immune and olfactory transduction pathways, which play critical roles in COVID-19 sequelae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ping Wang
- College of Bioinformatics Science and Technology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Sainan Zhang
- College of Bioinformatics Science and Technology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Changlu Qi
- College of Bioinformatics Science and Technology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Chao Wang
- College of Bioinformatics Science and Technology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Zijun Zhu
- College of Bioinformatics Science and Technology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Lei Shi
- NHC Key Laboratory of Molecular Probes and Targeted Diagnosis and Therapy, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150028, Heilongjiang, China.
| | - Liang Cheng
- College of Bioinformatics Science and Technology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, Heilongjiang, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Molecular Probes and Targeted Diagnosis and Therapy, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150028, Heilongjiang, China.
| | - Xue Zhang
- NHC Key Laboratory of Molecular Probes and Targeted Diagnosis and Therapy, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150028, Heilongjiang, China; McKusick-Zhang Center for Genetic Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100005, China.
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15
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Dey R, Bishayi B. Microglial Inflammatory Responses to SARS-CoV-2 Infection: A Comprehensive Review. Cell Mol Neurobiol 2023; 44:2. [PMID: 38099973 DOI: 10.1007/s10571-023-01444-3] [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: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023]
Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is primarily a respiratory disease causing a worldwide pandemic in the year of 2019. SARS-CoV-2 is an enveloped, positive-stranded RNA virus that could invade the host through spike protein and exhibits multi-organ effects. The Brain was considered to be a potential target for SARS-CoV-2 infection. Although neuropsychiatric symptoms and cognitive impairments were observed in COVID-19 patients even after recovery the mechanism of action is not well documented. In this review, the contribution of microglia in response to SARS-CoV-2 infection was discussed aiming to design a therapeutic regimen for the management of neuroinflammation and psycho-behavioral alterations. Priming of microglia facilitates the hyper-activation state when it interacts with SARS-CoV-2 known as the 'second hit'. Moreover, the microgliosis produces reactive free radicals and pro-inflammatory cytokines like IL-1β, IFN-γ, and IL-6 which ultimately contribute to a 'cytokine storm', thereby increasing the occurrence of cognitive and neurological dysfunction. It was reported that elevated CCL11 may be responsible for psychiatric disorders and ROS/RNS-induced oxidative stress could promote major depressive disorder (MDD) and phenotypic switching. Additionally, during SARS-CoV-2 infection microglia-CD8+ T cell interaction may have a significant role in neuronal cell death. This cytokine-mediated cellular cross-talking plays a crucial role in pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory balance within the COVID-19 patient's brain. Therefore, all these aspects will be taken into consideration for developing novel therapeutic strategies to combat SARS-CoV-2-induced neuroinflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajen Dey
- Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, School of Allied Health Sciences, Swami Vivekananda University, Telinipara, Barasat-Barrackpore Rd, Bara Kanthalia, West Bengal, 700121, India.
| | - Biswadev Bishayi
- Immunology Laboratory, Department of Physiology, University of Calcutta, University Colleges of Science and Technology, 92 APC Road, Calcutta, West Bengal, 700009, India
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16
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Tsilioni I, Theoharides TC. Recombinant SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein and Its Receptor Binding Domain Stimulate Release of Different Pro-Inflammatory Mediators via Activation of Distinct Receptors on Human Microglia Cells. Mol Neurobiol 2023; 60:6704-6714. [PMID: 37477768 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-023-03493-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023]
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 infects cells via its spike (S) protein binding to its surface receptor angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) on target cells and results in acute symptoms involving especially the lungs known as COVID-19. However, increasing evidence indicates that SARS-CoV-2 infection produces neuroinflammation associated with neurological, neuropsychiatric, and cognitive symptoms persists well past the resolution of the infection, known as post-COVID-19 sequalae or long-COVID. The neuroimmune mechanism(s) involved in long-COVID have not been adequately characterized. In this study, we show that recombinant SARS-CoV-2 full-length S protein stimulates release of pro-inflammatory IL-1b, CXCL8, IL-6, and MMP-9 from cultured human microglia via TLR4 receptor activation. Instead, recombinant receptor-binding domain (RBD) stimulates release of TNF-α, IL-18, and S100B via ACE2 signaling. These results provide evidence that SARS-CoV-2 spike protein contributes to neuroinflammation through different mechanisms that may be involved in CNS pathologies associated with long-COVID.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Tsilioni
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunopharmacology and Drug Discovery, Department of Immunology, Tufts University School of Medicine, 136 Harrison Avenue, Suite 304, Boston, MA, 02111, USA.
| | - Theoharis C Theoharides
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunopharmacology and Drug Discovery, Department of Immunology, Tufts University School of Medicine, 136 Harrison Avenue, Suite 304, Boston, MA, 02111, USA
- Institute of Neuro-Immune Medicine, Nova Southeastern University, Clearwater, FL, 33759, USA
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17
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Li J, Wang J, Wang H. Emerging Landscape of Preclinical Models for Studying COVID-19 Neurologic Diseases. ACS Pharmacol Transl Sci 2023; 6:1323-1339. [PMID: 37854617 PMCID: PMC10580392 DOI: 10.1021/acsptsci.3c00127] [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: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023]
Abstract
COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019) is an infectious disease caused by SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) and has globally infected 768 million people and caused over 6 million deaths. COVID-19 primarily affects the respiratory system but increasing reports of neurologic symptoms associated with COVID-19 have been reported in the literature. The exact mechanism behind COVID-19 neurologic pathophysiology remains poorly understood due to difficulty quantifying clinical neurologic symptoms in humans and correlating them to findings in human post-mortem samples and animal models. Thus, robust preclinical experimental models for COVID-19 neurologic manifestations are urgently needed. Here, we review recent advances in in vitro, in vivo, and other models and technologies for studying COVID-19 including primary cell cultures, pluripotent stem cell-derived neurons and organoids, rodents, nonhuman primates, 3D bioprinting, artificial intelligence, and multiomics. We specifically focus our discussion on the contribution, recent advancements, and limitations these preclinical models have on furthering our understanding of COVID-19's neuropathic physiology. We also discuss these models' roles in the screening and development of therapeutics, vaccines, antiviral drugs, and herbal medicine, and on future opportunities for COVID-19 neurologic research and clinical management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason Li
- Department
of Neurology, Indiana University School
of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202, United States
| | - Jing Wang
- Department
of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University
of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Hu Wang
- Institute
of Cell Engineering, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore 21215, United States
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18
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Peron JPS. Direct and indirect impact of SARS-CoV-2 on the brain. Hum Genet 2023; 142:1317-1326. [PMID: 37004544 PMCID: PMC10066989 DOI: 10.1007/s00439-023-02549-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2023] [Indexed: 04/04/2023]
Abstract
Although COVID-19 is mostly a pulmonary disease, it is now well accepted that it can cause a much broader spectrum of signs and symptoms and affect many other organs and tissue. From mild anosmia to severe ischemic stroke, the impact of SARS-CoV-2 on the central nervous system is still a great challenge to scientists and health care practitioners. Besides the acute and severe neurological problems described, as encephalopathies, leptomeningitis, and stroke, after 2 years of pandemic, the chronic impact observed during long-COVID or the post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC) greatly intrigues scientists worldwide. Strikingly, even asymptomatic, and mild diseased patients may evolve with important neurological and psychiatric symptoms, as confusion, memory loss, cognitive decline, chronic fatigue, associated or not with anxiety and depression. Thus, the knowledge on the correlation between COVID-19 and the central nervous system is of great relevance. In this sense, here we discuss some important mechanisms obtained from in vitro and in vivo investigation regarding how SARS-CoV-2 impacts the brain and its cells and function.
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Affiliation(s)
- J P S Peron
- Neuroimmune Interactions Laboratory, Department of Immunology, University of Sao Paulo, Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes, 1730 Lab 232. Cidade Universitária, São Paulo, SP, CEP 05508-000, Brazil.
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19
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Nieuwland JM, Nutma E, Philippens IHCHM, Böszörményi KP, Remarque EJ, Bakker J, Meijer L, Woerdman N, Fagrouch ZC, Verstrepen BE, Langermans JAM, Verschoor EJ, Windhorst AD, Bontrop RE, de Vries HE, Stammes MA, Middeldorp J. Longitudinal positron emission tomography and postmortem analysis reveals widespread neuroinflammation in SARS-CoV-2 infected rhesus macaques. J Neuroinflammation 2023; 20:179. [PMID: 37516868 PMCID: PMC10387202 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-023-02857-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 07/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/31/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients initially develop respiratory symptoms, but they may also suffer from neurological symptoms. People with long-lasting effects after acute infections with severe respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), i.e., post-COVID syndrome or long COVID, may experience a variety of neurological manifestations. Although we do not fully understand how SARS-CoV-2 affects the brain, neuroinflammation likely plays a role. METHODS To investigate neuroinflammatory processes longitudinally after SARS-CoV-2 infection, four experimentally SARS-CoV-2 infected rhesus macaques were monitored for 7 weeks with 18-kDa translocator protein (TSPO) positron emission tomography (PET) using [18F]DPA714, together with computed tomography (CT). The baseline scan was compared to weekly PET-CTs obtained post-infection (pi). Brain tissue was collected following euthanasia (50 days pi) to correlate the PET signal with TSPO expression, and glial and endothelial cell markers. Expression of these markers was compared to brain tissue from uninfected animals of comparable age, allowing the examination of the contribution of these cells to the neuroinflammatory response following SARS-CoV-2 infection. RESULTS TSPO PET revealed an increased tracer uptake throughout the brain of all infected animals already from the first scan obtained post-infection (day 2), which increased to approximately twofold until day 30 pi. Postmortem immunohistochemical analysis of the hippocampus and pons showed TSPO expression in cells expressing ionized calcium-binding adaptor molecule 1 (IBA1), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), and collagen IV. In the hippocampus of SARS-CoV-2 infected animals the TSPO+ area and number of TSPO+ cells were significantly increased compared to control animals. This increase was not cell type specific, since both the number of IBA1+TSPO+ and GFAP+TSPO+ cells was increased, as well as the TSPO+ area within collagen IV+ blood vessels. CONCLUSIONS This study manifests [18F]DPA714 as a powerful radiotracer to visualize SARS-CoV-2 induced neuroinflammation. The increased uptake of [18F]DPA714 over time implies an active neuroinflammatory response following SARS-CoV-2 infection. This inflammatory signal coincides with an increased number of TSPO expressing cells, including glial and endothelial cells, suggesting neuroinflammation and vascular dysregulation. These results demonstrate the long-term neuroinflammatory response following a mild SARS-CoV-2 infection, which potentially precedes long-lasting neurological symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliana M Nieuwland
- Department of Neurobiology and Aging, Biomedical Primate Research Centre (BPRC), Lange Kleiweg 161, 2288GJ, Rijswijk, The Netherlands
| | - Erik Nutma
- Department of Neurobiology and Aging, Biomedical Primate Research Centre (BPRC), Lange Kleiweg 161, 2288GJ, Rijswijk, The Netherlands
| | - Ingrid H C H M Philippens
- Department of Neurobiology and Aging, Biomedical Primate Research Centre (BPRC), Lange Kleiweg 161, 2288GJ, Rijswijk, The Netherlands
| | - Kinga P Böszörményi
- Department of Virology, Biomedical Primate Research Centre (BPRC), Rijswijk, The Netherlands
| | - Edmond J Remarque
- Department of Virology, Biomedical Primate Research Centre (BPRC), Rijswijk, The Netherlands
| | - Jaco Bakker
- Department of Radiology, Biomedical Primate Research Centre (BPRC), Rijswijk, The Netherlands
| | - Lisette Meijer
- Department of Radiology, Biomedical Primate Research Centre (BPRC), Rijswijk, The Netherlands
| | - Noor Woerdman
- Department of Radiology, Biomedical Primate Research Centre (BPRC), Rijswijk, The Netherlands
| | - Zahra C Fagrouch
- Department of Virology, Biomedical Primate Research Centre (BPRC), Rijswijk, The Netherlands
| | - Babs E Verstrepen
- Department of Virology, Biomedical Primate Research Centre (BPRC), Rijswijk, The Netherlands
| | - Jan A M Langermans
- Department of Animal Sciences, Biomedical Primate Research Centre (BPRC), Rijswijk, The Netherlands
- Department Population Health Sciences, Unit Animals in Science and Society, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Ernst J Verschoor
- Department of Virology, Biomedical Primate Research Centre (BPRC), Rijswijk, The Netherlands
| | - Albert D Windhorst
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Tracer Center Amsterdam (TCA), Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Ronald E Bontrop
- Department of Comparative Genetics and Refinement, Biomedical Primate Research Centre (BPRC), Rijswijk, The Netherlands
- Department of Biology, Theoretical Biology and Bioinformatics, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Helga E de Vries
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology and Immunology, Amsterdam UMC Location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1117, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Marieke A Stammes
- Department of Radiology, Biomedical Primate Research Centre (BPRC), Rijswijk, The Netherlands
| | - Jinte Middeldorp
- Department of Neurobiology and Aging, Biomedical Primate Research Centre (BPRC), Lange Kleiweg 161, 2288GJ, Rijswijk, The Netherlands.
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20
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Zhou S, Wei T, Liu X, Liu Y, Song W, Que X, Xing Y, Wang Z, Tang Y. Causal effects of COVID-19 on structural changes in specific brain regions: a Mendelian randomization study. BMC Med 2023; 21:261. [PMID: 37468885 DOI: 10.1186/s12916-023-02952-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/21/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous studies have found a correlation between coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and changes in brain structure and cognitive function, but it remains unclear whether COVID-19 causes brain structural changes and which specific brain regions are affected. Herein, we conducted a Mendelian randomization (MR) study to investigate this causal relationship and to identify specific brain regions vulnerable to COVID-19. METHODS Genome-wide association study (GWAS) data for COVID-19 phenotypes (28,900 COVID-19 cases and 3,251,161 controls) were selected as exposures, and GWAS data for brain structural traits (cortical thickness and surface area from 51,665 participants and volume of subcortical structures from 30,717 participants) were selected as outcomes. Inverse-variance weighted method was used as the main estimate method. The weighted median, MR-Egger, MR-PRESSO global test, and Cochran's Q statistic were used to detect heterogeneity and pleiotropy. RESULTS The genetically predicted COVID-19 infection phenotype was nominally associated with reduced cortical thickness in the caudal middle frontal gyrus (β = - 0.0044, p = 0.0412). The hospitalized COVID-19 phenotype was nominally associated with reduced cortical thickness in the lateral orbitofrontal gyrus (β = - 0.0049, p = 0.0328) and rostral middle frontal gyrus (β = - 0.0022, p = 0.0032) as well as with reduced cortical surface area of the middle temporal gyrus (β = - 10.8855, p = 0.0266). These causal relationships were also identified in the severe COVID-19 phenotype. Additionally, the severe COVID-19 phenotype was nominally associated with reduced cortical thickness in the cuneus (β = - 0.0024, p = 0.0168); reduced cortical surface area of the pericalcarine (β = - 2.6628, p = 0.0492), superior parietal gyrus (β = - 5.6310, p = 0.0408), and parahippocampal gyrus (β = - 0.1473, p = 0.0297); and reduced volume in the hippocampus (β = - 15.9130, p = 0.0024). CONCLUSIONS Our study indicates a suggestively significant association between genetic predisposition to COVID-19 and atrophy in specific functional regions of the human brain. Patients with COVID-19 and cognitive impairment should be actively managed to alleviate neurocognitive symptoms and minimize long-term effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaojiong Zhou
- Department of Neurology & Innovation Center for Neurological Disorders, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Center for Neurological Disorders, 45 Changchun Street, Beijing, 100053, China
| | - Tao Wei
- Department of Neurology & Innovation Center for Neurological Disorders, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Center for Neurological Disorders, 45 Changchun Street, Beijing, 100053, China
| | - Xiaoduo Liu
- Department of Neurology & Innovation Center for Neurological Disorders, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Center for Neurological Disorders, 45 Changchun Street, Beijing, 100053, China
| | - Yufei Liu
- Department of Neurology & Innovation Center for Neurological Disorders, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Center for Neurological Disorders, 45 Changchun Street, Beijing, 100053, China
| | - Weiyi Song
- Department of Neurology & Innovation Center for Neurological Disorders, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Center for Neurological Disorders, 45 Changchun Street, Beijing, 100053, China
| | - Xinwei Que
- Department of Neurology & Innovation Center for Neurological Disorders, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Center for Neurological Disorders, 45 Changchun Street, Beijing, 100053, China
| | - Yi Xing
- Department of Neurology & Innovation Center for Neurological Disorders, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Center for Neurological Disorders, 45 Changchun Street, Beijing, 100053, China.
| | - Zhibin Wang
- Department of Neurology & Innovation Center for Neurological Disorders, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Center for Neurological Disorders, 45 Changchun Street, Beijing, 100053, China.
| | - Yi Tang
- Department of Neurology & Innovation Center for Neurological Disorders, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Center for Neurological Disorders, 45 Changchun Street, Beijing, 100053, China.
- Neurodegenerative Laboratory of Ministry of Education of the Peoples Republic of China, Beijing, China.
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21
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Chung TWH, Zhang H, Wong FKC, Sridhar S, Lee TMC, Leung GKK, Chan KH, Lau KK, Tam AR, Ho DTY, Cheng VCC, Yuen KY, Hung IFN, Mak HKF. A Pilot Study of Short-Course Oral Vitamin A and Aerosolised Diffuser Olfactory Training for the Treatment of Smell Loss in Long COVID. Brain Sci 2023; 13:1014. [PMID: 37508945 PMCID: PMC10377650 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci13071014] [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: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Olfactory dysfunction (OD) is a common neurosensory manifestation in long COVID. An effective and safe treatment against COVID-19-related OD is needed. Methods: This pilot trial recruited long COVID patients with persistent OD. Participants were randomly assigned to receive short-course (14 days) oral vitamin A (VitA; 25,000 IU per day) and aerosolised diffuser olfactory training (OT) thrice daily (combination), OT alone (standard care), or observation (control) for 4 weeks. The primary outcome was differences in olfactory function by butanol threshold tests (BTT) between baseline and end-of-treatment. Secondary outcomes included smell identification tests (SIT), structural MRI brain, and serial seed-based functional connectivity (FC) analyses in the olfactory cortical network by resting-state functional MRI (rs-fMRI). Results: A total of 24 participants were randomly assigned to receive either combination treatment (n = 10), standard care (n = 9), or control (n = 5). Median OD duration was 157 days (IQR 127-175). Mean baseline BTT score was 2.3 (SD 1.1). At end-of-treatment, mean BTT scores were significantly higher for the combination group than control (p < 0.001, MD = 4.4, 95% CI 1.7 to 7.2) and standard care (p = 0.009) groups. Interval SIT scores increased significantly (p = 0.009) in the combination group. rs-fMRI showed significantly higher FC in the combination group when compared to other groups. At end-of-treatment, positive correlations were found in the increased FC at left inferior frontal gyrus and clinically significant improvements in measured BTT (r = 0.858, p < 0.001) and SIT (r = 0.548, p = 0.042) scores for the combination group. Conclusions: Short-course oral VitA and aerosolised diffuser OT was effective as a combination treatment for persistent OD in long COVID.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tom Wai-Hin Chung
- Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Hui Zhang
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China
- Research Institute for Intelligent Wearable Systems, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China
| | - Fergus Kai-Chuen Wong
- Department of Ear, Nose and Throat, Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital, Hong Kong, China
| | - Siddharth Sridhar
- Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- Carol Yu Centre for Infection, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Tatia Mei-Chun Lee
- Department of Psychology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Gilberto Ka-Kit Leung
- Department of Surgery, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Koon-Ho Chan
- Department of Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Kui-Kai Lau
- State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- Department of Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Anthony Raymond Tam
- Department of Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Deborah Tip-Yin Ho
- Department of Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Vincent Chi-Chung Cheng
- Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Kwok-Yung Yuen
- Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- Carol Yu Centre for Infection, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- The Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Ivan Fan-Ngai Hung
- Carol Yu Centre for Infection, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- Department of Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- The Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Henry Ka-Fung Mak
- State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- Alzheimer's Disease Research Network, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
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22
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Wang P, Jin L, Zhang M, Wu Y, Duan Z, Guo Y, Wang C, Guo Y, Chen W, Liao Z, Wang Y, Lai R, Lee LP, Qin J. Blood-brain barrier injury and neuroinflammation induced by SARS-CoV-2 in a lung-brain microphysiological system. Nat Biomed Eng 2023:10.1038/s41551-023-01054-w. [PMID: 37349391 DOI: 10.1038/s41551-023-01054-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2021] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/24/2023]
Abstract
In some patients, COVID-19 can trigger neurological symptoms with unclear pathogenesis. Here we describe a microphysiological system integrating alveolus and blood-brain barrier (BBB) tissue chips that recapitulates neuropathogenesis associated with infection by SARS-CoV-2. Direct exposure of the BBB chip to SARS-CoV-2 caused mild changes to the BBB, and infusion of medium from the infected alveolus chip led to more severe injuries on the BBB chip, including endothelial dysfunction, pericyte detachment and neuroinflammation. Transcriptomic analyses indicated downregulated expression of the actin cytoskeleton in brain endothelium and upregulated expression of inflammatory genes in glial cells. We also observed early cerebral microvascular damage following lung infection with a low viral load in the brains of transgenic mice expressing human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2. Our findings suggest that systemic inflammation is probably contributing to neuropathogenesis following SARS-CoV-2 infection, and that direct viral neural invasion might not be a prerequisite for this neuropathogenesis. Lung-brain microphysiological systems should aid the further understanding of the systemic effects and neurological complications of viral infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Wang
- Division of Biotechnology, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian, China
- University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
- Suzhou Institute for Advanced Research, University of Science and Technology of China, Suzhou, China
| | - Lin Jin
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of the Chinese Academy of Sciences-Key Laboratory of Bioactive Peptides of Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China
| | - Min Zhang
- Division of Biotechnology, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yunsong Wu
- Division of Biotechnology, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zilei Duan
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of the Chinese Academy of Sciences-Key Laboratory of Bioactive Peptides of Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China
| | - Yaqiong Guo
- Division of Biotechnology, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian, China
| | - Chaoming Wang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of the Chinese Academy of Sciences-Key Laboratory of Bioactive Peptides of Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China
| | - Yingqi Guo
- Core Technology Facility of Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China
| | - Wenwen Chen
- Division of Biotechnology, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian, China
| | - Zhiyi Liao
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of the Chinese Academy of Sciences-Key Laboratory of Bioactive Peptides of Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China
| | - Yaqing Wang
- Division of Biotechnology, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian, China
| | - Ren Lai
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of the Chinese Academy of Sciences-Key Laboratory of Bioactive Peptides of Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China.
| | - Luke P Lee
- Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
- Department of Bioengineering, Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA.
- Institute of Quantum Biophysics, Department of Biophysics, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, Korea.
| | - Jianhua Qin
- Division of Biotechnology, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian, China.
- University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China.
- Suzhou Institute for Advanced Research, University of Science and Technology of China, Suzhou, China.
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
- Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
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23
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Babkina AS, Yadgarov MY, Lyubomudrov MA, Ostrova IV, Volkov AV, Kuzovlev AN, Grechko AV, Golubev AM. Morphologic Findings in the Cerebral Cortex in COVID-19: Association of Microglial Changes with Clinical and Demographic Variables. Biomedicines 2023; 11:biomedicines11051407. [PMID: 37239078 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11051407] [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: 03/28/2023] [Revised: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/06/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite the enormous interest in COVID-19, there is no clear understanding of the mechanisms underlying the neurological symptoms in COVID-19. Microglia have been hypothesized to be a potential mediator of the neurological manifestations associated with COVID-19. In most existing studies to date, morphological changes in internal organs, including the brain, are considered in isolation from clinical data and defined as a consequence of COVID-19. We performed histological immunohistochemical (IHC) studies of brain autopsy materials of 18 patients who had died from COVID-19. We evaluated the relationship of microglial changes with the clinical and demographic characteristics of the patients. The results revealed neuronal alterations and circulatory disturbances. We found an inverse correlation between the integral density Iba-1 (microglia/macrophage-specific marker) IHC staining and the duration of the disease (R = -0.81, p = 0.001), which may indicate a reduced activity of microglia and do not exclude their damage in the long-term course of COVID-19. The integral density of Iba-1 IHC staining was not associated with other clinical and demographic factors. We observed a significantly higher number of microglial cells in close contact with neurons in female patients, which confirms gender differences in the course of the disease, indicating the need to study the disease from the standpoint of personalized medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anastasiya S Babkina
- Federal Research and Clinical Center of Intensive Care Medicine and Rehabilitology, Moscow 107031, Russia
| | - Mikhail Ya Yadgarov
- Federal Research and Clinical Center of Intensive Care Medicine and Rehabilitology, Moscow 107031, Russia
| | - Maxim A Lyubomudrov
- Federal Research and Clinical Center of Intensive Care Medicine and Rehabilitology, Moscow 107031, Russia
| | - Irina V Ostrova
- Federal Research and Clinical Center of Intensive Care Medicine and Rehabilitology, Moscow 107031, Russia
| | - Alexey V Volkov
- Department of Pathological Anatomy, Institute of Medicine, Peoples' Friendship University of Russia, Moscow 117198, Russia
| | - Artem N Kuzovlev
- Federal Research and Clinical Center of Intensive Care Medicine and Rehabilitology, Moscow 107031, Russia
| | - Andrey V Grechko
- Federal Research and Clinical Center of Intensive Care Medicine and Rehabilitology, Moscow 107031, Russia
| | - Arkady M Golubev
- Federal Research and Clinical Center of Intensive Care Medicine and Rehabilitology, Moscow 107031, Russia
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24
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Thakur A, Liang L, Banerjee S, Zhang K. Single-Cell Transcriptomics Reveals Evidence of Endothelial Dysfunction in the Brains of COVID-19 Patients with Implications for Glioblastoma Progression. Brain Sci 2023; 13:brainsci13050762. [PMID: 37239234 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci13050762] [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: 04/01/2023] [Revised: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Endothelial dysfunction is implicated in various inflammatory diseases such as ischemic stroke, heart attack, organ failure, and COVID-19. Recent studies have shown that endothelial dysfunction in the brain is attributed to excessive inflammatory responses caused by the SARS-CoV-2 infection, leading to increased permeability of the blood-brain barrier and consequently neurological damage. Here, we aim to examine the single-cell transcriptomic landscape of endothelial dysfunction in COVID-19 and its implications for glioblastoma (GBM) progression. METHODS Single-cell transcriptome data GSE131928 and GSE159812 were obtained from the gene expression omnibus (GEO) to analyze the expression profiles of key players in innate immunity and inflammation between brain endothelial dysfunction caused by COVID-19 and GBM progression. RESULTS Single-cell transcriptomic analysis of the brain of COVID-19 patients revealed that endothelial cells had undergone significant transcriptomic changes, with several genes involved in immune responses and inflammation upregulated. Moreover, transcription factors were observed to modulate this inflammation, including interferon-regulated genes. CONCLUSIONS The results indicate a significant overlap between COVID-19 and GBM in the context of endothelial dysfunction, suggesting that there may be an endothelial dysfunction link connecting severe SARS-CoV-2 infection in the brain to GBM progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abhimanyu Thakur
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine and Health, Hong Kong Institute of Science and Innovation-CAS Limited, Hong Kong 999077, China
| | - Lifan Liang
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15206, USA
| | - Sourav Banerjee
- Department of Cellular and Systems Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 9SY, UK
| | - Kui Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, College of Sericulture, Textile and Biomass Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400716, China
- Cancer Centre, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, Chongqing 400716, China
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25
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Dutta D, Liu J, Xiong H. The Impact of COVID-19 on People Living with HIV-1 and HIV-1-Associated Neurological Complications. Viruses 2023; 15:1117. [PMID: 37243203 PMCID: PMC10223371 DOI: 10.3390/v15051117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2023] [Revised: 05/01/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the causative pathogen of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, a fatal respiratory illness. The associated risk factors for COVID-19 are old age and medical comorbidities. In the current combined antiretroviral therapy (cART) era, a significant portion of people living with HIV-1 (PLWH) with controlled viremia is older and with comorbidities, making these people vulnerable to SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19-associated severe outcomes. Additionally, SARS-CoV-2 is neurotropic and causes neurological complications, resulting in a health burden and an adverse impact on PLWH and exacerbating HIV-1-associated neurocognitive disorder (HAND). The impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 severity on neuroinflammation, the development of HAND and preexisting HAND is poorly explored. In the present review, we compiled the current knowledge of differences and similarities between SARS-CoV-2 and HIV-1, the conditions of the SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 and HIV-1/AIDS syndemic and their impact on the central nervous system (CNS). Risk factors of COVID-19 on PLWH and neurological manifestations, inflammatory mechanisms leading to the neurological syndrome, the development of HAND, and its influence on preexisting HAND are also discussed. Finally, we have reviewed the challenges of the present syndemic on the world population, with a particular emphasis on PLWH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Debashis Dutta
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Neuroscience, College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-5880, USA
| | | | - Huangui Xiong
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Neuroscience, College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-5880, USA
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Deng L, Ding L, Duan X, Peng Y. Shared molecular signatures between coronavirus infection and neurodegenerative diseases provide targets for broad-spectrum drug development. Sci Rep 2023; 13:5457. [PMID: 37015947 PMCID: PMC10071237 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-29778-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2022] [Accepted: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 04/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Growing evidences have suggested the association between coronavirus infection and neurodegenerative diseases. However, the molecular mechanism behind the association is complex and remains to be clarified. This study integrated human genes involved in infections of three coronaviruses including SARS-CoV-2, SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV from multi-omics data, and investigated the shared genes and molecular functions between coronavirus infection and two neurodegenerative diseases, namely Alzheimer's Disease (AD) and Parkinson's Disease (PD). Seven genes including HSP90AA1, ALDH2, CAV1, COMT, MTOR, IGF2R and HSPA1A, and several inflammation and stress response-related molecular functions such as MAPK signaling pathway, NF-kappa B signaling pathway, responses to oxidative or chemical stress were common to both coronavirus infection and neurodegenerative diseases. These genes were further found to interact with more than 20 other viruses. Finally, drugs targeting these genes were identified. The study would not only help clarify the molecular mechanism behind the association between coronavirus infection and neurodegenerative diseases, but also provide novel targets for the development of broad-spectrum drugs against both coronaviruses and neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Deng
- Internal Medicine-Neurology, The Third Hospital of Changsha, Changsha, 410015, China
| | - Ling Ding
- Internal Medicine-Neurology, The Third Hospital of Changsha, Changsha, 410015, China
| | - Xianlai Duan
- Internal Medicine-Neurology, The Third Hospital of Changsha, Changsha, 410015, China.
| | - Yousong Peng
- Bioinformatics Center, College of Biology, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Virology, Hunan University, Changsha, 410082, China.
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Liu JF, Peng WJ, Wu Y, Yang YH, Wu SF, Liu DP, Liu JN, Yang JT. Proteomic and phosphoproteomic characteristics of the cortex, hippocampus, thalamus, lung, and kidney in COVID-19-infected female K18-hACE2 mice. EBioMedicine 2023; 90:104518. [PMID: 36933413 PMCID: PMC10017276 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2023.104518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2022] [Revised: 02/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neurological damage caused by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has attracted increasing attention. Recently, through autopsies of patients with COVID-19, the direct identification of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in their central nervous system (CNS) has been reported, indicating that SARS-CoV-2 might directly attack the CNS. The need to prevent COVID-19-induced severe injuries and potential sequelae is urgent, requiring the elucidation of large-scale molecular mechanisms in vivo. METHODS In this study, we performed liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry-based proteomic and phosphoproteomic analyses of the cortex, hippocampus, thalamus, lungs, and kidneys of SARS-CoV-2-infected K18-hACE2 female mice. We then performed comprehensive bioinformatic analyses, including differential analyses, functional enrichment, and kinase prediction, to identify key molecules involved in COVID-19. FINDINGS We found that the cortex had higher viral loads than did the lungs, and the kidneys did not have SARS-COV-2. After SARS-CoV-2 infection, RIG-I-associated virus recognition, antigen processing and presentation, and complement and coagulation cascades were activated to different degrees in all five organs, especially the lungs. The infected cortex exhibited disorders of multiple organelles and biological processes, including dysregulated spliceosome, ribosome, peroxisome, proteasome, endosome, and mitochondrial oxidative respiratory chain. The hippocampus and thalamus had fewer disorders than did the cortex; however, hyperphosphorylation of Mapt/Tau, which may contribute to neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease, was found in all three brain regions. Moreover, SARS-CoV-2-induced elevation of human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (hACE2) was observed in the lungs and kidneys, but not in the three brain regions. Although the virus was not detected, the kidneys expressed high levels of hACE2 and exhibited obvious functional dysregulation after infection. This indicates that SARS-CoV-2 can cause tissue infections or damage via complicated routes. Thus, the treatment of COVID-19 requires a multipronged approach. INTERPRETATION This study provides observations and in vivo datasets for COVID-19-associated proteomic and phosphoproteomic alterations in multiple organs, especially cerebral tissues, of K18-hACE2 mice. In mature drug databases, the differentially expressed proteins and predicted kinases in this study can be used as baits to identify candidate therapeutic drugs for COVID-19. This study can serve as a solid resource for the scientific community. The data in this manuscript will serve as a starting point for future research on COVID-19-associated encephalopathy. FUNDING This study was supported by grants from the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Innovation Fund for Medical Sciences, the National Natural Science Foundation of China, and the Natural Science Foundation of Beijing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiang-Feng Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100005, China
| | - Wan-Jun Peng
- NHC Key Laboratory of Human Disease Comparative Medicine, Beijing Key Laboratory for Animal Models of Emerging and Remerging Infectious Diseases, Institute of Laboratory Animal Science, CAMS and Comparative Medicine Center, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100021, China
| | - Yue Wu
- School of Statistics and Data Science, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Ye-Hong Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100005, China
| | - Song-Feng Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, Beijing Proteome Research Center, National Center for Protein Sciences (Beijing), Research Unit of Proteomics & Research and Development of New Drug of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Institute of Lifeomics, Beijing 102206, China
| | - De-Pei Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100005, China.
| | - Jiang-Ning Liu
- NHC Key Laboratory of Human Disease Comparative Medicine, Beijing Key Laboratory for Animal Models of Emerging and Remerging Infectious Diseases, Institute of Laboratory Animal Science, CAMS and Comparative Medicine Center, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100021, China.
| | - Jun-Tao Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100005, China.
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Theoharides TC, Kempuraj D. Role of SARS-CoV-2 Spike-Protein-Induced Activation of Microglia and Mast Cells in the Pathogenesis of Neuro-COVID. Cells 2023; 12:688. [PMID: 36899824 PMCID: PMC10001285 DOI: 10.3390/cells12050688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2023] [Revised: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). About 45% of COVID-19 patients experience several symptoms a few months after the initial infection and develop post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 (PASC), referred to as "Long-COVID," characterized by persistent physical and mental fatigue. However, the exact pathogenetic mechanisms affecting the brain are still not well-understood. There is increasing evidence of neurovascular inflammation in the brain. However, the precise role of the neuroinflammatory response that contributes to the disease severity of COVID-19 and long COVID pathogenesis is not clearly understood. Here, we review the reports that the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein can cause blood-brain barrier (BBB) dysfunction and damage neurons either directly, or via activation of brain mast cells and microglia and the release of various neuroinflammatory molecules. Moreover, we provide recent evidence that the novel flavanol eriodictyol is particularly suited for development as an effective treatment alone or together with oleuropein and sulforaphane (ViralProtek®), all of which have potent anti-viral and anti-inflammatory actions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theoharis C. Theoharides
- Institute for Neuro-Immune Medicine, Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33328, USA
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunopharmacology and Drug Discovery, Department of Immunology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02111, USA
| | - Duraisamy Kempuraj
- Institute for Neuro-Immune Medicine, Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33328, USA
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29
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Fernandes de Souza WD, da Fonseca DM, Sartori A. COVID-19 and Multiple Sclerosis: A Complex Relationship Possibly Aggravated by Low Vitamin D Levels. Cells 2023; 12:cells12050684. [PMID: 36899820 PMCID: PMC10000583 DOI: 10.3390/cells12050684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2022] [Revised: 01/21/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is an exceptionally transmissible and pathogenic coronavirus that appeared at the end of 2019 and triggered a pandemic of acute respiratory disease, known as coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). COVID-19 can evolve into a severe disease associated with immediate and delayed sequelae in different organs, including the central nervous system (CNS). A topic that deserves attention in this context is the complex relationship between SARS-CoV-2 infection and multiple sclerosis (MS). Here, we initially described the clinical and immunopathogenic characteristics of these two illnesses, accentuating the fact that COVID-19 can, in defined patients, reach the CNS, the target tissue of the MS autoimmune process. The well-known contribution of viral agents such as the Epstein-Barr virus and the postulated participation of SARS-CoV-2 as a risk factor for the triggering or worsening of MS are then described. We emphasize the contribution of vitamin D in this scenario, considering its relevance in the susceptibility, severity and control of both pathologies. Finally, we discuss the experimental animal models that could be explored to better understand the complex interplay of these two diseases, including the possible use of vitamin D as an adjunct immunomodulator to treat them.
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Affiliation(s)
- William Danilo Fernandes de Souza
- Department of Chemical and Biological Sciences, Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu 18618-689, Brazil
- Correspondence:
| | - Denise Morais da Fonseca
- Laboratory of Mucosal Immunology, Department of Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, São Paulo 05508-000, Brazil
| | - Alexandrina Sartori
- Department of Chemical and Biological Sciences, Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu 18618-689, Brazil
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30
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Carpenter KC, Yang J, Xu JJ. Animal Models for the Study of Neurologic Manifestations Of COVID-19. Comp Med 2023; 73:91-103. [PMID: 36744556 PMCID: PMC9948905 DOI: 10.30802/aalas-cm-22-000073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the cause of the worldwide coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, has infected an estimated 525 million people with over 6 million deaths. Although COVID-19 is primarily a respiratory disease, an escalating number of neurologic symptoms have been reported in humans. Some neurologic symptoms, such as loss of smell or taste, are mild. However, other symptoms, such as meningoencephalitis or stroke, are potentially fatal. Along with surveys and postmortem evaluations on humans, scientists worked with several animal species to try to elucidate the causes of neurologic symptoms. Neurologic sequelae remain challenging to study due to the complexity of the nervous system and difficulties in identification and quantification of neurologic signs. We reviewed animal models used in the study of neurologic COVID-19, specifically research in mice, hamsters, ferrets, and nonhuman primates. We summarized findings on the presence and pathologic effects of SARS-CoV-2 on the nervous system. Given the need to increase understanding of COVID-19 and its effects on the nervous system, scientists must strive to obtain new information from animals to reduce mortality and morbidity with neurologic complications in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelsey C Carpenter
- Division of Laboratory Animal Resources, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan;,
| | - Jibing Yang
- Center for Comparative Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Jiajie J Xu
- Division of Animal Resources, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, Illinois
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31
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Villadiego J, García-Arriaza J, Ramírez-Lorca R, García-Swinburn R, Cabello-Rivera D, Rosales-Nieves AE, Álvarez-Vergara MI, Cala-Fernández F, García-Roldán E, López-Ogáyar JL, Zamora C, Astorgano D, Albericio G, Pérez P, Muñoz-Cabello AM, Pascual A, Esteban M, López-Barneo J, Toledo-Aral JJ. Full protection from SARS-CoV-2 brain infection and damage in susceptible transgenic mice conferred by MVA-CoV2-S vaccine candidate. Nat Neurosci 2023; 26:226-238. [PMID: 36624276 DOI: 10.1038/s41593-022-01242-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 have been shown to be safe and effective but their protective efficacy against infection in the brain is yet unclear. Here, in the susceptible transgenic K18-hACE2 mouse model of severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), we report a spatiotemporal description of SARS-CoV-2 infection and replication through the brain. SARS-CoV-2 brain replication occurs primarily in neurons, leading to neuronal loss, signs of glial activation and vascular damage in mice infected with SARS-CoV-2. One or two doses of a modified vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA) vector expressing the SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) protein (MVA-CoV2-S) conferred full protection against SARS-CoV-2 cerebral infection, preventing virus replication in all areas of the brain and its associated damage. This protection was maintained even after SARS-CoV-2 reinfection. These findings further support the use of MVA-CoV2-S as a promising vaccine candidate against SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier Villadiego
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla, Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío/Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas/Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain.
- Departamento de Fisiología Médica y Biofísica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain.
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Juan García-Arriaza
- Departamento de Biología Molecular y Celular, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Madrid, Spain.
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Reposo Ramírez-Lorca
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla, Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío/Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas/Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain
- Departamento de Fisiología Médica y Biofísica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Roberto García-Swinburn
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla, Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío/Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas/Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain
- Departamento de Fisiología Médica y Biofísica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Daniel Cabello-Rivera
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla, Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío/Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas/Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain
- Departamento de Fisiología Médica y Biofísica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas, Madrid, Spain
| | - Alicia E Rosales-Nieves
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla, Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío/Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas/Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas, Madrid, Spain
| | - María I Álvarez-Vergara
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla, Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío/Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas/Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Fernando Cala-Fernández
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla, Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío/Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas/Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Ernesto García-Roldán
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla, Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío/Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas/Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Juan L López-Ogáyar
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla, Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío/Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas/Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Carmen Zamora
- Departamento de Biología Molecular y Celular, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Madrid, Spain
| | - David Astorgano
- Departamento de Biología Molecular y Celular, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Madrid, Spain
| | - Guillermo Albericio
- Departamento de Biología Molecular y Celular, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Madrid, Spain
| | - Patricia Pérez
- Departamento de Biología Molecular y Celular, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana M Muñoz-Cabello
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla, Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío/Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas/Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain
- Departamento de Fisiología Médica y Biofísica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas, Madrid, Spain
| | - Alberto Pascual
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla, Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío/Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas/Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas, Madrid, Spain
| | - Mariano Esteban
- Departamento de Biología Molecular y Celular, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Madrid, Spain
| | - José López-Barneo
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla, Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío/Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas/Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain
- Departamento de Fisiología Médica y Biofísica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas, Madrid, Spain
| | - Juan José Toledo-Aral
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla, Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío/Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas/Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain.
- Departamento de Fisiología Médica y Biofísica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain.
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas, Madrid, Spain.
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Balasubramanian N, James TD, Selvakumar GP, Reinhardt J, Marcinkiewcz CA. Repeated ethanol exposure and withdrawal alters angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 expression in discrete brain regions: Implications for SARS-CoV-2 neuroinvasion. ALCOHOL, CLINICAL & EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 47:219-239. [PMID: 36529893 PMCID: PMC9878009 DOI: 10.1111/acer.15000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2022] [Revised: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND People with alcohol use disorder (AUD) may be at higher risk for COVID-19. Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and transmembrane serine protease 2 (TMPRSS2) are required for cellular entry by SARS-CoV-2, but information on their expression in specific brain regions after alcohol exposure is limited. We sought to clarify how chronic alcohol exposure affects ACE2 expression in monoaminergic brainstem circuits and other putative SARS-CoV-2 entry points. METHODS Brains were examined for ACE2 using immunofluorescence after 4 weeks of chronic intermittent ethanol (CIE) vapor inhalation. We also examined TMPRSS2, Cathepsin L, and ADAM17 by Western blot and RAS pathway mediators and pro-inflammatory markers via RT-qPCR. RESULTS ACE2 was increased in most brain regions following CIE including the olfactory bulb (OB), hypothalamus (HT), raphe magnus (RMG), raphe obscurus (ROB), locus coeruleus (LC), and periaqueductal gray (PAG). We also observed increased colocalization of ACE2 with monoaminergic neurons in brainstem nuclei. Moreover, soluble ACE2 (sACE2) was elevated in OB, HT, and LC. The increase in sACE2 in OB and HT was accompanied by upregulation of ADAM17, an ACE2 sheddase, while TMPRSS2 increased in HT and LC. Cathepsin L, an endosomal receptor involved in viral entry, was also increased in OB. Alcohol can increase Angiotensin II, which triggers a pro-inflammatory response that may upregulate ACE2 via activation of RAS pathway receptors AT1R/AT2R. ACE2 then metabolizes Angiotensin II to Angiotensin (1-7) and provokes an anti-inflammatory response via MAS1. Accordingly, we report that AT1R/AT2R mRNA decreased in OB and increased in the LC, while MAS1 mRNA increased in both OB and LC. Other mRNAs for pro-inflammatory markers were also dysregulated in OB, HT, raphe, and LC. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that alcohol triggers a compensatory upregulation of ACE2 in the brain due to disturbed RAS and may increase the risk or severity of SARS-CoV-2 infection.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Thomas D James
- Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
| | | | - Jessica Reinhardt
- Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
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Lamptey RNL, Sun C, Layek B, Singh J. Neurogenic Hypertension, the Blood-Brain Barrier, and the Potential Role of Targeted Nanotherapeutics. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24032213. [PMID: 36768536 PMCID: PMC9916775 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24032213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Revised: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Hypertension is a major health concern globally. Elevated blood pressure, initiated and maintained by the brain, is defined as neurogenic hypertension (NH), which accounts for nearly half of all hypertension cases. A significant increase in angiotensin II-mediated sympathetic nervous system activity within the brain is known to be the key driving force behind NH. Blood pressure control in NH has been demonstrated through intracerebrovascular injection of agents that reduce the sympathetic influence on cardiac functions. However, traditional antihypertensive agents lack effective brain permeation, making NH management extremely challenging. Therefore, developing strategies that allow brain-targeted delivery of antihypertensives at the therapeutic level is crucial. Targeting nanotherapeutics have become popular in delivering therapeutics to hard-to-reach regions of the body, including the brain. Despite the frequent use of nanotherapeutics in other pathological conditions such as cancer, their use in hypertension has received very little attention. This review discusses the underlying pathophysiology and current management strategies for NH, as well as the potential role of targeted therapeutics in improving current treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Buddhadev Layek
- Correspondence: (B.L.); (J.S.); Tel.: +1-701-231-7906 (B.L.); +1-701-231-7943 (J.S.); Fax: +1-701-231-8333 (B.L. & J.S.)
| | - Jagdish Singh
- Correspondence: (B.L.); (J.S.); Tel.: +1-701-231-7906 (B.L.); +1-701-231-7943 (J.S.); Fax: +1-701-231-8333 (B.L. & J.S.)
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34
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Pinto MA, da Silva ADS, Rodrigues DDRF, Müller R, de Vasconcelos GALBM, Neves PCDC, de Oliveira JM, Marchevsky RS. Animal models and SARS-CoV-2-induced pulmonary and neurological injuries. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 2023; 117:e220239. [PMID: 36700583 PMCID: PMC9870265 DOI: 10.1590/0074-02760220239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Laboratory animals are essential mainly for experiments aiming to study pathogenesis and evaluate antivirals and vaccines against emerging human infectious diseases. Preclinical studies of coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) pathogenesis have used several animal species as models: transgenic human ACE2 mice (K18 mice), inbred BALB/c or C57BL/6N mice, ferrets, minks, domestic cats and dogs, hamsters, and macaques. However, the choice of an animal model relies on several limitations. Besides the host susceptibility, the researcher's experience with animal model management and the correct interpretation of clinical and laboratory records are crucial to succeed in preclinical translational research. Here, we summarise pathological and clinical findings correlated with virological data and immunological changes observed from severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) experimental infections using different well-established SARS-CoV-2 animal model species. This essay aims to critically evaluate the current state of animal model translation to clinical data, as described in the human SARS-CoV-2 infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcelo Alves Pinto
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Laboratório de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico em Virologia, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil,+ Corresponding author:
| | - Alexandre dos Santos da Silva
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Laboratório de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico em Virologia, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
| | | | - Rodrigo Müller
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Instituto de Tecnologia em Imunobiológicos, Laboratório de Experimentação Animal, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
| | | | - Patrícia Cristina da Costa Neves
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Instituto de Tecnologia em Imunobiológicos, Vice-Diretoria de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico, Laboratório de Tecnologia Imunológica, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
| | - Jaqueline Mendes de Oliveira
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Laboratório de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico em Virologia, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
| | - Renato Sergio Marchevsky
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Instituto de Tecnologia em Imunobiológicos, Laboratório de Neurovirulência, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
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Bremer J, Friemann J, von Stillfried S, Boor P, Weis J. Reduced T-cell densities in cranial nerves of patients who died with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2023; 11:10. [PMID: 36641524 PMCID: PMC9839948 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-022-01502-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Juliane Bremer
- grid.412301.50000 0000 8653 1507Institute of Neuropathology, Uniklinik RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Johannes Friemann
- grid.500061.20000 0004 0390 4873Institute of Pathology, Märkische Kliniken GmbH, Klinikum Lüdenscheid, Lüdenscheid, Germany
| | - Saskia von Stillfried
- grid.412301.50000 0000 8653 1507Institute of Pathology, Uniklinik RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Peter Boor
- grid.412301.50000 0000 8653 1507Institute of Pathology, Uniklinik RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Joachim Weis
- grid.412301.50000 0000 8653 1507Institute of Neuropathology, Uniklinik RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
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36
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Deng L, Fu P, Ding L, Duan X, Feng S, Peng Y. Virome analysis provides new insights into the association between viruses and Parkinson's disease. J Med Virol 2023; 95:e28111. [PMID: 36042689 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.28111] [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: 08/05/2022] [Accepted: 08/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a kind of neurodegenerative disease that causes a huge burden to society. Previous studies have suggested the association between PD and multiple viruses. However, there is still a lack of a virome study about PD. This study systematically identified viruses from the public RNA-sequencing data of more than 700 samples from both PD patients and the control group (most were healthy people). Only nine viruses such as human betaherpesvirus 5 and Merkel cell polyomavirus have been detected in several human brain tissues of the central nervous system, the appendix, and blood of PD patients, and all of these viruses were also detected in the control group. Most viruses were observed to have low abundance in no more than three tissues. No statistically significant differences were observed between the virus abundance in the PD patients and the control group for all viruses. The positive rates of most viruses in PD patients were higher or similar to that in the control group, although those were less than 5% for most viruses. Overall, this is the first study to systematically investigate the virome in PD patients, and provides new insights into the association between viruses and PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Deng
- Department of Internal Medicine-Neurology, The Third Hospital of Changsha, Changsha, China
| | - Ping Fu
- Bioinformatics Center, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Virology, College of Biology, Hunan University, Changsha, China
| | - Ling Ding
- Department of Internal Medicine-Neurology, The Third Hospital of Changsha, Changsha, China
| | - Xianlai Duan
- Department of Internal Medicine-Neurology, The Third Hospital of Changsha, Changsha, China
| | - Song Feng
- Network Information Center, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yousong Peng
- Bioinformatics Center, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Virology, College of Biology, Hunan University, Changsha, China
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LaFever BJ, Imamura F. Effects of nasal inflammation on the olfactory bulb. J Neuroinflammation 2022; 19:294. [PMID: 36494744 PMCID: PMC9733073 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-022-02657-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Sinonasal diseases, such as rhinosinusitis, affect up to 12% of individuals each year which constitutes these diseases as some of the most common medical conditions in the world. Exposure to environmental pathogens and toxicants via the nasal cavity can result in a severe inflammatory state commonly observed in these conditions. It is well understood that the epithelial and neuronal cells lining the olfactory mucosa, including olfactory sensory neurons (OSNs), are significantly damaged in these diseases. Prolonged inflammation of the nasal cavity may also lead to hyposmia or anosmia. Although various environmental agents induce inflammation in different ways via distinct cellular and molecular interactions, nasal inflammation has similar consequences on the structure and homeostatic function of the olfactory bulb (OB) which is the first relay center for olfactory information in the brain. Atrophy of the OB occurs via thinning of the superficial OB layers including the olfactory nerve layer, glomerular layer, and superficial external plexiform layer. Intrabulbar circuits of the OB which include connectivity between OB projection neurons, OSNs, and interneurons become significantly dysregulated in which synaptic pruning and dendritic retraction take place. Furthermore, glial cells and other immune cells become hyperactivated and induce a state of inflammation in the OB which results in upregulated cytokine production. Moreover, many of these features of nasal inflammation are present in the case of SARS-CoV-2 infection. This review summarizes the impact of nasal inflammation on the morphological and physiological features of the rodent OB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brandon J. LaFever
- grid.240473.60000 0004 0543 9901Department of Pharmacology, Penn State College of Medicine, 500 University Dr., Hershey, PA 17033 USA
| | - Fumiaki Imamura
- grid.240473.60000 0004 0543 9901Department of Pharmacology, Penn State College of Medicine, 500 University Dr., Hershey, PA 17033 USA
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38
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Ong WY, Satish RL, Herr DR. ACE2, Circumventricular Organs and the Hypothalamus, and COVID-19. Neuromolecular Med 2022; 24:363-373. [PMID: 35451691 PMCID: PMC9023728 DOI: 10.1007/s12017-022-08706-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 03/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
The SARS-CoV-2 virus gains entry to cells by binding to angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). Since circumventricular organs and parts of the hypothalamus lack a blood-brain barrier, and immunohistochemical studies demonstrate that ACE2 is highly expressed in circumventricular organs which are intimately connected to the hypothalamus, and the hypothalamus itself, these might be easy entry points for SARS-CoV-2 into the brain via the circulation. High ACE2 protein expression is found in the subfornical organ, area postrema, and the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVH). The subfornical organ and PVH are parts of a circuit to regulate osmolarity in the blood, through the secretion of anti-diuretic hormone into the posterior pituitary. The PVH is also the stress response centre in the brain. It controls not only pre-ganglionic sympathetic neurons, but is also a source of corticotropin-releasing hormone, that induces the secretion of adrenocorticotropic hormone from the anterior pituitary. It is proposed that the function of ACE2 in the circumventricular organs and the PVH could be diminished by binding with SARS-CoV-2, thus leading to a reduction in the ACE2/Ang (1-7)/Mas receptor (MasR) signalling axis, that modulates ACE/Ang II/AT1R signalling. This could result in increased presympathetic activity/neuroendocrine secretion from the PVH, and effects on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis activity. Besides the bloodstream, the hypothalamus might also be affected by SARS-CoV-2 via transneuronal spread along the olfactory/limbic pathways. Exploring potential therapeutic pathways to prevent or attenuate neurological symptoms of COVID-19, including drugs which modulate ACE signalling, remains an important area of unmet medical need.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Yi Ong
- Department of Anatomy, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 119260, Singapore.
- Neurobiology Research Programme, Life Sciences Institute, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 119260, Singapore.
| | - R L Satish
- Department of Anatomy, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 119260, Singapore
| | - Deron R Herr
- Department of Pharmacology, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 119260, Singapore
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De Vlieger L, Vandenbroucke RE, Van Hoecke L. Recent insights into viral infections as a trigger and accelerator in alzheimer's disease. Drug Discov Today 2022; 27:103340. [PMID: 35987492 PMCID: PMC9385395 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2022.103340] [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: 03/16/2022] [Revised: 07/08/2022] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder for which only symptomatic medication is available, except for the recently FDA-approved aducanumab. This lack of effective treatment urges us to investigate alternative paths that might contribute to disease development. In light of the recent SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and the disturbing neurological complications seen in some patients, it is desirable to (re)investigate the viability of the viral infection theory claiming that a microbe could affect AD initiation and/or progression. Here, we review the most important evidence for this theory with a special focus on two viruses, namely HSV-1 and SARS-CoV-2. Moreover, we discuss the possible involvement of extracellular vesicles (EVs). This overview will contribute to a more rational approach of potential treatment strategies for AD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lize De Vlieger
- Barriers in Inflammation Lab, VIB Center for Inflammation Research, Ghent, Belgium; Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Roosmarijn E Vandenbroucke
- Barriers in Inflammation Lab, VIB Center for Inflammation Research, Ghent, Belgium; Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Lien Van Hoecke
- Barriers in Inflammation Lab, VIB Center for Inflammation Research, Ghent, Belgium; Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
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40
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Ueha R, Ito T, Ueha S, Furukawa R, Kitabatake M, Ouji-Sageshima N, Uranaka T, Tanaka H, Nishijima H, Kondo K, Yamasoba T. Evidence for the spread of SARS-CoV-2 and olfactory cell lineage impairment in close-contact infection Syrian hamster models. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:1019723. [PMCID: PMC9634532 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.1019723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Objectives Close contact with patients with COVID-19 is speculated to be the most common cause of viral transmission, but the pathogenesis of COVID-19 by close contact remains to be elucidated. In addition, despite olfactory impairment being a unique complication of COVID-19, the impact of SARS-CoV-2 on the olfactory cell lineage has not been fully validated. This study aimed to elucidate close-contact viral transmission to the nose and lungs and to investigate the temporal damage in the olfactory receptor neuron (ORN) lineage caused by SARS-CoV-2. Methods Syrian hamsters were orally administered SARS-CoV-2 nonvariant nCoV-19/JPN/TY/WK521/2020 as direct-infection models. On day 3 after inoculation, infected and uninfected hamsters were housed in the same cage for 30 minutes. These uninfected hamsters were subsequently assigned to a close-contact group. First, viral presence in the nose and lungs was verified in the infection and close-contact groups at several time points. Next, the impacts on the olfactory epithelium, including olfactory progenitors, immature ORNs, and mature ORNs were examined histologically. Then, the viral transmission status and chronological changes in tissue damage were compared between the direct-infection and close-contact groups. Results In the close-contact group, viral presence could not be detected in both the nose and lungs on day 3, and the virus was identified in both tissues on day 7. In the direct-infection group, the viral load was highest in the nose and lungs on day 3, decreased on day 7, and was no longer detectable on day 14. Histologically, in the direct-infection group, mature ORNs were most depleted on day 3 (p <0.001) and showed a recovery trend on day 14, with similar trends for olfactory progenitors and immature ORNs. In the close-contact group, there was no obvious tissue damage on day 3, but on day 7, the number of all ORN lineage cells significantly decreased (p <0.001). Conclusion SARS-CoV-2 was transmitted even after brief contact and subsequent olfactory epithelium and lung damage occurred more than 3 days after the trigger of infection. The present study also indicated that SARS-CoV-2 damages all ORN lineage cells, but this damage can begin to recover approximately 14 days post infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rumi Ueha
- Swallowing Center, The University of Tokyo Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- *Correspondence: Rumi Ueha, ;
| | - Toshihiro Ito
- Department of Immunology, Nara Medical University, Nara, Japan
| | - Satoshi Ueha
- Division of Molecular Regulation of Inflammatory and Immune Diseases, Research Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Tokyo University of Science, Chiba, Japan
| | | | | | | | - Tsukasa Uranaka
- Department of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hirotaka Tanaka
- Department of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, The Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hironobu Nishijima
- Department of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kenji Kondo
- Department of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tatsuya Yamasoba
- Department of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
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41
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Vanderheiden A, Klein RS. Neuroinflammation and COVID-19. Curr Opin Neurobiol 2022; 76:102608. [PMID: 35863101 PMCID: PMC9239981 DOI: 10.1016/j.conb.2022.102608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2022] [Revised: 06/19/2022] [Accepted: 06/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has caused a historic pandemic of respiratory disease. COVID-19 also causes acute and post-acute neurological symptoms, which range from mild, such as headaches, to severe, including hemorrhages. Current evidence suggests that there is no widespread infection of the central nervous system (CNS) by SARS-CoV-2, thus what is causing COVID-19 neurological disease? Here, we review potential immunological mechanisms driving neurological disease in COVID-19 patients. We begin by discussing the implications of imbalanced peripheral immunity on CNS function. Next, we examine the evidence for dysregulation of the blood-brain barrier during SARS-CoV-2 infection. Last, we discuss the role myeloid cells may play in promoting COVID-19 neurological disease. Combined, we highlight the role of innate immunity in COVID-19 neuroinflammation and suggest areas for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abigail Vanderheiden
- Center for Neuroimmunology and Neuroinfectious Diseases, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA,Departments of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Robyn S. Klein
- Center for Neuroimmunology and Neuroinfectious Diseases, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA,Departments of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA,Departments of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA,Departments of Neurosciences, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA,Corresponding author: Klein, Robyn S. Center for Neuroimmunology and Neuroinfectious Diseases, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
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42
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Chen F, Chen Y, Wang Y, Ke Q, Cui L. The COVID-19 pandemic and Alzheimer’s disease: mutual risks and mechanisms. Transl Neurodegener 2022; 11:40. [PMID: 36089575 PMCID: PMC9464468 DOI: 10.1186/s40035-022-00316-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Accepted: 09/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), is a life-threatening disease, especially in elderly individuals and those with comorbidities. The predominant clinical manifestation of COVID-19 is respiratory dysfunction, while neurological presentations are increasingly being recognized. SARS-CoV-2 invades host cells primarily via attachment of the spike protein to the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor expressed on cell membranes. Patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) are more susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection and prone to severe clinical outcomes. Recent studies have revealed some common risk factors for AD and COVID-19. An understanding of the association between COVID-19 and AD and the potential related mechanisms may lead to the development of novel approaches to treating both diseases. In the present review, we first summarize the mechanisms by which SARS-CoV-2 invades the central nervous system (CNS) and then discuss the associations and potential shared key factors between COVID-19 and AD, with a focus on the ACE2 receptor, apolipoprotein E (APOE) genotype, age, and neuroinflammation.
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43
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Lachén-Montes M, Mendizuri N, Ausín K, Echaide M, Blanco E, Chocarro L, de Toro M, Escors D, Fernández-Irigoyen J, Kochan G, Santamaría E. Metabolic dyshomeostasis induced by SARS-CoV-2 structural proteins reveals immunological insights into viral olfactory interactions. Front Immunol 2022; 13:866564. [PMID: 36159830 PMCID: PMC9492993 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.866564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
One of the most common symptoms in COVID-19 is a sudden loss of smell. SARS-CoV-2 has been detected in the olfactory bulb (OB) from animal models and sporadically in COVID-19 patients. To decipher the specific role over the SARS-CoV-2 proteome at olfactory level, we characterized the in-depth molecular imbalance induced by the expression of GFP-tagged SARS-CoV-2 structural proteins (M, N, E, S) on mouse OB cells. Transcriptomic and proteomic trajectories uncovered a widespread metabolic remodeling commonly converging in extracellular matrix organization, lipid metabolism and signaling by receptor tyrosine kinases. The molecular singularities and specific interactome expression modules were also characterized for each viral structural factor. The intracellular molecular imbalance induced by each SARS-CoV-2 structural protein was accompanied by differential activation dynamics in survival and immunological routes in parallel with a differentiated secretion profile of chemokines in OB cells. Machine learning through a proteotranscriptomic data integration uncovered TGF-beta signaling as a confluent activation node by the SARS-CoV-2 structural proteome. Taken together, these data provide important avenues for understanding the multifunctional immunomodulatory properties of SARS-CoV-2 M, N, S and E proteins beyond their intrinsic role in virion formation, deciphering mechanistic clues to the olfactory inflammation observed in COVID-19 patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mercedes Lachén-Montes
- Clinical Neuroproteomics Unit, Navarrabiomed, Hospital Universitario de Navarra (HUN), Universidad Pública de Navarra (UPNA), Pamplona, Spain
- IdiSNA. Navarra Institute for Health Research, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Naroa Mendizuri
- Clinical Neuroproteomics Unit, Navarrabiomed, Hospital Universitario de Navarra (HUN), Universidad Pública de Navarra (UPNA), Pamplona, Spain
- IdiSNA. Navarra Institute for Health Research, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Karina Ausín
- IdiSNA. Navarra Institute for Health Research, Pamplona, Spain
- Proteomics Platform, Navarrabiomed, Hospital Universitario de Navarra (HUN), Universidad Pública de Navarra (UPNA), Pamplona, Spain
| | - Miriam Echaide
- IdiSNA. Navarra Institute for Health Research, Pamplona, Spain
- Oncoimmunology Unit, Navarrabiomed, Hospital Universitario de Navarra (HUN), Universidad Pública de Navarra (UPNA), Pamplona, Spain
| | - Ester Blanco
- IdiSNA. Navarra Institute for Health Research, Pamplona, Spain
- Oncoimmunology Unit, Navarrabiomed, Hospital Universitario de Navarra (HUN), Universidad Pública de Navarra (UPNA), Pamplona, Spain
| | - Luisa Chocarro
- IdiSNA. Navarra Institute for Health Research, Pamplona, Spain
- Oncoimmunology Unit, Navarrabiomed, Hospital Universitario de Navarra (HUN), Universidad Pública de Navarra (UPNA), Pamplona, Spain
| | - María de Toro
- Genomics and Bioinformatics Platform, Centro de Investigación Biomédica de La Rioja (CIBIR), Logroño, Spain
| | - David Escors
- IdiSNA. Navarra Institute for Health Research, Pamplona, Spain
- Oncoimmunology Unit, Navarrabiomed, Hospital Universitario de Navarra (HUN), Universidad Pública de Navarra (UPNA), Pamplona, Spain
| | - Joaquín Fernández-Irigoyen
- IdiSNA. Navarra Institute for Health Research, Pamplona, Spain
- Proteomics Platform, Navarrabiomed, Hospital Universitario de Navarra (HUN), Universidad Pública de Navarra (UPNA), Pamplona, Spain
| | - Grazyna Kochan
- IdiSNA. Navarra Institute for Health Research, Pamplona, Spain
- Oncoimmunology Unit, Navarrabiomed, Hospital Universitario de Navarra (HUN), Universidad Pública de Navarra (UPNA), Pamplona, Spain
| | - Enrique Santamaría
- Clinical Neuroproteomics Unit, Navarrabiomed, Hospital Universitario de Navarra (HUN), Universidad Pública de Navarra (UPNA), Pamplona, Spain
- IdiSNA. Navarra Institute for Health Research, Pamplona, Spain
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Maurya SK, Baghel MS, Gaurav, Chaudhary V, Kaushik A, Gautam A. Putative role of mitochondria in SARS-CoV-2 mediated brain dysfunctions: a prospect. Biotechnol Genet Eng Rev 2022:1-26. [PMID: 35934991 DOI: 10.1080/02648725.2022.2108998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the cause of the COVID-19 pandemic. Though the virus primarily damages the respiratory and cardiovascular systems after binding to the host angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptors, it has the potential to affect all major organ systems, including the human nervous system. There are multiple clinical reports of anosmia, dizziness, headache, nausea, ageusia, encephalitis, demyelination, neuropathy, memory loss, and neurological complications in SARS-CoV-2 infected individuals. Though the molecular mechanism of these brain dysfunctions during SARS-CoV-2 infection is elusive, the mitochondria seem to be an integral part of this pathogenesis. Emerging research findings suggest that the dysfunctional mitochondria and associated altered bioenergetics in the infected host cells lead to altered energy metabolism in the brain of Covid-19 patients. The interactome between viral proteins and mitochondrial proteins during Covid-19 pathogenesis also provides evidence for the involvement of mitochondria in SARS-CoV-2-induced brain dysfunctions. The present review discusses the possible role of mitochondria in disturbing the SARS-CoV-2 mediated brain functions, with the potential to use this information to prevent and treat these impairments.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Meghraj S Baghel
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Gaurav
- Department of Botany, Ramjas College, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
| | - Vishal Chaudhary
- Research Cell and Department of Physics, Bhagini Nivedita College, University of Delhi, New Delhi, India
| | - Ajeet Kaushik
- NanoBioTech Laboratory, Health System Engineering, Department ofEnvironmental Engineering, Florida Polytechnic University, Lakeland, FL, USA
| | - Akash Gautam
- Centre for Neural and Cognitive Sciences, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad, India
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45
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Serrano GE, Walker JE, Tremblay C, Piras IS, Huentelman MJ, Belden CM, Goldfarb D, Shprecher D, Atri A, Adler CH, Shill HA, Driver-Dunckley E, Mehta SH, Caselli R, Woodruff BK, Haarer CF, Ruhlen T, Torres M, Nguyen S, Schmitt D, Rapscak SZ, Bime C, Peters JL, Alevritis E, Arce RA, Glass MJ, Vargas D, Sue LI, Intorcia AJ, Nelson CM, Oliver J, Russell A, Suszczewicz KE, Borja CI, Cline MP, Hemmingsen SJ, Qiji S, Hobgood HM, Mizgerd JP, Sahoo MK, Zhang H, Solis D, Montine TJ, Berry GJ, Reiman EM, Röltgen K, Boyd SD, Pinsky BA, Zehnder JL, Talbot P, Desforges M, DeTure M, Dickson DW, Beach TG. SARS-CoV-2 Brain Regional Detection, Histopathology, Gene Expression, and Immunomodulatory Changes in Decedents with COVID-19. J Neuropathol Exp Neurol 2022; 81:666-695. [PMID: 35818336 PMCID: PMC9278252 DOI: 10.1093/jnen/nlac056] [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] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Brains of 42 COVID-19 decedents and 107 non-COVID-19 controls were studied. RT-PCR screening of 16 regions from 20 COVID-19 autopsies found SARS-CoV-2 E gene viral sequences in 7 regions (2.5% of 320 samples), concentrated in 4/20 subjects (20%). Additional screening of olfactory bulb (OB), amygdala (AMY) and entorhinal area for E, N1, N2, RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, and S gene sequences detected one or more of these in OB in 8/21 subjects (38%). It is uncertain whether these RNA sequences represent viable virus. Significant histopathology was limited to 2/42 cases (4.8%), one with a large acute cerebral infarct and one with hemorrhagic encephalitis. Case-control RNAseq in OB and AMY found more than 5000 and 700 differentially expressed genes, respectively, unrelated to RT-PCR results; these involved immune response, neuronal constituents, and olfactory/taste receptor genes. Olfactory marker protein-1 reduction indicated COVID-19-related loss of OB olfactory mucosa afferents. Iba-1-immunoreactive microglia had reduced area fractions in cerebellar cortex and AMY, and cytokine arrays showed generalized downregulation in AMY and upregulation in blood serum in COVID-19 cases. Although OB is a major brain portal for SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19 brain changes are more likely due to blood-borne immune mediators and trans-synaptic gene expression changes arising from OB deafferentation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geidy E Serrano
- From the Banner Sun Health Research Institute, Sun City, Arizona, USA
| | - Jessica E Walker
- From the Banner Sun Health Research Institute, Sun City, Arizona, USA
| | - Cécilia Tremblay
- From the Banner Sun Health Research Institute, Sun City, Arizona, USA
| | - Ignazio S Piras
- Neurogenomics Division, Translational Genomics Research Institute, Phoenix, Arizona, USA
| | - Matthew J Huentelman
- Neurogenomics Division, Translational Genomics Research Institute, Phoenix, Arizona, USA
| | | | - Danielle Goldfarb
- From the Banner Sun Health Research Institute, Sun City, Arizona, USA
| | - David Shprecher
- From the Banner Sun Health Research Institute, Sun City, Arizona, USA
| | - Alireza Atri
- From the Banner Sun Health Research Institute, Sun City, Arizona, USA.,Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Charles H Adler
- Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Mayo Clinic Arizona, Scottsdale, Arizona, USA
| | - Holly A Shill
- Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, Arizona, USA
| | | | - Shyamal H Mehta
- Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Mayo Clinic Arizona, Scottsdale, Arizona, USA
| | - Richard Caselli
- Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Mayo Clinic Arizona, Scottsdale, Arizona, USA
| | - Bryan K Woodruff
- Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Mayo Clinic Arizona, Scottsdale, Arizona, USA
| | | | - Thomas Ruhlen
- Banner Boswell Medical Center, Sun City, Arizona, USA
| | - Maria Torres
- Banner Boswell Medical Center, Sun City, Arizona, USA
| | - Steve Nguyen
- Banner Boswell Medical Center, Sun City, Arizona, USA
| | - Dasan Schmitt
- Banner Boswell Medical Center, Sun City, Arizona, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Richard A Arce
- From the Banner Sun Health Research Institute, Sun City, Arizona, USA
| | - Michael J Glass
- From the Banner Sun Health Research Institute, Sun City, Arizona, USA
| | - Daisy Vargas
- From the Banner Sun Health Research Institute, Sun City, Arizona, USA
| | - Lucia I Sue
- From the Banner Sun Health Research Institute, Sun City, Arizona, USA
| | | | - Courtney M Nelson
- From the Banner Sun Health Research Institute, Sun City, Arizona, USA
| | - Javon Oliver
- From the Banner Sun Health Research Institute, Sun City, Arizona, USA
| | - Aryck Russell
- Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | | | - Claryssa I Borja
- From the Banner Sun Health Research Institute, Sun City, Arizona, USA
| | - Madison P Cline
- From the Banner Sun Health Research Institute, Sun City, Arizona, USA
| | | | - Sanaria Qiji
- From the Banner Sun Health Research Institute, Sun City, Arizona, USA
| | - Holly M Hobgood
- From the Banner Sun Health Research Institute, Sun City, Arizona, USA
| | - Joseph P Mizgerd
- Pulmonary Center, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Malaya K Sahoo
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Haiyu Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Daniel Solis
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Thomas J Montine
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Gerald J Berry
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA.,From the Banner Sun Health Research Institute, Sun City, Arizona, USA
| | | | - Katharina Röltgen
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Scott D Boyd
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Benjamin A Pinsky
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA.,Division of Infectious Disease & Geographic Medicine, Department of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
| | - James L Zehnder
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Pierre Talbot
- Laboratory of Neuroimmunology, Centre Armand-Frappier Santé Biotechnologie, Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique, Laval, Quebec, Canada
| | - Marc Desforges
- Laboratory of Virology, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Sainte-Justine, Montréal, Quebec, Canada.,Département de microbiologie, infectiologie et Immunologie, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Michael DeTure
- Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Mayo Clinic Florida, Jacksonville, Florida, USA
| | - Dennis W Dickson
- Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Mayo Clinic Florida, Jacksonville, Florida, USA
| | - Thomas G Beach
- From the Banner Sun Health Research Institute, Sun City, Arizona, USA
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46
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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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47
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PHEV infection: A promising model of betacoronavirus-associated neurological and olfactory dysfunction. PLoS Pathog 2022; 18:e1010667. [PMID: 35759516 PMCID: PMC9282652 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1010667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2022] [Revised: 07/14/2022] [Accepted: 06/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Porcine hemagglutinating encephalomyelitis virus (PHEV) is a highly neurotropic coronavirus belonging to the genus Betacoronavirus. Similar to pathogenic coronaviruses to which humans are susceptible, such as SARS-CoV-2, PHEV is transmitted primarily through respiratory droplets and close contact, entering the central nervous system (CNS) from the peripheral nerves at the site of initial infection. However, the neuroinvasion route of PHEV are poorly understood. Here, we found that BALB/c mice are susceptible to intranasal PHEV infection and showed distinct neurological manifestations. The behavioral study and histopathological examination revealed that PHEV attacks neurons in the CNS and causes significant smell and taste dysfunction in mice. By tracking neuroinvasion, we identified that PHEV invades the CNS via the olfactory nerve and trigeminal nerve located in the nasal cavity, and olfactory sensory neurons (OSNs) were susceptible to viral infection. Immunofluorescence staining and ultrastructural observations revealed that viral materials traveling along axons, suggesting axonal transport may engage in rapid viral transmission in the CNS. Moreover, viral replication in the olfactory system and CNS is associated with inflammatory and immune responses, tissue disorganization and dysfunction. Overall, we proposed that PHEV may serve as a potential prototype for elucidating the pathogenesis of coronavirus-associated neurological complications and olfactory and taste disorders.
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48
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Zhang Y, Chen X, Jia L, Zhang Y. Potential mechanism of SARS-CoV-2-associated central and peripheral nervous system impairment. Acta Neurol Scand 2022; 146:225-236. [PMID: 35699161 PMCID: PMC9349396 DOI: 10.1111/ane.13657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2022] [Revised: 05/18/2022] [Accepted: 05/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) is more than merely a respiratory disease, as it also presents with various neurological symptoms. SARS‐CoV‐2 may infect the central nervous system (CNS) and thus is neurotropic. However, the pathophysiological mechanism of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19)‐associated neuropathy remains unclear. Many studies have reported that SARS‐CoV‐2 enters the CNS through the hematogenous and neuronal routes, as well as through the main host neurological immune responses and cells involved in these responses. The neurological immune responses to COVID‐19 and potential mechanisms of the extensive neuroinflammation induced by SARS‐CoV‐2 have been investigated. Although CNS infection with SARS‐CoV‐2 was shown to lead to neuronal impairment, certain aspects of this mechanism remain controversial and require further analysis. In this review, we discussed the pathway and mechanisms of SARS‐CoV‐2 invasion in the CNS, and associated clinical manifestations, such as anosmia, headache, and hyposmia. Moreover, the mechanism of neurological damage caused by SARS‐CoV‐2 may provide potential treatment methods for patients presenting with SARS‐CoV‐2‐associated neuropathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Zhang
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Xue Chen
- Department of Respiratory, Beijing Youan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Lin Jia
- Department of Respiratory, Beijing Youan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Yulin Zhang
- Department of Respiratory, Beijing Youan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
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49
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Ueha R, Ito T, Furukawa R, Kitabatake M, Ouji-Sageshima N, Ueha S, Koyama M, Uranaka T, Kondo K, Yamasoba T. Oral SARS-CoV-2 Inoculation Causes Nasal Viral Infection Leading to Olfactory Bulb Infection: An Experimental Study. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:924725. [PMID: 35770069 PMCID: PMC9234459 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.924725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections can cause long-lasting anosmia, but the impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection, which can spread to the nasal cavity via the oral route, on the olfactory receptor neuron (ORN) lineage and olfactory bulb (OB) remains undetermined. Using Syrian hamsters, we explored whether oral SARS-CoV-2 inoculation can lead to nasal viral infection, examined how SARS-CoV-2 affects the ORN lineage by site, and investigated whether SARS-CoV-2 infection can spread to the OB and induce inflammation. On post-inoculation day 7, SARS-CoV-2 presence was confirmed in the lateral area (OCAM-positive) but not the nasal septum of NQO1-positive and OCAM-positive areas. The virus was observed partially infiltrating the olfactory epithelium, and ORN progenitor cells, immature ORNs, and mature ORNs were fewer than in controls. The virus was found in the olfactory nerve bundles to the OB, suggesting the nasal cavity as a route for SARS-CoV-2 brain infection. We demonstrated that transoral SARS-CoV-2 infection can spread from the nasal cavity to the central nervous system and the possibility of central olfactory dysfunction due to SARS-CoV-2 infection. The virus was localized at the infection site and could damage all ORN-lineage cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rumi Ueha
- Swallowing Center, the University of Tokyo Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, the University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- *Correspondence: Rumi Ueha, ;
| | - Toshihiro Ito
- Department of Immunology, Nara Medical University, Nara, Japan
| | | | | | | | - Satoshi Ueha
- Division of Molecular Regulation of Inflammatory and Immune Diseases, Research Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Tokyo University of Science, Chiba, Japan
| | - Misaki Koyama
- Department of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, the University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tsukasa Uranaka
- Department of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, the University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kenji Kondo
- Department of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, the University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tatsuya Yamasoba
- Department of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, the University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
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50
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Aloul KM, Nielsen JE, Defensor EB, Lin JS, Fortkort JA, Shamloo M, Cirillo JD, Gombart AF, Barron AE. Upregulating Human Cathelicidin Antimicrobial Peptide LL-37 Expression May Prevent Severe COVID-19 Inflammatory Responses and Reduce Microthrombosis. Front Immunol 2022; 13:880961. [PMID: 35634307 PMCID: PMC9134243 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.880961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
COVID-19 is characterized by hyperactivation by inflammatory cytokines and recruitment of macrophages, neutrophils, and other immune cells, all hallmarks of a strong inflammatory response that can lead to severe complications and multi-organ damage. Mortality in COVID-19 patients is associated with a high prevalence of neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) formation and microthrombosis that are exacerbated by hyperglycemia, diabetes, and old age. SARS-CoV-2 infection in humans and non-human primates have revealed long-term neurological consequences of COVID-19, possibly concomitant with the formation of Lewy bodies in the brain and invasion of the nervous system via the olfactory bulb. In this paper, we review the relevance of the human cathelicidin LL-37 in SARS-CoV-2 infections. LL-37 is an immunomodulatory, host defense peptide with direct anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity, and pleiotropic effects on the inflammatory response, neovascularization, Lewy body formation, and pancreatic islet cell function. The bioactive form of vitamin D and a number of other compounds induce LL-37 expression and one might predict its upregulation, could reduce the prevalence of severe COVID-19. We hypothesize upregulation of LL-37 will act therapeutically, facilitating efficient NET clearance by macrophages, speeding endothelial repair after inflammatory tissue damage, preventing α-synuclein aggregation, and supporting blood-glucose level stabilization by facilitating insulin release and islet β-cell neogenesis. In addition, it has been postulated that LL-37 can directly bind the S1 domain of SARS-CoV-2, mask angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptors, and limit SARS-CoV-2 infection. Purposeful upregulation of LL-37 could also serve as a preventative and therapeutic strategy for SARS-CoV-2 infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karim M. Aloul
- Department of Bioengineering, Schools of Medicine and of Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, United States
| | - Josefine Eilsø Nielsen
- Department of Bioengineering, Schools of Medicine and of Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, United States
- Department of Science and Environment, Roskilde University, Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Erwin B. Defensor
- Department of Neurosurgery, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, United States
| | - Jennifer S. Lin
- Department of Bioengineering, Schools of Medicine and of Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, United States
| | - John A. Fortkort
- Department of Bioengineering, Schools of Medicine and of Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, United States
| | - Mehrdad Shamloo
- Department of Neurosurgery, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, United States
| | - Jeffrey D. Cirillo
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Texas A&M College of Medicine, Bryan, TX, United States
| | - Adrian F. Gombart
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, United States
- The Linus Pauling Institute, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, United States
| | - Annelise E. Barron
- Department of Bioengineering, Schools of Medicine and of Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, United States
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