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Li Y, Zhao D, Chen D, Sun Q. Targeting protein condensation in cGAS-STING signaling pathway. Bioessays 2024; 46:e2400091. [PMID: 38962845 DOI: 10.1002/bies.202400091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2024] [Revised: 06/10/2024] [Accepted: 06/12/2024] [Indexed: 07/05/2024]
Abstract
The cGAS-STING signaling pathway plays a pivotal role in sensing cytosolic DNA and initiating innate immune responses against various threats, with disruptions in this pathway being associated with numerous immune-related disorders. Therefore, precise regulation of the cGAS-STING signaling is crucial to ensure appropriate immune responses. Recent research, including ours, underscores the importance of protein condensation in driving the activation and maintenance of innate immune signaling within the cGAS-STING pathway. Consequently, targeting condensation processes in this pathway presents a promising approach for modulating the cGAS-STING signaling and potentially managing associated disorders. In this review, we provide an overview of recent studies elucidating the role and regulatory mechanism of protein condensation in the cGAS-STING signaling pathway while emphasizing its pathological implications. Additionally, we explore the potential of understanding and manipulating condensation dynamics to develop novel strategies for mitigating cGAS-STING-related disorders in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yajie Li
- Institute of Biomedical Research, Yunnan University, Kunming, China
| | - Dongbo Zhao
- Institute of Biomedical Research, Yunnan University, Kunming, China
| | - Dahua Chen
- Institute of Biomedical Research, Yunnan University, Kunming, China
- Southwest United Graduate School, Kunming, China
| | - Qinmiao Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration and Reconstruction, Beijing, China
- School of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
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2
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Luo YW, Zhou JP, Ji H, Xu D, Zheng A, Wang X, Dai Z, Luo Z, Cao F, Wang XY, Bai Y, Chen D, Chen Y, Wang Q, Yang Y, Zhang X, Chiu S, Peng X, Huang AL, Tang KF. SARS-CoV-2 N protein-induced Dicer, XPO5, SRSF3, and hnRNPA3 downregulation causes pneumonia. Nat Commun 2024; 15:6964. [PMID: 39138195 PMCID: PMC11322655 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-51192-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 07/29/2024] [Indexed: 08/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Though RNAi and RNA-splicing machineries are involved in regulating severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) replication, their precise roles in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pathogenesis remain unclear. Herein, we show that decreased RNAi component (Dicer and XPO5) and splicing factor (SRSF3 and hnRNPA3) expression correlate with increased COVID-19 severity. SARS-CoV-2 N protein induces the autophagic degradation of Dicer, XPO5, SRSF3, and hnRNPA3, inhibiting miRNA biogenesis and RNA splicing and triggering DNA damage, proteotoxic stress, and pneumonia. Dicer, XPO5, SRSF3, and hnRNPA3 knockdown increases, while their overexpression decreases, N protein-induced pneumonia's severity. Older mice show lower expression of Dicer, XPO5, SRSF3, and hnRNPA3 in their lung tissues and exhibit more severe N protein-induced pneumonia than younger mice. PJ34, a poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitor, or anastrozole, an aromatase inhibitor, ameliorates N protein- or SARS-CoV-2-induced pneumonia by restoring Dicer, XPO5, SRSF3, and hnRNPA3 expression. These findings will aid in developing improved treatments for SARS-CoV-2-associated pneumonia.
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Grants
- 81972648 National Natural Science Foundation of China (National Science Foundation of China)
- CSTB2023NSCQ-BHX0134 Chongqing Postdoctoral Science Foundation
- 82172915 National Natural Science Foundation of China (National Science Foundation of China)
- 81773011 National Natural Science Foundation of China (National Science Foundation of China)
- I01 HX000134 HSRD VA
- The National Key Research and Development Program is aimed at addressing major scientific and technological issues that are crucial to the national economy, people's livelihood, public welfare, industrial core competitiveness, overall capability for independent innovation, and national security. It aims to overcome technological bottlenecks in key areas of national economic and social development. This program integrates several initiatives previously managed by different departments, including the National Basic Research Program of Ministry of Science and Technology, the National High-Tech Research and Development Program, the National Science and Technology Support Program, special projects for international science and technology cooperation and exchange, industrial technology research and development funds co-managed by the National Development and Reform Commission and the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, as well as public welfare industry scientific research special projects managed by 13 departments including the Ministry of Agriculture and the National Health and Family Planning Commission, into a unified national key R&D program.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Wei Luo
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology on Infectious Disease, Ministry of Education, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, PR China
| | - Jiang-Peng Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology on Infectious Disease, Ministry of Education, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, PR China
| | - Hongyu Ji
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology on Infectious Disease, Ministry of Education, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, PR China
| | - Doudou Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Health and Multimorbidity, Key Laboratory of Pathogen Infection Prevention and Control (Peking Union Medical College), Ministry of Education, National Center of Technology Innovation for animal model, CAMS & PUMC, Beijing, PR China
| | - Anqi Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Hepato-Pancreatic Diseases of Zhejiang Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, PR China
| | - Xin Wang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology on Infectious Disease, Ministry of Education, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, PR China
| | - Zhizheng Dai
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology on Infectious Disease, Ministry of Education, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, PR China
| | - Zhicheng Luo
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology on Infectious Disease, Ministry of Education, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, PR China
- Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Hepato-Pancreatic Diseases of Zhejiang Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, PR China
| | - Fang Cao
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology on Infectious Disease, Ministry of Education, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, PR China
| | - Xing-Yue Wang
- Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Hepato-Pancreatic Diseases of Zhejiang Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, PR China
| | - Yunfang Bai
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology on Infectious Disease, Ministry of Education, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, PR China
| | - Di Chen
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology on Infectious Disease, Ministry of Education, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, PR China
| | - Yueming Chen
- Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Hepato-Pancreatic Diseases of Zhejiang Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, PR China
| | - Qi Wang
- Department of Basic Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, PR China
| | - Yaying Yang
- Department of Pathology, Molecular Medicine and Cancer Research Center, Molecular Medicine Diagnostic and Testing Center, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, PR China
| | - Xinghai Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei, PR China
| | - Sandra Chiu
- Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, PR China
- Key Laboratory of Anhui Province for Emerging and Reemerging Infectious Diseases, Hefei, Anhui, PR China
| | - Xiaozhong Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Health and Multimorbidity, Key Laboratory of Pathogen Infection Prevention and Control (Peking Union Medical College), Ministry of Education, National Center of Technology Innovation for animal model, CAMS & PUMC, Beijing, PR China.
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, PR China.
| | - Ai-Long Huang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology on Infectious Disease, Ministry of Education, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, PR China.
| | - Kai-Fu Tang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology on Infectious Disease, Ministry of Education, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, PR China.
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3
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Wang L, Zhou W. Phase separation as a new form of regulation in innate immunity. Mol Cell 2024; 84:2410-2422. [PMID: 38936362 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2024.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2024] [Revised: 05/22/2024] [Accepted: 06/05/2024] [Indexed: 06/29/2024]
Abstract
Innate immunity is essential for the host against pathogens, cancer, and autoimmunity. The innate immune system encodes many sensor, adaptor, and effector proteins and relies on the assembly of higher-order signaling complexes to activate immune defense. Recent evidence demonstrates that many of the core complexes involved in innate immunity are organized as liquid-like condensates through a mechanism known as phase separation. Here, we discuss phase-separated condensates and their diverse functions. We compare the biochemical, structural, and mechanistic details of solid and liquid-like assemblies to explore the role of phase separation in innate immunity. We summarize the emerging evidence for the hypothesis that phase separation is a conserved mechanism that controls immune responses across the tree of life. The discovery of phase separation in innate immunity provides a new foundation to explain the rules that govern immune system activation and will enable the development of therapeutics to treat immune-related diseases properly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Wang
- Department of Systems Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Wen Zhou
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Biomolecular Assembling and Regulation, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China; Department of Immunology and Microbiology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China.
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4
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Wang Y, Zhou L, Wu X, Yang S, Wang X, Shen Q, Liu Y, Zhang W, Ji L. Molecular Mechanisms and Potential Antiviral Strategies of Liquid-Liquid Phase Separation during Coronavirus Infection. Biomolecules 2024; 14:748. [PMID: 39062463 PMCID: PMC11274562 DOI: 10.3390/biom14070748] [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: 05/13/2024] [Revised: 06/05/2024] [Accepted: 06/17/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Highly pathogenic coronaviruses have caused significant outbreaks in humans and animals, posing a serious threat to public health. The rapid global spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) has resulted in millions of infections and deaths. However, the mechanisms through which coronaviruses evade a host's antiviral immune system are not well understood. Liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) is a recently discovered mechanism that can selectively isolate cellular components to regulate biological processes, including host antiviral innate immune signal transduction pathways. This review focuses on the mechanism of coronavirus-induced LLPS and strategies for utilizing LLPS to evade the host antiviral innate immune response, along with potential antiviral therapeutic drugs and methods. It aims to provide a more comprehensive understanding and novel insights for researchers studying LLPS induced by pandemic viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Wen Zhang
- School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China; (Y.W.); (L.Z.); (X.W.); (S.Y.); (X.W.); (Q.S.); (Y.L.)
| | - Likai Ji
- School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China; (Y.W.); (L.Z.); (X.W.); (S.Y.); (X.W.); (Q.S.); (Y.L.)
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5
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Rurek M. Mitochondria in COVID-19: from cellular and molecular perspective. Front Physiol 2024; 15:1406635. [PMID: 38974521 PMCID: PMC11224649 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2024.1406635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2024] [Accepted: 05/27/2024] [Indexed: 07/09/2024] Open
Abstract
The rapid development of the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a closer analysis of cell functioning during β-coronavirus infection. This review will describe evidence for COVID-19 as a syndrome with a strong, albeit still underestimated, mitochondrial component. Due to the sensitivity of host mitochondria to coronavirus infection, SARS-CoV-2 affects mitochondrial signaling, modulates the immune response, modifies cellular energy metabolism, induces apoptosis and ageing, worsening COVID-19 symptoms which can sometimes be fatal. Various aberrations across human systems and tissues and their relationships with mitochondria were reported. In this review, particular attention is given to characterization of multiple alterations in gene expression pattern and mitochondrial metabolism in COVID-19; the complexity of interactions between SARS-CoV-2 and mitochondrial proteins is presented. The participation of mitogenome fragments in cell signaling and the occurrence of SARS-CoV-2 subgenomic RNA within membranous compartments, including mitochondria is widely discussed. As SARS-CoV-2 severely affects the quality system of mitochondria, the cellular background for aberrations in mitochondrial dynamics in COVID-19 is additionally characterized. Finally, perspectives on the mitigation of COVID-19 symptoms by affecting mitochondrial biogenesis by numerous compounds and therapeutic treatments are briefly outlined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michał Rurek
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznań, Poland
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Liu X, Ji L, Cheng Y, Kong L, Xie S, Yang J, Chen J, Wang Z, Ma J, Wang H, Yan Y, Sun J. Porcine deltacoronavirus nonstructural protein 2 inhibits type I and III IFN production by targeting STING for degradation. Vet Res 2024; 55:79. [PMID: 38886840 PMCID: PMC11184774 DOI: 10.1186/s13567-024-01330-w] [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: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 04/27/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Porcine deltacoronavirus (PDCoV) is an enteropathogenic coronavirus that has been reported to use various strategies to counter the host antiviral innate immune response. The cGAS-STING signalling pathway plays an important role in antiviral innate immunity. However, it remains unclear whether PDCoV achieves immune evasion by regulating the cGAS-STING pathway. Here, we demonstrated that the nonstructural protein 2 (nsp2) encoded by PDCoV inhibits cGAS-STING-mediated type I and III interferon (IFN) responses via the regulation of porcine STING (pSTING) stability. Mechanistically, ectopically expressed PDCoV nsp2 was found to interact with the N-terminal region of pSTING. Consequently, pSTING was degraded through K48-linked ubiquitination and the proteasomal pathway, leading to the disruption of cGAS-STING signalling. Furthermore, K150 and K236 of pSTING were identified as crucial residues for nsp2-mediated ubiquitination and degradation. In summary, our findings provide a basis for elucidating the immune evasion mechanism of PDCoV and will contribute to the development of targets for anti-coronavirus drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiqian Liu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, School of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Likai Ji
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, School of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yuqiang Cheng
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, School of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Linghe Kong
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, School of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Songhua Xie
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, School of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Juan Yang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, School of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiaqi Chen
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, School of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhaofei Wang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, School of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jingjiao Ma
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, School of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Hengan Wang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, School of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yaxian Yan
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, School of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Jianhe Sun
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, School of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.
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Jiang ZZ, Chu M, Yan LN, Zhang WK, Li B, Xu J, Zhao ZX, Han HJ, Zhou CM, Yu XJ. SFTSV nucleoprotein mediates DNA sensor cGAS degradation to suppress cGAS-dependent antiviral responses. Microbiol Spectr 2024; 12:e0379623. [PMID: 38712963 PMCID: PMC11237745 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.03796-23] [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: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 05/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS) is an important DNA pattern recognition receptor that senses double-stranded DNA derived from invading pathogens or self DNA in cytoplasm, leading to an antiviral interferon response. A tick-borne Bunyavirus, severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV), is an RNA virus that causes a severe emerging viral hemorrhagic fever in Asia with a high case fatality rate of up to 30%. However, it is unclear whether cGAS interacts with SFTSV infection. In this study, we found that SFTSV infection upregulated cGAS RNA transcription and protein expression, indicating that cGAS is an important innate immune response against SFTSV infection. The mechanism of cGAS recognizing SFTSV is by cGAS interacting with misplaced mitochondrial DNA in the cytoplasm. Depletion of mitochondrial DNA significantly inhibited cGAS activation under SFTSV infection. Strikingly, we found that SFTSV nucleoprotein (N) induced cGAS degradation in a dose-dependent manner. Mechanically, N interacted with the 161-382 domain of cGAS and linked the cGAS to LC3. The cGAS-N-LC3 trimer was targeted to N-induced autophagy, and the cGAS was degraded in autolysosome. Taken together, our study discovered a novel antagonistic mechanism of RNA viruses, SFTSV is able to suppress the cGAS-dependent antiviral innate immune responses through N-hijacking cGAS into N-induced autophagy. Our results indicated that SFTSV N is an important virulence factor of SFTSV in mediating host antiviral immune responses. IMPORTANCE Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV) is a tick-borne RNA virus that is widespread in East and Southeast Asian countries with a high fatality rate of up to 30%. Up to now, many cytoplasmic pattern recognition receptors, such as RIG-I, MDA5, and SAFA, have been reported to recognize SFTSV genomic RNA and trigger interferon-dependent antiviral responses. However, current knowledge is not clear whether SFTSV can be recognized by DNA sensor cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS). Our study demonstrated that cGAS could recognize SFTSV infection via ectopic mitochondrial DNA, and the activated cGAS-stimulator of interferon genes signaling pathway could significantly inhibit SFTSV replication. Importantly, we further uncovered a novel mechanism of SFTSV to inhibit innate immune responses by the degradation of cGAS. cGAS was degraded in N-induced autophagy. Collectively, this study illustrated a novel virulence factor of SFTSV to suppress innate immune responses through autophagy-dependent cGAS degradation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ze-zheng Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, School of Public Health, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Min Chu
- Reproductive Medicine Center, The Affiliated Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital of Qingdao University, Yantai, Shandong, China
| | - Li-na Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, School of Public Health, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Wen-kang Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, School of Public Health, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Bang Li
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, School of Public Health, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Jiao Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, School of Public Health, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Zhong-xin Zhao
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Linyi People’s Hospital, Linyi, Shandong, China
| | - Hui-Ju Han
- School of Public Health, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Chuan-min Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, School of Public Health, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Xue-jie Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, School of Public Health, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
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8
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Sievers BL, Cheng MTK, Csiba K, Meng B, Gupta RK. SARS-CoV-2 and innate immunity: the good, the bad, and the "goldilocks". Cell Mol Immunol 2024; 21:171-183. [PMID: 37985854 PMCID: PMC10805730 DOI: 10.1038/s41423-023-01104-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023] Open
Abstract
An ancient conflict between hosts and pathogens has driven the innate and adaptive arms of immunity. Knowledge about this interplay can not only help us identify biological mechanisms but also reveal pathogen vulnerabilities that can be leveraged therapeutically. The humoral response to SARS-CoV-2 infection has been the focus of intense research, and the role of the innate immune system has received significantly less attention. Here, we review current knowledge of the innate immune response to SARS-CoV-2 infection and the various means SARS-CoV-2 employs to evade innate defense systems. We also consider the role of innate immunity in SARS-CoV-2 vaccines and in the phenomenon of long COVID.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mark T K Cheng
- Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Kata Csiba
- Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Bo Meng
- Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
- Cambridge Institute of Therapeutic Immunology & Infectious Disease (CITIID), Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
| | - Ravindra K Gupta
- Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
- Cambridge Institute of Therapeutic Immunology & Infectious Disease (CITIID), Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
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Abstract
Biomolecular condensates formed by phase separation are widespread and play critical roles in many physiological and pathological processes. cGAS-STING signaling functions to detect aberrant DNA signals to initiate anti-infection defense and antitumor immunity. At the same time, cGAS-STING signaling must be carefully regulated to maintain immune homeostasis. Interestingly, exciting recent studies have reported that biomolecular phase separation exists and plays important roles in different steps of cGAS-STING signaling, including cGAS condensates, STING condensates, and IRF3 condensates. In addition, several intracellular and extracellular factors have been proposed to modulate the condensates in cGAS-STING signaling. These studies reveal novel activation and regulation mechanisms of cGAS-STING signaling and provide new opportunities for drug discovery. Here, we summarize recent advances in the phase separation of cGAS-STING signaling and the development of potential drugs targeting these innate immune condensates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Quanjin Li
- CAS Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.
| | - Pu Gao
- CAS Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.
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10
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Chilosi M, Doglioni C, Ravaglia C, Piciucchi S, Dubini A, Stefanizzi L, Poletti V. COVID-19. Biology, pathophysiology, and immunology: a pathologist view. Pathologica 2023; 115:248-256. [PMID: 38054899 DOI: 10.32074/1591-951x-954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Even if the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has been declared over, several risks and clinical problems remain to be faced, including long-COVID sequelae and possible outbreaks of pathogenic variants. Intense research on COVID-19 has provided in these few years a striking amount of data covering different fields and disciplines, which can help to provide a knowledge shield against new potential infective spreads, and may also potentially be applied to other fields of medicine, including oncology and neurology. Nevertheless, areas of uncertainty still remain regarding the pathogenic mechanisms that subtend the multifaceted manifestations of the disease. To better clarify the pathogenesis of the disease, a systematic multidisciplinary evaluation of the many mechanisms involved in COVID-19 is mandatory, including clinical, physiological, radiological, immunological and pathological studies. In COVID-19 syndrome the pathological studies have been mainly performed on autopsy cases, and only a few studies are available on biopsies. Nevertheless, these studies have provided relevant information that can substantially contribute to decipher the complex scenario characterizing the different forms of COVID-19 and long-COVID-19. In this review the data provided by pathological investigations are recapitulated and discussed, in the light of different hypothesis and data provided by clinical, physiological and immunological data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Chilosi
- Department of Pathology, Pederzoli Hospital, Peschiera del Garda, Italy
| | - Claudio Doglioni
- Department of Pathology, San Raffaele Scientific Institute. Milan, Italy
| | - Claudia Ravaglia
- Department of Diseases of the Thorax, Ospedale GB Morgagni, Forlì, Italy
| | - Sara Piciucchi
- Department of Diseases of the Thorax, Ospedale GB Morgagni, Forlì, Italy
| | | | | | - Venerino Poletti
- Department of Diseases of the Thorax, Ospedale GB Morgagni, Forlì, Italy
- Department of Pathology, Ospedale GB Morgagni, Forlì, Italy
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