1
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Effah W, Khalil M, Hwang DJ, Miller DD, Narayanan R. Advances in the understanding of androgen receptor structure and function and in the development of next-generation AR-targeted therapeutics. Steroids 2024; 210:109486. [PMID: 39111362 DOI: 10.1016/j.steroids.2024.109486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2024] [Revised: 07/29/2024] [Accepted: 08/01/2024] [Indexed: 08/10/2024]
Abstract
Androgen receptor (AR) and its ligand androgens are important for development and physiology of various tissues. AR and its ligands also play critical role in the development of various diseases, making it a valuable therapeutic target. AR ligands, both agonists and antagonists, are being widely used to treat pathological conditions, including prostate cancer and hypogonadism. Despite AR being studied widely over the last five decades, the last decade has seen striking advances in the knowledge on AR and discoveries that have the potential to translate to the clinic. This review provides an overview of the advances in AR biology, AR molecular mechanisms of action, and next generation molecules that are currently in development. Several of the areas described in the review are just unraveling and the next decade will bring more clarity on these developments that will put AR at the forefront of both basic biology and drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wendy Effah
- Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, United States
| | - Marjana Khalil
- Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, United States
| | - Dong-Jin Hwang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, United States
| | - Duane D Miller
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, United States
| | - Ramesh Narayanan
- Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, United States; UTHSC Center for Cancer Research, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, United States.
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2
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Jhanwar A, Sharma D, Das U. Unraveling the structural and functional dimensions of SARS-CoV2 proteins in the context of COVID-19 pathogenesis and therapeutics. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 278:134850. [PMID: 39168210 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.134850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2024] [Revised: 08/14/2024] [Accepted: 08/16/2024] [Indexed: 08/23/2024]
Abstract
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV2) has emerged as the causative agent behind the global pandemic of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). As the scientific community strives to comprehend the intricate workings of this virus, a fundamental aspect lies in deciphering the myriad proteins it expresses. This knowledge is pivotal in unraveling the complexities of the viral machinery and devising targeted therapeutic interventions. The proteomic landscape of SARS-CoV2 encompasses structural, non-structural, and open-reading frame proteins, each playing crucial roles in viral replication, host interactions, and the pathogenesis of COVID-19. This comprehensive review aims to provide an updated and detailed examination of the structural and functional attributes of SARS-CoV2 proteins. By exploring the intricate molecular architecture, we have highlighted the significance of these proteins in viral biology. Insights into their roles and interplay contribute to a deeper understanding of the virus's mechanisms, thereby paving the way for the development of effective therapeutic strategies. As the global scientific community strives to combat the ongoing pandemic, this synthesis of knowledge on SARS-CoV2 proteins serves as a valuable resource, fostering informed approaches toward mitigating the impact of COVID-19 and advancing the frontier of antiviral research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aniruddh Jhanwar
- Department of Biophysics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Dipika Sharma
- Department of Biophysics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Uddipan Das
- Department of Biophysics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India.
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3
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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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4
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Sae-Foo W, Yusakul G, Nualkaew N, Putalun W. Estrogenic Activity of Derris scandens Stem Extract and its Major Compounds Using MCF-7 Cell Proliferation Assay and Estrogen-Related Gene Expression. PLANTA MEDICA 2024; 90:766-773. [PMID: 38749481 DOI: 10.1055/a-2328-2750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/30/2024]
Abstract
Derris scandens, which contains isoflavones and prenylated derivatives, has analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties and is an ingredient in traditional Thai medicine for perimenopause and menopause. However, the estrogenic activity of D. scandens has not yet been explored. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the estrogenic activity of the stem extract of D. scandens and its isoflavone derivatives. In this study, we conducted a proliferation assay in MCF-7 cells, and used quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction to assess gene expression. We found that the relative cell proliferation of the compounds (1 µM) was ranked in the following order as compared to 0.1 nM 17β-estradiol (100%): genistein (97.84%) > derrisisoflavone A (83.17%) > genistein-7-O-[α-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 6)-glucopyranoside] (69.55%) > 6,8-diprenylgenistein (51.91%) > lupalbigenin (18.72%). Furthermore, cotreatment with 1 µM lupalbigenin and 0.1 nM 17β-estradiol was performed, which decreased cell proliferation to 80.38%. In vitro results suggest that lupalbigenin has an estrogen-antagonistic effect. At a dose of 1 µM, genistein had the strongest efficacy in increasing the expression of human estrogen receptor β by 4.0-fold compared to the control. Furthermore, genistein-7-O-[α-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 6)]-β-glucopyranoside augmented the gene expression of human estrogen receptor α and human estrogen receptor β by 1.5- and 3.4-fold, respectively. Prenylated derivatives of genistein (derrisisoflavone A, 6,8-diprenylgenistein, and lupalbigenin) significantly suppressed the gene expression of the human androgen receptor. The administration of the crude extract at 10 µg/mL significantly suppressed human androgen receptor (0.6-fold) and transmembrane protease serine 2 (0.1-fold) expression but did not significantly affect human estrogen receptor α and human estrogen receptor β gene expression. This herbal medicine may be safe for estrogen-exposed breast cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Worapol Sae-Foo
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
| | - Gorawit Yusakul
- School of Pharmacy, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand
| | - Natsajee Nualkaew
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
| | - Waraporn Putalun
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
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5
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Hose L, Schürmann M, Sudhoff H. Upregulation of key factors of viral entry of corona- and influenza viruses upon TLR3-signaling in cells from the respiratory tract and clinical treatment options by 1,8-Cineol. Phytother Res 2024. [PMID: 39020450 DOI: 10.1002/ptr.8280] [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: 09/05/2023] [Revised: 06/10/2024] [Accepted: 06/13/2024] [Indexed: 07/19/2024]
Abstract
At the end of the 2019 coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19), highly contagious variants of coronaviruses had emerged. Together with influenza viruses, different variants of the coronavirus currently cause most colds and require appropriate drug treatment. We have investigated the expression of important factors for the replication of these viruses, namely transmembrane protease serine subtype 2 (TMPRSS2), neuropilin1 (NRP1), and angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) or tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) after toll like receptor-3 (TLR-3) stimulation using RT-qPCR and flow cytometry (FC) analysis. As model served primary fibroblasts derived from the lung and nasal cavity, as well as epidermal stem cells and fully matured respiratory epithelium. The stimulated cell cultures were treated with pharmaceuticals (Dexamethasone and Enzalutamide) and the outcome was compared with the phytomedicine 1,8-Cineol. The stimulation of TLR3 is sufficient to induce the expression of exactly those targets that were highly expressed in the corresponding culture type, specifically ACE2 and TMPRSS2 in respiratory epithelial stem cells and NRP1 in fibroblast cells. It seems this self-perpetuating cycle of infection-driven upregulation of key viral replication factors by the innate immune system represents an evolutionary advantage for viruses using these transcripts as viral replication factors. Likewise, to the standard pharmaceuticals with proven clinical efficiency, 1,8-Cineol was able to disrupt this self-perpetuating cycle. Considering the minor side effects and negligible pharmacological interactions with other drugs, it is conceivable that an adjuvant or combinatorial therapy with 1,8-Cineol for respiratory diseases caused by corona- or influenza viruses would be beneficial.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonie Hose
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Campus Klinikum Bielefeld Mitte, University Hospital OWL of Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Matthias Schürmann
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Campus Klinikum Bielefeld Mitte, University Hospital OWL of Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Holger Sudhoff
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Campus Klinikum Bielefeld Mitte, University Hospital OWL of Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany
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6
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Hussain SS, Libby EF, Lever JEP, Tipper JL, Phillips SE, Mazur M, Li Q, Campos-Gómez J, Harrod KS, Rowe SM. ACE-2 Blockade & TMPRSS2 Inhibition Mitigate SARS-CoV-2 Severity Following Cigarette Smoke Exposure in Airway Epithelial Cells In Vitro. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.06.23.600238. [PMID: 38979208 PMCID: PMC11230175 DOI: 10.1101/2024.06.23.600238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/10/2024]
Abstract
Cigarette smoking is associated with COVID-19 prevalence and severity, but the mechanistic basis for how smoking alters SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis is unknown. A potential explanation is that smoking alters the expression of the SARS-CoV-2 cellular receptor and point of entry, angiotensin converting enzyme-2 (ACE-2), and its cofactors including transmembrane protease serine 2 (TMPRSS2). We investigated the impact of cigarette smoking on the expression of ACE-2, TMPRSS2, and other known cofactors of SARS-CoV-2 infection and the resultant effects on infection severity in vitro. Cigarette smoke extract (CSE) exposure increased ACE-2 and TMPRSS2 mRNA expression compared to air control in ferret airway cells, Calu-3 cells, and primary human bronchial epithelial (HBE) cells derived from normal and COPD donors. CSE-exposed ferret airway cells inoculated with SARS-CoV-2 had a significantly higher intracellular viral load versus vehicle-exposed cells. Likewise, CSE-exposure increased both SARS-CoV-2 intracellular viral load and viral replication in both normal and COPD HBE cells over vehicle control. Apoptosis was increased in CSE-exposed, SARS-CoV-2-infected HBE cells. Knockdown of ACE-2 via an antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) reduced SARS-CoV-2 viral load and infection in CSE-exposed ferret airway cells that was augmented by co-administration of camostat mesylate to block TMPRSS2 activity. Smoking increases SARS-CoV-2 infection via upregulation of ACE2 and TMPRSS2.
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7
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Xiao H, Wei J, Yuan L, Li J, Zhang C, Liu G, Liu X. Sex hormones in COVID-19 severity: The quest for evidence and influence mechanisms. J Cell Mol Med 2024; 28:e18490. [PMID: 38923119 PMCID: PMC11194454 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.18490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2024] [Revised: 05/20/2024] [Accepted: 05/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Studies have reported variable effects of sex hormones on serious diseases. Severe disease and mortality rates in COVID-19 show marked gender differences that may be related to sex hormones. Sex hormones regulate the expression of the viral receptors ACE2 and TMPRSS2, which affect the extent of viral infection and consequently cause variable outcomes. In addition, sex hormones have complex regulatory mechanisms that affect the immune response to viruses. These hormones also affect metabolism, leading to visceral obesity and severe disease can result from complications such as thrombosis. This review presents the latest researches on the regulatory functions of hormones in viral receptors, immune responses, complications as well as their role in COVID-19 progression. It also discusses the therapeutic possibilities of these hormones by reviewing the recent findings of clinical and assay studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haiqing Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory & Center for Molecular Imaging and Translational Medicine, Institute of Artificial Intelligence, School of Public HealthXiamen UniversityXiamenChina
| | - Jiayi Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory & Center for Molecular Imaging and Translational Medicine, Institute of Artificial Intelligence, School of Public HealthXiamen UniversityXiamenChina
| | - Lunzhi Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory & Center for Molecular Imaging and Translational Medicine, Institute of Artificial Intelligence, School of Public HealthXiamen UniversityXiamenChina
| | - Jiayuan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory & Center for Molecular Imaging and Translational Medicine, Institute of Artificial Intelligence, School of Public HealthXiamen UniversityXiamenChina
| | - Chang Zhang
- Clinical Center for Biotherapy, Zhongshan Hospital (Xiamen)Fudan UniversityXiamenChina
| | - Gang Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory & Center for Molecular Imaging and Translational Medicine, Institute of Artificial Intelligence, School of Public HealthXiamen UniversityXiamenChina
| | - Xuan Liu
- Clinical Center for Biotherapy, Zhongshan Hospital (Xiamen)Fudan UniversityXiamenChina
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8
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Jacob DR, Guiblet WM, Mamayusupova H, Shtumpf M, Ciuta I, Ruje L, Gretton S, Bikova M, Correa C, Dellow E, Agrawal SP, Shafiei N, Drobysevskaja A, Armstrong CM, Lam JDG, Vainshtein Y, Clarkson CT, Thorn GJ, Sohn K, Pradeepa MM, Chandrasekharan S, Brooke GN, Klenova E, Zhurkin VB, Teif VB. Nucleosome reorganisation in breast cancer tissues. Clin Epigenetics 2024; 16:50. [PMID: 38561804 PMCID: PMC10986098 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-024-01656-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2023] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nucleosome repositioning in cancer is believed to cause many changes in genome organisation and gene expression. Understanding these changes is important to elucidate fundamental aspects of cancer. It is also important for medical diagnostics based on cell-free DNA (cfDNA), which originates from genomic DNA regions protected from digestion by nucleosomes. RESULTS We have generated high-resolution nucleosome maps in paired tumour and normal tissues from the same breast cancer patients using MNase-assisted histone H3 ChIP-seq and compared them with the corresponding cfDNA from blood plasma. This analysis has detected single-nucleosome repositioning at key regulatory regions in a patient-specific manner and common cancer-specific patterns across patients. The nucleosomes gained in tumour versus normal tissue were particularly informative of cancer pathways, with ~ 20-fold enrichment at CpG islands, a large fraction of which marked promoters of genes encoding DNA-binding proteins. The tumour tissues were characterised by a 5-10 bp decrease in the average distance between nucleosomes (nucleosome repeat length, NRL), which is qualitatively similar to the differences between pluripotent and differentiated cells. This effect was correlated with gene activity, differential DNA methylation and changes in local occupancy of linker histone variants H1.4 and H1X. CONCLUSIONS Our study offers a novel resource of high-resolution nucleosome maps in breast cancer patients and reports for the first time the effect of systematic decrease of NRL in paired tumour versus normal breast tissues from the same patient. Our findings provide a new mechanistic understanding of nucleosome repositioning in tumour tissues that can be valuable for patient diagnostics, stratification and monitoring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Divya R Jacob
- School of Life Sciences, University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester, CO4 3SQ, UK
| | - Wilfried M Guiblet
- Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Hulkar Mamayusupova
- School of Life Sciences, University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester, CO4 3SQ, UK
| | - Mariya Shtumpf
- School of Life Sciences, University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester, CO4 3SQ, UK
| | - Isabella Ciuta
- School of Life Sciences, University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester, CO4 3SQ, UK
| | - Luminita Ruje
- School of Life Sciences, University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester, CO4 3SQ, UK
| | - Svetlana Gretton
- School of Life Sciences, University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester, CO4 3SQ, UK
- School of Engineering, Arts, Science and Technology, University of Suffolk, James Hehir Building, University Avenue, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP3 0FS, UK
| | - Milena Bikova
- School of Life Sciences, University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester, CO4 3SQ, UK
| | - Clark Correa
- School of Life Sciences, University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester, CO4 3SQ, UK
| | - Emily Dellow
- School of Life Sciences, University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester, CO4 3SQ, UK
| | - Shivam P Agrawal
- School of Life Sciences, University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester, CO4 3SQ, UK
| | - Navid Shafiei
- School of Life Sciences, University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester, CO4 3SQ, UK
| | | | - Chris M Armstrong
- School of Life Sciences, University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester, CO4 3SQ, UK
| | - Jonathan D G Lam
- School of Life Sciences, University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester, CO4 3SQ, UK
| | - Yevhen Vainshtein
- Fraunhofer-Institut für Grenzflächen- und Bioverfahrenstechnik IGB, Nobelstraße 12, 70569, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Christopher T Clarkson
- School of Life Sciences, University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester, CO4 3SQ, UK
- University College London, Gower St, Bloomsbury, London, WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Graeme J Thorn
- School of Life Sciences, University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester, CO4 3SQ, UK
- Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, Charterhouse Square, London, EC1M 6BQ, UK
| | - Kai Sohn
- Fraunhofer-Institut für Grenzflächen- und Bioverfahrenstechnik IGB, Nobelstraße 12, 70569, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Madapura M Pradeepa
- School of Life Sciences, University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester, CO4 3SQ, UK
- Blizard Institute, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, E1 2AT, UK
| | - Sankaran Chandrasekharan
- Colchester General Hospital, East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust, Turner Road, Colchester, CO4 5JL, UK
| | - Greg N Brooke
- School of Life Sciences, University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester, CO4 3SQ, UK
| | - Elena Klenova
- School of Life Sciences, University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester, CO4 3SQ, UK
| | - Victor B Zhurkin
- Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA.
| | - Vladimir B Teif
- School of Life Sciences, University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester, CO4 3SQ, UK.
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9
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Ogunjinmi OD, Abdullahi T, Somji RA, Bevan CL, Barclay WS, Temperton N, Brooke GN, Giotis ES. The antiviral potential of the antiandrogen enzalutamide and the viral-androgen signaling interplay in seasonal coronaviruses. J Med Virol 2024; 96:e29540. [PMID: 38529542 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.29540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2023] [Revised: 03/03/2024] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/27/2024]
Abstract
The sex disparity in COVID-19 outcomes with males generally faring worse than females has been associated with the androgen-regulated expression of the protease TMPRSS2 and the cell receptor ACE2 in the lung and fueled interest in antiandrogens as potential antivirals. In this study, we explored enzalutamide, an antiandrogen used commonly to treat prostate cancer, as a potential antiviral against the human coronaviruses which cause seasonal respiratory infections (HCoV-NL63, -229E, and -OC43). Using lentivirus-pseudotyped and authentic HCoV, we report that enzalutamide reduced 229E and NL63 entry and infection in both TMPRSS2- and nonexpressing immortalized cells, suggesting a TMPRSS2-independent mechanism. However, no effect was observed against OC43. To decipher this distinction, we performed RNA-sequencing analysis on 229E- and OC43-infected primary human airway cells. Our results show a significant induction of androgen-responsive genes by 229E compared to OC43 at 24 and 72 h postinfection. The virus-mediated effect on AR-signaling was further confirmed with a consensus androgen response element-driven luciferase assay in androgen-depleted MRC-5 cells. Specifically, 229E induced luciferase-reporter activity in the presence and absence of the synthetic androgen mibolerone, while OC43 inhibited induction. These findings highlight a complex interplay between viral infections and androgen-signaling, offering insights for disparities in viral outcomes and antiviral interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Tukur Abdullahi
- School of Life Sciences, University of Essex, Colchester, UK
| | - Riaz-Ali Somji
- School of Life Sciences, University of Essex, Colchester, UK
| | - Charlotte L Bevan
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Wendy S Barclay
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Nigel Temperton
- Viral Pseudotype Unit, Medway School of Pharmacy, Universities of Kent and Greenwich, Chatham, UK
| | - Greg N Brooke
- School of Life Sciences, University of Essex, Colchester, UK
| | - Efstathios S Giotis
- School of Life Sciences, University of Essex, Colchester, UK
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Imperial College London, London, UK
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10
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Xiong N, Sun Q. Identifying COVID-19 subtypes by single-sample gene set enrichemnt analysis and providing guidance for sensitive drug selection. J Med Virol 2024; 96:e29497. [PMID: 38436142 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.29497] [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: 11/07/2023] [Revised: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
This study aimed at using single-sample gene set enrichment analysis scores to cluster naso/pharyngeal swab specimen samples from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients into two clusters. One cluster with higher fractions of immune cells and more active inflammatory-related pathways was called the Immunity-High (Immunity-H) group, and the other one was called the Immunity-Low group. We explored impacts of the method on COVID-19 treatment. First, given that the Immunity-H group was mainly enriched in inflammatory-related pathways and had higher fractions of inflammatory cells, the Immunity-H group may obtain more curative effects from anti-inflammatory treatment. Second, we searched some hot genes from the PubMed platform that had been studied by researchers and found these genes upregulated in the Immunity-H group, so we speculated the Immunity-H group and Immunity-Low group may have different curative effects from drugs targeting these genes. Finally, we screened out hub genes for the Immunity-H group and predicted potential drugs for these hub genes by a public data set (http://dgidb.genome.wustl.edu). These hub genes are significantly upregulated in the Immunity-H group and neutrophils so that the Immunity-H group may obtain different treatment results from potential drugs compared with the Immunity-Low group. Therefore, the cluster method may provide help in drug development and administration for COVID-19 patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nan Xiong
- Institute of Medical Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Kunming, China
- Graduate School of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Qiangming Sun
- Institute of Medical Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Kunming, China
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Vaccine Research & Development on Severe Infectious Diseases, Kunming, China
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11
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He Y, Zhou J, Gao H, Liu C, Zhan P, Liu X. Broad-spectrum antiviral strategy: Host-targeting antivirals against emerging and re-emerging viruses. Eur J Med Chem 2024; 265:116069. [PMID: 38160620 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.116069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2023] [Revised: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Viral infections are amongst the most prevalent diseases that pose a significant threat to human health. Targeting viral proteins or host factors represents two primary strategies for the development of antiviral drugs. In contrast to virus-targeting antivirals (VTAs), host-targeting antivirals (HTAs) offer advantages in terms of overcoming drug resistance and effectively combating a wide range of viruses, including newly emerging ones. Therefore, targeting host factors emerges as an extremely promising strategy with the potential to address critical challenges faced by VTAs. In recent years, extensive research has been conducted on the discovery and development of HTAs, leading to the approval of maraviroc, a chemokine receptor type 5 (CCR5) antagonist used for the treatment of HIV-1 infected individuals, with several other potential treatments in various stages of development for different viral infections. This review systematically summarizes advancements made in medicinal chemistry regarding various host targets and classifies them into four distinct catagories based on their involvement in the viral life cycle: virus attachment and entry, biosynthesis, nuclear import and export, and viral release.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong He
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University, Ji'nan, 250012, Shandong Province, PR China
| | - Jiahui Zhou
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University, Ji'nan, 250012, Shandong Province, PR China
| | - Huizhan Gao
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University, Ji'nan, 250012, Shandong Province, PR China
| | - Chuanfeng Liu
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University, Ji'nan, 250012, Shandong Province, PR China
| | - Peng Zhan
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University, Ji'nan, 250012, Shandong Province, PR China.
| | - Xinyong Liu
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University, Ji'nan, 250012, Shandong Province, PR China.
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12
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Cani M, Epistolio S, Dazio G, Modesti M, Salfi G, Pedrani M, Isella L, Gillessen S, Vogl UM, Tortola L, Treglia G, Buttigliero C, Frattini M, Pereira Mestre R. Antiandrogens as Therapies for COVID-19: A Systematic Review. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:298. [PMID: 38254788 PMCID: PMC10814161 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16020298] [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: 10/29/2023] [Revised: 01/03/2024] [Accepted: 01/05/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In 2019, the breakthrough of the coronavirus 2 disease (COVID-19) pandemic, caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), represented one of the major issues of our recent history. Different drugs have been tested to rapidly find effective anti-viral treatments and, among these, antiandrogens have been suggested to play a role in mediating SARS-CoV-2 infection. Considering the high heterogeneity of studies on this topic, we decided to review the current literature. METHODS We performed a systematic review according to PRISMA guidelines. A search strategy was conducted on PUBMED and Medline. Only original articles published from March 2020 to 31 August 2023 investigating the possible protective role of antiandrogens were included. In vitro or preclinical studies and reports not in the English language were excluded. The main objective was to investigate how antiandrogens may interfere with COVID-19 outcomes. RESULTS Among 1755 records, we selected 31 studies, the majority of which consisted of retrospective clinical data collections and of randomized clinical trials during the first and second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. CONCLUSIONS In conclusion, we can state that antiandrogens do not seem to protect individuals from SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 severity and, thus, their use should not be encouraged in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Massimiliano Cani
- Oncology Institute of Southern Switzerland (IOSI), Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale (EOC), 6500 Bellinzona, Switzerland (S.G.); (U.M.V.)
- Oncology Unit, Department of Oncology, University of Turin, S. Luigi Gonzaga Hospital, 10043 Orbassano, Italy;
| | - Samantha Epistolio
- Laboratory of Genetics and Molecular Pathology, Institute of Pathology, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale (EOC), 6600 Locarno, Switzerland (M.F.)
| | - Giulia Dazio
- Laboratory of Genetics and Molecular Pathology, Institute of Pathology, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale (EOC), 6600 Locarno, Switzerland (M.F.)
| | - Mikol Modesti
- Oncology Institute of Southern Switzerland (IOSI), Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale (EOC), 6500 Bellinzona, Switzerland (S.G.); (U.M.V.)
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Largo Brambilla 3, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Salfi
- Oncology Institute of Southern Switzerland (IOSI), Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale (EOC), 6500 Bellinzona, Switzerland (S.G.); (U.M.V.)
- Institute of Oncology Research (IOR), 6500 Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Martino Pedrani
- Oncology Institute of Southern Switzerland (IOSI), Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale (EOC), 6500 Bellinzona, Switzerland (S.G.); (U.M.V.)
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Luca Isella
- Oncology Institute of Southern Switzerland (IOSI), Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale (EOC), 6500 Bellinzona, Switzerland (S.G.); (U.M.V.)
| | - Silke Gillessen
- Oncology Institute of Southern Switzerland (IOSI), Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale (EOC), 6500 Bellinzona, Switzerland (S.G.); (U.M.V.)
- Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Università della Svizzera Italiana, 6900 Lugano, Switzerland;
| | - Ursula Maria Vogl
- Oncology Institute of Southern Switzerland (IOSI), Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale (EOC), 6500 Bellinzona, Switzerland (S.G.); (U.M.V.)
| | - Luigi Tortola
- Oncology Institute of Southern Switzerland (IOSI), Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale (EOC), 6500 Bellinzona, Switzerland (S.G.); (U.M.V.)
| | - Giorgio Treglia
- Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Università della Svizzera Italiana, 6900 Lugano, Switzerland;
- Imaging Institute of Southern Switzerland, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale (EOC), 6500 Bellinzona, Switzerland
- Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University of Lausanne, 1005 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Consuelo Buttigliero
- Oncology Unit, Department of Oncology, University of Turin, S. Luigi Gonzaga Hospital, 10043 Orbassano, Italy;
| | - Milo Frattini
- Laboratory of Genetics and Molecular Pathology, Institute of Pathology, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale (EOC), 6600 Locarno, Switzerland (M.F.)
| | - Ricardo Pereira Mestre
- Oncology Institute of Southern Switzerland (IOSI), Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale (EOC), 6500 Bellinzona, Switzerland (S.G.); (U.M.V.)
- Institute of Oncology Research (IOR), 6500 Bellinzona, Switzerland
- Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Università della Svizzera Italiana, 6900 Lugano, Switzerland;
- Clinical Research Unit, myDoctorAngel, 6934 Bioggio, Switzerland
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13
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Kashfi K, Anbardar N, Asadipooya A, Asadipooya K. Type 1 Diabetes and COVID-19: A Literature Review and Possible Management. Int J Endocrinol Metab 2023; 21:e139768. [PMID: 38666042 PMCID: PMC11041820 DOI: 10.5812/ijem-139768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2023] [Revised: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 09/30/2023] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Context Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection normally damages the respiratory system but might likewise impair endocrine organs' function. Thyroid dysfunction and hyperglycemia are common endocrine complications of SARS-CoV-2 infection. The onset of type 1 diabetes (T1D) and associated complications, including diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), hospitalization, and death, are thought to have increased during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The aim of this study was to review the available data about the incidence rate of T1D and accompanying complications since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Evidence Acquisition A literature review was conducted using the electronic databases PubMed and Google Scholar. The keywords "T1D, T1DM, Type 1 DM or Type 1 Diabetes", "Coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2 or COVID-19" were used to search these databases. Titles and abstracts were screened for selection, and then relevant studies were reviewed in full text. Results A total of 25 manuscripts out of 304 identified studies were selected. There were 15 (60%) multicenter or nationwide studies. The data about the incidence rate of T1D, hospitalization, and death are not consistent across countries; however, DKA incidence and severity seem to be higher during the COVID-19 pandemic. The present study's data collection demonstrated that COVID-19 might or might not increase the incidence of T1D. Nevertheless, it is associated with the higher incidence and severity of DKA in T1D patients. This finding might indicate that antivirals are not fully protective against the endocrine complications of SARS-CoV-2 infection, which promotes the application of an alternative approach. Conclusions Combining medications that reduce SARS-CoV-2 entry into the cells and modulate the immune response to infection is an alternative practical approach to treating COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kebria Kashfi
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Florida International University AUACOM, Florida, USA
| | - Narges Anbardar
- Department of Clinical Medicine, SMUSOM, Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine, Ohio, USA
| | - Artin Asadipooya
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
| | - Kamyar Asadipooya
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, Barnstable Brown Diabetes and Obesity Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
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14
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Suzuki E, Kuronuma K, Murai R, Fujiya Y, Saito A, Chiba H, Takahashi S. Serum Testosterone Is Associated With the Severity of COVID-19. In Vivo 2023; 37:2314-2319. [PMID: 37652515 PMCID: PMC10500529 DOI: 10.21873/invivo.13334] [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: 05/29/2023] [Revised: 06/23/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIM Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is more likely to be severe in men than in women. Its association with sex hormones as an aggravating factor for male patients has been attracting attention. This study aimed to investigate whether serum testosterone is associated with the aggravation of COVID-19. PATIENTS AND METHODS Serum testosterone concentrations in 116 male patients with COVID-19 and residual serum were measured and examined upon their admission to Sapporo Medical University Hospital between February 1, 2020 and March 31, 2021. RESULTS Blood samples collected from these patients with COVID-19 were analyzed. The serum testosterone levels were 2.19±1.35, 1.29±0.88, and 0.75±0.58 ng/ml in mild, moderate, and severe groups, respectively. Patients with severe COVID-19 on admission had lower testosterone levels (p<0.001). At a cutoff level of 1.31 ng/ml, the area under the curve for the comparison of severe with non-severe cases was 0.825. Furthermore, serum testosterone levels negatively correlated with C-reactive protein and serum amyloid A levels but positively correlated with calcium, zinc, C3, and C4. CONCLUSION In male patients with COVID-19, low serum testosterone levels correlated with disease severity, accompanied by a strong inflammatory reaction and proportion of complement consumption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ema Suzuki
- Division of Laboratory Medicine, Sapporo Medical University Hospital, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Koji Kuronuma
- Department of Respiratory Medicine and Allergology, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan;
| | - Ryosei Murai
- Division of Laboratory Medicine, Sapporo Medical University Hospital, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Yoshihiro Fujiya
- Department of Infection Control and Laboratory Medicine, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Atsushi Saito
- Department of Respiratory Medicine and Allergology, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Hirofumi Chiba
- Department of Respiratory Medicine and Allergology, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Satoshi Takahashi
- Division of Laboratory Medicine, Sapporo Medical University Hospital, Sapporo, Japan
- Department of Infection Control and Laboratory Medicine, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan
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15
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Qiao Y, Wotring JW, Zheng Y, Zhang CJ, Zhang Y, Jiang X, Pretto CD, Eyunni S, Parolia A, He T, Cheng C, Cao X, Wang R, Su F, Ellison SJ, Wang Y, Qin J, Yan H, Zhou Q, Ma L, Sexton JZ, Chinnaiyan AM. Proxalutamide reduces SARS-CoV-2 infection and associated inflammatory response. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2221809120. [PMID: 37459541 PMCID: PMC10372636 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2221809120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2022] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Early in the COVID-19 pandemic, data suggested that males had a higher risk of developing severe disease and that androgen deprivation therapy might be associated with protection. Combined with the fact that TMPRSS2 (transmembrane serine protease 2), a host entry factor for the SARS-CoV-2 virus, was a well-known androgen-regulated gene, this led to an upsurge of research investigating androgen receptor (AR)-targeting drugs. Proxalutamide, an AR antagonist, was shown in initial clinical studies to benefit COVID-19 patients; however, further validation is needed as one study was retracted. Due to continued interest in proxalutamide, which is in phase 3 trials, we examined its ability to impact SARS-CoV-2 infection and downstream inflammatory responses. Proxalutamide exerted similar effects as enzalutamide, an AR antagonist prescribed for advanced prostate cancer, in decreasing AR signaling and expression of TMPRSS2 and angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), the SARS-CoV-2 receptor. However, proxalutamide led to degradation of AR protein, which was not observed with enzalutamide. Proxalutamide inhibited SARS-CoV-2 infection with an IC50 value of 97 nM, compared to 281 nM for enzalutamide. Importantly, proxalutamide inhibited infection by multiple SARS-CoV-2 variants and synergized with remdesivir. Proxalutamide protected against cell death in response to tumor necrosis factor alpha and interferon gamma, and overall survival of mice was increased with proxalutamide treatment prior to cytokine exposure. Mechanistically, we found that proxalutamide increased levels of NRF2, an essential transcription factor that mediates antioxidant responses, and decreased lung inflammation. These data provide compelling evidence that proxalutamide can prevent SARS-CoV-2 infection and cytokine-induced lung damage, suggesting that promising clinical data may emerge from ongoing phase 3 trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanyuan Qiao
- Michigan Center for Translational Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI48109
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI48109
- Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI48109
| | - Jesse W. Wotring
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI48109
| | - Yang Zheng
- Michigan Center for Translational Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI48109
| | - Charles J. Zhang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI48109
| | - Yuping Zhang
- Michigan Center for Translational Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI48109
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI48109
| | - Xia Jiang
- Michigan Center for Translational Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI48109
| | - Carla D. Pretto
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI48109
| | - Sanjana Eyunni
- Michigan Center for Translational Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI48109
| | - Abhijit Parolia
- Michigan Center for Translational Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI48109
| | - Tongchen He
- Michigan Center for Translational Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI48109
| | - Caleb Cheng
- Michigan Center for Translational Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI48109
| | - Xuhong Cao
- Michigan Center for Translational Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI48109
| | - Rui Wang
- Michigan Center for Translational Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI48109
| | - Fengyun Su
- Michigan Center for Translational Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI48109
| | - Stephanie J. Ellison
- Michigan Center for Translational Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI48109
| | - Yini Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, Beijing Proteome Research Center, National Center for Protein Sciences (Beijing), Beijing Institute of Lifeomics, Beijing102206, China
| | - Jun Qin
- State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, Beijing Proteome Research Center, National Center for Protein Sciences (Beijing), Beijing Institute of Lifeomics, Beijing102206, China
| | - Honghua Yan
- Kintor Pharmaceutical Limited, Suzhou Industrial Park, Suzhuo215123, China
| | - Qianxiang Zhou
- Kintor Pharmaceutical Limited, Suzhou Industrial Park, Suzhuo215123, China
| | - Liandong Ma
- Kintor Pharmaceutical Limited, Suzhou Industrial Park, Suzhuo215123, China
| | - Jonathan Z. Sexton
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI48109
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI48109
- Center for Drug Repurposing, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI48109
- Michigan Institute for Clinical and Health Research, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI48109
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI48109
| | - Arul M. Chinnaiyan
- Michigan Center for Translational Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI48109
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI48109
- Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI48109
- HHMI, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI48109
- Department of Urology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI48109
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16
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Iancu GM, Molnar E, Ungureanu L, Șenilă SC, Hașegan A, Rotaru M. SARS-CoV-2 Infection-A Trigger Factor for Telogen Effluvium: Review of the Literature with a Case-Based Guidance for Clinical Evaluation. Life (Basel) 2023; 13:1576. [PMID: 37511952 PMCID: PMC10381949 DOI: 10.3390/life13071576] [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: 06/20/2023] [Revised: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Telogen effluvium post-COVID-19 is a condition characterized by the diffuse and reversible loss of scalp hair in the period following infection with SARS-CoV-2, and it is currently the second cause of alopecia in women. In the context of the COVID-19 infection, intense psychological stress contributes to alopecia appearance, along with systemic inflammation, autoimmune reactions, oxidative stress, and virally induced hypoxia. Cytokines with proinflammatory action and vasoactive substances negatively modulate the metabolism of some molecules, such as proteoglycans, involved in the hair follicle's growth cycle. Studies show that a large percentage of hairs will suddenly enter the catagen phase during a moderate to severe COVID-19 infection. In the present paper, we update the data from the literature with a clinical example. Our case highlighted that the telogen effluvium after infections with SARS-CoV-2 is reversible with appropriate dermatological treatment. For therapeutic success, informing the patient about this pathology's self-limited and reversible character is essential to reduce the emotional stress that may aggravate the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela Mariana Iancu
- Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine, Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu, 550169 Sibiu, Romania
- Clinic of Dermatology, County Emergency Hospital of Sibiu, 550245 Sibiu, Romania
| | - Estera Molnar
- Clinic of Dermatology, County Emergency Hospital of Sibiu, 550245 Sibiu, Romania
| | - Loredana Ungureanu
- Department of Dermatology, "Iuliu Hațieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400006 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Department of Dermatology, Emergency County Hospital, 400006 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Simona Corina Șenilă
- Department of Dermatology, "Iuliu Hațieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400006 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Department of Dermatology, Emergency County Hospital, 400006 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Adrian Hașegan
- Department of Urology, Faculty of Medicine, Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu, 550169 Sibiu, Romania
- Clinic of Urology, County Emergency Hospital of Sibiu, 550245 Sibiu, Romania
| | - Maria Rotaru
- Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine, Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu, 550169 Sibiu, Romania
- Clinic of Dermatology, County Emergency Hospital of Sibiu, 550245 Sibiu, Romania
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17
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Wadhwa B, Malhotra V, Kerai S, Husain F, Pandey NB, Saxena KN, Singh V, Quinn TM, Li F, Gaughan E, Shankar-Hari M, Mills B, Antonelli J, Bruce A, Finlayson K, Moore A, Dhaliwal K, Edwards C. Phase 2 randomised placebo-controlled trial of spironolactone and dexamethasone versus dexamethasone in COVID-19 hospitalised patients in Delhi. BMC Infect Dis 2023; 23:326. [PMID: 37189034 PMCID: PMC10184093 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-023-08286-w] [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: 07/06/2022] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In this phase 2 randomised placebo-controlled clinical trial in patients with COVID-19, we hypothesised that blocking mineralocorticoid receptors using a combination of dexamethasone to suppress cortisol secretion and spironolactone is safe and may reduce illness severity. METHODS Hospitalised patients with confirmed COVID-19 were randomly allocated to low dose oral spironolactone (50 mg day 1, then 25 mg once daily for 21 days) or standard of care in a 2:1 ratio. Both groups received dexamethasone 6 mg daily for 10 days. Group allocation was blinded to the patient and research team. Primary outcomes were time to recovery, defined as the number of days until patients achieved WHO Ordinal Scale (OS) category ≤ 3, and the effect of spironolactone on aldosterone, D-dimer, angiotensin II and Von Willebrand Factor (VWF). RESULTS One hundred twenty patients with PCR confirmed COVID were recruited in Delhi from 01 February to 30 April 2021. 74 were randomly assigned to spironolactone and dexamethasone (SpiroDex), and 46 to dexamethasone alone (Dex). There was no significant difference in the time to recovery between SpiroDex and Dex groups (SpiroDex median 4.5 days, Dex median 5.5 days, p = 0.055). SpiroDex patients had significantly lower D-dimer levels on days 4 and 7 (day 7 mean D-dimer: SpiroDex 1.15 µg/mL, Dex 3.15 µg/mL, p = 0.0004) and aldosterone at day 7 (SpiroDex 6.8 ng/dL, Dex 14.52 ng/dL, p = 0.0075). There was no difference in VWF or angiotensin II levels between groups. For secondary outcomes, SpiroDex patients had a significantly greater number of oxygen free days and reached oxygen freedom sooner than the Dex group. Cough scores were no different during the acute illness, however the SpiroDex group had lower scores at day 28. There was no difference in corticosteroid levels between groups. There was no increase in adverse events in patients receiving SpiroDex. CONCLUSION Low dose oral spironolactone in addition to dexamethasone was safe and reduced D-dimer and aldosterone. Time to recovery was not significantly reduced. Phase 3 randomised controlled trials with spironolactone and dexamethasone should be considered. TRIAL REGISTRATION The trial was registered on the Clinical Trials Registry of India TRI: CTRI/2021/03/031721, reference: REF/2021/03/041472. Registered on 04/03/2021.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bharti Wadhwa
- Department of Anaesthesia, Maulana Azad Medical College, New Delhi, India.
| | - Vikas Malhotra
- Department of ENT & Head and Neck Surgery, Maulana Azad Medical College & Associated Hospitals, New Delhi, India
| | - Sukhyanti Kerai
- Department of Anaesthesia, Maulana Azad Medical College, New Delhi, India
| | - Farah Husain
- Department of Anaesthesia, Maulana Azad Medical College, New Delhi, India
| | - Nalini Bala Pandey
- Department of Anaesthesia, Maulana Azad Medical College, New Delhi, India
| | - Kirti N Saxena
- Department of Anaesthesia, Maulana Azad Medical College, New Delhi, India
| | - Vinay Singh
- Department of Anaesthesia, Maulana Azad Medical College, New Delhi, India
| | - Tom M Quinn
- Centre for Inflammation Research, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, BioQuarter, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4TJ, UK
- Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, BioQuarter, Little France, Edinburgh, EH16 4SA, UK
| | - Feng Li
- Centre for Inflammation Research, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, BioQuarter, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4TJ, UK
| | - Erin Gaughan
- Centre for Inflammation Research, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, BioQuarter, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4TJ, UK
- Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, BioQuarter, Little France, Edinburgh, EH16 4SA, UK
| | - Manu Shankar-Hari
- Centre for Inflammation Research, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, BioQuarter, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4TJ, UK
- Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, BioQuarter, Little France, Edinburgh, EH16 4SA, UK
| | - Bethany Mills
- Centre for Inflammation Research, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, BioQuarter, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4TJ, UK
| | - Jean Antonelli
- Centre for Inflammation Research, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, BioQuarter, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4TJ, UK
| | - Annya Bruce
- Centre for Inflammation Research, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, BioQuarter, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4TJ, UK
| | - Keith Finlayson
- Centre for Inflammation Research, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, BioQuarter, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4TJ, UK
| | - Anne Moore
- Centre for Inflammation Research, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, BioQuarter, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4TJ, UK
| | - Kevin Dhaliwal
- Centre for Inflammation Research, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, BioQuarter, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4TJ, UK.
- Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, BioQuarter, Little France, Edinburgh, EH16 4SA, UK.
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18
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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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19
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Lott N, Gebhard CE, Bengs S, Haider A, Kuster GM, Regitz-Zagrosek V, Gebhard C. Sex hormones in SARS-CoV-2 susceptibility: key players or confounders? Nat Rev Endocrinol 2023; 19:217-231. [PMID: 36494595 PMCID: PMC9734735 DOI: 10.1038/s41574-022-00780-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection has a clear sex disparity in clinical outcomes. Hence, the interaction between sex hormones, virus entry receptors and immune responses has attracted major interest as a target for the prevention and treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infections. This Review summarizes the current understanding of the roles of androgens, oestrogens and progesterone in the regulation of virus entry receptors and disease progression of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) as well as their therapeutic value. Although many experimental and clinical studies have analysed potential mechanisms by which female sex hormones might provide protection against SARS-CoV-2 infectivity, there is currently no clear evidence for a sex-specific expression of virus entry receptors. In addition, reports describing an influence of oestrogen, progesterone and androgens on the course of COVID-19 vary widely. Current data also do not support the administration of oestradiol in COVID-19. The conflicting evidence and lack of consensus results from a paucity of mechanistic studies and clinical trials reporting sex-disaggregated data. Further, the influence of variables beyond biological factors (sex), such as sociocultural factors (gender), on COVID-19 manifestations has not been investigated. Future research will have to fill this knowledge gap as the influence of sex and gender on COVID-19 will be essential to understanding and managing the long-term consequences of this pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Lott
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Center for Molecular Cardiology, University of Zurich, Schlieren, Switzerland
| | | | - Susan Bengs
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Center for Molecular Cardiology, University of Zurich, Schlieren, Switzerland
| | - Ahmed Haider
- Division of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Radiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Gabriela M Kuster
- Department of Cardiology and Department of Biomedicine, University Hospital and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Vera Regitz-Zagrosek
- Charité, Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Catherine Gebhard
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
- Center for Molecular Cardiology, University of Zurich, Schlieren, Switzerland.
- Department of Cardiology, Inselspital Bern University Hospital, Bern, Switzerland.
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20
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Wu J, Wang L, Hua Y, Li M, Zhou L, Bates DW, Yang J. Trend and Co-occurrence Network of COVID-19 Symptoms From Large-Scale Social Media Data: Infoveillance Study. J Med Internet Res 2023; 25:e45419. [PMID: 36812402 PMCID: PMC10131634 DOI: 10.2196/45419] [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: 12/30/2022] [Revised: 02/04/2023] [Accepted: 02/19/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND For an emergent pandemic, such as COVID-19, the statistics of symptoms based on hospital data may be biased or delayed due to the high proportion of asymptomatic or mild-symptom infections that are not recorded in hospitals. Meanwhile, the difficulty in accessing large-scale clinical data also limits many researchers from conducting timely research. OBJECTIVE Given the wide coverage and promptness of social media, this study aimed to present an efficient workflow to track and visualize the dynamic characteristics and co-occurrence of symptoms for the COVID-19 pandemic from large-scale and long-term social media data. METHODS This retrospective study included 471,553,966 COVID-19-related tweets from February 1, 2020, to April 30, 2022. We curated a hierarchical symptom lexicon for social media containing 10 affected organs/systems, 257 symptoms, and 1808 synonyms. The dynamic characteristics of COVID-19 symptoms over time were analyzed from the perspectives of weekly new cases, overall distribution, and temporal prevalence of reported symptoms. The symptom evolutions between virus strains (Delta and Omicron) were investigated by comparing the symptom prevalence during their dominant periods. A co-occurrence symptom network was developed and visualized to investigate inner relationships among symptoms and affected body systems. RESULTS This study identified 201 COVID-19 symptoms and grouped them into 10 affected body systems. There was a significant correlation between the weekly quantity of self-reported symptoms and new COVID-19 infections (Pearson correlation coefficient=0.8528; P<.001). We also observed a 1-week leading trend (Pearson correlation coefficient=0.8802; P<.001) between them. The frequency of symptoms showed dynamic changes as the pandemic progressed, from typical respiratory symptoms in the early stage to more musculoskeletal and nervous symptoms in the later stages. We identified the difference in symptoms between the Delta and Omicron periods. There were fewer severe symptoms (coma and dyspnea), more flu-like symptoms (throat pain and nasal congestion), and fewer typical COVID symptoms (anosmia and taste altered) in the Omicron period than in the Delta period (all P<.001). Network analysis revealed co-occurrences among symptoms and systems corresponding to specific disease progressions, including palpitations (cardiovascular) and dyspnea (respiratory), and alopecia (musculoskeletal) and impotence (reproductive). CONCLUSIONS This study identified more and milder COVID-19 symptoms than clinical research and characterized the dynamic symptom evolution based on 400 million tweets over 27 months. The symptom network revealed potential comorbidity risk and prognostic disease progression. These findings demonstrate that the cooperation of social media and a well-designed workflow can depict a holistic picture of pandemic symptoms to complement clinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiageng Wu
- School of Public Health and the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.,The Key Laboratory of Intelligent Preventive Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
| | - Lumin Wang
- School of Public Health and the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.,The Key Laboratory of Intelligent Preventive Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yining Hua
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States.,Division of General Internal Medicine and Primary Care, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Minghui Li
- School of Public Health and the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.,The Key Laboratory of Intelligent Preventive Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
| | - Li Zhou
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States.,Division of General Internal Medicine and Primary Care, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
| | - David W Bates
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States.,Division of General Internal Medicine and Primary Care, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Jie Yang
- School of Public Health and the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.,The Key Laboratory of Intelligent Preventive Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
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21
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Mukherjee AG, Wanjari UR, Gopalakrishnan AV, Kannampuzha S, Murali R, Namachivayam A, Ganesan R, Renu K, Dey A, Vellingiri B, Prabakaran DS. Insights into the Scenario of SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Male Reproductive Toxicity. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:vaccines11030510. [PMID: 36992094 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11030510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2022] [Revised: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
COVID-19 has become a significant public health concern that has catastrophic consequences for society. Some preliminary evidence suggests that the male reproductive system may be an infection target for SARS-CoV-2. SARS-CoV-2 may be transmitted sexually, according to preliminary research. Testicular cells exhibit a high level of the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor, which enhances the entry of the SARS-CoV-2 into host cells. Some instances of COVID-19 have been documented to exhibit hypogonadism during the acute stage. Furthermore, systemic inflammatory reactions triggered by SARS-CoV-2 infection may cause oxidative stress (OS), which has been shown to have profoundly deleterious consequences on testicular functioning. This work gives a clear picture of how COVID-19 may affect male reproductive systems and calls attention to the many unanswered questions about the mechanisms by which this virus can be linked to men’s health and fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anirban Goutam Mukherjee
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Biosciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), Vellore 632014, India
| | - Uddesh Ramesh Wanjari
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Biosciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), Vellore 632014, India
| | - Abilash Valsala Gopalakrishnan
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Biosciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), Vellore 632014, India
| | - Sandra Kannampuzha
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Biosciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), Vellore 632014, India
| | - Reshma Murali
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Biosciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), Vellore 632014, India
| | - Arunraj Namachivayam
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Biosciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), Vellore 632014, India
| | - Raja Ganesan
- Institute for Liver and Digestive Diseases, College of Medicine, Hallym University, Chuncheon 24253, Republic of Korea
| | - Kaviyarasi Renu
- Centre of Molecular Medicine and Diagnostics (COMManD), Department of Biochemistry, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha Dental College & Hospitals, Saveetha University, Chennai 600077, India
| | - Abhijit Dey
- Department of Life Sciences, Presidency University, Kolkata 700073, India
| | - Balachandar Vellingiri
- Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine/Translational Research, Department of Zoology, School of Basic Sciences, Central University of Punjab (CUPB), Bathinda 151401, India
| | - D S Prabakaran
- Department of Radiation Oncology, College of Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Chungdae-ro 1 Seowon-gu, Cheongju 28644, Republic of Korea
- Department of Biotechnology, Ayya Nadar Janaki Ammal College (Autonomous), Srivilliputhur Main Road, Sivakasi 626124, India
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22
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Apalutamide Prevents SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Lung Epithelial Cells and in Human Nasal Epithelial Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24043288. [PMID: 36834705 PMCID: PMC9961850 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24043288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2022] [Revised: 01/29/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023] Open
Abstract
In early 2020, the novel pathogenic severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) emerged in Wuhan, China, and rapidly propagated worldwide causing a global health emergency. SARS-CoV-2 binds to the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) protein for cell entry, followed by proteolytic cleavage of the Spike (S) protein by the transmembrane serine protease 2 (TMPRSS2), allowing fusion of the viral and cellular membranes. Interestingly, TMPRSS2 is a key regulator in prostate cancer (PCa) progression which is regulated by androgen receptor (AR) signaling. Our hypothesis is that the AR signaling may regulate the expression of TMPRSS2 in human respiratory cells and thus influence the membrane fusion entry pathway of SARS-CoV-2. We show here that TMPRSS2 and AR are expressed in Calu-3 lung cells. In this cell line, TMPRSS2 expression is regulated by androgens. Finally, pre-treatment with anti-androgen drugs such as apalutamide significantly reduced SARS-CoV-2 entry and infection in Calu-3 lung cells but also in primary human nasal epithelial cells. Altogether, these data provide strong evidence to support the use of apalutamide as a treatment option for the PCa population vulnerable to severe COVID-19.
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23
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Human Coronavirus Cell Receptors Provide Challenging Therapeutic Targets. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:vaccines11010174. [PMID: 36680018 PMCID: PMC9862439 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11010174] [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: 12/02/2022] [Revised: 01/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Coronaviruses interact with protein or carbohydrate receptors through their spike proteins to infect cells. Even if the known protein receptors for these viruses have no evolutionary relationships, they do share ontological commonalities that the virus might leverage to exacerbate the pathophysiology. ANPEP/CD13, DPP IV/CD26, and ACE2 are the three protein receptors that are known to be exploited by several human coronaviruses. These receptors are moonlighting enzymes involved in several physiological processes such as digestion, metabolism, and blood pressure regulation; moreover, the three proteins are expressed in kidney, intestine, endothelium, and other tissues/cell types. Here, we spot the commonalities between the three enzymes, the physiological functions of the enzymes are outlined, and how blocking either enzyme results in systemic deregulations and multi-organ failures via viral infection or therapeutic interventions is addressed. It can be difficult to pinpoint any coronavirus as the target when creating a medication to fight them, due to the multiple processes that receptors are linked to and their extensive expression.
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24
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Ünlü S, Shin JJ, Par-Young J, Simonov M, Vinetz J, Petrylak DP, Kang I, Kim JW. Effect of Androgen-Androgen Receptor Directed Therapy on COVID-19 Outcome in Prostate Cancer Patients. Cancer Invest 2023; 41:77-83. [PMID: 36373994 DOI: 10.1080/07357907.2022.2139839] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
TMPRSS2 is utilized by SARS-CoV-2 for cellular entry. Androgen-Androgen receptor directed therapy (A/ARDT) downregulates expression of TMPRSS2. We hypothesized A/ARDT might protect prostate cancer (PCa) patients from poor COVID-19 outcome. A retrospective analysis of PCa patients with COVID-19 infection was performed. 146 PCa cases were identified, 17% were on A/ARDT. Hospitalization rates were same 52% (OR = 0.99, 0.41-2.24). Mean hospitalization was 9.2 (Range: 1-25) and 14.9 (Range: 2-47) days in A/ARDT and non-A/ARDT groups, respectively. While definitive conclusions cannot be made regarding outcome differences between groups due to lack of statistical significance, these data generate hypothesis that A/ARDT might shorten hospitalization stay.
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Affiliation(s)
- Serhan Ünlü
- Section of Rheumatology, Allergy and Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Junghee Jenny Shin
- Section of Rheumatology, Allergy and Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Jennefer Par-Young
- Section of Rheumatology, Allergy and Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Michael Simonov
- Department of Internal Medicine, Clinical and Translational Research Accelerator, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Joseph Vinetz
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Daniel P Petrylak
- Section of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Insoo Kang
- Section of Rheumatology, Allergy and Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Joseph W Kim
- Section of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
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25
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Liang Y, Fang D, Gao X, Deng X, Chen N, Wu J, Zeng M, Luo M. Circulating microRNAs as emerging regulators of COVID-19. Theranostics 2023; 13:125-147. [PMID: 36593971 PMCID: PMC9800721 DOI: 10.7150/thno.78164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2022] [Accepted: 11/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), an infectious disease caused by the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), is a global pandemic that has high incidence rates, spreads rapidly, and has caused more than 6.5 million deaths globally to date. Currently, several drugs have been used in the clinical treatment of COVID-19, including antivirals (e.g., molnupiravir, baricitinib, and remdesivir), monoclonal antibodies (e.g., etesevimab and tocilizumab), protease inhibitors (e.g., paxlovid), and glucocorticoids (e.g., dexamethasone). Increasing evidence suggests that circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) are important regulators of viral infection and antiviral immune responses, including the biological processes involved in regulating COVID-19 infection and subsequent complications. During viral infection, both viral genes and host cytokines regulate transcriptional and posttranscriptional steps affecting viral replication. Virus-encoded miRNAs are a component of the immune evasion repertoire and function by directly targeting immune functions. Moreover, several host circulating miRNAs can contribute to viral immune escape and play an antiviral role by not only promoting nonstructural protein (nsp) 10 expression in SARS coronavirus, but among others inhibiting NOD-like receptor pyrin domain-containing (NLRP) 3 and IL-1β transcription. Consequently, understanding the expression and mechanism of action of circulating miRNAs during SARS-CoV-2 infection will provide unexpected insights into circulating miRNA-based studies. In this review, we examined the recent progress of circulating miRNAs in the regulation of severe inflammatory response, immune dysfunction, and thrombosis caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection, discussed the mechanisms of action, and highlighted the therapeutic challenges involving miRNA and future research directions in the treatment of COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Liang
- Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology, Ministry of Education, Drug Discovery Research Center, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China.,College of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China
| | - Dan Fang
- Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology, Ministry of Education, Drug Discovery Research Center, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China.,Laboratory for Cardiovascular Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China
| | - Xiaojun Gao
- Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology, Ministry of Education, Drug Discovery Research Center, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China.,Laboratory for Cardiovascular Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China
| | - Xin Deng
- Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology, Ministry of Education, Drug Discovery Research Center, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China.,Laboratory for Cardiovascular Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China
| | - Ni Chen
- Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology, Ministry of Education, Drug Discovery Research Center, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China.,Laboratory for Cardiovascular Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China
| | - Jianbo Wu
- Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology, Ministry of Education, Drug Discovery Research Center, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China.,Laboratory for Cardiovascular Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China
| | - Min Zeng
- Department of Pharmacy, the Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China.,✉ Corresponding authors: Mao Luo and Min Zeng, Postal address: Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology, Ministry of Education, Drug Discovery Research Center of Southwest Medical University and Department of Pharmacy of the Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China. E-mail addresses: (M. LUO), (M. Zeng)
| | - Mao Luo
- Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology, Ministry of Education, Drug Discovery Research Center, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China.,College of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China.,Laboratory for Cardiovascular Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China.,✉ Corresponding authors: Mao Luo and Min Zeng, Postal address: Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology, Ministry of Education, Drug Discovery Research Center of Southwest Medical University and Department of Pharmacy of the Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China. E-mail addresses: (M. LUO), (M. Zeng)
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26
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Shapiro JR, Roberts CW, Arcovio K, Reade L, Klein SL, Dhakal S. Effects of Biological Sex and Pregnancy on SARS-CoV-2 Pathogenesis and Vaccine Outcomes. Curr Top Microbiol Immunol 2023; 441:75-110. [PMID: 37695426 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-35139-6_4] [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: 09/12/2023]
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 is the causative agent of COVID-19 in humans and has resulted in the death of millions of people worldwide. Similar numbers of infections have been documented in males and females; males, however, are more likely than females to be hospitalized, require intensive care unit, or die from COVID-19. The mechanisms that account for this are multi-factorial and are likely to include differential expression of ACE2 and TMPRSS2 molecules that are required for viral entry into hosts cells and sex differences in the immune response, which are due to modulation of cellular functions by sex hormones and differences in chromosomal gene expression. Furthermore, as comorbidities are also associated with poorer outcomes to SARS-CoV-2 infection and several comorbidities are overrepresented in males, these are also likely to contribute to the observed sex differences. Despite their relative better prognosis following infection with SARS-CoV-2, females do have poorer outcomes during pregnancy. This is likely to be due to pregnancy-induced changes in the immune system that adversely affect viral immunity and disruption of the renin-angiotensin system. Importantly, vaccination reduces the severity of disease in males and females, including pregnant females, and there is no evidence that vaccination has any adverse effects on the outcomes of pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janna R Shapiro
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Craig W Roberts
- Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, Scotland, UK
| | - Kasandra Arcovio
- Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, Scotland, UK
| | - Lisa Reade
- Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, Scotland, UK
| | - Sabra L Klein
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Santosh Dhakal
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA.
- Department of Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, USA.
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27
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Giotis ES, Cil E, Brooke GN. Use of Antiandrogens as Therapeutic Agents in COVID-19 Patients. Viruses 2022; 14:2728. [PMID: 36560732 PMCID: PMC9788624 DOI: 10.3390/v14122728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2022] [Revised: 11/23/2022] [Accepted: 12/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
COVID-19, caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS CoV-2), is estimated to have caused over 6.5 million deaths worldwide. The emergence of fast-evolving SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern alongside increased transmissibility and/or virulence, as well as immune and vaccine escape capabilities, highlight the urgent need for more effective antivirals to combat the disease in the long run along with regularly updated vaccine boosters. One of the early risk factors identified during the COVID-19 pandemic was that men are more likely to become infected by the virus, more likely to develop severe disease and exhibit a higher likelihood of hospitalisation and mortality rates compared to women. An association exists between SARS-CoV-2 infectiveness and disease severity with sex steroid hormones and, in particular, androgens. Several studies underlined the importance of the androgen-mediated regulation of the host protease TMPRSS2 and the cell entry protein ACE2, as well as the key role of these factors in the entry of the virus into target cells. In this context, modulating androgen signalling is a promising strategy to block viral infection, and antiandrogens could be used as a preventative measure at the pre- or early hospitalisation stage of COVID-19 disease. Different antiandrogens, including commercial drugs used to treat metastatic castration-sensitive prostate cancer and other conditions, have been tested as antivirals with varying success. In this review, we summarise the most recent updates concerning the use of antiandrogens as prophylactic and therapeutic options for COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Efstathios S. Giotis
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Imperial College London, London W2 1PG, UK
- School of Life Sciences, University of Essex, Colchester CO4 3SQ, UK
| | - Emine Cil
- School of Life Sciences, University of Essex, Colchester CO4 3SQ, UK
| | - Greg N. Brooke
- School of Life Sciences, University of Essex, Colchester CO4 3SQ, UK
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Coelingh Bennink HJ, Egberts JF, Debruyne FM. Testosterone suppression combined with high dose estrogen as potential treatment of SARS-CoV-2. A mini review. Heliyon 2022; 8:e12376. [PMID: 36540359 PMCID: PMC9754753 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e12376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2022] [Revised: 10/06/2022] [Accepted: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Compared to females, males experience severe acute respiratory syndrome due to COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) more often, and also die more frequently from COVID-19. Testosterone has inhibitory and estrogens have favorable effects on the immune system. Both ACE2 and TMPRSS2 are specific host-cellular proteins stimulating viral entry in cells and SARS-CoV-2. Both proteins can be suppressed by inhibition of testosterone levels and by stimulation of estrogen levels. Therefore, both androgen-deprivation therapy (ADT) and estrogen therapy (ET) may decrease COVID-19 virus cell entry. Literature was searched for evidence of COVID-19 treatment benefits with estrogens, progesterone, androgen deprivation, and anti-androgens. Data supporting the effect of ADT on SARS-CoV-2 are sparse and inconsistent. The benefit of anti-androgen therapy is inconsistent. Data on the effect of ET were not found. Indirect estrogen data related to menopausal hormone therapy and hormonal contraception are favorable. In a small study, progesterone had some beneficial effects. The combination of ADT and ET (ADET) has never been studied as a treatment option for SARS-CoV-2. Based on the mode of action of the combination, it is hypothesized that ADET may be an effective and safe treatment of SARS-CoV-2, to be confirmed in a clinical trial.
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Ataei A, Derakhshan MM, Razmjooie M, Zare F, Amiresmaeili H, Salehi N, Namakkoobi N, Mirhosseini H, Karim B, Iravani S. Androgens' Role in Severity and Mortality Rates of COVID-19. Horm Metab Res 2022; 54:813-826. [PMID: 36195265 DOI: 10.1055/a-1954-5605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
By the end of December 2019 new corona virus began to spread from Wuhan, China and caused a worldwide pandemic. COVID-19 deaths and prevalence represented sex discrepant patterns with higher rate of deaths and infection in males than females which could be justified by androgen-mediated mechanisms. This review aimed to assess the role of androgens in COVID-19 severity and mortality. Androgens increase expressions of Type II transmembrane Serine Protease (TMPRSS2) and Angiotensin Converting Enzyme 2 (ACE2), which both facilitate new corona virus entry into host cell and their expression is higher in young males than females. According to observational studies, prevalence of COVID-19 infections and deaths was more in androgenic alopecic patients than patients without androgenic alopecia. The COVID-19 mortality rates in aged men (>60 years) were substantially higher than aged females and even young males caused by high inflammatory activities such as cytokine storm due to hypogonadism in this population. Use of anti-androgen and TMPRSS2 inhibitor drugs considerably modified COVID-19 symptoms. Androgen deprivation therapy also improved COVID-19 symptoms in prostate cancer: overall the role of androgens in severity of COVID-19 and its associated mortality seemed to be very important. So, more studies in variety of populations are required to define the absolute role of androgens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Ataei
- School of Medicine, Bam University of Medical Sciences, Bam, Iran
| | - Mohammad Moein Derakhshan
- Student Research Committee, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences and Health Services, Yazd, Iran
| | | | - Fateme Zare
- Reproductive Immunology Research Center, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences and Health Services, Yazd, Iran
| | - Habibe Amiresmaeili
- Nursing Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Negin Salehi
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Negar Namakkoobi
- Student Research Committee, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran
| | - Hamid Mirhosseini
- Research Center of Addiction and Behavioral Sciences, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences and Health Services, Yazd, Iran
| | - Bardia Karim
- Student Research Committee, Babol University of Medical Science, Babol, Iran
| | - Sima Iravani
- School of Paramedical Sciences, Yazd University of Medical Science, Yazd, Iran
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Li X, Zhou Y, Yuan S, Zhou X, Wang L, Sun J, Yu L, Zhu J, Zhang H, Yang N, Dai S, Song P, Larsson SC, Theodoratou E, Zhu Y, Li X. Genetically predicted high IGF-1 levels showed protective effects on COVID-19 susceptibility and hospitalization: a Mendelian randomisation study with data from 60 studies across 25 countries. eLife 2022; 11:e79720. [PMID: 36250974 PMCID: PMC9576268 DOI: 10.7554/elife.79720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2022] [Accepted: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Epidemiological studies observed gender differences in COVID-19 outcomes, however, whether sex hormone plays a causal in COVID-19 risk remains unclear. This study aimed to examine associations of sex hormone, sex hormones-binding globulin (SHBG), insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), and COVID-19 risk. Methods Two-sample Mendelian randomization (TSMR) study was performed to explore the causal associations between testosterone, estrogen, SHBG, IGF-1, and the risk of COVID-19 (susceptibility, hospitalization, and severity) using genome-wide association study (GWAS) summary level data from the COVID-19 Host Genetics Initiative (N=1,348,701). Random-effects inverse variance weighted (IVW) MR approach was used as the primary MR method and the weighted median, MR-Egger, and MR Pleiotropy RESidual Sum and Outlier (MR-PRESSO) test were conducted as sensitivity analyses. Results Higher genetically predicted IGF-1 levels have nominally significant association with reduced risk of COVID-19 susceptibility and hospitalization. For one standard deviation increase in genetically predicted IGF-1 levels, the odds ratio was 0.77 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.61-0.97, p=0.027) for COVID-19 susceptibility, 0.62 (95% CI: 0.25-0.51, p=0.018) for COVID-19 hospitalization, and 0.85 (95% CI: 0.52-1.38, p=0.513) for COVID-19 severity. There was no evidence that testosterone, estrogen, and SHBG are associated with the risk of COVID-19 susceptibility, hospitalization, and severity in either overall or sex-stratified TSMR analysis. Conclusions Our study indicated that genetically predicted high IGF-1 levels were associated with decrease the risk of COVID-19 susceptibility and hospitalization, but these associations did not survive the Bonferroni correction of multiple testing. Further studies are needed to validate the findings and explore whether IGF-1 could be a potential intervention target to reduce COVID-19 risk. Funding We acknowledge support from NSFC (LR22H260001), CRUK (C31250/A22804), SHLF (Hjärt-Lungfonden, 20210351), VR (Vetenskapsrådet, 2019-00977), and SCI (Cancerfonden).
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinxuan Li
- Department of Big Data in Health Science School of Public Health, Center of Clinical Big Data and Analytics of The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhouChina
| | - Yajing Zhou
- Department of Big Data in Health Science School of Public Health, Center of Clinical Big Data and Analytics of The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhouChina
| | - Shuai Yuan
- Department of Big Data in Health Science School of Public Health, Center of Clinical Big Data and Analytics of The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhouChina
- Unit of Cardiovascular and Nutritional Epidemiology, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska InstitutetStockholmSweden
| | - Xuan Zhou
- Department of Big Data in Health Science School of Public Health, Center of Clinical Big Data and Analytics of The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhouChina
| | - Lijuan Wang
- Department of Big Data in Health Science School of Public Health, Center of Clinical Big Data and Analytics of The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhouChina
| | - Jing Sun
- Department of Big Data in Health Science School of Public Health, Center of Clinical Big Data and Analytics of The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhouChina
| | - Lili Yu
- Department of Big Data in Health Science School of Public Health, Center of Clinical Big Data and Analytics of The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhouChina
| | - Jinghan Zhu
- The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Han Zhang
- Department of Big Data in Health Science School of Public Health, Center of Clinical Big Data and Analytics of The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhouChina
| | - Nan Yang
- Department of Big Data in Health Science School of Public Health, Center of Clinical Big Data and Analytics of The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhouChina
| | - Shuhui Dai
- Department of Big Data in Health Science School of Public Health, Center of Clinical Big Data and Analytics of The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhouChina
| | - Peige Song
- School of Public Health and Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhouChina
| | - Susanna C Larsson
- Unit of Cardiovascular and Nutritional Epidemiology, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska InstitutetStockholmSweden
- Unit of Medical Epidemiology, Department of Surgical Sciences, Uppsala UniversityUppsalaSweden
| | - Evropi Theodoratou
- Centre for Global Health, Usher Institute, University of EdinburghEdinburghUnited Kingdom
- Cancer Research UK Edinburgh Centre, Medical Research Council Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of EdinburghEdinburghUnited Kingdom
| | - Yimin Zhu
- Department of Big Data in Health Science School of Public Health, Center of Clinical Big Data and Analytics of The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhouChina
| | - Xue Li
- Department of Big Data in Health Science School of Public Health, Center of Clinical Big Data and Analytics of The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhouChina
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Ahmadi Badi S, Malek A, Paolini A, Rouhollahi Masoumi M, Seyedi SA, Amanzadeh A, Masotti A, Khatami S, Siadat SD. Downregulation of ACE, AGTR1, and ACE2 genes mediating SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis by gut microbiota members and their postbiotics on Caco-2 cells. Microb Pathog 2022; 173:105798. [PMID: 36174833 PMCID: PMC9511898 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2022.105798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Revised: 09/19/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) is a complex infection caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) that can cause also gastrointestinal symptoms. There are various factors that determine the host susceptibility and severity of infection, including the renin-angiotensin system, the immune response, and the gut microbiota. In this regard, we aimed to investigate the gene expression of ACE, AGTR1, ACE2, and TMPRSS2, which mediate SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis by Akkermansia muciniphila, Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron, and Bacteroides fragilis on Caco-2 cells. Also, the enrichment analysis considering the studied genes was analyzed on raw data from the microarray analysis of COVID-19 patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS Caco-2 cells were treated with live, heat-inactivated form and cell free supernatants of A. muciniphila, F. prausnitzii, B. thetaiotaomicron and B. fragilis for overnight. After RNA extraction and cDNA synthesis, the expression of studied genes was assessed by RT-qPCR. DNA methylation of studied genes was analyzed by Partek® Genomics Suite® software on the GSE174818 dataset. We used GSE164805 and GSE166552 datasets from COVID-19 patients to perform enrichment analysis by considering the mentioned genes via GEO2R, DAVID. Finally, the related microRNAs to GO terms concerned on the studied genes were identified by miRPath. RESULTS The downregulation of ACE, AGTR1, and ACE2 genes by A. muciniphila, F. prausnitzii, B. thetaiotaomicron, and B. fragilis in live, heat-inactivated, and cell-free supernatants was reported for the first time. These genes had hypomethylated DNA status in COVID-19 patients' raw data. The highest fold enrichment in upregulated RAS pathways and immune responses belonged to ACE, AGTR1, and ACE2 by considering the protein-protein interaction network. The common miRNAs targeting the studied genes were reported as miR-124-3p and miR-26b-5p. In combination with our experimental data and bioinformatic analysis, we showed the potential of A. muciniphila, F. prausnitzii, B. thetaiotaomicron, and B. fragilis and postbiotics to reduce ACE, ATR1, and ACE2 expression, which are essential genes that drive upregulated biological processes in COVID-19 patients. CONCLUSION Accordingly, due to the potential of studied bacteria on the alteration of ACE, AGTR1, ACE2 genes expression, understanding their correlation with demonstrated miRNAs expression could be valuable. These findings suggest the importance of considering targeted gut microbiota intervention when designing the possible therapeutic strategy for controlling the COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Ahmadi Badi
- Microbiology Research Center, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran; Mycobacteriology and Pulmonary Research Department, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Amin Malek
- Microbiology Research Center, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran; Mycobacteriology and Pulmonary Research Department, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Alessandro Paolini
- Children's Hospital Bambino Gesù-IRCCS, Research Laboratories, V.le di San Paolo 15, 00146, Rome, Italy.
| | - Mahya Rouhollahi Masoumi
- Department of Stem Cells and Developmental Biology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Seyed Amirhesam Seyedi
- Microbiology Research Center, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran; Mycobacteriology and Pulmonary Research Department, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Amir Amanzadeh
- National Cell Bank of Iran, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Andrea Masotti
- Children's Hospital Bambino Gesù-IRCCS, Research Laboratories, V.le di San Paolo 15, 00146, Rome, Italy.
| | - Shohreh Khatami
- Department of Biochemistry, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Seyed Davar Siadat
- Microbiology Research Center, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran; Mycobacteriology and Pulmonary Research Department, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran.
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Farhangnia P, Dehrouyeh S, Safdarian AR, Farahani SV, Gorgani M, Rezaei N, Akbarpour M, Delbandi AA. Recent advances in passive immunotherapies for COVID-19: The Evidence-Based approaches and clinical trials. Int Immunopharmacol 2022; 109:108786. [PMID: 35483235 PMCID: PMC9021130 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2022.108786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2022] [Revised: 04/14/2022] [Accepted: 04/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
In late 2019, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) emerged, causing a global pandemic called COVID-19. Currently, there is no definitive treatment for this emerging disease. Global efforts resulted in developing multiple platforms of COVID-19 vaccines, but their efficacy in humans should be wholly investigated in the long-term clinical and epidemiological follow-ups. Despite the international efforts, COVID-19 vaccination accompanies challenges, including financial and political obstacles, serious adverse effects (AEs), the impossibility of using vaccines in certain groups of people in the community, and viral evasion due to emerging novel variants of SARS-CoV-2 in many countries. For these reasons, passive immunotherapy has been considered a complementary remedy and a promising way to manage COVID-19. These approaches arebased on reduced inflammation due to inhibiting cytokine storm phenomena, immunomodulation,preventing acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), viral neutralization, anddecreased viral load. This article highlights passive immunotherapy and immunomodulation approaches in managing and treating COVID-19 patients and discusses relevant clinical trials (CTs).
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Affiliation(s)
- Pooya Farhangnia
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Network of Immunity in Infection, Malignancy and Autoimmunity (NIIMA), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran; Immunology Board for Transplantation and Cell-Based Therapeutics (ImmunoTACT), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Chicago, United States
| | - Shiva Dehrouyeh
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Immunology Board for Transplantation and Cell-Based Therapeutics (ImmunoTACT), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Chicago, United States
| | - Amir Reza Safdarian
- Network of Immunity in Infection, Malignancy and Autoimmunity (NIIMA), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran; Immunology Board for Transplantation and Cell-Based Therapeutics (ImmunoTACT), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Chicago, United States; Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Alborz, Iran
| | - Soheila Vasheghani Farahani
- Immunology Board for Transplantation and Cell-Based Therapeutics (ImmunoTACT), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Chicago, United States; Department of Immunology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Melika Gorgani
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Immunology Board for Transplantation and Cell-Based Therapeutics (ImmunoTACT), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Chicago, United States
| | - Nima Rezaei
- Network of Immunity in Infection, Malignancy and Autoimmunity (NIIMA), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran; Research Center for Immunodeficiencies, Children's Medical Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Dr. Qarib St, Keshavarz Blvd, Tehran, Iran; Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahzad Akbarpour
- Immunology Board for Transplantation and Cell-Based Therapeutics (ImmunoTACT), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Chicago, United States; Advanced Cellular Therapeutics Facility (ACTF), Hematopoietic Cellular Therapy Program, Section of Hematology & Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, United States.
| | - Ali-Akbar Delbandi
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Immunology Research Center, Institute of Immunology and Infectious Disease, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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Caputo I, Caroccia B, Frasson I, Poggio E, Zamberlan S, Morpurgo M, Seccia TM, Calì T, Brini M, Richter SN, Rossi GP. Angiotensin II Promotes SARS-CoV-2 Infection via Upregulation of ACE2 in Human Bronchial Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23095125. [PMID: 35563515 PMCID: PMC9102833 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23095125] [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: 03/28/2022] [Revised: 05/01/2022] [Accepted: 05/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Blockers of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) have been reported to increase the angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE)2, the cellular receptor of SARS-CoV-2, and thus the risk and course of COVID-19. Therefore, we investigated if angiotensin (Ang) II and RAS blockers affected ACE2 expression and SARS-CoV-2 infectivity in human epithelial bronchial Calu-3 cells. By infectivity and spike-mediated cell–cell fusion assays, we showed that Ang II acting on the angiotensin type 1 receptor markedly increased ACE2 at mRNA and protein levels, resulting in enhanced SARS-CoV-2 cell entry. These effects were abolished by irbesartan and not affected by the blockade of ACE-1-mediated Ang II formation with ramipril, and of ACE2- mediated Ang II conversion into Ang 1-7 with MLN-4760. Thus, enhanced Ang II production in patients with an activated RAS might expose to a greater spread of COVID-19 infection in lung cells. The protective action of Angiotensin type 1 receptor antagonists (ARBs) documented in these studies provides a mechanistic explanation for the lack of worse outcomes in high-risk COVID-19 patients on RAS blockers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilaria Caputo
- Specialized Center for Blood Pressure Disorders-Regione Veneto and Internal Emergency Medicine Unit, Department of Medicine-DIMED, University of Padua, 35128 Padua, Italy; (I.C.); (B.C.); (S.Z.); (T.M.S.)
| | - Brasilina Caroccia
- Specialized Center for Blood Pressure Disorders-Regione Veneto and Internal Emergency Medicine Unit, Department of Medicine-DIMED, University of Padua, 35128 Padua, Italy; (I.C.); (B.C.); (S.Z.); (T.M.S.)
| | - Ilaria Frasson
- Department of Molecular Medicine-DMM, University of Padua, 35121 Padua, Italy; (I.F.); (S.N.R.)
| | - Elena Poggio
- Department of Biology, University of Padua, 35131 Padua, Italy; (E.P.); (M.B.)
| | - Stefania Zamberlan
- Specialized Center for Blood Pressure Disorders-Regione Veneto and Internal Emergency Medicine Unit, Department of Medicine-DIMED, University of Padua, 35128 Padua, Italy; (I.C.); (B.C.); (S.Z.); (T.M.S.)
| | - Margherita Morpurgo
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padua, 35131 Padua, Italy;
| | - Teresa M. Seccia
- Specialized Center for Blood Pressure Disorders-Regione Veneto and Internal Emergency Medicine Unit, Department of Medicine-DIMED, University of Padua, 35128 Padua, Italy; (I.C.); (B.C.); (S.Z.); (T.M.S.)
| | - Tito Calì
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padua, 35131 Padua, Italy;
| | - Marisa Brini
- Department of Biology, University of Padua, 35131 Padua, Italy; (E.P.); (M.B.)
| | - Sara N. Richter
- Department of Molecular Medicine-DMM, University of Padua, 35121 Padua, Italy; (I.F.); (S.N.R.)
| | - Gian Paolo Rossi
- Specialized Center for Blood Pressure Disorders-Regione Veneto and Internal Emergency Medicine Unit, Department of Medicine-DIMED, University of Padua, 35128 Padua, Italy; (I.C.); (B.C.); (S.Z.); (T.M.S.)
- Correspondence:
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Ho JQ, Sepand MR, Bigdelou B, Shekarian T, Esfandyarpour R, Chauhan P, Serpooshan V, Beura LK, Hutter G, Zanganeh S. The immune response to COVID-19: Does sex matter? Immunology 2022; 166:429-443. [PMID: 35470422 PMCID: PMC9111683 DOI: 10.1111/imm.13487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic has created unprecedented challenges worldwide. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) causes COVID‐19 and has a complex interaction with the immune system, including growing evidence of sex‐specific differences in the immune response. Sex‐disaggregated analyses of epidemiological data indicate that males experience more severe symptoms and suffer higher mortality from COVID‐19 than females. Many behavioural risk factors and biological factors may contribute to the different immune response. This review examines the immune response to SARS‐CoV‐2 infection in the context of sex, with emphasis on potential biological mechanisms explaining differences in clinical outcomes. Understanding sex differences in the pathophysiology of SARS‐CoV‐2 infection will help promote the development of specific strategies to manage the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jim Q Ho
- Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, United States
| | - Mohammad Reza Sepand
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, Dartmouth, Massachusetts, United States
| | - Banafsheh Bigdelou
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, Dartmouth, Massachusetts, United States
| | - Tala Shekarian
- Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Rahim Esfandyarpour
- Department of Electrical Engineering, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California, United States.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California, United States
| | - Prashant Chauhan
- Laboratory of Functional Biology of Protists, Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Vahid Serpooshan
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Emory University School of Medicine and Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia, United States
| | - Lalit K Beura
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, United States
| | - Gregor Hutter
- Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Steven Zanganeh
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, Dartmouth, Massachusetts, United States
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Dai J, Wang H, Liao Y, Tan L, Sun Y, Song C, Liu W, Qiu X, Ding C. Coronavirus Infection and Cholesterol Metabolism. Front Immunol 2022; 13:791267. [PMID: 35529872 PMCID: PMC9069556 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.791267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2021] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Host cholesterol metabolism remodeling is significantly associated with the spread of human pathogenic coronaviruses, suggesting virus-host relationships could be affected by cholesterol-modifying drugs. Cholesterol has an important role in coronavirus entry, membrane fusion, and pathological syncytia formation, therefore cholesterol metabolic mechanisms may be promising drug targets for coronavirus infections. Moreover, cholesterol and its metabolizing enzymes or corresponding natural products exert antiviral effects which are closely associated with individual viral steps during coronavirus replication. Furthermore, the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infections are associated with clinically significant low cholesterol levels, suggesting cholesterol could function as a potential marker for monitoring viral infection status. Therefore, weaponizing cholesterol dysregulation against viral infection could be an effective antiviral strategy. In this review, we comprehensively review the literature to clarify how coronaviruses exploit host cholesterol metabolism to accommodate viral replication requirements and interfere with host immune responses. We also focus on targeting cholesterol homeostasis to interfere with critical steps during coronavirus infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Dai
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning, China
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, China
- Experimental Animal Center, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi City, China
| | - Huan Wang
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Ying Liao
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Lei Tan
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Yingjie Sun
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Cuiping Song
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Weiwei Liu
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Xusheng Qiu
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, China
- *Correspondence: Xusheng Qiu, ; Chan Ding,
| | - Chan Ding
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, China
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Xusheng Qiu, ; Chan Ding,
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Vázquez-Mendoza LH, Mendoza-Figueroa HL, García-Vázquez JB, Correa-Basurto J, García-Machorro J. In Silico Drug Repositioning to Target the SARS-CoV-2 Main Protease as Covalent Inhibitors Employing a Combined Structure-Based Virtual Screening Strategy of Pharmacophore Models and Covalent Docking. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:3987. [PMID: 35409348 PMCID: PMC8999907 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23073987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2022] [Revised: 02/17/2022] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The epidemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, which has spread rapidly throughout the world, requires urgent and effective treatments considering that the appearance of viral variants limits the efficacy of vaccines. The main protease of SARS-CoV-2 (Mpro) is a highly conserved cysteine proteinase, fundamental for the replication of the coronavirus and with a specific cleavage mechanism that positions it as an attractive therapeutic target for the proposal of irreversible inhibitors. A structure-based strategy combining 3D pharmacophoric modeling, virtual screening, and covalent docking was employed to identify the interactions required for molecular recognition, as well as the spatial orientation of the electrophilic warhead, of various drugs, to achieve a covalent interaction with Cys145 of Mpro. The virtual screening on the structure-based pharmacophoric map of the SARS-CoV-2 Mpro in complex with an inhibitor N3 (reference compound) provided high efficiency by identifying 53 drugs (FDA and DrugBank databases) with probabilities of covalent binding, including N3 (Michael acceptor) and others with a variety of electrophilic warheads. Adding the energy contributions of affinity for non-covalent and covalent docking, 16 promising drugs were obtained. Our findings suggest that the FDA-approved drugs Vaborbactam, Cimetidine, Ixazomib, Scopolamine, and Bicalutamide, as well as the other investigational peptide-like drugs (DB04234, DB03456, DB07224, DB7252, and CMX-2043) are potential covalent inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 Mpro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis Heriberto Vázquez-Mendoza
- Laboratorio de Diseño y Desarrollo de Nuevos Fármacos e Innovación Biotecnológica, Posgrado en Farmacología de la Escuela Superior de Medicina del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Plan de San Luis y Salvador Díaz Mirón s/n, Casco de Santo Tomás, Ciudad de Mexico 11340, Mexico; (L.H.V.-M.); (J.C.-B.)
| | - Humberto L. Mendoza-Figueroa
- Laboratorio de Diseño y Desarrollo de Nuevos Fármacos e Innovación Biotecnológica, Posgrado en Farmacología de la Escuela Superior de Medicina del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Plan de San Luis y Salvador Díaz Mirón s/n, Casco de Santo Tomás, Ciudad de Mexico 11340, Mexico; (L.H.V.-M.); (J.C.-B.)
| | - Juan Benjamín García-Vázquez
- Laboratorio de Diseño y Desarrollo de Nuevos Fármacos e Innovación Biotecnológica, Posgrado en Farmacología de la Escuela Superior de Medicina del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Plan de San Luis y Salvador Díaz Mirón s/n, Casco de Santo Tomás, Ciudad de Mexico 11340, Mexico; (L.H.V.-M.); (J.C.-B.)
- Cátedras CONACyT-Sección de Estudios de Posgrado e Investigación, Escuela Superior de Medicina, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Plan de San Luis y Díaz Mirón s/n, Casco de Santo Tomás, Ciudad de Mexico 11340, Mexico
| | - José Correa-Basurto
- Laboratorio de Diseño y Desarrollo de Nuevos Fármacos e Innovación Biotecnológica, Posgrado en Farmacología de la Escuela Superior de Medicina del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Plan de San Luis y Salvador Díaz Mirón s/n, Casco de Santo Tomás, Ciudad de Mexico 11340, Mexico; (L.H.V.-M.); (J.C.-B.)
| | - Jazmín García-Machorro
- Laboratorio de Medicina de la Conservación, Escuela Superior de Medicina del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Plan de San Luis y Salvador Díaz Mirón s/n, Casco de Santo Tomás, Ciudad de Mexico 11340, Mexico;
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Brandi ML. Are sex hormones promising candidates to explain sex disparities in the COVID-19 pandemic? Rev Endocr Metab Disord 2022; 23:171-183. [PMID: 34761329 PMCID: PMC8580578 DOI: 10.1007/s11154-021-09692-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Emerging evidence suggests that the novel Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) is deadlier for men than women both in China and in Europe. Male sex is a risk factor for COVID-19 mortality. The meccanisms underlying the reduced morbidity and lethality in women are currently unclear, even though hypotheses have been posed (Brandi and Giustina in Trends Endocrinol Metab. 31:918-27, 2020). This article aims to describe the role of sex hormones in sex- and gender-related fatality of COVID-19. We discuss the possibility that potential sex-specific mechanisms modulating the course of the disease include both the androgen- and the estrogen-response cascade. Sex hormones regulate the respiratory function, the innate and adaptive immune responses, the immunoaging, the cardiovascular system, and the entrance of the virus in the cells. Recommendations for the future government policies and for the management of COVID-19 patients should include a dimorphic approach for males and females. As the estrogen receptor signaling appears critical for protection in women, more studies are needed to translate the basic knowledge into clinical actions. Understanding the etiological bases of sexual dimorphism in COVID-19 could help develop more effective strategies in individual patients in both sexes, including designing a good vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Luisa Brandi
- Fondazione Italiana Per La Ricerca Sulle Malattie Dell'Osso, Florence, Italy.
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Hollenberg MD, Epstein M. The innate immune response, microenvironment proteinases, and the COVID-19 pandemic: pathophysiologic mechanisms and emerging therapeutic targets. Kidney Int Suppl (2011) 2022; 12:48-62. [PMID: 35316977 PMCID: PMC8931295 DOI: 10.1016/j.kisu.2021.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2021] [Revised: 11/19/2021] [Accepted: 12/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, causing considerable mortality and morbidity worldwide, has fully engaged the biomedical community in attempts to elucidate the pathophysiology of COVID-19 and develop robust therapeutic strategies. To this end, the predominant research focus has been on the adaptive immune response to COVID-19 infections stimulated by mRNA and protein vaccines and on the duration and persistence of immune protection. In contrast, the role of the innate immune response to the viral challenge has been underrepresented. This overview focuses on the innate immune response to COVID-19 infection, with an emphasis on the roles of extracellular proteases in the tissue microenvironment. Proteinase-mediated signaling caused by enzymes in the extracellular microenvironment occurs upstream of the increased production of inflammatory cytokines that mediate COVID-19 pathology. These enzymes include the coagulation cascade, kinin-generating plasma kallikrein, and the complement system, as well as angiotensin-generating proteinases of the renin-angiotensin system. Furthermore, in the context of several articles in this Supplement elucidating and detailing the trajectory of diverse profibrotic pathways, we extrapolate these insights to explore how fibrosis and profibrotic pathways participate importantly in the pathogenesis of COVID-19. We propose that the lessons garnered from understanding the roles of microenvironment proteinases in triggering the innate immune response to COVID-19 pathology will identify potential therapeutic targets and inform approaches to the clinical management of COVID-19. Furthermore, the information may also provide a template for understanding the determinants of COVID-19-induced tissue fibrosis that may follow resolution of acute infection (so-called "long COVID"), which represents a major new challenge to our healthcare systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morley D. Hollenberg
- Inflammation Research Network–Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Department of Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Murray Epstein
- Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
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Protective trend of anti-androgen therapy during the COVID-19 pandemic: a meta-analysis. J Infect 2022; 84:834-872. [PMID: 35341831 PMCID: PMC8944116 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinf.2022.03.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
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Bechmann N, Barthel A, Schedl A, Herzig S, Varga Z, Gebhard C, Mayr M, Hantel C, Beuschlein F, Wolfrum C, Perakakis N, Poston L, Andoniadou CL, Siow R, Gainetdinov RR, Dotan A, Shoenfeld Y, Mingrone G, Bornstein SR. Sexual dimorphism in COVID-19: potential clinical and public health implications. Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol 2022; 10:221-230. [PMID: 35114136 PMCID: PMC8803381 DOI: 10.1016/s2213-8587(21)00346-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2021] [Revised: 11/16/2021] [Accepted: 12/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Current evidence suggests that severity and mortality of COVID-19 is higher in men than in women, whereas women might be at increased risk of COVID-19 reinfection and development of long COVID. Differences between sexes have been observed in other infectious diseases and in the response to vaccines. Sex-specific expression patterns of proteins mediating virus binding and entry, and divergent reactions of the immune and endocrine system, in particular the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, in response to acute stress might explain the higher severity of COVID-19 in men. In this Personal View, we discuss how sex hormones, comorbidities, and the sex chromosome complement influence these mechanisms in the context of COVID-19. Due to its role in the severity and progression of SARS-CoV-2 infections, we argue that sexual dimorphism has potential implications for disease treatment, public health measures, and follow-up of patients predisposed to the development of long COVID. We suggest that sex differences could be considered in future pandemic surveillance and treatment of patients with COVID-19 to help to achieve better disease stratification and improved outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Bechmann
- Department of Internal Medicine III, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany; Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Andreas Barthel
- Department of Internal Medicine III, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany; Medicover Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Andreas Schedl
- Department of Internal Medicine III, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany; Université Côte d'Azur, INSERM, CNRS, iBV, Nice, France
| | - Stephan Herzig
- Institute for Diabetes and Cancer (IDC), Helmholtz Center Munich, Joint Heidelberg-IDC Translational Diabetes Program Inner Medicine I, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Zsuzsanna Varga
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Pathology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Catherine Gebhard
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; Center for Molecular Cardiology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Manuel Mayr
- Department of Internal Medicine III, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany; King's British Heart Foundation Centre of Research Excellence, School of Cardiovascular Medicine and Sciences, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Constanze Hantel
- Department of Internal Medicine III, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany; Department of Endocrinology, Diabetology and Clinical Nutrition, University Hospital Zurich (USZ) and University of Zurich (UZH), Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Felix Beuschlein
- Department of Endocrinology, Diabetology and Clinical Nutrition, University Hospital Zurich (USZ) and University of Zurich (UZH), Zurich, Switzerland; Department for Endocrinology, Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik IV, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany
| | - Christian Wolfrum
- Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, ETH Zürich, Schwerzenbach, Switzerland
| | - Nikolaos Perakakis
- Department of Internal Medicine III, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Lucilla Poston
- Division of Women's Health, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Cynthia L Andoniadou
- Department of Internal Medicine III, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany; Centre for Craniofacial and Regenerative Biology, Faculty of Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Sciences, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Richard Siow
- King's British Heart Foundation Centre of Research Excellence, School of Cardiovascular Medicine and Sciences, King's College London, London, UK; Vascular Biology and Inflammation Section, School of Cardiovascular Medicine and Sciences, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Raul R Gainetdinov
- Institute of Translational Biomedicine and St Petersburg University Hospital, St Petersburg State University, St Petersburg, Russia
| | - Arad Dotan
- The Zabludowicz Center for Autoimmune Diseases, Sheba Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Yehuda Shoenfeld
- The Zabludowicz Center for Autoimmune Diseases, Sheba Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Israel; Ariel University, Ariel, Israel
| | - Geltrude Mingrone
- Department of Diabetes, School of Life Course Science and Medicine, King's College London, London, UK; Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli Istituto Di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, Rome, Italy; Department of Internal Medicine, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Stefan R Bornstein
- Department of Internal Medicine III, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany; Department of Diabetes, School of Life Course Science and Medicine, King's College London, London, UK.
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Mantzourani C, Vasilakaki S, Gerogianni VE, Kokotos G. The discovery and development of transmembrane serine protease 2 (TMPRSS2) inhibitors as candidate drugs for the treatment of COVID-19. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2022; 17:231-246. [PMID: 35072549 PMCID: PMC8862169 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2022.2029843] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2021] [Accepted: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has caused the devastating pandemic named coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Unfortunately, the discovery of antiviral agents to combat COVID-19 is still an unmet need. Transmembrane serine protease 2 (TMPRSS2) is an important mediator in viral infection and thus, TMPRRS2 inhibitors may be attractive agents for COVID-19 treatment. AREAS COVERED This review article discusses the role of TMPRSS2 in SARS-CoV-2 cell entry and summarizes the inhibitors of TMPRSS2 and their potential anti-SARS activity. Two known TMPRSS2 inhibitors, namely camostat and nafamostat, approved drugs for the treatment of pancreatitis, are under clinical trials as potential drugs against COVID-19. EXPERT OPINION Due to the lack of the crystal structure of TMPRSS2, homology models have been developed to study the interactions of known inhibitors, including repurposed drugs, with the enzyme. However, novel TMPRSS2 inhibitors have been identified through high-throughput screening, and appropriate assays studying their in vitro activity have been set up. The discovery of TMPRSS2's crystal structure will facilitate the rational design of novel inhibitors and in vivo studies and clinical trials will give a clear answer if TMPRSS2 inhibitors could be a new weapon against COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christiana Mantzourani
- Department of Chemistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis, Athens, Greece
- Center of Excellence for Drug Design and Discovery, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Sofia Vasilakaki
- Department of Chemistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis, Athens, Greece
- Center of Excellence for Drug Design and Discovery, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Velisaria-Eleni Gerogianni
- Department of Chemistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis, Athens, Greece
- Center of Excellence for Drug Design and Discovery, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - George Kokotos
- Department of Chemistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis, Athens, Greece
- Center of Excellence for Drug Design and Discovery, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
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Schneider MA, Richtmann S, Gründing AR, Wrenger S, Welte T, Meister M, Kriegsmann M, Winter H, Muley T, Janciauskiene S. Transmembrane serine protease 2 is a prognostic factor for lung adenocarcinoma. Int J Oncol 2022; 60:39. [PMID: 35211754 PMCID: PMC8878627 DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2022.5329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2021] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Transmembrane serine protease 2 (TMPRSS2) has been intensively investigated during the current Sars-CoV-2 pandemic as a virus activating protease. Furthermore, TMPRSS2 is an oncogenic gene associated with several cancer entities. Co-expression of TMPRSS2 and serpin family A member 1 (SERPINA1) (encoding alpha-1-antitrypsin; AAT) has been reported in the human lung. Recently, AAT was identified as a novel TMPRSS2 inhibitor. We previously reported that lower SERPINA1 expression in tumor tissues and higher levels of plasma AAT are associated with worse survival of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). In the present study, we sought to examine TMPRSS2 and SERPINA1/AAT expression in tumor and adjacent lung tissues from 347 NSCLC patients. Based on clinical data and gene expression analysis, we performed Cox regression for the survival analysis, and correlated TMPRSS2 and AAT protein levels in tissue samples by immunohistochemical and western blot analyses. We found that lower TMPRSS2 expression in tumor compared to adjacent non-tumor tissues is linked to a poor overall survival in patients with adenocarcinoma (ADC) and those who are current smokers. IHC staining of TMPRSS2 validated our findings in regard to overall survival while we did not observe a correlation with AAT staining. Based on western blot analyses, we found only a slight negative correlation between full-length TMPRSS2 and AAT in non-tumor tissues, which seems to be related to smoking status. Taken together, we demonstrated that TMPRSS2 is a prognostic factor in patients with lung ADC; however, a link between AAT and TMPRSS2 proteins warrants further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc A Schneider
- Translational Research Unit, Thoraxklinik at Heidelberg University Hospital, D-69126 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Sarah Richtmann
- Translational Research Unit, Thoraxklinik at Heidelberg University Hospital, D-69126 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Anna R Gründing
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Hannover Medical School, D-30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Sabine Wrenger
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Hannover Medical School, D-30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Tobias Welte
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Hannover Medical School, D-30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Michael Meister
- Translational Research Unit, Thoraxklinik at Heidelberg University Hospital, D-69126 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Mark Kriegsmann
- Translational Research Center Heidelberg (TLRC), Member of The German Center for Lung Research (DZL), D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Hauke Winter
- Translational Research Center Heidelberg (TLRC), Member of The German Center for Lung Research (DZL), D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Thomas Muley
- Translational Research Unit, Thoraxklinik at Heidelberg University Hospital, D-69126 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Sabina Janciauskiene
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Hannover Medical School, D-30625 Hannover, Germany
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Zhang Z, Penn R, Barclay WS, Giotis ES. Naïve Human Macrophages Are Refractory to SARS-CoV-2 Infection and Exhibit a Modest Inflammatory Response Early in Infection. Viruses 2022; 14:441. [PMID: 35216034 PMCID: PMC8875879 DOI: 10.3390/v14020441] [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: 02/03/2022] [Revised: 02/17/2022] [Accepted: 02/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Involvement of macrophages in the SARS-CoV-2-associated cytokine storm, the excessive secretion of inflammatory/anti-viral factors leading to the acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in COVID-19 patients, is unclear. In this study, we sought to characterize the interplay between the virus and primary human monocyte-derived macrophages (MDM). MDM were stimulated with recombinant IFN-α and/or infected with either live or UV-inactivated SARS-CoV-2 or with two reassortant influenza viruses containing external genes from the H1N1 PR8 strain and heterologous internal genes from a highly pathogenic avian H5N1 or a low pathogenic human seasonal H1N1 strain. Virus replication was monitored by qRT-PCR for the E viral gene for SARS-CoV-2 or M gene for influenza and TCID50 or plaque assay, and cytokine levels were assessed semiquantitatively with qRT-PCR and a proteome cytokine array. We report that MDM are not susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 whereas both influenza viruses replicated in MDM, albeit abortively. We observed a modest cytokine response in SARS-CoV-2 exposed MDM with notable absence of IFN-β induction, which was instead strongly induced by the influenza viruses. Pre-treatment of MDM with IFN-α enhanced proinflammatory cytokine expression upon exposure to virus. Together, the findings concur that the hyperinflammation observed in SARS-CoV-2 infection is not driven by macrophages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziyun Zhang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Imperial College London, London W2 1PG, UK; (Z.Z.); (R.P.); (W.S.B.)
| | - Rebecca Penn
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Imperial College London, London W2 1PG, UK; (Z.Z.); (R.P.); (W.S.B.)
| | - Wendy S. Barclay
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Imperial College London, London W2 1PG, UK; (Z.Z.); (R.P.); (W.S.B.)
| | - Efstathios S. Giotis
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Imperial College London, London W2 1PG, UK; (Z.Z.); (R.P.); (W.S.B.)
- School of Life Sciences, University of Essex, Colchester CO4 3SQ, UK
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Yan W, Zheng Y, Zeng X, He B, Cheng W. Structural biology of SARS-CoV-2: open the door for novel therapies. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2022; 7:26. [PMID: 35087058 PMCID: PMC8793099 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-022-00884-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 123] [Impact Index Per Article: 61.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2021] [Revised: 01/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the causative agent of the pandemic disease COVID-19, which is so far without efficacious treatment. The discovery of therapy reagents for treating COVID-19 are urgently needed, and the structures of the potential drug-target proteins in the viral life cycle are particularly important. SARS-CoV-2, a member of the Orthocoronavirinae subfamily containing the largest RNA genome, encodes 29 proteins including nonstructural, structural and accessory proteins which are involved in viral adsorption, entry and uncoating, nucleic acid replication and transcription, assembly and release, etc. These proteins individually act as a partner of the replication machinery or involved in forming the complexes with host cellular factors to participate in the essential physiological activities. This review summarizes the representative structures and typically potential therapy agents that target SARS-CoV-2 or some critical proteins for viral pathogenesis, providing insights into the mechanisms underlying viral infection, prevention of infection, and treatment. Indeed, these studies open the door for COVID therapies, leading to ways to prevent and treat COVID-19, especially, treatment of the disease caused by the viral variants are imperative.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weizhu Yan
- Division of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Respiratory Infection and Intervention Laboratory of Frontiers Science Center for Disease-Related Molecular Network, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, 610041, Chengdu, China
| | - Yanhui Zheng
- Division of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Respiratory Infection and Intervention Laboratory of Frontiers Science Center for Disease-Related Molecular Network, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, 610041, Chengdu, China
| | - Xiaotao Zeng
- Division of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Respiratory Infection and Intervention Laboratory of Frontiers Science Center for Disease-Related Molecular Network, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, 610041, Chengdu, China
| | - Bin He
- Department of Emergency Medicine, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, 610041, Chengdu, China.
- The First People's Hospital of Longquanyi District Chengdu, 610100, Chengdu, China.
| | - Wei Cheng
- Division of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Respiratory Infection and Intervention Laboratory of Frontiers Science Center for Disease-Related Molecular Network, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, 610041, Chengdu, China.
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Figueroa-Valverde L, Rosas-Nexticapa M, Alvarez-Ramirez M, Lopez-Ramos M, Mateu-Armand V. Theoretical evaluation of interaction of some dibenzo derivatives on both androgen receptor and 5α-reductase enzyme. CLINICAL CANCER INVESTIGATION JOURNAL 2022. [DOI: 10.51847/fivmfela7i] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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Leach DA, Brooke GN, Bevan CL. Roles of steroid receptors in the lung and COVID-19. Essays Biochem 2021; 65:1025-1038. [PMID: 34328182 PMCID: PMC8628186 DOI: 10.1042/ebc20210005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2021] [Revised: 06/13/2021] [Accepted: 06/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
COVID-19 symptoms and mortality are largely due to its devastating effects in the lungs. The disease is caused by the SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome)-CoV-2 coronavirus, which requires host cell proteins such as ACE2 (angiotensin-converting enzyme 2) and TMPRSS2 (transmembrane serine protease 2) for infection of lung epithelia. The expression and function of the steroid hormone receptor family is important in many aspects that impact on COVID-19 effects in the lung - notably lung development and function, the immune system, and expression of TMPRSS2 and ACE2. This review provides a brief summary of current knowledge on the roles of the steroid hormone receptors [androgen receptor (AR), glucocorticoid receptor (GR), progesterone receptor (PR), mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) and oestrogen receptor (ER)] in the lung, their effects on host cell proteins that facilitate SARS-CoV-2 uptake, and provides a snapshot of current clinical trials investigating the use of steroid receptor (SR) ligands to treat COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Damien A. Leach
- Division of Cancer, Imperial Centre for Translational and Experimental Medicine, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, London W12 0NN, U.K
| | - Greg N. Brooke
- Division of Cancer, Imperial Centre for Translational and Experimental Medicine, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, London W12 0NN, U.K
- School of Life Sciences, University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester, Essex CO4 3SQ, U.K
| | - Charlotte L. Bevan
- Division of Cancer, Imperial Centre for Translational and Experimental Medicine, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, London W12 0NN, U.K
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Welén K, Rosendal E, Gisslén M, Lenman A, Freyhult E, Fonseca-Rodríguez O, Bremell D, Stranne J, Balkhed ÅÖ, Niward K, Repo J, Robinsson D, Henningsson AJ, Styrke J, Angelin M, Lindquist E, Allard A, Becker M, Rudolfsson S, Buckland R, Carlsson CT, Bjartell A, Nilsson AC, Ahlm C, Connolly AMF, Överby AK, Josefsson A. A Phase 2 Trial of the Effect of Antiandrogen Therapy on COVID-19 Outcome: No Evidence of Benefit, Supported by Epidemiology and In Vitro Data. Eur Urol 2021; 81:285-293. [PMID: 34980495 PMCID: PMC8673828 DOI: 10.1016/j.eururo.2021.12.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2021] [Revised: 11/22/2021] [Accepted: 12/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Background Men are more severely affected by COVID-19. Testosterone may influence SARS-CoV-2 infection and the immune response. Objective To clinically, epidemiologically, and experimentally evaluate the effect of antiandrogens on SARS-CoV-2 infection. Designs, settings, and participants A randomized phase 2 clinical trial (COVIDENZA) enrolled 42 hospitalized COVID-19 patients before safety evaluation. We also conducted a population-based retrospective study of 7894 SARS-CoV-2–positive prostate cancer patients and an experimental study using an air-liquid interface three-dimensional culture model of primary lung cells. Intervention In COVIDENZA, patients were randomized 2:1 to 5 d of enzalutamide or standard of care. Outcome measurements The primary outcomes in COVIDENZA were the time to mechanical ventilation or discharge from hospital. The population-based study investigated risk of hospitalization, intensive care, and death from COVID-19 after androgen inhibition. Results and limitations Enzalutamide-treated patients required longer hospitalization (hazard ratio [HR] for discharge from hospital 0.43, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.20–0.93) and the trial was terminated early. In the epidemiological study, no preventive effects were observed. The frail population of patients treated with androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) in combination with abiraterone acetate or enzalutamide had a higher risk of dying from COVID-19 (HR 2.51, 95% CI 1.52–4.16). In vitro data showed no effect of enzalutamide on virus replication. The epidemiological study has limitations that include residual confounders. Conclusions The results do not support a therapeutic effect of enzalutamide or preventive effects of bicalutamide or ADT in COVID-19. Thus, these antiandrogens should not be used for hospitalized COVID-19 patients or as prevention for COVID-19. Further research on these therapeutics in this setting are not warranted. Patient summary We studied whether inhibition of testosterone could diminish COVID-19 symptoms. We found no evidence of an effect in a clinical study or in epidemiological or experimental investigations. We conclude that androgen inhibition should not be used for prevention or treatment of COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karin Welén
- Institute of Clinical Sciences, Department of Urology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Ebba Rosendal
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Section of Virology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden; The Laboratory for Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Magnus Gisslén
- Institute of Biomedicine, Department of Infectious Diseases, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden; Department of Infectious Diseases, Region Västra Götaland, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Annasara Lenman
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Section of Virology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Eva Freyhult
- Department of Medical Sciences, National Bioinformatics Infrastructure Sweden, Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | | | - Daniel Bremell
- Institute of Biomedicine, Department of Infectious Diseases, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Johan Stranne
- Institute of Clinical Sciences, Department of Urology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Åse Östholm Balkhed
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Katarina Niward
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Johanna Repo
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - David Robinsson
- Department of Urology, Region of Jönköping, Jönköping, Sweden
| | - Anna J Henningsson
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden; Department of Clinical Microbiology, Region Jönköping County, Jönköping, Sweden
| | - Johan Styrke
- Department of Surgical and Perioperative Sciences, Urology & Andrology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Martin Angelin
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | | | - Annika Allard
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Section of Virology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Miriam Becker
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Section of Virology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Stina Rudolfsson
- Department of Surgical and Perioperative Sciences, Urology & Andrology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Robert Buckland
- Department of Surgical and Perioperative Sciences, Urology & Andrology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | | | - Anders Bjartell
- Division of Urological Cancers, Department of Translational Medicine, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Anna C Nilsson
- Department of Translational Medicine, Infectious Diseases Research Unit, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Clas Ahlm
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Anne-Marie Fors Connolly
- The Laboratory for Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden, Umeå, Sweden; Department of Clinical Microbiology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Anna K Överby
- The Laboratory for Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden, Umeå, Sweden; Department of Clinical Microbiology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Andreas Josefsson
- Institute of Clinical Sciences, Department of Urology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden; Department of Surgical and Perioperative Sciences, Urology & Andrology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden; Wallenberg Center for Molecular Medicine (WCMM), Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden.
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Cadegiani FA, Zimerman RA, Fonseca DN, Correia MN, Muller MP, Bet DL, Slaviero MR, Zardo I, Benites PR, Barros RN, Paulain RW, Onety DC, Israel KCP, Gustavo Wambier C, Goren A. Final Results of a Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Two-Arm, Parallel Clinical Trial of Proxalutamide for Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients: A Multiregional, Joint Analysis of the Proxa-Rescue AndroCoV Trial. Cureus 2021; 13:e20691. [PMID: 34976549 PMCID: PMC8712234 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.20691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/25/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The role of androgens on COVID-19 is well established. Proxalutamide is a second-generation, non-steroidal antiandrogen (NSAA) with the highest antiandrogen potency among NSAAs and concurrent regulation of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) expression and inflammatory response. Proxalutamide has been demonstrated to be effective to prevent hospitalizations in early COVID-19 in randomized clinical trials (RCTs). Conversely, in hospitalized COVID-19 patients, preliminary results from two different arms of an RCT (The Proxa-Rescue AndroCoV Trial) also demonstrated a reduction in all-cause mortality. This study aims to report the final, joint results of the two arms (North arm and South arm) of the Proxa-Rescue AndroCoV trial of the two arms (North and South arms) combined, and to evaluate whether COVID-19 response to proxalutamide was consistent across different regions (Northern Brazil and Southern Brazil). Materials and methods Upon randomization, hospitalized COVID-19 patients received either proxalutamide 300mg/day or placebo for 14 days, in addition to usual care, in a proxalutamide:placebo ratio of 1:1 in the North arm and 4:1 in the South arm (ratio was modified due to preliminary report of high drug efficacy). Datasets of the South and North arms were combined, and statistical analysis was performed for the overall study population. Proxalutamide was compared to placebo group for 14-day and 28-day recovery (discharge alive from the hospital) and mortality rates, and overall and post-randomization hospitalization stay. Results of proxalutamide and placebo groups were also compared between the North and South arms. Analysis was also performed stratified by sex and baseline WHO COVID Ordinary Score. Results A total of 778 subjects were included (645 from the North, 317 from the proxalutamide group and 328 from the placebo group; 133 from the South arm, 106 from the proxalutamide group and 27 from the placebo group). Recovery rate was 121% higher in proxalutamide than placebo group at day 14 [81.1% vs 36.6%; Recovery ratio (RecR) 2.21; 95% confidence interval (95% CI), 1.92-2.56; p<0.0001], and 81% higher at day 28 (98.1% vs 47.6%; RecR, 1.81; 95% CI, 1.61-2.03; p<0.0001). All-cause mortality rate was 80% lower in proxalutamide than placebo group at Day 14 [8.0% vs 39.2%; Risk ratio (RR), 0.20; 95% CI, 0.14-0.29; p<0.0001], and 78% lower at Day 28 (10.6% vs 48.2%; RR, 0.22; 95% CI 0.16-0.30). Post-randomization time-to-discharge was shorter in proxalutamide [median, 5 days; interquartile range (IQR), 3-8] than placebo group (median, 9 days; IQR, 6-14) (p<0.0001). Results were statistically similar between North and South arms for all measured outcomes. Males and females presented similar results in all outcomes. Patients that did not require oxygen use (scores 3 and 4) did not present statistically significant improvement in recovery and mortality rates, whereas scores 5 and 6 presented significant improvements in all outcomes (p<0.0001 for all). Conclusion Proxalutamide increased recovery rate, reduced mortality rate and shortened hospital stay in hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Results were similar between the two different arms, providing further consistency for the efficacy of proxalutamide when used in late-stage COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ricardo A Zimerman
- Infectious Disease, Hospital da Brigada Militar de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, BRA
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Ivan Zardo
- Cardiology, Hospital Unimed Chapecó, Chapecó, BRA
| | | | - Renan N Barros
- Internal Medicine, Hospital Municipal Jofre Cohen, Parintins, BRA
| | - Raysa W Paulain
- Internal Medicine, Hospital Municipal Jofre Cohen, Parintins, BRA
| | - Dirce C Onety
- Critical Care, Samel & Oscar Nicolau Hospitals, Manaus, BRA
| | | | | | - Andy Goren
- Dermatology, Applied Biology Inc., Irvine, USA
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Wang X, Ha D, Yoshitake R, Chen S. White button mushroom interrupts tissue AR-mediated TMPRSS2 expression and attenuates pro-inflammatory cytokines in C57BL/6 mice. NPJ Sci Food 2021; 5:20. [PMID: 34341347 PMCID: PMC8329194 DOI: 10.1038/s41538-021-00102-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2021] [Accepted: 06/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
White button mushroom (WBM) is a common edible mushroom consumed in the United States and many European and Asia-Pacific countries. We previously reported that dietary WBM antagonized dihydrotestosterone (DHT)-induced androgen receptor (AR) activation and reduced myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) in prostate cancer animal models and patients. Transmembrane protease serine 2 (TMPRSS2), an androgen-induced protease in prostate cancer, has been implicated in influenza and coronavirus entry into the host cell, triggering host immune response. The present study on C57BL/6 mice revealed that WBM is a unique functional food that (A) interrupts AR-mediated TMPRSS2 expression in prostate, lungs, small intestine, and kidneys through its AR antagonistic activity and (B) attenuates serum pro-inflammatory cytokines and reduces MDSC counts through its immunoregulatory activity. These findings provide a scientific basis for translational studies toward clinical applications of WBM in diseases related to TMPRSS2 expression and immune dysregulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoqiang Wang
- Department of Cancer Biology, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope, 1500E Duarte, Duarte, 91010, CA, USA
| | - Desiree Ha
- Department of Cancer Biology, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope, 1500E Duarte, Duarte, 91010, CA, USA
| | - Ryohei Yoshitake
- Department of Cancer Biology, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope, 1500E Duarte, Duarte, 91010, CA, USA
| | - Shiuan Chen
- Department of Cancer Biology, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope, 1500E Duarte, Duarte, 91010, CA, USA.
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