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Calcagnile M, Damiano F, Lobreglio G, Siculella L, Bozzetti MP, Forgez P, Malgoyre A, Libert N, Bucci C, Alifano M, Alifano P. In silico evidence that substitution of glycine for valine (p.G8V) in a common variant of TMPRSS2 isoform 1 increases accessibility to an endocytic signal: Implication for SARS-cov-2 entry into host cells and susceptibility to COVID-19. Biochimie 2024; 225:89-98. [PMID: 38754620 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2024.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2024] [Revised: 05/01/2024] [Accepted: 05/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024]
Abstract
The TMPRSS2 protease plays a key role in the entry of the SARS-CoV-2 into cells. The TMPRSS2 gene is highly polymorphic in humans, and some polymorphisms may affect the susceptibility to COVID-19 or disease severity. rs75603675 (c.23G > T) is a missense variant that causes the replacement of glycine with valine at position 8 (p.G8V) in the TMPRSS2 isoform 1. According to GnomAD v4.0.0 database, the allele frequency of the rs75603675 on a global scale is 38.10 %, and range from 0.92 % in East Asian to 40.77 % in non-Finnish European (NFE) population. We analyzed the occurrence of the rs75603675 in two cohorts of patients, the first with severe/critical COVID-19 enrolled in a French hospital (42 patients), and the second with predominantly asymptomatic/pauci-symptomatic/mild COVID-19 enrolled in an Italian hospital (69 patients). We found that the TMPRSS2-c.23T minor allele frequency was similar in the two cohorts, 46.43 % and 46.38 %, respectively, and higher than the frequency in the NFE population (40.77 %). Chi-square test provided significant results (p < 0.05) when the genotype data (TMPRSS2-c.23T/c.23T homozygotes + TMPRSS2-c.23G/c.23T heterozygotes vs. TMPRSS2-c.23G/c.23G homozygotes) of the two patient groups were pooled and compared to the expected data for the NFE population, suggesting a possible pathogenetic mechanism of the p.G8V substitution. We explored the possible effects of the p.G8V substitution and found that the N-terminal region of the TMPRSS2 isoform 1 contains a signal for clathrin/AP-2-dependent endocytosis. In silico analysis predicted that the p.G8V substitution may increase the accessibility to the endocytic signal, which could help SARS-CoV-2 enter cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Calcagnile
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies, University of Salento, Lecce, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Damiano
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies, University of Salento, Lecce, Italy
| | - Giambattista Lobreglio
- Clinical Pathology and Microbiology Unit, Vito Fazzi General Hospital, 73100, Lecce, Italy
| | - Luisa Siculella
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Salento, Lecce, Italy
| | - Maria Pia Bozzetti
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies, University of Salento, Lecce, Italy
| | - Patricia Forgez
- INSERM UMR-S 1124 T3S, Eq 5 CELLULAR HOMEOSTASIS, CANCER and THERAPY, University of Paris, Campus Saint Germain, Paris, France
| | - Alexandra Malgoyre
- Institut de Recherche Biomedicale des Armées, French Armed Forces Health Services, Brétigny sur Orge, France; Ecole Du Val de Grâce, French Armed Forces Health Service, France; Laboratoire de Biologie de L'Exercice pour La Performance et La Santé, Université Evry-Paris-Saclay, Evry, France
| | - Nicolas Libert
- Ecole Du Val de Grâce, French Armed Forces Health Service, France; Hopital D'Instruction des Armées, French Armed Forces Health Services, Clamart, France
| | - Cecilia Bucci
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Salento, Lecce, Italy
| | - Marco Alifano
- Thoracic Surgery Department, Cochin Hospital, APHP Centre, University of Paris, France; INSERM U1138 Team «Cancer, Immune Control, and Escape», Cordeliers Research Center, University of Paris, France.
| | - Pietro Alifano
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Salento, Lecce, Italy.
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Marchetti S, Colombo A, Saibene M, Bragato C, La Torretta T, Rizzi C, Gualtieri M, Mantecca P. Shedding light on the cellular mechanisms involved in the combined adverse effects of fine particulate matter and SARS-CoV-2 on human lung cells. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 952:175979. [PMID: 39233085 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.175979] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2024] [Revised: 08/29/2024] [Accepted: 08/30/2024] [Indexed: 09/06/2024]
Abstract
Airborne pathogens represent a topic of scientific relevance, especially considering the recent COVID-19 pandemic. Air pollution, and particulate matter (PM) in particular, has been proposed as a possible risk factor for the onset and spread of pathogen-driven respiratory diseases. Regarding SARS-CoV-2 infection, exposure to fine PM (PM2.5, particles with an aerodynamic diameter < 2.5 μm) has been associated with increased incidence of the COVID-19 disease. To provide useful insights into the mechanisms through which PM might be involved in infection, we exposed human lung cells (A549) to PM2.5 and SARS-CoV-2, to evaluate the toxicological properties and the molecular pathways activated when airborne particles are combined with viral particles. Winter PM2.5 was collected in a metropolitan urban area and its physico-chemical composition was analyzed. A549 cells were exposed to SARS-CoV-2 concomitantly or after pre-treatment with PM2.5. Inflammation, oxidative stress and xenobiotic metabolism were the main pathways investigated. Results showed that after 72 h of exposure PM2.5 significantly increased the expression of the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor, which is one of the keys used by the virus to infect host cells. We also analyzed the endosomal route in the process of internalization, by studying the expression of RAB5 and RAB7. The results show that in cells pre-activated with PM and then exposed to SARS-CoV-2, RAB5 expression is significantly increased. The activation of the inflammatory process was then studied. Our findings show an increase of pro-inflammatory markers (NF-kB and IL-8) in cells pre-activated with PM for 72 h and subsequently exposed to the virus for a further 24 h, further demonstrating that the interaction between PM and SARS-CoV-2 determines the severity of the inflammatory responses in lung epithelial cells. In conclusion, the study provides mechanistic biological evidence of PM contribution to the onset and progression of viral respiratory diseases in exposed populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Marchetti
- POLARIS Research Centre, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza 1, 20126 Milano, Italy.
| | - Anita Colombo
- POLARIS Research Centre, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza 1, 20126 Milano, Italy
| | - Melissa Saibene
- Platform of Microscopy, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza 2, 20126 Milano, Italy
| | - Cinzia Bragato
- POLARIS Research Centre, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza 1, 20126 Milano, Italy
| | - Teresa La Torretta
- Laboratory of Atmospheric Pollution, National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development, ENEA, 40129 Bologna, Italy
| | - Cristiana Rizzi
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Milano - Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza, 1, 20126 Milano, Italy
| | - Maurizio Gualtieri
- POLARIS Research Centre, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza 1, 20126 Milano, Italy
| | - Paride Mantecca
- POLARIS Research Centre, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza 1, 20126 Milano, Italy
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Bahojb Mahdavi SZ, Jebelli A, Aghbash PS, Baradaran B, Amini M, Oroojalian F, Pouladi N, Baghi HB, de la Guardia M, Mokhtarzadeh AA. A comprehensive overview on the crosstalk between microRNAs and viral pathogenesis and infection. Med Res Rev 2024. [PMID: 39185567 DOI: 10.1002/med.22073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2021] [Revised: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 08/04/2024] [Indexed: 08/27/2024]
Abstract
Infections caused by viruses as the smallest infectious agents, pose a major threat to global public health. Viral infections utilize different host mechanisms to facilitate their own propagation and pathogenesis. MicroRNAs (miRNAs), as small noncoding RNA molecules, play important regulatory roles in different diseases, including viral infections. They can promote or inhibit viral infection and have a pro-viral or antiviral role. Also, viral infections can modulate the expression of host miRNAs. Furthermore, viruses from different families evade the host immune response by producing their own miRNAs called viral miRNAs (v-miRNAs). Understanding the replication cycle of viruses and their relation with host miRNAs and v-miRNAs can help to find new treatments against viral infections. In this review, we aim to outline the structure, genome, and replication cycle of various viruses including hepatitis B, hepatitis C, influenza A virus, coronavirus, human immunodeficiency virus, human papillomavirus, herpes simplex virus, Epstein-Barr virus, Dengue virus, Zika virus, and Ebola virus. We also discuss the role of different host miRNAs and v-miRNAs and their role in the pathogenesis of these viral infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seyedeh Zahra Bahojb Mahdavi
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Basic Sciences, Azarbaijan Shahid Madani University, Tabriz, Iran
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Asiyeh Jebelli
- Department of Biological Science, Faculty of Basic Science, Higher Education Institute of Rab-Rashid, Tabriz, Iran
- Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | | | - Behzad Baradaran
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Mohammad Amini
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Oroojalian
- Department of Advanced Sciences and Technologies in Medicine, School of Medicine, North Khorasan University of Medical Sciences, Bojnurd, Iran
| | - Nasser Pouladi
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Basic Sciences, Azarbaijan Shahid Madani University, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Hossein Bannazadeh Baghi
- Department of Virology, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Miguel de la Guardia
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, University of Valencia, Burjassot, Valencia, Spain
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Chen X, Kalyar F, Chughtai AA, MacIntyre CR. Use of a risk assessment tool to determine the origin of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). RISK ANALYSIS : AN OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE SOCIETY FOR RISK ANALYSIS 2024; 44:1896-1906. [PMID: 38488186 DOI: 10.1111/risa.14291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2023] [Accepted: 12/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/07/2024]
Abstract
The origin of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is contentious. Most studies have focused on a zoonotic origin, but definitive evidence such as an intermediary animal host is lacking. We used an established risk analysis tool for differentiating natural and unnatural epidemics, the modified Grunow-Finke assessment tool (mGFT) to study the origin of SARS-COV-2. The mGFT scores 11 criteria to provide a likelihood of natural or unnatural origin. Using published literature and publicly available sources of information, we applied the mGFT to the origin of SARS-CoV-2. The mGFT scored 41/60 points (68%), with high inter-rater reliability (100%), indicating a greater likelihood of an unnatural than natural origin of SARS-CoV-2. This risk assessment cannot prove the origin of SARS-CoV-2 but shows that the possibility of a laboratory origin cannot be easily dismissed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Chen
- Biosecurity Program, The Kirby Institute, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Fatema Kalyar
- Biosecurity Program, The Kirby Institute, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Abrar Ahmad Chughtai
- School of Population Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Chandini Raina MacIntyre
- Biosecurity Program, The Kirby Institute, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- College of Public Service & Community Solutions, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA
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Schäfer A, Gralinski LE, Leist SR, Hampton BK, Mooney MA, Jensen KL, Graham RL, Agnihothram S, Jeng S, Chamberlin S, Bell TA, Scobey DT, Linnertz CL, VanBlargan LA, Thackray LB, Hock P, Miller DR, Shaw GD, Diamond MS, de Villena FPM, McWeeney SK, Heise MT, Menachery VD, Ferris MT, Baric RS. Genetic loci regulate Sarbecovirus pathogenesis: A comparison across mice and humans. Virus Res 2024; 344:199357. [PMID: 38508400 PMCID: PMC10981091 DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2024.199357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2023] [Revised: 02/15/2024] [Accepted: 03/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024]
Abstract
Coronavirus (CoV) cause considerable morbidity and mortality in humans and other mammals, as evidenced by the emergence of Severe Acute Respiratory CoV (SARS-CoV) in 2003, Middle East Respiratory CoV (MERS-CoV) in 2012, and SARS-CoV-2 in 2019. Although poorly characterized, natural genetic variation in human and other mammals modulate virus pathogenesis, as reflected by the spectrum of clinical outcomes ranging from asymptomatic infections to lethal disease. Using multiple human epidemic and zoonotic Sarbecoviruses, coupled with murine Collaborative Cross genetic reference populations, we identify several dozen quantitative trait loci that regulate SARS-like group-2B CoV pathogenesis and replication. Under a Chr4 QTL, we deleted a candidate interferon stimulated gene, Trim14 which resulted in enhanced SARS-CoV titers and clinical disease, suggesting an antiviral role during infection. Importantly, about 60 % of the murine QTL encode susceptibility genes identified as priority candidates from human genome-wide association studies (GWAS) studies after SARS-CoV-2 infection, suggesting that similar selective forces have targeted analogous genes and pathways to regulate Sarbecovirus disease across diverse mammalian hosts. These studies provide an experimental platform in rodents to investigate the molecular-genetic mechanisms by which potential cross mammalian susceptibility loci and genes regulate type-specific and cross-SARS-like group 2B CoV replication, immunity, and pathogenesis in rodent models. Our study also provides a paradigm for identifying susceptibility loci for other highly heterogeneous and virulent viruses that sporadically emerge from zoonotic reservoirs to plague human and animal populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Schäfer
- Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
| | - Lisa E Gralinski
- Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
| | - Sarah R Leist
- Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Brea K Hampton
- Department of Genetics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA; Curriculum in Genetics and Molecular Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Michael A Mooney
- Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA; Division of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA; Department of Medical Informatics and Clinical Epidemiology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Kara L Jensen
- Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Rachel L Graham
- Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Sudhakar Agnihothram
- Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Sophia Jeng
- Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA; Oregon Clinical and Translational Research Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Steven Chamberlin
- Division of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA; Department of Medical Informatics and Clinical Epidemiology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Timothy A Bell
- Department of Genetics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - D Trevor Scobey
- Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Colton L Linnertz
- Department of Genetics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Laura A VanBlargan
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Larissa B Thackray
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Pablo Hock
- Department of Genetics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Darla R Miller
- Department of Genetics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA; Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Ginger D Shaw
- Department of Genetics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA; Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Michael S Diamond
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA; Department of Pathology & Immunology2, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA; Department of Molecular Microbiology3, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Fernando Pardo Manuel de Villena
- Department of Genetics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA; Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Shannon K McWeeney
- Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA; Division of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA; Department of Medical Informatics and Clinical Epidemiology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA; Oregon Clinical and Translational Research Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Mark T Heise
- Department of Genetics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA; Rapidly Emerging Antiviral Drug Discovery Initiative, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill NC, USA
| | - Vineet D Menachery
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA; Institute for Human Infection and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston TX, USA; Department of Pathology and Center for Biodefense & Emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Martin T Ferris
- Department of Genetics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
| | - Ralph S Baric
- Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA; Rapidly Emerging Antiviral Drug Discovery Initiative, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill NC, USA.
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6
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Jeong GU, Hwang I, Lee W, Choi JH, Yoon GY, Kim HS, Yang JS, Kim KC, Lee JY, Kim SJ, Kwon YC, Kim KD. Generation of a lethal mouse model expressing human ACE2 and TMPRSS2 for SARS-CoV-2 infection and pathogenesis. Exp Mol Med 2024; 56:1221-1229. [PMID: 38816566 PMCID: PMC11148094 DOI: 10.1038/s12276-024-01197-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2023] [Revised: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Mouse models expressing human ACE2 for coronavirus disease 2019 have been frequently used to understand its pathogenesis and develop therapeutic strategies against SARS-CoV-2. Given that human TMPRSS2 supports viral entry, replication, and pathogenesis, we established a double-transgenic mouse model expressing both human ACE2 and TMPRSS2 for SARS-CoV-2 infection. Co-overexpression of both genes increased viral infectivity in vitro and in vivo. Double-transgenic mice showed significant body weight loss, clinical disease symptoms, acute lung injury, lung inflammation, and lethality in response to viral infection, indicating that they were highly susceptible to SARS-CoV-2. Pretreatment with the TMPRSS2 inhibitor, nafamostat, effectively reduced virus-induced weight loss, viral replication, and mortality in the double-transgenic mice. Moreover, the susceptibility and differential pathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2 variants were demonstrated in this animal model. Together, our results demonstrate that double-transgenic mice could provide a highly susceptible mouse model for viral infection to understand SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis and evaluate antiviral therapeutics against coronavirus disease 2019.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gi Uk Jeong
- Center for Infectious Disease Vaccine and Diagnosis Innovation (CEVI), Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Insu Hwang
- Center for Infectious Disease Vaccine and Diagnosis Innovation (CEVI), Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
- Division of Vaccine Development Coordination, Center for Vaccine Research, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Health, Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, Cheongju, Republic of Korea
| | - Wooseong Lee
- Center for Infectious Disease Vaccine and Diagnosis Innovation (CEVI), Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji Hyun Choi
- Center for Infectious Disease Vaccine and Diagnosis Innovation (CEVI), Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Gun Young Yoon
- Center for Infectious Disease Vaccine and Diagnosis Innovation (CEVI), Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Hae Soo Kim
- Center for Infectious Disease Vaccine and Diagnosis Innovation (CEVI), Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeong-Sun Yang
- Center for Emerging Virus Research, National Institute of Health, Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, Cheongju, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyung-Chang Kim
- Center for Emerging Virus Research, National Institute of Health, Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, Cheongju, Republic of Korea
| | - Joo-Yeon Lee
- Center for Emerging Virus Research, National Institute of Health, Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, Cheongju, Republic of Korea
| | - Seong-Jun Kim
- Center for Infectious Disease Vaccine and Diagnosis Innovation (CEVI), Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Young-Chan Kwon
- Center for Infectious Disease Vaccine and Diagnosis Innovation (CEVI), Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea.
- Medical Chemistry and Pharmacology, University of Science and Technology (UST), Daejeon, Republic of Korea.
| | - Kyun-Do Kim
- Center for Infectious Disease Vaccine and Diagnosis Innovation (CEVI), Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea.
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7
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Pérez-Vargas J, Lemieux G, Thompson CAH, Désilets A, Ennis S, Gao G, Gordon DG, Schulz AL, Niikura M, Nabi IR, Krajden M, Boudreault PL, Leduc R, Jean F. Nanomolar anti-SARS-CoV-2 Omicron activity of the host-directed TMPRSS2 inhibitor N-0385 and synergistic action with direct-acting antivirals. Antiviral Res 2024; 225:105869. [PMID: 38548023 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2024.105869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2024] [Revised: 03/10/2024] [Accepted: 03/16/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 Omicron subvariants with increased transmissibility and immune evasion are spreading globally with alarming persistence. Whether the mutations and evolution of spike (S) Omicron subvariants alter the viral hijacking of human TMPRSS2 for viral entry remains to be elucidated. This is particularly important to investigate because of the large number and diversity of mutations of S Omicron subvariants reported since the emergence of BA.1. Here we report that human TMPRSS2 is a molecular determinant of viral entry for all the Omicron clinical isolates tested in human lung cells, including ancestral Omicron subvariants (BA.1, BA.2, BA.5), contemporary Omicron subvariants (BQ.1.1, XBB.1.5, EG.5.1) and currently circulating Omicron BA.2.86. First, we used a co-transfection assay to demonstrate the endoproteolytic cleavage by TMPRSS2 of spike Omicron subvariants. Second, we found that N-0385, a highly potent TMPRSS2 inhibitor, is a robust entry inhibitor of virus-like particles harbouring the S protein of Omicron subvariants. Third, we show that N-0385 exhibits nanomolar broad-spectrum antiviral activity against live Omicron subvariants in human Calu-3 lung cells and primary patient-derived bronchial epithelial cells. Interestingly, we found that N-0385 is 10-20 times more potent than the repositioned TMPRSS2 inhibitor, camostat, against BA.5, EG.5.1, and BA.2.86. We further found that N-0385 shows broad synergistic activity with clinically approved direct-acting antivirals (DAAs), i.e., remdesivir and nirmatrelvir, against Omicron subvariants, demonstrating the potential therapeutic benefits of a multi-targeted treatment based on N-0385 and DAAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jimena Pérez-Vargas
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Life Sciences Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Gabriel Lemieux
- Department of Pharmacology-Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada
| | - Connor A H Thompson
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Life Sciences Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Antoine Désilets
- Department of Pharmacology-Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada
| | - Siobhan Ennis
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
| | - Guang Gao
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Life Sciences Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada; Department of Cellular and Physiological Sciences, Life Sciences Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Danielle G Gordon
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Life Sciences Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Annika Lea Schulz
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Life Sciences Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Masahiro Niikura
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
| | - Ivan Robert Nabi
- Department of Cellular and Physiological Sciences, Life Sciences Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Mel Krajden
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control Public Health Laboratory, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 4R4, Canada; Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Pierre-Luc Boudreault
- Department of Pharmacology-Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada
| | - Richard Leduc
- Department of Pharmacology-Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada.
| | - François Jean
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Life Sciences Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
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8
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Huang J, Su H, Lin J, Zhu F, Jiang X, Pan J. Achalasia Following SARS-CoV-2 Infection: A Case Report and Review of Literature. ZEITSCHRIFT FUR GASTROENTEROLOGIE 2024. [PMID: 38657616 DOI: 10.1055/a-2275-2423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
RATIONALE The COVID-19 pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus has led to health complications beyond respiratory symptoms, revealing multi-organ involvement, including potential gastrointestinal implications. PATIENT CONCERNS We present a case of a 40-year-old female without any history of achalasia who developed symptoms of the condition following a confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection. Unusually, multiple esophageal ulcers were identified, which are not typically associated with achalasia. DIAGNOSIS Achalasia and esophageal ulcers were confirmed through a series of examinations, including barium swallow, CT scan, and upper endoscopy. Furthermore, immunohistochemical staining of esophageal biopsy specimens revealed the presence of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, suggesting direct viral involvement. INTERVENTIONS The patient was treated with calcium channel blockers and proton pump inhibitors and later underwent a peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) procedure following the resolution of her COVID-19 infection. OUTCOME After the POEM procedure, the patient made a good recovery. LESSONS This case underscores the potential for SARS-CoV-2 to trigger gastrointestinal complications and emphasizes the need for ongoing patient management and further research into the long-term implications of COVID-19. Despite the single-case nature of this report, it contributes to the expanding understanding of the diverse and multi-systemic impact of COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianbin Huang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Wenzhou Central Hospital, Wenzhou 325000, China
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Dingli Clinical College of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, Zhejiang province, China
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Shanghai University, Wenzhou 325000, Zhejiang province, China
| | - Huang Su
- Department of Gastroenterology, Wenzhou Central Hospital, Wenzhou 325000, China
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Dingli Clinical College of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, Zhejiang province, China
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Shanghai University, Wenzhou 325000, Zhejiang province, China
| | - Jiejun Lin
- Department of Gastroenterology, Wenzhou Central Hospital, Wenzhou 325000, China
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Dingli Clinical College of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, Zhejiang province, China
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Shanghai University, Wenzhou 325000, Zhejiang province, China
| | - Fangchao Zhu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Wenzhou Central Hospital, Wenzhou 325000, China
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Dingli Clinical College of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, Zhejiang province, China
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Shanghai University, Wenzhou 325000, Zhejiang province, China
| | - Xiaofen Jiang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Wenzhou Central Hospital, Wenzhou 325000, China
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Dingli Clinical College of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, Zhejiang province, China
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Shanghai University, Wenzhou 325000, Zhejiang province, China
| | - Jie Pan
- Department of Gastroenterology, Wenzhou Central Hospital, Wenzhou 325000, China
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Dingli Clinical College of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, Zhejiang province, China
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Shanghai University, Wenzhou 325000, Zhejiang province, China
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9
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Inoue T, Yamamoto Y, Sato K, Okemoto-Nakamura Y, Shimizu Y, Ogawa M, Onodera T, Takahashi Y, Wakita T, Kaneko MK, Fukasawa M, Kato Y, Noguchi K. Overcoming antibody-resistant SARS-CoV-2 variants with bispecific antibodies constructed using non-neutralizing antibodies. iScience 2024; 27:109363. [PMID: 38500835 PMCID: PMC10946335 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.109363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2023] [Revised: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024] Open
Abstract
A current challenge is the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants, such as BQ.1.1 and XBB.1.5, that can evade immune defenses, thereby limiting antibody drug effectiveness. Emergency-use antibody drugs, including the widely effective bebtelovimab, are losing their benefits. One potential approach to address this issue are bispecific antibodies which combine the targeting abilities of two antibodies with distinct epitopes. We engineered neutralizing bispecific antibodies in the IgG-scFv format from two initially non-neutralizing antibodies, CvMab-6 (which binds to the receptor-binding domain [RBD]) and CvMab-62 (targeting a spike protein S2 subunit epitope adjacent to the known anti-S2 antibody epitope). Furthermore, we created a bispecific antibody by incorporating the scFv of bebtelovimab with our anti-S2 antibody, demonstrating significant restoration of effectiveness against bebtelovimab-resistant BQ.1.1 variants. This study highlights the potential of neutralizing bispecific antibodies, which combine existing less effective anti-RBD antibodies with anti-S2 antibodies, to revive the effectiveness of antibody therapeutics compromised by immune-evading variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tetsuya Inoue
- Laboratory of Molecular Targeted Therapy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokyo University of Science, Yamazaki 2641, Noda, Chiba 278-8510, Japan
| | - Yuichiro Yamamoto
- Laboratory of Molecular Targeted Therapy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokyo University of Science, Yamazaki 2641, Noda, Chiba 278-8510, Japan
| | - Kaoru Sato
- Laboratory of Molecular Targeted Therapy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokyo University of Science, Yamazaki 2641, Noda, Chiba 278-8510, Japan
| | - Yuko Okemoto-Nakamura
- Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, 1-23-1, Toyama, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-8640, Japan
| | - Yoshimi Shimizu
- Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, 1-23-1, Toyama, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-8640, Japan
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Teikyo Heisei University, 4-21-2 Nakano, Nakano-ku 164-8530, Japan
| | - Motohiko Ogawa
- Department of Virology I, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, 1-23-1, Toyama, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-8640, Japan
| | - Taishi Onodera
- Research Center for Drug and Vaccine Development, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, 1-23-1, Toyama, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-8640, Japan
| | - Yoshimasa Takahashi
- Research Center for Drug and Vaccine Development, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, 1-23-1, Toyama, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-8640, Japan
| | - Takaji Wakita
- National Institute of Infectious Diseases, 1-23-1, Toyama, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-8640, Japan
| | - Mika K. Kaneko
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1 Seiryo-machi, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8575, Japan
- Department of Antibody Drug Development, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1 Seiryo-machi, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8575, Japan
| | - Masayoshi Fukasawa
- Laboratory of Molecular Targeted Therapy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokyo University of Science, Yamazaki 2641, Noda, Chiba 278-8510, Japan
- Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, 1-23-1, Toyama, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-8640, Japan
| | - Yukinari Kato
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1 Seiryo-machi, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8575, Japan
- Department of Antibody Drug Development, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1 Seiryo-machi, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8575, Japan
| | - Kohji Noguchi
- Laboratory of Molecular Targeted Therapy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokyo University of Science, Yamazaki 2641, Noda, Chiba 278-8510, Japan
- Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, 1-23-1, Toyama, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-8640, Japan
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10
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Heindl MR, Rupp AL, Schwerdtner M, Bestle D, Harbig A, De Rocher A, Schmacke LC, Staker B, Steinmetzer T, Stein DA, Moulton HM, Böttcher-Friebertshäuser E. ACE2 acts as a novel regulator of TMPRSS2-catalyzed proteolytic activation of influenza A virus in airway cells. J Virol 2024; 98:e0010224. [PMID: 38470058 PMCID: PMC11019950 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00102-24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024] Open
Abstract
The transmembrane serine protease 2 (TMPRSS2) activates the outer structural proteins of a number of respiratory viruses including influenza A virus (IAV), parainfluenza viruses, and various coronaviruses for membrane fusion. Previous studies showed that TMPRSS2 interacts with the carboxypeptidase angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), a cell surface protein that serves as an entry receptor for some coronaviruses. Here, by using protease activity assays, we determine that ACE2 increases the enzymatic activity of TMPRSS2 in a non-catalytic manner. Furthermore, we demonstrate that ACE2 knockdown inhibits TMPRSS2-mediated cleavage of IAV hemagglutinin (HA) in Calu-3 human airway cells and suppresses virus titers 100- to 1.000-fold. Transient expression of ACE2 in ACE2-deficient cells increased TMPRSS2-mediated HA cleavage and IAV replication. ACE2 knockdown also reduced titers of MERS-CoV and prevented S cleavage by TMPRSS2 in Calu-3 cells. By contrast, proteolytic activation and multicycle replication of IAV with multibasic HA cleavage site typically cleaved by furin were not affected by ACE2 knockdown. Co-immunoprecipitation analysis revealed that ACE2-TMPRSS2 interaction requires the enzymatic activity of TMPRSS2 and the carboxypeptidase domain of ACE2. Together, our data identify ACE2 as a new co-factor or stabilizer of TMPRSS2 activity and as a novel host cell factor involved in proteolytic activation and spread of IAV in human airway cells. Furthermore, our data indicate that ACE2 is involved in the TMPRSS2-catalyzed activation of additional respiratory viruses including MERS-CoV.IMPORTANCEProteolytic cleavage of viral envelope proteins by host cell proteases is essential for the infectivity of many viruses and relevant proteases provide promising drug targets. The transmembrane serine protease 2 (TMPRSS2) has been identified as a major activating protease of several respiratory viruses, including influenza A virus. TMPRSS2 was previously shown to interact with angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). Here, we report the mechanistic details of this interaction. We demonstrate that ACE2 increases or stabilizes the enzymatic activity of TMPRSS2. Furthermore, we describe ACE2 involvement in TMPRSS2-catalyzed cleavage of the influenza A virus hemagglutinin and MERS-CoV spike protein in human airway cells. These findings expand our knowledge of the activation of respiratory viruses by TMPRSS2 and the host cell factors involved. In addition, our results could help to elucidate a physiological role for TMPRSS2.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Anna-Lena Rupp
- Institute of Virology, Philipps-University, Marburg, Germany
| | | | - Dorothea Bestle
- Institute of Virology, Philipps-University, Marburg, Germany
| | - Anne Harbig
- Institute of Virology, Philipps-University, Marburg, Germany
| | - Amy De Rocher
- Seattle Structural Genomics Center for Infectious Disease (SSGCID), Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Luna C. Schmacke
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Philipps-University, Marburg, Germany
| | - Bart Staker
- Seattle Structural Genomics Center for Infectious Disease (SSGCID), Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Torsten Steinmetzer
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Philipps-University, Marburg, Germany
| | - David A. Stein
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Carlson College of Veterinary Medicine, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, USA
| | - Hong M. Moulton
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Carlson College of Veterinary Medicine, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, USA
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11
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Liao Y, Zhang Y, Li H, Hu H, Li M, Liao C. ACE2: the node connecting the lung cancer and COVID-19. Am J Cancer Res 2024; 14:1466-1481. [PMID: 38726281 PMCID: PMC11076241 DOI: 10.62347/xjve4569] [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: 10/15/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Angiotensin-converting Enzyme 2 (ACE2) collaborates with Angiotensin (Ang) 1-7 and Mas receptors to establish the ACE2-Ang (1-7)-Mas receptor axis. ACE2 impacts lung function and can cause lung injury due to its inflammatory effects. Additionally, ACE2 contributes to pulmonary vasculature dysfunction, resulting in pulmonary hypertension. In addition, ACE2 is a receptor for coronavirus entry into host cells, leading to coronavirus infection. Lung cancer, one of the most common respiratory diseases worldwide, has a high rate of infection. Elevated levels of ACE2 in lung cancer patients, which increase the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection and severe disease, have been demonstrated in clinical studies and by molecular mechanisms. The association between lung cancer and SARS-CoV-2 is closely linked to ACE2. This review examines the basic pathophysiological role of ACE2 in the lung, the long-term effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection on lung function, the development of pulmonary fibrosis, chronic inflammation in long-term COVID patients, and the clinical research and mechanisms underlying the increased susceptibility of lung cancer patients to the virus. Possible mechanisms of lung cancer in SARS-CoV-2-infected individuals and the potential role of ACE2 in this process are also explored in this review. The role of ACE2 as a therapeutic target in the novel coronavirus infection process is also summarized. This will help to inform prevention and treatment of long-term pulmonary complications in patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Liao
- School of Anesthesiology, Naval Medical UniversityShanghai 200433, China
| | - Ying Zhang
- Graduate School, Hebei North UniversityZhangjiakou 075000, Hebei, China
| | - Houfeng Li
- Graduate School, Hebei North UniversityZhangjiakou 075000, Hebei, China
| | - Huixiu Hu
- Graduate School, Hebei North UniversityZhangjiakou 075000, Hebei, China
| | - Mi Li
- School of Anesthesiology, Naval Medical UniversityShanghai 200433, China
| | - Chunhua Liao
- School of Anesthesiology, Naval Medical UniversityShanghai 200433, China
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12
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Tanneti NS, Patel AK, Tan LH, Marques AD, Perera RAPM, Sherrill-Mix S, Kelly BJ, Renner DM, Collman RG, Rodino K, Lee C, Bushman FD, Cohen NA, Weiss SR. Comparison of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern in primary human nasal cultures demonstrates Delta as most cytopathic and Omicron as fastest replicating. mBio 2024; 15:e0312923. [PMID: 38477472 PMCID: PMC11005367 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.03129-23] [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: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic was marked with emerging viral variants, some of which were designated as variants of concern (VOCs) due to selection and rapid circulation in the human population. Here, we elucidate functional features of each VOC linked to variations in replication rate. Patient-derived primary nasal cultures grown at air-liquid interface were used to model upper respiratory infection and compared to cell lines derived from human lung epithelia. All VOCs replicated to higher titers than the ancestral virus, suggesting a selection for replication efficiency. In primary nasal cultures, Omicron replicated to the highest titers at early time points, followed by Delta, paralleling comparative studies of population sampling. All SARS-CoV-2 viruses entered the cell primarily via a transmembrane serine protease 2 (TMPRSS2)-dependent pathway, and Omicron was more likely to use an endosomal route of entry. All VOCs activated and overcame dsRNA-induced cellular responses, including interferon (IFN) signaling, oligoadenylate ribonuclease L degradation, and protein kinase R activation. Among the VOCs, Omicron infection induced expression of the most IFN and IFN-stimulated genes. Infections in nasal cultures resulted in cellular damage, including a compromise of cell barrier integrity and loss of nasal cilia and ciliary beating function, especially during Delta infection. Overall, Omicron was optimized for replication in the upper respiratory tract and least favorable in the lower respiratory cell line, and Delta was the most cytopathic for both upper and lower respiratory cells. Our findings highlight the functional differences among VOCs at the cellular level and imply distinct mechanisms of pathogenesis in infected individuals. IMPORTANCE Comparative analysis of infections by SARS-CoV-2 ancestral virus and variants of concern, including Alpha, Beta, Delta, and Omicron, indicated that variants were selected for efficiency in replication. In infections of patient-derived primary nasal cultures grown at air-liquid interface to model upper respiratory infection, Omicron reached the highest titers at early time points, a finding that was confirmed by parallel population sampling studies. While all infections overcame dsRNA-mediated host responses, infections with Omicron induced the strongest interferon and interferon-stimulated gene response. In both primary nasal cultures and lower respiratory cell line, infections by Delta were most damaging to the cells as indicated by syncytia formation, loss of cell barrier integrity, and nasal ciliary function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikhila S. Tanneti
- Department of Microbiology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Anant K. Patel
- Department of Microbiology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Li Hui Tan
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology- Head and Neck Surgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Andrew D. Marques
- Department of Microbiology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Ranawaka A. P. M. Perera
- Department of Microbiology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Scott Sherrill-Mix
- Department of Microbiology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Brendan J. Kelly
- Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - David M. Renner
- Department of Microbiology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Ronald G. Collman
- Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Kyle Rodino
- Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Carole Lee
- Department of Microbiology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Frederic D. Bushman
- Department of Microbiology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Noam A. Cohen
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology- Head and Neck Surgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center, Surgical Services, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Monell Chemical Senses Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Susan R. Weiss
- Department of Microbiology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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13
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Leborgne NG, Devisme C, Kozarac N, Berenguer Veiga I, Ebert N, Godel A, Grau-Roma L, Scherer M, Plattet P, Thiel V, Zimmer G, Taddeo A, Benarafa C. Neutrophil proteases are protective against SARS-CoV-2 by degrading the spike protein and dampening virus-mediated inflammation. JCI Insight 2024; 9:e174133. [PMID: 38470488 PMCID: PMC11128203 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.174133] [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: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Studies on severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2) have highlighted the crucial role of host proteases for viral replication and the immune response. The serine proteases furin and TMPRSS2 and lysosomal cysteine proteases facilitate viral entry by limited proteolytic processing of the spike (S) protein. While neutrophils are recruited to the lungs during COVID-19 pneumonia, little is known about the role of the neutrophil serine proteases (NSPs) cathepsin G (CatG), elastase (NE), and proteinase 3 (PR3) on SARS-CoV-2 entry and replication. Furthermore, the current paradigm is that NSPs may contribute to the pathogenesis of severe COVID-19. Here, we show that these proteases cleaved the S protein at multiple sites and abrogated viral entry and replication in vitro. In mouse models, CatG significantly inhibited viral replication in the lung. Importantly, lung inflammation and pathology were increased in mice deficient in NE and/or CatG. These results reveal that NSPs contribute to innate defenses against SARS-CoV-2 infection via proteolytic inactivation of the S protein and that NE and CatG limit lung inflammation in vivo. We conclude that therapeutic interventions aiming to reduce the activity of NSPs may interfere with viral clearance and inflammation in COVID-19 patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathan G.F. Leborgne
- Institute of Virology and Immunology, Mittelhäusern, Switzerland
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty
| | - Christelle Devisme
- Institute of Virology and Immunology, Mittelhäusern, Switzerland
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty
| | - Nedim Kozarac
- Institute of Virology and Immunology, Mittelhäusern, Switzerland
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty
- Graduate School for Cellular and Biomedical Sciences
| | - Inês Berenguer Veiga
- Institute of Virology and Immunology, Mittelhäusern, Switzerland
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty
| | - Nadine Ebert
- Institute of Virology and Immunology, Mittelhäusern, Switzerland
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty
| | - Aurélie Godel
- Institute of Virology and Immunology, Mittelhäusern, Switzerland
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty
| | | | - Melanie Scherer
- Graduate School for Cellular and Biomedical Sciences
- Division of Neurological Sciences, Vetsuisse Faculty, and
| | - Philippe Plattet
- Division of Neurological Sciences, Vetsuisse Faculty, and
- Multidisciplinary Center for Infectious Diseases (MCID), University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Volker Thiel
- Institute of Virology and Immunology, Mittelhäusern, Switzerland
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty
- Multidisciplinary Center for Infectious Diseases (MCID), University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Gert Zimmer
- Institute of Virology and Immunology, Mittelhäusern, Switzerland
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty
| | - Adriano Taddeo
- Institute of Virology and Immunology, Mittelhäusern, Switzerland
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty
| | - Charaf Benarafa
- Institute of Virology and Immunology, Mittelhäusern, Switzerland
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty
- Multidisciplinary Center for Infectious Diseases (MCID), University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
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14
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Steenblock C, Richter S, Lindemann D, Ehrlich H, Bornstein SR, Bechmann N. Marine Sponge-Derived Secondary Metabolites Modulate SARS-CoV-2 Entry Mechanisms. Horm Metab Res 2024; 56:308-317. [PMID: 37793428 DOI: 10.1055/a-2173-0277] [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: 10/06/2023]
Abstract
The emergence of SARS-CoV 2 caused the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in numerous global infections and deaths. In particular, people with metabolic diseases display an increased risk of severe COVID 19 and a fatal outcome. Treatment options for severe cases are limited, and the appearance of new virus variants complicates the development of novel therapies. To better manage viral infections like COVID 19, new therapeutic approaches are needed. Marine sponges offer a natural and renewable source of unique bioactive agents. These sponges produce secondary metabolites with various effects, including anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, and anti-tumorigenic properties. In the current study, we investigated the effect of five different marine sponge-derived secondary metabolites (four bromotyrosines and one sesquiterpenoid hydroquinone). Two of these, Avarol and Acetyl-dibromoverongiaquinol reduced the expression of ACE2, the main receptor for SARS-CoV 2, and the alternative receptor NRP1. Moreover, these substances derived from sponges demonstrated the ability to diminish the virus titer in SARS-CoV 2-infected cells, especially concerning the Omicron lineage. However, the reduction was not substantial enough to expect a significant impact on infected humans. Consequently, the investigated sponge-derived secondary metabolites are not likely to be effective to treat COVID 19 as a stand-alone therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte Steenblock
- Department of Internal Medicine III, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Stefanie Richter
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Virology, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Dirk Lindemann
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Virology, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Hermann Ehrlich
- Center for Advanced Technologies, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznan, Poland
| | - Stefan R Bornstein
- Department of Internal Medicine III, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine and Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine, King's College London, London, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
- Department of Endocrinology, Diabetology and Clinical Nutrition, University Hospital Zurich (USZ) and University of Zurich (UZH), Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Nicole Bechmann
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus Dresden, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
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15
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Tam EH, Peng Y, Cheah MXY, Yan C, Xiao T. Neutralizing antibodies to block viral entry and for identification of entry inhibitors. Antiviral Res 2024; 224:105834. [PMID: 38369246 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2024.105834] [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: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 02/20/2024]
Abstract
Neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) are naturally produced by our immune system to combat viral infections. Clinically, neutralizing antibodies with potent efficacy and high specificity have been extensively used to prevent and treat a wide variety of viral infections, including Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Dengue Virus (DENV) and Hepatitis B Virus (HBV). An overwhelmingly large subset of clinically effective NAbs operates by targeting viral envelope proteins to inhibit viral entry into the host cell. Binding of viral envelope protein to the host receptor is a critical rate limiting step triggering a cascade of downstream events, including endocytosis, membrane fusion and pore formation to allow viral entry. In recent years, improved structural knowledge on these processes have allowed researchers to also leverage NAbs as an indispensable tool in guiding discovery of novel antiviral entry inhibitors, providing drug candidates with high efficacy and pan-genus specificity. This review will summarize the latest progresses on the applications of NAbs as effective entry inhibitors and as important tools to develop antiviral therapeutics by high-throughput drug screenings, rational design of peptidic entry inhibitor mimicking NAbs and in silico computational modeling approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ee Hong Tam
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University 637551, Singapore; Institute of Structural Biology, Nanyang Technological University 636921, Singapore
| | - Yu Peng
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University 637551, Singapore; Institute of Structural Biology, Nanyang Technological University 636921, Singapore
| | - Megan Xin Yan Cheah
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, A*STAR (Agency of Science, Technology and Research) 138673, Singapore
| | - Chuan Yan
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, A*STAR (Agency of Science, Technology and Research) 138673, Singapore
| | - Tianshu Xiao
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University 637551, Singapore; Institute of Structural Biology, Nanyang Technological University 636921, Singapore.
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16
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Mao ND, Xu Y, Che H, Yao X, Gao Y, Wang C, Deng H, Hui Z, Zhang H, Ye XY. Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of novel 1,2,4a,5-tetrahydro-4H-benzo[b][1,4]oxazino[4,3-d][1,4]oxazine-based AAK1 inhibitors with anti-viral property against SARS-CoV-2. Eur J Med Chem 2024; 268:116232. [PMID: 38377825 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2024.116232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2023] [Revised: 02/09/2024] [Accepted: 02/10/2024] [Indexed: 02/22/2024]
Abstract
Coronavirus entry into host cells hinges on the interaction between the spike glycoprotein of the virus and the cell-surface receptor angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), initiating the subsequent clathrin-mediated endocytosis (CME) pathway. AP-2-associated protein kinase 1 (AAK1) holds a pivotal role in this pathway, regulating CME by modulating the phosphorylation of the μ subunit of adaptor protein 2 (AP2M1). Herein, we report a series of novel AAK1 inhibitors based on previously reported 1,2,4a,5-tetrahydro-4H-benzo[b] [1,4]oxazino[4,3-d] [1,4]oxazine scaffold. Among 23 synthesized compounds, compound 12e is the most potent one with an IC50 value of 9.38 ± 0.34 nM against AAK1. The in vitro antiviral activity of 12e against SARS-CoV-2 was evaluated using a model involving SARS-CoV-2 pseudovirus infecting hACE2-HEK293 host cells. The results revealed that 12e was superior in vitro antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2 entry into host cells when compared to SGC-AAK1-1 and LX9211, and its activity was comparable to that of a related and reference compound 8. Mechanistically, all AAK1 inhibitors attenuated AAK1-induced phosphorylation of AP2M1 threonine 156 and disrupted the direct interaction between AP2M1 and ACE2, ultimately inhibiting SARS-CoV-2 infection. Notably, compounds 8 and 12e exhibited a more potent effect in suppressing the phosphorylation of AP2M1 T156 and the interaction between AP2M1 and ACE2. In conclusion, novel AAK1 inhibitor 12e demonstrates significant efficacy in suppressing SARS-CoV-2 infection, and holds promise as a potential candidate for developing novel antiviral drugs against SARS-CoV-2 and other coronavirus infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nian-Dong Mao
- School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 311121, China; Key Laboratory of Elemene Class Anti-Cancer Chinese Medicines, Engineering Laboratory of Development and Application of Traditional Chinese Medicines, Collaborative Innovation Center of Traditional Chinese Medicines of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 311121, China; School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 311121, China
| | - Yueying Xu
- School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 311121, China; Key Laboratory of Elemene Class Anti-Cancer Chinese Medicines, Engineering Laboratory of Development and Application of Traditional Chinese Medicines, Collaborative Innovation Center of Traditional Chinese Medicines of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 311121, China
| | - Hao Che
- School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 311121, China; Key Laboratory of Elemene Class Anti-Cancer Chinese Medicines, Engineering Laboratory of Development and Application of Traditional Chinese Medicines, Collaborative Innovation Center of Traditional Chinese Medicines of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 311121, China
| | - Xia Yao
- School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 311121, China; Key Laboratory of Elemene Class Anti-Cancer Chinese Medicines, Engineering Laboratory of Development and Application of Traditional Chinese Medicines, Collaborative Innovation Center of Traditional Chinese Medicines of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 311121, China
| | - Yuan Gao
- Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Chenchen Wang
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 311121, China
| | - Haowen Deng
- School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 311121, China; Key Laboratory of Elemene Class Anti-Cancer Chinese Medicines, Engineering Laboratory of Development and Application of Traditional Chinese Medicines, Collaborative Innovation Center of Traditional Chinese Medicines of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 311121, China
| | - Zi Hui
- School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 311121, China; Key Laboratory of Elemene Class Anti-Cancer Chinese Medicines, Engineering Laboratory of Development and Application of Traditional Chinese Medicines, Collaborative Innovation Center of Traditional Chinese Medicines of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 311121, China.
| | - Hang Zhang
- School of Basic Medical Science, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 311121, China.
| | - Xiang-Yang Ye
- School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 311121, China; Key Laboratory of Elemene Class Anti-Cancer Chinese Medicines, Engineering Laboratory of Development and Application of Traditional Chinese Medicines, Collaborative Innovation Center of Traditional Chinese Medicines of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 311121, China; School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 311121, China.
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17
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Rickman OJ, Guignard E, Chabanon T, Bertoldi G, Auberson M, Hummler E. Tmprss2 maintains epithelial barrier integrity and transepithelial sodium transport. Life Sci Alliance 2024; 7:e202302304. [PMID: 38171596 PMCID: PMC10765116 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.202302304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Revised: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
The mouse cortical collecting duct cell line presents a tight epithelium with regulated ion and water transport. The epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) is localized in the apical membrane and constitutes the rate-limiting step for sodium entry, thereby enabling transepithelial transport of sodium ions. The membrane-bound serine protease Tmprss2 is co-expressed with the alpha subunit of ENaC. αENaC gene expression followed the Tmprss2 expression, and the absence of Tmprss2 resulted not only in down-regulation of αENaC gene and protein expression but also in abolished transepithelial sodium transport. In addition, RNA-sequencing analyses unveiled drastic down-regulation of the membrane-bound protease CAP3/St14, the epithelial adhesion molecule EpCAM, and the tight junction proteins claudin-7 and claudin-3 as also confirmed by immunohistochemistry. In summary, our data clearly demonstrate a dual role of Tmprss2 in maintaining not only ENaC-mediated transepithelial but also EpCAM/claudin-7-mediated paracellular barrier; the tight epithelium of the mouse renal mCCD cells becomes leaky. Our working model proposes that Tmprss2 acts via CAP3/St14 on EpCAM/claudin-7 tight junction complexes and through regulating transcription of αENaC on ENaC-mediated sodium transport.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivia J Rickman
- https://ror.org/019whta54 Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Emma Guignard
- https://ror.org/019whta54 Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Thomas Chabanon
- https://ror.org/019whta54 Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Giovanni Bertoldi
- https://ror.org/019whta54 Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Muriel Auberson
- https://ror.org/019whta54 Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Edith Hummler
- https://ror.org/019whta54 Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
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18
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Zhang X, Liu J, Deng X, Bo L. Understanding COVID-19-associated endothelial dysfunction: role of PIEZO1 as a potential therapeutic target. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1281263. [PMID: 38487535 PMCID: PMC10937424 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1281263] [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: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. Due to its high infectivity, the pandemic has rapidly spread and become a global health crisis. Emerging evidence indicates that endothelial dysfunction may play a central role in the multiorgan injuries associated with COVID-19. Therefore, there is an urgent need to discover and validate novel therapeutic strategies targeting endothelial cells. PIEZO1, a mechanosensitive (MS) ion channel highly expressed in the blood vessels of various tissues, has garnered increasing attention for its potential involvement in the regulation of inflammation, thrombosis, and endothelial integrity. This review aims to provide a novel perspective on the potential role of PIEZO1 as a promising target for mitigating COVID-19-associated endothelial dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Xiaoming Deng
- Faculty of Anesthesiology, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Lulong Bo
- Faculty of Anesthesiology, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
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19
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Zhang L, Kempf A, Nehlmeier I, Cossmann A, Richter A, Bdeir N, Graichen L, Moldenhauer AS, Dopfer-Jablonka A, Stankov MV, Simon-Loriere E, Schulz SR, Jäck HM, Čičin-Šain L, Behrens GMN, Drosten C, Hoffmann M, Pöhlmann S. SARS-CoV-2 BA.2.86 enters lung cells and evades neutralizing antibodies with high efficiency. Cell 2024; 187:596-608.e17. [PMID: 38194966 PMCID: PMC11317634 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2023.12.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2023] [Revised: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2024]
Abstract
BA.2.86, a recently identified descendant of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Omicron BA.2 sublineage, contains ∼35 mutations in the spike (S) protein and spreads in multiple countries. Here, we investigated whether the virus exhibits altered biological traits, focusing on S protein-driven viral entry. Employing pseudotyped particles, we show that BA.2.86, unlike other Omicron sublineages, enters Calu-3 lung cells with high efficiency and in a serine- but not cysteine-protease-dependent manner. Robust lung cell infection was confirmed with authentic BA.2.86, but the virus exhibited low specific infectivity. Further, BA.2.86 was highly resistant against all therapeutic antibodies tested, efficiently evading neutralization by antibodies induced by non-adapted vaccines. In contrast, BA.2.86 and the currently circulating EG.5.1 sublineage were appreciably neutralized by antibodies induced by the XBB.1.5-adapted vaccine. Collectively, BA.2.86 has regained a trait characteristic of early SARS-CoV-2 lineages, robust lung cell entry, and evades neutralizing antibodies. However, BA.2.86 exhibits low specific infectivity, which might limit transmissibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Zhang
- Infection Biology Unit, German Primate Center, 37077 Göttingen, Germany; Faculty of Biology and Psychology, Georg-August-University Göttingen, 37073 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Amy Kempf
- Infection Biology Unit, German Primate Center, 37077 Göttingen, Germany; Faculty of Biology and Psychology, Georg-August-University Göttingen, 37073 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Inga Nehlmeier
- Infection Biology Unit, German Primate Center, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Anne Cossmann
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Anja Richter
- Institute of Virology, Campus Charité Mitte, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Najat Bdeir
- Department of Viral Immunology, Helmholtz Zentrum für Infektionsforschung, 38124 Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Luise Graichen
- Infection Biology Unit, German Primate Center, 37077 Göttingen, Germany; Faculty of Biology and Psychology, Georg-August-University Göttingen, 37073 Göttingen, Germany
| | | | - Alexandra Dopfer-Jablonka
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany; German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Hannover-Braunschweig, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Metodi V Stankov
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Etienne Simon-Loriere
- G5 Evolutionary Genomics of RNA Viruses, Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, 75015 Paris, France; National Reference Center for Viruses of respiratory Infections, Institut Pasteur, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Sebastian R Schulz
- Division of Molecular Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine 3, Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Hans-Martin Jäck
- Division of Molecular Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine 3, Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Luka Čičin-Šain
- Department of Viral Immunology, Helmholtz Zentrum für Infektionsforschung, 38124 Braunschweig, Germany; German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Hannover-Braunschweig, 30625 Hannover, Germany; Center for Individualized Infection Medicine, a joint venture of HZI and MHH, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Georg M N Behrens
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany; German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Hannover-Braunschweig, 30625 Hannover, Germany; Center for Individualized Infection Medicine, a joint venture of HZI and MHH, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Christian Drosten
- Institute of Virology, Campus Charité Mitte, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Markus Hoffmann
- Infection Biology Unit, German Primate Center, 37077 Göttingen, Germany; Faculty of Biology and Psychology, Georg-August-University Göttingen, 37073 Göttingen, Germany.
| | - Stefan Pöhlmann
- Infection Biology Unit, German Primate Center, 37077 Göttingen, Germany; Faculty of Biology and Psychology, Georg-August-University Göttingen, 37073 Göttingen, Germany.
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20
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Oduro-Kwateng E, Soliman ME. DON/DRP-104 as potent serine protease inhibitors implicated in SARS-CoV-2 infection: Comparative binding modes with human TMPRSS2 and novel therapeutic approach. J Cell Biochem 2024. [PMID: 38284235 DOI: 10.1002/jcb.30528] [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: 12/03/2023] [Revised: 12/31/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 01/30/2024]
Abstract
Human transmembrane serine protease 2 (TMPRSS2) is an important member of the type 2 transmembrane serine protease (TTSP) family with significant therapeutic markings. The search for potent TMPRSS2 inhibitors against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection with favorable tissue specificity and off-site toxicity profiles remains limited. Therefore, probing the anti-TMPRSS2 potential of enhanced drug delivery systems, such as nanotechnology and prodrug systems, has become compelling. We report the first in silico study of TMPRSS2 against a prodrug, [isopropyl(S)-2-((S)-2-acetamido-3-(1H-indol-3-yl)-propanamido)-6-diazo-5-oxo-hexanoate] also known as DRP-104 synthesized from 6-Diazo-5-oxo-l-norleucine (DON). We performed comparative studies on DON and DRP-104 against a clinically potent TMPRSS2 inhibitor, nafamostat, and a standard serine protease inhibitor, 4-(2-Aminoethyl) benzenesulfonyl fluoride (AEBSF) against TMPRSS2 and found improved TMPRSS2 inhibition through synergistic binding of the S1/S1' subdomains. Both DON and DRP-104 had better thermodynamic profiles than AEBSF and nafamostat. DON was found to confer structural stability with strong positive correlated inter-residue motions, whereas DRP-104 was found to confer kinetic stability with restricted residue displacements and reduced loop flexibility. Interestingly, the Scavenger Receptor Cysteine-Rich (SRCR) domain of TMPRSS2 may be involved in its inhibition mechanics. Two previously unidentified loops, designated X (270-275) and Y (293-296) underwent minimal and major structural transitions, respectively. In addition, residues 273-277 consistently transitioned to a turn conformation in all ligated systems, whereas unique transitions were identified for other transitioning residue groups in each TMPRSS2-inhibitor complex. Intriguingly, while both DON and DRP-104 showed similar loop transition patterns, DRP-104 preserved loop structural integrity. As evident from our systematic comparative study using experimentally/clinically validated inhibitors, DRP-104 may serve as a potent and novel TMPRSS2 inhibitor and warrants further clinical investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ernest Oduro-Kwateng
- School of Health Sciences, Molecular Bio-Computation and Drug Design Research Group, Westville Campus, University of KwaZulu Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Mahmoud E Soliman
- School of Health Sciences, Molecular Bio-Computation and Drug Design Research Group, Westville Campus, University of KwaZulu Natal, Durban, South Africa
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21
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Takeda M. Cleavage-Activation of Respiratory Viruses - Half a Century of History from Sendai Virus to SARS-CoV-2. Jpn J Infect Dis 2024; 77:1-6. [PMID: 38030267 DOI: 10.7883/yoken.jjid.2023.353] [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: 12/01/2023]
Abstract
Many viruses require the cleavage-activation of membrane fusion proteins by host proteases in the course of infection. This knowledge is based on historical studies of Sendai virus in the 1970s. From the 1970s to the 1990s, avian influenza virus and Newcastle disease virus were studied, showing a clear link between virulence and the cleavage-activation of viral membrane fusion proteins (hemagglutinin and fusion proteins) by host proteases. In these viruses, cleavage of viral membrane fusion proteins by furin is the basis for their high virulence. Subsequently, from the 2000s to the 2010s, the importance of TMPRSS2 in activating the membrane fusion proteins of various respiratory viruses, including seasonal influenza viruses, was demonstrated. In late 2019, severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) emerged and caused a pandemic. The virus continues to mutate, producing variants that have caused global pandemics. The spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 is characterized by two cleavage sites, each of which is cleaved by furin and TMPRSS2 to achieve membrane fusion. SARS-CoV-2 variants exhibit altered sensitivity to these proteases. Thus, studying the cleavage-activation of membrane fusion proteins by host proteases is critical for understanding the ongoing pandemic and developing countermeasures against it.
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Affiliation(s)
- Makoto Takeda
- Department of Microbiology, Graduate School of Medicine and Faculty of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Japan
- Pandemic Preparedness, Infection and Advanced Research Center, The University of Tokyo, Japan
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22
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Gartner MJ, Lee LYY, Mordant FL, Suryadinata R, Chen J, Robinson P, Polo JM, Subbarao K. Ancestral, Delta, and Omicron (BA.1) SARS-CoV-2 strains are dependent on serine proteases for entry throughout the human respiratory tract. MED 2023; 4:944-955.e7. [PMID: 37769654 DOI: 10.1016/j.medj.2023.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2023] [Revised: 07/30/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.1 variant emerged in late 2021 and became the globally dominant variant by January 2022. Authentic virus and pseudovirus systems have shown Omicron spike has an increased dependence on the endosomal pathway for entry. METHODS We investigated the entry mechanisms of Omicron, Delta, and ancestral viruses in cell models that represent different parts of the human respiratory tract, including nasal epithelial cells (hNECs), large-airway epithelial cells (LAECs), small-airway epithelial cells, and embryonic stem cell-derived type II alveolar cells. FINDINGS Omicron had an early replication advantage in LAECs, while Delta grew to higher titers in all cells. Omicron maintained dependence on serine proteases for entry in all culture systems. While serine protease inhibition with camostat was less robust for Omicron in hNECs, endosomal entry was not enhanced. CONCLUSIONS Our findings demonstrate that entry of Omicron BA.1 SARS-CoV-2 is dependent on serine proteases for entry throughout the respiratory tract. FUNDING This work was supported by The Medical Research Future Fund (MRF9200007; K.S., J.M.P.) and the DHHS Victorian State Government grant (Victorian State Government; DJPR/COVID-19; K.S, J.M.P.). K.S. is supported by a National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia Investigator grant (APP1177174).
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew J Gartner
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, the University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
| | - Leo Yi Yang Lee
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, the University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
| | - Francesca L Mordant
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, the University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
| | - Randy Suryadinata
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia; Infection and Immunity, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Joseph Chen
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia; Development and Stem Cells Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Philip Robinson
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia; Infection and Immunity, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia; Department of Paediatrics, the University of Melbourne at the Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Jose M Polo
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia; Development and Stem Cells Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia; Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia; Adelaide Centre for Epigenetics, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia; South Australian Immunogenomics Cancer Institute, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia
| | - Kanta Subbarao
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, the University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia; WHO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Influenza, the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia.
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23
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de Vries M, Ciabattoni GO, Rodriguez-Rodriguez BA, Crosse KM, Papandrea D, Samanovic MI, Dimartino D, Marier C, Mulligan MJ, Heguy A, Desvignes L, Duerr R, Dittmann M. Generation of quality-controlled SARS-CoV-2 variant stocks. Nat Protoc 2023; 18:3821-3855. [PMID: 37833423 DOI: 10.1038/s41596-023-00897-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023]
Abstract
One of the main challenges in the fight against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) stems from the ongoing evolution of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) into multiple variants. To address this hurdle, research groups around the world have independently developed protocols to isolate these variants from clinical samples. These isolates are then used in translational and basic research-for example, in vaccine development, drug screening or characterizing SARS-CoV-2 biology and pathogenesis. However, over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have learned that the introduction of artefacts during both in vitro isolation and subsequent propagation to virus stocks can lessen the validity and reproducibility of data. We propose a rigorous pipeline for the generation of high-quality SARS-CoV-2 variant clonal isolates that minimizes the acquisition of mutations and introduces stringent controls to detect them. Overall, the process includes eight stages: (i) cell maintenance, (ii) isolation of SARS-CoV-2 from clinical specimens, (iii) determination of infectious virus titers by plaque assay, (iv) clonal isolation by plaque purification, (v) whole-virus-genome deep-sequencing, (vi and vii) amplification of selected virus clones to master and working stocks and (viii) sucrose purification. This comprehensive protocol will enable researchers to generate reliable SARS-CoV-2 variant inoculates for in vitro and in vivo experimentation and will facilitate comparisons and collaborative work. Quality-controlled working stocks for most applications can be generated from acquired biorepository virus within 1 month. An additional 5-8 d are required when virus is isolated from clinical swab material, and another 6-7 d is needed for sucrose-purifying the stocks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maren de Vries
- Department of Microbiology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Grace O Ciabattoni
- Department of Microbiology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Keaton M Crosse
- Department of Microbiology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Dominick Papandrea
- High Containment Laboratories-Office of Science and Research, NYU Langone Health, New York, NY, USA
| | - Marie I Samanovic
- Department of Medicine, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- NYU Langone Vaccine Center, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Dacia Dimartino
- Genome Technology Center, Office of Science and Research, NYU Langone Health, New York, NY, USA
| | - Christian Marier
- Genome Technology Center, Office of Science and Research, NYU Langone Health, New York, NY, USA
| | - Mark J Mulligan
- Department of Medicine, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- NYU Langone Vaccine Center, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Adriana Heguy
- Genome Technology Center, Office of Science and Research, NYU Langone Health, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Pathology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ludovic Desvignes
- High Containment Laboratories-Office of Science and Research, NYU Langone Health, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Medicine, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ralf Duerr
- Department of Microbiology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Medicine, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- NYU Langone Vaccine Center, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Meike Dittmann
- Department of Microbiology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
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24
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Pencheva M, Bozhkova M, Kalchev Y, Petrov S, Baldzhieva A, Kalfova T, Dichev V, Keskinova D, Genova S, Atanasova M, Murdzheva M. The Serum ACE2, CTSL, AngII, and TNFα Levels after COVID-19 and mRNA Vaccines: The Molecular Basis. Biomedicines 2023; 11:3160. [PMID: 38137381 PMCID: PMC10741205 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11123160] [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: 10/19/2023] [Revised: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The SARS-CoV-2 virus as well as the COVID-19 mRNA vaccines cause an increased production of proinflammatory cytokines. AIM We investigated the relationship between ACE2, CTSL, AngII, TNFα and the serum levels of IL-6, IL-10, IL-33, IL-28A, CD40L, total IgM, IgG, IgA and absolute count of T- and B-lymphocytes in COVID-19 patients, vaccinees and healthy individuals. METHODS We measured the serum levels ACE2, AngII, CTSL, TNFα and humoral biomarkers (CD40L, IL-28A, IL-10, IL-33) by the ELISA method. Immunophenotyping of lymphocyte subpopulations was performed by flow cytometry. Total serum immunoglobulins were analyzed by the turbidimetry method. RESULTS The results established an increase in the total serum levels for ACE2, CTSL, AngII and TNFα by severely ill patients and vaccinated persons. The correlation analysis described a positive relationship between ACE2 and proinflammatory cytokines IL-33 (r = 0.539) and CD40L (r = 0.520), a positive relationship between AngII and CD40L (r = 0.504), as well as between AngII and IL-33 (r = 0.416), and a positive relationship between CTSL, total IgA (r = 0.437) and IL-28A (r = 0.592). Correlation analysis confirmed only two of the positive relationships between TNFα and IL-28A (r = 0.491) and CD40L (r = 0.458). CONCLUSIONS In summary, the findings presented in this study unveil a complex web of interactions within the immune system in response to SARS-CoV-2 infection and vaccination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mina Pencheva
- Department of Medical Physics and Biophysics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Plovdiv, 4002 Plovdiv, Bulgaria
| | - Martina Bozhkova
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Plovdiv, 4002 Plovdiv, Bulgaria; (M.B.); (Y.K.); (S.P.); (A.B.); (T.K.); (M.A.); (M.M.)
- Research Institute, Medical University of Plovdiv, 4002 Plovdiv, Bulgaria;
| | - Yordan Kalchev
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Plovdiv, 4002 Plovdiv, Bulgaria; (M.B.); (Y.K.); (S.P.); (A.B.); (T.K.); (M.A.); (M.M.)
- Research Institute, Medical University of Plovdiv, 4002 Plovdiv, Bulgaria;
| | - Steliyan Petrov
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Plovdiv, 4002 Plovdiv, Bulgaria; (M.B.); (Y.K.); (S.P.); (A.B.); (T.K.); (M.A.); (M.M.)
- Research Institute, Medical University of Plovdiv, 4002 Plovdiv, Bulgaria;
| | - Alexandra Baldzhieva
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Plovdiv, 4002 Plovdiv, Bulgaria; (M.B.); (Y.K.); (S.P.); (A.B.); (T.K.); (M.A.); (M.M.)
- Research Institute, Medical University of Plovdiv, 4002 Plovdiv, Bulgaria;
| | - Teodora Kalfova
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Plovdiv, 4002 Plovdiv, Bulgaria; (M.B.); (Y.K.); (S.P.); (A.B.); (T.K.); (M.A.); (M.M.)
- Research Institute, Medical University of Plovdiv, 4002 Plovdiv, Bulgaria;
| | - Valentin Dichev
- Research Institute, Medical University of Plovdiv, 4002 Plovdiv, Bulgaria;
- Department of Medical Biology, Medical University of Plovdiv, 4002 Plovdiv, Bulgaria
| | - Donka Keskinova
- Department of Applied and Institutional Sociology, Faculty of Philosophy and History, University of Plovdiv “Paisii Hilendarski”, 4000 Plovdiv, Bulgaria;
| | - Silvia Genova
- Department of General and Clinical Pathology, Medical Faculty, Medical University of Plovdiv, 4002 Plovdiv, Bulgaria;
| | - Mariya Atanasova
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Plovdiv, 4002 Plovdiv, Bulgaria; (M.B.); (Y.K.); (S.P.); (A.B.); (T.K.); (M.A.); (M.M.)
- Laboratory of Virology, UMBAL “St. George” EAD, 4002 Plovdiv, Bulgaria
| | - Mariana Murdzheva
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Plovdiv, 4002 Plovdiv, Bulgaria; (M.B.); (Y.K.); (S.P.); (A.B.); (T.K.); (M.A.); (M.M.)
- Research Institute, Medical University of Plovdiv, 4002 Plovdiv, Bulgaria;
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25
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Pastorio C, Noettger S, Nchioua R, Zech F, Sparrer KM, Kirchhoff F. Impact of mutations defining SARS-CoV-2 Omicron subvariants BA.2.12.1 and BA.4/5 on Spike function and neutralization. iScience 2023; 26:108299. [PMID: 38026181 PMCID: PMC10661123 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.108299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Revised: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Additional mutations in the viral Spike protein helped the BA.2.12.1 and BA.4/5 SARS-CoV-2 Omicron subvariants to outcompete the parental BA.2 subvariant. Here, we determined the functional impact of mutations that newly emerged in the BA.2.12.1 (L452Q, S704L) and BA.4/5 (Δ69-70, L452R, F486V, R493Q) Spike proteins. Our results show that mutation of L452Q/R or F486V typically increases and R493Q or S704L impair BA.2 Spike-mediated infection. In combination, changes of Δ69-70, L452R, and F486V contribute to the higher infectiousness and fusogenicity of the BA.4/5 Spike. L452R/Q and F486V in Spike are mainly responsible for reduced sensitivity to neutralizing antibodies. However, the combined mutations are required for full infectivity, reduced TMPRSS2 dependency, and immune escape of BA.4/5 Spike. Thus, it is the specific combination of mutations in BA.4/5 Spike that allows increased functionality and immune evasion, which helps to explain the temporary dominance and increased pathogenicity of these Omicron subvariants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Pastorio
- Institute of Molecular Virology, Ulm University Medical Centre, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Sabrina Noettger
- Institute of Molecular Virology, Ulm University Medical Centre, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Rayhane Nchioua
- Institute of Molecular Virology, Ulm University Medical Centre, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Fabian Zech
- Institute of Molecular Virology, Ulm University Medical Centre, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | | | - Frank Kirchhoff
- Institute of Molecular Virology, Ulm University Medical Centre, 89081 Ulm, Germany
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26
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Katzmarzyk M, Clesle DC, van den Heuvel J, Hoffmann M, Garritsen H, Pöhlmann S, Jacobsen H, Čičin-Šain L. Systematical assessment of the impact of single spike mutations of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron sub-variants on the neutralization capacity of post-vaccination sera. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1288794. [PMID: 38022629 PMCID: PMC10667444 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1288794] [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: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction The evolution of novel SARS-CoV-2 variants significantly affects vaccine effectiveness. While these effects can only be studied retrospectively, neutralizing antibody titers are most used as correlates of protection. However, studies assessing neutralizing antibody titers often show heterogeneous data. Methods To address this, we investigated assay variance and identified virus infection time and dose as factors affecting assay robustness. We next measured neutralization against Omicron sub-variants in cohorts with hybrid or vaccine induced immunity, identifying a gradient of immune escape potential. To evaluate the effect of individual mutations on this immune escape potential of Omicron variants, we systematically assessed the effect of each individual mutation specific to Omicron BA.1, BA.2, BA.2.12.1, and BA.4/5. Results We cloned a library of pseudo-viruses expressing spikes with single point mutations, and subjected it to pooled sera from vaccinated hosts, thereby identifying multiple mutations that independently affect neutralization potency. Discussion These data might help to predict antigenic features of novel viral variants carrying these mutations and support the development of broad monoclonal antibodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maeva Katzmarzyk
- Department of Viral Immunology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Denise Christine Clesle
- Department of Viral Immunology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Joop van den Heuvel
- Research Group Recombinant Protein Expression, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Markus Hoffmann
- Infection Biology Unit, German Primate Center, Göttingen, Germany
- Faculty of Biology and Psychology, Georg-August-University Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Henk Garritsen
- Institute for Clinical Transfusion Medicine, Klinikum Braunschweig GmbH, Braunschweig, Germany
- Fraunhofer Institute for Surface Engineering and Thin Films IST, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Stefan Pöhlmann
- Infection Biology Unit, German Primate Center, Göttingen, Germany
- Faculty of Biology and Psychology, Georg-August-University Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Henning Jacobsen
- Department of Viral Immunology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Luka Čičin-Šain
- Department of Viral Immunology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
- German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hannover-Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany
- Centre for Individualized Infection Medicine (CIIM), Joint Venture of Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research and Medical School Hannover, Braunschweig, Germany
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27
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Lie LK, Synowiec A, Mazur J, Rabalski L, Pyrć K. An engineered A549 cell line expressing CD13 and TMPRSS2 is permissive to clinical isolate of human coronavirus 229E. Virology 2023; 588:109889. [PMID: 37778059 DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2023.109889] [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: 07/05/2023] [Revised: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023]
Abstract
The lack of suitable in vitro culture model has hampered research on wild-type (WT) human coronaviruses. While 3D tissue or organ cultures have been instrumental for this purpose, such models are challenging, time-consuming, expensive and require extensive cell culture adaptation and directed evolution. Consequently, high-throughput applications are beyond reach in most cases. Here we developed a robust A549 cell line permissive to a human coronavirus 229E (HCoV-229E) clinical isolate by transducing CD13 and transmembrane serine protease 2 (TMPRSS2), henceforth referred to as A549++ cells. This modification allowed for productive infection, and a more detailed analysis showed that the virus might use the TMPRSS2-dependent pathway but can still bypass this pathway using cathepsin-mediated endocytosis. Overall, our data showed that A549++ cells are permissive to HCoV-229E clinical isolate, and applicable for further studies on HCoV-229E infectiology. Moreover, this line constitutes a uniform platform for studies on multiple members of the Coronaviridae family.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurensius Kevin Lie
- Virogenetics Group, Malopolska Center of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Poland
| | - Aleksandra Synowiec
- Virogenetics Group, Malopolska Center of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Poland; Doctoral School of Exact and Natural Sciences, Jagiellonian University, Poland
| | - Jedrzej Mazur
- Virogenetics Group, Malopolska Center of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Poland
| | - Lukasz Rabalski
- Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology of University of Gdansk and Medical University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland; Biological Threats Identification and Countermeasure Centre, Military Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Pulawy, Poland
| | - Krzysztof Pyrć
- Virogenetics Group, Malopolska Center of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Poland.
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28
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Qing E, Gallagher T. Adaptive variations in SARS-CoV-2 spike proteins: effects on distinct virus-cell entry stages. mBio 2023; 14:e0017123. [PMID: 37382441 PMCID: PMC10470846 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.00171-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 05/14/2023] [Indexed: 06/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Evolved SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOCs) spread through human populations in succession. Major virus variations are in the entry-facilitating viral spike (S) proteins; Omicron VOCs have 29-40 S mutations relative to ancestral D614G viruses. The impacts of this Omicron divergence on S protein structure, antigenicity, cell entry pathways, and pathogenicity have been extensively evaluated, yet gaps remain in correlating specific alterations with S protein functions. In this study, we compared the functions of ancestral D614G and Omicron VOCs using cell-free assays that can reveal differences in several distinct steps of the S-directed virus entry process. Relative to ancestral D614G, Omicron BA.1 S proteins were hypersensitized to receptor activation, to conversion into intermediate conformational states, and to membrane fusion-activating proteases. We identified mutations conferring these changes in S protein character by evaluating domain-exchanged D614G/Omicron recombinants in the cell-free assays. Each of the three functional alterations was mapped to specific S protein domains, with the recombinants providing insights on inter-domain interactions that fine-tune S-directed virus entry. Our results provide a structure-function atlas of the S protein variations that may promote the transmissibility and infectivity of current and future SARS-CoV-2 VOCs. IMPORTANCE Continuous SARS-CoV-2 adaptations generate increasingly transmissible variants. These succeeding variants show ever-increasing evasion of suppressive antibodies and host factors, as well as increasing invasion of susceptible host cells. Here, we evaluated the adaptations enhancing invasion. We used reductionist cell-free assays to compare the entry steps of ancestral (D614G) and Omicron (BA.1) variants. Relative to D614G, Omicron entry was distinguished by heightened responsiveness to entry-facilitating receptors and proteases and by enhanced formation of intermediate states that execute virus-cell membrane fusion. We found that these Omicron-specific characteristics arose from mutations in specific S protein domains and subdomains. The results reveal the inter-domain networks controlling S protein dynamics and efficiencies of entry steps, and they offer insights on the evolution of SARS-CoV-2 variants that arise and ultimately dominate infections worldwide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enya Qing
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, Illinois, USA
| | - Tom Gallagher
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, Illinois, USA
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29
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Mykytyn AZ, Breugem TI, Geurts MH, Beumer J, Schipper D, van Acker R, van den Doel PB, van Royen ME, Zhang J, Clevers H, Haagmans BL, Lamers MM. SARS-CoV-2 Omicron entry is type II transmembrane serine protease-mediated in human airway and intestinal organoid models. J Virol 2023; 97:e0085123. [PMID: 37555660 PMCID: PMC10506477 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00851-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2023] [Accepted: 06/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/10/2023] Open
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 can enter cells after its spike protein is cleaved by either type II transmembrane serine proteases (TTSPs), like TMPRSS2, or cathepsins. It is now widely accepted that the Omicron variant uses TMPRSS2 less efficiently and instead enters cells via cathepsins, but these findings have yet to be verified in more relevant cell models. Although we could confirm efficient cathepsin-mediated entry for Omicron in a monkey kidney cell line, experiments with protease inhibitors showed that Omicron (BA.1 and XBB1.5) did not use cathepsins for entry into human airway organoids and instead utilized TTSPs. Likewise, CRISPR-edited intestinal organoids showed that entry of Omicron BA.1 relied on the expression of the serine protease TMPRSS2 but not cathepsin L or B. Together, these data force us to rethink the concept that Omicron has adapted to cathepsin-mediated entry and indicate that TTSP inhibitors should not be dismissed as prophylactic or therapeutic antiviral strategy against SARS-CoV-2. IMPORTANCE Coronavirus entry relies on host proteases that activate the viral fusion protein, spike. These proteases determine the viral entry route, tropism, host range, and can be attractive drug targets. Whereas earlier studies using cell lines suggested that the Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 has changed its protease usage, from cell surface type II transmembrane serine proteases (TTSPs) to endosomal cathepsins, we report that this is not the case in human airway and intestinal organoid models, suggesting that host TTSP inhibition is still a viable prophylactic or therapeutic antiviral strategy against current SARS-CoV-2 variants and highlighting the importance of relevant human in vitro cell models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Z. Mykytyn
- Viroscience Department, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Tim I. Breugem
- Viroscience Department, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Maarten H. Geurts
- Oncode Institute, Hubrecht Institute, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences and University Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Joep Beumer
- Oncode Institute, Hubrecht Institute, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences and University Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Debby Schipper
- Viroscience Department, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Romy van Acker
- Viroscience Department, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | | | - Martin E. van Royen
- Department of Pathology, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Jingshu Zhang
- Viroscience Department, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Hans Clevers
- Oncode Institute, Hubrecht Institute, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences and University Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Bart L. Haagmans
- Viroscience Department, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Mart M. Lamers
- Viroscience Department, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
- Programme in Emerging Infectious Diseases, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
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30
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Marino G, Zhang B, Schmitz A, Schwensen HV, Reinert LS, Paludan SR. STING is redundant for host defense and pathology of COVID-19-like disease in mice. Life Sci Alliance 2023; 6:e202301997. [PMID: 37277149 PMCID: PMC10241217 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.202301997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2023] [Revised: 05/25/2023] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Critical COVID-19 is characterized by lack of early type I interferon-mediated host defense and subsequent hyper-inflammation in the lungs. Aberrant activation of macrophages and neutrophils has been reported to lead to excessive activation of innate immunological pathways. It has recently been suggested that the DNA-sensing cGAS-STING pathway drives pathology in the SARS-CoV-2-infected lungs, but mechanistic understanding from in vivo models is needed. Here, we tested whether STING is involved in COVID-19-like disease using the K18-hACE2 mouse model. We report that disease development after SARS-CoV-2 infection is unaltered in STING-deficient K18-hACE2 mice. In agreement with this, STING deficiency did not affect control of viral replication or production of interferons and inflammatory cytokines. This was accompanied by comparable profiles of infiltrating immune cells into the lungs of infected mice. These data do not support a role for STING in COVID-19 pathology and calls for further investigation into the pathogenesis of critical COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giorgia Marino
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Baocun Zhang
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | | | - Hanna Vf Schwensen
- Department of Histopathology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Line S Reinert
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Søren R Paludan
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
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31
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Wang K, Pan Y, Wang D, Yuan Y, Li M, Chen Y, Bi L, Zhang XE. Altered hACE2 binding affinity and S1/S2 cleavage efficiency of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein mutants affect viral cell entry. Virol Sin 2023; 38:595-605. [PMID: 37343929 PMCID: PMC10278895 DOI: 10.1016/j.virs.2023.06.005] [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: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023] Open
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 variants are constantly emerging, hampering public health measures in controlling the number of infections. While it is well established that mutations in spike proteins observed for the different variants directly affect virus entry into host cells, there remains a need for further expansion of systematic and multifaceted comparisons. Here, we comprehensively studied the effect of spike protein mutations on spike expression and proteolytic activation, binding affinity, viral entry efficiency and host cell tropism of eight variants of concern (VOC) and variants of interest (VOI). We found that both the full-length spike and its receptor-binding domain (RBD) of Omicron bind to hACE2 with an affinity similar to that of the wild-type. In addition, Alpha, Beta, Delta and Lambda pseudoviruses gained significantly enhanced cell entry ability compared to the wild-type, while the Omicron pseudoviruses showed a slightly increased cell entry, suggesting the vastly increased rate of transmission observed for Omicron variant is not associated with its affinity to hACE2. We also found that the spikes of Omicron and Mu showed lower S1/S2 cleavage efficiency and inefficiently utilized TMPRSS2 to enter host cells than others, suggesting that they prefer the endocytosis pathway to enter host cells. Furthermore, all variants' pseudoviruses we tested gained the ability to enter the animal ACE2-expressing cells. Especially the infection potential of rats and mice showed significantly increased, strongly suggesting that rodents possibly become a reservoir for viral evolution. The insights gained from this study provide valuable guidance for a targeted approach to epidemic control, and contribute to a better understanding of SARS-CoV-2 evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ke Wang
- National Key Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China; Faculty of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Yu Pan
- National Key Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Dianbing Wang
- National Key Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Ye Yuan
- National Key Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Min Li
- National Key Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Yuanyuan Chen
- National Key Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Lijun Bi
- National Key Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Xian-En Zhang
- National Key Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China; Faculty of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.
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32
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Luz ABS, de Medeiros AF, Bezerra LL, Lima MSR, Pereira AS, E Silva EGO, Passos TS, Monteiro NDKV, Morais AHDA. Prospecting native and analogous peptides with anti-SARS-CoV-2 potential derived from the trypsin inhibitor purified from tamarind seeds. ARAB J CHEM 2023; 16:104886. [PMID: 37082195 PMCID: PMC10085871 DOI: 10.1016/j.arabjc.2023.104886] [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: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 04/22/2023] Open
Abstract
The study aimed to prospect in silico native and analogous peptides with anti-SARS-CoV-2 potential derived from the trypsin inhibitor purified from tamarind seeds (TTIp). From the most stable theoretical model of TTIp (TTIp 56/287), in silico cleavage was performed for the theoretical identification of native peptides and generation of analogous peptides. The anti-SARS-CoV-2 potential was investigated through molecular dynamics (MD) simulation between the peptides and binding sites of transmembrane serine protease 2 (TMPRSS2), responsible for the entry of SARS-CoV-2 into the host cell. Five native and analogous peptides were obtained and validated through chemical and physical parameters. The best interaction potential energy (IPE) occurred between TMPRSS2 and one of the native peptides obtained by cleavage with trypsin and its analogous peptide. Thus, both peptides showed many hydrophobic residues, a common physical-chemical property among the peptides that inhibit the entry of enveloped viruses, such as SARS-CoV-2, present in specific drugs to treat COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Beatriz Santana Luz
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Postgraduate Program, Biosciences Center, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, RN 59078970, Brazil
| | - Amanda Fernandes de Medeiros
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Postgraduate Program, Biosciences Center, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, RN 59078970, Brazil
| | - Lucas Lima Bezerra
- Chemistry Postgraduate Program, Science Center, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE 60440900, Brazil
| | - Mayara Santa Rosa Lima
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Postgraduate Program, Biosciences Center, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, RN 59078970, Brazil
| | - Annemberg Salvino Pereira
- Nutrition Course, Center for Health Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, RN 59078900, Brazil
| | | | - Thais Souza Passos
- Nutrition Postgraduate Program, Center for Health Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, RN 59078900, Brazil
| | | | - Ana Heloneida de Araújo Morais
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Postgraduate Program, Biosciences Center, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, RN 59078970, Brazil
- Nutrition Postgraduate Program, Center for Health Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, RN 59078900, Brazil
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Gioukaki C, Georgiou A, Gkaralea LE, Kroupis C, Lazaris AC, Alamanis C, Thomopoulou GE. Unravelling the Role of P300 and TMPRSS2 in Prostate Cancer: A Literature Review. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:11299. [PMID: 37511059 PMCID: PMC10379122 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241411299] [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: 05/31/2023] [Revised: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Prostate cancer is one of the most common malignant diseases in men, and it contributes significantly to the increased mortality rate in men worldwide. This study aimed to review the roles of p300 and TMPRSS2 (transmembrane protease, serine 2) in the AR (androgen receptor) pathway as they are closely related to the development and progression of prostate cancer. This paper represents a library-based study conducted by selecting the most suitable, up-to-date scientific published articles from online journals. We focused on articles that use similar techniques, particularly those that use prostate cancer cell lines and immunohistochemical staining to study the molecular impact of p300 and TMPRSS2 in prostate cancer specimens. The TMPRSS2:ERG fusion is considered relevant to prostate cancer, but its association with the development and progression as well as its clinical significance have not been fully elucidated. On the other hand, high p300 levels in prostate cancer biopsies predict larger tumor volumes, extraprostatic extension of disease, and seminal vesicle involvement at prostatectomy, and may be associated with prostate cancer progression after surgery. The inhibition of p300 has been shown to reduce the proliferation of prostate cancer cells with TMPRSS2:ETS (E26 transformation-specific) fusions, and combining p300 inhibitors with other targeted therapies may increase their efficacy. Overall, the interplay between the p300 and TMPRSS2 pathways is an active area of research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charitomeni Gioukaki
- First Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Alexandros Georgiou
- First Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | | | - Christos Kroupis
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Attikon University Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 12461 Athens, Greece
| | - Andreas C Lazaris
- First Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Christos Alamanis
- 1st Urology Department, Laiko Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Georgia Eleni Thomopoulou
- Cytopathology Department, Attikon University Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 12461 Athens, Greece
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Spinello A, D'Anna L, Bignon E, Miclot T, Grandemange S, Terenzi A, Barone G, Barbault F, Monari A. Mechanism of the Covalent Inhibition of Human Transmembrane Protease Serine 2 as an Original Antiviral Strategy. J Phys Chem B 2023. [PMID: 37428676 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.3c02910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/12/2023]
Abstract
The Transmembrane Protease Serine 2 (TMPRSS2) is a human enzyme which is involved in the maturation and post-translation of different proteins. In addition to being overexpressed in cancer cells, TMPRSS2 plays a further fundamental role in favoring viral infections by allowing the fusion of the virus envelope with the cellular membrane, notably in SARS-CoV-2. In this contribution, we resort to multiscale molecular modeling to unravel the structural and dynamical features of TMPRSS2 and its interaction with a model lipid bilayer. Furthermore, we shed light on the mechanism of action of a potential inhibitor (nafamostat), determining the free-energy profile associated with the inhibition reaction and showing the facile poisoning of the enzyme. Our study, while providing the first atomistically resolved mechanism of TMPRSS2 inhibition, is also fundamental in furnishing a solid framework for further rational design targeting transmembrane proteases in a host-directed antiviral strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angelo Spinello
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Palermo, 90126 Palermo, Italy
| | - Luisa D'Anna
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Palermo, 90126 Palermo, Italy
| | - Emmanuelle Bignon
- Université de Lorraine and CNRS, UMR 7019 LPCT, F-54000 Nancy, France
| | - Tom Miclot
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Palermo, 90126 Palermo, Italy
- Université de Lorraine and CNRS, UMR 7019 LPCT, F-54000 Nancy, France
| | | | - Alessio Terenzi
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Palermo, 90126 Palermo, Italy
| | - Giampaolo Barone
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Palermo, 90126 Palermo, Italy
| | | | - Antonio Monari
- Université Paris Cité and CNRS, ITODYS, F-75006 Paris, France
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Xue Y, Mei H, Chen Y, Griffin JD, Liu Q, Weisberg E, Yang J. Repurposing clinically available drugs and therapies for pathogenic targets to combat SARS-CoV-2. MedComm (Beijing) 2023; 4:e254. [PMID: 37193304 PMCID: PMC10183156 DOI: 10.1002/mco2.254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2022] [Revised: 02/11/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 05/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has affected a large portion of the global population, both physically and mentally. Current evidence suggests that the rapidly evolving coronavirus subvariants risk rendering vaccines and antibodies ineffective due to their potential to evade existing immunity, with enhanced transmission activity and higher reinfection rates that could lead to new outbreaks across the globe. The goal of viral management is to disrupt the viral life cycle as well as to relieve severe symptoms such as lung damage, cytokine storm, and organ failure. In the fight against viruses, the combination of viral genome sequencing, elucidation of the structure of viral proteins, and identifying proteins that are highly conserved across multiple coronaviruses has revealed many potential molecular targets. In addition, the time- and cost-effective repurposing of preexisting antiviral drugs or approved/clinical drugs for these targets offers considerable clinical advantages for COVID-19 patients. This review provides a comprehensive overview of various identified pathogenic targets and pathways as well as corresponding repurposed approved/clinical drugs and their potential against COVID-19. These findings provide new insight into the discovery of novel therapeutic strategies that could be applied to the control of disease symptoms emanating from evolving SARS-CoV-2 variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiying Xue
- Department of Hematology, Tongji Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, School of Life Sciences and TechnologyTongji UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Husheng Mei
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Medical Physics and Technology, Institute of Health and Medical Technology, Hefei Institutes of Physical ScienceChinese Academy of SciencesHefeiChina
- University of Science and Technology of ChinaHefeiAnhuiChina
| | - Yisa Chen
- Department of Hematology, Tongji Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, School of Life Sciences and TechnologyTongji UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - James D. Griffin
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana‐Farber Cancer InstituteBostonMassachusettsUSA
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical SchoolBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Qingsong Liu
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Medical Physics and Technology, Institute of Health and Medical Technology, Hefei Institutes of Physical ScienceChinese Academy of SciencesHefeiChina
- University of Science and Technology of ChinaHefeiAnhuiChina
- Hefei Cancer HospitalChinese Academy of SciencesHefeiChina
| | - Ellen Weisberg
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana‐Farber Cancer InstituteBostonMassachusettsUSA
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical SchoolBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Jing Yang
- Department of Hematology, Tongji Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, School of Life Sciences and TechnologyTongji UniversityShanghaiChina
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Medical Physics and Technology, Institute of Health and Medical Technology, Hefei Institutes of Physical ScienceChinese Academy of SciencesHefeiChina
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Hassan AHE, El-Sayed SM, Yamamoto M, Gohda J, Matsumoto T, Shirouzu M, Inoue JI, Kawaguchi Y, Mansour RMA, Anvari A, Farahat AA. In Silico and In Vitro Evaluation of Some Amidine Derivatives as Hit Compounds towards Development of Inhibitors against Coronavirus Diseases. Viruses 2023; 15:1171. [PMID: 37243257 PMCID: PMC10223987 DOI: 10.3390/v15051171] [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: 03/09/2023] [Revised: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Coronaviruses, including SARS-CoV-2, SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV and influenza A virus, require the host proteases to mediate viral entry into cells. Rather than targeting the continuously mutating viral proteins, targeting the conserved host-based entry mechanism could offer advantages. Nafamostat and camostat were discovered as covalent inhibitors of TMPRSS2 protease involved in viral entry. To circumvent their limitations, a reversible inhibitor might be required. Considering nafamostat structure and using pentamidine as a starting point, a small set of structurally diverse rigid analogues were designed and evaluated in silico to guide selection of compounds to be prepared for biological evaluation. Based on the results of in silico study, six compounds were prepared and evaluated in vitro. At the enzyme level, compounds 10-12 triggered potential TMPRSS2 inhibition with low micromolar IC50 concentrations, but they were less effective in cellular assays. Meanwhile, compound 14 did not trigger potential TMPRSS2 inhibition at the enzyme level, but it showed potential cellular activity regarding inhibition of membrane fusion with a low micromolar IC50 value of 10.87 µM, suggesting its action could be mediated by another molecular target. Furthermore, in vitro evaluation showed that compound 14 inhibited pseudovirus entry as well as thrombin and factor Xa. Together, this study presents compound 14 as a hit compound that might serve as a starting point for developing potential viral entry inhibitors with possible application against coronaviruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed H E Hassan
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt
| | - Selwan M El-Sayed
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt
| | - Mizuki Yamamoto
- Research Center for Asian Infectious Diseases, Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan
| | - Jin Gohda
- Research Center for Asian Infectious Diseases, Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan
| | - Takehisa Matsumoto
- Drug Discovery Structural Biology Platform Unit, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, Kanagawa 230-0045, Japan
| | - Mikako Shirouzu
- Drug Discovery Structural Biology Platform Unit, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, Kanagawa 230-0045, Japan
| | - Jun-Ichiro Inoue
- Infection and Advanced Research Center (UTOPIA), The University of Tokyo Pandemic Preparedness, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan
| | - Yasushi Kawaguchi
- Research Center for Asian Infectious Diseases, Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan
- Division of Molecular Virology, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan
| | - Reem M A Mansour
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt
| | - Abtin Anvari
- Master of Pharmaceutical Sciences Program, California Northstate University, 9700 W Taron Dr., Elk Grove, CA 95757, USA
| | - Abdelbasset A Farahat
- Master of Pharmaceutical Sciences Program, California Northstate University, 9700 W Taron Dr., Elk Grove, CA 95757, USA
- Department of Pharmaceutical Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt
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Satta S, Rockwood SJ, Wang K, Wang S, Mozneb M, Arzt M, Hsiai TK, Sharma A. Microfluidic Organ-Chips and Stem Cell Models in the Fight Against COVID-19. Circ Res 2023; 132:1405-1424. [PMID: 37167356 PMCID: PMC10171291 DOI: 10.1161/circresaha.122.321877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2, the virus underlying COVID-19, has now been recognized to cause multiorgan disease with a systemic effect on the host. To effectively combat SARS-CoV-2 and the subsequent development of COVID-19, it is critical to detect, monitor, and model viral pathogenesis. In this review, we discuss recent advancements in microfluidics, organ-on-a-chip, and human stem cell-derived models to study SARS-CoV-2 infection in the physiological organ microenvironment, together with their limitations. Microfluidic-based detection methods have greatly enhanced the rapidity, accessibility, and sensitivity of viral detection from patient samples. Engineered organ-on-a-chip models that recapitulate in vivo physiology have been developed for many organ systems to study viral pathology. Human stem cell-derived models have been utilized not only to model viral tropism and pathogenesis in a physiologically relevant context but also to screen for effective therapeutic compounds. The combination of all these platforms, along with future advancements, may aid to identify potential targets and develop novel strategies to counteract COVID-19 pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandro Satta
- Division of Cardiology and Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering (S.S., K.W., S.W., T.K.H.), University of California, Los Angeles
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine (S.S., K.W., S.W., T.K.H.), University of California, Los Angeles
- Department of Medicine, Greater Los Angeles VA Healthcare System, California (S.S., K.W., S.W., T.K.H.)
| | - Sarah J Rockwood
- Stanford University Medical Scientist Training Program, Palo Alto, CA (S.J.R.)
| | - Kaidong Wang
- Division of Cardiology and Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering (S.S., K.W., S.W., T.K.H.), University of California, Los Angeles
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine (S.S., K.W., S.W., T.K.H.), University of California, Los Angeles
- Department of Medicine, Greater Los Angeles VA Healthcare System, California (S.S., K.W., S.W., T.K.H.)
| | - Shaolei Wang
- Division of Cardiology and Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering (S.S., K.W., S.W., T.K.H.), University of California, Los Angeles
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine (S.S., K.W., S.W., T.K.H.), University of California, Los Angeles
- Department of Medicine, Greater Los Angeles VA Healthcare System, California (S.S., K.W., S.W., T.K.H.)
| | - Maedeh Mozneb
- Board of Governors Regenerative Medicine Institute (M.M., M.A., A.S.), Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA
- Smidt Heart Institute (M.M., M.A., A.S.), Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA
- Department of Biomedical Sciences (M.M., M.A., A.S.), Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA
- Cancer Institute (M.M., M.A., A.S.), Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Madelyn Arzt
- Board of Governors Regenerative Medicine Institute (M.M., M.A., A.S.), Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA
- Smidt Heart Institute (M.M., M.A., A.S.), Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA
- Department of Biomedical Sciences (M.M., M.A., A.S.), Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA
- Cancer Institute (M.M., M.A., A.S.), Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Tzung K Hsiai
- Division of Cardiology and Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering (S.S., K.W., S.W., T.K.H.), University of California, Los Angeles
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine (S.S., K.W., S.W., T.K.H.), University of California, Los Angeles
- Department of Medicine, Greater Los Angeles VA Healthcare System, California (S.S., K.W., S.W., T.K.H.)
| | - Arun Sharma
- Board of Governors Regenerative Medicine Institute (M.M., M.A., A.S.), Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA
- Smidt Heart Institute (M.M., M.A., A.S.), Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA
- Department of Biomedical Sciences (M.M., M.A., A.S.), Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA
- Cancer Institute (M.M., M.A., A.S.), Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA
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Cellular electrical impedance to profile SARS-CoV-2 fusion inhibitors and to assess the fusogenic potential of spike mutants. Antiviral Res 2023; 213:105587. [PMID: 36977434 PMCID: PMC10040089 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2023.105587] [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: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/28/2023]
Abstract
Despite the vaccination campaigns for COVID-19, we still cannot control the spread of SARS-CoV-2, as evidenced by the ongoing circulation of the Omicron variants of concern. This highlights the need for broad-spectrum antivirals to further combat COVID-19 and to be prepared for a new pandemic with a (re-)emerging coronavirus. An interesting target for antiviral drug development is the fusion of the viral envelope with host cell membranes, a crucial early step in the replication cycle of coronaviruses. In this study, we explored the use of cellular electrical impedance (CEI) to quantitatively monitor morphological changes in real time, resulting from cell-cell fusion elicited by SARS-CoV-2 spike. The impedance signal in CEI-quantified cell-cell fusion correlated with the expression level of SARS-CoV-2 spike in transfected HEK293T cells. For antiviral assessment, we validated the CEI assay with the fusion inhibitor EK1 and measured a concentration-dependent inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 spike mediated cell-cell fusion (IC50 value of 0.13 μM). In addition, CEI was used to confirm the fusion inhibitory activity of the carbohydrate-binding plant lectin UDA against SARS-CoV-2 (IC50 value of 0.55 μM), which complements prior in-house profiling activities. Finally, we explored the utility of CEI in quantifying the fusogenic potential of mutant spike proteins and in comparing the fusion efficiency of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern. In summary, we demonstrate that CEI is a powerful and sensitive technology that can be applied to studying the fusion process of SARS-CoV-2 and to screening and characterizing fusion inhibitors in a label-free and non-invasive manner.
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Antiviral Effect of Ephedrine Alkaloids-Free Ephedra Herb Extract against SARS-CoV-2 In Vitro. Microorganisms 2023; 11:microorganisms11020534. [PMID: 36838499 PMCID: PMC9964550 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11020534] [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: 01/11/2023] [Revised: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/17/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023] Open
Abstract
We report for the first time that ephedrine alkaloids-free Ephedra Herb extract (EFE) directly inhibits the replication of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in vitro and that the addition of EFE to the culture medium before viral infection reduces virus titers in the culture supernatant of SARS-CoV-2, including those of variant strains, by more than 99%, 24 h after infection. The addition of Ephedra Herb macromolecule condensed-tannin, which is the main active ingredient responsible for the anticancer, pain suppression, and anti-influenza effects of EFE, similarly suppressed virus production in the culture supernatant by 99% before infection and by more than 90% after infection. Since EFE does not have the side effects caused by ephedrine alkaloids, such as hypertension, palpitations, and insomnia, our results showed the potential of EFE as a safe therapeutic agent against coronavirus disease 2019.
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Tang M, Zhang X, Huang Y, Cheng W, Qu J, Gui S, Li L, Li S. Peptide-based inhibitors hold great promise as the broad-spectrum agents against coronavirus. Front Microbiol 2023; 13:1093646. [PMID: 36741878 PMCID: PMC9893414 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.1093646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2022] [Accepted: 12/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (SARS-CoV), Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), and the recent SARS-CoV-2 are lethal coronaviruses (CoVs) that have caused dreadful epidemic or pandemic in a large region or globally. Infections of human respiratory systems and other important organs by these pathogenic viruses often results in high rates of morbidity and mortality. Efficient anti-viral drugs are needed. Herein, we firstly take SARS-CoV-2 as an example to present the molecular mechanism of CoV infection cycle, including the receptor binding, viral entry, intracellular replication, virion assembly, and release. Then according to their mode of action, we provide a summary of anti-viral peptides that have been reported in peer-reviewed publications. Even though CoVs can rapidly evolve to gain resistance to the conventional small molecule drugs, peptide-based inhibitors targeting various steps of CoV lifecycle remain a promising approach. Peptides can be continuously modified to improve their antiviral efficacy and spectrum along with the emergence of new viral variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingxing Tang
- Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China,Department of Otolaryngology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology Union Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China,School of Medicine, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xin Zhang
- School of Medicine, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yanhong Huang
- Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China,School of Medicine, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
| | - Wenxiang Cheng
- Center for Translational Medicine Research and Development, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jing Qu
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Shenzhen Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shenzhen, China
| | - Shuiqing Gui
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Shenzhen Second People’s Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China,*Correspondence: Shuiqing Gui, ✉
| | - Liang Li
- School of Medicine, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China,Liang Li, ✉
| | - Shuo Li
- Department of Otolaryngology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology Union Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China,Shuo Li, ✉
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Heindl MR, Böttcher-Friebertshäuser E. The role of influenza-A virus and coronavirus viral glycoprotein cleavage in host adaptation. Curr Opin Virol 2023; 58:101303. [PMID: 36753938 PMCID: PMC9847222 DOI: 10.1016/j.coviro.2023.101303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2022] [Revised: 12/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
While receptor binding is well recognized as a factor in influenza-A virus (IAV) and coronavirus (CoV) host adaptation, the role of viral glycoprotein cleavage has not been studied in detail so far. Interestingly, recent studies suggest that host species may differ in their protease repertoire available for cleavage. Furthermore, it was shown for certain bat-derived CoVs that proteolytic activation provides a critical barrier to infect human cells. Understanding the role of glycoprotein cleavage in different species and how IAV and CoVs adapt to a new protease repertoire may allow evaluating the zoonotic potential and risk posed by these viruses. Here, we summarize the current knowledge on the emergence of a multibasic cleavage site (CS) in the glycoproteins of IAVs and CoVs in different host species. Additionally, we discuss the role of transmembrane serine protease 2 (TMPRSS2) in virus activation and entry and a role of neuropilin-1 in acquisition of a multibasic CS in different hosts.
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TMPRSS2 Is Essential for SARS-CoV-2 Beta and Omicron Infection. Viruses 2023; 15:v15020271. [PMID: 36851486 PMCID: PMC9961888 DOI: 10.3390/v15020271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2022] [Revised: 01/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic remains a global health threat and novel antiviral strategies are urgently needed. SARS-CoV-2 employs the cellular serine protease TMPRSS2 for entry into lung cells, and TMPRSS2 inhibitors are being developed for COVID-19 therapy. However, the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant, which currently dominates the pandemic, prefers the endo/lysosomal cysteine protease cathepsin L over TMPRSS2 for cell entry, raising doubts as to whether TMPRSS2 inhibitors would be suitable for the treatment of patients infected with the Omicron variant. Nevertheless, the contribution of TMPRSS2 to the spread of SARS-CoV-2 in the infected host is largely unclear. In this study, we show that the loss of TMPRSS2 strongly reduced the replication of the Beta variant in the nose, trachea and lung of C57BL/6 mice, and protected the animals from weight loss and disease. The infection of mice with the Omicron variant did not cause disease, as expected, but again, TMPRSS2 was essential for efficient viral spread in the upper and lower respiratory tract. These results identify the key role of TMPRSS2 in SARS-CoV-2 Beta and Omicron infection, and highlight TMPRSS2 as an attractive target for antiviral intervention.
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Phenothiazines inhibit SARS-CoV-2 cell entry via a blockade of spike protein binding to neuropilin-1. Antiviral Res 2023; 209:105481. [PMID: 36481388 PMCID: PMC9721373 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2022.105481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2022] [Revised: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 12/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) enters cells using angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and neuropilin-1 (NRP-1) as the primary receptor and entry co-factor, respectively. Cell entry is the first and major step in initiation of the viral life cycle, representing an ideal target for antiviral interventions. In this study, we used a recombinant replication-deficient vesicular stomatitis virus-based pseudovirus bearing the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 (SARS2-S) to screen a US Food and Drug Administration-approved drug library and identify inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 cell entry. The screen identified 24 compounds as primary hits, and the largest therapeutic target group formed by these primary hits was composed of seven dopamine receptor D2 (DRD2) antagonists. Cell-based and biochemical assays revealed that the DRD2 antagonists inhibited both fusion activity and the binding of SARS2-S to NRP-1, but not its binding to ACE2. On the basis of structural similarity to the seven identified DRD2 antagonists, which included six phenothiazines, we examined the anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity of an additional 15 phenothiazines and found that all the tested phenothiazines shared an ability to inhibit SARS2-S-mediated cell entry. One of the phenothiazines, alimemazine, which had the lowest 50% effective concentration of the tested phenothiazines, exhibited a clear inhibitory effect on SARS2-S-NRP-1 binding and SARS-CoV-2 multiplication in cultured cells but not in a mouse infection model. Our findings provide a basis for the development of novel anti-SARS-CoV-2 therapeutics that interfere with SARS2-S binding to NRP-1.
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Nocini R, Henry BM, Mattiuzzi C, Lippi G. Improving Nasal Protection for Preventing SARS-CoV-2 Infection. Biomedicines 2022; 10:2966. [PMID: 36428534 PMCID: PMC9687306 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10112966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2022] [Revised: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Airborne pathogens, including SARS-CoV-2, are mainly contracted within the airway pathways, especially in the nasal epithelia, where inhaled air is mostly filtered in resting conditions. Mucosal immunity developing after SARS-CoV-2 infection or vaccination in this part of the body represents one of the most efficient deterrents for preventing viral infection. Nonetheless, the complete lack of such protection in SARS-CoV-2 naïve or seronegative subjects, the limited capacity of neutralizing new and highly mutated lineages, along with the progressive waning of mucosal immunity over time, lead the way to considering alternative strategies for constructing new walls that could stop or entrap the virus at the nasal mucosa surface, which is the area primarily colonized by the new SARS-CoV-2 Omicron sublineages. Among various infection preventive strategies, those based on generating physical barriers within the nose, aimed at impeding host cell penetration (i.e., using compounds with mucoadhesive properties, which act by hindering, entrapping or adsorbing the virus), or those preventing the association of SARS-CoV-2 with its cellular receptors (i.e., administering anti-SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies or agents that inhibit priming or binding of the spike protein) could be considered appealing perspectives. Provided that these agents are proven safe, comfortable, and compatible with daily life, we suggest prioritizing their usage in subjects at enhanced risk of contagion, during high-risk activities, as well as in patients more likely to develop severe forms of SARS-CoV-2 infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riccardo Nocini
- Unit of Otorhinolaryngology, Department of Surgery, Dentistry, Paediatrics and Gynaecology, University of Verona, Piazzale L.A. Scuro 10, 37134 Verona, Italy
| | - Brandon Michael Henry
- Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Camilla Mattiuzzi
- Service of Clinical Governance, Provincial Agency for Social and Sanitary Services (APSS), Via Alcide Degasperi 79, 38123 Trento, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Lippi
- Section of Clinical Biochemistry and School of Medicine, University of Verona, Piazzale L.A. Scuro 10, 37134 Verona, Italy
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