1
|
Pérez-López FR, Fernández-Alonso AM, Ulloque-Badaracco JR, Benites-Zapata VA, Varikasuvu SR. Telomere length in subjects with and without SARS-CoV-2 infection: a systematic review and meta-analysis. REVISTA DA ASSOCIACAO MEDICA BRASILEIRA (1992) 2024; 70:e20240387. [PMID: 39292074 PMCID: PMC11404998 DOI: 10.1590/1806-9282.20240387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 09/19/2024]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Vicente Aleixandre Benites-Zapata
- Universidad San Ignacio de Loyola, Research Unit for the Generation and Synthesis of Health Evidence, Vice-rector for Research - Lima, Peru
| | | |
Collapse
|
2
|
Kraft BD, Verhulst S, Lai TP, Sullenger BA, Wang Y, Rountree W, Chen L, Woods CW, Denny TN, Aviv A. T-cell count and T-cell telomere length in patients with severe COVID-19. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1356638. [PMID: 38550590 PMCID: PMC10972845 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1356638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Lymphocyte telomere length (TL) is highly variable and shortens with age. Short telomeres may impede TL-dependent T-cell clonal expansion with viral infection. As SARS-CoV-2 infection can induce prolonged and severe T-cell lymphopenia, infected adults, and particularly older adults with short telomeres, may display severe T-cell lymphopenia. To examine the relationship between T-cell TL parameters and T-cell counts, we studied 40 patients hospitalized with severe COVID-19. T-cells were isolated from lymphocytes, counted using flow cytometry, and their TL parameters were measured using the Telomere Shortest Length Assay. The cohort (median age = 62 years, 27% female) was racially and ethnically diverse (33% White, 35% Black, and 33% Other). On intensive care unit study day 1, T-cell count (mean=1.03 x109/L) was inversely related to age (p=0.007) and higher in females than males (p=0.025). Mean TL was 3.88 kilobases (kb), and 45.3% of telomeres were shorter than 3 kb. Using multiple regression analysis and adjusting for age and sex, T-cell count decreased with increased proportion of T-cell telomeres shorter than 3 kb (p=0.033) and increased with mean TL (p=0.052). Our findings suggest an association between the buildup of short telomeres within T-cells and explain in part reduced peripheral blood T-cell counts in patients with severe COVID-19. Shortened T-cell telomeres may be a risk factor for COVID-19-associated T-cell lymphopenia.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bryan D. Kraft
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Simon Verhulst
- Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Tsung-Po Lai
- Center of Human Development and Aging, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Newark, NJ, United States
| | - Bruce A. Sullenger
- Department of Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Yunfei Wang
- Duke Human Vaccine Institute, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Wes Rountree
- Duke Human Vaccine Institute, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Lingye Chen
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Christopher W. Woods
- Center for Infectious Disease Diagnostics and Innovation, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, United States
- Department of Medicine, Durham Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Durham, NC, United States
| | | | - Abraham Aviv
- Center of Human Development and Aging, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Newark, NJ, United States
- Department of Pediatrics, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Newark, NJ, United States
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Raj HA, Lai TP, Niewisch MR, Giri N, Wang Y, Spellman SR, Aviv A, Gadalla SM, Savage SA. The distribution and accumulation of the shortest telomeres in telomere biology disorders. Br J Haematol 2023; 203:820-828. [PMID: 37354000 PMCID: PMC10748793 DOI: 10.1111/bjh.18945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2023] [Revised: 05/19/2023] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/25/2023]
Abstract
Individuals with telomere biology disorders (TBDs) have very short telomeres, high risk of bone marrow failure (BMF), and reduced survival. Using data from TBD patients, a mean leukocyte Southern blot telomere length (TL) of 5 kilobases (kb) was estimated as the 'telomere brink' at which human survival is markedly reduced. However, the shortest telomere, not the mean TL, signals replicative senescence. We used the Telomere Shortest Length Assay (TeSLA) to tally TL of all 46 chromosomes in blood-derived DNA and examined its relationship with TBDs. Patients (n = 18) had much shorter mean TL (TeSmTL) (2.54 ± 0.41 kb vs. 4.48 ± 0.52 kb, p < 0.0001) and more telomeres <3 kb than controls (n = 22) (70.43 ± 8.76% vs. 33.05 ± 6.93%, p < 0.0001). The proportion of ultrashort telomeres (<1.6 kb) was also higher in patients than controls (39.29 ± 10.69% vs. 10.40 ± 4.09%, p < 0.0001). TeS <1.6 kb was associated with severe (n = 11) compared with non-severe (n = 7) BMF (p = 0.027). Patients with multi-organ manifestations (n = 10) had more telomeres <1.6 kb than those with one affected organ system (n = 8) (p = 0.029). Findings suggest that TBD clinical manifestations are associated with a disproportionately higher number of haematopoietic cell telomeres reaching a telomere brink, whose length at the single telomere level is yet to be determined.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hannah A. Raj
- Clinical Genetics Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, MD
| | - Tsung-Po Lai
- Center of Human Development and Aging, Rutgers University of New Jersey, New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ
| | - Marena R. Niewisch
- Clinical Genetics Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, MD
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Neelam Giri
- Clinical Genetics Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, MD
| | - Youjin Wang
- Clinical Genetics Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, MD
| | - Stephen R. Spellman
- Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research, National Marrow Donor Program/Be The Match, Minneapolis, MN
| | - Abraham Aviv
- Center of Human Development and Aging, Rutgers University of New Jersey, New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ
| | - Shahinaz M. Gadalla
- Clinical Genetics Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, MD
| | - Sharon A. Savage
- Clinical Genetics Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, MD
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Grand RJ. SARS-CoV-2 and the DNA damage response. J Gen Virol 2023; 104:001918. [PMID: 37948194 PMCID: PMC10768691 DOI: 10.1099/jgv.0.001918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The recent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic was caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). COVID-19 is characterized by respiratory distress, multiorgan dysfunction and, in some cases, death. The virus is also responsible for post-COVID-19 condition (commonly referred to as 'long COVID'). SARS-CoV-2 is a single-stranded, positive-sense RNA virus with a genome of approximately 30 kb, which encodes 26 proteins. It has been reported to affect multiple pathways in infected cells, resulting, in many cases, in the induction of a 'cytokine storm' and cellular senescence. Perhaps because it is an RNA virus, replicating largely in the cytoplasm, the effect of SARS-Cov-2 on genome stability and DNA damage responses (DDRs) has received relatively little attention. However, it is now becoming clear that the virus causes damage to cellular DNA, as shown by the presence of micronuclei, DNA repair foci and increased comet tails in infected cells. This review considers recent evidence indicating how SARS-CoV-2 causes genome instability, deregulates the cell cycle and targets specific components of DDR pathways. The significance of the virus's ability to cause cellular senescence is also considered, as are the implications of genome instability for patients suffering from long COVID.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Roger J. Grand
- Institute for Cancer and Genomic Science, The Medical School, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Haridoss M, Ayyasamy L, Bagepally BS. Is COVID-19 severity associated with telomere length? A systematic review and meta-analysis. Virus Genes 2023:10.1007/s11262-023-02010-1. [PMID: 37261700 DOI: 10.1007/s11262-023-02010-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2022] [Accepted: 05/21/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Telomere shortening, a marker of cellular aging, has been linked to hospitalization and the severity of COVID-19. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, the mean difference in telomere length between non-severe and severe COVID-19 individuals was pooled to determine the association between short telomeres and COVID-19 severity. Relevant studies were retrieved through searches conducted in PubMed-Medline, Scopus, EMBASE, Medrxiv, Biorxiv, EuroPMC, and SSRN databases up to November 2022. Selected studies were systematically reviewed and assessed for risk of bias using AXIS tool. The standardized mean difference in telomere length between non-severe and severe COVID-19 was pooled using random-effects model. A total of thirteen studies were included in the review, out of which seven (1332 patients with the severe COVID-19 disease and 6321 patients with non-severe COVID-19) were eligible for meta-analysis. The estimated pooled mean difference in Leukocyte telomere length between severe COVID-19 and non-severe COVID-19 was 0.39 (95% CI - 0.02 to 0.81, I2 = 93.5%) with substantial heterogeneity. Our findings do not provide clear evidence for association of shorter telomere length and severe COVID-19 disease. More extensive studies measuring absolute telomere length with age and gender adjustments are needed to draw definitive conclusions on the potential causal association between telomere shortening and COVID-19 severity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Madhumitha Haridoss
- Health Technology Assessment Resource Centre, ICMR-National Institute of Epidemiology, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, 600077, India
| | - Lavanya Ayyasamy
- Health Technology Assessment Resource Centre, ICMR-National Institute of Epidemiology, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, 600077, India
| | - Bhavani Shankara Bagepally
- Health Technology Assessment Resource Centre, ICMR-National Institute of Epidemiology, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, 600077, India.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Mahmoodpoor A, Sanaie S, Eskandari M, Behrouzi N, Taghizadeh M, Roudbari F, Emamalizadeh B, Sohrabifar N, Kazeminasab S. Association between leukocyte telomere length and COVID-19 severity. EGYPTIAN JOURNAL OF MEDICAL HUMAN GENETICS 2023; 24:37. [PMID: 37273887 PMCID: PMC10225776 DOI: 10.1186/s43042-023-00415-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Inter-individual variations in the clinical manifestations of SARS-CoV-2 infection are among the challenging features of COVID-19. The known role of telomeres in cell proliferation and immune competency highlights their possible function in infectious diseases. Variability in telomere length is an invaluable parameter in the heterogeneity of the clinical presentation of diseases. Result In this study, our aim was to investigate the possible association between leukocyte telomere length (LTL) and COVID-19 severity. LTL was measured in 100 patients with moderate and severe forms of COVID-19 using the quantitative PCR (q-PCR) method. Statistical analysis confirmed a strong inverse correlation between relative LTL and COVID-19 severity. Conclusions These findings suggest that LTL can be a useful parameter for predicting disease severity in patients, as individuals with short telomeres may have a higher risk of developing severe COVID-19. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s43042-023-00415-z.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ata Mahmoodpoor
- Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Sarvin Sanaie
- Research Center of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Aging Research Institute, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Maqsoud Eskandari
- Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Nazila Behrouzi
- Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Majid Taghizadeh
- Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | | | - Babak Emamalizadeh
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Nasim Sohrabifar
- Cardiovascular Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Somayeh Kazeminasab
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Tyrkalska SD, Candel S, Pedoto A, García-Moreno D, Alcaraz-Pérez F, Sánchez-Ferrer Á, Cayuela ML, Mulero V. Zebrafish models of COVID-19. FEMS Microbiol Rev 2023; 47:fuac042. [PMID: 36323404 PMCID: PMC9841970 DOI: 10.1093/femsre/fuac042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2022] [Revised: 10/23/2022] [Accepted: 10/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Although COVID-19 has only recently appeared, research studies have already developed and implemented many animal models for deciphering the secrets of the disease and provided insights into the biology of SARS-CoV-2. However, there are several major factors that complicate the study of this virus in model organisms, such as the poor infectivity of clinical isolates of SARS-CoV-2 in some model species, and the absence of persistent infection, immunopathology, severe acute respiratory distress syndrome, and, in general, all the systemic complications which characterize COVID-19 clinically. Another important limitation is that SARS-CoV-2 mainly causes severe COVID-19 in older people with comorbidities, which represents a serious problem when attempting to use young and immunologically naïve laboratory animals in COVID-19 testing. We review here the main animal models developed so far to study COVID-19 and the unique advantages of the zebrafish model that may help to contribute to understand this disease, in particular to the identification and repurposing of drugs to treat COVID-19, to reveal the mechanism of action and side-effects of Spike-based vaccines, and to decipher the high susceptibility of aged people to COVID-19.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sylwia D Tyrkalska
- Departmento de Biología Celular e Histología, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain
- Instituto Murciano de Investigación Biosanitaria (IMIB)-Arrixaca, 30120 Murcia, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Sergio Candel
- Departmento de Biología Celular e Histología, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain
- Instituto Murciano de Investigación Biosanitaria (IMIB)-Arrixaca, 30120 Murcia, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Annamaria Pedoto
- Departmento de Biología Celular e Histología, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain
- Instituto Murciano de Investigación Biosanitaria (IMIB)-Arrixaca, 30120 Murcia, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Diana García-Moreno
- Instituto Murciano de Investigación Biosanitaria (IMIB)-Arrixaca, 30120 Murcia, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Francisca Alcaraz-Pérez
- Instituto Murciano de Investigación Biosanitaria (IMIB)-Arrixaca, 30120 Murcia, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Grupo de Telomerasa, Cáncer y Envejecimiento (TCAG), Hospital Clínico Universitario Virgen de la Arrixaca, 30120 Murcia, Spain
| | - Álvaro Sánchez-Ferrer
- Instituto Murciano de Investigación Biosanitaria (IMIB)-Arrixaca, 30120 Murcia, Spain
- Departmento de Bioloquímica y Biología Molecular A, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain
| | - María L Cayuela
- Instituto Murciano de Investigación Biosanitaria (IMIB)-Arrixaca, 30120 Murcia, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Grupo de Telomerasa, Cáncer y Envejecimiento (TCAG), Hospital Clínico Universitario Virgen de la Arrixaca, 30120 Murcia, Spain
| | - Victoriano Mulero
- Departmento de Biología Celular e Histología, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain
- Instituto Murciano de Investigación Biosanitaria (IMIB)-Arrixaca, 30120 Murcia, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Yiang GT, Wu CC, Lu CL, Hu WC, Tsai YJ, Huang YM, Su WL, Lu KC. Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress in Elderly Patients with COVID-19: Potential of Melatonin Treatment. Viruses 2023; 15:156. [PMID: 36680196 PMCID: PMC9863214 DOI: 10.3390/v15010156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2022] [Revised: 12/30/2022] [Accepted: 01/01/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Aging processes, including immunosenescence, inflammation, inflammasome formation, genomic instability, telomeric attrition, and altered autophagy, are involved in viral infections and they may contribute to increased pathophysiological responses to the SARS-CoV-2 infection in the elderly; this poses additional risks of accelerated aging, which could be found even after recovery. Aging is associated with oxidative damage. Moreover, SARS-CoV-2 infections may increase the production of reactive oxygen species and such infections will disturb the Ca++ balance via an endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-mediated unfolded protein response. Although vaccine development and anti-inflammation therapy lower the severity of COVID-19, the prevalence and mortality rates are still alarming in some countries worldwide. In this review, we describe the involvement of viral proteins in activating ER stress transducers and their downstream signals and in inducing inflammation and inflammasome formation. Furthermore, we propose the potential of melatonin as an ER stress modulator, owing to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunoregulatory effects in viral infections. Considering its strong safety profile, we suggest that additive melatonin supplementation in the elderly could be beneficial in treating COVID-19.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Giou-Teng Yiang
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Taipei Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, New Taipei 231, Taiwan
- School of Medicine, Tzu Chi University, Hualien 970, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Chao Wu
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei 114, Taiwan
- Department and Graduate Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei 114, Taiwan
| | - Chien-Lin Lu
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Fu Jen Catholic University Hospital, School of Medicine, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei 24352, Taiwan
| | - Wan-Chung Hu
- Department of Clinical Pathology, Taipei Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, New Taipei 231, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Ju Tsai
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Science, College of Medicine, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei 243, Taiwan
| | - Yiao-Mien Huang
- Department of Dentistry, Taipei Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, New Taipei 231, Taiwan
| | - Wen-Lin Su
- School of Medicine, Tzu Chi University, Hualien 970, Taiwan
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Taipei Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, New Taipei 231, Taiwan
| | - Kuo-Cheng Lu
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei 114, Taiwan
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Fu Jen Catholic University Hospital, School of Medicine, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei 24352, Taiwan
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Taipei Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, New Taipei 231, Taiwan
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Enzymatic approaches against SARS-CoV-2 infection with an emphasis on the telomere-associated enzymes. Biotechnol Lett 2023; 45:333-345. [PMID: 36707451 PMCID: PMC9883136 DOI: 10.1007/s10529-023-03352-4] [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: 05/27/2022] [Revised: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
The pandemic phase of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) appears to be over in most countries. However, the unexpected behaviour and unstable nature of coronaviruses, including temporary hiatuses, re-emergence, emergence of new variants, and changing outbreak epicentres during the COVID-19 pandemic, have been frequently reported. The mentioned trend shows the fact that in addition to vaccine development, different strategies should be considered to deal effectively with this disease, in long term. In this regard, the role of enzymes in regulating immune responses to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has recently attracted much attention. Moreover, several reports confirm the association of short telomeres with sever COVID-19 symptoms. This review highlights the role of several enzymes involved in telomere length (TL) regulation and explains their relevance to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Apparently, inhibition of telomere shortening (TS) through inhibition and/or activation of these enzymes could be a potential target in the treatment of COVID-19, which may also lead to a reduction in disease severity.
Collapse
|
10
|
Chico-Sordo L, Polonio AM, Córdova-Oriz I, Medrano M, Herraiz S, Bronet F, García-Velasco JA, Varela E. Telomeres and oocyte maturation rate are not reduced by COVID-19 except in severe cases. Reproduction 2022; 164:259-267. [PMID: 36136831 DOI: 10.1530/rep-22-0243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 09/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
In brief COVID-19 does not affect the telomeres or fertility outcomes in mild cases. However, in women with severe symptoms, telomeres of granulosa cells are shorter, and the oocyte maturation rate is decreased. Abstract The coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 causes COVID-19 disease and affects primarily the lungs and also other organs, causing accelerated cell aging. One of the main pathways involved in aging is telomere attrition, which ultimately leads to defective tissue regeneration and organ dysfunction. Indeed, short telomeres in aged people aggravate the COVID-19 symptoms, and COVID-19 survivors showed shorter telomeres in blood cells. The SARS-CoV-2 has been detected in testis, but the ovaries, which express the viral entry factors, have not been fully explored. Our objective was to analyze telomeres and reproductive outcomes in women who had COVID-19 and controls. In this prospective cohort study, granulosa cells (GCs) and blood were collected from 65 women. Telomere length (TL) was measured by high-throughput in situ hybridization. Mean TL of GCs and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) was alike in control and mild cases. However, mean TL of GCs was lower in severe cases compared to controls (P = 0.017). Control and COVID groups had similar ovarian reserve and number of total oocytes after puncture. However, the oocyte maturation rate was lower in severe cases (P = 0.018). Interestingly, a positive correlation between the oocyte maturation rate and TL of GCs was found in the control group (P = 0.024). Our findings point to a potential impact of the coronavirus infection on telomeres and reproductive outcomes in severe cases. This might be considered upon possible new SARS-CoV threats, to favor treatments that enhance oocyte maturation in women severely affected by coronavirus undergoing ART.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- L Chico-Sordo
- IVI Foundation, The Health Research Institute La Fe (IIS La Fe) - Edificio Biopolo, Valencia, Spain
| | - A M Polonio
- IVI Foundation, The Health Research Institute La Fe (IIS La Fe) - Edificio Biopolo, Valencia, Spain
| | - I Córdova-Oriz
- IVI Foundation, The Health Research Institute La Fe (IIS La Fe) - Edificio Biopolo, Valencia, Spain
| | - M Medrano
- IVI Foundation, The Health Research Institute La Fe (IIS La Fe) - Edificio Biopolo, Valencia, Spain
| | - S Herraiz
- IVI Foundation, The Health Research Institute La Fe (IIS La Fe) - Edificio Biopolo, Valencia, Spain
| | | | - J A García-Velasco
- IVI Foundation, The Health Research Institute La Fe (IIS La Fe) - Edificio Biopolo, Valencia, Spain.,IVIRMA Madrid, Madrid, Spain.,Rey Juan Carlos University, Edificio Departamental II, Alcorcón, Madrid, Spain
| | - E Varela
- IVI Foundation, The Health Research Institute La Fe (IIS La Fe) - Edificio Biopolo, Valencia, Spain.,Rey Juan Carlos University, Edificio Departamental II, Alcorcón, Madrid, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Huang D, Lin S, He J, Wang Q, Zhan Y. Association between COVID-19 and telomere length: A bidirectional Mendelian randomization study. J Med Virol 2022; 94:5345-5353. [PMID: 35854470 PMCID: PMC9349767 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.28008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2022] [Revised: 07/03/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Several traditional observational studies suggested an association between COVID-19 and leukocyte telomere length (LTL), a biomarker for biological age. However, whether there was a causal association between them remained unclear. We aimed to investigate whether genetically predicted COVID-19 is related to the risk of LTL, and vice versa. We performed bidirectional Mendelian randomization (MR) study using summary statistics from the genome-wide association studies of critically ill COVID-19 (n = 1 388 342) and LTL (n = 472 174) of European ancestry. The random-effects inverse-variance weighted estimation method was applied as the primary method with several other estimators as complementary methods. Using six single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of genome-wide significance as instrumental variables for critically ill COVID-19, we did not find a significant association of COVID-19 on LTL (β = 0.0075, 95% confidence interval [CI]: -0.018 to 0.021, p = 0.733). Likewise, using 97 SNPs of genome-wide significance as instrumental variables for LTL, we did not find a significant association of LTL on COVID-19 (odds ratio = 1.00, 95% CI: 0.79-1.28, p = 0.973). Comparable results were obtained using MR-Egger regression, weighted median, and weighted mode approaches. We did not find evidence to support a causal association between COVID-19 and LTL in either direction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Danqi Huang
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health (Shenzhen)Sun Yat‐Sen UniversityShenzhenChina
| | - Siqi Lin
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health (Shenzhen)Sun Yat‐Sen UniversityShenzhenChina
| | - Junting He
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health (Shenzhen)Sun Yat‐Sen UniversityShenzhenChina
| | - Qi Wang
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical SchoolHuazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhanChina
| | - Yiqiang Zhan
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health (Shenzhen)Sun Yat‐Sen UniversityShenzhenChina
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Andrographis paniculata extract as an immunity modulator against cancer via telomerase inhibition. 3 Biotech 2022; 12:319. [PMID: 36245958 PMCID: PMC9549450 DOI: 10.1007/s13205-022-03373-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
In accordance with the importance of telomerase inhibition as a potential target in cancer therapy, and increasing reports on the association between short telomeres and severe COVID-19 symptoms as well as extensive application of Andrographis paniculata as a remedy for both cancer and SARS-CoV-2, the present study aimed at investigating the impact of the plant’s extracts on telomerase activity (as an important enzyme regulating telomere length). Telomerase inhibition in MCF-7 cells treated with the Dichloromethane, ethanol, water, and methanol extracts of A. paniculata was assessed using Telomerase Repeated Amplification Protocol (TRAP). The above-mentioned extracts inhibited telomerase by 80.3 ± 1.4%, 78.5 ± 1.35%, 77.5 ± 1.81%, and 73.7 ± 1.81%, respectively. Furthermore, the flow cytometry analysis showed that the water and methanol extracts induced higher rates of total apoptosis by 32.8% and 25%, respectively, compared with dichloromethane (10.07%) and ethanol (10.7%) extracts. The inhibitory effect of A. paniculata on telomerase activity can be considered as a potential immunity modulator in cancer therapy; however, telomerase inhibition as a safe approach to SARS-CoV-2 is arguable. Two mechanisms can be considered accordingly; (a) reducing the existing population of short telomeres via telomerase inhibition in cancer cells (arresting proliferation and finally cell death) may decrease the susceptibility against SARS-CoV-2, especially in cancer patients or patients prone to cancer, and (b) increasing the population of short telomeres via telomerase inhibition in normal/somatic cells may increase the susceptibility against SARS-CoV-2. Therefore, the telomerase inhibition of A. paniculata as an immunity modulator in cancer and COVID-19 should be investigated, carefully.
Collapse
|
13
|
Aviv A. The bullwhip effect, T-cell telomeres, and SARS-CoV-2. THE LANCET. HEALTHY LONGEVITY 2022; 3:e715-e721. [PMID: 36202131 PMCID: PMC9529217 DOI: 10.1016/s2666-7568(22)00190-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2022] [Revised: 08/02/2022] [Accepted: 08/04/2022] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Both myeloid cells, which contribute to innate immunity, and lymphoid cells, which dominate adaptive immunity, partake in defending against SARS-CoV-2. In response to the virus, the otherwise slow haematopoietic production supply chain quickly unleashes its preconfigured myeloid element, which largely resists a bullwhip-like effect. By contrast, the lymphoid element risks a bullwhip-like effect when it produces T cells and B cells that are specifically designed to clear the virus. As T-cell production is telomere-length dependent and telomeres shorten with age, older adults are at higher risk of a T-cell shortfall when contracting SARS-CoV-2 than are younger adults. A poorly calibrated adaptive immune response, stemming from a bullwhip-like effect, compounded by a T-cell deficit, might thus contribute to the propensity of people with inherently short T-cell telomeres to develop severe COVID-19. The immune systems of these individuals might also generate an inadequate T-cell response to anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccination.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Abraham Aviv
- Center of Human Development and Aging, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Newark, NJ, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Seymour F, Carmichael J, Taylor C, Parrish C, Cook G. Immune senescence in multiple myeloma-a role for mitochondrial dysfunction? Leukemia 2022; 36:2368-2373. [PMID: 35879358 DOI: 10.1038/s41375-022-01653-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2022] [Revised: 07/02/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Age-related immune dysfunction is primarily mediated by immunosenescence which results in ineffective clearance of infective pathogens, poor vaccine responses and increased susceptibility to multi-morbidities. Immunosenescence-related immunometabolic abnormalities are associated with accelerated aging, an inflammatory immune response (inflammaging) and ultimately frailty syndromes. In addition, several conditions can accelerate the development of immunosenescence, including cancer. This is a bi-directional interaction since inflammaging may create a permissive environment for tumour development. Multiple myeloma (MM) is a mature B-cell malignancy that presents in the older population. MM exemplifies the interaction of age- (Host Response Biology; HRB) and disease-related immunological dysfunction, contributing to the development of a frailty syndrome which impairs the therapeutic impact of recent advances in treatment strategies. Understanding the mechanisms by which accelerated immunological aging is induced and the ways in which a tumour such as MM influences this process is key to overcoming therapeutic barriers. A link between cellular mitochondrial dysfunction and the acquisition of an abnormal immune phenotype has recently been described and has widespread physiological consequence beyond the impact on the immune system. Here we outline our current understanding of normal immune aging, describe the mechanism of immunometabolic dysfunction in accelerating this process, and propose the role these processes are playing in the pathogenesis of MM.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Frances Seymour
- Department of Haematology, Leeds Cancer Centre, Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust, Leeds, UK.
| | - Jonathan Carmichael
- Department of Haematology, Leeds Cancer Centre, Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust, Leeds, UK
- NIHR (Leeds) Medtech & In vitro Diagnostic Cooperative, Leeds, UK
| | - Claire Taylor
- Experimental Haematology, Leeds Institute of Medical Research, University of Leeds UK, Leeds, UK
| | - Christopher Parrish
- Department of Haematology, Leeds Cancer Centre, Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust, Leeds, UK
- Cancer Research UK Clinical Trials Unit, Leeds Institute of Clinical Trial Research, University of Leeds UK, Leeds, UK
| | - Gordon Cook
- Department of Haematology, Leeds Cancer Centre, Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust, Leeds, UK
- NIHR (Leeds) Medtech & In vitro Diagnostic Cooperative, Leeds, UK
- Cancer Research UK Clinical Trials Unit, Leeds Institute of Clinical Trial Research, University of Leeds UK, Leeds, UK
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Sabbatinelli J, Matacchione G, Giuliani A, Ramini D, Rippo MR, Procopio AD, Bonafè M, Olivieri F. Circulating biomarkers of inflammaging as potential predictors of COVID-19 severe outcomes. Mech Ageing Dev 2022; 204:111667. [PMID: 35341896 PMCID: PMC8949647 DOI: 10.1016/j.mad.2022.111667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2021] [Revised: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection has been of unprecedented clinical and socio-economic worldwide relevance. The case fatality rate for COVID-19 grows exponentially with age and the presence of comorbidities. In the older patients, COVID-19 manifests predominantly as a systemic disease associated with immunological, inflammatory, and procoagulant responses. Timely diagnosis and risk stratification are crucial steps to define appropriate therapies and reduce mortality, especially in the older patients. Chronically and systemically activated innate immune responses and impaired antiviral responses have been recognized as the results of a progressive remodeling of the immune system during aging, which can be described by the words 'immunosenescence' and 'inflammaging'. These age-related features of the immune system were highlighted in patients affected by COVID-19 with the poorest clinical outcomes, suggesting that the mechanisms underpinning immunosenescence and inflammaging could be relevant for COVID-19 pathogenesis and progression. Increasing evidence suggests that senescent myeloid and endothelial cells are characterized by the acquisition of a senescence-associated pro-inflammatory phenotype (SASP), which is considered as the main culprit of both immunosenescence and inflammaging. Here, we reviewed this evidence and highlighted several circulating biomarkers of inflammaging that could provide additional prognostic information to stratify COVID-19 patients based on the risk of severe outcomes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jacopo Sabbatinelli
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Sciences, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy; Laboratory Medicine, AOU Ospedali Riuniti, Ancona, Italy
| | - Giulia Matacchione
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Sciences, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - Angelica Giuliani
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Sciences, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - Deborah Ramini
- Center of Clinical Pathology and Innovative Therapy, IRCCS INRCA, Ancona, Italy
| | - Maria Rita Rippo
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Sciences, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - Antonio Domenico Procopio
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Sciences, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy; Center of Clinical Pathology and Innovative Therapy, IRCCS INRCA, Ancona, Italy
| | - Massimiliano Bonafè
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Fabiola Olivieri
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Sciences, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy; Center of Clinical Pathology and Innovative Therapy, IRCCS INRCA, Ancona, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Jiang L, Tang BS, Guo JF, Li JC. Telomere Length and COVID-19 Outcomes: A Two-Sample Bidirectional Mendelian Randomization Study. Front Genet 2022; 13:805903. [PMID: 35677559 PMCID: PMC9168682 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.805903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2021] [Accepted: 04/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Observational studies have found a relationship between directly measured short leukocyte telomere length (LTL) and severe coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19). We investigated the causal association between genetically predicted LTL and COVID-19 susceptibility or severity. A previous genome-wide association study (GWAS) of 78,592 European-ancestry participants identified single nucleotidepolymorphisms (SNPs) that can be utilized to genetically predict LTL. Summary-level data for COVID-19 outcomes were analyzed from the COVID-19 Host Genetics Initiative. A two-sample bidirectional Mendelian randomization (MR) study was designed to evaluate these causal relationships. Using an inverse-weighted MR analysis and population-based controls, genetically predicted LTL did not reveal any significant association with COVID-19 susceptibility (odds ratio (OR): 0.94; 95% CI: 0.85–1.04; p = 0.202) or severity (OR: 0.85; 95% CI: 0.70–1.03; p = 0.099). Similar results were found for five other definitions of cases/controls and/or COVID-19 outcomes. Six additional MR methods and sensitivity analyses were conducted after removing variants with potential horizontal pleiotropy and including variants at a liberal significance level, which produced similar results. Using SNPs identified for the prediction of LTL from another GWAS study, we found a non-significant association for COVID-19 susceptibility or severity with narrower CIs toward the null hypothesis. No proof of genetically predicted COVID-19 phenotypes remained causally associated with genetically predicted LTL, and the null association was consistent with a lack of significant genetic correlation. Genetic evidence does not support shorter LTL as a causal risk factor for COVID-19 susceptibility or severity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Li Jiang
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Center for Medical Genetics & Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Bei-sha Tang
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Center for Medical Genetics & Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Ji-feng Guo
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Center for Medical Genetics & Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- *Correspondence: Ji-feng Guo, ; Jin-chen Li,
| | - Jin-chen Li
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Center for Medical Genetics & Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- *Correspondence: Ji-feng Guo, ; Jin-chen Li,
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Anderson JJ, Susser E, Arbeev KG, Yashin AI, Levy D, Verhulst S, Aviv A. Telomere-length dependent T-cell clonal expansion: A model linking ageing to COVID-19 T-cell lymphopenia and mortality. EBioMedicine 2022; 78:103978. [PMID: 35367774 PMCID: PMC8970968 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2022.103978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Revised: 03/15/2022] [Accepted: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Severe COVID-19 T-cell lymphopenia is more common among older adults and entails poor prognosis. Offsetting the decline in T-cell count during COVID-19 demands fast and massive T-cell clonal expansion, which is telomere length (TL)-dependent. METHODS We developed a model of TL-dependent T-cell clonal expansion capacity with age and virtually examined the relation of T-cell clonal expansion with COVID-19 mortality in the general population. FINDINGS The model shows that an individual with average hematopoietic cell TL (HCTL) at age twenty years maintains maximal T-cell clonal expansion capacity until the 6th decade of life when this capacity rapidly declines by more than 90% over the next ten years. The collapse in the T-cell clonal expansion capacity coincides with the steep increase in COVID-19 mortality with age. INTERPRETATION Short HCTL might increase vulnerability of many older adults, and some younger individuals with inherently short HCTL, to COVID-19 T-cell lymphopenia and severe disease. FUNDING A full list of funding bodies that contributed to this study can be found in the Acknowledgements section.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- James J. Anderson
- School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA,Corresponding author.
| | - Ezra Susser
- Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA,New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Konstantin G. Arbeev
- Biodemography of Aging Research Unit, Social Science Research Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC 27705, USA
| | - Anatoliy I. Yashin
- Biodemography of Aging Research Unit, Social Science Research Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC 27705, USA
| | - Daniel Levy
- Population Sciences Branch, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 27705, USA,The Framingham Heart Study, Framingham, MA 01702, USA
| | - Simon Verhulst
- Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherland
| | - Abraham Aviv
- The Center of Human Development and Aging, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ 07103, USA
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Mahmoodpoor A, Sanaie S, Roudbari F, Sabzevari T, Sohrabifar N, Kazeminasab S. Understanding the role of telomere attrition and epigenetic signatures in COVID-19 severity. Gene 2022; 811:146069. [PMID: 34848322 PMCID: PMC8634871 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2021.146069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2021] [Revised: 10/12/2021] [Accepted: 11/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Within the past several decades, the emergence and spread of infectious diseases with pandemic potential have endangered human lives. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak represents an unprecedented threat for all health systems worldwide. The clinical spectrum of COVID-19 is highly heterogeneous, ranging from asymptomatic and mild upper respiratory tract illness to severe interstitial pneumonia with respiratory failure and even death. Highly age-dependent patterns of immune response potentially explain the higher rates of the severe forms of COVID-19 in elderly patients. However, genetic and epigenetic architecture can influence multiple biological processes during the lifespan, therefore as far as our knowledge shows, vulnerability to viral infection concerning telomere length and epigenetic signature is not a new idea. This review aims is to summarize the current understanding of the role of telomere length and epigenetic mechanisms on the severity of COVID-19. The current knowledge highlights the significant association between the shorter telomere length and the higher risk of developing severe COVID-19. Differential DNA methylation patterns and miRNA expression profiles imply that these hallmarks can play a pivotal role in COVID- 19 pathogenesis. Understanding the causes of inter-individual variations in COVID-19 outcomes could provide clues to the development of the personalized therapeutic intervention.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ata Mahmoodpoor
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Sarvin Sanaie
- Neurosciences Research center, Aging Research Institute, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | | | - Tara Sabzevari
- Student Research Committee, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Nasim Sohrabifar
- Cardiovascular Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Somayeh Kazeminasab
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran; Research Vice-Chancellor, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Ruiz A, Flores-Gonzalez J, Buendia-Roldan I, Chavez-Galan L. Telomere Shortening and Its Association with Cell Dysfunction in Lung Diseases. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 23:425. [PMID: 35008850 PMCID: PMC8745057 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23010425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2021] [Revised: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 12/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Telomeres are localized at the end of chromosomes to provide genome stability; however, the telomere length tends to be shortened with each cell division inducing a progressive telomere shortening (TS). In addition to age, other factors, such as exposure to pollutants, diet, stress, and disruptions in the shelterin protein complex or genes associated with telomerase induce TS. This phenomenon favors cellular senescence and genotoxic stress, which increases the risk of the development and progression of lung diseases such as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, SARS-CoV-2 infection, and lung cancer. In an infectious environment, immune cells that exhibit TS are associated with severe lymphopenia and death, whereas in a noninfectious context, naïve T cells that exhibit TS are related to cancer progression and enhanced inflammatory processes. In this review, we discuss how TS modifies the function of the immune system cells, making them inefficient in maintaining homeostasis in the lung. Finally, we discuss the advances in drug and gene therapy for lung diseases where TS could be used as a target for future treatments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Leslie Chavez-Galan
- Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Respiratorias Ismael Cosío Villegas, Mexico City 14080, Mexico; (A.R.); (J.F.-G.); (I.B.-R.)
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
dos Santos GA, Pimenta R, Viana NI, Guimarães VR, Romão P, Candido P, de Camargo JA, Hatanaka DM, Queiroz PGS, Teruya A, Leite KR, Srougi V, Srougi M, Reis ST. Shorter leukocyte telomere length is associated with severity of COVID-19 infection. Biochem Biophys Rep 2021; 27:101056. [PMID: 34151032 PMCID: PMC8200309 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrep.2021.101056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2020] [Revised: 06/07/2021] [Accepted: 06/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The infection by COVID-19 is a serious global public health problem. An efficient way to improve this disease's clinical management would be to characterize patients at higher risk of progressing to critically severe infection using prognostic biomarkers. The telomere length could be used for this purpose. Telomeres are responsible for controlling the number of maximum cell divisions. The telomere length is a biomarker of aging and several diseases. We aimed to compare leukocyte telomere length (LTL) between patients without COVID-19 and patients with different clinical severity of the infection. Were included 53 patients who underwent SARS-CoV-2 PCR divided in four groups. The first group was composed by patients with a negative diagnosis for COVID-19 (n = 12). The other three groups consisted of patients with a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 divided according to the severity of the disease: mild (n = 15), moderate (n = 17) and severe (n = 9). The LTL was determined by Q-PCR. The severe group had the shortest LTL, followed by the moderate group. The negative and mild groups showed no differences. There is an increase of patients with hypertension (p = 0.0099) and diabetes (p = 0.0067) in moderate and severe groups. Severe group was composed by older patients in comparison with the other three groups (p = 0.0083). Regarding sex, there was no significant difference between groups (p = 0.6279). In an ordinal regression model, only LTL and diabetes were significantly associated with disease severity. Shorter telomere length was significantly associated with the severity of COVID-19 infection, which can be useful as a biomarker or to better understand the SARS-CoV-2 pathophysiology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel Arantes dos Santos
- Urology Department, Laboratory of Medical Investigation (LIM55), Faculdade de Medicina FMUSP, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Ruan Pimenta
- Urology Department, Laboratory of Medical Investigation (LIM55), Faculdade de Medicina FMUSP, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Nayara I. Viana
- Urology Department, Laboratory of Medical Investigation (LIM55), Faculdade de Medicina FMUSP, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil
- Minas Gerais State University (UEMG), Passos, MG, Brazil
| | - Vanessa R. Guimarães
- Urology Department, Laboratory of Medical Investigation (LIM55), Faculdade de Medicina FMUSP, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Poliana Romão
- Urology Department, Laboratory of Medical Investigation (LIM55), Faculdade de Medicina FMUSP, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Patrícia Candido
- Urology Department, Laboratory of Medical Investigation (LIM55), Faculdade de Medicina FMUSP, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Juliana A. de Camargo
- Urology Department, Laboratory of Medical Investigation (LIM55), Faculdade de Medicina FMUSP, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | | | | | | | - Katia R.M. Leite
- Urology Department, Laboratory of Medical Investigation (LIM55), Faculdade de Medicina FMUSP, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Victor Srougi
- Urology Department, Laboratory of Medical Investigation (LIM55), Faculdade de Medicina FMUSP, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil
- Moriah Hospital, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Miguel Srougi
- Urology Department, Laboratory of Medical Investigation (LIM55), Faculdade de Medicina FMUSP, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Sabrina T. Reis
- Urology Department, Laboratory of Medical Investigation (LIM55), Faculdade de Medicina FMUSP, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil
- Moriah Hospital, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
- Minas Gerais State University (UEMG), Passos, MG, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Anderson JJ, Susser E, Arbeev KG, Yashin AI, Levy D, Verhulst S, Aviv A. Short Telomeres and a T-Cell Shortfall in COVID-19: The Aging Effect. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2021. [PMID: 34268523 PMCID: PMC8282112 DOI: 10.1101/2021.05.19.21257474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The slow pace of global vaccination and the rapid emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants suggest recurrent waves of COVID-19 in coming years. Therefore, understanding why deaths from COVID-19 are highly concentrated among older adults is essential for global health. Severe COVID-19 T-cell lymphopenia is more common among older adults, and it entails poor prognosis. Much about the primary etiology of this form of lymphopenia remains unknown, but regardless of its causes, offsetting the decline in T-cell count during SARS-CoV-2 infection demands fast and massive T-cell clonal expansion, which is telomere length (TL)-dependent. We have built a model that captures the effect of age-dependent TL shortening in hematopoietic cells and its effect on T-cell clonal expansion capacity. The model shows that an individual with average hematopoietic cell TL (HCTL) at age twenty years maintains maximal T-cell clonal expansion capacity until the 6th decade of life when this capacity plummets by more than 90% over the next ten years. The collapse coincides with the steep increase in COVID-19 mortality with age. HCTL metrics may thus explain the vulnerability of older adults to COVID-19. That said, the wide inter-individual variation in HCTL across the general population means that some younger adults with inherently short HCTL might be at risk of severe COVID-19 lymphopenia and mortality from the disease.
Collapse
|