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Nisa A, Kumar R, Ramasamy S, Kolloli A, Olejnik J, Jalloh S, Gummuluru S, Subbian S, Bushkin Y. Modulations of Homeostatic ACE2, CD147, GRP78 Pathways Correlate with Vascular and Endothelial Performance Markers during Pulmonary SARS-CoV-2 Infection. Cells 2024; 13:432. [PMID: 38474396 PMCID: PMC10930588 DOI: 10.3390/cells13050432] [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: 02/05/2024] [Revised: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
The pathologic consequences of Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) include elevated inflammation and dysregulated vascular functions associated with thrombosis. In general, disruption of vascular homeostasis and ensuing prothrombotic events are driven by activated platelets, monocytes, and macrophages, which form aggregates (thrombi) attached to the endothelium lining of vessel walls. However, molecular pathways underpinning the pathological interactions between myeloid cells and endothelium during COVID-19 remain undefined. Here, we tested the hypothesis that modulations in the expression of cellular receptors angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), CD147, and glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78), which are involved in homeostasis and endothelial performance, are the hallmark responses induced by SARS-CoV-2 infection. Cultured macrophages and lungs of hamster model systems were used to test this hypothesis. The results indicate that while macrophages and endothelial cells are less likely to support SARS-CoV-2 proliferation, these cells may readily respond to inflammatory stimuli generated by the infected lung epithelium. SARS-CoV-2 induced modulations of tested cellular receptors correlated with corresponding changes in the mRNA expression of coagulation cascade regulators and endothelial integrity components in infected hamster lungs. Among these markers, tissue factor (TF) had the best correlation for prothrombotic events during SARS-CoV-2 infection. Furthermore, the single-molecule fluorescence in situ hybridization (smFISH) method alone was sufficient to determine the peak and resolution phases of SARS-CoV-2 infection and enabled screening for cellular markers co-expressed with the virus. These findings suggest possible molecular pathways for exploration of novel drugs capable of blocking the prothrombotic shift events that exacerbate COVID-19 pathophysiology and control the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annuurun Nisa
- Public Health Research Institute, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ 07103, USA; (A.N.); (R.K.); (S.R.); (A.K.)
| | - Ranjeet Kumar
- Public Health Research Institute, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ 07103, USA; (A.N.); (R.K.); (S.R.); (A.K.)
| | - Santhamani Ramasamy
- Public Health Research Institute, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ 07103, USA; (A.N.); (R.K.); (S.R.); (A.K.)
| | - Afsal Kolloli
- Public Health Research Institute, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ 07103, USA; (A.N.); (R.K.); (S.R.); (A.K.)
| | - Judith Olejnik
- Department of Virology, Immunology & Microbiology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02130, USA; (J.O.); (S.J.); (S.G.)
- National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories, Boston University, Boston, MA 02218, USA
| | - Sallieu Jalloh
- Department of Virology, Immunology & Microbiology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02130, USA; (J.O.); (S.J.); (S.G.)
| | - Suryaram Gummuluru
- Department of Virology, Immunology & Microbiology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02130, USA; (J.O.); (S.J.); (S.G.)
| | - Selvakumar Subbian
- Public Health Research Institute, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ 07103, USA; (A.N.); (R.K.); (S.R.); (A.K.)
| | - Yuri Bushkin
- Public Health Research Institute, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ 07103, USA; (A.N.); (R.K.); (S.R.); (A.K.)
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Wang W, Chen J, Yu X, Lan HY. Signaling mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2 Nucleocapsid protein in viral infection, cell death and inflammation. Int J Biol Sci 2022; 18:4704-4713. [PMID: 35874957 PMCID: PMC9305276 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.72663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Accepted: 05/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
COVID-19 which is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) has posed a worldwide pandemic and a major global public health threat. SARS-CoV-2 Nucleocapsid (N) protein plays a critical role in multiple steps of the viral life cycle and participates in viral replication, transcription, and assembly. The primary roles of N protein are to assemble with genomic RNA into the viral RNA-protein (vRNP) complex and to localize to the replication transcription complexes (RTCs) to enhance viral replication and transcription. N protein can also undergo liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) with viral genome RNA and inhibit stress granules to facilitate viral replication and assembly. Besides the function in viral life cycle, N protein can bind GSDMD to antagonize pyroptosis but promotes cell death via the Smad3-dependent G1 cell cycle arrest mechanism. In innate immune system, N protein inhibits IFN-β production and RNAi pathway for virus survival. However, it can induce expression of proinflammatory cytokines by activating NF-κB signaling and NLRP3 inflammasome, resulting in cytokine storms. In this review article, we are focusing on the signaling mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2 N protein in viral replication, cell death and inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenbiao Wang
- Medical Research Center and Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory for Immunity and Genetics of Chronic Kidney Disease, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Junzhe Chen
- Department of Nephrology, The Third Affiliated hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.,Departments of Medicine & Therapeutics, Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, and Lui Che Woo Institute of Innovative Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Xueqing Yu
- Medical Research Center and Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory for Immunity and Genetics of Chronic Kidney Disease, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hui-Yao Lan
- Departments of Medicine & Therapeutics, Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, and Lui Che Woo Institute of Innovative Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.,The Chinese University of Hong Kong-Guangdong Academy of Sciences/Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital Joint Research Laboratory on Immunological and Genetic Kidney Diseases, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
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Qu L, Chen C, Yin T, Fang Q, Hong Z, Zhou R, Tang H, Dong H. ACE2 and Innate Immunity in the Regulation of SARS-CoV-2-Induced Acute Lung Injury: A Review. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:11483. [PMID: 34768911 PMCID: PMC8583933 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222111483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2021] [Revised: 10/21/2021] [Accepted: 10/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite the protracted battle against coronavirus acute respiratory infection (COVID-19) and the rapid evolution of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), no specific and effective drugs have to date been reported. Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is a zinc metalloproteinase and a critical modulator of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS). In addition, ACE2 has anti-inflammatory and antifibrosis functions. ACE has become widely known in the past decade as it has been identified as the primary receptor for SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2, being closely associated with their infection. SARS-CoV-2 primarily targets the lung, which induces a cytokine storm by infecting alveolar cells, resulting in tissue damage and eventually severe acute respiratory syndrome. In the lung, innate immunity acts as a critical line of defense against pathogens, including SARS-CoV-2. This review aims to summarize the regulation of ACE2, and lung host cells resist SARS-CoV-2 invasion by activating innate immunity response. Finally, we discuss ACE2 as a therapeutic target, providing reference and enlightenment for the clinical treatment of COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lihua Qu
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China; (L.Q.); (T.Y.); (Q.F.); (Z.H.); (R.Z.)
| | - Chao Chen
- School of Medicine & Holistic Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210013, China;
| | - Tong Yin
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China; (L.Q.); (T.Y.); (Q.F.); (Z.H.); (R.Z.)
| | - Qian Fang
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China; (L.Q.); (T.Y.); (Q.F.); (Z.H.); (R.Z.)
| | - Zizhan Hong
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China; (L.Q.); (T.Y.); (Q.F.); (Z.H.); (R.Z.)
| | - Rui Zhou
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China; (L.Q.); (T.Y.); (Q.F.); (Z.H.); (R.Z.)
| | - Hongbin Tang
- Center for Animal Experiment, State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Huifen Dong
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China; (L.Q.); (T.Y.); (Q.F.); (Z.H.); (R.Z.)
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Jana S, Heaven MR, Alayash AI. Cell-Free Hemoglobin Does Not Attenuate the Effects of SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein S1 Subunit in Pulmonary Endothelial Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:9041. [PMID: 34445747 PMCID: PMC8396564 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22169041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2021] [Revised: 08/17/2021] [Accepted: 08/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 primarily infects epithelial airway cells that express the host entry receptor angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), which binds to the S1 spike protein on the surface of the virus. To delineate the impact of S1 spike protein interaction with the ACE2 receptor, we incubated the S1 spike protein with human pulmonary arterial endothelial cells (HPAEC). HPAEC treatment with the S1 spike protein caused disruption of endothelial barrier function, increased levels of numerous inflammatory molecules (VCAM-1, ICAM-1, IL-1β, CCL5, CXCL10), elevated mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS), and a mild rise in glycolytic reserve capacity. Because low oxygen tension (hypoxia) is associated with severe cases of COVID-19, we also evaluated treatment with hemoglobin (HbA) as a potential countermeasure in hypoxic and normal oxygen environments in analyses with the S1 spike protein. We found hypoxia downregulated the expression of the ACE2 receptor and increased the critical oxygen homeostatic signaling protein, hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF-1α); however, treatment of the cells with HbA yielded no apparent change in the levels of ACE2 or HIF-1α. Use of quantitative proteomics revealed that S1 spike protein-treated cells have few differentially regulated proteins in hypoxic conditions, consistent with the finding that ACE2 serves as the host viral receptor and is reduced in hypoxia. However, in normoxic conditions, we found perturbed abundance of proteins in signaling pathways related to lysosomes, extracellular matrix receptor interaction, focal adhesion, and pyrimidine metabolism. We conclude that the spike protein alone without the rest of the viral components is sufficient to elicit cell signaling in HPAEC, and that treatment with HbA failed to reverse the vast majority of these spike protein-induced changes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Abdu I. Alayash
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Vascular Biology, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Silver Spring, MD 20993, USA; (S.J.); (M.R.H.)
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Abdullaev A, Odilov A, Ershler M, Volkov A, Lipina T, Gasanova T, Lebedin Y, Babichenko I, Sudarikov A. Viral Load and Patterns of SARS-CoV-2 Dissemination to the Lungs, Mediastinal Lymph Nodes, and Spleen of Patients with COVID-19 Associated Lymphopenia. Viruses 2021; 13:1410. [PMID: 34372615 PMCID: PMC8310371 DOI: 10.3390/v13071410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2021] [Revised: 07/12/2021] [Accepted: 07/15/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Lymphopenia is a frequent hematological manifestation, associated with a severe course of COVID-19, with an insufficiently understood pathogenesis. We present molecular genetic immunohistochemical, and electron microscopic data on SARS-CoV-2 dissemination and viral load (VL) in lungs, mediastinum lymph nodes, and the spleen of 36 patients who died from COVID-19. Lymphopenia <1 × 109/L was observed in 23 of 36 (63.8%) patients. In 12 of 36 cases (33%) SARS-CoV-2 was found in lung tissues only with a median VL of 239 copies (range 18-1952) SARS-CoV-2 cDNA per 100 copies of ABL1. Histomorphological changes corresponding to bronchopneumonia and the proliferative phase of DAD were observed in these cases. SARS-CoV-2 dissemination into the lungs, lymph nodes, and spleen was detected in 23 of 36 patients (58.4%) and was associated with the exudative phase of DAD in most of these cases. The median VL in the lungs was 12,116 copies (range 810-250281), lymph nodes-832 copies (range 96-11586), and spleen-71.5 copies (range 0-2899). SARS-CoV-2 in all cases belonged to the 19A strain. A immunohistochemical study revealed SARS-CoV-2 proteins in pneumocytes, alveolar macrophages, and bronchiolar epithelial cells in lung tissue, sinus histiocytes of lymph nodes, as well as cells of the Billroth pulp cords and spleen capsule. SARS-CoV-2 particles were detected by transmission electron microscopy in the cytoplasm of the endothelial cell, macrophages, and lymphocytes. The infection of lymphocytes with SARS-CoV-2 that we discovered for the first time may indicate a possible link between lymphopenia and SARS-CoV-2-mediated cytotoxic effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adhamjon Abdullaev
- National Research Center for Hematology, Laboratory of Molecular Hematology, Novy Zykovski Lane 4a, 125167 Moscow, Russia;
| | - Akmaljon Odilov
- Department of Pathological Anatomy, Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University), 6 Miklukho-Maklaya St, 117198 Moscow, Russia; (A.O.); (A.V.); (I.B.)
| | - Maxim Ershler
- National Research Center for Hematology, Hematopoiesis Physiology Laboratory, Novy Zykovski Lane 4a, 125167 Moscow, Russia;
| | - Alexey Volkov
- Department of Pathological Anatomy, Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University), 6 Miklukho-Maklaya St, 117198 Moscow, Russia; (A.O.); (A.V.); (I.B.)
- Department of Pathological Anatomy, Municipal Clinical Hospital Named after E.O. Mukhin, 17 Federativny Prospect, 111399 Moscow, Russia
| | - Tatiana Lipina
- Department of Cell Biology and Histology, Faculty of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Leninskie Gori, 1, 12, 119234 Moscow, Russia;
| | - Tatiana Gasanova
- Department of Virology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Leninskie Gori, 1, 40, 119234 Moscow, Russia;
| | - Yuri Lebedin
- XEMA Company Limited, 9th Parkovaya St., 48, 105043 Moscow, Russia;
| | - Igor Babichenko
- Department of Pathological Anatomy, Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University), 6 Miklukho-Maklaya St, 117198 Moscow, Russia; (A.O.); (A.V.); (I.B.)
| | - Andrey Sudarikov
- National Research Center for Hematology, Laboratory of Molecular Hematology, Novy Zykovski Lane 4a, 125167 Moscow, Russia;
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