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Qu B, Miskey C, Gömer A, Kleinert RDV, Ibanez SC, Eberle R, Ebenig A, Postmus D, Nocke MK, Herrmann M, Itotia TK, Herrmann ST, Heinen N, Höck S, Hastert FD, von Rhein C, Schürmann C, Li X, van Zandbergen G, Widera M, Ciesek S, Schnierle BS, Tarr AW, Steinmann E, Goffinet C, Pfaender S, Locker JK, Mühlebach MD, Todt D, Brown RJP. TMPRSS2-mediated SARS-CoV-2 uptake boosts innate immune activation, enhances cytopathology, and drives convergent virus evolution. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2407437121. [PMID: 38814864 PMCID: PMC11161796 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2407437121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024] Open
Abstract
The accessory protease transmembrane protease serine 2 (TMPRSS2) enhances severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) uptake into ACE2-expressing cells, although how increased entry impacts downstream viral and host processes remains unclear. To investigate this in more detail, we performed infection assays in engineered cells promoting ACE2-mediated entry with and without TMPRSS2 coexpression. Electron microscopy and inhibitor experiments indicated TMPRSS2-mediated cell entry was associated with increased virion internalization into endosomes, and partially dependent upon clathrin-mediated endocytosis. TMPRSS2 increased panvariant uptake efficiency and enhanced early rates of virus replication, transcription, and secretion, with variant-specific profiles observed. On the host side, transcriptional profiling confirmed the magnitude of infection-induced antiviral and proinflammatory responses were linked to uptake efficiency, with TMPRSS2-assisted entry boosting early antiviral responses. In addition, TMPRSS2-enhanced infections increased rates of cytopathology, apoptosis, and necrosis and modulated virus secretion kinetics in a variant-specific manner. On the virus side, convergent signatures of cell-uptake-dependent innate immune induction were recorded in viral genomes, manifesting as switches in dominant coupled Nsp3 residues whose frequencies were correlated to the magnitude of the cellular response to infection. Experimentally, we demonstrated that selected Nsp3 mutations conferred enhanced interferon antagonism. More broadly, we show that TMPRSS2 orthologues from evolutionarily diverse mammals facilitate panvariant enhancement of cell uptake. In summary, our study uncovers previously unreported associations, linking cell entry efficiency to innate immune activation kinetics, cell death rates, virus secretion dynamics, and convergent selection of viral mutations. These data expand our understanding of TMPRSS2's role in the SARS-CoV-2 life cycle and confirm its broader significance in zoonotic reservoirs and animal models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bingqian Qu
- Division of Veterinary Medicine, Paul-Ehrlich-Institut, 63225Langen, Germany
- European Virus Bioinformatics Center, 07743Jena, Germany
| | - Csaba Miskey
- Division of Medical Biotechnology, Paul-Ehrlich-Institut, 63225Langen, Germany
| | - André Gömer
- Department of Molecular and Medical Virology, Ruhr University Bochum, 44801Bochum, Germany
| | | | - Sara Calvo Ibanez
- Electron Microscopy of Pathogens, Paul-Ehrlich-Institut, 63225Langen, Germany
| | - Regina Eberle
- Electron Microscopy of Pathogens, Paul-Ehrlich-Institut, 63225Langen, Germany
| | - Aileen Ebenig
- Division of Veterinary Medicine, Paul-Ehrlich-Institut, 63225Langen, Germany
| | - Dylan Postmus
- Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, LiverpoolL3 5QA, United Kingdom
- Institute of Virology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Maximilian K. Nocke
- Department of Molecular and Medical Virology, Ruhr University Bochum, 44801Bochum, Germany
| | - Maike Herrmann
- Division of Veterinary Medicine, Paul-Ehrlich-Institut, 63225Langen, Germany
| | - Tabitha K. Itotia
- Division of Veterinary Medicine, Paul-Ehrlich-Institut, 63225Langen, Germany
- Department of Physical Sciences, Chuka University, 60400Chuka, Kenya
| | - Simon T. Herrmann
- Department of Molecular and Medical Virology, Ruhr University Bochum, 44801Bochum, Germany
| | - Natalie Heinen
- Department of Molecular and Medical Virology, Ruhr University Bochum, 44801Bochum, Germany
| | - Sebastian Höck
- Division of Veterinary Medicine, Paul-Ehrlich-Institut, 63225Langen, Germany
| | | | | | - Christoph Schürmann
- Division of Veterinary Medicine, Paul-Ehrlich-Institut, 63225Langen, Germany
| | - Xue Li
- Department of Cardiology, Medical University Hospital, 69120Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Ger van Zandbergen
- Division of Immunology, Paul-Ehrlich-Institut, 63225Langen, Germany
- Institute for Immunology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz, 55131Mainz, Germany
- Research Center for Immunotherapy, University Medical Center, Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, 55131Mainz, Germany
| | - Marek Widera
- Institute for Medical Virology, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University Frankfurt, 60596Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Sandra Ciesek
- Institute for Medical Virology, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University Frankfurt, 60596Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology, 60596Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research, 38124Braunschweig, Germany
| | | | - Alexander W. Tarr
- School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Nottingham, NottinghamNG7 2UH, United Kingdom
- School of Life Sciences and National Institute for Health and Care Research, Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre, University of Nottingham, NottinghamNG7 2UH, United Kingdom
| | - Eike Steinmann
- Department of Molecular and Medical Virology, Ruhr University Bochum, 44801Bochum, Germany
| | - Christine Goffinet
- Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, LiverpoolL3 5QA, United Kingdom
- Institute of Virology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Stephanie Pfaender
- Department of Molecular and Medical Virology, Ruhr University Bochum, 44801Bochum, Germany
- Research Unit Emerging Viruses, Leibniz Institute of Virology, 20251Hamburg, Germany
- University of Lübeck, 23562Lübeck, Germany
| | - Jacomina Krijnse Locker
- Electron Microscopy of Pathogens, Paul-Ehrlich-Institut, 63225Langen, Germany
- Justus Liebig University Geissen, 35390Giessen, Germany
| | - Michael D. Mühlebach
- Division of Veterinary Medicine, Paul-Ehrlich-Institut, 63225Langen, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research, 63225Giessen-Marburg-Langen, Germany
| | - Daniel Todt
- European Virus Bioinformatics Center, 07743Jena, Germany
- Department of Molecular and Medical Virology, Ruhr University Bochum, 44801Bochum, Germany
| | - Richard J. P. Brown
- Division of Veterinary Medicine, Paul-Ehrlich-Institut, 63225Langen, Germany
- Department of Molecular and Medical Virology, Ruhr University Bochum, 44801Bochum, Germany
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2
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Boon ACM, Bricker TL, Fritch EJ, Leist SR, Gully K, Baric RS, Graham RL, Troan BV, Mahoney M, Janetka JW. Efficacy of host cell serine protease inhibitor MM3122 against SARS-CoV-2 for treatment and prevention of COVID-19. J Virol 2024; 98:e0190323. [PMID: 38593045 PMCID: PMC11092322 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01903-23] [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: 02/09/2024] [Accepted: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024] Open
Abstract
We developed a novel class of peptidomimetic inhibitors targeting several host cell human serine proteases, including transmembrane protease serine 2 (TMPRSS2), matriptase, and hepsin. TMPRSS2 is a membrane-associated protease that is highly expressed in the upper and lower respiratory tracts and is utilized by SARS-CoV-2 and other viruses to proteolytically process their glycoproteins, enabling host cell entry, replication, and dissemination of new virus particles. We have previously shown that compound MM3122 exhibited subnanomolar potency against all three proteases and displayed potent antiviral effects against SARS-CoV-2 in a cell viability assay. Herein, we demonstrate that MM3122 potently inhibits viral replication in human lung epithelial cells and is also effective against the EG.5.1 variant of SARS-CoV-2. Furthermore, we evaluated MM3122 in a mouse model of COVID-19 and demonstrated that MM3122 administered intraperitoneally (IP) before (prophylactic) or after (therapeutic) SARS-CoV-2 infection had significant protective effects against weight loss and lung congestion and reduced pathology. Amelioration of COVID-19 disease was associated with a reduction in proinflammatory cytokine and chemokine production after SARS-CoV-2 infection. Prophylactic, but not therapeutic, administration of MM3122 also reduced virus titers in the lungs of SARS-CoV-2-infected mice. Therefore, MM3122 is a promising lead candidate small-molecule drug for the treatment and prevention of infections caused by SARS-CoV-2 and other coronaviruses. IMPORTANCE SARS-CoV-2 and other emerging RNA coronaviruses are a present and future threat in causing widespread endemic and pandemic infection and disease. In this paper, we have shown that the novel host cell protease inhibitor, MM3122, blocks SARS-CoV-2 viral replication and is efficacious as both a prophylactic and a therapeutic drug for the treatment of COVID-19 given intraperitoneally in mice. Targeting host proteins and pathways in antiviral therapy is an underexplored area of research, but this approach promises to avoid drug resistance by the virus, which is common in current antiviral treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrianus C. M. Boon
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Traci L. Bricker
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Ethan J. Fritch
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Sarah R. Leist
- Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Kendra Gully
- Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Ralph S. Baric
- Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Rachel L. Graham
- Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | | | - Matthew Mahoney
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - James W. Janetka
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, Missouri, USA
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3
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Eltayeb A, Al-Sarraj F, Alharbi M, Albiheyri R, Mattar E, Abu Zeid IM, Bouback TA, Bamagoos A, Aljohny BO, Uversky VN, Redwan EM. Overview of the SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 260:129523. [PMID: 38232879 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.129523] [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: 06/04/2023] [Revised: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 01/13/2024] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
Since the emergence of SARS-CoV in 2003, researchers worldwide have been toiling away at deciphering this virus's biological intricacies. In line with other known coronaviruses, the nucleocapsid (N) protein is an important structural component of SARS-CoV. As a result, much emphasis has been placed on characterizing this protein. Independent research conducted by a variety of laboratories has clearly demonstrated the primary function of this protein, which is to encapsidate the viral genome. Furthermore, various accounts indicate that this particular protein disrupts diverse intracellular pathways. Such observations imply its vital role in regulating the virus as well. The opening segment of this review will expound upon these distinct characteristics succinctly exhibited by the N protein. Additionally, it has been suggested that the N protein possesses diagnostic and vaccine capabilities when dealing with SARS-CoV. In light of this fact, we will be reviewing some recent headway in the use cases for N protein toward clinical purposes within this article's concluding segments. This forward movement pertains to both developments of COVID-19-oriented therapeutic targets as well as diagnostic measures. The strides made by medical researchers offer encouragement, knowing they are heading toward a brighter future combating global pandemic situations such as these.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed Eltayeb
- Department of Biological Science, Faculty of Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, P.O. Box 80203, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Faisal Al-Sarraj
- Department of Biological Science, Faculty of Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, P.O. Box 80203, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mona Alharbi
- Department of Biological Science, Faculty of Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, P.O. Box 80203, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Raed Albiheyri
- Department of Biological Science, Faculty of Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, P.O. Box 80203, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia; Centre of Excellence in Bionanoscience Research, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ehab Mattar
- Department of Biological Science, Faculty of Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, P.O. Box 80203, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Isam M Abu Zeid
- Department of Biological Science, Faculty of Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, P.O. Box 80203, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia; Princess Dr. Najla Bint Saud Al-Saud Center for Excellence Research in Biotechnology, King Abdulaziz University, P.O. Box 80200, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Thamer A Bouback
- Department of Biological Science, Faculty of Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, P.O. Box 80203, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia; Princess Dr. Najla Bint Saud Al-Saud Center for Excellence Research in Biotechnology, King Abdulaziz University, P.O. Box 80200, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Atif Bamagoos
- Department of Biological Science, Faculty of Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, P.O. Box 80203, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Bassam O Aljohny
- Department of Biological Science, Faculty of Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, P.O. Box 80203, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Vladimir N Uversky
- Department of Molecular Medicine and USF Health Byrd Alzheimer's Research Institute, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA.
| | - Elrashdy M Redwan
- Department of Biological Science, Faculty of Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, P.O. Box 80203, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia; Centre of Excellence in Bionanoscience Research, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; Therapeutic and Protective Proteins Laboratory, Protein Research Department, Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Research Institute, City for Scientific Research and Technology Applications, New Borg EL-Arab, 21934 Alexandria, Egypt.
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4
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Boon ACM, L Bricker T, Fritch EJ, Leist SR, Gully K, Baric RS, Graham RL, Troan BV, Mahoney M, Janetka JW. Efficacy of Host Cell Serine Protease Inhibitor MM3122 against SARS-CoV-2 for Treatment and Prevention of COVID-19. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.02.09.579701. [PMID: 38405752 PMCID: PMC10888838 DOI: 10.1101/2024.02.09.579701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
We have developed a novel class of peptidomimetic inhibitors targeting several host cell human serine proteases including transmembrane protease serine 2 (TMPRSS2), matriptase and hepsin. TMPRSS2 is a membrane associated protease which is highly expressed in the upper and lower respiratory tract and is utilized by SARS-CoV-2 and other viruses to proteolytically process their glycoproteins, enabling host cell receptor binding, entry, replication, and dissemination of new virion particles. We have previously shown that compound MM3122 exhibited sub nanomolar potency against all three proteases and displayed potent antiviral effects against SARS-CoV-2 in a cell-viability assay. Herein, we demonstrate that MM3122 potently inhibits viral replication in human lung epithelial cells and is also effective against the EG.5.1 variant of SARS-CoV-2. Further, we have evaluated MM3122 in a mouse model of COVID-19 and have demonstrated that MM3122 administered intraperitoneally (IP) before (prophylactic) or after (therapeutic) SARS-CoV-2 infection had significant protective effects against weight loss and lung congestion, and reduced pathology. Amelioration of COVID-19 disease was associated with a reduction in pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines production after SARS-CoV-2 infection. Prophylactic, but not therapeutic, administration of MM3122 also reduced virus titers in the lungs of SARS-CoV-2 infected mice. Therefore, MM3122 is a promising lead candidate small molecule drug for the treatment and prevention of infections caused by SARS-CoV-2 and other coronaviruses. IMPORTANCE SARS-CoV-2 and other emerging RNA coronaviruses are a present and future threat in causing widespread endemic and pandemic infection and disease. In this paper, we have shown that the novel host-cell protease inhibitor, MM3122, blocks SARS-CoV-2 viral replication and is efficacious as both a prophylactic and therapeutic drug for the treatment of COVID-19 in mice. Targeting host proteins and pathways in antiviral therapy is an underexplored area of research but this approach promises to avoid drug resistance by the virus, which is common in current antiviral treatments.
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5
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Janin YL. On the origins of SARS-CoV-2 main protease inhibitors. RSC Med Chem 2024; 15:81-118. [PMID: 38283212 PMCID: PMC10809347 DOI: 10.1039/d3md00493g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/30/2024] Open
Abstract
In order to address the world-wide health challenge caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the 3CL protease/SARS-CoV-2 main protease (SARS-CoV-2-Mpro) coded by its nsp5 gene became one of the biochemical targets for the design of antiviral drugs. In less than 3 years of research, 4 inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2-Mpro have actually been authorized for COVID-19 treatment (nirmatrelvir, ensitrelvir, leritrelvir and simnotrelvir) and more such as EDP-235, FB-2001 and STI-1558/Olgotrelvir or five undisclosed compounds (CDI-988, ASC11, ALG-097558, QLS1128 and H-10517) are undergoing clinical trials. This review is an attempt to picture this quite unprecedented medicinal chemistry feat and provide insights on how these cysteine protease inhibitors were discovered. Since many series of covalent SARS-CoV-2-Mpro inhibitors owe some of their origins to previous work on other proteases, we first provided a description of various inhibitors of cysteine-bearing human caspase-1 or cathepsin K, as well as inhibitors of serine proteases such as human dipeptidyl peptidase-4 or the hepatitis C protein complex NS3/4A. This is then followed by a description of the results of the approaches adopted (repurposing, structure-based and high throughput screening) to discover coronavirus main protease inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yves L Janin
- Structure et Instabilité des Génomes (StrInG), Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, INSERM, CNRS, Alliance Sorbonne Université 75005 Paris France
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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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7
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McCallum M, Park YJ, Stewart C, Sprouse KR, Brown J, Tortorici MA, Gibson C, Wong E, Ieven M, Telenti A, Veesler D. Human coronavirus HKU1 recognition of the TMPRSS2 host receptor. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.01.09.574565. [PMID: 38260518 PMCID: PMC10802434 DOI: 10.1101/2024.01.09.574565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
The human coronavirus HKU1 spike (S) glycoprotein engages host cell surface sialoglycans and transmembrane protease serine 2 (TMPRSS2) to initiate infection. The molecular basis of HKU1 binding to TMPRSS2 and determinants of host receptor tropism remain elusive. Here, we designed an active human TMPRSS2 construct enabling high-yield recombinant production in human cells of this key therapeutic target. We determined a cryo-electron microscopy structure of the HKU1 RBD bound to human TMPRSS2 providing a blueprint of the interactions supporting viral entry and explaining the specificity for TMPRSS2 among human type 2 transmembrane serine proteases. We found that human, rat, hamster and camel TMPRSS2 promote HKU1 S-mediated entry into cells and identified key residues governing host receptor usage. Our data show that serum antibodies targeting the HKU1 RBD TMPRSS2 binding-site are key for neutralization and that HKU1 uses conformational masking and glycan shielding to balance immune evasion and receptor engagement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew McCallum
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Young-Jun Park
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Cameron Stewart
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | | | - Jack Brown
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | | | - Cecily Gibson
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Emily Wong
- Vir Biotechnology, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Margareta Ieven
- Laboratory of Clinical Microbiology, Vaccine & Infectious Disease Institute, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | | | - David Veesler
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
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Logue J, Melville VM, Ardanuy J, Frieman MB. CNP blocks mitochondrial depolarization and inhibits SARS-CoV-2 replication in vitro and in vivo. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.06.09.544327. [PMID: 37333151 PMCID: PMC10274905 DOI: 10.1101/2023.06.09.544327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/20/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has claimed over 6.5 million lives worldwide and continues to have lasting impacts on the world's healthcare and economic systems. Several approved and emergency authorized therapeutics that inhibit early stages of the virus replication cycle have been developed however, effective late-stage therapeutical targets have yet to be identified. To that end, our lab identified that 2',3' cyclic-nucleotide 3'-phosphodiesterase (CNP) inhibits SARS-CoV-2 virion assembly. We show that CNP inhibits the generation of new SARS-CoV-2 virions, reducing intracellular titers without inhibiting viral structural protein translation. Additionally, we show that targeting of CNP to mitochondria is necessary for inhibition, blocking mitochondrial depolarization and implicating CNP's proposed role as an inhibitor of the mitochondrial permeabilization transition pore (mPTP) as the mechanism of virion assembly inhibition. We also demonstrate that an adenovirus expressing virus expressing both human ACE2 and CNP inhibits SARS-CoV-2 titers to undetectable levels in lungs of mice. Collectively, this work shows the potential of CNP to be a new SARS-CoV-2 antiviral target.
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Affiliation(s)
- James Logue
- The Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore,Maryland, USA
- Center for Pathogen Research, The University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore,Maryland, USA
| | - Victoria M. Melville
- The Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore,Maryland, USA
- Center for Pathogen Research, The University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore,Maryland, USA
| | - Jeremy Ardanuy
- The Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore,Maryland, USA
- Center for Pathogen Research, The University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore,Maryland, USA
| | - Matthew B. Frieman
- The Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore,Maryland, USA
- Center for Pathogen Research, The University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore,Maryland, USA
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Dénes B, Fuller RN, Kelin W, Levin TR, Gil J, Harewood A, Lőrincz M, Wall NR, Firek AF, Langridge WHR. A CTB-SARS-CoV-2-ACE-2 RBD Mucosal Vaccine Protects Against Coronavirus Infection. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:1865. [PMID: 38140268 PMCID: PMC10747655 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11121865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2023] [Revised: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Mucosal vaccines protect against respiratory virus infection by stimulating the production of IgA antibodies that protect against virus invasion of the mucosal epithelium. In this study, a novel protein subunit mucosal vaccine was constructed for protection against infection by the beta coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. The vaccine was assembled by linking a gene encoding the SARS-CoV-2 virus S1 angiotensin converting enzyme receptor binding domain (ACE-2-RBD) downstream from a DNA fragment encoding the cholera toxin B subunit (CTB), a mucosal adjuvant known to stimulate vaccine immunogenicity. A 42 kDa vaccine fusion protein was identified in homogenates of transformed E. coli BL-21 cells by acrylamide gel electrophoresis and by immunoblotting against anti-CTB and anti-ACE-2-RBD primary antibodies. The chimeric CTB-SARS-CoV-2-ACE-2-RBD vaccine fusion protein was partially purified from clarified bacterial homogenates by nickel affinity column chromatography. Further vaccine purification was accomplished by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and electro-elution of the 42 kDa chimeric vaccine protein. Vaccine protection against SARS-CoV-2 infection was assessed by oral, nasal, and parenteral immunization of BALB/c mice with the CTB-SARS-CoV-2-ACE-2-RBD protein. Vaccine-induced SARS-CoV-2 specific antibodies were quantified in immunized mouse serum by ELISA analysis. Serum from immunized mice contained IgG and IgA antibodies that neutralized SARS-CoV-2 infection in Vero E6 cell cultures. In contrast to unimmunized mice, cytological examination of cell necrosis in lung tissues excised from immunized mice revealed no detectable cellular abnormalities. Mouse behavior following vaccine immunization remained normal throughout the duration of the experiments. Together, our data show that a CTB-adjuvant-stimulated CTB-SARS-CoV-2-ACE-2-RBD chimeric mucosal vaccine protein synthesized in bacteria can produce durable and persistent IgA antibodies in mice that neutralize the SARS-CoV-2 subvariant Omicron BA.1.1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Béla Dénes
- Center for Health Disparities and Molecular Medicine, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Mortensen Hall, Loma Linda, CA 92350, USA; (B.D.); (R.N.F.); (W.K.); (T.R.L.); (J.G.); (A.H.); (N.R.W.); (A.F.F.)
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, University of Veterinary Medicine Budapest, 1143 Budapest, Hungary;
- National Laboratory of Infectious Animal Diseases, Antimicrobial Resistance, Veterinary Public Health and Food Chain Safety, University of Veterinary Medicine Budapest, 1078 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Ryan N. Fuller
- Center for Health Disparities and Molecular Medicine, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Mortensen Hall, Loma Linda, CA 92350, USA; (B.D.); (R.N.F.); (W.K.); (T.R.L.); (J.G.); (A.H.); (N.R.W.); (A.F.F.)
| | - Wayne Kelin
- Center for Health Disparities and Molecular Medicine, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Mortensen Hall, Loma Linda, CA 92350, USA; (B.D.); (R.N.F.); (W.K.); (T.R.L.); (J.G.); (A.H.); (N.R.W.); (A.F.F.)
| | - Tessa R. Levin
- Center for Health Disparities and Molecular Medicine, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Mortensen Hall, Loma Linda, CA 92350, USA; (B.D.); (R.N.F.); (W.K.); (T.R.L.); (J.G.); (A.H.); (N.R.W.); (A.F.F.)
| | - Jaipuneet Gil
- Center for Health Disparities and Molecular Medicine, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Mortensen Hall, Loma Linda, CA 92350, USA; (B.D.); (R.N.F.); (W.K.); (T.R.L.); (J.G.); (A.H.); (N.R.W.); (A.F.F.)
| | - Aaren Harewood
- Center for Health Disparities and Molecular Medicine, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Mortensen Hall, Loma Linda, CA 92350, USA; (B.D.); (R.N.F.); (W.K.); (T.R.L.); (J.G.); (A.H.); (N.R.W.); (A.F.F.)
- Department of Basic Sciences, Oakwood University, Huntsville, AL 35896, USA
| | - Márta Lőrincz
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, University of Veterinary Medicine Budapest, 1143 Budapest, Hungary;
- National Laboratory of Infectious Animal Diseases, Antimicrobial Resistance, Veterinary Public Health and Food Chain Safety, University of Veterinary Medicine Budapest, 1078 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Nathan R. Wall
- Center for Health Disparities and Molecular Medicine, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Mortensen Hall, Loma Linda, CA 92350, USA; (B.D.); (R.N.F.); (W.K.); (T.R.L.); (J.G.); (A.H.); (N.R.W.); (A.F.F.)
- Division of Biochemistry, Department of Basic Sciences, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, CA 92350, USA
| | - Anthony F. Firek
- Center for Health Disparities and Molecular Medicine, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Mortensen Hall, Loma Linda, CA 92350, USA; (B.D.); (R.N.F.); (W.K.); (T.R.L.); (J.G.); (A.H.); (N.R.W.); (A.F.F.)
- Comparative Effectiveness and Clinical Outcomes Research Center (CECORC), Riverside University Health System Medical Center, Moreno Valley, CA 92555, USA
| | - William H. R. Langridge
- Center for Health Disparities and Molecular Medicine, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Mortensen Hall, Loma Linda, CA 92350, USA; (B.D.); (R.N.F.); (W.K.); (T.R.L.); (J.G.); (A.H.); (N.R.W.); (A.F.F.)
- Division of Biochemistry, Department of Basic Sciences, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, CA 92350, USA
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10
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Logue J, Melville VM, Ardanuy J, Frieman MB. CNP blocks mitochondrial depolarization and inhibits SARS-CoV-2 replication in vitro and in vivo. PLoS Pathog 2023; 19:e1011870. [PMID: 38117830 PMCID: PMC10766180 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1011870] [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: 06/16/2023] [Revised: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/22/2023] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has claimed over 6.5 million lives worldwide and continues to have lasting impacts on the world's healthcare and economic systems. Several approved and emergency authorized therapeutics that inhibit early stages of the virus replication cycle have been developed however, effective late-stage therapeutical targets have yet to be identified. To that end, our lab identified that 2',3' cyclic-nucleotide 3'-phosphodiesterase (CNP) inhibits SARS-CoV-2 virion assembly. We show that CNP inhibits the generation of new SARS-CoV-2 virions, reducing intracellular titers without inhibiting viral structural protein translation. Additionally, we show that targeting of CNP to mitochondria is necessary for inhibition, blocking mitochondrial depolarization and implicating CNP's proposed role as an inhibitor of the mitochondrial permeabilization transition pore (mPTP) as the mechanism of virion assembly inhibition. We also demonstrate that an adenovirus expressing virus expressing both human ACE2 and CNP inhibits SARS-CoV-2 titers to undetectable levels in lungs of mice. Collectively, this work shows the potential of CNP to be a new SARS-CoV-2 antiviral target.
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Affiliation(s)
- James Logue
- The Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
- Center for Pathogen Research, The University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Victoria M. Melville
- The Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
- Center for Pathogen Research, The University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Jeremy Ardanuy
- The Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
- Center for Pathogen Research, The University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Matthew B. Frieman
- The Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
- Center for Pathogen Research, The University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
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11
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Choi Y, Nam MW, Lee HK, Choi KC. Use of cutting-edge RNA-sequencing technology to identify biomarkers and potential therapeutic targets in canine and feline cancers and other diseases. J Vet Sci 2023; 24:e71. [PMID: 38031650 PMCID: PMC10556291 DOI: 10.4142/jvs.23036] [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: 02/01/2023] [Revised: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/18/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
With the growing interest in companion animals and the rapidly expanding animal healthcare and pharmaceuticals market worldwide. With the advancements in RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) technology, it has become a valuable tool for understanding biological processes in companion animals and has multiple applications in animal healthcare. Historically, veterinary diagnoses and treatments relied solely on clinical symptoms and drugs used in human diseases. However, RNA-seq has emerged as an effective technology for studying companion animals, providing insights into their genetic information. The sequencing technology has revealed that not only messenger RNAs (mRNAs) but also non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) such as long ncRNAs and microRNAs can serve as biomarkers. Based on the examination of RNA-seq applications in veterinary medicine, particularly in dogs and cats, this review concludes that RNA-seq has significant potential as a diagnostic and research tool. It has enabled the identification of potential biomarkers for cancer and other diseases in companion animals. Further research and development are required to maximize the utilization of RNA-seq for improved disease diagnosis and therapeutic targeting in companion animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youngdong Choi
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju 28644, Korea
| | - Min-Woo Nam
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju 28644, Korea
| | - Hong Kyu Lee
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju 28644, Korea
| | - Kyung-Chul Choi
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju 28644, Korea.
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12
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Zabiegala A, Kim Y, Chang KO. Roles of host proteases in the entry of SARS-CoV-2. ANIMAL DISEASES 2023; 3:12. [PMID: 37128508 PMCID: PMC10125864 DOI: 10.1186/s44149-023-00075-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The spike protein (S) of SARS-CoV-2 is responsible for viral attachment and entry, thus a major factor for host susceptibility, tissue tropism, virulence and pathogenicity. The S is divided with S1 and S2 region, and the S1 contains the receptor-binding domain (RBD), while the S2 contains the hydrophobic fusion domain for the entry into the host cell. Numerous host proteases have been implicated in the activation of SARS-CoV-2 S through various cleavage sites. In this article, we review host proteases including furin, trypsin, transmembrane protease serine 2 (TMPRSS2) and cathepsins in the activation of SARS-CoV-2 S. Many betacoronaviruses including SARS-CoV-2 have polybasic residues at the S1/S2 site which is subjected to the cleavage by furin. The S1/S2 cleavage facilitates more assessable RBD to the receptor ACE2, and the binding triggers further conformational changes and exposure of the S2' site to proteases such as type II transmembrane serine proteases (TTPRs) including TMPRSS2. In the presence of TMPRSS2 on the target cells, SARS-CoV-2 can utilize a direct entry route by fusion of the viral envelope to the cellular membrane. In the absence of TMPRSS2, SARS-CoV-2 enter target cells via endosomes where multiple cathepsins cleave the S for the successful entry. Additional host proteases involved in the cleavage of the S were discussed. This article also includes roles of 3C-like protease inhibitors which have inhibitory activity against cathepsin L in the entry of SARS-CoV-2, and discussed the dual roles of such inhibitors in virus replication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandria Zabiegala
- Department of Diagnostic Medicine and Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, 1800 Denison Avenue, Manhattan, KS 66506 USA
| | - Yunjeong Kim
- Department of Diagnostic Medicine and Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, 1800 Denison Avenue, Manhattan, KS 66506 USA
| | - Kyeong-Ok Chang
- Department of Diagnostic Medicine and Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, 1800 Denison Avenue, Manhattan, KS 66506 USA
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13
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Kandeel M. An overview of the recent progress in Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) drug discovery. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2023; 18:385-400. [PMID: 36971501 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2023.2192921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/29/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) has remained a public health concern since it first emerged in 2012. Although many potential treatments for MERS-CoV have been developed and tested, none have had complete success in stopping the spread of this deadly disease. MERS-CoV replication comprises attachment, entry, fusion and replication steps. Targeting these events may lead to the creation of medications that effectively treat MERS-CoV infection. AREAS COVERED This review updates the research on the development of inhibitors of MERS-CoV. The main topics are MERS-CoV‒related proteins and host cell proteins that are involved in viral protein activation and infection. EXPERT OPINION Research on discovering drugs that can inhibit MERS-CoV started at a slow pace, and although efforts have steadily increased, clinical trials for new drugs specifically targeting MERS-CoV have not been extensive enough. The explosion in efforts to find new medications for the SARS-CoV-2 virus indirectly enhanced the volume of data on MERS-CoV inhibition by including MERS-CoV in drug assays. The appearance of COVID-19 completely transformed the data available on MERS-CoV inhibition. Despite the fact that new infected cases are constantly being diagnosed, there are currently no approved vaccines for or inhibitors of MERS-CoV.
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14
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Ali Dahhas M, M Alkahtani H, Malik A, Almehizia AA, Bakheit AH, Akber Ansar S, AlAbdulkarim AS, S Alrasheed L, Alsenaidy MA. Screening and identification of potential MERS-CoV papain-like protease (PLpro) inhibitors; Steady-state kinetic and Molecular dynamic studies. Saudi Pharm J 2023; 31:228-244. [PMID: 36540698 PMCID: PMC9756750 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsps.2022.12.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Revised: 12/11/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
MERS-CoV belongs to the coronavirus group. Recent years have seen a rash of coronavirus epidemics. In June 2012, MERS-CoV was discovered in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, with 2,591 MERSA cases confirmed by lab tests by the end of August 2022 and 894 deaths at a case-fatality ratio (CFR) of 34.5% documented worldwide. Saudi Arabia reported the majority of these cases, with 2,184 cases and 813 deaths (CFR: 37.2%), necessitating a thorough understanding of the molecular machinery of MERS-CoV. To develop antiviral medicines, illustrative investigation of the protein in coronavirus subunits are required to increase our understanding of the subject. In this study, recombinant expression and purification of MERS-CoV (PLpro), a primary goal for the development of 22 new inhibitors, were completed using a high throughput screening methodology that employed fragment-based libraries in conjunction with structure-based virtual screening. Compounds 2, 7, and 20, showed significant biological activity. Moreover, a docking analysis revealed that the three compounds had favorable binding mood and binding free energy. Molecular dynamic simulation demonstrated the stability of compound 2 (2-((Benzimidazol-2-yl) thio)-1-arylethan-1-ones) the strongest inhibitory activity against the PLpro enzyme. In addition, disubstitutions at the meta and para locations are the only substitutions that may boost the inhibitory action against PLpro. Compound 2 was chosen as a MERS-CoV PLpro inhibitor after passing absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion studies; however, further investigations are required.
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Key Words
- 3CLpro, 3-Chymotrypsin -like Protease
- ADMET, Absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion and toxicity
- CFR, Case fatality rate
- DTT, Dithiothreitol
- Drug Design
- Drug Discovery
- E. coli, Escherichia coli
- EDTA, Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid
- HCoV-, Human Coronavirus
- HIA, Human intestinal absorption
- His-tag, Histidine tag
- IPTG, Isopropyl b-D-1-thiogalactopyranoside
- Inhibitors
- Kan, Kanamicyn
- LB, Luria–Bertani
- MD, Molecular dynamic
- MERS-CoV PLpro Inhibitors
- MOE, Molecular Operating Environment
- MPLpro, MERS papain-like protease
- Molecular Docking
- Molecular dynamic simulation
- Ni-NTA, Nickel-nitrilotri
- Nonstructural proteins
- PLIF, Protein- ligand interaction fingerprint
- Papain-like protease
- Protease
- RMSD, Root Mean Square Deviation
- RMSF, Root Mean Square Fluctuation
- pp1a, Polyprotein 1a
- pp1b, Polyprotein 1b
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammed Ali Dahhas
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2457, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hamad M Alkahtani
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Department Chairman, P.O. Box 2457, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ajamaluddin Malik
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Science, King Saud University. King Saud University, PO Box 2455, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | | | - Ahmed H Bakheit
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Department Chairman, P.O. Box 2457, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Siddique Akber Ansar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Department Chairman, P.O. Box 2457, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdullah S AlAbdulkarim
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2457, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Lamees S Alrasheed
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Department Chairman, P.O. Box 2457, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammad A Alsenaidy
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2457, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
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15
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Wu W, Cheng Y, Zhou H, Sun C, Zhang S. The SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein: its role in the viral life cycle, structure and functions, and use as a potential target in the development of vaccines and diagnostics. Virol J 2023; 20:6. [PMID: 36627683 PMCID: PMC9831023 DOI: 10.1186/s12985-023-01968-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 41.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) continues to take a heavy toll on personal health, healthcare systems, and economies around the globe. Scientists are expending tremendous effort to develop diagnostic technologies for detecting positive infections within the shortest possible time, and vaccines and drugs specifically for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19 disease. At the same time, emerging novel variants have raised serious concerns about vaccine efficacy. The SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid (N) protein plays an important role in the coronavirus life cycle, and participates in various vital activities after virus invasion. It has attracted a large amount of attention for vaccine and drug development. Here, we summarize the latest research of the N protein, including its role in the SARS-CoV-2 life cycle, structure and function, and post-translational modifications in addition to its involvement in liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) and use as a basis for the development of vaccines and diagnostic techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenbing Wu
- grid.410578.f0000 0001 1114 4286Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000 China
| | - Ying Cheng
- grid.410578.f0000 0001 1114 4286Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000 China
| | - Hong Zhou
- grid.410578.f0000 0001 1114 4286Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000 China
| | - Changzhen Sun
- grid.410578.f0000 0001 1114 4286Drug Research Center of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, The Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000 China
| | - Shujun Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, China.
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16
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Panda SK, Gupta PSS, Rana MK. Potential targets of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 of clinical drug fluvoxamine: Docking and molecular dynamics studies to elucidate viral action. Cell Biochem Funct 2023; 41:98-111. [PMID: 36478589 DOI: 10.1002/cbf.3766] [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: 09/27/2022] [Revised: 11/17/2022] [Accepted: 11/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has continued evolving for survival and adaptation by mutating itself into different variants of concern, including omicron. Several studies and clinical trials found fluvoxamine, an Food and Drug Administration-approved antidepressant drug, to be effective at preventing mild coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) from progressing to severe diseases. However, the mechanism of fluvoxamine's direct antiviral action against COVID-19 is still unknown. Fluvoxamine was docked with 11 SARS-CoV-2 targets and subjected to stability, conformational changes, and binding free energy analyses to explore its mode of action. Of the targets, nonstructural protein 14 (NSP14), main protease (Mpro), and papain-like protease (PLpro) had the best docking scores with fluvoxamine. Consistent with the docking results, it was confirmed by molecular dynamics simulations that the NSP14 N7-MTase ((N7-guanine)-methyltransferase)-fluvoxamine, Mpro-fluvoxamine, and PLpro-fluvoxamine complexes are stable, with the lowest binding free energies of -105.1, -82.7, and - 38.5 kJ/mol, respectively. A number of hotspot residues involved in the interaction were also identified. These include Glu166, Asp187, His41, and Cys145 in Mpro, Gly163 and Arg166 in PLpro, and Glu302, Gly333, and Phe426 in NSP14, which could aid in the development of better antivirals against SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saroj Kumar Panda
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Berhampur, Odisha, India
| | - Parth Sarthi Sen Gupta
- School of Biosciences and Bioengineering, D. Y. Patil International University (DYPIU), Akurdi, Pune, Maharashtra, India
| | - Malay Kumar Rana
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Berhampur, Odisha, India
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17
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Kumar D, Verma S, Mysorekar IU. COVID-19 and pregnancy: clinical outcomes; mechanisms, and vaccine efficacy. Transl Res 2023; 251:84-95. [PMID: 35970470 PMCID: PMC9371980 DOI: 10.1016/j.trsl.2022.08.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2022] [Revised: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 08/06/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues into its third year, emerging data indicates increased risks associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy, including pre-eclampsia, intrauterine growth restriction, preterm birth, stillbirth, and risk of developmental defects in neonates. Here, we review clinical reports to date that address different COVID-19 pregnancy complications. We also document placental pathologies induced by SARS-CoV-2 infection, entry mechanisms in placental cells, and immune responses at the maternal-fetal interface. Since new variants of SARS-CoV-2 are emerging with characteristics of higher transmissibility and more effective immune escape strategies, we also briefly highlight the genomic and proteomic features of SARS-CoV-2 investigated to date. Vector and mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccines continue to be rolled out globally. However, because pregnant individuals were not included in the vaccine clinical trials, some pregnant individuals have safety concerns and are hesitant to take these vaccines. We describe the recent studies that have addressed the effectiveness and safety of the current vaccines during pregnancy. This review also sheds light on important areas that need to be carefully or more fully considered with respect to understanding SARS-CoV-2 disease mechanisms of concern during pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deepak Kumar
- Department of Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Sonam Verma
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Indira U Mysorekar
- Department of Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri; Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas.
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18
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Giotis ES, Cil E, Brooke GN. Use of Antiandrogens as Therapeutic Agents in COVID-19 Patients. Viruses 2022; 14:2728. [PMID: 36560732 PMCID: PMC9788624 DOI: 10.3390/v14122728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2022] [Revised: 11/23/2022] [Accepted: 12/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
COVID-19, caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS CoV-2), is estimated to have caused over 6.5 million deaths worldwide. The emergence of fast-evolving SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern alongside increased transmissibility and/or virulence, as well as immune and vaccine escape capabilities, highlight the urgent need for more effective antivirals to combat the disease in the long run along with regularly updated vaccine boosters. One of the early risk factors identified during the COVID-19 pandemic was that men are more likely to become infected by the virus, more likely to develop severe disease and exhibit a higher likelihood of hospitalisation and mortality rates compared to women. An association exists between SARS-CoV-2 infectiveness and disease severity with sex steroid hormones and, in particular, androgens. Several studies underlined the importance of the androgen-mediated regulation of the host protease TMPRSS2 and the cell entry protein ACE2, as well as the key role of these factors in the entry of the virus into target cells. In this context, modulating androgen signalling is a promising strategy to block viral infection, and antiandrogens could be used as a preventative measure at the pre- or early hospitalisation stage of COVID-19 disease. Different antiandrogens, including commercial drugs used to treat metastatic castration-sensitive prostate cancer and other conditions, have been tested as antivirals with varying success. In this review, we summarise the most recent updates concerning the use of antiandrogens as prophylactic and therapeutic options for COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Efstathios S. Giotis
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Imperial College London, London W2 1PG, UK
- School of Life Sciences, University of Essex, Colchester CO4 3SQ, UK
| | - Emine Cil
- School of Life Sciences, University of Essex, Colchester CO4 3SQ, UK
| | - Greg N. Brooke
- School of Life Sciences, University of Essex, Colchester CO4 3SQ, UK
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19
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Sekiya T, Ogura Y, Kai H, Kawaguchi A, Okawa S, Hirohama M, Kuroki T, Morii W, Hara A, Hiramatsu Y, Hitomi S, Kawakami Y, Arakawa Y, Maruo K, Chiba S, Suzuki H, Kojima H, Tachikawa H, Yamagata K. TMPRSS2 gene polymorphism common in East Asians confers decreased COVID-19 susceptibility. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:943877. [PMID: 36532428 PMCID: PMC9748344 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.943877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2022] [Accepted: 10/27/2022] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
COVID-19 has a wide range of clinical presentations, and the susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection and the mortality rate also vary by region and ethnicity. Here, we found that rs12329760 in the TMPRSS2 gene, a missense variant common in East Asian populations, contributes to protection against SARS-CoV-2 infection. TMPRSS2 is a protease responsible for SARS-CoV-2 entry and syncytium formation. rs12329760 (c.478G>A, p. V160M) was associated with a reduced risk of moderate symptoms. The enzymatic activity of Met160-TMPRSS2 was lower than that of Val160-TMPRSS2, and thus the viral entry and the syncytium formation of SARS-CoV-2 were impaired. Collectively, these results indicate that the genetic variation in TMPRSS2, which is common in East Asians, is one of the molecular determinants of COVID-19 susceptibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takeshi Sekiya
- Department of Infection Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Yukino Ogura
- Department of Infection Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Hirayasu Kai
- Department of Nephrology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Atsushi Kawaguchi
- Department of Infection Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
- Transborder Medical Research Center, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
- Microbiology Research Center for Sustainability, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Shino Okawa
- College of Biological Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Mikako Hirohama
- Department of Infection Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Takahiro Kuroki
- Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Wataru Morii
- Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Akira Hara
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Yuji Hiramatsu
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Shigemi Hitomi
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Yasushi Kawakami
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Yoshihiro Arakawa
- Department of Medical Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Kazushi Maruo
- Department of Biostatistics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Shigeru Chiba
- Department of Hematology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Hiromichi Suzuki
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Kojima
- Ibaraki Clinical Education and Training Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Hirokazu Tachikawa
- Division of Clinical Medicine, Department of Disaster and Community Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Kunihiro Yamagata
- Department of Nephrology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
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20
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Adaptive Immunity to Viruses: What Did We Learn from SARS-CoV-2 Infection? Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232213951. [PMID: 36430430 PMCID: PMC9694482 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232213951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2022] [Revised: 11/09/2022] [Accepted: 11/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The SARS-CoV-2 virus causes various conditions, from asymptomatic infection to the fatal coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). An intact immune system can overcome SARS-CoV-2 and other viral infections. Defective natural, mainly interferon I- and III-dependent, responses may lead to the spread of the virus to multiple organs. Adaptive B- and T-cell responses, including memory, highly influence the severity and outcome of COVID-19. With respect to B-cell immunity, germinal centre formation is delayed or even absent in the most severe cases. Extrafollicular low-affinity anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody production will occur instead of specific, high-affinity antibodies. Helper and CD8+ cytotoxic T-cells become hyperactivated and then exhausted, leading to ineffective viral clearance from the body. The dysregulation of neutrophils and monocytes/macrophages, as well as lymphocyte hyperreactivity, might lead to the robust production of inflammatory mediators, also known as cytokine storm. Eventually, the disruption of this complex network of immune cells and mediators leads to severe, sometimes fatal COVID-19 or another viral disease.
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21
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Gao X, Fang D, Liang Y, Deng X, Chen N, Zeng M, Luo M. Circular RNAs as emerging regulators in COVID-19 pathogenesis and progression. Front Immunol 2022; 13:980231. [PMID: 36439162 PMCID: PMC9681929 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.980231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), an infectious acute respiratory disease caused by a newly emerging RNA virus, is a still-growing pandemic that has caused more than 6 million deaths globally and has seriously threatened the lives and health of people across the world. Currently, several drugs have been used in the clinical treatment of COVID-19, such as small molecules, neutralizing antibodies, and monoclonal antibodies. In addition, several vaccines have been used to prevent the spread of the pandemic, such as adenovirus vector vaccines, inactivated vaccines, recombinant subunit vaccines, and nucleic acid vaccines. However, the efficacy of vaccines and the onset of adverse reactions vary among individuals. Accumulating evidence has demonstrated that circular RNAs (circRNAs) are crucial regulators of viral infections and antiviral immune responses and are heavily involved in COVID-19 pathologies. During novel coronavirus infection, circRNAs not only directly affect the transcription process and interfere with viral replication but also indirectly regulate biological processes, including virus-host receptor binding and the immune response. Consequently, understanding the expression and function of circRNAs during severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection will provide novel insights into the development of circRNA-based methods. In this review, we summarize recent progress on the roles and underlying mechanisms of circRNAs that regulate the inflammatory response, viral replication, immune evasion, and cytokines induced by SARS-CoV-2 infection, and thus highlighting the diagnostic and therapeutic challenges in the treatment of COVID-19 and future research directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaojun Gao
- Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology, Ministry of Education, Drug Discovery Research Center, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China
- Laboratory for Cardiovascular Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China
| | - Dan Fang
- Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology, Ministry of Education, Drug Discovery Research Center, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China
- Laboratory for Cardiovascular Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China
| | - Yu Liang
- College of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China
| | - Xin Deng
- Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology, Ministry of Education, Drug Discovery Research Center, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China
- Laboratory for Cardiovascular Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China
| | - Ni Chen
- Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology, Ministry of Education, Drug Discovery Research Center, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China
- Laboratory for Cardiovascular Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China
| | - Min Zeng
- Department of Pharmacy, the Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China
| | - Mao Luo
- Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology, Ministry of Education, Drug Discovery Research Center, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China
- Laboratory for Cardiovascular Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China
- College of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China
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22
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Zhang Y, Sun S, Du C, Hu K, Zhang C, Liu M, Wu Q, Dong N. Transmembrane serine protease TMPRSS2 implicated in SARS-CoV-2 infection is autoactivated intracellularly and requires N-glycosylation for regulation. J Biol Chem 2022; 298:102643. [PMID: 36309092 PMCID: PMC9598255 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2022.102643] [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: 07/01/2022] [Revised: 10/19/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Transmembrane protease serine 2 (TMPRSS2) is a membrane-bound protease expressed in many human epithelial tissues, including the airway and lung. TMPRSS2-mediated cleavage of viral spike protein is a key mechanism in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 activation and host cell entry. To date, the cellular mechanisms that regulate TMPRSS2 activity and cell surface expression are not fully characterized. In this study, we examined two major post-translational events, zymogen activation and N-glycosylation, in human TMPRSS2. In experiments with human embryonic kidney 293, bronchial epithelial 16HBE, and lung alveolar epithelial A549 cells, we found that TMPRSS2 was activated via intracellular autocatalysis and that this process was blocked in the presence of hepatocyte growth factor activator inhibitors 1 and 2. By glycosidase digestion and site-directed mutagenesis, we showed that human TMPRSS2 was N-glycosylated. N-glycosylation at an evolutionarily conserved site in the scavenger receptor cysteine-rich domain was required for calnexin-assisted protein folding in the endoplasmic reticulum and subsequent intracellular trafficking, zymogen activation, and cell surface expression. Moreover, we showed that TMPRSS2 cleaved severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 spike protein intracellularly in human embryonic kidney 293 cells. These results provide new insights into the cellular mechanism in regulating TMPRSS2 biosynthesis and function. Our findings should help to understand the role of TMPRSS2 in major respiratory viral diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yikai Zhang
- Cyrus Tang Hematology Center, Collaborative Innovation Center of Hematology, State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Prevention, Suzhou Medical College, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Shijin Sun
- Cyrus Tang Hematology Center, Collaborative Innovation Center of Hematology, State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Prevention, Suzhou Medical College, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Chunyu Du
- Cyrus Tang Hematology Center, Collaborative Innovation Center of Hematology, State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Prevention, Suzhou Medical College, Soochow University, Suzhou, China,NHC Key Laboratory of Thrombosis and Hemostasis, Jiangsu Institute of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Kaixuan Hu
- Cyrus Tang Hematology Center, Collaborative Innovation Center of Hematology, State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Prevention, Suzhou Medical College, Soochow University, Suzhou, China,NHC Key Laboratory of Thrombosis and Hemostasis, Jiangsu Institute of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Ce Zhang
- Cyrus Tang Hematology Center, Collaborative Innovation Center of Hematology, State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Prevention, Suzhou Medical College, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Meng Liu
- Cyrus Tang Hematology Center, Collaborative Innovation Center of Hematology, State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Prevention, Suzhou Medical College, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Qingyu Wu
- Cyrus Tang Hematology Center, Collaborative Innovation Center of Hematology, State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Prevention, Suzhou Medical College, Soochow University, Suzhou, China,For correspondence: Qingyu Wu; Ningzheng Dong
| | - Ningzheng Dong
- Cyrus Tang Hematology Center, Collaborative Innovation Center of Hematology, State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Prevention, Suzhou Medical College, Soochow University, Suzhou, China,NHC Key Laboratory of Thrombosis and Hemostasis, Jiangsu Institute of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China,For correspondence: Qingyu Wu; Ningzheng Dong
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23
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Association of the Transmembrane Serine Protease-2 (TMPRSS2) Polymorphisms with COVID-19. Viruses 2022; 14:v14091976. [PMID: 36146782 PMCID: PMC9505830 DOI: 10.3390/v14091976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Revised: 08/29/2022] [Accepted: 09/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 uses the ACE2 receptor and the cellular protease TMPRSS2 for entry into target cells. The present study aimed to establish if the TMPRSS2 polymorphisms are associated with COVID-19 disease. The study included 609 patients with COVID-19 confirmed by RT-PCR test and 291 individuals negative for the SARS-CoV-2 infection confirmed by RT-PCR test and without antibodies anti-SARS-CoV-2. Four TMPRSS2 polymorphisms (rs12329760, rs2298659, rs456298, and rs462574) were determined using the 5′exonuclease TaqMan assays. Under different inheritance models, the rs2298659 (pcodominant2 = 0.018, precessive = 0.006, padditive = 0.019), rs456298 (pcodominant1 = 0.014, pcodominant2 = 0.004; pdominant = 0.009, precessive = 0.004, padditive = 0.0009), and rs462574 (pcodominant1 = 0.017, pcodominant2 = 0.004, pdominant = 0.041, precessive = 0.002, padditive = 0.003) polymorphisms were associated with high risk of developing COVID-19. Two risks (ATGC and GAAC) and two protectives (GAGC and GAGT) haplotypes were detected. High levels of lactic acid dehydrogenase (LDH) were observed in patients with the rs462574AA and rs456298TT genotypes (p = 0.005 and p = 0.020, respectively), whereas, high heart rate was present in patients with the rs462574AA genotype (p = 0.028). Our data suggest that the rs2298659, rs456298, and rs462574 polymorphisms independently and as haplotypes are associated with the risk of COVID-19. The rs456298 and rs462574 genotypes are related to high levels of LDH and heart rate.
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24
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Pandey A, Madan R, Singh S. Immunology to Immunotherapeutics of SARS-CoV-2: Identification of Immunogenic Epitopes for Vaccine Development. Curr Microbiol 2022; 79:306. [PMID: 36064873 PMCID: PMC9444117 DOI: 10.1007/s00284-022-03003-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2021] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The emergence of COVID19 pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 virus has created a global public health and socio-economic crisis. Immunoinformatics-based approaches to investigate the potential antigens is the fastest way to move towards a multiepitope-based vaccine development. This review encompasses the underlying mechanisms of pathogenesis, innate and adaptive immune signaling along with evasion pathways of SARS-CoV-2. Furthermore, it compiles the promiscuous peptides from in silico studies which are subjected to prediction of cytokine milieu using web-based servers. Out of the 434 peptides retrieved from all studies, we have identified 33 most promising T cell vaccine candidates. This review presents a list of the most potential epitopes from several proteins of the virus based on their immunogenicity, homology, conservancy and population coverage studies. These epitopes can form a basis of second generation of vaccine development as the first generation vaccines in various stages of trials mostly focus only on Spike protein. We therefore, propose them as most potential candidates which can be taken up immediately for confirmation by experimental studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Apoorva Pandey
- Indian Council of Medical Research, V. Ramalingaswami Bhawan, Ansari Nagar, P.O. Box No. 4911, New Delhi, 110029 India
| | - Riya Madan
- Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Mohali, Knowledge City, Sector 81, Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar, Punjab 140306 India
| | - Swati Singh
- Department of Zoology, University of Delhi, Delhi, 110007 India
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25
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Sbarigia C, Vardanyan D, Buccini L, Tacconi S, Dini L. SARS-CoV-2 and extracellular vesicles: An intricate interplay in pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment. FRONTIERS IN NANOTECHNOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fnano.2022.987034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are widely recognized as intercellular communication mediators. Among the different biological processes, EVs play a role in viral infections, supporting virus entrance and spread into host cells and immune response evasion. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection became an urgent public health issue with significant morbidity and mortality worldwide, being responsible for the current COVID-19 pandemic. Since EVs are implicated in SARS-CoV-2 infection in a morphological and functional level, they have gained growing interest for a better understanding of SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis and represent possible diagnostic tools to track the disease progression. Furthermore, thanks to their biocompatibility and efficient immune activation, the use of EVs may also represent a promising strategy for the development of new therapeutic strategies against COVID-19. In this review, we explore the role of EVs in viral infections with a focus on SARS-CoV-2 biology and pathogenesis, considering recent morphometric studies. The common biogenesis aspects and structural similarities between EVs and SARS-CoV-2 will be examined, offering a panoramic of their multifaceted interplay and presenting EVs as a machinery supporting the viral cycle. On the other hand, EVs may be exploited as early diagnostic biomarkers and efficient carriers for drug delivery and vaccination, and ongoing studies will be reviewed to highlight EVs as potential alternative therapeutic strategies against SARS-CoV-2 infection.
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26
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Logue J, Chakraborty AR, Johnson R, Goyal G, Rodas M, Taylor LJ, Baracco L, McGrath ME, Haupt R, Furlong BA, Soong M, Prabhala P, Horvath V, Carlson KE, Weston S, Ingber DE, DePamphilis ML, Frieman MB. PIKfyve-specific inhibitors restrict replication of multiple coronaviruses in vitro but not in a murine model of COVID-19. Commun Biol 2022; 5:808. [PMID: 35962188 PMCID: PMC9372968 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-03766-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has claimed more than 6 million lives and continues to test the world economy and healthcare systems. To combat this pandemic, the biological research community has shifted efforts to the development of medical countermeasures, including vaccines and therapeutics. However, to date, the only small molecules approved for the treatment of COVID-19 in the United States are the nucleoside analogue Remdesivir and the protease inhibitor Paxlovid, though multiple compounds have received Emergency Use Authorization and many more are currently being tested in human efficacy trials. One such compound, Apilimod, is being considered as a COVID-19 therapeutic in a Phase II efficacy trial. However, at the time of writing, there are no published efficacy data in human trials or animal COVID-19 models. Here we show that, while Apilimod and other PIKfyve inhibitors have potent antiviral activity in various cell lines against multiple human coronaviruses, these compounds worsen disease in a COVID-19 murine model when given prophylactically or therapeutically.
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Affiliation(s)
- James Logue
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland, School of Medicine, 685 West Baltimore St, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
- Center for Pathogen Research, University of Maryland, School of Medicine, 685 West Baltimore St, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
| | - Arup R Chakraborty
- Division of Developmental Biology, National Institute of Child Health & Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892-2790, USA
| | - Robert Johnson
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland, School of Medicine, 685 West Baltimore St, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
- Center for Pathogen Research, University of Maryland, School of Medicine, 685 West Baltimore St, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
| | - Girija Goyal
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Melissa Rodas
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Louis J Taylor
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland, School of Medicine, 685 West Baltimore St, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
- Center for Pathogen Research, University of Maryland, School of Medicine, 685 West Baltimore St, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
| | - Lauren Baracco
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland, School of Medicine, 685 West Baltimore St, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
- Center for Pathogen Research, University of Maryland, School of Medicine, 685 West Baltimore St, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
| | - Marisa E McGrath
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland, School of Medicine, 685 West Baltimore St, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
- Center for Pathogen Research, University of Maryland, School of Medicine, 685 West Baltimore St, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
| | - Robert Haupt
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland, School of Medicine, 685 West Baltimore St, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
- Center for Pathogen Research, University of Maryland, School of Medicine, 685 West Baltimore St, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
| | - Brooke A Furlong
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Mercy Soong
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Pranav Prabhala
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Viktor Horvath
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Kenneth E Carlson
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Stuart Weston
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland, School of Medicine, 685 West Baltimore St, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
- Center for Pathogen Research, University of Maryland, School of Medicine, 685 West Baltimore St, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
| | - Donald E Ingber
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
- Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
- Vascular Biology Program and Department of Surgery, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Melvin L DePamphilis
- Division of Developmental Biology, National Institute of Child Health & Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892-2790, USA
| | - Matthew B Frieman
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland, School of Medicine, 685 West Baltimore St, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA.
- Center for Pathogen Research, University of Maryland, School of Medicine, 685 West Baltimore St, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA.
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27
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Rebendenne A, Roy P, Bonaventure B, Chaves Valadão AL, Desmarets L, Arnaud-Arnould M, Rouillé Y, Tauziet M, Giovannini D, Touhami J, Lee Y, DeWeirdt P, Hegde M, Urbach S, Koulali KE, de Gracia FG, McKellar J, Dubuisson J, Wencker M, Belouzard S, Moncorgé O, Doench JG, Goujon C. Bidirectional genome-wide CRISPR screens reveal host factors regulating SARS-CoV-2, MERS-CoV and seasonal HCoVs. Nat Genet 2022; 54:1090-1102. [PMID: 35879413 DOI: 10.1038/s41588-022-01110-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2021] [Accepted: 05/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
CRISPR knockout (KO) screens have identified host factors regulating severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) replication. Here, we conducted a meta-analysis of these screens, which showed a high level of cell-type specificity of the identified hits, highlighting the necessity of additional models to uncover the full landscape of host factors. Thus, we performed genome-wide KO and activation screens in Calu-3 lung cells and KO screens in Caco-2 colorectal cells, followed by secondary screens in four human cell lines. This revealed host-dependency factors, including AP1G1 adaptin and ATP8B1 flippase, as well as inhibitors, including mucins. Interestingly, some of the identified genes also modulate Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) and seasonal human coronavirus (HCoV) (HCoV-NL63 and HCoV-229E) replication. Moreover, most genes had an impact on viral entry, with AP1G1 likely regulating TMPRSS2 activity at the plasma membrane. These results demonstrate the value of multiple cell models and perturbational modalities for understanding SARS-CoV-2 replication and provide a list of potential targets for therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Priyanka Roy
- Genetic Perturbation Platform, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | | | | | - Lowiese Desmarets
- Lille University, CNRS, INSERM, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, Lille, France
| | | | - Yves Rouillé
- Lille University, CNRS, INSERM, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, Lille, France
| | | | - Donatella Giovannini
- IGMM, CNRS, Montpellier University, Montpellier, France.,Metafora Biosystems, Paris, France
| | - Jawida Touhami
- IGMM, CNRS, Montpellier University, Montpellier, France.,Laboratory of Excellence GR-Ex, Paris, France
| | - Yenarae Lee
- Genetic Perturbation Platform, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Peter DeWeirdt
- Genetic Perturbation Platform, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Mudra Hegde
- Genetic Perturbation Platform, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Serge Urbach
- IGF, Montpellier University, CNRS, INSERM, Montpellier, France
| | | | | | - Joe McKellar
- IRIM, CNRS, Montpellier University, Montpellier, France
| | - Jean Dubuisson
- Lille University, CNRS, INSERM, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, Lille, France
| | | | - Sandrine Belouzard
- Lille University, CNRS, INSERM, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, Lille, France
| | | | - John G Doench
- Genetic Perturbation Platform, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA.
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28
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Dolskiy AA, Grishchenko IV, Bodnev SA, Nazarenko AA, Smirnova AM, Matveeva AK, Bulychev LE, Ovchinnikova AS, Tregubchak TV, Zaykovskaya AV, Imatdinov IR, Pyankov OV, Gavrilova EV, Maksyutov RA, Yudkin DV. Increased LAMP1 Expression Enhances SARS-CoV-1 and SARS-CoV-2 Production in Vero-Derived Transgenic Cell Lines. Mol Biol 2022; 56:463-468. [PMID: 35693978 PMCID: PMC9165926 DOI: 10.1134/s0026893322030050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2021] [Revised: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 12/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Coronaviridae is a family of single-stranded RNA (ssRNA) viruses that can cause diseases with high mortality rates. SARS-CoV-1 and MERS-CoV appeared in 2002‒2003 and 2012, respectively. A novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, emerged in 2019 in Wuhan (China) and has caused more than 5 million deaths in worldwide. The entry of SARS-CoV-1 into the cell is due to the interaction of the viral spike (S) protein and the cell protein, angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). After infection, virus assembly occurs in Golgi apparatus-derived vesicles during exocytosis. One of the possible participants in this process is LAMP1 protein. We established transgenic Vero cell lines with increased expression of human LAMP1 gene and evaluated SARS-CoV-1 and SARS-CoV-2 production. An increase in the production of both viruses in LAMP1-expressing cells when compared with Vero cells was observed, especially in the presence of trypsin during infection. From these results it can be assumed that LAMP1 promotes SARS-CoV-1 and SARS-CoV-2 production due to enhanced exocytosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- A. A. Dolskiy
- State Research Center of Virology and Biotechnology “Vector”, Rospotrebnadzor, World-Class Genomic Research Center for Biological Safety and Technological Independence, Federal Scientific and Technical Program on the Development of Genetic Technologies, 630559 Koltsovo, Novosibirsk Region Russia
| | - I. V. Grishchenko
- State Research Center of Virology and Biotechnology “Vector”, Rospotrebnadzor, World-Class Genomic Research Center for Biological Safety and Technological Independence, Federal Scientific and Technical Program on the Development of Genetic Technologies, 630559 Koltsovo, Novosibirsk Region Russia
| | - S. A. Bodnev
- State Research Center of Virology and Biotechnology “Vector”, Rospotrebnadzor, World-Class Genomic Research Center for Biological Safety and Technological Independence, Federal Scientific and Technical Program on the Development of Genetic Technologies, 630559 Koltsovo, Novosibirsk Region Russia
| | - A. A. Nazarenko
- State Research Center of Virology and Biotechnology “Vector”, Rospotrebnadzor, World-Class Genomic Research Center for Biological Safety and Technological Independence, Federal Scientific and Technical Program on the Development of Genetic Technologies, 630559 Koltsovo, Novosibirsk Region Russia
| | - A. M. Smirnova
- State Research Center of Virology and Biotechnology “Vector”, Rospotrebnadzor, World-Class Genomic Research Center for Biological Safety and Technological Independence, Federal Scientific and Technical Program on the Development of Genetic Technologies, 630559 Koltsovo, Novosibirsk Region Russia
| | - A. K. Matveeva
- State Research Center of Virology and Biotechnology “Vector”, Rospotrebnadzor, World-Class Genomic Research Center for Biological Safety and Technological Independence, Federal Scientific and Technical Program on the Development of Genetic Technologies, 630559 Koltsovo, Novosibirsk Region Russia
| | - L. E. Bulychev
- State Research Center of Virology and Biotechnology “Vector”, Rospotrebnadzor, World-Class Genomic Research Center for Biological Safety and Technological Independence, Federal Scientific and Technical Program on the Development of Genetic Technologies, 630559 Koltsovo, Novosibirsk Region Russia
| | - A. S. Ovchinnikova
- State Research Center of Virology and Biotechnology “Vector”, Rospotrebnadzor, World-Class Genomic Research Center for Biological Safety and Technological Independence, Federal Scientific and Technical Program on the Development of Genetic Technologies, 630559 Koltsovo, Novosibirsk Region Russia
| | - T. V. Tregubchak
- State Research Center of Virology and Biotechnology “Vector”, Rospotrebnadzor, World-Class Genomic Research Center for Biological Safety and Technological Independence, Federal Scientific and Technical Program on the Development of Genetic Technologies, 630559 Koltsovo, Novosibirsk Region Russia
| | - A. V. Zaykovskaya
- State Research Center of Virology and Biotechnology “Vector”, Rospotrebnadzor, World-Class Genomic Research Center for Biological Safety and Technological Independence, Federal Scientific and Technical Program on the Development of Genetic Technologies, 630559 Koltsovo, Novosibirsk Region Russia
| | - I. R. Imatdinov
- State Research Center of Virology and Biotechnology “Vector”, Rospotrebnadzor, World-Class Genomic Research Center for Biological Safety and Technological Independence, Federal Scientific and Technical Program on the Development of Genetic Technologies, 630559 Koltsovo, Novosibirsk Region Russia
| | - O. V. Pyankov
- State Research Center of Virology and Biotechnology “Vector”, Rospotrebnadzor, World-Class Genomic Research Center for Biological Safety and Technological Independence, Federal Scientific and Technical Program on the Development of Genetic Technologies, 630559 Koltsovo, Novosibirsk Region Russia
| | - E. V. Gavrilova
- State Research Center of Virology and Biotechnology “Vector”, Rospotrebnadzor, World-Class Genomic Research Center for Biological Safety and Technological Independence, Federal Scientific and Technical Program on the Development of Genetic Technologies, 630559 Koltsovo, Novosibirsk Region Russia
| | - R. A. Maksyutov
- State Research Center of Virology and Biotechnology “Vector”, Rospotrebnadzor, World-Class Genomic Research Center for Biological Safety and Technological Independence, Federal Scientific and Technical Program on the Development of Genetic Technologies, 630559 Koltsovo, Novosibirsk Region Russia
| | - D. V. Yudkin
- State Research Center of Virology and Biotechnology “Vector”, Rospotrebnadzor, World-Class Genomic Research Center for Biological Safety and Technological Independence, Federal Scientific and Technical Program on the Development of Genetic Technologies, 630559 Koltsovo, Novosibirsk Region Russia
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Insight towards the effect of the multi basic cleavage site of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein on cellular proteases. Virus Res 2022; 318:198845. [PMID: 35680004 PMCID: PMC9170277 DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2022.198845] [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: 01/27/2022] [Revised: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 06/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection presents an immense global health problem. Spike (S) protein of coronavirus is the primary determinant of its entry into the host as it consists of both receptor binding and fusion domain. Besides tissue tropism, and host range, coronavirus pathogenesis are primarily controlled by the interaction of S protein with the cell receptor. Moreover, the proteolytic activation of S protein by host cell proteases plays a decisive role. The host-cell proteases have shown to be involved in the proteolysis of S protein and cleaving it into two functional subunits, S1 and S2, during the maturation process. In the present study, the interaction of the S protein of SARS-CoV-2 with different host proteases like furin, cathepsin B, and plasmin has been analyzed using molecular docking and molecular dynamics (MD) simulation. Incorporation of the furin cleavage site (R-R-A-R) in the S protein of SARS-CoV-2 has been studied by mutating the individual amino acid. MD simulation results suggest the polytropic nature of the S protein. Our analysis indicated that a single amino acid substitution in the polybasic cleavage site of S protein perturb the binding of cellular proteases. This mutation study might help to generate an attenuated SARS-CoV-2. Besides, targeting host proteases by inhibitors may result in a practical approach to stop the cellular spread of SARS-CoV-2 and develop its antiviral.
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Genomic determinants of Furin cleavage in diverse European SARS-related bat coronaviruses. Commun Biol 2022; 5:491. [PMID: 35637279 PMCID: PMC9151638 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-03421-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2021] [Accepted: 04/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The furin cleavage site (FCS) in SARS-CoV-2 is unique within the Severe acute respiratory syndrome–related coronavirus (SrC) species. We re-assessed diverse SrC from European horseshoe bats and analyzed the spike-encoding genomic region harboring the FCS in SARS-CoV-2. We reveal molecular features in SrC such as purine richness and RNA secondary structures that resemble those required for FCS acquisition in avian influenza viruses. We discuss the potential acquisition of FCS through molecular mechanisms such as nucleotide substitution, insertion, or recombination, and show that a single nucleotide exchange in two European bat-associated SrC may suffice to enable furin cleavage. Furthermore, we show that FCS occurrence is variable in bat- and rodent-borne counterparts of human coronaviruses. Our results suggest that furin cleavage sites can be acquired in SrC via conserved molecular mechanisms known in other reservoir-bound RNA viruses and thus support a natural origin of SARS-CoV-2. Genomic analyses of spike glycoprotein genes of European bat SARS-related coronaviruses suggest that furin cleavage sites can be acquired in the bat reservoir via conserved molecular mechanisms, supporting a natural origin of SARS-CoV-2.
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31
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Kashani NR, Azadbakht J, Ehteram H, Kashani HH, Rajabi-Moghadam H, Ahmad E, Nikzad H, Hosseini ES. Molecular and Clinical Investigation of COVID-19: From Pathogenesis and Immune Responses to Novel Diagnosis and Treatment. Front Mol Biosci 2022; 9:770775. [PMID: 35664675 PMCID: PMC9161360 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2022.770775] [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: 09/04/2021] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The coronavirus-related severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS-CoV) in 2002/2003, the Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS-CoV) in 2012/2013, and especially the current 2019/2021 severe acute respiratory syndrome-2 (SARS-CoV-2) negatively affected the national health systems worldwide. Different SARS-CoV-2 variants, including Alpha (B.1.1.7), Beta (B.1.351), Gamma (P.1), Delta (B.1.617.2), and recently Omicron (B.1.1.529), have emerged resulting from the high rate of genetic recombination and S1-RBD/S2 mutation/deletion in the spike protein that has an impact on the virus activity. Furthermore, genetic variability in certain genes involved in the immune system might impact the level of SARS-CoV-2 recognition and immune response against the virus among different populations. Understanding the molecular mechanism and function of SARS-CoV-2 variants and their different epidemiological outcomes is a key step for effective COVID-19 treatment strategies, including antiviral drug development and vaccine designs, which can immunize people with genetic variabilities against various strains of SARS-CoV-2. In this review, we center our focus on the recent and up-to-date knowledge on SARS-CoV-2 (Alpha to Omicron) origin and evolution, structure, genetic diversity, route of transmission, pathogenesis, new diagnostic, and treatment strategies, as well as the psychological and economic impact of COVID-19 pandemic on individuals and their lives around the world.
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Affiliation(s)
- Narjes Riahi Kashani
- Anatomical Sciences Research Center, Institute for Basic Sciences, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran
- Gametogenesis Research Center, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran
| | - Javid Azadbakht
- Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran
| | - Hassan Ehteram
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran
| | - Hamed Haddad Kashani
- Anatomical Sciences Research Center, Institute for Basic Sciences, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran
- Gametogenesis Research Center, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran
| | - Hassan Rajabi-Moghadam
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran
| | - Ejaz Ahmad
- Department of Pathology, Michigan Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Hossein Nikzad
- Anatomical Sciences Research Center, Institute for Basic Sciences, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran
- Gametogenesis Research Center, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran
| | - Elahe Seyed Hosseini
- Anatomical Sciences Research Center, Institute for Basic Sciences, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran
- Gametogenesis Research Center, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran
- *Correspondence: Elahe Seyed Hosseini,
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32
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SMYD2 Inhibition Downregulates TMPRSS2 and Decreases SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Human Intestinal and Airway Epithelial Cells. Cells 2022; 11:cells11081262. [PMID: 35455942 PMCID: PMC9033063 DOI: 10.3390/cells11081262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2022] [Revised: 04/04/2022] [Accepted: 04/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 has lasted for more than two years. Despite the presence of very effective vaccines, the number of virus variants that escape neutralizing antibodies is growing. Thus, there is still a need for effective antiviral treatments that target virus replication independently of the circulating variant. Here, we show for the first time that deficiency or pharmacological inhibition of the cellular lysine-methyltransferase SMYD2 decreases TMPRSS2 expression on both mRNA and protein levels. SARS-CoV-2 uses TMPRSS2 for priming its spike protein to infect target cells. Treatment of cultured cells with the SMYD2 inhibitors AZ505 or BAY598 significantly inhibited viral replication. In contrast, treatment of Vero E6 cells, which do not express detectable amounts of TMPRSS2, had no effect on SARS-CoV-2 infection. Moreover, by generating a recombinant reporter virus that expresses the spike protein of the Delta variant of SARS-CoV-2, we demonstrate that BAY598 exhibits similar antiviral activity against this variant of concern. In summary, SMYD2 inhibition downregulates TMPRSS2 and blocks viral replication. Targeting cellular SMYD2 represents a promising tool to curtail SARS-CoV-2 infection.
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33
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Erdem A, Senturk H, Yildiz E, Maral M. Amperometric immunosensor developed for sensitive detection of SARS-CoV-2 spike S1 protein in combined with portable device. Talanta 2022; 244:123422. [PMID: 35395458 PMCID: PMC8963973 DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2022.123422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2022] [Revised: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
In this present study, an amperometric immunosensor was developed based on disposable screen-printed carbon electrode (SPCE) for specific and sensitive detection of SARS-CoV-2 S1 protein. Anti-SARS-CoV-2 S1 monoclonal antibody was firstly immobilized onto the electrode surface. Then, the sandwich complex was formed by addition of S1 protein, secondary antibody and HRP-IgG, respectively. Chronoamperometry measurements were done in the presence of TMB mediator and the detection of SARS-CoV-2 S1 protein was performed by using 10 μL sample. The limit of detection (LOD) was found to be 0.19 ng/mL (equals to 24.7 amol in 10 μL sample) in the linear range of 0.5–10 ng/mL obtained in buffer medium. The applicability of this assay was investigated in the linear range of 0.5–3 ng/mL S1 protein in artificial saliva medium with the LOD as 0.13 ng/mL (equals to 16.9 amol in 10 μL sample). The selectivity study was examined in the presence of Hemagglutinin antigen (HA) in both mediums; buffer and artificial saliva while resulting with the successful discrimination between S1 protein and HA. The one of ultimate goals of our study is to present the possible implementation of this assay to point of care (POC) analysis. Under this aim, this assay was performed in combination with a portable device that is the commercial electrochemical analyzer. Amperometric detection of S1 protein in the range of 0.5–5 ng/mL was also successfully performed in artificial saliva medium with a resulting LOD as 0.15 ng/mL (equals to 19.5 amol in 10 μL sample). In addition, a selectivity study was similarly carried out by portable device.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arzum Erdem
- Analytical Chemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ege University, Bornova, 35100, Izmir, Turkey.
| | - Huseyin Senturk
- Analytical Chemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ege University, Bornova, 35100, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Esma Yildiz
- Analytical Chemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ege University, Bornova, 35100, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Meltem Maral
- Analytical Chemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ege University, Bornova, 35100, Izmir, Turkey
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34
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Colunga Biancatelli RML, Solopov PA, Gregory B, Khodour Y, Catravas JD. HSP90 Inhibitors Modulate SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein Subunit 1-Induced Human Pulmonary Microvascular Endothelial Activation and Barrier Dysfunction. Front Physiol 2022; 13:812199. [PMID: 35388292 PMCID: PMC8979060 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2022.812199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2021] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) has caused more than 5 million deaths worldwide. Multiple reports indicate that the endothelium is involved during SARS-Cov-2-related disease (COVID-19). Indeed, COVID-19 patients display increased thrombophilia with arterial and venous embolism and lung microcapillary thrombotic disease as major determinants of deaths. The pathophysiology of endothelial dysfunction in COVID-19 is not completely understood. We have investigated the role of subunit 1 of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein (S1SP) in eliciting endothelial barrier dysfunction, characterized dose and time relationships, and tested the hypothesis that heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) inhibitors would prevent and repair such injury. S1SP activated (phosphorylated) IKBα, STAT3, and AKT and reduced the expression of intercellular junctional proteins, occludin, and VE-cadherin. HSP90 inhibitors (AT13387 and AUY-922) prevented endothelial barrier dysfunction and hyperpermeability and reduced IKBα and AKT activation. These two inhibitors also blocked S1SP-mediated barrier dysfunction and loss of VE-cadherin. These data suggest that spike protein subunit 1 can elicit, by itself, direct injury to the endothelium and suggest a role of HSP90 inhibitors in preserving endothelial functionality.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Pavel A. Solopov
- Frank Reidy Research Center for Bioelectrics, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, United States
| | - Betsy Gregory
- Frank Reidy Research Center for Bioelectrics, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, United States
| | - Yara Khodour
- Frank Reidy Research Center for Bioelectrics, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, United States
| | - John D. Catravas
- Frank Reidy Research Center for Bioelectrics, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, United States
- School of Medical Diagnostic & Translational Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, United States
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35
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Rayati Damavandi A, Dowran R, Al Sharif S, Kashanchi F, Jafari R. Molecular variants of SARS-CoV-2: antigenic properties and current vaccine efficacy. Med Microbiol Immunol 2022; 211:79-103. [PMID: 35235048 PMCID: PMC8889515 DOI: 10.1007/s00430-022-00729-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2021] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
An ongoing pandemic of newly emerged SARS-CoV-2 has puzzled many scientists and health care policymakers around the globe. The appearance of the virus was accompanied by several distinct antigenic changes, specifically spike protein which is a key element for host cell entry of virus and major target of currently developing vaccines. Some of these mutations enable the virus to attach to receptors more firmly and easily. Moreover, a growing number of trials are demonstrating higher transmissibility and, in some of them, potentially more serious forms of illness related to novel variants. Some of these lineages, especially the Beta variant of concern, were reported to diminish the neutralizing activity of monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies present in both convalescent and vaccine sera. This could imply that these independently emerged variants could make antiviral strategies prone to serious threats. The rapid changes in the mutational profile of new clades, especially escape mutations, suggest the convergent evolution of the virus due to immune pressure. Nevertheless, great international efforts have been dedicated to producing efficacious vaccines with cutting-edge technologies. Despite the partial decrease in vaccines efficacy against worrisome clades, most current vaccines are still effective at preventing mild to severe forms of disease and hospital admission or death due to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Here, we summarize existing evidence about newly emerged variants of SARS-CoV-2 and, notably, how well vaccines work against targeting new variants and modifications of highly flexible mRNA vaccines that might be required in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amirmasoud Rayati Damavandi
- Students' Scientific Research Center, Exceptional Talents Development Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Razieh Dowran
- Students' Scientific Research Center, Exceptional Talents Development Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Department of Virology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sarah Al Sharif
- Laboratory of Molecular Virology, School of Systems Biology, George Mason University, Manassas, VA, USA
| | - Fatah Kashanchi
- Laboratory of Molecular Virology, School of Systems Biology, George Mason University, Manassas, VA, USA
| | - Reza Jafari
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Cellular and Molecular Medicine Institute, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran. .,Hematology, Immune Cell Therapy, and Stem Cell Transplantation Research Center, Clinical Research Institute, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran.
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36
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Rahmani W, Chung H, Sinha S, Bui-Marinos MP, Arora R, Jaffer A, Corcoran JA, Biernaskie J, Chun J. Attenuation of SARS-CoV-2 infection by losartan in human kidney organoids. iScience 2022; 25:103818. [PMID: 35106453 PMCID: PMC8795780 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.103818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2021] [Revised: 11/04/2021] [Accepted: 01/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
COVID-19-associated acute kidney injury (COVID-AKI) is a common complication of SARS-CoV-2 infection in hospitalized patients. The susceptibility of human kidneys to direct SARS-CoV-2 infection and modulation of the renin-angiotensin II signaling (RAS) pathway by viral infection remain poorly characterized. Using induced pluripotent stem cell-derived kidney organoids, SARS-CoV-1, SARS-CoV-2, and MERS-CoV tropism, defined by the paired expression of a host receptor (ACE2, NRP1 or DPP4) and protease (TMPRSS2, TMPRSS4, FURIN, CTSB or CTSL), was identified primarily among proximal tubule cells. Losartan, an angiotensin II receptor blocker being tested in patients with COVID-19, inhibited angiotensin II-mediated internalization of ACE2, upregulated interferon-stimulated genes (IFITM1 and BST2) known to restrict viral entry, and attenuated the infection of proximal tubule cells by SARS-CoV-2. Our work highlights the susceptibility of proximal tubule cells to SARS-CoV-2 and reveals a putative protective role for RAS inhibitors during SARS-CoV-2 infection. SARS-CoV-2 kidney organoid tropism is primarily among proximal tubule cells Losartan attenuates angiotensin II-mediated ACE2 internalization Losartan upregulates viral restrictive genes IFITM1 and BST2 SARS-CoV-2 infection is enhanced by angiotensin II and attenuated by losartan
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Affiliation(s)
- Waleed Rahmani
- Department of Medicine, Health Research Innovation Centre 4A12, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, 3280 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, AB T2N 4Z6, Canada.,Calvin, Phoebe and Joan Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Hyunjae Chung
- Calvin, Phoebe and Joan Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Sarthak Sinha
- Department of Comparative Biology and Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Heritage Medical Research Building, Room 402, 3300 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Maxwell P Bui-Marinos
- Calvin, Phoebe and Joan Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.,Microbiology, Immunology and Infectious Diseases Department and Charbonneau Cancer Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Rohit Arora
- Department of Comparative Biology and Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Heritage Medical Research Building, Room 402, 3300 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Arzina Jaffer
- Department of Comparative Biology and Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Heritage Medical Research Building, Room 402, 3300 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Jennifer A Corcoran
- Calvin, Phoebe and Joan Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.,Microbiology, Immunology and Infectious Diseases Department and Charbonneau Cancer Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Jeff Biernaskie
- Department of Comparative Biology and Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Heritage Medical Research Building, Room 402, 3300 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada.,Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.,Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Justin Chun
- Department of Medicine, Health Research Innovation Centre 4A12, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, 3280 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, AB T2N 4Z6, Canada.,Calvin, Phoebe and Joan Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
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37
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Discovery of novel TMPRSS2 inhibitors for COVID-19 using in silico fragment-based drug design, molecular docking, molecular dynamics, and quantum mechanics studies. INFORMATICS IN MEDICINE UNLOCKED 2022; 29:100870. [PMID: 35128036 PMCID: PMC8806845 DOI: 10.1016/j.imu.2022.100870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2021] [Revised: 01/29/2022] [Accepted: 01/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The global expansion of COVID-19 and the mutations of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus necessitate quick development of treatment and vaccination. Because the androgen-responsive serine protease TMPRSS2 is involved in cleaving the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein allowing the virus to enter the cell, therefore, direct TMPRSS2 inhibition will inhibit virus activation and disease progression which make it an important target for drug discovery. In this study, a homology model of TMPRSS2 protein was initially developed. Then, we used the fragment-based drug design (FBDD) technique to develop effective TMPRSS2 inhibitors. Over a half-million fragments from the enamine database were screened for their binding ability to target protein, and then best-scoring fragments were linked to building new molecules with a good binding affinity. XP docking and MM-GBSA studies revealed 10 new formed molecules with docking score ≤ -14.982 kcal/mol compared to ambroxol (control) with a docking score of -6.464 kcal/mol. Finally, molecular dynamics (MD) and density functional theory (DFT) were calculated for the top 3 molecules.
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38
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Wettstein L, Kirchhoff F, Münch J. The Transmembrane Protease TMPRSS2 as a Therapeutic Target for COVID-19 Treatment. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23031351. [PMID: 35163273 PMCID: PMC8836196 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23031351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2021] [Revised: 01/13/2022] [Accepted: 01/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
TMPRSS2 is a type II transmembrane protease with broad expression in epithelial cells of the respiratory and gastrointestinal tract, the prostate, and other organs. Although the physiological role of TMPRSS2 remains largely elusive, several endogenous substrates have been identified. TMPRSS2 serves as a major cofactor in SARS-CoV-2 entry, and primes glycoproteins of other respiratory viruses as well. Consequently, inhibiting TMPRSS2 activity is a promising strategy to block viral infection. In this review, we provide an overview of the role of TMPRSS2 in the entry processes of different respiratory viruses. We then review the different classes of TMPRSS2 inhibitors and their clinical development, with a focus on COVID-19 treatment.
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39
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The structure of a novel antibody against the spike protein inhibits Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus infections. Sci Rep 2022; 12:1260. [PMID: 35075213 PMCID: PMC8786824 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-05318-4] [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: 03/08/2021] [Accepted: 01/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) is a zoonotic virus, responsible for outbreaks of a severe respiratory illness in humans with a fatality rate of 30%. Currently, there are no vaccines or United States food and drug administration (FDA)-approved therapeutics for humans. The spike protein displayed on the surface of MERS-CoV functions in the attachment and fusion of virions to host cellular membranes and is the target of the host antibody response. Here, we provide a molecular method for neutralizing MERS-CoV through potent antibody-mediated targeting of the receptor-binding subdomain (RBD) of the spike protein. The structural characterization of the neutralizing antibody (KNIH90-F1) complexed with RBD using X-ray crystallography revealed three critical epitopes (D509, R511, and E513) in the RBD region of the spike protein. Further investigation of MERS-CoV mutants that escaped neutralization by the antibody supported the identification of these epitopes in the RBD region. The neutralizing activity of this antibody is solely provided by these specific molecular structures. This work should contribute to the development of vaccines or therapeutic antibodies for MERS-CoV.
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40
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Augustine R, S A, Nayeem A, Salam SA, Augustine P, Dan P, Maureira P, Mraiche F, Gentile C, Hansbro PM, McClements L, Hasan A. Increased complications of COVID-19 in people with cardiovascular disease: Role of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) dysregulation. Chem Biol Interact 2022; 351:109738. [PMID: 34740598 PMCID: PMC8563522 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbi.2021.109738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2021] [Revised: 10/19/2021] [Accepted: 11/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
The rapid spread of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), has had a dramatic negative impact on public health and economies worldwide. Recent studies on COVID-19 complications and mortality rates suggest that there is a higher prevalence in cardiovascular diseases (CVD) patients. Past investigations on the associations between pre-existing CVDs and susceptibility to coronavirus infections including SARS-CoV and the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), have demonstrated similar results. However, the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. This has impeded adequate risk stratification and treatment strategies for CVD patients with SARS-CoV-2 infections. Generally, dysregulation of the expression of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) and the counter regulator, angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is a hallmark of cardiovascular risk and CVD. ACE2 is the main host receptor for SARS-CoV-2. Although further studies are required, dysfunction of ACE2 after virus binding and dysregulation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) signaling may worsen the outcomes of people affected by COVID-19 and with preexisting CVD. Here, we review the current knowledge and outline the gaps related to the relationship between CVD and COVID-19 with a focus on the RAAS. Improved understanding of the mechanisms regulating viral entry and the role of RAAS may direct future research with the potential to improve the prevention and management of COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robin Augustine
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, College of Engineering, Qatar University, 2713, Doha, Qatar; Biomedical Research Center (BRC), Qatar University, PO Box 2713, Doha, Qatar.
| | - Abhilash S
- Department of Microbiology, Majlis Arts and Science College, Puramannur, Malappuram, Kerala, 676552, India
| | - Ajisha Nayeem
- Department of Biotechnology, St. Mary's College, Thrissur, 680020, Kerala, India
| | - Shaheen Abdul Salam
- Department of Biosciences, MES College Marampally, Aluva, Ernakulam, 683107, Kerala, India
| | - Priya Augustine
- Department of Zoology, Kongunadu Arts and Science College, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, 641029, India
| | - Pan Dan
- Department of Cardiovascular and Transplantation Surgery, Regional Central Hospital of Nancy, Lorraine University, France; Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Pablo Maureira
- Department of Cardiovascular and Transplantation Surgery, Regional Central Hospital of Nancy, Lorraine University, France
| | - Fatima Mraiche
- College of Pharmacy, QU-Health, Qatar University, PO Box 2713, Doha, Qatar
| | - Carmine Gentile
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and IT, University of Technology Sydney, NSW, Australia; School of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, NSW, Australia; Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Philip M Hansbro
- Centre for Inflammation, Centenary Institute and University of Technology Sydney, NSW, Australia; School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Lana McClements
- School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Anwarul Hasan
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, College of Engineering, Qatar University, 2713, Doha, Qatar; Biomedical Research Center (BRC), Qatar University, PO Box 2713, Doha, Qatar.
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41
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Kim J, Yang YL, Jeong Y, Jang YS. Application of Antimicrobial Peptide LL-37 as an Adjuvant for Middle East Respiratory Syndrome-Coronavirus Antigen Induces an Efficient Protective Immune Response Against Viral Infection After Intranasal Immunization. Immune Netw 2022; 22:e41. [DOI: 10.4110/in.2022.22.e41] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2022] [Revised: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Ju Kim
- Department of Molecular Biology and the Institute for Molecular Biology and Genetics, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju 54896, Korea
| | - Ye Lin Yang
- Department of Bioactive Material Sciences and Research Center of Bioactive Materials, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju 54896, Korea
| | - Yongsu Jeong
- Graduate School of Biotechnology, Kyung Hee University, Yongin 17104, Korea
| | - Yong-Suk Jang
- Department of Molecular Biology and the Institute for Molecular Biology and Genetics, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju 54896, Korea
- Department of Bioactive Material Sciences and Research Center of Bioactive Materials, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju 54896, Korea
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42
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Jafarpour R, Pashangzadeh S, Dowran R. Host factors: Implications in immunopathogenesis of COVID-19. Pathol Res Pract 2021; 228:153647. [PMID: 34749207 PMCID: PMC8505027 DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2021.153647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2021] [Revised: 10/03/2021] [Accepted: 10/04/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a viral disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). COVID-19 is more serious in people with underlying diseases, but the cause of healthy people with progressive disease is largely unknown. Host genetic factors such as ACE2 variants, IFITM-3, HLA, TMRSS2, and furin polymorphisms appear to be one of the agents involved in the progression of the COVID-19 and outcome of the disease. This review discusses the general characteristics of SARS-CoV-2, including viral features, receptors, cell entry, clinical findings, and the main human genetic factors that may contribute to the pathogenesis of COVID-19 and get the patients' situation more complex. Further knowledge in this context may help to find a way to prevent and treat this viral pneumonia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roghayeh Jafarpour
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Salar Pashangzadeh
- Iranian Research Center for HIV/AIDS, Iranian Institute for Reduction of High-Risk Behaviors, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran,Immunology Today, Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehan, Iran
| | - Razieh Dowran
- Department of Virology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran,Research Center for Clinical Virology, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran,Corresponding author at: Department of Virology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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43
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Groppa SA, Ciolac D, Duarte C, Garcia C, Gasnaș D, Leahu P, Efremova D, Gasnaș A, Bălănuță T, Mîrzac D, Movila A. Molecular Mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 Pathogenicity on the Central Nervous System: Bridging Experimental Probes to Clinical Evidence and Therapeutic Interventions. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2021; 1376:1-27. [PMID: 34735712 DOI: 10.1007/5584_2021_675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, induced by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has dramatically impacted the global healthcare systems, constantly challenging both research and clinical practice. Although it was initially believed that the SARS-CoV-2 infection is limited merely to the respiratory system, emerging evidence indicates that COVID-19 affects multiple other systems including the central nervous system (CNS). Furthermore, most of the published clinical studies indicate that the confirmed CNS inflammatory manifestations in COVID-19 patients are meningitis, encephalitis, acute necrotizing encephalopathy, acute transverse myelitis, and acute disseminated encephalomyelitis. In addition, the neuroinflammation along with accelerated neurosenescence and susceptible genetic signatures in COVID-19 patients might prime the CNS to neurodegeneration and precipitate the occurrence of neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. Thus, this review provides a critical evaluation and interpretive analysis of existing published preclinical as well as clinical studies on the key molecular mechanisms modulating neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration induced by the SARS-CoV-2. In addition, the essential age- and gender-dependent impacts of SARS-CoV-2 on the CNS of COVID-19 patients are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stanislav A Groppa
- Department of Neurology, Nicolae Testemițanu State University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Chisinau, Republic of Moldova.,Laboratory of Neurobiology and Medical Genetics, Nicolae Testemițanu State University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Chisinau, Republic of Moldova.,Department of Neurology, Institute of Emergency Medicine, Chisinau, Republic of Moldova
| | - Dumitru Ciolac
- Department of Neurology, Nicolae Testemițanu State University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Chisinau, Republic of Moldova.,Laboratory of Neurobiology and Medical Genetics, Nicolae Testemițanu State University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Chisinau, Republic of Moldova.,Department of Neurology, Institute of Emergency Medicine, Chisinau, Republic of Moldova
| | - Carolina Duarte
- Department of Oral Science and Translational Research, College of Dental Medicine, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA
| | - Christopher Garcia
- Department of Oral Science and Translational Research, College of Dental Medicine, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA
| | - Daniela Gasnaș
- Department of Neurology, Nicolae Testemițanu State University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Chisinau, Republic of Moldova.,Laboratory of Neurobiology and Medical Genetics, Nicolae Testemițanu State University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Chisinau, Republic of Moldova.,Department of Neurology, Institute of Emergency Medicine, Chisinau, Republic of Moldova
| | - Pavel Leahu
- Department of Neurology, Nicolae Testemițanu State University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Chisinau, Republic of Moldova.,Laboratory of Neurobiology and Medical Genetics, Nicolae Testemițanu State University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Chisinau, Republic of Moldova.,Department of Neurology, Institute of Emergency Medicine, Chisinau, Republic of Moldova
| | - Daniela Efremova
- Department of Neurology, Nicolae Testemițanu State University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Chisinau, Republic of Moldova.,Department of Neurology, Institute of Emergency Medicine, Chisinau, Republic of Moldova.,Laboratory of Cerebrovascular Diseases and Epilepsy, Institute of Emergency Medicine, Chisinau, Republic of Moldova
| | - Alexandru Gasnaș
- Department of Neurology, Nicolae Testemițanu State University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Chisinau, Republic of Moldova.,Department of Neurology, Institute of Emergency Medicine, Chisinau, Republic of Moldova.,Laboratory of Cerebrovascular Diseases and Epilepsy, Institute of Emergency Medicine, Chisinau, Republic of Moldova
| | - Tatiana Bălănuță
- Department of Neurology, Nicolae Testemițanu State University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Chisinau, Republic of Moldova.,Department of Neurology, Institute of Emergency Medicine, Chisinau, Republic of Moldova.,Laboratory of Cerebrovascular Diseases and Epilepsy, Institute of Emergency Medicine, Chisinau, Republic of Moldova
| | - Daniela Mîrzac
- Department of Neurology, Nicolae Testemițanu State University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Chisinau, Republic of Moldova.,Department of Neurology, Institute of Emergency Medicine, Chisinau, Republic of Moldova
| | - Alexandru Movila
- Department of Oral Science and Translational Research, College of Dental Medicine, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA. .,Institute of Neuro Immune Medicine, Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA.
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44
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Sarker MT, Hasan AQF, Rafi MO, Hossain MJ, El-Mageed HRA, Elsapagh RM, Capasso R, Emran TB. A Comprehensive Overview of the Newly Emerged COVID-19 Pandemic: Features, Origin, Genomics, Epidemiology, Treatment, and Prevention. BIOLOGICS 2021; 1:357-383. [DOI: 10.3390/biologics1030021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), a life-threatening pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), has resulted in massive destruction and is still continuously adding to its death toll. The advent of this global outbreak has not yet been confirmed; however, investigation for suitable prophylaxis against this lethal virus is being carried out by experts all around the globe. The SARS-CoV-2 belongs to the Coronaviridae superfamily, like the other previously occurring human coronavirus variants. To better understand a new virus variant, such as the SARS-CoV-2 delta variant, it is vital to investigate previous virus strains, including their genomic composition and functionality. Our study aimed at addressing the basic overview of the virus’ profile that may provide the scientific community with evidence-based insights into COVID-19. Therefore, this study accomplished a comprehensive literature review that includes the virus’ origin, classification, structure, life cycle, genome, mutation, epidemiology, and subsequent essential factors associated with host–virus interaction. Moreover, we summarized the considerable diagnostic measures, treatment options, including multiple therapeutic approaches, and prevention, as well as future directions that may reduce the impact and misery caused by this devastating pandemic. The observations and data provided here have been screened and accumulated through extensive literature study, hence this study will help the scientific community properly understand this new virus and provide further leads for therapeutic interventions.
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45
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Alzain AA, Elbadwi FA. Identification of novel TMPRSS2 inhibitors for COVID-19 using e-pharmacophore modelling, molecular docking, molecular dynamics and quantum mechanics studies. INFORMATICS IN MEDICINE UNLOCKED 2021; 26:100758. [PMID: 34667827 PMCID: PMC8516157 DOI: 10.1016/j.imu.2021.100758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2021] [Revised: 09/22/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
SARS coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has spread rapidly around the world and continues to have a massive global health effect, contributing to an infectious respiratory illness called coronavirus infection-19 (COVID-19). TMPRSS2 is an emerging molecular target that plays a role in the early stages of SARS-CoV-2 infection; hence, inhibiting its activity might be a target for COVID-19. This study aims to use many computational approaches to provide compounds that could be optimized into clinical candidates. As there is no experimentally derived protein information, initially we develop the TMPRSS2 model. Then, we generate a pharmacophore model from TMPRSS2 active site consequently, and the developed models were employed for the screening of one million molecules from the Enamine database. The created model was then screened using e-pharmacophore-based screening, molecular docking, free energy estimation and molecular dynamic simulation. Also, ADMET prediction and density functional theory calculations were performed. Three potential molecules (Z126202570, Z46489368, and Z422255982) exhibited promising stable binding interactions with the target. In conclusion, these findings empower further in vitro and clinical assessment for these compounds as novel anti-COVID19 agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdulrahim A Alzain
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Gezira, Gezira, Sudan
| | - Fatima A Elbadwi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Gezira, Gezira, Sudan
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46
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Saied EM, El-Maradny YA, Osman AA, Darwish AMG, Abo Nahas HH, Niedbała G, Piekutowska M, Abdel-Rahman MA, Balbool BA, Abdel-Azeem AM. A Comprehensive Review about the Molecular Structure of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2): Insights into Natural Products against COVID-19. Pharmaceutics 2021; 13:1759. [PMID: 34834174 PMCID: PMC8624722 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics13111759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2021] [Revised: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
In 2019, the world suffered from the emergence of COVID-19 infection, one of the most difficult pandemics in recent history. Millions of confirmed deaths from this pandemic have been reported worldwide. This disaster was caused by SARS-CoV-2, which is the last discovered member of the family of Coronaviridae. Various studies have shown that natural compounds have effective antiviral properties against coronaviruses by inhibiting multiple viral targets, including spike proteins and viral enzymes. This review presents the classification and a detailed explanation of the SARS-CoV-2 molecular characteristics and structure-function relationships. We present all currently available crystal structures of different SARS-CoV-2 proteins and emphasized on the crystal structure of different virus proteins and the binding modes of their ligands. This review also discusses the various therapeutic approaches for COVID-19 treatment and available vaccinations. In addition, we highlight and compare the existing data about natural compounds extracted from algae, fungi, plants, and scorpion venom that were used as antiviral agents against SARS-CoV-2 infection. Moreover, we discuss the repurposing of select approved therapeutic agents that have been used in the treatment of other viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Essa M. Saied
- Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Suez Canal University, Ismailia 41522, Egypt
- Institute for Chemistry, Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, Brook-Taylor-Str. 2, 12489 Berlin, Germany
| | - Yousra A. El-Maradny
- Microbiology Department, High Institute of Public Health, Alexandria University, Alexandria 21526, Egypt;
| | - Alaa A. Osman
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, New Giza University, Newgiza, km 22 Cairo-Alexandria Desert Road, Cairo 12256, Egypt;
| | - Amira M. G. Darwish
- Food Technology Department, Arid Lands Cultivation Research Institute (ALCRI), City of Scientific Research and Technological Applications (SRTA City), Alexandria 21934, Egypt;
| | - Hebatallah H. Abo Nahas
- Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Suez Canal University, Ismailia 41522, Egypt; (H.H.A.N.); (M.A.A.-R.)
| | - Gniewko Niedbała
- Department of Biosystems Engineering, Faculty of Environmental and Mechanical Engineering, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Wojska Polskiego 50, 60-627 Poznań, Poland;
| | - Magdalena Piekutowska
- Department of Geoecology and Geoinformation, Institute of Biology and Earth Sciences, Pomeranian University in Słupsk, Partyzantów 27, 76-200 Słupsk, Poland;
| | - Mohamed A. Abdel-Rahman
- Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Suez Canal University, Ismailia 41522, Egypt; (H.H.A.N.); (M.A.A.-R.)
| | - Bassem A. Balbool
- Faculty of Biotechnology, October University for Modern Sciences and Arts, Giza 12585, Egypt;
| | - Ahmed M. Abdel-Azeem
- Botany and Microbiology Department, Faculty of Science, Suez Canal University, Ismailia 41522, Egypt
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47
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Mahmudpour M, Nabipour I, Keshavarz M, Farrokhnia M. Virtual Screening on Marine Natural Products for Discovering TMPRSS2 Inhibitors. Front Chem 2021; 9:722633. [PMID: 34712648 PMCID: PMC8545810 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2021.722633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2021] [Accepted: 09/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Although SARS-CoV-2 entry to cells strictly depends on angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), the virus also needs transmembrane serine protease 2 (TMPRSS2) for its spike protein priming. It has been shown that the entrance of SARS-CoV-2 through ACE2 can be blocked by cellular TMPRSS2 blockers. The main aim of this study was to find potential inhibitor(s) of TMPRSS2 through virtual screening against a homology model of TMPRSS2 using the library of marine natural products (MNPs). The homology modeling technique for generating a three-dimensional structure of TMPRSS2 was applied. Molecular docking, MM-GBSA and absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion (ADME) evaluations were performed to investigate the inhibitory activity of marine natural products (MNPs) against TMPRSS2 and their pharmacokinetic properties. Camostat and nafamostat mesylate were used as the standard inhibitory molecules. Seven MNPs were able to inhibit TMPRSS2 better than the standard compounds. MNP 10 with CAS number 107503-09-3, called Watasenia β-D- Preluciferyl glucopyrasoiuronic acid, was found to be the best inhibitor of TMPRSS2 with acceptable pharmacokinetic properties. Herein, for the first time, a new marine natural product was introduced with potent inhibitory effects against TMPRSS2. MNP 10 exhibited favorable drug-like pharmacokinetic properties and it promises a novel TMPRSS2 blocker to combat SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehdi Mahmudpour
- The Persian Gulf Marine Biotechnology Research Center, The Persian Gulf Biomedical Sciences Research Institute, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran
- The Persian Gulf Tropical Medicine Research Center, The Persian Gulf Biomedical Sciences Research Institute, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran
| | - Iraj Nabipour
- The Persian Gulf Marine Biotechnology Research Center, The Persian Gulf Biomedical Sciences Research Institute, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran
| | - Mohsen Keshavarz
- The Persian Gulf Tropical Medicine Research Center, The Persian Gulf Biomedical Sciences Research Institute, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran
| | - Maryam Farrokhnia
- The Persian Gulf Marine Biotechnology Research Center, The Persian Gulf Biomedical Sciences Research Institute, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran
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48
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Hempel T, Elez K, Krüger N, Raich L, Shrimp JH, Danov O, Jonigk D, Braun A, Shen M, Hall MD, Pöhlmann S, Hoffmann M, Noé F. Synergistic inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 cell entry by otamixaban and covalent protease inhibitors: pre-clinical assessment of pharmacological and molecular properties. Chem Sci 2021; 12:12600-12609. [PMID: 34703545 PMCID: PMC8494051 DOI: 10.1039/d1sc01494c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2021] [Accepted: 07/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2, the cause of the COVID-19 pandemic, exploits host cell proteins for viral entry into human lung cells. One of them, the protease TMPRSS2, is required to activate the viral spike protein (S). Even though two inhibitors, camostat and nafamostat, are known to inhibit TMPRSS2 and block cell entry of SARS-CoV-2, finding further potent therapeutic options is still an important task. In this study, we report that a late-stage drug candidate, otamixaban, inhibits SARS-CoV-2 cell entry. We show that otamixaban suppresses TMPRSS2 activity and SARS-CoV-2 infection of a human lung cell line, although with lower potency than camostat or nafamostat. In contrast, otamixaban inhibits SARS-CoV-2 infection of precision cut lung slices with the same potency as camostat. Furthermore, we report that otamixaban's potency can be significantly enhanced by (sub-) nanomolar nafamostat or camostat supplementation. Dominant molecular TMPRSS2-otamixaban interactions are assessed by extensive 109 μs of atomistic molecular dynamics simulations. Our findings suggest that combinations of otamixaban with supplemental camostat or nafamostat are a promising option for the treatment of COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tim Hempel
- Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, Freie Universität Berlin Berlin Germany
- Department of Physics, Freie Universität Berlin Berlin Germany
| | - Katarina Elez
- Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, Freie Universität Berlin Berlin Germany
| | - Nadine Krüger
- Infection Biology Unit, German Primate Center - Leibniz Institute for Primate Research Göttingen Germany
| | - Lluís Raich
- Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, Freie Universität Berlin Berlin Germany
| | - Jonathan H Shrimp
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health Rockville MD USA
| | - Olga Danov
- Fraunhofer Institute for Toxicology and Experimental Medicine (ITEM), Biomedical Research in Endstage and Obstructive Lung Disease Hannover (BREATH), Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Member of Fraunhofer International Consortium for Anti-Infective Research (iCAIR) Hannover Germany
| | - Danny Jonigk
- Fraunhofer Institute for Toxicology and Experimental Medicine (ITEM), Biomedical Research in Endstage and Obstructive Lung Disease Hannover (BREATH), Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Member of Fraunhofer International Consortium for Anti-Infective Research (iCAIR) Hannover Germany
- Institute of Pathology, Hannover Medical School, Biomedical Research in Endstage and Obstructive Lung Disease Hannover (BREATH) Hannover Germany
| | - Armin Braun
- Fraunhofer Institute for Toxicology and Experimental Medicine (ITEM), Biomedical Research in Endstage and Obstructive Lung Disease Hannover (BREATH), Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Member of Fraunhofer International Consortium for Anti-Infective Research (iCAIR) Hannover Germany
| | - Min Shen
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health Rockville MD USA
| | - Matthew D Hall
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health Rockville MD USA
| | - Stefan Pöhlmann
- Infection Biology Unit, German Primate Center - Leibniz Institute for Primate Research Göttingen Germany
- Faculty of Biology and Psychology, University Göttingen Göttingen Germany
| | - Markus Hoffmann
- Infection Biology Unit, German Primate Center - Leibniz Institute for Primate Research Göttingen Germany
- Faculty of Biology and Psychology, University Göttingen Göttingen Germany
| | - Frank Noé
- Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, Freie Universität Berlin Berlin Germany
- Department of Physics, Freie Universität Berlin Berlin Germany
- Department of Chemistry, Rice University Houston TX USA
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49
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Elbadwi FA, Khairy EA, Alsamani FO, Mahadi MA, Abdalrahman SE, Ahmed ZAM, Elsayed I, Ibraheem W, Alzain AA. Identification of novel transmembrane Protease Serine Type 2 drug candidates for COVID-19 using computational studies. INFORMATICS IN MEDICINE UNLOCKED 2021; 26:100725. [PMID: 34514079 PMCID: PMC8421083 DOI: 10.1016/j.imu.2021.100725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2021] [Revised: 09/01/2021] [Accepted: 09/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) emergence has resulted in a global health crisis. As a consequence, discovering an effective therapy that saves lives and slows the spread of the pandemic is a global concern currently. In silico drug repurposing is highly regarded as a precise computational method for obtaining fast and reliable results. Transmembrane serine-type 2 (TMPRSS2) is a SARS CoV-2 enzyme that is essential for viral fusion with the host cell. Inhibition of TMPRSS2 may block or lessen the severity of SARS-CoV-2 infection. In this study, we aimed to perform an in silico drug repurposing to identify drugs that can effectively inhibit SARS-CoV-2 TMPRSS2. As there is no 3D structure of TMPRSS2 available, homology modeling was performed to build the 3D structure of human TMPRSS2. 3848 world-approved drugs were screened against the target. Based on docking scores and visual outcomes, the best-fit drugs were chosen. Molecular dynamics (MD) and density functional theory (DFT) studies were also conducted. Five potential drugs (Amikacin, isepamicin, butikacin, lividomycin, paromomycin) exhibited promising binding affinities. In conclusion, these findings empower purposing these agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatima A Elbadwi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Gezira, Gezira, Sudan
| | - Elaf A Khairy
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Gezira, Gezira, Sudan
| | - Fatima O Alsamani
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Gezira, Gezira, Sudan
| | - Mariam A Mahadi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Gezira, Gezira, Sudan
| | - Segood E Abdalrahman
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Gezira, Gezira, Sudan
| | - Zain Alsharf M Ahmed
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Gezira, Gezira, Sudan
| | - Inas Elsayed
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Gezira, Gezira, Sudan
| | - Walaa Ibraheem
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Gezira, Gezira, Sudan
| | - Abdulrahim A Alzain
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Gezira, Gezira, Sudan
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50
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Schroeder S, Mache C, Kleine-Weber H, Corman VM, Muth D, Richter A, Fatykhova D, Memish ZA, Stanifer ML, Boulant S, Gultom M, Dijkman R, Eggeling S, Hocke A, Hippenstiel S, Thiel V, Pöhlmann S, Wolff T, Müller MA, Drosten C. Functional comparison of MERS-coronavirus lineages reveals increased replicative fitness of the recombinant lineage 5. Nat Commun 2021; 12:5324. [PMID: 34493730 PMCID: PMC8423819 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-25519-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2020] [Accepted: 08/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) is enzootic in dromedary camels across the Middle East and Africa. Virus-induced pneumonia in humans results from animal contact, with a potential for limited onward transmission. Phenotypic changes have been suspected after a novel recombinant clade (lineage 5) caused large nosocomial outbreaks in Saudi Arabia and South Korea in 2016. However, there has been no functional assessment. Here we perform a comprehensive in vitro and ex vivo comparison of viruses from parental and recombinant virus lineages (lineage 3, n = 7; lineage 4, n = 8; lineage 5, n = 9 viruses) from Saudi Arabia, isolated immediately before and after the shift toward lineage 5. Replication of lineage 5 viruses is significantly increased. Transcriptional profiling finds reduced induction of immune genes IFNB1, CCL5, and IFNL1 in lung cells infected with lineage 5 strains. Phenotypic differences may be determined by IFN antagonism based on experiments using IFN receptor knock out and signaling inhibition. Additionally, lineage 5 is more resilient against IFN pre-treatment of Calu-3 cells (ca. 10-fold difference in replication). This phenotypic change associated with lineage 5 has remained undiscovered by viral sequence surveillance, but may be a relevant indicator of pandemic potential. MERS-CoV is enzootic in dromedary camels, can spread to humans but undergoes limited onward transmission. Here, Schroeder et al. compare clinical isolates of MERS-CoV in vitro and show that the predominantly circulating recombinant lineage 5 possess a fitness advantage over parental lineage 3 and 4 due to reduced activation of innate immune signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Schroeder
- Institute of Virology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Christin Mache
- Unit 17, Influenza and other Respiratory Viruses, Robert Koch Institut, Berlin, Germany
| | - Hannah Kleine-Weber
- Infection Biology Unit, German Primate Center - Leibniz Institute for Primate Research, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Victor M Corman
- Institute of Virology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Berlin, Germany
| | - Doreen Muth
- Institute of Virology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Anja Richter
- Institute of Virology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Diana Fatykhova
- Dept. of Infectious and Respiratory Diseases, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ziad A Memish
- Research and Innovation Department, King Saud Medical City, Ministry of Health, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.,College of Medicine, Alfaisal University, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.,Hubert Department of Global Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Megan L Stanifer
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Molecular Virology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Steeve Boulant
- Research Group "Cellular polarity and viral infection", German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Department of Infectious Diseases, Virology, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Mitra Gultom
- Institute of Virology and Immunology (IVI), Bern, Switzerland.,Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.,Institute for Infectious Diseases, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.,Graduate School for Biomedical Science, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Ronald Dijkman
- Institute of Virology and Immunology (IVI), Bern, Switzerland.,Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.,Institute for Infectious Diseases, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Stephan Eggeling
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Vivantes Clinics Neukölln, Berlin, Germany
| | - Andreas Hocke
- Dept. of Infectious and Respiratory Diseases, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Stefan Hippenstiel
- Dept. of Infectious and Respiratory Diseases, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Volker Thiel
- Institute of Virology and Immunology (IVI), Bern, Switzerland.,Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Stefan Pöhlmann
- Infection Biology Unit, German Primate Center - Leibniz Institute for Primate Research, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Thorsten Wolff
- Unit 17, Influenza and other Respiratory Viruses, Robert Koch Institut, Berlin, Germany
| | - Marcel A Müller
- Institute of Virology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Berlin, Germany.,Martsinovsky Institute of Medical Parasitology, Tropical and Vector Borne Diseases, Sechenov University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Christian Drosten
- Institute of Virology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany. .,German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Berlin, Germany.
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