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Nowak R, Gazecka M, Hoffmann M, Kierzek R, Pöhlmann S, Zmora P. TMPRSS2-specific antisense oligonucleotides inhibit host cell entry of emerging viruses. Virology 2024; 600:110218. [PMID: 39276670 DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2024.110218] [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: 03/14/2024] [Revised: 08/06/2024] [Accepted: 08/30/2024] [Indexed: 09/17/2024]
Abstract
Emerging viruses, such as novel influenza A viruses (IAV) and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), pose a constant threat to animal and human health. Identification of host cell factors necessary for viral replication but dispensable for cellular survival might reveal novel, attractive targets for therapeutic intervention. Proteolytic activation of IAV hemagglutinin (HA) and SARS-CoV-2 spike protein (S) by the type II transmembrane serine protease (TTSPs), e.g. TMPRSS2 is sought to be critical for viral spread and pathogenesis. Here, we investigated the secondary structure of TMPRSS2 mRNA coding sequence and designed TMPRSS2-specific antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs). Several of these ASOs markedly reduced the TMPRSS2 expression and decreased IAV infection and SARS-CoV-2 entry into cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafal Nowak
- Department of Molecular Virology, Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry Polish Academy of Sciences, Poznan, Poland
| | - Monika Gazecka
- Department of Molecular Virology, Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry Polish Academy of Sciences, Poznan, Poland
| | - Markus Hoffmann
- Infection Biology Unit, German Primate Center - Leibniz Institute for Primate Research, Göttingen, Germany; Faculty of Biology and Psychology, Georg August University, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Ryszard Kierzek
- Department of Structural Chemistry and Biology of Nucleic Acids, Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry Polish Academy of Sciences, Poznan, Poland
| | - Stefan Pöhlmann
- Infection Biology Unit, German Primate Center - Leibniz Institute for Primate Research, Göttingen, Germany; Faculty of Biology and Psychology, Georg August University, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Pawel Zmora
- Department of Molecular Virology, Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry Polish Academy of Sciences, Poznan, Poland.
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2
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Bestle D, Bittel L, Werner AD, Kämper L, Dolnik O, Krähling V, Steinmetzer T, Böttcher-Friebertshäuser E. Novel proteolytic activation of Ebolavirus glycoprotein GP by TMPRSS2 and cathepsin L at an uncharted position can compensate for furin cleavage. Virus Res 2024; 347:199430. [PMID: 38964470 PMCID: PMC11294727 DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2024.199430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2024] [Revised: 05/24/2024] [Accepted: 07/01/2024] [Indexed: 07/06/2024]
Abstract
A multistep priming process involving furin and endosomal cathepsin B and L (CatB/L) has been described for the Orthoebolavirus zairense (EBOV) glycoprotein GP. Inhibition or knockdown of either furin or endosomal cathepsins, however, did not prevent virus multiplication in cell cultures. Moreover, an EBOV mutant lacking the furin cleavage motif (RRTRR→AGTAA) was able to replicate and cause fatal disease in nonhuman primates, indicating that furin cleavage may be dispensable for virus infectivity. Here, by using protease inhibitors and EBOV GP-carrying recombinant vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) and transcription and replication-competent virus-like particles (trVLPs) we found that processing of EBOV GP is mediated by different proteases in different cell lines depending on the protease repertoire available. Endosomal cathepsins were essential for EBOV GP entry in Huh-7 but not in Vero cells, in which trypsin-like proteases and stably expressed trypsin-like transmembrane serine protease 2 (TMPRSS2) supported wild-type EBOV GP and EBOV GP_AGTAA mutant entry. Furthermore, we show that the EBOV GP_AGTAA mutant is cleaved into fusion-competent GP2 by TMPRSS2 and by CatL at a so far unknown site. Fluorescence microscopy co-localization studies indicate that EBOV GP cleavage by TMPRSS2 may occur in the TGN prior to virus release or in the late endosome at the stage of virus entry into a new cell. Our data show that EBOV GP must be proteolytically activated to support virus entry but has even greater flexibility in terms of proteases and the precise cleavage site than previously assumed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dorothea Bestle
- Institute of Virology, Philipps-University, Marburg, Germany
| | - Linda Bittel
- Institute of Virology, Philipps-University, Marburg, Germany
| | | | - Lennart Kämper
- Institute of Virology, Philipps-University, Marburg, Germany
| | - Olga Dolnik
- Institute of Virology, Philipps-University, Marburg, Germany
| | - Verena Krähling
- Institute of Virology, Philipps-University, Marburg, Germany; German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Gießen-Marburg-Langen, Marburg, Germany
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3
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Kim H, Kang Y, Kim S, Park D, Heo SY, Yoo JS, Choi I, N MPA, Ahn JW, Yang JS, Bak N, Kim KK, Lee JY, Choi YK. The host protease KLK5 primes and activates spike proteins to promote human betacoronavirus replication and lung inflammation. Sci Signal 2024; 17:eadn3785. [PMID: 39163389 DOI: 10.1126/scisignal.adn3785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2023] [Revised: 05/03/2024] [Accepted: 08/01/2024] [Indexed: 08/22/2024]
Abstract
Coronaviruses rely on host proteases to activate the viral spike protein, which facilitates fusion with the host cell membrane and the release of viral genomic RNAs into the host cell cytoplasm. The distribution of specific host proteases in the host determines the host, tissue, and cellular tropism of these viruses. Here, we identified the kallikrein (KLK) family member KLK5 as a major host protease secreted by human airway cells and exploited by multiple human betacoronaviruses. KLK5 cleaved both the priming (S1/S2) and activation (S2') sites of spike proteins from various human betacoronaviruses in vitro. In contrast, KLK12 and KLK13 displayed preferences for either the S2' or S1/S2 site, respectively. Whereas KLK12 and KLK13 worked in concert to activate SARS-CoV-2 and MERS-CoV spike proteins, KLK5 by itself efficiently activated spike proteins from several human betacoronaviruses, including SARS-CoV-2. Infection of differentiated human bronchial epithelial cells (HBECs) with human betacoronaviruses induced an increase in KLK5 that promoted virus replication. Furthermore, ursolic acid and other related plant-derived triterpenoids that inhibit KLK5 effectively suppressed the replication of SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, and SARS-CoV-2 in HBECs and mitigated lung inflammation in mice infected with MERS-CoV or SARS-CoV-2. We propose that KLK5 is a pancoronavirus host factor and a promising therapeutic target for current and future coronavirus-induced diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyunjoon Kim
- Center for Study of Emerging and Re-emerging Viruses, Korea Virus Research Institute, Institute for Basic Science, Daejeon 34126, Republic of Korea
| | - Yeonglim Kang
- Center for Study of Emerging and Re-emerging Viruses, Korea Virus Research Institute, Institute for Basic Science, Daejeon 34126, Republic of Korea
| | - Semi Kim
- Center for Study of Emerging and Re-emerging Viruses, Korea Virus Research Institute, Institute for Basic Science, Daejeon 34126, Republic of Korea
| | - Dongbin Park
- Center for Study of Emerging and Re-emerging Viruses, Korea Virus Research Institute, Institute for Basic Science, Daejeon 34126, Republic of Korea
| | - Seo-Young Heo
- Center for Study of Emerging and Re-emerging Viruses, Korea Virus Research Institute, Institute for Basic Science, Daejeon 34126, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji-Seung Yoo
- Center for Study of Emerging and Re-emerging Viruses, Korea Virus Research Institute, Institute for Basic Science, Daejeon 34126, Republic of Korea
- School of Life Sciences, BK21 FOUR KNU Creative BioResearch Group, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Republic of Korea
| | - Isaac Choi
- Center for Study of Emerging and Re-emerging Viruses, Korea Virus Research Institute, Institute for Basic Science, Daejeon 34126, Republic of Korea
| | - Monford Paul Abishek N
- Center for Study of Emerging and Re-emerging Viruses, Korea Virus Research Institute, Institute for Basic Science, Daejeon 34126, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae-Woo Ahn
- Center for Study of Emerging and Re-emerging Viruses, Korea Virus Research Institute, Institute for Basic Science, Daejeon 34126, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeong-Sun Yang
- Center for Emerging Virus Research, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Korea National Institute of Health (KNIH), 187 Osongsaengmyeong2-ro, Heungdeok-gu, Cheongju-si, Chungbuk 28160, Republic of Korea
| | - Nayeon Bak
- Center for Study of Emerging and Re-emerging Viruses, Korea Virus Research Institute, Institute for Basic Science, Daejeon 34126, Republic of Korea
- Department of Metabiohealth, Sungkyun Convergence Institute, Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU), Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyeong Kyu Kim
- Department of Metabiohealth, Sungkyun Convergence Institute, Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU), Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Joo-Yeon Lee
- Center for Emerging Virus Research, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Korea National Institute of Health (KNIH), 187 Osongsaengmyeong2-ro, Heungdeok-gu, Cheongju-si, Chungbuk 28160, Republic of Korea
| | - Young Ki Choi
- Center for Study of Emerging and Re-emerging Viruses, Korea Virus Research Institute, Institute for Basic Science, Daejeon 34126, Republic of Korea
- Department of Metabiohealth, Sungkyun Convergence Institute, Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU), Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea
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Chandran D, Chakraborty S, Chandran D, Subedi D, Jisha AI, Chopra H, Rabaan AA, Al-Tawfiq JA, Islam MR, Dhama K. Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus Could be a Priority Pathogen to Cause Public Health Emergency: Noticeable Features and Counteractive Measures. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH INSIGHTS 2024; 18:11786302241271545. [PMID: 39156879 PMCID: PMC11329908 DOI: 10.1177/11786302241271545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 07/02/2024] [Indexed: 08/20/2024]
Abstract
Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) is caused by a specific strain of the 6 types of human coronaviruses (HCoV). MERS-CoV has spread unchecked since it was first discovered in Saudi Arabia in 2012. The virus most likely spreads through nosocomial and zoonotic channels. Genetic analyses suggest that bats were the initial hosts and that the disease spread to camels. Person-to-person transmission occurs with varying frequency, being most prevalent in clinical settings and the least common among the general population and among close relatives. Due to the severity of the illness, high fatality rate, potential for epidemic spread, and lack of adequate medical countermeasures, the World Health Organization (WHO) continues to list MERS-CoV as a priority pathogen. While no specific antiviral medicines exist, a combination of antivirals has shown promise in recent clinical trials. Vaccines against MERS-CoV are critically needed and are currently being developed. Early diagnosis and implementing appropriate infection control measures are keys to preventing hospital-associated outbreaks. Preventive measures include avoiding raw or undercooked meats and other animal products, ensuring proper hand hygiene in healthcare settings and around dromedaries, educating the public and healthcare personnel about the disease, and adhering to other recommended practices. Countries with a high prevalence of MERS should adhere to regulations designed to limit the transmission of the virus. The recent spread of MERS-CoV highlights the importance of public awareness regarding the significance of reporting symptoms so that appropriate control measures can be adopted. The narrative review discusses the incidence of MERS, its clinical presentation, potential transmission routes, recent reports, preventative and control measures, and current therapeutic options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deepak Chandran
- Department of Animal Husbandry, Government of Kerala, Kerala, India
| | - Sandip Chakraborty
- State Disease Investigation Laboratory, ARDD, Abhoynagar, Agartala, West Tripura, India
| | - Diljith Chandran
- KVG Dental College & Hospital, Kurunjibhag, Sullia, Karnataka, India
| | - Deepak Subedi
- Department of Poultry Science, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
| | - Ankitha Indu Jisha
- Amrita School of Agricultural Sciences, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Hitesh Chopra
- Department of Biosciences, Saveetha School of Engineering, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Ali A Rabaan
- Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory, Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia
- College of Medicine, Alfaisal University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Public Health and Nutrition, The University of Haripur, Haripur, Pakistan
| | - Jaffar A Al-Tawfiq
- Specialty Internal Medicine and Quality Patient Safety Department, Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia
- Infectious Diseases Division, Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
- Infectious Diseases Division, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Md. Rabiul Islam
- School of Pharmacy, BRAC University, Merul Badda, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Kuldeep Dhama
- Division of Pathology, ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Bareilly, Izatnagar, Uttar Pradesh, India
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Huang ZM, Kang JQ, Chen PZ, Deng LF, Li JX, He YX, Liang J, Huang N, Luo TY, Lan QW, Chen HK, Guo XG. Identifying the Interaction Between Tuberculosis and SARS-CoV-2 Infections via Bioinformatics Analysis and Machine Learning. Biochem Genet 2024; 62:2606-2630. [PMID: 37991568 DOI: 10.1007/s10528-023-10563-x] [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: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/23/2023]
Abstract
The number of patients with COVID-19 caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 is still increasing. In the case of COVID-19 and tuberculosis (TB), the presence of one disease affects the infectious status of the other. Meanwhile, coinfection may result in complications that make treatment more difficult. However, the molecular mechanisms underpinning the interaction between TB and COVID-19 are unclear. Accordingly, transcriptome analysis was used to detect the shared pathways and molecular biomarkers in TB and COVID-19, allowing us to determine the complex relationship between COVID-19 and TB. Two RNA-seq datasets (GSE114192 and GSE163151) from the Gene Expression Omnibus were used to find concerted differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between TB and COVID-19 to identify the common pathogenic mechanisms. A total of 124 common DEGs were detected and used to find shared pathways and drug targets. Several enterprising bioinformatics tools were applied to perform pathway analysis, enrichment analysis and networks analysis. Protein-protein interaction analysis and machine learning was used to identify hub genes (GAS6, OAS3 and PDCD1LG2) and datasets GSE171110, GSE54992 and GSE79362 were used for verification. The mechanism of protein-drug interactions may have reference value in the treatment of coinfection of COVID-19 and TB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ze-Min Huang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510150, China
- Department of Clinical Medicine, The Third Clinical School of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 511436, China
| | - Jia-Qi Kang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510150, China
- Department of Clinical Medicine, The First Clinical School of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 511436, China
| | - Pei-Zhen Chen
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510150, China
- Department of Clinical Medicine, The Third Clinical School of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 511436, China
| | - Lin-Fen Deng
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510150, China
- Department of Clinical Medicine, The Third Clinical School of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 511436, China
| | - Jia-Xin Li
- Department of Clinical Medicine, The First Clinical School of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 511436, China
| | - Ying-Xin He
- Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Jie Liang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510150, China
- Department of Clinical Medicine, The Third Clinical School of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 511436, China
| | - Nan Huang
- Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Tian-Ye Luo
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510150, China
- Department of Clinical Medicine, The Third Clinical School of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 511436, China
| | - Qi-Wen Lan
- Department of Clinical Medicine, The Second Clinical School of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 511436, China
| | - Hao-Kai Chen
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510150, China
- Department of Clinical Medicine, The Third Clinical School of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 511436, China
| | - Xu-Guang Guo
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510150, China.
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Major Obstetric Diseases, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510150, China.
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory for Clinical Rapid Diagnosis and Early Warning of Infectious Diseases, King Med School of Laboratory Medicine, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510000, China.
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Sharanya CS, Wilbee DS, Sathi SN, Natarajan K. Computational screening combined with well-tempered metadynamics simulations identifies potential TMPRSS2 inhibitors. Sci Rep 2024; 14:16197. [PMID: 39003338 PMCID: PMC11246518 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-65296-7] [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: 05/10/2024] [Accepted: 06/19/2024] [Indexed: 07/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Type-II transmembrane serine proteases are effective pharmacological targets for host defence against viral entry and in certain cancer cell progressions. These serine proteases cleave viral spike proteins to expose the fusion peptide for cell entry, which is essential to the life cycle of the virus. TMPRSS2 inhibitors can also fight against respiratory viruses that employ them for cell entry. Our study combining virtual screening, all-atom molecular dynamics, and well-tempered metadynamics simulation identifies vicenin-2, neohesperidin, naringin, and rhoifolin as promising TMPRSS2 antagonists. The binding energies obtained are - 16.3, - 15.4, - 13.6, and - 13.8 kcal/mol for vicenin-2, neohesperidin, naringin, and rhoifolin respectively. The RMSD, RMSF, PCA, DCCM, and binding free energy profiles also correlate with the stable binding of these ligands at the active site of TMPRSS2. The study reveals that these molecules could be promising lead molecules for combating future outbreaks of coronavirus and other respiratory viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- C S Sharanya
- Transdisciplinary Biology, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India
| | - D Sasikala Wilbee
- Transdisciplinary Biology, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Government Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India
| | - Shijulal Nelson Sathi
- Bioinformatics Laboratory, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India
| | - Kathiresan Natarajan
- Transdisciplinary Biology, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India.
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Lubinski B, Whittaker GR. Host Cell Proteases Involved in Human Respiratory Viral Infections and Their Inhibitors: A Review. Viruses 2024; 16:984. [PMID: 38932275 PMCID: PMC11209347 DOI: 10.3390/v16060984] [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: 05/13/2024] [Revised: 06/06/2024] [Accepted: 06/11/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Viral tropism is most commonly linked to receptor use, but host cell protease use can be a notable factor in susceptibility to infection. Here we review the use of host cell proteases by human viruses, focusing on those with primarily respiratory tropism, particularly SARS-CoV-2. We first describe the various classes of proteases present in the respiratory tract, as well as elsewhere in the body, and incorporate the targeting of these proteases as therapeutic drugs for use in humans. Host cell proteases are also linked to the systemic spread of viruses and play important roles outside of the respiratory tract; therefore, we address how proteases affect viruses across the spectrum of infections that can occur in humans, intending to understand the extrapulmonary spread of SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bailey Lubinski
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA;
| | - Gary R. Whittaker
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology and Public & Ecosystem Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA
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Houghton MJ, Balland E, Gartner MJ, Thomas BJ, Subbarao K, Williamson G. The flavonoid quercetin decreases ACE2 and TMPRSS2 expression but not SARS-CoV-2 infection in cultured human lung cells. Biofactors 2024. [PMID: 38886986 DOI: 10.1002/biof.2084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2024] [Accepted: 05/11/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024]
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) binds to angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) on host cells, via its spike protein, and transmembrane protease, serine 2 (TMPRSS2) cleaves the spike-ACE2 complex to facilitate virus entry. As rate-limiting steps for virus entry, modulation of ACE2 and/or TMPRSS2 may decrease SARS-CoV-2 infectivity and COVID-19 severity. In silico modeling suggested the natural bioactive flavonoid quercetin can bind to ACE2 and a recent randomized clinical trial demonstrated that oral supplementation with quercetin increased COVID-19 recovery. A range of cultured human cells were assessed for co-expression of ACE2 and TMPRSS2. Immortalized Calu-3 lung cells, cultured and matured at an air-liquid interface (Calu-3-ALIs), were established as the most appropriate. Primary bronchial epithelial cells (PBECs) were obtained from healthy adult males (N = 6) and cultured under submerged conditions to corroborate the outcomes. Upon maturation or reaching 80% confluence, respectively, the Calu-3-ALIs and PBECs were treated with quercetin, and mRNA and protein expression were assessed by droplet digital PCR and ELISA, respectively. SARS-CoV-2 infectivity, and the effects of pre- and co-treatment with quercetin, was assessed by median tissue culture infectious dose assay. Quercetin dose-dependently decreased ACE2 and TMPRSS2 mRNA and protein in both Calu-3-ALIs and PBECs after 4 h, while TMPRSS2 remained suppressed in response to prolonged treatment with lower doses (twice daily for 3 days). Quercetin also acutely decreased ADAM17 mRNA, but not ACE, in Calu-3-ALIs, and this warrants further investigation. Calu-3-ALIs, but not PBECs, were successfully infected with SARS-CoV-2; however, quercetin had no antiviral effect, neither directly nor indirectly through downregulation of ACE2 and TMPRSS2. Calu-3-ALIs were reaffirmed to be an optimal cell model for research into the regulation of ACE2 and TMPRSS2, without the need for prior genetic modification, and will prove valuable in future coronavirus and respiratory infectious disease work. However, our data demonstrate that a significant decrease in the expression of ACE2 and TMPRSS2 by a promising prophylactic candidate may not translate to infection prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael James Houghton
- Department of Nutrition, Dietetics and Food, Monash University, BASE Facility, Notting Hill, VIC, Australia
- Victorian Heart Institute, Monash University, Victorian Heart Hospital, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Eglantine Balland
- Department of Nutrition, Dietetics and Food, Monash University, BASE Facility, Notting Hill, VIC, Australia
- Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Matthew James Gartner
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Melbourne at The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Belinda Jane Thomas
- Centre for Innate Immunity and Infectious Diseases, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, VIC, Australia
- Monash Lung and Sleep, Monash Health, Monash Medical Centre, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Kanta Subbarao
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Melbourne at The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Influenza, The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Gary Williamson
- Department of Nutrition, Dietetics and Food, Monash University, BASE Facility, Notting Hill, VIC, Australia
- Victorian Heart Institute, Monash University, Victorian Heart Hospital, Clayton, VIC, Australia
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9
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Xiao H, Wei J, Yuan L, Li J, Zhang C, Liu G, Liu X. Sex hormones in COVID-19 severity: The quest for evidence and influence mechanisms. J Cell Mol Med 2024; 28:e18490. [PMID: 38923119 PMCID: PMC11194454 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.18490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2024] [Revised: 05/20/2024] [Accepted: 05/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Studies have reported variable effects of sex hormones on serious diseases. Severe disease and mortality rates in COVID-19 show marked gender differences that may be related to sex hormones. Sex hormones regulate the expression of the viral receptors ACE2 and TMPRSS2, which affect the extent of viral infection and consequently cause variable outcomes. In addition, sex hormones have complex regulatory mechanisms that affect the immune response to viruses. These hormones also affect metabolism, leading to visceral obesity and severe disease can result from complications such as thrombosis. This review presents the latest researches on the regulatory functions of hormones in viral receptors, immune responses, complications as well as their role in COVID-19 progression. It also discusses the therapeutic possibilities of these hormones by reviewing the recent findings of clinical and assay studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haiqing Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory & Center for Molecular Imaging and Translational Medicine, Institute of Artificial Intelligence, School of Public HealthXiamen UniversityXiamenChina
| | - Jiayi Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory & Center for Molecular Imaging and Translational Medicine, Institute of Artificial Intelligence, School of Public HealthXiamen UniversityXiamenChina
| | - Lunzhi Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory & Center for Molecular Imaging and Translational Medicine, Institute of Artificial Intelligence, School of Public HealthXiamen UniversityXiamenChina
| | - Jiayuan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory & Center for Molecular Imaging and Translational Medicine, Institute of Artificial Intelligence, School of Public HealthXiamen UniversityXiamenChina
| | - Chang Zhang
- Clinical Center for Biotherapy, Zhongshan Hospital (Xiamen)Fudan UniversityXiamenChina
| | - Gang Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory & Center for Molecular Imaging and Translational Medicine, Institute of Artificial Intelligence, School of Public HealthXiamen UniversityXiamenChina
| | - Xuan Liu
- Clinical Center for Biotherapy, Zhongshan Hospital (Xiamen)Fudan UniversityXiamenChina
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10
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Kozłowski P, Leszczyńska A, Ciepiela O. Long COVID Definition, Symptoms, Risk Factors, Epidemiology and Autoimmunity: A Narrative Review. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF MEDICINE OPEN 2024; 11:100068. [PMID: 39034937 PMCID: PMC11256271 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajmo.2024.100068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2023] [Revised: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 07/23/2024]
Abstract
The virus called SARS-CoV-2 emerged in 2019 and quickly spread worldwide, causing COVID-19. It has greatly impacted on everyday life, healthcare systems, and the global economy. In order to save as many lives as possible, precautions such as social distancing, quarantine, and testing policies were implemented, and effective vaccines were developed. A growing amount of data collected worldwide allowed the characterization of this new disease, which turned out to be more complex than other common respiratory tract infections. An increasing number of convalescents presented with a variety of nonspecific symptoms emerging after the acute infection. This possible new global health problem was identified and labelled as long COVID. Since then, a great effort has been made by clinicians and the scientific community to understand the underlying mechanisms and to develop preventive measures and effective treatment. The role of autoimmunity induced by SARS-CoV-2 infection in the development of long COVID is discussed in this review. We aim to deliver a description of several conditions with an autoimmune background observed in COVID-19 convalescents, including Guillain-Barré syndrome, antiphospholipid syndrome and related thrombosis, and Kawasaki disease highlighting a relationship between SARS-CoV-2 infection and the development of autoimmunity. However, further studies are required to determine its true clinical significance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paweł Kozłowski
- Central Laboratory, University Clinical Centre of the Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Aleksandra Leszczyńska
- Central Laboratory, University Clinical Centre of the Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Olga Ciepiela
- Central Laboratory, University Clinical Centre of the Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
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11
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Ciacci Zanella G, Snyder CA, Arruda BL, Whitworth K, Green E, Poonooru RR, Telugu BP, Baker AL. Pigs lacking TMPRSS2 displayed fewer lung lesions and reduced inflammatory response when infected with influenza A virus. Front Genome Ed 2024; 5:1320180. [PMID: 38883409 PMCID: PMC11176495 DOI: 10.3389/fgeed.2023.1320180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Influenza A virus (IAV) infection is initiated by hemagglutinin (HA), a glycoprotein exposed on the virion's lipid envelope that undergoes cleavage by host cell proteases to ensure membrane fusion, entry into the host cells, and completion of the viral cycle. Transmembrane protease serine S1 member 2 (TMPRSS2) is a host transmembrane protease expressed throughout the porcine airway epithelium and is purported to play a major role in the HA cleavage process, thereby influencing viral pathogenicity and tissue tropism. Pigs are natural hosts of IAV and IAV disease causes substantial economic impact on the pork industry worldwide. Previous studies in mice demonstrated that knocking out expression of TMPRSS2 gene was safe and inhibited the spread of IAV after experimental challenge. Therefore, we hypothesized that knockout of TMPRSS2 will prevent IAV infectivity in the swine model. We investigated this hypothesis by comparing pathogenesis of an H1N1pdm09 virus challenge in wildtype (WT) control and in TMPRSS2 knockout (TMPRSS2 -/-) pigs. We demonstrated that TMPRSS2 was expressed in the respiratory tract in WT pigs with and without IAV infection. No differences in nasal viral shedding and lung lavage viral titers were observed between WT and TMPRSS2 -/- pigs. However, the TMPRSS2 -/- pig group had significantly less lung lesions and significant reductions in antiviral and proinflammatory cytokines in the lung. The virus titer results in our direct challenge model contradict prior studies in the murine animal model, but the reduced lung lesions and cytokine profile suggest a possible role for TMPRSS2 in the proinflammatory antiviral response. Further research is warranted to investigate the role of TMPRSS2 in swine IAV infection and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovana Ciacci Zanella
- Virus and Prion Research Unit, National Animal Disease Center, United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Ames, IA, United States
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Preventive Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, United States
| | - Celeste A Snyder
- Virus and Prion Research Unit, National Animal Disease Center, United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Ames, IA, United States
| | - Bailey L Arruda
- Virus and Prion Research Unit, National Animal Disease Center, United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Ames, IA, United States
| | - Kristin Whitworth
- National Swine Resource and Research Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
- Division of Animal Sciences, College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
| | - Erin Green
- Division of Animal Sciences, College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
| | - Ravikanth Reddy Poonooru
- Division of Animal Sciences, College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
| | - Bhanu P Telugu
- National Swine Resource and Research Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
- Division of Animal Sciences, College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
| | - Amy L Baker
- Virus and Prion Research Unit, National Animal Disease Center, United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Ames, IA, United States
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Nagahawatta DP, Liyanage NM, Jayawardena TU, Jayawardhana HHACK, Jeong SH, Kwon HJ, Jeon YJ. Role of marine natural products in the development of antiviral agents against SARS-CoV-2: potential and prospects. MARINE LIFE SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024; 6:280-297. [PMID: 38827130 PMCID: PMC11136918 DOI: 10.1007/s42995-023-00215-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/04/2024]
Abstract
A novel coronavirus, known as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has surfaced and caused global concern owing to its ferocity. SARS-CoV-2 is the causative agent of coronavirus disease 2019; however, it was only discovered at the end of the year and was considered a pandemic by the World Health Organization. Therefore, the development of novel potent inhibitors against SARS-CoV-2 and future outbreaks is urgently required. Numerous naturally occurring bioactive substances have been studied in the clinical setting for diverse disorders. The intricate infection and replication mechanism of SARS-CoV-2 offers diverse therapeutic drug targets for developing antiviral medicines by employing natural products that are safer than synthetic compounds. Marine natural products (MNPs) have received increased attention in the development of novel drugs owing to their high diversity and availability. Therefore, this review article investigates the infection and replication mechanisms, including the function of the SARS-CoV-2 genome and structure. Furthermore, we highlighted anti-SARS-CoV-2 therapeutic intervention efforts utilizing MNPs and predicted SARS-CoV-2 inhibitor design. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s42995-023-00215-9.
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Affiliation(s)
- D. P. Nagahawatta
- Department of Marine Life Sciences, Jeju National University, Jeju, 690-756 Republic of Korea
| | - N. M. Liyanage
- Department of Marine Life Sciences, Jeju National University, Jeju, 690-756 Republic of Korea
| | - Thilina U. Jayawardena
- Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Physics, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, QC G8Z 4M3 Canada
| | | | - Seong-Hun Jeong
- Functional Biomaterial Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Jeongeup-si, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyung-Jun Kwon
- Functional Biomaterial Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Jeongeup-si, Republic of Korea
| | - You-Jin Jeon
- Department of Marine Life Sciences, Jeju National University, Jeju, 690-756 Republic of Korea
- Marine Science Institute, Jeju National University, Jeju, 63333 Republic of Korea
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Heindl MR, Rupp AL, Schwerdtner M, Bestle D, Harbig A, De Rocher A, Schmacke LC, Staker B, Steinmetzer T, Stein DA, Moulton HM, Böttcher-Friebertshäuser E. ACE2 acts as a novel regulator of TMPRSS2-catalyzed proteolytic activation of influenza A virus in airway cells. J Virol 2024; 98:e0010224. [PMID: 38470058 PMCID: PMC11019950 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00102-24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024] Open
Abstract
The transmembrane serine protease 2 (TMPRSS2) activates the outer structural proteins of a number of respiratory viruses including influenza A virus (IAV), parainfluenza viruses, and various coronaviruses for membrane fusion. Previous studies showed that TMPRSS2 interacts with the carboxypeptidase angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), a cell surface protein that serves as an entry receptor for some coronaviruses. Here, by using protease activity assays, we determine that ACE2 increases the enzymatic activity of TMPRSS2 in a non-catalytic manner. Furthermore, we demonstrate that ACE2 knockdown inhibits TMPRSS2-mediated cleavage of IAV hemagglutinin (HA) in Calu-3 human airway cells and suppresses virus titers 100- to 1.000-fold. Transient expression of ACE2 in ACE2-deficient cells increased TMPRSS2-mediated HA cleavage and IAV replication. ACE2 knockdown also reduced titers of MERS-CoV and prevented S cleavage by TMPRSS2 in Calu-3 cells. By contrast, proteolytic activation and multicycle replication of IAV with multibasic HA cleavage site typically cleaved by furin were not affected by ACE2 knockdown. Co-immunoprecipitation analysis revealed that ACE2-TMPRSS2 interaction requires the enzymatic activity of TMPRSS2 and the carboxypeptidase domain of ACE2. Together, our data identify ACE2 as a new co-factor or stabilizer of TMPRSS2 activity and as a novel host cell factor involved in proteolytic activation and spread of IAV in human airway cells. Furthermore, our data indicate that ACE2 is involved in the TMPRSS2-catalyzed activation of additional respiratory viruses including MERS-CoV.IMPORTANCEProteolytic cleavage of viral envelope proteins by host cell proteases is essential for the infectivity of many viruses and relevant proteases provide promising drug targets. The transmembrane serine protease 2 (TMPRSS2) has been identified as a major activating protease of several respiratory viruses, including influenza A virus. TMPRSS2 was previously shown to interact with angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). Here, we report the mechanistic details of this interaction. We demonstrate that ACE2 increases or stabilizes the enzymatic activity of TMPRSS2. Furthermore, we describe ACE2 involvement in TMPRSS2-catalyzed cleavage of the influenza A virus hemagglutinin and MERS-CoV spike protein in human airway cells. These findings expand our knowledge of the activation of respiratory viruses by TMPRSS2 and the host cell factors involved. In addition, our results could help to elucidate a physiological role for TMPRSS2.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Anna-Lena Rupp
- Institute of Virology, Philipps-University, Marburg, Germany
| | | | - Dorothea Bestle
- Institute of Virology, Philipps-University, Marburg, Germany
| | - Anne Harbig
- Institute of Virology, Philipps-University, Marburg, Germany
| | - Amy De Rocher
- Seattle Structural Genomics Center for Infectious Disease (SSGCID), Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Luna C. Schmacke
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Philipps-University, Marburg, Germany
| | - Bart Staker
- Seattle Structural Genomics Center for Infectious Disease (SSGCID), Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Torsten Steinmetzer
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Philipps-University, Marburg, Germany
| | - David A. Stein
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Carlson College of Veterinary Medicine, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, USA
| | - Hong M. Moulton
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Carlson College of Veterinary Medicine, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, USA
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Naidu AS, Wang CK, Rao P, Mancini F, Clemens RA, Wirakartakusumah A, Chiu HF, Yen CH, Porretta S, Mathai I, Naidu SAG. Precision nutrition to reset virus-induced human metabolic reprogramming and dysregulation (HMRD) in long-COVID. NPJ Sci Food 2024; 8:19. [PMID: 38555403 PMCID: PMC10981760 DOI: 10.1038/s41538-024-00261-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024] Open
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2, the etiological agent of COVID-19, is devoid of any metabolic capacity; therefore, it is critical for the viral pathogen to hijack host cellular metabolic machinery for its replication and propagation. This single-stranded RNA virus with a 29.9 kb genome encodes 14 open reading frames (ORFs) and initiates a plethora of virus-host protein-protein interactions in the human body. These extensive viral protein interactions with host-specific cellular targets could trigger severe human metabolic reprogramming/dysregulation (HMRD), a rewiring of sugar-, amino acid-, lipid-, and nucleotide-metabolism(s), as well as altered or impaired bioenergetics, immune dysfunction, and redox imbalance in the body. In the infectious process, the viral pathogen hijacks two major human receptors, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)-2 and/or neuropilin (NRP)-1, for initial adhesion to cell surface; then utilizes two major host proteases, TMPRSS2 and/or furin, to gain cellular entry; and finally employs an endosomal enzyme, cathepsin L (CTSL) for fusogenic release of its viral genome. The virus-induced HMRD results in 5 possible infectious outcomes: asymptomatic, mild, moderate, severe to fatal episodes; while the symptomatic acute COVID-19 condition could manifest into 3 clinical phases: (i) hypoxia and hypoxemia (Warburg effect), (ii) hyperferritinemia ('cytokine storm'), and (iii) thrombocytosis (coagulopathy). The mean incubation period for COVID-19 onset was estimated to be 5.1 days, and most cases develop symptoms after 14 days. The mean viral clearance times were 24, 30, and 39 days for acute, severe, and ICU-admitted COVID-19 patients, respectively. However, about 25-70% of virus-free COVID-19 survivors continue to sustain virus-induced HMRD and exhibit a wide range of symptoms that are persistent, exacerbated, or new 'onset' clinical incidents, collectively termed as post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC) or long COVID. PASC patients experience several debilitating clinical condition(s) with >200 different and overlapping symptoms that may last for weeks to months. Chronic PASC is a cumulative outcome of at least 10 different HMRD-related pathophysiological mechanisms involving both virus-derived virulence factors and a multitude of innate host responses. Based on HMRD and virus-free clinical impairments of different human organs/systems, PASC patients can be categorized into 4 different clusters or sub-phenotypes: sub-phenotype-1 (33.8%) with cardiac and renal manifestations; sub-phenotype-2 (32.8%) with respiratory, sleep and anxiety disorders; sub-phenotype-3 (23.4%) with skeleto-muscular and nervous disorders; and sub-phenotype-4 (10.1%) with digestive and pulmonary dysfunctions. This narrative review elucidates the effects of viral hijack on host cellular machinery during SARS-CoV-2 infection, ensuing detrimental effect(s) of virus-induced HMRD on human metabolism, consequential symptomatic clinical implications, and damage to multiple organ systems; as well as chronic pathophysiological sequelae in virus-free PASC patients. We have also provided a few evidence-based, human randomized controlled trial (RCT)-tested, precision nutrients to reset HMRD for health recovery of PASC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Satyanarayan Naidu
- Global Nutrition Healthcare Council (GNHC) Mission-COVID, Yorba Linda, CA, USA.
- N-terminus Research Laboratory, 232659 Via del Rio, Yorba Linda, CA, 92887, USA.
| | - Chin-Kun Wang
- Global Nutrition Healthcare Council (GNHC) Mission-COVID, Yorba Linda, CA, USA
- School of Nutrition, Chung Shan Medical University, 110, Section 1, Jianguo North Road, Taichung, 40201, Taiwan
| | - Pingfan Rao
- Global Nutrition Healthcare Council (GNHC) Mission-COVID, Yorba Linda, CA, USA
- College of Food and Bioengineering, Fujian Polytechnic Normal University, No.1, Campus New Village, Longjiang Street, Fuqing City, Fujian, China
| | - Fabrizio Mancini
- Global Nutrition Healthcare Council (GNHC) Mission-COVID, Yorba Linda, CA, USA
- President-Emeritus, Parker University, 2540 Walnut Hill Lane, Dallas, TX, 75229, USA
| | - Roger A Clemens
- Global Nutrition Healthcare Council (GNHC) Mission-COVID, Yorba Linda, CA, USA
- University of Southern California, Alfred E. Mann School of Pharmacy/D. K. Kim International Center for Regulatory & Quality Sciences, 1540 Alcazar St., CHP 140, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA
| | - Aman Wirakartakusumah
- International Union of Food Science and Technology (IUFoST), Guelph, ON, Canada
- IPMI International Business School Jakarta; South East Asian Food and Agriculture Science and Technology, IPB University, Bogor, Indonesia
| | - Hui-Fang Chiu
- Department of Chinese Medicine, Taichung Hospital, Ministry of Health & Well-being, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Chi-Hua Yen
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital; School of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Sebastiano Porretta
- Global Nutrition Healthcare Council (GNHC) Mission-COVID, Yorba Linda, CA, USA
- President, Italian Association of Food Technology (AITA), Milan, Italy
- Experimental Station for the Food Preserving Industry, Department of Consumer Science, Viale Tanara 31/a, I-43121, Parma, Italy
| | - Issac Mathai
- Global Nutrition Healthcare Council (GNHC) Mission-COVID, Yorba Linda, CA, USA
- Soukya International Holistic Health Center, Whitefield, Bengaluru, India
| | - Sreus A G Naidu
- Global Nutrition Healthcare Council (GNHC) Mission-COVID, Yorba Linda, CA, USA
- N-terminus Research Laboratory, 232659 Via del Rio, Yorba Linda, CA, 92887, USA
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Sun D, Zhan Z, Wang B, Liu T, Yu M, Lan Y, Li J. Expression of the SARS-CoV-2 Receptor ACE2 and Protease TMPRSS2 in Ocular Hypertension Eyes of Nonhuman Primate and Human. Curr Eye Res 2024; 49:270-279. [PMID: 38212998 DOI: 10.1080/02713683.2023.2291749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE Coronavirus disease 2019 is a disease caused by the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. The double-positive of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 and transmembrane protease serine type 2 have a higher risk of being infected by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. The susceptibility of coronavirus disease 2019 in patients with chronic diseases, especially in different tissues of ocular hypertension eyes like glaucoma, is not yet known. METHODS An ocular hypertension model was established by laser photocoagulation in rhesus monkeys. The expression of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 and transmembrane protease serine type 2 in three ocular hypertension eyes and the three control eyes were analyzed using immunofluorescence. RESULTS No difference was observed between ocular hypertension and control eyes in the expression of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 and transmembrane protease serine type 2 in the conjunctival epithelium, corneal epithelium, and ciliary muscle. In ocular hypertension eyes and control eyes, angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 and transmembrane protease serine type 2 expression were both observed in the retina. Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 staining of retinal ganglion cells was found to be significantly higher in ocular hypertension eyes than in control eyes. However, there was no difference in angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 and transmembrane protease serine type 2 expression in retinal vessels and choroidal vessels between ocular hypertension and control eyes. In our study, the expression and distribution of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 and TMPREE2 in human retina were similar to that of non-human primates as expected. CONCLUSION Our study confirmed that angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 and transmembrane protease serine type 2 were expressed widely in rhesus monkey eyes. When compared with controls eyes, the expression of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 was higher in the retinal ganglion cells in ocular hypertension eyes, suggesting that high ocular pressure may affect the patients' ocular susceptibility to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Difang Sun
- Department of Ophthalmology, Eye Institute of Shandong First Medical University, Qingdao Eye Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, School of Ophthalmology, Shandong First Medical University, Qingdao, China
- Department of Ophthalmology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zongyi Zhan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shenzhen Eye Hospital, Jinan University, Shenzhen Eye Institute, Shenzhen, China
| | - Bin Wang
- Department of Sports Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Ting Liu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Eye Institute of Shandong First Medical University, Qingdao Eye Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, School of Ophthalmology, Shandong First Medical University, Qingdao, China
| | - Minbin Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yuqing Lan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jun Li
- Department of Ophthalmology, Eye Institute of Shandong First Medical University, Qingdao Eye Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, School of Ophthalmology, Shandong First Medical University, Qingdao, China
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16
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Xu Z, Wang H, Jiang S, Teng J, Zhou D, Chen Z, Wen C, Xu Z. Brain Pathology in COVID-19: Clinical Manifestations and Potential Mechanisms. Neurosci Bull 2024; 40:383-400. [PMID: 37715924 PMCID: PMC10912108 DOI: 10.1007/s12264-023-01110-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurological manifestations of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are less noticeable than the respiratory symptoms, but they may be associated with disability and mortality in COVID-19. Even though Omicron caused less severe disease than Delta, the incidence of neurological manifestations is similar. More than 30% of patients experienced "brain fog", delirium, stroke, and cognitive impairment, and over half of these patients presented abnormal neuroimaging outcomes. In this review, we summarize current advances in the clinical findings of neurological manifestations in COVID-19 patients and compare them with those in patients with influenza infection. We also illustrate the structure and cellular invasion mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2 and describe the pathway for central SARS-CoV-2 invasion. In addition, we discuss direct damage and other pathological conditions caused by SARS-CoV-2, such as an aberrant interferon response, cytokine storm, lymphopenia, and hypercoagulation, to provide treatment ideas. This review may offer new insights into preventing or treating brain damage in COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhixing Xu
- First School of Clinical Medicine, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310053, China
| | - Hui Wang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310053, China
| | - Siya Jiang
- Second School of Clinical Medicine, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310053, China
| | - Jiao Teng
- Affiliated Lin'an People's Hospital of Hangzhou Medical College, First People's Hospital of Hangzhou Lin'an District, Lin'an, Hangzhou, 311300, China
| | - Dongxu Zhou
- School of Life Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310053, China
| | - Zhong Chen
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310053, China
- Key Laboratory of Neuropharmacology and Translational Medicine of Zhejiang Province, College of Pharmaceutical Science, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310053, China
| | - Chengping Wen
- Laboratory of Rheumatology and Institute of TCM Clinical Basic Medicine, College of Basic Medical Science, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310053, China.
| | - Zhenghao Xu
- Key Laboratory of Neuropharmacology and Translational Medicine of Zhejiang Province, College of Pharmaceutical Science, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310053, China.
- Laboratory of Rheumatology and Institute of TCM Clinical Basic Medicine, College of Basic Medical Science, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310053, China.
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Aribindi K, Lim M, Lakshminrusimha S, Albertson T. Investigational pharmacological agents for the treatment of ARDS. Expert Opin Investig Drugs 2024; 33:243-277. [PMID: 38316432 DOI: 10.1080/13543784.2024.2315128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 02/07/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) is a heterogeneous form of lung injury with severe hypoxemia and bilateral infiltrates after an inciting event that results in diffuse lung inflammation with a high mortality rate. While research in COVID-related ARDS has resulted in several pharmacotherapeutic agents that have undergone successful investigation, non-COVID ARDS studies have not resulted in many widely accepted pharmacotherapeutic agents despite exhaustive research. AREAS COVERED The aim of this review is to discuss adjuvant pharmacotherapies targeting non-COVID Acute Lung Injury (ALI)/ARDS and novel therapeutics in COVID associated ALI/ARDS. In ARDS, variable data may support selective use of neuromuscular blocking agents, corticosteroids and neutrophil elastase inhibitors, but are not yet universally used. COVID-ALI/ARDS has data supporting the use of IL-6 monoclonal antibodies, corticosteroids, and JAK inhibitor therapy. EXPERT OPINION Although ALI/ARDS modifying pharmacological agents have been identified in COVID-related disease, the data in non-COVID ALI/ARDS has been less compelling. The increased use of more specific molecular phenotyping based on physiologic parameters and biomarkers, will ensure equipoise between groups, and will likely allow more precision in confirming pharmacological agent efficacy in future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katyayini Aribindi
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care & Sleep Medicine, U.C. Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, USA
- Department of Medicine, Veterans Affairs North California Health Care System, Mather, CA, USA
| | - Michelle Lim
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Critical Care Medicine, U.C. Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Satyan Lakshminrusimha
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, U.C. Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Timothy Albertson
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care & Sleep Medicine, U.C. Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, USA
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Cyril AC, Ali NM, Nelliyulla Parambath A, Vazhappilly CG, Jan RK, Karuvantevida N, Aburamadan H, Lozon Y, Radhakrishnan R. Nigella sativa and its chemical constituents: pre-clinical and clinical evidence for their potential anti-SARS-CoV-2 effects. Inflammopharmacology 2024; 32:273-285. [PMID: 37966624 DOI: 10.1007/s10787-023-01385-9] [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: 05/01/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 11/16/2023]
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has caused over 500 million reported cases of COVID-19 worldwide with relatively high morbidity and mortality. Although global vaccination drive has helped control the pandemic, the newer variant of the virus still holds the world in ransom. Several medicinal herbs with antiviral properties have been reported, and one such promising herb is Nigella sativa (NS). Recent molecular docking, pre-clinical, and clinical studies have shown that NS extracts may have the potential to prevent the entry of coronaviruses into the host cell as well as to treat and manage COVID-19 symptoms. Several active compounds from NS, such as nigelledine, α-hederin, dithymoquinone (DTQ), and thymoquinone (TQ), have been proposed as excellent ligands to target angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2 receptors) and other targets on host cells as well as the spike protein (S protein) on SARS-CoV-2. By binding to these target proteins, these ligands could potentially prevent the binding between ACE2 and S protein. Though several articles have been published on the promising therapeutic role of NS and its constituents against SARS-CoV-2 infection, in this review, we consolidate the published information on NS and SARS-CoV-2, focusing on pre-clinical in silico studies as well as clinical trials reported between 2012 and 2023.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asha Caroline Cyril
- College of Medicine, Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
| | - Najma Mohamed Ali
- College of Medicine, Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
| | - Anagha Nelliyulla Parambath
- College of Medicine, Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
| | - Cijo George Vazhappilly
- Department of Biotechnology, American University of Ras Al Khaimah, Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Reem Kais Jan
- College of Medicine, Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
| | - Noushad Karuvantevida
- College of Medicine, Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
| | - Haneen Aburamadan
- College of Medicine, Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
| | - Yosra Lozon
- Dubai Pharmacy College for Girls, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
| | - Rajan Radhakrishnan
- College of Medicine, Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
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19
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Noh HE, Rha MS. Mucosal Immunity against SARS-CoV-2 in the Respiratory Tract. Pathogens 2024; 13:113. [PMID: 38392851 PMCID: PMC10892713 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens13020113] [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: 12/11/2023] [Revised: 01/20/2024] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
The respiratory tract, the first-line defense, is constantly exposed to inhaled allergens, pollutants, and pathogens such as respiratory viruses. Emerging evidence has demonstrated that the coordination of innate and adaptive immune responses in the respiratory tract plays a crucial role in the protection against invading respiratory pathogens. Therefore, a better understanding of mucosal immunity in the airways is critical for the development of novel therapeutics and next-generation vaccines against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and other respiratory viruses. Since the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, our knowledge of mucosal immune responses in the airways has expanded. In this review, we describe the latest knowledge regarding the key components of the mucosal immune system in the respiratory tract. In addition, we summarize the host immune responses in the upper and lower airways following SARS-CoV-2 infection and vaccination, and discuss the impact of allergic airway inflammation on mucosal immune responses against SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hae-Eun Noh
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea;
| | - Min-Seok Rha
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea;
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
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20
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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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21
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Elnagdy MH, Magdy A, Eldars W, Elgamal M, El-Nagdy AH, Salem O, Elmowafy MM, Elborsh OA, Elshafey AW, Kesba MM, Abdulgalil AE, Sobh A. Genetic association of ACE2 and TMPRSS2 polymorphisms with COVID-19 severity; a single centre study from Egypt. Virol J 2024; 21:27. [PMID: 38263160 PMCID: PMC10807154 DOI: 10.1186/s12985-024-02298-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 01/25/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Since the emergence of the COVID-19 infection in China, it has caused considerable morbidity, mortality, and economic burden. It causes the vast majority of clinical manifestations, ranging from mild or even no symptoms to severe respiratory failure. There are many risk factors for severe COVID-19, such as old age, male gender, and associated comorbidities. A major role for genetic factors may exist. The SARS-CoV-2 virus enters the cell primarily through ACE2 receptors. rs2285666 is one of many polymorphisms found in the ACE2 receptor gene. To enable endosome-independent entry into target cells, the transmembrane protease serine-type 2 (TMPRSS2) is necessary to cleave the virus' spike (S) glycoprotein. TMPRSS2 is characterized by an androgen receptor element. The rs12329760 polymorphism in TMPRSS2 may explain different genetic susceptibilities to COVID-19. METHOD This cross-sectional study was held in Mansoura University Hospitals during the period from June 2020 to April 2022 on patients who had mild and severe COVID-19. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory data were collected, and the TaqMan real-time polymerase chain was used for allelic discrimination in the genotyping of rs2285666 and rs12329760. RESULTS This study included 317 Egyptian patients, aged from 0.2 to 87 years. Males were 146, while females were 171. They were divided into mild and severe groups (91 and 226 patients, respectively) based on their clinical symptoms. There was a significant association between COVID-19 severity and male gender, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and high CRP. The genotype and allele frequency distributions of the ACE2 rs2285666 polymorphism showed no significant association with the severity of COVID-19 in both. In contrast, in TMPRSS2 rs12329760 minor T allele and CT, TT genotypes were significantly associated with a reduced likelihood of developing severe COVID-19. CONCLUSION Our study indicates that the ACE2 rs2285666 polymorphism is not related to the severity of COVID-19, whether genotypes or alleles. In TMPRSS2 rs12329760, the dominant model and T allele showed significantly lower frequencies in severe cases, with a protective effect against severity. The discrepancies with previous results may be due to variations in other ACE2 receptor-related genes, inflammatory mediators, and coagulation indicators. Haplotype blocks and differences in racial makeup must be taken into consideration. Future research should be done to clarify how ethnicity affects these polymorphisms and how other comorbidities combine to have an additive effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marwa H Elnagdy
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Mansoura University Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura, Egypt
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, New Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
| | - Alshimaa Magdy
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Mansoura University Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura, Egypt
| | - Waleed Eldars
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, New Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Mansoura University Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura, Egypt
| | - Mohamed Elgamal
- Department of Chest Medicine, Mansoura University Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura, Egypt
| | - Ahmed Hazem El-Nagdy
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Dentistry, Horus University, Damietta El Gadeeda, Egypt
| | - Omnia Salem
- Department of Pediatrics, Mansoura University Children's Hospital, Mansoura University Faculty of Medicine, 60 El Gomhouria Street, Mansoura, 35516, Egypt
| | | | - Omar Ahmed Elborsh
- Intern, Mansoura University Hospitals, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
| | | | | | - Ahmed Elsaeed Abdulgalil
- Mansoura Nephrology and Dialysis Unit, Internal Medicine Department, Mansoura University Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura, Egypt
| | - Ali Sobh
- Department of Pediatrics, Mansoura University Children's Hospital, Mansoura University Faculty of Medicine, 60 El Gomhouria Street, Mansoura, 35516, Egypt.
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22
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Wu A, Shi K, Wang J, Zhang R, Wang Y. Targeting SARS-CoV-2 entry processes: The promising potential and future of host-targeted small-molecule inhibitors. Eur J Med Chem 2024; 263:115923. [PMID: 37981443 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2023] [Revised: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 10/28/2023] [Indexed: 11/21/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by SARS-CoV-2, has had a huge impact on global health. To respond to rapidly mutating viruses and to prepare for the next pandemic, there is an urgent need to develop small molecule therapies that target critical stages of the SARS-CoV-2 life cycle. Inhibiting the entry process of the virus can effectively control viral infection and play a role in prevention and treatment. Host factors involved in this process, such as ACE2, TMPRSS2, ADAM17, furin, PIKfyve, TPC2, CTSL, AAK1, V-ATPase, HSPG, and NRP1, have been found to be potentially good targets with stability. Through further exploration of the cell entry process of SARS-CoV-2, small-molecule drugs targeting these host factors have been developed. This review focuses on the structural functions of potential host cell targets during the entry of SARS-CoV-2 into host cells. The research progress, chemical structure, structure-activity relationship, and clinical value of small-molecule inhibitors against COVID-19 are reviewed to provide a reference for the development of small-molecule drugs against COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aijia Wu
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Targeted Tracer Research and Development Laboratory, Institute of Respiratory Health, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, Precision Medicine Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China; West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Kunyu Shi
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Targeted Tracer Research and Development Laboratory, Institute of Respiratory Health, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, Precision Medicine Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China; Frontiers Medical Center, Tianfu Jincheng Laboratory, Chengdu, 610212, China
| | - Jiaxing Wang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, 38163, Tennessee, United States
| | - Ruofei Zhang
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Targeted Tracer Research and Development Laboratory, Institute of Respiratory Health, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, Precision Medicine Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China; West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Yuxi Wang
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Targeted Tracer Research and Development Laboratory, Institute of Respiratory Health, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, Precision Medicine Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China; Frontiers Medical Center, Tianfu Jincheng Laboratory, Chengdu, 610212, China.
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23
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Johnson L, Bartlett ML, Ramirez F, Heger CD, Smith DR. Development of automated microfluidic immunoassays for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies and antigen. J Immunol Methods 2024; 524:113586. [PMID: 38040191 DOI: 10.1016/j.jim.2023.113586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2023] [Revised: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/03/2023]
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the causative agent of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) global pandemic. Rapid and sensitive detection of the virus soon after infection is important for the treatment and prevention of transmission of COVID-19, and detection of antibodies is important for epidemiology, assessment of vaccine immunogenicity, and identification of the natural reservoir and intermediate host(s). Patient nasal or oropharyngeal swabs or saliva used in conjunction with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) detect SARS-CoV-2 RNA, whereas lateral flow immunoassays (LFI) detect SARS-CoV-2 proteins. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) detect anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in blood. Although effective, these assays have poor sensitivity (e.g., LFI) or are labor intensive and time consuming (PCR and ELISA). Here we describe the development of rapid, automated ELISA-based immunoassays to detect SARS-CoV-2 antigens and antibodies against the virus. The Simple Plex™ platform uses rapid microfluidic reaction kinetics for sensitive analyte detection with small sample volumes. We developed three sensitive <90-min Simple Plex immunoassays that measure either the SARS-CoV-2 antigens or the immune response to SARS-CoV-2, including neutralizing antibodies, in serum from COVID-19 patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linwood Johnson
- Microbiology and Immunology Department, Biological Defense Research Directorate, Naval Medical Research Command, Fort Detrick, MD, USA
| | - Maggie L Bartlett
- Microbiology and Immunology Department, Biological Defense Research Directorate, Naval Medical Research Command, Fort Detrick, MD, USA
| | | | | | - Darci R Smith
- Microbiology and Immunology Department, Biological Defense Research Directorate, Naval Medical Research Command, Fort Detrick, MD, USA.
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24
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Kushwaha ND, Mohan J, Kushwaha B, Ghazi T, Nwabuife JC, Koorbanally N, Chuturgoon AA. A comprehensive review on the global efforts on vaccines and repurposed drugs for combating COVID-19. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 260:115719. [PMID: 37597435 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Revised: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 08/21/2023]
Abstract
The recently discovered coronavirus, known as SARS-CoV-2, is a highly contagious and potentially lethal viral infection that was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization on March 11, 2020. Since the beginning of the pandemic, an unprecedented number of COVID-19 vaccine candidates have been investigated for their potential to manage the pandemic. Herein, we reviewed vaccine development and the associated research effort, both traditional and forward-looking, to demonstrate the advantages and disadvantages of their technology, in addition to their efficacy limitations against mutant SARS-CoV-2. Moreover, we report repurposed drug discovery, which mainly focuses on virus-based and host-based targets, as well as their inhibitors. SARS-CoV-2 targets include the main protease (Mpro), and RNA-dependent RNA-polymerase (RdRp), which are the most well-studied and conserved across coronaviruses, enabling the development of broad-spectrum inhibitors of these enzymes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Narva Deshwar Kushwaha
- Discipline of Medical Biochemistry, School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Science, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA.
| | - Jivanka Mohan
- Discipline of Medical Biochemistry, School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Science, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Babita Kushwaha
- Discipline of Medical Biochemistry, School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Science, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Terisha Ghazi
- Discipline of Medical Biochemistry, School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Science, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Joshua C Nwabuife
- Discipline of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 4000, South Africa
| | - Neil Koorbanally
- School of Chemistry, College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 4000, South Africa
| | - Anil A Chuturgoon
- Discipline of Medical Biochemistry, School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Science, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa.
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25
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Fan Y, Guan B, Xu J, Zhang H, Yi L, Yang Z. Role of toll-like receptor-mediated pyroptosis in sepsis-induced cardiomyopathy. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 167:115493. [PMID: 37734261 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2023] [Revised: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Sepsis, a life-threatening dysregulated status of the host response to infection, can cause multiorgan dysfunction and mortality. Sepsis places a heavy burden on the cardiovascular system due to the pathological imbalance of hyperinflammation and immune suppression. Myocardial injury and cardiac dysfunction caused by the aberrant host responses to pathogens can lead to cardiomyopathy, one of the most critical complications of sepsis. However, many questions about the specific mechanisms and characteristics of this complication remain to be answered. The causes of sepsis-induced cardiac dysfunction include abnormal cardiac perfusion, myocardial inhibitory substances, autonomic dysfunction, mitochondrial dysfunction, and calcium homeostasis dysregulation. The fight between the host and pathogens acts as the trigger for sepsis-induced cardiomyopathy. Pyroptosis, a form of programmed cell death, plays a critical role in the progress of sepsis. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) act as pattern recognition receptors and participate in innate immune pathways that recognize damage-associated molecular patterns as well as pathogen-associated molecular patterns to mediate pyroptosis. Notably, pyroptosis is tightly associated with cardiac dysfunction in sepsis and septic shock. In line with these observations, induction of TLR-mediated pyroptosis may be a promising therapeutic approach to treat sepsis-induced cardiomyopathy. This review focuses on the potential roles of TLR-mediated pyroptosis in sepsis-induced cardiomyopathy, to shed light on this promising therapeutic approach, thus helping to prevent and control septic shock caused by cardiovascular disorders and improve the prognosis of sepsis patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yixuan Fan
- Xiyuan Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China; Intensive Care Unit, Xiyuan Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Baoyi Guan
- Department of Internal Medicine-Cardiovascular, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine
| | - Jianxing Xu
- Xiyuan Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China; Intensive Care Unit, Xiyuan Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - He Zhang
- Xiyuan Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China; National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Cardiology, Beijing, China
| | - Liang Yi
- Xiyuan Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China; Intensive Care Unit, Xiyuan Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.
| | - Zhixu Yang
- Xiyuan Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China; Intensive Care Unit, Xiyuan Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.
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26
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Strobelt R, Adler J, Shaul Y. The Transmembrane Protease Serine 2 (TMPRSS2) Non-Protease Domains Regulating Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Spike-Mediated Virus Entry. Viruses 2023; 15:2124. [PMID: 37896901 PMCID: PMC10612036 DOI: 10.3390/v15102124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2023] [Revised: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) enters cells by binding to the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (hACE2) receptor. This process is aided by the transmembrane protease serine 2 (TMPRSS2), which enhances entry efficiency and infectiousness by cleaving the SARS-CoV-2 surface glycoprotein (Spike). The cleavage primes the Spike protein, promoting membrane fusion instead of receptor-mediated endocytosis. Despite the pivotal role played by TMPRSS2, our understanding of its non-protease distinct domains remains limited. In this report, we present evidence indicating the potential phosphorylation of a minimum of six tyrosine residues within the cytosolic tail (CT) of TMPRSS2. Via the use of TMPRSS2 CT phospho-mimetic mutants, we observed a reduction in TMPRSS2 protease activity, accompanied by a decrease in SARS-CoV-2 pseudovirus transduction, which was found to occur mainly via the endosomal pathway. We expanded our investigation beyond TMPRSS2 CT and discovered the involvement of other non-protease domains in regulating infection. Our co-immunoprecipitation experiments demonstrated a strong interaction between TMPRSS2 and Spike. We revealed a 21 amino acid long TMPRSS2-Spike-binding region (TSBR) within the TMPRSS2 scavenger receptor cysteine-rich (SRCR) domain that contributes to this interaction. Our study sheds light on novel functionalities associated with TMPRSS2's cytosolic tail and SRCR region. Both of these regions have the capability to regulate SARS-CoV-2 entry pathways. These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the complex interplay between viral entry and host factors, opening new avenues for potential therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Yosef Shaul
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
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27
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Mykytyn AZ, Breugem TI, Geurts MH, Beumer J, Schipper D, van Acker R, van den Doel PB, van Royen ME, Zhang J, Clevers H, Haagmans BL, Lamers MM. SARS-CoV-2 Omicron entry is type II transmembrane serine protease-mediated in human airway and intestinal organoid models. J Virol 2023; 97:e0085123. [PMID: 37555660 PMCID: PMC10506477 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00851-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2023] [Accepted: 06/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/10/2023] Open
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 can enter cells after its spike protein is cleaved by either type II transmembrane serine proteases (TTSPs), like TMPRSS2, or cathepsins. It is now widely accepted that the Omicron variant uses TMPRSS2 less efficiently and instead enters cells via cathepsins, but these findings have yet to be verified in more relevant cell models. Although we could confirm efficient cathepsin-mediated entry for Omicron in a monkey kidney cell line, experiments with protease inhibitors showed that Omicron (BA.1 and XBB1.5) did not use cathepsins for entry into human airway organoids and instead utilized TTSPs. Likewise, CRISPR-edited intestinal organoids showed that entry of Omicron BA.1 relied on the expression of the serine protease TMPRSS2 but not cathepsin L or B. Together, these data force us to rethink the concept that Omicron has adapted to cathepsin-mediated entry and indicate that TTSP inhibitors should not be dismissed as prophylactic or therapeutic antiviral strategy against SARS-CoV-2. IMPORTANCE Coronavirus entry relies on host proteases that activate the viral fusion protein, spike. These proteases determine the viral entry route, tropism, host range, and can be attractive drug targets. Whereas earlier studies using cell lines suggested that the Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 has changed its protease usage, from cell surface type II transmembrane serine proteases (TTSPs) to endosomal cathepsins, we report that this is not the case in human airway and intestinal organoid models, suggesting that host TTSP inhibition is still a viable prophylactic or therapeutic antiviral strategy against current SARS-CoV-2 variants and highlighting the importance of relevant human in vitro cell models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Z. Mykytyn
- Viroscience Department, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Tim I. Breugem
- Viroscience Department, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Maarten H. Geurts
- Oncode Institute, Hubrecht Institute, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences and University Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Joep Beumer
- Oncode Institute, Hubrecht Institute, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences and University Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Debby Schipper
- Viroscience Department, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Romy van Acker
- Viroscience Department, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | | | - Martin E. van Royen
- Department of Pathology, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Jingshu Zhang
- Viroscience Department, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Hans Clevers
- Oncode Institute, Hubrecht Institute, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences and University Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Bart L. Haagmans
- Viroscience Department, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Mart M. Lamers
- Viroscience Department, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
- Programme in Emerging Infectious Diseases, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
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28
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Gallenga CE, Maritati M, Mura M, Di Virgilio F, Conti P, Contini C. Macrophage Activation in Follicular Conjunctivitis during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Microorganisms 2023; 11:2198. [PMID: 37764042 PMCID: PMC10534302 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11092198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2023] [Revised: 08/12/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Among the symptoms of SARS-CoV-2, follicular conjunctivitis has become relevant. The conjunctiva acts as an open lymph node, reacting to the viral antigen that binds the epithelial cells, forming follicles of B cells with activated T cells and NK cells on its surface, which, in turn, talk to monocyte-derived inflammatory infected macrophages. Here, the NLRP3 inflammasome is a major driver in releasing pro-inflammatory factors such as IL-6 and caspase-1, leading to follicular conjunctivitis and bulbar congestion, even as isolated signs in the 'asymptomatic' patient.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla Enrica Gallenga
- Department of Medical Sciences Doctoral Course Molecular Medicine, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy;
- Ophthalmology Unit, University—Hospital Cona, 44124 Ferrara, Italy;
| | - Martina Maritati
- Bone and Infections Lab, Santa Maria Maddalena NH, Occhiobello, 45030 Rovigo, Italy; mrtmtn#@unife.it
- Department of Medical Sciences, Infectious Diseases Unit, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Marco Mura
- Ophthalmology Unit, University—Hospital Cona, 44124 Ferrara, Italy;
- Department of Translational Medicine and for the Romagna, Ophthalmology, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Francesco Di Virgilio
- Department of Medical Sciences Doctoral Course Molecular Medicine, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy;
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Pio Conti
- School of Medicine, Immunology, G. D’Annunzio University, Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy;
- Molecular Pharmacology and Drug Discovery Laboratory, School of Medicine, Tufts University, Boston, MA 02111, USA
| | - Carlo Contini
- Department of Medical Sciences, Section Dermatology and Infectious Diseases, University of Ferrara, 44124 Ferrara, Italy;
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29
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Hejenkowska ED, Mitash N, Donovan JE, Chandra A, Bertrand C, De Santi C, Greene CM, Mu F, Swiatecka-Urban A. TGF-β1 Inhibition of ACE2 Mediated by miRNA Uncovers Novel Mechanism of SARS-CoV-2 Pathogenesis. J Innate Immun 2023; 15:629-646. [PMID: 37579743 PMCID: PMC10601633 DOI: 10.1159/000533606] [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: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 08/16/2023] Open
Abstract
The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), responsible for COVID-19, utilizes receptor binding domain (RBD) of spike glycoprotein to interact with angiotensin (Ang)-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). Altering ACE2 levels may affect entry of SARS-CoV-2 and recovery from COVID-19. Decreased cell surface density of ACE2 leads to increased local levels of Ang II and may contribute to mortality resulting from acute lung injury and fibrosis during COVID-19. Studies published early during the COVID-19 pandemic reported that people with cystic fibrosis (PwCF) had milder symptoms, compared to people without CF. This finding was attributed to elevated ACE2 levels and/or treatment with the high efficiency CFTR modulators. Subsequent studies did not confirm these findings reporting variable effects of CFTR gene mutations on ACE2 levels. Transforming growth factor (TGF)-β signaling is essential during SARS-CoV-2 infection and dominates the chronic immune response in severe COVID-19, leading to pulmonary fibrosis. TGF-β1 is a gene modifier associated with more severe lung disease in PwCF but its effects on the COVID-19 course in PwCF is unknown. To understand whether TGF-β1 affects ACE2 levels in the airway, we examined miRNAs and their gene targets affecting SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis in response to TGF-β1. Small RNAseq and micro(mi)RNA profiling identified pathways uniquely affected by TGF-β1, including those associated with SARS-CoV-2 invasion, replication, and the host immune responses. TGF-β1 inhibited ACE2 expression by miR-136-3p and miR-369-5p mediated mechanism in CF and non-CF bronchial epithelial cells. ACE2 levels were higher in two bronchial epithelial cell models expressing the most common CF-causing mutation in CFTR gene F508del, compared to controls without the mutation. After TGF-β1 treatment, ACE2 protein levels were still higher in CF, compared to non-CF cells. TGF-β1 prevented the modulator-mediated rescue of F508del-CFTR function while the modulators did not prevent the TGF-β1 inhibition of ACE2 levels. Finally, TGF-β1 reduced the interaction between ACE2 and the recombinant spike RBD by lowering ACE2 levels and its binding to RBD. Our data demonstrate novel mechanism whereby TGF-β1 inhibition of ACE2 in CF and non-CF bronchial epithelial cells may modulate SARS-CoV-2 pathogenicity and COVID-19 severity. By reducing ACE2 levels, TGF-β1 may decrease entry of SARS-CoV-2 into the host cells while hindering the recovery from COVID-19 due to loss of the anti-inflammatory and regenerative effects of ACE2. The above outcomes may be modulated by other, miRNA-mediated effects exerted by TGF-β1 on the host immune responses, leading to a complex and yet incompletely understood circuitry.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nilay Mitash
- Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Joshua E. Donovan
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Anvita Chandra
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Carol Bertrand
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Chiara De Santi
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Catherine M. Greene
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Fangping Mu
- Center for Research Computing, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
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30
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Schwerdtner M, Skalik A, Limburg H, Bierwagen J, Jung AL, Dorna J, Kaufmann A, Bauer S, Schmeck B, Böttcher-Friebertshäuser E. Expression of TMPRSS2 is up-regulated by bacterial flagellin, LPS, and Pam3Cys in human airway cells. Life Sci Alliance 2023; 6:e202201813. [PMID: 37208193 PMCID: PMC10200810 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.202201813] [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: 11/09/2022] [Revised: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Many viruses require proteolytic activation of their envelope proteins for infectivity, and relevant host proteases provide promising drug targets. The transmembrane serine protease 2 (TMPRSS2) has been identified as a major activating protease of influenza A virus (IAV) and various coronaviruses (CoV). Increased TMPRSS2 expression has been associated with a higher risk of severe influenza infection and enhanced susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2. Here, we found that Legionella pneumophila stimulates the increased expression of TMPRSS2-mRNA in Calu-3 human airway cells. We identified flagellin as the dominant structural component inducing TMPRSS2 expression. The flagellin-induced increase was not observed at this magnitude for other virus-activating host proteases. TMPRSS2-mRNA expression was also significantly increased by LPS, Pam3Cys, and Streptococcus pneumoniae, although less pronounced. Multicycle replication of H1N1pdm and H3N2 IAV but not SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV was enhanced by flagellin treatment. Our data suggest that bacteria, particularly flagellated bacteria, up-regulate the expression of TMPRSS2 in human airway cells and, thereby, may support enhanced activation and replication of IAV upon co-infections. In addition, our data indicate a physiological role of TMPRSS2 in antimicrobial host response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie Schwerdtner
- Institute of Virology, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Annika Skalik
- Institute of Virology, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Hannah Limburg
- Institute of Virology, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Jeff Bierwagen
- Institute for Lung Research, Universities of Giessen and Marburg Lung Center, Philipps-University Marburg, German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Marburg, Germany
| | - Anna Lena Jung
- Institute for Lung Research, Universities of Giessen and Marburg Lung Center, Philipps-University Marburg, German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Marburg, Germany
| | - Jens Dorna
- Institute of Immunology, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Andreas Kaufmann
- Institute of Immunology, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Stefan Bauer
- Institute of Immunology, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Bernd Schmeck
- Institute for Lung Research, Universities of Giessen and Marburg Lung Center, Philipps-University Marburg, German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Marburg, Germany
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany, Member of the German Center for Infectious Disease Research (DZIF), Marburg, Germany
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31
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Spinello A, D'Anna L, Bignon E, Miclot T, Grandemange S, Terenzi A, Barone G, Barbault F, Monari A. Mechanism of the Covalent Inhibition of Human Transmembrane Protease Serine 2 as an Original Antiviral Strategy. J Phys Chem B 2023. [PMID: 37428676 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.3c02910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/12/2023]
Abstract
The Transmembrane Protease Serine 2 (TMPRSS2) is a human enzyme which is involved in the maturation and post-translation of different proteins. In addition to being overexpressed in cancer cells, TMPRSS2 plays a further fundamental role in favoring viral infections by allowing the fusion of the virus envelope with the cellular membrane, notably in SARS-CoV-2. In this contribution, we resort to multiscale molecular modeling to unravel the structural and dynamical features of TMPRSS2 and its interaction with a model lipid bilayer. Furthermore, we shed light on the mechanism of action of a potential inhibitor (nafamostat), determining the free-energy profile associated with the inhibition reaction and showing the facile poisoning of the enzyme. Our study, while providing the first atomistically resolved mechanism of TMPRSS2 inhibition, is also fundamental in furnishing a solid framework for further rational design targeting transmembrane proteases in a host-directed antiviral strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angelo Spinello
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Palermo, 90126 Palermo, Italy
| | - Luisa D'Anna
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Palermo, 90126 Palermo, Italy
| | - Emmanuelle Bignon
- Université de Lorraine and CNRS, UMR 7019 LPCT, F-54000 Nancy, France
| | - Tom Miclot
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Palermo, 90126 Palermo, Italy
- Université de Lorraine and CNRS, UMR 7019 LPCT, F-54000 Nancy, France
| | | | - Alessio Terenzi
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Palermo, 90126 Palermo, Italy
| | - Giampaolo Barone
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Palermo, 90126 Palermo, Italy
| | | | - Antonio Monari
- Université Paris Cité and CNRS, ITODYS, F-75006 Paris, France
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32
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Talukder P, Saha A, Roy S, Ghosh G, Roy DD, Barua S. Drugs for COVID-19 Treatment: A New Challenge. Appl Biochem Biotechnol 2023; 195:3653-3670. [PMID: 36961509 PMCID: PMC10037400 DOI: 10.1007/s12010-023-04439-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/25/2023]
Abstract
COVID-19 infection is a new disease and our knowledge is limited; day in and day out more and more interesting yet diverse observations are reported by the different research groups from different corners of the world. So, there is an urgent requirement of the invention of some effective and efficient drugs that can carry out the end of the deadly viral infection. Throughout the world, there have been many efforts carried out in different labs to invent such a drug and also identifying any pre-existing drugs which can carry out the killing of the virus. In this review, an effort has been made to understand the potential drugs which can be used against the SARS-CoV-2 viral infection. Again, the strategies on the current and the future drug discovery mechanisms against the SARS-CoV-2 are also mentioned. The different drugs made and the drugs re-used and also the drugs which are in the making process in different research laboratories across the world are also mentioned. To combat this unexpected crisis, we still need some more efforts from the different scientific communities around the world for finding a cure against this viral infection and this is needed to be done for the prevention of more loss of human life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pratik Talukder
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Engineering and Management, Kolkata University Area, Plot, Street Number 03, Action Area III, B/5, Newtown, Kolkata, West Bengal, 700156, India.
| | - Arunima Saha
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Engineering and Management, Kolkata University Area, Plot, Street Number 03, Action Area III, B/5, Newtown, Kolkata, West Bengal, 700156, India
| | - Sohini Roy
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Engineering and Management, Kolkata University Area, Plot, Street Number 03, Action Area III, B/5, Newtown, Kolkata, West Bengal, 700156, India
| | - Gargi Ghosh
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Engineering and Management, Kolkata University Area, Plot, Street Number 03, Action Area III, B/5, Newtown, Kolkata, West Bengal, 700156, India
| | - Debshikha Dutta Roy
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Engineering and Management, Kolkata University Area, Plot, Street Number 03, Action Area III, B/5, Newtown, Kolkata, West Bengal, 700156, India
| | - Snejuti Barua
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Engineering and Management, Kolkata University Area, Plot, Street Number 03, Action Area III, B/5, Newtown, Kolkata, West Bengal, 700156, India
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Sengar A, Cervantes M, Bondalapati ST, Hess T, Kasson PM. Single-Virus Fusion Measurements Reveal Multiple Mechanistically Equivalent Pathways for SARS-CoV-2 Entry. J Virol 2023; 97:e0199222. [PMID: 37133381 PMCID: PMC10231210 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01992-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) binds to cell surface receptors and is activated for membrane fusion and cell entry via proteolytic cleavage. Phenomenological data have shown that SARS-CoV-2 can be activated for entry at either the cell surface or in endosomes, but the relative roles in different cell types and mechanisms of entry have been debated. Here, we used single-virus fusion experiments and exogenously controlled proteases to probe activation directly. We found that plasma membrane and an appropriate protease are sufficient to support SARS-CoV-2 pseudovirus fusion. Furthermore, fusion kinetics of SARS-CoV-2 pseudoviruses are indistinguishable no matter which of a broad range of proteases is used to activate the virus. This suggests that the fusion mechanism is insensitive to protease identity or even whether activation occurs before or after receptor binding. These data support a model for opportunistic fusion by SARS-CoV-2 in which the subcellular location of entry likely depends on the differential activity of airway, cellsurface, and endosomal proteases, but all support infection. Inhibition of any single host protease may thus reduce infection in some cells but may be less clinically robust. IMPORTANCE SARS-CoV-2 can use multiple pathways to infect cells, as demonstrated recently when new viral variants switched dominant infection pathways. Here, we used single-virus fusion experiments together with biochemical reconstitution to show that these multiple pathways coexist simultaneously and specifically that the virus can be activated by different proteases in different cellular compartments with mechanistically identical effects. The consequences of this are that the virus is evolutionarily plastic and that therapies targeting viral entry should address multiple pathways at once to achieve optimal clinical effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anjali Sengar
- Department of Molecular Physiology, Global Infectious Diseases Institute, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Global Infectious Diseases Institute, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Marcos Cervantes
- Department of Molecular Physiology, Global Infectious Diseases Institute, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Global Infectious Diseases Institute, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Sai T. Bondalapati
- Department of Molecular Physiology, Global Infectious Diseases Institute, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Global Infectious Diseases Institute, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Tobin Hess
- Department of Molecular Physiology, Global Infectious Diseases Institute, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Global Infectious Diseases Institute, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Peter M. Kasson
- Department of Molecular Physiology, Global Infectious Diseases Institute, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Global Infectious Diseases Institute, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
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Yang R, Liu L, Jiang D, Liu L, Yang H, Xu H, Qin M, Wang P, Gu J, Xing Y. Identification of Potential TMPRSS2 Inhibitors for COVID-19 Treatment in Chinese Medicine by Computational Approaches and Surface Plasmon Resonance Technology. J Chem Inf Model 2023; 63:3005-3017. [PMID: 37155923 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.2c01643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) pneumonia continues to spread in the entire globe with limited medication available. In this study, the active compounds in Chinese medicine (CM) recipes targeting the transmembrane serine protease 2 (TMPRSS2) protein for the treatment of COVID-19 were explored. METHODS The conformational structure of TMPRSS2 protein (TMPS2) was built through homology modeling. A training set covering TMPS2 inhibitors and decoy molecules was docked to TMPS2, and their docking poses were re-scored with scoring schemes. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was applied to select the best scoring function. Virtual screening of the candidate compounds (CCDs) in the six highly effective CM recipes against TMPS2 was conducted based on the validated docking protocol. The potential CCDs after docking were subject to molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and surface plasmon resonance (SPR) experiment. RESULTS A training set of 65 molecules were docked with modeled TMPS2 and LigScore2 with the highest area under the curve, AUC, value (0.886) after ROC analysis selected to best differentiate inhibitors from decoys. A total of 421 CCDs in the six recipes were successfully docked into TMPS2, and the top 16 CCDs with LigScore2 higher than the cutoff (4.995) were screened out. MD simulations revealed a stable binding between these CCDs and TMPS2 due to the negative binding free energy. Lastly, SPR experiments validated the direct combination of narirutin, saikosaponin B1, and rutin with TMPS2. CONCLUSIONS Specific active compounds including narirutin, saikosaponin B1, and rutin in CM recipes potentially target and inhibit TMPS2, probably exerting a therapeutic effect on COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rong Yang
- Department of Hepatology, Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, The Fourth Clinical Medical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen 518033, China
- Faculty of Chinese Medicine and State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau 999078, China
| | - Linhua Liu
- Department of Hepatology, Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, The Fourth Clinical Medical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen 518033, China
| | - Dansheng Jiang
- Department of Hepatology, Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, The Fourth Clinical Medical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen 518033, China
| | - Lei Liu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen 518033, China
| | - Huili Yang
- Department of Hepatology, Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, The Fourth Clinical Medical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen 518033, China
| | - Hongling Xu
- Department of Hepatology, Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, The Fourth Clinical Medical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen 518033, China
| | - Meirong Qin
- National Medical Products Administration, Shenzhen Institute for Drug Control, Shenzhen 518057, China
| | - Ping Wang
- National Medical Products Administration, Shenzhen Institute for Drug Control, Shenzhen 518057, China
| | - Jiangyong Gu
- Research Centre for Integrative Medicine, School of Basic Medical Science, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Yufeng Xing
- Department of Hepatology, Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, The Fourth Clinical Medical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen 518033, China
- Faculty of Chinese Medicine and State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau 999078, China
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35
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Ma Y, Li P, Hu Y, Qiu T, Wang L, Lu H, Lv K, Xu M, Zhuang J, Liu X, He S, He B, Liu S, Liu L, Wang Y, Yue X, Zhai Y, Luo W, Mai H, Kuang Y, Chen S, Ye F, Zhou N, Zhao W, Chen J, Chen S, Xiong X, Shi M, Pan JA, Chen YQ. Spike substitution T813S increases Sarbecovirus fusogenicity by enhancing the usage of TMPRSS2. PLoS Pathog 2023; 19:e1011123. [PMID: 37196033 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1011123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2023] [Revised: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/19/2023] Open
Abstract
SARS-CoV Spike (S) protein shares considerable homology with SARS-CoV-2 S, especially in the conserved S2 subunit (S2). S protein mediates coronavirus receptor binding and membrane fusion, and the latter activity can greatly influence coronavirus infection. We observed that SARS-CoV S is less effective in inducing membrane fusion compared with SARS-CoV-2 S. We identify that S813T mutation is sufficient in S2 interfering with the cleavage of SARS-CoV-2 S by TMPRSS2, reducing spike fusogenicity and pseudoparticle entry. Conversely, the mutation of T813S in SARS-CoV S increased fusion ability and viral replication. Our data suggested that residue 813 in the S was critical for the proteolytic activation, and the change from threonine to Serine at 813 position might be an evolutionary feature adopted by SARS-2-related viruses. This finding deepened the understanding of Spike fusogenicity and could provide a new perspective for exploring Sarbecovirus' evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong Ma
- School of Public Health (Shenzhen), Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Pengbin Li
- School of Public Health (Shenzhen), Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yunqi Hu
- School of Public Health (Shenzhen), Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Tianyi Qiu
- Institute of Clinical Science, Zhongshan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Lixiang Wang
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hongjie Lu
- School of Public Health (Shenzhen), Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Kexin Lv
- School of Public Health (Shenzhen), Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Mengxin Xu
- School of Public Health (Shenzhen), Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jiaxin Zhuang
- The Center for Infection and Immunity Study and Molecular Cancer Research Center, School of Medicine, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xue Liu
- The Center for Infection and Immunity Study and Molecular Cancer Research Center, School of Medicine, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Suhua He
- Molecular Imaging Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomedical Imaging, the Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, China
| | - Bing He
- School of Public Health (Shenzhen), Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Shuning Liu
- School of Public Health (Shenzhen), Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Lin Liu
- School of Public Health (Shenzhen), Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yuanyuan Wang
- School of Public Health (Shenzhen), Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xinyu Yue
- School of Public Health (Shenzhen), Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yanmei Zhai
- School of Public Health (Shenzhen), Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Wanyu Luo
- School of Public Health (Shenzhen), Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Haoting Mai
- School of Public Health (Shenzhen), Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yu Kuang
- School of Public Health (Shenzhen), Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Shifeng Chen
- The 74(th) Group Army Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | - Feng Ye
- The 74(th) Group Army Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | - Na Zhou
- The 74(th) Group Army Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wenjing Zhao
- The Center for Infection and Immunity Study and Molecular Cancer Research Center, School of Medicine, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jun Chen
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shoudeng Chen
- Molecular Imaging Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomedical Imaging, the Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, China
| | - Xiaoli Xiong
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, CAS Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Mang Shi
- The Center for Infection and Immunity Study and Molecular Cancer Research Center, School of Medicine, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Ji-An Pan
- The Center for Infection and Immunity Study and Molecular Cancer Research Center, School of Medicine, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yao-Qing Chen
- School of Public Health (Shenzhen), Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
- National Medical Products Administration Key Laboratory for Quality Monitoring and Evaluation of Vaccines and Biological Products, Sun Yat-sen University, Guanzhou, China
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Strobelt R, Broennimann K, Adler J, Shaul Y. SARS-CoV-2 Omicron Specific Mutations Affecting Infectivity, Fusogenicity, and Partial TMPRSS2-Independency. Viruses 2023; 15:v15051129. [PMID: 37243215 DOI: 10.3390/v15051129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Revised: 05/02/2023] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic resulted from the global spread of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Since its first appearance in 2019, new SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOCs) have emerged frequently, changing the infection's dynamic. SARS-CoV-2 infects cells via two distinct entry routes; receptor-mediated endocytosis or membrane fusion, depending on the absence or presence of transmembrane serine protease 2 (TMPRSS2), respectively. In laboratory conditions, the Omicron SARS-CoV-2 strain inefficiently infects cells predominantly via endocytosis and is phenotypically characterized by decreased syncytia formation compared to the earlier Delta variant. Thus, it is important to characterize Omicron's unique mutations and their phenotypic manifestations. Here, by utilizing SARS-CoV-2 pseudovirions, we report that the specific Omicron Spike F375 residue decreases infectivity, and its conversion to the Delta S375 sequence significantly increases Omicron infectivity. Further, we identified that residue Y655 decreases Omicron's TMPRSS2 dependency and entry via membrane fusion. The Y655H, K764N, K856N and K969N Omicron revertant mutations, bearing the Delta variant sequence, increased the cytopathic effect of cell-cell fusion, suggesting these Omicron-specific residues reduced the severity of SARS-CoV-2. This study of the correlation of the mutational profile with the phenotypic outcome should sensitize our alertness towards emerging VOCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Romano Strobelt
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - Karin Broennimann
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - Julia Adler
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - Yosef Shaul
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
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37
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Ogawa K, Khan KN, Koshiba A, Fujishita A, Horiguchi G, Teramukai S, Itoh K, Guo SW, Mori T. Association between tissue stress reaction and ACE2/TMPRSS2 expression in endometria of reproductive aged women before and during Covid-19 pandemic. BMC Womens Health 2023; 23:229. [PMID: 37142998 PMCID: PMC10158702 DOI: 10.1186/s12905-023-02378-0] [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: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND A potential concern has been raised regarding fertility and reproductive outcome during the Covid-19 pandemic with growing stress and anxiety. However, information on the association between tissue stress reaction and expression profiles of SARS-CoV-2 viral entry proteins, ACE2 and TMPRSS2, in endometria collected from women before (pre-pandemic) and during the Covid-19 pandemic (in-pandemic) is unknown. We aim to investigate the relationship between the expression of stress-reactive proteins and of ACE2 and TMPRSS2 in endometria collected from women during these two different time frames. METHODS We retrospectively retrieved tissue blocks of endometrial samples from 25 women in 2019 (pre-pandemic) and 25 women in 2020 (in-pandemic) who underwent hysterectomy for different gynecological indications. Immunohistochemical analysis was performed with endometrial tissue samples that were collected before and during the pandemic, using respective antibodies targeting ACE2/TMPRSS2, ADRB2 and NK1R (stress and anxiety receptor markers, respectively). The quantification of immunoreactive cells for each marker was calculated by the immunoreactive score (IRS) analysis. This retrospective cohort study was limited to small sample size. RESULTS No significant differences in the IRS of ACE2 and TMPRSS2 were found between the endometria that were collected before and during the pandemic with a lack of correlation between ACE2 and TMPRSS2 expression in respective endometria (r = 0.11, pre-pandemic; r = 0.04, in-pandemic). The immunostaining levels of stress marker, ADRB2 were significantly higher in the endometria of in-pandemic group (p = 0.015) comparing to that of pre-pandemic group. Pearson's correlation coefficient analysis showed a significant correlation in the expression between ADRB2 and TMPRSS2 (r = 0.41, p = 0.042) in the endometria of in-pandemic group but not in the pre-pandemic group. CONCLUSION The rise in stress and anxiety among women during current pandemic may elicit substantial amount of tissue stress reaction with consequent increase in the expression of SARS-CoV-2 viral entry proteins in their endometria. A lack of correlation between ACE2 and TMPRSS2 expression in endometria may reassure women in their reproductive age that they are not more susceptible to infection by SARS-CoV-2 and suggest that stressful women during this pandemic can safely decide to conceive naturally or by artificial reproductive technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kanae Ogawa
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, 465 Kajii-Cho, Kamigyo-Ku, 602-8566, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Khaleque N Khan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, 465 Kajii-Cho, Kamigyo-Ku, 602-8566, Kyoto, Japan.
- The Clinical and Translational Research Center, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, 465 Kajii-Cho, Kamigyo-Ku, 602-8566, Kyoto, Japan.
| | - Akemi Koshiba
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, 465 Kajii-Cho, Kamigyo-Ku, 602-8566, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Akira Fujishita
- Department of Gynecology, Saiseikai Nagasaki Hospital, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Go Horiguchi
- Department of Biostatistics, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Satoshi Teramukai
- Department of Biostatistics, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Kyoko Itoh
- Department of Pathology and Applied Neurobiology, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Sun-Wei Guo
- Shanghai Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Taisuke Mori
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, 465 Kajii-Cho, Kamigyo-Ku, 602-8566, Kyoto, Japan
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Sun Q, Li X, Kuang E. Subversion of autophagy machinery and organelle-specific autophagy by SARS-CoV-2 and coronaviruses. Autophagy 2023; 19:1055-1069. [PMID: 36005882 PMCID: PMC10012907 DOI: 10.1080/15548627.2022.2116677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2022] [Revised: 08/18/2022] [Accepted: 08/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/09/2022] Open
Abstract
As a new emerging severe coronavirus, the knowledge on the SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 remains very limited, whereas many concepts can be learned from the homologous coronaviruses. Macroautophagy/autophagy is finely regulated by SARS-CoV-2 infection and plays important roles in SARS-CoV-2 infection and pathogenesis. This review will explore the subversion and mechanism of the autophagy-related machinery, vacuoles and organelle-specific autophagy during infection of SARS-CoV-2 and coronaviruses to provide meaningful insights into the autophagy-related therapeutic strategies for infectious diseases of SARS-CoV-2 and coronaviruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qinqin Sun
- Institute of Human Virology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Xiaojuan Li
- College of Clinic Medicine, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Ersheng Kuang
- Institute of Human Virology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control (Sun Yat-Sen University), Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
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Xu CS, Yang WX. ACE2 in male genitourinary and endocrine systems: Does COVID-19 really affect these systems? Histol Histopathol 2023; 38:261-272. [PMID: 36069179 DOI: 10.14670/hh-18-510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/11/2023]
Abstract
The virus that causes COVID-19 (Corona Virus Disease 2019), SARS-CoV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2), is causing a worldwide pandemic, posing a substantial threat to human health. Patients show signs of pneumonia, ARDS, shock, acute cardiac injury, acute kidney injury and other complications. The SARS-CoV-2 receptor is angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), which is an important component of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS). In addition, TMPRSS2 or other cofactors are needed to allow the virus to enter the host. Clinical patients have exhibited varying degrees of genitourinary and endocrine system damage, and some studies have also reported potential risks to the genitourinary and endocrine systems. This article reviews the mechanism underlying SARS-CoV-2 infection and the current studies on the male genitourinary and endocrine systems and proposes that more attention should be directed towards human reproductive and endocrine health during the SARS-CoV-2 epidemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen-Shuo Xu
- The Sperm Laboratory, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Wan-Xi Yang
- The Sperm Laboratory, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
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Therapeutic potential of bromhexine for acute itch in mice: Involvement of TMPRSS2 and kynurenine pathway. Int Immunopharmacol 2023; 117:109919. [PMID: 36842232 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2023.109919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2022] [Revised: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/28/2023]
Abstract
Itching is an unpleasant sensation on the skin that could negatively impact the quality of life. Over the years, many non-pharmacological and pharmacological approaches have been introduced to mitigate this burdensome condition; However, the effectiveness of these methods remains questioned. Bromhexine, derived from the Adhatoda vasica plant, is a safe drug with minimal side effects. It has been widely used in managing respiratory symptoms over the years. The results of our study revealed that bromhexine has the potential to alleviate acute itch induced by Compound 48/80, a known mast cell destabilizer. According to our findings, bromhexine exerts its antipruritic effects primarily by inhibiting the Transmembrane Protein Serine Protease 2 (TMPRSS2) and, to a lesser extent, by decreasing the activation of the Kynurenine Pathway (KP). We further investigated the KP involvement by administrating 1-Methyl Tryptophan (1-MT), a known indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) inhibitor. 1-MT was found to be effective in reducing the itch itself. Moreover, co-administration of bromhexine and 1-MT resulted in synergistic antipruritic effects, suggesting that KP plays a role in acute itch. To conclude, we have presented for the first time a repositioning of bromhexine as a treatment for acute itch. In addition, we addressed the involvement of TMPRSS2 and KP in this process.
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Cheng Y, Clark AE, Yim W, Borum RM, Chang YC, Jin Z, He T, Carlin AF, Jokerst JV. Protease-Responsive Potential-Tunable AIEgens for Cell Selective Imaging of TMPRSS2 and Accurate Inhibitor Screening. Anal Chem 2023; 95:3789-3798. [PMID: 36753444 PMCID: PMC10614162 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.2c04988] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
Abstract
Transmembrane protease serine 2 (TMPRSS2) is a plasma membrane protease that activates both spike protein of coronaviruses for cell entry and oncogenic signaling pathways for tumor progression. TMPRSS2 inhibition can reduce cancer invasion and metastasis and partially prevent the entry of SARS-CoV-2 into host cells. Thus, there is an urgent need for both TMPRSS2-selective imaging and precise screening of TMPRSS2 inhibitors. Here, we report a TMPRSS2-responsive surface-potential-tunable peptide-conjugated probe (EGTP) with aggregation-induced emission (AIE) features for TMPRSS2 selective imaging and accurate inhibitor screening. The amphiphilic EGTP was constructed with tunable surface potential and responsive efficiency with TMPRSS2 and its inhibitor. The rational construction of AIE luminogens (AIEgens) with modular peptides indicated that the cleavage of EGTP led to a gradual aggregation with bright fluorescence in high TMPRSS2-expressing cells. This strategy may have value for selective detection of cancer cells, SARS-CoV-2-target cells, and screening of protease inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong Cheng
- Department of NanoEngineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Alex E Clark
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Wonjun Yim
- Materials Science and Engineering Program, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Raina M Borum
- Department of NanoEngineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Yu-Ci Chang
- Materials Science and Engineering Program, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Zhicheng Jin
- Department of NanoEngineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Tengyu He
- Materials Science and Engineering Program, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Aaron F Carlin
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
- Department of Pathology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Jesse V Jokerst
- Department of NanoEngineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
- Materials Science and Engineering Program, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
- Department of Radiology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
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Kaidashev I, Izmailova O, Shlykova O, Kabaliei A, Vatsenko A, Ivashchenko D, Dudchenko M, Volianskyi A, Zelinskyy G, Koval T, Dittmer U. Polymorphism of tmprss2 (rs12329760) but not ace2 (rs4240157), tmprss11a (rs353163) and cd147 (rs8259) is associated with the severity of COVID-19 in the Ukrainian population. ACTA BIO-MEDICA : ATENEI PARMENSIS 2023; 94:e2023030. [PMID: 36786264 PMCID: PMC9987503 DOI: 10.23750/abm.v94i1.13543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 02/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIM Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), transmembrane serine 2 and serine 11A proteases (TMPRSS2, TMPRSS11A), and a cell surface cluster of differentiation 147 (CD147) might be a gene candidate that exerts the susceptibility to and mortality from coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19). The aim of this study was to investigate the associations between ace2, tmprss2, tmprss11a, and cd147 polymorphic variants and the severity of COVID-19 in the Ukrainian population. METHODS The study population consisted of the Ukrainian population with COVID-19: patients without oxygen therapy (n=62), with non-invasive (n=92) and invasive (n=35) oxygen therapy, as well as control subjects (n=92). Allelic polymorphisms of ace2 rs4240157, tmprss2 rs12329760, and tmprss11a rs353163 were determined by real-time PCR, and cd147 rs8259 polymorphism was detected by PCR with subsequent restrictase analysis. We compared investigated polymorphisms distribution with other populations by meta-analysis. RESULTS Our study is the first to obtain data about the distribution of investigated gene polymorphisms in the Ukrainian population: tmprss2 rs12329760 - CC 60.9%, CT 35.9%, TT 3.2%; tmprss11a rs353163 - CC 46.7%, CT 40.2%, TT 13.1%; ace2 rs4240157 - CC 7.6%, C 18.5%, CT 22.8%, TT 19.6%, T 31.5%; cd147 rs8259 - TT 60.9%, AT 32.6%, AA 6.5%. This distribution was similar to the Northern, Western and Southern European populations. There was a statistically significant difference in the frequency of tmprss2 polymorphic genotypes CC 57.1%, CT 28.6%, and TT 14.3% (P<0.05) in COVID-19 patients with invasive oxygen therapy in comparison with non-invasive oxygen therapy. This tmprss2 mutation occurs in the scavenger receptor cysteine-rich (SRCR) domain and might be important for protein-protein interaction in a calcium-dependent manner. CONCLUSIONS Our study indicated the presence of an association between the tmprss2 rs12329760 polymorphism and the severity of COVID-19 in the Ukrainian population.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Gennadiy Zelinskyy
- Institute for Virology, University Hospital of Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen.
| | | | - Ulf Dittmer
- Institute for Virology, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen.
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Abou-Hamdan M, Saleh R, Mani S, Dournaud P, Metifiot M, Blondot ML, Andreola ML, Abdel-Sater F, De Reggi M, Gressens P, Laforge M. Potential antiviral effects of pantethine against SARS-CoV-2. Sci Rep 2023; 13:2237. [PMID: 36754974 PMCID: PMC9906591 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-29245-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2022] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2023] Open
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 interacts with cellular cholesterol during many stages of its replication cycle. Pantethine was reported to reduce total cholesterol levels and fatty acid synthesis and potentially alter different processes that might be involved in the SARS-CoV-2 replication cycle. Here, we explored the potential antiviral effects of pantethine in two in vitro experimental models of SARS-CoV-2 infection, in Vero E6 cells and in Calu-3a cells. Pantethine reduced the infection of cells by SARS-CoV-2 in both preinfection and postinfection treatment regimens. Accordingly, cellular expression of the viral spike and nucleocapsid proteins was substantially reduced, and we observed a significant reduction in viral copy numbers in the supernatant of cells treated with pantethine. In addition, pantethine inhibited the infection-induced increase in TMPRSS2 and HECT E3 ligase expression in infected cells as well as the increase in antiviral interferon-beta response and inflammatory gene expression in Calu-3a cells. Our results demonstrate that pantethine, which is well tolerated in humans, was very effective in controlling SARS-CoV-2 infection and might represent a new therapeutic drug that can be repurposed for the prevention or treatment of COVID-19 and long COVID syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Abou-Hamdan
- NeuroDiderot, Inserm, Université Paris Cité, 48 Boulevard Sérurier, 75019, Paris, France.,Biology Department, Faculty of Sciences (I), Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - R Saleh
- NeuroDiderot, Inserm, Université Paris Cité, 48 Boulevard Sérurier, 75019, Paris, France
| | - S Mani
- NeuroDiderot, Inserm, Université Paris Cité, 48 Boulevard Sérurier, 75019, Paris, France
| | - P Dournaud
- NeuroDiderot, Inserm, Université Paris Cité, 48 Boulevard Sérurier, 75019, Paris, France
| | - M Metifiot
- Université Bordeaux, CNRS, UMR 5234, Microbiologie Fondamentale et Pathogénicité, 33076, Bordeaux, France
| | - M L Blondot
- Université Bordeaux, CNRS, UMR 5234, Microbiologie Fondamentale et Pathogénicité, 33076, Bordeaux, France
| | - M L Andreola
- Université Bordeaux, CNRS, UMR 5234, Microbiologie Fondamentale et Pathogénicité, 33076, Bordeaux, France
| | - F Abdel-Sater
- Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Sciences (I), Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - M De Reggi
- NeuroDiderot, Inserm, Université Paris Cité, 48 Boulevard Sérurier, 75019, Paris, France
| | - P Gressens
- NeuroDiderot, Inserm, Université Paris Cité, 48 Boulevard Sérurier, 75019, Paris, France
| | - M Laforge
- NeuroDiderot, Inserm, Université Paris Cité, 48 Boulevard Sérurier, 75019, Paris, France.
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Gunne S, Schwerdtner M, Henke M, Schneider AK, Keutmann L, Böttcher-Friebertshäuser E, Schiffmann S. TMPRSS2 Impacts Cytokine Expression in Murine Dendritic Cells. Biomedicines 2023; 11:biomedicines11020419. [PMID: 36830955 PMCID: PMC9952936 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11020419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Revised: 01/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/28/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The transmembrane protease serine 2 (TMPRSS2) proteolytically activates the envelope proteins of several viruses for viral entry via membrane fusion and is therefore an interesting and promising target for the development of broad-spectrum antivirals. However, the use of a host protein as a target may lead to potential side effects, especially on the immune system. We examined the effect of a genetic deletion of TMPRSS2 on dendritic cells. METHODS Bone marrow cells from wild-type (WT) and TMPRSS2-deficient mice (TMPRSS2-/-) were differentiated to plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) and classical DCs (cDCs) and activated with various toll-like receptor (TLR) agonists. We analyzed the released cytokines and the mRNA expression of chemokine receptors, TLR7, TLR9, IRF7 and TCF4 stimulation. RESULTS In cDCs, the lack of TMPRSS2 led to an increase in IL12 and IFNγ in TLR7/8 agonist resiquimod or TLR 9 agonist ODN 1668-activated cells. Only IL-10 was reduced in TMPRSS2-/- cells in comparison to WT cells activated with ODN 1668. In resiquimod-activated pDCs, the lack of TMPRSS2 led to a decrease in IL-6, IL-10 and INFγ. ODN 1668 activation led to a reduction in IFNα. The effect on receptor expression in pDCs and cDCs was low. CONCLUSION The effect of TMPRSS2 on pDCS and cDCs depends on the activated TLR, and TMPRSS2 seems to affect cytokine release differently in pDCs and cDCs. In cDCs, TMPRSS2 seems to suppress cytokine release, whereas in pDCS TMPRSS2 possibly mediates cytokine release.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Gunne
- Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology (ITMP), Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-69870025073
| | - Marie Schwerdtner
- Institute of Virology, Philipps-University Marburg, 35043 Marburg, Germany
| | - Marina Henke
- Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology (ITMP), Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Ann-Kathrin Schneider
- Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology (ITMP), Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Lucas Keutmann
- Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology (ITMP), Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | | | - Susanne Schiffmann
- Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology (ITMP), Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
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Gong X, Khan A, Wani MY, Ahmad A, Duse A. COVID-19: A state of art on immunological responses, mutations, and treatment modalities in riposte. J Infect Public Health 2023; 16:233-249. [PMID: 36603376 PMCID: PMC9798670 DOI: 10.1016/j.jiph.2022.12.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2022] [Revised: 12/25/2022] [Accepted: 12/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Over the last few years, the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) unleashed a global public health catastrophe that had a substantial influence on human physical and mental health, the global economy, and socio-political dynamics. SARS-CoV-2 is a respiratory pathogen and the cause of ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, which testified how unprepared humans are for pandemics. Scientists and policymakers continue to face challenges in developing ideal therapeutic agents and vaccines, while at the same time deciphering the pathology and immunology of SARS-CoV-2. Challenges in the early part of the pandemic included the rapid development of diagnostic assays, vaccines, and therapeutic agents. The ongoing transmission of COVID-19 is coupled with the emergence of viral variants that differ in their transmission efficiency, virulence, and vaccine susceptibility, thus complicating the spread of the pandemic. Our understanding of how the human immune system responds to these viruses as well as the patient groups (such as the elderly and immunocompromised individuals) who are often more susceptible to serious illness have both been aided by this epidemic. COVID-19 causes different symptoms to occur at different stages of infection, making it difficult to determine distinct treatment regimens employed for the various clinical phases of the disease. Unsurprisingly, determining the efficacy of currently available medications and developing novel therapeutic strategies have been a process of trial and error. The global scientific community collaborated to research and develop vaccines at a neck-breaking speed. This review summarises the overall picture of the COVID-19 pandemic, different mutations in SARS-CoV-2, immune response, and the treatment modalities against SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaolong Gong
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, School of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Amber Khan
- Department of Clinical Haematology, School of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Mohmmad Younus Wani
- Department of Chemistry, College of Science, University of Jeddah, P.O. Box 80327, Jeddah 21589, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Aijaz Ahmad
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, School of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa,Division of Infection Control, Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital, National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, South Africa,Corresponding author at: Department of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, School of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Adriano Duse
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, School of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa,Division of Infection Control, Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital, National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, South Africa
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Yatsenko T, Skrypnyk M, Troyanovska O, Tobita M, Osada T, Takahashi S, Hattori K, Heissig B. The Role of the Plasminogen/Plasmin System in Inflammation of the Oral Cavity. Cells 2023; 12:cells12030445. [PMID: 36766787 PMCID: PMC9913802 DOI: 10.3390/cells12030445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2022] [Revised: 01/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/28/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The oral cavity is a unique environment that consists of teeth surrounded by periodontal tissues, oral mucosae with minor salivary glands, and terminal parts of major salivary glands that open into the oral cavity. The cavity is constantly exposed to viral and microbial pathogens. Recent studies indicate that components of the plasminogen (Plg)/plasmin (Pm) system are expressed in tissues of the oral cavity, such as the salivary gland, and contribute to microbial infection and inflammation, such as periodontitis. The Plg/Pm system fulfills two major functions: (a) the destruction of fibrin deposits in the bloodstream or damaged tissues, a process called fibrinolysis, and (b) non-fibrinolytic actions that include the proteolytic modulation of proteins. One can observe both functions during inflammation. The virus that causes the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) exploits the fibrinolytic and non-fibrinolytic functions of the Plg/Pm system in the oral cavity. During COVID-19, well-established coagulopathy with the development of microthrombi requires constant activation of the fibrinolytic function. Furthermore, viral entry is modulated by receptors such as TMPRSS2, which is necessary in the oral cavity, leading to a derailed immune response that peaks in cytokine storm syndrome. This paper outlines the significance of the Plg/Pm system for infectious and inflammatory diseases that start in the oral cavity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tetiana Yatsenko
- Department of Research Support Utilizing Bioresource Bank, Graduate School of Medicine, Juntendo University School of Medicine, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-Ku, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan
| | - Maksym Skrypnyk
- Department of Research Support Utilizing Bioresource Bank, Graduate School of Medicine, Juntendo University School of Medicine, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-Ku, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan
| | - Olga Troyanovska
- Department of Research Support Utilizing Bioresource Bank, Graduate School of Medicine, Juntendo University School of Medicine, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-Ku, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan
| | - Morikuni Tobita
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Juntendo University School of Medicine, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-Ku, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan
| | - Taro Osada
- Department of Gastroenterology, Juntendo University Urayasu Hospital, 2-1-1 Tomioka, Urayasu-Shi 279-0021, Japan
| | - Satoshi Takahashi
- Division of Clinical Genome Research, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, 4-6-1 Shirokanedai, Minato-Ku, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan
| | - Koichi Hattori
- Center for Genome and Regenerative Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Juntendo University, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-Ku, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan
- Correspondence: (K.H.); (B.H.); Tel.: +81-3-3813-3111 (switchboard 2115) (B.H.)
| | - Beate Heissig
- Department of Research Support Utilizing Bioresource Bank, Graduate School of Medicine, Juntendo University School of Medicine, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-Ku, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan
- Correspondence: (K.H.); (B.H.); Tel.: +81-3-3813-3111 (switchboard 2115) (B.H.)
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Tachoua W, Kabrine M, Mushtaq M, Selmi A, Ul-Haq Z. Highlights in TMPRSS2 inhibition mechanism with guanidine derivatives approved drugs for COVID-19 treatment. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2023; 41:12908-12922. [PMID: 36709428 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2023.2169762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2022] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Transmembrane protease serine 2 (TMPRSS2) has been identified as a critical key for the entry of coronaviruses into human cells by cleaving and activating the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2. To block the TMPRSS2 function, 18 approved drugs, containing the guanidine group were tested against TMPRSS2's ectodomain (7MEQ). Among these drugs, Famotidine, Argatroban, Guanadrel and Guanethidine strongly binds with TMPRSS2 S1 pocket with estimated Fullfitness energies of -1847.12, -1630.87, -1605.81 and -1600.52 kcal/mol, respectively. A significant number of non-covalent interactions such as hydrogen bonding, hydrophobic and electrostatic interactions were detected in protein-ligand complexes. In addition, the ADMET analysis revealed a perfect concurrence with the aptitude of these drugs to be developed as an anti-SARS-CoV-2 therapeutics. Further, MD simulation and binding free energy calculations were performed to evaluate the dynamic behavior and stability of protein-ligand complexes. The results obtained herein highlight the enhanced stability and good binding affinities of the Argatroban and Famotidine towards the target protein, hence might act as new scaffolds for TMPRSS2 inhibition.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wafa Tachoua
- Nature and Life Sciences department, University of Algiers Benyoucef Benkhedda, Algiers, Algeria
| | - Mohamed Kabrine
- Faculty of Biological Sciences, Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Science and Technology Houari Boumediene, Algiers, Algeria
| | - Mamona Mushtaq
- Dr. Panjwani Center for Molecular Medicine and Drug Research, ICCBS, University of Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Ahmed Selmi
- Faculty of Sciences of Gafsa, University of Gafsa, Gafsa, Tunisia
| | - Zaheer Ul-Haq
- Dr. Panjwani Center for Molecular Medicine and Drug Research, ICCBS, University of Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan
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A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Phase II Clinical Study To Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Camostat Mesylate (DWJ1248) in Adult Patients with Mild to Moderate COVID-19. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2023; 67:e0045222. [PMID: 36515544 PMCID: PMC9872678 DOI: 10.1128/aac.00452-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Although several antiviral agents have become available for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) treatment, oral drugs are still limited. Camostat mesylate, an orally bioavailable serine protease inhibitor, has been used to treat chronic pancreatitis in South Korea, and it has an in vitro inhibitory potential against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). This study was a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, multicenter, phase 2 clinical trial in mild to moderate COVID-19 patients. We randomly assigned patients to receive either camostat mesylate (DWJ1248) or placebo orally for 14 days. The primary endpoint was time to clinical improvement of subject symptoms within 14 days, measured using a subjective 4-point Likert scale. Three hundred forty-two patients were randomized. The primary endpoint was nonsignificant, where the median times to clinical improvement were 7 and 8 days in the camostat mesylate group and the placebo group, respectively (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.09; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.84 to 1.43; P = 0.50). A post hoc analysis showed that the difference was greatest at day 7, without reaching significance. In the high-risk group, the proportions of patients with clinical improvement up to 7 days were 45.8% (50/109) in the camostat group and 38.4% (40/104) in the placebo group (odds ratio [OR] = 1.33; 95% CI, 0.77 to 2.31; P = 0.31); the ordinal scale score at day 7 improved in 20.0% (18/90) of the camostat group and 13.3% (12/90) of the placebo group (OR = 1.68; 95% CI, 0.75 to 3.78; P = 0.21). Adverse events were similar in the two groups. Camostat mesylate was safe in the treatment of COVID-19. Although this study did not show clinical benefit in patients with mild to moderate COVID-19, further clinical studies for high-risk patients are needed. (This trial was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov under registration no. NCT04521296).
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Heindl MR, Böttcher-Friebertshäuser E. The role of influenza-A virus and coronavirus viral glycoprotein cleavage in host adaptation. Curr Opin Virol 2023; 58:101303. [PMID: 36753938 PMCID: PMC9847222 DOI: 10.1016/j.coviro.2023.101303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2022] [Revised: 12/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
While receptor binding is well recognized as a factor in influenza-A virus (IAV) and coronavirus (CoV) host adaptation, the role of viral glycoprotein cleavage has not been studied in detail so far. Interestingly, recent studies suggest that host species may differ in their protease repertoire available for cleavage. Furthermore, it was shown for certain bat-derived CoVs that proteolytic activation provides a critical barrier to infect human cells. Understanding the role of glycoprotein cleavage in different species and how IAV and CoVs adapt to a new protease repertoire may allow evaluating the zoonotic potential and risk posed by these viruses. Here, we summarize the current knowledge on the emergence of a multibasic cleavage site (CS) in the glycoproteins of IAVs and CoVs in different host species. Additionally, we discuss the role of transmembrane serine protease 2 (TMPRSS2) in virus activation and entry and a role of neuropilin-1 in acquisition of a multibasic CS in different hosts.
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TMPRSS2 Is Essential for SARS-CoV-2 Beta and Omicron Infection. Viruses 2023; 15:v15020271. [PMID: 36851486 PMCID: PMC9961888 DOI: 10.3390/v15020271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2022] [Revised: 01/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic remains a global health threat and novel antiviral strategies are urgently needed. SARS-CoV-2 employs the cellular serine protease TMPRSS2 for entry into lung cells, and TMPRSS2 inhibitors are being developed for COVID-19 therapy. However, the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant, which currently dominates the pandemic, prefers the endo/lysosomal cysteine protease cathepsin L over TMPRSS2 for cell entry, raising doubts as to whether TMPRSS2 inhibitors would be suitable for the treatment of patients infected with the Omicron variant. Nevertheless, the contribution of TMPRSS2 to the spread of SARS-CoV-2 in the infected host is largely unclear. In this study, we show that the loss of TMPRSS2 strongly reduced the replication of the Beta variant in the nose, trachea and lung of C57BL/6 mice, and protected the animals from weight loss and disease. The infection of mice with the Omicron variant did not cause disease, as expected, but again, TMPRSS2 was essential for efficient viral spread in the upper and lower respiratory tract. These results identify the key role of TMPRSS2 in SARS-CoV-2 Beta and Omicron infection, and highlight TMPRSS2 as an attractive target for antiviral intervention.
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