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Cabezuelo MT, Torres L, Ortiz-Zapater E, López-Rodas G, Marín MP, Timoneda J, Viña JR, Zaragozá R, Barber T. Vitamin A Status Modulates Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition in the Lung: The Role of Furin. Nutrients 2024; 16:1177. [PMID: 38674868 PMCID: PMC11053499 DOI: 10.3390/nu16081177] [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: 03/20/2024] [Accepted: 04/06/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) induced TGF-β hyperactivation and reduced expression of cell adhesion proteins in the lung, suggesting that the disruption of retinoic acid (RA) signaling leads to epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). To elucidate the role of lung vitamin A status in EMT, several EMT markers and the expression of the proprotein convertase furin, which activates TGF-β, were analyzed in two experimental models. Our in vivo model included control rats, VAD rats, and both control rats and VAD rats, treated with RA. For the in vitro studies, human bronchoalveolar epithelial cells treated with RA were used. Our data show that EMT and furin are induced in VAD rats. Furthermore, furin expression continues to increase much more markedly after treatment of VAD rats with RA. In control rats and cell lines, an acute RA treatment induced a significant increase in furin expression, concomitant with changes in EMT markers. A ChIP assay demonstrated that RA directly regulates furin transcription. These results emphasize the importance of maintaining vitamin A levels within the physiological range since both levels below and above this range can cause adverse effects that, paradoxically, could be similar. The role of furin in EMT is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- M. Teresa Cabezuelo
- Department of Physiology, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain;
- Centro Salud Safranar, Hospital Universitario Doctor Peset, 46017 Valencia, Spain
| | - Luis Torres
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology-IIS INCLIVA, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain; (L.T.); (E.O.-Z.); (G.L.-R.); (J.T.); (J.R.V.); (T.B.)
| | - Elena Ortiz-Zapater
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology-IIS INCLIVA, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain; (L.T.); (E.O.-Z.); (G.L.-R.); (J.T.); (J.R.V.); (T.B.)
| | - Gerardo López-Rodas
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology-IIS INCLIVA, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain; (L.T.); (E.O.-Z.); (G.L.-R.); (J.T.); (J.R.V.); (T.B.)
| | - M. Pilar Marín
- Microscopy Unit IIS La Fe Valencia, 46009 Valencia, Spain;
| | - Joaquín Timoneda
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology-IIS INCLIVA, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain; (L.T.); (E.O.-Z.); (G.L.-R.); (J.T.); (J.R.V.); (T.B.)
| | - Juan R. Viña
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology-IIS INCLIVA, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain; (L.T.); (E.O.-Z.); (G.L.-R.); (J.T.); (J.R.V.); (T.B.)
| | - Rosa Zaragozá
- Department of Human Anatomy and Embryology-IIS INCLIVA, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain
| | - Teresa Barber
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology-IIS INCLIVA, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain; (L.T.); (E.O.-Z.); (G.L.-R.); (J.T.); (J.R.V.); (T.B.)
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2
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Kiba Y, Tanikawa T, Hayashi T, Kamauchi H, Seki T, Suzuki R, Kitamura M. Inhibition of furin-like enzymatic activities and SARS-CoV-2 infection by osthole and phenolic compounds with aryl side chains. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 169:115940. [PMID: 38007936 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115940] [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: 09/11/2023] [Revised: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 11/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), spread as a pandemic and caused damage to people's lives and countries' economies. The spike (S) protein of SARS-CoV-2 contains a cleavage motif, Arg-X-X-Arg, for furin and furin-like enzymes at the boundary of the S1/S2 subunits. Given that cleavage plays a crucial role in S protein activation and viral entry, the cleavage motif was selected as the target. Our previous fluorogenic substrate study showed that osthole, a coumarin compound, inhibits furin-like enzyme activity. In this study, we examined the potential activities of 15 compounds with a structure-activity relationship with osthole, and evaluated their protective ability against SARS-CoV-2 infection. Of the 15 compounds tested, compounds C1 and C2 exhibited the inhibitory effects of osthole against furin-like enzymatic activity; however, little or no inhibitory effects against furin activity were observed. We further examined the inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 activity by compounds C1 and C2 using a Vero E6 cell line that expresses the transmembrane protease serine 2 (TMPRSS2). Compounds C1, C2, and osthole effectively inhibited SARS-CoV-2 infection. Therefore, osthole and its derivatives can potentially be used as therapeutic agents against SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuka Kiba
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Josai University; 1-1, Keyakidai, Sakado, Saitama 350-0295, Japan
| | - Takashi Tanikawa
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Josai University; 1-1, Keyakidai, Sakado, Saitama 350-0295, Japan.
| | - Tsuyoshi Hayashi
- Department of Virology II, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hitoshi Kamauchi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Josai University, 1-1 Keyakidai, Sakado City, Saitama 350-0295, Japan
| | - Taishi Seki
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Josai University; 1-1, Keyakidai, Sakado, Saitama 350-0295, Japan
| | - Ryuichiro Suzuki
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Josai University, 1-1 Keyakidai, Sakado City, Saitama 350-0295, Japan
| | - Masashi Kitamura
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Josai University; 1-1, Keyakidai, Sakado, Saitama 350-0295, Japan.
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3
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Dy ABC, Girkin J, Marrocco A, Collison A, Mwase C, O'Sullivan MJ, Phung TKN, Mattes J, Koziol-White C, Gern JE, Bochkov YA, Bartlett NW, Park JA. Rhinovirus infection induces secretion of endothelin-1 from airway epithelial cells in both in vitro and in vivo models. Respir Res 2023; 24:205. [PMID: 37598152 PMCID: PMC10440034 DOI: 10.1186/s12931-023-02510-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 08/21/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Rhinovirus (RV) infection of airway epithelial cells triggers asthma exacerbations, during which airway smooth muscle (ASM) excessively contracts. Due to ASM contraction, airway epithelial cells become mechanically compressed. We previously reported that compressed human bronchial epithelial (HBE) cells are a source of endothelin-1 (ET-1) that causes ASM contraction. Here, we hypothesized that epithelial sensing of RV by TLR3 and epithelial compression induce ET-1 secretion through a TGF-β receptor (TGFβR)-dependent mechanism. METHODS To test this, we used primary HBE cells well-differentiated in air-liquid interface culture and two mouse models (ovalbumin and house dust mite) of allergic airway disease (AAD). HBE cells were infected with RV-A16, treated with a TLR3 agonist (poly(I:C)), or exposed to compression. Thereafter, EDN1 (ET-1 protein-encoding gene) mRNA expression and secreted ET-1 protein were measured. We examined the role of TGFβR in ET-1 secretion using either a pharmacologic inhibitor of TGFβR or recombinant TGF-β1 protein. In the AAD mouse models, allergen-sensitized and allergen-challenged mice were subsequently infected with RV. We then measured ET-1 in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) following methacholine challenge. RESULTS Our data reveal that RV infection induced EDN1 expression and ET-1 secretion in HBE cells, potentially mediated by TLR3. TGFβR activation was partially required for ET-1 secretion, which was induced by RV, poly(I:C), or compression. TGFβR activation alone was sufficient to increase ET-1 secretion. In AAD mouse models, RV induced ET-1 secretion in BALF, which positively correlated with AHR. CONCLUSIONS Our data provide evidence that RV infection increased epithelial-cell ET-1 secretion through a TGFβR-dependent mechanism, which contributes to bronchoconstriction during RV-induced asthma exacerbations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alane Blythe C Dy
- Program in Molecular and Integrative Physiological Sciences, Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 665 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA, SPH1-315, USA
| | - Jason Girkin
- College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, University of Newcastle and Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, Australia
| | - Antonella Marrocco
- Program in Molecular and Integrative Physiological Sciences, Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 665 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA, SPH1-315, USA
| | - Adam Collison
- College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, University of Newcastle and Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, Australia
| | - Chimwemwe Mwase
- Program in Molecular and Integrative Physiological Sciences, Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 665 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA, SPH1-315, USA
| | - Michael J O'Sullivan
- Program in Molecular and Integrative Physiological Sciences, Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 665 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA, SPH1-315, USA
| | - Thien-Khoi N Phung
- Program in Molecular and Integrative Physiological Sciences, Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 665 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA, SPH1-315, USA
| | - Joerg Mattes
- College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, University of Newcastle and Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, Australia
| | | | - James E Gern
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Yury A Bochkov
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Nathan W Bartlett
- College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, University of Newcastle and Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, Australia
| | - Jin-Ah Park
- Program in Molecular and Integrative Physiological Sciences, Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 665 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA, SPH1-315, USA.
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4
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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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5
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Douglas LEJ, Reihill JA, Montgomery BM, Martin SL. Furin as a therapeutic target in cystic fibrosis airways disease. Eur Respir Rev 2023; 32:32/168/220256. [PMID: 37137509 PMCID: PMC10155048 DOI: 10.1183/16000617.0256-2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 05/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Clinical management of cystic fibrosis (CF) has been greatly improved by the development of small molecule modulators of the CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR). These drugs help to address some of the basic genetic defects of CFTR; however, no suitable CFTR modulators exist for 10% of people with CF (PWCF). An alternative, mutation-agnostic therapeutic approach is therefore still required. In CF airways, elevated levels of the proprotein convertase furin contribute to the dysregulation of key processes that drive disease pathogenesis. Furin plays a critical role in the proteolytic activation of the epithelial sodium channel; hyperactivity of which causes airways dehydration and loss of effective mucociliary clearance. Furin is also responsible for the processing of transforming growth factor-β, which is increased in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from PWCF and is associated with neutrophilic inflammation and reduced pulmonary function. Pathogenic substrates of furin include Pseudomonas exotoxin A, a major toxic product associated with Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection and the spike glycoprotein of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, the causative pathogen for coronavirus disease 2019. In this review we discuss the importance of furin substrates in the progression of CF airways disease and highlight selective furin inhibition as a therapeutic strategy to provide clinical benefit to all PWCF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa E J Douglas
- School of Pharmacy, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK
| | - James A Reihill
- School of Pharmacy, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK
| | | | - S Lorraine Martin
- School of Pharmacy, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK
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6
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Phung TKN, Mitchel JA, O'Sullivan MJ, Park JA. Quantification of basal stem cell elongation and stress fiber accumulation in the pseudostratified airway epithelium during the unjamming transition. Biol Open 2023; 12:bio059727. [PMID: 37014330 PMCID: PMC10151827 DOI: 10.1242/bio.059727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Under homeostatic conditions, epithelial cells remain non-migratory. However, during embryonic development and pathological conditions, they become migratory. The mechanism underlying the transition of the epithelial layer between non-migratory and migratory phases is a fundamental question in biology. Using well-differentiated primary human bronchial epithelial cells that form a pseudostratified epithelium, we have previously identified that a confluent epithelial layer can transition from a non-migratory to migratory phase through an unjamming transition (UJT). We previously defined collective cellular migration and apical cell elongation as hallmarks of UJT. However, other cell-type-specific changes have not been previously studied in the pseudostratified airway epithelium, which consists of multiple cell types. Here, we focused on the quantifying morphological changes in basal stem cells during the UJT. Our data demonstrate that during the UJT, airway basal stem cells elongated and enlarged, and their stress fibers elongated and aligned. These morphological changes observed in basal stem cells correlated to the previously defined hallmarks of the UJT. Moreover, basal cell and stress fiber elongation were observed prior to apical cell elongation. Together, these morphological changes indicate that basal stem cells in pseudostratified airway epithelium are actively remodeling, presumably through accumulation of stress fibers during the UJT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thien-Khoi N. Phung
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Jennifer A. Mitchel
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Department of Biology, Wesleyan University, Middletown, CT 06459, USA
| | - Michael J. O'Sullivan
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Jin-Ah Park
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, USA
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7
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Mezger MC, Conzelmann C, Weil T, von Maltitz P, Albers DPJ, Münch J, Stamminger T, Schilling EM. Inhibitors of Activin Receptor-like Kinase 5 Interfere with SARS-CoV-2 S-Protein Processing and Spike-Mediated Cell Fusion via Attenuation of Furin Expression. Viruses 2022; 14:v14061308. [PMID: 35746781 PMCID: PMC9228453 DOI: 10.3390/v14061308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2022] [Revised: 06/08/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Screening of a protein kinase inhibitor library identified SB431542, targeting activin receptor-like kinase 5 (ALK5), as a compound interfering with SARS-CoV-2 replication. Since ALK5 is implicated in transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) signaling and regulation of the cellular endoprotease furin, we pursued this research to clarify the role of this protein kinase for SARS-CoV-2 infection. We show that TGF-β1 induces the expression of furin in a broad spectrum of cells including Huh-7 and Calu-3 that are permissive for SARS-CoV-2. The inhibition of ALK5 by incubation with SB431542 revealed a dose-dependent downregulation of both basal and TGF-β1 induced furin expression. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the ALK5 inhibitors SB431542 and Vactosertib negatively affect the proteolytic processing of the SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein and significantly reduce spike-mediated cell-cell fusion. This correlated with an inhibitory effect of ALK5 inhibition on the production of infectious SARS-CoV-2. Altogether, our study shows that interference with ALK5 signaling attenuates SARS-CoV-2 infectivity and cell-cell spread via downregulation of furin which is most pronounced upon TGF-β stimulation. Since a TGF-β dominated cytokine storm is a hallmark of severe COVID-19, ALK5 inhibitors undergoing clinical trials might represent a potential therapy option for COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maja C. Mezger
- Institute of Virology, Ulm University Medical Center, 89081 Ulm, Germany; (M.C.M.); (E.-M.S.)
| | - Carina Conzelmann
- Institute of Molecular Virology, Ulm University Medical Center, 89081 Ulm, Germany; (C.C.); (T.W.); (P.v.M.); (D.P.J.A.); (J.M.)
| | - Tatjana Weil
- Institute of Molecular Virology, Ulm University Medical Center, 89081 Ulm, Germany; (C.C.); (T.W.); (P.v.M.); (D.P.J.A.); (J.M.)
| | - Pascal von Maltitz
- Institute of Molecular Virology, Ulm University Medical Center, 89081 Ulm, Germany; (C.C.); (T.W.); (P.v.M.); (D.P.J.A.); (J.M.)
| | - Dan P. J. Albers
- Institute of Molecular Virology, Ulm University Medical Center, 89081 Ulm, Germany; (C.C.); (T.W.); (P.v.M.); (D.P.J.A.); (J.M.)
| | - Jan Münch
- Institute of Molecular Virology, Ulm University Medical Center, 89081 Ulm, Germany; (C.C.); (T.W.); (P.v.M.); (D.P.J.A.); (J.M.)
| | - Thomas Stamminger
- Institute of Virology, Ulm University Medical Center, 89081 Ulm, Germany; (M.C.M.); (E.-M.S.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-731-50065100
| | - Eva-Maria Schilling
- Institute of Virology, Ulm University Medical Center, 89081 Ulm, Germany; (M.C.M.); (E.-M.S.)
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8
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Chen Q, Langenbach S, Li M, Xia YC, Gao X, Gartner MJ, Pharo EA, Williams SM, Todd S, Clarke N, Ranganathan S, Baker ML, Subbarao K, Stewart AG. ACE2 Expression in Organotypic Human Airway Epithelial Cultures and Airway Biopsies. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:813087. [PMID: 35359837 PMCID: PMC8963460 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.813087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2021] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by infection with the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is an acute respiratory disease with systemic complications. Therapeutic strategies for COVID-19, including repurposing (partially) developed drugs are urgently needed, regardless of the increasingly successful vaccination outcomes. We characterized two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional models (3D) to establish a physiologically relevant airway epithelial model with potential for investigating SARS-CoV-2 therapeutics. Human airway basal epithelial cells maintained in submerged 2D culture were used at low passage to retain the capacity to differentiate into ciliated, club, and goblet cells in both air-liquid interface culture (ALI) and airway organoid cultures, which were then analyzed for cell phenotype makers. Airway biopsies from non-asthmatic and asthmatic donors enabled comparative evaluation of the level and distribution of immunoreactive angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). ACE2 and transmembrane serine proteinase 2 (TMPRSS2) mRNA were expressed in ALI and airway organoids at levels similar to those of native (i.e., non-cultured) human bronchial epithelial cells, whereas furin expression was more faithfully represented in ALI. ACE2 was mainly localized to ciliated and basal epithelial cells in human airway biopsies, ALI, and airway organoids. Cystic fibrosis appeared to have no influence on ACE2 gene expression. Neither asthma nor smoking status had consistent marked influence on the expression or distribution of ACE2 in airway biopsies. SARS-CoV-2 infection of ALI cultures did not increase the levels of selected cytokines. Organotypic, and particularly ALI airway cultures are useful and practical tools for investigation of SARS-CoV-2 infection and evaluating the clinical potential of therapeutics for COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qianyu Chen
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, School of Biomedical Science, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- ARC Centre for Personalized Therapeutics Technologies, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Shenna Langenbach
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, School of Biomedical Science, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- ARC Centre for Personalized Therapeutics Technologies, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Meina Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, School of Biomedical Science, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- ARC Centre for Personalized Therapeutics Technologies, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Yuxiu C. Xia
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, School of Biomedical Science, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Xumei Gao
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, School of Biomedical Science, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- ARC Centre for Personalized Therapeutics Technologies, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Matthew J. Gartner
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Elizabeth A. Pharo
- CSIRO, Health and Biosecurity Business Unit, Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness, Geelong, VIC, Australia
| | - Sinéad M. Williams
- CSIRO, Health and Biosecurity Business Unit, Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness, Geelong, VIC, Australia
| | - Shawn Todd
- CSIRO, Health and Biosecurity Business Unit, Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness, Geelong, VIC, Australia
| | - Nadeene Clarke
- Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, The Royal Children’s Hospital, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Sarath Ranganathan
- Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, The Royal Children’s Hospital, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Department of Pediatrics, Melbourne Medical School, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Michelle L. Baker
- CSIRO, Health and Biosecurity Business Unit, Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness, Geelong, VIC, Australia
| | - Kanta Subbarao
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Influenza at The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Alastair G. Stewart
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, School of Biomedical Science, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- ARC Centre for Personalized Therapeutics Technologies, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
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9
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Mwase C, Phung TKN, O’Sullivan MJ, Mitchel JA, De Marzio M, Kılıç A, Weiss ST, Fredberg JJ, Park JA. Mechanical Compression of Human Airway Epithelial Cells Induces Release of Extracellular Vesicles Containing Tenascin C. Cells 2022; 11:cells11020256. [PMID: 35053372 PMCID: PMC8774246 DOI: 10.3390/cells11020256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Revised: 01/09/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Aberrant remodeling of the asthmatic airway is not well understood but is thought to be attributable in part to mechanical compression of airway epithelial cells. Here, we examine compression-induced expression and secretion of the extracellular matrix protein tenascin C (TNC) from well-differentiated primary human bronchial epithelial (HBE) cells grown in an air-liquid interface culture. We measured TNC mRNA expression using RT-qPCR and secreted TNC protein using Western blotting and ELISA. To determine intracellular signaling pathways, we used specific inhibitors for either ERK or TGF-β receptor, and to assess the release of extracellular vesicles (EVs) we used a commercially available kit and Western blotting. At baseline, secreted TNC protein was significantly higher in asthmatic compared to non-asthmatic cells. In response to mechanical compression, both TNC mRNA expression and secreted TNC protein was significantly increased in both non-asthmatic and asthmatic cells. TNC production depended on both the ERK and TGF-β receptor pathways. Moreover, mechanically compressed HBE cells released EVs that contain TNC. These data reveal a novel mechanism by which mechanical compression, as is caused by bronchospasm, is sufficient to induce the production of ECM protein in the airway and potentially contribute to airway remodeling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chimwemwe Mwase
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, USA; (C.M.); (T.-K.N.P.); (M.J.O.); (J.A.M.); (M.D.M.); (S.T.W.); (J.J.F.)
| | - Thien-Khoi N. Phung
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, USA; (C.M.); (T.-K.N.P.); (M.J.O.); (J.A.M.); (M.D.M.); (S.T.W.); (J.J.F.)
| | - Michael J. O’Sullivan
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, USA; (C.M.); (T.-K.N.P.); (M.J.O.); (J.A.M.); (M.D.M.); (S.T.W.); (J.J.F.)
| | - Jennifer A. Mitchel
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, USA; (C.M.); (T.-K.N.P.); (M.J.O.); (J.A.M.); (M.D.M.); (S.T.W.); (J.J.F.)
| | - Margherita De Marzio
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, USA; (C.M.); (T.-K.N.P.); (M.J.O.); (J.A.M.); (M.D.M.); (S.T.W.); (J.J.F.)
- Channing Division of Network Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA;
| | - Ayşe Kılıç
- Channing Division of Network Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA;
| | - Scott T. Weiss
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, USA; (C.M.); (T.-K.N.P.); (M.J.O.); (J.A.M.); (M.D.M.); (S.T.W.); (J.J.F.)
- Channing Division of Network Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA;
| | - Jeffrey J. Fredberg
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, USA; (C.M.); (T.-K.N.P.); (M.J.O.); (J.A.M.); (M.D.M.); (S.T.W.); (J.J.F.)
| | - Jin-Ah Park
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, USA; (C.M.); (T.-K.N.P.); (M.J.O.); (J.A.M.); (M.D.M.); (S.T.W.); (J.J.F.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-617-432-2726
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10
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Mackman N, Grover SP, Antoniak S. Tissue factor expression, extracellular vesicles, and thrombosis after infection with the respiratory viruses influenza A virus and coronavirus. J Thromb Haemost 2021; 19:2652-2658. [PMID: 34418279 PMCID: PMC9770926 DOI: 10.1111/jth.15509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2021] [Revised: 08/18/2021] [Accepted: 08/19/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Tissue factor (TF) is induced in a variety of cell types during viral infection, which likely contributes to disseminated intravascular coagulation and thrombosis. TF-expressing cells also release TF-positive extracellular vesicles (EVs) into the circulation that can be measured using an EVTF activity assay. This review summarizes studies that analyze TF expression, TF-positive EVs, activation of coagulation, and thrombosis after infection with influenza A virus (IAV) and coronaviruses (CoVs), including severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), SARS-CoV, and Middle East respiratory syndrome CoV (MERS-CoV). The current pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by infection with SARS-CoV-2. Infection of mice with IAV increased TF expression in lung epithelial cells as well as increased EVTF activity and activation of coagulation in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). Infection of mice with MERS-CoV, SARS-CoV, and SARS-CoV-2 also increased lung TF expression. Single-cell RNA sequencing analysis on the BALF from severe COVID-19 patients revealed increased TF mRNA expression in epithelial cells. TF expression was observed in peripheral blood mononuclear cells infected with SARS-CoV. TF was also expressed by peripheral blood mononuclear cells, monocytes in platelet-monocyte aggregates, and neutrophils isolated from COVID-19 patients. Elevated circulating EVTF activity was observed in severe IAV and COVID-19 patients. Importantly, EVTF activity was associated with mortality in severe IAV patients and with plasma D-dimer, severity, thrombosis, and mortality in COVID-19 patients. These studies strongly suggest that increased TF expression in patients infected with IAV and pathogenic CoVs contributes to thrombosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nigel Mackman
- Department of Medicine, UNC Blood Research Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Steven P Grover
- Department of Medicine, UNC Blood Research Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Silvio Antoniak
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, UNC Blood Research Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
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11
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Inde Z, Croker BA, Yapp C, Joshi GN, Spetz J, Fraser C, Qin X, Xu L, Deskin B, Ghelfi E, Webb G, Carlin AF, Zhu YP, Leibel SL, Garretson AF, Clark AE, Duran JM, Pretorius V, Crotty-Alexander LE, Li C, Lee JC, Sodhi C, Hackam DJ, Sun X, Hata AN, Kobzik L, Miller J, Park JA, Brownfield D, Jia H, Sarosiek KA. Age-dependent regulation of SARS-CoV-2 cell entry genes and cell death programs correlates with COVID-19 severity. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2021; 7:eabf8609. [PMID: 34407940 PMCID: PMC8373124 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abf8609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2020] [Accepted: 06/25/2021] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
Novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) severity is highly variable, with pediatric patients typically experiencing less severe infection than adults and especially the elderly. The basis for this difference is unclear. We find that mRNA and protein expression of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), the cell entry receptor for the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) that causes COVID-19, increases with advancing age in distal lung epithelial cells. However, in humans, ACE2 expression exhibits high levels of intra- and interindividual heterogeneity. Further, cells infected with SARS-CoV-2 experience endoplasmic reticulum stress, triggering an unfolded protein response and caspase-mediated apoptosis, a natural host defense system that halts virion production. Apoptosis of infected cells can be selectively induced by treatment with apoptosis-modulating BH3 mimetic drugs. Notably, epithelial cells within young lungs and airways are more primed to undergo apoptosis than those in adults, which may naturally hinder virion production and support milder COVID-19 severity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zintis Inde
- Molecular and Integrative Physiological Sciences Program, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Program in Therapeutic Science, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ben A Croker
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Clarence Yapp
- Harvard Program in Therapeutic Science, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Image and Data Analysis Core, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Gaurav N Joshi
- Molecular and Integrative Physiological Sciences Program, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Program in Therapeutic Science, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Integrated Cellular Imaging Core, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Johan Spetz
- Molecular and Integrative Physiological Sciences Program, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Program in Therapeutic Science, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Cameron Fraser
- Molecular and Integrative Physiological Sciences Program, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Program in Therapeutic Science, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Xingping Qin
- Molecular and Integrative Physiological Sciences Program, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Program in Therapeutic Science, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Le Xu
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Brian Deskin
- Molecular and Integrative Physiological Sciences Program, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Elisa Ghelfi
- Molecular and Integrative Physiological Sciences Program, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Gabrielle Webb
- Molecular and Integrative Physiological Sciences Program, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Aaron F Carlin
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Yanfang Peipei Zhu
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Sandra L Leibel
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Aaron F Garretson
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Alex E Clark
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Jason M Duran
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Victor Pretorius
- Department of Surgery, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | | | - Chendi Li
- Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jamie Casey Lee
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Chhinder Sodhi
- Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - David J Hackam
- Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Xin Sun
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Aaron N Hata
- Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Lester Kobzik
- Molecular and Integrative Physiological Sciences Program, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jeffrey Miller
- Molecular and Integrative Physiological Sciences Program, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jin-Ah Park
- Molecular and Integrative Physiological Sciences Program, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Douglas Brownfield
- Molecular and Integrative Physiological Sciences Program, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Hongpeng Jia
- Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Kristopher A Sarosiek
- Molecular and Integrative Physiological Sciences Program, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA.
- Harvard Program in Therapeutic Science, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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12
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Ahmadi A, Moradi S. In silico analysis suggests the RNAi-enhancing antibiotic enoxacin as a potential inhibitor of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Sci Rep 2021; 11:10271. [PMID: 33986351 PMCID: PMC8119475 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-89605-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2020] [Accepted: 04/29/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
COVID-19 has currently become the biggest challenge in the world. There is still no specific medicine for COVID-19, which leaves a critical gap for the identification of new drug candidates for the disease. Recent studies have reported that the small-molecule enoxacin exerts an antiviral activity by enhancing the RNAi pathway. The aim of this study is to analyze if enoxacin can exert anti-SARS-CoV-2 effects. We exploit multiple computational tools and databases to examine (i) whether the RNAi mechanism, as the target pathway of enoxacin, could act on the SARS-CoV-2 genome, and (ii) microRNAs induced by enoxacin might directly silence viral components as well as the host cell proteins mediating the viral entry and replication. We find that the RNA genome of SARS-CoV-2 might be a suitable substrate for DICER activity. We also highlight several enoxacin-enhanced microRNAs which could target SARS-CoV-2 components, pro-inflammatory cytokines, host cell components facilitating viral replication, and transcription factors enriched in lung stem cells, thereby promoting their differentiation and lung regeneration. Finally, our analyses identify several enoxacin-targeted regulatory modules that were critically associated with exacerbation of the SARS-CoV-2 infection. Overall, our analysis suggests that enoxacin could be a promising candidate for COVID-19 treatment through enhancing the RNAi pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amirhossein Ahmadi
- Department of Biological Science and Technology, Faculty of Nano and Bio Science and Technology, Persian Gulf University, Bushehr, 75169,, Iran
| | - Sharif Moradi
- Department of Stem Cells and Developmental Biology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, Tehran, Iran.
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13
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Screening for inhibitory effects of crude drugs on furin-like enzymatic activities. J Nat Med 2021; 75:1080-1085. [PMID: 33928494 PMCID: PMC8084592 DOI: 10.1007/s11418-021-01519-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2021] [Accepted: 04/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The spike (S) protein of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) contains a cleavage motif R-X-X-R for furin-like enzymes at the boundary of the S1/S2 subunits. The cleavage of the site by cellular proteases is essential for S protein activation and virus entry. We screened the inhibitory effects of crude drugs on in vitro furin-like enzymatic activities using a fluorogenic substrate with whole-cell lysates. Of the 124 crude drugs listed in the Japanese Pharmacopeia, aqueous ethanolic extract of Cnidii Monnieris Fructus, which is the dried fruit of Cnidium monnieri Cussion, significantly inhibited the furin-like enzymatic activities. We further fractionated the plant extract and isolated the two active compounds with the inhibitory activity, namely, imperatorin and osthole, whose IC50 values were 1.45 mM and 9.45 µM, respectively. Our results indicated that Cnidii Monnieris Fructus might exert inhibitory effects on furin-like enzymatic activities, and that imperatorin and osthole of the crude drug could be potential inhibitors of the motif cleavage.
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