1
|
McMillan P, Turner AJ, Uhal BD. Mechanisms of Gut-Related Viral Persistence in Long COVID. Viruses 2024; 16:1266. [PMID: 39205240 PMCID: PMC11360392 DOI: 10.3390/v16081266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2024] [Revised: 07/31/2024] [Accepted: 08/03/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Long COVID (post-acute sequelae of COVID-19-PASC) is a consequence of infection by SARS-CoV-2 that continues to disrupt the well-being of millions of affected individuals for many months beyond their first infection. While the exact mechanisms underlying PASC remain to be defined, hypotheses regarding the pathogenesis of long COVID are varied and include (but are not limited to) dysregulated local or systemic inflammatory responses, autoimmune mechanisms, viral-induced hormonal imbalances, skeletal muscle abnormalities, complement dysregulation, novel abzymes, and long-term persistence of virus and/or fragments of viral RNA or proteins. This review article is based on a comprehensive review of the wide range of symptoms most often observed in long COVID and an attempt to integrate that information into a plausible hypothesis for the pathogenesis of PASC. In particular, it is proposed that long-term dysregulation of the gut in response to viral persistence could lead to the myriad of symptoms observed in PASC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Anthony J. Turner
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK;
| | - Bruce D. Uhal
- Department of Physiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Abstract
Coronavirus Disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic is caused by SARS-CoV-2 that has infected more than 600 million people and killed more than 6 million people worldwide. This infection affects mainly certain groups of people that have high susceptibility to present severe COVID-19 due to comorbidities. Moreover, the long-COVID-19 comprises a series of symptoms that may remain in some patients for months after infection that further compromises their health. Thus, since this pandemic is profoundly affecting health, economy, and social life of societies, a deeper understanding of viral replication cycle could help to envisage novel therapeutic alternatives that limit or stop COVID-19. Several findings have unexpectedly discovered that mitochondria play a critical role in SARS-CoV-2 cell infection. Indeed, it has been suggested that this organelle could be the origin of its replication niches, the double membrane vesicles (DMV). In this regard, mitochondria derived vesicles (MDV), involved in mitochondria quality control, discovered almost 15 years ago, comprise a subpopulation characterized by a double membrane. MDV shedding is induced by mitochondrial stress, and it has a fast assembly dynamic, reason that perhaps has precluded their identification in electron microscopy or tomography studies. These and other features of MDV together with recent SARS-CoV-2 protein interactome and other findings link SARS-CoV-2 to mitochondria and support that these vesicles are the precursors of SARS-CoV-2 induced DMV. In this work, the morphological, biochemical, molecular, and cellular evidence that supports this hypothesis is reviewed and integrated into the current model of SARS-CoV-2 cell infection. In this scheme, some relevant questions are raised as pending topics for research that would help in the near future to test this hypothesis. The intention of this work is to provide a novel framework that could open new possibilities to tackle SARS-CoV-2 pandemic through mitochondria and DMV targeted therapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pavel Montes de Oca-B
- Neurociencia Cognitiva, Instituto de Fisiologia-UNAM, CDMX, CDMX, 04510, Mexico
- Unidad de Neurobiologia Dinamica, Instituto Nacional de Neurologia y Neurocirugia, CDMX, CDMX, 14269, Mexico
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Germoush MO, Fouda M, Aly H, Saber I, Alrashdi BM, Massoud D, Alzwain S, Altyar AE, Abdel-Daim MM, Sarhan M. Proteomic analysis of the venom of Conus flavidus from Red Sea reveals potential pharmacological applications. J Genet Eng Biotechnol 2024; 22:100375. [PMID: 38797555 PMCID: PMC11066669 DOI: 10.1016/j.jgeb.2024.100375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2023] [Revised: 03/15/2024] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Venomous marine cone snails produce unique neurotoxins called conopeptides or conotoxins, which are valuable for research and drug discovery. Characterizing Conus venom is important, especially for poorly studied species, as these tiny and steady molecules have considerable potential as research tools for detecting new pharmacological applications. In this study, a worm-hunting cone snail, Conus flavidus inhabiting the Red Sea coast were collected, dissected and the venom gland extraction was subjected to proteomic analysis to define the venom composition, and confirm the functional structure of conopeptides. RESULTS Analysis of C. flavidus venom identified 117 peptide fragments and assorted them to conotoxin precursors and non-conotoxin proteins. In this procedure, 65 conotoxin precursors were classified and identified to 16 conotoxin precursors and hormone superfamilies. In the venom of C. flavidus, the four conotoxin superfamilies T, A, O2, and M were the most abundant peptides, accounting for 75.8% of the total conotoxin diversity. Additionally, 19 non-conotoxin proteins were specified in the venom, as well as several potentially biologically active peptides with putative applications. CONCLUSION Our research displayed that the structure of the C. flavidus-derived proteome is similar to other Conus species and includes toxins, ionic channel inhibitors, insulin-like peptides, and hyaluronidase. This study provides a foundation for discovering new conopeptides from C. flavidus venom for pharmaceutical use.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mousa O Germoush
- Biology Department, College of Science, Jouf University, P.O. Box: 2014, Sakaka, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Maged Fouda
- Biology Department, College of Science, Jouf University, P.O. Box: 2014, Sakaka, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hamdy Aly
- Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Al-Azhar University, Assiut Branch 71524, Assuit, Egypt
| | - Islam Saber
- Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Al-Azhar University, Assiut Branch 71524, Assuit, Egypt
| | - Barakat M Alrashdi
- Biology Department, College of Science, Jouf University, P.O. Box: 2014, Sakaka, Saudi Arabia
| | - Diaa Massoud
- Biology Department, College of Science, Jouf University, P.O. Box: 2014, Sakaka, Saudi Arabia
| | - Sarah Alzwain
- Biology Department, College of Science, Jouf University, P.O. Box: 2014, Sakaka, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ahmed E Altyar
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmacy, King Abdulaziz University, P.O. Box 80260, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia; Pharmacy Program, Batterjee Medical College, P.O. Box 6231, Jeddah 21442, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohamed M Abdel-Daim
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmacy Program, Batterjee Medical College, P.O. Box 6231, Jeddah 21442, Saudi Arabia; Pharmacology Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Suez Canal University, Ismailia 41522, Egypt
| | - Moustafa Sarhan
- Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Al-Azhar University, Assiut Branch 71524, Assuit, Egypt; Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Clinical Pharmacy, King Faisal University, 31982, Saudi Arabia
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Mohapatra S, Bhatia S, Senaratna KYK, Jong MC, Lim CMB, Gangesh GR, Lee JX, Giek GS, Cheung C, Yutao L, Luhua Y, Yong NH, Peng LC, Wong JCC, Ching NL, Gin KYH. Wastewater surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 and chemical markers in campus dormitories in an evolving COVID - 19 pandemic. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2023; 446:130690. [PMID: 36603423 PMCID: PMC9795800 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.130690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2022] [Revised: 12/08/2022] [Accepted: 12/27/2022] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
In this study, we report the implementation of a comprehensive wastewater surveillance testing program at a university campus in Singapore to identify Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infected individuals and the usage of pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) as well as other emerging contaminants (ECs). This unique co-monitoring program simultaneously measured SARS-CoV-2 with chemical markers/contaminants as the COVID-19 situation evolved from pandemic to endemic stages, following a nationwide mass vaccination drive. SARS-CoV-2 RNA concentrations in wastewater from campus dormitories were measured using real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and corroborated with the number of symptomatic COVID-19 cases confirmed with the antigen rapid test (ART). Consistent results were observed where the concentrations of SARS-CoV-2 RNA detected in wastewater increased proportionately with the number of COVID-19 infected individuals residing on campus. Similarly, a wide range of ECs, including disinfectants and antibiotics, were detected through sensitive liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) techniques to establish PPCPs consumption patterns during various stages of the COVID-19 pandemic in Singapore. Statistical correlation of SARS-CoV-2 RNA was observed with few ECs belonging to disinfectants, PCPs and antibiotics. A high concentration of disinfectants and subsequent positive correlation with the number of reported cases on the university campus indicates that disinfectants could serve as a chemical marker during such unprecedented times.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sanjeeb Mohapatra
- NUS Environmental Research Institute, National University of Singapore, T-Lab Building, 5A Engineering Drive 1, 117411, Singapore; Energy and Environmental Sustainability for Megacities (E2S2) Phase II, Campus for Research Excellence and Technological Enterprise (CREATE), 1 CREATE Way, Singapore 138602, Singapore
| | - Sumedha Bhatia
- NUS Environmental Research Institute, National University of Singapore, T-Lab Building, 5A Engineering Drive 1, 117411, Singapore
| | | | - Mui-Choo Jong
- NUS Environmental Research Institute, National University of Singapore, T-Lab Building, 5A Engineering Drive 1, 117411, Singapore
| | - Chun Min Benjamin Lim
- NUS Environmental Research Institute, National University of Singapore, T-Lab Building, 5A Engineering Drive 1, 117411, Singapore
| | - G Reuben Gangesh
- NUS Environmental Research Institute, National University of Singapore, T-Lab Building, 5A Engineering Drive 1, 117411, Singapore
| | - Jia Xiong Lee
- NUS Environmental Research Institute, National University of Singapore, T-Lab Building, 5A Engineering Drive 1, 117411, Singapore
| | - Goh Shin Giek
- NUS Environmental Research Institute, National University of Singapore, T-Lab Building, 5A Engineering Drive 1, 117411, Singapore
| | - Callie Cheung
- NUS Environmental Research Institute, National University of Singapore, T-Lab Building, 5A Engineering Drive 1, 117411, Singapore; Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, National University of Singapore, Engineering Drive 2, 117576, Singapore
| | - Lin Yutao
- NUS Environmental Research Institute, National University of Singapore, T-Lab Building, 5A Engineering Drive 1, 117411, Singapore
| | - You Luhua
- NUS Environmental Research Institute, National University of Singapore, T-Lab Building, 5A Engineering Drive 1, 117411, Singapore; Energy and Environmental Sustainability for Megacities (E2S2) Phase II, Campus for Research Excellence and Technological Enterprise (CREATE), 1 CREATE Way, Singapore 138602, Singapore
| | - Ng How Yong
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, National University of Singapore, Engineering Drive 2, 117576, Singapore
| | - Lim Cheh Peng
- Office of Risk Management and Compliance, National University of Singapore, 119077, Singapore
| | - Judith Chui Ching Wong
- Environmental Health Institute, National Environment Agency, 11 Biopolis Way, #06-05/08, 138667, Singapore
| | - Ng Lee Ching
- Environmental Health Institute, National Environment Agency, 11 Biopolis Way, #06-05/08, 138667, Singapore; School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, 60 Nanyang Drive, 637551, Singapore
| | - Karina Yew-Hoong Gin
- NUS Environmental Research Institute, National University of Singapore, T-Lab Building, 5A Engineering Drive 1, 117411, Singapore; Energy and Environmental Sustainability for Megacities (E2S2) Phase II, Campus for Research Excellence and Technological Enterprise (CREATE), 1 CREATE Way, Singapore 138602, Singapore; Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, National University of Singapore, Engineering Drive 2, 117576, Singapore.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Zhou B, Pang X, Wu J, Liu T, Wang B, Cao H. Gut microbiota in COVID-19: new insights from inside. Gut Microbes 2023; 15:2201157. [PMID: 37078497 PMCID: PMC10120564 DOI: 10.1080/19490976.2023.2201157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 04/21/2023] Open
Abstract
The epidemic of coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) has grown to be a global health threat. Gastrointestinal symptoms are thought to be common clinical manifestations apart from a series of originally found respiratory symptoms. The human gut harbors trillions of microorganisms that are indispensable for complex physiological processes and homeostasis. Growing evidence demonstrate that gut microbiota alteration is associated with COVID-19 progress and severity, and post-COVID-19 syndrome, characterized by decrease of anti-inflammatory bacteria like Bifidobacterium and Faecalibacterium and enrichment of inflammation-associated microbiota including Streptococcus and Actinomyces. Therapeutic strategies such as diet, probiotics/prebiotics, herb, and fecal microbiota transplantation have shown positive effects on relieving clinical symptoms. In this article, we provide and summarize the recent evidence about the gut microbiota and their metabolites alterations during and after COVID-19 infection and focus on potential therapeutic strategies targeting gut microbiota. Understanding the connections between intestinal microbiota and COVID-19 would provide new insights into COVID-19 management in the future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bingqian Zhou
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, General Hospital, Tianjin Medical University, National Key Clinical Specialty, Tianjin Institute of Digestive Diseases, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Digestive Diseases, Tianjin, China
| | - Xiaoqi Pang
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, General Hospital, Tianjin Medical University, National Key Clinical Specialty, Tianjin Institute of Digestive Diseases, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Digestive Diseases, Tianjin, China
| | - Jingyi Wu
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, General Hospital, Tianjin Medical University, National Key Clinical Specialty, Tianjin Institute of Digestive Diseases, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Digestive Diseases, Tianjin, China
| | - Tianyu Liu
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, General Hospital, Tianjin Medical University, National Key Clinical Specialty, Tianjin Institute of Digestive Diseases, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Digestive Diseases, Tianjin, China
| | - Bangmao Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, General Hospital, Tianjin Medical University, National Key Clinical Specialty, Tianjin Institute of Digestive Diseases, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Digestive Diseases, Tianjin, China
| | - Hailong Cao
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, General Hospital, Tianjin Medical University, National Key Clinical Specialty, Tianjin Institute of Digestive Diseases, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Digestive Diseases, Tianjin, China
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Bonanno Ferraro G, Veneri C, Mancini P, Iaconelli M, Suffredini E, Bonadonna L, Lucentini L, Bowo-Ngandji A, Kengne-Nde C, Mbaga DS, Mahamat G, Tazokong HR, Ebogo-Belobo JT, Njouom R, Kenmoe S, La Rosa G. A State-of-the-Art Scoping Review on SARS-CoV-2 in Sewage Focusing on the Potential of Wastewater Surveillance for the Monitoring of the COVID-19 Pandemic. FOOD AND ENVIRONMENTAL VIROLOGY 2022; 14:315-354. [PMID: 34727334 PMCID: PMC8561373 DOI: 10.1007/s12560-021-09498-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2021] [Accepted: 09/21/2021] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
The outbreak of coronavirus infectious disease-2019 (COVID-19), caused by the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has rapidly spread throughout the world. Several studies have shown that detecting SARS-CoV-2 in untreated wastewater can be a useful tool to identify new outbreaks, establish outbreak trends, and assess the prevalence of infections. On 06 May 2021, over a year into the pandemic, we conducted a scoping review aiming to summarize research data on SARS-CoV-2 in sewage. Papers dealing with raw sewage collected at wastewater treatment plants, sewer networks, septic tanks, and sludge treatment facilities were included in this review. We also reviewed studies on sewage collected in community settings such as private or municipal hospitals, healthcare facilities, nursing homes, dormitories, campuses, airports, aircraft, and cruise ships. The literature search was conducted using the electronic databases PubMed, EMBASE, and Web Science Core Collection. This comprehensive research yielded 1090 results, 66 of which met the inclusion criteria and are discussed in this review. Studies from 26 countries worldwide have investigated the occurrence of SARS-CoV-2 in sewage of different origin. The percentage of positive samples in sewage ranged from 11.6 to 100%, with viral concentrations ranging from ˂LOD to 4.6 × 108 genome copies/L. This review outlines the evidence currently available on wastewater surveillance: (i) as an early warning system capable of predicting COVID-19 outbreaks days or weeks before clinical cases; (ii) as a tool capable of establishing trends in current outbreaks; (iii) estimating the prevalence of infections; and (iv) studying SARS-CoV-2 genetic diversity. In conclusion, as a cost-effective, rapid, and reliable source of information on the spread of SARS-CoV-2 and its variants in the population, wastewater surveillance can enhance genomic and epidemiological surveillance with independent and complementary data to inform public health decision-making during the ongoing pandemic.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- G Bonanno Ferraro
- Department of Environment and Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | | | - P Mancini
- Department of Environment and Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - M Iaconelli
- Department of Environment and Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - E Suffredini
- Department of Food Safety, Nutrition and Veterinary Public Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - L Bonadonna
- Department of Environment and Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - L Lucentini
- Department of Environment and Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - A Bowo-Ngandji
- Department of Microbiology, The University of Yaounde I, Yaounde, Cameroon
| | - C Kengne-Nde
- Research Monitoring and Planning Unit, National Aids Control Committee, Douala, Cameroon
| | - D S Mbaga
- Department of Microbiology, The University of Yaounde I, Yaounde, Cameroon
| | - G Mahamat
- Department of Microbiology, The University of Yaounde I, Yaounde, Cameroon
| | - H R Tazokong
- Department of Microbiology, The University of Yaounde I, Yaounde, Cameroon
| | - J T Ebogo-Belobo
- Medical Research Centre, Institute of Medical Research and Medicinal Plants Studies, Yaounde, Cameroon
| | - R Njouom
- Virology Department, Centre Pasteur of Cameroon, Yaounde, Cameroon
| | - S Kenmoe
- Virology Department, Centre Pasteur of Cameroon, Yaounde, Cameroon
| | - G La Rosa
- Department of Environment and Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Petrillo M, Querci M, Brogna C, Ponti J, Cristoni S, Markov PV, Valsesia A, Leoni G, Benedetti A, Wiss T, Van den Eede G. Evidence of SARS-CoV-2 bacteriophage potential in human gut microbiota. F1000Res 2022. [DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.109236.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: In previous studies we have shown that severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) replicates in vitro in bacterial growth medium, that the viral replication follows bacterial growth, and it is influenced by the administration of specific antibiotics. These observations are compatible with a ‘bacteriophage-like’ behaviour of SARS-CoV-2. Methods: We have further elaborated on these unusual findings and here we present the results of three different supplementary experiments: (1) an electron-microscope analysis of samples of bacteria obtained from a faecal sample of a subject positive to SARS-CoV-2; (2) mass spectrometric analysis of these cultures to assess the eventual de novo synthesis of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein; (3) sequencing of SARS-CoV-2 collected from plaques obtained from two different gut microbial bacteria inoculated with supernatant from faecal microbiota of an individual positive to SARS-CoV-2. Results: Immuno-labelling with Anti-SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein antibody confirmed presence of SARS-CoV-2 both outside and inside bacteria. De novo synthesis of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein was observed, as evidence that SARS-CoV-2 RNA is translated in the bacterial cultures. In addition, phage-like plaques were spotted on faecal bacteria cultures after inoculation with supernatant from faecal microbiota of an individual positive to SARS-CoV-2. Bioinformatic analyses on the reads obtained by sequencing RNA extracted from the plaques revealed nucleic acid polymorphisms, suggesting different replication environment in the two bacterial cultures. Conclusions: Based on these results we conclude that, in addition to its well-documented interactions with eukaryotic cells, SARS-CoV-2 may act as a bacteriophage when interacting with at least two bacterial species known to be present in the human microbiota. If the hypothesis proposed, i.e., that under certain conditions SARS-CoV-2 may multiply at the expense of human gut bacteria, is further substantiated, it would drastically change the model of acting and infecting of SARS-CoV-2, and most likely that of other human pathogenic viruses.
Collapse
|
8
|
Brogna C, Cristoni S, Petrillo M, Querci M, Piazza O, Van den Eede G. Toxin-like peptides in plasma, urine and faecal samples from COVID-19 patients. F1000Res 2022; 10:550. [PMID: 35106136 PMCID: PMC8772524 DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.54306.2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: SARS-CoV-2 that causes COVID-19 disease and led to the pandemic currently affecting the world has been broadly investigated. Different studies have been performed to understand the infection mechanism, and the involved human genes, transcripts and proteins. In parallel, numerous clinical extra-pulmonary manifestations co-occurring with COVID-19 disease have been reported and evidence of their severity and persistence is increasing. Whether these manifestations are linked to other disorders co-occurring with SARS-CoV-2 infection, is under discussion. In this work, we report the identification of toxin-like peptides in COVID-19 patients by application of the Liquid Chromatography Surface-Activated Chemical Ionization – Cloud Ion Mobility Mass Spectrometry. Methods: Plasma, urine and faecal samples from COVID-19 patients and control individuals were analysed to study peptidomic toxins’ profiles. Protein precipitation preparation procedure was used for plasma, to remove high molecular weight proteins and efficiently solubilize the peptide fraction; in the case of faeces and urine, direct peptide solubilization was employed. Results: Toxin-like peptides, almost identical to toxic components of venoms from animals, like conotoxins, phospholipases, phosphodiesterases, zinc metal proteinases, and bradykinins, were identified in samples from COVID-19 patients, but not in control samples. Conclusions: The presence of toxin-like peptides could potentially be connected to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Their presence suggests a possible association between COVID-19 disease and the release in the body of (oligo-)peptides almost identical to toxic components of venoms from animals. Their involvement in a large set of heterogeneous extra-pulmonary COVID-19 clinical manifestations, like neurological ones, cannot be excluded. Although the presence of each individual symptom is not selective of the disease, their combination might be related to COVID-19 by the coexistence of the panel of the here detected toxin-like peptides. The presence of these peptides opens new scenarios on the aetiology of the COVID-19 clinical symptoms observed up to now, including neurological manifestations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Simone Cristoni
- ISB Ion Source & Biotechnologies srl, Italy, Bresso, Milano, 20091, Italy
| | - Mauro Petrillo
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), Ispra, 21027, Italy
| | - Maddalena Querci
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), Ispra, 21027, Italy
| | - Ornella Piazza
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Salerno, Baronissi, 84081, Italy
| | - Guy Van den Eede
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), Geel, 2440, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Bignardi E, Brogna C, Capasso C, Brogna B. A fatal case of COVID-19 breakthrough infection due to the delta variant. Clin Case Rep 2022; 10:e05232. [PMID: 35035958 PMCID: PMC8752372 DOI: 10.1002/ccr3.5232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2021] [Revised: 12/09/2021] [Accepted: 12/10/2021] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
COVID-19 infections that occur at least 2 weeks after complete vaccination are known as breakthrough infections. Herein, we report a clinical case resembling breakthrough infection that was correlated with a higher score of COVID-19 pneumonia on chest computed tomography (CT) in a patient who resulted positive for the delta variant and who died during the hospitalization.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Claudia Brogna
- Pediatric Neurology UnitFondazione Policlinico Universitario “A. Gemelli”, IRCSSRomeItaly
- Neuropsychiatric UnitASL AvellinoAvellinoItaly
| | - Chiara Capasso
- Pharmacology Department“Frangipane” HospitalASL AvellinoAriano IrpinoItaly
| | - Barbara Brogna
- Department of RadiologySan Giuseppe Moscati HospitalAvellinoItaly
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Dragelj J, Mroginski MA, Ebrahimi KH. Hidden in Plain Sight: Natural Products of Commensal Microbiota as an Environmental Selection Pressure for the Rise of New Variants of SARS-CoV-2. Chembiochem 2021; 22:2946-2950. [PMID: 34265150 PMCID: PMC8427076 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202100346] [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: 07/14/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Since the emergence of SARS-CoV-2, little attention has been paid to the interplay between the interaction of virus and commensal microbiota. Here, we used molecular docking and dynamics simulations to study the interaction of some of the known metabolites and natural products (NPs) produced by commensal microbiota with the receptor binding domain (RBD) of the spike glycoprotein of SARS-CoV-2. The results predict that NPs of commensal microbiota such as bile acids and non-ribosomal peptides (NRPs), of which some are siderophores, bind to the wild-type RBD and interfere with its binding to the ACE2 receptor. N501Y mutation, which is present in many of the emerging variants of the virus, abolishes the predicted binding pocket of bile acids and NRPs. Based on these findings, available experimental data showing that bile acids reduce the binding affinity of wild-type RBD to the ACE2 receptor, and the data suggesting that the respiratory tract microbiota affect viral infection we put forward the following proposal: mutations such as N501Y enable the RBD to bind to the ACE2 receptor more effectively in the presence of NPs produced by the respiratory tract bacteria thereby, increasing the infectivity rate of the virus. We hope our data stimulate future works to better understand the interactions of NPs produced by commensal microbiota with respiratory viruses like SARS-CoV-2.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jovan Dragelj
- Institute of ChemistryTechnische Universität BerlinStraße des 17. Juni 13510623BerlinGermany
| | - Maria Andrea Mroginski
- Institute of ChemistryTechnische Universität BerlinStraße des 17. Juni 13510623BerlinGermany
| | - Kourosh H. Ebrahimi
- Chemistry Research LaboratoryDepartment of ChemistryUniversity of OxfordMansfield RoadOxfordOX1 3TAUK
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Brogna C, Cristoni S, Petrillo M, Querci M, Piazza O, Van den Eede G. Toxin-like peptides in plasma, urine and faecal samples from COVID-19 patients. F1000Res 2021; 10:550. [PMID: 35106136 PMCID: PMC8772524 DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.54306.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/12/2021] [Indexed: 08/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: SARS-CoV-2 that causes COVID-19 disease and led to the pandemic currently affecting the world has been broadly investigated. Different studies have been performed to understand the infection mechanism, and the involved human genes, transcripts and proteins. In parallel, numerous clinical extra-pulmonary manifestations co-occurring with COVID-19 disease have been reported and evidence of their severity and persistence is increasing. Whether these manifestations are linked to other disorders co-occurring with SARS-CoV-2 infection, is under discussion. In this work, we report the identification of toxin-like peptides in COVID-19 patients by application of the Liquid Chromatography Surface-Activated Chemical Ionization - Cloud Ion Mobility Mass Spectrometry. Methods: Plasma, urine and faecal samples from COVID-19 patients and control individuals were analysed to study peptidomic toxins' profiles. Protein precipitation preparation procedure was used for plasma, to remove high molecular weight proteins and efficiently solubilize the peptide fraction; in the case of faeces and urine, direct peptide solubilization was employed. Results: Toxin-like peptides, almost identical to toxic components of venoms from animals, like conotoxins, phospholipases, phosphodiesterases, zinc metal proteinases, and bradykinins, were identified in samples from COVID-19 patients, but not in control samples. Conclusions: The presence of toxin-like peptides could potentially be connected to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Their presence suggests a possible association between COVID-19 disease and the release in the body of (oligo-)peptides almost identical to toxic components of venoms from animals. Their involvement in a large set of heterogeneous extra-pulmonary COVID-19 clinical manifestations, like neurological ones, cannot be excluded. Although the presence of each individual symptom is not selective of the disease, their combination might be related to COVID-19 by the coexistence of the panel of the here detected toxin-like peptides. The presence of these peptides opens new scenarios on the aetiology of the COVID-19 clinical symptoms observed up to now, including neurological manifestations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Simone Cristoni
- ISB Ion Source & Biotechnologies srl, Italy, Bresso, Milano, 20091, Italy
| | - Mauro Petrillo
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), Ispra, 21027, Italy
| | - Maddalena Querci
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), Ispra, 21027, Italy
| | - Ornella Piazza
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Salerno, Baronissi, 84081, Italy
| | - Guy Van den Eede
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), Geel, 2440, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|