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Aghajani Mir M. Illuminating the pathogenic role of SARS-CoV-2: Insights into competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs) regulatory networks. INFECTION, GENETICS AND EVOLUTION : JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR EPIDEMIOLOGY AND EVOLUTIONARY GENETICS IN INFECTIOUS DISEASES 2024; 122:105613. [PMID: 38844190 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2024.105613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2024] [Revised: 05/20/2024] [Accepted: 05/31/2024] [Indexed: 06/10/2024]
Abstract
The appearance of SARS-CoV-2 in 2019 triggered a significant economic and health crisis worldwide, with heterogeneous molecular mechanisms that contribute to its development are not yet fully understood. Although substantial progress has been made in elucidating the mechanisms behind SARS-CoV-2 infection and therapy, it continues to rank among the top three global causes of mortality due to infectious illnesses. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), being integral components across nearly all biological processes, demonstrate effective importance in viral pathogenesis. Regarding viral infections, ncRNAs have demonstrated their ability to modulate host reactions, viral replication, and host-pathogen interactions. However, the complex interactions of different types of ncRNAs in the progression of COVID-19 remains understudied. In recent years, a novel mechanism of post-transcriptional gene regulation known as "competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA)" has been proposed. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), circular RNAs (circRNAs), and viral ncRNAs function as ceRNAs, influencing the expression of associated genes by sequestering shared microRNAs. Recent research on SARS-CoV-2 has revealed that disruptions in specific ceRNA regulatory networks (ceRNETs) contribute to the abnormal expression of key infection-related genes and the establishment of distinctive infection characteristics. These findings present new opportunities to delve deeper into the underlying mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis, offering potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets. This progress paves the way for a more comprehensive understanding of ceRNETs, shedding light on the intricate mechanisms involved. Further exploration of these mechanisms holds promise for enhancing our ability to prevent viral infections and develop effective antiviral treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahsa Aghajani Mir
- Deputy of Research and Technology, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran.
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Tolksdorf B, Heinze J, Niemeyer D, Röhrs V, Berg J, Drosten C, Kurreck J. Development of a highly stable, active small interfering RNA with broad activity against SARS-CoV viruses. Antiviral Res 2024; 226:105879. [PMID: 38599550 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2024.105879] [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: 02/02/2024] [Revised: 03/22/2024] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024]
Abstract
Treatment options for COVID-19 remain limited. Here, we report the optimization of an siRNA targeting the highly conserved leader region of SARS-CoV-2. The siRNA was rendered nuclease resistant by the introduction of modified nucleotides without loss of activity. Importantly, the siRNA also retained its inhibitory activity against the emerged omicron sublineage variant BA.2, which occurred after the siRNA was designed and is resistant to other antiviral agents such as antibodies. In addition, we show that a second highly active siRNA designed against the viral 5'-UTR can be applied as a rescue molecule, to minimize the spread of escape mutations. We therefore consider our siRNA-based molecules to be promising broadly active candidates for the treatment of current and future SARS-CoV-2 variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatrice Tolksdorf
- Chair of Applied Biochemistry, Institute of Biotechnology, Technische Universität Berlin, Berlin, 10623, Germany
| | - Julian Heinze
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany; Institute of Virology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 10117, Germany
| | - Daniela Niemeyer
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany; Institute of Virology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 10117, Germany
| | - Viola Röhrs
- Chair of Applied Biochemistry, Institute of Biotechnology, Technische Universität Berlin, Berlin, 10623, Germany
| | - Johanna Berg
- Chair of Applied Biochemistry, Institute of Biotechnology, Technische Universität Berlin, Berlin, 10623, Germany
| | - Christian Drosten
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany; Institute of Virology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 10117, Germany
| | - Jens Kurreck
- Chair of Applied Biochemistry, Institute of Biotechnology, Technische Universität Berlin, Berlin, 10623, Germany.
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3
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Behura A, Naik L, Patel S, Das M, Kumar A, Mishra A, Nayak DK, Manna D, Mishra A, Dhiman R. Involvement of epigenetics in affecting host immunity during SARS-CoV-2 infection. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2023; 1869:166634. [PMID: 36577469 PMCID: PMC9790847 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2022.166634] [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: 06/28/2022] [Revised: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) is caused by a highly contagious RNA virus Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), originated in December 2019 in Wuhan, China. Since then, it has become a global public health concern and leads the disease table with the highest mortality rate, highlighting the necessity for a thorough understanding of its biological properties. The intricate interaction between the virus and the host immune system gives rise to diverse implications of COVID-19. RNA viruses are known to hijack the host epigenetic mechanisms of immune cells to regulate antiviral defence. Epigenetics involves processes that alter gene expression without changing the DNA sequence, leading to heritable phenotypic changes. The epigenetic landscape consists of reversible modifications like chromatin remodelling, DNA/RNA methylation, and histone methylation/acetylation that regulates gene expression. The epigenetic machinery contributes to many aspects of SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis, like global DNA methylation and receptor angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) methylation determines the viral entry inside the host, viral replication, and infection efficiency. Further, it is also reported to epigenetically regulate the expression of different host cytokines affecting antiviral response. The viral proteins of SARS-CoV-2 interact with various host epigenetic enzymes like histone deacetylases (HDACs) and bromodomain-containing proteins to antagonize cellular signalling. The central role of epigenetic factors in SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis is now exploited as promising biomarkers and therapeutic targets against COVID-19. This review article highlights the ability of SARS-CoV-2 in regulating the host epigenetic landscape during infection leading to immune evasion. It also discusses the ongoing therapeutic approaches to curtail and control the viral outbreak.
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Affiliation(s)
- Assirbad Behura
- Laboratory of Mycobacterial Immunology, Department of Life Science, National Institute of Technology, Rourkela 769008, Odisha, India
| | - Lincoln Naik
- Laboratory of Mycobacterial Immunology, Department of Life Science, National Institute of Technology, Rourkela 769008, Odisha, India
| | - Salina Patel
- Laboratory of Mycobacterial Immunology, Department of Life Science, National Institute of Technology, Rourkela 769008, Odisha, India
| | - Mousumi Das
- Laboratory of Mycobacterial Immunology, Department of Life Science, National Institute of Technology, Rourkela 769008, Odisha, India
| | - Ashish Kumar
- Laboratory of Mycobacterial Immunology, Department of Life Science, National Institute of Technology, Rourkela 769008, Odisha, India
| | - Abtar Mishra
- Laboratory of Mycobacterial Immunology, Department of Life Science, National Institute of Technology, Rourkela 769008, Odisha, India
| | - Dev Kiran Nayak
- Laboratory of Mycobacterial Immunology, Department of Life Science, National Institute of Technology, Rourkela 769008, Odisha, India
| | - Debraj Manna
- Laboratory of Mycobacterial Immunology, Department of Life Science, National Institute of Technology, Rourkela 769008, Odisha, India
| | - Amit Mishra
- Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology Unit, Indian Institute of Technology Jodhpur, Rajasthan 342011, India
| | - Rohan Dhiman
- Laboratory of Mycobacterial Immunology, Department of Life Science, National Institute of Technology, Rourkela 769008, Odisha, India.
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4
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Ryczek N, Łyś A, Makałowska I. The Functional Meaning of 5'UTR in Protein-Coding Genes. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24032976. [PMID: 36769304 PMCID: PMC9917990 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24032976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2022] [Revised: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/26/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
As it is well known, messenger RNA has many regulatory regions along its sequence length. One of them is the 5' untranslated region (5'UTR), which itself contains many regulatory elements such as upstream ORFs (uORFs), internal ribosome entry sites (IRESs), microRNA binding sites, and structural components involved in the regulation of mRNA stability, pre-mRNA splicing, and translation initiation. Activation of the alternative, more upstream transcription start site leads to an extension of 5'UTR. One of the consequences of 5'UTRs extension may be head-to-head gene overlap. This review describes elements in 5'UTR of protein-coding transcripts and the functional significance of protein-coding genes 5' overlap with implications for transcription, translation, and disease.
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Izzo C, Visco V, Gambardella J, Ferruzzi GJ, Rispoli A, Rusciano MR, Toni AL, Virtuoso N, Carrizzo A, Di Pietro P, Iaccarino G, Vecchione C, Ciccarelli M. Cardiovascular Implications of microRNAs in Coronavirus Disease 2019. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2023; 384:102-108. [PMID: 35779946 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.122.001210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2022] [Revised: 06/11/2022] [Accepted: 06/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic continues to be a global challenge due to resulting morbidity and mortality. Cardiovascular (CV) involvement is a crucial complication in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), and no strategies are available to prevent or specifically address CV events in COVID-19 patients. The identification of molecular partners contributing to CV manifestations in COVID-19 patients is crucial for providing early biomarkers, prognostic predictors, and new therapeutic targets. The current report will focus on the role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in CV complications associated with COVID-19. Indeed, miRNAs have been proposed as valuable biomarkers and predictors of both cardiac and vascular damage occurring in SARS-CoV-2 infection. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: It is essential to identify the molecular mediators of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cardiovascular (CV) complications. This report focused on the role of microRNAs in CV complications associated with COVID-19, discussing their potential use as biomarkers, prognostic predictors, and therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmine Izzo
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, University of Salerno, Baronissi, Italy (C.I., V.V., G.J.F., A.R., M.R.R., A.L.T., A.C., P.D.P., C.V., M.C.); Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, "Federico II" University, Naples, Italy (J.G., G.I.); Department of Medicine, Einstein-Sinai Diabetes Research Center, The Fleischer Institute for Diabetes and Metabolism, Einstein Institute for Aging Research, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, New York (J.G.); Cardiology Unit, University Hospital "San Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi d'Aragona," Salerno, Italy (N.V.); and Vascular Physiopathology Unit, IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli, Italy (A.C., C.V.)
| | - Valeria Visco
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, University of Salerno, Baronissi, Italy (C.I., V.V., G.J.F., A.R., M.R.R., A.L.T., A.C., P.D.P., C.V., M.C.); Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, "Federico II" University, Naples, Italy (J.G., G.I.); Department of Medicine, Einstein-Sinai Diabetes Research Center, The Fleischer Institute for Diabetes and Metabolism, Einstein Institute for Aging Research, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, New York (J.G.); Cardiology Unit, University Hospital "San Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi d'Aragona," Salerno, Italy (N.V.); and Vascular Physiopathology Unit, IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli, Italy (A.C., C.V.)
| | - Jessica Gambardella
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, University of Salerno, Baronissi, Italy (C.I., V.V., G.J.F., A.R., M.R.R., A.L.T., A.C., P.D.P., C.V., M.C.); Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, "Federico II" University, Naples, Italy (J.G., G.I.); Department of Medicine, Einstein-Sinai Diabetes Research Center, The Fleischer Institute for Diabetes and Metabolism, Einstein Institute for Aging Research, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, New York (J.G.); Cardiology Unit, University Hospital "San Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi d'Aragona," Salerno, Italy (N.V.); and Vascular Physiopathology Unit, IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli, Italy (A.C., C.V.)
| | - Germano Junior Ferruzzi
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, University of Salerno, Baronissi, Italy (C.I., V.V., G.J.F., A.R., M.R.R., A.L.T., A.C., P.D.P., C.V., M.C.); Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, "Federico II" University, Naples, Italy (J.G., G.I.); Department of Medicine, Einstein-Sinai Diabetes Research Center, The Fleischer Institute for Diabetes and Metabolism, Einstein Institute for Aging Research, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, New York (J.G.); Cardiology Unit, University Hospital "San Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi d'Aragona," Salerno, Italy (N.V.); and Vascular Physiopathology Unit, IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli, Italy (A.C., C.V.)
| | - Antonella Rispoli
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, University of Salerno, Baronissi, Italy (C.I., V.V., G.J.F., A.R., M.R.R., A.L.T., A.C., P.D.P., C.V., M.C.); Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, "Federico II" University, Naples, Italy (J.G., G.I.); Department of Medicine, Einstein-Sinai Diabetes Research Center, The Fleischer Institute for Diabetes and Metabolism, Einstein Institute for Aging Research, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, New York (J.G.); Cardiology Unit, University Hospital "San Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi d'Aragona," Salerno, Italy (N.V.); and Vascular Physiopathology Unit, IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli, Italy (A.C., C.V.)
| | - Maria Rosaria Rusciano
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, University of Salerno, Baronissi, Italy (C.I., V.V., G.J.F., A.R., M.R.R., A.L.T., A.C., P.D.P., C.V., M.C.); Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, "Federico II" University, Naples, Italy (J.G., G.I.); Department of Medicine, Einstein-Sinai Diabetes Research Center, The Fleischer Institute for Diabetes and Metabolism, Einstein Institute for Aging Research, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, New York (J.G.); Cardiology Unit, University Hospital "San Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi d'Aragona," Salerno, Italy (N.V.); and Vascular Physiopathology Unit, IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli, Italy (A.C., C.V.)
| | - Anna Laura Toni
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, University of Salerno, Baronissi, Italy (C.I., V.V., G.J.F., A.R., M.R.R., A.L.T., A.C., P.D.P., C.V., M.C.); Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, "Federico II" University, Naples, Italy (J.G., G.I.); Department of Medicine, Einstein-Sinai Diabetes Research Center, The Fleischer Institute for Diabetes and Metabolism, Einstein Institute for Aging Research, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, New York (J.G.); Cardiology Unit, University Hospital "San Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi d'Aragona," Salerno, Italy (N.V.); and Vascular Physiopathology Unit, IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli, Italy (A.C., C.V.)
| | - Nicola Virtuoso
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, University of Salerno, Baronissi, Italy (C.I., V.V., G.J.F., A.R., M.R.R., A.L.T., A.C., P.D.P., C.V., M.C.); Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, "Federico II" University, Naples, Italy (J.G., G.I.); Department of Medicine, Einstein-Sinai Diabetes Research Center, The Fleischer Institute for Diabetes and Metabolism, Einstein Institute for Aging Research, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, New York (J.G.); Cardiology Unit, University Hospital "San Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi d'Aragona," Salerno, Italy (N.V.); and Vascular Physiopathology Unit, IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli, Italy (A.C., C.V.)
| | - Albino Carrizzo
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, University of Salerno, Baronissi, Italy (C.I., V.V., G.J.F., A.R., M.R.R., A.L.T., A.C., P.D.P., C.V., M.C.); Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, "Federico II" University, Naples, Italy (J.G., G.I.); Department of Medicine, Einstein-Sinai Diabetes Research Center, The Fleischer Institute for Diabetes and Metabolism, Einstein Institute for Aging Research, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, New York (J.G.); Cardiology Unit, University Hospital "San Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi d'Aragona," Salerno, Italy (N.V.); and Vascular Physiopathology Unit, IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli, Italy (A.C., C.V.)
| | - Paola Di Pietro
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, University of Salerno, Baronissi, Italy (C.I., V.V., G.J.F., A.R., M.R.R., A.L.T., A.C., P.D.P., C.V., M.C.); Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, "Federico II" University, Naples, Italy (J.G., G.I.); Department of Medicine, Einstein-Sinai Diabetes Research Center, The Fleischer Institute for Diabetes and Metabolism, Einstein Institute for Aging Research, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, New York (J.G.); Cardiology Unit, University Hospital "San Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi d'Aragona," Salerno, Italy (N.V.); and Vascular Physiopathology Unit, IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli, Italy (A.C., C.V.)
| | - Guido Iaccarino
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, University of Salerno, Baronissi, Italy (C.I., V.V., G.J.F., A.R., M.R.R., A.L.T., A.C., P.D.P., C.V., M.C.); Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, "Federico II" University, Naples, Italy (J.G., G.I.); Department of Medicine, Einstein-Sinai Diabetes Research Center, The Fleischer Institute for Diabetes and Metabolism, Einstein Institute for Aging Research, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, New York (J.G.); Cardiology Unit, University Hospital "San Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi d'Aragona," Salerno, Italy (N.V.); and Vascular Physiopathology Unit, IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli, Italy (A.C., C.V.)
| | - Carmine Vecchione
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, University of Salerno, Baronissi, Italy (C.I., V.V., G.J.F., A.R., M.R.R., A.L.T., A.C., P.D.P., C.V., M.C.); Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, "Federico II" University, Naples, Italy (J.G., G.I.); Department of Medicine, Einstein-Sinai Diabetes Research Center, The Fleischer Institute for Diabetes and Metabolism, Einstein Institute for Aging Research, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, New York (J.G.); Cardiology Unit, University Hospital "San Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi d'Aragona," Salerno, Italy (N.V.); and Vascular Physiopathology Unit, IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli, Italy (A.C., C.V.)
| | - Michele Ciccarelli
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, University of Salerno, Baronissi, Italy (C.I., V.V., G.J.F., A.R., M.R.R., A.L.T., A.C., P.D.P., C.V., M.C.); Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, "Federico II" University, Naples, Italy (J.G., G.I.); Department of Medicine, Einstein-Sinai Diabetes Research Center, The Fleischer Institute for Diabetes and Metabolism, Einstein Institute for Aging Research, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, New York (J.G.); Cardiology Unit, University Hospital "San Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi d'Aragona," Salerno, Italy (N.V.); and Vascular Physiopathology Unit, IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli, Italy (A.C., C.V.)
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Innate Immunity in Cardiovascular Diseases-Identification of Novel Molecular Players and Targets. J Clin Med 2023; 12:jcm12010335. [PMID: 36615135 PMCID: PMC9821340 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12010335] [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: 11/01/2022] [Revised: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 12/25/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
During the past few years, unexpected developments have driven studies in the field of clinical immunology. One driver of immense impact was the outbreak of a pandemic caused by the novel virus SARS-CoV-2. Excellent recent reviews address diverse aspects of immunological re-search into cardiovascular diseases. Here, we specifically focus on selected studies taking advantage of advanced state-of-the-art molecular genetic methods ranging from genome-wide epi/transcriptome mapping and variant scanning to optogenetics and chemogenetics. First, we discuss the emerging clinical relevance of advanced diagnostics for cardiovascular diseases, including those associated with COVID-19-with a focus on the role of inflammation in cardiomyopathies and arrhythmias. Second, we consider newly identified immunological interactions at organ and system levels which affect cardiovascular pathogenesis. Thus, studies into immune influences arising from the intestinal system are moving towards therapeutic exploitation. Further, powerful new research tools have enabled novel insight into brain-immune system interactions at unprecedented resolution. This latter line of investigation emphasizes the strength of influence of emotional stress-acting through defined brain regions-upon viral and cardiovascular disorders. Several challenges need to be overcome before the full impact of these far-reaching new findings will hit the clinical arena.
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mRNA COVID-19 Vaccines-Facts and Hypotheses on Fragmentation and Encapsulation. Vaccines (Basel) 2022; 11:vaccines11010040. [PMID: 36679885 PMCID: PMC9864138 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11010040] [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: 11/23/2022] [Revised: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The adventure of the mRNA vaccine began thirty years ago in the context of influenza. This consisted in encapsulating the mRNA coding for a viral protein in a lipid particle. We show how the mRNA encoding S protein has been modified for that purpose in the context of the anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccination. RESULTS by using data coming from genetic and epidemiologic databases, we show the theoretical possibility of fragmentation of this mRNA into small RNA sequences capable of inhibiting important bio-syntheses such as the production of beta-globin. DISCUSSION we discuss two aspects related to mRNA vaccine: (i) the plausibility of mRNA fragmentation, and (ii) the role of liposomal nanoparticles (LNPs) used in the vaccine and their impact on mRNA biodistribution. CONCLUSION we insist on the need to develop lipid nanoparticles allowing personalized administration of vaccines and avoiding adverse effects due to mRNA fragmentation and inefficient biodistribution. Hence, we recommend (i) adapting the mRNA of vaccines to the least mutated virus proteins and (ii) personalizing its administration to the categories of chronic patients at risk most likely to suffer from adverse effects.
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Xu Z, Yang D, Wang L, Demongeot J. Statistical analysis supports UTR (untranslated region) deletion theory in SARS-CoV-2. Virulence 2022; 13:1772-1789. [PMID: 36217240 PMCID: PMC9553139 DOI: 10.1080/21505594.2022.2132059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
It was noticed that the mortality rate of SARS-CoV-2 infection experienced a significant declination in the early stage of the epidemic. We suspect that the sharp deterioration of virus toxicity is related to the deletion of the untranslated region (UTR) of the virus genome. It was found that the genome length of SARS-CoV-2 engaged a significant truncation due to UTR deletion after a mega-sequence analysis. Sequence similarity analysis further indicated that short UTR strains originated from its long UTR ancestors after an irreversible deletion. A good correlation was discovered between genome length and mortality, which demonstrated that the deletion of the virus UTR significantly affected the toxicity of the virus. This correlation was further confirmed in a significance analysis of the genetic influence on the clinical outcomes. The viral genome length of hospitalized patients was significantly more extensive than that of asymptomatic patients. In contrast, the viral genome length of asymptomatic was considerably longer than that of ordinary patients with symptoms. A genome-level mutation scanning was performed to systematically evaluate the influence of mutations at each position on virulence. The results indicated that UTR deletion was the primary driving force in alternating virus virulence in the early evolution. In the end, we proposed a mathematical model to explain why this UTR deletion was not continuous.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhaobin Xu
- Department of Life Science, Dezhou University, Dezhou, China
| | - Dongying Yang
- Department of Medicine, Dezhou University, Dezhou, China
| | - Liyan Wang
- Department of Life Science, Dezhou University, Dezhou, China
| | - Jacques Demongeot
- Laboratory AGEIS EA 7407, Team Tools for e-Gnosis Medical, Faculty of Medicine, University Grenoble Alpes (UGA), La Tronche, France,CONTACT Jacques Demongeot
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9
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Ning L, Liu M, Gou Y, Yang Y, He B, Huang J. Development and application of ribonucleic acid therapy strategies against COVID-19. Int J Biol Sci 2022; 18:5070-5085. [PMID: 35982905 PMCID: PMC9379410 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.72706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2022] [Accepted: 07/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome 2 coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), remaining a global health crisis since its outbreak until now. Advanced biotechnology and research findings have revealed many suitable viral and host targets for a wide range of therapeutic strategies. The emerging ribonucleic acid therapy can modulate gene expression by post-transcriptional gene silencing (PTGS) based on Watson-Crick base pairing. RNA therapies, including antisense oligonucleotides (ASO), ribozymes, RNA interference (RNAi), aptamers, etc., were used to treat SARS-CoV whose genome is similar to SARV-CoV-2, and the past experience also applies for the treatment of COVID-19. Several studies against SARS-CoV-2 based on RNA therapeutic strategy have been reported, and a dozen of relevant preclinical or clinical trials are in process globally. RNA therapy has been a very active and important part of COVID-19 treatment. In this review, we focus on the progress of ribonucleic acid therapeutic strategies development and application, discuss corresponding problems and challenges, and suggest new strategies and solutions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Ning
- School of Healthcare Technology, Chengdu Neusoft University, Sichuan, China.,School of Life Science and Technology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Sichuan, China
| | - Mujiexin Liu
- Ineye Hospital of Chengdu University of TCM, Sichuan, China
| | - Yushu Gou
- School of Life Science and Technology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Sichuan, China
| | - Yue Yang
- School of Life Science and Technology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Sichuan, China
| | - Bifang He
- Medical College, Guizhou University, Guizhou, China
| | - Jian Huang
- School of Life Science and Technology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Sichuan, China
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10
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Patra SK, Szyf M. Epigenetic perspectives of COVID-19: Virus infection to disease progression and therapeutic control. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2022; 1868:166527. [PMID: 36002132 PMCID: PMC9393109 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2022.166527] [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: 06/24/2022] [Revised: 08/05/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
COVID-19 has caused numerous deaths as well as imposed social isolation and upheaval world-wide. Although, the genome and the composition of the virus, the entry process and replication mechanisms are well investigated from by several laboratories across the world, there are many unknown remaining questions. For example, what are the functions of membrane lipids during entry, packaging and exit of virus particles? Also, the metabolic aspects of the infected tissue cells are poorly understood. In the course of virus replication and formation of virus particles within the host cell, the enhanced metabolic activities of the host is directly proportional to viral loads. The epigenetic landscape of the host cells is also altered, particularly the expression/repression of genes associated with cellular metabolism as well as cellular processes that are antagonistic to the virus. Metabolic pathways are enzyme driven processes and the expression profile and mechanism of regulations of the respective genes encoding those enzymes during the course of pathogen invasion might be highly informative on the course of the disease. Recently, the metabolic profile of the patients' sera have been analysed from few patients. In view of this, and to gain further insights into the roles that epigenetic mechanisms might play in this scenario in regulation of metabolic pathways during the progression of COVID-19 are discussed and summarised in this contribution for ensuring best therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samir Kumar Patra
- Epigenetics and Cancer Research Laboratory, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Group, Department of Life Science, National Institute of Technology, Rourkela 769008, Odisha, India.
| | - Moshe Szyf
- Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, McIntyre Medical Sciences Building, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3G 1Y6, Canada
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11
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Luo H, Tang W, Liu H, Zeng X, Ngai WSC, Gao R, Li H, Li R, Zheng H, Guo J, Qin F, Wang G, Li K, Fan X, Zou P, Chen PR. Photocatalytic Chemical Crosslinking for Profiling RNA–Protein Interactions in Living Cells. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2022; 61:e202202008. [DOI: 10.1002/anie.202202008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Huixin Luo
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering Synthetic and Functional Biomolecules Center Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry and Molecular Engineering of Ministry of Education Peking University Beijing 100871 China
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines Institute of Materia Medica Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking UnionMedical College Beijing 100050 China
| | - Wei Tang
- Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences Beijing 100871 China
| | - Hongyu Liu
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering Synthetic and Functional Biomolecules Center Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry and Molecular Engineering of Ministry of Education Peking University Beijing 100871 China
| | - Xiangmei Zeng
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering Synthetic and Functional Biomolecules Center Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry and Molecular Engineering of Ministry of Education Peking University Beijing 100871 China
| | - William Shu Ching Ngai
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering Synthetic and Functional Biomolecules Center Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry and Molecular Engineering of Ministry of Education Peking University Beijing 100871 China
| | - Rui Gao
- Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences Beijing 100871 China
| | - Heyun Li
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering Synthetic and Functional Biomolecules Center Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry and Molecular Engineering of Ministry of Education Peking University Beijing 100871 China
| | - Ran Li
- Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences Beijing 100871 China
| | - Huangtao Zheng
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering Synthetic and Functional Biomolecules Center Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry and Molecular Engineering of Ministry of Education Peking University Beijing 100871 China
| | - Jianting Guo
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering Synthetic and Functional Biomolecules Center Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry and Molecular Engineering of Ministry of Education Peking University Beijing 100871 China
| | - Fangfei Qin
- Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences Beijing 100871 China
| | - Gang Wang
- Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences Beijing 100871 China
| | - Kexin Li
- Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences Beijing 100871 China
| | - Xinyuan Fan
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering Synthetic and Functional Biomolecules Center Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry and Molecular Engineering of Ministry of Education Peking University Beijing 100871 China
| | - Peng Zou
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering Synthetic and Functional Biomolecules Center Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry and Molecular Engineering of Ministry of Education Peking University Beijing 100871 China
- Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences Beijing 100871 China
- PKU-IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research Beijing 100871 China
- Chinese Institute for Brain Research (CIBR) Beijing 102206 China
| | - Peng R. Chen
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering Synthetic and Functional Biomolecules Center Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry and Molecular Engineering of Ministry of Education Peking University Beijing 100871 China
- Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences Beijing 100871 China
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12
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Kooshkaki O, Asghari A, Mahdavi R, Azarkar G, Parsamanesh N. Potential of MicroRNAs As Biomarkers and Therapeutic Targets in Respiratory Viruses: A Literature Review. DNA Cell Biol 2022; 41:544-563. [PMID: 35699380 DOI: 10.1089/dna.2021.1101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small noncoding RNAs that regulate gene expression through recognition of cognate sequences and interference of transcriptional, translational, or epigenetic processes. Hundreds of miRNA genes have been found in diverse viruses, and many of these are phylogenetically conserved. Respiratory viruses are the most frequent causative agents of disease in humans, with a significant impact on morbidity and mortality worldwide. Recently, the role of miRNAs in respiratory viral gene regulation, as well as host gene regulation during disease progression, has become a field of interest. This review highlighted the importance of various miRNAs and their potential role in fighting with respiratory viruses as therapeutic molecules with a focus on COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Omid Kooshkaki
- Department of Hematology, Student Research Committee, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran
| | - Arghavan Asghari
- Department of Hematology, Student Research Committee, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran.,Department of Hematology, Infectious Diseases Research Center, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran
| | - Reza Mahdavi
- Department of Hematology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Ghodsiyeh Azarkar
- Department of Hematology, Infectious Diseases Research Center, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran
| | - Negin Parsamanesh
- Department of Hematology, Zanjan Metabolic Diseases Research Center, Zanjan University of Medical Science, Zanjan, Iran
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13
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Gutiérrez-Cárdenas J, Wang Z. Prediction of binding miRNAs involved with immune genes to the SARS-CoV-2 by using sequence features extraction and One-class SVM. INFORMATICS IN MEDICINE UNLOCKED 2022; 30:100958. [PMID: 35528315 PMCID: PMC9057929 DOI: 10.1016/j.imu.2022.100958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Revised: 04/25/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 10/24/2022] Open
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14
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Luo H, Tang W, Liu H, Zeng X, Ngai WSC, Gao R, Li H, Li R, Zheng H, Guo J, Qin F, Wang G, Li K, Fan X, Zou P, Chen P. Photocatalytic Chemical Crosslinking for Profiling RNA‐Protein Interactions in Living Cells. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.202202008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Huixin Luo
- PKU: Peking University College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering CHINA
| | - Wei Tang
- PKU: Peking University Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences CHINA
| | - Hongyu Liu
- PKU: Peking University College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering CHINA
| | - Xiangmei Zeng
- PKU: Peking University College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering CHINA
| | | | - Rui Gao
- PKU: Peking University Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences CHINA
| | - Heyun Li
- PKU: Peking University College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering CHINA
| | - Ran Li
- PKU: Peking University Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences CHINA
| | - Huangtao Zheng
- PKU: Peking University College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering CHINA
| | - Jianting Guo
- PKU: Peking University College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering CHINA
| | - Fangfei Qin
- PKU: Peking University Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences CHINA
| | - Gang Wang
- PKU: Peking University Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences CHINA
| | - Kexin Li
- PKU: Peking University Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences CHINA
| | - Xinyuan Fan
- PKU: Peking University College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering CHINA
| | - Peng Zou
- PKU: Peking University College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering CHINA
| | - Peng Chen
- Peking University tional Laboratory for Molecular Sciences College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering 100871 Beijing CHINA
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15
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Mahmoodpoor A, Sanaie S, Roudbari F, Sabzevari T, Sohrabifar N, Kazeminasab S. Understanding the role of telomere attrition and epigenetic signatures in COVID-19 severity. Gene 2022; 811:146069. [PMID: 34848322 PMCID: PMC8634871 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2021.146069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2021] [Revised: 10/12/2021] [Accepted: 11/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Within the past several decades, the emergence and spread of infectious diseases with pandemic potential have endangered human lives. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak represents an unprecedented threat for all health systems worldwide. The clinical spectrum of COVID-19 is highly heterogeneous, ranging from asymptomatic and mild upper respiratory tract illness to severe interstitial pneumonia with respiratory failure and even death. Highly age-dependent patterns of immune response potentially explain the higher rates of the severe forms of COVID-19 in elderly patients. However, genetic and epigenetic architecture can influence multiple biological processes during the lifespan, therefore as far as our knowledge shows, vulnerability to viral infection concerning telomere length and epigenetic signature is not a new idea. This review aims is to summarize the current understanding of the role of telomere length and epigenetic mechanisms on the severity of COVID-19. The current knowledge highlights the significant association between the shorter telomere length and the higher risk of developing severe COVID-19. Differential DNA methylation patterns and miRNA expression profiles imply that these hallmarks can play a pivotal role in COVID- 19 pathogenesis. Understanding the causes of inter-individual variations in COVID-19 outcomes could provide clues to the development of the personalized therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ata Mahmoodpoor
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Sarvin Sanaie
- Neurosciences Research center, Aging Research Institute, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | | | - Tara Sabzevari
- Student Research Committee, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Nasim Sohrabifar
- Cardiovascular Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Somayeh Kazeminasab
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran; Research Vice-Chancellor, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
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16
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Bignon E, Miclot T, Terenzi A, Barone G, Monari A. Structure of the 5' untranslated region in SARS-CoV-2 genome and its specific recognition by innate immune system via the human oligoadenylate synthase 1. Chem Commun (Camb) 2022; 58:2176-2179. [PMID: 35060977 DOI: 10.1039/d1cc07006a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
2'-5'-Oligoadenylate synthetase 1 (OAS1) is one of the key enzymes driving the innate immune system response to SARS-CoV-2 infection whose activity has been related to COVID-19 severity. OAS1 is a sensor of endogenous RNA that triggers the 2'-5'-oligoadenylate/RNase L pathway. Upon SARS-CoV-2 infection, OAS1 is responsible for the recognition of viral RNA and has been shown to possess a particularly high sensitivity for the 5'-untranslated (5'-UTR) RNA region, which is organized in a double-strand stem loop motif (SL1). Here we report the structure of the SL1/OAS1 complex also rationalizing the high affinity for OAS1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmanuelle Bignon
- Université de Lorraine and CNRS, LPCT UMR 7019, F-54000 Nancy, France.
| | - Tom Miclot
- Université de Lorraine and CNRS, LPCT UMR 7019, F-54000 Nancy, France. .,Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universitá degli Studi di Palermo, via delle Scienze 90126, Palermo, Italy
| | - Alessio Terenzi
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universitá degli Studi di Palermo, via delle Scienze 90126, Palermo, Italy
| | - Giampaolo Barone
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universitá degli Studi di Palermo, via delle Scienze 90126, Palermo, Italy
| | - Antonio Monari
- Université de Paris, CNRS, ITODYS, F-75006, Paris, France.
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17
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Dos Santos CC, Amatullah H, Vaswani CM, Maron-Gutierrez T, Kim M, Mei SHJ, Szaszi K, Monteiro APT, Varkouhi AK, Herreroz R, Lorente JA, Tsoporis JN, Gupta S, Ektesabi A, Kavantzas N, Salpeas V, Marshall JC, Rocco PRM, Marsden PA, Weiss DJ, Stewart DJ, Hu P, Liles WC. Mesenchymal stromal (stem) cell therapy modulates miR-193b-5p expression to attenuate sepsis-induced acute lung injury. Eur Respir J 2022; 59:2004216. [PMID: 34112731 DOI: 10.1183/13993003.04216-2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2020] [Accepted: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Although mesenchymal stromal (stem) cell (MSC) administration attenuates sepsis-induced lung injury in pre-clinical models, the mechanism(s) of action and host immune system contributions to its therapeutic effects remain elusive. We show that treatment with MSCs decreased expression of host-derived microRNA (miR)-193b-5p and increased expression of its target gene, the tight junctional protein occludin (Ocln), in lungs from septic mice. Mutating the Ocln 3' untranslated region miR-193b-5p binding sequence impaired binding to Ocln mRNA. Inhibition of miR-193b-5p in human primary pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells prevents tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-induced decrease in Ocln gene and protein expression and loss of barrier function. MSC-conditioned media mitigated TNF-induced miR-193b-5p upregulation and Ocln downregulation in vitro When administered in vivo, MSC-conditioned media recapitulated the effects of MSC administration on pulmonary miR-193b-5p and Ocln expression. MiR-193b-deficient mice were resistant to pulmonary inflammation and injury induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) instillation. Silencing of Ocln in miR-193b-deficient mice partially recovered the susceptibility to LPS-induced lung injury. In vivo inhibition of miR-193b-5p protected mice from endotoxin-induced lung injury. Finally, the clinical significance of these results was supported by the finding of increased miR-193b-5p expression levels in lung autopsy samples from acute respiratory distress syndrome patients who died with diffuse alveolar damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia C Dos Santos
- The Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science of St Michael's Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Dept of Physiology, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Institute of Medical Sciences and Interdepartmental Division of Critical Care, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Hajera Amatullah
- The Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science of St Michael's Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Chirag M Vaswani
- The Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science of St Michael's Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Dept of Physiology, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | | | - Michael Kim
- The Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science of St Michael's Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Shirley H J Mei
- Regenerative Medicine Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Katalin Szaszi
- The Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science of St Michael's Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Dept of Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Ana Paula T Monteiro
- The Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science of St Michael's Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Amir K Varkouhi
- The Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science of St Michael's Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Raquel Herreroz
- University Hospital of Getafe, Critical Care Dept, Madrid, Spain
| | - Jose Angel Lorente
- University Hospital of Getafe, Critical Care Dept, Madrid, Spain
- Centros de Investigación Biomédica en Red (CIBER) de Enfermedades Respiratorias, Madrid, Spain
- Universidad Europea de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - James N Tsoporis
- The Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science of St Michael's Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Sahil Gupta
- The Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science of St Michael's Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Institute of Medical Sciences and Interdepartmental Division of Critical Care, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Amin Ektesabi
- The Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science of St Michael's Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Institute of Medical Sciences and Interdepartmental Division of Critical Care, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Nikolaos Kavantzas
- 1st Dept of Pathology, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian, University of Athens, Greece
| | - Vasileios Salpeas
- 1st Dept of Pathology, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian, University of Athens, Greece
| | - John C Marshall
- The Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science of St Michael's Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Institute of Medical Sciences and Interdepartmental Division of Critical Care, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Dept of Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Patricia R M Rocco
- Laboratory of Pulmonary Investigation, Carlos Chagas Filho Institute of Biophysics, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Philip A Marsden
- The Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science of St Michael's Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Daniel J Weiss
- Dept of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA
| | - Duncan J Stewart
- Regenerative Medicine Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Pingzhao Hu
- Dept of Biochemistry and Medical Genetics, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - W Conrad Liles
- Dept of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
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18
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Bautista-Becerril B, Pérez-Dimas G, Sommerhalder-Nava PC, Hanono A, Martínez-Cisneros JA, Zarate-Maldonado B, Muñoz-Soria E, Aquino-Gálvez A, Castillejos-López M, Juárez-Cisneros A, Lopez-Gonzalez JS, Camarena A. miRNAs, from Evolutionary Junk to Possible Prognostic Markers and Therapeutic Targets in COVID-19. Viruses 2021; 14:41. [PMID: 35062245 PMCID: PMC8781105 DOI: 10.3390/v14010041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has been a public health issue around the world in the last few years. Currently, there is no specific antiviral treatment to fight the disease. Thus, it is essential to highlight possible prognostic predictors that could identify patients with a high risk of developing complications. Within this framework, miRNA biomolecules play a vital role in the genetic regulation of various genes, principally, those related to the pathophysiology of the disease. Here, we review the interaction of host and viral microRNAs with molecular and cellular elements that could potentiate the main pulmonary, cardiac, renal, circulatory, and neuronal complications in COVID-19 patients. miR-26a, miR-29b, miR-21, miR-372, and miR-2392, among others, have been associated with exacerbation of the inflammatory process, increasing the risk of a cytokine storm. In addition, increased expression of miR-15b, -199a, and -491 are related to the prognosis of the disease, and miR-192 and miR-323a were identified as clinical predictors of mortality in patients admitted to the intensive care unit. Finally, we address miR-29, miR-122, miR-155, and miR-200, among others, as possible therapeutic targets. However, more studies are required to confirm these findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brandon Bautista-Becerril
- Laboratorio HLA, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Respiratorias Ismael Cosío Villegas, Mexico City 14080, Mexico; (B.B.-B.); (A.J.-C.)
- Escuela Superior de Medicina, Departamento de Posgrado, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City 11340, Mexico; (G.P.-D.); (E.M.-S.)
| | - Guillermo Pérez-Dimas
- Escuela Superior de Medicina, Departamento de Posgrado, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City 11340, Mexico; (G.P.-D.); (E.M.-S.)
| | - Paola C. Sommerhalder-Nava
- Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Anáhuac México Norte, Mexico City 52786, Mexico; (P.C.S.-N.); (A.H.); (B.Z.-M.)
| | - Alejandro Hanono
- Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Anáhuac México Norte, Mexico City 52786, Mexico; (P.C.S.-N.); (A.H.); (B.Z.-M.)
| | | | - Bárbara Zarate-Maldonado
- Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Anáhuac México Norte, Mexico City 52786, Mexico; (P.C.S.-N.); (A.H.); (B.Z.-M.)
| | - Evangelina Muñoz-Soria
- Escuela Superior de Medicina, Departamento de Posgrado, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City 11340, Mexico; (G.P.-D.); (E.M.-S.)
| | - Arnoldo Aquino-Gálvez
- Laboratorio de Biología Molecular, Departamento de Fibrosis Pulmonar, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Respiratorias Ismael Cosío Villegas, Mexico City 14080, Mexico;
| | - Manuel Castillejos-López
- Departamento de Epidemiología Hospitalaria e Infectología, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Respiratorias Ismael Cosío Villegas, Mexico City 14080, Mexico;
| | - Armida Juárez-Cisneros
- Laboratorio HLA, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Respiratorias Ismael Cosío Villegas, Mexico City 14080, Mexico; (B.B.-B.); (A.J.-C.)
| | - Jose S. Lopez-Gonzalez
- Laboratorio de Cáncer Pulmonar, Departamento de Enfermedades Crónico-Degenerativas, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Respiratorias Ismael Cosío Villegas, Mexico City 14080, Mexico;
| | - Angel Camarena
- Laboratorio HLA, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Respiratorias Ismael Cosío Villegas, Mexico City 14080, Mexico; (B.B.-B.); (A.J.-C.)
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19
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Ambike S, Cheng CC, Feuerherd M, Velkov S, Baldassi D, Afridi SQ, Porras-Gonzalez D, Wei X, Hagen P, Kneidinger N, Stoleriu MG, Grass V, Burgstaller G, Pichlmair A, Merkel OM, Ko C, Michler T. Targeting genomic SARS-CoV-2 RNA with siRNAs allows efficient inhibition of viral replication and spread. Nucleic Acids Res 2021; 50:333-349. [PMID: 34928377 PMCID: PMC8754636 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkab1248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2020] [Revised: 11/10/2021] [Accepted: 12/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
A promising approach to tackle the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) could be small interfering (si)RNAs. So far it is unclear, which viral replication steps can be efficiently inhibited with siRNAs. Here, we report that siRNAs can target genomic RNA (gRNA) of SARS-CoV-2 after cell entry, and thereby terminate replication before start of transcription and prevent virus-induced cell death. Coronaviruses replicate via negative sense RNA intermediates using a unique discontinuous transcription process. As a result, each viral RNA contains identical sequences at the 5′ and 3′ end. Surprisingly, siRNAs were not active against intermediate negative sense transcripts. Targeting common sequences shared by all viral transcripts allowed simultaneous suppression of gRNA and subgenomic (sg)RNAs by a single siRNA. The most effective suppression of viral replication and spread, however, was achieved by siRNAs that targeted open reading frame 1 (ORF1) which only exists in gRNA. In contrast, siRNAs that targeted the common regions of transcripts were outcompeted by the highly abundant sgRNAs leading to an impaired antiviral efficacy. Verifying the translational relevance of these findings, we show that a chemically modified siRNA that targets a highly conserved region of ORF1, inhibited SARS-CoV-2 replication ex vivo in explants of the human lung. Our work encourages the development of siRNA-based therapies for COVID-19 and suggests that early therapy start, or prophylactic application, together with specifically targeting gRNA, might be key for high antiviral efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shubhankar Ambike
- Institute of Virology, School of Medicine, Technische Universität München / Helmholtz Zentrum München, Trogerstr. 30, 81675 Munich, Germany
| | - Cho-Chin Cheng
- Institute of Virology, School of Medicine, Technische Universität München / Helmholtz Zentrum München, Trogerstr. 30, 81675 Munich, Germany
| | - Martin Feuerherd
- Institute of Virology, School of Medicine, Technische Universität München / Helmholtz Zentrum München, Trogerstr. 30, 81675 Munich, Germany
| | - Stoyan Velkov
- Institute of Virology, School of Medicine, Technische Universität München / Helmholtz Zentrum München, Trogerstr. 30, 81675 Munich, Germany
| | - Domizia Baldassi
- Department of Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmaceutics, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Butenandtstraße 5, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Suliman Qadir Afridi
- Institute of Virology, School of Medicine, Technische Universität München / Helmholtz Zentrum München, Trogerstr. 30, 81675 Munich, Germany
| | - Diana Porras-Gonzalez
- Institute of Lung Biology and Disease (ILBD) and Comprehensive Pneumology Center (CPC) with the CPC-M bioArchive, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Munich, Germany
| | - Xin Wei
- Institute of Lung Biology and Disease (ILBD) and Comprehensive Pneumology Center (CPC) with the CPC-M bioArchive, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Munich, Germany
| | - Philipp Hagen
- Institute of Virology, School of Medicine, Technische Universität München / Helmholtz Zentrum München, Trogerstr. 30, 81675 Munich, Germany
| | - Nikolaus Kneidinger
- Department of Medicine V, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Munich, Germany
| | - Mircea Gabriel Stoleriu
- Center for Thoracic Surgery Munich, Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich (LMU) and Asklepios Pulmonary Hospital; Marchioninistraße 15, 81377 Munich and Robert-Koch-Allee 2, 82131 Gauting, Germany
| | - Vincent Grass
- Institute of Virology, School of Medicine, Technische Universität München / Helmholtz Zentrum München, Trogerstr. 30, 81675 Munich, Germany
| | - Gerald Burgstaller
- Institute of Lung Biology and Disease (ILBD) and Comprehensive Pneumology Center (CPC) with the CPC-M bioArchive, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Munich, Germany
| | - Andreas Pichlmair
- Institute of Virology, School of Medicine, Technische Universität München / Helmholtz Zentrum München, Trogerstr. 30, 81675 Munich, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Munich partner site, Germany
| | - Olivia M Merkel
- Department of Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmaceutics, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Butenandtstraße 5, 81377 Munich, Germany.,Institute of Lung Biology and Disease (ILBD) and Comprehensive Pneumology Center (CPC) with the CPC-M bioArchive, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Munich, Germany
| | - Chunkyu Ko
- Institute of Virology, School of Medicine, Technische Universität München / Helmholtz Zentrum München, Trogerstr. 30, 81675 Munich, Germany.,Infectious Diseases Therapeutic Research Center, Therapeutics & Biotechnology Division, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology (KRICT), 34114 Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Thomas Michler
- Institute of Virology, School of Medicine, Technische Universität München / Helmholtz Zentrum München, Trogerstr. 30, 81675 Munich, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Munich partner site, Germany
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20
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Natarelli L, Virgili F, Weber C. SARS-CoV-2, Cardiovascular Diseases, and Noncoding RNAs: A Connected Triad. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:12243. [PMID: 34830125 PMCID: PMC8620514 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222212243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2021] [Revised: 11/10/2021] [Accepted: 11/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), is characterized by important respiratory impairments frequently associated with severe cardiovascular damages. Moreover, patients with pre-existing comorbidity for cardiovascular diseases (CVD) often present a dramatic increase in inflammatory cytokines release, which increases the severity and adverse outcomes of the infection and, finally, mortality risk. Despite this evident association at the clinical level, the mechanisms linking CVD and COVID-19 are still blurry and unresolved. Noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) are functional RNA molecules transcribed from DNA but usually not translated into proteins. They play an important role in the regulation of gene expression, either in relatively stable conditions or as a response to different stimuli, including viral infection, and are therefore considered a possible important target in the design of specific drugs. In this review, we introduce known associations and interactions between COVID-19 and CVD, discussing the role of ncRNAs within SARS-CoV-2 infection from the perspective of the development of efficient pharmacological tools to treat COVID-19 patients and taking into account the equally dramatic associated consequences, such as those affecting the cardiovascular system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Natarelli
- Institute for Cardiovascular Prevention (IPEK), Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU), 800336 Munich, Germany;
| | - Fabio Virgili
- Research Center for Food and Nutrition, Council for Agricultural Research and Economics, 00178 Rome, Italy;
| | - Christian Weber
- Institute for Cardiovascular Prevention (IPEK), Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU), 800336 Munich, Germany;
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Munich Heart Alliance, 80336 Munich, Germany
- Department of Biochemistry, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), Maastricht University, 6229 HX Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Munich Cluster for Systems Neurology (SyNergy), Institute for Stroke and Dementia Research, 81377 Munich, Germany
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21
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Tolksdorf B, Nie C, Niemeyer D, Röhrs V, Berg J, Lauster D, Adler JM, Haag R, Trimpert J, Kaufer B, Drosten C, Kurreck J. Inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 Replication by a Small Interfering RNA Targeting the Leader Sequence. Viruses 2021; 13:v13102030. [PMID: 34696460 PMCID: PMC8539227 DOI: 10.3390/v13102030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2021] [Revised: 10/04/2021] [Accepted: 10/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has infected almost 200 million people worldwide and led to approximately 4 million deaths as of August 2021. Despite successful vaccine development, treatment options are limited. A promising strategy to specifically target viral infections is to suppress viral replication through RNA interference (RNAi). Hence, we designed eight small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) targeting the highly conserved 5′-untranslated region (5′-UTR) of SARS-CoV-2. The most promising candidate identified in initial reporter assays, termed siCoV6, targets the leader sequence of the virus, which is present in the genomic as well as in all subgenomic RNAs. In assays with infectious SARS-CoV-2, it reduced replication by two orders of magnitude and prevented the development of a cytopathic effect. Moreover, it retained its activity against the SARS-CoV-2 alpha variant and has perfect homology against all sequences of the delta variant that were analyzed by bioinformatic means. Interestingly, the siRNA was even highly active in virus replication assays with the SARS-CoV-1 family member. This work thus identified a very potent siRNA with a broad activity against various SARS-CoV viruses that represents a promising candidate for the development of new treatment options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatrice Tolksdorf
- Applied Biochemistry, Institute of Biotechnology, Technische Universität Berlin, 10623 Berlin, Germany; (B.T.); (V.R.); (J.B.)
| | - Chuanxiong Nie
- Institute of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Freie Universität Berlin, 14195 Berlin, Germany; (C.N.); (D.L.); (R.H.)
| | - Daniela Niemeyer
- German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany; (D.N.); (C.D.)
- Institute of Virology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Viola Röhrs
- Applied Biochemistry, Institute of Biotechnology, Technische Universität Berlin, 10623 Berlin, Germany; (B.T.); (V.R.); (J.B.)
| | - Johanna Berg
- Applied Biochemistry, Institute of Biotechnology, Technische Universität Berlin, 10623 Berlin, Germany; (B.T.); (V.R.); (J.B.)
| | - Daniel Lauster
- Institute of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Freie Universität Berlin, 14195 Berlin, Germany; (C.N.); (D.L.); (R.H.)
| | - Julia M. Adler
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Institute of Virology, Freie Universität Berlin, 14163 Berlin, Germany; (J.M.A.); (J.T.); (B.K.)
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Respiratory Medicine, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Rainer Haag
- Institute of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Freie Universität Berlin, 14195 Berlin, Germany; (C.N.); (D.L.); (R.H.)
| | - Jakob Trimpert
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Institute of Virology, Freie Universität Berlin, 14163 Berlin, Germany; (J.M.A.); (J.T.); (B.K.)
| | - Benedikt Kaufer
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Institute of Virology, Freie Universität Berlin, 14163 Berlin, Germany; (J.M.A.); (J.T.); (B.K.)
| | - Christian Drosten
- German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany; (D.N.); (C.D.)
- Institute of Virology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Jens Kurreck
- Applied Biochemistry, Institute of Biotechnology, Technische Universität Berlin, 10623 Berlin, Germany; (B.T.); (V.R.); (J.B.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.:+ 49-30-314-27581
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22
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Schultheiss HP, Baumeier C, Pietsch H, Bock CT, Poller W, Escher F. Cardiovascular consequences of viral infections: from COVID to other viral diseases. Cardiovasc Res 2021; 117:2610-2623. [PMID: 34609508 PMCID: PMC8500164 DOI: 10.1093/cvr/cvab315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2021] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Infection of the heart muscle with cardiotropic viruses is one of the major aetiologies of myocarditis and acute and chronic inflammatory cardiomyopathy (DCMi). However, viral myocarditis and subsequent dilated cardiomyopathy is still a challenging disease to diagnose and to treat and is therefore a significant public health issue globally. Advances in clinical examination and thorough molecular genetic analysis of intramyocardial viruses and their activation status have incrementally improved our understanding of molecular pathogenesis and pathophysiology of viral infections of the heart muscle. To date, several cardiotropic viruses have been implicated as causes of myocarditis and DCMi. These include, among others, classical cardiotropic enteroviruses (Coxsackieviruses B), the most commonly detected parvovirus B19, and human herpes virus 6. A newcomer is the respiratory virus that has triggered the worst pandemic in a century, SARS-CoV-2, whose involvement and impact in viral cardiovascular disease is under scrutiny. Despite extensive research into the pathomechanisms of viral infections of the cardiovascular system, our knowledge regarding their treatment and management is still incomplete. Accordingly, in this review, we aim to explore and summarize the current knowledge and available evidence on viral infections of the heart. We focus on diagnostics, clinical relevance and cardiovascular consequences, pathophysiology, and current and novel treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Christian Baumeier
- Institute of Cardiac Diagnostics and Therapy, IKDT GmbH, Berlin, Germany
| | - Heiko Pietsch
- Institute of Cardiac Diagnostics and Therapy, IKDT GmbH, Berlin, Germany.,Department of Internal Medicine and Cardiology, Campus Virchow-Klinikum, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Germany.,DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), Berlin, Germany, partner site
| | - C Thomas Bock
- Division of Viral Gastroenteritis and Hepatitis Pathogens and Enteroviruses, Department of Infectious Diseases, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, 13353 Germany.,Institute of Tropical Medicine, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Poller
- DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), Berlin, Germany, partner site.,Department of Cardiology, Campus Benjamin Franklin.,Berlin-Brandenburg Center for Regenerative Therapies (BCRT), Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Germany
| | - Felicitas Escher
- Institute of Cardiac Diagnostics and Therapy, IKDT GmbH, Berlin, Germany.,Department of Internal Medicine and Cardiology, Campus Virchow-Klinikum, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Germany.,DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), Berlin, Germany, partner site
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23
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Serpeloni JM, Lima Neto QA, Lucio LC, Ramão A, Carvalho de Oliveira J, Gradia DF, Malheiros D, Ferrasa A, Marchi R, Figueiredo DLA, Silva WA, Ribeiro EMSF, Cólus IMS, Cavalli LR. Genome interaction of the virus and the host genes and non-coding RNAs in SARS-CoV-2 infection. Immunobiology 2021; 226:152130. [PMID: 34425415 PMCID: PMC8378551 DOI: 10.1016/j.imbio.2021.152130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2021] [Revised: 07/22/2021] [Accepted: 08/11/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
In this review, we highlight the interaction of SARS-CoV-2 virus and host genomes, reporting the current studies on the sequence analysis of SARS-CoV-2 isolates and host genomes from diverse world populations. The main genetic variants that are present in both the virus and host genomes were particularly focused on the ACE2 and TMPRSS2 genes, and their impact on the patients' susceptibility to the virus infection and severity of the disease. Finally, the interaction of the virus and host non-coding RNAs is described in relation to their regulatory roles in target genes and/or signaling pathways critically associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Altogether, these studies provide a significant contribution to the knowledge of SARS-CoV-2 mechanisms of infection and COVID-19 pathogenesis. The described genetic variants and molecular factors involved in host/virus genome interactions have significantly contributed to defining patient risk groups, beyond those based on patients' age and comorbidities, and they are promising candidates to be potentially targeted in treatment strategies for COVID-19 and other viral infectious diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliana M Serpeloni
- Departamento de Biologia Geral, CCB, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, PR, Brazil
| | - Quirino Alves Lima Neto
- Departamento de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, CCS, Universidade Estadual de Maringá, Maringá, PR, Brazil
| | - Léia Carolina Lucio
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências Aplicadas à Saúde, CCS, Universidade Estadual do Oeste do Paraná, Francisco Beltrão, PR, Brazil
| | - Anelisa Ramão
- Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual do Centro-Oeste, Guarapuava, PR, Brazil
| | | | | | - Danielle Malheiros
- Departamento de Genética, SCB, Universidade Federal do Paraná, PR, Brazil
| | - Adriano Ferrasa
- Departamento de Informática, SECATE, Universidade Estadual de Ponta Grossa, Ponta Grossa, PR, Brazil
| | - Rafael Marchi
- Instituto de Pesquisa Pelé Pequeno Príncipe, Faculdades Pequeno Príncipe, Curitiba, PR, Brazil
| | - David L A Figueiredo
- Departamento de Medicina, Universidade Estadual do Centro-Oeste, UNICENTRO e Instituto de Pesquisa para o Câncer, IPEC, Guarapuava, PR, Brazil
| | - Wilson A Silva
- Departamento de Genética, Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, SP, e Instituto de Pesquisa para o Câncer, IPEC, Guarapuava, PR, Brazil
| | | | - Ilce M S Cólus
- Departamento de Biologia Geral, CCB, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, PR, Brazil
| | - Luciane R Cavalli
- Instituto de Pesquisa Pelé Pequeno Príncipe, Faculdades Pequeno Príncipe, Curitiba, PR, Brazil.
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24
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Maharjan PM, Cheon J, Jung J, Kim H, Lee J, Song M, Jeong GU, Kwon Y, Shim B, Choe S. Plant-Expressed Receptor Binding Domain of the SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein Elicits Humoral Immunity in Mice. Vaccines (Basel) 2021; 9:978. [PMID: 34579215 PMCID: PMC8472882 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines9090978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2021] [Revised: 08/25/2021] [Accepted: 08/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The current 15-month coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 has accounted for 3.77 million deaths and enormous worldwide social and economic losses. A high volume of vaccine production is urgently required to eliminate COVID-19. Inexpensive and robust production platforms will improve the distribution of vaccines to resource-limited countries. Plant species offer such platforms, particularly through the production of recombinant proteins to serve as immunogens. To achieve this goal, here we expressed the receptor binding domain (RBD) of the SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) protein in the glycoengineered-tobacco plant Nicotiana benthamiana to provide a candidate subunit vaccine. This recombinant RBD elicited humoral immunity in mice via induction of highly neutralizing antibodies. These findings provide a strong foundation to further advance the development of plant-expressed RBD antigens for use as an effective, safe, and inexpensive SARS-CoV-2 vaccine. Moreover, our study further highlights the utility of plant species for vaccine development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Puna Maya Maharjan
- G+FLAS Life Sciences, 123 Uiryodanji-gil, Osong-eup, Heungdeok-gu, Cheongju-si 28161, Korea; (P.M.M.); (J.L.); (M.S.)
- School of Biological Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Seoul National University, Gwanak-gu, Seoul 08826, Korea
| | - Jinyeong Cheon
- G+FLAS Life Sciences, 38 Nakseongdae-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul 08790, Korea; (J.C.); (J.J.); (H.K.)
| | - Jiyun Jung
- G+FLAS Life Sciences, 38 Nakseongdae-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul 08790, Korea; (J.C.); (J.J.); (H.K.)
| | - Haerim Kim
- G+FLAS Life Sciences, 38 Nakseongdae-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul 08790, Korea; (J.C.); (J.J.); (H.K.)
| | - Jaewon Lee
- G+FLAS Life Sciences, 123 Uiryodanji-gil, Osong-eup, Heungdeok-gu, Cheongju-si 28161, Korea; (P.M.M.); (J.L.); (M.S.)
| | - Minjeong Song
- G+FLAS Life Sciences, 123 Uiryodanji-gil, Osong-eup, Heungdeok-gu, Cheongju-si 28161, Korea; (P.M.M.); (J.L.); (M.S.)
| | - Gi Uk Jeong
- Center for Convergent Research for Emerging Virus Infection, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology, Daejeon 34114, Korea; (G.U.J.); (Y.K.)
| | - Youngchan Kwon
- Center for Convergent Research for Emerging Virus Infection, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology, Daejeon 34114, Korea; (G.U.J.); (Y.K.)
| | - Byoungshik Shim
- International Vaccine Institute, SNU Research Park, 1 Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul 08826, Korea;
| | - Sunghwa Choe
- School of Biological Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Seoul National University, Gwanak-gu, Seoul 08826, Korea
- G+FLAS Life Sciences, 38 Nakseongdae-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul 08790, Korea; (J.C.); (J.J.); (H.K.)
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25
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Sajid M, Moazzam M, Cho Y, Kato S, Xu A, Way JJ, Lohan S, Tiwari RK. siRNA Therapeutics for the Therapy of COVID-19 and Other Coronaviruses. Mol Pharm 2021; 18:2105-2121. [PMID: 33945284 PMCID: PMC9896947 DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.0c01239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The ongoing pandemic of global concern has killed about three million humans and affected around 151 million people worldwide, as of April 30, 2021. Although recently approved vaccines for COVID-19 are engendering hope, finding new ways to cure the viral pandemic is still a quest for researchers worldwide. Major pandemics in history have been of viral origin, such as SARS, MERS, H1NI, Spanish flu, and so on. A larger emphasis has been on discovering potential vaccines, novel antiviral drugs, and agents that can mitigate the viral infection symptoms; however, a relatively new area, RNA interference (RNAi), has proven effective as an antiviral agent. The RNAi phenomenon has been largely exploited to cure cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, and some rare diseases. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has recently approved three siRNA products for human use that garner significant hope in siRNA therapeutics for coronaviruses. There have been some commentaries and communications addressing this area. We have summarized and illustrated the significance and the potential of the siRNA therapeutics available as of April 30, 2021 to combat the ongoing viral pandemic and the emerging new variants such as B.1.1.7 and B.1.351. Numerous successful in vitro studies and several investigations to address the clinical application of siRNA therapeutics provide great hope in this field. This seminal Review describes the significance of siRNA-based therapy to treat diverse viral infections in addition to the current coronavirus challenge. In addition, we have thoroughly reviewed the patents approved for coronaviruses, the major challenges in siRNA therapy, and the potential approaches to address them, followed by innovation and prospects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad
Imran Sajid
- Center
for Targeted Drug Delivery, Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical
Sciences, Chapman University School of Pharmacy, Harry and Diane Rinker Health Science Campus, Irvine, California 92618, United States
- Faculty
of Pharmacy, University of Central Punjab, Lahore 54700, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Moazzam
- Faculty
of Pharmacy, University of Central Punjab, Lahore 54700, Pakistan
| | - Yeseom Cho
- Center
for Targeted Drug Delivery, Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical
Sciences, Chapman University School of Pharmacy, Harry and Diane Rinker Health Science Campus, Irvine, California 92618, United States
- Department
of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Schmid College of Science and
Technology, Chapman University, Orange, California 92866, United States
| | - Shun Kato
- Center
for Targeted Drug Delivery, Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical
Sciences, Chapman University School of Pharmacy, Harry and Diane Rinker Health Science Campus, Irvine, California 92618, United States
- Department
of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Schmid College of Science and
Technology, Chapman University, Orange, California 92866, United States
| | - Ava Xu
- Center
for Targeted Drug Delivery, Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical
Sciences, Chapman University School of Pharmacy, Harry and Diane Rinker Health Science Campus, Irvine, California 92618, United States
| | - J. J. Way
- Center
for Targeted Drug Delivery, Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical
Sciences, Chapman University School of Pharmacy, Harry and Diane Rinker Health Science Campus, Irvine, California 92618, United States
| | - Sandeep Lohan
- Center
for Targeted Drug Delivery, Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical
Sciences, Chapman University School of Pharmacy, Harry and Diane Rinker Health Science Campus, Irvine, California 92618, United States
| | - Rakesh K. Tiwari
- Center
for Targeted Drug Delivery, Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical
Sciences, Chapman University School of Pharmacy, Harry and Diane Rinker Health Science Campus, Irvine, California 92618, United States
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26
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Andrews RJ, O’Leary CA, Tompkins VS, Peterson JM, Haniff H, Williams C, Disney MD, Moss WN. A map of the SARS-CoV-2 RNA structurome. NAR Genom Bioinform 2021; 3:lqab043. [PMID: 34046592 PMCID: PMC8140738 DOI: 10.1093/nargab/lqab043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2021] [Revised: 04/06/2021] [Accepted: 04/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 has exploded throughout the human population. To facilitate efforts to gain insights into SARS-CoV-2 biology and to target the virus therapeutically, it is essential to have a roadmap of likely functional regions embedded in its RNA genome. In this report, we used a bioinformatics approach, ScanFold, to deduce the local RNA structural landscape of the SARS-CoV-2 genome with the highest likelihood of being functional. We recapitulate previously-known elements of RNA structure and provide a model for the folding of an essential frameshift signal. Our results find that SARS-CoV-2 is greatly enriched in unusually stable and likely evolutionarily ordered RNA structure, which provides a large reservoir of potential drug targets for RNA-binding small molecules. Results are enhanced via the re-analyses of publicly-available genome-wide biochemical structure probing datasets that are broadly in agreement with our models. Additionally, ScanFold was updated to incorporate experimental data as constraints in the analysis to facilitate comparisons between ScanFold and other RNA modelling approaches. Ultimately, ScanFold was able to identify eight highly structured/conserved motifs in SARS-CoV-2 that agree with experimental data, without explicitly using these data. All results are made available via a public database (the RNAStructuromeDB: https://structurome.bb.iastate.edu/sars-cov-2) and model comparisons are readily viewable at https://structurome.bb.iastate.edu/sars-cov-2-global-model-comparisons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan J Andrews
- Roy J. Carver Department of Biophysics, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA
| | - Collin A O’Leary
- Roy J. Carver Department of Biophysics, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA
| | - Van S Tompkins
- Roy J. Carver Department of Biophysics, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA
| | - Jake M Peterson
- Roy J. Carver Department of Biophysics, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA
| | - Hafeez S Haniff
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA
| | | | - Matthew D Disney
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA
| | - Walter N Moss
- Roy J. Carver Department of Biophysics, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA
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27
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Saksena N, Bonam SR, Miranda-Saksena M. Epigenetic Lens to Visualize the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) Infection in COVID-19 Pandemic. Front Genet 2021; 12:581726. [PMID: 33828579 PMCID: PMC8019793 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2021.581726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2020] [Accepted: 02/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
In <20 years, we have witnessed three different epidemics with coronaviruses, SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, and SARS-CoV-2 in human populations, causing widespread mortality. SARS-CoV-2, through its rapid global spread, has led to the pandemic that we call COVID-19. As of February 1, 2021, the global infections linked to SARS-CoV-2 stand at 103,503,340, with 2,236,960 deaths, and 75,108,099 recoveries. This review attempts to highlight host-pathogen interaction with particular emphasis on the role of epigenetic machinery in regulating the disease. Although researchers, since the start of the pandemic, have been intensely engaged in diverse areas to understand the mechanisms involved in SARS-CoV-2 infection to find answers that can bring about innovative ways to swiftly treat and prevent disease progression, this review provides an overview on how the host epigenetics is modulated and subverted by SARS-CoV-2 to enter the host cells and drive immunopathogenesis. Epigenetics is the study that combines genetic and non-genetic factors controlling phenotypic variation, which are primarily a consequence of external and environmental stimuli. These stimuli alter the activity of a gene without impinging on the DNA code. In viral-host interactions, DNA/RNA methylation, non-coding RNAs, chromatin remodeling, and histone modifications are known to regulate and modulate host gene expression patterns. Viruses such as Coronaviruses (an RNA virus) show intrinsic association with these processes. They have evolved the ability to tamper with host epigenetic machinery to interfere with immune sensing pathways to evade host immune response, thereby enhancing its replication and pathogenesis post-entry. These epigenetic alterations allow the virus to weaken the host's immune response to successfully spread infection. How this occurs, and what epigenetic mechanisms are altered is poorly understood both for coronaviruses and other respiratory RNA viruses. The review highlights several cutting-edge aspects of epigenetic work primarily pertinent to SARS-CoV-2, which has been published between 2019 and 2020 to showcase the current knowledge both in terms of success and failures and take lessons that will assist us in understanding the disease to develop better treatments suited to kill SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nitin Saksena
- EPIGENES Australia Pty Ltd, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Institute of Health and Sport, Victoria University, Footscray, VIC, Australia
| | - Srinivasa Reddy Bonam
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, Equipe- Immuno-pathologie et Immuno-intervention Thérapeutique, Sorbonne Université, Université de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Monica Miranda-Saksena
- Herpes Neuropathogenesis Research Group, The Westmead Institute for Medical Research, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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Site-Selective Artificial Ribonucleases: Renaissance of Oligonucleotide Conjugates for Irreversible Cleavage of RNA Sequences. Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26061732. [PMID: 33808835 PMCID: PMC8003597 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26061732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2021] [Revised: 03/18/2021] [Accepted: 03/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
RNA-targeting therapeutics require highly efficient sequence-specific devices capable of RNA irreversible degradation in vivo. The most developed methods of sequence-specific RNA cleavage, such as siRNA or antisense oligonucleotides (ASO), are currently based on recruitment of either intracellular multi-protein complexes or enzymes, leaving alternative approaches (e.g., ribozymes and DNAzymes) far behind. Recently, site-selective artificial ribonucleases combining the oligonucleotide recognition motifs (or their structural analogues) and catalytically active groups in a single molecular scaffold have been proven to be a great competitor to siRNA and ASO. Using the most efficient catalytic groups, utilising both metal ion-dependent (Cu(II)-2,9-dimethylphenanthroline) and metal ion-free (Tris(2-aminobenzimidazole)) on the one hand and PNA as an RNA recognising oligonucleotide on the other, allowed site-selective artificial RNases to be created with half-lives of 0.5-1 h. Artificial RNases based on the catalytic peptide [(ArgLeu)2Gly]2 were able to take progress a step further by demonstrating an ability to cleave miRNA-21 in tumour cells and provide a significant reduction of tumour growth in mice.
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Tian Z, Liang G, Cui K, Liang Y, Wang Q, Lv S, Cheng X, Zhang L. Insight Into the Prospects for RNAi Therapy of Cancer. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:644718. [PMID: 33796026 PMCID: PMC8007863 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.644718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2020] [Accepted: 02/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
RNA interference (RNAi), also known as gene silencing, is a biological process that prevents gene expression in certain diseases such as cancer. It can be used to improve the accuracy, efficiency, and stability of treatments, particularly genetic therapies. However, challenges such as delivery of oligonucleotide drug to less accessible parts of the body and the high incidence of toxic side effects are encountered. It is therefore imperative to improve their delivery to target sites and reduce their harmful effects on noncancerous cells to harness their full potential. In this study, the role of RNAi in the treatment of COVID-19, the novel coronavirus disease plaguing many countries, has been discussed. This review aims to ascertain the mechanism and application of RNAi and explore the current challenges of RNAi therapy by identifying some of the cancer delivery systems and providing drug information for their improvement. It is worth mentioning that delivery systems such as lipid-based delivery systems and exosomes have revolutionized RNAi therapy by reducing their immunogenicity and improving their cellular affinity. A deeper understanding of the mechanism and challenges associated with RNAi in cancer therapy can provide new insights into RNAi drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhili Tian
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, Henan University, Kaifeng, China.,School of Clinical Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Guohui Liang
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, Henan University, Kaifeng, China.,School of Clinical Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Kunli Cui
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Yayu Liang
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, Henan University, Kaifeng, China.,School of Stomatology, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Qun Wang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Shuangyu Lv
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Xiaoxia Cheng
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Lei Zhang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
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30
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Carro B. SARS-CoV-2 mechanisms of action and impact on human organism, risk factors and potential treatments. An exhaustive survey. ALL LIFE 2021. [DOI: 10.1080/26895293.2021.1977186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Belén Carro
- Department of Signal Theory and Communications, Universidad de Valladolid, Valladolid, Spain
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31
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Affiliation(s)
- Celeste Brady
- Future Medicine, Future Science Group Ltd, London, N3 1QB, UK
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32
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Atlante S, Mongelli A, Barbi V, Martelli F, Farsetti A, Gaetano C. The epigenetic implication in coronavirus infection and therapy. Clin Epigenetics 2020; 12:156. [PMID: 33087172 PMCID: PMC7576975 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-020-00946-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2020] [Accepted: 10/08/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Epigenetics is a relatively new field of science that studies the genetic and non-genetic aspects related to heritable phenotypic changes, frequently caused by environmental and metabolic factors. In the host, the epigenetic machinery can regulate gene expression through a series of reversible epigenetic modifications, such as histone methylation and acetylation, DNA/RNA methylation, chromatin remodeling, and non-coding RNAs. The coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) is a highly transmittable and pathogenic viral infection. The Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which emerged in Wuhan, China, and spread worldwide, causes it. COVID-19 severity and consequences largely depend on patient age and health status. In this review, we will summarize and comparatively analyze how viruses regulate the host epigenome. Mainly, we will be focusing on highly pathogenic respiratory RNA virus infections such as coronaviruses. In this context, epigenetic alterations might play an essential role in the onset of coronavirus disease complications. Although many therapeutic approaches are under study, more research is urgently needed to identify effective vaccine or safer chemotherapeutic drugs, including epigenetic drugs, to cope with this viral outbreak and to develop pre- and post-exposure prophylaxis against COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Atlante
- Laboratorio di Epigenetica, Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, Via Maugeri 4, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Alessia Mongelli
- Laboratorio di Epigenetica, Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, Via Maugeri 4, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Veronica Barbi
- Laboratorio di Epigenetica, Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, Via Maugeri 4, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Fabio Martelli
- Laboratorio di Cardiologia Molecolare, Policlinico San Donato IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Antonella Farsetti
- Institute for Systems Analysis and Computer Science “A. Ruberti” (IASI), National Research Council (CNR), Rome, Italy
| | - Carlo Gaetano
- Laboratorio di Epigenetica, Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, Via Maugeri 4, 27100 Pavia, Italy
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Are Viral Vectors Any Good for RNAi Antiviral Therapy? Viruses 2020; 12:v12101189. [PMID: 33092124 PMCID: PMC7589807 DOI: 10.3390/v12101189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2020] [Accepted: 10/19/2020] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
RNA interference (RNAi) represents a novel approach for alternative antiviral therapy. However, issues related to RNA delivery and stability have presented serious obstacles for obtaining good therapeutic efficacy. Viral vectors are capable of efficient delivery of RNAi as short interfering RNA (siRNA), short hairpin RNA (shRNA) and micro-RNA (miRNA). Efficacy in gene silencing for therapeutic applications against viral diseases has been demonstrated in various animal models. Rotavirus (RV) miR-7 can inhibit rotavirus replication by targeting the RV nonstructural protein 5. Viral gene silencing by targeting the RNAi pathway showed efficient suppression of hepatitis B virus replication by adeno-associated virus (AAV)-based delivery of RNAi hepatitis B virus (HBV) cassettes. Hepatitis C virus replication has been targeted by short hairpin RNA molecules expressed from lentivirus vectors. Potentially, RNAi-based approaches could be suitable for antiviral drugs against COVID-19.
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