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Lee JH, Sergi C, Kast RE, Kanwar BA, Bourbeau J, Oh S, Sohn MG, Lee CJ, Coleman MD. Basic implications on three pathways associated with SARS-CoV-2. Biomed J 2024:100766. [PMID: 39004185 DOI: 10.1016/j.bj.2024.100766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2024] [Revised: 07/04/2024] [Accepted: 07/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) interacts between the host and virus and govern induction, resulting in multiorgan impacts. Its pathophysiology involves the followings: 1) the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE2) and Toll-like receptor (TLR) pathways: 2) the neuropilin (NRP) pathway: 3) the spike protein pathway. Therefore, it is necessary to block the pathological course with modulating innate lymphoid cells against diverse corona variants in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jong Hoon Lee
- Science and Research Center, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 103 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu Seoul 03080, Republic of Korea.
| | - Consolato Sergi
- Division of Anatomical Pathology, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO), University of Ottawa, 401 Smyth Road Ottawa, ON K1H 8L1 Canada
| | - Richard E Kast
- IIAIGC Study Center, 11 Arlington Ct, Burlington, 05408 VT USA
| | - Badar A Kanwar
- Haider Associates, 1999 Forest Ridge Dr, Bedford, TX 76021, United States
| | - Jean Bourbeau
- Respiratory Epidemiology and Clinical Research Unit, McGill University Health Centre, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Sangsuk Oh
- Department of Food Engineering, Food Safety Laboratory, Memory Unit, Ewha Womans University, Seoul 03670, Korea
| | - Mun-Gi Sohn
- Department of Food Science, KyungHee University College of Life Science, Seoul 17104, Republic of Korea
| | - Chul Joong Lee
- Department of Anesthesiology, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Michael D Coleman
- College of Health and Life Sciences, Aston University, Birmingham, B4 7ET UK.
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2
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Liu Z, Lu Q, Zhang Z, Feng Q, Wang X. TMPRSS2 is a tumor suppressor and its downregulation promotes antitumor immunity and immunotherapy response in lung adenocarcinoma. Respir Res 2024; 25:238. [PMID: 38862975 PMCID: PMC11167788 DOI: 10.1186/s12931-024-02870-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2024] [Indexed: 06/13/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND TMPRSS2, a key molecule for SARS-CoV-2 invading human host cells, has an association with cancer. However, its association with lung cancer remains insufficiently unexplored. METHODS In five bulk transcriptomics datasets, one single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) dataset and one proteomics dataset for lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD), we explored associations between TMPRSS2 expression and immune signatures, tumor progression phenotypes, genomic features, and clinical prognosis in LUAD by the bioinformatics approach. Furthermore, we performed experimental validation of the bioinformatics findings. RESULTS TMPRSS2 expression levels correlated negatively with the enrichment levels of both immune-stimulatory and immune-inhibitory signatures, while they correlated positively with the ratios of immune-stimulatory/immune-inhibitory signatures. It indicated that TMPRSS2 levels had a stronger negative correlation with immune-inhibitory than with immune-stimulatory signatures. TMPRSS2 downregulation correlated with increased proliferation, stemness, genomic instability, tumor progression, and worse survival in LUAD. We further validated that TMPRSS2 was downregulated with tumor progression in the LUAD cohort we collected from Jiangsu Cancer Hospital, China. In vitro and in vivo experiments verified the association of TMPRSS2 deficiency with increased tumor cell proliferation and invasion and antitumor immunity in LUAD. Moreover, in vivo experiments demonstrated that TMPRSS2-knockdown tumors were more sensitive to BMS-1, an inhibitor of PD-1/PD-L1. CONCLUSIONS TMPRSS2 is a tumor suppressor, while its downregulation is a positive biomarker of immunotherapy in LUAD. Our data provide a potential link between lung cancer and pneumonia caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhixian Liu
- Jiangsu Cancer Hospital, Jiangsu Institute of Cancer Research, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Qiqi Lu
- Biomedical Informatics Research Lab, School of Basic Medicine and Clinical Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, China
- Institute of Innovative Drug Discovery and Development, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, China
- Big Data Research Institute, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, China
| | - Zhilan Zhang
- Biomedical Informatics Research Lab, School of Basic Medicine and Clinical Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, China
- Institute of Innovative Drug Discovery and Development, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, China
- Big Data Research Institute, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, China
| | - Qiushi Feng
- Biomedical Informatics Research Lab, School of Basic Medicine and Clinical Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, China
- Institute of Innovative Drug Discovery and Development, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, China
- Big Data Research Institute, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, China
| | - Xiaosheng Wang
- Biomedical Informatics Research Lab, School of Basic Medicine and Clinical Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, China.
- Institute of Innovative Drug Discovery and Development, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, China.
- Big Data Research Institute, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, China.
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3
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Naik N, Patel M, Sen R. Developmental Impacts of Epigenetics and Metabolism in COVID-19. J Dev Biol 2024; 12:9. [PMID: 38390960 PMCID: PMC10885083 DOI: 10.3390/jdb12010009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2023] [Revised: 02/04/2024] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Developmental biology is intricately regulated by epigenetics and metabolism but the mechanisms are not completely understood. The situation becomes even more complicated during diseases where all three phenomena are dysregulated. A salient example is COVID-19, where the death toll exceeded 6.96 million in 4 years, while the virus continues to mutate into different variants and infect people. Early evidence during the pandemic showed that the host's immune and inflammatory responses to COVID-19 (like the cytokine storm) impacted the host's metabolism, causing damage to the host's organs and overall physiology. The involvement of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), the pivotal host receptor for the SARS-CoV-2 virus, was identified and linked to epigenetic abnormalities along with other contributing factors. Recently, studies have revealed stronger connections between epigenetics and metabolism in COVID-19 that impact development and accelerate aging. Patients manifest systemic toxicity, immune dysfunction and multi-organ failure. Single-cell multiomics and other state-of-the-art high-throughput studies are only just beginning to demonstrate the extent of dysregulation and damage. As epigenetics and metabolism directly impact development, there is a crucial need for research implementing cutting-edge technology, next-generation sequencing, bioinformatics analysis, the identification of biomarkers and clinical trials to help with prevention and therapeutic interventions against similar threats in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noopur Naik
- Department of Molecular, Cellular & Developmental Biology, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO 80309, USA
| | - Mansi Patel
- Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, Delhi 110007, India
| | - Rwik Sen
- Active Motif, Inc., Carlsbad, CA 92008, USA
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4
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Beverley J, Babcock S, Carvalho G, Cowell LG, Duesing S, He Y, Hurley R, Merrell E, Scheuermann RH, Smith B. Coordinating virus research: The Virus Infectious Disease Ontology. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0285093. [PMID: 38236918 PMCID: PMC10796065 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0285093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2024] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic prompted immense work on the investigation of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Rapid, accurate, and consistent interpretation of generated data is thereby of fundamental concern. Ontologies-structured, controlled, vocabularies-are designed to support consistency of interpretation, and thereby to prevent the development of data silos. This paper describes how ontologies are serving this purpose in the COVID-19 research domain, by following principles of the Open Biological and Biomedical Ontology (OBO) Foundry and by reusing existing ontologies such as the Infectious Disease Ontology (IDO) Core, which provides terminological content common to investigations of all infectious diseases. We report here on the development of an IDO extension, the Virus Infectious Disease Ontology (VIDO), a reference ontology covering viral infectious diseases. We motivate term and definition choices, showcase reuse of terms from existing OBO ontologies, illustrate how ontological decisions were motivated by relevant life science research, and connect VIDO to the Coronavirus Infectious Disease Ontology (CIDO). We next use terms from these ontologies to annotate selections from life science research on SARS-CoV-2, highlighting how ontologies employing a common upper-level vocabulary may be seamlessly interwoven. Finally, we outline future work, including bacteria and fungus infectious disease reference ontologies currently under development, then cite uses of VIDO and CIDO in host-pathogen data analytics, electronic health record annotation, and ontology conflict-resolution projects.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Beverley
- Department of Philosophy, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, United States of America
- National Center for Ontological Research, Buffalo, NY, United States of America
| | - Shane Babcock
- National Center for Ontological Research, Buffalo, NY, United States of America
- Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Riverside, OH, United States of America
| | - Gustavo Carvalho
- Department of Cognitive Science, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, United States of America
| | - Lindsay G. Cowell
- Department of Clinical Sciences, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States of America
| | - Sebastian Duesing
- Department of Philosophy, Loyola University, Chicago, IL, United States of America
| | - Yongqun He
- Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics, University of Michigan Medical School, He Group, Ann Arbor, MI, United States of America
| | - Regina Hurley
- National Center for Ontological Research, Buffalo, NY, United States of America
- Department of Philosophy, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, United States of America
| | - Eric Merrell
- Department of Philosophy, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, United States of America
- National Center for Ontological Research, Buffalo, NY, United States of America
| | - Richard H. Scheuermann
- Department of Informatics, J. Craig Venter Institute, La Jolla, CA, United States of America
- Department of Pathology, University of California, San Diego, CA, United States of America
- Division of Vaccine Discovery, La Jolla Institute for Immunology, La Jolla, CA, United States of America
| | - Barry Smith
- Department of Philosophy, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, United States of America
- National Center for Ontological Research, Buffalo, NY, United States of America
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5
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Militaru FC, Militaru V, Crisan N, Bocsan IC, Udrea AA, Catana A, Kutasi E, Militaru MS. Molecular basis and therapeutic targets in prostate cancer: A comprehensive review. BIOMOLECULES & BIOMEDICINE 2023; 23:760-771. [PMID: 37021836 PMCID: PMC10494850 DOI: 10.17305/bb.2023.8782] [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: 01/13/2023] [Revised: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 04/07/2023]
Abstract
Prostate cancer is one of the most significant causes of morbidity and mortality in male patients. The incidence increases with age, and it is higher among African Americans. The occurrence of prostate cancer is associated with many risk factors, including genetic and hereditary predisposition. The most common genetic syndromes associated with prostate cancer risk are BRCA-associated hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC) and Lynch syndrome. Local-regional therapy, i.e., surgery is beneficial in early-stage prostate cancer management. Advanced and metastatic prostate cancers require systemic therapies, including hormonal inhibition, chemotherapy, and targeted agents. Most prostate cancers can be treated by targeting the androgen-receptor pathway and decreasing androgen production or binding to androgen receptors (AR). Castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) usually involves the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway and requires targeted therapy. Specific molecular therapy can target mutated cell lines in which DNA defect repair is altered, caused by mutations of BRCA2, partner and localizer of BRCA2 (PALB2), and phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) or the transmembrane protease serine 2-ERG (TMPRSS2-ERG) fusion. Most benefits were demonstrated in cyclin dependent-kinase 12 (CDK12) mutated cell lines when treated with anti-programmed cell death protein 1 (PD1) therapy. Therapies targeting p53 and AKT are the subject of ongoing clinical trials. Many genetic defects are listed as diagnostic, prognostic, and clinically actionable markers in prostate cancer. Androgen receptor splice variant 7 (AR-V7) is an important oncogenic driver and an early diagnostic and prognostic marker, as well as a therapeutic target in hormone-resistant CRPC. This review summarizes the pathophysiological mechanisms and available targeted therapies for prostate cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florentina Claudia Militaru
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Medisprof Cancer Center, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Valentin Militaru
- Medisprof Cancer Center, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Department of Internal Medicine, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Clinical County Hospital, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Nicolae Crisan
- Department of Urology, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Ioana Corina Bocsan
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | | | - Andreea Catana
- Department of Molecular Sciences, Medical Genetics, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Institute of Oncology I. Chiricuta, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Eniko Kutasi
- Department of Molecular Sciences, Medical Genetics, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Mariela Sanda Militaru
- Department of Molecular Sciences, Medical Genetics, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
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6
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Sinha A, Sangeet S, Roy S. Evolution of Sequence and Structure of SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein: A Dynamic Perspective. ACS OMEGA 2023; 8:23283-23304. [PMID: 37426203 PMCID: PMC10324094 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.3c00944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2023] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023]
Abstract
Novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) enters its host cell through a surface spike protein. The viral spike protein has undergone several modifications/mutations at the genomic level, through which it modulated its structure-function and passed through several variants of concern. Recent advances in high-resolution structure determination and multiscale imaging techniques, cost-effective next-generation sequencing, and development of new computational methods (including information theory, statistical methods, machine learning, and many other artificial intelligence-based techniques) have hugely contributed to the characterization of sequence, structure, function of spike proteins, and its different variants to understand viral pathogenesis, evolutions, and transmission. Laying on the foundation of the sequence-structure-function paradigm, this review summarizes not only the important findings on structure/function but also the structural dynamics of different spike components, highlighting the effects of mutations on them. As dynamic fluctuations of three-dimensional spike structure often provide important clues for functional modulation, quantifying time-dependent fluctuations of mutational events over spike structure and its genetic/amino acidic sequence helps identify alarming functional transitions having implications for enhanced fusogenicity and pathogenicity of the virus. Although these dynamic events are more difficult to capture than quantifying a static, average property, this review encompasses those challenging aspects of characterizing the evolutionary dynamics of spike sequence and structure and their implications for functions.
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7
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Xue Y, Mei H, Chen Y, Griffin JD, Liu Q, Weisberg E, Yang J. Repurposing clinically available drugs and therapies for pathogenic targets to combat SARS-CoV-2. MedComm (Beijing) 2023; 4:e254. [PMID: 37193304 PMCID: PMC10183156 DOI: 10.1002/mco2.254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2022] [Revised: 02/11/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 05/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has affected a large portion of the global population, both physically and mentally. Current evidence suggests that the rapidly evolving coronavirus subvariants risk rendering vaccines and antibodies ineffective due to their potential to evade existing immunity, with enhanced transmission activity and higher reinfection rates that could lead to new outbreaks across the globe. The goal of viral management is to disrupt the viral life cycle as well as to relieve severe symptoms such as lung damage, cytokine storm, and organ failure. In the fight against viruses, the combination of viral genome sequencing, elucidation of the structure of viral proteins, and identifying proteins that are highly conserved across multiple coronaviruses has revealed many potential molecular targets. In addition, the time- and cost-effective repurposing of preexisting antiviral drugs or approved/clinical drugs for these targets offers considerable clinical advantages for COVID-19 patients. This review provides a comprehensive overview of various identified pathogenic targets and pathways as well as corresponding repurposed approved/clinical drugs and their potential against COVID-19. These findings provide new insight into the discovery of novel therapeutic strategies that could be applied to the control of disease symptoms emanating from evolving SARS-CoV-2 variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiying Xue
- Department of Hematology, Tongji Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, School of Life Sciences and TechnologyTongji UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Husheng Mei
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Medical Physics and Technology, Institute of Health and Medical Technology, Hefei Institutes of Physical ScienceChinese Academy of SciencesHefeiChina
- University of Science and Technology of ChinaHefeiAnhuiChina
| | - Yisa Chen
- Department of Hematology, Tongji Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, School of Life Sciences and TechnologyTongji UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - James D. Griffin
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana‐Farber Cancer InstituteBostonMassachusettsUSA
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical SchoolBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Qingsong Liu
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Medical Physics and Technology, Institute of Health and Medical Technology, Hefei Institutes of Physical ScienceChinese Academy of SciencesHefeiChina
- University of Science and Technology of ChinaHefeiAnhuiChina
- Hefei Cancer HospitalChinese Academy of SciencesHefeiChina
| | - Ellen Weisberg
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana‐Farber Cancer InstituteBostonMassachusettsUSA
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical SchoolBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Jing Yang
- Department of Hematology, Tongji Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, School of Life Sciences and TechnologyTongji UniversityShanghaiChina
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Medical Physics and Technology, Institute of Health and Medical Technology, Hefei Institutes of Physical ScienceChinese Academy of SciencesHefeiChina
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8
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Zafar H, Saier MH. Understanding the Relationship of the Human Bacteriome with COVID-19 Severity and Recovery. Cells 2023; 12:cells12091213. [PMID: 37174613 PMCID: PMC10177376 DOI: 10.3390/cells12091213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2023] [Revised: 04/05/2023] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) first emerged in 2019 in China and has resulted in millions of human morbidities and mortalities across the globe. Evidence has been provided that this novel virus originated in animals, mutated, and made the cross-species jump to humans. At the time of this communication, the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) may be on its way to an endemic form; however, the threat of the virus is more for susceptible (older and immunocompromised) people. The human body has millions of bacterial cells that influence health and disease. As a consequence, the bacteriomes in the human body substantially influence human health and disease. The bacteriomes in the body and the immune system seem to be in constant association during bacterial and viral infections. In this review, we identify various bacterial spp. In major bacteriomes (oral, nasal, lung, and gut) of the body in healthy humans and compare them with dysbiotic bacteriomes of COVID-19 patients. We try to identify key bacterial spp. That have a positive effect on the functionality of the immune system and human health. These select bacterial spp. Could be used as potential probiotics to counter or prevent COVID-19 infections. In addition, we try to identify key metabolites produced by probiotic bacterial spp. That could have potential anti-viral effects against SARS-CoV-2. These metabolites could be subject to future therapeutic trials to determine their anti-viral efficacies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hassan Zafar
- Department of Molecular Biology, School of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, CA 92093-0116, USA
- Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Milton H Saier
- Department of Molecular Biology, School of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, CA 92093-0116, USA
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9
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Perumal R, Shunmugam L, Naidoo K, Abdool Karim SS, Wilkins D, Garzino-Demo A, Brechot C, Parthasarathy S, Vahlne A, Nikolich JŽ. Long COVID: a review and proposed visualization of the complexity of long COVID. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1117464. [PMID: 37153597 PMCID: PMC10157068 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1117464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 04/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Post-Acute Sequelae of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus - 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, or Long COVID, is a prevailing second pandemic with nearly 100 million affected individuals globally and counting. We propose a visual description of the complexity of Long COVID and its pathogenesis that can be used by researchers, clinicians, and public health officials to guide the global effort toward an improved understanding of Long COVID and the eventual mechanism-based provision of care to afflicted patients. The proposed visualization or framework for Long COVID should be an evidence-based, dynamic, modular, and systems-level approach to the condition. Furthermore, with further research such a framework could establish the strength of the relationships between pre-existing conditions (or risk factors), biological mechanisms, and resulting clinical phenotypes and outcomes of Long COVID. Notwithstanding the significant contribution that disparities in access to care and social determinants of health have on outcomes and disease course of long COVID, our model focuses primarily on biological mechanisms. Accordingly, the proposed visualization sets out to guide scientific, clinical, and public health efforts to better understand and abrogate the health burden imposed by long COVID.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rubeshan Perumal
- Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA), South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) - CAPRISA HIV-TB Pathogenesis and Treatment Research Unit, Durban, South Africa
- Department of Pulmonology and Critical Care, Division of Internal Medicine, School Clinical Medicine, Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
- Long COVID Taskforce, The Global Virus Network, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Letitia Shunmugam
- Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA), South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) - CAPRISA HIV-TB Pathogenesis and Treatment Research Unit, Durban, South Africa
| | - Kogieleum Naidoo
- Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA), South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) - CAPRISA HIV-TB Pathogenesis and Treatment Research Unit, Durban, South Africa
| | - Salim S. Abdool Karim
- Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA), South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) - CAPRISA HIV-TB Pathogenesis and Treatment Research Unit, Durban, South Africa
| | - Dave Wilkins
- Long COVID Taskforce, The Global Virus Network, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Alfredo Garzino-Demo
- Long COVID Taskforce, The Global Virus Network, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Christian Brechot
- Long COVID Taskforce, The Global Virus Network, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Sairam Parthasarathy
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine and University of Arizona College of Medicine-Tucson, Tucson, AZ, United States
| | - Anders Vahlne
- Long COVID Taskforce, The Global Virus Network, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Division of Clinical Microbiology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Janko Ž. Nikolich
- Long COVID Taskforce, The Global Virus Network, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Department of Immunobiology and the University of Arizona Center on Aging, University of Arizona College of Medicine-Tucson, Tucson, AZ, United States
- The Aegis Consortium for Pandemic-Free Future, University of Arizona Health Sciences, Tucson, AZ, United States
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10
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McCollum C, Courtney CM, O’Connor NJ, Aunins TR, Jordan TX, Rogers KL, Brindley S, Brown JM, Nagpal P, Chatterjee A. Safety and Biodistribution of Nanoligomers Targeting the SARS-CoV-2 Genome for the Treatment of COVID-19. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2023; 9:1656-1671. [PMID: 36853144 PMCID: PMC10000012 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.2c00669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2022] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/01/2023]
Abstract
As the world braces to enter its fourth year of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the need for accessible and effective antiviral therapeutics continues to be felt globally. The recent surge of Omicron variant cases has demonstrated that vaccination and prevention alone cannot quell the spread of highly transmissible variants. A safe and nontoxic therapeutic with an adaptable design to respond to the emergence of new variants is critical for transitioning to the treatment of COVID-19 as an endemic disease. Here, we present a novel compound, called SBCoV202, that specifically and tightly binds the translation initiation site of RNA-dependent RNA polymerase within the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) genome, inhibiting viral replication. SBCoV202 is a Nanoligomer, a molecule that includes peptide nucleic acid sequences capable of binding viral RNA with single-base-pair specificity to accurately target the viral genome. The compound has been shown to be safe and nontoxic in mice, with favorable biodistribution, and has shown efficacy against SARS-CoV-2 in vitro. Safety and biodistribution were assessed using three separate administration methods, namely, intranasal, intravenous, and intraperitoneal. Safety studies showed the Nanoligomer caused no outward distress, immunogenicity, or organ tissue damage, measured through observation of behavior and body weight, serum levels of cytokines, and histopathology of fixed tissue, respectively. SBCoV202 was evenly biodistributed throughout the body, with most tissues measuring Nanoligomer concentrations well above the compound KD of 3.37 nM. In addition to favorable availability to organs such as the lungs, lymph nodes, liver, and spleen, the compound circulated through the blood and was rapidly cleared through the renal and urinary systems. The favorable biodistribution and lack of immunogenicity and toxicity set Nanoligomers apart from other antisense therapies, while the adaptability of the nucleic acid sequence of Nanoligomers provides a defense against future emergence of drug resistance, making these molecules an attractive potential treatment for COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Colleen
R. McCollum
- Department
of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado 80303, United States
| | - Colleen M. Courtney
- Department
of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado 80303, United States
- Sachi Bio, Colorado Technology Center, Louisville, Colorado 80027, United States
| | - Nolan J. O’Connor
- Department
of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado 80303, United States
| | - Thomas R. Aunins
- Department
of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado 80303, United States
| | - Tristan X. Jordan
- Department
of Microbiology, New York University Langone, New York, New York 10016, United States
| | - Keegan L. Rogers
- Department
of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of
Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado 80045, United States
| | - Stephen Brindley
- Department
of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of
Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado 80045, United States
| | - Jared M. Brown
- Department
of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of
Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado 80045, United States
| | - Prashant Nagpal
- Sachi Bio, Colorado Technology Center, Louisville, Colorado 80027, United States
- Antimicrobial
Regeneration Consortium Labs, Louisville, Colorado 80027, United States
| | - Anushree Chatterjee
- Department
of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado 80303, United States
- Sachi Bio, Colorado Technology Center, Louisville, Colorado 80027, United States
- Antimicrobial
Regeneration Consortium Labs, Louisville, Colorado 80027, United States
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11
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Świątkowska-Stodulska R, Berlińska A, Puchalska-Reglińska E. Thyroglobulin levels in COVID-19-positive patients: Correlations with thyroid function tests, inflammatory markers, and glucocorticoid use. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 13:1031188. [PMID: 36969717 PMCID: PMC10034180 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.1031188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 03/11/2023] Open
Abstract
COVID-19 often results in generalized inflammation and affects various organs and systems. Endocrine research focused on the possible sequelae of COVID-19, with special interest given to the thyroid gland. Clinical problems such as thyroid function in non-thyroidal illness (NTI), autoimmune thyroiditis, and COVID-19-related subacute thyroiditis (SAT) quickly gained wide coverage. Thyrotoxicosis of various origins leads to the release of peripheral thyroid hormones and thyroglobulin (TG), the main glycoprotein contained within the thyroid follicular lumen. In our study, we evaluated TG levels in COVID-19-positive patients and investigated the possible relationships between TG, thyroid function tests (TFTs), and inflammatory markers. Our approach included separate subanalyses of patients who received and those who did not receive glucocorticoids (GCs). In the entire population studied, the concentration of TG tended to decrease with time (p<0.001; p1,2 = 0.025, p1,3 = 0.001, p2,3 = 0.003), and this pattern was especially clear among patients treated with GCs (p<0.001; p1,2=<0.001; p1,3=<0.001; p 2,3=<0.001). The concentration of TG differed significantly between patients treated and those not treated with GC at the second and third time points of observation (p=0.033 and p=0.001, consecutively). TG concentration did not differ between the patients with normal and abnormal TFTs. The correlations between TG, TFTs, and inflammatory markers were very limited. 19 patients had elevated TG levels, but a TFT pattern suggestive of thyrotoxicosis was not common in this group. There were no statistically significant differences between patients who met and those who did not meet the predefined combined primary endpoint.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renata Świątkowska-Stodulska
- Department of Endocrinology and Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Agata Berlińska
- Department of Endocrinology and Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland
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12
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Cheng Y, Clark AE, Yim W, Borum RM, Chang YC, Jin Z, He T, Carlin AF, Jokerst JV. Protease-Responsive Potential-Tunable AIEgens for Cell Selective Imaging of TMPRSS2 and Accurate Inhibitor Screening. Anal Chem 2023; 95:3789-3798. [PMID: 36753444 PMCID: PMC10614162 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.2c04988] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
Abstract
Transmembrane protease serine 2 (TMPRSS2) is a plasma membrane protease that activates both spike protein of coronaviruses for cell entry and oncogenic signaling pathways for tumor progression. TMPRSS2 inhibition can reduce cancer invasion and metastasis and partially prevent the entry of SARS-CoV-2 into host cells. Thus, there is an urgent need for both TMPRSS2-selective imaging and precise screening of TMPRSS2 inhibitors. Here, we report a TMPRSS2-responsive surface-potential-tunable peptide-conjugated probe (EGTP) with aggregation-induced emission (AIE) features for TMPRSS2 selective imaging and accurate inhibitor screening. The amphiphilic EGTP was constructed with tunable surface potential and responsive efficiency with TMPRSS2 and its inhibitor. The rational construction of AIE luminogens (AIEgens) with modular peptides indicated that the cleavage of EGTP led to a gradual aggregation with bright fluorescence in high TMPRSS2-expressing cells. This strategy may have value for selective detection of cancer cells, SARS-CoV-2-target cells, and screening of protease inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong Cheng
- Department of NanoEngineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Alex E Clark
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Wonjun Yim
- Materials Science and Engineering Program, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Raina M Borum
- Department of NanoEngineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Yu-Ci Chang
- Materials Science and Engineering Program, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Zhicheng Jin
- Department of NanoEngineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Tengyu He
- Materials Science and Engineering Program, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Aaron F Carlin
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
- Department of Pathology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Jesse V Jokerst
- Department of NanoEngineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
- Materials Science and Engineering Program, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
- Department of Radiology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
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13
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Gong X, Khan A, Wani MY, Ahmad A, Duse A. COVID-19: A state of art on immunological responses, mutations, and treatment modalities in riposte. J Infect Public Health 2023; 16:233-249. [PMID: 36603376 PMCID: PMC9798670 DOI: 10.1016/j.jiph.2022.12.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2022] [Revised: 12/25/2022] [Accepted: 12/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Over the last few years, the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) unleashed a global public health catastrophe that had a substantial influence on human physical and mental health, the global economy, and socio-political dynamics. SARS-CoV-2 is a respiratory pathogen and the cause of ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, which testified how unprepared humans are for pandemics. Scientists and policymakers continue to face challenges in developing ideal therapeutic agents and vaccines, while at the same time deciphering the pathology and immunology of SARS-CoV-2. Challenges in the early part of the pandemic included the rapid development of diagnostic assays, vaccines, and therapeutic agents. The ongoing transmission of COVID-19 is coupled with the emergence of viral variants that differ in their transmission efficiency, virulence, and vaccine susceptibility, thus complicating the spread of the pandemic. Our understanding of how the human immune system responds to these viruses as well as the patient groups (such as the elderly and immunocompromised individuals) who are often more susceptible to serious illness have both been aided by this epidemic. COVID-19 causes different symptoms to occur at different stages of infection, making it difficult to determine distinct treatment regimens employed for the various clinical phases of the disease. Unsurprisingly, determining the efficacy of currently available medications and developing novel therapeutic strategies have been a process of trial and error. The global scientific community collaborated to research and develop vaccines at a neck-breaking speed. This review summarises the overall picture of the COVID-19 pandemic, different mutations in SARS-CoV-2, immune response, and the treatment modalities against SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaolong Gong
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, School of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Amber Khan
- Department of Clinical Haematology, School of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Mohmmad Younus Wani
- Department of Chemistry, College of Science, University of Jeddah, P.O. Box 80327, Jeddah 21589, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Aijaz Ahmad
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, School of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa,Division of Infection Control, Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital, National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, South Africa,Corresponding author at: Department of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, School of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Adriano Duse
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, School of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa,Division of Infection Control, Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital, National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, South Africa
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14
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COVIDScholar: An automated COVID-19 research aggregation and analysis platform. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0281147. [PMID: 36724184 PMCID: PMC9891495 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0281147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic produced far-reaching effects throughout society, and science is no exception. The scale, speed, and breadth of the scientific community's COVID-19 response lead to the emergence of new research at the remarkable rate of more than 250 papers published per day. This posed a challenge for the scientific community as traditional methods of engagement with the literature were strained by the volume of new research being produced. Meanwhile, the urgency of response lead to an increasingly prominent role for preprint servers and a diffusion of relevant research through many channels simultaneously. These factors created a need for new tools to change the way scientific literature is organized and found by researchers. With this challenge in mind, we present an overview of COVIDScholar https://covidscholar.org, an automated knowledge portal which utilizes natural language processing (NLP) that was built to meet these urgent needs. The search interface for this corpus of more than 260,000 research articles, patents, and clinical trials served more than 33,000 users at an average of 2,000 monthly active users and a peak of more than 8,600 weekly active users in the summer of 2020. Additionally, we include an analysis of trends in COVID-19 research over the course of the pandemic with a particular focus on the first 10 months, which represents a unique period of rapid worldwide shift in scientific attention.
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15
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COVID-19 Pathology Sheds Further Light on Balance between Neutrophil Proteases and Their Inhibitors. Biomolecules 2022; 13:biom13010082. [PMID: 36671467 PMCID: PMC9855895 DOI: 10.3390/biom13010082] [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: 11/22/2022] [Revised: 12/26/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Excessive neutrophil influx and activation in lungs during infections, such as manifest during the ongoing SARS CoV-2 pandemic, have brought neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) and the concomitant release of granule contents that damage surrounding tissues into sharp focus. Neutrophil proteases, which are known to participate in NET release, also enable the binding of the viral spike protein to cellular receptors and assist in the spread of infection. Blood and tissue fluids normally also contain liver-derived protease inhibitors that balance the activity of proteases. Interestingly, neutrophils themselves also express the protease inhibitor alpha-1-antitrypsin (AAT), the product of the SERPINA-1 gene, and store it in neutrophil cytoplasmic granules. The absence of AAT or mutations in the SERPINA-1 gene promotes lung remodeling and fibrosis in diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and increases the risk of allergic responses. Recent observations point to the fact that reduced activity of AAT presents a major susceptibility factor for severe COVID-19. Here, we focus attention on the mechanism of neutrophil elastase (NE) in NET release and its inhibition by AAT as an additional factor that may determine the severity of COVID-19.
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16
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Karimi K, Do DN, Wang J, Easley J, Borzouie S, Sargolzaei M, Plastow G, Wang Z, Miar Y. A chromosome-level genome assembly reveals genomic characteristics of the American mink (Neogale vison). Commun Biol 2022; 5:1381. [PMID: 36526733 PMCID: PMC9757699 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-04341-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Availability of a contiguous chromosome-level genome assembly is the foundational step to develop genome-based studies in American mink (Neogale vison). The main objective of this study was to provide a high quality chromosome-level genome assembly for American mink. An initial draft of the genome assembly was generated using 2,884,047 PacBio long reads. Integration of Hi-C data into the initial draft led to an assembly with 183 scaffolds and scaffold N50 of 220 Mb. This gap-free genome assembly of American mink (ASM_NN_V1) had a length of 2.68 Gb in which about 98.6% of the whole genome was covered by 15 chromosomes. In total, 25,377 genes were predicted across the American mink genome using the NCBI Eukaryotic Genome Annotation Pipeline. In addition, gene orthology, demographic history, synteny blocks, and phylogenetic relationships were studied in connection with the genomes of other related Carnivora. Furthermore, population-based statistics of 100 sequenced mink were presented using the newly assembled genome. Remarkable improvements were observed in genome contiguity, the number of scaffolds, and annotation compared to the first draft of mink genome assembly (NNQGG.v01). This high-quality genome assembly will support the development of efficient breeding strategies as well as conservation programs for American mink.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karim Karimi
- grid.55602.340000 0004 1936 8200Department of Animal Science and Aquaculture, Dalhousie University, Truro, NS Canada
| | - Duy Ngoc Do
- grid.55602.340000 0004 1936 8200Department of Animal Science and Aquaculture, Dalhousie University, Truro, NS Canada
| | - Jingy Wang
- grid.55602.340000 0004 1936 8200Department of Animal Science and Aquaculture, Dalhousie University, Truro, NS Canada
| | - John Easley
- Joint Mink Research Committee, Fur Commission USA, Preston, ID USA ,Mink Veterinary Consulting and Research Service, Plymouth, WI USA
| | - Shima Borzouie
- grid.55602.340000 0004 1936 8200Department of Animal Science and Aquaculture, Dalhousie University, Truro, NS Canada
| | - Mehdi Sargolzaei
- grid.34429.380000 0004 1936 8198Department of Pathobiology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON Canada ,Select Sires Inc., Plain City, OH USA
| | - Graham Plastow
- grid.17089.370000 0001 2190 316XLivestock Gentec, Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB Canada
| | - Zhiquan Wang
- grid.17089.370000 0001 2190 316XLivestock Gentec, Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB Canada
| | - Younes Miar
- grid.55602.340000 0004 1936 8200Department of Animal Science and Aquaculture, Dalhousie University, Truro, NS Canada
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17
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Neag MA, Vulturar DM, Gherman D, Burlacu CC, Todea DA, Buzoianu AD. Gastrointestinal microbiota: A predictor of COVID-19 severity? World J Gastroenterol 2022; 28:6328-6344. [PMID: 36533107 PMCID: PMC9753053 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v28.i45.6328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2022] [Revised: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by a severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection, has raised serious concerns worldwide over the past 3 years. The severity and clinical course of COVID-19 depends on many factors (e.g., associated comorbidities, age, etc) and may have various clinical and imaging findings, which raises management concerns. Gut microbiota composition is known to influence respiratory disease, and respiratory viral infection can also influence gut microbiota. Gut and lung microbiota and their relationship (gut-lung axis) can act as modulators of inflammation. Modulating the intestinal microbiota, by improving its composition and diversity through nutraceutical agents, can have a positive impact in the prophylaxis/treatment of COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Adriana Neag
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Clinical Pharmacology, Iuliu Hațieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca 400337, Romania
| | - Damiana-Maria Vulturar
- Department of Pneumology, Iuliu Hațieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca 400332, Romania
| | - Diana Gherman
- Department of Radiology, Iuliu Hațieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca 400347, Romania
| | - Codrin-Constantin Burlacu
- Faculty of Medicine, Iuliu Haţieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca 400347, Romania
| | - Doina Adina Todea
- Department of Pneumology, Iuliu Hațieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca 400332, Romania
| | - Anca Dana Buzoianu
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Clinical Pharmacology, Iuliu Hațieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca 400337, Romania
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18
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Osborne AJ, Hussain SS, Helman EE, Foote JB, Kiupel M, Rowe SM, Collins DE. Ferret Systemic Coronavirus in Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Knockout Ferrets. Comp Med 2022; 72:410-415. [PMID: 36104147 PMCID: PMC9827607 DOI: 10.30802/aalas-cm-22-000035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2022] [Revised: 05/14/2022] [Accepted: 05/27/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Ferret systemic coronavirus (FRSCV) causes a highly fatal disease of ferrets (Mustela putorius furo). It is believed to be a mutated variant of ferret enteric coronavirus (FRECV) and has a clinical presentation similar to that of feline infectious peritonitis virus (FIPV) in cats. The interplay of infectious diseases and host genetics will become a greater issue in the research environment as genetically modified species other than rodents become available due to advances in gene editing technology. In this case series, we present the clinical and histopathologic features of a FRSCV outbreak that affected 5 out of 10 ferrets with α-1 antitrypsin knockout (AAT KO) over an approximately 1-y period. Clinical features varied, with the affected ferrets presenting with some combination of wasting, hind limb paralysis, incontinence or sudden death. Multiple ferrets had gross pathologic lesions consistent with FRSCV, but the lesions were typically mild. Microscopic pyogranulomatous inflammation was present in 4 ferrets. Immunohistochemistry using an anti-feline coronavirus antibody that cross reacts with ferret coronavirus confirmed infection of intralesional macrophages in 4 out of 5 animals with suspected FRSCV infection. PCR testing of formalin fixed tissue was negative for all ferrets. PCR testing of feces from healthy wild-type ferrets indicated that the endemic presence of FRECV genotype 2, while PCR surveillance testing of other in-house AAT KO ferrets revealed both enteric coronavirus genotypes 1 and 2. This case series highlights the potential for greater disease incidence in the future as genetically modified ferrets are used more often, and may support exclusion of FRECV and similar viruses from highly susceptible ferret genotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea J Osborne
- Animal Resources Program, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Shah S Hussain
- School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Emily E Helman
- Animal Resources Program, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Jeremy B Foote
- Animal Resources Program, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Matti Kiupel
- Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, Michigan State University, Lansing, Michigan
| | - Steven M Rowe
- School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Dalis E Collins
- Animal Resources Program, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama;,
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19
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Santos A, Lucarevschi B, Cunha C, Ribeiro P, Cesar A, Nascimento L. Exposure to air pollution and hospitalization due to COVID-19 in São José dos Campos, Brazil. Braz J Med Biol Res 2022; 55:e12273. [PMID: 36383802 PMCID: PMC9668087 DOI: 10.1590/1414-431x2021e12273] [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: 08/01/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The association between exposure to air pollutants and respiratory diseases is well known. This study aimed to identify the association between this exposure and hospitalizations for COVID-19 in São José dos Campos, SP, a medium-sized city, between April 2020 and April 2021. Hospitalization data, concerning code B34.2, was supplied by DATASUS, and data concerning pollutants and climate variables were supplied by CETESB. Cases were quantified by sex, age, length of hospital stay in days, and type of discharge, whether hospital discharge or death. The negative binomial regression model was chosen. Estimates were produced for the relative risk (RR) of significant exposure to pollutants (P≤0.05) with a 10 µg/m3 increase of pollutant, as well as for excess hospitalizations. There were 1873 hospitalizations, with a daily average of 4.7 (±3.8), ranging from zero to 21: 716 deaths (38.2%) were recorded, 1065 admissions were men, and women were less susceptible (OR=0.82). The average age of women was higher than that of men; in cases of death, men were older than women; discharged patients were younger. All the above variables were significant. The risk of ozone exposure was higher and more significant in Lag 2, and the risk of nitrogen dioxide exposure was high in Lag 3, which was the period of the highest increase in hospitalizations, at 11.3%. The findings of this study, the first conducted in Brazil, corroborate the results of studies conducted in other centers.
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Affiliation(s)
- A.O.R. Santos
- Departamento de Medicina, Universidade de Taubaté, Taubaté, SP, Brasil
| | - B.R. Lucarevschi
- Departamento de Medicina, Universidade de Taubaté, Taubaté, SP, Brasil
| | - C.J.D. Cunha
- Faculdade de Engenharia de Guaratinguetá, Universidade Estadual Paulista Júlio de Mesquita Filho, Guaratinguetá, SP, Brasil
| | - P.C. Ribeiro
- Faculdade de Engenharia de Guaratinguetá, Universidade Estadual Paulista Júlio de Mesquita Filho, Guaratinguetá, SP, Brasil
| | - A.C.G. Cesar
- Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia de São Paulo, Bragança Paulista, SP, Brasil
| | - L.F. Nascimento
- Faculdade de Engenharia de Guaratinguetá, Universidade Estadual Paulista Júlio de Mesquita Filho, Guaratinguetá, SP, Brasil,Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências Ambientais, Universidade de Taubaté, Taubaté, SP, Brasil
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20
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Microbiota and prostate cancer. Semin Cancer Biol 2022; 86:1058-1065. [PMID: 34536504 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2021.09.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2021] [Revised: 09/10/2021] [Accepted: 09/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Prostate cancer remains the most frequently diagnosed non-skin malignancy in male patients, still representing one of the main causes of cancer-related death worldwide. Evidence is mounting that suggests the putative role of microbiota in the carcinogenesis as well as in modulating the efficacy and activity of anticancer treatments (e.g., chemotherapy, immune checkpoint inhibitors, targeted therapies) in a large number of hematological and solid tumors. However, few data are available regarding the interactions between prostate cancer and microbiome so far, in particular in terms of the impact of microbiota on disease development, pathogenesis, and response to medical treatments in this genitourinary malignancy. Herein, we provide an overview of current knowledge, novel insights and emerging therapeutic approaches related to gastrointestinal and genitourinary microbiome in prostate cancer patients, especially focusing on available evidence and published trials on this topic.
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21
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Rajabi H, Mortazavi D, Konyalilar N, Aksoy GT, Erkan S, Korkunc SK, Kayalar O, Bayram H, Rahbarghazi R. Forthcoming complications in recovered COVID-19 patients with COPD and asthma; possible therapeutic opportunities. Cell Commun Signal 2022; 20:173. [PMID: 36320055 PMCID: PMC9623941 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-022-00982-5] [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: 08/25/2022] [Accepted: 10/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has been growing swiftly worldwide. Patients with background chronic pulmonary inflammations such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD) are likely to be infected with this virus. Of note, there is an argument that COVID-19 can remain with serious complications like fibrosis or other pathological changes in the pulmonary tissue of patients with chronic diseases. Along with conventional medications, regenerative medicine, and cell-based therapy could be alternative approaches to compensate for organ loss or restore injured sites using different stem cell types. Owing to unique differentiation capacity and paracrine activity, these cells can accelerate the healing procedure. In this review article, we have tried to scrutinize different reports related to the harmful effects of SARS-CoV-2 on patients with asthma and COPD, as well as the possible therapeutic effects of stem cells in the alleviation of post-COVID-19 complications. Video abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hadi Rajabi
- Koç University Research Centre for Translational Medicine (KUTTAM), Koç University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Deniz Mortazavi
- Koç University Research Centre for Translational Medicine (KUTTAM), Koç University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Nur Konyalilar
- Koç University Research Centre for Translational Medicine (KUTTAM), Koç University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Gizem Tuse Aksoy
- Koç University Research Centre for Translational Medicine (KUTTAM), Koç University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Sinem Erkan
- Koç University Research Centre for Translational Medicine (KUTTAM), Koç University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Seval Kubra Korkunc
- Koç University Research Centre for Translational Medicine (KUTTAM), Koç University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Ozgecan Kayalar
- Koç University Research Centre for Translational Medicine (KUTTAM), Koç University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Hasan Bayram
- Koç University Research Centre for Translational Medicine (KUTTAM), Koç University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey.
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, School of Medicine, Koç University, Istanbul, Turkey.
| | - Reza Rahbarghazi
- Stem Cell Research Centre, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
- Department of Applied Cell Sciences, Faculty of Advanced Medical Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
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22
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Reactive Centre Loop Mutagenesis of SerpinB3 to Target TMPRSS2 and Furin: Inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 Cell Entry and Replication. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232012522. [PMID: 36293378 PMCID: PMC9604144 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232012522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2022] [Revised: 10/14/2022] [Accepted: 10/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The SARS-CoV-2 virus can utilize host cell proteases to facilitate cell entry, whereby the Spike (S) protein is cleaved at two specific sites to enable membrane fusion. Furin, transmembrane protease serine 2 (TMPRSS2), and cathepsin L (CatL) are the major proteases implicated, and are thus targets for anti-viral therapy. The human serpin (serine protease inhibitor) alpha-1 antitrypsin (A1AT) shows inhibitory activity for TMPRSS2, and has previously been found to suppress cell infection with SARS-CoV-2. Here, we have generated modified serpin inhibitors with increased specificity for these cellular proteases. Using SerpinB3 (SCCA-1), a cross-class inhibitor of CatL, as a scaffold, we have designed and produced reactive centre loop (RCL) variants to more specifically target both furin and TMPRSS2. Two further variants were generated by substituting the RCL P7–P1 with the spike protein S1/S2 cleavage site from either SARS-CoV-2 alpha or delta (P681R) sequences. Altered inhibitory specificity of purified recombinant proteins was verified in protease assays, with attenuated CatL inhibition and gain of furin or TMPRSS2 inhibition, as predicted, and modified serpins were shown to block S protein cleavage in vitro. Furthermore, the serpin variants were able to inhibit S-pseudoparticle entry into A549-ACE2-TMPRSS2 cells and suppress SARS-CoV-2 replication in Vero E6 cells expressing TMPRSS2. The construct designed to inhibit TMPRSS2 (B3-TMP) was most potent. It was more effective than A1AT for TMPRSS2 enzyme inhibition (with an eighteen-fold improvement in the second order inhibition rate constant) and for blocking SARS-CoV-2 viral replication. These findings advance the potential for serpin RCL mutagenesis to generate new inhibitors, and may lead to novel anti-viral biological molecules.
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Delshad M, Sanaei MJ, Pourbagheri-Sigaroodi A, Bashash D. Host genetic diversity and genetic variations of SARS-CoV-2 in COVID-19 pathogenesis and the effectiveness of vaccination. Int Immunopharmacol 2022; 111:109128. [PMID: 35963158 PMCID: PMC9359488 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2022.109128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2022] [Revised: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 08/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), responsible for the outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), has shown a vast range of clinical manifestations from asymptomatic to life-threatening symptoms. To figure out the cause of this heterogeneity, studies demonstrated the trace of genetic diversities whether in the hosts or the virus itself. With this regard, this review provides a comprehensive overview of how host genetic such as those related to the entry of the virus, the immune-related genes, gender-related genes, disease-related genes, and also host epigenetic could influence the severity of COVID-19. Besides, the mutations in the genome of SARS-CoV-2 __leading to emerging of new variants__ per se affect the affinity of the virus to the host cells and enhance the immune escape capacity. The current review discusses these variants and also the latest data about vaccination effectiveness facing the most important variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahda Delshad
- Department of Laboratory Sciences, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran
| | - Mohammad-Javad Sanaei
- Department of Hematology and Blood Banking, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Atieh Pourbagheri-Sigaroodi
- Department of Hematology and Blood Banking, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Davood Bashash
- Department of Hematology and Blood Banking, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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Karimian A, Behjati M, Karimian M. Molecular mechanisms involved in anosmia induced by SARS-CoV-2, with a focus on the transmembrane serine protease TMPRSS2. Arch Virol 2022; 167:1931-1946. [PMID: 35939103 PMCID: PMC9358639 DOI: 10.1007/s00705-022-05545-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Since 2020, SARS-CoV-2 has caused a pandemic virus that has posed many challenges worldwide. Infection with this virus can result in a number of symptoms, one of which is anosmia. Olfactory dysfunction can be a temporary or long-term viral complication caused by a disorder of the olfactory neuroepithelium. Processes such as inflammation, apoptosis, and neuronal damage are involved in the development of SARS-CoV-2-induced anosmia. One of the receptors that play a key role in the entry of SARS-CoV-2 into the host cell is the transmembrane serine protease TMPRSS2, which facilitates this process by cleaving the viral S protein. The gene encoding TMPRSS2 is located on chromosome 21. It contains 15 exons and has many genetic variations, some of which increase the risk of disease. Delta strains have been shown to be more dependent on TMPRSS2 for cell entry than Omicron strains. Blockade of this receptor by serine protease inhibitors such as camostat and nafamostat can be helpful for treating SARS-CoV-2 symptoms, including anosmia. Proper understanding of the different functional aspects of this serine protease can help to overcome the therapeutic challenges of SARS-CoV-2 symptoms, including anosmia. In this review, we describe the cellular and molecular events involved in anosmia induced by SARS-CoV-2 with a focus on the function of the TMPRSS2 receptor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Karimian
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, School of Medicine, Kashan University of Medical Science, Kashan, Iran
| | - Mohaddeseh Behjati
- Cellular, Molecular and Genetics Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Mohammad Karimian
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Faculty of Basic Sciences, University of Mazandaran, Babolsar, 47416-95447, Iran.
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COVID-19, Vaccination, and Female Fertility in the Czech Republic. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms231810909. [PMID: 36142820 PMCID: PMC9501189 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231810909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2022] [Revised: 09/15/2022] [Accepted: 09/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
The fast-track process to approve vaccines against COVID-19 has raised questions about their safety, especially in relation to fertility. Over the last 2 years, studies have appeared monitoring female fertility, especially from assisted reproduction centers or in animal experiments. However, studies monitoring healthy populations are still limited. The aim of our study was to monitor the relevant parameters of female fertility (sex and other steroids, LH, FSH, SHBG, Antimüllerian hormone and antral follicle count) before and then 2-4 months after the third dose of vaccination against COVID-19 in a group of 25 healthy fertile woman. In addition, anti-SARS-CoV-2 and anti-SARS-CoV-2S antibodies were determined. We did not observe significant changes in the measured parameters before and after the third dose of vaccination. By comparing levels of the analytes with antibodies indicating a prior COVID-19 infection, we found that women who had experienced the disease had statistically lower levels of estrone, estradiol, SHBG and 5α-dihydroprogesterone, and conversely, higher levels of androgen active dehydroepiandrosterone and dihydrotestosterone. Our results confirm that vaccination does not affect female fertility, and that what fertile women should be worried about is not vaccination, but rather COVID-19 infection itself.
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Effects of Varying Glucose Concentrations on ACE2's Hypothalamic Expression and Its Potential Relation to COVID-19-Associated Neurological Dysfunction. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23179645. [PMID: 36077041 PMCID: PMC9455961 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23179645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2022] [Revised: 07/28/2022] [Accepted: 08/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has negatively impacted millions of lives, despite several vaccine interventions and strict precautionary measures. The main causative organism of this disease is the severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) which infects the host via two key players: the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and the transmembrane protease, serine 2 (TMPRSS2). Some reports revealed that patients with glycemic dysregulation could have increased susceptibility to developing COVID-19 and its related neurological complications. However, no previous studies have looked at the involvement of these key molecules within the hypothalamus, which is the central regulator of glucose in the brain. By exposing embryonic mouse hypothalamic neurons to varying glucose concentrations, we aimed to investigate the expression of ACE2 and TMPRSS2 using quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction and western blotting. A significant and time-dependent increase and decrease was observed on the viability of hypothalamic neurons with increasing and decreasing glucose concentrations, respectively (p < 0.01 and p < 0.001, respectively). Under the same increasing and decreasing glucose conditions, the expression of hypothalamic ACE2 also revealed a significant and time-dependent increase (p < 0.01). These findings suggest that SARS-CoV-2 invades the hypothalamic circuitry. In addition, it highlights the importance of strict glycemic control for COVID-19 in diabetic patients.
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27
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Assmus F, Driouich JS, Abdelnabi R, Vangeel L, Touret F, Adehin A, Chotsiri P, Cochin M, Foo CS, Jochmans D, Kim S, Luciani L, Moureau G, Park S, Pétit PR, Shum D, Wattanakul T, Weynand B, Fraisse L, Ioset JR, Mowbray CE, Owen A, Hoglund RM, Tarning J, de Lamballerie X, Nougairède A, Neyts J, Sjö P, Escudié F, Scandale I, Chatelain E. Need for a Standardized Translational Drug Development Platform: Lessons Learned from the Repurposing of Drugs for COVID-19. Microorganisms 2022; 10:1639. [PMID: 36014057 PMCID: PMC9460261 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10081639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2022] [Revised: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 08/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
In the absence of drugs to treat or prevent COVID-19, drug repurposing can be a valuable strategy. Despite a substantial number of clinical trials, drug repurposing did not deliver on its promise. While success was observed with some repurposed drugs (e.g., remdesivir, dexamethasone, tocilizumab, baricitinib), others failed to show clinical efficacy. One reason is the lack of clear translational processes based on adequate preclinical profiling before clinical evaluation. Combined with limitations of existing in vitro and in vivo models, there is a need for a systematic approach to urgent antiviral drug development in the context of a global pandemic. We implemented a methodology to test repurposed and experimental drugs to generate robust preclinical evidence for further clinical development. This translational drug development platform comprises in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo models of SARS-CoV-2, along with pharmacokinetic modeling and simulation approaches to evaluate exposure levels in plasma and target organs. Here, we provide examples of identified repurposed antiviral drugs tested within our multidisciplinary collaboration to highlight lessons learned in urgent antiviral drug development during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our data confirm the importance of assessing in vitro and in vivo potency in multiple assays to boost the translatability of pre-clinical data. The value of pharmacokinetic modeling and simulations for compound prioritization is also discussed. We advocate the need for a standardized translational drug development platform for mild-to-moderate COVID-19 to generate preclinical evidence in support of clinical trials. We propose clear prerequisites for progression of drug candidates for repurposing into clinical trials. Further research is needed to gain a deeper understanding of the scope and limitations of the presented translational drug development platform.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frauke Assmus
- Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7LG, UK
| | - Jean-Sélim Driouich
- Unité des Virus Émergents (UVE), Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), Aix-Marseille University, 190-Inserm 1207, 13005 Marseille, France
| | - Rana Abdelnabi
- Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Laura Vangeel
- Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Franck Touret
- Unité des Virus Émergents (UVE), Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), Aix-Marseille University, 190-Inserm 1207, 13005 Marseille, France
| | - Ayorinde Adehin
- Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7LG, UK
| | - Palang Chotsiri
- Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
| | - Maxime Cochin
- Unité des Virus Émergents (UVE), Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), Aix-Marseille University, 190-Inserm 1207, 13005 Marseille, France
| | - Caroline S. Foo
- Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Dirk Jochmans
- Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Seungtaek Kim
- Institut Pasteur Korea, 16, Daewangpangyo-ro 712 beon-gil, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si 13488, Korea
| | - Léa Luciani
- Unité des Virus Émergents (UVE), Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), Aix-Marseille University, 190-Inserm 1207, 13005 Marseille, France
| | - Grégory Moureau
- Unité des Virus Émergents (UVE), Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), Aix-Marseille University, 190-Inserm 1207, 13005 Marseille, France
| | - Soonju Park
- Institut Pasteur Korea, 16, Daewangpangyo-ro 712 beon-gil, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si 13488, Korea
| | - Paul-Rémi Pétit
- Unité des Virus Émergents (UVE), Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), Aix-Marseille University, 190-Inserm 1207, 13005 Marseille, France
| | - David Shum
- Institut Pasteur Korea, 16, Daewangpangyo-ro 712 beon-gil, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si 13488, Korea
| | - Thanaporn Wattanakul
- Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
| | - Birgit Weynand
- Departmet of Imaging and Pathology, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Translational Cell and Tissue Research, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Laurent Fraisse
- Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative (DNDi), 1202 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Jean-Robert Ioset
- Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative (DNDi), 1202 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Charles E. Mowbray
- Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative (DNDi), 1202 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Andrew Owen
- Centre for Excellence in Long-Acting Therapeutics (CELT), Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 7ZX, UK
| | - Richard M. Hoglund
- Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7LG, UK
| | - Joel Tarning
- Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7LG, UK
| | - Xavier de Lamballerie
- Unité des Virus Émergents (UVE), Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), Aix-Marseille University, 190-Inserm 1207, 13005 Marseille, France
| | - Antoine Nougairède
- Unité des Virus Émergents (UVE), Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), Aix-Marseille University, 190-Inserm 1207, 13005 Marseille, France
| | - Johan Neyts
- Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
- Global Virus Network (GVN), Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Peter Sjö
- Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative (DNDi), 1202 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Fanny Escudié
- Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative (DNDi), 1202 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Ivan Scandale
- Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative (DNDi), 1202 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Eric Chatelain
- Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative (DNDi), 1202 Geneva, Switzerland
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The Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Oncology Patient Management. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19159041. [PMID: 35897414 PMCID: PMC9330710 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19159041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Revised: 07/21/2022] [Accepted: 07/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way cancer patients should be managed. Using published literature on best practices on oncology patient management, we developed checklists to establish which recommendations were followed and differences between healthcare staff and institutions in a local health unit (overseeing two regional hospitals and 14 primary Healthcare Centers) in an interior region in Portugal. Checklists were delivered and completed by 15 physicians, 18 nurses and 5 pharmacists working at the Hospitals, and 29 physicians and 46 nurses from primary healthcare centers. Hospital staff do not show statistically significant differences regarding most proposed recommendations for the oncology clinical pathway, human resources, treatments, patient management and service management. Primary healthcare centers seem to follow a similar trend. As a local health unit, general recommendations for Oncology Patient Management show statistically significantly different values on education of suspected cases, identification, isolation procedures and samples collection; extension of work schedules; and education on cancer patient and COVID-19 positive referral procedures. All the checklists indicated good-to-high internal consistency. Our analysis showed cohesive work between groups regarding control and prevention of sources of infection; therefore, it is considered the highest priority to ensure that all other services, including oncology, continue functioning. Patient management measures such as adjustments in treatments, analysis, patient care, referrals and emergencies were not ranked higher by responders.
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McCollum CR, Courtney CM, O’Connor NJ, Aunins TR, Ding Y, Jordan TX, Rogers KL, Brindley S, Brown JM, Nagpal P, Chatterjee A. Nanoligomers Targeting Human miRNA for the Treatment of Severe COVID-19 Are Safe and Nontoxic in Mice. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2022; 8:3087-3106. [PMID: 35729709 PMCID: PMC9236218 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.2c00510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The devastating effects of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic have made clear a global necessity for antiviral strategies. Most fatalities associated with infection from severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) result at least partially from uncontrolled host immune response. Here, we use an antisense compound targeting a previously identified microRNA (miRNA) linked to severe cases of COVID-19. The compound binds specifically to the miRNA in question, miR-2392, which is produced by human cells in several disease states. The safety and biodistribution of this compound were tested in a mouse model via intranasal, intraperitoneal, and intravenous administration. The compound did not cause any toxic responses in mice based on measured parameters, including body weight, serum biomarkers for inflammation, and organ histopathology. No immunogenicity from the compound was observed with any administration route. Intranasal administration resulted in excellent and rapid biodistribution to the lungs, the main site of infection for SARS-CoV-2. Pharmacokinetic and biodistribution studies reveal delivery to different organs, including lungs, liver, kidneys, and spleen. The compound was largely cleared through the kidneys and excreted via the urine, with no accumulation observed in first-pass organs. The compound is concluded to be a safe potential antiviral treatment for COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Colleen R. McCollum
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering,
University of Colorado Boulder, 3415 Colorado Avenue,
Boulder, Colorado 80303, United States
| | - Colleen M. Courtney
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering,
University of Colorado Boulder, 3415 Colorado Avenue,
Boulder, Colorado 80303, United States
- Sachi Bioworks, Inc., 685 S
Arthur Ave Unit 5, Colorado Technology Center, Louisville, Colorado 80027, United
States
| | - Nolan J. O’Connor
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering,
University of Colorado Boulder, 3415 Colorado Avenue,
Boulder, Colorado 80303, United States
| | - Thomas R. Aunins
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering,
University of Colorado Boulder, 3415 Colorado Avenue,
Boulder, Colorado 80303, United States
| | - Yuchen Ding
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering,
University of Colorado Boulder, 3415 Colorado Avenue,
Boulder, Colorado 80303, United States
| | - Tristan X. Jordan
- Department of Microbiology, New York
University Langone, New York, New York 10016, United
States
| | - Keegan L. Rogers
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences,
University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora,
Colorado 80045, United States
| | - Stephen Brindley
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences,
University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora,
Colorado 80045, United States
| | - Jared M. Brown
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences,
University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora,
Colorado 80045, United States
| | - Prashant Nagpal
- Sachi Bioworks, Inc., 685 S
Arthur Ave Unit 5, Colorado Technology Center, Louisville, Colorado 80027, United
States
- Antimicrobial Regeneration
Consortium, Boulder, Colorado 80301, United
States
| | - Anushree Chatterjee
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering,
University of Colorado Boulder, 3415 Colorado Avenue,
Boulder, Colorado 80303, United States
- Sachi Bioworks, Inc., 685 S
Arthur Ave Unit 5, Colorado Technology Center, Louisville, Colorado 80027, United
States
- Antimicrobial Regeneration
Consortium, Boulder, Colorado 80301, United
States
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30
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Sbeih F, Gutierrez J, Saieed G, Chaaban MR. Chronic rhinosinusitis is associated with increased risk of COVID-19 hospitalization. Am J Otolaryngol 2022; 43:103469. [PMID: 35576660 PMCID: PMC8993453 DOI: 10.1016/j.amjoto.2022.103469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 04/05/2022] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The rationale of the study was to examine the association between chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) and COVID-19 hospitalization. STUDY DESIGN Retrospective cohort study. SETTING Cleveland Clinic hospital inpatient and outpatient. METHODS A retrospective chart review of patients that were tested for COVID-19 at Cleveland Clinic. The study took place between March 8, 2020 and May 15, 2020. RESULTS From a total of 23,282 Patients that underwent SARS-CoV-2 testing, 996 COVID-19 negative and 998 COVID-19 positive patients were included in the analysis. COVID-19 positive patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) were at higher risk for hospitalization compared to patients without CRS (39.2% vs 25.7%, p = 0.0486). There was no significant difference between the two groups in relation to ICU admission, mechanical ventilation, and death, After adjustment for covariates, our multivariate analysis showed that patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) were approximately 3.46 (OR = 3.19, 95% CI (1.12-10.68)) times more likely to be hospitalized compared to patients that have no CRS. CONCLUSION Our results demonstrated that patients with chronic rhinosinusitis are associated with higher risk of COVID-19 hospitalization, albeit no increased risk of mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Firas Sbeih
- Head and Neck Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, United States of America
| | - Jorge Gutierrez
- Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, United States of America
| | - George Saieed
- Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, United States of America
| | - Mohamad R Chaaban
- Head and Neck Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, United States of America.
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31
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Azghar A, Bensalah M, Berhili A, Slaoui M, Mouhoub B, El Mezgueldi I, Nassiri O, El Malki J, Maleb A, Seddik R. Value of hematological parameters for predicting patients with severe coronavirus disease 2019: a real-world cohort from Morocco. J Int Med Res 2022; 50:3000605221109381. [PMID: 35854474 PMCID: PMC9340338 DOI: 10.1177/03000605221109381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a viral disease caused by severe acute
respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. The clinical manifestations and the
evolution of patients with COVID-19 are variable. In addition to respiratory
involvement, COVID-19 leads to systemic involvement and can affect the
hematopoietic system. This study aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of
hematological and hemocytometric parameters in predicting the severity of
patients with COVID-19. Methods We performed a retrospective study at Mohammed VI university Hospital from 1
March to 11 November 2020. We collected demographic characteristics and
hematological findings of incident COVID-19 cases. Results A total of 245 patients were included in our study. We found that the rate of
lymphopenia was significantly reduced in patients who were severely affected
by COVID-19. Additionally, the rate of neutrophilia, the neutrophil side
fluorescence light signal, monocyte fluorescent intensity, monocyte size,
the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, the platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio, and
the lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio were significantly elevated in patients who
were severely affected by COVID-19. Conclusions These results are consistent with the literature regarding the predictive
value of these markers. A prospective validation in a large population with
a longer follow-up is required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Azghar
- Hematology Laboratory, Mohammed VI University Hospital Center, Oujda, Morocco.,Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Mohammed 1st University, Oujda, Morocco
| | - Mohammed Bensalah
- Hematology Laboratory, Mohammed VI University Hospital Center, Oujda, Morocco.,Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Mohammed 1st University, Oujda, Morocco
| | - Abdelilah Berhili
- Hematology Laboratory, Mohammed VI University Hospital Center, Oujda, Morocco.,Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Mohammed 1st University, Oujda, Morocco
| | - Mounia Slaoui
- Hematology Laboratory, Mohammed VI University Hospital Center, Oujda, Morocco.,Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Mohammed 1st University, Oujda, Morocco
| | - Boutaina Mouhoub
- Hematology Laboratory, Mohammed VI University Hospital Center, Oujda, Morocco.,Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Mohammed 1st University, Oujda, Morocco
| | - Imane El Mezgueldi
- Hematology Laboratory, Mohammed VI University Hospital Center, Oujda, Morocco.,Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Mohammed 1st University, Oujda, Morocco
| | - Oumaima Nassiri
- Hematology Laboratory, Mohammed VI University Hospital Center, Oujda, Morocco.,Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Mohammed 1st University, Oujda, Morocco
| | - Jalila El Malki
- Hematology Laboratory, Mohammed VI University Hospital Center, Oujda, Morocco.,Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Mohammed 1st University, Oujda, Morocco
| | - Adil Maleb
- Microbiology Laboratory, Mohammed VI University Hospital Center, Oujda, Morocco.,Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Mohammed 1st University, Oujda, Morocco
| | - Rachid Seddik
- Hematology Laboratory, Mohammed VI University Hospital Center, Oujda, Morocco.,Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Mohammed 1st University, Oujda, Morocco
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Stefanile A, Cellerino M, Koudriavtseva T. Elevated risk of thrombotic manifestations of SARS-CoV-2 infection in cancer patients: A literature review. EXCLI JOURNAL 2022; 21:906-920. [PMID: 36172074 PMCID: PMC9489888 DOI: 10.17179/excli2022-5073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) results in higher risks of hospitalization or death in older patients and those with multiple comorbidities, including malignancies. Patients with cancer have greater risks of COVID-19 onset and worse prognosis. This excess is mainly explained by thrombotic complications. Indeed, an imbalance in the equilibrium between clot formation and bleeding, increased activation of coagulation, and endothelial dysfunction characterize both COVID-19 patients and those with cancer. With this review, we provide a summary of the pathological mechanisms of coagulation and thrombotic manifestations in these patients and discuss the possible therapeutic implications of these phenomena.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annunziata Stefanile
- Department Clinical Pathology and Cancer Biobank, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Istituti Fisioterapici Ospitalieri (IFO), 00144 Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Cellerino
- Department of Clinical Experimental Oncology, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, IFO, Via Elio Chianesi 53, 00144, Rome, Italy,Department of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, and Mother-Child Health (DINOGMI), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy,*To whom correspondence should be addressed: Maria Cellerino, Department of Clinical Experimental Oncology, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, IFO, Via Elio Chianesi 53, 00144, Rome, Italy and Department of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, and Mother-Child Health (DINOGMI), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy, E-mail:
| | - Tatiana Koudriavtseva
- Medical Direction, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Istituti Fisioterapici Ospitalieri (IFO), 00144 Rome, Italy
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Identification, virtual screening and molecular dynamic analysis of novel TMPRSS2 inhibitors from natural compound database as potential entry-blocking agents in SARS-CoV-2 therapy. Struct Chem 2022; 33:1609-1617. [PMID: 35754942 PMCID: PMC9210338 DOI: 10.1007/s11224-022-01991-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2022] [Accepted: 06/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Scientific insights gained from the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and middle east respiratory syndrome (MERS) outbreaks have been assisting scientists and researchers in the quest of antiviral drug discovery process against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Coronaviruses and influenza viruses both rely on the host type 2 transmembrane serine protease, TMPRSS2, for entry and propagation. Recent studies report SARS-CoV-2 also uses TMPRSS2 to enter cells. In the current study, we employed structure-based virtual screening of 1,82,651 natural compounds downloaded from the zin database against the homology model of the TMPRSS2 protein, followed by a molecular dynamics-based simulation to identify potential TMPRSS2 hits. The virtual screening yielded 110 hits with docking scores ranging from −8.654 to −6.775 and glide energies ranging from −55.714 to −29.065 kcal/mol. The binding mode analysis revealed that the hit molecules made H-bond, Pi-Pi stacking and salt bridge contacts with the TMPRSS2 active site residues. MD simulations of the top two hits (ZINC000095912839 and ZINC000085597504) revealed to form a stable complex with TMPRSS2, with a minimal RMSD and RMSF fluctuation. Both the hit structures interacted strongly with the Asp180, Gln183, Gly184, Ser186, Gly207 and Gly209, as predicted by Glide XP docking, and formed a significant H-bond interaction with Ser181 in MD simulation. Among these two, ZINC000095912839 was having the most stable binding interaction with TMPRSS2 of the two molecules. The present study successfully identified TMPRSS2 ligands from a database of zinc natural molecules as potential leads for novel SARs-CoV-2 treatment.
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Zota IM, Stătescu C, Sascău RA, Roca M, Anghel L, Maștaleru A, Leon-Constantin MM, Ghiciuc CM, Cozma SR, Dima-Cozma LC, Esanu IM, Mitu F. Acute and Long-Term Consequences of COVID-19 on Arterial Stiffness-A Narrative Review. Life (Basel) 2022; 12:life12060781. [PMID: 35743812 PMCID: PMC9224691 DOI: 10.3390/life12060781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2022] [Revised: 05/21/2022] [Accepted: 05/22/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is responsible for the ongoing global coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Although initially viewed as an acute respiratory illness, COVID-19 is clearly a complex multisystemic disease with extensive cardiovascular involvement. Emerging evidence shows that the endothelium plays multiple roles in COVID-19 physiopathology, as both a target organ that can be directly infected by SARS-CoV-2 and a mediator in the subsequent inflammatory and thrombotic cascades. Arterial stiffness is an established marker of cardiovascular disease. The scope of this review is to summarize available data on the acute and long-term consequences of COVID-19 on vascular function. COVID-19 causes early vascular aging and arterial stiffness. Fast, noninvasive bedside assessment of arterial stiffness could optimize risk stratification in acute COVID-19, allowing for early escalation of treatment. Vascular physiology remains impaired at least 12 months after infection with SARS-CoV-2, even in otherwise healthy adults. This raises concerns regarding the extent of arterial remodeling in patients with preexisting vascular disease and the potential development of a persistent, chronic COVID-19 vasculopathy. Long-term follow up on larger cohorts is required to investigate the reversibility of COVID-19-induced vascular changes and their associated prognostic implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ioana Mădălina Zota
- Department of Medical Specialties I, Faculty of Medicine, Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700111 Iași, Romania; (I.M.Z.); (C.S.); (R.A.S.); (M.R.); (L.A.); (A.M.); (M.M.L.-C.); (L.C.D.-C.); (F.M.)
| | - Cristian Stătescu
- Department of Medical Specialties I, Faculty of Medicine, Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700111 Iași, Romania; (I.M.Z.); (C.S.); (R.A.S.); (M.R.); (L.A.); (A.M.); (M.M.L.-C.); (L.C.D.-C.); (F.M.)
| | - Radu Andy Sascău
- Department of Medical Specialties I, Faculty of Medicine, Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700111 Iași, Romania; (I.M.Z.); (C.S.); (R.A.S.); (M.R.); (L.A.); (A.M.); (M.M.L.-C.); (L.C.D.-C.); (F.M.)
| | - Mihai Roca
- Department of Medical Specialties I, Faculty of Medicine, Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700111 Iași, Romania; (I.M.Z.); (C.S.); (R.A.S.); (M.R.); (L.A.); (A.M.); (M.M.L.-C.); (L.C.D.-C.); (F.M.)
| | - Larisa Anghel
- Department of Medical Specialties I, Faculty of Medicine, Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700111 Iași, Romania; (I.M.Z.); (C.S.); (R.A.S.); (M.R.); (L.A.); (A.M.); (M.M.L.-C.); (L.C.D.-C.); (F.M.)
| | - Alexandra Maștaleru
- Department of Medical Specialties I, Faculty of Medicine, Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700111 Iași, Romania; (I.M.Z.); (C.S.); (R.A.S.); (M.R.); (L.A.); (A.M.); (M.M.L.-C.); (L.C.D.-C.); (F.M.)
| | - Maria Magdalena Leon-Constantin
- Department of Medical Specialties I, Faculty of Medicine, Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700111 Iași, Romania; (I.M.Z.); (C.S.); (R.A.S.); (M.R.); (L.A.); (A.M.); (M.M.L.-C.); (L.C.D.-C.); (F.M.)
| | - Cristina Mihaela Ghiciuc
- Pharmacology, Clinical Pharmacology and Algeziology, Department of Morpho-Functional Sciences II, Faculty of Medicine, Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700111 Iași, Romania
- Correspondence: (C.M.G.); (I.M.E.)
| | - Sebastian Romica Cozma
- Department of Surgery (II), Faculty of Medicine, Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700111 Iași, Romania;
| | - Lucia Corina Dima-Cozma
- Department of Medical Specialties I, Faculty of Medicine, Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700111 Iași, Romania; (I.M.Z.); (C.S.); (R.A.S.); (M.R.); (L.A.); (A.M.); (M.M.L.-C.); (L.C.D.-C.); (F.M.)
| | - Irina Mihaela Esanu
- Department of Medical Specialties I, Faculty of Medicine, Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700111 Iași, Romania; (I.M.Z.); (C.S.); (R.A.S.); (M.R.); (L.A.); (A.M.); (M.M.L.-C.); (L.C.D.-C.); (F.M.)
- Correspondence: (C.M.G.); (I.M.E.)
| | - Florin Mitu
- Department of Medical Specialties I, Faculty of Medicine, Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700111 Iași, Romania; (I.M.Z.); (C.S.); (R.A.S.); (M.R.); (L.A.); (A.M.); (M.M.L.-C.); (L.C.D.-C.); (F.M.)
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A Case of Asthenozoospermia Following COVID-19 Infection. Reprod Sci 2022; 29:2703-2705. [PMID: 35606631 PMCID: PMC9126095 DOI: 10.1007/s43032-022-00975-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2022] [Accepted: 05/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Purpose Studies pertaining to the effect of COVID-19 infection on male fertility are scarce. This case report describes a case of transient asthenozoospermia, absence of sperm motility, following a moderately severe COVID-19 infection. Case A couple presenting for infertility treatment due to low ovarian reserve presented for their second intrauterine insemination (IUI). Their first IUI was performed 1 month earlier when the semen parameters were normal. A couple of weeks before the second IUI, the unvaccinated 48-year-old male partner contracted COVID-19 and was admitted to the hospital for several days. He received IV Remdesivir and continuous oxygen by nasal cannula. His hospitalization did not require intubation or intensive care unit admission. He was discharged after 12 days of hospitalization without home oxygen treatment. On the day of the second IUI, the semen analysis showed a normal sperm count with 0% motility. Three months following his COVID-19 diagnosis, a repeat semen analysis showed restored normal parameters with more than 40% motility. Conclusion This aim of this report is to increase awareness that moderate COVID-19 requiring hospitalization could affect, though temporarily, sperm motility and should be considered in the differential diagnosis when male infertility is encountered.
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Li J, Jia H, Tian M, Wu N, Yang X, Qi J, Ren W, Li F, Bian H. SARS-CoV-2 and Emerging Variants: Unmasking Structure, Function, Infection, and Immune Escape Mechanisms. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:869832. [PMID: 35646741 PMCID: PMC9134119 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.869832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2022] [Accepted: 04/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
As of April 1, 2022, over 468 million COVID-19 cases and over 6 million deaths have been confirmed globally. Unlike the common coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2 has highly contagious and attracted a high level of concern worldwide. Through the analysis of SARS-CoV-2 structural, non-structural, and accessory proteins, we can gain a deeper understanding of structure-function relationships, viral infection mechanisms, and viable strategies for antiviral therapy. Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is the first widely acknowledged SARS-CoV-2 receptor, but researches have shown that there are additional co-receptors that can facilitate the entry of SARS-CoV-2 to infect humans. We have performed an in-depth review of published papers, searching for co-receptors or other auxiliary membrane proteins that enhance viral infection, and analyzing pertinent pathogenic mechanisms. The genome, and especially the spike gene, undergoes mutations at an abnormally high frequency during virus replication and/or when it is transmitted from one individual to another. We summarized the main mutant strains currently circulating global, and elaborated the structural feature for increased infectivity and immune evasion of variants. Meanwhile, the principal purpose of the review is to update information on the COVID-19 outbreak. Many countries have novel findings on the early stage of the epidemic, and accruing evidence has rewritten the timeline of the outbreak, triggering new thinking about the origin and spread of COVID-19. It is anticipated that this can provide further insights for future research and global epidemic prevention and control.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Feifei Li
- Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
| | - Hongjun Bian
- Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
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Feng Y, Cheng X, Wu S, Mani Saravanan K, Liu W. Hybrid drug-screening strategy identifies potential SARS-CoV-2 cell-entry inhibitors targeting human transmembrane serine protease. Struct Chem 2022; 33:1503-1515. [PMID: 35571866 PMCID: PMC9091140 DOI: 10.1007/s11224-022-01960-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The spread of coronavirus infectious disease (COVID-19) is associated with the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which has risked public health more than any other infectious disease. Researchers around the globe use multiple approaches to identify an effective approved drug (drug repurposing) that treats viral infections. Most of the drug repurposing approaches target spike protein or main protease. Here we use transmembrane serine protease 2 (TMPRSS2) as a target that can prevent the virus entry into the cell by interacting with the surface receptors. By hypothesizing that the TMPRSS2 binders may help prevent the virus entry into the cell, we performed a systematic drug screening over the current approved drug database. Furthermore, we screened the Enamine REAL fragments dataset against the TMPRSS2 and presented nine potential drug-like compounds that give us clues about which kinds of groups the pocket prefers to bind, aiding future structure-based drug design for COVID-19. Also, we employ molecular dynamics simulations, binding free energy calculations, and well-tempered metadynamics to validate the obtained candidate drug and fragment list. Our results suggested three potential FDA-approved drugs against human TMPRSS2 as a target. These findings may pave the way for more drugs to be exposed to TMPRSS2, and testing the efficacy of these drugs with biochemical experiments will help improve COVID-19 treatment.
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Hu S, Buser E, Arredondo J, Relyea D, Santos Rocha C, Dandekar S. Altered Expression of ACE2 and Co-receptors of SARS-CoV-2 in the Gut Mucosa of the SIV Model of HIV/AIDS. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:879152. [PMID: 35495669 PMCID: PMC9048205 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.879152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2022] [Accepted: 03/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, the cause of the COVID-19 pandemic, is initiated by its binding to the ACE2 receptor and other co-receptors on mucosal epithelial cells. Variable outcomes of the infection and disease severity can be influenced by pre-existing risk factors. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the cause of AIDS, targets the gut mucosal immune system and impairs epithelial barriers and mucosal immunity. We sought to determine the impact and mechanisms of pre-existing HIV infection increasing mucosal vulnerability to SARS-CoV-2 infection and disease. We investigated changes in the expression of ACE2 and other SARS-CoV-2 receptors and related pathways in virally inflamed gut by using the SIV infected rhesus macaque model of HIV/AIDS. Immunohistochemical analysis showed sustained/enhanced ACE2 expression in the gut epithelium of SIV infected animals compared to uninfected controls. Gut mucosal transcriptomic analysis demonstrated enhanced expression of host factors that support SARS-CoV-2 entry, replication, and infection. Metabolomic analysis of gut luminal contents revealed the impact of SIV infection as demonstrated by impaired mitochondrial function and decreased immune response, which render the host more vulnerable to other pathogens. In summary, SIV infection resulted in sustained or increased ACE2 expression in an inflamed and immune-impaired gut mucosal microenvironment. Collectively, these mucosal changes increase the susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection and disease severity and result in ineffective viral clearance. Our study highlights the use of the SIV model of AIDS to fill the knowledge gap of the enteric mechanisms of co-infections as risk factors for poor disease outcomes, generation of new viral variants and immune escape in COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuang Hu
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Elise Buser
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Juan Arredondo
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Dylan Relyea
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Clarissa Santos Rocha
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Satya Dandekar
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
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Rani P, Kapoor B, Gulati M, Atanasov AG, Alzahrani Q, Gupta R. Antimicrobial peptides: A plausible approach for COVID-19 treatment. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2022; 17:473-487. [PMID: 35255763 PMCID: PMC8935455 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2022.2050693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 03/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which emerged as a major public health threat, has affected >400 million people globally leading to >5 million mortalities to date. Treatments of COVID-19 are still to be developed as the available therapeutic approaches are not able to combat the virus causing the disease (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2; SARS-CoV-2) satisfactorily. However, antiviral peptides (AVPs) have demonstrated prophylactic and therapeutic effects against many coronaviruses (CoVs). AREAS COVERED This review critically discusses various types of AVPs evaluated for the treatment of COVID-19 along with their mechanisms of action. Furthermore, the peptides inhibiting the entry of the virus by targeting its binding to angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) or integrins, fusion mechanism as well as activation of proteolytic enzymes (cathepsin L, transmembrane serine protease 2 (TMPRSS2), or furin) are also discussed. EXPERT OPINION Although extensively investigated, successful treatment of COVID-19 is still a challenge due to emergence of virus mutants. Antiviral peptides are anticipated to be blockbuster drugs for the management of this serious infection because of their formulation and therapeutic advantages. Although they may act on different pathways, AVPs having a multi-targeted approach are considered to have the upper hand in the management of this infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pooja Rani
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, India
| | - Bhupinder Kapoor
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, India
| | - Monica Gulati
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, India
| | - Atanas G. Atanasov
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Digital Health and Patient Safety, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Institute of Genetics and Animal Biotechnology of the Polish Academy of Sciences, Magdalenka, Poland
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Qushmua Alzahrani
- Department of Pharmacy/Nursing/Medicine Health and Environment, University of the Region of Joinville (UNIVILLE) volunteer researcher, Joinville, Brazil
| | - Reena Gupta
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, India
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Zhou L, Fan R, Luo Y, Zhang C, Jia D, Wang R, Zeng Y, Ren M, Du K, Pan W, Yang J, Tian F, Gu C. A Metabolism-Related Gene Landscape Predicts Prostate Cancer Recurrence and Treatment Response. Front Immunol 2022; 13:837991. [PMID: 35359973 PMCID: PMC8960425 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.837991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2021] [Accepted: 02/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Prostate cancer (PCa) is the most common malignant tumor in men. Although clinical treatments of PCa have made great progress in recent decades, once tolerance to treatments occurs, the disease progresses rapidly after recurrence. PCa exhibits a unique metabolic rewriting that changes from initial neoplasia to advanced neoplasia. However, systematic and comprehensive studies on the relationship of changes in the metabolic landscape of PCa with tumor recurrence and treatment response are lacking. We aimed to construct a metabolism-related gene landscape that predicts PCa recurrence and treatment response. Methods In the present study, we used differentially expressed gene analysis, protein–protein interaction (PPI) networks, univariate and multivariate Cox regression, and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression to construct and verify a metabolism-related risk model (MRM) to predict the disease-free survival (DFS) and response to treatment for PCa patients. Results The MRM predicted patient survival more accurately than the current clinical prognostic indicators. By using two independent PCa datasets (International Cancer Genome Consortium (ICGC) PCa and Taylor) and actual patients to test the model, we also confirmed that the metabolism-related risk score (MRS) was strongly related to PCa progression. Notably, patients in different MRS subgroups had significant differences in metabolic activity, mutant landscape, immune microenvironment, and drug sensitivity. Patients in the high-MRS group were more sensitive to immunotherapy and endocrine therapy, while patients in the low-MRS group were more sensitive to chemotherapy. Conclusions We developed an MRM, which might act as a clinical feature to more accurately assess prognosis and guide the selection of appropriate treatment for PCa patients. It is promising for further application in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lijie Zhou
- Department of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.,Department of Urology, Henan Institute of Urology and Zhengzhou Key Laboratory for Molecular Biology of Urological Tumor Research, First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Ruixin Fan
- Department of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.,Department of Urology, Henan Institute of Urology and Zhengzhou Key Laboratory for Molecular Biology of Urological Tumor Research, First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yongbo Luo
- Department of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.,Department of Urology, Henan Institute of Urology and Zhengzhou Key Laboratory for Molecular Biology of Urological Tumor Research, First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Cai Zhang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Donghui Jia
- Department of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Rongli Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, First Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiao tong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Youmiao Zeng
- Department of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.,Department of Urology, Henan Institute of Urology and Zhengzhou Key Laboratory for Molecular Biology of Urological Tumor Research, First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Mengda Ren
- Department of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.,Department of Urology, Henan Institute of Urology and Zhengzhou Key Laboratory for Molecular Biology of Urological Tumor Research, First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Kaixuan Du
- Department of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.,Department of Urology, Henan Institute of Urology and Zhengzhou Key Laboratory for Molecular Biology of Urological Tumor Research, First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Wenbang Pan
- Department of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.,Department of Urology, Henan Institute of Urology and Zhengzhou Key Laboratory for Molecular Biology of Urological Tumor Research, First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Jinjian Yang
- Department of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.,Department of Urology, Henan Institute of Urology and Zhengzhou Key Laboratory for Molecular Biology of Urological Tumor Research, First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Fengyan Tian
- Department of Pediatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Chaohui Gu
- Department of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.,Department of Urology, Henan Institute of Urology and Zhengzhou Key Laboratory for Molecular Biology of Urological Tumor Research, First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
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Impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on prostate cancer care in the Netherlands. Cancer Treat Res Commun 2022; 31:100553. [PMID: 35421819 PMCID: PMC8975755 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctarc.2022.100553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2022] [Revised: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 03/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Introduction The COVID-19 outbreak has affected care for non-COVID diseases like cancer. We evaluated the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on prostate cancer care in the Netherlands. Methods Prostate cancer diagnoses per month in 2020–2021 versus 2018–2019 were compared based on preliminary data of the Netherlands Cancer Registry (NCR) and nationwide pathology network. Detailed data was retrieved from the NCR for the cohorts diagnosed from March-May 2020 (first COVID-19 wave) and March-May 2018–2019 (reference). Changes in number of diagnoses, age, disease stage and first-line treatment were compared. Results An initial decline of 17% in prostate cancer diagnoses during the first COVID-19 wave was observed. From May onwards the number of diagnoses started to restore to approximately 95% of the expected number by the end of 2020. Stage at diagnosis remainedstable over time. In low-risk localised prostate cancer radical prostatectomy was conducted more often in week 9–12 (21% versus 12% in the reference period; OR=1.9, 95% CI; 1.2–3.1) and less active surveillance was applied (67% versus 78%; OR=0.6, 95% CI; 0.4–0.9). In the intermediate-risk group, a similar change was observed in week 13–16. Radical prostatectomy volumes in 2020 were comparable to 2018–2019. Conclusion During the first COVID-19 wave the number of prostate cancer diagnoses declined. In the second half of 2020 this largely restored although the number remained lower than expected. Changes in treatment were temporary and compliant with adapted guidelines. Although delayed diagnoses could result in a less favourable stage distribution, possibly affecting survival, this seems not very likely.
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SARS-CoV-2 entry sites are present in all structural elements of the human glossopharyngeal and vagal nerves: Clinical implications. EBioMedicine 2022; 78:103981. [PMID: 35390636 PMCID: PMC8978584 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2022.103981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2022] [Revised: 02/25/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections result in the temporary loss of smell and taste in about one third of confirmed cases. Methods We used immunohistochemistry to confirm the presence of ACE2, NRP1 and TMPRSS2 in two cranial nerves (IX and X) that mediate taste where they leave/join the medulla. Samples from three (two paraffin embedded and one frozen) postmortem samples were studied (facial (VII) nerve was not available). We also performed immunohistochemistry using the same antibodies in two human cell lines (oligodendrocytes and fibroblasts), and we isolated RNA from one nerve and performed PCR to confirm the presence of the mRNAs that encode the proteins visualized. Findings All three of the proteins (ACE-2, NRP1 and TMPRSS2) required for SARS-CoV-2 infections appear to be present in all cellular components (Schwann cells, axons, vascular endothelium, and connective tissue) of the human IXth and Xth nerves near the medulla. We also found their mRNAs in the nerve and in human oligodendrocytes and fibroblasts which were stained by antibodies directed at the three proteins examined. Interpretation Infection of the IXth and Xth nerves by the SARS-CoV-2 virus is likely to cause the loss of taste experienced by many Covid patients. Migration of the virus from the oral cavity through these nerves to brainstem respiratory centers might contribute to the problems that patients experience. Funding This study was supported by the Intramural Research Program of the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR), NIH (intramural project no. ZDE000755-01), and the Human Brain Tissue Bank, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary from the Hungarian Brain Research Program (2017-1.2.1-NKP-2017-00002).
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Safety of Tocilizumab in COVID-19 Patients and Benefit of Single-Dose: The Largest Retrospective Observational Study. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14030624. [PMID: 35335998 PMCID: PMC8953525 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14030624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2022] [Revised: 03/05/2022] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) still presents a public threat and puts extra strain on healthcare facilities. Without an effective antiviral drug, all available treatment options are considered supportive. Tocilizumab as a treatment option has to date shown variable results. In this retrospective study, we aimed to assess predictors of mortality of COVID-19 patients (n = 300) on tocilizumab and the clinical effectiveness of this drug. The results showed that ICU admission OR = 64.6 (95% CI: 8.2, 507.4); age of the patient OR = 1.1 (95% CI: 1.0, 1.1); and number of tocilizumab doses administered by the patient OR(two doses) = 4.0 (95% CI: 1.5, 10.9), OR(three doses) = 1.5 (95% CI: 0.5, 5.1), and OR(four doses or more) = 7.2 (95% CI: 2.0, 25.5) presented strong correlation factors that may be linked to COVID-19 mortality. Furthermore, our study showed the beneficial effects of early administration of tocilizumab OR = 1.2 (95% CI: 1.1, 1.4) and longer hospital length of stay OR = 0.974 (95% CI: 0.9, 1.0) in reducing COVID-19 mortalities. High blood D-dimer concentration OR = 1.1 (95% CI: 1.0, 1.2) and reciprocal blood phosphate concentration OR = 0.008 (95% CI: 0.0, 1.2) were correlated to high mortality under SARS-CoV-2 infection. The short-term effect of a single dose of tocilizumab was a significant increase in blood BUN and liver enzymes (ALT, AST, and LDH) above their normal ranges. Furthermore, it significantly reduced CRP blood concentration, but not to normal levels (13.90 to 1.40 mg/dL, p < 0.001). Assessing the effect of different doses of tocilizumab (in terms of the number of doses, total mg, and total mg/kg administered by the patients) indicated that administering more than one dose may lead to increases in ICU length of stay and hospital length of stay of up to 14 and 22 days after the last dose of tocilizumab (6 to 14, p = 0.06, and 10 to 22, p < 0.001), with no improvement in 28- and 90-day mortality, as confirmed by Kaplan−Meier analysis. There were also clear correlations and trends between the number of doses of tocilizumab and increased blood CO2, MCV, RDW, and D-dimer concentrations and between number of doses of tocilizumab and decreased CRP, AST, and hemoglobin concentrations. Microbiology analysis showed a significant increase in the incidence of infection after tocilizumab administration (28 to 119, p < 0.001) with a median time of incidence within 6 days of the first dose of tocilizumab. A significant correlation was also found between the number of tocilizumab doses and the number of incidences of infections after tocilizumab administration r (298) = 0.396, p = 1.028 × 10−12. Based on these results and depending on the pharmacokinetic parameters of the drug, we recommend single-dose administration of tocilizumab as the optimal dosage for COVID-19 patients who do not have active bacterial infection or liver diseases, to be administered as soon as the patient is admitted to the hospital.
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Di Stasi V, Rastrelli G, Inglese F, Beccaria M, Garuti M, Di Costanzo D, Spreafico F, Cervi G, Greco GF, Pecoriello A, Todisco T, Cipriani S, Maseroli E, Scavello I, Glingani C, Franchini M, Maggi M, De Donno G, Vignozzi L. Higher testosterone is associated with increased inflammatory markers in women with SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia: preliminary results from an observational study. J Endocrinol Invest 2022; 45:639-648. [PMID: 34731444 PMCID: PMC8564592 DOI: 10.1007/s40618-021-01682-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2021] [Accepted: 09/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Objective of this study was to assess the association between testosterone (T) levels and biochemical markers in a cohort of female patients admitted for SARS-CoV-2 infection in a respiratory intensive care unit (RICU). METHODS A consecutive series of 17 women affected by SARSCoV-2 pneumonia and recovered in the RICU of the Hospital of Mantua were analyzed. Biochemical inflammatory markers as well as total testosterone (TT), calculated free T (cFT), sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), and luteinizing hormone (LH) were determined. RESULTS TT and cFT were significantly and positively associated with PCT, CRP, and fibrinogen as well as with a worse hospital course. We did not observe any significant association between TT and cFT with LH; conversely, both TT and cFT showed a positive correlation with cortisol. By LOWESS analysis, a linear relationship could be assumed for CRP and fibrinogen, while a threshold effect was apparent in the relationship between TT and procalcitonin, LDH and ferritin. When the TT threshold value of 1 nmol/L was used, significant associations between TT and PCT, LDH or ferritin were observed for values above this value. For LDH and ferritin, this was confirmed also in an age-adjusted model. Similar results were found for the association of cFT with the inflammatory markers with a threshold effect towards LDH and ferritin with increased LDH and ferritin levels for values above cFT 5 pmol/L. Cortisol is associated with serum inflammatory markers with similar trends observed for TT; conversely, the relationship between LH and inflammatory markers had different trends. CONCLUSION Opposite to men, in women with SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia, higher TT and cFT are associated with a stronger inflammatory status, probably related to adrenal cortex hyperactivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Di Stasi
- Andrology, Women's Endocrinology and Gender Incongruence Unit, Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio", University of Florence, Careggi Hospital, Viale Pieraccini, 6, 50134, Florence, Italy
| | - G Rastrelli
- Andrology, Women's Endocrinology and Gender Incongruence Unit, Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio", University of Florence, Careggi Hospital, Viale Pieraccini, 6, 50134, Florence, Italy
| | - F Inglese
- Intensive Care Respiratory Unit, Carlo Poma Hospital, Mantova, Italy
| | - M Beccaria
- Intensive Care Respiratory Unit, Carlo Poma Hospital, Mantova, Italy
| | - M Garuti
- Intensive Care Respiratory Unit, Carlo Poma Hospital, Mantova, Italy
| | - D Di Costanzo
- Intensive Care Respiratory Unit, Carlo Poma Hospital, Mantova, Italy
| | - F Spreafico
- Intensive Care Respiratory Unit, Carlo Poma Hospital, Mantova, Italy
| | - G Cervi
- Intensive Care Respiratory Unit, Carlo Poma Hospital, Mantova, Italy
| | - G F Greco
- Intensive Care Respiratory Unit, Carlo Poma Hospital, Mantova, Italy
| | - A Pecoriello
- Intensive Care Respiratory Unit, Carlo Poma Hospital, Mantova, Italy
| | - T Todisco
- Andrology, Women's Endocrinology and Gender Incongruence Unit, Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio", University of Florence, Careggi Hospital, Viale Pieraccini, 6, 50134, Florence, Italy
| | - S Cipriani
- Andrology, Women's Endocrinology and Gender Incongruence Unit, Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio", University of Florence, Careggi Hospital, Viale Pieraccini, 6, 50134, Florence, Italy
| | - E Maseroli
- Andrology, Women's Endocrinology and Gender Incongruence Unit, Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio", University of Florence, Careggi Hospital, Viale Pieraccini, 6, 50134, Florence, Italy
| | - I Scavello
- Andrology, Women's Endocrinology and Gender Incongruence Unit, Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio", University of Florence, Careggi Hospital, Viale Pieraccini, 6, 50134, Florence, Italy
| | - C Glingani
- Department of Hematology and Transfusion Medicine, Carlo Poma Hospital, Mantova, Italy
| | - M Franchini
- Department of Hematology and Transfusion Medicine, Carlo Poma Hospital, Mantova, Italy
| | - M Maggi
- Endocrinology Unit, Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio", University of Florence, Careggi Hospital, Viale Pieraccini, 6, Florence, Italy
| | - G De Donno
- Intensive Care Respiratory Unit, Carlo Poma Hospital, Mantova, Italy
| | - L Vignozzi
- Andrology, Women's Endocrinology and Gender Incongruence Unit, Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio", University of Florence, Careggi Hospital, Viale Pieraccini, 6, 50134, Florence, Italy.
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Pandey RK, Srivastava A, Singh PP, Chaubey G. Genetic association of TMPRSS2 rs2070788 polymorphism with COVID-19 case fatality rate among Indian populations. INFECTION, GENETICS AND EVOLUTION : JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR EPIDEMIOLOGY AND EVOLUTIONARY GENETICS IN INFECTIOUS DISEASES 2022; 98:105206. [PMID: 34995811 PMCID: PMC8730738 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2022.105206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2021] [Revised: 12/30/2021] [Accepted: 01/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2, the causative agent for COVID-19, an ongoing pandemic, engages the ACE2 receptor to enter the host cell through S protein priming by a serine protease, TMPRSS2. Variation in the TMPRSS2 gene may account for the disparity in disease susceptibility between populations. Therefore, in the present study, we have used next-generation sequencing (NGS) data of world populations from 393 individuals and analyzed the TMPRSS2 gene using a haplotype-based approach with a major focus on South Asia to study its phylogenetic structure and their haplotype sharing among various populations worldwide. Our analysis of phylogenetic relatedness showed a closer affinity of South Asians with the West Eurasian populations therefore, host disease susceptibility and severity particularly in the context of TMPRSS2 will be more akin to West Eurasian instead of East Eurasian. This is in contrast to our prior study on the ACE2 gene which shows South Asian haplotypes have a strong affinity towards West Eurasians. Thus ACE2 and TMPRSS2 have an antagonistic genetic relatedness among South Asians. Considering the significance of the TMPRSS2 gene in the SARS-CoV-2 pathogenicity, COVID-19 infection and intensity trends could be directly associated with increased expression therefore, we have also tested the SNPs frequencies of this gene among various Indian state populations with respect to the case fatality rate (CFR). Interestingly, we found a significant positive association between the rs2070788 SNP (G Allele) and the CFR among Indian populations. Further our cis eQTL analysis of rs2070788 shows that the GG genotype of the rs2070788 tends to have a significantly higher expression of TMPRSS2 gene in the lung compared to the AG and AA genotypes thus validating the previous observation and therefore it might play a vital part in determining differential disease vulnerability. We trust that this information will be useful in understanding the role of the TMPRSS2 variant in COVID-19 susceptibility and using it as a biomarker may help to predict populations at risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rudra Kumar Pandey
- Cytogenetics Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221005, India.
| | - Anshika Srivastava
- Cytogenetics Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221005, India
| | - Prajjval Pratap Singh
- Cytogenetics Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221005, India
| | - Gyaneshwer Chaubey
- Cytogenetics Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221005, India.
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Zhao L, Li S, Zhong W. Mechanism of Action of Small-Molecule Agents in Ongoing Clinical Trials for SARS-CoV-2: A Review. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:840639. [PMID: 35281901 PMCID: PMC8916227 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.840639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 01/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Since the first reports from December 2019, COVID-19 caused an overwhelming global pandemic that has affected 223 countries, seriously endangering public health and creating an urgent need for effective drugs to treat SARS-CoV-2 infection. Currently, there is a lack of safe, effective, and specific therapeutic drugs for COVID-19, with mainly supportive and symptomatic treatments being administered to patients. The preferred option for responding to an outbreak of acute infectious disease is through drug repurposing, saving valuable time that would otherwise be lost in preclinical and clinical research, hastening clinical introduction, and lowering treatment costs. Alternatively, researchers seek to design and discover novel small-molecule candidate drugs targeting the key proteins in the life cycle of SARS-CoV-2 through an in-depth study of the infection mechanism, thus obtaining a number of candidate compounds with favorable antiviral effects in preclinical and clinical settings. There is an urgent need to further elucidate the efficacy and mechanism of action of potential anti-SARS-CoV-2 small-molecule drugs. Herein, we review the candidate small-molecule anti-SARS-CoV-2 drugs in ongoing clinical trials, with a major focus on their mechanisms of action in an attempt to provide useful insight for further research and development of small-molecule compounds against SARS-CoV-2 infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Zhao
- National Engineering Research Center for the Emergency Drug, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing, China
- Beijing Sunho Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Beijing, China
| | - Song Li
- National Engineering Research Center for the Emergency Drug, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing, China
| | - Wu Zhong
- National Engineering Research Center for the Emergency Drug, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing, China
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Gockel LM, Pfeifer V, Baltes F, Bachmaier RD, Wagner KG, Bendas G, Gütschow M, Sosič I, Steinebach C. Design, synthesis, and characterization of PROTACs targeting the androgen receptor in prostate and lung cancer models. Arch Pharm (Weinheim) 2022; 355:e2100467. [PMID: 35128717 DOI: 10.1002/ardp.202100467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2021] [Revised: 01/14/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Although the androgen receptor (AR) is a validated target for the treatment of prostate cancer, resistance to antiandrogens necessitates the development of new therapeutic modalities. Exploiting the ubiquitin-proteasome system with proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs) has become a practical approach to degrade specific proteins and thus to extend the portfolio of small molecules used for the treatment of a broader spectrum of diseases. Herein, we present three subgroups of enzalutamide-based PROTACs in which only the exit vector was modified. By recruiting cereblon, we were able to demonstrate the potent degradation of AR in lung cancer cells. Furthermore, the initial evaluation enabled the design of an optimized PROTAC with a rigid linker that degraded AR with a DC50 value in the nanomolar range. These results provide novel AR-directed PROTACs and a clear rationale for further investigating AR involvement in lung cancer models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lukas M Gockel
- Department of Pharmaceutical & Cell Biological Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Institute, Bonn, Germany
| | - Vladlena Pfeifer
- Department of Pharmaceutical & Cell Biological Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Institute, Bonn, Germany
| | - Fabian Baltes
- Department of Pharmaceutical & Cell Biological Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Institute, Bonn, Germany
| | - Rafael D Bachmaier
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Pharmaceutical Institute, Bonn, Germany
| | - Karl G Wagner
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Pharmaceutical Institute, Bonn, Germany
| | - Gerd Bendas
- Department of Pharmaceutical & Cell Biological Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Institute, Bonn, Germany
| | - Michael Gütschow
- Department of Pharmaceutical & Medicinal Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Institute, Bonn, Germany
| | - Izidor Sosič
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Christian Steinebach
- Department of Pharmaceutical & Medicinal Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Institute, Bonn, Germany
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Alzain AA, Elbadwi FA, Alsamani FO. Discovery of novel TMPRSS2 inhibitors for COVID-19 using in silico fragment-based drug design, molecular docking, molecular dynamics, and quantum mechanics studies. INFORMATICS IN MEDICINE UNLOCKED 2022; 29:100870. [PMID: 35128036 PMCID: PMC8806845 DOI: 10.1016/j.imu.2022.100870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2021] [Revised: 01/29/2022] [Accepted: 01/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The global expansion of COVID-19 and the mutations of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus necessitate quick development of treatment and vaccination. Because the androgen-responsive serine protease TMPRSS2 is involved in cleaving the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein allowing the virus to enter the cell, therefore, direct TMPRSS2 inhibition will inhibit virus activation and disease progression which make it an important target for drug discovery. In this study, a homology model of TMPRSS2 protein was initially developed. Then, we used the fragment-based drug design (FBDD) technique to develop effective TMPRSS2 inhibitors. Over a half-million fragments from the enamine database were screened for their binding ability to target protein, and then best-scoring fragments were linked to building new molecules with a good binding affinity. XP docking and MM-GBSA studies revealed 10 new formed molecules with docking score ≤ -14.982 kcal/mol compared to ambroxol (control) with a docking score of -6.464 kcal/mol. Finally, molecular dynamics (MD) and density functional theory (DFT) were calculated for the top 3 molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdulrahim A Alzain
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Gezira, Gezira, Sudan
| | - Fatima A Elbadwi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Gezira, Gezira, Sudan
| | - Fatima O Alsamani
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Gezira, Gezira, Sudan
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Vitale-Cross L, Szalayova I, Scoggins A, Palkovits M, Mezey E. SARS-CoV-2 entry sites are present in all structural elements of the human glossopharyngeal and vagal nerves: clinical implications. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2022. [PMID: 35018378 PMCID: PMC8750701 DOI: 10.1101/2021.12.30.474580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) infections result in the temporary loss of smell and taste (anosmia and dysgeusia) in about one third of confirmed cases. Several investigators have reported that the viral spike protein receptor is present in olfactory neurons. However, no study has been published to date showing the presence of viral entry sites angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), neuropilin1 (NRP1), and TMPRSS2, the serine protease necessary for priming the viral proteins, in human nerves that are responsible for taste sensation (cranial nerves: VII, IX and X). We used immunocytochemistry to examine three postmortem donor samples of the IXth (glossopharyngeal) and Xth (vagal) cranial nerves where they leave/join the medulla from three donors to confirm the presence of ACE2, NRP1 and TMPRSS2. Two samples were paraffin embedded; one was a frozen sample. In addition to staining sections from the latter, we isolated RNA from it, made cDNA, and performed PCR to confirm the presence of the mRNAs that encode the proteins visualized. All three of the proteins required for SARS-CoV-2 infections appear to be present in the human IXth and Xth nerves near the medulla. Direct infection of these nerves by the COVID-19 virus is likely to cause the loss of taste experienced by many patients. In addition, potential viral spread through these nerves into the adjacent brainstem respiratory centers might also aggravate the respiratory problems patients are experiencing.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Vitale-Cross
- Adult Stem Cell Section, NIDCR, NIH, 30 Convent Drive, Bethesda, Md 20892
| | - I Szalayova
- Adult Stem Cell Section, NIDCR, NIH, 30 Convent Drive, Bethesda, Md 20892
| | - A Scoggins
- Adult Stem Cell Section, NIDCR, NIH, 30 Convent Drive, Bethesda, Md 20892
| | | | - E Mezey
- Adult Stem Cell Section, NIDCR, NIH, 30 Convent Drive, Bethesda, Md 20892
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Nozari F, Hamidizadeh N. The Effects of Different Classes of Antihypertensive Drugs on Patients with COVID-19 and Hypertension: A Mini-Review. Int J Hypertens 2022; 2022:5937802. [PMID: 35075396 PMCID: PMC8783136 DOI: 10.1155/2022/5937802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2021] [Revised: 09/04/2021] [Accepted: 01/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Hypertension is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Previous studies showed that patients with hypertension are at an increased risk of developing severe COVID-19 infection. Therefore, proper blood pressure control in hypertensive patients with COVID-19 is of great importance. In this review, we discussed the effects of different classes of antihypertensive drugs on patients with hypertension and COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farnoosh Nozari
- Molecular Dermatology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Nasrin Hamidizadeh
- Molecular Dermatology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
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