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Wu ML, Xie C, Li X, Sun J, Zhao J, Wang JH. Mast cell activation triggered by SARS-CoV-2 causes inflammation in brain microvascular endothelial cells and microglia. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2024; 14:1358873. [PMID: 38638822 PMCID: PMC11024283 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2024.1358873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024] Open
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2-induced excessive inflammation in brain leads to damage of blood-brain barrier, hypoxic-ischemic injury, and neuron degeneration. The production of inflammatory cytokines by brain microvascular endothelial cells and microglia is reported to be critically associated with the brain pathology of COVID-19 patients. However, the cellular mechanisms for SARS-CoV-2-inducing activation of brain cells and the subsequent neuroinflammation remain to be fully delineated. Our research, along with others', has recently demonstrated that SARS-CoV-2-induced accumulation and activation of mast cells (MCs) in mouse lung could further induce inflammatory cytokines and consequent lung damages. Intracerebral MCs activation and their cross talk with other brain cells could induce neuroinflammation that play important roles in neurodegenerative diseases including virus-induced neuro-pathophysiology. In this study, we investigated the role of MC activation in SARS-CoV-2-induced neuroinflammation. We found that (1) SARS-CoV-2 infection triggered MC accumulation in the cerebrovascular region of mice; (2) spike/RBD (receptor-binding domain) protein-triggered MC activation induced inflammatory factors in human brain microvascular endothelial cells and microglia; (3) MC activation and degranulation destroyed the tight junction proteins in brain microvascular endothelial cells and induced the activation and proliferation of microglia. These findings reveal a cellular mechanism of SARS-CoV-2-induced neuroinflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng-Li Wu
- Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Chengzuo Xie
- Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Xin Li
- Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jing Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Jincun Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Jian-Hua Wang
- Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
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Cao JB, Zhu ST, Huang XS, Wang XY, Wu ML, Li X, Liu FL, Chen L, Zheng YT, Wang JH. Mast cell degranulation-triggered by SARS-CoV-2 induces tracheal-bronchial epithelial inflammation and injury. Virol Sin 2024; 39:309-318. [PMID: 38458399 DOI: 10.1016/j.virs.2024.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 03/10/2024] Open
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 infection-induced hyper-inflammation is a key pathogenic factor of COVID-19. Our research, along with others', has demonstrated that mast cells (MCs) play a vital role in the initiation of hyper-inflammation caused by SARS-CoV-2. In previous study, we observed that SARS-CoV-2 infection induced the accumulation of MCs in the peri-bronchus and bronchioalveolar-duct junction in humanized mice. Additionally, we found that MC degranulation triggered by the spike protein resulted in inflammation in alveolar epithelial cells and capillary endothelial cells, leading to subsequent lung injury. The trachea and bronchus are the routes for SARS-CoV-2 transmission after virus inhalation, and inflammation in these regions could promote viral spread. MCs are widely distributed throughout the respiratory tract. Thus, in this study, we investigated the role of MCs and their degranulation in the development of inflammation in tracheal-bronchial epithelium. Histological analyses showed the accumulation and degranulation of MCs in the peri-trachea of humanized mice infected with SARS-CoV-2. MC degranulation caused lesions in trachea, and the formation of papillary hyperplasia was observed. Through transcriptome analysis in bronchial epithelial cells, we found that MC degranulation significantly altered multiple cellular signaling, particularly, leading to upregulated immune responses and inflammation. The administration of ebastine or loratadine effectively suppressed the induction of inflammatory factors in bronchial epithelial cells and alleviated tracheal injury in mice. Taken together, our findings confirm the essential role of MC degranulation in SARS-CoV-2-induced hyper-inflammation and the subsequent tissue lesions. Furthermore, our results support the use of ebastine or loratadine to inhibit SARS-CoV-2-triggered degranulation, thereby preventing tissue damage caused by hyper-inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian-Bo Cao
- Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510530, China; School of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
| | - Shu-Tong Zhu
- Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510530, China
| | - Xiao-Shan Huang
- Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510530, China
| | - Xing-Yuan Wang
- Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510530, China
| | - Meng-Li Wu
- Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510530, China
| | - Xin Li
- Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510530, China
| | - Feng-Liang Liu
- Key Laboratory of Bioactive Peptides of Yunnan Province, Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, KIZ-CUHK Joint Laboratory of Bioresources and Molecular Research in Common Diseases, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650223, China
| | - Ling Chen
- Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510530, China
| | - Yong-Tang Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Bioactive Peptides of Yunnan Province, Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, KIZ-CUHK Joint Laboratory of Bioresources and Molecular Research in Common Diseases, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650223, China.
| | - Jian-Hua Wang
- Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510530, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 101408, China.
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Condor Capcha JM, Kamiar A, Robleto E, Saad AG, Cui T, Wong A, Villano J, Zhong W, Pekosz A, Medina E, Cai R, Sha W, Ranek MJ, Webster KA, Schally AV, Jackson RM, Shehadeh LA. Growth hormone-releasing hormone receptor antagonist MIA-602 attenuates cardiopulmonary injury induced by BSL-2 rVSV-SARS-CoV-2 in hACE2 mice. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2308342120. [PMID: 37983492 PMCID: PMC10691341 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2308342120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023] Open
Abstract
COVID-19 pneumonia causes acute lung injury and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ALI/ARDS) characterized by early pulmonary endothelial and epithelial injuries with altered pulmonary diffusing capacity and obstructive or restrictive physiology. Growth hormone-releasing hormone receptor (GHRH-R) is expressed in the lung and heart. GHRH-R antagonist, MIA-602, has been reported to modulate immune responses to bleomycin lung injury and inflammation in granulomatous sarcoidosis. We hypothesized that MIA-602 would attenuate rVSV-SARS-CoV-2-induced pulmonary dysfunction and heart injury in a BSL-2 mouse model. Male and female K18-hACE2tg mice were inoculated with SARS-CoV-2/USA-WA1/2020, BSL-2-compliant recombinant VSV-eGFP-SARS-CoV-2-Spike (rVSV-SARS-CoV-2), or PBS, and lung viral load, weight loss, histopathology, and gene expression were compared. K18-hACE2tg mice infected with rVSV-SARS-CoV-2 were treated daily with subcutaneous MIA-602 or vehicle and conscious, unrestrained plethysmography performed on days 0, 3, and 5 (n = 7 to 8). Five days after infection mice were killed, and blood and tissues collected for histopathology and protein/gene expression. Both native SARS-CoV-2 and rVSV-SARS-CoV-2 presented similar patterns of weight loss, infectivity (~60%), and histopathologic changes. Daily treatment with MIA-602 conferred weight recovery, reduced lung perivascular inflammation/pneumonia, and decreased lung/heart ICAM-1 expression compared to vehicle. MIA-602 rescued altered respiratory rate, increased expiratory parameters (Te, PEF, EEP), and normalized airflow parameters (Penh and Rpef) compared to vehicle, consistent with decreased airway inflammation. RNASeq followed by protein analysis revealed heightened levels of inflammation and end-stage necroptosis markers, including ZBP1 and pMLKL induced by rVSV-SARS-CoV-2, that were normalized by MIA-602 treatment, consistent with an anti-inflammatory and pro-survival mechanism of action in this preclinical model of COVID-19 pneumonia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jose M. Condor Capcha
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL33136
- Interdisciplinary Stem Cell Institute, University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL33136
| | - Ali Kamiar
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL33136
- Interdisciplinary Stem Cell Institute, University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL33136
| | - Emely Robleto
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL33136
- Interdisciplinary Stem Cell Institute, University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL33136
| | - Ali G. Saad
- Department of Pathology, University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL33136
| | - Tengjiao Cui
- Research Service, Miami Veterans Affairs Health System (VAHS), Miami, FL33125
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL33101
| | - Amanda Wong
- Department of Molecular and Comparative Pathobiology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD21205
| | - Jason Villano
- Department of Molecular and Comparative Pathobiology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD21205
| | - William Zhong
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD21205
| | - Andrew Pekosz
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD21205
| | - Edgar Medina
- Qualityminds Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung (GmbH), Munchen, Munich81549, Germany
| | - Renzhi Cai
- Interdisciplinary Stem Cell Institute, University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL33136
- Research Service, Miami Veterans Affairs Health System (VAHS), Miami, FL33125
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL33101
| | - Wei Sha
- Research Service, Miami Veterans Affairs Health System (VAHS), Miami, FL33125
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL33101
| | - Mark J. Ranek
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD21205
- Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD21205
| | - Keith A. Webster
- Integene International Holdings, Miami, FL33179
- Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX77030
| | - Andrew V. Schally
- Interdisciplinary Stem Cell Institute, University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL33136
- Research Service, Miami Veterans Affairs Health System (VAHS), Miami, FL33125
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL33101
| | - Robert M. Jackson
- Research Service, Miami Veterans Affairs Health System (VAHS), Miami, FL33125
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL33101
| | - Lina A. Shehadeh
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL33136
- Interdisciplinary Stem Cell Institute, University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL33136
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Zhang Z, Zhang N, Lu X, Zhou M, Yan X, Gu W, Yang J, Zhang Q, Zhang C, Gong Y, Jia M, Zhang X, Ning P, Liu M, Li X, Shi X, Liu W, Gao GF, Ning G, Wang J, Bi Y. Anti-infection effects of heparin on SARS-CoV-2 in a diabetic mouse model. Zool Res 2023; 44:1003-1014. [PMID: 37759335 PMCID: PMC10802103 DOI: 10.24272/j.issn.2095-8137.2023.108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection can result in more severe syndromes and poorer outcomes in patients with diabetes and obesity. However, the precise mechanisms responsible for the combined impact of corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and diabetes have not yet been elucidated, and effective treatment options for SARS-CoV-2-infected diabetic patients remain limited. To investigate the disease pathogenesis, K18-hACE2 transgenic (hACE2 Tg) mice with a leptin receptor deficiency (hACE2-Lepr -/-) or high-fat diet (hACE2-HFD) background were generated. The two mouse models were intranasally infected with a 5×10 5 median tissue culture infectious dose (TCID 50) of SARS-CoV-2, with serum and lung tissue samples collected at 3 days post-infection. The hACE2-Lepr -/- mice were then administered a combination of low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) (1 mg/kg or 5 mg/kg) and insulin via subcutaneous injection prior to intranasal infection with 1×10 4 TCID 50 of SARS-CoV-2. Daily drug administration continued until the euthanasia of the mice. Analyses of viral RNA loads, histopathological changes in lung tissue, and inflammation factors were conducted. Results demonstrated similar SARS-CoV-2 susceptibility in hACE2 Tg mice under both lean (chow diet) and obese (HFD) conditions. However, compared to the hACE2-Lepr +/+ mice, hACE2-Lepr -/- mice exhibited more severe lung injury, enhanced expression of inflammatory cytokines and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α, and increased apoptosis. Moreover, combined LMWH and insulin treatment effectively reduced disease progression and severity, attenuated lung pathological changes, and mitigated inflammatory responses. In conclusion, pre-existing diabetes can lead to more severe lung damage upon SARS-CoV-2 infection, and LMWH may be a valuable therapeutic approach for managing COVID-19 patients with diabetes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhongyun Zhang
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Shanghai Institute of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
- Shanghai National Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Diseases, Key Laboratory for Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases of the National Health Commission of the PR China, Shanghai National Center for Translational Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Ning Zhang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogen Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Center for Influenza Research and Early-warning (CASCIRE), CAS-TWAS Center of Excellence for Emerging Infectious Diseases (CEEID), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Xuancheng Lu
- Laboratory Animal Center, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (China CDC), Beijing 102206, China
| | - Min Zhou
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Institute of Respiratory Diseases, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Xiaoxiang Yan
- Department of Cardiology, Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Weiqiong Gu
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Shanghai Institute of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
- Shanghai National Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Diseases, Key Laboratory for Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases of the National Health Commission of the PR China, Shanghai National Center for Translational Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Jingru Yang
- School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325000, China
| | - Qin Zhang
- Laboratory Animal Center, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (China CDC), Beijing 102206, China
| | - Cheng Zhang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogen Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Center for Influenza Research and Early-warning (CASCIRE), CAS-TWAS Center of Excellence for Emerging Infectious Diseases (CEEID), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Yuhuan Gong
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogen Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Center for Influenza Research and Early-warning (CASCIRE), CAS-TWAS Center of Excellence for Emerging Infectious Diseases (CEEID), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Mingjun Jia
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogen Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Center for Influenza Research and Early-warning (CASCIRE), CAS-TWAS Center of Excellence for Emerging Infectious Diseases (CEEID), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Xiaoyu Zhang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogen Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Center for Influenza Research and Early-warning (CASCIRE), CAS-TWAS Center of Excellence for Emerging Infectious Diseases (CEEID), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Peng Ning
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogen Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Center for Influenza Research and Early-warning (CASCIRE), CAS-TWAS Center of Excellence for Emerging Infectious Diseases (CEEID), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Mei Liu
- Laboratory Animal Center, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (China CDC), Beijing 102206, China
| | - Xiaoyan Li
- Laboratory Animal Center, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (China CDC), Beijing 102206, China
| | - Xiaomeng Shi
- Laboratory Animal Center, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (China CDC), Beijing 102206, China
| | - Wenjun Liu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogen Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Center for Influenza Research and Early-warning (CASCIRE), CAS-TWAS Center of Excellence for Emerging Infectious Diseases (CEEID), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - George F Gao
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogen Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Center for Influenza Research and Early-warning (CASCIRE), CAS-TWAS Center of Excellence for Emerging Infectious Diseases (CEEID), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- Laboratory Animal Center, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (China CDC), Beijing 102206, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Guang Ning
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Shanghai Institute of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
- Shanghai National Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Diseases, Key Laboratory for Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases of the National Health Commission of the PR China, Shanghai National Center for Translational Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Jiqiu Wang
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Shanghai Institute of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
- Shanghai National Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Diseases, Key Laboratory for Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases of the National Health Commission of the PR China, Shanghai National Center for Translational Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China. E-mail:
| | - Yuhai Bi
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogen Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Center for Influenza Research and Early-warning (CASCIRE), CAS-TWAS Center of Excellence for Emerging Infectious Diseases (CEEID), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325000, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China. E-mail:
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