1
|
Perovic V, Glisic S, Veljkovic M, Paessler S, Veljkovic V. In Silico Exploration of CD200 as a Therapeutic Target for COVID-19. Microorganisms 2024; 12:1185. [PMID: 38930566 PMCID: PMC11205781 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12061185] [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: 05/20/2024] [Revised: 06/06/2024] [Accepted: 06/08/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2, the pathogen causing COVID-19, continues to pose a significant threat to public health and has had major economic implications. Developing safe and effective vaccines and therapies offers a path forward for overcoming the COVID-19 pandemic. The presented study, performed by using the informational spectrum method (ISM), representing an electronic biology-based tool for analysis of protein-protein interactions, identified the highly conserved region of spike protein (SP) from SARS-CoV-2 virus, which is essential for recognition and targeting between the virus and its protein interactors on the target cells. This domain is suggested as a promising target for the drug therapy and vaccines, which could be effective against all currently circulating variants of SARS-CoV-2 viruses. The analysis of the virus/host interaction, performed by the ISM, also revealed OX-2 membrane glycoprotein (CD200) as a possible interactor of SP, which could serve as a novel therapeutic target for COVID-19 disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vladimir Perovic
- Laboratory for Bioinformatics and Computational Chemistry, Institute of Nuclear Sciences VINCA, University of Belgrade, 11001 Belgrade, Serbia;
| | - Sanja Glisic
- Laboratory for Bioinformatics and Computational Chemistry, Institute of Nuclear Sciences VINCA, University of Belgrade, 11001 Belgrade, Serbia;
| | - Milena Veljkovic
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Hospital for Cerebrovascular Diseases Sveti Sava, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Slobodan Paessler
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
2
|
Tu J, Chen X, Li C, Liu C, Huang Y, Wang X, Liang H, Yuan X. Nintedanib Mitigates Radiation-Induced Pulmonary Fibrosis by Suppressing Epithelial Cell Inflammatory Response and Inhibiting Fibroblast-to-Myofibroblast Transition. Int J Biol Sci 2024; 20:3353-3371. [PMID: 38993568 PMCID: PMC11234214 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.92620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2023] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 07/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Radiation-induced pulmonary fibrosis (RIPF) represents a serious complication observed in individuals undergoing thoracic radiation therapy. Currently, effective interventions for RIPF are unavailable. Prior research has demonstrated that nintedanib, a Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved anti-fibrotic agent for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, exerts therapeutic effects on chronic fibrosing interstitial lung disease. This research aimed to investigate the anti-fibrotic influences of nintedanib on RIPF and reveal the fundamental mechanisms. To assess its therapeutic impact, a mouse model of RIPF was established. The process involved nintedanib administration at various time points, both prior to and following thoracic radiation. In the RIPF mouse model, an assessment was conducted on survival rates, body weight, computed tomography features, histological parameters, and changes in gene expression. In vitro experiments were performed to discover the mechanism underlying the therapeutic impact of nintedanib on RIPF. Treatment with nintedanib, administered either two days prior or four weeks after thoracic radiation, significantly alleviated lung pathological changes, suppressed collagen deposition, and improved the overall health status of the mice. Additionally, nintedanib demonstrated significant mitigation of radiation-induced inflammatory responses in epithelial cells by inhibiting the PI3K/AKT and MAPK signaling pathways. Furthermore, nintedanib substantially inhibited fibroblast-to-myofibroblast transition by suppressing the TGF-β/Smad and PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathways. These findings suggest that nintedanib exerts preventive and therapeutic effects on RIPF by modulating multiple targets instead of a single anti-fibrotic pathway and encourage the further clinical trials to determine the efficacy of nintedanib in patients with RIPF.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jingyao Tu
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Xinyi Chen
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Chunya Li
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Chaofan Liu
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yongbiao Huang
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Xi Wang
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Hang Liang
- Department of Orthopedics, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Xianglin Yuan
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Jiang C, Chen Z, Liao W, Zhang R, Chen G, Ma L, Yu H. The Medicinal Species of the Lycium Genus (Goji Berries) in East Asia: A Review of Its Effect on Cell Signal Transduction Pathways. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 13:1531. [PMID: 38891336 PMCID: PMC11174690 DOI: 10.3390/plants13111531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2024] [Revised: 05/06/2024] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
Natural plants contain numerous chemical compounds that are beneficial to human health. The berries from the Lycium genus are widely consumed and are highly nutritious. Moreover, their chemical constituents have attracted attention for their health-promoting properties. In East Asia, there are three varieties of the Lycium genus (Lycium barbarum L., Lycium chinense Miller, and L. ruthenicum Murray) that possess medicinal value and are commonly used for treating chronic diseases and improving metabolic disorders. These varieties are locally referred to as "red Goji berries" or "black Goji berries" due to their distinct colors, and they differ in their chemical compositions, primarily in terms of carotenoid and anthocyanin content. The pharmacological functions of these berries include anti-aging, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-exercise fatigue effects. This review aims to analyze previous and recent studies on the active ingredients and pharmacological activities of these Lycium varieties, elucidating their signaling pathways and assessing their impact on the gut microbiota. Furthermore, the potential prospects for using these active ingredients in the treatment of COVID-19 are evaluated. This review explores the potential targets of these Lycium varieties in the treatment of relevant diseases, highlighting their potential value in drug development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Lijuan Ma
- Dr. Neher’s Biophysics Laboratory for Innovative Drug Discovery, State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau 999078, China; (C.J.); (Z.C.); (W.L.); (R.Z.); (G.C.)
| | - Haijie Yu
- Dr. Neher’s Biophysics Laboratory for Innovative Drug Discovery, State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau 999078, China; (C.J.); (Z.C.); (W.L.); (R.Z.); (G.C.)
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Teluguakula N, Chow VTK, Pandareesh MD, Dasegowda V, Kurrapotula V, Gopegowda SM, Radic M. SARS-CoV-2 and Influenza Co-Infection: Fair Competition or Sinister Combination? Viruses 2024; 16:793. [PMID: 38793676 PMCID: PMC11125941 DOI: 10.3390/v16050793] [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: 04/17/2024] [Revised: 05/11/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic remains a serious public health problem globally. During winter influenza seasons, more aggressive SARS-CoV-2 infections and fatalities have been documented, indicating that influenza co-infections may significantly impact the disease outcome of COVID-19. Both influenza and SARS-CoV-2 viruses share many similarities in their transmission and their cellular tropism for replication in the human respiratory tract. However, the complex intricacies and multi-faceted dynamics of how the two pathogens interact to ensure their survival in the same lung microenvironment are still unclear. In addition, clinical studies on influenza co-infections in COVID-19 patients do not provide conclusive evidence of how influenza co-infection mechanistically modifies disease outcomes of COVID-19. This review discusses various viral as well as host factors that potentially influence the survival or synergism of these two respiratory pathogens in the infected lung microenvironment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Narasaraju Teluguakula
- Adichunchanagiri Institute of Medical Sciences, Adichunchanagiri University, Mandya 571448, Karnataka, India; (M.D.P.); (V.D.); (V.K.); (S.M.G.)
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Biochemistry, College of Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38163, USA;
| | - Vincent T. K. Chow
- Infectious Diseases Translational Research Program, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, National University Health System, Singapore 119228, Singapore;
| | - Mirazkar Dasharatharao Pandareesh
- Adichunchanagiri Institute of Medical Sciences, Adichunchanagiri University, Mandya 571448, Karnataka, India; (M.D.P.); (V.D.); (V.K.); (S.M.G.)
- Department of Biochemistry, Adichunchanagiri School of Natural Sciences, Adichunchanagiri University, B.G Nagara 571448, Karnataka, India
| | - Venkatesha Dasegowda
- Adichunchanagiri Institute of Medical Sciences, Adichunchanagiri University, Mandya 571448, Karnataka, India; (M.D.P.); (V.D.); (V.K.); (S.M.G.)
| | - Vidyasagar Kurrapotula
- Adichunchanagiri Institute of Medical Sciences, Adichunchanagiri University, Mandya 571448, Karnataka, India; (M.D.P.); (V.D.); (V.K.); (S.M.G.)
| | - Shivaramu M. Gopegowda
- Adichunchanagiri Institute of Medical Sciences, Adichunchanagiri University, Mandya 571448, Karnataka, India; (M.D.P.); (V.D.); (V.K.); (S.M.G.)
| | - Marko Radic
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Biochemistry, College of Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38163, USA;
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Vijayakumar A, Kim JH. Ginseng and ginsenosides on cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases; Pharmacological potentials for the coronavirus (COVID-19). J Ginseng Res 2024; 48:113-121. [PMID: 38465214 PMCID: PMC10920003 DOI: 10.1016/j.jgr.2023.10.002] [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: 07/24/2023] [Revised: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 03/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Since its outbreak in late 2019, the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has profoundly caused global morbidity and deaths. The COVID-19 pandemic caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) has major complications in cardiovascular and pulmonary system. The increased rate of mortality is due to delayed detection of certain biomarkers that are crucial in the development of disease. Furthermore, certain proteins and enzymes in cellular signaling pathways play an important role in replication of SARS-CoV-2. Most cases are mild to moderate symptoms, however severe cases of COVID-19 leads to death. Detecting the level of biomarkers such as C-reactive protein, cardiac troponin, creatine kinase, creatine kinase-MB, procalcitonin and Matrix metalloproteinases helps in early detection of the severity of disease. Similarly, through downregulating Renin-angiotensin system, interleukin, Mitogen-activated protein kinases and Phosphoinositide 3-kinases pathways, COVID-19 can be effectively controlled and mortality could be prevented. Ginseng and ginsenosides possess therapeutic potential in cardiac and pulmonary complications, there are several studies performed in which they have suppressed these biomarkers and downregulated the pathways, thereby inhibiting the further spread of disease. Supplementation with ginseng or ginsenoside could act on multiple pathways to reduce the level of biomarkers significantly and alleviate cardiac and pulmonary damage. Therefore, this review summarizes the potential of ginseng extract and ginsenosides in controlling the cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases by COVID-19.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ajay Vijayakumar
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Biosafety Research Institute, Chonbuk National University, Iksan-city, Republic of Korea
| | - Jong-Hoon Kim
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Biosafety Research Institute, Chonbuk National University, Iksan-city, Republic of Korea
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Hadzega D, Babisova K, Hyblova M, Janostiakova N, Sabaka P, Janega P, Minarik G. Analysis of transcriptomics data from COVID-19 patients: a pilot research. Folia Microbiol (Praha) 2024; 69:155-164. [PMID: 38240884 PMCID: PMC10876742 DOI: 10.1007/s12223-024-01130-x] [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: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 02/21/2024]
Abstract
During SARS-CoV-2 infection, the virus transforms the infected host cell into factories that produce new viral particles. As infection progresses, the infected cells undergo numerous changes in various pathways. One of these changes is the occurrence of a cytokine storm, which leads to severe symptoms. In this study, we examined the transcriptomic changes caused by COVID-19 by analyzing RNA-seq data obtained from COVID-19-positive patients as well as COVID-19-negative donors. RNA-seq data were collected for the purpose of identification of potential biomarkers associated with a different course of the disease. We analyzed the first datasets, consisting of 96 samples to validate our methods. The objective of this publication is to report the pilot results. To explore potential biomarkers related to disease severity, we conducted a differential expression analysis of human transcriptome, focusing on COVID-19 positivity and symptom severity. Given the large number of potential biomarkers we identified, we further performed pathway enrichment analysis with terms from Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomics (KEGG) to obtain a more profound understanding of altered pathways. Our results indicate that pathways related to immune processes, response to infection, and multiple signaling pathways were affected. These findings align with several previous studies that also reported the influence of SARS-CoV-2 infection on these pathways.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Nikola Janostiakova
- Comenius University in Bratislava, Medical Faculty, Institute of Medical Biology, Genetics and Clinical Genetics, Špitálska 24, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Peter Sabaka
- Department of Infectology and Geographical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University in Brati-Slava, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
7
|
Curran CS, Cui X, Li Y, Jeakle M, Sun J, Demirkale CY, Minkove S, Hoffmann V, Dhamapurkar R, Chumbris S, Bolyard C, Iheanacho A, Eichacker PQ, Torabi-Parizi P. Anti-PD-L1 therapy altered inflammation but not survival in a lethal murine hepatitis virus-1 pneumonia model. Front Immunol 2024; 14:1308358. [PMID: 38259435 PMCID: PMC10801642 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1308358] [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: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Because prior immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy in cancer patients presenting with COVID-19 may affect outcomes, we investigated the beta-coronavirus, murine hepatitis virus (MHV)-1, in a lethal pneumonia model in the absence (Study 1) or presence of prior programmed cell death ligand-1 (PD-L1) antibody (PD-L1mAb) treatment (Study 2). Methods In Study 1, animals were inoculated intratracheally with MHV-1 or vehicle and evaluated at day 2, 5, and 10 after infection. In Study 2, uninfected or MHV-1-infected animals were pretreated intraperitoneally with control or PD-L1-blocking antibodies (PD-L1mAb) and evaluated at day 2 and 5 after infection. Each study examined survival, physiologic and histologic parameters, viral titers, lung immunophenotypes, and mediator production. Results Study 1 results recapitulated the pathogenesis of COVID-19 and revealed increased cell surface expression of checkpoint molecules (PD-L1, PD-1), higher expression of the immune activation marker angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE), but reduced detection of the MHV-1 receptor CD66a on immune cells in the lung, liver, and spleen. In addition to reduced detection of PD-L1 on all immune cells assayed, PD-L1 blockade was associated with increased cell surface expression of PD-1 and ACE, decreased cell surface detection of CD66a, and improved oxygen saturation despite reduced blood glucose levels and increased signs of tissue hypoxia. In the lung, PD-L1mAb promoted S100A9 but inhibited ACE2 production concomitantly with pAKT activation and reduced FOXO1 levels. PD-L1mAb promoted interferon-γ but inhibited IL-5 and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) production, contributing to reduced bronchoalveolar lavage levels of eosinophils and neutrophils. In the liver, PD-L1mAb increased viral clearance in association with increased macrophage and lymphocyte recruitment and liver injury. PD-L1mAb increased the production of virally induced mediators of injury, angiogenesis, and neuronal activity that may play role in COVID-19 and ICI-related neurotoxicity. PD-L1mAb did not affect survival in this murine model. Discussion In Study 1 and Study 2, ACE was upregulated and CD66a and ACE2 were downregulated by either MHV-1 or PD-L1mAb. CD66a is not only the MHV-1 receptor but also an identified immune checkpoint and a negative regulator of ACE. Crosstalk between CD66a and PD-L1 or ACE/ACE2 may provide insight into ICI therapies. These networks may also play role in the increased production of S100A9 and neurological mediators in response to MHV-1 and/or PD-L1mAb, which warrant further study. Overall, these findings support observational data suggesting that prior ICI treatment does not alter survival in patients presenting with COVID-19.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Colleen S. Curran
- National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Xizhong Cui
- Critical Care Medicine Department, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Yan Li
- Critical Care Medicine Department, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Mark Jeakle
- Critical Care Medicine Department, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Junfeng Sun
- Critical Care Medicine Department, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Cumhur Y. Demirkale
- Critical Care Medicine Department, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Samuel Minkove
- Critical Care Medicine Department, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Victoria Hoffmann
- Division of Veterinary Resources, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Rhea Dhamapurkar
- Critical Care Medicine Department, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Symya Chumbris
- Texcell North-America, Inc., Frederick, MD, United States
| | | | | | - Peter Q. Eichacker
- Critical Care Medicine Department, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Parizad Torabi-Parizi
- National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
- Critical Care Medicine Department, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Maiese K. The impact of aging and oxidative stress in metabolic and nervous system disorders: programmed cell death and molecular signal transduction crosstalk. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1273570. [PMID: 38022638 PMCID: PMC10663950 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1273570] [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: 08/06/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Life expectancy is increasing throughout the world and coincides with a rise in non-communicable diseases (NCDs), especially for metabolic disease that includes diabetes mellitus (DM) and neurodegenerative disorders. The debilitating effects of metabolic disorders influence the entire body and significantly affect the nervous system impacting greater than one billion people with disability in the peripheral nervous system as well as with cognitive loss, now the seventh leading cause of death worldwide. Metabolic disorders, such as DM, and neurologic disease remain a significant challenge for the treatment and care of individuals since present therapies may limit symptoms but do not halt overall disease progression. These clinical challenges to address the interplay between metabolic and neurodegenerative disorders warrant innovative strategies that can focus upon the underlying mechanisms of aging-related disorders, oxidative stress, cell senescence, and cell death. Programmed cell death pathways that involve autophagy, apoptosis, ferroptosis, and pyroptosis can play a critical role in metabolic and neurodegenerative disorders and oversee processes that include insulin resistance, β-cell function, mitochondrial integrity, reactive oxygen species release, and inflammatory cell activation. The silent mating type information regulation 2 homolog 1 (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) (SIRT1), AMP activated protein kinase (AMPK), and Wnt1 inducible signaling pathway protein 1 (WISP1) are novel targets that can oversee programmed cell death pathways tied to β-nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+), nicotinamide, apolipoprotein E (APOE), severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS-CoV-2) exposure with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), and trophic factors, such as erythropoietin (EPO). The pathways of programmed cell death, SIRT1, AMPK, and WISP1 offer exciting prospects for maintaining metabolic homeostasis and nervous system function that can be compromised during aging-related disorders and lead to cognitive impairment, but these pathways have dual roles in determining the ultimate fate of cells and organ systems that warrant thoughtful insight into complex autofeedback mechanisms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth Maiese
- Innovation and Commercialization, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Zhu H, Chang M, Wang Q, Chen J, Liu D, He W. Identifying the Potential of miRNAs in Houttuynia cordata-Derived Exosome-Like Nanoparticles Against Respiratory RNA Viruses. Int J Nanomedicine 2023; 18:5983-6000. [PMID: 37901360 PMCID: PMC10612503 DOI: 10.2147/ijn.s425173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Pathogenic respiratory RNA viruses, including influenza A virus (IAV), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and SARS-CoV-2, are major causes of causes of acute respiratory infection globally. Plant-derived exosome-like nanoparticles containing miRNAs have shown substantial cross-kingdom regulatory effects on both viral and human transcripts. Houttuynia cordata (H. cordata), a traditional Chinese medicine frequently used to treat respiratory diseases. However, the role of H. cordata-derived exosome-like nanoparticles (HELNs) and the miRNA they encapsulated are unclear. Methods HELNs were isolated from fresh underground roots (uHELNs) and above ground stems and leaves (aHELNs) using differential centrifugation. The HELNs were identified using transmission electron microscopy, nanoparticle tracking analysis, and zeta potential. Small RNA sequencing and RT-PCR were employed to determine the miRNA expression in uHELNs and aHELNs. All genomes were sourced from the NCBI database. Target prediction of viral genomes was performed using RNAhybrid, while human target prediction was conducted using both RNAhybrid and Miranda. Functional enrichment analysis was applied to the predicted human targets to explore the hub targets and their roles in antiviral effects. The accessibility of miRNA target sites was determined through the MFOLD web server, and customized dual-luciferase reporter assays were administered to validate the computational findings. Results A total of 12 highly enriched miRNAs were identified in both uHELNs and aHELNs. Upon prediction and verification, miR858a and miR858b were shown to target the NP gene in H1N1, while miR166a-3p targeted the ORF1ab in SARS-CoV-2. However, no valid miRNA targets were found for RSV. Regarding human transcripts, miR168a-3p, miR168b-3p, and miR8175 were found to inhibit MAPK3 expression, and novel_mir2 could suppress both AKT1 and MAPK3 expression. Discussion This study sheds light on the collaborative antiviral mechanism of miRNAs in HELNs across two species and explores the potential antiviral scopes of both H. cordata miRNAs and HELNs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- He Zhu
- Department of Pharmacy, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, People’s Republic of China
- The Center for Biomedical Research, NHC Key Laboratory of Respiratory Diseases, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, People’s Republic of China
| | - Mujun Chang
- Department of Pharmacy, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, People’s Republic of China
- Center for Translational Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, People’s Republic of China
| | - Qiulan Wang
- Department of Pharmacy, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jing Chen
- Department of Pharmacy, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, People’s Republic of China
| | - Dong Liu
- Department of Pharmacy, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, People’s Republic of China
| | - Wenxi He
- Department of Pharmacy, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, People’s Republic of China
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Maiese K. Cognitive Impairment in Multiple Sclerosis. Bioengineering (Basel) 2023; 10:871. [PMID: 37508898 PMCID: PMC10376413 DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering10070871] [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: 06/20/2023] [Revised: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Almost three million individuals suffer from multiple sclerosis (MS) throughout the world, a demyelinating disease in the nervous system with increased prevalence over the last five decades, and is now being recognized as one significant etiology of cognitive loss and dementia. Presently, disease modifying therapies can limit the rate of relapse and potentially reduce brain volume loss in patients with MS, but unfortunately cannot prevent disease progression or the onset of cognitive disability. Innovative strategies are therefore required to address areas of inflammation, immune cell activation, and cell survival that involve novel pathways of programmed cell death, mammalian forkhead transcription factors (FoxOs), the mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR), AMP activated protein kinase (AMPK), the silent mating type information regulation 2 homolog 1 (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) (SIRT1), and associated pathways with the apolipoprotein E (APOE-ε4) gene and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2). These pathways are intertwined at multiple levels and can involve metabolic oversight with cellular metabolism dependent upon nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+). Insight into the mechanisms of these pathways can provide new avenues of discovery for the therapeutic treatment of dementia and loss in cognition that occurs during MS.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth Maiese
- Cellular and Molecular Signaling, New York, NY 10022, USA
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Lekshmi VS, Asha K, Sanicas M, Asi A, Arya UM, Kumar B. PI3K/Akt/Nrf2 mediated cellular signaling and virus-host interactions: latest updates on the potential therapeutic management of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Front Mol Biosci 2023; 10:1158133. [PMID: 37325475 PMCID: PMC10267462 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2023.1158133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The emergence and re-emergence of viral diseases, which cause significant global mortality and morbidity, are the major concerns of this decade. Of these, current research is focused majorly on the etiological agent of the COVID-19 pandemic, SARS-CoV-2. Understanding the host response and metabolic changes during viral infection may provide better therapeutic targets for the proper management of pathophysiological conditions associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection. We have achieved control over most emerging viral diseases; however, a lack of understanding of the underlying molecular events prevents us from exploring novel therapeutic targets, leaving us forced to witness re-emerging viral infections. SARS-CoV-2 infection is usually accompanied by oxidative stress, which leads to an overactive immune response, the release of inflammatory cytokines, increasing lipid production, and also alterations in the endothelial and mitochondrial functions. PI3K/Akt signaling pathway confers protection against oxidative injury by various cell survival mechanisms including Nrf2-ARE mediated antioxidant transcriptional response. SARS-CoV-2 is also reported to hijack this pathway for its survival within host and few studies have suggested the role of antioxidants in modulating the Nrf2 pathway to manage disease severity. This review highlights the interrelated pathophysiological conditions associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection and the host survival mechanisms mediated by PI3K/Akt/Nrf2 signaling pathways that can help ameliorate the severity of the disease and provide effective antiviral targets against SARS-CoV-2.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- V S Lekshmi
- Department of Antiviral Research, Institute of Advanced Virology, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India
| | - Kumari Asha
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Chicago Medical School, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, North Chicago, IL, United States
| | | | - Abhila Asi
- Department of Antiviral Research, Institute of Advanced Virology, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India
| | - U M Arya
- Department of Antiviral Research, Institute of Advanced Virology, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India
| | - Binod Kumar
- Department of Antiviral Research, Institute of Advanced Virology, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Szarpak L, Feduniw S, Pruc M, Ciebiera M, Cander B, Rahnama-Hezavah M, Szarpak Ł. The Vitamin D Serum Levels in Pregnant Women Affected by COVID-19: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Nutrients 2023; 15:nu15112588. [PMID: 37299555 DOI: 10.3390/nu15112588] [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: 05/04/2023] [Revised: 05/27/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Vitamin D can modulate immune responses, and its deficiency is linked to increased autoimmunity and susceptibility to infection. In the general population, it has been observed that serum vitamin D levels are connected with the risk of COVID-19 and its severity. Our study aims to examine reported findings on the effect of vitamin D serum levels on infection of COVID-19 during pregnancy. PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Cochrane Library were searched for relevant studies. Serum vitamin D serum levels in COVID-19-positive and COVID-19-negative pregnant women were 24.61 ± 20.86 ng/mL and 24.12 ± 17.33 ng/mL, respectively. In mild vs. moderate to critical COVID-19 pregnant women, vitamin D serum levels were 16.71 ± 9.04 ng/mL vs. 10.7 ± 9.37 ng/mL and severe vs. non-severe were 13.21 ± 11.47 ng/mL vs. 15.76 ± 10.0 ng/mL. Only one study reported vitamin D serum levels in the placenta of COVID-19-positive pregnant women compared with the control and results varied and amounted to 14.06 ± 0.51 ng/mL vs. 12.45 ± 0.58 ng/mL, respectively. Vitamin D deficiency tends to be common in pregnant women who have COVID-19, and the level of this vitamin has been demonstrated to have a strong correlation with the severity of the illness. As vitamin D serum levels correlate with COVID-19 symptoms and even with its occurrence, appropriate vitamin D supplementation in the prenatal period is suggested.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Luiza Szarpak
- Research Unit, Polish Society of Disaster Medicine, 05-806 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Stepan Feduniw
- Department of Obstetrics, University Hospital Zurich, Frauenklinikstrasse 10, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland
- Department of Gynecology, University Hospital Zurich, Frauenklinikstrasse 10, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Michal Pruc
- Research Unit, Polish Society of Disaster Medicine, 05-806 Warsaw, Poland
- Research Unit, International Academy of Ecology and Medicine, 02091 Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Michal Ciebiera
- Second Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Centre of Postgraduate Medical Education, 00-189 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Basar Cander
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Bezmialem Vakif University, Fatih, 34093 Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Mansur Rahnama-Hezavah
- Chair and Department of Oral Surgery, Medical University of Lublin, 20-093 Lublin, Poland
| | - Łukasz Szarpak
- Henry JN Taub Department of Emergency Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Research Unit, Maria Sklodowska-Curie Bialystok Oncology Center, 15-027 Bialystok, Poland
- Institute of Outcomes Research, Maria Sklodowska-Curie Medical Academy, 00-136 Warsaw, Poland
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Zhang Q, Luo T, Yuan D, Liu J, Fu Y, Yuan J. Qilongtian ameliorate bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in mice via inhibiting IL-17 signal pathway. Sci Rep 2023; 13:6002. [PMID: 37045911 PMCID: PMC10092933 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-31439-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 03/11/2023] [Indexed: 04/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is a special type of pulmonary parenchymal disease, with chronic, progressive, fibrosis, and high mortality. There is a lack of safe, effective, and affordable treatment methods. Qilongtian (QLT) is a traditional Chinese prescription that is composed of Panax notoginseng, Earthworm, and Rhodiola, and shows the remarkable clinical curative effect of PF. However, the mechanism of QLT remains to be clarified. Therefore, we studied the effectivity of QLT in treating Bleomycin (BLM) induced PF mice. 36 C57BL/6 J mice were randomized into the control group, the model group, the low-, medium- and high-dose QLT group, and Pirfenidone group. After establishing a model of pulmonary fibrosis in mice, the control and model groups were infused with a normal saline solution, and the delivery group was infused with QLT. Pulmonary function in the mice from each group was detected. Pulmonary tissue morphologies and collagen deposition were stained by HE and Masson. The content of hydroxyproline (HYP) was detected by alkaline hydrolysis and the mRNA and protein expression of related genes in pulmonary tissues were detected by using q-PCR, ELISA, and Western blot. Our studies have shown that QLT significantly reduced the inflammatory injury, hydroxy-proline content, and collagen deposition of pulmonary tissue in BLM-induced PF mice and down-regulated the cytokine related to inflammation and fibrosis and PF expression on the mRNA and protein level in PF mice. To identify the mechanism of QLT, the Transcriptome was measured and the IL-17 signal pathway was screened out for further research. Further studies indicated that QLT reduced the mRNAs and protein levels of interleukin 17 (IL-17), c-c motif chemokine ligand 12 (CCL12), c-x-c motif chemokine ligand 5 (CXCL5), fos-like antigen 1 (FOSL1), matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP9), and amphiregulin (AREG), which are inflammation and fibrosis-related genes in the IL-17 signal pathway. The results indicated that the potential mechanism for QLT in the prevention of PF progression was by inhibiting inflammation resulting in the IL-17 signal pathway. Our study provides the novel scientific basis of QLT and represents new therapeutics for PF in clinical.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qiang Zhang
- School of Basic Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 1200 Cailun Road, Pudong District, Shanghai, 201203, China.
- Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Sinomedicine, Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine, Kunming, 650500, China.
| | - Ting Luo
- Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Sinomedicine, Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine, Kunming, 650500, China
- Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine, Kunming, 650500, China
| | - Dezheng Yuan
- Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine, Kunming, 650500, China
- The third Affiliated Hospital of Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine: Kunming Municipal Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Kunming, 650500, China
| | - Jing Liu
- Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine, Kunming, 650500, China
- The third Affiliated Hospital of Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine: Kunming Municipal Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Kunming, 650500, China
| | - Yi Fu
- Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine, Kunming, 650500, China
- The third Affiliated Hospital of Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine: Kunming Municipal Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Kunming, 650500, China
| | - Jiali Yuan
- School of Basic Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 1200 Cailun Road, Pudong District, Shanghai, 201203, China
- Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Sinomedicine, Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine, Kunming, 650500, China
- Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine, Kunming, 650500, China
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
The sFlt-1/PlGF Ratio in Pregnant Patients Affected by COVID-19. J Clin Med 2023; 12:jcm12031059. [PMID: 36769707 PMCID: PMC9917529 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12031059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2023] [Revised: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
COVID-19 in pregnant women increases the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes, including preeclampsia. This meta-analysis aimed to examine the effect of SARS-CoV-2 infection on sFlt-1/PIGF ratio during pregnancy. The study was designed as a systematic review and meta-analysis. PubMed, Web of Science, Embase and Cochrane Library were searched for relevant studies reporting the sFlt-1/PlGF ratio in pregnant women with COVID-19. Results were compared using meta-analysis by the Mantel-Haenszel method. A total of 7 studies were included in the analysis. sFlt-1/PlGF ratios between COVID-19 positive vs. negative women were 45.8 ± 50.3 vs. 37.4 ± 22.5, respectively (SMD = 1.76; 95% CI: 0.43 to 3.09; p = 0.01). sFlt-1/PlGF ratios between asymptomatic vs. symptomatic patients were 49.3 ± 35.7 vs. 37.1 ± 25.6 (SMD = 0.30; 95% CI: -0.35 to 0.95; p = 0.36). sFlt-1/PlGF ratio in non-severe group was 30.7 ± 56.5, compared to 64.7 ± 53.5 for severe patients (SMD = -1.88; 95% CI: -3.77 to 0.01; p = 0.05). sFlt-1/PlGF ratios in COVID-19 patients, with and without hypertensive disease of pregnancy, were 187.0 ± 121.8 vs. 21.6 ± 8.6, respectively (SMD = 2.46; 95% CI: 0.99 to 3.93; p = 0.001). Conclusions: Patients with COVID-19, as compared to patients without COVID-19, were characterized by higher sFlt-1/PlGF ratio. Moreover, severe COVID-19 and SARS-CoV-2 infection in hypertensive pregnant women was related to significantly higher sFlt-1/PlGF ratio.
Collapse
|
15
|
Bmal1 and Gut-lung axis in SARS-CoV-2 infection: new insight into the effects of melatonin on COVID-19 patients? Biomed Pharmacother 2023. [PMCID: PMC9868388 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.114291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
|