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Khalil B, Sharif-Askari NS, Hafezi S, Sharif-Askari FS, Al Anouti F, Hamid Q, Halwani R. Vitamin D regulates COVID-19 associated severity by suppressing the NLRP3 inflammasome pathway. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0302818. [PMID: 38748756 PMCID: PMC11095707 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0302818] [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: 02/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/19/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The role of vitamin D3 (VitD3) in modulating innate and adaptive immunity has been reported in different disease contexts. Since the start of the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the role of VitD3 has been highlighted in many correlational and observational studies. However, the exact mechanisms of action are not well identified. One of the mechanisms via which VitD3 modulates innate immunity is by regulating the NLRP3-inflammasome pathway, being a main underlying cause of SARS-CoV-2-induced hyperinflammation. AIMS AND MAIN METHODS Blood specimens of severe COVID-19 patients with or without VitD3 treatment were collected during their stay in the intensive care unit and patients were followed up for 29 days. qPCR, western blot, and ELISA were done to investigate the mechanism of action of VitD3 on the NLRP3 inflammasome activation. KEY FINDINGS We here report the ability of VitD3 to downregulate the NLRP3-inflammsome pathway in severe COVID-19 patients. Lower inflammasome pathway activation was observed with significantly lower gene and protein expression of NLRP3, cleaved caspase-1, ASC and IL-1β among severe COVID-19 patients treated with VitD3. The reduction of the inflammasome pathway was associated with a reduction in disease severity markers and enhancement of type I IFN pathway. SIGNIFICANCE Our data reveals an important anti-inflammatory effect of VitD3 during SARS-CoV-2 infection. Further investigations are warranted to better characterize the ability of VitD3 to control disease pathogenesis and prevent progression to severe states. This will allow for a more efficient use of a low cost and accessible treatment like VitD3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bariaa Khalil
- Research Institute for Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Narjes Saheb Sharif-Askari
- Research Institute for Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
- College of Medicine, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Shirin Hafezi
- Research Institute for Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Fatemeh Saheb Sharif-Askari
- Research Institute for Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
- College of Pharmacy, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Fatme Al Anouti
- College of Natural and Health Sciences, Zayed University, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
- ASPIRE Precision Medicine Research Institute, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Qutayba Hamid
- Research Institute for Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
- Meakins-Christie Laboratories, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Center, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Rabih Halwani
- Research Institute for Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
- Prince Abdullah Ben Khaled Celiac Disease Research Chair, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
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Horby PW, Peto L, Staplin N, Campbell M, Pessoa-Amorim G, Mafham M, Emberson JR, Stewart R, Prudon B, Uriel A, Green CA, Dhasmana DJ, Malein F, Majumdar J, Collini P, Shurmer J, Yates B, Baillie JK, Buch MH, Day J, Faust SN, Jaki T, Jeffery K, Juszczak E, Knight M, Lim WS, Montgomery A, Mumford A, Rowan K, Thwaites G, Haynes R, Landray MJ. Dimethyl fumarate in patients admitted to hospital with COVID-19 (RECOVERY): a randomised, controlled, open-label, platform trial. Nat Commun 2024; 15:924. [PMID: 38296965 PMCID: PMC10831058 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-43644-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: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 02/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Dimethyl fumarate (DMF) inhibits inflammasome-mediated inflammation and has been proposed as a treatment for patients hospitalised with COVID-19. This randomised, controlled, open-label platform trial (Randomised Evaluation of COVID-19 Therapy [RECOVERY]), is assessing multiple treatments in patients hospitalised for COVID-19 (NCT04381936, ISRCTN50189673). In this assessment of DMF performed at 27 UK hospitals, adults were randomly allocated (1:1) to either usual standard of care alone or usual standard of care plus DMF. The primary outcome was clinical status on day 5 measured on a seven-point ordinal scale. Secondary outcomes were time to sustained improvement in clinical status, time to discharge, day 5 peripheral blood oxygenation, day 5 C-reactive protein, and improvement in day 10 clinical status. Between 2 March 2021 and 18 November 2021, 713 patients were enroled in the DMF evaluation, of whom 356 were randomly allocated to receive usual care plus DMF, and 357 to usual care alone. 95% of patients received corticosteroids as part of routine care. There was no evidence of a beneficial effect of DMF on clinical status at day 5 (common odds ratio of unfavourable outcome 1.12; 95% CI 0.86-1.47; p = 0.40). There was no significant effect of DMF on any secondary outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter W Horby
- Pandemic Sciences Institute, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
- International Severe Acute Respiratory and Emerging Infections Consortium (ISARIC), University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
| | - Leon Peto
- Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
| | - Natalie Staplin
- Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- MRC Population Health Research Unit, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Mark Campbell
- Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
| | | | - Marion Mafham
- Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Jonathan R Emberson
- Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- MRC Population Health Research Unit, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Richard Stewart
- Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Milton Keynes, UK
| | - Benjamin Prudon
- North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust, Stockton-on-Tees, UK
| | - Alison Uriel
- Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK
| | | | - Devesh J Dhasmana
- Victoria Hospital Kirkcaldy, NHS Fife, Kirkcaldy, UK
- School of Medicine, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, UK
| | - Flora Malein
- Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool, UK
| | | | - Paul Collini
- Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Sheffield, UK
| | | | - Bryan Yates
- Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, Northumberland, UK
| | | | - Maya H Buch
- Centre for Musculoskeletal Research, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Jeremy Day
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Oxford University Clinical Research Unit, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam
| | - Saul N Faust
- NIHR Southampton Clinical Research Facility and Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust and University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Thomas Jaki
- University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
- MRC Biostatistics Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Katie Jeffery
- Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
- Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Edmund Juszczak
- School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Marian Knight
- Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- National Perinatal Epidemiology Unit, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Wei Shen Lim
- School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
- Respiratory Medicine Department, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, Nottingham, UK
| | - Alan Montgomery
- School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Andrew Mumford
- School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Kathryn Rowan
- Intensive Care National Audit & Research Centre, London, UK
| | - Guy Thwaites
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Oxford University Clinical Research Unit, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam
| | - Richard Haynes
- Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
- MRC Population Health Research Unit, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Martin J Landray
- Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
- MRC Population Health Research Unit, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
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3
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Yang S, Fan Z, Lu X, Liu H, Zhou Z, Qi H, Zeng J, Zheng M, Zou X, Fang S, Zhang G. Response of Human Retinal Microvascular Endothelial Cells to Influenza A (H1N1) Infection and the Underlying Molecular Mechanism. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2024; 65:38. [PMID: 38252524 PMCID: PMC10810132 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.65.1.38] [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: 10/07/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Purpose Whether H1N1 infection-associated ocular manifestations result from direct viral infections or systemic complications remains unclear. This study aimed to comprehensively elucidate the underlying causes and mechanism. Method TCID50 assays was performed at 24, 48, and 72 hours to verify the infection of H1N1 in human retinal microvascular endothelial cells (HRMECs). The changes in gene expression profiles of HRMECs at 24, 48, and 72 hours were characterized using RNA sequencing technology. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were validated using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting. CCK-8 assay and scratch assay were performed to evaluate whether there was a potential improvement of proliferation and migration in H1N1-infected cells after oseltamivir intervention. Results H1N1 can infect and replicate within HRMECs, leading to cell rounding and detachment. After H1N1 infection of HRMECs, 2562 DEGs were identified, including 1748 upregulated ones and 814 downregulated ones. These DEGs primarily involved in processes such as inflammation and immune response, cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, signal transduction regulation, and cell adhesion. The elevated expression levels of CXCL10, CXCL11, CCL5, TLR3, C3, IFNB1, IFNG, STAT1, HLA, and TNFSF10 after H1N1 infection were reduced by oseltamivir intervention, reaching levels comparable to those in the uninfected group. The impaired cell proliferation and migration after H1N1 infection was improved by oseltamivir intervention. Conclusions This study confirmed that H1N1 can infect HRMECs, leading to the upregulation of chemokines, which may cause inflammation and destruction of the blood-retina barrier. Moreover, early oseltamivir administration may reduce retinal inflammation and hemorrhage in patients infected with H1N1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuo Yang
- Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, Liaoning, China
- Shenzhen Eye Hospital, Jinan University, Shenzhen Eye Institute, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Zixin Fan
- Shenzhen Eye Hospital, Jinan University, Shenzhen Eye Institute, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Xiaofeng Lu
- Shenzhen Eye Hospital, Jinan University, Shenzhen Eye Institute, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Hui Liu
- Shenzhen Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Ziying Zhou
- Shenzhen Eye Hospital, Jinan University, Shenzhen Eye Institute, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Hui Qi
- Shenzhen Eye Hospital, Jinan University, Shenzhen Eye Institute, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Jian Zeng
- Shenzhen Eye Hospital, Jinan University, Shenzhen Eye Institute, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Mianying Zheng
- Shenzhen Eye Hospital, Jinan University, Shenzhen Eye Institute, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Xuan Zou
- Shenzhen Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Shisong Fang
- Shenzhen Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Guoming Zhang
- Shenzhen Eye Hospital, Jinan University, Shenzhen Eye Institute, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
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Kubiak JZ, Kloc M. Coronavirus Disease Pathophysiology: Biomarkers, Potential New Remedies, Comorbidities, Long COVID-19, Post Pandemic Epidemiological Surveillance. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:12236. [PMID: 37569612 PMCID: PMC10419002 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241512236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2023] [Revised: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
The toughest challenge modern biomedical research ever faced was the rapid understanding of the SARS-CoV-2 physiopathology [...].
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacek Z. Kubiak
- Dynamics and Mechanics of Epithelia Group, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Genetics and Development of Rennes, University of Rennes, CNRS, UMR 6290, 35000 Rennes, France
- Laboratory of Molecular Oncology and Innovative Therapies, Department of Oncology, Military Institute of Medicine, 04-141 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Małgorzata Kloc
- Transplant Immunology, The Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Department of Surgery, The Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Department of Genetics, The University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
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Wu N, Zheng C, Xu J, Ma S, Jia H, Yan M, An F, Zhou Y, Qi J, Bian H. Race between virus and inflammasomes: inhibition or escape, intervention and therapy. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1173505. [PMID: 37465759 PMCID: PMC10351387 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1173505] [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: 02/24/2023] [Accepted: 05/17/2023] [Indexed: 07/20/2023] Open
Abstract
The inflammasome is a multiprotein complex that further regulates cell pyroptosis and inflammation by activating caspase-1. The assembly and activation of inflammasome are associated with a variety of diseases. Accumulative studies have shown that inflammasome is a key modulator of the host's defense response to viral infection. Indeed, it has been established that activation of inflammasome occurs during viral infection. At the same time, the host has evolved a variety of corresponding mechanisms to inhibit unnecessary inflammasome activation. Therefore, here, we review and summarize the latest research progress on the interaction between inflammosomes and viruses, highlight the assembly and activation of inflammosome in related cells after viral infection, as well as the corresponding molecular regulatory mechanisms, and elucidate the effects of this activation on virus immune escape and host innate and adaptive immune defenses. Finally, we also discuss the potential therapeutic strategies to prevent and/or ameliorate viral infection-related diseases via targeting inflammasomes and its products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nijin Wu
- Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Chunzhi Zheng
- Shandong Provincial Hospital for Skin Diseases and Shandong Provincial Institute of Dermatology and Venereology, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Jiarui Xu
- Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Shujun Ma
- Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Huimin Jia
- Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Meizhu Yan
- Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Fuxiang An
- Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Yi Zhou
- Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Jianni Qi
- Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Hongjun Bian
- Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong, China
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6
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Wang M, Yu F, Chang W, Zhang Y, Zhang L, Li P. Inflammasomes: a rising star on the horizon of COVID-19 pathophysiology. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1185233. [PMID: 37251383 PMCID: PMC10213254 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1185233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a contagious respiratory virus that is the cause of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic which has posed a serious threat to public health. COVID-19 is characterized by a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations, ranging from asymptomatic infection to mild cold-like symptoms, severe pneumonia or even death. Inflammasomes are supramolecular signaling platforms that assemble in response to danger or microbial signals. Upon activation, inflammasomes mediate innate immune defense by favoring the release of proinflammatory cytokines and triggering pyroptotic cell death. Nevertheless, abnormalities in inflammasome functioning can result in a variety of human diseases such as autoimmune disorders and cancer. A growing body of evidence has showed that SARS-CoV-2 infection can induce inflammasome assembly. Dysregulated inflammasome activation and consequent cytokine burst have been associated with COVID-19 severity, alluding to the implication of inflammasomes in COVID-19 pathophysiology. Accordingly, an improved understanding of inflammasome-mediated inflammatory cascades in COVID-19 is essential to uncover the immunological mechanisms of COVID-19 pathology and identify effective therapeutic approaches for this devastating disease. In this review, we summarize the most recent findings on the interplay between SARS-CoV-2 and inflammasomes and the contribution of activated inflammasomes to COVID-19 progression. We dissect the mechanisms involving the inflammasome machinery in COVID-19 immunopathogenesis. In addition, we provide an overview of inflammasome-targeted therapies or antagonists that have potential clinical utility in COVID-19 treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Man Wang
- *Correspondence: Man Wang, ; Peifeng Li,
| | | | | | | | | | - Peifeng Li
- *Correspondence: Man Wang, ; Peifeng Li,
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Shen J, Fan J, Zhao Y, Jiang D, Niu Z, Zhang Z, Cao G. Innate and adaptive immunity to SARS-CoV-2 and predisposing factors. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1159326. [PMID: 37228604 PMCID: PMC10203583 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1159326] [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: 02/05/2023] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), has affected all countries worldwide. Although some symptoms are relatively mild, others are still associated with severe and even fatal clinical outcomes. Innate and adaptive immunity are important for the control of SARS-CoV-2 infections, whereas a comprehensive characterization of the innate and adaptive immune response to COVID-19 is still lacking and the mechanisms underlying immune pathogenesis and host predisposing factors are still a matter of scientific debate. Here, the specific functions and kinetics of innate and adaptive immunity involved in SARS-CoV-2 recognition and resultant pathogenesis are discussed, as well as their immune memory for vaccinations, viral-mediated immune evasion, and the current and future immunotherapeutic agents. We also highlight host factors that contribute to infection, which may deepen the understanding of viral pathogenesis and help identify targeted therapies that attenuate severe disease and infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaying Shen
- Tongji University School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Junyan Fan
- Department of Epidemiology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Bioprotection, Key Laboratory of Biological Defense, Ministry of Education, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yue Zhao
- Department of Epidemiology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Bioprotection, Key Laboratory of Biological Defense, Ministry of Education, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Doming Jiang
- Tongji University School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zheyun Niu
- Tongji University School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zihan Zhang
- Tongji University School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Guangwen Cao
- Tongji University School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
- Department of Epidemiology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Bioprotection, Key Laboratory of Biological Defense, Ministry of Education, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
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Ou H, Fan Y, Guo X, Lao Z, Zhu M, Li G, Zhao L. Identifying key genes related to inflammasome in severe COVID-19 patients based on a joint model with random forest and artificial neural network. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1139998. [PMID: 37113134 PMCID: PMC10126306 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1139998] [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: 01/08/2023] [Accepted: 03/17/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been spreading astonishingly and caused catastrophic losses worldwide. The high mortality of severe COVID-19 patients is an serious problem that needs to be solved urgently. However, the biomarkers and fundamental pathological mechanisms of severe COVID-19 are poorly understood. The aims of this study was to explore key genes related to inflammasome in severe COVID-19 and their potential molecular mechanisms using random forest and artificial neural network modeling. Methods Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in severe COVID-19 were screened from GSE151764 and GSE183533 via comprehensive transcriptome Meta-analysis. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks and functional analyses were conducted to identify molecular mechanisms related to DEGs or DEGs associated with inflammasome (IADEGs), respectively. Five the most important IADEGs in severe COVID-19 were explored using random forest. Then, we put these five IADEGs into an artificial neural network to construct a novel diagnostic model for severe COVID-19 and verified its diagnostic efficacy in GSE205099. Results Using combining P value < 0.05, we obtained 192 DEGs, 40 of which are IADEGs. The GO enrichment analysis results indicated that 192 DEGs were mainly involved in T cell activation, MHC protein complex and immune receptor activity. The KEGG enrichment analysis results indicated that 192 GEGs were mainly involved in Th17 cell differentiation, IL-17 signaling pathway, mTOR signaling pathway and NOD-like receptor signaling pathway. In addition, the top GO terms of 40 IADEGs were involved in T cell activation, immune response-activating signal transduction, external side of plasma membrane and phosphatase binding. The KEGG enrichment analysis results indicated that IADEGs were mainly involved in FoxO signaling pathway, Toll-like receptor, JAK-STAT signaling pathway and Apoptosis. Then, five important IADEGs (AXL, MKI67, CDKN3, BCL2 and PTGS2) for severe COVID-19 were screened by random forest analysis. By building an artificial neural network model, we found that the AUC values of 5 important IADEGs were 0.972 and 0.844 in the train group (GSE151764 and GSE183533) and test group (GSE205099), respectively. Conclusion The five genes related to inflammasome, including AXL, MKI67, CDKN3, BCL2 and PTGS2, are important for severe COVID-19 patients, and these molecules are related to the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome. Furthermore, AXL, MKI67, CDKN3, BCL2 and PTGS2 as a marker combination could be used as potential markers to identify severe COVID-19 patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haiya Ou
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shenzhen Bao'an Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yaohua Fan
- Traditional Chinese Medicine Innovation Research Center, Shenzhen Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shenzhen, China
- Laboratory Animal Center, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoxuan Guo
- Traditional Chinese Medicine Innovation Research Center, Shenzhen Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shenzhen, China
- Laboratory Animal Center, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zizhao Lao
- Traditional Chinese Medicine Innovation Research Center, Shenzhen Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shenzhen, China
- Laboratory Animal Center, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Meiling Zhu
- Traditional Chinese Medicine Innovation Research Center, Shenzhen Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shenzhen, China
- *Correspondence: Meiling Zhu, ; Geng Li, ; Lijun Zhao,
| | - Geng Li
- Laboratory Animal Center, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Meiling Zhu, ; Geng Li, ; Lijun Zhao,
| | - Lijun Zhao
- Traditional Chinese Medicine Innovation Research Center, Shenzhen Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shenzhen, China
- *Correspondence: Meiling Zhu, ; Geng Li, ; Lijun Zhao,
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Kanwar B, Khattak A, Kast RE. Dapsone Lowers Neutrophil to Lymphocyte Ratio and Mortality in COVID-19 Patients Admitted to the ICU. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232415563. [PMID: 36555204 PMCID: PMC9779021 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232415563] [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: 10/24/2022] [Revised: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 12/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Some physicians use dapsone as part of the standard treatment of severe COVID-19 patients entering the ICU, though some do not. To obtain an indication of whether dapsone is helping or not, we undertook a retrospective chart review of 29 consecutive ICU COVID-19 patients receiving dapsone and 30 not receiving dapsone. As we previously reported, of those given dapsone, 9/29 (30%) died, while of those not given dapsone, 18/30 (60%) died. We looked back on that data set to determine if there might be basic laboratory findings in these patients that might give an indication of a mechanism by which dapsone was acting. We found that the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio decreased in 48% of those given dapsone and in 30% of those not given dapsone. We concluded that dapsone might be lowering that ratio. We then reviewed collected data on neutrophil related inflammation pathways on which dapsone might act as presented here. As this was not a controlled study, many variables prevent drawing any conclusions from this work; a formal, randomized controlled study of dapsone in severe COVID-19 is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Asif Khattak
- Department of Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Hunt Regional Hospital, Greenville, TX 75401, USA
| | - Richard E. Kast
- IIAIGC Study Center, Burlington, VT 05408, USA
- Correspondence:
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