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Jahankhani K, Ahangari F, Adcock IM, Mortaz E. Possible cancer-causing capacity of COVID-19: Is SARS-CoV-2 an oncogenic agent? Biochimie 2023; 213:130-138. [PMID: 37230238 PMCID: PMC10202899 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2023.05.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2022] [Revised: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has shown diverse life-threatening effects, most of which are considered short-term. In addition to its short-term effects, which has claimed many millions of lives since 2019, the long-term complications of this virus are still under investigation. Similar to many oncogenic viruses, it has been hypothesized that SARS-CoV-2 employs various strategies to cause cancer in different organs. These include leveraging the renin angiotensin system, altering tumor suppressing pathways by means of its nonstructural proteins, and triggering inflammatory cascades by enhancing cytokine production in the form of a "cytokine storm" paving the way for the emergence of cancer stem cells in target organs. Since infection with SARS-CoV-2 occurs in several organs either directly or indirectly, it is expected that cancer stem cells may develop in multiple organs. Thus, we have reviewed the impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on the vulnerability and susceptibility of specific organs to cancer development. It is important to note that the cancer-related effects of SARS-CoV-2 proposed in this article are based on the ability of the virus and its proteins to cause cancer but that the long-term consequences of this infection will only be illustrated in the long run.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kasra Jahankhani
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Ahangari
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ian M Adcock
- Airways Disease, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom; Immune Health Program at Hunter Medical Research Institute and the College of Health and Medicine at the University of Newcastle, Australia
| | - Esmaeil Mortaz
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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2
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Shahbaz MA, De Bernardi F, Alatalo A, Sachana M, Clerbaux LA, Muñoz A, Parvatam S, Landesmann B, Kanninen KM, Coecke S. Mechanistic Understanding of the Olfactory Neuroepithelium Involvement Leading to Short-Term Anosmia in COVID-19 Using the Adverse Outcome Pathway Framework. Cells 2022; 11:3027. [PMID: 36230989 PMCID: PMC9563945 DOI: 10.3390/cells11193027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2022] [Revised: 09/09/2022] [Accepted: 09/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Loss of the sense of smell (anosmia) has been included as a COVID-19 symptom by the World Health Organization. The majority of patients recover the sense of smell within a few weeks postinfection (short-term anosmia), while others report persistent anosmia. Several studies have investigated the mechanisms leading to anosmia in COVID-19; however, the evidence is scattered, and the mechanisms remain poorly understood. Based on a comprehensive review of the literature, we aim here to evaluate the current knowledge and uncertainties regarding the mechanisms leading to short-term anosmia following SARS-CoV-2 infection. We applied an adverse outcome pathway (AOP) framework, well established in toxicology, to propose a sequence of measurable key events (KEs) leading to short-term anosmia in COVID-19. Those KEs are (1) SARS-CoV-2 Spike proteins binding to ACE-2 expressed by the sustentacular (SUS) cells in the olfactory epithelium (OE); (2) viral entry into SUS cells; (3) viral replication in the SUS cells; (4) SUS cell death; (5) damage to the olfactory sensory neurons and the olfactory epithelium (OE). This AOP-aligned approach allows for the identification of gaps where more research should be conducted and where therapeutic intervention could act. Finally, this AOP gives a frame to explain several disease features and can be linked to specific factors that lead to interindividual differences in response to SARS-CoV-2 infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Ali Shahbaz
- A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, 70211 Kuopio, Finland
| | - Francesca De Bernardi
- Division of Otorhinolaryngology, Department of Biotechnologies and Life Sciences, University of Insubria, Ospedale di Circolo e Fondazione Macchi, 21100 Varese, Italy
| | - Arto Alatalo
- A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, 70211 Kuopio, Finland
| | - Magdalini Sachana
- Environment Health and Safety Division, Environment Directorate, Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), 75775 Paris, France
| | | | - Amalia Muñoz
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), 2440 Geel, Belgium
| | - Surat Parvatam
- Centre for Predictive Human Model Systems, Atal Incubation Centre-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (AIC-CCMB), Habsiguda, Hyderabad 500039, India
| | | | - Katja M. Kanninen
- A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, 70211 Kuopio, Finland
| | - Sandra Coecke
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), 21027 Ispra, Italy
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Bai Z, Li P, Wen J, Han Y, Cui Y, Zhou Y, Shi Z, Chen S, Li Q, Zhao X, Wang Z, Li R, Guo Y, Zhan X, Xu G, Ding K, Wang J, Xiao X. Inhibitory effects and mechanisms of the anti-covid-19 traditional Chinese prescription, Keguan-1, on acute lung injury. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2022; 285:114838. [PMID: 34788645 PMCID: PMC8590745 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2021.114838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2021] [Revised: 11/03/2021] [Accepted: 11/11/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Keguan-1, a new traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) prescription contained seven Chinese herbs, is developed to treat coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19). The first internationally registered COVID-19 randomised clinical trial on integrated therapy demonstrated that Keguan-1 significantly reduced the incidence of ARDS and inhibited the severe progression of COVID-19. AIM OF THE STUDY To investigate the protective mechanism of Keguan-1 on ARDS, a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute lung injury (ALI) model was used to simulate the pathological state of ARDS in patients with COVID-19, focusing on its effect and mechanism on ALI. MATERIALS AND METHODS Mice were challenged with LPS (2 mg/kg) by intratracheal instillation (i.t.) and were orally administered Keguan-1 (low dose, 1.25 g/kg; medium dose, 2.5 g/kg; high dose, 5 g/kg) after 2 h. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and lung tissue were collected 6 h and 24 h after i.t. administration of LPS. The levels of inflammatory factors tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β, keratinocyte-derived chemokine (KC or mCXCL1), macrophage inflammatory protein 2 (MIP2 or mCXCL2), angiotensin II (Ang II), and endothelial cell junction-associated proteins were analysed using ELISA or western blotting. RESULTS Keguan-1 improved the survival rate, respiratory condition, and pathological lung injury; decreased the production of proinflammatory factors (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, KC, and MIP2) in BALF and the number of neutrophils in the lung tissues; and ameliorated inflammatory injury in the lung tissues of the mice with LPS-induced ALI. Keguan-1 also reduced the expression of Ang II and the adhesion molecule ICAM-1; increased tight junction proteins (JAM-1 and claudin-5) and VE-cadherin expression; and alleviated pulmonary vascular endothelial injury in LPS-induced ALI. CONCLUSION These results demonstrate that Keguan-1 can improve LPS-induced ALI by reducing inflammation and pulmonary vascular endothelial injury, providing scientific support for the clinical treatment of patients with COVID-19. Moreover, it also provides a theoretical basis and technical support for the scientific use of TCMs in emerging infectious diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhaofang Bai
- Senior Department of Hepatology, The Fifth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100039, China; China Military Institute of Chinese Medicine, The Fifth Medical Centre of PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100039, China.
| | - Pengyan Li
- Senior Department of Hepatology, The Fifth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100039, China; China Military Institute of Chinese Medicine, The Fifth Medical Centre of PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100039, China.
| | - Jincai Wen
- Senior Department of Hepatology, The Fifth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100039, China; China Military Institute of Chinese Medicine, The Fifth Medical Centre of PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100039, China.
| | - Yanzhong Han
- Senior Department of Hepatology, The Fifth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100039, China; China Military Institute of Chinese Medicine, The Fifth Medical Centre of PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100039, China.
| | - Yuanyuan Cui
- Medical Supplies Center of PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100039, China.
| | - Yongfeng Zhou
- Senior Department of Hepatology, The Fifth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100039, China; China Military Institute of Chinese Medicine, The Fifth Medical Centre of PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100039, China.
| | - Zhuo Shi
- Senior Department of Hepatology, The Fifth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100039, China; China Military Institute of Chinese Medicine, The Fifth Medical Centre of PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100039, China.
| | - Shuaishuai Chen
- Senior Department of Hepatology, The Fifth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100039, China; China Military Institute of Chinese Medicine, The Fifth Medical Centre of PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100039, China.
| | - Qiang Li
- Senior Department of Hepatology, The Fifth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100039, China; China Military Institute of Chinese Medicine, The Fifth Medical Centre of PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100039, China.
| | - Xu Zhao
- Senior Department of Hepatology, The Fifth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100039, China; China Military Institute of Chinese Medicine, The Fifth Medical Centre of PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100039, China.
| | - Zhongxia Wang
- Department of TCM, Senior Department of Hepatology, The Fifth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100039, China.
| | - Ruisheng Li
- Research Center for Clinical and Translational Materia, The Fifth Medical Centre of PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100039, China.
| | - Yuming Guo
- Senior Department of Hepatology, The Fifth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100039, China; China Military Institute of Chinese Medicine, The Fifth Medical Centre of PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100039, China.
| | - Xiaoyan Zhan
- Senior Department of Hepatology, The Fifth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100039, China; China Military Institute of Chinese Medicine, The Fifth Medical Centre of PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100039, China.
| | - Guang Xu
- Senior Department of Hepatology, The Fifth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100039, China; China Military Institute of Chinese Medicine, The Fifth Medical Centre of PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100039, China.
| | - Kaixin Ding
- Senior Department of Hepatology, The Fifth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100039, China; China Military Institute of Chinese Medicine, The Fifth Medical Centre of PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100039, China.
| | - Jiabo Wang
- Senior Department of Hepatology, The Fifth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100039, China; China Military Institute of Chinese Medicine, The Fifth Medical Centre of PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100039, China.
| | - Xiaohe Xiao
- Senior Department of Hepatology, The Fifth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100039, China; China Military Institute of Chinese Medicine, The Fifth Medical Centre of PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100039, China.
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Salimi-Jeda A, Abbassi S, Mousavizadeh A, Esghaie M, Bokharaei-Salim F, Jeddi F, Shafaati M, Abdoli A. SARS-CoV-2: Current trends in emerging variants, pathogenesis, immune responses, potential therapeutic, and vaccine development strategies. Int Immunopharmacol 2021; 101:108232. [PMID: 34673335 PMCID: PMC8519814 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2021.108232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2021] [Revised: 09/18/2021] [Accepted: 10/04/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
More than a year after the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, the Coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) is still a major global challenge for scientists to understand the different dimensions of infection and find ways to prevent, treat, and develop a vaccine. On January 30, 2020, the world health organization (WHO) officially announced this new virus as an international health emergency. While many biological and mechanisms of pathogenicity of this virus are still unclear, it seems that cytokine storm resulting from an immune response against the virus is considered the main culprit of the severity of the disease. Despite many global efforts to control the SARS-CoV-2, several problems and challenges have been posed in controlling the COVID-19 infection. These problems include the various mutations, the emergence of variants with high transmissibility, the short period of immunity against the virus, the possibility of reinfection in people improved, lack of specific drugs, and problems in the development of highly sensitive and specific vaccines. In this review, we summarized the results of the current trend and the latest research studies on the characteristics of the structure and genome of the SARS-CoV- 2, new mutations and variants of SARS-CoV-2, pathogenicity, immune response, virus diagnostic tests, potential treatment, and vaccine candidate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Salimi-Jeda
- Department of Virology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Sina Abbassi
- Department of Anesthesiology, Faculty of Medical Science, Tehran University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran
| | - Atieh Mousavizadeh
- Department of Virology, Faculty of Medical Science, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Maryam Esghaie
- Department of Virology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Farah Bokharaei-Salim
- Department of Virology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Farhad Jeddi
- Department of Medical Genetics and Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran
| | - Maryam Shafaati
- Department of Microbiology, Jahrom Branch, Islamic Azad University, Fars, Iran
| | - Asghar Abdoli
- Department of Hepatitis and AIDS, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran.
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Farmani AR, Mahdavinezhad F, Scagnolari C, Kouhestani M, Mohammadi S, Ai J, Shoormeij MH, Rezaei N. An overview on tumor treating fields (TTFields) technology as a new potential subsidiary biophysical treatment for COVID-19. Drug Deliv Transl Res 2021; 12:1605-1615. [PMID: 34542840 PMCID: PMC8451390 DOI: 10.1007/s13346-021-01067-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
COVID-19 pandemic situation has affected millions of people with tens of thousands of deaths worldwide. Despite all efforts for finding drugs or vaccines, the key role for the survival of patients is still related to the immune system. Therefore, improving the efficacy and the functionality of the immune system of COVID-19 patients is very crucial. The potential new, non-invasive, FDA-approved biophysical technology that could be considered in this regard is tumor treating fields (TTFields) based on an alternating electric field has great biological effects. TTFields have significant effects in improving the functionality of dendritic cell, and cytotoxic T-cells, and these cells have a major role in defense against viral infection. Hence, applying TTFields could help COVID-19 patients against infection. Additionally, TTFields can reduce viral genomic replication, by reducing the expressions of some of the vital members of DNA replication complex genes from the minichromosome maintenance family (MCMs). These genes not only are involved in DNA replication but it has also been proven that they have a crucial role in viral replication. Also, TTFields suppress the formation of the network of tunneling nanotubes (TNTs) which is knows as filamentous (F)-actin-rich tubular structures. TNTs have a critical role in promoting the spread of viruses through improving viral entry and acting as a protective agent for viral components from immune cells and even pharmaceuticals. Moreover, TTFields enhance autophagy which leads to apoptosis of virally infected cells. Thus, it can be speculated that using TTFields may prove to be a promising approach as a subsidiary treatment of COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmad Reza Farmani
- Tissue Engineering and Applied Cell Sciences Department, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Tissue Engineering Department-School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, Iran
- Students’ Scientific Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Forough Mahdavinezhad
- Anatomy Department-School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Carolina Scagnolari
- Laboratory of Virology, Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University, Affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia, Viale Di Porta Tiburtina, 28, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Mahsa Kouhestani
- Tissue Engineering and Applied Cell Sciences Department, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sadegh Mohammadi
- Department of Plastic Engineering, Faculty of Polymer Processing, Iran Polymer and Petrochemical Institute, Tehran, Iran
| | - Jafar Ai
- Tissue Engineering and Applied Cell Sciences Department, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Hasan Shoormeij
- Emergency Medicine Department, Shariati Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Nima Rezaei
- Research Center for Immunodeficiencies, Children’s Medical Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Network of Immunity in Infection, Malignancy and Autoimmunity (NIIMA), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran
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Garg SS, Sharma A, Gupta J. Immunomodulation and immunotherapeutics of COVID-19. Clin Immunol 2021; 231:108842. [PMID: 34461289 PMCID: PMC8393504 DOI: 10.1016/j.clim.2021.108842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2021] [Revised: 08/17/2021] [Accepted: 08/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 causes coronavirus disease 2019, a pandemic which was originated from Wuhan city of China. The pandemic has affected millions of people worldwide. The pathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2 is characterized by a cytokine storm in the blood (cytokinemia) and tissues, especially the lungs. One of the major repercussions of this inflammatory process is the endothelial injury-causing intestinal bleeding, coagulopathy, and thromboembolism which result in various sudden and unexpected post-COVID complications including kidney failure, myocardial infarction, or multiorgan failure. In this review, we have summarized the immune responses, biochemical changes, and inflammatory responses in the human body after infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The increased amount of inflammatory cytokines, chemokines, and involvement of complement proteins in inflammatory reaction increase the risk of occurrence of disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sourbh Suren Garg
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Bioengineering and Biosciences, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, Punjab, India
| | - Atulika Sharma
- Department of Chemistry, School of Chemical Engineering and Physical Science, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, Punjab, India
| | - Jeena Gupta
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Bioengineering and Biosciences, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, Punjab, India.
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C9orf72 Intermediate Repeats Confer Genetic Risk for Severe COVID-19 Pneumonia Independently of Age. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22136991. [PMID: 34209673 PMCID: PMC8268051 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22136991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2021] [Revised: 06/24/2021] [Accepted: 06/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
A cytokine storm, autoimmune features and dysfunctions of myeloid cells significantly contribute to severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. Genetic background of the host seems to be partly responsible for severe phenotype and genes related to innate immune response seem critical host determinants. The C9orf72 gene has a role in vesicular trafficking, autophagy regulation and lysosome functions, is highly expressed in myeloid cells and is involved in immune functions, regulating the lysosomal degradation of mediators of innate immunity. A large non-coding hexanucleotide repeat expansion (HRE) in this gene is the main genetic cause of frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), both characterized by neuroinflammation and high systemic levels of proinflammatory cytokines, while HREs of intermediate length, although rare, are more frequent in autoimmune disorders. C9orf72 full mutation results in haploinsufficiency and intermediate HREs seem to modulate gene expression as well and impair autophagy. Herein, we sought to explore whether intermediate HREs in C9orf72 may be a risk factor for severe COVID-19. Although we found intermediate HREs in only a small portion of 240 patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia, the magnitude of risk for requiring non-invasive or mechanical ventilation conferred by harboring intermediate repeats >10 units in at least one C9orf72 allele was more than twice respect to having shorter expansions, when adjusted for age (odds ratio (OR) 2.36; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.04-5.37, p = 0.040). The association between intermediate repeats >10 units and more severe clinical outcome (p = 0.025) was also validated in an independent cohort of 201 SARS-CoV-2 infected patients. These data suggest that C9orf72 HREs >10 units may influence the pathogenic process driving more severe COVID-19 phenotypes.
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