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Alkafaas SS, Abdallah AM, Hassan MH, Hussien AM, Elkafas SS, Loutfy SA, Mikhail A, Murad OG, Elsalahaty MI, Hessien M, Elshazli RM, Alsaeed FA, Ahmed AE, Kamal HK, Hafez W, El-Saadony MT, El-Tarabily KA, Ghosh S. Molecular docking as a tool for the discovery of novel insight about the role of acid sphingomyelinase inhibitors in SARS- CoV-2 infectivity. BMC Public Health 2024; 24:395. [PMID: 38321448 PMCID: PMC10848368 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-024-17747-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 02/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Recently, COVID-19, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and its variants, caused > 6 million deaths. Symptoms included respiratory strain and complications, leading to severe pneumonia. SARS-CoV-2 attaches to the ACE-2 receptor of the host cell membrane to enter. Targeting the SARS-CoV-2 entry may effectively inhibit infection. Acid sphingomyelinase (ASMase) is a lysosomal protein that catalyzes the conversion of sphingolipid (sphingomyelin) to ceramide. Ceramide molecules aggregate/assemble on the plasma membrane to form "platforms" that facilitate the viral intake into the cell. Impairing the ASMase activity will eventually disrupt viral entry into the cell. In this review, we identified the metabolism of sphingolipids, sphingolipids' role in cell signal transduction cascades, and viral infection mechanisms. Also, we outlined ASMase structure and underlying mechanisms inhibiting viral entry 40 with the aid of inhibitors of acid sphingomyelinase (FIASMAs). In silico molecular docking analyses of FIASMAs with inhibitors revealed that dilazep (S = - 12.58 kcal/mol), emetine (S = - 11.65 kcal/mol), pimozide (S = - 11.29 kcal/mol), carvedilol (S = - 11.28 kcal/mol), mebeverine (S = - 11.14 kcal/mol), cepharanthine (S = - 11.06 kcal/mol), hydroxyzin (S = - 10.96 kcal/mol), astemizole (S = - 10.81 kcal/mol), sertindole (S = - 10.55 kcal/mol), and bepridil (S = - 10.47 kcal/mol) have higher inhibition activity than the candidate drug amiodarone (S = - 10.43 kcal/mol), making them better options for inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samar Sami Alkafaas
- Molecular Cell Biology Unit, Division of Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Tanta University, Tanta, 31527, Egypt.
| | - Abanoub Mosaad Abdallah
- Narcotic Research Department, National Center for Social and Criminological Research (NCSCR), Giza, 11561, Egypt
| | - Mai H Hassan
- Molecular Cell Biology Unit, Division of Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Tanta University, Tanta, 31527, Egypt
| | - Aya Misbah Hussien
- Biotechnology department at Institute of Graduate Studies and Research, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Sara Samy Elkafas
- Production Engineering and Mechanical Design Department, Faculty of Engineering, Menofia University, Menofia, Egypt
- Faculty of Control System and Robotics, ITMO University, Saint-Petersburg, 197101, Russia
| | - Samah A Loutfy
- Virology and Immunology Unit, Cancer Biology Department, National Cancer Institute, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
- Nanotechnology Research Center, British University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Abanoub Mikhail
- Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, Minia University, Minia, Egypt
- Faculty of Physics, ITMO University, Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | - Omnia G Murad
- Division of Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Tanta University, Tanta, 31527, Egypt
| | - Mohamed I Elsalahaty
- Division of Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Tanta University, Tanta, 31527, Egypt
| | - Mohamed Hessien
- Molecular Cell Biology Unit, Division of Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Tanta University, Tanta, 31527, Egypt
| | - Rami M Elshazli
- Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics Unit, Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Horus University - Egypt, New Damietta, 34517, Egypt
| | - Fatimah A Alsaeed
- Department of Biology, College of Science, King Khalid University, Muhayl, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ahmed Ezzat Ahmed
- Biology Department, College of Science, King Khalid University, Abha, 61413, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hani K Kamal
- Anatomy and Histology, Faculty of Pharmacy, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Wael Hafez
- NMC Royal Hospital, 16Th Street, 35233, Khalifa City, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
- Medical Research Division, Department of Internal Medicine, The National Research Centre, 12622, 33 El Buhouth St, Ad Doqi, Dokki, Cairo Governorate, Egypt
| | - Mohamed T El-Saadony
- Department of Agricultural Microbiology, Faculty of Agriculture, Zagazig University, Zagazig, 44511, Egypt
| | - Khaled A El-Tarabily
- Department of Biology, College of Science, United Arab Emirates University, Al-Ain, 15551, United Arab Emirates
| | - Soumya Ghosh
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, 9301, South Africa
- Natural & Medical Science Research Center, University of Nizwa, Nizwa, Oman
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2
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Fenizia S, Gaggini M, Vassalle C. The Sphingolipid-Signaling Pathway as a Modulator of Infection by SARS-CoV-2. Curr Issues Mol Biol 2023; 45:7956-7973. [PMID: 37886946 PMCID: PMC10605018 DOI: 10.3390/cimb45100503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Revised: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Ceramides and other related sphingolipids, important cellular components linked to metabolic homeostasis and cardiometabolic diseases, have been found to be involved in different steps of the SARS-CoV-2 life cycle. Hence, changes in their physiological levels are identified as predictors of COVID-19 severity and prognosis, as well as potential therapeutic targets. In this review, an overview of the SARS-CoV-2 life cycle is given, followed by a description of the sphingolipid metabolism and its role in viral infection, with a particular focus on those steps required to finalize the viral life cycle. Furthermore, the use and development of pharmaceutical strategies to target sphingolipids to prevent and treat severe and long-term symptoms of infectious diseases, particularly COVID-19, are reviewed herein. Finally, research perspectives and current challenges in this research field are highlighted. Although many aspects of sphingolipid metabolism are not fully known, this review aims to highlight how the discovery and use of molecules targeting sphingolipids with reliable and selective properties may offer new therapeutic alternatives to infectious and other diseases, including COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona Fenizia
- Istituto di Fisiologia Clinica, Italian National Research Council, Via Moruzzi 1, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Melania Gaggini
- Fondazione CNR-Regione Toscana G. Monasterio, Via Moruzzi 1, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Cristina Vassalle
- Fondazione CNR-Regione Toscana G. Monasterio, Via Moruzzi 1, 56124 Pisa, Italy
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3
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Pauletto PJT, Delgado CP, da Rocha JBT. Acid sphingomyelinase (ASM) and COVID-19: A review of the potential use of ASM inhibitors against SARS-CoV-2. Cell Biochem Funct 2023; 41:284-295. [PMID: 36929117 DOI: 10.1002/cbf.3789] [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: 07/20/2022] [Revised: 02/16/2023] [Accepted: 02/26/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023]
Abstract
In the last 2 years, different pharmacological agents have been indicated as potential inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 in vitro. Specifically, drugs termed as functional inhibitors of acid sphingomyelinase (FIASMAs) have proved to inhibit the SARS-CoV-2 replication using different types of cells. Those therapeutic agents share several chemical structure characteristics and some well-known representatives are fluoxetine, escitalopram, fluvoxamine, and others. Most of the FIASMAs are primarily used as effective therapeutic agents to treat different pathologies, therefore, they are natural drug candidates for repositioning strategy. In this review, we summarize the two main proposed mechanisms mediating acid sphingomyelinase (ASM) inhibition and how they can explain the inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 replication by FIASMAs. The first mechanism implies a disruption in the lysosomal pH fall as the endosome-lysosome moves toward the interior of the cell. In fact, changes in cholesterol levels in endosome-lysosome membranes, which are associated with ASM inhibition is thought to be mediated by lysosomal proton pump (ATP-ase) inactivation. The second mechanism involves the formation of an extracellular ceramide-rich domain, which is blocked by FIASMAs. The ceramide-rich domains are believed to facilitate the SARS-CoV-2 entrance into the host cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro José Tronco Pauletto
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria (UFSM), Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Cassia Pereira Delgado
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria (UFSM), Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - João Batista Teixeira da Rocha
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria (UFSM), Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
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Lai M, De Carli A, Filipponi C, Iacono E, La Rocca V, Lottini G, Piazza CR, Quaranta P, Sidoti M, Pistello M, Freer G. Lipid balance remodelling by human positive-strand RNA viruses and the contribution of lysosomes. Antiviral Res 2022; 206:105398. [PMID: 35985406 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2022.105398] [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: 07/11/2022] [Revised: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 08/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
A marked reorganization of internal membranes occurs in the cytoplasm of cells infected by single stranded positive-sense RNA viruses. Most cell compartments change their asset to provide lipids for membrane rearrangement into replication organelles, where to concentrate viral proteins and enzymes while hiding from pathogen pattern recognition molecules. Because the endoplasmic reticulum is a central hub for lipid metabolism, when viruses hijack the organelle to form their replication organelles, a cascade of events change the intracellular environment. This results in a marked increase in lipid consumption, both by lipolysis and lipophagy of lipid droplets. In addition, lipids are used to produce energy for viral replication. At the same time, inflammation is started by signalling lipids, where lysosomal processing plays a relevant role. This review is aimed at providing an overview on what takes place after human class IV viruses have released their genome into the host cell and the consequences on lipid metabolism, including lysosomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michele Lai
- Centro Retrovirus, Dipartimento di Ricerca Traslazionale, Strada Statale del Brennero 2, University of Pisa, Pisa, 56127, Italy.
| | - Alessandro De Carli
- Centro Retrovirus, Dipartimento di Ricerca Traslazionale, Strada Statale del Brennero 2, University of Pisa, Pisa, 56127, Italy; Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, Italy.
| | - Carolina Filipponi
- Centro Retrovirus, Dipartimento di Ricerca Traslazionale, Strada Statale del Brennero 2, University of Pisa, Pisa, 56127, Italy.
| | - Elena Iacono
- Centro Retrovirus, Dipartimento di Ricerca Traslazionale, Strada Statale del Brennero 2, University of Pisa, Pisa, 56127, Italy.
| | - Veronica La Rocca
- Centro Retrovirus, Dipartimento di Ricerca Traslazionale, Strada Statale del Brennero 2, University of Pisa, Pisa, 56127, Italy; Institute of Life Sciences, Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies, Pisa, Italy.
| | - Giulia Lottini
- Centro Retrovirus, Dipartimento di Ricerca Traslazionale, Strada Statale del Brennero 2, University of Pisa, Pisa, 56127, Italy; Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, Italy.
| | - Carmen Rita Piazza
- Centro Retrovirus, Dipartimento di Ricerca Traslazionale, Strada Statale del Brennero 2, University of Pisa, Pisa, 56127, Italy; Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, Italy.
| | - Paola Quaranta
- Centro Retrovirus, Dipartimento di Ricerca Traslazionale, Strada Statale del Brennero 2, University of Pisa, Pisa, 56127, Italy.
| | - Maria Sidoti
- Centro Retrovirus, Dipartimento di Ricerca Traslazionale, Strada Statale del Brennero 2, University of Pisa, Pisa, 56127, Italy.
| | - Mauro Pistello
- Centro Retrovirus, Dipartimento di Ricerca Traslazionale, Strada Statale del Brennero 2, University of Pisa, Pisa, 56127, Italy.
| | - Giulia Freer
- Centro Retrovirus, Dipartimento di Ricerca Traslazionale, Strada Statale del Brennero 2, University of Pisa, Pisa, 56127, Italy.
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Association of Amlodipine with the Risk of In-Hospital Death in Patients with COVID-19 and Hypertension: A Reanalysis on 184 COVID-19 Patients with Hypertension. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:ph15030380. [PMID: 35337177 PMCID: PMC8952430 DOI: 10.3390/ph15030380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Revised: 03/16/2022] [Accepted: 03/18/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Association between calcium channel blockers (CCBs) or functional inhibitors of acid sphingomyelinase (FIASMAs) use and decreased mortality in people with COVID-19 has been reported in recent studies. Since amlodipine is both a CCB and a FIASMA, the aim of this study was to investigate the association between chronic amlodipine use and the survival of people with hypertension infected with COVID-19. This retrospective cohort study used data extracted from the medical records of adult inpatients with hypertension and laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 between 1 March 2020 and 31 August 2020 with definite outcomes (discharged from hospital or deceased) from Erasme Hospital (Brussels, Belgium). We re-analyzed the data of the retrospective cohort study using only the 184 patients (103 males, 81 females) with a mean age of 69.54 years (SD = 14.6) with hypertension. The fifty-five participants (29.9%) receiving a chronic prescription of amlodipine were compared with the 129 patients who did not receive a chronic prescription of amlodipine. Univariate and multivariate logistic regressions were used to explore the relationships between mortality and sex, age, comorbidities, smoking, and amlodipine status. Out of the 184 participants, 132 (71.7%) survived and 52 (28.3%) died. The mortality rates were, respectively, 12.73% (n = 7) and 34.88% (n = 45) for the amlodipine and non-amlodipine groups. Multivariate logistic regression was significant (Chi square (5) = 29.11; p < 0.0001). Chronic kidney disease and malignant neoplasm were significant predictors as well as amlodipine status. For chronic kidney disease and malignant neoplasm, the odds ratio with 95% confidence interval (95% CI) were, respectively, 2.16 (95% CI: 1.04−4.5; p = 0.039) and 2.46 (95% CI: 1.01−6.01; p = 0.047). For amlodipine status the odds ratio was 0.29 (95% CI: 0.11−0.74; p = 0.009). The result of the present study suggests that amlodipine may be associated with reduced mortality in people with hypertension infected with COVID-19. Further research and randomized clinical trials are needed to confirm the potential protective effect of amlodipine in people with hypertension infected with COVID-19.
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Le Corre P, Loas G. Difficulty in Repurposing Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors and Other Antidepressants with Functional Inhibition of Acid Sphingomyelinase in COVID-19 Infection. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:849095. [PMID: 35308205 PMCID: PMC8927035 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.849095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The rapid spread of COVID-19 has become a health emergency causing an urgent need for drug treatments to control the outbreak, especially in more vulnerable individuals. This is reinforced by the fact that prophylactic vaccines and neutralizing monoclonal antibodies may not be fully effective against emerging variants. Despite all efforts made by the scientific community, efficient therapeutic options currently remain scarce, either in the initial, as well as in the advanced forms of the disease. From retrospective observational studies and prospective clinical trials, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), and other antidepressants with functional inhibition of acid sphingomyelinase (FIASMAs), have emerged as potential treatments of COVID-19. This has led to some prematurely optimistic points of view, promoting a large prescription of fluvoxamine in patients with COVID-19, that we think should be reasonably tempered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pascal Le Corre
- Pôle Pharmacie, Service Hospitalo-Universitaire de Pharmacie, CHU de Rennes, Rennes, France
- Univ Rennes, CHU Rennes, Inserm, EHESP, Irset (Institut de Recherche en Santé, Environnement et Travail) - UMR_S 1085, Rennes, France
- Laboratoire de Biopharmacie et Pharmacie Clinique, Faculté de Pharmacie, Université de Rennes 1, Rennes, France
- *Correspondence: Pascal Le Corre,
| | - Gwenolé Loas
- Department of Psychiatry, Hôpital Erasme, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Brussels, Belgium
- Research Unit (ULB 266), Hôpital Erasme, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Brussels, Belgium
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7
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Kotfis K, Karolak I, Lechowicz K, Zegan-Barańska M, Pikulska A, Niedźwiedzka-Rystwej P, Kawa M, Sieńko J, Szylińska A, Wiśniewska M. Mineralocorticoid Receptor Antagonist (Potassium Canrenoate) Does Not Influence Outcome in the Treatment of COVID-19-Associated Pneumonia and Fibrosis—A Randomized Placebo Controlled Clinical Trial. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:ph15020200. [PMID: 35215312 PMCID: PMC8874492 DOI: 10.3390/ph15020200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2022] [Revised: 01/29/2022] [Accepted: 02/03/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
In December 2019 the SARS-CoV-2 virus appeared in the world, mainly presenting as an acute infection of the lower respiratory tract, namely pneumonia. Nearly 10% of all patients show significant pulmonary fibrotic changes after the infection. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of potassium canrenoate in the treatment of COVID-19-associated pneumonia and pulmonary fibrosis. We performed a randomized clinical trial (RCT) of potassium canrenoate vs placebo. A total of 55 patients were randomized and 49 were included in the final analysis (24 allocated to the intervention group and 25 allocated to the control group). Patients were assessed by physical examination, lung ultrasound, CT imaging and blood samples that underwent biochemical analysis. This RCT has shown that the administration of potassium canrenoate to patients with COVID-19 induced pneumonia was not associated with shorter mechanical ventilation time, shorter passive oxygenation, shorter length of hospitalization or less fibrotic changes on CT imaging. The overall mortality rate was not significantly different between the two groups. Adverse events recorded in this study were not significantly increased by the administration of potassium canrenoate. The negative outcome of the study may be associated with the relatively small number of patients included. Any possible benefits from the use of potassium canrenoate as an antifibrotic drug in COVID-19 patients require further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarzyna Kotfis
- Department of Anesthesiology, Intensive Therapy and Acute Intoxications, Pomeranian Medical University, 70-111 Szczecin, Poland; (I.K.); (K.L.); (M.Z.-B.); (A.P.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Igor Karolak
- Department of Anesthesiology, Intensive Therapy and Acute Intoxications, Pomeranian Medical University, 70-111 Szczecin, Poland; (I.K.); (K.L.); (M.Z.-B.); (A.P.)
| | - Kacper Lechowicz
- Department of Anesthesiology, Intensive Therapy and Acute Intoxications, Pomeranian Medical University, 70-111 Szczecin, Poland; (I.K.); (K.L.); (M.Z.-B.); (A.P.)
| | - Małgorzata Zegan-Barańska
- Department of Anesthesiology, Intensive Therapy and Acute Intoxications, Pomeranian Medical University, 70-111 Szczecin, Poland; (I.K.); (K.L.); (M.Z.-B.); (A.P.)
| | - Agnieszka Pikulska
- Department of Anesthesiology, Intensive Therapy and Acute Intoxications, Pomeranian Medical University, 70-111 Szczecin, Poland; (I.K.); (K.L.); (M.Z.-B.); (A.P.)
| | | | - Miłosz Kawa
- Department of Radiology, Pomeranian Medical University, 70-111 Szczecin, Poland;
| | - Jerzy Sieńko
- Department of General and Transplantation Surgery, Pomeranian Medical University, 70-111 Szczecin, Poland;
| | - Aleksandra Szylińska
- Department of Medical Rehabilitation and Clinical Physiotherapy, Pomeranian Medical University, 71-111 Szczecin, Poland;
| | - Magda Wiśniewska
- Clinical Department of Nephrology, Transplantology and Internal Medicine, Pomeranian Medical University, 70-111 Szczecin, Poland;
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Abusukhun M, Winkler MS, Pöhlmann S, Moerer O, Meissner K, Tampe B, Hofmann-Winkler H, Bauer M, Gräler MH, Claus RA. Activation of Sphingomyelinase-Ceramide-Pathway in COVID-19 Purposes Its Inhibition for Therapeutic Strategies. Front Immunol 2022; 12:784989. [PMID: 34987511 PMCID: PMC8721106 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.784989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2021] [Accepted: 12/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Effective treatment strategies for severe coronavirus disease (COVID-19) remain scarce. Hydrolysis of membrane-embedded, inert sphingomyelin by stress responsive sphingomyelinases is a hallmark of adaptive responses and cellular repair. As demonstrated in experimental and observational clinical studies, the transient and stress-triggered release of a sphingomyelinase, SMPD1, into circulation and subsequent ceramide generation provides a promising target for FDA-approved drugs. Here, we report the activation of sphingomyelinase-ceramide pathway in 23 intensive care patients with severe COVID-19. We observed an increase of circulating activity of sphingomyelinase with subsequent derangement of sphingolipids in serum lipoproteins and from red blood cells (RBC). Consistent with increased ceramide levels derived from the inert membrane constituent sphingomyelin, increased activity of acid sphingomyelinase (ASM) accurately distinguished the patient cohort undergoing intensive care from healthy controls. Positive correlational analyses with biomarkers of severe clinical phenotype support the concept of an essential pathophysiological role of ASM in the course of SARS-CoV-2 infection as well as of a promising role for functional inhibition with anti-inflammatory agents in SARS-CoV-2 infection as also proposed in independent observational studies. We conclude that large-sized multicenter, interventional trials are now needed to evaluate the potential benefit of functional inhibition of this sphingomyelinase in critically ill patients with COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Murad Abusukhun
- Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany.,Center for Molecular Biomedicine (CMB), Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
| | - Martin S Winkler
- Department of Anesthesiology, Emergency and Intensive Care Medicine, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Stefan Pöhlmann
- Infection Biology Unit, German Primate Center-Leibniz Institute for Primate Research, Göttingen, Germany.,Faculty of Biology and Psychology, University Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Onnen Moerer
- Department of Anesthesiology, Emergency and Intensive Care Medicine, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Konrad Meissner
- Department of Anesthesiology, Emergency and Intensive Care Medicine, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Björn Tampe
- Department of Nephrology, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Heike Hofmann-Winkler
- Infection Biology Unit, German Primate Center-Leibniz Institute for Primate Research, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Michael Bauer
- Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany.,Center for Sepsis Control and Care (CSCC), Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
| | - Markus H Gräler
- Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany.,Center for Molecular Biomedicine (CMB), Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany.,Center for Sepsis Control and Care (CSCC), Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
| | - Ralf A Claus
- Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany.,Center for Molecular Biomedicine (CMB), Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
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9
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Mechanisms of action of fluvoxamine for COVID-19: a historical review. Mol Psychiatry 2022; 27:1898-1907. [PMID: 34997196 PMCID: PMC8739627 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-021-01432-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2021] [Revised: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 12/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused by the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) accelerates the discovery of prophylactic and therapeutic drugs for persons infected with the virus. Drug repurposing for the COVID-19 pandemic has received particular attention. Increasing clinical data suggest that antidepressant use in early-stage subjects with COVID-19 might be associated with a reduced risk of intubation or death. Among the antidepressants, fluvoxamine is the most attractive drug for mild to moderate subjects with COVID-19. In this article, we review the mechanisms of action (i.e., serotonin transporter, sigma-1 receptor, and acid sphingomyelinase) of fluvoxamine for COVID-19. Furthermore, we discuss a possible link between maternal COVID-19 infection and a risk for neuropsychiatric disorders (i.e., autism spectrum disorder and schizophrenia) in offspring.
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10
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Le Corre P, Loas G. Compatibility of FIASMA Pharmacokinetics With Study End Points? Clin Pharmacol Ther 2021; 111:353. [PMID: 34719015 DOI: 10.1002/cpt.2442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2021] [Accepted: 10/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Pascal Le Corre
- Pôle Pharmacie, Service Hospitalo-Universitaire de Pharmacie, CHU de Rennes, Rennes, France.,CHU Rennes, Inserm, EHESP, Irset (Institut de recherche en santé, Environnement et travail) - UMR_S 1085, Univ Rennes, Rennes, France.,Laboratoire de Biopharmacie et Pharmacie Clinique, Faculté de Pharmacie, Université de Rennes 1, Rennes, France
| | - Gwenolé Loas
- Department of Psychiatry, Hôpital Erasme, Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Brussels, Belgium.,Research Unit (ULB 266), Hôpital Erasme, Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Brussels, Belgium
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11
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Breiden B, Sandhoff K. Acid Sphingomyelinase, a Lysosomal and Secretory Phospholipase C, Is Key for Cellular Phospholipid Catabolism. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:9001. [PMID: 34445706 PMCID: PMC8396676 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22169001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2021] [Revised: 08/14/2021] [Accepted: 08/16/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Here, we present the main features of human acid sphingomyelinase (ASM), its biosynthesis, processing and intracellular trafficking, its structure, its broad substrate specificity, and the proposed mode of action at the surface of the phospholipid substrate carrying intraendolysosomal luminal vesicles. In addition, we discuss the complex regulation of its phospholipid cleaving activity by membrane lipids and lipid-binding proteins. The majority of the literature implies that ASM hydrolyses solely sphingomyelin to generate ceramide and ignores its ability to degrade further substrates. Indeed, more than twenty different phospholipids are cleaved by ASM in vitro, including some minor but functionally important phospholipids such as the growth factor ceramide-1-phosphate and the unique lysosomal lysolipid bis(monoacylglycero)phosphate. The inherited ASM deficiency, Niemann-Pick disease type A and B, impairs mainly, but not only, cellular sphingomyelin catabolism, causing a progressive sphingomyelin accumulation, which furthermore triggers a secondary accumulation of lipids (cholesterol, glucosylceramide, GM2) by inhibiting their turnover in late endosomes and lysosomes. However, ASM appears to be involved in a variety of major cellular functions with a regulatory significance for an increasing number of metabolic disorders. The biochemical characteristics of ASM, their potential effect on cellular lipid turnover, as well as a potential impact on physiological processes will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Konrad Sandhoff
- Membrane Biology and Lipid Biochemistry Unit, LIMES Institute, University of Bonn, 53121 Bonn, Germany
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