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Gorres KL, Reineke DM, Miller G. Transcriptome analysis of Burkitt lymphoma cells treated with anti-convulsant drugs that are inhibitors of Epstein-Barr virus lytic reactivation. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0299198. [PMID: 38635661 PMCID: PMC11025866 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0299198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 02/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Herpesviruses have two distinct life cycle stages, latency and lytic replication. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), a gamma-herpesvirus, establishes latency in vivo and in cultured cells. Cell lines harboring latent EBV can be induced into the lytic cycle by treatment with chemical inducing agents. In the Burkitt lymphoma cell line HH514-16 the viral lytic cycle is triggered by butyrate, a histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor. Butyrate also alters expression of thousands of cellular genes. However, valproic acid (VPA), another HDAC inhibitor with global effects on cellular gene expression blocks EBV lytic gene expression in Burkitt lymphoma cell lines. Valpromide (VPM), an amide derivative of VPA, is not an HDAC inhibitor, but like VPA blocks induction of the EBV lytic cycle. VPA and VPM are the first examples of inhibitors of initial stages of lytic reactivation. We compared the effects of VPA and VPM, alone and in combination with butyrate, on host cellular gene expression using whole transcriptome analysis (RNA-seq). Gene expression was analyzed 6 h after addition of the compounds, a time before the first EBV lytic transcripts are detected. The results address two alternative, yet possibly complementary, mechanisms for regulation of EBV lytic reactivation. First, cellular genes that were up- or down-regulated by butyrate, but no longer altered in the presence of VPA or VPM, represent genes that correlated with EBV lytic reactivation. Second, genes regulated similarly by VPA and VPM in the absence and presence of butyrate are candidates for suppressors of EBV reactivation. Two genes upregulated by the lytic cycle inhibitors, CHAC1 and SLC7A11, are related to redox status and the iron-dependent cell death pathway ferroptosis. This study generates new hypotheses for control of the latency to lytic cycle switch of EBV and provides the first description of effects of the anti-convulsant drug VPM on global human cellular gene expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelly L. Gorres
- Department of Molecular Biophysics & Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
| | - David M. Reineke
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics and Statistics Consulting Center, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, La Crosse, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - George Miller
- Department of Pediatrics and Department of Molecular Biophysics & Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
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2
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Andreu S, Agúndez C, Ripa I, López-Guerrero JA, Bello-Morales R. Pseudorabies virus uses clathrin mediated endocytosis to enter PK15 swine cell line. Front Microbiol 2024; 15:1332175. [PMID: 38374920 PMCID: PMC10876092 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1332175] [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: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Pseudorabies virus (PRV), a herpesvirus responsible for Aujeszky's disease, causes high mortality in swine populations. To develop effective and novel antiviral strategies, it is essential to understand the mechanism of entry used by PRV to infect its host. Viruses have different ways of entering host cells. Among others, they can use endocytosis, a fundamental cellular process by which substances from the external environment are internalized into the cell. This process is classified into clathrin-mediated endocytosis (CME) and clathrin-independent endocytosis (CIE), depending on the role of clathrin. Although the involvement of cholesterol-rich lipid rafts in the entry of PRV has already been described, the importance of other endocytic pathways involving clathrin remains unexplored to date. Here, we characterize the role of CME in PRV entry into the PK15 swine cell line. By using CME inhibitory drugs, we report a decrease in PRV infection when the CME pathway is blocked. We also perform the shRNA knockdown of the μ-subunit of the adaptor protein AP-2 (AP2M1), which plays an important role in the maturation of clathrin-coated vesicles, and the infection is greatly reduced when this subunit is knocked down. Furthermore, transmission electron microscopy images report PRV virions inside clathrin-coated vesicles. Overall, this study suggests for the first time that CME is a mechanism used by PRV to enter PK15 cells and provides valuable insights into its possible routes of entry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabina Andreu
- Departamento de Biología Molecular, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa (Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas), Madrid, Spain
| | - Carmen Agúndez
- Departamento de Biología Molecular, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Inés Ripa
- Departamento de Biología Molecular, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa (Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas), Madrid, Spain
| | - José Antonio López-Guerrero
- Departamento de Biología Molecular, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa (Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas), Madrid, Spain
| | - Raquel Bello-Morales
- Departamento de Biología Molecular, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa (Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas), Madrid, Spain
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3
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Chu Y, Li M, Sun M, Wang J, Xin W, Xu L. Gene crosstalk between COVID-19 and preeclampsia revealed by blood transcriptome analysis. Front Immunol 2024; 14:1243450. [PMID: 38259479 PMCID: PMC10800816 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1243450] [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: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Background The extensive spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has led to a rapid increase in global mortality. Preeclampsia is a commonly observed pregnancy ailment characterized by high maternal morbidity and mortality rates, in addition to the restriction of fetal growth within the uterine environment. Pregnant individuals afflicted with vascular disorders, including preeclampsia, exhibit an increased susceptibility to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection via mechanisms that have not been fully delineated. Additionally, the intricate molecular mechanisms underlying preeclampsia and COVID-19 have not been fully elucidated. This study aimed to discern commonalities in gene expression, regulators, and pathways shared between COVID-19 and preeclampsia. The objective was to uncover potential insights that could contribute to novel treatment strategies for both COVID-19 and preeclampsia. Method Transcriptomic datasets for COVID-19 peripheral blood (GSE152418) and preeclampsia blood (GSE48424) were initially sourced from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Subsequent to that, we conducted a subanalysis by selecting females from the GSE152418 dataset and employed the "Deseq2" package to identify genes that exhibited differential expression. Simultaneously, the "limma" package was applied to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the preeclampsia dataset (GSE48424). Following that, an intersection analysis was conducted to identify the common DEGs obtained from both the COVID-19 and preeclampsia datasets. The identified shared DEGs were subsequently utilized for functional enrichment analysis, transcription factor (TF) and microRNAs (miRNA) prediction, pathway analysis, and identification of potential candidate drugs. Finally, to validate the bioinformatics findings, we collected peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) samples from healthy individuals, COVID-19 patients, and Preeclampsia patients. The abundance of the top 10 Hub genes in both diseases was assessed using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Result A total of 355 overlapping DEGs were identified in both preeclampsia and COVID-19 datasets. Subsequent ontological analysis, encompassing Gene Ontology (GO) functional assessment and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis, revealed a significant association between the two conditions. Protein-protein interactions (PPIs) were constructed using the STRING database. Additionally, the top 10 hub genes (MRPL11, MRPS12, UQCRH, ATP5I, UQCRQ, ATP5D, COX6B1, ATP5O, ATP5H, NDUFA6) were selected based on their ranking scores using the degree algorithm, which considered the shared DEGs. Moreover, transcription factor-gene interactions, protein-drug interactions, co-regulatory networks of DEGs and miRNAs, and protein-drug interactions involving the shared DEGs were also identified in the datasets. Finally, RT-PCR results confirmed that 10 hub genes do exhibit distinct expression profiles in the two diseases. Conclusion This study successfully identified overlapping DEGs, functional pathways, and regulatory elements between COVID-19 and preeclampsia. The findings provide valuable insights into the shared molecular mechanisms and potential therapeutic targets for both diseases. The validation through RT-qPCR further supports the distinct expression profiles of the identified hub genes in COVID-19 and preeclampsia, emphasizing their potential roles as biomarkers or therapeutic targets in these conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Lin Xu
- Department of Obstetrics, the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
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Stakišaitis D, Kapočius L, Kilimaitė E, Gečys D, Šlekienė L, Balnytė I, Palubinskienė J, Lesauskaitė V. Preclinical Study in Mouse Thymus and Thymocytes: Effects of Treatment with a Combination of Sodium Dichloroacetate and Sodium Valproate on Infectious Inflammation Pathways. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:2715. [PMID: 38140056 PMCID: PMC10747708 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15122715] [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: 10/29/2023] [Revised: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The research presents data from a preclinical study on the anti-inflammatory effects of a sodium dichloroacetate and sodium valproate combination (DCA-VPA). The 2-week treatment with a DCA 100 mg/kg/day and VPA 150 mg/kg/day combination solution in drinking water's effects on the thymus weight, its cortex/medulla ratio, Hassall's corpuscles (HCs) number in the thymus medulla, and the expression of inflammatory and immune-response-related genes in thymocytes of male Balb/c mice were studied. Two groups of mice aged 6-7 weeks were investigated: a control (n = 12) and a DCA-VPA-treated group (n = 12). The treatment did not affect the body weight gain (p > 0.05), the thymus weight (p > 0.05), the cortical/medulla ratio (p > 0.05), or the number of HCs (p > 0.05). Treatment significantly increased the Slc5a8 gene expression by 2.1-fold (p < 0.05). Gene sequence analysis revealed a significant effect on the expression of inflammation-related genes in thymocytes by significantly altering the expression of several genes related to the cytokine activity pathway, the inflammatory response pathway, and the Il17 signaling pathway in thymocytes. Data suggest that DCA-VPA exerts an anti-inflammatory effect by inhibiting the inflammatory mechanisms in the mouse thymocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donatas Stakišaitis
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Medical Academy, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, 44307 Kaunas, Lithuania; (L.K.); (L.Š.); (I.B.); (J.P.)
- Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, National Cancer Institute, 08660 Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Linas Kapočius
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Medical Academy, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, 44307 Kaunas, Lithuania; (L.K.); (L.Š.); (I.B.); (J.P.)
| | - Evelina Kilimaitė
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Medical Academy, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, 44307 Kaunas, Lithuania; (L.K.); (L.Š.); (I.B.); (J.P.)
| | - Dovydas Gečys
- Laboratory of Molecular Cardiology, Institute of Cardiology, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Sukileliu Ave., 50161 Kaunas, Lithuania;
| | - Lina Šlekienė
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Medical Academy, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, 44307 Kaunas, Lithuania; (L.K.); (L.Š.); (I.B.); (J.P.)
| | - Ingrida Balnytė
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Medical Academy, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, 44307 Kaunas, Lithuania; (L.K.); (L.Š.); (I.B.); (J.P.)
| | - Jolita Palubinskienė
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Medical Academy, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, 44307 Kaunas, Lithuania; (L.K.); (L.Š.); (I.B.); (J.P.)
| | - Vaiva Lesauskaitė
- Laboratory of Molecular Cardiology, Institute of Cardiology, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Sukileliu Ave., 50161 Kaunas, Lithuania;
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Stakišaitis D, Kapočius L, Valančiūtė A, Balnytė I, Tamošuitis T, Vaitkevičius A, Sužiedėlis K, Urbonienė D, Tatarūnas V, Kilimaitė E, Gečys D, Lesauskaitė V. SARS-CoV-2 Infection, Sex-Related Differences, and a Possible Personalized Treatment Approach with Valproic Acid: A Review. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10050962. [PMID: 35625699 PMCID: PMC9138665 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10050962] [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: 03/24/2022] [Revised: 04/16/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Sex differences identified in the COVID-19 pandemic are necessary to study. It is essential to investigate the efficacy of the drugs in clinical trials for the treatment of COVID-19, and to analyse the sex-related beneficial and adverse effects. The histone deacetylase inhibitor valproic acid (VPA) is a potential drug that could be adapted to prevent the progression and complications of SARS-CoV-2 infection. VPA has a history of research in the treatment of various viral infections. This article reviews the preclinical data, showing that the pharmacological impact of VPA may apply to COVID-19 pathogenetic mechanisms. VPA inhibits SARS-CoV-2 virus entry, suppresses the pro-inflammatory immune cell and cytokine response to infection, and reduces inflammatory tissue and organ damage by mechanisms that may appear to be sex-related. The antithrombotic, antiplatelet, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, glucose- and testosterone-lowering in blood serum effects of VPA suggest that the drug could be promising for therapy of COVID-19. Sex-related differences in the efficacy of VPA treatment may be significant in developing a personalised treatment strategy for COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donatas Stakišaitis
- Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, National Cancer Institute, 08660 Vilnius, Lithuania;
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Medical Academy, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, 44307 Kaunas, Lithuania; (L.K.); (A.V.); (I.B.); (E.K.)
- Correspondence: (D.S.); (V.L.)
| | - Linas Kapočius
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Medical Academy, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, 44307 Kaunas, Lithuania; (L.K.); (A.V.); (I.B.); (E.K.)
| | - Angelija Valančiūtė
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Medical Academy, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, 44307 Kaunas, Lithuania; (L.K.); (A.V.); (I.B.); (E.K.)
| | - Ingrida Balnytė
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Medical Academy, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, 44307 Kaunas, Lithuania; (L.K.); (A.V.); (I.B.); (E.K.)
| | - Tomas Tamošuitis
- Department of Intensive Care Medicine, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, 50161 Kaunas, Lithuania;
| | - Arūnas Vaitkevičius
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University Hospital Santaros Klinikos, Vilnius University, 08661 Vilnius, Lithuania;
| | - Kęstutis Sužiedėlis
- Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, National Cancer Institute, 08660 Vilnius, Lithuania;
| | - Daiva Urbonienė
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Medical Academy, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Eiveniu 2, 50161 Kaunas, Lithuania;
| | - Vacis Tatarūnas
- Institute of Cardiology, Laboratory of Molecular Cardiology, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Sukileliu Ave., 50161 Kaunas, Lithuania; (V.T.); (D.G.)
| | - Evelina Kilimaitė
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Medical Academy, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, 44307 Kaunas, Lithuania; (L.K.); (A.V.); (I.B.); (E.K.)
| | - Dovydas Gečys
- Institute of Cardiology, Laboratory of Molecular Cardiology, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Sukileliu Ave., 50161 Kaunas, Lithuania; (V.T.); (D.G.)
| | - Vaiva Lesauskaitė
- Institute of Cardiology, Laboratory of Molecular Cardiology, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Sukileliu Ave., 50161 Kaunas, Lithuania; (V.T.); (D.G.)
- Correspondence: (D.S.); (V.L.)
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Moreno-Pérez O, Merino E, Ramos JM, Rodríguez JC, Diaz C, Mas P, Reus S, Sánchez-Martínez R, Boix V, Chico-Sánchez P, Sánchez-Payá J, Portilla J. [Valproic Acid Could Help in the Fight Against COVID-19: a case-control study]. Neurologia 2022:S0213-4853(22)00014-7. [PMID: 35185237 PMCID: PMC8841207 DOI: 10.1016/j.nrl.2022.01.007] [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: 11/12/2021] [Accepted: 01/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE There is early evidence about Valproic acid (VPA) antiviral effect. Our aim was to investigate the incidence and severity of SARS-CoV-2 infection in VPA users as compared with the general population. MATERIAL AND METHODS A case-control study nested within a cohort, carried out between March 1 and December 17, 2020. Retrospectively, we identified confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection patients exposed to VPA in our health department (defined as case). We ascertained VPA regimen (all the time (AT)(292 days) or at least 20% of the study period (notAT)(≥58 days) and if VPA levels were in therapeutic range (ATR) (50-100 mcg/mL) in the last 24 months. We calculated the cumulative incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection and hospital admission in the cases, comparing it with the general unexposed VPA population (controls). RESULTS During the study period, 6183 PCR+ were detected among 281035 inhabitants, of these, 746 were hospitalized. 691 patients were on VPA notAT and 628 (90.1%) AT. The indication for VPA use was epilepsy in 54.9%. The incidence of PCR+ was 1.736 % (OR 0.785 (95%CI 0.443-1.390) and 1.910 % (OR 0.865 (95%CI 0.488-1.533), on VPA notAT and VPA AT patients, respectively vs. 2.201% in people without VPA regimen. Those patients with VPA ATR had a lower risk of PCR + (OR 0.233 (95%CI 0.057-0.951) notAT; OR 0.218 (95%CI 0.053-0.890) AT). Hospital admission incidence was lower in patient on VPA (OR was 0.543 (95% CI 0.076 to 3.871). CONCLUSION Patients with VPA within the therapeutic range had a reduction of SARS-Cov-2 infection incidence greater than 75%. There is a downward trend in the risk of COVID-19 admission by SARS-CoV-2 in patients on VPA therapy. These findings warrant further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oscar Moreno-Pérez
- Endocrinology and Nutrition department, Alicante General University Hospital - Alicante Institute of Health and Biomedical Research (ISABIAL), Alicante, Spain
- Clinical Medicine department, Miguel Hernández University, Elche, Spain
| | - Esperanza Merino
- Unit of Infectious Diseases, Alicante General University Hospital - Alicante Institute of Health and Biomedical Research (ISABIAL), Alicante, Spain
| | - Jose Manuel Ramos
- Internal Medicine department, Alicante General University Hospital - Alicante Institute of Health and Biomedical Research (ISABIAL), Alicante, Spain
- Clinical Medicine department, Miguel Hernández University, Elche, Spain
| | - Juan Carlos Rodríguez
- Microbiology department, Alicante General University Hospital - Alicante Institute of Health and Biomedical Research (ISABIAL), Alicante, Spain
- Miguel Hernández University, Elche, Spain
| | - Carmina Diaz
- Neurology department, Alicante General University Hospital - Alicante Institute of Health and Biomedical Research (ISABIAL), Alicante, Spain
- Clinical Medicine department, Miguel Hernández University, Elche, Spain
| | - Patricio Mas
- Pharmacy department, Alicante General University Hospital - Alicante Institute of Health and Biomedical Research (ISABIAL), Alicante, Spain
| | - Sergio Reus
- Unit of Infectious Diseases, Alicante General University Hospital - Alicante Institute of Health and Biomedical Research (ISABIAL), Alicante, Spain
- Clinical Medicine department, Miguel Hernández University, Elche, Spain
| | - Rosario Sánchez-Martínez
- Internal Medicine department, Alicante General University Hospital - Alicante Institute of Sanitary and Biomedical Research (ISABIAL), Alicante, Spain
| | - Vicente Boix
- Unit of Infectious Diseases, Alicante General University Hospital - Alicante Institute of Health and Biomedical Research (ISABIAL), Alicante, Spain
- Clinical Medicine department, Miguel Hernández University, Elche, Spain
| | - Pablo Chico-Sánchez
- Preventive department, Alicante General University Hospital - - Alicante Institute of Sanitary and Biomedical Research (ISABIAL), Alicante, Spain
| | - José Sánchez-Payá
- Preventive department, Alicante General University Hospital - - Alicante Institute of Sanitary and Biomedical Research (ISABIAL), Alicante, Spain
| | - Joaquín Portilla
- Internal Medicine department, Alicante General University Hospital - Alicante Institute of Health and Biomedical Research (ISABIAL), Alicante, Spain
- Clinical Medicine department, Miguel Hernández University, Elche, Spain
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7
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Collazos J, Domingo P, Fernández-Araujo N, Asensi-Díaz E, Vilchez-Rueda H, Lalueza A, Roy-Vallejo E, Blanes R, Raya-Cruz M, Sanz-Cánovas J, Artero A, Ramos-Rincón JM, Dueñas-Gutiérrez C, Lamas-Ferreiro JL, Asensi V. Exposure to valproic acid is associated with less pulmonary infiltrates and improvements in diverse clinical outcomes and laboratory parameters in patients hospitalized with COVID-19. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0262777. [PMID: 35085321 PMCID: PMC8794166 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0262777] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2021] [Accepted: 01/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Valproic acid (VPA) has shown beneficial effects in vitro against SARS-CoV-2 infection, but no study has analyzed its efficacy in the clinical setting. METHODS This multicenter, retrospective study included 165 adult patients receiving VPA at the time of admission to hospital, and 330 controls matched for sex, age and date of admission. A number of clinical, outcome and laboratory parameters were recorded to evaluate differences between the two groups. Four major clinical endpoints were considered: development of lung infiltrates, in-hospital respiratory worsening, ICU admissions and death. RESULTS VPA-treated patients had higher lymphocyte (P<0.0001) and monocyte (P = 0.0002) counts, and lower levels of diverse inflammatory parameters, including a composite biochemical severity score (P = 0.016). VPA patients had shorter duration of symptoms (P<0.0001), were more commonly asymptomatic (P = 0.016), and developed less commonly lung infiltrates (65.8%/88.2%, P<0.0001), respiratory worsening (20.6%/30.6%, P = 0.019) and ICU admissions (6.1%/13.0%, P = 0.018). There was no difference in survival (84.8%/88.8%, P = 0.2), although death was more commonly related to non-COVID-19 causes in the VPA group (36.0%/10.8%, P = 0.017). The cumulative hazard for developing adverse clinical endpoints was higher in controls than in the VPA group for infiltrates (P<0.0001), respiratory worsening (P<0.0001), and ICU admissions (P = 0.001), but not for death (0.6). Multivariate analysis revealed that VPA treatment was independently protective for the development of the first three clinical endpoints (P = 0.0002, P = 0.03, and P = 0.025, respectively), but not for death (P = 0.2). CONCLUSIONS VPA-treated patients seem to develop less serious COVID-19 than control patients, according to diverse clinical endpoints and laboratory markers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julio Collazos
- Infectious Diseases Section, Hospital de Galdakao-Usansolo, Galdakao, Vizcaya, Spain
| | - Pere Domingo
- Infectious Diseases Department, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Elia Asensi-Díaz
- Internal Medicine Service, Hospital Universitario Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Madrid, Spain
| | - Helem Vilchez-Rueda
- Infectious Diseases Section, Hospital Universitari Son Espases, Palma de Mallorca, Spain
| | - Antonio Lalueza
- Internal Medicine Service, Hospital 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain
| | - Emilia Roy-Vallejo
- Infectious Diseases Section, Hospital Universitario La Princesa, Madrid, Spain
| | - Rosa Blanes
- Internal Medicine Service, Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe, Valencia, Spain
| | - Manuel Raya-Cruz
- Internal Medicine Service, Hospital Son Llàtzer, Palma de Mallorca, Spain
| | - Jaime Sanz-Cánovas
- Internal Medicine Service, Hospital Regional Universitario, Málaga, Spain
| | - Arturo Artero
- Internal Medicine Service, Hospital Universitario Dr Peset, Valencia, Spain
| | | | | | | | - Víctor Asensi
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias, Oviedo, Spain
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8
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Juknevičienė M, Balnytė I, Valančiūtė A, Stanevičiūtė J, Sužiedėlis K, Stakišaitis D. The effect of valproic acid on SLC5A8 expression in gonad-intact and gonadectomized rat thymocytes. Int J Immunopathol Pharmacol 2022; 36:20587384211051954. [PMID: 35120418 PMCID: PMC8819739 DOI: 10.1177/20587384211051954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2021] [Accepted: 09/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Valproic acid (VPA) pharmacological mechanisms are related to the anti-inflammatory and anti-viral effects. VPA is a histone deacetylases inhibitor and serves a role in its immunomodulatory impacts. VPA has complex effects on immune cell's mitochondrial metabolism. The SLC5A8 transporter of short fatty acids has an active role in regulating mitochondrial metabolism. The study aimed to investigate whether SLC5A8 expresses the sex-related difference and how SLC5A8 expression depends on gonadal hormones, VPA treatment, and NKCC1 expression in rat thymocytes. METHODS Control groups and VPA-treated gonad-intact and gonadectomized Wistar male and female rats were investigated (n = 6 in a group). The VPA 300 mg/kg/day in drinking water was given for 4 weeks. The SLC5A8 (Slc5a8 gene) and NKCC1 (Slc12a2 gene) RNA expressions were determined by the RT-PCR method. RESULTS The higher Slc5a8 expression was found in the gonad-intact males than respective females (p = 0.004). VPA treatment decreased the Slc5a8 expression in gonad-intact and castrated males (p = 0.02 and p = 0.03, respectively), and increased in gonad-intact female rats compared to their control (p = 0.03). No significant difference in the Slc5a8 expression between the ovariectomized female control and VPA-treated females was determined (p > 0.05). VPA treatment alters the correlation between Slc5a8 and Slc12a2 gene expression in thymocytes of gonad-intact rats. CONCLUSION VPA effect on the Slc5a8 expression in rat thymocytes is gender- and gonadal hormone-dependent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milda Juknevičienė
- Department of Histology and
Embryology, Medical Academy, Lithuanian University of Health
Sciences, Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - Ingrida Balnytė
- Department of Histology and
Embryology, Medical Academy, Lithuanian University of Health
Sciences, Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - Angelija Valančiūtė
- Department of Histology and
Embryology, Medical Academy, Lithuanian University of Health
Sciences, Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - Jūratė Stanevičiūtė
- Department of Histology and
Embryology, Medical Academy, Lithuanian University of Health
Sciences, Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - Kęstutis Sužiedėlis
- Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, National Cancer
Institute, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Donatas Stakišaitis
- Department of Histology and
Embryology, Medical Academy, Lithuanian University of Health
Sciences, Kaunas, Lithuania
- Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, National Cancer
Institute, Vilnius, Lithuania
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9
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The Valproic Acid Derivative Valpromide Inhibits Pseudorabies Virus Infection in Swine Epithelial and Mouse Neuroblastoma Cell Lines. Viruses 2021; 13:v13122522. [PMID: 34960791 PMCID: PMC8708079 DOI: 10.3390/v13122522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2021] [Revised: 12/09/2021] [Accepted: 12/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Pseudorabies virus (PRV) infection of swine can produce Aujeszky’s disease, which causes neurological, respiratory, and reproductive symptoms, leading to significant economic losses in the swine industry. Although humans are not the natural hosts of PRV, cases of human encephalitis and endophthalmitis caused by PRV infection have been reported between animals and workers. Currently, a lack of specific treatments and the emergence of new PRV strains against which existing vaccines do not protect makes the search for effective antiviral drugs essential. As an alternative to traditional nucleoside analogues such as acyclovir (ACV), we studied the antiviral effect of valpromide (VPD), a compound derived from valproic acid, against PRV infection in the PK15 swine cell line and the neuroblastoma cell line Neuro-2a. First, the cytotoxicity of ACV and VPD in cells was compared, demonstrating that neither compound was cytotoxic at a specific concentration range after 24 h exposure. Furthermore, the lack of direct virucidal effect of VPD outside of an infected cell environment was demonstrated. Finally, VPD was shown to have an antiviral effect on the viral production of two strains of pseudorabies virus (wild type NIA-3 and recombinant PRV-XGF) at the concentrations ranging from 0.5 to 1.5 mM, suggesting that VPD could be a suitable alternative to nucleoside analogues as an antiherpetic drug against Aujeszky’s disease.
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10
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Wang X, Qu M, Li Z, Long Y, Hong K, Li H. Valproic acid promotes the in vitro differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells into spermatogonial stem cell-like cells. Stem Cell Res Ther 2021; 12:553. [PMID: 34715904 PMCID: PMC8555208 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-021-02621-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Accepted: 10/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Studying human germ cell development and male infertility is heavily relied on mouse models. In vitro differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells into spermatogonial stem cell-like cells (SSCLCs) can be used as a model to study human germ cells and infertility. The current study aimed to develop the SSCLC induction protocol and assess the effects of the developed protocol on SSCLC induction. Methods We examined the effects of valproic acid (VPA), vitamin C (VC) and the combination of VPA and VC on the SSCLC induction efficiency and determined the expression of spermatogonial genes of differentiated cells. Haploid cells and cells expressed meiotic genes were also detected. RNA-seq analysis was performed to compare the transcriptome between cells at 0 and 12 days of differentiation and differently expressed genes were confirmed by RT-qPCR. We further evaluated the alteration in histone marks (H3K9ac and H3K27me3) at 12 days of differentiation. Moreover, the SSCLC induction efficiency of two hiPSC lines of non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) patients was assessed using different induction protocols. Results The combination of low concentrations of VPA and VC in the induction medium was most effective to induce SSCLCs expressing several spermatogonial genes from human pluripotent stem cells at 12 days of differentiation. The high concentration of VPA was more effective to induce cells expressing meiotic genes and haploid cells. RNA-seq analysis revealed that the induction of SSCLC involved the upregulated genes in Wnt signaling pathway, and cells at 12 days of differentiation showed increased H3K9ac and decreased H3K27me3. Additionally, two hiPSC lines of NOA patients showed low SSCLC induction efficiency and decreased expression of genes in Wnt signaling pathway. Conclusions VPA robustly promoted the differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells into SSCLCs, which involved the upregulated genes in Wnt signaling pathway and epigenetic changes. hiPSCs from NOA patients showed decreased SSCLC induction efficiency and Wnt signaling pathway gene expression, suggesting that SSC depletion in azoospermia testes might be associated with inactivation of Wnt signaling pathway. Our developed SSCLC induction protocol provides a reliable tool and model to study human germ cell development and male infertility. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13287-021-02621-1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaotong Wang
- Institute of Reproductive Health/Center of Reproductive Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Mengyuan Qu
- Institute of Reproductive Health/Center of Reproductive Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Zili Li
- Institute of Reproductive Health/Center of Reproductive Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Yuting Long
- Wuhan Tongji Reproductive Hospital, Wuhan, 430013, China
| | - Kai Hong
- Department of Urology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, 100191, China.
| | - Honggang Li
- Institute of Reproductive Health/Center of Reproductive Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China. .,Wuhan Tongji Reproductive Hospital, Wuhan, 430013, China.
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11
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Mahajan S, Choudhary S, Kumar P, Tomar S. Antiviral strategies targeting host factors and mechanisms obliging +ssRNA viral pathogens. Bioorg Med Chem 2021; 46:116356. [PMID: 34416512 PMCID: PMC8349405 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2021.116356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2021] [Revised: 07/30/2021] [Accepted: 07/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, periodic recurrence of viral infections, and the emergence of challenging variants has created an urgent need of alternative therapeutic approaches to combat the spread of viral infections, failing to which may pose a greater risk to mankind in future. Resilience against antiviral drugs or fast evolutionary rate of viruses is stressing the scientific community to identify new therapeutic approaches for timely control of disease. Host metabolic pathways are exquisite reservoir of energy to viruses and contribute a diverse array of functions for successful replication and pathogenesis of virus. Targeting the host factors rather than viral enzymes to cease viral infection, has emerged as an alternative antiviral strategy. This approach offers advantage in terms of increased threshold to viral resistance and can provide broad-spectrum antiviral action against different viruses. The article here provides substantial review of literature illuminating the host factors and molecular mechanisms involved in innate/adaptive responses to viral infection, hijacking of signalling pathways by viruses and the intracellular metabolic pathways required for viral replication. Host-targeted drugs acting on the pathways usurped by viruses are also addressed in this study. Host-directed antiviral therapeutics might prove to be a rewarding approach in controlling the unprecedented spread of viral infection, however the probability of cellular side effects or cytotoxicity on host cell should not be ignored at the time of clinical investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Supreeti Mahajan
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Uttarakhand 247667, India
| | - Shweta Choudhary
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Uttarakhand 247667, India
| | - Pravindra Kumar
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Uttarakhand 247667, India
| | - Shailly Tomar
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Uttarakhand 247667, India.
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12
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Šudomová M, Hassan STS. Nutraceutical Curcumin with Promising Protection against Herpesvirus Infections and Their Associated Inflammation: Mechanisms and Pathways. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9020292. [PMID: 33572685 PMCID: PMC7912164 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9020292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2020] [Revised: 01/27/2021] [Accepted: 01/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Herpesviruses are DNA viruses that infect humans and animals with the ability to induce latent and lytic infections in their hosts, causing critical health complications. The enrolment of nutraceutical anti-herpesvirus drugs in clinical investigations with promising levels of reduced resistance, free or minimal cellular toxicity, and diverse mechanisms of action might be an effective way to defeat challenges that hurdle the progress of anti-herpesvirus drug development, including the problems with drug resistance and recurrent infections. Therefore, in this review, we aim to hunt down all investigations that feature the curative properties of curcumin, a principal bioactive phenolic compound of the spice turmeric, in regard to various human and animal herpesvirus infections and inflammation connected with these diseases. Curcumin was explored with potent antiherpetic actions against herpes simplex virus type 1 and type 2, human cytomegalovirus, Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus, Epstein–Barr virus, bovine herpesvirus 1, and pseudorabies virus. The mechanisms and pathways by which curcumin inhibits anti-herpesvirus activities by targeting multiple steps in herpesvirus life/infectious cycle are emphasized. Improved strategies to overcome bioavailability challenges that limit its use in clinical practice, along with approaches and new directions to enhance the anti-herpesvirus efficacy of this compound, are also reviewed. According to the reviewed studies, this paper presents curcumin as a promising natural drug for the prevention and treatment of herpesvirus infections and their associated inflammatory diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miroslava Šudomová
- Museum of Literature in Moravia, Klášter 1, 66461 Rajhrad, Czech Republic;
| | - Sherif T. S. Hassan
- Department of Applied Ecology, Faculty of Environmental Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, 6-Suchdol, 16500 Prague, Czech Republic
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +420-774-630-604
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