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Ghalali A, Alhamdan F, Upadhyay S, Ganguly K, Larsson K, Palmberg L, Rahman M. Contrasting effects of intracellular and extracellular human PCSK9 on inflammation, lipid alteration and cell death. Commun Biol 2024; 7:985. [PMID: 39138259 PMCID: PMC11322528 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-024-06674-9] [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: 02/07/2024] [Accepted: 08/02/2024] [Indexed: 08/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) is one of the major regulators of low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR). Information on role and regulation of PCSK9 in lung is very limited. Our study focuses on understanding the role and regulation of PCSK9 in the lung. PCSK9 levels are higher in Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of smokers with or without chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD) compared to BALF of nonsmokers. PCSK9-stimulated cells induce proinflammatory cytokines and activation of MAPKp38. PCSK9 transcripts are highly expressed in healthy individuals compared to COPD, pulmonary fibrosis or pulmonary systemic sclerosis. Cigarette smoke extract reduce PCSK9 levels in undifferentiated pulmonary bronchial epithelial cells (PBEC) but induce in differentiated PBEC. PCSK9 inhibition affect biological pathways, induces lipid peroxidation, and higher level of apoptosis in response to staurosporine. Our results suggest that higher levels of PCSK9 in BALF acts as an inflammatory marker. Furthermore, extracellular and intracellular PCSK9 play different roles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aram Ghalali
- Vascular Biology Program, Boston Children Hospital, Harvard Medical school, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Fahd Alhamdan
- Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care, and Pain Medicine, Cardiac Anesthesia Division, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Immunology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Swapna Upadhyay
- Unit of Integrative Toxicology, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Insitutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Koustav Ganguly
- Unit of Integrative Toxicology, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Insitutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Kjell Larsson
- Unit of Integrative Toxicology, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Insitutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Lena Palmberg
- Unit of Integrative Toxicology, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Insitutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Mizanur Rahman
- Unit of Integrative Toxicology, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Insitutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
- Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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Cavalcanti-Dantas VDM, Fernandes B, Dantas PHLF, Uchoa GR, Mendes AF, Araújo Júnior WOD, Castellano LRC, Fernandes AIV, Goulart LR, Oliveira RADS, Assis PACD, Souza JRD, Morais CNLD. Differential epitope prediction across diverse circulating variants of SARS-COV-2 in Brazil. Comput Biol Chem 2024; 112:108139. [PMID: 38972100 DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiolchem.2024.108139] [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: 10/18/2023] [Revised: 06/09/2024] [Accepted: 06/22/2024] [Indexed: 07/09/2024]
Abstract
COVID-19, caused by the SARS-COV-2 virus, induces numerous immunological reactions linked to the severity of the clinical condition of those infected. The surface Spike protein (S protein) present in Sars-CoV-2 is responsible for the infection of host cells. This protein presents a high rate of mutations, which can increase virus transmissibility, infectivity, and immune evasion. Therefore, we propose to evaluate, using immunoinformatic techniques, the predicted epitopes for the S protein of seven variants of Sars-CoV-2. MHC class I and II epitopes were predicted and further assessed for their immunogenicity, interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) inducing capacity, and antigenicity. For B cells, linear and structural epitopes were predicted. For class I MHC epitopes, 40 epitopes were found for the clades of Wuhan, Clade 2, Clade 3, and 20AEU.1, Gamma, and Delta, in addition to 38 epitopes for Alpha and 44 for Omicron. For MHC II, there were differentially predicted epitopes for all variants and eight equally predicted epitopes. These were evaluated for differences in the MHC II alleles to which they would bind. Regarding B cell epitopes, 16 were found in the Wuhan variant, 14 in 22AEU.1 and in Clade 3, 15 in Clade 2, 11 in Alpha and Delta, 13 in Gamma, and 9 in Omicron. When compared, there was a reduction in the number of predicted epitopes concerning the Spike protein, mainly in the Delta and Omicron variants. These findings corroborate the need for updates seen today in bivalent mRNA vaccines against COVID-19 to promote a targeted immune response to the main circulating variant, Omicron, leading to more robust protection against this virus and avoiding cases of reinfection. When analyzing the specific epitopes for the RBD region of the spike protein, the Omicron variant did not present a B lymphocyte epitope from position 390, whereas the epitope at position 493 for MHC was predicted only for the Alpha, Gamma, and Omicron variants.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Ana Isabel Vieira Fernandes
- Health Promotion Department of the Medical Sciences Center and Division for Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Lauro Wanderley University Hospital, Federal University of Paraiba, Brazil
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Teluguakula N, Chow VTK, Pandareesh MD, Dasegowda V, Kurrapotula V, Gopegowda SM, Radic M. SARS-CoV-2 and Influenza Co-Infection: Fair Competition or Sinister Combination? Viruses 2024; 16:793. [PMID: 38793676 PMCID: PMC11125941 DOI: 10.3390/v16050793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2024] [Revised: 05/11/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic remains a serious public health problem globally. During winter influenza seasons, more aggressive SARS-CoV-2 infections and fatalities have been documented, indicating that influenza co-infections may significantly impact the disease outcome of COVID-19. Both influenza and SARS-CoV-2 viruses share many similarities in their transmission and their cellular tropism for replication in the human respiratory tract. However, the complex intricacies and multi-faceted dynamics of how the two pathogens interact to ensure their survival in the same lung microenvironment are still unclear. In addition, clinical studies on influenza co-infections in COVID-19 patients do not provide conclusive evidence of how influenza co-infection mechanistically modifies disease outcomes of COVID-19. This review discusses various viral as well as host factors that potentially influence the survival or synergism of these two respiratory pathogens in the infected lung microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Narasaraju Teluguakula
- Adichunchanagiri Institute of Medical Sciences, Adichunchanagiri University, Mandya 571448, Karnataka, India; (M.D.P.); (V.D.); (V.K.); (S.M.G.)
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Biochemistry, College of Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38163, USA;
| | - Vincent T. K. Chow
- Infectious Diseases Translational Research Program, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, National University Health System, Singapore 119228, Singapore;
| | - Mirazkar Dasharatharao Pandareesh
- Adichunchanagiri Institute of Medical Sciences, Adichunchanagiri University, Mandya 571448, Karnataka, India; (M.D.P.); (V.D.); (V.K.); (S.M.G.)
- Department of Biochemistry, Adichunchanagiri School of Natural Sciences, Adichunchanagiri University, B.G Nagara 571448, Karnataka, India
| | - Venkatesha Dasegowda
- Adichunchanagiri Institute of Medical Sciences, Adichunchanagiri University, Mandya 571448, Karnataka, India; (M.D.P.); (V.D.); (V.K.); (S.M.G.)
| | - Vidyasagar Kurrapotula
- Adichunchanagiri Institute of Medical Sciences, Adichunchanagiri University, Mandya 571448, Karnataka, India; (M.D.P.); (V.D.); (V.K.); (S.M.G.)
| | - Shivaramu M. Gopegowda
- Adichunchanagiri Institute of Medical Sciences, Adichunchanagiri University, Mandya 571448, Karnataka, India; (M.D.P.); (V.D.); (V.K.); (S.M.G.)
| | - Marko Radic
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Biochemistry, College of Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38163, USA;
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Phiri K, Grill L. Development of a Candidate TMV Epitope Display Vaccine against SARS-CoV-2. Vaccines (Basel) 2024; 12:448. [PMID: 38793699 PMCID: PMC11125883 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines12050448] [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: 03/20/2024] [Revised: 04/16/2024] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Essential in halting the COVID-19 pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2, it is crucial to have stable, effective, and easy-to-manufacture vaccines. We developed a potential vaccine using a tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) epitope display model presenting peptides derived from the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. The TMV-epitope fusions in laboratory tests demonstrated binding to the SARS-CoV-2 polyclonal antibodies. The fusion constructs maintained critical epitopes of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, and two in particular spanned regions of the receptor-binding domain that have mutated in the more recent SARS-CoV-2 variants. This would allow for the rapid modification of vaccines in response to changes in circulating variants. The TMV-peptide fusion constructs also remained stable for over 28 days when stored at temperatures between -20 and 37 °C, an ideal property when targeting developing countries. Immunogenicity studies conducted on BALB/c mice elicited robust antibody responses against SARS-CoV-2. A strong IFNγ response was also observed in immunized mice. Three of the six TMV-peptide fusion constructs produced virus-neutralizing titers, as measured with a pseudovirus neutralization assay. These TMV-peptide fusion constructs can be combined to make a multivalent vaccine that could be adapted to meet changing virus variants. These findings demonstrate the development of a stable COVID-19 vaccine candidate by combining SARS-CoV-2 spike protein-derived peptides presented on the surface of a TMV nanoparticle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelvin Phiri
- Henry E. Riggs School of Applied Life Sciences, Keck Graduate Institute, Claremont, CA 91711, USA;
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Upadhyay S, Rahman M, Rinaldi S, Koelmel J, Lin EZ, Mahesh PA, Beckers J, Johanson G, Pollitt KJG, Palmberg L, Irmler M, Ganguly K. Assessment of wood smoke induced pulmonary toxicity in normal- and chronic bronchitis-like bronchial and alveolar lung mucosa models at air-liquid interface. Respir Res 2024; 25:49. [PMID: 38245732 PMCID: PMC10799428 DOI: 10.1186/s12931-024-02686-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 01/22/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has the highest increased risk due to household air pollution arising from biomass fuel burning. However, knowledge on COPD patho-mechanisms is mainly limited to tobacco smoke exposure. In this study, a repeated direct wood smoke (WS) exposure was performed using normal- (bro-ALI) and chronic bronchitis-like bronchial (bro-ALI-CB), and alveolar (alv-ALI) lung mucosa models at air-liquid interface (ALI) to assess broad toxicological end points. METHODS The bro-ALI and bro-ALI-CB models were developed using human primary bronchial epithelial cells and the alv-ALI model was developed using a representative type-II pneumocyte cell line. The lung models were exposed to WS (10 min/exposure; 5-exposures over 3-days; n = 6-7 independent experiments). Sham exposed samples served as control. WS composition was analyzed following passive sampling. Cytotoxicity, total cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and stress responsive NFkB were assessed by flow cytometry. WS exposure induced changes in gene expression were evaluated by RNA-seq (p ≤ 0.01) followed by pathway enrichment analysis. Secreted levels of proinflammatory cytokines were assessed in the basal media. Non-parametric statistical analysis was performed. RESULTS 147 unique compounds were annotated in WS of which 42 compounds have inhalation toxicity (9 very high). WS exposure resulted in significantly increased ROS in bro-ALI (11.2%) and bro-ALI-CB (25.7%) along with correspondingly increased NFkB levels (bro-ALI: 35.6%; bro-ALI-CB: 18.1%). A total of 1262 (817-up and 445-down), 329 (141-up and 188-down), and 102 (33-up and 69-down) genes were differentially regulated in the WS-exposed bro-ALI, bro-ALI-CB, and alv-ALI models respectively. The enriched pathways included the terms acute phase response, mitochondrial dysfunction, inflammation, oxidative stress, NFkB, ROS, xenobiotic metabolism of AHR, and chronic respiratory disorder. The enrichment of the 'cilium' related genes was predominant in the WS-exposed bro-ALI (180-up and 7-down). The pathways primary ciliary dyskinesia, ciliopathy, and ciliary movement were enriched in both WS-exposed bro-ALI and bro-ALI-CB. Interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α were reduced (p < 0.05) in WS-exposed bro-ALI and bro-ALI-CB. CONCLUSION Findings of this study indicate differential response to WS-exposure in different lung regions and in chronic bronchitis, a condition commonly associated with COPD. Further, the data suggests ciliopathy as a candidate pathway in relation to WS-exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Swapna Upadhyay
- Unit of Integrative Toxicology, Institute of Environmental Medicine (IMM), Karolinska Institutet, 171 77, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Mizanur Rahman
- Unit of Integrative Toxicology, Institute of Environmental Medicine (IMM), Karolinska Institutet, 171 77, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Selina Rinaldi
- Unit of Integrative Toxicology, Institute of Environmental Medicine (IMM), Karolinska Institutet, 171 77, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jeremy Koelmel
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Elizabeth Z Lin
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Padukudru Anand Mahesh
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, JSS Medical College, JSS Academy of Higher Education and Research, Mysore, 570015, India
| | - Johannes Beckers
- Institute of Experimental Genetics, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Deutsches Forschungszentrum Für Gesundheit Und Umwelt (GmbH), 85764, Neuherberg, Germany
- German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD E.V.), 85764, Neuherberg, Germany
- Chair of Experimental Genetics, Technical University of Munich, 85354, Freising, Germany
| | - Gunnar Johanson
- Unit of Integrative Toxicology, Institute of Environmental Medicine (IMM), Karolinska Institutet, 171 77, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Krystal J Godri Pollitt
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Lena Palmberg
- Unit of Integrative Toxicology, Institute of Environmental Medicine (IMM), Karolinska Institutet, 171 77, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Martin Irmler
- Institute of Experimental Genetics, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Deutsches Forschungszentrum Für Gesundheit Und Umwelt (GmbH), 85764, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Koustav Ganguly
- Unit of Integrative Toxicology, Institute of Environmental Medicine (IMM), Karolinska Institutet, 171 77, Stockholm, Sweden.
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Aguida B, Chabi MM, Baouz S, Mould R, Bell JD, Pooam M, André S, Archambault D, Ahmad M, Jourdan N. Near-Infrared Light Exposure Triggers ROS to Downregulate Inflammatory Cytokines Induced by SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein in Human Cell Culture. Antioxidants (Basel) 2023; 12:1824. [PMID: 37891903 PMCID: PMC10604116 DOI: 10.3390/antiox12101824] [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: 07/31/2023] [Revised: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The leading cause of mortality from SARS-CoV-2 is an exaggerated host immune response, triggering cytokine storms, multiple organ failure and death. Current drug- and vaccine-based therapies are of limited efficacy against novel viral variants. Infrared therapy is a non-invasive and safe method that has proven effective against inflammatory conditions for over 100 years. However, its mechanism of action is poorly understood and has not received widespread acceptance. We herein investigate whether near-infrared (NIR) light exposure in human primary alveolar and macrophage cells could downregulate inflammatory cytokines triggered by the SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) protein or lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and via what underlying mechanism. Our results showed a dramatic reduction in pro-inflammatory cytokines within days of NIR light treatment, while anti-inflammatory cytokines were upregulated. Mechanistically, NIR light stimulated mitochondrial metabolism, induced transient bursts in reactive oxygen species (ROS) and activated antioxidant gene transcription. These, in turn, downregulated ROS and inflammatory cytokines. A causal relationship was shown between the induction of cellular ROS by NIR light exposure and the downregulation of inflammatory cytokines triggered by SARS-CoV-2 S. If confirmed by clinical trials, this method would provide an immediate defense against novel SARS-CoV-2 variants and other inflammatory infectious diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Blanche Aguida
- UMR8256, CNRS, IBPS, Sorbonne University, 75005 Paris, France; (B.A.)
| | | | - Soria Baouz
- UMR8256, CNRS, IBPS, Sorbonne University, 75005 Paris, France; (B.A.)
| | - Rhys Mould
- Research Centre for Optimal Health, University of Westminster, London W1W 6UW, UK (J.D.B.)
| | - Jimmy D. Bell
- Research Centre for Optimal Health, University of Westminster, London W1W 6UW, UK (J.D.B.)
| | - Marootpong Pooam
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok 65000, Thailand;
| | - Sebastien André
- Nutrition and Obesities: Systemic Approaches, NutriOmics, Research Unit, Sorbonne University, INSERM, 75013 Paris, France
| | - Dominique Archambault
- Laboratoire CHArt, University of Paris 8-Vincennes-Saint-Denis, 93526 Saint-Denis, France
| | - Margaret Ahmad
- UMR8256, CNRS, IBPS, Sorbonne University, 75005 Paris, France; (B.A.)
- Department of Biology, Xavier University, 3800 Victory Parkway, Cincinnati, OH 45207, USA
| | - Nathalie Jourdan
- UMR8256, CNRS, IBPS, Sorbonne University, 75005 Paris, France; (B.A.)
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Rahman M, Upadhyay S, Ganguly K, Introna M, Ji J, Boman C, Muala A, Blomberg A, Sandström T, Palmberg L. Comparable Response Following Exposure to Biodiesel and Diesel Exhaust Particles in Advanced Multicellular Human Lung Models. TOXICS 2023; 11:532. [PMID: 37368632 DOI: 10.3390/toxics11060532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2023] [Revised: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023]
Abstract
Biodiesel is considered to be a sustainable alternative for fossil fuels such as petroleum-based diesel. However, we still lack knowledge about the impact of biodiesel emissions on humans, as airways and lungs are the primary target organs of inhaled toxicants. This study investigated the effect of exhaust particles from well-characterized rapeseed methyl ester (RME) biodiesel exhaust particles (BDEP) and petro-diesel exhaust particles (DEP) on primary bronchial epithelial cells (PBEC) and macrophages (MQ). The advanced multicellular physiologically relevant bronchial mucosa models were developed using human primary bronchial epithelial cells (PBEC) cultured at air-liquid interface (ALI) in the presence or absence of THP-1 cell-derived macrophages (MQ). The experimental set-up used for BDEP and DEP exposures (18 µg/cm2 and 36 µg/cm2) as well as the corresponding control exposures were PBEC-ALI, MQ-ALI, and PBEC co-cultured with MQ (PBEC-ALI/MQ). Following exposure to both BDEP and DEP, reactive oxygen species as well as the stress protein heat shock protein 60 were upregulated in PBEC-ALI and MQ-ALI. Expression of both pro-inflammatory (M1: CD86) and repair (M2: CD206) macrophage polarization markers was increased in MQ-ALI after both BDEP and DEP exposures. Phagocytosis activity of MQ and the phagocytosis receptors CD35 and CD64 were downregulated, whereas CD36 was upregulated in MQ-ALI. Increased transcript and secreted protein levels of CXCL8, as well as IL-6 and TNF-α, were detected following both BDEP and DEP exposure at both doses in PBEC-ALI. Furthermore, the cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) pathway, COX-2-mediated histone phosphorylation and DNA damage were all increased in PBEC-ALI following exposure to both doses of BDEP and DEP. Valdecoxib, a COX-2 inhibitor, reduced the level of prostaglandin E2, histone phosphorylation, and DNA damage in PBEC-ALI following exposure to both concentrations of BDEP and DEP. Using physiologically relevant multicellular human lung mucosa models with human primary bronchial epithelial cells and macrophages, we found BDEP and DEP to induce comparable levels of oxidative stress, inflammatory response, and impairment of phagocytosis. The use of a renewable carbon-neutral biodiesel fuel does not appear to be more favorable than conventional petroleum-based alternative, as regards of its potential for adverse health effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mizanur Rahman
- Unit of Integrative Toxicology, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Swapna Upadhyay
- Unit of Integrative Toxicology, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Koustav Ganguly
- Unit of Integrative Toxicology, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Micol Introna
- Unit of Integrative Toxicology, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jie Ji
- Unit of Integrative Toxicology, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Christoffer Boman
- Thermochemical Energy Conversion Laboratory, Department of Applied Physics and Electronics, Umeå University, 901 87 Umeå, Sweden
| | - Ala Muala
- Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Umeå University, 901 87 Umeå, Sweden
| | - Anders Blomberg
- Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Umeå University, 901 87 Umeå, Sweden
| | - Thomas Sandström
- Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Umeå University, 901 87 Umeå, Sweden
| | - Lena Palmberg
- Unit of Integrative Toxicology, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
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Malekpour M, Khanmohammadi S, Meybodi MJE, Shekouh D, Rahmanian MR, Kardeh S, Azarpira N. COVID-19 as a trigger of Guillain-Barré syndrome: A review of the molecular mechanism. Immun Inflamm Dis 2023; 11:e875. [PMID: 37249286 DOI: 10.1002/iid3.875] [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: 03/20/2023] [Revised: 04/30/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) caused a pandemic with serious complications. After coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), several post-acute COVID-19 syndromes (PACSs) and long-COVID sequels were reported. PACSs involve many organs, including the nervous, gustatory, and immune systems. One of the PACSs after SARS-CoV-2 infection and vaccination is Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS). The incidence rate of GBS after SARS-CoV-2 infection or vaccination is low. However, the high prevalence of COVID-19 and severe complications of GBS, for example, autonomic dysfunction and respiratory failure, highlight the importance of post-COVID-19 GBS. It is while patients with simultaneous COVID-19 and GBS seem to have higher admission rates to the intensive care unit, and demyelination is more aggressive in post-COVID-19 GBS patients. SARS-CoV-2 can trigger GBS via several pathways like direct neurotropism and neurovirulence, microvascular dysfunction and oxidative stress, immune system disruption, molecular mimicry, and autoantibody production. Although there are few molecular studies on the molecular and cellular mechanisms of GBS occurrence after SARS-CoV-2 infection and vaccination, we aimed to discuss the possible pathomechanism of post-COVID-19 GBS by gathering the most recent molecular evidence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahdi Malekpour
- Student Research Committee, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
- Transplant Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Shaghayegh Khanmohammadi
- Network of Immunity in Infection, Malignancy and Autoimmunity (NIIMA), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran
- Research Center for Immunodeficiencies, Children's Medical Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Javad Entezari Meybodi
- Student Research Committee, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
- Transplant Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Dorsa Shekouh
- Student Research Committee, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Mohammad Reza Rahmanian
- Student Research Committee, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
- Transplant Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Sina Kardeh
- Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Negar Azarpira
- Transplant Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
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Forsyth CB, Zhang L, Bhushan A, Swanson B, Zhang L, Mamede JI, Voigt RM, Shaikh M, Engen PA, Keshavarzian A. The SARS-CoV-2 S1 Spike Protein Promotes MAPK and NF-kB Activation in Human Lung Cells and Inflammatory Cytokine Production in Human Lung and Intestinal Epithelial Cells. Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10101996. [PMID: 36296272 PMCID: PMC9607240 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10101996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2022] [Revised: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic began in January 2020 in Wuhan, China, with a new coronavirus designated SARS-CoV-2. The principal cause of death from COVID-19 disease quickly emerged as acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). A key ARDS pathogenic mechanism is the “Cytokine Storm”, which is a dramatic increase in inflammatory cytokines in the blood. In the last two years of the pandemic, a new pathology has emerged in some COVID-19 survivors, in which a variety of long-term symptoms occur, a condition called post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC) or “Long COVID”. Therefore, there is an urgent need to better understand the mechanisms of the virus. The spike protein on the surface of the virus is composed of joined S1–S2 subunits. Upon S1 binding to the ACE2 receptor on human cells, the S1 subunit is cleaved and the S2 subunit mediates the entry of the virus. The S1 protein is then released into the blood, which might be one of the pivotal triggers for the initiation and/or perpetuation of the cytokine storm. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that the S1 spike protein is sufficient to activate inflammatory signaling and cytokine production, independent of the virus. Our data support a possible role for the S1 spike protein in the activation of inflammatory signaling and cytokine production in human lung and intestinal epithelial cells in culture. These data support a potential role for the SARS-CoV-2 S1 spike protein in COVID-19 pathogenesis and PASC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher B. Forsyth
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Gastroenterology, Rush Center for Integrated Microbiome and Chronobiology Research, Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Rush University Graduate College, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Lijuan Zhang
- Rush Center for Integrated Microbiome and Chronobiology Research, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Abhinav Bhushan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, IL 60616, USA
| | - Barbara Swanson
- Department of Adult Health & Gerontological Nursing, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Li Zhang
- Department of Microbial Pathogens and Immunity, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - João I. Mamede
- Department of Microbial Pathogens and Immunity, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Robin M. Voigt
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Gastroenterology, Rush Center for Integrated Microbiome and Chronobiology Research, Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Rush University Graduate College, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Maliha Shaikh
- Rush Center for Integrated Microbiome and Chronobiology Research, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Phillip A. Engen
- Rush Center for Integrated Microbiome and Chronobiology Research, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Ali Keshavarzian
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Gastroenterology, Rush Center for Integrated Microbiome and Chronobiology Research, Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Rush University Graduate College, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
- Correspondence:
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10
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Rahman M, Irmler M, Introna M, Beckers J, Palmberg L, Johanson G, Upadhyay S, Ganguly K. Insight into the pulmonary molecular toxicity of heated tobacco products using human bronchial and alveolar mucosa models at air-liquid interface. Sci Rep 2022; 12:16396. [PMID: 36180488 PMCID: PMC9525689 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-20657-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2022] [Accepted: 09/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Heated tobacco products (HTP) are novel nicotine delivery products with limited toxicological data. HTP uses heating instead of combustion to generate aerosol (HTP-smoke). Physiologically relevant human bronchial and alveolar lung mucosa models developed at air-liquid interface were exposed to HTP-smoke to assess broad toxicological response (n = 6-7; ISO puffing regimen; compared to sham; non-parametric statistical analysis; significance: p < 0.05). Elevated levels of total cellular reactive oxygen species, stress responsive nuclear factor kappa-B, and DNA damage markers [8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine, phosphorylated histone H2AX, cleaved poly-(ADP-Ribose) polymerase] were detected in HTP-smoke exposed bronchial and/or alveolar models. RNA sequencing detected differential regulation of 724 genes in the bronchial- and 121 genes in the alveolar model following HTP-smoke exposure (cut off: p ≤ 0.01; fold change: ≥ 2). Common enriched pathways included estrogen biosynthesis, ferroptosis, superoxide radical degradation, xenobiotics, and α-tocopherol degradation. Secreted levels of interleukin (IL)1ꞵ and IL8 increased in the bronchial model whereas in the alveolar model, interferon-γ and IL4 increased and IL13 decreased following HTP-smoke exposure. Increased lipid peroxidation was detected in HTP-smoke exposed bronchial and alveolar models which was inhibited by ferrostatin-1. The findings form a basis to perform independent risk assessment studies on different flavours of HTP using different puffing topography and corresponding chemical characterization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mizanur Rahman
- Unit of Integrative Toxicology, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, 171 77, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Martin Irmler
- Institute of Experimental Genetics, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Deutsches Forschungszentrum für Gesundheit und Umwelt (GmbH), 85764, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Micol Introna
- Unit of Integrative Toxicology, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, 171 77, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Johannes Beckers
- Institute of Experimental Genetics, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Deutsches Forschungszentrum für Gesundheit und Umwelt (GmbH), 85764, Neuherberg, Germany.,German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD E.V.), 85764, Neuherberg, Germany.,Chair of Experimental Genetics, Technical University of Munich, 85354, Freising, Germany
| | - Lena Palmberg
- Unit of Integrative Toxicology, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, 171 77, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Gunnar Johanson
- Unit of Integrative Toxicology, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, 171 77, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Swapna Upadhyay
- Unit of Integrative Toxicology, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, 171 77, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Koustav Ganguly
- Unit of Integrative Toxicology, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, 171 77, Stockholm, Sweden.
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11
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Khaleel A, Zakariya AB, Niazi M, Qinna NA, Dayyih WA, Tarkhan AH. Pathway Analysis of Patients with Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome. Drug Res (Stuttg) 2022; 72:466-472. [PMID: 35952682 DOI: 10.1055/a-1886-2094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Coronaviruses are emerging threats for human health, as demonstrated by the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic that is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). SARS-CoV-2 is closely related to SARS-CoV-1, which was the cause of the 2002-2004 SARS outbreak, but SARS-CoV-1 has been the subject of a relatively limited number of studies. Understanding the potential pathways and molecular targets of SARS-CoV-1 will contribute to current drug repurposing strategies by helping to predict potential drug-disease associations. METHODS A microarray dataset, GSE1739, of 10 SARS patients and 4 healthy controls was downloaded from NCBI's GEO repository, and differential expression was identified using NCBI's GEO2R software. Pathway and enrichment analysis of the differentially expressed genes was carried out using Ingenuity Pathway Analysis and Gene Set Enrichment Analysis, respectively. RESULTS Our findings show that the drugs dexamethasone, filgrastim, interferon alfacon-1, and levodopa were among the most significant upstream regulators of differential gene expression in SARS patients, while neutrophil degranulation was the most significantly enriched pathway. CONCLUSION An enhanced understanding of the pathways and molecular targets of SARS-CoV-1 in humans will contribute to current and future drug repurposing strategies, which are an essential tool to combat rapidly emerging health threats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anas Khaleel
- Department of Pharmacology and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, University of Petra, Amman, Jordan
| | | | - Mohammad Niazi
- Department of Pharmacology and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, University of Petra, Amman, Jordan
| | - Nidal A Qinna
- University of Petra Pharmaceutical Center (UPPC), Faculty of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, University of Petra, Amman, Jordan
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12
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Trougakos IP, Terpos E, Alexopoulos H, Politou M, Paraskevis D, Scorilas A, Kastritis E, Andreakos E, Dimopoulos MA. Adverse effects of COVID-19 mRNA vaccines: the spike hypothesis. Trends Mol Med 2022; 28:542-554. [PMID: 35537987 PMCID: PMC9021367 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmed.2022.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 106] [Impact Index Per Article: 53.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2022] [Revised: 03/27/2022] [Accepted: 04/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Vaccination is a major tool for mitigating the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, and mRNA vaccines are central to the ongoing vaccination campaign that is undoubtedly saving thousands of lives. However, adverse effects (AEs) following vaccination have been noted which may relate to a proinflammatory action of the lipid nanoparticles used or the delivered mRNA (i.e., the vaccine formulation), as well as to the unique nature, expression pattern, binding profile, and proinflammatory effects of the produced antigens - spike (S) protein and/or its subunits/peptide fragments - in human tissues or organs. Current knowledge on this topic originates mostly from cell-based assays or from model organisms; further research on the cellular/molecular basis of the mRNA vaccine-induced AEs will therefore promise safety, maintain trust, and direct health policies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ioannis P Trougakos
- Department of Cell Biology and Biophysics, Faculty of Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, 157 84, Greece.
| | - Evangelos Terpos
- Department of Clinical Therapeutics, School of Medicine, Alexandra General Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, 115 28, Greece
| | - Harry Alexopoulos
- Department of Cell Biology and Biophysics, Faculty of Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, 157 84, Greece
| | - Marianna Politou
- Hematology Laboratory-Blood Bank, Aretaieio Hospital, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 115 28, Athens, Greece
| | - Dimitrios Paraskevis
- Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 115 27, Athens, Greece
| | - Andreas Scorilas
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, 157 01, Greece
| | - Efstathios Kastritis
- Department of Clinical Therapeutics, School of Medicine, Alexandra General Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, 115 28, Greece
| | - Evangelos Andreakos
- Laboratory of Immunobiology, Center for Clinical, Experimental Surgery and Translational Research, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, Athens, 115 27, Greece
| | - Meletios A Dimopoulos
- Department of Clinical Therapeutics, School of Medicine, Alexandra General Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, 115 28, Greece
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13
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Chowdhury AA, Godbole NM, Chataut N, Kosanke S, Rodgers K, Awasthi S. Effects of SPA4 peptide on lipopolysaccharide-disrupted lung epithelial barrier, injury, and function in a human cell system and mouse model of lung injury. Physiol Rep 2022; 10:e15353. [PMID: 35838161 PMCID: PMC9284632 DOI: 10.14814/phy2.15353] [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: 03/12/2022] [Revised: 05/10/2022] [Accepted: 05/26/2022] [Indexed: 05/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Disrupted epithelial barrier, fluid accumulation, inflammation, and compromised physiology are hallmarks of lung injury. Here we investigated the structural stability of the Toll-like receptor-4 (TLR4)-interacting SPA4 peptide, its effect on Pseudomonas aeruginosa lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-disrupted epithelial barrier in a human cell system, and lung injury markers in a mouse model of LPS-induced lung inflammation. The structural properties of SPA4 peptide were investigated using circular dichroism and UV-VIS spectroscopy. The transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER), an indicator of barrier function, was measured after the cells were challenged with 1 μg/ml LPS and treated with 10 or 100 μM SPA4 peptide. The expression and localization of tight junction proteins were studied by immunoblotting and immunocytochemistry, respectively. Mice were intratracheally challenged with 5 μg LPS per g body weight and treated with 50 μg SPA4 peptide. The lung wet/dry weight ratios or edema, surfactant protein-D (SP-D) levels in serum, lung function, tissue injury, body weights, and temperature, and survival were determined as study parameters. The spectroscopy results demonstrated that the structure was maintained among different batches of SPA4 peptide throughout the study. Treatment with 100 μM SPA4 peptide restored the LPS-disrupted epithelial barrier, which correlated with the localization pattern of Zonula Occludens (ZO)-1 and occludin proteins. Correspondingly, SPA4 peptide treatment helped suppress the lung edema and levels of serum SP-D, improved some of the lung function parameters, and reduced the mortality risk against LPS challenge. Our results suggest that the anti-inflammatory activity of the SPA4 peptide facilitates the resolution of lung pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asif Alam Chowdhury
- Department of Pharmaceutical SciencesUniversity of Oklahoma Health Sciences CenterOklahoma CityOKUSA
| | - Nachiket M. Godbole
- Department of Pharmaceutical SciencesUniversity of Oklahoma Health Sciences CenterOklahoma CityOKUSA
| | - Neha Chataut
- Department of Pharmaceutical SciencesUniversity of Oklahoma Health Sciences CenterOklahoma CityOKUSA
| | - Stanley Kosanke
- Division of Comparative MedicineUniversity of Oklahoma Health Sciences CenterOklahoma CityOKUSA
| | - Karla Rodgers
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyUniversity of Oklahoma Health Sciences CenterOklahoma CityOKUSA
| | - Shanjana Awasthi
- Department of Pharmaceutical SciencesUniversity of Oklahoma Health Sciences CenterOklahoma CityOKUSA
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