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Orsini F, Bosica M, Martucci A, De Paola M, Comolli D, Pascente R, Forloni G, Fraser PE, Arancio O, Fioriti L. SARS-CoV-2 Nucleocapsid Protein Induces Tau Pathological Changes That Can Be Counteracted by SUMO2. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:7169. [PMID: 39000276 PMCID: PMC11241313 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25137169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2024] [Revised: 06/25/2024] [Accepted: 06/25/2024] [Indexed: 07/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Neurologic manifestations are an immediate consequence of SARS-CoV-2 infection, the etiologic agent of COVID-19, which, however, may also trigger long-term neurological effects. Notably, COVID-19 patients with neurological symptoms show elevated levels of biomarkers associated with brain injury, including Tau proteins linked to Alzheimer's pathology. Studies in brain organoids revealed that SARS-CoV-2 alters the phosphorylation and distribution of Tau in infected neurons, but the mechanisms are currently unknown. We hypothesize that these pathological changes are due to the recruitment of Tau into stress granules (SGs) operated by the nucleocapsid protein (NCAP) of SARS-CoV-2. To test this hypothesis, we investigated whether NCAP interacts with Tau and localizes to SGs in hippocampal neurons in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, we tested whether SUMOylation, a posttranslational modification of NCAP and Tau, modulates their distribution in SGs and their pathological interaction. We found that NCAP and Tau colocalize and physically interact. We also found that NCAP induces hyperphosphorylation of Tau and causes cognitive impairment in mice infected with NCAP in their hippocampus. Finally, we found that SUMOylation modulates NCAP SG formation in vitro and cognitive performance in infected mice. Our data demonstrate that NCAP induces Tau pathological changes both in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, we demonstrate that SUMO2 ameliorates NCAP-induced Tau pathology, highlighting the importance of the SUMOylation pathway as a target of intervention against neurotoxic insults, such as Tau oligomers and viral infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franca Orsini
- Department of Neuroscience, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, 20156 Milano, MI, Italy; (F.O.); (M.B.); (A.M.); (M.D.P.); (D.C.); (R.P.); (G.F.)
| | - Marco Bosica
- Department of Neuroscience, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, 20156 Milano, MI, Italy; (F.O.); (M.B.); (A.M.); (M.D.P.); (D.C.); (R.P.); (G.F.)
| | - Annacarla Martucci
- Department of Neuroscience, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, 20156 Milano, MI, Italy; (F.O.); (M.B.); (A.M.); (M.D.P.); (D.C.); (R.P.); (G.F.)
| | - Massimiliano De Paola
- Department of Neuroscience, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, 20156 Milano, MI, Italy; (F.O.); (M.B.); (A.M.); (M.D.P.); (D.C.); (R.P.); (G.F.)
| | - Davide Comolli
- Department of Neuroscience, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, 20156 Milano, MI, Italy; (F.O.); (M.B.); (A.M.); (M.D.P.); (D.C.); (R.P.); (G.F.)
| | - Rosaria Pascente
- Department of Neuroscience, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, 20156 Milano, MI, Italy; (F.O.); (M.B.); (A.M.); (M.D.P.); (D.C.); (R.P.); (G.F.)
| | - Gianluigi Forloni
- Department of Neuroscience, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, 20156 Milano, MI, Italy; (F.O.); (M.B.); (A.M.); (M.D.P.); (D.C.); (R.P.); (G.F.)
| | - Paul E. Fraser
- Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5T 2S8, Canada;
| | - Ottavio Arancio
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Taub Institute for Research of Alzheimer’s Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA;
| | - Luana Fioriti
- Department of Neuroscience, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, 20156 Milano, MI, Italy; (F.O.); (M.B.); (A.M.); (M.D.P.); (D.C.); (R.P.); (G.F.)
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Taub Institute for Research of Alzheimer’s Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA;
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Chagas LDS, Serfaty CA. The Influence of Microglia on Neuroplasticity and Long-Term Cognitive Sequelae in Long COVID: Impacts on Brain Development and Beyond. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:3819. [PMID: 38612629 PMCID: PMC11011312 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25073819] [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: 03/01/2024] [Revised: 03/26/2024] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Microglial cells, the immune cells of the central nervous system, are key elements regulating brain development and brain health. These cells are fully responsive to stressors, microenvironmental alterations and are actively involved in the construction of neural circuits in children and the ability to undergo full experience-dependent plasticity in adults. Since neuroinflammation is a known key element in the pathogenesis of COVID-19, one might expect the dysregulation of microglial function to severely impact both functional and structural plasticity, leading to the cognitive sequelae that appear in the pathogenesis of Long COVID. Therefore, understanding this complex scenario is mandatory for establishing the possible molecular mechanisms related to these symptoms. In the present review, we will discuss Long COVID and its association with reduced levels of BDNF, altered crosstalk between circulating immune cells and microglia, increased levels of inflammasomes, cytokines and chemokines, as well as the alterations in signaling pathways that impact neural synaptic remodeling and plasticity, such as fractalkines, the complement system, the expression of SIRPα and CD47 molecules and altered matrix remodeling. Together, these complex mechanisms may help us understand consequences of Long COVID for brain development and its association with altered brain plasticity, impacting learning disabilities, neurodevelopmental disorders, as well as cognitive decline in adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luana da Silva Chagas
- Program of Neuroscience, Department of Neurobiology, Institute of Biology, Federal Fluminense University, Niterói 24210-201, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil;
- National Institute of Science and Technology on Neuroimmunomodulation—INCT-NIM, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro 21041-250, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Rio de Janeiro Research Network on Neuroinflammation, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro 21041-250, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Claudio Alberto Serfaty
- Program of Neuroscience, Department of Neurobiology, Institute of Biology, Federal Fluminense University, Niterói 24210-201, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil;
- National Institute of Science and Technology on Neuroimmunomodulation—INCT-NIM, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro 21041-250, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Rio de Janeiro Research Network on Neuroinflammation, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro 21041-250, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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McGrath A, Pai H, Clack A. Rapid progression of probable Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease with concomitant COVID-19 infection. BMJ Case Rep 2023; 16:e254402. [PMID: 37914169 PMCID: PMC10626914 DOI: 10.1136/bcr-2022-254402] [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] [Indexed: 11/03/2023] Open
Abstract
A previously healthy man in his 80s was admitted to a district general hospital with rapidly progressing dementia, gait abnormalities and myoclonus alongside COVID-19 infection. Investigations showed mild elevation of C-reactive protein and neutrophils, unremarkable CT head and mildly raised protein in cerebrospinal spinal fluid (CSF). Brain MRI revealed bilateral cortical and striatal diffusion restriction and electroencephalogram (EEG) findings showed diffuse activity slowing with high amplitude sharp/slow-wave complexes. He was diagnosed with probable sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) and management prioritised comfort and care. He passed away two weeks following admission and a mere 8 weeks after the first onset of symptoms.We present the first documented case of probable CJD with concomitant COVID-19 infection in the UK. We identified six other cases worldwide identified in our literature review. These cases suggest a role of COVID-19 in the rapid progression of CJD and add to the growing evidence of its neuroinflammatory role in other forms of neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrian McGrath
- Emergency Medicine, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, Nottingham, UK
| | - Hari Pai
- Neurology, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, Nottingham, UK
| | - Aidan Clack
- Acute Medicine, University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust, Derby, UK
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Rahmani B, Ghashghayi E, Zendehdel M, Baghbanzadeh A, Khodadadi M. Molecular mechanisms highlighting the potential role of COVID-19 in the development of neurodegenerative diseases. Physiol Int 2022; 109:135-162. [DOI: 10.1556/2060.2022.00019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2021] [Revised: 03/17/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a contagious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). In addition to the pulmonary manifestations, COVID-19 patients may present a wide range of neurological disorders as extrapulmonary presentations. In this view, several studies have recently documented the worsening of neurological symptoms within COVID-19 morbidity in patients previously diagnosed with neurodegenerative diseases (NDs). Moreover, several cases have also been reported in which the patients presented parkinsonian features after initial COVID-19 symptoms. These data raise a major concern about the possibility of communication between SARS-CoV-2 infection and the initiation and/or worsening of NDs. In this review, we have collected compelling evidence suggesting SARS-CoV-2, as an environmental factor, may be capable of developing NDs. In this respect, the possible links between SARS-CoV-2 infection and molecular pathways related to most NDs and the pathophysiological mechanisms of the NDs such as Alzheimer's disease, vascular dementia, frontotemporal dementia, Parkinson's disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis will be explained.
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Affiliation(s)
- Behrouz Rahmani
- Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, 14155-6453 Tehran, Iran
| | - Elham Ghashghayi
- Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, 14155-6453 Tehran, Iran
| | - Morteza Zendehdel
- Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, 14155-6453 Tehran, Iran
| | - Ali Baghbanzadeh
- Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, 14155-6453 Tehran, Iran
| | - Mina Khodadadi
- Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, 14155-6453 Tehran, Iran
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Tancheva L, Petralia MC, Miteva S, Dragomanova S, Solak A, Kalfin R, Lazarova M, Yarkov D, Ciurleo R, Cavalli E, Bramanti A, Nicoletti F. Emerging Neurological and Psychobiological Aspects of COVID-19 Infection. Brain Sci 2020; 10:E852. [PMID: 33198412 PMCID: PMC7696269 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci10110852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2020] [Revised: 11/02/2020] [Accepted: 11/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The SARS-CoV-2 virus, first reported in December 2019 in China, is the causative agent of the current COVID-19 pandemic that, at the time of writing (1 November 2020) has infected almost 43 million people and caused the death of more than 1 million people. The spectrum of clinical manifestations observed during COVID-19 infection varies from asymptomatic to critical life-threatening clinical conditions. Emerging evidence shows that COVID-19 affects far more organs than just the respiratory system, including the heart, kidneys, blood vessels, liver, as well as the central nervous system (CNS) and the peripheral nervous system (PNS). It is also becoming clear that the neurological and psychological disturbances that occur during the acute phase of the infection may persist well beyond the recovery. The aim of this review is to propel further this emerging and relevant field of research related to the pathophysiology of neurological manifestation of COVID-19 infection (Neuro-COVID). We will summarize the PNS and CNS symptoms experienced by people with COVID-19 both during infection and in the recovery phase. Diagnostic and pharmacological findings in this field of study are strongly warranted to address the neurological and psychological symptoms of COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lyubka Tancheva
- Department of Behavior Neurobiology, Institute of Neurobiology, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria; (L.T.); (S.M.); (S.D.); (R.K.); (M.L.)
| | - Maria Cristina Petralia
- IRCCS Centro Neurolesi “Bonino-Pulejo”, Via Provinciale Palermo, Contrada Casazza, 98124 Messina, Italy; (M.C.P.); (R.C.); (A.B.)
| | - Simona Miteva
- Department of Behavior Neurobiology, Institute of Neurobiology, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria; (L.T.); (S.M.); (S.D.); (R.K.); (M.L.)
| | - Stela Dragomanova
- Department of Behavior Neurobiology, Institute of Neurobiology, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria; (L.T.); (S.M.); (S.D.); (R.K.); (M.L.)
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmacotherapy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University, 9002 Varna, Bulgaria
| | - Ayten Solak
- Institute of Cryobiology and food technologies, Agricultural Academy, 1407 Sofia, Bulgaria;
| | - Reni Kalfin
- Department of Behavior Neurobiology, Institute of Neurobiology, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria; (L.T.); (S.M.); (S.D.); (R.K.); (M.L.)
| | - Maria Lazarova
- Department of Behavior Neurobiology, Institute of Neurobiology, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria; (L.T.); (S.M.); (S.D.); (R.K.); (M.L.)
| | - Dobri Yarkov
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Trakia University, 6000 Stara Zagora, Bulgaria;
| | - Rosella Ciurleo
- IRCCS Centro Neurolesi “Bonino-Pulejo”, Via Provinciale Palermo, Contrada Casazza, 98124 Messina, Italy; (M.C.P.); (R.C.); (A.B.)
| | - Eugenio Cavalli
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Via S. Sofia 89, 95123 Catania, Italy;
| | - Alessia Bramanti
- IRCCS Centro Neurolesi “Bonino-Pulejo”, Via Provinciale Palermo, Contrada Casazza, 98124 Messina, Italy; (M.C.P.); (R.C.); (A.B.)
| | - Ferdinando Nicoletti
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Via S. Sofia 89, 95123 Catania, Italy;
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