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Fraga-Silva TF, Cipriano UG, Fumagalli MJ, Correa GF, Fuzo CA, dos-Santos D, Mestriner FL, Becari C, Teixeira-Carvalho A, Coelho-dos-Reis J, Menegueti MG, Figueiredo LT, Cunha LD, Martins-Filho OA, Dias-Baruffi M, Auxiliadora-Martins M, Tostes RC, Bonato VL. Airway epithelial cells and macrophages trigger IL-6-CD95/CD95L axis and mediate initial immunopathology of COVID-19. iScience 2023; 26:108366. [PMID: 38047070 PMCID: PMC10692667 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.108366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2022] [Revised: 09/09/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Airway epithelial cells (AEC) infected with SARS-CoV-2 may drive the dysfunction of macrophages during COVID-19. We hypothesized that the direct interaction of AEC with macrophages mediated by CD95/CD95L or indirect interaction mediated by IL-6 signaling are key steps for the COVID-19 severe acute inflammation. The interaction of macrophages with apoptotic and infected AEC increased CD95 and CD163 expression, and induced macrophage death. Macrophages exposed to tracheal aspirate with high IL-6 levels from intubated patients with COVID-19 or to recombinant human IL-6 exhibited decreased HLA-DR expression, increased CD95 and CD163 expression and IL-1β production. IL-6 effects on macrophages were prevented by both CD95/CD95L antagonist and by IL-6 receptor antagonist and IL-6 or CD95 deficient mice showed significant reduction of acute pulmonary inflammation post-infection. Our findings show a non-canonical CD95L-CD95 pathway that simultaneously drives both macrophage activation and dysfunction and point to CD95/CD95L axis as therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thais F.C. Fraga-Silva
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Ribeirao Preto Medical School, University of Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, Sao Paulo 14049-900, Brazil
| | - Ualter G. Cipriano
- Basic and Applied Immunology Program, Ribeirao Preto Medical School, University of Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, Sao Paulo 14049-900, Brazil
| | - Marcilio J. Fumagalli
- Basic and Applied Immunology Program, Ribeirao Preto Medical School, University of Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, Sao Paulo 14049-900, Brazil
| | - Giseli F. Correa
- Basic and Applied Immunology Program, Ribeirao Preto Medical School, University of Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, Sao Paulo 14049-900, Brazil
| | - Carlos A. Fuzo
- Department of Clinical Analysis, Toxicology and Food Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, Sao Paulo 14049-900, Brazil
| | - Douglas dos-Santos
- Department of Cell Biology, Ribeirao Preto Medical School, University of Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, Sao Paulo 14049-900, Brazil
| | - Fabiola L.A.C. Mestriner
- Department of Surgery and Anatomy, Ribeirao Preto Medical School, University of Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, Sao Paulo 14049-900, Brazil
| | - Christiane Becari
- Department of Surgery and Anatomy, Ribeirao Preto Medical School, University of Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, Sao Paulo 14049-900, Brazil
| | - Andrea Teixeira-Carvalho
- René Rachou Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, FIOCRUZ-Minas, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais 30190-009, Brazil
| | - Jordana Coelho-dos-Reis
- Department of Microbiology, Biological Science Institute, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Mayra G. Menegueti
- Department of General and Specialized Nursing, Ribeirao Preto Nurse School, University of Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, Sao Paulo 14049-900, Brazil
| | - Luiz T.M. Figueiredo
- Basic and Applied Immunology Program, Ribeirao Preto Medical School, University of Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, Sao Paulo 14049-900, Brazil
- Virology Research Center, Ribeirao Preto Medical School, University of Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, Sao Paulo 14049-900, Brazil
| | - Larissa Dias Cunha
- Department of Cell Biology, Ribeirao Preto Medical School, University of Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, Sao Paulo 14049-900, Brazil
| | - Olindo A. Martins-Filho
- René Rachou Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, FIOCRUZ-Minas, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais 30190-009, Brazil
| | - Marcelo Dias-Baruffi
- Department of Clinical Analysis, Toxicology and Food Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, Sao Paulo 14049-900, Brazil
| | - Maria Auxiliadora-Martins
- Department of Surgery and Anatomy, Ribeirao Preto Medical School, University of Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, Sao Paulo 14049-900, Brazil
| | - Rita C. Tostes
- Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirao Preto Medical School, University of Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, Sao Paulo 14049-900, Brazil
| | - Vania L.D. Bonato
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Ribeirao Preto Medical School, University of Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, Sao Paulo 14049-900, Brazil
- Basic and Applied Immunology Program, Ribeirao Preto Medical School, University of Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, Sao Paulo 14049-900, Brazil
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Toro DM, da Silva-Neto PV, de Carvalho JCS, Fuzo CA, Pérez MM, Pimentel VE, Fraga-Silva TFC, Oliveira CNS, Caruso GR, Vilela AFL, Nobre-Azevedo P, Defelippo-Felippe TV, Argolo JGM, Degiovani AM, Ostini FM, Feitosa MR, Parra RS, Vilar FC, Gaspar GG, da Rocha JJR, Feres O, Costa GP, Maruyama SRC, Russo EMS, Fernandes APM, Santos IKFM, Malheiro A, Sadikot RT, Bonato VLD, Cardoso CRB, Dias-Baruffi M, Trapé ÁA, Faccioli LH, Sorgi CA. Plasma Sphingomyelin Disturbances: Unveiling Its Dual Role as a Crucial Immunopathological Factor and a Severity Prognostic Biomarker in COVID-19. Cells 2023; 12:1938. [PMID: 37566018 PMCID: PMC10417089 DOI: 10.3390/cells12151938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2023] [Revised: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023] Open
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 infection triggers distinct patterns of disease development characterized by significant alterations in host regulatory responses. Severe cases exhibit profound lung inflammation and systemic repercussions. Remarkably, critically ill patients display a "lipid storm", influencing the inflammatory process and tissue damage. Sphingolipids (SLs) play pivotal roles in various cellular and tissue processes, including inflammation, metabolic disorders, and cancer. In this study, we employed high-resolution mass spectrometry to investigate SL metabolism in plasma samples obtained from control subjects (n = 55), COVID-19 patients (n = 204), and convalescent individuals (n = 77). These data were correlated with inflammatory parameters associated with the clinical severity of COVID-19. Additionally, we utilized RNAseq analysis to examine the gene expression of enzymes involved in the SL pathway. Our analysis revealed the presence of thirty-eight SL species from seven families in the plasma of study participants. The most profound alterations in the SL species profile were observed in patients with severe disease. Notably, a predominant sphingomyelin (SM d18:1) species emerged as a potential biomarker for COVID-19 severity, showing decreased levels in the plasma of convalescent individuals. Elevated SM levels were positively correlated with age, hospitalization duration, clinical score, and neutrophil count, as well as the production of IL-6 and IL-8. Intriguingly, we identified a putative protective effect against disease severity mediated by SM (d18:1/24:0), while ceramide (Cer) species (d18:1/24:1) and (d18:1/24:0)were associated with increased risk. Moreover, we observed the enhanced expression of key enzymes involved in the SL pathway in blood cells from severe COVID-19 patients, suggesting a primary flow towards Cer generation in tandem with SM synthesis. These findings underscore the potential of SM as a prognostic biomarker for COVID-19 and highlight promising pharmacological targets. By targeting sphingolipid pathways, novel therapeutic strategies may emerge to mitigate the severity of COVID-19 and improve patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana Mota Toro
- Department of Clinical, Toxicological and Bromatological Analysis, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto–FCFRP, University of Sao Paulo–USP, Ribeirão Preto 14040-903, SP, Brazil; (D.M.T.); (P.V.d.S.-N.); (J.C.S.d.C.); (C.A.F.); (M.M.P.); (V.E.P.); (C.N.S.O.); (G.R.C.); (E.M.S.R.); (C.R.B.C.); (M.D.-B.); (L.H.F.)
- Postgraduate Program in Basic and Applied Immunology–PPGIBA, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Amazonas–UFAM, Manaus 69080-900, AM, Brazil;
| | - Pedro V. da Silva-Neto
- Department of Clinical, Toxicological and Bromatological Analysis, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto–FCFRP, University of Sao Paulo–USP, Ribeirão Preto 14040-903, SP, Brazil; (D.M.T.); (P.V.d.S.-N.); (J.C.S.d.C.); (C.A.F.); (M.M.P.); (V.E.P.); (C.N.S.O.); (G.R.C.); (E.M.S.R.); (C.R.B.C.); (M.D.-B.); (L.H.F.)
- Postgraduate Program in Basic and Applied Immunology–PPGIBA, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Amazonas–UFAM, Manaus 69080-900, AM, Brazil;
| | - Jonatan C. S. de Carvalho
- Department of Clinical, Toxicological and Bromatological Analysis, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto–FCFRP, University of Sao Paulo–USP, Ribeirão Preto 14040-903, SP, Brazil; (D.M.T.); (P.V.d.S.-N.); (J.C.S.d.C.); (C.A.F.); (M.M.P.); (V.E.P.); (C.N.S.O.); (G.R.C.); (E.M.S.R.); (C.R.B.C.); (M.D.-B.); (L.H.F.)
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Philosophy, Sciences and Letters of Ribeirão Preto–FFCLRP, University of São Paulo–USP, Ribeirão Preto 14040-901, SP, Brazil; (A.F.L.V.); (P.N.-A.); (T.V.D.-F.)
| | - Carlos A. Fuzo
- Department of Clinical, Toxicological and Bromatological Analysis, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto–FCFRP, University of Sao Paulo–USP, Ribeirão Preto 14040-903, SP, Brazil; (D.M.T.); (P.V.d.S.-N.); (J.C.S.d.C.); (C.A.F.); (M.M.P.); (V.E.P.); (C.N.S.O.); (G.R.C.); (E.M.S.R.); (C.R.B.C.); (M.D.-B.); (L.H.F.)
| | - Malena M. Pérez
- Department of Clinical, Toxicological and Bromatological Analysis, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto–FCFRP, University of Sao Paulo–USP, Ribeirão Preto 14040-903, SP, Brazil; (D.M.T.); (P.V.d.S.-N.); (J.C.S.d.C.); (C.A.F.); (M.M.P.); (V.E.P.); (C.N.S.O.); (G.R.C.); (E.M.S.R.); (C.R.B.C.); (M.D.-B.); (L.H.F.)
| | - Vinícius E. Pimentel
- Department of Clinical, Toxicological and Bromatological Analysis, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto–FCFRP, University of Sao Paulo–USP, Ribeirão Preto 14040-903, SP, Brazil; (D.M.T.); (P.V.d.S.-N.); (J.C.S.d.C.); (C.A.F.); (M.M.P.); (V.E.P.); (C.N.S.O.); (G.R.C.); (E.M.S.R.); (C.R.B.C.); (M.D.-B.); (L.H.F.)
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto–FMRP, University of São Paulo–USP, Ribeirão Preto 14049-900, SP, Brazil; (T.F.C.F.-S.); (I.K.F.M.S.); (V.L.D.B.)
| | - Thais F. C. Fraga-Silva
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto–FMRP, University of São Paulo–USP, Ribeirão Preto 14049-900, SP, Brazil; (T.F.C.F.-S.); (I.K.F.M.S.); (V.L.D.B.)
| | - Camilla N. S. Oliveira
- Department of Clinical, Toxicological and Bromatological Analysis, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto–FCFRP, University of Sao Paulo–USP, Ribeirão Preto 14040-903, SP, Brazil; (D.M.T.); (P.V.d.S.-N.); (J.C.S.d.C.); (C.A.F.); (M.M.P.); (V.E.P.); (C.N.S.O.); (G.R.C.); (E.M.S.R.); (C.R.B.C.); (M.D.-B.); (L.H.F.)
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto–FMRP, University of São Paulo–USP, Ribeirão Preto 14049-900, SP, Brazil; (T.F.C.F.-S.); (I.K.F.M.S.); (V.L.D.B.)
| | - Glaucia R. Caruso
- Department of Clinical, Toxicological and Bromatological Analysis, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto–FCFRP, University of Sao Paulo–USP, Ribeirão Preto 14040-903, SP, Brazil; (D.M.T.); (P.V.d.S.-N.); (J.C.S.d.C.); (C.A.F.); (M.M.P.); (V.E.P.); (C.N.S.O.); (G.R.C.); (E.M.S.R.); (C.R.B.C.); (M.D.-B.); (L.H.F.)
| | - Adriana F. L. Vilela
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Philosophy, Sciences and Letters of Ribeirão Preto–FFCLRP, University of São Paulo–USP, Ribeirão Preto 14040-901, SP, Brazil; (A.F.L.V.); (P.N.-A.); (T.V.D.-F.)
| | - Pedro Nobre-Azevedo
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Philosophy, Sciences and Letters of Ribeirão Preto–FFCLRP, University of São Paulo–USP, Ribeirão Preto 14040-901, SP, Brazil; (A.F.L.V.); (P.N.-A.); (T.V.D.-F.)
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto–FMRP, University of São Paulo–USP, Ribeirão Preto 14049-900, SP, Brazil; (T.F.C.F.-S.); (I.K.F.M.S.); (V.L.D.B.)
| | - Thiago V. Defelippo-Felippe
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Philosophy, Sciences and Letters of Ribeirão Preto–FFCLRP, University of São Paulo–USP, Ribeirão Preto 14040-901, SP, Brazil; (A.F.L.V.); (P.N.-A.); (T.V.D.-F.)
| | - Jamille G. M. Argolo
- Department of General and Specialized Nursing, School of Nursing of Ribeirão Preto–EERP, University of São Paulo–USP, Ribeirão Preto 14040-902, SP, Brazil; (J.G.M.A.); (A.P.M.F.)
| | - Augusto M. Degiovani
- Hospital Santa Casa de Misericórdia de Ribeirão Preto, Ribeirão Preto 14085-000, SP, Brazil; (A.M.D.); (F.M.O.)
| | - Fátima M. Ostini
- Hospital Santa Casa de Misericórdia de Ribeirão Preto, Ribeirão Preto 14085-000, SP, Brazil; (A.M.D.); (F.M.O.)
| | - Marley R. Feitosa
- Department of Surgery and Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto-FMRP, University of São Paulo–USP, Ribeirão Preto 14049-900, SP, Brazil; (M.R.F.); (R.S.P.); (J.J.R.d.R.); (O.F.)
- Hospital São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto 14025-100, SP, Brazil;
| | - Rogerio S. Parra
- Department of Surgery and Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto-FMRP, University of São Paulo–USP, Ribeirão Preto 14049-900, SP, Brazil; (M.R.F.); (R.S.P.); (J.J.R.d.R.); (O.F.)
- Hospital São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto 14025-100, SP, Brazil;
| | - Fernando C. Vilar
- Hospital São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto 14025-100, SP, Brazil;
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto–FMRP, University of São Paulo–USP, Ribeirão Preto 14049-900, SP, Brazil;
| | - Gilberto G. Gaspar
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto–FMRP, University of São Paulo–USP, Ribeirão Preto 14049-900, SP, Brazil;
| | - José J. R. da Rocha
- Department of Surgery and Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto-FMRP, University of São Paulo–USP, Ribeirão Preto 14049-900, SP, Brazil; (M.R.F.); (R.S.P.); (J.J.R.d.R.); (O.F.)
| | - Omar Feres
- Department of Surgery and Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto-FMRP, University of São Paulo–USP, Ribeirão Preto 14049-900, SP, Brazil; (M.R.F.); (R.S.P.); (J.J.R.d.R.); (O.F.)
- Hospital São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto 14025-100, SP, Brazil;
| | - Gabriel P. Costa
- School of Physical Education and Sport of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo–USP, Ribeirão Preto 14040-900, SP, Brazil; (G.P.C.); (Á.A.T.)
| | - Sandra R. C. Maruyama
- Department of Genetics and Evolution, Center for Biological and Health Sciences, Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar), São Carlos 13565-905, SP, Brazil;
| | - Elisa M. S. Russo
- Department of Clinical, Toxicological and Bromatological Analysis, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto–FCFRP, University of Sao Paulo–USP, Ribeirão Preto 14040-903, SP, Brazil; (D.M.T.); (P.V.d.S.-N.); (J.C.S.d.C.); (C.A.F.); (M.M.P.); (V.E.P.); (C.N.S.O.); (G.R.C.); (E.M.S.R.); (C.R.B.C.); (M.D.-B.); (L.H.F.)
| | - Ana Paula M. Fernandes
- Department of General and Specialized Nursing, School of Nursing of Ribeirão Preto–EERP, University of São Paulo–USP, Ribeirão Preto 14040-902, SP, Brazil; (J.G.M.A.); (A.P.M.F.)
| | - Isabel K. F. M. Santos
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto–FMRP, University of São Paulo–USP, Ribeirão Preto 14049-900, SP, Brazil; (T.F.C.F.-S.); (I.K.F.M.S.); (V.L.D.B.)
| | - Adriana Malheiro
- Postgraduate Program in Basic and Applied Immunology–PPGIBA, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Amazonas–UFAM, Manaus 69080-900, AM, Brazil;
| | - Ruxana T. Sadikot
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep, College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA;
| | - Vânia L. D. Bonato
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto–FMRP, University of São Paulo–USP, Ribeirão Preto 14049-900, SP, Brazil; (T.F.C.F.-S.); (I.K.F.M.S.); (V.L.D.B.)
| | - Cristina R. B. Cardoso
- Department of Clinical, Toxicological and Bromatological Analysis, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto–FCFRP, University of Sao Paulo–USP, Ribeirão Preto 14040-903, SP, Brazil; (D.M.T.); (P.V.d.S.-N.); (J.C.S.d.C.); (C.A.F.); (M.M.P.); (V.E.P.); (C.N.S.O.); (G.R.C.); (E.M.S.R.); (C.R.B.C.); (M.D.-B.); (L.H.F.)
| | - Marcelo Dias-Baruffi
- Department of Clinical, Toxicological and Bromatological Analysis, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto–FCFRP, University of Sao Paulo–USP, Ribeirão Preto 14040-903, SP, Brazil; (D.M.T.); (P.V.d.S.-N.); (J.C.S.d.C.); (C.A.F.); (M.M.P.); (V.E.P.); (C.N.S.O.); (G.R.C.); (E.M.S.R.); (C.R.B.C.); (M.D.-B.); (L.H.F.)
| | - Átila A. Trapé
- School of Physical Education and Sport of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo–USP, Ribeirão Preto 14040-900, SP, Brazil; (G.P.C.); (Á.A.T.)
| | - Lúcia H. Faccioli
- Department of Clinical, Toxicological and Bromatological Analysis, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto–FCFRP, University of Sao Paulo–USP, Ribeirão Preto 14040-903, SP, Brazil; (D.M.T.); (P.V.d.S.-N.); (J.C.S.d.C.); (C.A.F.); (M.M.P.); (V.E.P.); (C.N.S.O.); (G.R.C.); (E.M.S.R.); (C.R.B.C.); (M.D.-B.); (L.H.F.)
| | - Carlos A. Sorgi
- Postgraduate Program in Basic and Applied Immunology–PPGIBA, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Amazonas–UFAM, Manaus 69080-900, AM, Brazil;
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Philosophy, Sciences and Letters of Ribeirão Preto–FFCLRP, University of São Paulo–USP, Ribeirão Preto 14040-901, SP, Brazil; (A.F.L.V.); (P.N.-A.); (T.V.D.-F.)
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto–FMRP, University of São Paulo–USP, Ribeirão Preto 14049-900, SP, Brazil; (T.F.C.F.-S.); (I.K.F.M.S.); (V.L.D.B.)
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Brunetti AE, Fuzo CA, Aguilar S, Rivera-Correa M, Marani MM, Lopes NP. The Significance of Hypervariability and Conserved Motifs in Antimicrobial Peptides from Tree Frogs. J Nat Prod 2023. [PMID: 37219414 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jnatprod.3c00224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Amphibians' skin is a rich source of natural antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). These AMPs exhibit marked inter- and intraspecific sequence divergence linked to the arms race between host and pathogens. Here, we combine peptidomics, molecular modeling, and phylogenetic analyses to understand the evolution of AMPs in Cophomantini, a diverse clade of neotropical tree frogs, and to investigate their interaction with bacterial membranes. Consistent with results in other amphibians, all species of Cophomantini secrete a mixture of peptides. We selected the hylin peptide family to survey sequence variability and the presence of common amino acid motifs. We found that most species secrete a unique set of hylins that, though variable, share the conserved motif Gly-X-X-X-Pro-Ala-X-X-Gly, with Gly and Pro colocalizing with charged or polar residues. Our modeling revealed that Pro curves the peptide through a hinge, facilitating its insertion into the bacterial membrane and, once inserted, contributes to stabilizing the pore structure. The phylogenetic inference using hylid prepro-peptides showed the need to classify new AMPs using the full-length sequence of the prepro-peptide region and highlighted the complex relationships between peptide families. Our findings revealed that conserved motifs occurred independently in distinct AMP families, suggesting a convergent evolution and a significant role in peptide-membrane interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrés E Brunetti
- Instituto de Biología Subtropical (IBS, UNaM-CONICET), Félix de Azara 1552, Posadas, CP 3300, Misiones, Argentina
- NPPNS, Department of Biomolecular Sciences, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP 14040-903, Brazil
| | - Carlos A Fuzo
- Departamento de Análises Clínicas, Toxicológicas e Bromatológicas, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, 14040-903 Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Silvana Aguilar
- IPEEC-CONICET, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Boulevard Brown 2915, U9120ACD Puerto Madryn, Argentina
| | - Mauricio Rivera-Correa
- Laboratorio de Anfibios, Instituto de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogota, 111321, Colombia
| | - Mariela M Marani
- IPEEC-CONICET, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Boulevard Brown 2915, U9120ACD Puerto Madryn, Argentina
| | - Norberto P Lopes
- NPPNS, Department of Biomolecular Sciences, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP 14040-903, Brazil
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de Carvalho JCS, da Silva-Neto PV, Toro DM, Fuzo CA, Nardini V, Pimentel VE, Pérez MM, Fraga-Silva TFC, Oliveira CNS, Degiovani AM, Ostini FM, Feitosa MR, Parra RS, da Rocha JJR, Feres O, Vilar FC, Gaspar GG, Santos IKFM, Fernandes APM, Maruyama SR, Russo EMS, Bonato VLD, Cardoso CRB, Dias-Baruffi M, Faccioli LH, Sorgi CA. The Interplay among Glucocorticoid Therapy, Platelet-Activating Factor and Endocannabinoid Release Influences the Inflammatory Response to COVID-19. Viruses 2023; 15:v15020573. [PMID: 36851787 PMCID: PMC9959303 DOI: 10.3390/v15020573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2022] [Revised: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/17/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023] Open
Abstract
COVID-19 is associated with a dysregulated immune response. Currently, several medicines are licensed for the treatment of this disease. Due to their significant role in inhibiting pro-inflammatory cytokines and lipid mediators, glucocorticoids (GCs) have attracted a great deal of attention. Similarly, the endocannabinoid (eCB) system regulates various physiological processes including the immunological response. Additionally, during inflammatory and thrombotic processes, phospholipids from cell membranes are cleaved to produce platelet-activating factor (PAF), another lipid mediator. Nonetheless, the effect of GCs on this lipid pathway during COVID-19 therapy is still unknown. This is a cross-sectional study involving COVID-19 patients (n = 200) and healthy controls (n = 35). Target tandem mass spectrometry of plasma lipid mediators demonstrated that COVID-19 severity affected eCBs and PAF synthesis. This increased synthesis of eCB was adversely linked with systemic inflammatory markers IL-6 and sTREM-1 levels and neutrophil counts. The use of GCs altered these lipid pathways by reducing PAF and increasing 2-AG production. Corroborating this, transcriptome analysis of GC-treated patients blood leukocytes showed differential modulation of monoacylglycerol lipase and phospholipase A2 gene expression. Altogether, these findings offer a breakthrough in our understanding of COVID-19 pathophysiology, indicating that GCs may promote additional protective pharmacological effects by influencing the eCB and PAF pathways involved in the disease course.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonatan C. S. de Carvalho
- Departamento de Química, Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto-FFCLRP, Universidade de São Paulo-USP, Ribeirao Preto 14040-901, SP, Brazil
- Departamento de Análises Clínicas, Toxicológicas e Bromatológicas, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto-FCFRP, Universidade de São Paulo-USP, Ribeirao Preto 14040-903, SP, Brazil
| | - Pedro V. da Silva-Neto
- Departamento de Análises Clínicas, Toxicológicas e Bromatológicas, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto-FCFRP, Universidade de São Paulo-USP, Ribeirao Preto 14040-903, SP, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Imunologia Básica e Aplicada-PPGIBA, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Amazonas-UFAM, Manaus 69080-900, AM, Brazil
| | - Diana M. Toro
- Departamento de Análises Clínicas, Toxicológicas e Bromatológicas, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto-FCFRP, Universidade de São Paulo-USP, Ribeirao Preto 14040-903, SP, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Imunologia Básica e Aplicada-PPGIBA, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Amazonas-UFAM, Manaus 69080-900, AM, Brazil
| | - Carlos A. Fuzo
- Departamento de Análises Clínicas, Toxicológicas e Bromatológicas, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto-FCFRP, Universidade de São Paulo-USP, Ribeirao Preto 14040-903, SP, Brazil
| | - Viviani Nardini
- Departamento de Análises Clínicas, Toxicológicas e Bromatológicas, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto-FCFRP, Universidade de São Paulo-USP, Ribeirao Preto 14040-903, SP, Brazil
| | - Vinícius E. Pimentel
- Departamento de Análises Clínicas, Toxicológicas e Bromatológicas, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto-FCFRP, Universidade de São Paulo-USP, Ribeirao Preto 14040-903, SP, Brazil
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto-FMRP, Universidade de São Paulo-USP, Ribeirao Preto 14040-900, SP, Brazil
| | - Malena M. Pérez
- Departamento de Análises Clínicas, Toxicológicas e Bromatológicas, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto-FCFRP, Universidade de São Paulo-USP, Ribeirao Preto 14040-903, SP, Brazil
| | - Thais F. C. Fraga-Silva
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto-FMRP, Universidade de São Paulo-USP, Ribeirao Preto 14040-900, SP, Brazil
| | - Camilla N. S. Oliveira
- Departamento de Análises Clínicas, Toxicológicas e Bromatológicas, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto-FCFRP, Universidade de São Paulo-USP, Ribeirao Preto 14040-903, SP, Brazil
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto-FMRP, Universidade de São Paulo-USP, Ribeirao Preto 14040-900, SP, Brazil
| | - Augusto M. Degiovani
- Hospital Santa Casa de Misericórdia de Ribeirão Preto, Ribeirao Preto 14085-000, SP, Brazil
| | - Fátima M. Ostini
- Hospital Santa Casa de Misericórdia de Ribeirão Preto, Ribeirao Preto 14085-000, SP, Brazil
| | - Marley R. Feitosa
- Departamento de Cirurgia e Anatomia, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto-FMRP, Universidade de São Paulo-USP, Ribeirao Preto 14048-900, SP, Brazil
| | - Rogerio S. Parra
- Departamento de Cirurgia e Anatomia, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto-FMRP, Universidade de São Paulo-USP, Ribeirao Preto 14048-900, SP, Brazil
| | - José J. R. da Rocha
- Departamento de Cirurgia e Anatomia, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto-FMRP, Universidade de São Paulo-USP, Ribeirao Preto 14048-900, SP, Brazil
| | - Omar Feres
- Departamento de Cirurgia e Anatomia, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto-FMRP, Universidade de São Paulo-USP, Ribeirao Preto 14048-900, SP, Brazil
| | - Fernando C. Vilar
- Departamento de Clínica Médica, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto-FMRP, Universidade de São Paulo-USP, Ribeirao Preto 14049-900, SP, Brazil
| | - Gilberto G. Gaspar
- Departamento de Clínica Médica, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto-FMRP, Universidade de São Paulo-USP, Ribeirao Preto 14049-900, SP, Brazil
| | - Isabel K. F. M. Santos
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto-FMRP, Universidade de São Paulo-USP, Ribeirao Preto 14040-900, SP, Brazil
| | - Ana P. M. Fernandes
- Departamento de Enfermagem Geral e Especializada, Escola de Enfermagem de Ribeirão Preto-EERP, Universidade de São Paulo-USP, Ribeirao Preto 14040-902, SP, Brazil
| | - Sandra R. Maruyama
- Departamento de Genética e Evolução, Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade Federal de São Carlos-UFSCar, Sao Carlos 13565-905, SP, Brazil
| | - Elisa M. S. Russo
- Departamento de Análises Clínicas, Toxicológicas e Bromatológicas, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto-FCFRP, Universidade de São Paulo-USP, Ribeirao Preto 14040-903, SP, Brazil
| | - Vânia L. D. Bonato
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto-FMRP, Universidade de São Paulo-USP, Ribeirao Preto 14040-900, SP, Brazil
| | - Cristina R. B. Cardoso
- Departamento de Análises Clínicas, Toxicológicas e Bromatológicas, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto-FCFRP, Universidade de São Paulo-USP, Ribeirao Preto 14040-903, SP, Brazil
| | - Marcelo Dias-Baruffi
- Departamento de Análises Clínicas, Toxicológicas e Bromatológicas, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto-FCFRP, Universidade de São Paulo-USP, Ribeirao Preto 14040-903, SP, Brazil
| | - Lúcia H. Faccioli
- Departamento de Análises Clínicas, Toxicológicas e Bromatológicas, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto-FCFRP, Universidade de São Paulo-USP, Ribeirao Preto 14040-903, SP, Brazil
| | - Carlos A. Sorgi
- Departamento de Química, Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto-FFCLRP, Universidade de São Paulo-USP, Ribeirao Preto 14040-901, SP, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Imunologia Básica e Aplicada-PPGIBA, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Amazonas-UFAM, Manaus 69080-900, AM, Brazil
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto-FMRP, Universidade de São Paulo-USP, Ribeirao Preto 14040-900, SP, Brazil
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +55-(16)-3315-9176
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5
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Fuzo CA, Fraga-Silva TFC, Maruyama SR, Bastos VAF, Rogerio LA, Takamiya NT, da Silva-Neto PV, Pimentel VE, Toro DM, Pérez MM, de Carvalho JCS, Carmona-Garcia I, Oliveira CNS, Degiovani AM, Ostini FM, Constant LF, de Amorim AP, Vilar FC, Feitosa MR, Parra RS, da Rocha JJR, Feres O, Gaspar GG, Viana AL, Fernandes APM, Santos IKFM, Russo EMS, Cardoso CRB, Sorgi CA, Faccioli LH, Bonato VLD, Dias-Baruffi M. The turning point of COVID-19 severity is associated with a unique circulating neutrophil gene signature. Immunology 2023. [PMID: 36740582 DOI: 10.1111/imm.13631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
COVID-19 has a broad spectrum of clinical manifestations associated with the host immune response heterogeneity. Despite the advances in COVID-19 research, it is still crucial to seek a panel of molecular markers that enable accurate stratification of COVID-19 patients. Here, we performed a study that combined analysis of blood transcriptome, demographic data, clinical aspects and laboratory findings from 66 participants classified into different degrees of COVID-19 severity and healthy subjects. We identified a perturbation in blood-leukocyte transcriptional profile associated with COVID-19 aggravation, which was mainly related to processes that disfavoured lymphocyte activation and favoured neutrophil activation. This transcriptional profile stratified patients according to COVID-19 severity. Hence, it enabled identification of a turning point in transcriptional dynamics that distinguished disease outcomes and non-hospitalized from hospitalized moderate patients. Central genes of this unique neutrophil signature were S100A9, ANXA3, CEACAM6, VNN1, OLFM4, IL1R2, TCN1 and CD177. Our study indicates the molecular changes that are linked with the differing clinical aspects presented by humans when suffering from COVID-19, which involve neutrophil activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos A Fuzo
- Departamento de Análises Clínicas, Toxicológicas e Bromatológicas, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Thais F C Fraga-Silva
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Sandra R Maruyama
- Departamento de Genética e Evolução, Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Víctor A F Bastos
- Departamento de Análises Clínicas, Toxicológicas e Bromatológicas, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Luana A Rogerio
- Departamento de Genética e Evolução, Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Nayore T Takamiya
- Departamento de Genética e Evolução, Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Pedro V da Silva-Neto
- Departamento de Análises Clínicas, Toxicológicas e Bromatológicas, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil.,Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biociências e Biotecnologia Aplicadas à Farmácia, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil.,Programa de Pós-Graduação em Imunologia Básica e Aplicada, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Amazonas, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
| | - Vinícius E Pimentel
- Departamento de Análises Clínicas, Toxicológicas e Bromatológicas, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil.,Programa de Pós-Graduação em Imunologia Básica e Aplicada, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Diana M Toro
- Departamento de Análises Clínicas, Toxicológicas e Bromatológicas, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil.,Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biociências e Biotecnologia Aplicadas à Farmácia, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil.,Programa de Pós-Graduação em Imunologia Básica e Aplicada, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Amazonas, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
| | - Malena M Pérez
- Departamento de Análises Clínicas, Toxicológicas e Bromatológicas, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Jonatan C S de Carvalho
- Departamento de Química, Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ingryd Carmona-Garcia
- Departamento de Química, Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Camilla N S Oliveira
- Departamento de Análises Clínicas, Toxicológicas e Bromatológicas, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil.,Programa de Pós-Graduação em Imunologia Básica e Aplicada, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Augusto M Degiovani
- Hospital Santa Casa de Misericórdia de Ribeirão Preto, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Fátima M Ostini
- Hospital Santa Casa de Misericórdia de Ribeirão Preto, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Leticia F Constant
- Hospital Santa Casa de Misericórdia de Ribeirão Preto, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Alessandro P de Amorim
- Hospital Santa Casa de Misericórdia de Ribeirão Preto, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Fernando C Vilar
- Departamento de Clínica Médica, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil.,Hospital São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Marley R Feitosa
- Hospital São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil.,Departamento de Cirurgia e Anatomia, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Rogerio S Parra
- Hospital São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil.,Departamento de Cirurgia e Anatomia, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - José J R da Rocha
- Hospital São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil.,Departamento de Cirurgia e Anatomia, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Omar Feres
- Hospital São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil.,Departamento de Cirurgia e Anatomia, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Gilberto G Gaspar
- Departamento de Clínica Médica, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil.,Hospital São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Angelina L Viana
- Departamento de Enfermagem Materno-Infantil e Saúde Pública, Escola de Enfermagem de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ana P M Fernandes
- Departamento de Enfermagem Geral e Especializada, Escola de Enfermagem de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Isabel K F M Santos
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Elisa M S Russo
- Departamento de Análises Clínicas, Toxicológicas e Bromatológicas, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Cristina R B Cardoso
- Departamento de Análises Clínicas, Toxicológicas e Bromatológicas, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Carlos A Sorgi
- Departamento de Química, Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Lúcia H Faccioli
- Departamento de Análises Clínicas, Toxicológicas e Bromatológicas, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Vânia L D Bonato
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil.,Programa de Pós-Graduação em Imunologia Básica e Aplicada, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Marcelo Dias-Baruffi
- Departamento de Análises Clínicas, Toxicológicas e Bromatológicas, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil.,Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biociências e Biotecnologia Aplicadas à Farmácia, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
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6
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Fuzo CA, Martins RB, Fraga-Silva TFC, Amstalden MK, Canassa De Leo T, Souza JP, Lima TM, Faccioli LH, Okamoto DN, Juliano MA, França SC, Juliano L, Bonato VLD, Arruda E, Dias-Baruffi M. Celastrol: A lead compound that inhibits SARS-CoV-2 replication, the activity of viral and human cysteine proteases, and virus-induced IL-6 secretion. Drug Dev Res 2022; 83:1623-1640. [PMID: 35989498 PMCID: PMC9539158 DOI: 10.1002/ddr.21982] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Revised: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The global emergence of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) has caused substantial human casualties. Clinical manifestations of this disease vary from asymptomatic to lethal, and the symptomatic form can be associated with cytokine storm and hyperinflammation. In face of the urgent demand for effective drugs to treat COVID‐19, we have searched for candidate compounds using in silico approach followed by experimental validation. Here we identified celastrol, a pentacyclic triterpene isolated from Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F, as one of the best compounds out of 39 drug candidates. Celastrol reverted the gene expression signature from severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2)‐infected cells and irreversibly inhibited the recombinant forms of the viral and human cysteine proteases involved in virus invasion, such as Mpro (main protease), PLpro (papain‐like protease), and recombinant human cathepsin L. Celastrol suppressed SARS‐CoV‐2 replication in human and monkey cell lines and decreased interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) secretion in the SARS‐CoV‐2‐infected human cell line. Celastrol acted in a concentration‐dependent manner, with undetectable signs of cytotoxicity, and inhibited in vitro replication of the parental and SARS‐CoV‐2 variant. Therefore, celastrol is a promising lead compound to develop new drug candidates to face COVID‐19 due to its ability to suppress SARS‐CoV‐2 replication and IL‐6 production in infected cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos A Fuzo
- Departamento de Análises Clínicas, Toxicológicas e Bromatológicas, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ronaldo B Martins
- Departamento de Biologia Celular e Molecular e Bioagentes Patogênicos, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Thais F C Fraga-Silva
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Martin K Amstalden
- Departamento de Análises Clínicas, Toxicológicas e Bromatológicas, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Thais Canassa De Leo
- Departamento de Análises Clínicas, Toxicológicas e Bromatológicas, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Juliano P Souza
- Departamento de Biologia Celular e Molecular e Bioagentes Patogênicos, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Thais M Lima
- Departamento de Biologia Celular e Molecular e Bioagentes Patogênicos, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Lucia H Faccioli
- Departamento de Análises Clínicas, Toxicológicas e Bromatológicas, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Débora Noma Okamoto
- Departamento de Biofísica, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Maria Aparecida Juliano
- Departamento de Biofísica, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Suzelei C França
- Unidade de Biotecnologia, Universidade de Ribeirão Preto, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Luiz Juliano
- Departamento de Biofísica, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Vania L D Bonato
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Eurico Arruda
- Departamento de Biologia Celular e Molecular e Bioagentes Patogênicos, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Marcelo Dias-Baruffi
- Departamento de Análises Clínicas, Toxicológicas e Bromatológicas, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
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7
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Pérez MM, Pimentel VE, Fuzo CA, da Silva-Neto PV, Toro DM, Fraga-Silva TFC, Gardinassi LG, Oliveira CNS, Souza COS, Torre-Neto NT, de Carvalho JCS, De Leo TC, Nardini V, Feitosa MR, Parra RS, da Rocha JJR, Feres O, Vilar FC, Gaspar GG, Constant LF, Ostini FM, Degiovani AM, Amorim AP, Viana AL, Fernandes APM, Maruyama SR, Russo EMS, Santos IKFM, Bonato VLD, Cardoso CRB, Sorgi CA, Dias-Baruffi M, Faccioli LH. Acetylcholine, Fatty Acids, and Lipid Mediators Are Linked to COVID-19 Severity. J Immunol 2022; 209:250-261. [PMID: 35768148 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.2200079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Lipid and cholinergic mediators are inflammatory regulators, but their role in the immunopathology of COVID-19 is still unclear. Here, we used human blood and tracheal aspirate (TA) to investigate whether acetylcholine (Ach), fatty acids (FAs), and their derived lipid mediators (LMs) are associated with COVID-19 severity. First, we analyzed the perturbation profile induced by SARS-CoV-2 infection in the transcriptional profile of genes related to the ACh and FA/LM pathways. Blood and TA were used for metabolomic and lipidomic analyses and for quantification of leukocytes, cytokines, and ACh. Differential expression and coexpression gene network data revealed a unique transcriptional profile associated with ACh and FA/LM production, release, and cellular signaling. Transcriptomic data were corroborated by laboratory findings: SARS-CoV-2 infection increased plasma and TA levels of arachidonic acid, 5-hydroxy-6E,8Z,11Z,14Z-eicosatetraenoic acid, 11-hydroxy-5Z,8Z,12E,14Z-eicosatetraenoic acid, and ACh. TA samples also exhibited high levels of PGE2, thromboxane B2, 12-oxo-5Z,8Z,10E,14Z-eicosatetraenoic acid, and 6-trans-leukotriene B4 Bioinformatics and experimental approaches demonstrated robust correlation between transcriptional profile in Ach and FA/LM pathways and parameters of severe COVID-19. As expected, the increased neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, neutrophil counts, and cytokine levels (IL-6, IL-10, IL-1β, and IL-8) correlated with worse clinical scores. Glucocorticoids protected severe and critical patients and correlated with reduced Ach levels in plasma and TA samples. We demonstrated that pulmonary and systemic hyperinflammation in severe COVID-19 are associated with high levels of Ach and FA/LM. Glucocorticoids favored the survival of patients with severe/critical disease, and this effect was associated with a reduction in ACh levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malena M Pérez
- Departamento de Análises Clínicas, Toxicológicas e Bromatológicas, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Vinícius E Pimentel
- Departamento de Análises Clínicas, Toxicológicas e Bromatológicas, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil.,Programa de Pós-Graduação em Imunologia Básica e Aplicada, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Carlos A Fuzo
- Departamento de Análises Clínicas, Toxicológicas e Bromatológicas, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Pedro V da Silva-Neto
- Departamento de Análises Clínicas, Toxicológicas e Bromatológicas, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil.,Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biociências e Biotecnologia Aplicadas à Farmácia, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil.,Programa de Pós-graduação em Imunologia Básica e Aplicada, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Amazonas, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
| | - Diana M Toro
- Departamento de Análises Clínicas, Toxicológicas e Bromatológicas, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil.,Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biociências e Biotecnologia Aplicadas à Farmácia, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil.,Programa de Pós-graduação em Imunologia Básica e Aplicada, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Amazonas, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
| | - Thais F C Fraga-Silva
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Luiz G Gardinassi
- Instituto de Patologia Tropical e Saúde Pública, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil
| | - Camilla N S Oliveira
- Departamento de Análises Clínicas, Toxicológicas e Bromatológicas, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil.,Programa de Pós-Graduação em Imunologia Básica e Aplicada, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Camila O S Souza
- Departamento de Análises Clínicas, Toxicológicas e Bromatológicas, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil.,Programa de Pós-Graduação em Imunologia Básica e Aplicada, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Nicola T Torre-Neto
- Departamento de Química. Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Jonatan C S de Carvalho
- Departamento de Química. Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Thais C De Leo
- Departamento de Análises Clínicas, Toxicológicas e Bromatológicas, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil.,Hospital São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Viviani Nardini
- Departamento de Análises Clínicas, Toxicológicas e Bromatológicas, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Marley R Feitosa
- Departamento de Cirurgia e Anatomia, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil.,Hospital São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Rogerio S Parra
- Departamento de Cirurgia e Anatomia, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil.,Hospital São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - José J R da Rocha
- Departamento de Cirurgia e Anatomia, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Omar Feres
- Departamento de Cirurgia e Anatomia, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil.,Hospital São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Fernando C Vilar
- Hospital São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil.,Departamento de Clínica Médica, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Gilberto G Gaspar
- Departamento de Clínica Médica, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Leticia F Constant
- Hospital Santa Casa de Misericórdia de Ribeirão Preto, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Fátima M Ostini
- Hospital Santa Casa de Misericórdia de Ribeirão Preto, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Augusto M Degiovani
- Hospital Santa Casa de Misericórdia de Ribeirão Preto, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Alessandro P Amorim
- Hospital Santa Casa de Misericórdia de Ribeirão Preto, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Angelina L Viana
- Departamento de Enfermagem Materno-Infantil e Saúde Pública, Escola de Enfermagem de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ana P M Fernandes
- Departamento de Enfermagem Geral e Especializada, Escola de Enfermagem de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Sandra R Maruyama
- Departamento de Genética e Evolução, Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde Universidade Federal de São Carlos, São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Elisa M S Russo
- Departamento de Análises Clínicas, Toxicológicas e Bromatológicas, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Isabel K F M Santos
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Vânia L D Bonato
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Cristina R B Cardoso
- Departamento de Análises Clínicas, Toxicológicas e Bromatológicas, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Carlos A Sorgi
- Departamento de Química. Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Marcelo Dias-Baruffi
- Departamento de Análises Clínicas, Toxicológicas e Bromatológicas, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil;
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Brunetti AE, Bunk B, Lyra ML, Fuzo CA, Marani MM, Spröer C, Haddad CFB, Lopes NP, Overmann J. Molecular basis of a bacterial-amphibian symbiosis revealed by comparative genomics, modeling, and functional testing. ISME J 2022; 16:788-800. [PMID: 34601502 PMCID: PMC8857215 DOI: 10.1038/s41396-021-01121-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2021] [Revised: 09/15/2021] [Accepted: 09/16/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The molecular bases for the symbiosis of the amphibian skin microbiome with its host are poorly understood. Here, we used the odor-producer Pseudomonas sp. MPFS and the treefrog Boana prasina as a model to explore bacterial genome determinants and the resulting mechanisms facilitating symbiosis. Pseudomonas sp. MPFS and its closest relatives, within a new clade of the P. fluoresens Group, have large genomes and were isolated from fishes and plants, suggesting environmental plasticity. We annotated 16 biosynthetic gene clusters from the complete genome sequence of this strain, including those encoding the synthesis of compounds with known antifungal activity and of odorous methoxypyrazines that likely mediate sexual interactions in Boana prasina. Comparative genomics of Pseudomonas also revealed that Pseudomonas sp. MPFS and its closest relatives have acquired specific resistance mechanisms against host antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), specifically two extra copies of a multidrug efflux pump and the same two-component regulatory systems known to trigger adaptive resistance to AMPs in P. aeruginosa. Subsequent molecular modeling indicated that these regulatory systems interact with an AMP identified in Boana prasina through the highly acidic surfaces of the proteins comprising their sensory domains. In agreement with a symbiotic relationship and a highly selective antibacterial function, this AMP did not inhibit the growth of Pseudomonas sp. MPFS but inhibited the growth of another Pseudomonas species and Escherichia coli in laboratory tests. This study provides deeper insights into the molecular interaction of the bacteria-amphibian symbiosis and highlights the role of specific adaptive resistance toward AMPs of the hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrés E. Brunetti
- grid.11899.380000 0004 1937 0722Departamento de Ciências Biomoleculares, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, 14040-903 Ribeirão Preto, SP Brazil ,grid.412223.40000 0001 2179 8144Laboratorio de Genética Evolutiva, Instituto de Biología Subtropical (CONICET – UNaM), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Universidad Nacional de Misiones, N3300 Posadas, Argentina
| | - Boyke Bunk
- grid.420081.f0000 0000 9247 8466Leibniz Institute DSMZ-German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures, 38124 Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Mariana L. Lyra
- grid.410543.70000 0001 2188 478XDepartamento de Biodiversidade e Centro de Aquicultura, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Estadual Paulista, 13506-900 Rio Claro, SP Brazil
| | - Carlos A. Fuzo
- grid.11899.380000 0004 1937 0722Departamento de Análises Clínicas, Toxicológicas e Bromatológicas, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, 14040-903 Ribeirão Preto, SP Brazil
| | - Mariela M. Marani
- grid.423606.50000 0001 1945 2152IPEEC-CONICET, Instituto Patagónico para el Estudio de los Ecosistemas Continentales, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, U9120ACD Puerto Madryn, Argentina
| | - Cathrin Spröer
- grid.420081.f0000 0000 9247 8466Leibniz Institute DSMZ-German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures, 38124 Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Célio F. B. Haddad
- grid.410543.70000 0001 2188 478XDepartamento de Biodiversidade e Centro de Aquicultura, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Estadual Paulista, 13506-900 Rio Claro, SP Brazil
| | - Norberto P. Lopes
- grid.11899.380000 0004 1937 0722Departamento de Ciências Biomoleculares, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, 14040-903 Ribeirão Preto, SP Brazil
| | - Jörg Overmann
- Leibniz Institute DSMZ-German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures, 38124, Braunschweig, Germany. .,Mikrobiologie, Technische Universität Braunschweig, 38106, Braunschweig, Germany.
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Lima TC, Magalhães LG, Paula LADL, Cunha WR, Januário AH, Pauletti PM, Bastos JK, Dos Santos FF, Forim MR, Laurentiz RS, Santos FA, Orenha RP, Parreira RLT, Fuzo CA, Molina EF, Santos MFC, Silva MLAE. Evaluation of lignan-loaded poly(ε-caprolactone) nanoparticles: synthesis, characterization, in vivo and in silico schistosomicidal activity. Nat Prod Res 2021; 36:5872-5878. [PMID: 34963393 DOI: 10.1080/14786419.2021.2021515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Lignan dinitrohinokinin displays important biological activities, which led to the preparation of its poly-ε-caprolactone nanoparticles. Kinetics analysis revealed initially slow drug release followed by a prolonged, moderate release 6 h later due to DNHK diffusion through the polymeric matrix. Molecular dynamics simulations show that DNHK molecules that interact stronger with other DNHK molecules near the PCL/DNHK surface are more difficult to dissociate from the nanoparticle. The smaller diameter nanocapsules with negative surface charge conferred good colloidal stability. The formulations showed a size distribution with monodisperse systems formation. In vivo evaluation of schistosomicidal activity against Schistosoma mansoni showed that DNHK, when incorporated into nanoparticles, caused egg number reduction of 4.2% and 28.1% at 40 mg/kg and 94.2% and 84.4% at 400 mg/kg in the liver and the spleen, respectively. The PCL nanoparticles were stable in aqueous dispersion and could be optimized to be used as a promising lignan release agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thais C Lima
- Universidade de Franca, Franca, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Jairo K Bastos
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto - USP, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Moacir R Forim
- Instituto de Química de São Carlos, São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Rosangela S Laurentiz
- Departamento de Física e Química, Faculdade de Engenharia de Ilha Solteira, Universidade Estadual Paulista, Ilha Solteira, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Fernanda A Santos
- Departamento de Física e Química, Faculdade de Engenharia de Ilha Solteira, Universidade Estadual Paulista, Ilha Solteira, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | | | - Carlos A Fuzo
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto - USP, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
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Galvêas D, Barros F, Fuzo CA. A forensic analysis of SARS-CoV-2 cases and COVID-19 mortality misreporting in the Brazilian population. Public Health 2021; 196:114-116. [PMID: 34182256 PMCID: PMC8133487 DOI: 10.1016/j.puhe.2021.05.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2021] [Revised: 05/05/2021] [Accepted: 05/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Objective The study aimed to investigate the misreporting number of positively tested individuals for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) succumbed or not to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in Brazil at the city, state, and national scales using statistical forensic analysis. Study design This is a register-based study over public health data collected, organized, and maintained by the Ministry of Health covering the Brazilian population. Methods We evaluated the Brazilian notifications of positively tested cases for SARS-CoV-2 who have succumbed or not to COVID-19 between February 26th to September 7th of 2020 at the city, state, and national scales for conformity to expected distribution provided by Benford's law (BL). Results Statistical analyzes demonstrated a significant rejection of SARS-CoV-2 notification cases at the city and the number of deaths by COVID-19 in all regional levels according to the hypothesis of conformity to BL. Conclusion We demonstrated by BL, which has been widely applied to query the quality and reliability of different numerical data sources, the misreporting number of cases and deaths throughout the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in Brazil. Therefore, we brought to light pieces of evidence that raise questions about the reliability of SARS-CoV-2 data in Brazil. This situation may have led to inconsistencies in public health policy actions, recommendations, and drastic humanitarian, social, and economic consequences such as the intensive unit care overload in some Brazilian regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Galvêas
- FUCAPE Business School, Vitória-ES, Brazil
| | - F Barros
- School of Economics, Business Administration and Accounting of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto-SP, Brazil.
| | - C A Fuzo
- Department of Clinical Analyses, Toxicology and Food Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto-SP, Brazil.
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Degrève L, Fuzo CA, Caliri A. Extended secondary structures in proteins. Biochim Biophys Acta 2014; 1844:384-8. [PMID: 24513313 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbapap.2013.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2013] [Revised: 10/02/2013] [Accepted: 10/05/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Super secondary structures of proteins have been systematically searched and classified, but not enough attention has been devoted to such large edifices beyond the basic identification of secondary structures. The objective of the present study is to show that the association of secondary structures that share some of their backbone residues is a commonplace in globular proteins, and that such deeper fusion of secondary structures, namely extended secondary structures (ESSs), helps stabilize the original secondary structures and the resulting tertiary structures. For statistical purposes, a set of 163 proteins from the protein databank was randomly selected and a few specific cases are structurally analyzed and characterized in more detail. The results point that about 30%of the residues from each protein, on average, participate in ESS. Alternatively, for the specific cases considered,our results were based on the secondary structures produced after extensive Molecular Dynamics simulation of a protein–aqueous solvent system. Based on the very small width of the time distribution of the root mean squared deviations, between the ESS taken along the simulation and the ESS from the mean structure of the protein, for each ESS, we conclude that the ESSs significantly increase the conformational stability by forming very stable aggregates.The ubiquity and specificity of the ESS suggest that the role they play in the structure of proteins, including the domains formation, deserves to be thoroughly investigated.
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Degrève L, Fuzo CA, Caliri A. Extensive structural change of the envelope protein of dengue virus induced by a tuned ionic strength: conformational and energetic analyses. J Comput Aided Mol Des 2012; 26:1311-25. [PMID: 23160852 PMCID: PMC3532723 DOI: 10.1007/s10822-012-9616-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2012] [Accepted: 10/25/2012] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
The Dengue has become a global public health threat, with over 100 million infections annually; to date there is no specific vaccine or any antiviral drug. The structures of the envelope (E) proteins of the four known serotype of the dengue virus (DENV) are already known, but there are insufficient molecular details of their structural behavior in solution in the distinct environmental conditions in which the DENVs are submitted, from the digestive tract of the mosquito up to its replication inside the host cell. Such detailed knowledge becomes important because of the multifunctional character of the E protein: it mediates the early events in cell entry, via receptor endocytosis and, as a class II protein, participates determinately in the process of membrane fusion. The proposed infection mechanism asserts that once in the endosome, at low pH, the E homodimers dissociate and insert into the endosomal lipid membrane, after an extensive conformational change, mainly on the relative arrangement of its three domains. In this work we employ all-atom explicit solvent Molecular Dynamics simulations to specify the thermodynamic conditions in that the E proteins are induced to experience extensive structural changes, such as during the process of reducing pH. We study the structural behavior of the E protein monomer at acid pH solution of distinct ionic strength. Extensive simulations are carried out with all the histidine residues in its full protonated form at four distinct ionic strengths. The results are analyzed in detail from structural and energetic perspectives, and the virtual protein movements are described by means of the principal component analyses. As the main result, we found that at acid pH and physiological ionic strength, the E protein suffers a major structural change; for lower or higher ionic strengths, the crystal structure is essentially maintained along of all extensive simulations. On the other hand, at basic pH, when all histidine residues are in the unprotonated form, the protein structure is very stable for ionic strengths ranging from 0 to 225 mM. Therefore, our findings support the hypothesis that the histidines constitute the hot points that induce configurational changes of E protein in acid pH, and give extra motivation to the development of new ideas for antivirus compound design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Léo Degrève
- Departamento de Química, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Bandeirantes, 3900, Ribeirão Preto, SP 14040-901, Brazil
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Mazzé FM, Fuzo CA, Degrève L, Ciancaglini P. Use of molecular dynamics data in biochemistry courses: An amphipathy scale to determine protein α-helix transmembrane segments. Biochem Mol Biol Educ 2008; 36:129-134. [PMID: 21591177 DOI: 10.1002/bmb.20163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this manuscript is to explain the application of an amphipathy scale obtained from molecular dynamics simulations and to demonstrate how it can be useful in the protein structure field. It is shown that this scale is easy to be used with the advantage of revealing domains of transmembrane α-helix of proteins without the need of knowing anything besides the protein primary structure. In addition, it allows the students to correlate concepts of protein structure and function, energy minimization, molecular dynamics simulations, and protein location.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernanda M Mazzé
- Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto, FFCLRP-USP Grupo de Simulação Molecular
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Mazzé FM, Fuzo CA, Ciancaglini P, Degrève L. Recognition of alpha-helix transmembrane domains with an amphipathy scale generated by molecular dynamics using only the primary sequence of proteins. Genet Mol Res 2007; 6:422-433. [PMID: 17952866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
We recently developed an amphipathy scale, elaborated from molecular dynamics data that can be used for the identification of hydrophobic or hydrophilic regions in proteins. This amphipathy scale reflects side chain/water molecule interaction energies. We have now used this amphipathy scale to find candidates for transmembrane segments, by examining a large sample of membrane proteins with alpha-helix segments. The candidates were selected based on an amphipathy coefficient value range and the minimum number of residues in a segment. We compared our results with the transmembrane segments previously identified in the PDB_TM database by the TMDET algorithm. We expected that the hydrophobic segments would be identified using only the primary structures of the proteins and the amphipathy scale. However, some of these hydrophobic segments may pertain to hydrophobic pockets not included in transmembrane regions. We found that our amphipathy scale could identify alpha-helix transmembrane regions with a probability of success of 76% when all segments were included and 90% when all membrane proteins were included.
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Affiliation(s)
- F M Mazzé
- Grupo de Simulação Molecular, Departamento de Química, Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brasil.
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15
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Mazzé FM, Fuzo CA, Degrève L. A new amphipathy scale. Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) - Proteins and Proteomics 2005; 1747:35-46. [PMID: 15680237 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbapap.2004.09.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2004] [Revised: 09/21/2004] [Accepted: 09/28/2004] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Two new amphipathy scales elaborated from molecular dynamics data are presented. Their applications contribute for the identification of the hydrophobic or hydrophilic regions in proteins solely from the primary structure. The new amphipathy coefficients (AC) reflect the side chain/solvent molecules configurational energies. A polar (water) and an apolar solvent, CCl4, were used resulting in the two ACwater and ACCCl4 scales. These solvents were chosen to simulate the aqueous phases and the transmembrane ambients of cellular membranes where the membrane proteins act. The new amphipathy scales were compared with some previous scales determined by different methods, which were also compared between them, indicating more than 90% of the correlation coefficients are less than 0.9: the scales are strictly dependent on the methodologies used in their determination. The ACCCl4 scale is related with the size of side chain amino acids while ACwater is related with the hydrophobicity of side chain amino acids. The quality of the scales was confirmed by an example of application where ACwater was able to identify correctly the transmembrane, hydrophobic regions of a membrane protein. These results also indicate that water is an important factor responsible for the tertiary structure of membrane proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- F M Mazzé
- Grupo de Simulação Molecular, Departamento de Química, Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, 14040-350 Ribeirão Preto (SP), Brazil
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