Computationally predicted SARS-COV-2 encoded microRNAs target NFKB, JAK/STAT and TGFB signaling pathways

Recently an outbreak that emerged in Wuhan, China in December 2019, spread to the whole world in a short time and killed >1,410,000 people. It was determined that a new type of beta coronavirus called severe acute respiratory disease coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was causative agent of this outbreak and the disease caused by the virus was named as coronavirus disease 19 (COVID19). Despite the information obtained from the viral genome structure, many aspects of the virus-host interactions during infection is still unknown. In this study we aimed to identify SARS-CoV-2 encoded microRNAs and their cellular targets. We applied a computational method to predict miRNAs encoded by SARS-CoV-2 along with their putative targets in humans. Targets of predicted miRNAs were clustered into groups based on their biological processes, molecular function, and cellular compartments using GO and PANTHER. By using KEGG pathway enrichment analysis top pathways were identified. Finally, we have constructed an integrative pathway network analysis with target genes. We identified 40 SARS-CoV-2 miRNAs and their regulated targets. Our analysis showed that targeted genes including NFKB1, NFKBIE, JAK1-2, STAT3-4, STAT5B, STAT6, SOCS1-6, IL2, IL8, IL10, IL17, TGFBR1-2, SMAD2-4, HDAC1-6 and JARID1A-C, JARID2 play important roles in NFKB, JAK/STAT and TGFB signaling pathways as well as cells' epigenetic regulation pathways. Our results may help to understand virus-host interaction and the role of viral miRNAs during SARS-CoV-2 infection. As there is no current drug and effective treatment available for COVID19, it may also help to develop new treatment strategies.

Central nervous system solitary fibrous tumour/hemangiopericytoma presenting as nausea, vomiting and hepatic dysfunction after the first trimester of pregnancy: A case report

Background

Solitary fibrous tumour/haemangiopericytoma (SFT-HPC) is a rare fibroblastic mesenchymal neoplasm that develops as a result of the uncontrolled proliferation of mesenchymal fibroblasts and occurs rarely during pregnancy.

Case Presentation

A 26-year-old woman (G₂P₁) with an intrauterine pregnancy at 34⁺⁴weeks presented at a university hospital with a history of nausea and vomiting since 20 weeks. Other symptoms included slight headache and 5-kg weight loss. She had attended and been admitted to several hospitals during that time. Laboratory evaluation revealed evidence of hepatic dysfunction with elevated liver enzymes. The patient's headache worsened, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed an extra-axial mass in the right tentorial and supratentorial spaces, with brain herniation. Caesarean section and brain tumour resection were performed under general anaesthesia at the same time. Histopathological analysis revealed HPC (World Health Organization [WHO] grade III). Nausea and vomiting symptoms gradually improved. Postoperatively, the patient underwent fractional external radiotherapy (total amount 50 Gy). There was no evidence of local recurrence of metastases in the follow-up 6 months after surgery.

Conclusions

Nausea and vomiting are commonly experienced during pregnancy. This often makes patients ignore other aetiologies that cause nausea and vomiting. Central nervous system tumours can mimic the common pregnancy complaint of nausea and vomiting. Although rare in pregnancy, they can adversely affect maternal and fetal survival if untreated. Clinicians should exclude other pathology when the onset of nausea and vomiting is after the first trimester.

•

Haemangiopericytoma is a rare and aggressive type of soft tissue sarcoma that arises from pericytes of the capillaries and involves mostly the musculoskeletal system.

•

Its presentation [[1], [2], [3], [4], [5], [6], [7], [8], [9], [10], [11]] in the central nervous system is very rare.

•

Diagnosis was made at 34 weeks of pregnancy after several hospital admissions for nausea and vomiting starting at 20 weeks gestation.

•

There should be a suspicion of pathology when the onset of nausea and vomiting is after the first trimester.

Calcium-activated chloride channel regulator 1 (CLCA1): More than a regulator of chloride transport and mucus production

CLCA1 is a member of the CLCA (calcium-activated chloride channel regulator) family and plays an essential role in goblet cell mucus production from the respiratory tract epithelium. CLCA1 also regulates Ca²⁺-dependent Cl^- transport that involves the channel protein transmembrane protein 16A (TMEM16A) and its accessary molecules. CLCA1 modulates epithelial cell chloride current and participates in the pathogenesis of mucus hypersecretory-associated respiratory and gastrointestinal diseases, including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cystic fibrosis, pneumonia, colon colitis, cystic fibrosis intestinal mucous disease, ulcerative colitis, and gastrointestinal parasitic infection. Most studies have been focused on the expression regulation of CLCA1 in human specimens. Limited studies used the CLCA1-deficient mice and CLCA1 blocking agents and yielded inconsistent conclusions regarding its role in these diseases. CLCA1 not only regulates mucin expression, but also participates in innate immune responses by binding to yet unidentified molecules on inflammatory cells for cytokine and chemokine production. CLCA1 also targets lymphatic endothelial cells and cancer cells by regulating lymphatic cell proliferation and lymphatic sinus growth in the lymphatic organs and controlling cancer cell differentiation, proliferation, and apoptosis, all which depend on the location of the lymphatic vessels, the type of cancers, the presence of Th2 cytokines, and possibly the availability and type of CLCA1-binding proteins. Here we summarize available studies related to these different activities of CLCA1 to assist our understanding of how this secreted modifier of calcium-activated chloride channels (CaCCs) affects mucus production and innate immunity during the pathogenesis of respiratory, gastrointestinal, and malignant diseases.