scholarly journals The miRNA: a small but powerful RNA for COVID-19

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 1137-1149
Author(s):  
Song Zhang ◽  
Kuerbannisha Amahong ◽  
Xiuna Sun ◽  
Xichen Lian ◽  
Jin Liu ◽  
...  

Abstract Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a severe and rapidly evolving epidemic. Now, although a few drugs and vaccines have been proved for its treatment and prevention, little systematic comments are made to explain its susceptibility to humans. A few scattered studies used bioinformatics methods to explore the role of microRNA (miRNA) in COVID-19 infection. Combining these timely reports and previous studies about virus and miRNA, we comb through the available clues and seemingly make the perspective reasonable that the COVID-19 cleverly exploits the interplay between the small miRNA and other biomolecules to avoid being effectively recognized and attacked from host immune protection as well to deactivate functional genes that are crucial for immune system. In detail, SARS-CoV-2 can be regarded as a sponge to adsorb host immune-related miRNA, which forces host fall into dysfunction status of immune system. Besides, SARS-CoV-2 encodes its own miRNAs, which can enter host cell and are not perceived by the host’s immune system, subsequently targeting host function genes to cause illnesses. Therefore, this article presents a reasonable viewpoint that the miRNA-based interplays between the host and SARS-CoV-2 may be the primary cause that SARS-CoV-2 accesses and attacks the host cells.

Author(s):  
Darja Kanduc

AbstractBy examining the issue of the thromboses and hemostasis disorders associated with severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) through the lens of cross-reactivity, it was found that 60 pentapeptides are shared by SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein (gp) and human proteins that— when altered, mutated, deficient or, however, improperly functioning— cause vascular diseases, thromboembolic complications, venous thrombosis, thrombocytopenia, coagulopathies, and bleeding, inter alia. The peptide commonality has a relevant immunological potential as almost all of the shared sequences are present in experimentally validated SARS-CoV-2 spike gp-derived epitopes, thus supporting the possibility of cross-reactions between the viral gp and the thromboses-related human proteins. Moreover, many of the shared peptide sequences are also present in pathogens to which individuals have previously been exposed following natural infection or vaccinal routes, and of which the immune system has stored imprint. Such an immunological memory might rapidly trigger anamnestic secondary cross-reactive responses of extreme affinity and avidity, in this way explaining the thromboembolic adverse events that can associate with SARS-CoV-2 infection or active immunization.


Author(s):  
Fateme Tavakoli Far ◽  
◽  
Ehsan Amiri-Ardekani ◽  

Since December 2019, a novel beta coronavirus has spread around the world. This virus can cause severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). In this study, we reviewed proteases of SARS-CoV-2 based on related articles published in journals indexed by Scopus, PubMed, and Google Scholar from December 2019 to April 2020. Based on this study, we can claim that this coronavirus has about 76% genotype similarity to SARS coronavirus (SARS-CoV). Also, similarities between these two viruses have been found in the mechanism of entry into host cells and pathogenicity. ACE 2, the angiotensin convertase enzyme 2, plays a role in the Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone system (RAAS) and blood pressure regulation. Some mechanisms have been reported for the role of ACE 2 in the pathogenicity of SARS-CoV-2. For example, the interaction between the ACE 2 receptor and spike protein mediated by TMPRSS2, Cathepsin B/L, and other enzymes is responsible for the entry of the virus into human cells and pathogenicity. Some host cell endosomal enzymes are necessary to cleavage coronavirus spike protein and cause binding to their common receptor. So, we conclude that molecules like antibodies or small molecules like ACE 2 antagonists and soluble ACE 2 can be used as a good therapeutic candidate to prevent SARS-CoV-2.


2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Wenjin Zheng ◽  
Qing Xu ◽  
Yiyuan Zhang ◽  
Xiaofei E ◽  
Wei Gao ◽  
...  

Abstract Background In the past decades, researchers have demonstrated the critical role of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) in the innate immune system. They recognize viral components and trigger immune signal cascades to subsequently promote the activation of the immune system. Main body Herpesviridae family members trigger TLRs to elicit cytokines in the process of infection to activate antiviral innate immune responses in host cells. This review aims to clarify the role of TLRs in the innate immunity defense against herpesviridae, and systematically describes the processes of TLR actions and herpesviridae recognition as well as the signal transduction pathways involved. Conclusions Future studies of the interactions between TLRs and herpesviridae infections, especially the subsequent signaling pathways, will not only contribute to the planning of effective antiviral therapies but also provide new molecular targets for the development of antiviral drugs.


2020 ◽  
Vol 88 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Susmita Ghosh ◽  
Elizabeth A. Ruelke ◽  
Joshua C. Ferrell ◽  
Maria D. Bodero ◽  
Kenneth A. Fields ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT The translocated actin recruiting phosphoprotein (Tarp) is a multidomain type III secreted effector used by Chlamydia trachomatis. In aggregate, existing data suggest a role of this effector in initiating new infections. As new genetic tools began to emerge to study chlamydial genes in vivo, we speculated as to what degree Tarp function contributes to Chlamydia’s ability to parasitize mammalian host cells. To address this question, we generated a complete tarP deletion mutant using the fluorescence-reported allelic exchange mutagenesis (FRAEM) technique and complemented the mutant in trans with wild-type tarP or mutant tarP alleles engineered to harbor in-frame domain deletions. We provide evidence for the significant role of Tarp in C. trachomatis invasion of host cells. Complementation studies indicate that the C-terminal filamentous actin (F-actin)-binding domains are responsible for Tarp-mediated invasion efficiency. Wild-type C. trachomatis entry into HeLa cells resulted in host cell shape changes, whereas the tarP mutant did not. Finally, using a novel cis complementation approach, C. trachomatis lacking tarP demonstrated significant attenuation in a murine genital tract infection model. Together, these data provide definitive genetic evidence for the critical role of the Tarp F-actin-binding domains in host cell invasion and for the Tarp effector as a bona fide C. trachomatis virulence factor.


2020 ◽  
pp. 1-17

Abstract Coronavirus is a family of positive single-stranded RNA virus belonging to the family of coronaviridae. Coronavirus-19 infection (COVID-19) has appeared in 2019 and so there is no effective treatment that can eradicate it. The objective of this review is to present data on cellular and molecular characteristic of virus infection and also elucidate all molecular associated events with covid-19 infection in patients. The infection in humans can cause diseases ranging from a common cold to more serious diseases such as severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). The disease that it transmits (Covid-19) cannot be cured with conventional treatments. However, a large number of protocols have been implemented based on the sequels that it produces. In this review we summarize 1) the role of immune system against this pathogen as well as the biochemical mechanism by which squealed is responsible for disease progression 2) the possibility or not that patients who have suffered the disease have antibodies against the virus and 3) the clinical protocols used in order to mitigate induced-damage by virus.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nathaniel L. Miller ◽  
Thomas Clark ◽  
Rahul Raman ◽  
Ram Sasisekharan

Many interactions between microbes and their hosts are driven or influenced by glycans, whose heterogeneous and difficult to characterize structures have led to an underappreciation of their role in these interactions compared to protein-based interactions. Glycans decorate microbe glycoproteins to enhance attachment and fusion to host cells, provide stability, and evade the host immune system. Yet, the host immune system may also target these glycans as glycoepitopes. In this review, we provide a structural perspective on the role of glycans in host-microbe interactions, focusing primarily on viral glycoproteins and their interactions with host adaptive immunity. In particular, we discuss a class of topological glycoepitopes and their interactions with topological mAbs, using the anti-HIV mAb 2G12 as the archetypical example. We further offer our view that structure-based glycan targeting strategies are ready for application to viruses beyond HIV, and present our perspective on future development in this area.


2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  

The COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately affected melanin dominant people, while on the continent of Africa, this novel strain does not appear to have decimated the population. Contrary to many scientific expectations, native Africans on the continent are less impacted compared to the global number of infections in other regions of the world. Therefore, an analysis of the role of melanin and milieu should be assessed by healthcare providers who have a concern for melanin-dominant populations. Questions are raised that Melanin has antiviral effects and there are additional factors derived from comorbidity that impact the susceptibility to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) embedded in institutional racism (aka the system of white supremacy-Milieu). Dietary practices, access to healthcare, lifestyle and genetics can influence the severity of illnesses associated with contracting this virulent coronavirus via intense erratic activation of the immune system among those subjected to a plethora of chronic societal stressors. In summary, this article will address the effects of this crisis on people of African descent and suggest alternative treatments as an intermediary, rather than exclusive reliance on a vaccine as preventative treatment. The relevance of such discourse is critical given America’s medical history, which has fostered profound distrust among her melanin-dominant citizenry.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Valerie Pinarello ◽  
Elena Bencurova ◽  
Isabel Marcelino ◽  
Olivier Gros ◽  
Carinne Puech ◽  
...  

Ehrlichia ruminantium is an obligate intracellular bacterium, transmitted by ticks of the genus Amblyomma and responsible for heartwater, a disease of domestic and wild ruminants. High genetic diversity of E. ruminantium strains hampers the development of an effective vaccine against all strains present in the field. In order to develop strategies for the control of heartwater through both vaccine and alternative therapeutic approaches, it is important to first gain a better understanding of the early interaction of E. ruminantium and its host cell. Particularly, the mechanisms associated with bacterial adhesion remain to elucidate. Herein, we studied the role of E. ruminantium membrane protein ERGA_CDS_01230 (UniProt Q5FFA9), a probable iron transporter, in the adhesion process to host bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAEC). The recombinant version of the protein ERGA_CDS_01230, successfully produced in the Leishmania tarentolae system, is O-glycosylated. Following in vitro culture of E. ruminantium in BAEC, the expression of CDS ERGA_CDS_01230 peaks at the extracellular infectious elementary body stages. This result suggest the likely involvement of ERGA_CDS_01230, named hereafter Ape for Adhesion protein of Ehrlichia, in the early interaction of E. ruminantium with its host cells. We showed using flow cytometry and scanning electron microscopy that beads coated with recombinant ERGA_CDS_01230 (rApe) adheres to BAEC. In addition, we also abserved that rApe interacts with proteins of the cell lysate, membrane and organelle fractions. Additionally, enzymatic treatment degrading dermatan and chondroitin sulfates on the surface of BAEC is associated with a 50% reduction in the number of bacteria in the host cell after a development cycle, indicating that glycosaminoglycans seem to play a role in the adhesion of E. ruminantium to the host cell. Finally, Ape induces a humoral response in vaccinated animals. Globally, our work identifying the role of Ape in E. ruminantium adhesion to host cells makes it a gold vaccine candidate and represents a first step toward the understanding of the mechanisms of cell invasion by E. ruminantium.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anacleto Silva de Souza ◽  
Vitor Martins de Freitas Amorim ◽  
Gabriela D. A. Guardia ◽  
Felipe R C dos Santos ◽  
Filipe F dos Santos ◽  
...  

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is evolving with mutations in the Spike protein, especially in the receptor-binding domain (RBD). The failure of public health measures to contain the spread of the disease in many countries has given rise to novel viral variants with increased transmissibility. However, key questions about how quickly the variants can spread and whether they can cause a more severe disease remain unclear. Herein, we performed a structural investigation using molecular dynamics simulations and determined dissociation constant (KD) values using surface plasmon resonance (SPR) assays of three fast-spreading SARS-CoV-2 variants, Alpha, Beta and Gamma ones, as well as genetic factors in the host cells that may be related to the viral infection. Our results suggest that the SARS-CoV-2 variants facilitate their entry into the host cell by moderately increased binding affinities to the human ACE2 receptor, different torsions in hACE2 mediated by RBD variants, and an increased Spike exposure time to proteolytic enzymes. We also found that other host cell aspects, such as gene and isoform expression of key genes for the infection (ACE2, FURIN and TMPRSS2), may have few contributions to the SARS-CoV-2 variants infectivity. In summary, we concluded that a combination of viral and host cell factors allows SARS-CoV-2 variants to increase their abilities to spread faster than wild-type.


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