scholarly journals Age-dependent regulation of SARS-CoV-2 cell entry genes and cell death programs correlates with COVID-19 severity

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (34) ◽  
pp. eabf8609
Author(s):  
Zintis Inde ◽  
Ben A. Croker ◽  
Clarence Yapp ◽  
Gaurav N. Joshi ◽  
Johan Spetz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Epithelial Cells ◽  
Severe Infection ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Cell Entry ◽  
Lung Epithelial Cells ◽  
Unfolded Protein ◽  
Virion Production ◽  
Host Defense System ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
Protein Response

Novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) severity is highly variable, with pediatric patients typically experiencing less severe infection than adults and especially the elderly. The basis for this difference is unclear. We find that mRNA and protein expression of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), the cell entry receptor for the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) that causes COVID-19, increases with advancing age in distal lung epithelial cells. However, in humans, ACE2 expression exhibits high levels of intra- and interindividual heterogeneity. Further, cells infected with SARS-CoV-2 experience endoplasmic reticulum stress, triggering an unfolded protein response and caspase-mediated apoptosis, a natural host defense system that halts virion production. Apoptosis of infected cells can be selectively induced by treatment with apoptosis-modulating BH3 mimetic drugs. Notably, epithelial cells within young lungs and airways are more primed to undergo apoptosis than those in adults, which may naturally hinder virion production and support milder COVID-19 severity.

scholarly journals The unfolded protein response controls ER stress-induced apoptosis of lung epithelial cells through angiotensin generation

2016 ◽  
Vol 311 (5) ◽  
pp. L846-L854 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hang Nguyen ◽  
Bruce D. Uhal
Keyword(s):  
Epithelial Cells ◽  
Er Stress ◽  
Unfolded Protein Response ◽  
Cathepsin D ◽  
Lung Epithelial Cells ◽  
Chemical Chaperone ◽  
Unfolded Protein ◽  
Induced Apoptosis ◽  
The Unfolded Protein Response ◽  
Protein Response

Recent work from this laboratory showed that endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-induced apoptosis of alveolar epithelial cells (AECs) is regulated by the autocrine angiotensin (ANG)II/ANG1-7 system. The proteasome inhibitor MG132 or surfactant protein C (SP-C) BRICHOS domain mutation G100S induced apoptosis in human AECs by activating the proapoptotic cathepsin D and reducing antiapoptotic angiotensin converting enzyme-2 (ACE-2). This study tested the hypothesis that ER stress-induced apoptosis of human AECs might be mediated by influence of the unfolded protein response (UPR) on the autocrine ANGII/ANG1-7 system. A549 cells were challenged with MG132 or SP-C BRICHOS domain mutant G100S to induce ER stress and activation of UPR pathways. The results showed that either MG132 or G100S SP-C mutation activated all three canonical pathways of the UPR (IRE1/XBP1, ATF6, and PERK/eIF2α), which led to a significant increase in cathepsin D or in TACE (an ACE-2 ectodomain shedding enzyme) and eventually caused AEC apoptosis. However, ER stress-induced AEC apoptosis could be prevented by chemical chaperone or by UPR blockers. It is also suggested that ATF6 and IRE1 pathways might play important role in regulation of angiotensin system. These data demonstrate that ER stress induces apoptosis in human AECs through mediation of UPR pathways, which in turn regulate the autocrine ANGII/ANG1-7 system. They also demonstrated that ER stress-induced AEC apoptosis can be blocked by inhibition of UPR signaling pathways.

scholarly journals TRIM28 regulates SARS-CoV-2 cell entry by targeting ACE2

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yinfang Wang ◽  
Yingzhe Fan ◽  
Yitong Huang ◽  
Tao Du ◽  
Zongjun Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Epithelial Cells ◽  
Nk Cells ◽  
Interleukin 2 ◽  
A549 Cells ◽  
Endogenous Retrovirus ◽  
Alveolar Epithelial Cells ◽  
Cell Entry ◽  
Lung Epithelial Cells ◽  
Lung Epithelial ◽  
Ifn Γ

AbstractSevere acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the cause of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), it binds to angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) to enter into human cells. The expression level of ACE2 potentially determine the susceptibility and severity of COVID-19, it is thus of importance to understand the regulatory mechanism of ACE2 expression. Tripartite motif containing 28 (TRIM28) is known to be involved in multiple processes including antiviral restriction, endogenous retrovirus latency and immune response, it is recently reported to be co-expressed with SARS-CoV-2 receptor in type II pneumocytes; however, the roles of TRIM28 in ACE2 expression and SARS-CoV-2 cell entry remain unclear. This study showed that knockdown of TRIM28 induces ACE2 expression and increases pseudotyped SARS-CoV-2 cell entry of A549 cells and primary pulmonary alveolar epithelial cells (PAEpiCs). In a co-culture model of NK cells and lung epithelial cells, our results demonstrated that NK cells inhibit TRIM28 and promote ACE2 expression in lung epithelial cells, which was partially reversed by depletion of interleukin-2 and blocking of granzyme B in the co-culture medium. Furthermore, TRIM28 knockdown enhanced interferon-γ (IFN-γ)-induced ACE2 expression through a mechanism involving upregulating IFN-γ receptor 2 (IFNGR2) in both A549 and PAEpiCs. Importantly, the upregulated ACE2 induced by TRIM28 knockdown and co-culture of NK cells was partially reversed by dexamethasone in A549 cells but not PAEpiCs. Our study identified TRIM28 as a novel regulator of ACE2 expression and SARS-CoV-2 cell entry.

scholarly journals CX3CR1 Engagement by Respiratory Syncytial Virus Leads to Induction of Nucleolin and Dysregulation of Cilia-related Genes

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher S. Anderson ◽  
Tatiana Chirkova ◽  
Christopher G. Slaunwhite ◽  
Xing Qiu ◽  
Edward E. Walsh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Respiratory Syncytial Virus ◽  
Epithelial Cells ◽  
G Protein ◽  
Infected Individual ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Lung Epithelial Cells ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
Ciliated Cells ◽  
Transcriptional Changes ◽  
Syncytial Virus

AbstractRespiratory syncytial virus (RSV) contains a conserved CX3C motif on the ectodomain of the G-protein. The motif has been indicated as facilitating attachment of the virus to the host initiating infection via the human CX3CR1 receptor. The natural CX3CR1 ligand, CX3CL1, has been shown to induce signaling pathways resulting in transcriptional changes in the host cells. We hypothesize that binding of RSV to CX3CR1 via CX3C leads to transcriptional changes in host epithelial cells. Using transcriptomic analysis, the effect of CX3CR1 engagement by RSV was investigated. Normal human bronchial epithelial (NHBE) cells were infected with RSV virus containing either wildtype G-protein, or a mutant virus containing a CX4C mutation in the G-protein. RNA sequencing was performed on mock and 4-days-post-infected cultures. NHBE cultures were also treated with purified recombinant wild-type A2 G-protein. Here we report that RSV infection resulted in significant changes in the levels 766 transcripts. Many nuclear associated proteins were upregulated in the WT group, including Nucleolin. Alternatively, cilia-associated genes, including CC2D2A and CFAP221 (PCDP1), were downregulated. The addition of recombinant G-protein to the culture lead to the suppression of cilia-related genes while also inducing Nucleolin. Mutation of the CX3C motif (CX4C) reversed these effects on transcription decreasing nucleolin induction and lessening the suppression of cilia-related transcripts in culture. Furthermore, immunohistochemical staining demonstrated decreases in in ciliated cells and altered morphology. Therefore, it appears that engagement of CX3CR1 leads to induction of genes necessary for RSV entry as well as dysregulation of genes associated with cilia function.ImportanceRespiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) has an enormous impact on infants and the elderly including increased fatality rates and potential for causing lifelong lung problems. Humans become infected with RSV through the inhalation of viral particles exhaled from an infected individual. These virus particles contain specific proteins that the virus uses to attach to human ciliated lung epithelial cells, initiating infection. Two viral proteins, G-protein and F-protein, have been shown to bind to human CX3CR1and Nucleolin, respectively. Here we show that the G-protein induces Nucleolin and suppresses gene transcripts specific to ciliated cells. Furthermore, we show that mutation of the CX3C-motif on the G-protein, CX4C, reverses these transcriptional changes.

scholarly journals Decyl Gallate as a Possible Inhibitor of N-Glycosylation Process in Paracoccidioides lutzii

2019 ◽  
Vol 63 (11) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Carolina Alves de Paula e Silva ◽  
Haroldo Cesar de Oliveira ◽  
Liliana Scorzoni ◽  
Caroline Maria Marcos ◽  
Claudia Tavares dos Santos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Unfolded Protein Response ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Genetic Interaction ◽  
Interaction Analysis ◽  
Biological Activities ◽  
Lung Epithelial Cells ◽  
Mitochondrial Activity ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Unfolded Protein ◽  
Protein Response

ABSTRACT The available antifungal therapeutic arsenal is limited. The search for alternative drugs with fewer side effects and new targets remains a major challenge. Decyl gallate (G14) is a derivative of gallic acid with a range of biological activities and broad-spectrum antifungal activity. Previously, our group demonstrated the promising anti-Paracoccidioides activity of G14. In this work, to evaluate the antifungal characteristics of G14 for Paracoccidioides lutzii, a chemical-genetic interaction analysis was conducted on a Saccharomyces cerevisiae model. N-glycosylation and/or the unfolded protein response pathway was identified as a high-confidence process for drug target prediction. The overactivation of unfolded protein response (UPR) signaling was confirmed using this model with IRE1/ATF6/PERK genes tagged with green fluorescent protein (GFP). In P. lutzii, this prediction was confirmed by the low activity of glycosylated enzymes [α-(1,3)-glucanase, N-acetyl-β-d-glucosaminidase (NAGase), and α-(1,4)-amylase], by hyperexpression of genes involved with the UPR and glycosylated enzymes, and by the reduction in the amounts of glycosylated proteins and chitin. All of these components are involved in fungal cell wall integrity and are dependent on the N-glycosylation process. This loss of integrity was confirmed by the reduction in mitochondrial activity, impaired budding, enhancement of wall permeability, and a decrease in viability. These events led to a reduction of the ability of fungi to adhere on human lung epithelial cells (A549) in vitro. Therefore, G14 may have an important role in balancing the inflammatory reaction caused by fungal infection, without interfering with the microbicidal activity of nitric oxide. This work provides new information on the activity of G14, a potential anti-Paracoccidioides compound.

scholarly journals Transcriptome Analysis Reveals Unfolded Protein Response Was Induced During the Early Stage of Burkholderia pseudomallei Infection in A549 Cells

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chenglong Rao ◽  
Chan Mao ◽  
Yupei Xia ◽  
Meijuan Zhang ◽  
Zhiqiang Hu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Unfolded Protein Response ◽  
Burkholderia Pseudomallei ◽  
Cellular Response ◽  
A549 Cells ◽  
Lung Epithelial Cells ◽  
Response Dynamics ◽  
Unfolded Protein ◽  
Lung Epithelial ◽  
Protein Response ◽  
Over Time

Burkholderia pseudomallei is a zoonotic pathogen that usually affects patients' lungs and causes serious melioidosis. The interaction of B. pseudomallei with its hosts is complex, and cellular response to B. pseudomallei infection in humans still remains to be elucidated. In this study, transcriptomic profiling of B. pseudomallei-infected human lung epithelial A549 cells was performed to characterize the cellular response dynamics during the early infection (EI) stage. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analyses were performed by using the online databases DAVID 6.8 and KOBAS 3.0. Real-time quantitative PCR and western blot were used for validation experiments. Compared with the negative control group (NC), a set of 36 common genes varied over time with a cut-off level of 1.5-fold change, and a P-value < 0.05 was identified. Bioinformatics analysis indicated that the PERK-mediated unfolded protein response (UPR) was enriched as the most noteworthy biological process category, which was enriched as a branch of UPR in the signaling pathway of protein processing in the endoplasmic reticulum. Other categories, such as inflammatory responses, cell migration, and apoptosis, were also focused. The molecular chaperone Bip (GRP78), PERK, and PERK sensor-dependent phosphorylation of eIF2α (p-eIF2α) and ATF4 were verified to be increasing over time during the EI stage, suggesting that B. pseudomallei infection activated the PERK-mediated UPR in A549 cells. Collectively, these results provide important initial insights into the intimate interaction between B. pseudomallei and lung epithelial cells, which can be further explored toward the elucidation of the cellular mechanisms of B. pseudomallei infections in humans.

scholarly journals IRE1β negatively regulates IRE1α signaling in response to endoplasmic reticulum stress

2020 ◽  
Vol 219 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael J. Grey ◽  
Eva Cloots ◽  
Mariska S. Simpson ◽  
Nicole LeDuc ◽  
Yevgeniy V. Serebrenik ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Epithelial Cells ◽  
Er Stress ◽  
Unfolded Protein Response ◽  
Kinase Domain ◽  
Dominant Negative ◽  
Hek293 Cells ◽  
Stress Sensor ◽  
Unfolded Protein ◽  
The Unfolded Protein Response ◽  
Protein Response

IRE1β is an ER stress sensor uniquely expressed in epithelial cells lining mucosal surfaces. Here, we show that intestinal epithelial cells expressing IRE1β have an attenuated unfolded protein response to ER stress. When modeled in HEK293 cells and with purified protein, IRE1β diminishes expression and inhibits signaling by the closely related stress sensor IRE1α. IRE1β can assemble with and inhibit IRE1α to suppress stress-induced XBP1 splicing, a key mediator of the unfolded protein response. In comparison to IRE1α, IRE1β has relatively weak XBP1 splicing activity, largely explained by a nonconserved amino acid in the kinase domain active site that impairs its phosphorylation and restricts oligomerization. This enables IRE1β to act as a dominant-negative suppressor of IRE1α and affect how barrier epithelial cells manage the response to stress at the host–environment interface.

scholarly journals PERK-dependent reciprocal crosstalk between ER and non-centrosomal microtubules coordinates ER architecture and cell shape

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miguel Sánchez-Álvarez ◽  
Fidel Lolo ◽  
Heba Sailem ◽  
Patricia Pascual-Vargas ◽  
Giulio Fulgoni ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Endoplasmic Reticulum ◽  
Epithelial Cells ◽  
Translation Initiation ◽  
Cell Shape ◽  
Acute Stress ◽  
Cell Morphogenesis ◽  
Unfolded Protein ◽  
Functional Relevance ◽  
The Unfolded Protein Response ◽  
Protein Response

ABSTRACTThe architecture of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is tightly controlled as a key determinant of its function. Its dynamics are linked to those of the cytoskeleton, but our understanding of how this coordination occurs and what its functional relevance is, is limited. We found the Unfolded Protein Response (UPR) transducer EIF2AK3/PERK is essential for acute stress-induced peripheral redistribution and remodeling of the ER, through eIF2a phosphorylation and translation initiation shutdown. PERK-mediated eIF2a phosphorylation can be bypassed by blocking ribosome activity; by depleting microtubule-anchoring ER proteins such as REEP4, p180/RRBP1 and Climp63/CKAP4; or by disrupting the microtubule cytoskeleton. Notably, specific disruption of non-centrosomal microtubules, but not centrosome depletion, relieved blockade of ER redistribution in PERK-deficient cells. Conversely, PERK deficiency stabilized non-centrosomal microtubules, promoting polarized protrusiveness in epithelial cells and neuroblasts. We propose that PERK coordinates ER architecture and homeostasis with cell morphogenesis by coupling ER remodeling and non-centrosomal MT dynamics.

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