scholarly journals SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV spike-mediated cell-cell fusion differ in the requirements for receptor expression and proteolytic activation

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bojan F. Hörnich ◽  
Anna K. Großkopf ◽  
Sarah Schlagowski ◽  
Matthias Tenbusch ◽  
Hannah Kleine-Weber ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Fusion ◽  
Inhibitory Activity ◽  
Cleavage Site ◽  
Receptor Expression ◽  
Proteolytic Activation ◽  
Angiotensin Converting Enzyme 2 ◽  
High Concentrations ◽  
Dose Dependent ◽  
Initial Target ◽  
Cell Cell

The severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infects cells through interaction of its spike protein (SARS2-S) with Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and activation by proteases, in particular transmembrane protease serine 2 (TMPRSS2). Viruses can also spread through fusion of infected with uninfected cells. We compared the requirements of ACE2 expression, proteolytic activation, and the sensitivity to inhibitors for SARS2-S-mediated and SARS-CoV-S(SARS1-S)-mediated cell-cell fusion. SARS2-S-driven fusion was moderately increased by TMPRSS2 and strongly by ACE2, while SARS1-S-driven fusion was strongly increased by TMPRSS2 and less so by ACE2 expression. In contrast to SARS1-S, SARS2-S-mediated cell-cell fusion was efficiently activated by Batimastat-sensitive metalloproteases. Mutation of the S1/S2 proteolytic cleavage site reduced effector-target-cell fusion when ACE2 or TMPRSS2 were limiting and rendered SARS2-S-driven cell-cell fusion more dependent on TMPRSS2. When both ACE2 and TMPRSS2 were abundant, initial target-effector-cell fusion was unaltered compared to wt SARS2-S, but syncytia remained smaller. Mutation of the S2’ site specifically abrogated activation by TMPRSS2 for both cell-cell fusion and SARS2-S-driven pseudoparticle entry but still allowed for activation by metalloproteases for cell-cell fusion and by cathepsins for particle entry. Finally, we found that the TMPRSS2 inhibitor Bromhexine was unable to reduce TMPRSS2-activated cell-cell fusion by SARS1-S and SARS2-S as opposed to the inhibitor Camostat. Paradoxically, Bromhexine enhanced cell-cell fusion in the presence of TMPRSS2, while its metabolite Ambroxol exhibited inhibitory activity in some conditions. On Calu-3 lung cells, Ambroxol weakly inhibited SARS2-S-driven lentiviral pseudoparticle entry, and both substances exhibited a dose-dependent trend towards weak inhibition of authentic SARS-CoV-2. IMPORTANCE Cell-cell fusion allows the virus to infect neighboring cells without the need to produce free virus and contributes to tissue damage by creating virus-infected syncytia. Our results demonstrate that the S2’ cleavage site is essential for activation by TMPRSS2 and unravel important differences between SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2, among those greater dependence of SARS-CoV-2 on ACE2 expression and activation by metalloproteases for cell-cell fusion. Bromhexine, reportedly an inhibitor of TMPRSS2, is currently tested in clinical trials against coronavirus disease 2019. Our results indicate that Bromhexine enhances fusion in some conditions. We therefore caution against use of Bromhexine in higher dosage until its effects on SARS-CoV-2 spike activation are better understood. The related compound Ambroxol, which similarly to Bromhexine is clinically used as an expectorant, did not exhibit activating effects on cell-cell fusion. Both compounds exhibited weak inhibitory activity against SARS-CoV-2 infection at high concentrations, which might be clinically attainable for Ambroxol.

scholarly journals SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV spike-mediated cell-cell fusion differ in the requirements for receptor expression and proteolytic activation

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bojan F. Hörnich ◽  
Anna K. Großkopf ◽  
Sarah Schlagowski ◽  
Matthias Tenbusch ◽  
Hannah Kleine-Weber ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Fusion ◽  
Inhibitory Activity ◽  
Cleavage Site ◽  
Receptor Expression ◽  
Free Virus ◽  
Proteolytic Activation ◽  
High Concentrations ◽  
Dose Dependent ◽  
Initial Target ◽  
Cell Cell

ABSTRACTThe SARS-Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infects cells through interaction of its spike protein (SARS2-S) with the ACE2 receptor and activation by proteases, in particular TMPRSS2. Viruses can also spread through fusion of infected with uninfected cells. We compared the requirements of ACE2 expression, proteolytic activation, and the sensitivity to inhibitors for SARS2-S-mediated and SARS1-S-mediated cell-cell fusion. SARS2-S-driven fusion was moderately increased by TMPRSS2 and strongly by ACE2, while SARS1-S-driven fusion was strongly dependent on activation by TMPRSS2 and less so on ACE2 expression. In contrast to SARS1-S, SARS2-S-mediated cell-cell fusion was efficiently activated by Batimastat-sensitive metalloproteases. Mutation of the S1/S2 proteolytic cleavage site reduced effector-target-cell fusion when ACE2 or TMPRSS2 were limiting and rendered SARS2-S-driven cell-cell fusion more dependent on TMPRSS2. When both ACE2 and TMPRSS2 were abundant, initial target-effector-cell fusion was unaltered compared to wt SARS2-S, but syncytia remained smaller over time. Mutation of the S2′ site specifically abrogated activation by TMPRSS2 for both cell-cell fusion and SARS2-S-driven pseudoparticle entry but still allowed for activation by metalloproteases for cell-cell fusion and by cathepsins for particle entry. Finally, we found that the TMPRSS2 inhibitor Bromhexine was unable to reduce TMPRSS2-activated cell-cell fusion by SARS1-S and SARS2-S as opposed to the inhibitor Camostat. Paradoxically, Bromhexine enhanced cell-cell fusion in the presence of TMPRSS2, while its main metabolite Ambroxol exhibited weak inhibitory activity in some conditions. On Calu-3 lung cells, Ambroxol weakly inhibited SARS2-S-driven lentiviral pseudoparticle entry, and both substances exhibited a dose-dependent trend towards weak inhibition of authentic SARS-CoV-2.IMPORTANCECell-cell fusion allows the virus to infect neighboring cells without the need to produce free virus and contributes to tissue damage by creating virus-infected syncytia. Our results demonstrate that the S2′ cleavage site is essential for activation by TMPRSS2 and unravel important differences between SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2, among those greater dependence of SARS-CoV-2 on receptor expression and activation by metalloproteases for cell-cell fusion. Bromhexine, reportedly an inhibitor of the TMPRSS2 protease, is currently tested in clinical trials against COVID-19. Our results indicate that Bromhexine enhances fusion in some conditions. We therefore caution against use of Bromhexine in higher dosage until its effects on SARS-CoV-2 spike activation are better understood. The related compound Ambroxol, which similarly to Bromhexine is clinically used as an expectorant, did not exhibit activating effects on cell-cell fusion. Both compounds exhibited weak inhibitory activity against SARS-CoV-2 infection at high concentrations, which might be clinically attainable for Ambroxol.

scholarly journals A bivalent protein targeting glycans and HR1 domain in spike protein potently inhibited infection of SARS-CoV-2 and other human coronaviruses

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yanxing Cai ◽  
Wei Xu ◽  
Jiayi Tang ◽  
Najing Cao ◽  
Qiaoshuai Lan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Fusion ◽  
Mechanism Of Action ◽  
Broad Spectrum ◽  
Inhibitory Activity ◽  
Inhibitory Peptide ◽  
Newborn Mice ◽  
S Protein ◽  
Human Coronaviruses ◽  
Potent Inhibitory Activity ◽  
Cell Cell

Abstract Background Our previous studies have shown that combining the antiviral lectin GRFT and the pan-CoV fusion inhibitory peptide EK1 results in highly potent inhibitory activity against SARS-CoV-2 infection. In this study, we aimed to design and construct a bivalent protein consisting of GRFT and EK1 components and evaluate its inhibitory activity and mechanism of action against infection by SARS-CoV-2 and its mutants, as well as other human coronaviruses (HCoVs). Methods The bivalent proteins were expressed in E. coli and purified with Ni-NTA column. HIV backbone-based pseudovirus (PsV) infection and HCoV S-mediated cell–cell fusion assays were performed to test their inhibitory activity. ELISA and Native-PAGE were conducted to illustrate the mechanism of action of these bivalent proteins. Five-day-old newborn mice were intranasally administrated with a selected bivalent protein before or after HCoV-OC43 challenge, and its protective effect was monitored for 14 days. Results Among the three bivalent proteins purified, GL25E exhibited the most potent inhibitory activity against infection of SARS-CoV-2 PsVs expressing wild-type and mutated S protein. GL25E was significantly more effective than GRFT and EK1 alone in inhibiting HCoV S-mediated cell–cell fusion, as well as infection by SARS-CoV-2 and other HCoVs, including SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, HCoV-229E, HCoV-NL63 and HCoV-OC43. GL25E could inhibit authentic SASR-CoV-2, HCoV-OC43 and HCoV-229E infection in vitro and prevent newborn mice from authentic HCoV-OC43 infection in vivo. GL25E could bind to glycans in the S1 subunit and HR1 in the S2 subunit in S protein, showing a mechanism of action similar to that of GRFT and EK1 alone. Conclusions Since GL25E showed highly potent and broad-spectrum inhibitory activity against infection of SARS-CoV-2 and its mutants, as well as other HCoVs, it is a promising candidate for further development as a broad-spectrum anti-HCoV therapeutic and prophylactic to treat and prevent COVID-19 and other emerging HCoV diseases.

scholarly journals Effect of clinical isolate or cleavage site mutations in the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein on protein stability, cleavage, and cell-cell fusion

2021 ◽  
pp. 100902
Author(s):  
Chelsea T. Barrett ◽  
Hadley E. Neal ◽  
Kearstin Edmonds ◽  
Carole L. Moncman ◽  
Rachel Thompson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Protein Stability ◽  
Clinical Isolate ◽  
Cell Fusion ◽  
Cleavage Site ◽  
Spike Protein ◽  
Cell Cell

scholarly journals SARS-CoV-2 spike engagement of ACE2 primes S2′ site cleavage and fusion initiation

2021 ◽  
Vol 119 (1) ◽  
pp. e2111199119
Author(s):  
Shi Yu ◽  
Xu Zheng ◽  
Bingjie Zhou ◽  
Juan Li ◽  
Mengdan Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cleavage Site ◽  
Infection Model ◽  
Target Cells ◽  
Primary Cells ◽  
Cell Infection ◽  
Proteolytic Activation ◽  
Angiotensin Converting Enzyme 2 ◽  
Functional Consequences ◽  
A Cell ◽  
Syncytia Formation

The COVID-19 pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection has resulted in tremendous loss worldwide. Although viral spike (S) protein binding of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) has been established, the functional consequences of the initial receptor binding and the stepwise fusion process are not clear. By utilizing a cell–cell fusion system, in complement with a pseudoviral infection model, we found that the spike engagement of ACE2 primed the generation of S2′ fragments in target cells, a key proteolytic event coupled with spike-mediated membrane fusion. Mutagenesis of an S2′ cleavage site at the arginine (R) 815, but not an S2 cleavage site at arginine 685, was sufficient to prevent subsequent syncytia formation and infection in a variety of cell lines and primary cells isolated from human ACE2 knock-in mice. The requirement for S2′ cleavage at the R815 site was also broadly shared by other SARS-CoV-2 spike variants, such as the Alpha, Beta, and Delta variants of concern. Thus, our study highlights an essential role for host receptor engagement and the key residue of spike for proteolytic activation, and uncovers a targetable mechanism for host cell infection by SARS-CoV-2.

Hepatic uptake of intact glutathione S-conjugate, inhibition by organic anions, and sinusoidal catabolism

1993 ◽  
Vol 265 (3) ◽  
pp. G547-G554
Author(s):  
C. A. Hinchman ◽  
A. T. Truong ◽  
N. Ballatori
Keyword(s):  
Guinea Pig ◽  
Rat Liver ◽  
Marked Decrease ◽  
Hepatic Uptake ◽  
Half Time ◽  
High Concentrations ◽  
Rat Livers ◽  
Dose Dependent ◽  
Uptake And Metabolism ◽  
Guinea Pig Liver

To identify potential mechanisms for hepatic removal of circulating glutathione (GSH) conjugates, uptake and metabolism of S-2,4-dinitrophenylglutathione (DNP-SG) were examined in isolated perfused livers from rat and guinea pig. Guinea pig livers perfused with 5 mumol of DNP-SG in a recirculating system (50 microM initial concn) rapidly cleared the conjugate from the perfusate (half time 3.7 min), whereas clearance was considerably slower in rat liver (half time 35 min). Disappearance of DNP-SG from the perfusate was accompanied by a simultaneous appearance of DNP-SG and its metabolites in bile. Addition of acivicin, an inhibitor of gamma-glutamyltransferase (gamma-GT), to the perfusate resulted in a marked decrease in DNP-SG clearance by guinea pig liver but had no effect in rat liver, suggesting that in the guinea pig this process is largely dependent on sinusoidal gamma-GT activity. However, even in the presence of acivicin, rat and guinea pig livers removed nearly one-half of the administered DNP-SG from the recirculating perfusate over 30 min. High concentrations of DNP-SG were found in bile (up to 3.7 mM), indicating that the liver is capable of transporting the intact conjugate from the circulation. When rat livers were perfused with higher concentrations of DNP-SG (100 and 250 microM), biliary excretion of DNP-SG increased dose dependently, with concentrations in bile reaching 10 mM at the higher dose. This was accompanied by a dose-dependent choleresis.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

scholarly journals Acquisition of Cell–Cell Fusion Activity by Amino Acid Substitutions in Spike Protein Determines the Infectivity of a Coronavirus in Cultured Cells

PLoS ONE ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 4 (7) ◽  
pp. e6130 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yoshiyuki Yamada ◽  
Xiao Bo Liu ◽  
Shou Guo Fang ◽  
Felicia P. L. Tay ◽  
Ding Xiang Liu
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acid ◽  
Cell Fusion ◽  
Cultured Cells ◽  
Spike Protein ◽  
Amino Acid Substitutions ◽  
Fusion Activity ◽  
Cell Cell

scholarly journals Recovery of SARS-CoV-2 from Wastewater Using Centrifugal Ultrafiltration

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 32
Author(s):  
Brienna L. Anderson-Coughlin ◽  
Adrienne E. H. Shearer ◽  
Alexis N. Omar ◽  
K. Eric Wommack ◽  
Kalmia E. Kniel
Keyword(s):  
Enteric Virus ◽  
Clinical Testing ◽  
Human Feces ◽  
Angiotensin Converting Enzyme 2 ◽  
Human Waste ◽  
Safety Research ◽  
New Castle County ◽  
Wastewater Systems ◽  
High Concentrations ◽  
Centrifugal Ultrafiltration

The COVID-19 pandemic is a global crisis and continues to impact communities as the disease spreads. Clinical testing alone provides a snapshot of infected individuals but is costly and difficult to perform logistically across whole populations. The virus which causes COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, is shed in human feces and urine and can be detected in human waste. SARS-CoV-2 can be shed in high concentrations (>107 genomic copies/mL) due to its ability to replicate in the gastrointestinal tract of humans through attachment to the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE-2) receptors there. Monitoring wastewater for SARS-CoV-2, alongside clinical testing, can more accurately represent the spread of disease within a community. This protocol describes a reliable and efficacious method to recover SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater, quantify genomic RNA levels, and evaluate concentration fluctuations over time. Using this protocol, viral levels as low as 10 genomic copies/mL were successfully detected from 30 mL of wastewater in more than seven-hundred samples collected between August 2020 and March 2021. Through the adaptation of traditional enteric virus methods used in food safety research, targets have been reliably detected with no inhibition of detection (RT-qPCR) observed in any sample processed. This protocol is currently used for surveillance of wastewater systems across New Castle County, Delaware.

scholarly journals Anthracycline-induced cytotoxicity in the GL261 glioma model system

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amber M. Tavener ◽  
Megan C. Phelps ◽  
Richard L. Daniels
Keyword(s):  
Cell Viability ◽  
Tumor Cells ◽  
Flow Cytometric Analysis ◽  
Annexin V ◽  
Chemotherapeutic Agents ◽  
Cytotoxic Effects ◽  
High Concentrations ◽  
Induced Apoptosis ◽  
Dose Dependent ◽  
Gl261 Glioma

AbstractGlioblastoma (GBM) is a lethal astrocyte-derived tumor that is currently treated with a multi-modal approach of surgical resection, radiotherapy, and temozolomide-based chemotherapy. Alternatives to current therapies are urgently needed as its prognosis remains poor. Anthracyclines are a class of compounds that show great potential as GBM chemotherapeutic agents and are widely used to treat solid tumors outside the central nervous system. Here we investigate the cytotoxic effects of doxorubicin and other anthracyclines on GL261 glioma tumor cells in anticipation of novel anthracycline-based CNS therapies. Three methods were used to quantify dose-dependent effects of anthracyclines on adherent GL261 tumor cells, a murine cell-based model of GBM. MTT assays quantified anthracycline effects on cell viability, comet assays examined doxorubicin genotoxicity, and flow cytometry with Annexin V/PI staining characterized doxorubicin-induced apoptosis and necrosis. Dose-dependent reductions in GL261 cell viability were found in cells treated with doxorubicin (EC50 = 4.9 μM), epirubicin (EC50 = 5.9 μM), and idarubicin (EC50 = 4.4 μM). Comet assays showed DNA damage following doxorubicin treatments, peaking at concentrations of 1.0 μM and declining after 25 μM. Lastly, flow cytometric analysis of doxorubicin-treated cells showed dose-dependent induction of apoptosis (EC50 = 5.2 μM). Together, these results characterized the cytotoxic effects of anthracyclines on GL261 glioma cells. We found dose-dependent apoptotic induction; however at high concentrations we find that cell death is likely necrotic. Our results support the continued exploration of anthracyclines as compounds with significant potential for improved GBM treatments.

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