ABSTRACT
Glial cells are crucial for maintaining central nervous system (CNS) homeostasis. They actively participate in immune responses, as well as form functional barriers, such as blood-brain barrier (BBB), which restrict the entry of pathogens and inflammatory mediators into the CNS. In general, viral infections during the gestational period can alter the embryonic and fetal environment, and the related inflammatory response may affect neurodevelopment and lead to behavioral dysfunction during later stage of life, as highlighted by our group for Zika virus infection. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) induces a cytokine storm and, during pregnancy, may be related to a more severe form of the coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) and also to higher preterm birth rates. SARS-CoV-2 can also affect the CNS by inducing neurochemical remodeling in neural cells, which can compromise neuronal plasticity and synaptic function. However, the impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy on postnatal CNS, including brain development during childhood and adulthood, remains undetermined. Our group has recently highlighted the impact of COVID-19 on the expression of molecular markers associated with neuropsychiatric disorders, which are strongly related to the inflammatory response. Thus, based on these relationships, we discussed the impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection either during pregnancy or in critical periods of neurodevelopment as a risk factor for neurological consequences in the offspring later in life, focusing on the potential role of glial cells. Thus, it is important to consider future and long-term public health concerns associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy. [ FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of Biocell is the property of Tech Science Press and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full . (Copyright applies to all s.)
Subject(s)
Asteraceae , COVID-19 , Plants, Medicinal , Chymases , Humans , Inflammation/drug therapy , Oxidative Stress , Plant Extracts , SARS-CoV-2ABSTRACT
The COVID-19 pandemic caused by the new coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) has become a global emergency issue for public health. This threat has led to an acceleration in related research and, consequently, an unprecedented volume of clinical and experimental data that include changes in gene expression resulting from infection. The SARS-CoV-2 infection database (SARSCOVIDB: https://sarscovidb.org/) was created to mitigate the difficulties related to this scenario. The SARSCOVIDB is an online platform that aims to integrate all differential gene expression data, at messenger RNA and protein levels, helping to speed up analysis and research on the molecular impact of COVID-19. The database can be searched from different experimental perspectives and presents all related information from published data, such as viral strains, hosts, methodological approaches (proteomics or transcriptomics), genes/proteins, and samples (clinical or experimental). All information was taken from 24 articles related to analyses of differential gene expression out of 5,554 COVID-19/SARS-CoV-2-related articles published so far. The database features 12,535 genes whose expression has been identified as altered due to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Thus, the SARSCOVIDB is a new resource to support the health workers and the scientific community in understanding the pathogenesis and molecular impact caused by SARS-CoV-2.
ABSTRACT
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was initially characterized due to its impacts on the respiratory system; however, many recent studies have indicated that severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) significantly affects the brain. COVID-19 can cause neurological complications, probably caused by the induction of a cytokine storm, since there is no evidence of neurotropism by SARS-CoV-2. In line with this, the COVID-19 outbreak could accelerate the progression or affect the clinical outcomes of neuropsychiatric conditions. Thus, we analyzed differential gene expression datasets for clinical samples of COVID-19 patients and identified 171 genes that are associated with the pathophysiology of the following neuropsychiatric disorders: alcohol dependence, autism, bipolar disorder, depression, panic disorder, schizophrenia, and sleep disorder. Several of the genes identified are associated with causing some of these conditions (classified as elite genes). Among these elite genes, 9 were found for schizophrenia, 6 for autism, 3 for depression/major depressive disorder, and 2 for alcohol dependence. The patients with the neuropsychiatric conditions associated with the genes identified may require special attention as COVID-19 can deteriorate or accelerate neurochemical dysfunctions, thereby aggravating clinical outcomes.