The SARS-CoV-2 Virus could Downregulate Dual Specificity Phosphatase-1 Expression in Oral Cancer: A Plausible Hypothesis that could Explain Oral Cancer Progression in the COVID-19 Pandemic and Post-pandemic Situation.

This study explores the downregulation of Dual Specificity Phosphatase-1 (DUSP-1) expression in oral cancer progression during the pandemic and post-pandemic situations. Keywords: COVID-19, Dual specificity phosphatase-1, Oral cancer, SARS-CoV-2.

SARS-CoV-2 attenuates corticosteroid sensitivity by suppressing DUSP1 expression and activating p38 MAPK pathway.

The efficacy of corticosteroids and its use for the treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infections is controversial. In this study, using data sets of SARS-CoV-2 infected lung tissues and nasopharyngeal swabs, as well as in vitro experiments, we show that SARS-CoV-2 infection significantly downregulates DUSP1 expression. This downregulation of DUSP1 could be the mechanism regulating the enhanced activation of MAPK pathway as well as the reported steroid resistance in SARS-CoV-2 infection. Moreover, chloroquine, an off labeled COVID-19 drug is able to induce DUSP1 and attenuate MAPK pathway; and is expected to improve sensitivity to steroid treatment. However, further mechanistic studies are required to confirm this effect.