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1.
Front Immunol ; 13: 1080786, 2022.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2198918

ABSTRACT

Heat shock proteins (Hsps), including Hsp90 and Hsp70, are intra- and extracellular molecules implicated in cellular homeostasis and immune processes and are induced by cell stress such as inflammation and infection. Autoimmune bullous disorders (AIBDs) and COVID-19 represent potentially life-threatening inflammatory and infectious diseases, respectively. A significant portion of AIBDs remain refractory to currently available immunosuppressive therapies, which may represent a risk factor for COVID-19, and suffer from treatment side-effects. Despite advances in vaccination, there is still a need to develop new therapeutic approaches targeting SARS-CoV-2, especially considering vaccine hesitancy, logistical distribution challenges, and breakthrough infections. In this mini review, we briefly summarize the role of targeting Hsp90/70 as a promising double-edged sword in the therapy of AIBDs and COVID-19.


Subject(s)
Autoimmune Diseases , COVID-19 , Heat-Shock Proteins , Skin Diseases, Vesiculobullous , Humans , Autoimmune Diseases/drug therapy , Autoimmune Diseases/genetics , Autoimmune Diseases/immunology , COVID-19/genetics , COVID-19/immunology , Heat-Shock Proteins/genetics , Heat-Shock Proteins/immunology , HSP90 Heat-Shock Proteins/genetics , HSP90 Heat-Shock Proteins/immunology , SARS-CoV-2 , Skin Diseases, Vesiculobullous/drug therapy , Skin Diseases, Vesiculobullous/genetics , Skin Diseases, Vesiculobullous/immunology , HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins/genetics , HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins/immunology , COVID-19 Drug Treatment
2.
Cell Stress Chaperones ; 27(1): 37-43, 2022 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1509338

ABSTRACT

The Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine is known to have protective effects not only against tuberculosis but also against other unrelated infectious diseases caused by different pathogens. Several epidemiological studies have also documented the beneficial influence of BCG vaccine in reducing both susceptibility to and severity of SARS-CoV-2 infection. The protective, non-specific effects of BCG vaccination would be related to an antigen-independent enhancement of the innate immunity, termed trained immunity. However, the knowledge that heat shock protein (HSP)65 is the main antigen of Mycobacterium bovis BCG prompted us to verify whether sequence similarity existed between HSP65 and SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) and nuclear (N) proteins that could support an antigen-driven immune protection of BCG vaccine. The results of the in silico investigation showed an extensive sequence similarity of HSP65 with both the viral proteins, especially SARS-CoV-2 S, that also involved the regions comprising immunodominant epitopes. The finding that the predicted B cell and CD4+ T cell epitopes of HSP65 shared strong similarity with the predicted B and T cell epitopes of both SARS-CoV-2 S and N would support the possibility of a cross-immune reaction of HSP65 of BCG with SARS-CoV-2.


Subject(s)
BCG Vaccine/immunology , COVID-19/immunology , Heat-Shock Proteins/immunology , Immunity, Innate/immunology , Mycobacterium bovis/virology , BCG Vaccine/pharmacology , COVID-19/prevention & control , Humans , Mycobacterium bovis/immunology , Nuclear Proteins/immunology , SARS-CoV-2/immunology
3.
J Neuroimmunol ; 358: 577632, 2021 09 15.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1267756

ABSTRACT

SARS-CoV-2-induced COVID-19 is a serious pandemic of the 21st century, which has caused a devastating loss of lives and a global economic catastrophe. A successful vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 has suffered a delay due to lack of substantial knowledge about its mechanisms of action. Understanding the innate immune system against SARS-CoV-2 and the role of heat shock proteins' (HSP) inhibiting and resolution of inflammatory pathways may provide information to the low SARS-CoV-2 mortality rates in Africa. In addition, bats being a host to different viruses, including SARS-CoV-2 possess a well specialized IFN-innate antiviral inflammatory response, showing no signs of disease or pro-inflammatory cytokine storm. We discuss the molecular pathways in COVID-19 with a focus on innate immunity, inflammation, HSP responses, and suggest appropriate candidates for therapeutic targets and The contribution of the innate immune system to the efficacy of mRNA or vector based Corona immunizations.


Subject(s)
COVID-19/immunology , Cytokine Release Syndrome/immunology , Heat-Shock Proteins/immunology , Immunity, Innate/immunology , SARS-CoV-2/immunology , COVID-19/diagnosis , COVID-19/prevention & control , COVID-19 Vaccines/administration & dosage , COVID-19 Vaccines/adverse effects , COVID-19 Vaccines/immunology , Cytokine Release Syndrome/diagnosis , Cytokine Release Syndrome/prevention & control , Humans , Immunity, Innate/drug effects , SARS-CoV-2/drug effects
4.
IUBMB Life ; 73(6): 843-854, 2021 06.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1219298

ABSTRACT

The 78 kDa glucose-regulated protein (GRP78) is an endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-resident molecular chaperone. GRP78 is a member of the 70 kDa heat shock family of proteins involved in correcting and clearing misfolded proteins in the ER. In response to cellular stress, GRP78 escapes from the ER and moves to the plasma membrane where it (a) functions as a receptor for many ligands, and (b) behaves as an autoantigen for autoantibodies that contribute to human disease and cancer. Cell surface GRP78 (csGRP78) associates with the major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC-I), and is the port of entry for several viruses, including the predictive binding of the novel SARS-CoV-2. Furthermore, csGRP78 is found in association with partners as diverse as the teratocarcinoma-derived growth factor 1 (Cripto), the melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) and the DnaJ-like protein MTJ-1. CsGRP78 also serves as a receptor for a large variety of ligands including activated α2 -macroglobulin (α2 M*), plasminogen kringle 5 (K5), microplasminogen, the voltage-dependent anion channel (VDAC), tissue factor (TF), and the prostate apoptosis response-4 protein (Par-4). In this review, we discuss the mechanisms involved in the translocation of GRP78 from the ER to the cell surface, and the role of secreted GRP78 and its autoantibodies in cancer and neurological disorders.


Subject(s)
Autoimmune Diseases of the Nervous System/immunology , COVID-19/transmission , Heat-Shock Proteins/physiology , Neoplasm Proteins/physiology , Nerve Tissue Proteins/physiology , Receptors, Cell Surface/physiology , Receptors, Virus/physiology , SARS-CoV-2/metabolism , Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus/metabolism , Autoantibodies/immunology , Autoantigens/immunology , Autoimmune Diseases of the Nervous System/metabolism , Cell Survival , Endoplasmic Reticulum Chaperone BiP , Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress/physiology , Exosomes , GPI-Linked Proteins/metabolism , Heat-Shock Proteins/chemistry , Heat-Shock Proteins/immunology , Humans , Ligands , Neoplasm Invasiveness , Neoplasm Proteins/immunology , Nerve Tissue Proteins/immunology , Protein Domains , Protein Transport , Signal Transduction , Tumor Microenvironment , Unfolded Protein Response/physiology , Virus Internalization
5.
Int J Mol Sci ; 22(3)2021 Jan 20.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1067752

ABSTRACT

The occurrence of the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), responsible for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVD-19), represents a catastrophic threat to global health. Protruding from the viral surface is a densely glycosylated spike (S) protein, which engages angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) to mediate host cell entry. However, studies have reported viral susceptibility in intra- and extrapulmonary immune and non-immune cells lacking ACE2, suggesting that the S protein may exploit additional receptors for infection. Studies have demonstrated interactions between S protein and innate immune system, including C-lectin type receptors (CLR), toll-like receptors (TLR) and neuropilin-1 (NRP1), and the non-immune receptor glucose regulated protein 78 (GRP78). Recognition of carbohydrate moieties clustered on the surface of the S protein may drive receptor-dependent internalization, accentuate severe immunopathological inflammation, and allow for systemic spread of infection, independent of ACE2. Furthermore, targeting TLRs, CLRs, and other receptors (Ezrin and dipeptidyl peptidase-4) that do not directly engage SARS-CoV-2 S protein, but may contribute to augmented anti-viral immunity and viral clearance, may represent therapeutic targets against COVID-19.


Subject(s)
COVID-19/metabolism , COVID-19/pathology , SARS-CoV-2/physiology , Virus Internalization , Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2/immunology , Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2/metabolism , Animals , COVID-19/immunology , Disease Progression , Endoplasmic Reticulum Chaperone BiP , Heat-Shock Proteins/immunology , Heat-Shock Proteins/metabolism , Host-Pathogen Interactions , Humans , Lectins, C-Type/immunology , Lectins, C-Type/metabolism , Neuropilin-1/immunology , Neuropilin-1/metabolism , SARS-CoV-2/immunology , Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus/immunology , Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus/metabolism , Toll-Like Receptors/immunology , Toll-Like Receptors/metabolism
6.
Signal Transduct Target Ther ; 5(1): 186, 2020 09 03.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-744366

ABSTRACT

Sterol regulatory element binding protein-2 (SREBP-2) is activated by cytokines or pathogen, such as virus or bacteria, but its association with diminished cholesterol levels in COVID-19 patients is unknown. Here, we evaluated SREBP-2 activation in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of COVID-19 patients and verified the function of SREBP-2 in COVID-19. Intriguingly, we report the first observation of SREBP-2 C-terminal fragment in COVID-19 patients' blood and propose SREBP-2 C-terminal fragment as an indicator for determining severity. We confirmed that SREBP-2-induced cholesterol biosynthesis was suppressed by Sestrin-1 and PCSK9 expression, while the SREBP-2-induced inflammatory responses was upregulated in COVID-19 ICU patients. Using an infectious disease mouse model, inhibitors of SREBP-2 and NF-κB suppressed cytokine storms caused by viral infection and prevented pulmonary damages. These results collectively suggest that SREBP-2 can serve as an indicator for severity diagnosis and therapeutic target for preventing cytokine storm and lung damage in severe COVID-19 patients.


Subject(s)
Betacoronavirus/pathogenicity , Cholesterol/biosynthesis , Coronavirus Infections/genetics , Cytokine Release Syndrome/genetics , Host-Pathogen Interactions/genetics , Leukocytes, Mononuclear/immunology , Pneumonia, Viral/genetics , Sterol Regulatory Element Binding Protein 2/genetics , Betacoronavirus/immunology , COVID-19 , Case-Control Studies , Coronavirus Infections/immunology , Coronavirus Infections/mortality , Coronavirus Infections/virology , Cytokine Release Syndrome/immunology , Cytokine Release Syndrome/mortality , Cytokine Release Syndrome/virology , Gene Expression Regulation , Heat-Shock Proteins/genetics , Heat-Shock Proteins/immunology , Host-Pathogen Interactions/immunology , Humans , Intensive Care Units , Interleukin-1beta/genetics , Interleukin-1beta/immunology , L-Lactate Dehydrogenase/genetics , L-Lactate Dehydrogenase/immunology , Leukocytes, Mononuclear/metabolism , Leukocytes, Mononuclear/virology , Lung/immunology , Lung/metabolism , Lung/virology , NF-kappa B/genetics , NF-kappa B/immunology , Pandemics , Pneumonia, Viral/immunology , Pneumonia, Viral/mortality , Pneumonia, Viral/virology , Primary Cell Culture , Proprotein Convertase 9/genetics , Proprotein Convertase 9/immunology , SARS-CoV-2 , Signal Transduction , Sterol Regulatory Element Binding Protein 2/immunology , Survival Analysis , Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/genetics , Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/immunology
7.
Cell Stress Chaperones ; 25(5): 737-741, 2020 09.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-697095

ABSTRACT

Severe acute respiratory syndrome corona virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the cause of COVID-19 disease, has the potential to elicit autoimmunity because mimicry of human molecular chaperones by viral proteins. We compared viral proteins with human molecular chaperones, many of which are heat shock proteins, to determine if they share amino acid-sequence segments with immunogenic-antigenic potential, which can elicit cross-reactive antibodies and effector immune cells with the capacity to damage-destroy human cells by a mechanism of autoimmunity. We identified the chaperones that can putatively participate in molecular mimicry phenomena after SARS-CoV-2 infection, focusing on those for which endothelial cell plasma-cell membrane localization has already been demonstrated. We also postulate that post-translational modifications, induced by physical (shear) and chemical (metabolic) stress caused respectively by the risk factors hypertension and diabetes, might have a role in determining plasma-cell membrane localization and, in turn, autoimmune-induced endothelial damage.


Subject(s)
Betacoronavirus/metabolism , Coronavirus Infections/virology , Heat-Shock Proteins , Pneumonia, Viral/virology , Viral Proteins , Amino Acid Sequence , Autoantigens , Autoimmunity , COVID-19 , Databases, Protein , Endothelial Cells/metabolism , Heat-Shock Proteins/chemistry , Heat-Shock Proteins/immunology , Humans , Immunodominant Epitopes , Molecular Mimicry , Pandemics , SARS-CoV-2 , Viral Proteins/chemistry , Viral Proteins/immunology
9.
Clin Sci (Lond) ; 134(15): 1991-2017, 2020 08 14.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-694110

ABSTRACT

The major risk factors to fatal outcome in COVID-19 patients, i.e., elderliness and pre-existing metabolic and cardiovascular diseases (CVD), share in common the characteristic of being chronic degenerative diseases of inflammatory nature associated with defective heat shock response (HSR). The molecular components of the HSR, the principal metabolic pathway leading to the physiological resolution of inflammation, is an anti-inflammatory biochemical pathway that involves molecular chaperones of the heat shock protein (HSP) family during homeostasis-threatening stressful situations (e.g., thermal, oxidative and metabolic stresses). The entry of SARS coronaviruses in target cells, on the other hand, aggravates the already-jeopardized HSR of this specific group of patients. In addition, cellular counterattack against virus involves interferon (IFN)-mediated inflammatory responses. Therefore, individuals with impaired HSR cannot resolve virus-induced inflammatory burst physiologically, being susceptible to exacerbated forms of inflammation, which leads to a fatal "cytokine storm". Interestingly, some species of bats that are natural reservoirs of zoonotic viruses, including SARS-CoV-2, possess an IFN-based antiviral inflammatory response perpetually activated but do not show any sign of disease or cytokine storm. This is possible because bats present a constitutive HSR that is by far (hundreds of times) more intense and rapid than that of human, being associated with a high core temperature. Similarly in humans, fever is a physiological inducer of HSR while antipyretics, which block the initial phase of inflammation, impair the resolution phase of inflammation through the HSR. These findings offer a rationale for the reevaluation of patient care and fever reduction in SARS, including COVID-19.


Subject(s)
Betacoronavirus/physiology , Chiroptera/immunology , Coronavirus Infections/immunology , Heat-Shock Response , Pneumonia, Viral/immunology , Animals , Betacoronavirus/genetics , COVID-19 , Chiroptera/virology , Coronavirus Infections/drug therapy , Coronavirus Infections/genetics , Coronavirus Infections/physiopathology , Heat-Shock Proteins/genetics , Heat-Shock Proteins/immunology , Humans , Interferons/immunology , Pandemics , Pneumonia, Viral/drug therapy , Pneumonia, Viral/genetics , Pneumonia, Viral/physiopathology , SARS-CoV-2
10.
Cell Stress Chaperones ; 25(5): 707-710, 2020 09.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-526840

ABSTRACT

The COVID-19 pandemic needs therapies that are presently available and safe. We propose that subjects with metabolic syndrome, old age, and male gender have the greatest morbidity and mortality and have low stress proteins, in particular, low intracellular heme oxygenase (HO-1), making them particularly vulnerable to the disease. Additionally, COVID-19's heme reduction may contribute to even lower HO-1. Low-grade inflammation associated with these risk factors contributes to triggering a cytokine storm that spreads to multi-organ failure and near death. The high mortality of those treated with ventilator assistance may partially be explained by ventilator-induced inflammation. The cytoprotective and anti-inflammatory properties of HO-1 can limit the infection's damage. A paradox of COVID-19 hospital admissions data suggests that fewer cigarette-smokers are admitted compared with non-smokers in the general population. This unexpected observation may result from smoke induction of HO-1. Therapies with anti-viral properties that raise HO-1 include certain anesthetics (sevoflurane or isoflurane), hemin, estrogen, statins, curcumin, resveratrol, and melatonin. Controlled trials of these HO-1 inducers should be done in order to prevent or treat COVID-19 disease.


Subject(s)
Coronavirus Infections , Heme Oxygenase-1/physiology , Pandemics , Pneumonia, Viral , Smokers , Age Factors , Animals , Antiviral Agents/therapeutic use , COVID-19 , Coronavirus Infections/epidemiology , Coronavirus Infections/immunology , Coronavirus Infections/therapy , Cytokines/immunology , Heat-Shock Proteins/immunology , Humans , Inflammation/immunology , Male , Pneumonia, Viral/epidemiology , Pneumonia, Viral/immunology , Pneumonia, Viral/therapy , Sex Factors
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