Your browser doesn't support javascript.
The S Protein of SARS-CoV-2 Injures Cardiomyocytes Indirectly through the Release of Cytokines Instead of Direct Action.
Chang, Wei-Ting; Lin, Yu-Wen; Chen, Zhih-Cherng; Liu, Ping-Yen.
  • Chang WT; Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University.
  • Lin YW; Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Chi-Mei Medical Center.
  • Chen ZC; Department of Biotechnology, Southern Taiwan University of Science and Technology.
  • Liu PY; Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University.
Acta Cardiol Sin ; 37(6): 643-647, 2021 Nov.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1529007
ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND:

Emerging evidence has shown that severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection is associated with cardiac injury, but it remains unclear whether cardiac injury is mainly caused by direct viral infection or is secondary to SARS-CoV-2-induced cytokine storm.

METHODS:

Through directly treating cardiomyocytes with S protein, a crucial surface protein of SARS-CoV-2, and indirectly treating cardiomyocytes with S protein-derived human T lymphocyte conditioned medium, we compared the intensities of cardiomyocyte injuries caused by either S protein of the virus or S protein of virus-triggered cytokines.

RESULTS:

The directly treated cardiomyocytes did not show increasing cell apoptosis. In contrast, cardiomyocytes treated with the supernatant medium of S protein pre-conditioned peripheral blood mononuclear cells showed significantly suppressed viability. In addition, using a cardiovascular disease-specific PCR array, genes associated with hypertrophy, apoptosis, inflammation and angiogenesis were observed to be affected by cytokine stress.

CONCLUSIONS:

Collectively, we found that SARS-CoV-2-induced heart injury may be mainly through the S protein of the virus enhancing host immune responses instead of the S protein of the virus per se. With regards to clinical application, the strategy for treating COVID-19 should not only focus on anti-viral therapy but also on suppressing over-activated immunity.
Keywords

Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Type of study: Prognostic study Language: English Journal: Acta Cardiol Sin Year: 2021 Document Type: Article

Similar

MEDLINE

...
LILACS

LIS


Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Type of study: Prognostic study Language: English Journal: Acta Cardiol Sin Year: 2021 Document Type: Article