Tracking Health Beyond Recovery: A Study on Identifying Post-COVID Syndrome Symptoms.

Context: The COVID-19 pandemic had a profound global impact, leaving a lasting legacy in the form of post-COVID syndrome. This condition, experienced after recovering from the virus, manifests in symptoms, such as fatigue, cough, shortness of breath, joint pain, and brain fog, highlighting the virus's lingering influence on the human body. Aim: To Identify post-COVID syndrome symptoms among COVID-19 recovered patients from Karad Taluka. Materials and methods: A study involving 228 COVID-19-recovered individuals from a Karad tertiary care hospital used consecutive sampling. Data were collected via structured questionnaires, focused on post-COVID syndrome symptoms. Statistical analysis used: Frequency and percentage were used to analyze the presence of post-COVID syndrome symptoms. Results: A total of 228 COVID-19-recovered individuals were included in the study, of whom 53% were male and 47% were female. Most of the study subjects had 25 (10.9%) mild, 138 (60.5%) moderate, and 65 (28.5%) severe symptoms. Symptom-wise, the majority of the subjects experienced symptoms: fatigue 116 (50.8% moderate), shortness of breath 135 (58.3% moderate), cough 116 (50.8%), sore throat 115 (50.4% mild), chest pain (57% mild), joint pain 151 (66.2% severe), brain fog 103 (45% severe). Most (43%) experienced symptoms for 12 months, that is, 1 year. Conclusion: The results depict the recovered individuals continue to experience symptoms. The most common symptoms are fatigue, shortness of breath, and cough in varied severity (from mild, moderate, and severe). How to cite this article: Walvekar SS, Mohite VR. Tracking Health Beyond Recovery: A Study on Identifying Post-COVID Syndrome symptoms. Indian J Crit Care Med 2024;28(2):170-174.

Activation of classical and alternative complement pathways in the pathogenesis of lung injury in COVID-19.

Lung inflammation and damage is prominent in people infected with SARS-Cov-2 and a major determinant of morbidity and mortality. We report the deposition of complement components in the lungs of people who succumbed to COVID-19 consistent with the activation of the classical and the alternative pathways. Our study provides strong rationale for the expansion of trials involving the use of complement inhibitors to treat patients with COVID-19.

Complement activation and increased expression of Syk, mucin-1 and CaMK4 in kidneys of patients with COVID-19.

Acute and chronic kidney failure is common in hospitalized patients with COVID-19, yet the mechanism of injury and predisposing factors remain poorly understood. We investigated the role of complement activation by determining the levels of deposited complement components (C1q, C3, FH, C5b-9) and immunoglobulin along with the expression levels of the injury-associated molecules spleen tyrosine kinase (Syk), mucin-1 (MUC1) and calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase IV (CaMK4) in the kidney tissues of people who succumbed to COVID-19. We report increased deposition of C1q, C3, C5b-9, total immunoglobulin, and high expression levels of Syk, MUC1 and CaMK4 in the kidneys of COVID-19 patients. Our study provides strong rationale for the expansion of trials involving the use of inhibitors of these molecules, in particular C1q, C3, Syk, MUC1 and CaMK4 to treat patients with COVID-19.

Splicing factor SRSF1 limits IFN-γ production via RhoH and ameliorates experimental nephritis.

OBJECTIVE: CD4 T helper 1 (Th1) cells producing IFN-γ contribute to inflammatory responses in the pathogenesis of SLE and lupus nephritis. Moreover, elevated serum type II IFN levels precede the appearance of type I IFNs and autoantibodies in patient years before clinical diagnosis. However, the molecules and mechanisms that control this inflammatory response in SLE remain unclear. Serine/arginine-rich splicing factor 1 (SRSF1) is decreased in T cells from SLE patients, and restrains T cell hyperactivity and systemic autoimmunity. Our objective here was to evaluate the role of SRSF1 in IFN-γ production, Th1 differentiation and experimental nephritis. METHODS: T cell-conditional Srsf1-knockout mice were used to study nephrotoxic serum-induced nephritis and evaluate IFN-γ production and Th1 differentiation by flow cytometry. RNA sequencing was used to assess transcriptomics profiles. RhoH was silenced by siRNA transfections in human T cells by electroporation. RhoH and SRSF1 protein levels were assessed by immunoblots. RESULTS: Deletion of Srsf1 in T cells led to increased Th1 differentiation and exacerbated nephrotoxic serum nephritis. The expression levels of RhoH are decreased in Srsf1-deficient T cells, and silencing RhoH in human T cells leads to increased production of IFN-γ. Furthermore, RhoH expression was decreased and directly correlated with SRSF1 in T cells from SLE patients. CONCLUSION: Our study uncovers a previously unrecognized role of SRSF1 in restraining IFN-γ production and Th1 differentiation through the control of RhoH. Reduced expression of SRSF1 may contribute to pathogenesis of autoimmune-related nephritis through these molecular mechanisms.

Splicing factor SRSF1 controls T cell homeostasis and its decreased levels are linked to lymphopenia in systemic lupus erythematosus.

OBJECTIVE: Lymphopenia is a frequent clinical manifestation and risk factor for infections in SLE, but the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. We previously identified novel roles for the RNA-binding protein serine arginine-rich splicing factor 1 (SRSF1) in the control of genes involved in signalling and cytokine production in human T cells. SRSF1 is decreased in T cells from patients with SLE and associates with severe disease. Because SRSF1 controls the expression of apoptosis-related genes, we hypothesized that SRSF1 controls T cell homeostasis and, when reduced, leads to lymphopenia. METHODS: We evaluated SRSF1 expression in T cells from SLE patients by immunoblots and analysed its correlation with clinical parameters. T cell conditional Srsf1 knockout mice were used to evaluate lymphoid cells and apoptosis by flow cytometry. Quantitative PCR and immunoblots were used to assess Bcl-xL mRNA and protein expression. SRSF1 overexpression was performed by transient transfections by electroporation. RESULTS: We found that low SRSF1 levels correlated with lymphopenia in SLE patients. Selective deletion of Srsf1 in T cells in mice led to T cell lymphopenia, with increased apoptosis and decreased expression of the anti-apoptotic Bcl-xL. Lower SRSF1 expression correlated with low Bcl-xL levels in T cells and lower Bcl-xL levels associated with lymphopenia in SLE patients. Importantly, overexpression of SRSF1 rescued survival of T cells from patients with SLE. CONCLUSION: Our studies uncovered a previously unrecognized role for SRSF1 in the control of T cell homeostasis and its reduced expression as a molecular defect that contributes to lymphopenia in systemic autoimmunity.

Downregulation of CD3ζ in NK Cells from Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Patients Confers a Proinflammatory Phenotype.

Cytotoxic function and cytokine profile of NK cells are compromised in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). CD3ζ, an important molecule for NK cell activation, is downregulated in SLE T cells and contributes to their altered function. However, little is known about the role of CD3ζ in SLE NK cells. We studied CD3ζ levels and its contribution to cytotoxic, degranulation, and cytokine production capacity of NK cells from patients with SLE. Furthermore, we studied the human NK cell line, NKL, in which manipulation of CD3ζ levels was achieved using small interfering RNA and NK cells from Rag2 mice deficient in CD3ζ. We found reduced CD3ζ expression in NK cells from SLE patients independent of disease activity. Downregulation of CD3ζ expression in NK cells is mediated, at least in part, by Caspase 3, the activity of which is higher in NK cells from patients with SLE compared with NK cells from healthy donors. CD3ζ levels correlated inversely with natural cytotoxicity and the percentage of cells capable of producing the proinflammatory cytokines IFN-γ and TNF. In contrast, CD3ζ levels showed a direct correlation with levels of Ab-dependent cellular cytotoxicity. Experiments performed in CD3ζ-silenced NKL and CD3ζ-deficient NK cells from Rag2 mice confirmed the dependence of NK cell function on CD3ζ levels. Our results demonstrate a differential role for CD3ζ in natural cytotoxicity and Ab-dependent cellular cytotoxicity. We conclude that downregulated CD3ζ confers a proinflammatory phenotype to SLE NK cells and contributes to their altered function in patients with SLE.

Downregulation of miR-200a-3p, Targeting CtBP2 Complex, Is Involved in the Hypoproduction of IL-2 in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus-Derived T Cells.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) damages multiple organs by producing various autoantibodies. In this study, we report that decreased microRNA (miR)-200a-3p causes IL-2 hypoproduction through zinc finger E-box binding homeobox (ZEB)1 and C-terminal binding protein 2 (CtBP2) in a lupus-prone mouse. First, we performed RNA sequencing to identify candidate microRNAs and mRNAs involved in the pathogenesis of SLE. We found that miR-200a-3p was significantly downregulated, whereas its putative targets, ZEB2 and CtBP2, were upregulated in CD4+ T cells from MRL/lpr-Tnfrsf6lpr mice compared with C57BL/6J mice. ZEB1 and ZEB2 comprise the ZEB family and suppress various genes, including IL-2 by recruiting CtBP2. IL-2 plays a critical role in immune tolerance, and insufficient IL-2 production upon stimulation has been recognized in SLE pathogenesis. Therefore, we hypothesized that decreased miR-200a-3p causes IL-2 deficit through the ZEB1-CtBP2 and/or ZEB2-CtBP2 complex in SLE CD4+ T cells. Overexpression of miR-200a-3p induced IL-2 production by downregulating ZEB1, ZEB2, and CtBP2 in EL4 cell lines. We further revealed that miR-200a-3p promotes IL-2 expression by reducing the binding of suppressive ZEB1-CtBP2 and ZEB2-CtBP2 complexes on negative regulatory element A in the IL-2 promoter in EL4 cells. Interestingly, the ZEB1-CtBP2 complex on negative regulatory element A was significantly upregulated after PMA/ionomycin stimulation in lupus CD4+ T cells. Our studies have revealed a new epigenetic pathway in the control of IL-2 production in SLE whereby low levels of miR-200a-3p accumulate the binding of the ZEB1-CtBP2 complex to the IL-2 promoter and suppress IL-2 production.

Splicing factor SF2/ASF rescues IL-2 production in T cells from systemic lupus erythematosus patients by activating IL-2 transcription.

T cells from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) produce insufficient amounts of the vital cytokine IL-2. We previously showed that SLE T cells express decreased levels of the T-cell receptor-CD3ζ chain and forced expression of CD3ζ into SLE T cells restores IL-2 production. We recently showed that the serine arginine protein splicing factor 2/alternative splicing factor (SF2/ASF) enhances the expression of CD3ζ chain by limiting the production of an unstable splice variant. Here we demonstrate that SF2/ASF levels are decreased in patients with SLE and more so in those with active disease. More importantly, we reveal a function of SF2/ASF, independent of T-cell receptor/CD3 signaling, whereby it is recruited to the IL-2 promoter, increases transcriptional activity, and enhances IL-2 production in SLE T cells. Our results demonstrate that SF2/ASF regulates IL-2 production and that decreased SF2/ASF expression in SLE T cells contributes to deficient IL-2 production.

Ubiquitination regulates expression of the serine/arginine-rich splicing factor 1 (SRSF1) in normal and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) T cells.

T cells from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) exhibit reduced expression of the critical T cell receptor (TCR)-associated CD3ζ signaling chain and are poor producers of the vital cytokine IL-2. By oligonucleotide pulldown and mass spectrometry discovery approaches, we identified the splicing regulator serine/arginine-rich splicing factor (SRSF) 1 or splicing factor 2/alternative splicing factor (SF2/ASF) to be important in the expression of CD3ζ chain. Importantly, increases in the expression of SRSF1 rescued IL-2 production in T cells from patients with SLE. In this study, we investigated the regulation of SRSF1 expression in resting and activated human T cells. We found that T cell stimulation induced a rapid and significant increase in mRNA expression of SRSF1; however, protein expression levels did not correlate with this increase. Co-engagement of CD28 induced a similar mRNA induction and reduction in protein levels. Proteasomal but not lysosomal degradation was involved in this down-regulation as evidenced by blocking with specific inhibitors MG132 and bafilomycin, respectively. Immunoprecipitation studies showed increased ubiquitination of SRSF1 in activated T cells. Interestingly, T cells from patients with SLE showed increased ubiquitination of SRSF1 when compared with those from healthy individuals. Our results demonstrate a novel mechanism of regulation of the splicing factor SRSF1 in human T cells and a potential molecular mechanism that controls its expression in SLE.

How do adolescents perceive body image and respond to body dissatisfaction?

OBJECTIVES: To assess adolescents' attitudes, satisfaction, and practices regarding their body image across body mass index (BMI) categories. METHODS: In this cross-sectional survey (2019-2020), we recorded anthropometry of 2,089 girls and boys between 13 and 17 years from semi-urban schools in western India. Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire (MBSRQ) was used for multidimensional attitudinal assessment of body image and weight-related variables. The Stunkard scale was used to assess body shape perception. RESULTS: In higher age categories, boys were more satisfied with their appearance (p=0.012, p linearity=0.001), cared more about grooming (p=0.007, p linearity=0.001), and regarded themselves more physically fit (p=0.003, p linearity 0.030 up to 16 years). Boys with normal BMI were more satisfied with their appearance (p=0.001), fitness (p=0.024), and more alert about symptoms of illness (p<0.000) than others. With increasing BMI, older girls and boys were more preoccupied with their weight and perceived themselves to be heavier (p=0.001). A majority of underweight girls perceived their weight as normal. Students engaged in weight loss practices irrespective of their BMI category. Boys wanted a bigger, and girls a smaller body shape than their current shape. We found body shape dissatisfaction in 66.4 % adolescents, more in boys than in girls (p=0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Body shape dissatisfaction is quite common among semiurban adolescents, with boys outnumbering girls. BMI, age, and sex are associated with weight perception and attitude toward body image. Unindicated weight loss practices are prevalent.

Agro-industrial Waste Utilization, Medium Optimization, and Immobilization of Economically Feasible Halo-Alkaline Protease Produced by Nocardiopsis dassonvillei Strain VCS-4.

The oceanic actinobacteria have strong potential to secrete novel enzymes with unique properties useful for biotechnological applications. The Nocardiopsis dassonvillei strain VCS-4, associated with seaweed Caulerpa scalpeliformis, was a halo-alkaline protease producer. Further investigation focuses on medium optimization and the use of agro-industrial waste for economically feasible, high-yield protease production. A total of 12 experimental runs were designed using Minitab-20 software and Placket-Burman design. Among the 7 physicochemical parameters analyzed, incubation time and gelatin were detected as significant factors responsible for higher protease production. Incubation time and gelatin were further analyzed using OVATs. Optimal protease production was achieved with 2% gelatin, 0.1% yeast extract, 0.1% bacteriological peptone, 7% NaCl, pH 8, 5% inoculum, and a 7-day incubation period, resulting in a maximum protease activity (Pmax) of 363.97 U/mL, generation time of 11.9 h, specific growth rate of 0.161 g/mL/h, and protease productivity (Qp) of 61.65 U/mL/h. Moreover, utilizing groundnut cake as an agro-industrial waste led to enhanced production parameters: Pmax of 408.42 U/mL, generation time of 9.74 h, specific growth rate of 0.361 g/mL/h, and Qp of 68.07 U/mL/h. The immobilization of crude protease was achieved using Seralite SRC 120 as a support matrix resulting in 470.38 U/g immobilization, 88.20% immobilization yield, and 28.90% recovery activity. Characterization of both crude and immobilized proteases revealed optimal activity at pH 10 and 70 °C. Immobilization enhanced the shelf-life, reusability, and stability of VCS-4 protease under extreme conditions.

Impact of Foot Reflexology Versus Simple Massage on Vital Signs, Anxiety, and Pain During Blood Transfusion Among Children With Thalassemia.

Introduction Children with thalassemia often require repeated invasive treatments and frequent hospitalizations, resulting in pain, anxiety, and altered vital signs. Implementing non-invasive, non-pharmacological, and inexpensive complementary practices can benefit both the child and their family. Aim This study aimed to evaluate the impact of foot reflexology versus simple massage on vital signs, anxiety, and pain induced by blood transfusions in children with thalassemia. Materials and methods  An experimental study was conducted on 60 children with thalassemia; children aged 2-13 years were selected by systematic random sampling. The participants were separated into two groups: 30 children received foot reflexology and 30 children received a simple massage. Data were collected using a self-structured demographic profile, vital signs record sheet, standard Observational Scale of Behavioral Distress-Revised (OSBD-R) scale, and visual analog scale (VAS). Paired and unpaired t-tests were used to evaluate the effects of the interventions. The chi-square test was utilized to evaluate the relationship between demographic and dependent variables. Result Foot reflexology showed a significant difference (P < 0.05) in systolic and diastolic blood pressure and a highly significant difference (P < 0.0001) in anxiety and pain. The simple massage group showed a significant effect on temperature, anxiety, and pain. Both groups demonstrated a significant impact (P < 0.05) on systolic blood pressure and pain after the intervention. Conclusion  Most children were diagnosed with thalassemia during infancy, had a history of both parent's thalassemia minor, and were Rh+ve. Foot reflexology was more effective in reducing anxiety and pain than simple massage. Additionally, foot reflexology had a significant effect on systolic and diastolic blood pressure, while simple massage significantly affected temperature in children with thalassemia.

Estrogen upregulates cyclic AMP response element modulator α expression and downregulates interleukin-2 production by human T lymphocytes.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease with a complex multifactorial pathogenesis. T lymphocytes play a critical role in disease pathogenesis and display abnormal gene expression and poor interleukin (IL)-2 production. We previously showed that the expression of the transcriptional repressor cyclic AMP response element modulator α (CREMα) is increased in SLE T cells and contributes to reduced IL-2 production. Although estrogen is implicated in the onset and exacerbation of SLE, the precise nature of molecular events regulated by estrogen in immune cell function is not well understood. Here, we asked whether estrogen regulates the expression of CREMα in human T lymphocytes. We show that exposure of human T cells to 17-ß-estradiol leads to a dose-dependent increase in CREMα mRNA expression, and this increase appears to be mediated through the estrogen receptors α and ß. We show that the increased expression of CREMα is due to increased transcriptional activity of the CREM promoter and is mediated by increased expression and binding of the Sp1 transcriptional activator. We further show that estrogen treatment leads to a dose-dependent decrease in IL-2 mRNA and cytokine production by T cells. Finally, the effect of ß-estradiol on CREMα is observed more frequently in T cells from women than from men. We conclude that estrogen can modulate the expression of CREMα and lead to IL-2 suppression in human T lymphocytes, thus revealing a molecular link between hormones and the immune system in SLE.

Splicing factor SRSF1 controls distinct molecular programs in regulatory and effector T cells implicated in systemic autoimmune disease.

Systemic autoimmune diseases are characterized by hyperactive effector T cells (Teffs), aberrant cytokines and chemokines, and dysfunctional regulatory T cells (Tregs). We previously uncovered new roles for serine/arginine-rich splicing factor 1 (SRSF1) in the control of genes involved in T cell signaling and cytokine production in human T cells. SRSF1 levels are decreased in T cells from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and low levels correlate with severe disease. Moreover, T cell-conditional Srsf1-deficient mice recapitulate the autoimmune phenotype, exhibiting CD4 T cell hyperactivity, dysfunctional Tregs, systemic autoimmunity, and tissue inflammation. However, the role of SRSF1 in controlling molecular programs in Teffs and Tregs and how these pathways are implicated in autoimmunity is not known. Here, by comparative bioinformatics analysis, we demonstrate that SRSF1 controls largely distinct gene programs in Tregs and Teffs in vivo. SRSF1 regulates 189 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) unique to Tregs, 582 DEGs unique to Teffs, and 29 DEGs shared between both. Shared genes included IL-17A, IL-17F, CSF1, CXCL10, and CXCR4, and were highly enriched for inflammatory response and cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction pathways. SRSF1 controls distinct pathways in Tregs, which include chemokine signaling and immune cell differentiation, compared with pathways in Teffs, which include cytokine production, T cell homeostasis, and activation. We identified putative mRNA binding targets of SRSF1 which include CSF1, CXCL10, and IL-17F. Finally, comparisons with transcriptomics profiles from lupus-prone MRL/lpr mice reveal that SRSF1 controls genes and pathways implicated in autoimmune disease. The target genes of SRSF1 and putative binding targets we discovered, have known roles in systemic autoimmunity. Our findings suggest that SRSF1 controls distinct molecular pathways in Tregs and Teffs and aberrant SRSF1 levels may contribute to their dysfunction and immunopathogenesis of systemic autoimmune disease.

Splicing factor SRSF1 controls autoimmune-related molecular pathways in regulatory T cells distinct from FoxP3.

Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are vital for maintaining immune self-tolerance, and their impaired function leads to autoimmune disease. Mutations in FoxP3, the master transcriptional regulator of Tregs, leads to immune dysregulation, polyendocrinopathy, enteropathy, X-linked (IPEX) syndrome in humans and the early lethal "scurfy" phenotype with multi-organ autoimmune disease in mice. We recently identified serine/arginine-rich splicing factor 1 (SRSF1) as an indispensable regulator of Treg homeostasis and function. Intriguingly, Treg-conditional SRSF1-deficient mice exhibit early lethal systemic autoimmunity with multi-organ inflammation reminiscent of the scurfy mice. Importantly, SRSF1 is decreased in T cells from patients with the autoimmune disease systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and low SRSF1 levels inversely correlate with disease severity. Given that the Treg-specific deficiency of SRSF1 causes similarly profound autoimmune disease outcomes in mice as the deficiency/mutation in FoxP3, we aimed to evaluate the genes and molecular pathways controlled by these two indispensable regulatory proteins. We performed comparative bioinformatic analyses of transcriptomic profiles of Tregs from Srsf1-knockout mice and two Foxp3 mutant mice--the FoxP3-deficient ΔFoxp3 and the Foxp3 M370I mutant mice. We identified 132 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) unique to Srsf1-ko Tregs, 503 DEGs unique to Foxp3 M370I Tregs, and 1367 DEGs unique to ΔFoxp3 Tregs. Gene set enrichment and pathway analysis of DEGs unique to Srsf1-ko Tregs indicate that SRSF1 controls cytokine and immune response pathways. Conversely, FoxP3 controls pathways involved in DNA replication and cell cycle. Besides the distinct gene signatures, we identified only 30 shared genes between all three Treg mutants, mostly contributing to cytokine and immune defense pathways. Prominent genes included the chemokines CXCR6 and CCL1 and the checkpoint inhibitors FASLG and PDCD1. Thus, we demonstrate that SRSF1 and FoxP3 control common and distinct molecular pathways implicated in autoimmunity. Our analyses suggest that SRSF1 controls crucial immune functions in Tregs contributing to immune tolerance, and perturbations in its levels lead to systemic autoimmunity via mechanisms that are largely distinct from FoxP3.

Splicing factor SRSF1 is essential for CD8 T cell function and host antigen-specific viral immunity.

Cytotoxic CD8 T cells are crucial for the host antigen-specific immune response to viral pathogens. Here we report the identification of an essential role for the serine/arginine-rich splicing factor (SRSF) 1 in CD8 T cell homeostasis and function. Specifically, SRSF1 is necessary for the maintenance of normal CD8 T lymphocyte numbers in the lymphoid compartment, and for the proliferative capacity and cytotoxic function of CD8 T cells. Furthermore, SRSF1 is required for antigen-specific IFN-γ cytokine responses in a viral infection challenge in mice. Transcriptomics analyses of Srsf1-deficient T cells reveal that SRSF1 controls proliferation, MAP kinase signaling and IFN signaling pathways. Mechanistically, SRSF1 controls the expression and activity of the Mnk2/p38-MAPK axis at the molecular level. Our findings reveal previously unrecognized roles for SRSF1 in the physiology and function of cytotoxic CD8 T lymphocytes and a potential molecular mechanism in viral immunopathogenesis.

Multi-target potential of Indian phytochemicals against SARS-CoV-2: A docking, molecular dynamics and MM-GBSA approach extended to Omicron B.1.1.529.

BACKGROUND: SARS-CoV-2, an emerged strain of corona virus family became almost serious health concern worldwide. Despite vaccines availability, reports suggest the occurrence of SARS-CoV-2 infection even in a vaccinated population. With frequent evolution and expected multiple COVID-19 waves, improved preventive, diagnostic, and treatment measures are required. In recent times, phytochemicals have gained attention due to their therapeutic characteristics and are suggested as alternative and complementary treatments for infectious diseases. This present study aimed to identify potential inhibitors against reported protein targets of SARS-CoV-2. METHODOLOGY: We computationally investigated potential SARS-CoV-2 protein targets from the literature and collected druggable phytochemicals from Indian Medicinal Plants, Phytochemistry and Therapeutics (IMPPAT) database. Further, we implemented a systematic workflow of molecular docking, dynamic simulations and generalized born surface area free-energy calculations (MM-GBSA). RESULTS: Extensive literature search and assessment of 1508 articles identifies 13 potential SARS-CoV-2 protein targets. We screened 501 druggable phytochemicals with proven biological activities. Analysis of 6513(501 *13) docked phytochemicals complex, 26 were efficient against SARS-CoV-2. Amongst, 4,8-dihydroxysesamin and arboreal from Gmelina arborea were ranked potential against most of the targets with binding energy ranging between - 10.7 to - 8.2 kcal/mol. Additionally, comparative docking with known drugs such as arbidol (-6.6 to -5.1 kcal/mol), favipiravir (-5.5 to -4.5 kcal/mol), hydroxychloroquine (-6.5 to -5.1 kcal/mol), and remedesivir (-8.0 to -5.3 kcal/mol) revealed equal/less affinity than 4,8-dihydroxysesamin and arboreal. Interestingly, the nucleocapsid target was found commonly inhibited by 4,8-dihydroxysesamin and arboreal. Molecular dynamic simulation and Molecular mechanics generalized born surface area (MM-GBSA)calculations reflect that both the compounds possess high inhibiting potential against SARS-CoV-2 including the recently emerged Omicron variant (B.1.1.529). CONCLUSION: Overall our study imparts the usage of phytochemicals as antiviral agents for SARS-CoV-2 infection. Additional in vitro and in vivo testing of these phytochemicals is required to confirm their potency.

Alternative splicing factor/splicing factor 2 regulates the expression of the zeta subunit of the human T cell receptor-associated CD3 complex.

T cells from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus express decreased levels of the T cell receptor-associated CD3 zeta chain, a feature directly linked to their aberrant function. The decrease in CD3zeta protein expression is in part due to decreased levels of functional wild type isoform of the 3'-untranslated region (UTR) of CD3zeta mRNA with concomitant increased levels of an unstable alternatively spliced isoform. In order to identify factors involved in the post-transcriptional regulation of CD3zeta, we performed mass spectrometric analysis of Jurkat T cell nuclear proteins "pulled down" by a CD3zeta 3'-UTR oligonucleotide, which identified the splicing protein alternative splicing factor/splicing factor 2 (ASF/SF2). We show for the first time that ASF/SF2 binds specifically to the 3'-UTR of CD3zeta and regulates expression of CD3zeta protein by limiting the production of the alternatively spliced isoform. During activation of human T cells, an increase in the wild type CD3zeta mRNA is associated with increased expression of ASF/SF2. Finally, we show a significant correlation between ASF/SF2 and CD3zeta protein levels in T cells from systemic lupus erythematosus patients. Thus, our results identify ASF/SF2 as a novel factor in the regulation of alternative splicing of the 3'-UTR of CD3zeta and protein expression in human T cells.

Splicing factor SRSF1 is indispensable for regulatory T cell homeostasis and function.

The ability of regulatory T (Treg) cells to control the immune response and limit the development of autoimmune diseases is determined by distinct molecular processes, which are not fully understood. We show here that serine/arginine-rich splicing factor 1 (SRSF1), which is decreased in T cells from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus, is necessary for the homeostasis and proper function of Treg cells, because its conditional absence in these cells leads to profound autoimmunity and organ inflammation by elevating the glycolytic metabolism and mTORC1 activity and the production of proinflammatory cytokines. Our data reveal a molecular mechanism that controls Treg cell plasticity and offer insights into the pathogenesis of autoimmune disease.