Prevalence and determinants of SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies in Lebanon.

According to the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health, more than 1,053,000 cases of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection have been confirmed in Lebanon so far. The actual number of cases is likely to be higher. We conducted a serological study from October 2020 to April 2021 to estimate the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies and identify associated factors. Serum samples as well as demographic, health, and behavioral data were collected from 2,783 subjects. Sera were tested by microneutralization assay. Neutralizing antibodies were detected in 58.9% of the study population. The positivity rate increased over the study period. It was highest among the group who remained at work during the COVID-19 pandemic and in peri-urban areas with limited adherence to preventive measures. Sex and age were associated with positivity. Reported previous COVID-19, exposure to a COVID-19 patient in the family, and attending gatherings were associated with increased prevalence. Not taking any precautionary measures against COVID-19 was a risk factor, whereas precautionary measures such as working from home and washing hands were protective. The high neutralizing antibody seroprevalence rates detected in this study emphasize the high transmission rate of SARS-CoV-2 infection in the community. Adherence to preventive measures and non-pharmaceutical interventions imposed by the government is recommended.

Further characterization of the Maillard deglycase DJ-1 and its prokaryotic homologs, deglycase 1/Hsp31, deglycase 2/YhbO, and deglycase 3/YajL.

We reported recently that the Parkinsonism-associated protein DJ-1 and its bacterial homologs Hsp31, YhbO and YajL function as deglycases that repair proteins and nucleotides from endogeneous glycation by glyoxal and methylglyoxal, two reactive by-products of glucose metabolism responsible for up to 60% of glycation damage. Here, we show that DJ-1, deglycase 1 and deglycase 2 repair glyoxal- and methylglyoxal-glycated substrates, whereas deglycase 3 principally repairs glyoxal-glycated substrates. Moreover, deglycase 1 and 2 are overexpressed in stationary phase, whereas deglycase 3 is steadily expressed throughout bacterial growth. Finally, deglycase mutants overexpress glyoxalases, aldoketoreductases, glutathione-S-transferase and efflux pumps to alleviate carbonyl stress. In the discussion, we present an overview of the multiple functions of DJ-1 proteins. Our thourough work on deglycases provides compelling evidence that their previously reported glyoxalase III activity merely reflects their deglycase activity. Moreover, for their deglycase activity the Maillard deglycases likely recruit: i) their chaperone activity to interact with glycated proteins, ii) glyoxalase 1 activity to catalyze the rearrangement of Maillard products (aminocarbinols and hemithioacetals) into amides and thioesters, respectively, iii) their protease activity to cleave amide bonds of glycated arginine, lysine and guanine, and iv) glyoxalase 2 activity to cleave thioester bonds of glycated cysteine. Finally, because glycation affects many cellular processes, the discovery of the Maillard deglycases, awaited since 1912, likely constitutes a major advance for medical research, including ageing, cancer, atherosclerosis, neurodegenerative, post-diabetic, renal and autoimmune diseases.

Protein Repair from Glycation by Glyoxals by the DJ-1 Family Maillard Deglycases.

DJ-1 and its prokaryotic homologs, Hsp31, YhbO and YajL from Escherichia coli and PfpI from Pyrococcus furiosus, repair proteins from glycation by glyoxals (R-CO-CHO), which constitute their major glycating agents. Glycation is a non-enzymatic covalent reaction discovered by Louis Camille Maillard in 1912, between reactive carbonyls (reducing sugars and glyoxals) and amino acids (cysteine, arginine and lysine), which inactivates proteins. By degrading Maillard adducts formed between carbonyls and thiols or amino groups, the DJ-1 family Maillard deglycases prevent the formation of the so-called advanced glycation end products (AGEs) that arise from Maillard adducts after dehydrations, oxidations and rearrangements. Since glycation is involved in ageing, cancer, atherosclerosis and cataracts, as well as post-diabetic, neurovegetatives and renal and autoimmune diseases, the DJ-1 deglycases are likely to play an important role in preventing these diseases. These deglycases, especially those from thermophilic organisms, may also be used to prevent the formation of dietary AGEs during food processing, sterilization and storage. They also prevent acrylamide formation in food, likely by degrading the asparagine/glyoxal Maillard adducts responsible for its formation. Since Maillard adducts are the substrates of the DJ-1 family deglycases, we propose renaming them Maillard deglycases.

The DJ-1 superfamily members YhbO and YajL from Escherichia coli repair proteins from glycation by methylglyoxal and glyoxal.

YhbO and YajL belong to the PfpI/Hsp31/DJ-1 superfamily. Both proteins are involved in protection against environmental stresses. Here, we show that, like DJ-1 and Hsp31, they repair glyoxal- and methylglyoxal-glycated proteins. YhbO and YajL repair glycated serum albumin, collagen, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, and fructose biphosphate aldolase. Bacterial extracts from deglycase mutants display increased glycation levels, whereas deglycase overexpression decreases protein glycation. Moreover, yhbO and yajL mutants display decreased viability in methylglyoxal- or glucose-containing media. Finally, the apparent glyoxalase activities of YhbO and YajL reflect their deglycase activities.

The DJ-1 superfamily member Hsp31 repairs proteins from glycation by methylglyoxal and glyoxal.

Hsp31 belongs to the PfpI/Hsp31/DJ-1 superfamily, and has been reported to display chaperone, peptidase and glutathione-independent glyoxalase activities. Here, we show that Hsp31 repairs glyoxal- and methylglyoxal-glycated amino acids and proteins and releases repaired proteins and lactate or glycolate, respectively. Hsp31 deglycates cysteine, arginine and lysine by acting on early glycation intermediates (hemithioacetals and aminocarbinols) and prevents the formation of Schiff bases and advanced glycation endproducts. Hsp31 repairs glycated serum albumin, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, fructose biphosphate aldolase and aspartate aminotransferase. Moreover, we show that bacterial extracts from the hchA mutant display increased glycation levels and that the apparent glyoxalase activity of Hsp31 reflects its deglycase activity. Our results suggest that other Hsp31 members, previously characterized as glutathione-independent glyoxalases, likely function as protein deglycases.

Role of research Laboratories in pandemic and epidemic response in the Eastern Mediterranean Region: Experiences from COVID-19, avian influenza, and MERS-CoV.

We share the experience of research laboratories in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) that contributed to preparedness and response to highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), Middle-East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), and coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Research groups in the region were pivotal in identifying, characterizing the pathogens and describing their evolution, distribution, transmission routes, and the immunological profile of exposed populations. They demonstrated the capacity to develop and test antivirals and potential vaccines. The EMR experience is a model of how national systems can work with researchers to improve regional preparedness and response to future epidemics and pandemics.

Detection of Coronaviruses in Bats in Lebanon during 2020.

Bats are considered the main reservoir of coronaviruses (CoVs), and research evidence suggests the essential role of bats in the emergence of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronaviruses (SARS-CoV) and SARS-CoV-2. SARS-CoV-like viruses have been recently detected in bats in different countries. In 2020, we conducted surveillance for CoVs among six different bat species in Lebanon. Of 622 swab specimens taken, 77 tested positive. Alpha- and Beta- CoVs were identified in samples collected from different species. Our results show that SARS-like coronaviruses circulate in bats in this region, and we provide new data on their genetic diversity. The interaction between the spike of the detected SARS-CoV-like viruses and the human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (hACE2) receptor could be crucial in understanding the origin of the epidemic. The 3D protein structure analysis revealed that the receptor-binding domains of the SARS-like virus identified in Lebanon bind to the hACE2 protein more efficiently than to the spike of the SARS-CoV-2 strain. The spike of the detected SARS-CoV-like viruses does not contain the recognition site of furin at the cleavage site. Thus, our study highlights the variety of bat coronaviruses in Lebanon and suggests the zoonotic potential for other SARS-CoV-like viruses.

Coffee grounds emesis: not just an upper GI bleed.

BACKGROUND: Acute upper gastrointestinal (UGI) bleeding manifests as hematemesis, melena, or hematochezia. Initial management is identical, irrespective of nasogastric (NG) aspirate results. Current practice includes early upper endoscopy. Significantly fewer high-risk bleeding lesions are found on endoscopy in patients with coffee grounds vs. bloody NG aspirates. OBJECTIVE: We present a case series to illustrate that patients with coffee grounds emesis (CGE) often have other unsuspected illnesses that may be overlooked due to preoccupation with the GI bleed. CASE REPORTS: A retrospective chart review of a series of 6 patients presenting with CGE and admitted for upper GI bleeding was performed. All 6 patients were hemodynamically stable at admission. NG lavage showed coffee grounds that cleared easily. None of the patients required blood transfusions during their hospital stay. Endoscopy in 3 of 6 patients failed to find any significant UGI lesions or stigmata of recent bleed. CONCLUSION: Although patients were admitted for UGI bleeding, the more significant associated diagnoses included acute myocardial infarction, urosepsis, small bowel obstruction, bilateral pulmonary emboli, and acute renal failure. Hemodynamically stable patients presenting with coffee grounds NG aspirate and no fall in hemoglobin/hematocrit should be evaluated for other non-GI bleeding-related conditions even as the GI bleed is being managed.

Lebanese SARS-CoV-2 genomics: 24 months of the pandemic.

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to pose a global health concern, despite the ongoing vaccination campaigns, due to the emergence and rapid spread of new variants of the causative agent SARS-CoV-2. These variants are identified and tracked via the marker mutations they carry, and the classification system put in place following tremendous sequencing efforts. In this study, the genomes of 1,230 Lebanese SARS-CoV-2 strains collected throughout 2 years of the outbreak in Lebanon were analyzed, 115 of which sequenced within this project. Strains were classified into seven GISAID clades, the major one being GRY, and 36 Pango lineages, with three variants of concern identified: alpha, delta and omicron. A time course distribution of GISAID clades allowed the visualization of change throughout the two years of the Lebanese outbreak, in conjunction with major events and measures in the country. Subsequent phylogenetic analysis showed the clustering of strains belonging to the same clades. In addition, a mutational survey showed the presence of mutations in the structural, non-structural and accessory proteins. Twenty five (25) mutations were labeled as major, i.e. present in more than 30% of the strains, such as the common Spike_D614G and NSP3_T183I. Whereas 635 were labeled as uncommon, i.e. found in very few of the analyzed strains as well as GISAID records, such as NSP2_I349V. Distribution of these mutations differed between 2020, and the first and the second half of 2021. In summary, this study highlights key genomic aspects of the Lebanese SARS-CoV-2 strains collected in 2020, the first year of the outbreak in Lebanon, versus those collected in 2021, the second year of COVID-19 in Lebanon.

A Novel Therapeutic Mechanism of Imipridones ONC201/ONC206 in MYCN-Amplified Neuroblastoma Cells via Differential Expression of Tumorigenic Proteins.

Neuroblastoma is the most common extracranial nervous system tumor in children. It presents with a spectrum of clinical prognostic measures ranging from benign growths that regress spontaneously to highly malignant, treatment evasive tumors affiliated with increased mortality rates. MYCN amplification is commonly seen in high-risk neuroblastoma, rendering it highly malignant and recurrence prone. In our current study, we investigated the therapeutic potential of small molecule inducers of TRAIL, ONC201, and ONC206 in MYCN-amplified IMR-32 and non-MYCN-amplified SK-N-SH human neuroblastoma cell lines. Our results exhibit potent antitumor activity of ONC201 and ONC206 via a novel inhibition of EGF-induced L1CAM and PDGFRß phosphorylation in both cell lines. Drug treatment significantly reduced cellular proliferation, viability, migration, invasion, tumorsphere formation potential, and increased apoptosis in both cell lines. The protein expression of tumorigenic NMYC, Sox-2, Oct-4, FABP5, and HMGA1 significantly decreased 48 h post-drug treatment, whereas cleaved PARP1/caspase-3 and γH2AX increased 72 h post-drug treatment, compared with vehicle-treated cells in the MYCN-amplified IMR-32 cell line. We are the first to report this novel differential protein expression after ONC201 or ONC206 treatment in human neuroblastoma cells, demonstrating an important multitarget effect which may yield added therapeutic benefits in treating this devastating childhood cancer.

SARS-CoV-2 Variants in Lebanon: Evolution and Current Situation.

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has seen a worldwide spread since its emergence in 2019, including to Lebanon, where 534,968 confirmed cases (8% of the population) and 7569 deaths have been reported as of 14 May 2021. With the genome sequencing of strains from various countries, several classification systems were established via genome comparison. For instance, the GISAID clades classification highlights key mutations in the encoded proteins that could potentially affect the virus' infectivity and transmission rates. In this study, 58 genomes of Lebanese SARS-CoV-2 strains were analyzed, 28 of which were sequenced for this study, and 30 retrieved from the GISAID and GenBank databases. We aimed to classify these strains, establish their phylogenetic relationships, and extract the mutations causing amino acid substitutions within, particularly, the structural proteins. The sequenced Lebanese SARS-COV-2 strains were classified into four GISAID clades and 11 Pango lineages. Moreover, 21 uncommon mutations in the structural proteins were found in the newly sequenced strains, underlining interesting combinations of mutations in the spike proteins. Hence, this study constitutes an observation and description of the current SARS-CoV-2 genetic and clade situation in Lebanon according to the available sequenced strains.

A Novel Mechanism of 17-AAG Therapeutic Efficacy on HSP90 Inhibition in MYCN-Amplified Neuroblastoma Cells.

BACKGROUND: Neuroblastoma is the most common pediatric extra-cranial nervous system tumor, originating from neural crest elements and giving rise to tumors in the adrenal medulla and sympathetic chain ganglia. Amplification of MYCN confers increased malignancy and poorer prognosis in high-risk neuroblastoma. Our SILAC proteomics analysis revealed over-expression of HSP90 in MYCN-amplified IMR-32 compared to the non-MYCN amplified SK-N-SH human neuroblastoma cells, rendering them highly resistant to therapeutic intervention. METHODS: We used cellular bio-functional (proliferation, migration/invasion, apoptosis, viability and stem-cell self-renewal) assays and Western blot analysis to elucidate the therapeutic efficacy of HSP90 inhibition with 17-AAG. RESULTS: 17-AAG treatment significantly inhibited cellular proliferation, viability and migration/invasion and increased apoptosis in both cell lines. Moreover, drug treatment significantly abrogated stem-cell self-renewal potential in the MYCN-amplified IMR-32 cells. Differential tumorigenic protein expression revealed a novel mechanism of therapeutic efficacy after 17-AAG treatment with a significant downregulation of HMGA1, FABP5, Oct4, MYCN, prohibitin and p-L1CAM in SK-N-SH cells. However, we observed a significant up-regulation of p-L1CAM, MYCN and prohibitin, and significant down-regulation of Oct4, FABP5, HMGA1, p-ERK, cleaved/total caspase-3 and PARP1 in IMR-32 cells. CONCLUSIONS: HSP90 inhibition revealed a novel therapeutic mechanism of antitumor activity in MYCN-amplified neuroblastoma cells that may enhance therapeutic sensitivity.

The thioredoxin homolog YbbN functions as a chaperone rather than as an oxidoreductase.

Escherichia coli contains two thioredoxins, Trx1 and Trx2, and a thioredoxin-like protein, YbbN, which presents a strong homology in its N-terminal part with thioredoxins, and possesses a 20kDa C-terminal part of unknown function. We reported previously that YbbN displays both protein oxido-reductase and chaperone properties in vitro. In this study, we show that an ybbN-deficient strain displays an increased sensitivity to thermal stress but not to oxidative stress, a normal redox state of its cellular proteins but a decreased expression of several cytoplasmic proteins, including EF-Tu, DnaK, GroEL, trigger factor and several Krebs cycle enzymes, suggesting that the chaperone properties of YbbN are more important in vivo than its redox properties. YbbN specifically interacts with DnaK and GroEL, as shown by reverse purification. It increases 4-fold the rate of protein renaturation in vitro by the DnaK chaperone machine, suggesting that it cooperates with DnaK for the optimal expression of several cytoplasmic proteins.

Tumorigenic proteins upregulated in the MYCN-amplified IMR-32 human neuroblastoma cells promote proliferation and migration.

Childhood neuroblastoma is one of the most common types of extra-cranial cancer affecting children with a clinical spectrum ranging from spontaneous regression to malignant and fatal progression. In order to improve the clinical outcomes of children with high-risk neuroblastoma, it is crucial to understand the tumorigenic mechanisms that govern its malignant behaviors. MYCN proto-oncogene, bHLH transcription factor (MYCN) amplification has been implicated in the malignant, treatment-evasive nature of aggressive, high-risk neuroblastoma. In this study, we used a SILAC approach to compare the proteomic signatures of MYCN-amplified IMR-32 and non-MYCN-amplified SK-N-SH human neuroblastoma cells. Tumorigenic proteins, including fatty-acid binding protein 5 (FABP5), L1-cell adhesion molecule (L1-CAM), baculoviral IAP repeat containing 5 [BIRC5 (survivin)] and high mobility group protein A1 (HMGA1) were found to be significantly upregulated in the IMR-32 compared to the SK-N-SH cells and mapped to highly tumorigenic pathways including, MYC, MYCN, microtubule associated protein Tau (MAPT), E2F transcription factor 1 (E2F1), sterol regulatory element binding transcription factor 1 or 2 (SREBF1/2), hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α), Sp1 transcription factor (SP1) and amyloid precursor protein (APP). The transcriptional knockdown (KD) of MYCN, HMGA1, FABP5 and L1-CAM significantly abrogated the proliferation of the IMR-32 cells at 48 h post transfection. The early apoptotic rates were significantly higher in the IMR-32 cells in which FABP5 and MYCN were knocked down, whereas cellular migration was significantly abrogated with FABP5 and HMGA1 KD compared to the controls. Of note, L1-CAM, HMGA1 and FABP5 KD concomitantly downregulated MYCN protein expression and MYCN KD concomitantly downregulated L1-CAM, HMGA1 and FABP5 protein expression, while survivin protein expression was significantly downregulated by MYCN, HMGA1 and FABP5 KD. In addition, combined L1-CAM and FABP5 KD led to the concomitant downregulation of HMGA1 protein expression. On the whole, our data indicate that this inter-play between MYCN and the highly tumorigenic proteins which are upregulated in the malignant IMR-32 cells may be fueling their aggressive behavior, thereby signifying the importance of combination, multi-modality targeted therapy to eradicate this deadly childhood cancer.

YhbO protects cells against multiple stresses.

YhbO is a member of the DJ-1/ThiJ/Pfp1 superfamily, which includes chaperones, peptidases, and the Parkinson's disease protein DJ-1. A yhbO-disrupted mutant of Escherichia coli is highly sensitive to oxidative, thermal, UV, and pH stresses, and the putative nucleophilic cysteine C104 of YhbO is required for stress resistance. These results suggest that YhbO affects a central process in stress management.

Guanine glycation repair by DJ-1/Park7 and its bacterial homologs.

DNA damage induced by reactive carbonyls (mainly methylglyoxal and glyoxal), called DNA glycation, is quantitatively as important as oxidative damage. DNA glycation is associated with increased mutation frequency, DNA strand breaks, and cytotoxicity. However, in contrast to guanine oxidation repair, how glycated DNA is repaired remains undetermined. Here, we found that the parkinsonism-associated protein DJ-1 and its bacterial homologs Hsp31, YhbO, and YajL could repair methylglyoxal- and glyoxal-glycated nucleotides and nucleic acids. DJ-1-depleted cells displayed increased levels of glycated DNA, DNA strand breaks, and phosphorylated p53. Deglycase-deficient bacterial mutants displayed increased levels of glycated DNA and RNA and exhibited strong mutator phenotypes. Thus, DJ-1 and its prokaryotic homologs constitute a major nucleotide repair system that we name guanine glycation repair.

L1-CAM knock-down radiosensitizes neuroblastoma IMR-32 cells by simultaneously decreasing MycN, but increasing PTEN protein expression.

Childhood neuroblastoma is one of the most malignant types of cancers leading to a high mortality rate. These cancerous cells can be highly metastatic and malignant giving rise to disease recurrence and poor prognosis. The proto-oncogene myelocytomatosis neuroblastoma (MycN) is known to be amplified in this type of cancer, thus, promoting high malignancy and resistance. The L1 cell adhesion molecule (L1-CAM) cleavage has been found upregulated in many types of malignant cancers. In the present study, we explored the interplay between L1-CAM, MycN and PTEN as well as the role played by PDGFR and VEGFR on tumorigenicity in neuroblastoma cells. We investigated the effect of L1-CAM knock-down (KD) and PDGFR/VEGFR inhibition with sunitinib malate (Sutent®) treatment on subsequent tumorsphere formation and cellular proliferation and migration in the MycN-amplified IMR-32 neuroblastoma cells. We further examined the effect of combined L1-CAM KD with Sutent treatment or radiotherapy on these cellular functions in our cells. Tumorsphere formation is one of the indicators of aggressiveness in malignant cancers, which was significantly inhibited in IMR-32 cells after L1-CAM KD or Sutent treatment, however, no synergistic effect was observed with dual treatments, rather L1-CAM KD alone showed a greater inhibition on tumorsphere formation compared to Sutent treatment alone. In addition, cellular proliferation and migration were significantly inhibited after L1-CAM KD in the IMR-32 cells with no synergistic effect observed on the rate of cell proliferation when combined with Sutent treatment. Again, L1-CAM KD alone exhibited greater inhibitory effect than Sutent treatment on cell proliferation. L1-CAM KD led to the simultaneous downregulation of MycN, but the upregulation of PTEN protein expression. Notably, radiotherapy (2 Gy) of the IMR-32 cells led to significant upregulation of both L1-CAM and MycN, which was abrogated with L1-CAM KD in our cells. In addition, L1-CAM KD radiosensitized the cells as exhibited by the synergistic effect on the reduction in cell proliferation compared to radiotherapy alone. Taken together, our data show the importance of L1-CAM interplay with MycN and PTEN on the MycN amplified neuroblastoma cell radioresistance, proliferation and motility.

Prevalence of depression in Parkinson's disease in a Lebanese tertiary clinic.

INTRODUCTION: Diagnosis of Parkinson's disease can be emotionally and psychologically challenging to patients. The aim of this study is to investigate the association between Parkinson's disease and depression and the impact of the disease stage and patients' age and gender on this association. METHOD: This is a cross-sectional retrospective study on 200 patients aged above 35 years old from 10 different nationalities. RESULTS: Depression was diagnosed in 46% of the patients enrolled. Most of these patients were treated with an antidepressant. Young age, female gender, and moderate Parkinson's disease stage were found to be significantly associated with depression (odds ratio of 1.19, 1.23, and 1.22, respectively, p < .05). CONCLUSION: This study, the first of its kind in Lebanon and the Middle East and North Africa region, highlights the importance of studying depression in Parkinson's disease and the need for identifying and treating depression symptoms when treating Parkinson's disease patients.

Association of hypertension with coronary artery disease onset in the Lebanese population.

The onset of coronary artery disease (CAD) is influenced by cardiovascular risk factors that often occur in clusters and may build on one another. The objective of this study is to examine the relationship between hypertension and CAD age of onset in the Lebanese population. This retrospective analysis was performed on data extracted from Lebanese patients (n = 3,753). Logistic regression examined the association of hypertension with the age at CAD diagnosis after controlling for other traditional risk factors. The effect of antihypertensive drugs and lifestyle changes on the onset of CAD was also investigated. Results showed that hypertension is associated with late onset CAD (OR=0.656, 95% CI=0.504-0.853, p=0.001). Use of antihypertensive drugs showed a similar association with delayed CAD onset. When comparing age of onset in CAD patients with traditional risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, obesity, smoking and family history of CAD, the age of onset was significantly higher for patients with hypertension compared to those with any of the other risk factors studied (p < 0.001). In conclusion, hypertension and its treatment are associated with late coronary atherosclerotic manifestations in Lebanese population. This observation is currently under investigation to clarify its genetic and/or environmental mechanisms.