Pulmonary inflammation and viral replication define distinct clinical outcomes in fatal cases of COVID-19.

COVID-19 has affected more than half a billion people worldwide, with more than 6.3 million deaths, but the pathophysiological mechanisms involved in lethal cases and the host determinants that determine the different clinical outcomes are still unclear. In this study, we assessed lung autopsies of 47 COVID-19 patients and examined the inflammatory profiles, viral loads, and inflammasome activation. Additionally, we correlated these factors with the patient's clinical and histopathological conditions. Robust inflammasome activation was detected in the lungs of lethal cases of SARS-CoV-2. Experiments conducted on transgenic mice expressing hACE2 and infected with SARS-CoV-2 showed that Nlrp3-/- mice were protected from disease development and lethality compared to Nlrp3+/+ littermate mice, supporting the involvement of this inflammasome in disease exacerbation. An analysis of gene expression allowed for the classification of COVID-19 patients into two different clusters. Cluster 1 died with higher viral loads and exhibited a reduced inflammatory profile than Cluster 2. Illness time, mechanical ventilation time, pulmonary fibrosis, respiratory functions, histopathological status, thrombosis, viral loads, and inflammasome activation significantly differed between the two clusters. Our data demonstrated two distinct profiles in lethal cases of COVID-19, thus indicating that the balance of viral replication and inflammasome-mediated pulmonary inflammation led to different clinical outcomes. We provide important information to understand clinical variations in severe COVID-19, a process that is critical for decisions between immune-mediated or antiviral-mediated therapies for the treatment of critical cases of COVID-19.

Cytotoxicity of 4-substituted quinoline derivatives: Anticancer and antileishmanial potential.

Chemical modifications of quinoline moiety have been recognized as a useful strategy to development of new drugs. Here, the cytotoxicity of a set of twenty-four 4-substituted quinolines (named HTI) was screened for their antitumor and antileishmanial potential in vitro, and the underlying mechanisms investigated. HTI 21 and HTI 22 exhibited the highest cytotoxicity, being selected to the subsequent studies. Both derivatives induced caspase-dependent apoptosis associated to the dissipation of the mitochondrial transmembrane potential (ΔΨ) and ROS generation. HTI-induced cell death was calcium dependent, associated to thiol oxidation and cysteine proteases activation. In isolated mitochondria, HTI derivatives promoted mitochondrial permeabilization by different mechanisms. The inhibition of BCL-2 by venetoclax enhanced the HTI-induced cytotoxicity. Regarding the inhibition of cysteine proteases type B of Leishmania mexicana, HTI 15 exhibited the most potent inhibitory activity through a linear non-competitive mechanism. These data highlight the therapeutic potential of 4-substituted quinolines as antitumor and antileishmanial drugs.

Functionalization of protected tyrosine via Sonogashira reaction: synthesis of 3-(1,2,3-triazolyl)-tyrosine.

1,2,3-Triazol tyrosines were synthesized from tyrosine alkynes that were in turn prepared via Sonogashira cross-coupling reaction. The tyrosine alkynes were subjected to click-chemistry reaction conditions leading to the corresponding 3-(1,2,3-triazolyl)-tyrosines in yields ranging from moderate to good.

Identification and characterization of the anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity of cationic amphiphilic steroidal compounds.

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic caused a significant loss of human lives and a worldwide decline in quality of life. Treatment of COVID-19 patients is challenging, and specific treatments to reduce COVID-19 aggravation and mortality are still necessary. Here, we describe the discovery of a novel class of epiandrosterone steroidal compounds with cationic amphiphilic properties that present antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2 in the low micromolar range. Compounds were identified in screening campaigns using a cytopathic effect-based assay in Vero CCL81 cells, followed by hit compound validation and characterization. Compounds LNB167 and LNB169 were selected due to their ability to reduce the levels of infectious viral progeny and viral RNA levels in Vero CCL81, HEK293, and HuH7.5 cell lines. Mechanistic studies in Vero CCL81 cells indicated that LNB167 and LNB169 inhibited the initial phase of viral replication through mechanisms involving modulation of membrane lipids and cholesterol in host cells. Selection of viral variants resistant to steroidal compound treatment revealed single mutations on transmembrane, lipid membrane-interacting Spike and Envelope proteins. Finally, in vivo testing using the hACE2 transgenic mouse model indicated that SARS-CoV-2 infection could not be ameliorated by LNB167 treatment. We conclude that anti-SARS-CoV-2 activities of steroidal compounds LNB167 and LNB169 are likely host-targeted, consistent with the properties of cationic amphiphilic compounds that modulate host cell lipid biology. Although effective in vitro, protective effects were cell-type specific and did not translate to protection in vivo, indicating that subversion of lipid membrane physiology is an important, yet complex mechanism involved in SARS-CoV-2 replication and pathogenesis.

A comparative study between Cu(INA)2-MOF and [Cu(INA)2(H2O)4] complex for a click reaction and the Biginelli reaction under solvent-free conditions.

The catalytic activity of metal-organic framework Cu(INA)2 (INA = isonicotinate ion) and the complex [Cu(INA)2(H2O)4] were studied in the Copper-catalyzed Azide-Alkyne Cycloaddition (CuAAC) and Biginelli reaction under solvent-free reaction conditions. The robust, efficient and eco-friendly new method allowed the preparation of a variety of 1,2,3-triazole compounds in good to excellent yields and high selectivity for the 1,4-disubstituted triazole. Moreover, for the Biginelli reaction between aldehydes, ethyl acetoacetate and urea, the corresponding dihydropyrimidinones (DHPMs) were also obtained in satisfactory yields under mild reaction conditions for both catalysts. The comparative study between Cu(INA)2-MOF and [Cu(INA)2(H2O)4] complex demonstrated better results for the Cu-MOF, for both the yields and the regioselectivity of the products. Furthermore, no change in the heterogeneous catalyst structure was observed after the reaction, allowing them to be recovered and reused without any loss of activity.

Synthesis of d-glyco-alkynone derivatives via carbonylative Sonogashira reaction.

A carbonylative Sonogashira coupling approach to the synthesis of glyco-alkynones is described. Eighteen examples were obtained in moderate do nearly quantitative yields under mild conditions employing Mo(CO)6 as a safe carbon monoxide source. Functionalization of the alkynyl moiety via cycloaddition with organic azides provided six examples of glyco-triazoles.