Apelin as a new therapeutic target for COVID-19 treatment.
QJM
; 116(3): 197-204, 2023 Mar 27.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-36200913
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Apelin is an endogenous neuropeptide that binds to the G-protein-coupled receptor (APJ) and participates in a variety of physiological processes in the heart, lungs and other peripheral organs. Intriguingly, [Pyr1]-Apelin-13, a highly potent pyroglutamic form of apelin, has the potential to bind to and be degraded by angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). ACE2 is known to operate as a viral receptor in the early stages of severe acute respiratory coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) infection.AIM:
This study aimed to determine if apelin protects against SARS-CoV-2 infection by inhibiting ACE2 binding to SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. DESIGN ANDMETHODS:
To determine whether [Pyr1]-Apelin-13 inhibits ACE2 binding to the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein (S protein), we performed a cell-to-cell fusion assay using ACE2-expressing cells and S protein-expressing cells and a pseudovirus-based inhibition assay. We then analyzed publicly available transcriptome data while focusing on the beneficial effects of apelin on the lungs.RESULTS:
We found that [Pyr1]-Apelin-13 inhibits cell-to-cell fusion mediated by ACE2 binding to the S protein. In this experiment, [Pyr1]-Apelin-13 protected human bronchial epithelial cells, infected with pseudo-typed lentivirus-producing S protein, against viral infection. In the presence of [Pyr1]-Apelin-13, the level of viral spike protein expression was also reduced in a concentration-dependent manner. Transcriptome analysis revealed that apelin may control inflammatory responses to viral infection by inhibiting the nuclear factor kappa B pathway.CONCLUSION:
Apelin is a potential therapeutic candidate against SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
COVID-19
Limits:
Humans
Language:
En
Journal:
QJM
Journal subject:
MEDICINA
Year:
2023
Document type:
Article