SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein, rather than spike protein, triggers a cytokine storm originating from lung epithelial cells in patients with COVID-19.
Infection
; 52(3): 955-983, 2024 Jun.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-38133713
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE:
The aim of this study was to elucidate the factors associated with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) that may initiate cytokine cascades and correlate the clinical characteristics of patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) with their serum cytokine profiles.METHODS:
Recombinant baculoviruses displaying SARS-CoV-2 spike or nucleocapsid protein were constructed and transfected into A549 cells and THP-1-derived macrophages, to determine which protein initiate cytokine release. SARS-CoV-2-specific antibody titers and cytokine profiles of patients with COVID-19 were determined, and the results were associated with their clinical characteristics, such as development of pneumonia or length of hospital stay.RESULTS:
The SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein, rather than the spike protein, triggers lung epithelial A549 cells to express IP-10, RANTES, IL-16, MIP-1α, basic FGF, eotaxin, IL-15, PDGF-BB, TRAIL, VEGF-A, and IL-5. Additionally, serum CTACK, basic FGF, GRO-α, IL-1α, IL-1RA, IL-2Rα, IL-9, IL-15, IL-16, IL-18, IP-10, M-CSF, MIF, MIG, RANTES, SCGF-ß, SDF-1α, TNF-α, TNF-ß, VEGF, PDGF-BB, TRAIL, ß-NGF, eotaxin, GM-CSF, IFN-α2, INF-γ, and MCP-1 levels were considerably increased in patients with COVID-19. Among them, patients with pneumonia had higher serum IP-10 and M-CSF levels than patients without. Patients requiring less than 3 weeks to show negative COVID-19 tests after contracting COVID-19 had higher serum IP-10 levels than the remaining patients.CONCLUSION:
Our study revealed that nucleocapsid protein, lung epithelial cells, and IP-10 may be potential targets for the development of new strategies to prevent, or control, severe COVID-19.Palabras clave
Texto completo:
1
Banco de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Citocinas
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Células Epiteliales
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Glicoproteína de la Espiga del Coronavirus
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Proteínas de la Nucleocápside de Coronavirus
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SARS-CoV-2
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COVID-19
Límite:
Adult
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Aged
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Female
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Humans
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Male
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Middle aged
Idioma:
En
Año:
2024
Tipo del documento:
Article