LIVIVO - The Search Portal for Life Sciences

zur deutschen Oberfläche wechseln
Advanced search

Search results

Result 1 - 10 of total 52

Search options

  1. Article ; Online: Could Endogenous Glucocorticoids Influence SARS-CoV-2 Infectivity?

    Hardy, Eugenio / Fernandez-Patron, Carlos

    Cells

    2022  Volume 11, Issue 19

    Abstract: Endogenous glucocorticoids and their synthetic analogues, such as dexamethasone, stimulate receptor-mediated signal transduction mechanisms on target cells. Some of these mechanisms result in beneficial outcomes whereas others are deleterious in the ... ...

    Abstract Endogenous glucocorticoids and their synthetic analogues, such as dexamethasone, stimulate receptor-mediated signal transduction mechanisms on target cells. Some of these mechanisms result in beneficial outcomes whereas others are deleterious in the settings of pathogen infections and immunological disorders. Here, we review recent studies by several groups, including our group, showing that glucocorticoids can directly interact with protein components on SARS-CoV-2, the causative agent of COVID-19. We postulate an antiviral defence mechanism by which endogenous glucocorticoids (e.g., cortisol produced in response to SARS-CoV-2 infection) can bind to multiple sites on SARS-CoV-2 surface protein, Spike, inducing conformational alterations in Spike subunit 1 (S1) that inhibit SARS-CoV-2 interaction with the host SARS-CoV-2 receptor, ACE2. We suggest that glucocorticoids-mediated inhibition of S1 interaction with ACE2 may, consequently, affect SARS-CoV-2 infectivity. Further, glucocorticoids interactions with Spike could protect against a broad spectrum of coronaviruses and their variants that utilize Spike for infection of the host. These notions may be useful for the design of new antivirals for coronavirus diseases.
    MeSH term(s) Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 ; Antiviral Agents/pharmacology ; COVID-19/drug therapy ; Dexamethasone ; Glucocorticoids/pharmacology ; Humans ; Hydrocortisone ; Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A/metabolism ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus/metabolism
    Chemical Substances Antiviral Agents ; Glucocorticoids ; Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus ; spike protein, SARS-CoV-2 ; Dexamethasone (7S5I7G3JQL) ; Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A (EC 3.4.15.1) ; Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 (EC 3.4.17.23) ; Hydrocortisone (WI4X0X7BPJ)
    Language English
    Publishing date 2022-09-21
    Publishing country Switzerland
    Document type Journal Article ; Review ; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
    ZDB-ID 2661518-6
    ISSN 2073-4409 ; 2073-4409
    ISSN (online) 2073-4409
    ISSN 2073-4409
    DOI 10.3390/cells11192955
    Database MEDical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System OnLINE

    More links

    Kategorien

  2. Article ; Online: Matrix Metalloproteinases in Health and Disease in the Times of COVID-19.

    Fernandez-Patron, Carlos / Hardy, Eugenio

    Biomolecules

    2022  Volume 12, Issue 5

    Abstract: Much has been written about matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in health and disease conditions, but their roles in the setting of COVID-19 and associated illnesses remain understudied [ ... ]. ...

    Abstract Much has been written about matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in health and disease conditions, but their roles in the setting of COVID-19 and associated illnesses remain understudied [...].
    MeSH term(s) COVID-19 ; Humans ; Matrix Metalloproteinases
    Chemical Substances Matrix Metalloproteinases (EC 3.4.24.-)
    Language English
    Publishing date 2022-05-11
    Publishing country Switzerland
    Document type Editorial ; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
    ZDB-ID 2701262-1
    ISSN 2218-273X ; 2218-273X
    ISSN (online) 2218-273X
    ISSN 2218-273X
    DOI 10.3390/biom12050692
    Database MEDical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System OnLINE

    More links

    Kategorien

  3. Article ; Online: Could a Non-Cellular Molecular Interactome in the Blood Circulation Influence Pathogens' Infectivity?

    Hardy, Eugenio / Sarker, Hassan / Fernandez-Patron, Carlos

    Cells

    2023  Volume 12, Issue 13

    Abstract: We advance the notion that much like artificial nanoparticles, relatively more complex biological entities with nanometric dimensions such as pathogens (viruses, bacteria, and other microorganisms) may also acquire a biomolecular corona upon entering the ...

    Abstract We advance the notion that much like artificial nanoparticles, relatively more complex biological entities with nanometric dimensions such as pathogens (viruses, bacteria, and other microorganisms) may also acquire a biomolecular corona upon entering the blood circulation of an organism. We view this biomolecular corona as a component of a much broader non-cellular blood interactome that can be highly specific to the organism, akin to components of the innate immune response to an invading pathogen. We review published supporting data and generalize these notions from artificial nanoparticles to viruses and bacteria. Characterization of the non-cellular blood interactome of an organism may help explain apparent differences in the susceptibility to pathogens among individuals. The non-cellular blood interactome is a candidate therapeutic target to treat infectious and non-infectious conditions.
    MeSH term(s) Humans ; Immunity, Innate ; Nanoparticles ; Viruses
    Language English
    Publishing date 2023-06-23
    Publishing country Switzerland
    Document type Journal Article ; Review ; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
    ZDB-ID 2661518-6
    ISSN 2073-4409 ; 2073-4409
    ISSN (online) 2073-4409
    ISSN 2073-4409
    DOI 10.3390/cells12131699
    Database MEDical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System OnLINE

    More links

    Kategorien

  4. Article ; Online: Targeting MMP-Regulation of Inflammation to Increase Metabolic Tolerance to COVID-19 Pathologies: A Hypothesis.

    Hardy, Eugenio / Fernandez-Patron, Carlos

    Biomolecules

    2021  Volume 11, Issue 3

    Abstract: Many individuals infected with the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) develop no or only mild symptoms, but some can go on onto develop a spectrum of pathologies including pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, ... ...

    Abstract Many individuals infected with the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) develop no or only mild symptoms, but some can go on onto develop a spectrum of pathologies including pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, respiratory failure, systemic inflammation, and multiorgan failure. Many pathogens, viral and non-viral, can elicit these pathologies, which justifies reconsidering whether the target of therapeutic approaches to fight pathogen infections should be (a) the pathogen itself, (b) the pathologies elicited by the pathogen interaction with the human host, or (c) a combination of both. While little is known about the immunopathology of SARS-CoV-2, it is well-established that the above-mentioned pathologies are associated with hyper-inflammation, tissue damage, and the perturbation of target organ metabolism. Mounting evidence has shown that these processes are regulated by endoproteinases (particularly, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs)). Here, we review what is known about the roles played by MMPs in the development of COVID-19 and postulate a mechanism by which MMPs could influence energy metabolism in target organs, such as the lung. Finally, we discuss the suitability of MMPs as therapeutic targets to increase the metabolic tolerance of the host to damage inflicted by the pathogen infection, with a focus on SARS-CoV-2.
    MeSH term(s) COVID-19/enzymology ; COVID-19/metabolism ; COVID-19/physiopathology ; COVID-19/virology ; Comorbidity ; Cytokines/metabolism ; Humans ; Inflammation/drug therapy ; Inflammation/enzymology ; Inflammation/metabolism ; Inflammation/pathology ; Lung/enzymology ; Lung/metabolism ; Lung/physiopathology ; Lung/virology ; Matrix Metalloproteinase Inhibitors/pharmacology ; Matrix Metalloproteinases/metabolism ; Protein Kinases/metabolism ; Respiratory Distress Syndrome/enzymology ; Respiratory Distress Syndrome/metabolism ; Respiratory Distress Syndrome/physiopathology ; Respiratory Distress Syndrome/virology ; SARS-CoV-2/pathogenicity ; Signal Transduction/drug effects ; Signal Transduction/genetics
    Chemical Substances Cytokines ; Matrix Metalloproteinase Inhibitors ; Protein Kinases (EC 2.7.-) ; AMP-activated protein kinase kinase (EC 2.7.1.-) ; Matrix Metalloproteinases (EC 3.4.24.-)
    Language English
    Publishing date 2021-03-06
    Publishing country Switzerland
    Document type Journal Article ; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
    ZDB-ID 2701262-1
    ISSN 2218-273X ; 2218-273X
    ISSN (online) 2218-273X
    ISSN 2218-273X
    DOI 10.3390/biom11030390
    Database MEDical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System OnLINE

    More links

    Kategorien

  5. Article ; Online: Potential of dissimilarity measure-based computation of protein thermal stability data for determining protein interactions.

    Teitz, Joshua / Sander, Joerg / Sarker, Hassan / Fernandez-Patron, Carlos

    Briefings in bioinformatics

    2023  Volume 24, Issue 3

    Abstract: Determining the interacting proteins in multiprotein complexes can be technically challenging. An emerging biochemical approach to this end is based on the 'thermal proximity co-aggregation' (TPCA) phenomenon. Accordingly, when two or more proteins ... ...

    Abstract Determining the interacting proteins in multiprotein complexes can be technically challenging. An emerging biochemical approach to this end is based on the 'thermal proximity co-aggregation' (TPCA) phenomenon. Accordingly, when two or more proteins interact to form a complex, they tend to co-aggregate when subjected to heat-induced denaturation and thus exhibit similar melting curves. Here, we explore the potential of leveraging TPCA for determining protein interactions. We demonstrate that dissimilarity measure-based information retrieval applied to melting curves tends to rank a protein-of-interest's interactors higher than its non-interactors, as shown in the context of pull-down assay results. Consequently, such rankings can reduce the number of confirmatory biochemical experiments needed to find bona fide protein-protein interactions. In general, rankings based on dissimilarity measures generated through metric learning further reduce the required number of experiments compared to those based on standard dissimilarity measures such as Euclidean distance. When a protein mixture's melting curves are obtained in two conditions, we propose a scoring function that uses melting curve data to inform how likely a protein pair is to interact in one condition but not another. We show that ranking protein pairs by their scores is an effective approach for determining condition-specific protein-protein interactions. By contrast, clustering melting curve data generally does not inform about the interacting proteins in multiprotein complexes. In conclusion, we report improved methods for dissimilarity measure-based computation of melting curves data that can greatly enhance the determination of interacting proteins in multiprotein complexes.
    MeSH term(s) Proteins ; Multiprotein Complexes
    Chemical Substances Proteins ; Multiprotein Complexes
    Language English
    Publishing date 2023-04-15
    Publishing country England
    Document type Journal Article ; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
    ZDB-ID 2068142-2
    ISSN 1477-4054 ; 1467-5463
    ISSN (online) 1477-4054
    ISSN 1467-5463
    DOI 10.1093/bib/bbad143
    Database MEDical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System OnLINE

    More links

    Kategorien

  6. Article: Destroy to Rebuild: The Connection Between Bone Tissue Remodeling and Matrix Metalloproteinases.

    Hardy, Eugenio / Fernandez-Patron, Carlos

    Frontiers in physiology

    2020  Volume 11, Page(s) 47

    Abstract: Bone is a dynamic organ that undergoes constant remodeling, an energetically costly process by which old bone is replaced and localized bone defects are repaired to renew the skeleton over time, thereby maintaining skeletal health. This review provides a ...

    Abstract Bone is a dynamic organ that undergoes constant remodeling, an energetically costly process by which old bone is replaced and localized bone defects are repaired to renew the skeleton over time, thereby maintaining skeletal health. This review provides a general overview of bone's main players (bone lining cells, osteocytes, osteoclasts, reversal cells, and osteoblasts) that participate in bone remodeling. Placing emphasis on the family of extracellular matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), we describe how: (i) Convergence of multiple protease families (including MMPs and cysteine proteinases) ensures complexity and robustness of the bone remodeling process, (ii) Enzymatic activity of MMPs affects bone physiology at the molecular and cellular levels and (iii) Either overexpression or deficiency/insufficiency of individual MMPs impairs healthy bone remodeling and systemic metabolism. Today, it is generally accepted that proteolytic activity is required for the degradation of bone tissue in osteoarthritis and osteoporosis. However, it is increasingly evident that inactivating mutations in MMP genes can also lead to bone pathology including osteolysis and metabolic abnormalities such as delayed growth. We argue that there remains a need to rethink the role played by proteases in bone physiology and pathology.
    Language English
    Publishing date 2020-02-05
    Publishing country Switzerland
    Document type Journal Article ; Review
    ZDB-ID 2564217-0
    ISSN 1664-042X
    ISSN 1664-042X
    DOI 10.3389/fphys.2020.00047
    Database MEDical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System OnLINE

    More links

    Kategorien

  7. Article ; Online: Biomarkers of ageing and frailty may predict COVID-19 severity.

    Wanhella, Kailyn J / Fernandez-Patron, Carlos

    Ageing research reviews

    2021  Volume 73, Page(s) 101513

    Abstract: Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by the novel coronavirus, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) - the culprit of an ongoing pandemic responsible for the loss of over 3 million lives worldwide within a year and a half. ...

    Abstract Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by the novel coronavirus, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) - the culprit of an ongoing pandemic responsible for the loss of over 3 million lives worldwide within a year and a half. While the majority of SARS-CoV-2 infected people develop no or mild symptoms, some become severely ill and may die from COVID-19-related complications. In this review, we compile and comment on a number of biomarkers that have been identified and are expected to enhance the detection, protection and treatment of individuals at high risk of developing severe illnesses, as well as enable the monitoring of COVID-19 prognosis and responsiveness to therapeutic interventions. Consistent with the emerging notion that the majority of COVID-19 deaths occur in older and frail individuals, we researched the scientific literature and report the identification of a subset of COVID-19 biomarkers indicative of increased vulnerability to developing severe COVID-19 in older and frail patients. Mechanistically, increased frailty results from reduced disease tolerance, a phenomenon aggravated by ageing and comorbidities. While biomarkers of ageing and frailty may predict COVID-19 severity, biomarkers of disease tolerance may predict resistance to COVID-19 with socio-economic factors such as access to adequate health care remaining as major non-biomolecular influencers of COVID-19 outcomes.
    MeSH term(s) Aged ; Aging ; Biomarkers ; COVID-19 ; Frailty/diagnosis ; Frailty/epidemiology ; Humans ; SARS-CoV-2
    Chemical Substances Biomarkers
    Language English
    Publishing date 2021-11-24
    Publishing country England
    Document type Journal Article ; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't ; Review
    ZDB-ID 2075672-0
    ISSN 1872-9649 ; 1568-1637
    ISSN (online) 1872-9649
    ISSN 1568-1637
    DOI 10.1016/j.arr.2021.101513
    Database MEDical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System OnLINE

    More links

    Kategorien

  8. Article ; Online: The Emerging Role of Epigenetic Mechanisms in the Causation of Aberrant MMP Activity during Human Pathologies and the Use of Medicinal Drugs.

    Sarker, Hassan / Haimour, Ayman / Toor, Ravneet / Fernandez-Patron, Carlos

    Biomolecules

    2021  Volume 11, Issue 4

    Abstract: Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) cleave extracellular matrix proteins, growth factors, cytokines, and receptors to influence organ development, architecture, function, and the systemic and cell-specific responses to diseases and pharmacological drugs. ... ...

    Abstract Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) cleave extracellular matrix proteins, growth factors, cytokines, and receptors to influence organ development, architecture, function, and the systemic and cell-specific responses to diseases and pharmacological drugs. Conversely, many diseases (such as atherosclerosis, arthritis, bacterial infections (tuberculosis), viral infections (COVID-19), and cancer), cholesterol-lowering drugs (such as statins), and tetracycline-class antibiotics (such as doxycycline) alter MMP activity through transcriptional, translational, and post-translational mechanisms. In this review, we summarize evidence that the aforementioned diseases and drugs exert significant epigenetic pressure on genes encoding MMPs, tissue inhibitors of MMPs, and factors that transcriptionally regulate the expression of MMPs. Our understanding of human pathologies associated with alterations in the proteolytic activity of MMPs must consider that these pathologies and their medicinal treatments may impose epigenetic pressure on the expression of MMP genes. Whether the epigenetic mechanisms affecting the activity of MMPs can be therapeutically targeted warrants further research.
    MeSH term(s) Animals ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/therapeutic use ; Bacterial Infections/drug therapy ; Bacterial Infections/genetics ; Bone Diseases/drug therapy ; Bone Diseases/genetics ; COVID-19/drug therapy ; COVID-19/genetics ; Cardiovascular Diseases/drug therapy ; Cardiovascular Diseases/genetics ; Drug Discovery ; Epigenesis, Genetic/drug effects ; Humans ; Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors/pharmacology ; Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors/therapeutic use ; Matrix Metalloproteinases/genetics ; Molecular Targeted Therapy ; Neoplasms/drug therapy ; Neoplasms/genetics ; Tetracyclines/pharmacology ; Tetracyclines/therapeutic use ; Virus Diseases/drug therapy ; Virus Diseases/genetics
    Chemical Substances Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors ; Tetracyclines ; Matrix Metalloproteinases (EC 3.4.24.-)
    Language English
    Publishing date 2021-04-15
    Publishing country Switzerland
    Document type Journal Article ; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't ; Review
    ZDB-ID 2701262-1
    ISSN 2218-273X ; 2218-273X
    ISSN (online) 2218-273X
    ISSN 2218-273X
    DOI 10.3390/biom11040578
    Database MEDical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System OnLINE

    More links

    Kategorien

  9. Article ; Online: Glucocorticoids Bind to SARS-CoV-2 S1 at Multiple Sites Causing Cooperative Inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 S1 Interaction With ACE2.

    Sarker, Hassan / Panigrahi, Rashmi / Hardy, Eugenio / Glover, J N Mark / Elahi, Shokrollah / Fernandez-Patron, Carlos

    Frontiers in immunology

    2022  Volume 13, Page(s) 906687

    Abstract: Dexamethasone may reduce mortality in COVID-19 patients. Whether dexamethasone or endogenous glucocorticoids, such as cortisol, biochemically interact with SARS-CoV-2 spike 1 protein (S1), or its cellular receptor ACE2, is unknown. Using molecular ... ...

    Abstract Dexamethasone may reduce mortality in COVID-19 patients. Whether dexamethasone or endogenous glucocorticoids, such as cortisol, biochemically interact with SARS-CoV-2 spike 1 protein (S1), or its cellular receptor ACE2, is unknown. Using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and binding energy calculations, we identified 162 druggable pockets in various conformational states of S1 and all possible binding pockets for cortisol and dexamethasone. Through biochemical binding studies, we confirmed that cortisol and dexamethasone bind to S1. Limited proteolysis and mass spectrometry analyses validated several MD identified binding pockets for cortisol and dexamethasone on S1. Interaction assays indicated that cortisol and dexamethasone separately and cooperatively disrupt S1 interaction with ACE2, through direct binding to S1, without affecting ACE2 catalytic activity. Cortisol disrupted the binding of the mutant S1 Beta variant (E484K, K417N, N501Y) to ACE2. Delta and Omicron variants are mutated in or near identified cortisol-binding pockets in S1, which may affect cortisol binding to them. In the presence of cortisol, we find increased inhibition of S1 binding to ACE2 by an anti-SARS-CoV-2 S1 human chimeric monoclonal antibody against the receptor binding domain. Whether glucocorticoid/S1 direct interaction is an innate defence mechanism that may have contributed to mild or asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection deserves further investigation.
    MeSH term(s) Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 ; Antibodies, Viral ; COVID-19/drug therapy ; Dexamethasone/pharmacology ; Glucocorticoids/pharmacology ; Humans ; Hydrocortisone ; Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A/metabolism ; SARS-CoV-2
    Chemical Substances Antibodies, Viral ; Glucocorticoids ; Dexamethasone (7S5I7G3JQL) ; Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A (EC 3.4.15.1) ; Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 (EC 3.4.17.23) ; Hydrocortisone (WI4X0X7BPJ)
    Language English
    Publishing date 2022-06-15
    Publishing country Switzerland
    Document type Journal Article ; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
    ZDB-ID 2606827-8
    ISSN 1664-3224 ; 1664-3224
    ISSN (online) 1664-3224
    ISSN 1664-3224
    DOI 10.3389/fimmu.2022.906687
    Database MEDical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System OnLINE

    More links

    Kategorien

  10. Article ; Online: Residual serum fibrinogen as a universal biomarker for all serotypes of Myasthenia gravis.

    Hussain, Faraz S / Piragasam, Ramanaguru S / Sarker, Hassan / Blackmore, Derrick / Yacyshyn, Elaine / Fernandez-Patron, Carlos / Fahlman, Richard P / Siddiqi, Zaeem A

    Scientific reports

    2023  Volume 13, Issue 1, Page(s) 21229

    Abstract: Myasthenia Gravis (MG) is an autoimmune disease associated with severe neuromuscular weakness. Diagnostic confirmation of MG is typically delayed and secured in about 85% and 50% of patients with generalized and ocular MG, respectively with serum ... ...

    Abstract Myasthenia Gravis (MG) is an autoimmune disease associated with severe neuromuscular weakness. Diagnostic confirmation of MG is typically delayed and secured in about 85% and 50% of patients with generalized and ocular MG, respectively with serum antibodies. We have identified a sensitive and specific diagnostic biomarker for various MG serotypes with quantitative proteomics. Serum proteomes of 18 individuals (MG patients, healthy controls (HC), Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) were quantified in a pilot study and occurrence of high residual fibrinogen was validated by immunoblotting and further investigated by targeted mass spectrometry on the sera of 79 individuals (31 MG of various serotypes, 30 HC, 18 RA). Initial proteomic analysis identified high residual fibrinogen in MG patient sera which was then validated by antibody-based testing. Subsequently, a blinded study of independent samples showed 100% differentiation of MG patients from controls. A final serological quantification of 14 surrogate peptides derived from α-, β-, and γ-subunits of fibrinogen in 79 individuals revealed fibrinogen to be highly specific and 100% sensitive for MG (p < 0.00001), with a remarkable average higher abundance of > 1000-fold over control groups. Our unanticipated discovery of high levels of residual serum fibrinogen in all MG patients can secure rapid bedside diagnosis of MG.
    MeSH term(s) Humans ; Fibrinogen ; Proteomics ; Pilot Projects ; Serogroup ; Myasthenia Gravis ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid ; Hemostatics ; Biomarkers ; Autoantibodies
    Chemical Substances Fibrinogen (9001-32-5) ; Hemostatics ; Biomarkers ; Autoantibodies
    Language English
    Publishing date 2023-12-01
    Publishing country England
    Document type Journal Article
    ZDB-ID 2615211-3
    ISSN 2045-2322 ; 2045-2322
    ISSN (online) 2045-2322
    ISSN 2045-2322
    DOI 10.1038/s41598-023-47559-x
    Database MEDical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System OnLINE

    More links

    Kategorien

To top