
SARS-CoV-2 infection in endothelial cells.
- SARS-CoV-2 likely activates endothelial cell responses in patients which contributes to serious lung symptoms, vascular obstruction and respiratory distress with Covid-19.
- A study shows that endothelial cells which line capillaries lack ACE2 receptors for SARS-CoV-2 attachment and suggests that SARS-CoV-2 indirectly activates endothelial cell linked disease mechanisms that direct coagulation and inflammation associated with severe Covid-19 disease.
- As a result, endothelial cell activation and SARS-CoV-2 induced endothelial cell responses may be potential therapeutic targets to help resolve Covid-19 disease.
For Covid-19 patients with serious lung disease, targeting endothelial cells –cells that comprise the blood vessel wall which regulate oxygen exchange between airways and the bloodstream– may be a novel approach restoring normal lung function. This hypothesis stems from a study by researchers in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology in the Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University and published in mBio, the leading journal for the American Society for Microbiology.
SARS-CoV-2 causes Covid-19, characterized by pulmonary edema, viral pneumonia, coagulopathy, inflammation and other physiological abnormalities. SARS-CoV-2 uses angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptors to infect and damage ciliated epithelial vascular cells in the upper respiratory tract. Yet how SARS2 dysregulates vascular functions causing an acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in Covid-19 patients remains an enigma.
Led by Erich Mackow, PhD, a Professor of Microbiology and Immunology, the team of scientists sought to unravel this mechanism by investigating SARS-CoV-2 infection of human endothelial cells from the lung, brain, heart and kidney that are impacted in COVID-19 patients.
“Claims that endothelial cells are infected by SARS-CoV-2 through ACE2 receptors have never been assessed directly,” said Mackow. “Our research revealed that endothelial cells lack ACE2 receptors and that endothelial cells were only SARS-CoV-2 infected after expressing ACE2 receptors in them. Since endothelial cell functions are dysregualted by SARS-CoV-2, these findings suggest a novel mechanism of regulation that does not require viral infection. Instead it suggests the indirect activation of the endothelium, potentially resulting from surrounding tissue damage, that could be the basis for further research to therapeutically target and restore normal endothelial cell responses.”
Mackow adds that their work centers on both endothelial cells and ACE2 functions in Covid-19 disease to identify mechanisms of capillary inflammation and aberrant clotting within vessels. He explains that the research reveals a novel mechanism of clotting and endothelial inflammation observed in the lung and heart of COVID-19 patients.
“A transformative change in the mechanism of endothelial cell dysfunction, not the infection of the cells themselves, changes the way in which disease is initiated and rationales for therapeutic targeting. If endothelial cells are not infected or directly damaged, they can still direct inflammation and clotting by just being activated,” he concludes from the research findings.
The team is working on how endothelial cells can be activated by the virus or in response to other SARS-CoV-2 infected lung cells that express ACE2.
The research suggests the potential to therapeutically target activation, rather than infection of the endothelium, as a strategy for resolving coagulation and inflammatory Covid-19 symptoms.
Mackow emphasizes that additional research of endothelial cells and down-regulated ACE2 functions following SARS-CoV-2 infection are necessary to determine targets that could lead to a reduction in respiratory distress and symptoms of Covid-19 patients.
The Latest Updates from Bing News & Google News
Go deeper with Bing News on:
Endothelial cell targeting
- AVEO Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:AVEO) Upgraded at Zacks Investment Researchon January 22, 2021 at 1:40 am
Zacks Investment Research upgraded shares of AVEO Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:AVEO) from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research report sent to investors on Tuesday morning, Zacks.com reports.
- AVEO Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:AVEO) Upgraded to “Hold” at Zacks Investment Researchon January 13, 2021 at 3:02 am
Zacks Investment Research upgraded shares of AVEO Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:AVEO) from a sell rating to a hold rating in a report issued on Tuesday, Zacks.com reports. According to Zacks, “AVEO ...
- Researchers discover a new approach to inhibit intrahepatic cholangiocarcinomaon January 12, 2021 at 6:23 pm
Reprogramming the rich connective tissue microenvironment of a liver cancer known as intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) inhibits its progression and resistance to standard chemotherapy in animal ...
- Discovery of a new approach to inhibiting a highly treatment-refractory liver canceron January 12, 2021 at 9:06 am
Reprogramming the rich connective tissue microenvironment of a liver cancer known as intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) inhibits its progression and resistance to standard chemotherapy in animal ...
- 1 antibody blocks dengue virus infection in miceon January 11, 2021 at 6:53 am
One antibody can block the dengue virus from causing disease in mice, a study shows. The finding could lead to more effective treatments and a vaccine.
Go deeper with Google Headlines on:
Endothelial cell targeting
Go deeper with Bing News on:
Coagulation and inflammatory Covid-19 symptoms
- Growing Number of Children Getting Infected With COVID-19: Reporton January 22, 2021 at 4:50 pm
A growing number of children are getting infected with the coronavirus and are showing symptoms. According to the state health department, seven children have died since they pandemic began. More than ...
- Full-dose blood thinners decreased need for life support and improved outcome in hospitalized COVID-19 patientson January 22, 2021 at 8:28 am
Full doses of blood thinners, in addition to being safe, were superior to the doses normally given to prevent blood clots in hospitalized patients.
- ACE2 and furin levels linked to inflammation in smokers with COVID-19on January 21, 2021 at 8:08 pm
A new study reports the level of ACE2 and furin, two enzymes that are intimately linked to infection with SARS-CoV-2, the causative agent of COVID-19.
- Coronavirus: 5 COVID-19 Symptoms That Won’t Seem to goon January 21, 2021 at 8:03 pm
Decoding 5 unpleasant Long Coronavirus symptoms that linger in the body for a long time. All you need to know!
- Blood may hold clues to some of COVID-19's most mysterious symptomson January 19, 2021 at 3:51 pm
The most severe cases of COVID-19 begin with leaky blood vessels. Breaches in the vascular system cause inflammation and coagulation, as fluid floods the lungs. Meanwhile, a host of seemingly ...