Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Agnieszka Dettlaff-Pokora, Julian Swierczynski
Summary: SARS-CoV-2 impairs the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system by binding the ACE2 enzyme, leading to an increase in angiotensin 2 and a decrease in angiotensin (1-7), potentially worsening damage to the lungs.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Steven D. Brooks, Rachel L. Smith, Aline S. Moreira, Hans C. Ackerman
Summary: Lisinopril increases ACE2 expression in tissues relevant to COVID-19, while adding losartan prevents the lisinopril-induced increase. A sex difference was observed with higher ACE2 levels in the kidneys of male mice.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Tomokazu Yamaguchi, Midori Hoshizaki, Takafumi Minato, Satoru Nirasawa, Masamitsu N. Asaka, Mayumi Niiyama, Masaki Imai, Akihiko Uda, Jasper Fuk-Woo Chan, Saori Takahashi, Jianbo An, Akari Saku, Ryota Nukiwa, Daichi Utsumi, Maki Kiso, Atsuhiro Yasuhara, Vincent Kwok-Man Poon, Chris Chung-Sing Chan, Yuji Fujino, Satoru Motoyama, Satoshi Nagata, Josef M. Penninger, Haruhiko Kamada, Kwok-Yung Yuen, Wataru Kamitani, Ken Maeda, Yoshihiro Kawaoka, Yasuhiro Yasutomi, Yumiko Imai, Keiji Kuba
Summary: Endogenous ACE2 is a receptor for SARS-CoV-2 and a recombinant soluble ACE2 protein can act as a decoy to inhibit virus infection. The ACE2-like enzyme B38-CAP is shown to be protective against SARS-CoV-2-induced lung injury, providing potential therapeutic strategies for COVID-19 patients.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Pierre Isnard, Paul Vergnaud, Serge Garbay, Matthieu Jamme, Maeva Eloudzeri, Alexandre Karras, Dany Anglicheau, Valerie Galantine, Arwa Jalal Eddine, Clement Gosset, Franck Pourcine, Mohammed Zarhrate, Jean-Baptiste Gibier, Elena Rensen, Stefano Pietropaoli, Giovanna Barba-Spaeth, Jean-Paul Duong-Van-Huyen, Thierry J. Molina, Florian Mueller, Christophe Zimmer, Marco Pontoglio, Fabiola Terzi, Marion Rabant
Summary: Acute kidney injury is a significant complication in COVID-19 patients, and it is associated with poor prognosis. The major pathological feature in COVID-19 patients is acute tubular injury. The study showed that SARS-CoV-2 can directly infect renal cells and identified potential therapeutic targets.
Article
Microbiology
Mohammad Rubayet Hasan, Muneera Naseer Ahmad, Soha Roger Dargham, Hatem Zayed, Alaa Al Hashemi, Nonhlanhla Ngwabi, Andres Perez Lopez, Simon Dobson, Laith Jamal Abu Raddad, Patrick Tang
Summary: Research shows that in families with SARS-CoV-2 infection, adults have higher levels of ACE2 compared to children, with no significant differences in gene expression between adults and children. However, in families with infected adult family members, SARS-CoV-2 positive children have significantly higher expression of ACE2 and TMPRSS2.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ilaria Caputo, Brasilina Caroccia, Ilaria Frasson, Elena Poggio, Stefania Zamberlan, Margherita Morpurgo, Teresa M. Seccia, Tito Cali, Marisa Brini, Sara N. Richter, Gian Paolo Rossi
Summary: Blockers of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) can increase the expression of ACE2, the cellular receptor of SARS-CoV-2, and thus increase the risk of COVID-19. This study found that angiotensin II (Ang II) significantly increased the levels of ACE2 expression by acting on the angiotensin type 1 receptor, resulting in enhanced viral entry into cells. However, the blockade of ACE-1-mediated Ang II formation and ACE2-mediated Ang II conversion did not have any effect. Therefore, increased production of Ang II in patients with an activated RAS may lead to a greater spread of COVID-19 infection in lung cells.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yu Wang, Hikari Takeshita, Koichi Yamamoto, Yibin Huang, Cheng Wang, Tsuneo Nakajima, Yoichi Nozato, Taku Fujimoto, Serina Yokoyama, Kazuhiro Hongyo, Futoshi Nakagami, Hiroshi Akasaka, Yoichi Takami, Yasushi Takeya, Ken Sugimoto, Hiromi Rakugi
Summary: This study found that Ang II did not affect ACE2 and other molecules associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection, supporting recent observational studies suggesting that the use of RASi is not a risk factor for COVID-19.
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Iqrar Ahmad, Rahul Pawara, Sanjay Surana, Harun Patel
Summary: COVID-19 is caused by SARS-CoV-2, which enters host cells primarily through the ACE2 receptor. There is currently no effective treatment, so inhibiting ACE2 may be crucial in preventing viral invasion. This review summarizes in silico studies and drug repurposing efforts targeting ACE2 for researchers aiming to combat COVID-19.
TOPICS IN CURRENT CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Virology
Anderson Brito-Azevedo, Eduardo Costa Pinto, Gabriel Angelo de Cata Preta Correa, Eliete Bouskela
Summary: A shunt mechanism by intrapulmonary vascular dilatation (IPVD) is present among patients with COVID-19, which may be implicated in significant hypoxemia observed.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY
(2021)
Review
Chemistry, Medicinal
Enrique Ambrocio-Ortiz, Gloria Perez-Rubio, Alma D. Del Angel-Pablo, Ivette Buendia-Roldan, Leslie Chavez-Galan, Rafael de Jesus Hernandez-Zenteno, Alejandra Ramirez-Venegas, Jorge Rojas-Serrano, Mayra Mejia, Rogelio Perez-Padilla, Cristobal Guadarrama-Perez, Ramces Falfan-Valencia
Summary: ACE2 is a crucial protein involved in various diseases, especially in the infection caused by SARS-CoV-2, playing a significant role in recognizing viral binding proteins.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Noelia Diaz-Troyano, Pablo Gabriel-Medina, Stephen Weber, Martin Klammer, Raquel Barquin-DelPino, Laura Castillo-Ribelles, Angels Esteban, Manuel Hernandez-Gonzalez, Roser Ferrer-Costa, Tomas Pumarola, Francisco Rodriguez-Frias
Summary: The predictive value of soluble angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (sACE2) in predicting hospitalization risk and disease severity in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection was evaluated. Compared with discharged patients, levels of sACE2 were significantly lower, while levels of CRP, GDF-15, IL-6, and sFlt-1 were significantly higher in hospitalized patients with SARS-CoV-2. sACE2 could be further investigated as a potential biomarker or as part of a panel to predict the severity of COVID-19 and the need for hospitalization.
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Mohammad Muzaffar Mir, Rashid Mir, Mushabab Ayed Abdullah Alghamdi, Badr Abdulmohsin Alsayed, Javed Iqbal Wani, Muffarah Hamid Alharthi, Abdullah M. AL-Shahrani
Summary: The study indicated that ACE-DD genotype and D allele were strongly associated with increased COVID-19 patient severity. Additionally, ACE I/D polymorphism were strongly associated with advanced age, diabetes and ischemic heart disease in COVID-19 patients, while ACE-II genotype was a protective factor against the development of severe COVID-19. ACE2-DD genotype was strongly associated with increased COVID-19 mortality. Moreover, ACE2-CC and CT genotypes were strongly associated with COVID-19 severity. Therefore, the study may help identify susceptible population groups for targeted interventions and public health policy decisions.
JOURNAL OF PERSONALIZED MEDICINE
(2021)
Review
Virology
Chaogeng Zhu, Guiyun He, Qinqin Yin, Lin Zeng, Xiangli Ye, Yongzhong Shi, Wei Xu
Summary: The global COVID-19 pandemic has caused over 146 million confirmed cases, with no established treatment available for patients. Understanding the infectivity and pathogenicity mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2, particularly the S protein, is crucial for developing intervention strategies. Insights from the structure of the SARS-CoV-2 S protein may pave the way for more effective strategies against the ongoing pandemic.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Hassan Sarker, Rashmi Panigrahi, Eugenio Hardy, J. N. Mark Glover, Shokrollah Elahi, Carlos Fernandez-Patron
Summary: This study suggests that dexamethasone and cortisol can bind to the spike 1 protein (S1) of SARS-CoV-2, disrupting its interaction with ACE2 and potentially inhibiting viral entry. The study also found that certain S1 mutations may affect the binding of cortisol. Further investigation is needed to determine if the direct interaction between glucocorticoids and S1 is a natural defense mechanism against SARS-CoV-2 infection.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Nguyen Thanh Tung, Po-Ching Cheng, Kai-Hsien Chi, Ta-Chi Hsiao, Timothy Jones, Kelly BeruBe, Kin-Fai Ho, Hsiao-Chi Chuang
Summary: COVID-19 caused by SARS-CoV-2 has become a global pandemic. Particulate matter (PM) may act as a carrier for SARS-CoV-2 transmission, with PM increasing the expression of ACE2 in the lungs, facilitating viral adhesion. This suggests that PM could be a direct and indirect transmission model for SARS-CoV-2 infection.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Hai-ying Zhang, Hui Shen, Chloe J. Jordan, Qing-rong Liu, Eliot L. Gardner, Antonello Bonci, Zheng-xiong Xi
ACTA PHARMACOLOGICA SINICA
(2019)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Akitoyo Hishimoto, Olga Pletnikova, Doyle Lu Lang, Juan C. Troncoso, Josephine M. Egan, Qing-Rong Liu
ALZHEIMERS RESEARCH & THERAPY
(2019)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Boxun Zhao, Qixi Wu, Adam Yongxin Ye, Jing Guo, Xianing Zheng, Xiaoxu Yang, Linlin Yan, Qing-Rong Liu, Thomas M. Hyde, Liping Wei, August Yue Huang
Article
Cell Biology
Stephanie Lazo, Nicole Noren Hooten, Jamal Green, Erez Eitan, Nicolle A. Mode, Qing-Rong Liu, Alan B. Zonderman, Ngozi Ezike, Mark P. Mattson, Paritosh Ghosh, Michele K. Evans
Summary: The mitochondrial free radical theory of aging posits that oxidative damage to mitochondria and mtDNA contributes to aging. This study found a portion of ccf-mtDNA in plasma is encapsulated in EVs, and that EV mtDNA levels decrease with age. Additionally, EVs from old and young donors had differential effects on mitochondrial respiration, suggesting an age-dependent impact of EVs on mitochondrial energetics.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Qing-Rong Liu, Ana Canseco-Alba, Ying Liang, Hiroki Ishiguro, Emmanuel S. Onaivi
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2020)
Article
Cell Biology
Yoo Kim, Sudeep Gautam, Kanikkai Raja Aseer, Jaekwan Kim, Prabha Chandrasekaran, Caio Henrique Mazucanti, Paritosh Ghosh, Jennifer F. O'Connell, Maire E. Doyle, Ashley Appleton, Elin Lehrmann, Qing-Rong Liu, Josephine M. Egan
CELL DEATH & DISEASE
(2020)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Hai-Ying Zhang, Lindsay De Biase, Ramesh Chandra, Hui Shen, Qing-Rong Liu, Eliot Gardner, Mary Kay Lobo, Zheng-Xiong Xi
Summary: Cannabinoid CB2 receptors are involved in drug reward and addiction. Repeated cocaine exposure increases CB2R expression in the brain and spleen, while repeated heroin administration leads to a dose-dependent reduction in CB2 mRNA expression in the striatum. Upregulation of CB2R mainly occurs in D-1-MSNs, not in D-2-MSNs or microglia.
ACTA PHARMACOLOGICA SINICA
(2022)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Qing-Rong Liu, Min Zhu, Pingbo Zhang, Caio H. Mazucanti, Nicholas S. Huang, Doyle L. Lang, Qinghua Chen, Pavan Auluck, Stefano Marenco, Jennifer F. O'Connell, Luigi Ferrucci, Chee W. Chia, Josephine M. Egan
Summary: The human insulin gene has diverged from ancestral genes millions of years ago and recent research revealed novel isoforms and protein products. A new peptide segment named Cα-peptide was found, distinct from the conventional C-peptide. The ratio of a 74-amino acid proinsulin to proconvertase-processed Cα-peptide was significantly increased in type 2 diabetes mellitus autopsy donors, suggesting potential clinical relevance.
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Qing-Rong Liu, Kanikkai Raja Aseer, Qin Yao, Xiaoming Zhong, Paritosh Ghosh, Jennifer F. O'Connell, Josephine M. Egan
Summary: CB2R may play important roles in autoimmune diabetes by regulating inflammasomes, intracellular autophagy, and extracellular vesicle release, which in turn regulate the function of pancreatic islets.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Psychiatry
Ana Canseco-Alba, Branden Sanabria, Mariam Hammouda, Rollanda Bernadin, Marizel Mina, Qing-Rong Liu, Emmanuel S. Onaivi
Summary: DAT-Cnr2 cKO mice, which do not express CB2R in midbrain dopamine neurons, exhibit reduced hyperactivity phenotype and decreased anxiety-like behavior, but increased impulsivity and risky behavior. They also show deficient response in delay decision making and perform similarly to WT mice in attention tests. The study suggests that DAT-Cnr2 cKO mice may serve as a possible model for studying the neurobiological basis of ADHD.
FRONTIERS IN PSYCHIATRY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Qing-Rong Liu, Min Zhu, Qinghua Chen, Maja Mustapic, Dimitrios Kapogiannis, Josephine M. Egan
Summary: This study uncovered novel peptides associated with human-specific IAPP isoforms, which could serve as blood-based biomarkers for early Alzheimer's disease and be developed as peptide-based anti-amyloid medicine.
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Berhanu Geresu Kibret, Aaliyah Roberts, Adam Kneebone, Shymaa Embaby, Justin Fernandez, Qing-Rong Liu, Emmanuel S. Onaivi
Summary: The endocannabinoid system (ECS) plays an important role in modulating alcohol-induced neuroinflammation and behavioral impairments. The cannabinoid type 2 receptors (CB2Rs) have been found to be involved in regulating behavior and neuroinflammation, suggesting their potential as therapeutic targets for alcohol use disorder.
BEHAVIOURAL BRAIN RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Caio Henrique Mazucanti, Vernon Kennedy, Hasitha U. Premathilake, Maire E. Doyle, Jane Tian, Qing-Rong Liu, Jennifer O'Connell, Simonetta Camandola, Josephine M. Egan
Summary: The choroid plexus is an important source of insulin in the central nervous system, and its secretion is regulated by Htr2c-mediated signaling. Modulating insulin expression in the choroid plexus affects food intake, anxiety behavior, and synaptic processes in the hypothalamus. Additionally, CP-derived insulin directly acts on the hypothalamus through Gq signaling.
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Caio Henrique Mazucanti, Qing-Rong Liu, Doyle Lang, Nicholas Huang, Jennifer F. O'Connell, Simonetta Camandola, Josephine M. Egan