Journal
JOURNAL OF ALLERGY AND CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY
Volume 149, Issue 3, Pages 923-+Publisher
MOSBY-ELSEVIER
DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2021.11.019
Keywords
COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; bacterial lysate; OM-85; epithelial cells; ACE2; TMPRSS2
Categories
Funding
- OM Pharma SA
- NIH [T32 ES007091]
- BIO5 Institute
- [T32 HL007249]
- [P01AI148104]
- [R21AI144722]
- [R25HL126140]
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In this study, OM-85 treatment significantly downregulated ACE2 and TMPRSS2 expression in epithelial cells, inhibiting the entry of SARS-CoV-2 and potentially preventing and reducing the severity of COVID-19. Further research is needed to explore the potential of OM-85 as a therapeutic option for coronavirus disease 2019.
Background: Treatments for coronavirus disease 2019, which is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), are urgently needed but remain limited. SARS-CoV-2 infects cells through interactions of its spike (S) protein with angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and transmembrane protease serine 2 (TMPRSS2) on host cells. Multiple cells and organs are targeted, particularly airway epithelial cells. OM-85, a standardized lysate of human airway bacteria with strong immunomodulating properties and an impeccable safety profile, is widely used to prevent recurrent respiratory infections. We found that airway OM-85 administration inhibits Ace2 and Tmprss2 transcription in the mouse lung, suggesting that OM-85 might hinder SARS-CoV-2/host cell interactions. Objectives: We sought to investigate whether and how OM-85 treatment protects nonhuman primate and human epithelial cells against SARS-CoV-2. Methods: ACE2 and TMPRSS2 mRNA and protein expression, cell binding of SARS-CoV-2 S1 protein, cell entry of SARS-CoV-2 S protein-pseudotyped lentiviral particles, and SARS-CoV-2 cell infection were measured in kidney, lung, and intestinal epithelial cell lines, primary human bronchial epithelial cells, and ACE2-transfected HEK293T cells treated with OM-85 in vitro. Results: OM-85 significantly downregulated ACE2 and TMPRSS2 transcription and surface ACE2 protein expression in epithelial cell lines and primary bronchial epithelial cells. OM-85 also strongly inhibited SARS-CoV-2 S1 protein binding to, SARS-CoV-2 S protein-pseudotyped lentivirus entry into, and SARS-CoV-2 infection of epithelial cells. These effects of OM-85 appeared to depend on SARS-CoV-2 receptor downregulation. Conclusions: OM-85 inhibits SARS-CoV-2 epithelial cell infection in vitro by downregulating SARS-CoV-2 receptor expression. Further studies are warranted to assess whether OM-85 may prevent and/or reduce the severity of coronavirus disease 2019.
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