SARS-CoV-2引发缺血性脑卒中的机制研究进展

新型冠状病毒（Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2,SARS-CoV-2）目前仍在全球肆虐传播，在引发2019新冠肺炎（Corona virus disease 2019,COVID-19）的同时，还能造成感染者中枢神经系统的损伤。缺血性脑卒中是COVID-19相关神经系统损伤常见病之一。本文归纳出SARS-CoV-2进入中枢的途径，以及该病毒是如何通过介导氧化应激反应、肾素-血管紧张素系统的失调、攻击血管内皮细胞、激活NLRP3炎症小体、释放中性粒细胞胞外陷阱、引发细胞因子风暴等一系列分子机制导致缺血性脑卒中的发病，以期为疾病的临床预防和治疗提供一些新的见解和思路。     

新型冠状病毒与系统损伤研究

自2019年12月全国及世界范围爆发了新型冠状病毒性肺炎(corona virus disease 2019,COVID-19),给中国和全球公共卫生安全带来了极大的挑战。研究发现,新型冠状病毒(severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2,SARS-CoV-2)不仅损伤呼吸系统,对心血管系统、泌尿系统、消化系统、中枢神经系统、免疫系统和生殖系统等均有不同程度损伤。因此,全面掌握SARS-CoV-2的基本情况、COVID-19的流行病学特征及引发的主要系统损伤,可为COVID-19的筛查、诊断、防治及预后提供依据。     

新型冠状病毒的结构基础与新型冠状病毒肺炎的临床药物治疗

新型冠状病毒肺炎(corona virus disease 2019, COVID-19)是指由新型冠状病毒(severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus2, SARS-CoV-2)感染导致的肺炎。SARS-CoV-2结合细胞表面受体——血管紧张素转化酶2 (angiotensin-converting enzyme 2,ACE2)感染肺部细胞,导致白细胞浸润,血管和肺泡壁通透性增加,肺表面活性物质减少,引起呼吸系统症状。局部的炎症加重引起细胞因子风暴,造成全身性炎症反应综合征。2019年12月,武汉市卫生健康委员会报告了多例新型肺炎,分离并确定了病原体SARS-CoV-2。截至2020年9月13日,全世界216个国家或地区受累,2 860余万人确诊COVID-19,90余万人死于该疾病,病死率高达3.20%。到目前为止,尚无特效药物可治疗COVID-19,因此解析病毒结构,探索治疗药物显得尤其重要。本文总结了SARS-CoV-2的病毒结构和COVID-19的临床药物治疗,并分析了他们之间可能的相关性。     

2019冠状病毒病的发病机制研究进展

由严重急性呼吸综合征冠状病毒2(severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2,SARS-CoV-2)引起的病毒性肺炎已经扩散到全球200多个国家和地区,导致了数十万人死亡。2019冠状病毒病(coronavirus disease 19,COVID-19)的流行病学、致病机制和临床治疗方法成为各国政府以及科研界亟待研究解决的重大问题。本文对SARS-CoV-2的病原学特征及COVID-19的发病机制、病理学研究进展进行综述,重点评述病毒受体人血管紧张素转换酶Ⅱ (human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2,ACE2)与病毒致病机制的相关性,为后续研究与防治提供参考。     

NK细胞免疫治疗防治COVID-19应用潜力的研究进展

新型冠状病毒肺炎(corona virus disease 2019, COVID-19)作为一种新发型急性呼吸道传染病,目前已对全球公共卫生安全构成严重威胁。严重急性呼吸综合征冠状病毒2(severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, SARS-CoV-2)感染导致COVID-19重症患者淋巴细胞减少、淋巴细胞功能障碍并引起不可控的炎症反应。由于自然杀伤细胞(natural killer cell, NK细胞)在抗病毒和免疫调节中具有重要作用,以NK细胞为基础的免疫治疗可能是有效抗击COVID-19的治疗策略之一。现就已发表的SARS-CoV-2临床研究报告,整理介绍了该病毒的基本特征及COVID-19患者的主要免疫病理学状态,阐述NK细胞在抗病毒领域的潜在作用机制与研究进展,并对NK细胞防治COVID-19的免疫治疗策略及所面临的问题与挑战作一综述。     

严重急性呼吸综合征冠状病毒诊断标志物动态变化及检测方法的研究进展

2019-冠状病毒病(coronavirus disease 2019, COVID-19)在全球范围内流行,患者出现严重急性呼吸系统疾病,传染性高于2003年暴发的严重急性呼吸综合征(severe acute respiratory syndrome, SARS)。COVID-19严重影响了人类的健康,同时引起了人们的恐慌。因此,快速、精准地诊断COVID-19患者,阻断病毒快速传播至关重要,但是在COVID-19诊断中存在早期漏检和后期复阳等情况。现综述严重急性呼吸综合征冠状病毒(severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus, SARS-CoV)感染后各标志物的动态变化及检测意义,并将其与严重急性呼吸综合征冠状病毒2(severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, SARS-CoV-2)进行比较,以期为SARS-CoV-2等冠状病毒的高效诊断提供借鉴。     

严重急性呼吸综合征冠状病毒2的预存免疫

新型冠状病毒肺炎(corona virus disease 2019, COVID-19)由严重急性呼吸综合征冠状病毒2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus 2, SARS-CoV-2)感染引起,临床表现多样。近来,在未感染SARS-CoV-2的人群检测出了SARS-CoV-2特异性记忆CD4~+、CD8~+ T细胞和能识别SARS-CoV-2的抗体,这揭示了人群中存在SARS-CoV-2的预存免疫。这种预存免疫可由4种人冠状病毒(human coronavirus, HCoVs)感染诱导。这些HCoVs是季节性感冒的致病因子,其抗原表位和SARS-CoV-2有广泛的同源性。HCoV诱导的SARS-CoV-2的预存免疫可影响SARS-CoV-2感染的发生和COVID-19症状的轻重。该发现有助于SARS-CoV-2感染的血清学检测方法的改进和SARS-CoV-2疫苗的升级换代。     

间充质干细胞在2019新型冠状病毒肺炎(COVID-19)中的治疗潜能、临床研究与应用前景*

当前因SARS-CoV-2感染而引起的2019新型冠状病毒肺炎(COVID-19)肆虐全球,严重危害人类健康。SARS-CoV-2感染性强,危重症患者死亡率高,尽管各种各样的治疗正在进行临床试验,但目前尚无有效的治疗方法。间充质干细胞(mesenchymal stem cell,MSC)在临床前试验中对多种疾病有良好的治疗效果,因而受到了广泛地关注。MSC可能利用分化潜能诱导分化成功能性肺样细胞、免疫调节与免疫细胞互作、抑制炎症来降低促炎细胞因子分泌、迁移和归巢靶向损伤肺部、抗病毒作用来减少肺上皮细胞中的病毒复制、产生细胞外囊泡来修复受损的组织,进而使COVID-19患者肺功能逐渐恢复正常,缓解并达到治疗COVID-19的目的。综合讨论了COVID-19的基本特征和当前主要治疗手段,同时总结了MSC在COVID-19中的临床研究和当前面临的挑战,探讨了MSC治疗COVID-19的应用前景,为MSC在COVID-19中的治疗提供了理论基础和现实依据。     

间充质干细胞在2019新型冠状病毒肺炎(COVID-19)中的治疗潜能、临床研究与应用前景*

当前因SARS-CoV-2感染而引起的2019新型冠状病毒肺炎(COVID-19)肆虐全球,严重危害人类健康。SARS-CoV-2感染性强,危重症患者死亡率高,尽管各种各样的治疗正在进行临床试验,但目前尚无有效的治疗方法。间充质干细胞(mesenchymal stem cell,MSC)在临床前试验中对多种疾病有良好的治疗效果,因而受到了广泛地关注。MSC可能利用分化潜能诱导分化成功能性肺样细胞、免疫调节与免疫细胞互作、抑制炎症来降低促炎细胞因子分泌、迁移和归巢靶向损伤肺部、抗病毒作用来减少肺上皮细胞中的病毒复制、产生细胞外囊泡来修复受损的组织,进而使COVID-19患者肺功能逐渐恢复正常,缓解并达到治疗COVID-19的目的。综合讨论了COVID-19的基本特征和当前主要治疗手段,同时总结了MSC在COVID-19中的临床研究和当前面临的挑战,探讨了MSC治疗COVID-19的应用前景,为MSC在COVID-19中的治疗提供了理论基础和现实依据。     

冠状病毒对天然免疫的抑制作用

由严重急性呼吸综合征冠状病毒2(severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, SARS-CoV-2)引起的新型冠状病毒肺炎(corona virus disease 2019, COVID-19),至今仍在全球范围内流行。21世纪以来,数次冠状病毒感染疫情促使人类更加重视冠状病毒,尤其是COVID-19疫情的暴发与大流行,更将新冠病毒提升为全球的研究重点。免疫反应与病毒的感染、清除以及病理损伤等密切相关。天然免疫是机体防御体系的重要组成部分和首道防线,在病毒感染早期对于抑制病毒的复制和扩散具有至关重要的作用,并且在获得性免疫的启动及后续的发展中也发挥着关键的调控功能。研究表明,免疫逃逸是冠状病毒的重要致病机制,冠状病毒能够通过多种方式抑制宿主的天然免疫应答。现对SARS-CoV-2等主要的冠状病毒抑制天然免疫的分子机制作一概述,以期为抗冠状病毒感染的疫苗及治疗性药物的研发提供帮助。     

A cohort autopsy study defines COVID-19 systemic pathogenesis

Severe COVID-19 disease caused by SARS-CoV-2 is frequently accompanied by dysfunction of the lungs and extrapulmonary organs. However, the organotropism of SARS-CoV-2 and the port of virus entry for systemic dissemination remain largely unknown. We profiled 26 COVID-19 autopsy cases from four cohorts in Wuhan, China, and determined the systemic distribution of SARS-CoV-2. SARS-CoV-2 was detected in the lungs and multiple extrapulmonary organs of critically ill COVID-19 patients up to 67 days after symptom onset. Based on organotropism and pathological features of the patients, COVID-19 was divided into viral intrapulmonary and systemic subtypes. In patients with systemic viral distribution, SARS-CoV-2 was detected in monocytes, macrophages, and vascular endothelia at blood–air barrier, blood–testis barrier, and filtration barrier. Critically ill patients with long disease duration showed decreased pulmonary cell proliferation, reduced viral RNA, and marked fibrosis in the lungs. Permanent SARS-CoV-2 presence and tissue injuries in the lungs and extrapulmonary organs suggest direct viral invasion as a mechanism of pathogenicity in critically ill patients. SARS-CoV-2 may hijack monocytes, macrophages, and vascular endothelia at physiological barriers as the ports of entry for systemic dissemination. Our study thus delineates systemic pathological features of SARS-CoV-2 infection, which sheds light on the development of novel COVID-19 treatment.Subject terms: Mechanisms of disease, Immunology     

SARS-CoV-2 infection in the Syrian hamster model causes inflammation as well as type I interferon dysregulation in both respiratory and non-respiratory tissues including the heart and kidney

COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) caused by SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) infection is a disease affecting several organ systems. A model that captures all clinical symptoms of COVID-19 as well as long-haulers disease is needed. We investigated the host responses associated with infection in several major organ systems including the respiratory tract, the heart, and the kidneys after SARS-CoV-2 infection in Syrian hamsters. We found significant increases in inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-1beta, and TNF) and type II interferons whereas type I interferons were inhibited. Examination of extrapulmonary tissue indicated inflammation in the kidney, liver, and heart which also lacked type I interferon upregulation. Histologically, the heart had evidence of myocarditis and microthrombi while the kidney had tubular inflammation. These results give insight into the multiorgan disease experienced by people with COVID-19 and possibly the prolonged disease in people with post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 (PASC).     

SARS-CoV-2 infection negatively affects ovarian function in ART patients

Several organs, such as the heart, breasts, intestine, testes, and ovaries, have been reported to be target tissues of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. To date, no studies have demonstrated SARS-CoV-2 infection in the female reproductive system. In the present study, we investigated the effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection on ovarian function by comparing follicular fluid (FF) from control and recovered coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients and by evaluating the influence of these FF on human endothelial and non-luteinized granulosa cell cultures. Our results showed that most FFs (91.3%) from screened post COVID-19 patients were positive for IgG antibodies against SARS-CoV-2. Additionally, patients with higher levels of IgG against SARS-CoV-2 had lower numbers of retrieved oocytes. While VEGF and IL-1β were significantly lower in post COVID-19 FF, IL-10 did not differ from that in control FF. Moreover, in COV434 cells stimulated with FF from post COVID-19 patients, steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR), estrogen-receptor β (Erβ), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression were significantly decreased, whereas estrogen-receptor α (ERα) and 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3β-HSD) did not change. In endothelial cells stimulated with post COVID-19 FF, we observed a decrease in cell migration without changes in protein expression of certain angiogenic factors. Both cell types showed a significantly higher γH2AX expression when exposed to post COVID-19 FF. In conclusion, our results describe for the first time that the SARS-CoV-2 infection adversely affects the follicular microenvironment, thus dysregulating ovarian function.     

Single-cell RNA analysis on ACE2 expression provides insights into SARS-CoV-2 potential entry into the bloodstream and heart injury

Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) is a global pandemic with high infectivity and pathogenicity, accounting for tens of thousands of deaths worldwide. Recent studies have found that the pathogen of COVID-19, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), shares the same cell receptor angiotensin converting enzyme II (ACE2) as SARS-CoV. The pathological investigation of COVID-19 deaths showed that the lungs had characteristics of pulmonary fibrosis. However, how SARS-CoV-2 spreads from the lungs to other organs has not yet been determined. Here, we performed an unbiased evaluation of cell-type-specific expression of ACE2 in healthy and fibrotic lungs, as well as in normal and failed adult human hearts, using published single-cell RNA-seq data. We found that ACE2 expression in fibrotic lungs mainly locates in arterial vascular cells, which might provide a route for bloodstream spreading of SARS-CoV-2. Failed human hearts have a higher percentage of ACE2-expressing cardiomyocytes, and SARS-CoV-2 might attack cardiomyocytes through the bloodstream in patients with heart failure. Moreover, ACE2 was highly expressed in cells infected by respiratory syncytial virus or Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus and in mice treated by lipopolysaccharide. Our findings indicate that patients with pulmonary fibrosis, heart failure, and virus infection have a higher risk and are more susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection. The SARS-CoV-2 might attack other organs by getting into the bloodstream. This study provides new insights into SARS-CoV-2 blood entry and heart injury and might propose a therapeutic strategy to prevent patients from developing severe complications.     

Facing the wrath of enigmatic mutations: a review on the emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 variants amid coronavirus disease-19 pandemic

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is an emerging respiratory virus responsible for the ongoing coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) pandemic. More than a year into this pandemic, the COVID-19 fatigue is still escalating and takes hold of the entire world population. Driven by the ongoing geographical expansion and upcoming mutations, the COVID-19 pandemic has taken a new shape in the form of emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants. These mutations in the viral spike (S) protein enhance the virulence of SARS-CoV-2 variants by improving viral infectivity, transmissibility and immune evasion abilities. Such variants have resulted in cluster outbreaks and fresh infection waves in various parts of the world with increased disease severity and poor clinical outcomes. Hence, the variants of SARS-CoV-2 pose a threat to human health and public safety. This review enlists the most recent updates regarding the presently characterized variants of SARS-CoV-2 recognized by the global regulatory health authorities (WHO, CDC). Based on the slender literature on SARS-CoV-2 variants, we collate information on the biological implications of these mutations on virus pathology. We also shed light on the efficacy of therapeutics and COVID-19 vaccines against the emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants.     

SARS-CoV-2 mediated neuroinflammation and the impact of COVID-19 in neurological disorders

SARS-CoV-2 is a novel coronavirus that severely affects the respiratory system, is the cause of the COVID-19 pandemic, and is projected to result in the deaths of 2 million people worldwide. Recent reports suggest that SARS-CoV-2 also affects the central nervous system along with other organs. COVID-19-associated complications are observed in older people with underlying neurological conditions like stroke, Alzheimer's disease, and Parkinson’s disease. Hence, we discuss SARS-CoV-2 viral replication and its inflammation-mediated infection. This review also focuses on COVID-19 associated neurological complications in individuals with those complications as well as other groups of people. Finally, we also briefly discuss the current therapies available to treat patients, as well as ongoing available treatments and vaccines for effective cures with a special focus on the therapeutic potential of a small 5 amino acid peptide (PHSCN), ATN-161, that inhibits SARS-CoV-2 spike protein binding to both integrin α5β1 and α5β1/hACE2.     

新型冠状病毒疫苗接种与疫情进展

新型冠状病毒肺炎(简称新冠)疫情仍在发展,新型冠状病毒变异株的出现致使其传染性和致病性增强,部分国家的政府和民众防控措施松懈导致某些地区疫情加剧。新型冠状病毒疫苗广泛使用后,接种情况会影响疫情发展。本文主要阐述新冠疫情与疫苗接种、病毒变异的关联性,接种疫苗存在的问题及其应对措施,并建议在加快疫苗接种的同时应做好各项新冠防控工作。     

Phenotypes and Functions of SARS-CoV-2-Reactive T Cells

Infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which is an ongoing pandemic disease. SARS-CoV-2-specific CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T-cell responses have been detected and characterized not only in COVID-19 patients and convalescents, but also unexposed individuals. Here, we review the phenotypes and functions of SARS-CoV-2-specific T cells in COVID-19 patients and the relationships between SARS-CoV-2-specific T-cell responses and COVID-19 severity. In addition, we describe the phenotypes and functions of SARS-CoV-2-specific memory T cells after recovery from COVID-19 and discuss the presence of SARS-CoV-2-reactive T cells in unexposed individuals and SARS-CoV-2-specific T-cell responses elicited by COVID-19 vaccines. A better understanding of T-cell responses is important for effective control of the current COVID-19 pandemic.     

COVID-19确诊病例居住环境病毒检测结果分析及防控探讨

新型冠状病毒肺炎(COVID-19)传播速度快、感染范围广,其感染方式主要是聚集性感染,感染途径主要是呼吸道飞沫和接触传播。了解环境中,特别是COVID-19确诊病人生活环境中的病毒存在情况,是做好环境消毒,阻断新型冠状病毒(SARS-CoV-2)传播的重要步骤,对COVID-19防控具有重要意义。本研究旨在探讨COVID-19患者生活环境中SARS-CoV-2的存在情况,从SARS-CoV-2存在的空间部位、病毒核酸含量、消毒效果等方面对SARS-CoV-2的相关特点做出初步研究,为制定有效的SARS-CoV-2防控措施提供科学依据。本研究以COVID-19病例治疗前的3个家庭居住环境和治疗出院后隔离期间的2个宾馆居住环境中采集的样本为研究材料,采用RT-PCR方法检测样本中的SARS-CoV-2核酸并进行比较分析。结果显示,首次从3个家庭环境中采样48份,RTPCR检测SARS-CoV-2核酸阳性5份(10.42%),3个家庭的环境样本中均有阳性样本检出。首次采样48h后在家庭3进行第二次采样16份,SARS-CoV-2核酸检测阳性2份(12.5%),检测Ct值比首次升高。家庭3消毒后24h采集的16份样本SARS-CoV-2核酸检测均为阴性,并且两处宾馆环境采集的24份样本SARS-CoV-2核酸检测也均为阴性。本研究提示,COVID-19病例的生活环境中可以检出SARS-CoV-2,病毒存在区域、存在物品、病毒核酸含量均有差异;对外环境进行消毒可以达到消毒目的,能够起到阻断SARS-CoV-2传播的防控效果。     

Multiple potential targets of opioids in the treatment of acute respiratory distress syndrome from COVID-19

COVID-19 can present with a variety of clinical features, ranging from asymptomatic or mild respiratory symptoms to fulminant acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) depending on the host's immune responses and the extent of the associated pathologies. This implies that several measures need to be taken to limit severely impairing symptoms caused by viral-induced pathology in vital organs. Opioids are most exploited for their analgesic effects but their usage in the palliation of dyspnoea, immunomodulation and lysosomotropism may represent potential usages of opioids in COVID-19. Here, we describe the mechanisms involved in each of these potential usages, highlighting the benefits of using opioids in the treatment of ARDS from SARS-CoV-2 infection.