-
Genes & Diseases Nov 2023Virus-related cancer is cancer where viral infection leads to the malignant transformation of the host's infected cells. Seven viruses (e.g., human papillomavirus (HPV),... (Review)
Review
Virus-related cancer is cancer where viral infection leads to the malignant transformation of the host's infected cells. Seven viruses (e.g., human papillomavirus (HPV), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), Kaposi's sarcoma herpesvirus (KSHV), Hepatitis B virus (HBV), Hepatitis C virus (HCV), Human T-lymphotropic virus (HTLV), and Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCV)) that infect humans have been identified as an oncogene and have been associated with several human malignancies. Recently, growing attention has been attracted to exploring the pathogenesis of virus-related cancers. One of the most mysterious molecules involved in carcinogenesis and progression of virus-related cancers is circular RNAs (circRNA). These emerging non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), due to the absence of 5' and 3' ends, have high stability than linear RNAs and are found in some species across the eukaryotic organisms. Compelling evidence has revealed that viruses also encode a repertoire of circRNAs, as well as dysregulation of these viral circRNAs play a critical role in the pathogenesis and progression of different types of virus-related cancers. Therefore, understanding the exact role and function of the virally encoded circRNAs with virus-associated cancers will open a new road for increasing our knowledge about the RNA world. Hence, in this review, we will focus on emerging roles of virus-encoded circRNAs in multiple cancers, including cervical cancer, gastric cancer, Merkel cell carcinoma, nasopharyngeal carcinoma, Kaposi cancer, and liver cancer.
PubMed: 37554189
DOI: 10.1016/j.gendis.2022.04.009 -
Virologica Sinica Apr 2024Haemaphysalis longicornis ticks, commonly found in East Asia, can transmit various pathogenic viruses, including the severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus...
Haemaphysalis longicornis ticks, commonly found in East Asia, can transmit various pathogenic viruses, including the severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV) that has caused febrile diseases among humans in Hubei Province. However, understanding of the viromes of H. longicornis was limited, and the prevalence of viruses among H. longicornis ticks in Hubei was not well clarified. This study investigates the viromes of both engorged (fed) and free (unfed) H. longicornis ticks across three mountainous regions in Hubei Province from 2019 to 2020. RNA-sequencing analysis identified viral sequences that were related to 39 reference viruses belonging to unclassified viruses and seven RNA viral families, namely Chuviridae, Nairoviridae, Orthomyxoviridae, Parvoviridae, Phenuiviridae, Rhabdoviridae, and Totiviridae. Viral abundance and diversity in these ticks were analysed, and phylogenetic characteristics of the Henan tick virus (HNTV), Dabieshan tick virus (DBSTV), Okutama tick virus (OKTV), and Jingmen tick virus (JMTV) were elucidated based on their full genomic sequences. Prevalence analysis demonstrated that DBSTV was the most common virus found in individual H. longicornis ticks (12.59%), followed by HNTV (0.35%), whereas JMTV and OKTV were not detected. These results improve our understanding of H. longicornis tick viromes in central China and highlight the role of tick feeding status and geography in shaping the viral community. The findings of new viral strains and their potential impact on public health raise the need to strengthen surveillance efforts for comprehensively assessing their spillover potentials.
Topics: Animals; Phylogeny; Virome; China; Ixodidae; Genome, Viral; RNA Viruses; Ticks; RNA, Viral; Sequence Analysis, RNA; Haemaphysalis longicornis
PubMed: 38360150
DOI: 10.1016/j.virs.2024.02.003 -
Nature Communications May 2024Inflammation induced by lung infection is a double-edged sword, moderating both anti-viral and immune pathogenesis effects; the mechanism of the latter is not fully...
Inflammation induced by lung infection is a double-edged sword, moderating both anti-viral and immune pathogenesis effects; the mechanism of the latter is not fully understood. Previous studies suggest the vasculature is involved in tissue injury. Here, we report that expression of Sparcl1, a secreted matricellular protein, is upregulated in pulmonary capillary endothelial cells (EC) during influenza-induced lung injury. Endothelial overexpression of SPARCL1 promotes detrimental lung inflammation, with SPARCL1 inducing 'M1-like' macrophages and related pro-inflammatory cytokines, while SPARCL1 deletion alleviates these effects. Mechanistically, SPARCL1 functions through TLR4 on macrophages in vitro, while TLR4 inhibition in vivo ameliorates excessive inflammation caused by endothelial Sparcl1 overexpression. Finally, SPARCL1 expression is increased in lung ECs from COVID-19 patients when compared with healthy donors, while fatal COVID-19 correlates with higher circulating SPARCL1 protein levels in the plasma. Our results thus implicate SPARCL1 as a potential prognosis biomarker for deadly COVID-19 pneumonia and as a therapeutic target for taming hyperinflammation in pneumonia.
Topics: Animals; Humans; COVID-19; Mice; Endothelial Cells; Macrophage Activation; SARS-CoV-2; Lung; Toll-Like Receptor 4; Calcium-Binding Proteins; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Pneumonia, Viral; Male; Macrophages; Female; Mice, Knockout; Extracellular Matrix Proteins
PubMed: 38762489
DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-48589-3 -
Molecular & Cellular Proteomics : MCP Jul 2023There is still much to uncover regarding the molecular details of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. As the most abundant protein,...
There is still much to uncover regarding the molecular details of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. As the most abundant protein, coronavirus nucleocapsid (N) protein encapsidates viral RNAs, serving as the structural component of ribonucleoprotein and virion, and participates in transcription, replication, and host regulations. Virus-host interaction might give clues to better understand how the virus affects or is affected by its host during infection and identify promising therapeutic candidates. Considering the critical roles of N, we here established a new cellular interactome of SARS-CoV-2 N by using a high-specific affinity purification (S-pulldown) assay coupled with quantitative mass spectrometry and immunoblotting validations, uncovering many N-interacting host proteins unreported previously. Bioinformatics analysis revealed that these host factors are mainly involved in translation regulations, viral transcription, RNA processes, stress responses, protein folding and modification, and inflammatory/immune signaling pathways, in line with the supposed actions of N in viral infection. Existing pharmacological cellular targets and the directing drugs were then mined, generating a drug-host protein network. Accordingly, we experimentally identified several small-molecule compounds as novel inhibitors against SARS-CoV-2 replication. Furthermore, a newly identified host factor, DDX1, was verified to interact and colocalize with N mainly by binding to the N-terminal domain of the viral protein. Importantly, loss/gain/reconstitution-of-function experiments showed that DDX1 acts as a potent anti-SARS-CoV-2 host factor, inhibiting the viral replication and protein expression. The N-targeting and anti-SARS-CoV-2 abilities of DDX1 are consistently independent of its ATPase/helicase activity. Further mechanism studies revealed that DDX1 impedes multiple activities of N, including the N-N interaction, N oligomerization, and N-viral RNA binding, thus likely inhibiting viral propagation. These data provide new clues to better depiction of the N-cell interactions and SARS-CoV-2 infection and may help inform the development of new therapeutic candidates.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Chlorocebus aethiops; SARS-CoV-2; Nucleocapsid Proteins; COVID-19; Vero Cells; Virus Replication; RNA, Viral
PubMed: 37211047
DOI: 10.1016/j.mcpro.2023.100579 -
Molecular Medicine (Cambridge, Mass.) Jun 2024COVID-19 is a new infectious disease caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS CoV-2). Since the outbreak in December 2019, it has caused an... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
COVID-19 is a new infectious disease caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS CoV-2). Since the outbreak in December 2019, it has caused an unprecedented world pandemic, leading to a global human health crisis. Although SARS CoV-2 mainly affects the lungs, causing interstitial pneumonia and severe acute respiratory distress syndrome, a number of patients often have extensive clinical manifestations, such as gastrointestinal symptoms, cardiovascular damage and renal dysfunction.
PURPOSE
This review article discusses the pathogenic mechanisms of cardiovascular damage in COVID-19 patients and provides some useful suggestions for future clinical diagnosis, treatment and prevention.
METHODS
An English-language literature search was conducted in PubMed and Web of Science databases up to 12th April, 2024 for the terms "COVID-19", "SARS CoV-2", "cardiovascular damage", "myocardial injury", "myocarditis", "hypertension", "arrhythmia", "heart failure" and "coronary heart disease", especially update articles in 2023 and 2024. Salient medical literatures regarding the cardiovascular damage of COVID-19 were selected, extracted and synthesized.
RESULTS
The most common cardiovascular damage was myocarditis and pericarditis, hypertension, arrhythmia, myocardial injury and heart failure, coronary heart disease, stress cardiomyopathy, ischemic stroke, blood coagulation abnormalities, and dyslipidemia. Two important pathogenic mechanisms of the cardiovascular damage may be direct viral cytotoxicity as well as indirect hyperimmune responses of the body to SARS CoV-2 infection.
CONCLUSIONS
Cardiovascular damage in COVID-19 patients is common and portends a worse prognosis. Although the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms of cardiovascular damage related to COVID-19 are not completely clear, two important pathogenic mechanisms of cardiovascular damage may be the direct damage of the SARSCoV-2 infection and the indirect hyperimmune responses.
Topics: Humans; COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; Cardiovascular Diseases; Pandemics; Pneumonia, Viral; Coronavirus Infections; Betacoronavirus; Myocarditis
PubMed: 38898389
DOI: 10.1186/s10020-024-00855-2 -
Annual Review of Biomedical Data Science Aug 2023MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short noncoding RNAs that can regulate all steps of gene expression (induction, transcription, and translation). Several virus families, primarily... (Review)
Review
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short noncoding RNAs that can regulate all steps of gene expression (induction, transcription, and translation). Several virus families, primarily double-stranded DNA viruses, encode small RNAs (sRNAs), including miRNAs. These virus-derived miRNAs (v-miRNAs) help the virus evade the host's innate and adaptive immune system and maintain an environment of chronic latent infection. In this review, the functions of the sRNA-mediated virus-host interactions are highlighted, delineating their implication in chronic stress, inflammation, immunopathology, and disease. We provide insights into the latest viral RNA-based research-in silico approaches for functional characterization of v-miRNAs and other RNA types. The latest research can assist toward the identification of therapeutic targets to combat viral infections.
Topics: Humans; MicroRNAs; Viruses; RNA, Viral; Virus Diseases
PubMed: 37159873
DOI: 10.1146/annurev-biodatasci-122220-111429 -
Journal of Virology Nov 2023The H6 subtype of avian influenza virus (AIV) is a pervasive subtype that is ubiquitously found in both wild bird and poultry populations across the globe. Recent... (Review)
Review
The H6 subtype of avian influenza virus (AIV) is a pervasive subtype that is ubiquitously found in both wild bird and poultry populations across the globe. Recent investigations have unveiled its capacity to infect mammals, thereby expanding its host range beyond that of other subtypes and potentially facilitating its global transmission. This heightened breadth also endows H6 AIVs with the potential to serve as a genetic reservoir for the emergence of highly pathogenic avian influenza strains through genetic reassortment and adaptive mutations. Furthermore, alterations in key amino acid loci within the H6 AIV genome foster the evolution of viral infection mechanisms, which may enable the virus to surmount interspecies barriers and infect mammals, including humans, thus posing a potential threat to human well-being. In this review, we summarize the origins, dissemination patterns, geographical distribution, cross-species transmission dynamics, and genetic attributes of H6 influenza viruses. This study holds implications for the timely detection and surveillance of H6 AIVs.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Birds; Influenza A virus; Influenza in Birds; Mammals; Poultry; Viral Zoonoses; Host Specificity
PubMed: 37877722
DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01370-23 -
Viruses May 2024Hepatitis B and C viruses (HBV and HCV) are the leading causes of end-stage liver disease worldwide. Although there is a potent vaccine against HBV, many new infections... (Review)
Review
Hepatitis B and C viruses (HBV and HCV) are the leading causes of end-stage liver disease worldwide. Although there is a potent vaccine against HBV, many new infections are recorded annually, especially in poorly resourced places which have lax vaccination policies. Again, as HBV has no cure and chronic infection is lifelong, vaccines cannot help those already infected. Studies to thoroughly understand the HBV biology and pathogenesis are limited, leaving much yet to be understood about the genomic features and their role in establishing and maintaining infection. The current knowledge of the impact on disease progression and response to treatment, especially in hyperendemic regions, is inadequate. This calls for in-depth studies on viral biology, mainly for the purposes of coming up with better management strategies for infected people and more effective preventative measures for others. This information could also point us in the direction of a cure. Here, we discuss the progress made in understanding the genomic basis of viral activities leading to the complex interplay of the virus and the host, which determines the outcome of HBV infection as well as the impact of coinfections.
Topics: Humans; Hepatitis B virus; Hepatitis B; Coinfection; Genome, Viral; Animals
PubMed: 38793606
DOI: 10.3390/v16050724 -
Emerging Infectious Diseases Jun 2024Viral respiratory illness surveillance has traditionally focused on single pathogens (e.g., influenza) and required fever to identify influenza-like illness (ILI). We... (Review)
Review
Viral respiratory illness surveillance has traditionally focused on single pathogens (e.g., influenza) and required fever to identify influenza-like illness (ILI). We developed an automated system applying both laboratory test and syndrome criteria to electronic health records from 3 practice groups in Massachusetts, USA, to monitor trends in respiratory viral-like illness (RAVIOLI) across multiple pathogens. We identified RAVIOLI syndrome using diagnosis codes associated with respiratory viral testing or positive respiratory viral assays or fever. After retrospectively applying RAVIOLI criteria to electronic health records, we observed annual winter peaks during 2015-2019, predominantly caused by influenza, followed by cyclic peaks corresponding to SARS-CoV-2 surges during 2020-2024, spikes in RSV in mid-2021 and late 2022, and recrudescent influenza in late 2022 and 2023. RAVIOLI rates were higher and fluctuations more pronounced compared with traditional ILI surveillance. RAVIOLI broadens the scope, granularity, sensitivity, and specificity of respiratory viral illness surveillance compared with traditional ILI surveillance.
Topics: Humans; Electronic Health Records; Respiratory Tract Infections; Algorithms; Retrospective Studies; Influenza, Human; COVID-19; Population Surveillance; Massachusetts; Adult; Middle Aged; SARS-CoV-2; Male; Adolescent; Child; Aged; Female; Seasons; Virus Diseases; Child, Preschool; Young Adult
PubMed: 38781684
DOI: 10.3201/eid3006.230473 -
Frontiers in Public Health 2023The aim of the paper is to provide an overview of available HIV case reporting and treatment data for in Qatar for the period 2015-2020.
AIM
The aim of the paper is to provide an overview of available HIV case reporting and treatment data for in Qatar for the period 2015-2020.
METHODS
HIV case reporting data were analyzed by sex and mode of transmission. To construct HIV care continuum from the data available, we obtained information on the total number of HIV diagnosed patients on antiretroviral treatment (ART) between January 1st 2015 and December 31st 2020, number of patients on ART who had an HIV viral load test and the number who were virally suppressed (defined as having the viral load of less than 1,000 copies/mL).
RESULTS
A total of 515 HIV cases were reported to the Ministry of Public Health since beginning of reporting in 1986, and that included Qatari nationals and expatriate residents diagnosed in Qatar. There was an increase in the annual number of newly reported HIV cases from 16 cases in 2015 (of these, 14 were males) to 58 cases in 2020 (of these, 54 were males). The total number of HIV diagnosed people on ART increased from 99 in 2015 to 213 in 2020. During 2020 the overall viral load testing coverage and viral load suppression among those tested for viral load in men were 72.5% and 93.1%, respectively, while in women these values were 60.4% and 84.4%, respectively.
CONCLUSION
Due to increase in newly reported HIV cases, there is a need to develop an effective HIV strategic information system in Qatar and data-driven and targeted national HIV response.
Topics: Male; Humans; Female; HIV Infections; Qatar; Anti-Retroviral Agents; Treatment Outcome; Viral Load
PubMed: 38026435
DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1234585