Does Neurofibrin-1 Promote SARS-CoV-2 Cell Entry and Infection?

 

Neurofibrin-1 Promotes SARS-CoV-2 Cell Entry and Infection

 

1. Science: Neuropilin-1 promotes SARS-CoV-2 cell entry and infection

On October 20, 2020, researchers from Mikael Simons of the Technical University of Munich, Germany, and Giuseppe Balistreri of the University of Helsinki, Finland, jointly published a paper entitled "Neuropilin-1 facilitates SARS-CoV-2 cell entry and infectivity." in the journal Science. 

As a result of the study, it was found that Neuropilin-1 promoted SARS-CoV-2 cell entry and infection.

 

Does Neuropilin-1 significantly enhances infectivity of SARS-CoV-2?

The researchers found that Neuropilin-1 (NRP1), which binds to the furin cleavage substrate, significantly enhanced the infectivity of SARS-CoV-2, and this effect was blocked by monoclonal antibodies targeting NRP1. 

The infectivity of SARS-CoV-2 mutants with altered furin cleavage site does not depend on NRP1. 

Autopsy pathological analysis of human COVID-19 showed that SARS-CoV-2 infected cells included NRP1-positive olfactory bulb neurons.

These data provide insights into the infectivity of SARS-CoV-2 cells and identify potential targets for antiviral intervention.

 

It is understood that the causative agent of COVID-19 is SARS-CoV-2. For many viruses, tissue tropism is determined by viral receptors and entry co-factors on the surface of the host cell.

(Comment: Another new way to treat COVID-19.)

Also Refer: Vaccine Development Encyclopedia 

Article Source:

 

Ludovico Cantuti-Castelvetri et al, Ravi Ojha, Neuropilin-1 facilitates SARS-CoV-2 cell entry and infectivity. DOI: 10.1126/science.abd2985. Science: Latest IF: 41.037

 

2. Nature Biotechnology: A new technology that can identify the age of single molecules in RNA sequencing

On October 19, 2020, researchers from Fei Chen of Harvard University, Edward S. Boyden of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and other researchers jointly published a titled "RNA timestamps identify the age of single molecules in RNA sequencing." 

The paper developed a new technology that can identify the age of single molecules in RNA sequencing.

The researchers reported on RNA time stamping, a method for inferring the age of individual RNAs in RNA sequence data by using RNA editing. 

To introduce a time stamp, the researchers labeled the RNA with a reporter motif with multiple MS2 binding sites that recruit the adenosine deaminase ADAR2 fused to the MS2 capsid protein. 

The combination of ADAR2 and labeled RNA will cause A-to-I editing to accumulate over time, so that the age of the RNA can be inferred with hourly precision. 

By combining observations of multiple time-stamped RNAs driven by the same promoter, researchers can determine when the promoter is active. 

The researchers demonstrated that the system can infer the existence and timing of multiple past transcription events. 

Finally, the researchers applied the method to clustering of individual cells based on the time of past transcription activity. RNA time stamping will allow time information to be integrated into the RNA sequence workflow.

New technology to identify the age of single molecules in RNA sequencing

 

Timestamps can reveal transcriptional programs in single cells (Source: Nature Biotechnology)

 

 

 

(Comment: Current single-cell RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) methods only provide limited information about gene expression dynamics.)

 

 

 

Article Source:

 

Samuel G. Rodriques, Linlin M. Chen et al, RNA timestamps identify the age of single molecules in RNA sequencing. DOI: 10.1038/s41587-020-0704-z. Nature Biotechnology: latest IF: 31.864

 

 

 

3. Nature Neuroscience: Modifying peripheral macrophages may prolong the survival of ALS

 

 

 

On October 19, 2020, the research group from the French Institute of Brain Research-Paris Brain Research Institute-ICM Séverine Boillée published in the journal Nature Neuroscience entitled “Modifying macrophages at the periphery has the capacity to change microglial reactivity and to extend ALS survival.” 

Take research results. Their study found that modified peripheral macrophages have the ability to change the reactivity of microglia and prolong the survival of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

  

They showed that in mouse models and ALS patients, macrophages along the axons of peripheral motor neurons can respond to neurodegeneration. 

In ALS mice, the infiltration of peripheral myeloid cells into the spinal cord is restricted and depends on the duration of the disease. 

Using cell replacement, targeted gene regulation of reactive oxygen pathways in peripheral blood myeloid cells of ALS mice reduced the activation of peripheral macrophages and microglia, delayed symptoms and improved survival.

 

Transcriptomics studies have shown that sciatic nerve macrophages and microglia have different responses to neurodegeneration, the transient time change and progression of macrophages, and the unidirectional activation of microglia. 

Modified peripheral macrophages suppressed the pro-inflammatory microglia response and turned to neuronal support. Therefore, modifying macrophages in the periphery has the ability to influence disease progression and may have therapeutic value for ALS.

 

PS Comment: Both microglia and peripheral macrophages are related to ALS, although their respective roles have not yet been determined.

 

 

 

Author's Bio

Name: Gwynneth May

Educational Qualification: MBBS, MD (Medicine) Gold Medalist

Profession: Doctor

Experience: 16 Years of Work Experience as a Medical Practitioner

About Me