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- Title
SARS-CoV-2 Spike triggers barrier dysfunction and vascular leak via integrins and TGF-β signaling.
- Authors
Biering, Scott B.; Gomes de Sousa, Francielle Tramontini; Tjang, Laurentia V.; Pahmeier, Felix; Zhu, Chi; Ruan, Richard; Blanc, Sophie F.; Patel, Trishna S.; Worthington, Caroline M.; Glasner, Dustin R.; Castillo-Rojas, Bryan; Servellita, Venice; Lo, Nicholas T. N.; Wong, Marcus P.; Warnes, Colin M.; Sandoval, Daniel R.; Clausen, Thomas Mandel; Santos, Yale A.; Fox, Douglas M.; Ortega, Victoria
- Abstract
Severe COVID-19 is associated with epithelial and endothelial barrier dysfunction within the lung as well as in distal organs. While it is appreciated that an exaggerated inflammatory response is associated with barrier dysfunction, the triggers of vascular leak are unclear. Here, we report that cell-intrinsic interactions between the Spike (S) glycoprotein of SARS-CoV-2 and epithelial/endothelial cells are sufficient to induce barrier dysfunction in vitro and vascular leak in vivo, independently of viral replication and the ACE2 receptor. We identify an S-triggered transcriptional response associated with extracellular matrix reorganization and TGF-β signaling. Using genetic knockouts and specific inhibitors, we demonstrate that glycosaminoglycans, integrins, and the TGF-β signaling axis are required for S-mediated barrier dysfunction. Notably, we show that SARS-CoV-2 infection caused leak in vivo, which was reduced by inhibiting integrins. Our findings offer mechanistic insight into SARS-CoV-2-triggered vascular leak, providing a starting point for development of therapies targeting COVID-19. Severe COVID-19 is associated with epithelial and endothelial barrier dysfunction, however, the molecular pathways resulting in endothelial barrier dysfunction and vascular leakage are only sparsely understood. Here, Biering et al. show that SARS-CoV-2 spike protein is sufficient to induce barrier dysfunction and vascular leak. They show a role for integrins, TGF-beta, ECM remodeling enzymes, and glycosaminoglycans in this S-mediated barrier dysfunction.
- Subjects
SARS-CoV-2; EXTRACELLULAR matrix; ENDOTHELIUM diseases; ENDOTHELIAL cells; COVID-19 treatment; GLYCOSAMINOGLYCANS
- Publication
Nature Communications, 2022, Vol 13, Issue 1, p1
- ISSN
2041-1723
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1038/s41467-022-34910-5