Search for molecular markers and active molecules in SARS-Cov-2 infection

• Grant number: 22/02261-5
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: October 01, 2022
• End date: September 30, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Immunology - Cellular Immunology
• Principal Investigator: Rejane Maria Tommasini Grotto
• Grantee: Rejane Maria Tommasini Grotto
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina (FMB). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Botucatu. Botucatu , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Angelo José Magro ; Carlos Magno Castelo Branco Fortaleza ; Fabiana Barcelos Furtado ; Guilherme Targino Valente ; Jayme Augusto de Souza-Neto ; Leonardo Nazário de Moraes ; Márjorie de Assis Golim ; Rafael Plana Simões

Abstract

Viral infections are the most frequent infectious diseases and constitute major biological, clinical, and socioeconomic problems. The SARS-Cov-2 pandemic had its first cases reported in 2019 and continues to this day. As it is a respiratory virus, SARS-CoV-2 will remain a pathogen of concern, as it occasionally leads to severe clinical outcomes, especially in unvaccinated, immunocompromised, or very old people, therefore, studies that encompass any aspect of SARS-CoV-2 infection are relevant as there is still much to be done. The conventional route of virus entry into the human body is already well established. It is known that ACE2 is the protein used as a receptor in the host cell, and the viral protein S is responsible for this internalization. However, the ability of the virus to interact directly with cells lacking ACE2 receptors is still poorly understood. This study aims to elucidate new cell-virus relationships involved in SARS-Cov-2 infection. In addition, to verify whether specific polymorphisms can be linked to the ability to infect and, consequently, to different clinical manifestations in infected people, and finally to evaluate the action of selected terpenoids against SARS-CoV-2 and on the complications of COVID-19. To verify the hypotheses raised, several methodologies will be used, among them the execution of experiments involving real-time PCR, genotyping, viral neutralization and viability assays, in silico simulations and bioinformatics analyses, surface plasmon resonance, and flow cytometry. With this work, we hope to demonstrate associations between genetic polymorphisms and viral infection, intending to identify biomarkers associated with infection and worsening of patients. The results may also suggest possible therapeutic targets and targets for the development of diagnostic tests, in addition to contributing to a better understanding of the pathophysiology of this virus. (AU)