Proteomic Analysis Identifies Molecular Players and Biological Processes Specific to SARS-CoV-2 Exposure in Endothelial Cells

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de Melo, Thatiana Correa ; Trevisan-Silva, Dilza ; Alvarez-Flores, Miryam P. ; Gomes, Renata Nascimento ; de Souza, Marcelo Medina ; Valerio, Hellen Paula ; Oliveira, Douglas S. ; DeOcesano-Pereira, Carlos ; Botosso, Viviane Fongaro ; Calil Jorge, Soraia Attie ; Schattner, Mirta ; Gomez, Ricardo M. ; Chudzinski-Tavassi, Ana Marisa

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES; v. 23, n. 18, p. 17-pg., 2022-09-01.

Abstract

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has been responsible for the severe pandemic of acute respiratory disease, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), experienced in the 21st century. The clinical manifestations range from mild symptoms to abnormal blood coagulation and severe respiratory failure. In severe cases, COVID-19 manifests as a thromboinflammatory disease. Damage to the vascular compartment caused by SARS-CoV-2 has been linked to thrombosis, triggered by an enhanced immune response. The molecular mechanisms underlying endothelial activation have not been fully elucidated. We aimed to identify the proteins correlated to the molecular response of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) after exposure to SARS-CoV-2, which might help to unravel the molecular mechanisms of endothelium activation in COVID-19. In this direction, we exposed HUVECs to SARS-CoV-2 and analyzed the expression of specific cellular receptors, and changes in the proteome of HUVECs at different time points. We identified that HUVECs exhibit non-productive infection without cytopathic effects, in addition to the lack of expression of specific cell receptors known to be essential for SARS-CoV-2 entry into cells. We highlighted the enrichment of the protein SUMOylation pathway and the increase in SUMO2, which was confirmed by orthogonal assays. In conclusion, proteomic analysis revealed that the exposure to SARS-CoV-2 induced oxidative stress and changes in protein abundance and pathways enrichment that resembled endothelial dysfunction. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 20/10847-4 - COVID-19 infection in human cellular models: search for effective therapeutic strategies
• Grantee: Thatiana Corrêa de Melo
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 20/05293-0 - Human cells infection by coronavirus (SARS-CoV2) : search for therapeutic strategies
• Grantee: Ana Marisa Chudzinski-Tavassi
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 20/13139-0 - Centre of Excellence in New Target Discovery
• Grantee: Ana Marisa Chudzinski-Tavassi
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Research Centers in Engineering Program