Blood matters: the hematological signatures of Coronavirus infection

Recent developments have broadened our perception of SARS-CoV-2, indicating its capability to affect the body systemically beyond its initial recognition as a mere respiratory pathogen. However, the pathways of its widespread are not well understood. Employing a dual-modality approach, we integrated findings from a Murine Hepatitis Virus (MHV) infection model with corroborative clinical data to investigate the pervasive reach of Coronaviruses. The novel presence of viral particles within red blood cells (RBCs) was demonstrated via high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, with computational modeling elucidating a potential heme-mediated viral entry mechanism via Spike protein affinity. Our data affirm viral localization in RBCs, suggesting heme moieties as facilitators for cellular invasion. Exacerbation of MHV pathology upon hemin administration, contrasted with chloroquine-mediated amelioration, underscoring a heme-centric pathway in disease progression. These observations extend the paradigm of Coronavirus pathogenicity to include hemoprotein interactions. This study casts new light on the systemic invasion capabilities of Coronaviruses, linking RBC hemoproteins with viral virulence. The modulation of disease severity through heme-interacting agents heralds a promising avenue for COVID-19 therapeutics. Our findings propose a paradigm shift in the treatment approach, leveraging the virus-heme interplay as a strategic hinge for intervention.

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Publication Details

Journal
Cell Death and Disease
Published
2024-11-28
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41419-024-07247-8
Citations
4
Primary Topic
COVID-19 Clinical Research Studies
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
1.56

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article

Blood matters: the hematological signatures of Coronavirus infection

Alejandro Leyva, A. Olivera, Paula Perbolianachis, Natalia Olivero‐Deibe et al.
4 citations
Cell Death and Disease
COVID-19 Clinical Research Studies
1.56
article

Blood matters: the hematological signatures of Coronavirus infection

Alejandro Leyva, A. Olivera, Paula Perbolianachis, Natalia Olivero‐Deibe, Juan Bizzotto, Geraldine Gueron, Nicolás Anselmino, Eric A. Zizzi, Ayelén Toro, Gastón Pascual, Alicia Costábile, Agustina Sabater, Javier Cotignola, Marianoel Pereira-Gómez, Ana Paula Arévalo, Pilar Moreno, Federico Carrión, Sofía Lage-Vickers, Daniel F. Alonso, Jorge L. Pórfido, Pía Valacco, Estefanía Labanca, Rocio Seniuk, Elba S. Vázquez, Martina Crispo, Artem Cherkasov, Martín Fló, Gonzalo Moratorio, Ines Achinelli, Francesco Gentile, Álvaro Fajardo, Nicolás Nín, Marcelo A. Martí, Pablo Sanchis, F. Rodríguez
article en
4 citations

Abstract

Recent developments have broadened our perception of SARS-CoV-2, indicating its capability to affect the body systemically beyond its initial recognition as a mere respiratory pathogen. However, the pathways of its widespread are not well understood. Employing a dual-modality approach, we integrated findings from a Murine Hepatitis Virus (MHV) infection model with corroborative clinical data to investigate the pervasive reach of Coronaviruses. The novel presence of viral particles within red blood cells (RBCs) was demonstrated via high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, with computational modeling elucidating a potential heme-mediated viral entry mechanism via Spike protein affinity. Our data affirm viral localization in RBCs, suggesting heme moieties as facilitators for cellular invasion. Exacerbation of MHV pathology upon hemin administration, contrasted with chloroquine-mediated amelioration, underscoring a heme-centric pathway in disease progression. These observations extend the paradigm of Coronavirus pathogenicity to include hemoprotein interactions. This study casts new light on the systemic invasion capabilities of Coronaviruses, linking RBC hemoproteins with viral virulence. The modulation of disease severity through heme-interacting agents heralds a promising avenue for COVID-19 therapeutics. Our findings propose a paradigm shift in the treatment approach, leveraging the virus-heme interplay as a strategic hinge for intervention.

Cell Death and DiseaseVol. 15(11)
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center (US), National University of Quilmes (AR), University of British Columbia (CA), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (AR), University of Ottawa (CA), Politecnico di Torino (IT), Universidad de la República de Uruguay (UY), Universidad de Buenos Aires (AR), Instituto de Química y Fisicoquímica Biológicas (AR), Institut Pasteur de Montevideo (UY), Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable (UY), Ottawa Institute of Systems Biology, Universidad Argentina de la Empresa (AR), Fundación Ciencias Exactas y Naturales (AR)
University of Ottawa, Ministerio de Ciencia, Tecnología e Innovación Productiva, Universidad de la República Uruguay, Universidad Nacional de Quilmes, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Alliance de recherche numérique du Canada, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, Agencia Nacional de Promoción Científica y Tecnológica, Fondo para la Investigación Científica y Tecnológica
Good health and well-being
Openalex Percentile: Top 16%
COVID-19 Clinical Research Studies
1.56
DOIOpen Access PDFOpenAlex
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