Nucleocapsid Protein of SARS-CoV-2 Upregulates RANTES Expression in A172 Glioblastoma Cells

SARS-CoV-2, the pathogenic virus that induces COVID-19 disease, contains four structural proteins in its virion. The nucleocapsid (N) protein is one of the four structural proteins that play a crucial role in the assembly of viral RNA into ribonucleoprotein. In addition, the N protein contributes to viral pathogenesis. One of the functions attributed to the N protein is the triggering of cytokine release by lung epithelial cells, macrophages, and monocytes. This study addresses the cellular effects of the N protein of SARS-CoV-2 on cells of glial origin. We report the upregulation of the RANTES chemokine in A172 glioblastoma cells at both the mRNA and protein levels in response to exposure to SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein. The N protein did not have an effect on cell viability and cell migration.