College of Veterinary & Life Sciences, the University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.
College of Medicine, University of Al-Iraqia, Baghdad, Iraq.
Cell Cycle. 2024 Feb;23(4):405-434. doi: 10.1080/15384101.2024.2340859. Epub 2024 Apr 19.
Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is identified as the functional receptor for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the causative agent of the ongoing global coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. This study aimed to elucidate potential therapeutic avenues by scrutinizing approved drugs through the identification of the genetic signature associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection in individuals with asthma. This exploration was conducted through an integrated analysis, encompassing interaction networks between the ACE2 receptor and common host (co-host) factors implicated in COVID-19/asthma comorbidity. The comprehensive analysis involved the identification of common differentially expressed genes (cDEGs) and hub-cDEGs, functional annotations, interaction networks, gene set variation analysis (GSVA), gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA), and module construction. Interaction networks were used to identify overlapping disease modules and potential drug targets. Computational biology and molecular docking analyzes were utilized to discern functional drug modules. Subsequently, the impact of the identified drugs on the expression of hub-cDEGs was experimentally validated using a mouse model. A total of 153 cDEGs or co-host factors associated with ACE2 were identified in the COVID-19 and asthma comorbidity. Among these, seven significant cDEGs and proteins - namely, , and -were recognized as pivotal host factors linked to ACE2. Regulatory network analysis of hub-cDEGs revealed eight top-ranked transcription factors (TFs) proteins and nine microRNAs as key regulatory factors operating at the transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels, respectively. Molecular docking simulations led to the proposal of 10 top-ranked repurposable drug molecules (Rapamycin, Ivermectin, Everolimus, Quercetin, Estradiol, Entrectinib, Nilotinib, Conivaptan, Radotinib, and Venetoclax) as potential treatment options for COVID-19 in individuals with comorbid asthma. Validation analysis demonstrated that Rapamycin effectively inhibited expression in the HDM-stimulated mice group ( < 0.01). This study unveils the common pathogenesis and genetic signature underlying asthma and SARS-CoV-2 infection, delineated by the interaction networks of ACE2-related host factors. These findings provide valuable insights for the design and discovery of drugs aimed at more effective therapeutics within the context of lung disease comorbidities.
血管紧张素转换酶 2(ACE2)被确定为严重急性呼吸系统综合征冠状病毒 2(SARS-CoV-2)的功能性受体,SARS-CoV-2 是目前全球冠状病毒病 2019(COVID-19)大流行的病原体。本研究旨在通过鉴定与哮喘患者 SARS-CoV-2 感染相关的遗传特征,来阐明潜在的治疗途径。通过 ACE2 受体与 COVID-19/哮喘合并症相关的常见宿主(共宿主)因子之间的相互作用网络,对已批准的药物进行分析,从而进行了这项探索。综合分析包括鉴定共同差异表达基因(cDEGs)和枢纽 cDEGs、功能注释、相互作用网络、基因集变异分析(GSVA)、基因集富集分析(GSEA)和模块构建。相互作用网络用于识别重叠的疾病模块和潜在的药物靶点。计算生物学和分子对接分析用于辨别功能药物模块。随后,使用小鼠模型实验验证了鉴定药物对枢纽 cDEGs 表达的影响。在 COVID-19 和哮喘合并症中,共鉴定出 153 个与 ACE2 相关的 cDEGs 或共宿主因子。其中,有七个显著的 cDEGs 和蛋白质——、和——被认为是与 ACE2 相关的关键宿主因子。枢纽 cDEGs 的调控网络分析揭示了八个排名靠前的转录因子(TFs)蛋白和九个 microRNAs,分别作为转录和转录后水平的关键调控因子。分子对接模拟提出了 10 种排名靠前的可再利用药物分子(雷帕霉素、伊维菌素、依维莫司、槲皮素、雌二醇、恩曲替尼、尼洛替尼、康维他滨、拉多替尼和维奈托克)作为合并哮喘的 COVID-19 潜在治疗选择。验证分析表明,雷帕霉素能有效抑制 HDM 刺激的小鼠组中( < 0.01)的表达。本研究揭示了哮喘和 SARS-CoV-2 感染的共同发病机制和遗传特征,这是由 ACE2 相关宿主因子的相互作用网络描绘的。这些发现为设计和发现旨在针对肺部疾病合并症的更有效的治疗方法的药物提供了有价值的见解。
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