CGRP inhibits SARS-CoV-2 infection of bronchial epithelial cells, and its pulmonary levels correlate with viral clearance in critical COVID-19 patients.

ABSTRACT: Upon infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), patients with critical coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) present with life-threatening respiratory distress, pulmonary damage, and cytokine storm. One unexplored component in COVID-19 is the neuropeptide calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), which is highly abundant in the airways and could converge in multiple aspects of COVID-19-related pulmonary pathophysiology. Whether CGRP affects SARS-CoV-2 infection directly remains elusive. We show that in critical COVID-19 patients, CGRP is increased in both plasma and lungs. Importantly, CGRP pulmonary levels are elevated in early SARS-CoV-2-positive patients and restored to baseline upon subsequent viral clearance in SARS-CoV-2-negative patients. We further sho

SUBMITTER: Barbosa Bomfim CC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11406896 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature