Direct activation of endothelial cells by SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein is blocked by Simvastatin.

ABSTRACT: Emerging evidence suggests that endothelial activation plays a central role in the pathogenesis of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and multi-organ failure in patients with COVID-19. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying endothelial activation in COVID-19 patients remain unclear. In this study, the SARS-CoV-2 viral proteins that potently activate human endothelial cells were screened to elucidate the molecular mechanisms involved with endothelial activation. It was found that nucleocapsid protein (NP) of SARS-CoV-2 significantly activated human endothelial cells through TLR2/NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways. Moreover, by screening a natural microbial compound library containing 154 natural compounds, simvastatin was identified as a potent inhibitor of NP-induced endotheli

SUBMITTER: Qian Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7885915 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature