Various Entry Receptors For Coronaviruses Including SARS-CoV-2 Discovered In The Oral Cavity Which Exhibits High Susceptibility For Infections
Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Apr 03, 2024 3 weeks, 5 days, 6 hours, 17 minutes ago
COVID-19 News: The onset of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) in late 2019 marked the beginning of a global health crisis known as Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). This pandemic, characterized by respiratory distress, also revealed significant oral manifestations, impacting the overall health and well-being of affected individuals. While the respiratory aspects of COVID-19 garnered substantial attention, the involvement of human coronaviruses (HCoVs) in oral cavity infections remained a topic of interest and exploration. Recent advancements in scientific research, particularly in the realm of single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq), have provided insights into the receptors, factors, and susceptibility of oral tissues to HCoV infections and SARS-CoV-2.
Thailand
Medical News had previously covered studies that showed that the oral cavity and saliva glands were also important routes for the SARS-CoV-2 virus entry into the human host.
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/covid-19-latest-study-shows-that-oral-infection-and-transmission-of-sars-cov-2-through-the-mouth-is-more-prevalent-than-thought
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/study-finds-that-sars-cov-2-infects-mouth-cells-and-implicates-saliva-as-a-potential-route-of-sars-cov-2-transmission
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/breaking-covid-19-news-study-confirms-that-sars-cov-2-infects-and-replicates-in-the-salivary-glands-and-that-the-mouth-is-also-a-point-of-direct-entry
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/breaking-u-s-scientists-say-that-sars-cov-2-can-hide-in-salivary-glands-and-maybe-even-cause-relapses-or-reinfection-u-s-nih-funds-new-research
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/covid-19-news-sars-cov-2-structural-proteins-affects-oral-health-by-causing-periodontal-fibrosis-via-deregulating-mitochondrial-b-oxidation
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/study-finds-that-sars-cov-2-in-the-nasal-or-oral-cavity-is-activated-by-the-action-of-trypsin-like-proteases-and-the-presence-of-anaerobic-bacteria
Understanding SCARFs: Receptors and Factors in Oral Tissues
The study conducted by researchers from Shenzhen University Medical School and The Third People's
Hospital of Shenzhen, China,that is covered in this
COVID-19 News report, delved into the intricacies of SARS-CoV-2 and other HCoVs' interaction with oral tissues. They identified specific cell clusters and generated expression profiles of coronavirus-associated receptors and factors (SCARFs) in seven distinct regions of the oral cavity. These regions included the minor salivary gland (MSG), parotid gland (PG), tongue, gingiva, buccal tissue, periodontium, and pulp.
Expression Profiles of SCARFs
The research revealed a nuanced picture of SCARFs' expression in oral tissues. Various receptors and factors like ACE2, ASGR1, KREMEN1, DPP4, ANPEP, CD209, CLEC4G/M, TMPRSS family proteins (TMPRSS2, TMPRSS4, and TMPRSS11A), and FURIN exhibited low expression levels across the oral cavity. Conversely, factors like BSG, CTSB, and CTSL showed enrichment in oral tissues. The widespread expression of restriction factors such as IFITM1-3 and LY6E in oral cells highlighted potential mechanisms of resistance against HCoV infections.
Unraveling the Oral Tropism of Human Coronaviruses
A crucial aspect of understanding HCoV infections in the oral cavity is deciphering their tropism and entry mechanisms. The interaction between the viral spike (S) protein and host receptors, along with proteolytic cleavage by enzymes like TMPRSS2, CTSB, and CTSL, plays a pivotal role in viral entry. While ACE2 serves as the primary receptor for SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV, other coronaviruses like MERS-CoV use DPP4 as their primary receptor.
Vulnerability of Oral Tissues
The study highlighted specific oral tissues as potential sites of vulnerability to HCoV infections. Epithelial cells in the MSG, tongue, and gingiva were identified as particularly susceptible. Notably, MSG exhibited a high susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection, while tongue cells showed a complex interplay of factors promoting and restricting SARS-CoV-2 infection. These findings have significant implications for understanding the pathogenesis of COVID-19 oral symptoms and identifying potential therapeutic targets.
Impact on Oral Health and Clinical Practice
The research underscores the broader impact of COVID-19 on oral health. Symptoms such as dysgeusia (altered taste sensation), xerostomia (dry mouth), and oral mucosal lesions have been observed in COVID-19 patients, highlighting the need for comprehensive oral care in affected individuals. The susceptibility of certain oral tissues to HCoV infections necessitates tailored dental clinical treatments and preventive measures.
Therapeutic Insights and Potential Interventions
The expression patterns of SCARFs in oral tissues offer valuable insights into potential therapeutic targets. Inhibitors targeting alternative entry factors like BSG, CTSB, and CTSL could hold promise in managing oral COVID-19 symptoms. Additionally, understanding the role of immune cells like CD4+ T cells in the oral cavity sheds light on immune responses against viral infections, paving the way for immunomodulatory interventions.
Future Directions and Limitations
While the study provides significant insights, further research is warranted to validate and expand upon these findings. Dynamic infection models, experimental verification, and real-world data from infected patients can enhance our understanding of HCoV infections in the oral cavity. Moreover, exploring the temporal dynamics of SCARFs and host immune responses in viral infections can offer valuable perspectives for future studies and clinical interventions.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the intricate exploration of SCARFs and their expression profiles in oral tissues provides a foundational understanding of HCoV infections in the oral cavity. Vulnerable sites for HCoV infections, therapeutic targets, and implications for oral health and clinical practice have been delineated. This research not only contributes to our knowledge of viral pathogenesis but also guides the development of targeted therapies and preventive measures for COVID-19 and other HCoV infections. It underscores the importance of interdisciplinary research in combating global health challenges and improving patient outcomes.
The study findings were published in the peer reviewed journal: Heliyon.
https://www.cell.com/heliyon/fulltext/S2405-8440(24)04311-1
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