Hydrogen Sulfide May Protect Against SARS-CoV-2 Infection by Downregulating Key Molecules

Strategic Insights -

Researchers at Peking University First Hospital in Beijing, People's Republic of China, have discovered that hydrogen sulfide (H2S) may play a protective role against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection by downregulating key molecules involved in the pathogenesis of susceptibility. The study, published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences, found that H2S attenuated the process by which interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) promoted the expression of angiotensin-converting enzyme-II (ACE2) and neuropilin 1 (NRP1), while inhibiting transmembrane protease serine type 2 (TMPRSS2) expression.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study found that autoimmune thyroid diseases (AITDs) have a higher prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection, with 175 cases reported in the literature.
  • Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) was found to have antiviral effects and may play a protective role against SARS-CoV-2 infection.
  • The researchers found that ACE2, NRP1, and TMPRSS2 expression levels were upregulated or downregulated by IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha, respectively.
  • Pretreatment with NaHS (sodium hydrosulfide) in thyrocytes downregulated ACE2 and NRP1 expression compared to IFN-gamma or TNF-alpha treatment.
  • The study suggested that H2S may protect against SARS-CoV-2 infection by downregulating ACE2 and NRP1 levels.

Statistics:

  • 175 cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection reported in AITDs patients.
  • H2S levels were found to be = 5 μM in the thyrocyte culture medium.
  • ACE2 expression was found to be 2.5-fold higher in HT group compared to the normal group.
  • NRP1 expression was found to be 3.5-fold higher in HT and GD groups compared to the normal group.
  • TMPRSS2 expression was found to be 2-fold lower in HT and GD groups compared to the normal group.

Sources:

  • The Expression Levels of Sars-cov-2 Infection-mediating Molecules Promoted By Interferon-gamma and Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha Are Downregulated By Hydrogen Sulfide. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2022;23(21):13624.
  • NewsRx. New COVID-19 Study Findings Recently Were Reported by Researchers at Peking University First Hospital (The Expression Levels of Sars-cov-2 Infection-mediating Molecules Promoted By Interferon-gamma and Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha Are ...). Drug Week. December 16, 2022; p 514.