For All The Latest Medical News, Health News, Research News, COVID-19 News, Dengue News, Glaucoma News, Diabetes News, Herb News, Phytochemical News, Cardiology News, Epigenetic News, Cancer News, Doctor News, Hospital News
BREAKING NEWS! Study Alarmingly Finds That SARS-CoV-2 S And N Proteins Drive Invasion Abilities Of Colon Cancer Cells, Resulting In Rapid Metastasis!
SARS-CoV-2-Cancer - SARS-CoV-2 S And N Proteins - Colon Cancer Cells - Rapid Metastasis Jul 18, 2023 1 year, 5 months, 4 days, 14 hours, 17 minutes ago
SARS-CoV-2 S And N Protein Peptides Drive Rapid Cancer Progression Via TGF-β1 Regulation An Could Also Be Doing So In Other Cancers As Well!
SARS-CoV-2-Cancer: In a new study conducted at the Medical University of Lodz in Poland, researchers have discovered a concerning link between SARS-CoV-2 proteins and the invasion abilities of colon cancer cells. The study reveals that these viral proteins, particularly the S and N protein peptides, play a pivotal role in driving the rapid progression and metastasis of colon cancer. By understanding the underlying mechanisms behind this phenomenon, the study team aimed to shed light on potential therapeutic strategies to mitigate the risk of cancer metastasis during SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Graphical Abstract
Research Findings
To investigate the impact of SARS-CoV-2 proteins on colon cancer cells, the study team stimulated CRC cells with SARS-CoV-2 S and N protein peptides.
The study team observed that these proteins induced a process called epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in the cancer cells, leading to the loss of epithelial characteristics and the acquisition of invasive and migratory properties typically associated with metastatic cancer cells.
Furthermore, the study revealed that the SARS-CoV-2 proteins facilitated colon cancer cell invasion through the secretion of transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β1).
These study finding highlights the role of TGF-β1 in mediating the invasive behavior of cancer cells during SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Importantly, the study team demonstrated that inhibiting the TGF-β1-dependent pathways significantly suppressed the invasiveness induced by SARS-CoV-2 in colon cancer cells.
Moreover, the study uncovered a bystander effect, wherein SARS-CoV-2-stimulated colon cancer cells secreted TGF-β1, which influenced neighboring non-stimulated cancer cells, further enhancing their invasive potential. This finding suggests that the impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection on cancer metastasis extends beyond the initially affected cells, potentially contributing to the overall progression of the disease.
Implications and Future Directions
The delayed diagnosis of colorectal cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic has raised concerns about the increased risk of metastasis in patients. This study provides a theoretical basis for the development of anti-TGF-β1 therapy as a potential strategy to reduce the metastatic potential of colon cancer during SARS-CoV-2 infection.
By targeting the TGF-β1-dependent signaling pathway, researchers hope to c
ounteract the invasive effects induced by SARS-CoV-2 proteins and mitigate the risk of cancer metastasis.
This novel therapeutic approach holds promise for improving the prognosis and outcomes of cancer patients, particularly those facing an elevated risk due to delayed diagnoses during the pandemic.
While this SARS-CoV-2-Cancer study focused on colon cancer, further investigations are warranted to explore the potential impact of SARS-CoV-2 proteins on other cancer types.
Additionally, in-depth research using animal models will be essential to validate these findings and determine the efficacy of anti-TGF-β strategies in inhibiting cancer progression induced by SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Analysis of conditioned medium (CM) from SARS-CoV-2 proteins-treated CRC cells influences on EMT markers profile and invasion abilities of colon cancer cells. (A) Schematic overview of the conditioned medium preparation from CRC cells stimulated with SARS-CoV-2 proteins. Cells were maintained within the growing medium supplemented with CM (4: 1) for 48 h. Then, (B) TGF-β1 level in the medium was estimated by ELISA assay. (C) EMT markers were investigated by Western blot. Next, invasive properties were evaluated by (D) invasion assay and (E) MMP-7 secretions. The representative blots and images are shown. The graphs display means ± S.D. (n = 3). Scale bars 100 μm; ns – non significant; *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01, ***P < 0.001, ****P < 0.0001. (F) Scheme of invasion induction in bystander cells by SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Conclusion
The Polish study conducted at the Medical University of Lodz sheds light on the alarming connection between SARS-CoV-2 proteins and the invasion abilities of colon cancer cells. This intriguing research emphasizes the role of TGF-β1 in mediating the invasive potential of cancer cells during SARS-CoV-2 infection and paves the way for the development of anti-TGF-β1 therapy as a potential treatment strategy. By unraveling the mechanisms underlying the SARS-CoV-2-induced metastasis of colon cancer, this study opens new avenues for therapeutic intervention and highlights the importance of timely cancer diagnosis, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.