Molecular and Cellular Mechanisms of the SARS-CoV-2 Virus: Targeting the CNS and Post-COVID-19 Challenge

A special issue of Biomolecules (ISSN 2218-273X). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Biology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 April 2024) | Viewed by 4154

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Laboratory of Neurobiology, Institute of Neurosciences, IdISSC, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
Interests: ALS; MS; cerebrovascular pathologies; stroke
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Guest Editor
Department of Neurology, Institute of Neurosciences, Hospital Clinico San Carlos, San Carlos Institute for Health Research (IdISSC), Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
Interests: multiple sclerosis; neurodegenerative diseases; neural repair; neuromolecular mechanisms; long COVID
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Since the beginning of the pandemic, there has been debate about whether SARS-CoV-2 was capable of entering the CNS and causing neurological symptoms, triggering or promoting pre-existing neurological disease, or remaining dormant in the brain, turning the organ into a viral reservoir. The route of entry to the CNS constitutes an interesting area of investigation, analyzing whether the virus enters the CNS by infecting endothelial or epithelial cells of the blood–brain barrier by spreading from nearby areas or via axonal transport after infecting neurons in the peripheral nervous system. Another topic of debate is the frequency of neurological symptoms or pathologies associated with acute CNS infection, such as stroke and neuromuscular involvement, as well as whether it can facilitate age-related transcriptomic or molecular changes. Finally, there is more scientific evidence every day regarding the so-called persistent COVID-19 or post-COVID-19 syndrome, characterized by the presence of symptoms that persist for 3 months after acute infection, with special emphasis on cognitive symptoms and fatigue.

This Special Issue seeks to highlight the role of these mechanisms on patients with CNS and PNS disorders prior to infection. Likewise, it would be interesting to determine whether vaccination has played a role in these mechanisms.

This Special Issue aims to promote studies and articles on the role of SARS-CoV-2 in the CNS and PNS, as well as its mechanisms and consequences, and aims to generate debate among researchers about acute and chronic effects on the CNS and SNPs. This work comes at an important point in the pandemic when the WHO and world governments have already relaxed their main control measures for the spread of disease. However, we are now challenged to understand the bases and mechanisms underlying the persistence of COVID-19, whereby a better knowledge of the consequences of the virus can contribute to how infected patients are treated.

Dr. Ulises Gomez‐Pinedo
Dr. Jorge Matias-Guiu
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • post-COVID syndrome
  • COVID-19
  • central nervous system
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • neurological diseases

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Review

24 pages, 1864 KiB  
Review
Interplay between Comorbidities and Long COVID: Challenges and Multidisciplinary Approaches
by Rasha Ashmawy, Esraa Abdellatif Hammouda, Yousra A. El-Maradny, Iman Aboelsaad, Mai Hussein, Vladimir N. Uversky and Elrashdy M. Redwan
Biomolecules 2024, 14(7), 835; https://doi.org/10.3390/biom14070835 - 11 Jul 2024
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1894
Abstract
Long COVID, a name often given to the persistent symptoms following acute SARS-CoV-2 infection, poses a multifaceted challenge for health. This review explores the intrinsic relationship between comorbidities and autoimmune responses in shaping the trajectory of long COVID. Autoantibodies have emerged as significant [...] Read more.
Long COVID, a name often given to the persistent symptoms following acute SARS-CoV-2 infection, poses a multifaceted challenge for health. This review explores the intrinsic relationship between comorbidities and autoimmune responses in shaping the trajectory of long COVID. Autoantibodies have emerged as significant players in COVID-19 pathophysiology, with implications for disease severity and progression. Studies show immune dysregulation persisting months after infection, marked by activated innate immune cells and high cytokine levels. The presence of autoantibodies against various autoantigens suggests their potential as comorbid factors in long COVID. Additionally, the formation of immune complexes may lead to severe disease progression, highlighting the urgency for early detection and intervention. Furthermore, long COVID is highly linked to cardiovascular complications and neurological symptoms, posing challenges in diagnosis and management. Multidisciplinary approaches, including vaccination, tailored rehabilitation, and pharmacological interventions, are used for mitigating long COVID’s burden. However, numerous challenges persist, from evolving diagnostic criteria to addressing the psychosocial impact and predicting disease outcomes. Leveraging AI-based applications holds promise in enhancing patient management and improving our understanding of long COVID. As research continues to unfold, unravelling the complexities of long COVID remains paramount for effective intervention and patient care. Full article
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19 pages, 1563 KiB  
Review
Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Based Therapies in the Post-Acute Neurological COVID Syndrome: Current Landscape and Opportunities
by Lilia Carolina León-Moreno, Edwin Estefan Reza-Zaldívar, Mercedes Azucena Hernández-Sapiéns, Erika Villafaña-Estarrón, Marina García-Martin, Doddy Denise Ojeda-Hernández, Jordi A. Matias-Guiu, Ulises Gomez-Pinedo, Jorge Matias-Guiu and Alejandro Arturo Canales-Aguirre
Biomolecules 2024, 14(1), 8; https://doi.org/10.3390/biom14010008 - 20 Dec 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1762
Abstract
One of the main concerns related to SARS-CoV-2 infection is the symptoms that could be developed by survivors, known as long COVID, a syndrome characterized by persistent symptoms beyond the acute phase of the infection. This syndrome has emerged as a complex and [...] Read more.
One of the main concerns related to SARS-CoV-2 infection is the symptoms that could be developed by survivors, known as long COVID, a syndrome characterized by persistent symptoms beyond the acute phase of the infection. This syndrome has emerged as a complex and debilitating condition with a diverse range of manifestations affecting multiple organ systems. It is increasingly recognized for affecting the Central Nervous System, in which one of the most prevalent manifestations is cognitive impairment. The search for effective therapeutic interventions has led to growing interest in Mesenchymal Stem Cell (MSC)-based therapies due to their immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, and tissue regenerative properties. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the current understanding and potential applications of MSC-based interventions in the context of post-acute neurological COVID-19 syndrome, exploring the underlying mechanisms by which MSCs exert their effects on neuroinflammation, neuroprotection, and neural tissue repair. Moreover, we discuss the challenges and considerations specific to employing MSC-based therapies, including optimal delivery methods, and functional treatment enhancements. Full article
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