(1) Background: Nicotine is implicated in the SARS-COV-2 infection through activation of the α7-nAChR and over-expression of ACE2. Our objective was to clarify the role of nicotine in SARS-CoV-2 infection exploring its molecular and cellular activity. (2) Methods: HBEpC or si-mRNA-α7-HBEpC were treated for 1 h, 48 h or continuously with 10-7 M nicotine, a concentration mimicking human exposure to a cigarette. Cell viability and proliferation were evaluated by trypan blue dye exclusion and cell counting, migration by cell migration assay, senescence by SA-β-Gal activity, and anchorage-independent growth by cloning in soft agar. Expression of Ki67, p53/phospho-p53, VEGF, EGFR/pEGFR, phospho-p38, intracellular Ca2+, ATP and EMT were evaluated by ELISA and/or Western blotting. (3) Results: nicotine induced through α7-nAChR (i) increase in cell viability, (ii) cell proliferation, (iii) Ki67 over-expression, (iv) phospho-p38 up-regulation, (v) EGFR/pEGFR over-expression, (vi) increase in basal Ca2+ concentration, (vii) reduction of ATP production, (viii) decreased level of p53/phospho-p53, (ix) delayed senescence, (x) VEGF increase, (xi) EMT and consequent (xii) enhanced migration, and (xiii) ability to grow independently of the substrate. (4) Conclusions: Based on our results and on evidence showing that nicotine potentiates viral infection, it is likely that nicotine is involved in SARS-CoV-2 infection and severity.

Nicotine changes airway epithelial phenotype and may Increase the SARS-COV-2 infection severity / Lupacchini, L.; Maggi, F.; Tomino, C.; De Dominicis, C.; Mollinari, C.; Fini, M.; Bonassi, S.; Merlo, D.; Russo, P.. - In: MOLECULES. - ISSN 1420-3049. - 26:1(2020), pp. 1-23. [10.3390/molecules26010101]

Nicotine changes airway epithelial phenotype and may Increase the SARS-COV-2 infection severity

Lupacchini L.;Tomino C.;De Dominicis C.;
2020

Abstract

(1) Background: Nicotine is implicated in the SARS-COV-2 infection through activation of the α7-nAChR and over-expression of ACE2. Our objective was to clarify the role of nicotine in SARS-CoV-2 infection exploring its molecular and cellular activity. (2) Methods: HBEpC or si-mRNA-α7-HBEpC were treated for 1 h, 48 h or continuously with 10-7 M nicotine, a concentration mimicking human exposure to a cigarette. Cell viability and proliferation were evaluated by trypan blue dye exclusion and cell counting, migration by cell migration assay, senescence by SA-β-Gal activity, and anchorage-independent growth by cloning in soft agar. Expression of Ki67, p53/phospho-p53, VEGF, EGFR/pEGFR, phospho-p38, intracellular Ca2+, ATP and EMT were evaluated by ELISA and/or Western blotting. (3) Results: nicotine induced through α7-nAChR (i) increase in cell viability, (ii) cell proliferation, (iii) Ki67 over-expression, (iv) phospho-p38 up-regulation, (v) EGFR/pEGFR over-expression, (vi) increase in basal Ca2+ concentration, (vii) reduction of ATP production, (viii) decreased level of p53/phospho-p53, (ix) delayed senescence, (x) VEGF increase, (xi) EMT and consequent (xii) enhanced migration, and (xiii) ability to grow independently of the substrate. (4) Conclusions: Based on our results and on evidence showing that nicotine potentiates viral infection, it is likely that nicotine is involved in SARS-CoV-2 infection and severity.
2020
cell proliferation; emt; mitochondrial dysfunction; nachr; nicotine; sars-cov-2; angiotensin-converting enzyme 2; covid-19; cell line; cell movement; cell proliferation; cell survival; epithelial cells; humans; nicotine; receptors, nicotinic; respiratory system; sars-cov-2; severity of illness index; signal transduction; smoking; alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor
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Nicotine changes airway epithelial phenotype and may Increase the SARS-COV-2 infection severity / Lupacchini, L.; Maggi, F.; Tomino, C.; De Dominicis, C.; Mollinari, C.; Fini, M.; Bonassi, S.; Merlo, D.; Russo, P.. - In: MOLECULES. - ISSN 1420-3049. - 26:1(2020), pp. 1-23. [10.3390/molecules26010101]
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11573/1486477
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