The microglial NLRP3 inflammasome is involved in human SARS-CoV-2 cerebral pathogenicity: A report of three post-mortem cases

We herein report, by using confocal immunofluorescence, the colocalization of the SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid within neurons, astrocytes, oligodendrocytes and microglia in three deceased COVID-19 cases, of between 78 and 85 years of age at death. The viral nucleocapsid was detected together with its ACE...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of neuroimmunology 2021-12, Vol.361, p.577728-577728, Article 577728
Main Authors: Cama, Viviana Falcón, Marín-Prida, Javier, Acosta-Rivero, Nelson, Acosta, Emilio F., Díaz, Leonardo Oramas, Casadesús, Ana V., Fernández-Marrero, Briandy, Gilva-Rodríguez, Nathalie, Cremata-García, Daina, Cervantes-Llanos, Majel, Piniella-Matamoros, Beatriz, Sánchez, Daisy, del Rosario-Cruz, Leticia, Borrajero, Israel, Díaz, Angelina, González, Yorexis, Pentón-Arias, Eduardo, Montero-González, Teresita, Guillen-Nieto, Gerardo, Pentón-Rol, Giselle
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Astrocytes - virology
Autopsy
Brain - immunology
Brain - pathology
Brain - virology
COVID-19
COVID-19 - immunology
COVID-19 - pathology
COVID-19 - virology
Female
Human brain
Humans
Inflammasomes - immunology
Macrophages
Male
Microglia - immunology
Microglia - virology
Neurons - virology
NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein - immunology
NLRP3 inflammasome
Nucleocapsid
Oligodendroglia - virology
SARS-CoV-2
SARS-CoV-2 - pathogenicity
Short Communication
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Summary:We herein report, by using confocal immunofluorescence, the colocalization of the SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid within neurons, astrocytes, oligodendrocytes and microglia in three deceased COVID-19 cases, of between 78 and 85 years of age at death. The viral nucleocapsid was detected together with its ACE2 cell entry receptor, as well as the NLRP3 inflammasome in cerebral cortical tissues. It is noteworthy that NLRP3 was colocalized with CD68 + macrophages in the brain and lung of the deceased, suggesting the critical role of this type of inflammasome in SARS-CoV-2 lesions of the nervous system/lungs and supporting its potential role as a therapeutic target. [Display omitted] •SARS-CoV-2 infects multiple cell types in human cerebral cortex.•CD68+ virus-infected microglia and lung macrophages activate NLRP3 inflammasome.•Inhibition of NLRP3 inflammasome could improve COVID-19 neurological complications.
ISSN:0165-5728
1872-8421
DOI:10.1016/j.jneuroim.2021.577728