In late 2019, the betacoronavirus SARS-CoV-2 was identified as the viral agent responsible for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Coronaviruses Spike proteins are responsible for their ability to interact with host membrane receptors and different proteins have been identified as SARS-CoV-2 interactors, among which Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), and Basigin2/EMMPRIN/CD147 (CD147). CD147 plays an important role in human immunodeficiency virus type 1, hepatitis C virus, hepatitis B virus, Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus, and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus infections. In particular, SARS-CoV recognizes the CD147 receptor expressed on the surface of host cells by its nucleocapsid protein binding to cyclophilin A (CyPA), a ligand for CD147. However, the involvement of CD147 in SARS-CoV-2 infection is still debated. Interference with both the function (blocking antibody) and the expression (knock down) of CD147 showed that this receptor partakes in SARS-CoV-2 infection and provided additional clues on the underlying mechanism: CD147 binding to CyPA does not play a role; CD147 regulates ACE2 levels and both receptors are affected by virus infection. Altogether, these findings suggest that CD147 is involved in SARS-CoV-2 tropism and represents a possible therapeutic target to challenge COVID-19.
【저자키워드】 COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, ACE2, Infection, Basigin, CD147, Emmprin, Entry, 【초록키워드】 coronavirus disease, pandemic, spike, antibody, SARS-CoV, SARS-COV-2 infection, Betacoronavirus, nucleocapsid protein, Coronavirus infections, Protein, hepatitis C virus, membrane, receptor, virus infection, Human immunodeficiency virus, expression, binding, Hepatitis B virus, Ligand, regulate, therapeutic target, Interference, host cell, acute respiratory syndrome, enzyme, Host, responsible, affected, involved, provided, recognize, expressed,