Differential expression of carcinoembryonic antigen-related cell adhesion molecule-5 (CEACAM5) and dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP4) with detection of Middle East respiratory syndrome-coronavirus in peripheral blood

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Abdulkarim Alhetheel, King Khalid University Hospital; Ahmed Albarrag, King Khalid University Hospital; Zahid Shakoor, King Khalid University Hospital; Ali Somily, King Khalid University Hospital; Mazin Barry, King Khalid University Hospital; Hifa Altalhi, King Khalid University Hospital; Muhammed Bakhrebah, King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology; Majed Nassar, King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology; Mohamed Alfageeh, King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology; Ayed Assiri, Ministry of Health Saudi Arabia; Sarah Alfaraj, Ministry of Health Saudi Arabia; Ziad Memish, Emory University
• Language: English
• Date: 2022-11-01
• Publisher: Elsevier Inc
• Publication Version: Final Published Version
• Copyright Statement: © 2022 The Author(s)
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jiph.2022.10.008
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: Journal of Infection and Public Health
• Volume: 15
• Issue: 11
• Start Page: 1315
• End Page: 1320
• Keywords: CD66e; PBMCs; DPP4; CEACAM5; MERS-CoV; CD26; Saudi Arabia
• Research Categories: Health Sciences, Pathology; Health Sciences, Medicine and Surgery

Abstract

Background: Middle East respiratory syndrome-coronavirus (MERS-CoV) utilizes CD26 (dipeptidyl peptidase-4) and CD66e or CEACAM5 (carcinoembryonic antigen-related cell adhesion molecule 5) receptors for cell infection. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) play a critical role in mounting adaptive immune response against the virus. This study was performed to assess the expression of CD26 and CD66e on PBMCs and their susceptibility to MERS-CoV infection. Methods: Surface expression of CD26 and CD66e receptors on PBMCs from MERS-CoV patients (n = 20) and healthy controls (n = 20) was assessed by flow cytometry and the soluble forms were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). MERS-CoV UpE and Orf1a genes in PBMCs were detected by using Altona diagnostics reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) kit. Results: Mean fluorescent intensity (MFI) of CD66e was significantly higher on CD4 + lymphocytes (462.4 ± 64.35 vs 325.1 ± 19.69; p < 0.05) and CD8 + lymphocytes (533.8 ± 55.32 vs 392.4 ± 37.73; p < 0.04) from patients with MERS-CoV infection compared to the normal controls. No difference in MFI for CD66e was observed on monocytes (381.8 ± 40.34 vs 266.8 ± 20.6; p = 0.3) between the patients and controls. Soluble form of CD66e among MERS-CoV patients was also higher than the normal controls (mean= 338.7 ± 58.75 vs 160.7 ± 29.49 ng/mL; p < 0.01). Surface expression of CD26 on PBMCs and its soluble form were no different between the groups. MERS-CoV was detected by RT-PCR in 16/20 (80%) patients from whole blood, among them 8 patients were tested in PBMCs, 4/8 (50%) patients were positive. Conclusion: Increased expression levels of CD66e (CEACAM5) may contribute to increased susceptibility of PBMCs to MERS-CoV infection and disease progression.