An autoantigen profile of human A549 lung cells reveals viral and host etiologic molecular attributes of autoimmunity in COVID-19. Issue 120 (June 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wang, Julia Y.; Zhang, Wei; Roehrl, Michael W.; Roehrl, Victor B.; Roehrl, Michael H.
• Is Part Of: Journal of autoimmunity. Issue 120(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-06
• Subjects: COVID-19 -- Autoimmunity -- Autoantigens -- Lung -- Atlas -- Resource; Autoimmunity -- Periodicals; Autoimmune diseases -- Periodicals; Autoantibodies -- Periodicals; Autoimmune Diseases -- Periodicals; Auto-immunité -- Périodiques; Maladies auto-immunes -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 616.978005
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jaut.2021.102644
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0896-8411

Abstract

Abstract: We aim to establish a comprehensive COVID-19 autoantigen atlas in order to understand autoimmune diseases caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection. Based on the unique affinity between dermatan sulfate and autoantigens, we identified 348 proteins from human lung A549 cells, of which 198 are known targets of autoantibodies. Comparison with current COVID data identified 291 proteins that are altered at protein or transcript level in SARS-CoV-2 infection, with 191 being known autoantigens. These known and putative autoantigens are significantly associated with viral replication and trafficking processes, including gene expression, ribonucleoprotein biogenesis, mRNA metabolism, translation, vesicle and vesicle-mediated transport, and apoptosis. They are also associated with cytoskeleton, platelet degranulation, IL-12 signaling, and smooth muscle contraction. Host proteins that interact with and that are perturbed by viral proteins are a major source of autoantigens. Orf3 induces the largest number of protein alterations, Orf9 affects the mitochondrial ribosome, and they and E, M, N, and Nsp proteins affect protein localization to membrane, immune responses, and apoptosis. Phosphorylation and ubiquitination alterations by viral infection define major molecular changes in autoantigen origination. This study provides a large list of autoantigens as well as new targets for future investigation, e.g., UBA1, UCHL1, USP7, CDK11A, PRKDC, PLD3, PSAT1, RAB1A, SLC2A1, platelet activating factor acetylhydrolase, and mitochondrial ribosomal proteins. This study illustrates how viral infection can modify host cellular proteins extensively, yield diverse autoantigens, and trigger a myriad of autoimmune sequelae. Our work provides a rich resource for studies into "long COVID" and related autoimmune sequelae. Highlights: An autoantigenome of 348 proteins from A549 lung cells is identified by dermatan sulfate affinity, of which 291 have been found to be altered in SARS-CoV-2 infection and 198 are known targets of autoantibodies. SARS-CoV-2 infection causes extensive alterations of host cellular proteins and produces a large number of potential autoantigens, which reveals an intimate relationship between viral infection and autoimmunity. The autoantigen atlas provides a molecular map and numerous targets for future research into "long COVID" and related autoimmune sequelae.