Poldip2 deficiency attenuates lung disease severity in a mouse model of COVID-19.

The lungs are the primary target of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), with the infection resulting in lung inflammation, pulmonary vascular leakage and diffuse alveolar damage. Polymerase delta-interacting protein-2 (Poldip2) mediates lung inflammation and vascular permeability after lipopolysaccharide-induced acute respiratory distress syndrome; however, whether it also affects the pathological consequences of SARS-CoV-2 infection is completely unknown. Here, we assessed the role of Poldip2 in inflammation, immune cell infiltration and lung tissue damage in response to SARS-CoV-2. Our data show that Poldip2 expression was elevated in human lung vascular endothelium after infection. In a Poldip2-deficient heterozygous mouse model, acute clinical symptoms were not affected. However, seven days after infection, Poldip2 knockdown reduced viral load, decreased infiltration of myeloperoxidase (MPO)-positive neutrophils into inflamed lungs, and reduced tissue damage. Poldip2 also modulated the inflammatory response to viral infection in a heterogeneous manner, reflecting its diverse regulatory roles. These data support the concept that targeting Poldip2 could potentially attenuate severe lung injury following SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Chronic respiratory disease
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Authors

Hu Hu, Valdivia Valdivia, White White, Ju Ju, Brockman Brockman, Zhang Zhang, Qu Qu, Gafford Gafford, Joseph Joseph, Burton Burton, Bassit Bassit, Charles Charles, Schinazi Schinazi, Levit Levit, Derdeyn Derdeyn, Griendling Griendling, Lassègue Lassègue, Hernandes Hernandes
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