Implications of RNA Viruses in the Male Reproductive Tract: An Outlook on SARS-CoV-2

Zafar, Mohammad Ishraq; Yu, Jiangyu; Li, Honggang

doi:10.3389/fmicb.2021.783963

Cited by 11 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 126 publications

(212 reference statements)

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“…ZIKV can infect several body sites, including the eyes, cardiac tissue, the gastrointestinal (GI) system, reproductive tract, placenta, and central nervous system (CNS) (Figure 1) (Gasco & Muñoz‐Fernández, 2020; Rossi et al, 2020; Ryan et al, 2021; Zafar et al, 2021). The most common symptoms of acute ZIKV infection include fever, headaches, myalgias, rash, and conjunctivitis.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The role of glial cells in Zika virus‐induced neurodegeneration

Quincozes‐Santos

Bobermin

Costa

et al. 2023

Glia

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Zika virus (ZIKV) is a strongly neurotropic flavivirus whose infection has been associated with microcephaly in neonates. However, clinical and experimental evidence indicate that ZIKV also affects the adult nervous system. In this regard, in vitro and in vivo studies have shown the ability of ZIKV to infect glial cells. In the central nervous system (CNS), glial cells are represented by astrocytes, microglia, and oligodendrocytes. In contrast, the peripheral nervous system (PNS) constitutes a highly heterogeneous group of cells (Schwann cells, satellite glial cells, and enteric glial cells) spread through the body. These cells are critical in both physiological and pathological conditions; as such, ZIKV-induced glial dysfunctions can be associated with the development and progression of neurological complications, including those related to the adult and aging brain. This review will address the effects of ZIKV infection on CNS and PNS glial cells, focusing on cellular and molecular mechanisms, including changes in the inflammatory response, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, Ca 2+ and glutamate homeostasis, neural metabolism, and neuron-glia communication. Of note, preventive and therapeutic strategies that focus on glial cells may emerge to delay and/or prevent the development of ZIKV-induced neurodegeneration and its consequences.André Quincozes-Santos and Larissa Daniele Bobermin contributed equally to this work.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The role of glial cells in Zika virus‐induced neurodegeneration

Quincozes‐Santos

Bobermin

Costa

et al. 2023

Glia

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“…Survival in the testis and in sperm of these viruses may be related to their structural biology and stability, specific viral epitopes, immune evasion, and other factors. Many viruses have been found to interact directly with semen, impair its quality, or impact/disrupt spermatogenesis by causing local inflammation 17,39,40 …”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Is monkeypox a new, emerging sexually transmitted disease? A rapid review of the literature

Bragazzi

Kong

2022

Journal of Medical Virology

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Monkeypox, a milder disease compared to smallpox, is caused by a virus initially discovered and described in 1958 by the prominent Danish virologist von Magnus, who was investigating an infectious outbreak affecting monkey colonies. Currently, officially starting from May 2022, an outbreak of monkeypox is ongoing, with 51 000 cases being notified as of September 1, 2022—51 408 confirmed, 28 suspected, and 12 fatalities, for a grand total of 51 448 cases. More than 100 countries and territories are affected, from all the six World Health Organization regions. There are some striking features, that make this outbreak rather unusual when compared with previous outbreaks, including a shift on average age and the most affected age group, affected sex/gender, risk factors, clinical course, presentation, and the transmission route. Initially predominantly zoonotic, with an animal‐to‐human transmission, throughout the last decades, human‐to‐human transmission has become more and more sustained and effective. In particular, clusters of monkeypox have been described among men having sex with men, some of which have been epidemiologically linked to international travel to nonendemic countries and participation in mass gathering events/festivals, like the “Maspalomas (Gran Canaria) 2022 pride.” This review will specifically focus on the “emerging” transmission route of the monkeypox virus, that is to say, the sexual transmission route, which, although not confirmed yet, seems highly likely in the diffusion of the infectious agent.

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“…A growing body of evidence supports the idea that SARS-CoV-2 infection directly and indirectly impacts male reproductive function [ 26 , 27 , 28 ]; however, conflicting results advise further investigation.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms of In Vivo and In Vitro SARS-CoV-2 Infection: A Lesson from Human Sperm

Luddi

Luongo

Dragoni

et al. 2022

Cells

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Despite the major target of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the causative agent of COVID-19, being the respiratory system, clinical evidence suggests that the male reproductive system may represent another viral target organ. Revealing the effect of SARS-CoV-2 infection on testis and sperm is a priority for reproductive biology, as well as for reproductive medicine. Here, we confirmed that the SARS-CoV-2 receptor angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is highly expressed on human testis and ejaculated sperm; moreover, we provide evidence for the expression of the co-receptors transmembrane protease/serine (TMPRSS2), Basigin (BSG), and Catepsin L (CTSL). Human sperm were readily infected, both in vivo and in vitro, by SARS-CoV-2, as demonstrated by confocal and electron microscopy. The demonstration that the seminiferous epithelium and sperm support SARS-CoV-2 viral replication suggests the possibility that the spermatogenetic process may be detrimentally affected by the virus, and at the same time, supports the need to implement safety measures and guidelines to ensure specific care in reproductive medicine.

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Implications of RNA Viruses in the Male Reproductive Tract: An Outlook on SARS-CoV-2

Cited by 11 publications

References 126 publications

The role of glial cells in Zika virus‐induced neurodegeneration

The role of glial cells in Zika virus‐induced neurodegeneration

Is monkeypox a new, emerging sexually transmitted disease? A rapid review of the literature

Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms of In Vivo and In Vitro SARS-CoV-2 Infection: A Lesson from Human Sperm

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