Targeting the main protease of SARS-CoV-2: Inside host cells, the RNA genome of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is translated into two polyproteins that are cleaved to give the individual viral proteins. The main viral protease, known as Mpro or 3CLpro, plays a key role in these cleavages, making it an important drug target. Drayman et al . identified eight drugs that target 3CLpro from a library of 1900 clinically safe drugs. Because of the challenge of working with SARS-CoV-2, they started by screening for drugs that inhibit the replication of a human coronavirus that causes the common cold. They then evaluated the top hits for inhibiting SARS-CoV-2 replication and for inhibiting 3CLpro. Masitinib, a broad antiviral, inhibited the main proteases of coronaviruses and picornaviruses and was effective in reducing SARS-CoV-2 replication in mice. —VV

Purpose: Investigate the impact matrix metalloproteinase 14 (MMP14) delivered via exosomes produced by corneal fibroblasts on vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 1 (VEGFR1) cleavage on endothelial cells, and other key processes of angiogenesis. Methods: Proteolysis of VEGFR1 and R2 by the catalytic domain of MMP14 was investigated via immunocytochemistry with anti-VEGFR1, anti-VEGFR2, and anti-MMP14 antibodies. Exosomes were isolated via precipitation and serial ultracentrifugation from wild-type (WT) and MMP14 exon4-deficient corneal fibroblasts. Transmission electron microscopy and nanotracking analysis were used to characterize the isolated exosomes. The presence of MMP14 in exosomes from WT fibroblasts was confirmed by Western blotting. VEGFR1 cleavage upon treatment with WT-derived exosomes, Δexon4-derived exosomes, or the pan-MMP inhibitor GM60001 was examined via in vitro proteolysis analysis using recombinant mouse (rm) VEGFR1/R2. Endothelial cell migration and proliferation were investigated using a Boyden chamber assay and BrdU incorporation, respectively. Results: WT-derived exosomes specifically cleaved rmVEGFR1 in vitro, whereas Δexon4-derived exosomes did not. Treatment with the pan-MMP inhibitor GM6001 effectively inhibited VEGFR1 cleavage by WT-derived exosomes, confirming the role of MMP14 in this cleavage. WT-derived exosomes induced greater endothelial cell migration (P < 0.01) and proliferation (P < 0.5) compared to Δexon4-derived exosomes. Conclusions: MMP14-containing exosomes may be involved in the regulation of corneal neovascularization through degradation of VEGFR1 and VEGFA-induced endothelial cell proliferation and migration.

A protease is an enzyme with a proteolytic activity that facilitates the digestion of its substrates. Membrane-type I matrix metalloproteinase (MT1-MMP), a member of the broader matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) family, is involved in the regulation of diverse cellular activities. MT1-MMP is a very well-known enzyme as an activator of pro-MMP-2 and two collagenases, MMP-8 and MMP-13, all of which are essential for cell migration. As an anchored membrane enzyme, MT1-MMP has the ability to interact with a diverse group of molecules, including proteins that are not part of the extracellular matrix (ECM). Therefore, MT1-MMP can regulate various cellular activities not only by changing the extra-cellular environment but also by regulating cell signaling. The presence of both intracellular and extra-cellular portions of MT1-MMP can allow it to interact with proteins on both sides of the cell membrane. Here, we reviewed the MT1-MMP substrates involved in disease pathogenesis.

Chlorine (Cl₂) exposure poses a significant risk to ocular health, with the cornea being particularly susceptible to its corrosive effects. Antioxidants, known for their ability to neutralize reactive oxygen species (ROS) and alleviate oxidative stress, were explored as potential therapeutic agents to counteract chlorine-induced damage. In vitro experiments using human corneal epithelial cells showed decreased cell viability by chlorine-induced ROS production, which was reversed by antioxidant incubation. The mitochondrial membrane potential decreased due to both low and high doses of Cl₂ exposure; however, it was recovered through antioxidants. The wound scratch assay showed that antioxidants mitigated impaired wound healing after Cl₂ exposure. In vivo and ex vivo, after Cl₂ exposure, increased corneal fluorescein staining indicates damaged corneal epithelial and stromal layers of mice cornea. Likewise, Cl₂ exposure in human ex vivo corneas led to corneal injury characterized by epithelial fluorescein staining and epithelial erosion. However, antioxidants protected Cl₂-induced damage. These results highlight the effects of Cl₂ on corneal cells using in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo models while also underscoring the potential of antioxidants, such as vitamin A, vitamin C, resveratrol, and melatonin, as protective agents against acute chlorine toxicity-induced corneal injury. Further investigation is needed to confirm the antioxidants’ capacity to alleviate oxidative stress and enhance the corneal healing process.

Background: Exosomes secreted by corneal fibroblasts contain matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) 14, which is known to influence pro-MMP2 accumulation on exosomes. Accordingly, we hypothesized that the enzymatic activity of MMP14 may alter the protein content of corneal fibroblast- secreted exosomes. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of MMP14 on the composition and biological activity of corneal fibroblast-derived exosomes. Methods: Knock out of the catalytic domain (ΔExon4) of MMP14 in corneal fibroblasts was used to determine the effect of MMP14 expression on the characteristics of fibroblast-secreted exosomes. The amount of secreted proteins and their size distribution were measured using Nano Tracking Analysis. Proteins within exosomes from wild-type (WT) and ΔExon4-deficient fibroblasts were identified by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) proteomics analysis. The proteolytic effects of MMP14 were evaluated in vitro via MS identification of eliminated proteins. The biological functions of MMP14-carrying exosomes were investigated via fusion to endothelial cells and flow cytometric assays. Results: Exosomes isolated from WT and ΔExon4-deficient fibroblasts exhibited similar size distributions and morphologies, although WT fibroblasts secreted a greater amount of exosomes. The protein content, however, was higher in ΔExon4-deficient fibroblast-derived exosomes than in WT fibroblast-derived exosomes. Proteomics analysis revealed that WT-derived exosomes included proteins that regulated cell migration, and ΔExon4 fibroblast-derived exosomes contained additional proteins that were cleaved by MMP14. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that MMP14 expression influences the protein composition of exosomes secreted by corneal fibroblasts, and through those biological components, MMP14 in corneal fibroblasts derived-exosomes may regulate corneal angiogenesis.