SIDT1 polymorphism found to reduce human absorption of MIR2911 from honeysuckle decoction which was found to inhibit SARS-CoV-2.
Studies have found that MIR2911 in honeysuckle decoction is responsible for inhibiting SARS-CoV-2 when consumed into the body. Unfortunately, a new study published in Cell Discovery found that SIDT1 polymorphism decreases it absorption into the human body. The research by Li Liang and Zhang Chen-Yu group at Nanjing University and two other groups demonstrated that exosomes taken from volunteers which carry the SIDT1 polymorphism had lower level of MIR2911 from honeysuckle decoction and lacked the antiviral effects for inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 replication.
From a previous study, Zhang Chen-Yu’s group identified SID1 transmembrane family member 1 (SIDT1) as a critical membrane protein mediating dietary miRNAs absorption, which is abolished in SIDT1 deficient mice. In this currently study, the team showed that possibly 16 percent of the human population carry a SIDT1 polymorphism which results in amino acid replacement.
Functional analysis uncovered that such a polymorphism took away the ability to take in exogenous miRNA under low pH-dependent conditions in vitro when compared to the wildtype of SIDT1 protein. Thus, result in lower serum levels of exogenous miRNAs in those with the polymorphism and resulting in dynamic absorption of MIR2911 after oral administration of honeysuckle decoction to decline. These findings suggest the critical role of SIDT1 in dietary miRNAs uptake in human.
Furthermore, volunteers with SIDT1 polymorphism have lower level of MIR2911 both in serum and isolated exosomes. The exosome from those polymorphic subjects displayed no effect on S-protein expression or virus replication. Notably, one out of six SARS-CoV-2 patients that were observed who took significantly longer time to become SARS-CoV-2 PCR-negative; from an average of 3.8 days to 17 days following MIR2911 antiviral therapy carries the exact polymorphism. Although the study would require a larger number of human subjects to strengthen its conclusions, does demonstrate to a certain extent that MIR2911 is indispensable to the antiviral effect of honeysuckle decoction.
This present study provides evidence that SIDT1 mediates dietary miRNAs uptake in humans, which further confirm its critical role in exogenous miRNAs absorption. Combined with the team’s previous finding, it is clearly demonstrated that MIR2911 is both necessary and sufficient to the antiviral effects of honeysuckle decoction against SARS-CoV-2.
“We have demonstrated that absorbed MIR2911 in honeysuckle decoction necessarily and sufficiently inhibits SARS-CoV-2 replication in vitro and in human subjects”. Li Liang said. “Therefore, we wish that people could discard prejudice to traditional medicine and perform clinic trail to help controlling COVID-19 pandemic. Basically, you reject MIR2911 in honeysuckle decoction, you reject life,” Li Liang added. [APBN]