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SARS CoV-2 aggravates cellular metabolism mediated complications in COVID-19 infection

Yogendra Singh1, Gaurav Gupta2, Imran Kazmi3

  • 1Mahatma Gandhi College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Jaipur, India.

Dermatologic Therapy
|June 20, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection alters host cell metabolism, triggering ferroptotic cell death. Supplementing with Vitamin B6, folic acid, and Vitamin B12 may help suppress complications by targeting the homocysteine pathway.

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Cell Biology
  • Metabolic Medicine

Background:

  • Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) causes COVID-19, a global health concern.
  • The mechanisms of cell death, particularly ferroptosis, in SARS-CoV-2 infection are not fully understood.
  • Host cell metabolic alterations are implicated in severe COVID-19 outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the mechanisms of ferroptotic cell death in SARS-CoV-2 infection.
  • To investigate the role of the homocysteine-mediated trans-sulfuration pathway in COVID-19 pathogenesis.
  • To identify potential therapeutic strategies targeting metabolic dysregulation.

Main Methods:

  • This study is a letter/commentary, synthesizing current research and proposing new mechanistic links.
  • Focuses on the biochemical pathways involved in cellular stress responses.
  • Highlights the role of specific metabolites and vitamins in viral infection.

Main Results:

  • Identifies critical missing links in understanding ferroptosis induction by SARS-CoV-2.
  • Reveals the significant involvement of the homocysteine-mediated trans-sulfuration pathway in COVID-19.
  • Demonstrates how SARS-CoV-2 alters host cell metabolism, leading to cellular stress.

Conclusions:

  • Ferroptosis is a key mechanism of cell death in SARS-CoV-2 infection.
  • The homocysteine pathway plays a crucial role in COVID-19 pathogenesis.
  • Vitamin B6, folic acid, and Vitamin B12 supplementation are proposed as a therapeutic strategy to mitigate SARS-CoV-2 complications by correcting metabolic imbalances.
Keywords:
COVID-19SARS-CoV-2

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