Neutrophils, Crucial, or Harmful Immune Cells Involved in Coronavirus Infection: A Bioinformatics Study

Area of Science:

• Virology
• Immunology
• Genomics

Background:

• Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (SARS-CoV) and SARS-CoV-2 cause severe respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19, a global pandemic.
• The molecular mechanisms underlying SARS-CoV infection and its impact on the respiratory tract remain incompletely understood.
• Understanding the host response to SARS-CoV infection is crucial for developing effective treatments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To elucidate the molecular mechanisms and host response in SARS-CoV infection.
• To identify key genes and biological pathways significantly altered during SARS-CoV infection.
• To explore potential therapeutic strategies for SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 based on molecular findings.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of the GSE1739 microarray dataset comparing SARS-CoV-positive and normal peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC).
• Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis (WGCNA) to identify gene modules associated with SARS-CoV infection.
• GEO2R analysis to pinpoint significant genes and Gene Ontology (GO) analysis to determine activated biological processes.

Main Results:

• A highly preserved 833-gene turquoise module was significantly related to SARS-CoV infection.
• Key genes identified include ELANE, ORM2, RETN, BPI, ARG1, DEFA4, CXCL1, and CAMP.
• GO analysis revealed neutrophil activation and degranulation as primary biological processes, with predicted neutrophilia, basophilia, and lymphopenia.

Conclusions:

• Neutrophil-related pathways are critically involved in the host response to SARS-CoV infection.
• Serpins and Arginase inhibitors may offer therapeutic benefits for patients with SARS-CoV infection.
• Given the similarity between SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2, these inhibitors could potentially benefit COVID-19 patients.