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Transcriptomic analyses suggest that mucopolysaccharidosis patients may be less susceptible to COVID-19

Karolina Pierzynowska1, Lidia Gaffke1, Grzegorz Węgrzyn1

  • 1Department of Molecular Biology, University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland.

FEBS Letters
|September 4, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Patients with mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS), a rare metabolic disorder, may be less susceptible to COVID-19. Transcriptomic analysis of MPS cells revealed altered gene expression potentially hindering SARS-CoV-2 infection, despite known respiratory risks.

Area of Science:

  • Genetics
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Metabolic Disorders

Background:

  • Mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS) is a group of rare inherited metabolic diseases.
  • MPS can cause respiratory complications, posing potential risks for infectious diseases like COVID-19.
  • Understanding cellular susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 in MPS is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the susceptibility of mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS) cells to SARS-CoV-2 infection.
  • To analyze gene expression patterns in MPS cell lines related to viral entry and replication.

Main Methods:

  • Transcriptomic (RNA-seq) analyses were performed on MPS cell lines.
  • Gene expression levels of proteins implicated in SARS-CoV-2 infection pathways were quantified.
  • Comparison of gene expression profiles between MPS and control cells.

Main Results:

  • Four genes (GTF2F2, RAB18, TMEM97, PDE4DIP) facilitating viral development were down-regulated in MPS cells.
  • Two genes (FBN1, MFGE8) that may inhibit viral propagation were up-regulated in most MPS types.
  • Despite respiratory risks associated with MPS, cellular analyses suggest reduced SARS-CoV-2 susceptibility.

Conclusions:

  • MPS cells exhibit altered gene expression profiles that may confer resistance to SARS-CoV-2.
  • Transcriptomic data suggest MPS patients might be less susceptible to COVID-19 at the cellular level.
  • Further research is warranted to confirm these findings in clinical settings.
Keywords:
COVID-19mucopolysaccharidosistranscriptomic analyses

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