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Published on: December 23, 2020
Overlapping host pathways between SARS-CoV-2 and its potential copathogens: An in silico analysis
1Department of Computer Science and Telecommunications, University of Thessaly, Papasiopoulou 2 - 4, P.C. 35 131 - Galaneika, Lamia, Greece; Department of Respiratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, Biopolis, Larissa P.C. 41500, Greece; Scientific Research Associate, Department of Neurology, Athens Naval Hospital, 70 Deinokratous Street, Athens P.C. 115 21, Greece.
SARS-CoV-2 coinfection with other pathogens shows overlapping host gene expression patterns. This suggests synergistic interactions and potential common targets for biomarkers and drug development in COVID-19.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Immunology
- Genomics
Background:
- Coinfection with SARS-CoV-2 and other pathogens influences COVID-19 severity.
- Host transcriptomic responses to SARS-CoV-2 may overlap with those of other infectious agents.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate host transcriptomic overlap between SARS-CoV-2 and other viral/bacterial pathogens.
- To identify shared gene expression signatures induced by different infections.
Main Methods:
- Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) of SARS-CoV-2 gene expression data.
- Comparison against pathogen-induced host gene signatures from VirusMINT and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) databases.
- Analysis of bronchial epithelial and peripheral blood immune cells.
Main Results:
- Significant transcriptomic overlap was found between SARS-CoV-2 and infections including HSV1, EBV, HIV1, IAV, RSV, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and Streptococcus pneumoniae.
- Enriched sub-signatures were consistently detected across multiple studies (≥6) and cell types.
- False discovery rate (FDR) <0.05 indicated statistical significance.
Conclusions:
- SARS-CoV-2 may interact synergistically with other pathogens at the transcriptomic level.
- Identification of common perturbed gene networks suggests a shared host targetome.
- Findings support biomarker discovery and drug design for coinfections and COVID-19 treatment.
