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Updated: Oct 10, 2025
Immunometabolic Circuits in Infection for Advancing Host Directed Therapies
Published on: September 13, 2024
Controlling the Burden of COVID-19 by Manipulating Host Metabolism
Logan Miller1, Engin Berber1, Deepak Sumbria1
1Department of Biomedical and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, USA.
Abstract:
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused by the coronavirus-severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) continues to cause global health problems, but its impact would be minimized if the many effective vaccines that have been developed were available and in widespread use by all societies. This ideal situation is not occurring so other means of controlling COVID-19 are needed. In this short review, we make the case that manipulating host metabolic pathways could be a therapeutic approach worth exploring. The rationale for such an approach comes from the fact that viruses cause metabolic changes in cells they infect, effective host defense mechanisms against viruses requires the activity of one or more metabolic pathways, and that hosts with metabolic defects such as diabetes are more susceptible to severe consequences after COVID-19. We describe the types of approaches that could be used to redirect various aspects of host metabolism and the success that some of these maneuvers have had at controlling other virus infections. Manipulating metabolic activities to control the outcome of COVID-19 has to date received minimal attention. Manipulating host metabolism will never replace vaccines to control COVID-19 but could be used as an adjunct therapy to the extent of ongoing infection.
Insights
Manipulating host metabolism offers a novel therapeutic strategy to combat coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). This approach, targeting metabolic pathways, could complement vaccines and reduce the severity of COVID-19 infections.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Metabolic Medicine
- Immunology
Background:
- The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by SARS-CoV-2, persists globally, necessitating additional control measures beyond vaccination.
- Viruses induce metabolic alterations in host cells, and effective antiviral defenses rely on specific metabolic pathways.
- Individuals with metabolic disorders, like diabetes, exhibit increased susceptibility to severe COVID-19 outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the potential of manipulating host metabolic pathways as a therapeutic strategy for COVID-19.
- To review the rationale linking viral infections, host metabolism, and disease severity.
- To discuss methods for redirecting host metabolism and their success in controlling other viral infections.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on viral-induced metabolic changes.
- Analysis of host metabolic pathways involved in antiviral defense.
- Examination of therapeutic strategies targeting host metabolism in viral infections.
Main Results:
- Viruses significantly alter host cell metabolism.
- Host metabolic pathways are crucial for effective antiviral immune responses.
- Metabolic dysregulation, such as in diabetes, exacerbates COVID-19 severity.
Conclusions:
- Manipulating host metabolism presents a promising, yet underexplored, therapeutic avenue for COVID-19.
- This approach could serve as an adjunct therapy to vaccination, aiding in the management of ongoing infections.
- Further research into host-directed metabolic interventions is warranted to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.
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