Host metabolic reprogramming in response to SARS-Cov-2 infection

Abstract

Understanding the pathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2 is important for developing effective treatment strategies. Viruses hijack the host metabolism to redirect the resources for their replication and survival. How SARS-CoV-2 influences the host metabolism is still unclear. In this study, we analyzed transcriptomic data obtained from different human respiratory cell lines and patient samples (Swab, PBMC, lung biopsy, BALF) to understand the metabolic alterations in response to SARS-CoV-2 infection. For this purpose, the expression pattern of metabolic genes in the human genome-scale metabolic network model Recon3D was explored. We identified metabolic genes and pathways and reporter metabolites under each SARS-CoV-2-infected condition and compared them to identify common and unique changes in the metabolism. Our analysis revealed host-dependent dysregulation of glycolysis, mitochondrial metabolism, amino acid metabolism, glutathione metabolism, polyamine synthesis, and lipid metabolism. We observed different metabolic changes that are pro- and antiviral in nature. We generated hypotheses on how antiviral metabolism can be targeted/enhanced for reducing viral titers. These warrant further exploration with more samples and in vitro studies to test predictions.