Does acute and persistent metabolic dysregulation in COVID19 point to novel biomarkers and future therapeutic strategies?

Omics-based profiles and biomarkers of respiratory infections: are we there yet?

From the influenza pandemic of 1918–1919 to the most recent COVID-19 pandemic, respiratory infections remain a leading cause of mortality worldwide [1, 2]. Concurrently, the development of high-throughput omics technologies has revolutionised research about host responses to known and emerging respiratory pathogens [3], accelerating our understanding of highly prevalent pulmonary diseases [4]. Notably, omics technology-based characterisation of pathogens and host pathophysiology have critically supported diagnostic and therapeutic global health efforts during both the influenza A H1N1 and SARS-CoV-2 pandemics [5–7]. Nonetheless, elucidation of key immune response mechanisms and development of host-targeted therapeutics remain important unrealised research and clinical priorities in the global fight against lower respiratory tract infections (LTRIs) [8, 9].

Descriptive omics-based clinical research provides valuable early steps in understanding host immune responses to respiratory pathogens in our global efforts to mitigate the impacts of severe respiratory infections with rapidly evolving technologies https://bit.ly/4bjJsvL

Possible Pathogenesis and Prevention of Long COVID: SARS-CoV-2-Induced Mitochondrial Disorder

Patients who have recovered from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection may experience chronic fatigue when exercising, despite no obvious heart or lung abnormalities. The present lack of effective treatments makes managing long COVID a major challenge. One of the underlying mechanisms of long COVID may be mitochondrial dysfunction. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections can alter the mitochondria responsible for energy production in cells. This alteration leads to mitochondrial dysfunction which, in turn, increases oxidative stress. Ultimately, this results in a loss of mitochondrial integrity and cell death. Moreover, viral proteins can bind to mitochondrial complexes, disrupting mitochondrial function and causing the immune cells to over-react. This over-reaction leads to inflammation and potentially long COVID symptoms. It is important to note that the roles of mitochondrial damage and inflammatory responses caused by SARS-CoV-2 in the development of long COVID are still being elucidated. Targeting mitochondrial function may provide promising new clinical approaches for long-COVID patients; however, further studies are needed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of such approaches.

ORF8/ORF8a: a difference between SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV

Recently in an editorial published as an “early view” paper in the European Respiratory Journal, Hartsell et al. [1] reported that ORF8a has a role in SARS-CoV-2 infection. In figure 1, it was stated that ORF7a, ORF8a and ORF9b locate within the mitochondria and can inhibit RIG1-MAVS (retinoic acid-inducible gene I-mitochondrial antiviral signalling protein)-dependent interferon signalling, enhance viral replication and disrupt mitochondrial function [1], although based on scientific evidence, SARS-CoV-2 lacks ORF8a [2–4].

ORF8 as an accessory protein of SARS-CoV-2https://bit.ly/3Gr3OTK