Biological characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 resistant populations by integrated gut microbiota sequencing, metabolomics, and proteomics: a cohort comparison study

TL;DR

This study compares resistant and susceptible populations to SARS-CoV-2 using gut microbiota, metabolomics, and proteomics to identify potential biomarkers for resistance.

Contribution

The study identifies a unique metabolic signature in SARS-CoV-2 resistant individuals involving phosphatidylinositol and Prevotella abundance.

Findings

Resistant individuals show elevated serum phosphatidylinositol levels.

Prevotella abundance is higher in the gut microbiota of resistant individuals.

These findings suggest potential predictive biomarkers for SARS-CoV-2 resistance.

Abstract

Most research reports on COVID-19 infections have focused on the correlation between the severity of the disease symptoms and immune deficits, while the mechanisms affecting the susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 remain largely unknown. The study aimed to comprehensively analyze the differences in immunity, gut microbiota, metabolism, and proteomics between the SARS-CoV-2 resistant population and the susceptible population.

In this cohort comparison study, participants were rigorously selected based on inclusion and exclusion criteria in a continuous enrollment manner using combined questionnaires and clinical data, ultimately including 25 SARS-CoV-2 resistant volunteers versus 16 SARS-CoV-2 infected patients. The clinical information of the participants was recorded in detail, and fecal and blood samples were collected in a standardized manner for subsequent multi-omics analysis, including gut microbiota sequencing, metabolomics, and proteomics. This study has preliminarily elucidated the characteristics of the gut microbiota, serum metabolites, and serum proteins in the SARS-CoV-2 resistant population. It exhibits a unique metabolic signature characterized by elevated levels of serum phosphatidylinositol and the abundance of Prevotella, which may serve as a potential predictive biomarker for resistance to SARS-CoV-2.

Given the crucial role of phosphatidylinositol in cell membrane architecture and viral infectivity, this study provides a promising entry point for further research into the pathogenesis and prevention strategies of COVID-19.

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