SARS-CoV-2 infection boosts MX1 antiviral effector in COVID-19 patients

Bizzotto, Juan; Sanchis, Pablo; Abbate, Mercedes; Lage-Vickers, Sofía; Lavignolle, Rosario; Toro, Ayelén; Olszevicki, Santiago; Sabater, Agustina; Cascardo, Florencia; Vazquez, Elba; Cotignola, Javier; Gueron, Geraldine

In a published case-control study (GSE152075) from SARS-CoV-2 positive (n=403) and negative patients (n=50), we analyzed the response to infection assessing gene expression of host cell receptors and antiviral proteins. The expression analysis associated with reported risk factors for COVID-19 was also assessed. SARS-CoV-2 cases had higher ACE2, but lower TMPRSS2, BSG/CD147 and CTSB expression compared with negative cases. COVID-19 patients’ age negatively affected ACE2 expression. MX1 and MX2 were higher in COVID-19 patients. A negative trend for MX1 and MX2 was observed as patients’ age increased. Principal Component Analysis determined that ACE2, MX1, MX2, and BSG/CD147 expression was able to cluster non-COVID-19 and COVID-19 individuals. Multivariable regression showed that MX1 expression significantly increased for each unit of viral load increment. Altogether, these findings support differences in ACE2, MX1, MX2, and BSG/CD147 expression between COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 patients and point out to MX1 as a critical responder in SARS-CoV-2 infection.