Genomic regulatory network of human olfactory neuroepithelial cells infected with novel coronavirus (SARS-COV-2)

ABSTRACT

Objective To explore the genomic changes of human olfactory neuroepithelial cells after the novel coronavirus (SARS-COV-2) infecting the human body, and establish a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network of differentially expressed genes (DEGs), in order to understand the impact of SARS-COV-2 infection on human olfactory neuroepithelial cells, and provide reference for the prevention and treatment of new coronavirus pneumonia. Methods The public dataset GSE151973 was analyzed by NetworkAnalyst. DEGs were selected by conducting Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) signal pathway analysis. PPI network, DEGs-microRNA regulatory network, transcription factor-DEGs regulatory network, environmental chemicals-DEGs regulatory network, and drug-DEGs regulatory network were created and visualized by using Cytoscape 3.7.2. Results After SAR-COV-2 invading human olfactory neuroepithelial cells, part of the gene expression profile was significantly up-regulated or down-regulated. A total of 568 DEGs were found, including 550 up-regulated genes (96.8%) and 18 down-regulated genes (3.2%). DEGs were mainly involved in biological processes such as endothelial development and angiogenesis of the olfactory epithelium, and the expression of molecular functions such as the binding of the N-terminal myristylation domain. PPI network suggested that RTP1 and RTP2 were core proteins. MAZ was the most influential transcription factor. Hsa-mir-26b-5p had the most obvious interaction with DEGs regulation. Environmental chemical valproic acid and drug ethanol had the most influence on the regulation of DEG. Conclusion The gene expression of olfactory neuroepithelial cells is significantly up-regulated or down-regulated after infection with SAR-COV-2. SARS-CoV-2 may inhibit the proliferation and differentiation of muscle satellite cells by inhibiting the function of PAX7. RTP1 and RTP2 may resist SARS-CoV-2 by promoting the ability of olfactory receptors to coat the membrane and enhancing the ability of olfactory receptors to respond to odorant ligands. MAZ may regulate DEGs by affecting cell growth and proliferation. Micro RNA, environmental chemicals and drugs also play an important role in the anti-SAR-COV-2 infection process of human olfactory neuroepithelial cells.