Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Feb 27, 2025 4 hours, 55 minutes ago
Medical News: The Role of Gut Bacteria in SARS-CoV-2 Infection
A groundbreaking study conducted by researchers from the University of California San Diego-USA, the University of Copenhagen-Denmark, and several other institutions has revealed a surprising link between gut bacteria and the infectivity of SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19. The study suggests that certain gut bacteria can modify the glycocalyx, a dense layer of sugars and proteins lining the gut, thereby influencing the virus’s ability to infect cells.
Bacterial Grooming of the Glycocalyx Can Influence SARS-CoV-2 Infectivity
This
Medical News report highlights how the presence and activity of these bacteria vary by age and sex, potentially explaining differences in COVID-19 severity among individuals. The findings open new doors for understanding how the microbiome might be leveraged to reduce viral infections.
Gut Microbes and Viral Entry Mechanisms
SARS-CoV-2 enters human cells through its spike protein, which binds to receptors like angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and heparan sulfate (HS). These receptors are abundant in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, making the gut a key site for viral replication. Interestingly, some commensal bacteria found in the gut can modify heparan sulfate through enzymatic activity, potentially reducing the virus’s ability to latch onto cells.
The study analyzed large-scale gut microbiome data to identify bacterial species capable of modifying HS. The researchers discovered that certain species, particularly those in the Bacteroides genus, produce enzymes that can degrade HS, potentially limiting SARS-CoV-2 infection in the gut.
Key Findings from the Study
Researchers examined gut microbiome samples from over 6,000 individuals and observed that bacterial species capable of modifying HS were significantly reduced in older adults and males - two groups known to experience more severe COVID-19 outcomes. The study also analyzed gut microbiome samples from COVID-19 patients and found that those with severe disease had lower levels of HS-modifying bacteria compared to those with moderate illness or uninfected individuals.
In laboratory experiments, the researchers cultivated specific bacteria that naturally produce HS-degrading enzymes. They tested the ability of these bacterial cultures to reduce the binding of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein to human cells. Results showed that treating cells with these bacteria led to a significant reduction in viral binding, confirming that gut bacteria could influence viral entry.
Engineering a Probiotic to Block SARS-CoV-2
Building on these findings, the research team engineered a common probiotic, Escherichia coli Nissle 1917 (EcN), to express heparan sulfate-degrading enzymes. When these modified probiotic bacteria were introduced to human cell cultures, they effectively blocked the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein from binding to host cells.
This breakthrough suggests a potential
future application where probiotics could be developed as a preventive measure against COVID-19 by altering the gut microbiome to reduce viral susceptibility.
The Implications of the Findings
The results of this study highlight the critical role of the gut microbiome in modulating viral infections. Since gut bacteria can directly impact the availability of viral binding sites, manipulating the microbiome through dietary changes or probiotic supplementation could offer new ways to reduce the risk of severe COVID-19. The study also raises questions about the potential role of microbiota in other viral infections beyond SARS-CoV-2.
The findings further emphasize the importance of maintaining a healthy gut microbiome. Factors such as diet, antibiotic use, and overall gut health may influence an individual’s susceptibility to viral infections. Researchers suggest that increasing dietary fiber intake, which supports the growth of beneficial gut bacteria, may help maintain a protective gut microbiome that could lower the risk of severe infections.
Future Directions and Conclusion
While these findings are promising, more research is needed to translate them into clinical applications. Scientists aim to conduct further studies to determine how gut microbiome composition affects SARS-CoV-2 infection in real-world settings and whether probiotic interventions can provide measurable protection against the virus. Future research will also explore how these findings could be applied to other respiratory viruses that use similar entry mechanisms.
In conclusion, the study provides compelling evidence that gut bacteria can influence SARS-CoV-2 infectivity by modifying heparan sulfate. These findings not only enhance our understanding of COVID-19 pathogenesis but also pave the way for innovative microbiome-based therapies. With further exploration, interventions targeting the gut microbiome could become a valuable tool in the fight against viral infections.
The study findings were published in the peer-reviewed journal: mBio.
https://journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/mbio.04015-24
For the latest COVID-19 News, keep on logging to Thailand
Medical News.
Read Also:
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/understanding-factors-leading-to-glycocalyx-degradation
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/australian-study-uncovers-covid-19-s-impact-on-the-endothelial-glycocalyx
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/peer-reviewed-study-warns-that-covid-19-vaccines-are-causing-endotheliopathy-or-glycocalyx-degradation
https://www.thailandmedical.news/articles/coronavirus
https://www.thailandmedical.news/pages/thailand_doctors_listings
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