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The novel coronavirus has been known to affect people in a number of different ways with some experiencing a severe infection and others not. Now, a recent study suggests the amount of cholesterol a person is carrying may be the key factor into the severity of COVID-19 infection.
The study’s findings suggest those with metabolic conditions including diabetes and cardiovascular disease, who often have elevated cholesterol levels, and are more prone to severe COVID-19 infections.
The researchers found the novel coronavirus can stick to cholesterol molecules as they bind to their regular cell receptor known as B type 1.
This gives the virus a prime position to latch onto the pathogen so that its spike protein can bond with the ACE2 receptor allowing it to infect the cell.
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In the study published in Nature Metabolism, HDL-scavenger receptor B type 1 facilitates SARS-CoV-2 entry was analysed.
The study noted: “Responsible for the ongoing coronavirus disease pandemic, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus infects host cells through binding of the viral spike protein to the cell-surface receptor angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2).
“Here we show that the high-density lipoprotein (HDL) scavenger receptor B type 1 facilitates ACE2-dependent entry of SARS-CoV-2.
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“We find that the S1 subunit of SARS-2-S binds to cholesterol and possibly to HDL components to enhance viral uptake in vitro.
“Our findings reveal that B type 1 acts as a host factor that promotes SARS-CoV-2 entry and may help explain viral tropism, identify a possible molecular connection between COVID-19 and lipoprotein metabolism, and highlight B type 1 as a potential therapeutic target to interfere with SARS-CoV-2 infection.
“B type 1 is a cell-surface HDL receptor that mediates the selective uptake of cholesteryl esters and other lipid components of receptor-bound HDL particle.”
The study concluded that the SARS-CoV-2 S protein binds to cholesterol and HDL enhances the entry of SARS-CoV-2 through SARS-2-S1 protein
The researchers then discovered that by blocking B type 1 and neutralising it, this inhibits infection.
They say that targeting the B type 1 receptor could be a potential avenue for future treatments.
Researchers wrote of this discovery and said: “The results of our study demonstrate that SR-B1 facilitates SARS-CoV-2 cellular attachment, entry and infection.
“Thus, the B type 1 might represent a therapeutic target to limit SARS-CoV-2 infection.”
In another study which was published in the US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health, the human scavenger receptor class B type 1 as a novel candidate receptor for the hepatitis C virus was investigated.
The study noted: “The low density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor has been shown to mediate HCV internalization via binding to virus associated LDL particles, a phenomenon common to many viruses that, like HCV, belong to the Flaviviridae family.
“We have identified the receptor responsible for E2 binding to human hepatic cells as the human scavenger receptor class B type I (SR-BI).
“E2–SR-BI interaction is very selective since neither mouse SR-BI nor the closely related human scavenger receptor CD36, were able to bind E2.”
The study further indicated the potential power of B type 1 in helping to reduce the risk of the coronavirus attaching to cholesterol and therefor reducing the severity of an infection.
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