A Comprehensive Study on SARS-CoV-2 Through Gene Expression Meta-Analysis and Network Biology Approach

Introduction: Coronaviruses are significant pathogens of both human and animals and are globally distributed. Out of seven CoVs strains, the most lethal coronavirus strains being portrayed is SARS-CoV-2. It can cause bronchial asthma, and severe pneumonia and acute respiratory disease. Due to its contagion in infants, adults, and immunocompromised patients which further results in making this a deadly disease, thus there is an urgent need to develop effective and safe therapeutics against it. Materials and Methods: Meta-analysis of publicly available gene expression datasets belonging to SARS-CoV-2, SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV and HCoV-229E were carried out to identify the potential differentially expressed genes exclusively associated with SARS-CoV-2 and then a network model was developed to decipher significant drug targets, associated pathways and drug candidates which can be repurposed for this infection. Results: The COVID-19 infection mainly targets immune responses and regulatory processes. A novel role of Relaxin signaling pathway was identified in SARS-CoV-2 infection. Anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, nutraceutical and anthelmintic agents were found to be good prospective candidates for repurposing against COVID-19. Conclusions: This theoretical study resulted in the identification of approved drug targets that may have the potential to be repurposed for COVID 19 treatment.