AUTHOR=Pruimboom Leo 

TITLE=Methylation Pathways and SARS-CoV-2 Lung Infiltration and Cell Membrane-Virus Fusion Are Both Subject to Epigenetics

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology

VOLUME=Volume 10 - 2020

YEAR=2020

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/cellular-and-infection-microbiology/articles/10.3389/fcimb.2020.00290

DOI=10.3389/fcimb.2020.00290

ISSN=2235-2988

ABSTRACT=The recent pandemic SARS-CoV-2 outbreak affects all kind of individuals worldwide. The health, social and economic impact of the pandemic is dramatic and vaccines or specific treatment options are not yet available. The only approaches that we currently have available to stop the epidemic are those of classical epidemic control, such as case isolation, contact tracing and quarantine, physical distancing and hygiene measures. It is therefore essential to find other preventive measurements and possible interventions to slow down the number of infected individuals and to decrease severity of disease when affected by SARS-CoV-2. It seems that epigenetic mechanisms are an important part of the pathophysiology and illness severity of COVID-19 . These mechanisms have been identified in SARS-CoV-2, but also in other viral infections. If and when these mechanisms are confirmed, then epigenetic interventions, influencing DNA methylation, could be indicated as primary and/or secondary preventive options.