Multiomics Reveals a Mechanism: Glycogen Synthesis, Galactose Metabolism, and Ethanol Degradation Pathways, the Durable Role of Neutralizing Antibodies in Preventing COVID-19

Abstract

Since the emergence and rapid dissemination of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), over 774 million individuals globally have achieved recovery to today. There is some case flashing into here and there all over the world. Neutralizing Antibody (NAb) against Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-Type 2 (SARS-CoV-2) play a paramount role in conferring effective and lasting protection for several months. This protective effect decreases with time thus increasing the chance of reinfection. Therefore, we can provide the body with a lasting protective effect by maintaining NAb level. However, how to maintain Nab level remains elusive. To address this question, we recruited 80 patients with confirmed COVID-19 and collected 480 consecutive blood samples and performed NAb testing six months after their recovery. The NAb level were categorized into two groups: a low-titer NAb group (≤20) and a high-titer NAb group (>20). To achieve a comprehensive understanding of the changes in NAb level, 16 serum samples were randomly selected for an untargeted metabolomic analysis, whereas 9 samples were designated for a label-free proteomic analysis. We successfully identified differentially expressed 751 metabolites and 845 proteins. In both the low and high NAb titer groups, we identified three key differential proteins, phosphoglucose translocase 2(PGM2), UDP-Glc 4-epimerase (GALE), and alcohol dehydrogenase 1B (ADH1B), that play important roles in fluctuating NAb level through the glycogen synthesis, galactose metabolism and ethanol degradation pathways. These three key differential proteins may serve as potential biomarkers for maintaining NAb level and enhancing immune protection in patients recovering from COVID-19.