FABP4 as a therapeutic host target controlling SARS-CoV-2 infection

Baazım H., Koyuncu E., Tuncman G., Burak M. F., Merkel L., Bahour N., ...Daha Fazla

EMBO MOLECULAR MEDICINE, sa.1, ss.1-27, 2025 (SCI-Expanded)

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Basım Tarihi: 2025
  • Dergi Adı: EMBO MOLECULAR MEDICINE
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, BIOSIS, Chemical Abstracts Core, EMBASE, Food Science & Technology Abstracts, MEDLINE, Directory of Open Access Journals
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.1-27
  • Hatay Mustafa Kemal Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

Host metabolic fitness is a critical determinant of infectious disease outcomes. Obesity, aging, and other related metabolic disorders are recognized as high-risk disease modifiers for respiratory infections, including coronavirus infections, though the underlying mechanisms remain unknown. Our study highlights fatty acid-binding protein 4 (FABP4), a key regulator of metabolic dysfunction and inflammation, as a modulator of SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis, correlating strongly with disease severity in COVID-19 patients. We demonstrate that loss of FABP4 function, by genetic or pharmacological means, reduces SARS-CoV-2 replication and disrupts the formation of viral replication organelles in adipocytes and airway epithelial cells. Importantly, FABP4 inhibitor treatment of infected hamsters diminished lung viral titers, alleviated lung damage and reduced collagen deposition. These findings highlight the therapeutic potential of targeting host metabolism in limiting coronavirus replication and mitigating the pathogenesis of infection.