COVID-19 from an epigenetic perspective: how to help the body to better defend against infection?

The coronavirus pandemic has gained momentum and is once again threatening our health and lives. Let’s take a look together at the processes that allow the COVID-19 virus to effectively attack human cells and what natural substances can help thwart it.

Viruses are extremely interesting organisms because they do not fit the definition of a living organism. Unlike bacteria, for example, they cannot reproduce themselves, but need the cells of a host with their reproductive mechanisms, which they can skillfully “domesticate” and use. An important role is played by epigenetic processes, i.e. biochemical reactions that influence the activity of a number of important genes.

How to tame a cell

Epigenetic processes are primarily taking place directly in the virus itself, i.e. directly in its RNA (COVID-19 belongs to the so-called RNA viruses, which do not have genetic information stored in DNA, but in ribonucleic acid – RNA). These epigenetic changes, particularly in the area of gene methylation, allow viruses to multiply and mature efficiently. But viruses can do much, much more – they can also very effectively influence epigenetic processes directly in the host cells, for example in the DNA of the human they attack.

Viruses, of course, do not have the ability to change the order of genes in our DNA, but they can quite effectively change our epigenetic patterns and thus the activity of individual genes. The reason they do this in the first place is to trick our immune system – they can affect both the innate and adaptive immune response. This ability has been well studied, for example, in the MERS virus and also in the H5N1 influenza virus, and is most likely also present in the COVID-19 virus.

In the grip of a cytokine storm

However, epigenetic processes also determine to a large extent how serious the virus infection will be for a particular person. When the immune system starts to attack a foreign organism, some immune cells (especially macrophages and T-lymphocytes) start to release proteins called cytokines, some of which significantly promote inflammatory processes in the body. In some cases, however, the body begins to produce cytokines in huge quantities, leading to the development of intense inflammation that can cause major organs to fail. The term “cytokine storm” is used for this condition.

Scientists have found an interesting link in an autoimmune disease called lupus. People who suffer from this disease have a reduced level of methylation of the gene for the production of the enzyme ACE2, which is involved in the production of cytokines, and therefore produce excessive amounts of them.

However, the level of methylation of the ACE2 gene varies significantly even in people who do not have lupus, and it decreases mainly with age. This has led scientists to think that the level of methylation of this gene could be linked to the likelihood of severe COVID-19, which uses the ACE2 enzyme to penetrate the cell.

To increase the body’s immunity to covid and to reduce the risk of life-threatening complications, it is therefore important to reduce the production of inflammatory cytokines and to reduce the activity of genes required for the production of ACE2 and other important enzymes.

Possible help from nature

Many of the compounds that are a common part of our diet have significant epigenetic potential, i.e. the ability to influence the activity of genes in our DNA. And the same is true for many herbs. Some of them can also influence metabolic processes in this way, which are important for our immunity to viruses, including COVID-19.

Quercetin

This flavonoid is found in many fruits, vegetables and other foods and can also be taken as a dietary supplement. Quercetin is capable of influencing genes for the production of enzymes crucial for viral survival, in particular ACE2, 3CLpro and the enzyme helicase, via an epigenetic pathway. Quercetin has already been shown to be partially effective against SARS virus in the past, and it is therefore very likely that the above mechanisms may also be applicable in the fight against COVID-19.

Ginger

Ginger root has a high ability to suppress cytokine production by macrophages without interfering with their ability to destroy pathogens.

EGCG

Epigallocatechin gallate is a compound found primarily in green tea. It is effective in gene methylation and also acts on genes key to virus defence (including ACE2). Its high antioxidant activity also plays an important role in its antiviral action.

Baikal pine cone

The herb is widely used especially in traditional Chinese medicine and significantly reduces the production of inflammatory cytokines, in addition to increasing the body’s defences against viral infections. Initial studies even suggest its possible efficacy against COVID-19.

Luteolin

It is a flavonoid found mainly in citrus fruits and juniper berries. It also affects the activity of some important genes including ACE2.