May 10, 2021
The SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein Disrupts Mitochondrial Metabolism The Same Way Cancer Does. This Increases L2-HG, Impairing T-Reg Cells, Hematopoietic Stem Cells and Causing Hypermethylation Of DNA/RNA
SARS-CoV-2 interacts with the mitochondria and impairs their metabolism. This disruption of the mitochondrial respiratory chain increases L2-hydroxyglutarate and loss of the chain in Treg cells increased DNA methylation as well as the metabolites 2-hydroxyglutarate (2-HG) and succinate that inhibit the ten-eleven translocation (TET) family of DNA demethylases. Treg cells require mitochondrial complex III (chain) to maintain immune regulatory gene expression and suppressive function. Mice given this mutation die of a severe inflammatory autoimmune disease weeks after birth. What is most interesting is that the NUMBER, PROLIFERATION and SURVIVAL of the T Regs are UNAFFECTED. Counts will be NORMAL.
Another effect of increased L2-hydroxyglutarate (2-HG) is that hematopoietic stem cells LOSE THEIR ABILITY to become PLURIPOTENT. This explains much of what we are seeing in Long COVID.
On the bright side, fruit flies with a similar disorder, when given L2HGDH, recovered from their deficits. Perhaps this may be an effective therapeutic for COVID and Long COVID.
Referenced/Related Paper
Mitochondrial complex III is essential for suppressive function of regulatory T cells