Role of OAS gene family in COVID-19 induced heart failure

Background: COVID-19, the current global pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection, can damage the heart and lead to heart failure (HF) and even cardiac death. The 2',5'-oligoadenylate synthetase (OAS) gene family encode interferon (IFN)-induced antiviral proteins which is associated with the antiviral immune responses of COVID-19. While the potential association of OAS family with cardiac injury and failure in COVID-19 has not been determined. Methods The expression levels and biological functions of OAS gene family in SARS-CoV-2 infected cardiomyocytes dataset (GSE150392) and HF dataset (GSE120852) were determined by comprehensive bioinformatic analysis and experimental validation. The associated microRNAs (miRNAs) were explored from Targetscan and GSE104150 databases. The potential OAS gene family-regulatory chemicals or ingredients were predicted using Comparative Toxicogenomics Database (CTD) and SymMap database. Results The OAS genes were highly expressed in both SARS-CoV-2 infected cardiomyocytes and in the failing hearts. The differentially expression genes (DEGs) in the two datasets were enriched in cardiovascular disease and COVID-19 related pathways, respectively. The miRNAs-target analysis indicated that 9 miRNAs could increase the expression of OAS genes. A variety of chemicals or ingredients were predicted regulating the expression of OAS gene family especially estradiol. Conclusion OAS gene family is an important mediator of HF in COVID-19 and may serve as a potential therapeutic target for cardiac injury and HF in COVID-19.