G6PD deficiency, redox homeostasis, and viral infections: implications for SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19)

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has so far affected more than 45 million people and has caused over 1 million deaths worldwide. Infection with SARS-CoV-2, the pathogenic agent, which is associated with an imbalanced redox status, causes hyperinflammation and a cytokine storm, leading to cell death. Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficient individuals may experience a hemolytic crisis after being exposed to oxidants or infection. Individuals with G6PD deficiency are more susceptible to coronavirus infection than individuals with normally functioning G6PD. An altered immune response to viral infections is found in individuals with G6PD deficiency. Evidence indicates that G6PD deficiency is a predisposing factor of COVID-19.

Keywords:

• G6PD
• NADPH
• redox
• virus
• COVID-19

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was funded by the Ministry of Science and Technology, Taiwan, 10.13039/501100004663 (MOST108-2320-B-264-002 and MOST109-2320-B-264-001-MY2 to HCY, MOST109-2320-B-255-009 and MOST 109-2811-B-255-501 to DTYC). This work was also supported by Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou, 10.13039/ 501100005795 (CMRPF1J0072 to DTYC).