Page 25 - CSIR-IGIB Annual Report 2020-21

Transcriptome data analysis in COVID-19
Unbiased and hypothesis free methodology of that the vaccine induces long-lasting
transcriptome analysis was previously used in transcriptomic changes that mimic viral
the laboratory for discovery and modeling of infections by upregulation of antiviral defense
transgenerational spermatogenic inheritance, response and oppose viral infections by
and for drug repurposing in neuropsychiatry. In downregulation of myeloid cell activation.
the year 2020-21, the ongoing pandemic of These durability and mechanistic insights gained
Coronavirus (COVID-19) required application of argued against possible indiscriminate use of
this methodology towards understanding risk the vaccine and activated innate immune
protection, unraveling therapeutic mechanisms, response associated safety concerns in COVID-
and identifying treatment candidates. For 19, in that order.
example, there was a need to address Bacille Second, a convergent analysis of transcriptomic
Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine induced trained data related to lung and blood immune cells in
immunity protection, dexamethasone’s severe COVID-19 and matching cellular models
therapeutic mechanisms, and cytokine of dexamethasone treatment provided proof of
inhibitors’ treatment potential in COVID-19. In a concept for broad anti-inflammatory activities
rapid approach, existing transcriptomic data of dexamethasone underlying its therapeutic
was analyzed in this reporting period towards effects in severe COVID-19. Third, treatment
addressing these specific gaps. potential of various biological/small molecule
First, an integrative analysis of epidemiological cytokine inhibitors needed assessment. To that
transcriptomic data related to BCG vaccination, end, a data compendium was developed for
and to respiratory tract viral infections including future analysis.
COVID-19 was carried out. Results suggested

Publications

Multifaceted genome-wide study identifies novel regulatory loci in SLC22A11 and ZNF45 for body mass index in
Indians. Giri AK, Prasad G, Bandesh K, Parekatt V, Mahajan A, Banerjee P, Kauser Y, Chakraborty S, Rajashekar D;
INDICO, Sharma A, Mathur SK, Basu A, McCarthy MI, Tandon N, Bharadwaj D. Mol Genet Genomics. 2020
Jul;295(4):1013-1026

A pilot, open-label investigation of the efficacy of glucosamine for the treatment of major depression. Kumar PNS,
Sharma A, Andrade C. Asian J Psychiatr. 2020 Aug;52:102113.

Low serum CCL17 as a marker for severe/critical COVID-19: A pathogenic link. Sharma A. Gene. 2021 Apr
30;778:145486.

Epidemiological transcriptomic data supports BCG protection in viral diseases including COVID-19. Sharma A. Gene.
2021 May 30;783:145574.

Annual Report 2020-21 22