Network modeling of the different SARS-CoV-2 spike protein infection points within the human hematopoietic network

Abstract

Hematopoiesis is a physiological process that mainly functions in both the formation and replenishment of varying types of blood cells. SARS-CoV-2 has been reported to affect the human hematopoietic system at multiple infection points leading to multiple types of blood disorders. However, the possible effects of the different SARS-CoV-2 infection points within the hematopoietic system were never fully understood. In this study, we designed and generated multiple human hematopoietic network models representing the varying known SARS-CoV-2 infection points within the human hematopoietic system. Subsequently, centrality measurement analyses were performed to identify significant nodes and edges within the models. We putatively generated human hematopoietic network models to represent the distinct, synergistic, and integrated SARS-CoV-2 spike protein infection points within the human hematopoietic system. Additionally, we potentially established that neither the discrete nor the synergistic network models showed any changes in the human hematopoietic network, which we attributed to the conserved nature of the hematopoietic system. Furthermore, we presumably demonstrated that the integrated network model indicated that erythropoiesis and thrombopoiesis were primarily affected. Overall, we propose that an integrated network model is putatively the more accurate representation of the human hematopoietic system in the presence of SARS-CoV-2 infection involving the spike protein.