COVID-19 targets human adrenal glands

Kanczkowski, Waldemar; Evert, Katja; Stadtmüller, Marlena; Haberecker, Martina; Laks, Laura; Chen, Lansun; Frontzek, Karl; Pablik, Jessica; Hantel, Constanze; Beuschlein, Felix; Kurth, Thomas; Gruber, Sven; Aguzzi, Adriano; Varga, Zsuzsanna; Bornstein, Stefan R.

doi:10.1016/s2213-8587(21)00291-6

Cited by 50 publications

(60 citation statements)

References 10 publications

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“…Susceptible cells also need to express co-receptors required for virus internalization, such as transmembrane protease serine 2 or furins. Several reports, including our own, have confirmed the expression of these receptors in the adrenal gland 3 , 4 . Moreover, these reports provided evidence that SARS-CoV-2 might not only target human adrenocortical cells 3 , 4 , but might also actively replicate in these cells 4 .…”

Section: Is Sars-cov-2 Targeting Adrenal Cells?supporting

confidence: 70%

“…Several reports, including our own, have confirmed the expression of these receptors in the adrenal gland 3 , 4 . Moreover, these reports provided evidence that SARS-CoV-2 might not only target human adrenocortical cells 3 , 4 , but might also actively replicate in these cells 4 . For example, SARS-CoV-2 RNA and protein were detected in 45% of adrenal glands obtained from patients who died due to a critical course of COVID-19 infection 3 .…”

Section: Is Sars-cov-2 Targeting Adrenal Cells?supporting

confidence: 70%

“…Moreover, these reports provided evidence that SARS-CoV-2 might not only target human adrenocortical cells 3 , 4 , but might also actively replicate in these cells 4 . For example, SARS-CoV-2 RNA and protein were detected in 45% of adrenal glands obtained from patients who died due to a critical course of COVID-19 infection 3 . Interestingly, SARS-CoV-2 was also detected in adrenal endothelial cells 4 .…”

Section: Is Sars-cov-2 Targeting Adrenal Cells?mentioning

confidence: 96%

“…However, no proof of an active replication could be found, indicating that SARS-CoV-2 is passively transmitted through the adrenal vascular system 4 . In addition, SARS-CoV-2 infection was associated with increased inflammation and activation of programmed cell death pathways in human adrenocortical cells 3 , 4 .…”

Section: Is Sars-cov-2 Targeting Adrenal Cells?mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Is there a role for the adrenal glands in long COVID?

2022

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Section: Is Sars-cov-2 Targeting Adrenal Cells?supporting

confidence: 70%

Section: Is Sars-cov-2 Targeting Adrenal Cells?supporting

confidence: 70%

Section: Is Sars-cov-2 Targeting Adrenal Cells?mentioning

confidence: 96%

Section: Is Sars-cov-2 Targeting Adrenal Cells?mentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Is there a role for the adrenal glands in long COVID?

2022

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“… 66 The importance of the HPA axis, and particularly of the adrenal glands, in the context of COVID-19 is supported by our recent findings demonstrating that the adrenal glands are a potential target for SARS-CoV-2 infection; the resulting cellular damage could potentially predispose patients with COVID-19 to adrenal dysfunction. 68 …”

Section: Sex Differences In Covid-19mentioning

confidence: 99%

Sexual dimorphism in COVID-19: potential clinical and public health implications

Bechmann

Barthel

Schedl

et al. 2022

The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology

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Current evidence suggests that severity and mortality of COVID-19 is higher in men than in women, whereas women might be at increased risk of COVID-19 reinfection and development of long COVID. Differences between sexes have been observed in other infectious diseases and in the response to vaccines. Sex-specific expression patterns of proteins mediating virus binding and entry, and divergent reactions of the immune and endocrine system, in particular the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, in response to acute stress might explain the higher severity of COVID-19 in men. In this Personal View, we discuss how sex hormones, comorbidities, and the sex chromosome complement influence these mechanisms in the context of COVID-19. Due to its role in the severity and progression of SARS-CoV-2 infections, we argue that sexual dimorphism has potential implications for disease treatment, public health measures, and follow-up of patients predisposed to the development of long COVID. We suggest that sex differences could be considered in future pandemic surveillance and treatment of patients with COVID-19 to help to achieve better disease stratification and improved outcomes.

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Transcriptional changes in multiple endocrine organs from lethal cases of COVID-19

et al. 2023

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Altered circulating hormone and metabolite levels have been reported during and post-COVID-19. Yet, studies of gene expression at the tissue level capable of identifying the causes of endocrine dysfunctions are lacking. Transcript levels of endocrine-specific genes were analyzed in five endocrine organs of lethal COVID-19 cases. Overall, 116 autoptic specimens from 77 individuals (50 COVID-19 cases and 27 uninfected controls) were included. Samples were tested for the SARS-CoV-2 genome. The adrenals, pancreas, ovary, thyroid, and white adipose tissue (WAT) were investigated. Transcript levels of 42 endocrine-specific and 3 interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs) were measured and compared between COVID-19 cases (virus-positive and virus-negative in each tissue) and uninfected controls. ISG transcript levels were enhanced in SARS-CoV-2-positive tissues. Endocrine-specific genes (e.g., HSD3B2, INS, IAPP, TSHR, FOXE1, LEP, and CRYGD) were deregulated in COVID-19 cases in an organ-specific manner. Transcription of organ-specific genes was suppressed in virus-positive specimens of the ovary, pancreas, and thyroid but enhanced in the adrenals. In WAT of COVID-19 cases, transcription of ISGs and leptin was enhanced independently of virus detection in tissue. Though vaccination and prior infection have a protective role against acute and long-term effects of COVID-19, clinicians must be aware that endocrine manifestations can derive from virus-induced and/or stress-induced transcriptional changes of individual endocrine genes. Key messages • SARS-CoV-2 can infect adipose tissue, adrenals, ovary, pancreas and thyroid. • Infection of endocrine organs induces interferon response. • Interferon response is observed in adipose tissue independently of virus presence. • Endocrine-specific genes are deregulated in an organ-specific manner in COVID-19. • Transcription of crucial genes such as INS, TSHR and LEP is altered in COVID-19.

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COVID-19 targets human adrenal glands

Cited by 50 publications

References 10 publications

Is there a role for the adrenal glands in long COVID?

Is there a role for the adrenal glands in long COVID?

Sexual dimorphism in COVID-19: potential clinical and public health implications

Transcriptional changes in multiple endocrine organs from lethal cases of COVID-19

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