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Adipose tissue in COVID-19: detection of SARS-CoV-2 in adipocytes and activation of the interferon-alpha response.
Basolo, A; Poma, A M; Bonuccelli, D; Proietti, A; Macerola, E; Ugolini, C; Torregrossa, L; Giannini, R; Vignali, P; Basolo, F; Santini, F; Toniolo, A.
Afiliación
  • Basolo A; Obesity and Lipodystrophy Center, Endocrinology Unit, University Hospital of Pisa, 56124, Pisa, Italy. alessio.basolo@med.unipi.it.
  • Poma AM; Department of Surgical, Medical, Molecular Pathology and Critical Area, University Hospital of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
  • Bonuccelli D; Department of Forensic Medicine, Azienda USL Toscana Nordovest, Lucca, Italy.
  • Proietti A; Department of Surgical, Medical, Molecular Pathology and Critical Area, University Hospital of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
  • Macerola E; Department of Surgical, Medical, Molecular Pathology and Critical Area, University Hospital of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
  • Ugolini C; Department of Surgical, Medical, Molecular Pathology and Critical Area, University Hospital of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
  • Torregrossa L; Department of Surgical, Medical, Molecular Pathology and Critical Area, University Hospital of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
  • Giannini R; Department of Surgical, Medical, Molecular Pathology and Critical Area, University Hospital of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
  • Vignali P; Department of Surgical, Medical, Molecular Pathology and Critical Area, University Hospital of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
  • Basolo F; Department of Surgical, Medical, Molecular Pathology and Critical Area, University Hospital of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
  • Santini F; Obesity and Lipodystrophy Center, Endocrinology Unit, University Hospital of Pisa, 56124, Pisa, Italy.
  • Toniolo A; Global Virus Network, University of Insubria, 21100, Varese, Italy.
J Endocrinol Invest ; 45(5): 1021-1029, 2022 May.
Article en En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35169984
OBJECTIVE: Obesity is a recognized risk factor for the progression to severe forms of COVID-19, yet the mechanisms of the association are unclear. METHODS: Subcutaneous abdominal adipose tissue specimens of subjects deceased from COVID-19 (n = 23) were compared to those of controls dying abruptly from causes other than infectious (accidental trauma, sudden cardiac death). Alterations of lung parenchyma consistent with moderate to severe disease were detected in all COVID-19 cases, not in controls. Investigations included: histopathologic features, detection of virus antigens and genome, characterization of infiltrating leukocytes, transcription levels of immune-related genes. RESULTS: By RT-PCR, the SARS-CoV-2 genome was detected in the adipose tissue of 13/23 (56%) cases of the COVID-19 cohort. The virus nucleocapsid antigen was detected in the cytoplasm of 1-5% adipocytes in 12/12 COVID-19 cases that were virus-positive by PCR in the adipose tissue (one case could not be assessed due insufficient tissue). The adipose tissue of COVID-19 cases showed leukocyte infiltrates and upregulation of the interferon-alpha pathway. After adjusting for age and sex, the activation score of IFN-alpha was directly related with transcription levels of the ACE2 gene, a key entry factor of SARS-CoV-2. CONCLUSIONS: In lethal COVID-19 cases, the SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid antigen has been detected in a sizeable proportion of adipocytes, showing that the virus may directly infect the parenchymal cells of subcutaneous fat. Infection appears to activate the IFN alpha pathway and to attract infiltrating leukocytes. Due to the huge numbers of adipocytes in adults, the adipose tissue represents a significant reservoir for SARS-CoV-2 and an important source of inflammatory mediators.
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Texto completo: 1 Colección: 01-internacional Base de datos: MEDLINE Asunto principal: Tejido Adiposo / Interferón-alfa / Adipocitos / SARS-CoV-2 / COVID-19 Tipo de estudio: Diagnostic_studies / Risk_factors_studies Límite: Adult / Humans Idioma: En Revista: J Endocrinol Invest Año: 2022 Tipo del documento: Article País de afiliación: Italia Pais de publicación: Italia
Texto completo
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Texto completo: 1 Colección: 01-internacional Base de datos: MEDLINE Asunto principal: Tejido Adiposo / Interferón-alfa / Adipocitos / SARS-CoV-2 / COVID-19 Tipo de estudio: Diagnostic_studies / Risk_factors_studies Límite: Adult / Humans Idioma: En Revista: J Endocrinol Invest Año: 2022 Tipo del documento: Article País de afiliación: Italia Pais de publicación: Italia