Up-regulation of ACE2, the SARS-CoV-2 receptor, in asthmatics on maintenance inhaled corticosteroids.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The first step in SARS-CoV-2 infection is binding of the virus to angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) on the airway epithelium. Asthma affects over 300 million people world-wide, many of whom may encounter SARS-CoV-2. Epidemiologic data suggests that asthmatics who get infected may be at increased risk of more severe disease. Our objective was to assess whether maintenance inhaled corticosteroids (ICS), a major treatment for asthma, is associated with airway ACE2 expression in asthmatics.

Methods

Large airway epithelium (LAE) of asthmatics treated with maintenance ICS (ICS⁺), asthmatics not treated with ICS (ICS^-), and healthy controls (controls) was analyzed for expression of ACE2 and other coronavirus infection-related genes using microa

SUBMITTER: O'Beirne SL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8261394 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature