Adipose tissue in COVID-19: detection of SARS-CoV-2 in adipocytes and activation of the interferon-alpha response.

ABSTRACT:

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%) case

SUBMITTER: Basolo A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8852916 | biostudies-literature | 2022 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature