Microglia activation and neuronal alterations in retinas from COVID-19 patients: correlation with clinical parameters.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Different ocular alterations have been described in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Our aim was to determine whether COVID-19 affected retinal cells and establish correlations with clinical parameters.

Methods

Retinal sections and flat-mount retinas from human donors with COVID-19 (n = 16) and controls (n = 15) were immunostained. The location of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and the morphology of microglial cells, Müller cells, astrocytes, and photoreceptors were analyzed by confocal microscopy. Microglial quantification and the area occupied by them were measured. Correlations among retinal and clinical parameters were calculated.

Results

ACE2 was mainly located in the Müller cells, outer segment of cones and retinal pigment ep

SUBMITTER: Albertos-Arranz H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9974399 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature