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Viral infiltration of pancreatic islets in patients with COVID-19

Author

Listed:
  • Charlotte Steenblock

    (University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden)

  • Stefanie Richter

    (Technische Universität Dresden
    Technische Universität Dresden)

  • Ilona Berger

    (University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden)

  • Marko Barovic

    (Technische Universität Dresden
    German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD e. V.))

  • Janine Schmid

    (University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden)

  • Undine Schubert

    (University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden)

  • Natalia Jarzebska

    (University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden
    University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden
    University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden)

  • Anne von Mässenhausen

    (University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden
    Technische Universität Dresden)

  • Andreas Linkermann

    (University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden
    Technische Universität Dresden)

  • Annette Schürmann

    (Technische Universität Dresden
    German Institute of Human Nutrition Potsdam-Rehbruecke (DIfE)
    University of Potsdam)

  • Jessica Pablik

    (University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden)

  • Thomas Dienemann

    (University of Regensburg)

  • Katja Evert

    (University of Regensburg)

  • Roman N. Rodionov

    (University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden
    German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD e. V.))

  • Natalia Y. Semenova

    (S. P. Botkin Clinical Infectious Diseases Hospital
    V. A. Almasov Scientific Research Center)

  • Vsevolod A. Zinserling

    (S. P. Botkin Clinical Infectious Diseases Hospital
    V. A. Almasov Scientific Research Center)

  • Raul R. Gainetdinov

    (St. Petersburg State University
    St. Petersburg State University)

  • Gustavo Baretton

    (University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden)

  • Dirk Lindemann

    (Technische Universität Dresden
    Technische Universität Dresden)

  • Michele Solimena

    (Technische Universität Dresden
    German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD e. V.))

  • Barbara Ludwig

    (University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden
    Technische Universität Dresden
    Technische Universität Dresden
    University Hospital Zurich)

  • Stefan R. Bornstein

    (University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden
    King’s College London)

Abstract

Metabolic diseases are associated with an increased risk of severe COVID-19 and conversely, new-onset hyperglycemia and complications of preexisting diabetes have been observed in COVID-19 patients. Here, we performed a comprehensive analysis of pancreatic autopsy tissue from COVID-19 patients using immunofluorescence, immunohistochemistry, RNA scope and electron microscopy and detected SARS-CoV-2 viral infiltration of beta-cells in all patients. Using SARS-CoV-2 pseudoviruses, we confirmed that isolated human islet cells are permissive to infection. In eleven COVID-19 patients, we examined the expression of ACE2, TMPRSS and other receptors and factors, such as DPP4, HMBG1 and NRP1, that might facilitate virus entry. Whereas 70% of the COVID-19 patients expressed ACE2 in the vasculature, only 30% displayed ACE2-expression in beta-cells. Even in the absence of manifest new-onset diabetes, necroptotic cell death, immune cell infiltration and SARS-CoV-2 viral infection of pancreatic beta-cells may contribute to varying degrees of metabolic dysregulation in patients with COVID-19.

Suggested Citation

  • Charlotte Steenblock & Stefanie Richter & Ilona Berger & Marko Barovic & Janine Schmid & Undine Schubert & Natalia Jarzebska & Anne von Mässenhausen & Andreas Linkermann & Annette Schürmann & Jessica , 2021. "Viral infiltration of pancreatic islets in patients with COVID-19," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 12(1), pages 1-12, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:12:y:2021:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-021-23886-3
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-23886-3
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