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Variability in digestive and respiratory tract Ace2 expression is associated with the microbiome.
Koester, Sean T; Li, Naisi; Lachance, Daniel M; Morella, Norma M; Dey, Neelendu.
  • Koester ST; Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, United States of America.
  • Li N; Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, United States of America.
  • Lachance DM; Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, United States of America.
  • Morella NM; Molecular Engineering & Sciences Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States of America.
  • Dey N; Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, United States of America.
PLoS One ; 16(3): e0248730, 2021.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1136301
ABSTRACT
COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) patients exhibiting gastrointestinal symptoms are reported to have worse prognosis. Ace2 (angiotensin-converting enzyme 2), the gene encoding the host protein to which SARS-CoV-2 spike proteins bind, is expressed in the gut and therefore may be a target for preventing or reducing severity of COVID-19. Here we test the hypothesis that Ace2 expression in the gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts is modulated by the microbiome. We used quantitative PCR to profile Ace2 expression in germ-free mice, conventional raised specific pathogen-free mice, and gnotobiotic mice colonized with different microbiota. Intestinal Ace2 expression levels were significantly higher in germ-free mice compared to conventional mice. A similar trend was observed in the respiratory tract. Intriguingly, microbiota depletion via antibiotics partially recapitulated the germ-free phenotype, suggesting potential for microbiome-mediated regulation of Ace2 expression. Variability in intestinal Ace2 expression was observed in gnotobiotic mice colonized with different microbiota, partially attributable to differences in microbiome-encoded proteases and peptidases. Together, these data suggest that the microbiome may be one modifiable factor determining COVID-19 infection risk and disease severity.
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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Colon / Gastrointestinal Microbiome / Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 / Intestine, Small / Lung Type of study: Prognostic study Limits: Animals Language: English Journal: PLoS One Journal subject: Science / Medicine Year: 2021 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: Journal.pone.0248730

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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Colon / Gastrointestinal Microbiome / Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 / Intestine, Small / Lung Type of study: Prognostic study Limits: Animals Language: English Journal: PLoS One Journal subject: Science / Medicine Year: 2021 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: Journal.pone.0248730