Vitamin D and interferon-γ co-operate to increase the ACE-2 receptor expression in primary cultures of human thyroid cells.
J Endocrinol Invest
; 45(11): 2157-2163, 2022 Nov.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1930622
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
A more severe course of COVID-19 was associated with low levels of Vitamin D (VitD). Moreover in vitro data showed that VitD up-regulates the mRNA of the Angiotensin Converting Enzyme 2 (ACE-2), the SARS-COV-2 receptor in different type of cells. ACE-2 is expressed in several type of tissues including thyroid cells, on which its mRNA was shown to be up-regulated by interferon-gamma (IFN-γ). The aim of the present study was to investigate if treatment with VitD alone or in combination with IFN-γ would increase ACE-2 both at mRNA and protein levels in primary cultures of human thyrocytes. MATERIALS ANDMETHODS:
Primary thyroid cell cultures were treated with VitD and IFN-γ alone or in combination for 24 h. ACE-2 mRNA levels were measured by Real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR). The presence of ACE-2 on thyroid cell membrane was assessed by immunocytochemistry basally and after the previous mentioned treatments.RESULTS:
ACE-2 mRNA levels increased after treatment with VitD and IFN-γ alone. The combination treatment (VitD + IFN-γ) showed an additive increase of ACE-2-mRNA. Immunocytochemistry experiments showed ACE-2 protein on thyroid cells membrane. ACE-2 expression increased after treatment with VitD and IFN-γ alone and further increased by the combination treatment with VitD + IFN-γ.CONCLUSIONS:
VitD would defend the body by SARS-COV2 both by regulating the host immune defense and by up-regulating of the expression of the ACE-2 receptor. The existence of a co-operation between VitD and IFN-γ demonstrated in other systems is supported also for ACE-2 up-regulation. These observations lead to an increased interest for the potential therapeutic benefits of VitD supplementation in COVID-19.Keywords
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2
/
COVID-19 Drug Treatment
Type of study:
Observational study
/
Prognostic study
Limits:
Humans
Language:
English
Journal:
J Endocrinol Invest
Year:
2022
Document Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
S40618-022-01857-9
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