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Detection of SARS-COV-2 receptor ACE-2 mRNA in thyroid cells: a clue for COVID-19-related subacute thyroiditis.
Rotondi, M; Coperchini, F; Ricci, G; Denegri, M; Croce, L; Ngnitejeu, S T; Villani, L; Magri, F; Latrofa, F; Chiovato, L.
  • Rotondi M; Laboratory for Endocrine Disruptors, Unit of Internal Medicine and Endocrinology, Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, 27100, Pavia, PV, Italy.
  • Coperchini F; Department of Internal Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Pavia, Via S. Maugeri 4, 27100, Pavia, PV, Italy.
  • Ricci G; Laboratory for Endocrine Disruptors, Unit of Internal Medicine and Endocrinology, Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, 27100, Pavia, PV, Italy.
  • Denegri M; Laboratory for Endocrine Disruptors, Unit of Internal Medicine and Endocrinology, Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, 27100, Pavia, PV, Italy.
  • Croce L; Unit of Molecular Cardiology, Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, 27100, Pavia, Italy.
  • Ngnitejeu ST; Laboratory for Endocrine Disruptors, Unit of Internal Medicine and Endocrinology, Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, 27100, Pavia, PV, Italy.
  • Villani L; Department of Internal Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Pavia, Via S. Maugeri 4, 27100, Pavia, PV, Italy.
  • Magri F; Department of General and Minimally Invasive Surgery, Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, 27100, Pavia, PV, Italy.
  • Latrofa F; Unit of Pathology, Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, 27100, Pavia, PV, Italy.
  • Chiovato L; Laboratory for Endocrine Disruptors, Unit of Internal Medicine and Endocrinology, Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, 27100, Pavia, PV, Italy.
J Endocrinol Invest ; 44(5): 1085-1090, 2021 May.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-834117
ABSTRACT

PURPOSE:

SARS-COV-2 is a pathogenic agent belonging to the coronavirus family, responsible for the current global world pandemic. Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE-2) is the receptor for cellular entry of SARS-CoV-2. ACE-2 is a type I transmembrane metallo-carboxypeptidase involved in the Renin-Angiotensin pathway. By analyzing two independent databases, ACE-2 was identified in several human tissues including the thyroid. Although some cases of COVID-19-related subacute thyroiditis were recently described, direct proof for the expression of the ACE-2 mRNA in thyroid cells is still lacking. Aim of the present study was to investigate by RT-PCR whether the mRNA encoding for ACE-2 is present in human thyroid cells.

METHODS:

RT-PCR was performed on in vitro ex vivo study on thyroid tissue samples (15 patients undergoing thyroidectomy for benign thyroid nodules) and primary thyroid cell cultures.

RESULTS:

The ACE-2 mRNA was detected in all surgical thyroid tissue samples (n = 15). Compared with two reporter genes (GAPDH 0.052 ± 0.0026 Cycles-1; ß-actin 0.044 ± 0.0025 Cycles-1; ACE-2 0.035 ± 0.0024 Cycles-1), the mean level of transcript expression for ACE-2 mRNA was abundant. The expression of ACE-2 mRNA in follicular cells was confirmed by analyzing primary cultures of thyroid cells, which expressed the ACE-2 mRNA at levels similar to tissues.

CONCLUSIONS:

The results of the present study demonstrate that the mRNA encoding for the ACE-2 receptor is expressed in thyroid follicular cells, making them a potential target for SARS-COV-2 entry. Future clinical studies in patients with COVID-19 will be required for increase our understanding of the thyroid repercussions of SARS-CoV-2 infection.
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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Receptors, Virus / Thyroiditis, Subacute / RNA, Messenger / Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 / COVID-19 Type of study: Prognostic study Topics: Long Covid Limits: Adult / Female / Humans / Male Language: English Journal: J Endocrinol Invest Year: 2021 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: S40618-020-01436-w

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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Receptors, Virus / Thyroiditis, Subacute / RNA, Messenger / Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 / COVID-19 Type of study: Prognostic study Topics: Long Covid Limits: Adult / Female / Humans / Male Language: English Journal: J Endocrinol Invest Year: 2021 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: S40618-020-01436-w