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Transcriptional changes of tissue-specific genes in multiple endocrine organs: a study of lethal COVID-19 cases (preprint)
researchsquare; 2022.
Preprint in English | PREPRINT-RESEARCHSQUARE | ID: ppzbmed-10.21203.rs.3.rs-2259682.v1
ABSTRACT
Altered blood hormone and metabolite levels during and post-COVID-19 have been extensively reported. Yet, studies of gene expression at the tissue level that can help identify the causes of endocrine dysfunctions are scarce. We analyzed transcript levels of endocrine-specific genes in five endocrine organs of lethal COVID-19 cases. Overall, 116 autoptic specimens from 77 individuals (50 COVID-19 and 27 uninfected controls) were included. All samples were tested for SARS-CoV-2 genome. Investigated organs included adrenals, pancreas, ovary, thyroid and white adipose tissue (WAT). Transcript levels of 42 endocrine-specific and 3 IFN-stimulated genes (ISGs) were measured and compared between COVID-19 cases (virus-positive and virus-negative in tissue) and uninfected controls. ISG transcript levels were enhanced in tissues positive for SARS-CoV-2. Endocrine-specific genes (e.g., HSD3B2, INS, IAPP, TSHR, FOXE1, LEP, CRYGD) were deregulated in COVID-19 cases in an organ-specific manner. Transcription of organ-specific genes was suppressed in virus-positive specimens of ovary, pancreas and thyroid but enhanced in adrenals. In WAT of COVID-19 cases transcription of ISGs and leptin was enhanced independently of the presence of virus. Our findings suggest that, in COVID-19, endocrine dysfunctions may arise especially when SARS-CoV-2 invades endocrine organs and that transcriptional alterations of endocrine-specific genes may contribute to endocrine manifestations.
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Full text: Available Collection: Preprints Database: PREPRINT-RESEARCHSQUARE Main subject: Ovarian Neoplasms / Pancreatic Neoplasms / Endocrine System Diseases / COVID-19 Language: English Year: 2022 Document Type: Preprint

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Full text: Available Collection: Preprints Database: PREPRINT-RESEARCHSQUARE Main subject: Ovarian Neoplasms / Pancreatic Neoplasms / Endocrine System Diseases / COVID-19 Language: English Year: 2022 Document Type: Preprint