Up-regulation of ACE2, the SARS-CoV-2 receptor, in asthmatics on maintenance inhaled corticosteroids
Year: 2021
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Background The first step in SARS-CoV-2 infection is binding of the virus to angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) on the airway epithelium. Asthma affects over 300 million people world-wide, many of whom may encounter SARS-CoV-2. Epidemiologic data suggests that asthmatics who get infected may be at increased risk of more severe disease. Our objective was to assess whether maintenance inhaled corticosteroids (ICS), a major treatment for asthma, is associated with airway ACE2 expression in asthmatics. Methods Large airway epithelium (LAE) of asthmatics treated with maintenance ICS (ICS+), asthmatics not treated with ICS (ICS−), and healthy controls (controls) was analyzed for expression of ACE2 and other coronavirus infection-related genes using microarrays. Results As a group, there was no difference in LAE ACE2 expression in all asthmatics vs controls. In contrast, subgroup analysis demonstrated that LAE ACE2 expression was higher in asthmatics ICS+ compared to ICS‾ and ACE2 expression was higher in male ICS+ compared to female ICS+ and ICS‾ of either sex. ACE2 expression did not correlate with serum IgE, absolute eosinophil level, or change in FEV1 in response to bronchodilators in either ICS− or ICS+. Conclusion Airway ACE2 expression is increased in asthmatics on long-term treatment with ICS, an observation that should be taken into consideration when assessing the use of inhaled corticosteroids during the pandemic.
Source: Respiratory Research
Institution: Weill Cornell Medicine
Language: English
Subfield: Physiology (medical)
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,790
Awards: G1442369148, G153856356, Integrative-omics Network Model of the Disordered COPD Small Airway Epithelium, Overlapping Airway Basal Cell Transcriptome Reprogramming in COPD and Lung Cancer, HIV Reprogrammed Airway Basal Cells Acquire a “Tissue Destructive” Phenotype, G5526285413, HIV-related Accelerated Aging of the Airway Epithelium, G8479694273
OpenAlex ID: W3179090510