Age- and airway disease related gene expression patterns of key SARS-CoV-2 entry factors in human nasal epithelia

Mihkel Plaas; Kadri Seppa; Nayana Gaur; Priit Kasenõmm; Mario Plaas

doi:10.1016/j.virol.2021.05.012

Age- and airway disease related gene expression patterns of key SARS-CoV-2 entry factors in human nasal epithelia

Virology. 2021 Sep:561:65-68. doi: 10.1016/j.virol.2021.05.012. Epub 2021 Jun 18.

Authors

Mihkel Plaas¹, Kadri Seppa², Nayana Gaur³, Priit Kasenõmm⁴, Mario Plaas⁵

Affiliations

¹ Tartu University Hospital, Ear Clinic, Kuperjanovi 1, 51003, Tartu, Estonia; University of Tartu, Institute of Clinical Medicine, L. Puusepa 8, 50406, Tartu, Estonia. Electronic address: mihkel.plaas@kliinikum.ee.
² University of Tartu, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, Department of Physiology, Ravila 19, 50411, Tartu, Estonia; University of Tartu, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, Laboratory Animal Centre, Ravila 14B, 50411, Tartu, Estonia.
³ Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Hans Berger Department of Neurology, Am Klinikum 1, 07747, Jena, Germany.
⁴ Tartu University Hospital, Ear Clinic, Kuperjanovi 1, 51003, Tartu, Estonia; University of Tartu, Institute of Clinical Medicine, L. Puusepa 8, 50406, Tartu, Estonia.
⁵ University of Tartu, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, Department of Physiology, Ravila 19, 50411, Tartu, Estonia; University of Tartu, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, Laboratory Animal Centre, Ravila 14B, 50411, Tartu, Estonia. Electronic address: mario.plaas@ut.ee.

Abstract

The global COVID-19 pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 predominantly affects the elderly. Differential expression of SARS-CoV-2 entry genes may underlie the variable susceptibility in different patient groups. Here, we examined the gene expression of key SARS-CoV-2 entry factors in mucosal biopsies to delineate the roles of age and existing chronic airway disease. A significant inverse correlation between ACE2 and age and a downregulation of NRP1 in patients with airway disease were noted. These results indicate that the interplay between various factors may influence susceptibility and the disease course.

Keywords: ACE2; AGTR2; NRP1; SARS-CoV-2; TMPRSS2.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Adolescent
Adult
Age Factors
Aged
Biomarkers
COVID-19 / genetics*
COVID-19 / virology*
Child
Child, Preschool
Comorbidity
Female
Gene Expression Regulation*
Host-Pathogen Interactions / genetics*
Humans
Infant
Infant, Newborn
Male
Middle Aged
Nasal Mucosa / metabolism*
Nasal Mucosa / virology*
SARS-CoV-2 / physiology*
Virus Internalization
Young Adult

Substances

Biomarkers