SARS-CoV-2 induced post-translational protein modifications: A trigger for developing autoimmune diabetes?

Chaplin Catriona; Pozzilli Paolo

doi:10.1002/dmrr.3508

SARS-CoV-2 induced post-translational protein modifications: A trigger for developing autoimmune diabetes?

Diabetes Metab Res Rev. 2022 Jan;38(1):e3508. doi: 10.1002/dmrr.3508.

Authors

Chaplin Catriona¹, Pozzilli Paolo^{2

3}

Affiliations

¹ Queen Mary University of London, London, UK.
² Department of Medicine, Unit of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Campus Bio-Medico University, Rome, Italy.
³ Blizard Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of London, London, UK.

Abstract

Emerging evidence indicates a bi-directional relationship between SARS-CoV-2 and diabetes. The possibility exists that SARS-CoV-2 could induce diabetes, but it is not yet clear whether this might be a fulminant-type diabetes, autoimmune diabetes, or a new-onset transient hyperglycaemia. This viewpoint discusses mechanisms by which SARS-CoV-2 might trigger type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). Specifically, we looked at the role of post-translational protein modifications (PTMs) and the generation of neoepitopes as a potential mechanism in the induction of islet autoimmunity, and the pathways via which coronavirus infections might exacerbate the formation of PTMs and, in so doing, provoke the onset of T1DM.

Keywords: Autoimmune diabetes; PTMs; SARS-CoV-2; oxidative stress.

Publication types

Editorial

MeSH terms

COVID-19* / epidemiology
COVID-19* / metabolism
Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1* / epidemiology
Humans
Protein Processing, Post-Translational*