SARS-CoV-2 receptor ACE2 gene expression in small intestine correlates with age

Amino Acids. 2020 Jul;52(6-7):1063-1065. doi: 10.1007/s00726-020-02870-z. Epub 2020 Jul 5.

Abstract

Gastrointestinal symptoms are common in COVID-19 patients, especially in younger patients. Our hypothesis was that intestinal SARS-CoV-2 receptor ACE2 expression depends on patients' age. We examined duodenal biopsies from 43 healthy human adults. ACE2 gene expression was directly correlated with age (Spearman's r = 0.317, p = 0.039). With each year, duodenal ACE2 expression increased by 0.083 RU. The higher intestinal ACE2 mRNA expression in older patients may impact on their susceptibility to develop intestinal symptoms.

Keywords: ACE2; Age; COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Age Factors
  • Aged
  • Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2
  • Betacoronavirus / metabolism*
  • Female
  • Gene Expression
  • Humans
  • Intestine, Small / metabolism*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A / genetics*
  • Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A / metabolism
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Receptors, Virus / genetics*
  • Receptors, Virus / metabolism
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • RNA, Messenger
  • Receptors, Virus
  • Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A
  • ACE2 protein, human
  • Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2