SARS-CoV-2 and pancreas: a potential pathological interaction?

Trends Endocrinol Metab. 2021 Nov;32(11):842-845. doi: 10.1016/j.tem.2021.07.004. Epub 2021 Jul 24.

Abstract

The widespread extrapulmonary complications of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have gained momentum; the pancreas is another major target for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Here, we take a closer look into potential pathological interactions. We provide an overview of the current knowledge and understanding of SARS-CoV-2 infection of the pancreas with a special focus on pancreatic islets and propose direct, indirect, and systemic mechanisms for pancreas injury as result of the COVID-19-diabetes fatal bidirectional relationship.

Keywords: ACE2; COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; diabetes; inflammation; insulin; islets; pancreas; β-cell.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Acinar Cells / metabolism
  • Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 / metabolism
  • COVID-19 / metabolism*
  • Diabetes Mellitus / metabolism*
  • Glucagon-Secreting Cells / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Insulin-Secreting Cells / metabolism*
  • Islets of Langerhans / metabolism
  • Pancreas / metabolism
  • Receptors, Coronavirus / metabolism
  • SARS-CoV-2 / metabolism
  • Serine Endopeptidases / metabolism
  • Viral Tropism

Substances

  • Receptors, Coronavirus
  • Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2
  • Serine Endopeptidases
  • TMPRSS2 protein, human