Suppression of Pituitary Hormone Genes in Subjects Who Died From COVID-19 Independently of Virus Detection in the Gland.

Autor:	Poma AM; Department of Surgical, Medical, Molecular Pathology and Critical Area, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy., Proietti A; Department of Surgical, Medical, Molecular Pathology and Critical Area, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy., Macerola E; Department of Surgical, Medical, Molecular Pathology and Critical Area, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy., Bonuccelli D; Department of Forensic Medicine, Azienda USL Toscana Nordovest, Lucca, Italy., Conti M; Department of Forensic Medicine, Azienda USL Toscana Nordovest, Lucca, Italy., Salvetti A; Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy., Dolo V; Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy., Chillà A; Department of Surgical, Medical, Molecular Pathology and Critical Area, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy., Basolo A; Obesity and Lipodystrophy Center, Endocrinology Unit, University Hospital of Pisa, Pisa, Italy., Santini F; Obesity and Lipodystrophy Center, Endocrinology Unit, University Hospital of Pisa, Pisa, Italy., Toniolo A; Global Virus Network, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy., Basolo F; Department of Surgical, Medical, Molecular Pathology and Critical Area, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
Jazyk:	angličtina
Zdroj:	The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism [J Clin Endocrinol Metab] 2022 Jul 14; Vol. 107 (8), pp. 2243-2253.
DOI:	10.1210/clinem/dgac312
Abstrakt:	Context: Involvement of the pituitary gland in SARS-CoV-2 infection has been clinically suggested by pituitary hormone deficiency in severe COVID-19 cases, by altered serum adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) levels in hospitalized patients, and by cases of pituitary apoplexy. However, the direct viral infection of the gland has not been investigated. Objective: To evaluate whether the SARS-CoV-2 genome and antigens could be present in pituitary glands of lethal cases of COVID-19, and to assess possible changes in the expression of immune-related and pituitary-specific genes. Methods: SARS-CoV-2 genome and antigens were searched in the pituitary gland of 23 patients who died from COVID-19 and, as controls, in 12 subjects who died from trauma or sudden cardiac death. Real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (PCR), in situ hybridization, immunohistochemistry, and transmission electron microscopy were utilized. Levels of mRNA transcripts of immune-related and pituitary-specific genes were measured by the nCounter assay. Results: The SARS-CoV-2 genome and antigens were detected in 14/23 (61%) pituitary glands of the COVID-19 group, not in controls. In SARS-CoV-2-positive pituitaries, the viral genome was consistently detected by PCR in the adeno- and the neurohypophysis. Immunohistochemistry, in situ hybridization, and transmission electron microscopy confirmed the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in the pituitary. Activation of type I interferon signaling and enhanced levels of neutrophil and cytotoxic cell scores were found in virus-positive glands. mRNA transcripts of pituitary hormones and pituitary developmental/regulatory genes were suppressed in all COVID-19 cases irrespective of virus positivity. Conclusion: Our study supports the tropism of SARS-CoV-2 for human pituitary and encourages exploration of pituitary dysfunction after COVID-19. (© The Author(s) 2022. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Endocrine Society. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.)
Databáze:	MEDLINE
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