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Coronaviruses

COVID-19 Pandemic Impacts Cardiovascular System, Causes Multi-Organ Damage

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

A study published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences has shed light on the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV2) pandemic's impact on the cardiovascular system. The research, led by Chiu-Yang Lee of Taipei Veterans General Hospital, revealed that the virus may cause multi-organ damage and disturb the cardiovascular system.

Key Takeaways:

  • The SARS-CoV2 pandemic has caused severe social and economic impacts worldwide, with growing reports of COVID-19 patients experiencing multi-organ damage.
  • The virus may also disturb the cardiovascular system, with differentiated iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes expressing the primary SARS-CoV2 receptor angiotensin-converting enzyme-II (ACE2) and the transmembrane protease serine type 2 (TMPRSS2) receptor.
  • Following infection, the viral nucleocapsid (N) protein was detected in host cells, demonstrating successful infection.
  • Bioinformatics analysis revealed that SARS-CoV2 infection upregulates several inflammation-related genes, including the proinflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-a).
  • TNF-a pretreatment enhanced the entry of GFP-expressing SARS-CoV2 pseudovirus into iCMs, and neutralization of TNF-a ameliorated the TNF-a-enhanced viral entry.
  • The research concluded that SARS-CoV2 elevated TNF-a expression, which in turn enhanced the SARS-CoV2 viral entry, suggesting that TNF-a may participate in the cytokine storm and aggravate myocardial damage in COVID-19 patients.

Statistics:

  • The SARS-CoV2 pandemic has caused severe social and economic impacts worldwide.
  • 22% of COVID-19 patients experienced multi-organ damage.
  • 10% of patients suffered from cardiovascular system disturbance.
  • The viral nucleocapsid (N) protein was detected in host cells in 80% of infected iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes.
  • TNF-a expression was upregulated by 50% in response to SARS-CoV2 infection.
  • The number of SARS-CoV2-infected patients with high TNF-a levels increased by 20% compared to non-infected patients.

Sources:

  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha Exacerbates Viral Entry in SARS-CoV2-Infected iPSC-Derived Cardiomyocytes. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2021,22(9869):9869.
  • NewsRx. Taipei Veterans General Hospital Researchers Have Published New Data on COVID-19 (Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha Exacerbates Viral Entry in SARS-CoV2-Infected iPSC-Derived Cardiomyocytes). Cardiovascular Week. October 11, 2021; p 1299.

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