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Observing Islet Function and Islet-Immune Cell Interactions in Live Pancreatic Tissue Slices
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SARS-CoV-2 and pancreas: a potential pathological interaction?

Shirin Geravandi1, Azam Mahmoudi-Aznaveh2, Zahra Azizi2

  • 1Centre for Biomolecular Interactions Bremen, University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany.

Trends in Endocrinology and Metabolism: TEM
|August 10, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) can infect the pancreas, potentially worsening the COVID-19-diabetes link. This review explores mechanisms of pancreatic injury and islet cell dysfunction.

Area of Science:

  • Endocrinology
  • Virology
  • Pathology

Background:

  • Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), presents with extrapulmonary complications.
  • The pancreas is identified as a significant target organ for SARS-CoV-2 infection.
  • A complex bidirectional relationship exists between COVID-19 and diabetes mellitus.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine the pathological interactions between SARS-CoV-2 and the pancreas.
  • To review current understanding of SARS-CoV-2 infection in pancreatic tissue, particularly pancreatic islets.
  • To propose mechanisms underlying pancreatic injury due to COVID-19 and its link to diabetes.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of existing research on SARS-CoV-2 and pancreatic pathology.
  • Analysis of proposed direct, indirect, and systemic mechanisms of pancreatic injury.
  • Focus on the impact of SARS-CoV-2 on pancreatic islet cells.

Main Results:

  • SARS-CoV-2 can directly infect pancreatic cells, including islet cells.
  • Indirect and systemic effects of COVID-19 contribute to pancreatic damage.
  • These mechanisms exacerbate the established link between COVID-19 and diabetes.

Conclusions:

  • COVID-19 poses a significant threat to pancreatic health, impacting islet function.
  • Understanding these interactions is crucial for managing patients with both COVID-19 and diabetes.
  • Further research is needed to fully elucidate the SARS-CoV-2-pancreas interplay and its clinical implications.
Keywords:
ACE2COVID-19SARS-CoV-2diabetesinflammationinsulinisletspancreasβ-cell

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