Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 27, 2025

Visualizing Leukocyte Rolling and Adhesion in Angiotensin II-Infused Mice: Techniques and Pitfalls
10:16

Visualizing Leukocyte Rolling and Adhesion in Angiotensin II-Infused Mice: Techniques and Pitfalls

Published on: January 4, 2018

8.8K

Inflammation and immunity connect hypertension with adverse COVID-19 outcomes

Lei Cai1, Chuan He1, Yonglin Liu2

  • 1Bio-X Institutes, Key Laboratory for the Genetics of Developmental and Neuropsychiatric Disorders (Ministry of Education), Collaborative Innovation Center for Genetics and Development, Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, China.

Frontiers in Genetics
|September 26, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Hypertension significantly increases the risk of severe COVID-19 outcomes and mortality. Genetic links, particularly involving inflammation and immunity genes in the lungs, may explain this connection.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Hypertension is a prevalent comorbidity globally.
  • The association between hypertension and severe COVID-19 outcomes requires further investigation.
  • Understanding shared genetic factors may elucidate disease mechanisms.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the link between hypertension and severe COVID-19 outcomes.
  • To analyze the relationship between blood pressure levels and COVID-19 severity.
  • To identify shared genes and molecular pathways connecting hypertension and severe COVID-19.

Main Methods:

  • Meta-analysis of 68 observational studies on COVID-19 mortality and severity.
  • Genome-wide cross-trait meta-analysis (GWCTM) to identify shared genetic factors.
  • Subgroup analysis of European cohorts to assess blood pressure differences.

Main Results:

  • Hypertension was associated with a 1.80-fold increased risk of COVID-19 mortality and 1.78-fold increased risk of severe outcomes.
  • Significant differences in blood pressure were observed between severe and mild COVID-19 patients in European cohorts.
  • Shared genes between hypertension and severe COVID-19 were predominantly expressed in the lungs, implicating inflammatory and immune pathways.

Conclusions:

  • Hypertension is a significant risk factor for severe COVID-19.
  • Genetic variants in inflammation- and immunity-related genes may contribute to both hypertension and severe COVID-19.
  • Shared molecular pathways, including CCR1/CCR5 and IL10RB signaling, are implicated.

Keywords:
COVID-19DBPSBPhypertensionmeta-analysismultiple sclerosis

More Related Videos

Isolation and Adoptive Transfer of High Salt Treated Antigen-presenting Dendritic Cells09:29

Isolation and Adoptive Transfer of High Salt Treated Antigen-presenting Dendritic Cells

Published on: March 5, 2019

5.8K
Imaging Leukocyte Adhesion to the Vascular Endothelium at High Intraluminal Pressure06:20

Imaging Leukocyte Adhesion to the Vascular Endothelium at High Intraluminal Pressure

Published on: August 23, 2011

16.0K

Related Concept Videos

Psychoneuroimmunology: Cardiovascular Disease01:27

Psychoneuroimmunology: Cardiovascular Disease

Psychoneuroimmunology (PNI) is a multidisciplinary field that examines how psychological factors, particularly stress, interact with the immune system and impact physical health. Research in PNI has shown that chronic or traumatic stress can disrupt both the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and the sympathetic nervous system. These disruptions contribute to serious health conditions, including cardiovascular diseases.
A key area of focus in PNI is the relationship between stress and coronary...
65
Hypertension II: Pathophysiology01:29

Hypertension II: Pathophysiology

Hypertension is a chronic condition in which the blood's force against artery walls is excessively high, posing risks such as heart disease. The condition's underlying mechanisms involve complex interactions among the cardiovascular, kidney, and autonomic nervous systems.Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System (RAAS): This system significantly influences blood pressure regulation. When blood pressure decreases, the kidneys secrete renin. This enzyme transforms angiotensinogen, a plasma protein,...
56
Stress and Mental Health01:30

Stress and Mental Health

Chronic stress profoundly affects mental health, significantly influencing mood, behavior, and overall quality of life. Research closely links chronic stress with mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders. Ongoing exposure to stress can lead to physiological and psychological changes, initiating a cycle of emotional distress and maladaptive coping mechanisms.
Individuals with depression often experience challenges in both their personal and professional...
201
Psychoneuroimmunology: Diabetes and Cancer01:19

Psychoneuroimmunology: Diabetes and Cancer

Chronic stress has been linked to both the onset and progression of serious health conditions, including Type 2 diabetes and cancer. Type 2 diabetes, a widespread chronic illness, is closely associated with obesity and insulin resistance, both of which often worsen under stress. Studies indicate that men experiencing high levels of chronic stress face a 45% higher risk of developing diabetes compared to those with minimal stress. Stress triggers physiological responses that elevate blood...
58
Factors Affecting the Risk of Infection01:26

Factors Affecting the Risk of Infection

The hosts' susceptibility to infection depends on several factors. The integrity of the skin and mucous membranes helps protect the body against microbial attacks. When the skin is altered, the chance of infection, limb loss, and even death increases.
The integrity and count of the white blood cells help the body resist pathogens and fight infection. When impaired, it reduces the body's resistance to pathogens. The acidic pH levels of the gastrointestinal, genitourinary tracts, and skin...
12.2K
Inflammation01:38

Inflammation

Overview
54.6K