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Vimentin as a contributing factor in SARS-CoV-2-induced orchitis on postmortem testicular autopsy of COVID-19 cases: A case-control study

  • 0Urology and Nephrology Research Center, Research Institute for Urology and Nephrology, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences (SBMU), Tehran, Iran.
International Journal of Reproductive Biomedicine +

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January 27, 2025

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January 27, 2025

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Vimentin expression is linked to testicular damage in COVID-19 patients with orchitis. This suggests vimentin may serve as a biomarker for SARS-CoV-2-induced testicular injury and impacts spermatogenesis.

Area Of Science

  • Reproductive biology
  • Immunology
  • Virology

Background

  • Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2.
  • SARS-CoV-2 utilizes host cell receptors and co-receptors for entry.
  • Vimentin, highly expressed in testicular tissue, is a potential SARS-CoV-2 co-receptor.

Purpose Of The Study

  • To investigate the association between vimentin expression and SARS-CoV-2-induced orchitis.
  • To evaluate vimentin's role in testicular pathology following COVID-19 infection.

Main Methods

  • Case-control study design using autopsy testis samples from COVID-19 cases and controls.
  • Gene expression and immunohistochemical analyses performed.
  • Evaluated vimentin expression, immune cell infiltration, and proliferation markers.

Main Results

  • Significant vimentin expression and immune cell infiltration (CD68+, CD38+, CD138+) in COVID-19 cases.
  • Increased immunoglobulin G precipitation and reduced inhibin expression observed.
  • Increased vimentin and decreased proliferation markers (Ki67, PCNA) suggest disrupted spermatogenesis.

Conclusions

  • A strong link exists between vimentin expression and COVID-19-induced orchitis.
  • Vimentin may serve as a biomarker for testicular damage in COVID-19.
  • SARS-CoV-2 may impair spermatogenesis via immune responses and cell proliferation arrest.

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