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. 2021 May;44(5):1085-1090.
doi: 10.1007/s40618-020-01436-w. Epub 2020 Oct 6.

Detection of SARS-COV-2 receptor ACE-2 mRNA in thyroid cells: a clue for COVID-19-related subacute thyroiditis

M Rotondi  1   2 , F Coperchini  1 , G Ricci  1 , M Denegri  3 , L Croce  1   2 , S T Ngnitejeu  4 , L Villani  5 , F Magri  1   2 , F Latrofa  6 , L Chiovato  7   8
Affiliations

Detection of SARS-COV-2 receptor ACE-2 mRNA in thyroid cells: a clue for COVID-19-related subacute thyroiditis

M Rotondi et al. J Endocrinol Invest. 2021 May.

Abstract

Purpose: SARS-COV-2 is a pathogenic agent belonging to the coronavirus family, responsible for the current global world pandemic. Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE-2) is the receptor for cellular entry of SARS-CoV-2. ACE-2 is a type I transmembrane metallo-carboxypeptidase involved in the Renin-Angiotensin pathway. By analyzing two independent databases, ACE-2 was identified in several human tissues including the thyroid. Although some cases of COVID-19-related subacute thyroiditis were recently described, direct proof for the expression of the ACE-2 mRNA in thyroid cells is still lacking. Aim of the present study was to investigate by RT-PCR whether the mRNA encoding for ACE-2 is present in human thyroid cells.

Methods: RT-PCR was performed on in vitro ex vivo study on thyroid tissue samples (15 patients undergoing thyroidectomy for benign thyroid nodules) and primary thyroid cell cultures.

Results: The ACE-2 mRNA was detected in all surgical thyroid tissue samples (n = 15). Compared with two reporter genes (GAPDH: 0.052 ± 0.0026 Cycles-1; β-actin: 0.044 ± 0.0025 Cycles-1; ACE-2: 0.035 ± 0.0024 Cycles-1), the mean level of transcript expression for ACE-2 mRNA was abundant. The expression of ACE-2 mRNA in follicular cells was confirmed by analyzing primary cultures of thyroid cells, which expressed the ACE-2 mRNA at levels similar to tissues.

Conclusions: The results of the present study demonstrate that the mRNA encoding for the ACE-2 receptor is expressed in thyroid follicular cells, making them a potential target for SARS-COV-2 entry. Future clinical studies in patients with COVID-19 will be required for increase our understanding of the thyroid repercussions of SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Keywords: ACE-2; COVID-19; SARS-COV-2; Thyrocytes; Thyroid.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have nothing to disclose.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Mean expression of ACE-2 in thyroid tissue specimens. The expression of GAPDH, β-actin and ACE-2 are shown as means of Cycles −1
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Mean expression of ACE-2 in primary cultures of thyroid cells. The expression of GAPDH, β-actin and ACE-2 are shown as means of Cycles −1
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Panel a ACE-2/β-actin ratio calculated as percentage of GAPDH. Bars are representative of distinct thyroid tissue specimens. Panel b ACE-2/ GAPDH ratio calculated as percentage of β-actin. Bars are representative of distinct thyroid tissue specimens
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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