Effect of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein exposure on ACE2 and interleukin 6 productions in human adipocytes: An in-vitro study

• Published in: Narra J 2023-12, Vol.3 (3), p.e284-e284
• Main Authors: Ardiana, Meity, Suryawan, I Gr, Hermawan, Hanestya O, Harsoyo, Primasitha M, Shafira, Aisya A, Anandita, Faizal A
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Short Communication
• ISSN: 2807-2618; 2807-2618
• DOI: 10.52225/narra.v3i3.284

Since adipocytes play a crucial role in pathogenesis of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection due to their interaction with angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and interleukin 6 (IL-6), obesity is associated with an increased risk of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) mortality. Discovery of ACE2 as a SARS-CoV-2 receptor raises a controversy about whether to use ACE inhibitors (ACEIs) could be an optional therapy to prevent cytokine storms. Studies assessing the expressions of ACE2 and IL-6 upon exposure to SARS-CoV-2 is therefore important as a basis for therapeutical trials in the future. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein exposure on the production of ACE2 and IL-6 in adipocyte cells. Adipocytes were collected from abdominal adipose tissues of healthy and obese 45-year-old male donor having neither a history of SARS-CoV-2 infection nor COVID-19 vaccination. After being stained using the oil red O protocol, the viable adipocytes were then exposed to S1 subunit of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. The levels of ACE2 and IL-6 were then examined using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The results showed significant increase of ACE2 (90.22 µg/mL) and IL-6 level (60.01 µg/mL) in human adipocytes upon exposure compared to unexposed control cells (ACE2 13.33 µg/mL; IL-6 21.33 µg/mL), both comparisons had