Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Feb 04, 2025 3 hours, 51 minutes ago
Medical News: Since the emergence of COVID-19, scientists and medical professionals have primarily focused on its effects on the respiratory system. However, recent research has revealed that the SARS-CoV-2 virus also targets other organs, including the pancreas. A team of researchers from multiple institutions, including Ulm University, Universität Regensburg, and Carl Gustav Carus University in Germany, has identified a significant factor involved in pancreatic infections caused by the virus. Their findings highlight the role of the placenta-associated protein 8 (PLAC8) in facilitating pancreatic infection, shedding new light on the broader impact of COVID-19 on human health.
Host Factor PLAC8 Plays a Critical Role in Pancreas Infection by SARS-CoV-2
This
Medical News report explores the results of the study, which provides strong evidence that SARS-CoV-2 can invade and replicate within pancreatic cells, potentially leading to long-term damage. The findings suggest that PLAC8 is not only linked to infection in pancreatic tissue but may also be an essential factor in viral replication. The study opens new avenues for understanding the systemic effects of COVID-19 beyond lung damage.
How the Study Was Conducted
The researchers conducted a comprehensive investigation using postmortem pancreatic tissue samples from individuals who had succumbed to COVID-19. Through advanced immunohistochemical and immunofluorescence analysis, they observed that SARS-CoV-2 had infiltrated both endocrine and exocrine compartments of the pancreas. Additionally, they examined pancreatic damage markers in 120 COVID-19 patients, categorizing them into severity groups based on the WHO ordinal scale.
To determine the role of PLAC8 in the infection process, the researchers utilized genetically modified pancreatic cancer cell lines and human beta cell-derived models. By employing CRISPR-Cas9 technology, they created PLAC8 knock-out cell lines and then exposed these cells to SARS-CoV-2 pseudoviruses. The results demonstrated a significant reduction in infection efficiency in the absence of PLAC8, confirming its role in the viral invasion of pancreatic cells.
Key Findings on Pancreatic Damage and PLAC8 Expression
The study presented several critical findings regarding pancreatic damage and its association with COVID-19 severity:
-Increased Expression of PLAC8: The study revealed that PLAC8 levels were significantly elevated in the pancreatic tissue of COVID-19 patients compared to non-infected individuals. The overexpression of PLAC8 was particularly notable in pancreatic islets and acinar cells.
-Direct Infection of Pancreatic Cells: SARS-CoV-2 was found to infect pancreatic cells directly, leading to cellular damage. The presence of the virus was confirmed through immunohistochemical staining of SARS-CoV-2 spike proteins within pancreatic tissue.
-Pancreatic Enzyme Biomarkers: Blood analysis from the study&
;rsquo;s COVID-19 patient cohort showed increased levels of pancreatic enzymes, such as lipase and amylase, which are commonly associated with pancreatic injury. The rise in these biomarkers correlated with the severity of the infection.
-PLAC8 Knock-Out Reduces Infection Rates: When pancreatic cell lines lacking PLAC8 were exposed to the virus, the infection rate dropped significantly. This provided direct evidence that PLAC8 is essential for SARS-CoV-2’s ability to establish an infection in pancreatic tissue.
Implications for Future Research and Treatments
The identification of PLAC8 as a key factor in pancreatic SARS-CoV-2 infection provides new insights into how the virus affects multiple organ systems. These findings have several important implications:
-Potential for Targeted Therapies: Given that PLAC8 appears to be crucial for pancreatic infection, future research could explore ways to inhibit its function. Targeting PLAC8 may offer a potential therapeutic approach to reduce pancreatic complications in COVID-19 patients.
-Understanding Systemic COVID-19 Effects: The study reinforces the idea that COVID-19 is not just a respiratory disease but a multi-organ condition. Understanding the role of PLAC8 in other SARS-CoV-2-affected organs, such as the liver and lungs, may help in developing comprehensive treatment strategies.
-Long-Term Pancreatic Health Concerns: Since SARS-CoV-2 infection is associated with pancreatic damage, there may be long-term metabolic consequences, including an increased risk of diabetes. Further research is needed to determine whether COVID-19 survivors experience lasting pancreatic dysfunction.
Conclusion
The study provides substantial evidence that SARS-CoV-2 can directly infect the pancreas, with PLAC8 playing a critical role in this process. The research demonstrates that PLAC8 overexpression is linked to pancreatic infection and damage, emphasizing the need to explore potential interventions that could mitigate these effects. As COVID-19 continues to evolve, understanding its impact on different organs remains crucial for developing effective treatments and preventative measures.
While initial COVID-19 research focused primarily on respiratory symptoms, this study underscores the necessity of a broader perspective. The pancreas, an essential organ for metabolic function, appears to be another target of SARS-CoV-2, raising concerns about potential long-term health complications. Identifying PLAC8 as a key factor in pancreatic infection opens new research pathways, paving the way for targeted therapeutic interventions.
The study findings were published in the peer-reviewed journal: Communications Medicine.
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1038/s43856-025-00745-6
For the latest COVID-19 News, keep on logging to Thailand
Medical News.
Read Also:
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/2021-peer-reviewed-study-warning-that-covid-19-can-lead-to-pancreatic-adenocarcinoma-seems-to-be-holding-true-as-pancreatic-cancer-cases-rise
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/breaking-sars-cov-2-directly-infects-the-pancreatic-islets-and-causes-pancreatic-inflammation-that-can-lead-to-post-covid-hyperglycemia-and-other-issu
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/coronavirus-news-cedars-sinai-medical-center-study-confirms-that-the-sars-cov-2-virus-infects-the-pancreas-directly
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/acute-pancreatitis-warning-that-acute-pancreatitis-is-now-manifesting-in-covid-19-patients,-a-condition-never-seen-in-early-stages-of-the-pandemic
Share
Tweet
Share
