Open AccessSARS-CoV-2 infection in the Syrian hamster model causes inflammation as well as type I interferon dysregulation in both respiratory and non-respiratory tissues including the heart and kidney
Author(s) -
Magen E. Francis,
Una Goncin,
Andrea Kroeker,
Cynthia L. Swan,
Robyn Ralph,
Yao Lu,
Athema L. Etzioni,
Darryl Falzarano,
Volker Gerdts,
Steven Machtaler,
Jason Kindrachuk,
Alyson A. Kelvin
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
plos pathogens
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.719
H-Index - 206
eISSN - 1553-7374
pISSN - 1553-7366
DOI - 10.1371/journal.ppat.1009705
Subject(s) - myocarditis , inflammation , medicine , immunology , respiratory system , kidney , respiratory tract , interferon , hamster , coronavirus , respiratory disease , disease , pathology , lung , covid-19 , infectious disease (medical specialty)
COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) caused by SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) infection is a disease affecting several organ systems. A model that captures all clinical symptoms of COVID-19 as well as long-haulers disease is needed. We investigated the host responses associated with infection in several major organ systems including the respiratory tract, the heart, and the kidneys after SARS-CoV-2 infection in Syrian hamsters. We found significant increases in inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-1beta, and TNF) and type II interferons whereas type I interferons were inhibited. Examination of extrapulmonary tissue indicated inflammation in the kidney, liver, and heart which also lacked type I interferon upregulation. Histologically, the heart had evidence of myocarditis and microthrombi while the kidney had tubular inflammation. These results give insight into the multiorgan disease experienced by people with COVID-19 and possibly the prolonged disease in people with post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 (PASC).