Journal article
ACE2-Mediated Infection of Immortalized Human Visceral Adipocytes by SARS-CoV-2
Viruses, Vol.17(10), 1311
09/27/2025
DOI: 10.3390/v17101311
PMCID: PMC12567992
PMID: 41157583
Abstract
Adipocytes can be infected by SARS-CoV-2, potentially contributing to the obesity-associated severity of COVID-19. Circumstantial evidence points to angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) as the necessary receptor for adipocyte infection, but this has not been demonstrated experimentally. Using differentiated immortalized human preadipocyte lines that we developed, we found that visceral adipocytes express higher levels of ACE2 and are more susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 spike (S)-mediated luciferase-VSV infection than subcutaneous adipocytes. Overexpression of ACE2 significantly increased infection, whereas knockout of ACE2 significantly decreased S-mediated infection. Visceral adipocytes at baseline were susceptible to infection by SARS-CoV-2 (Delta variant); however, increased levels of viral transcript with time were not apparent. ACE2 knockout significantly decreased the susceptibility of visceral adipocytes to SARS-CoV-2, whereas overexpression of ACE2 resulted in increased SARS-CoV-2 infection and was associated with increased viral transcript levels with time, as well as induction of IL6, a marker of the proinflammatory response. Our results demonstrate that ACE2 confers susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection of visceral adipocytes. Higher levels of ACE2 in these cells may play a role in establishment of infection and a proinflammatory response, potentially leading to pathogenesis.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- ACE2-Mediated Infection of Immortalized Human Visceral Adipocytes by SARS-CoV-2
- Creators
- Francoise A. Gourronc - University of IowaMegan I. Ahmann - University of IowaMichael R. Rebagliati - University of IowaAloysius J. Klingelhutz - University of Iowa
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Viruses, Vol.17(10), 1311
- DOI
- 10.3390/v17101311
- PMID
- 41157583
- PMCID
- PMC12567992
- NLM abbreviation
- Viruses
- ISSN
- 1999-4915
- eISSN
- 1999-4915
- Publisher
- MDPI
- Grant note
- University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine and the Holden Cancer Center: NIH P30 CA086862 Iowa Carver College of MedicineRoy G. Carver TrustHolden Cancer Center
This work was supported by a grant from the Roy G. Carver Trust. PCR data was generated using equipment at the Genomics Division of the Iowa Institute of Human Genetics (RRID: SCR_023422) which is supported, in part, by the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine and the Holden Cancer Center (Supported by NIH P30 CA086862). Adipose tissue for preadipocyte isolation was obtained through the University of Iowa Tissue Procurement Core, also supported by the Iowa Carver College of Medicine and the Holden Cancer Center.
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 09/27/2025
- Academic Unit
- Microbiology and Immunology; Biology; Radiation Oncology
- Record Identifier
- 9984968942002771
Metrics
6 Record Views