Table 2.
Main preclinical studies assessing the effect of SARS-CoV-2 infection on adipose tissue
| Author | Model | Main findings |
|---|---|---|
| Reiterer et al, 2021 (107) | Golden hamsters Primary human adipocytes |
↓ adiponectin gene expression (Adipoq) in SAT, not in VAT ↓ adiponectin protein levels in SAT, VAT, and serum (hamsters) Antiviral responsea: VAT > SAT Adipocytes express Ace2, Tmprss2, Nrp1, Furin, Trfc Adipocytes permissiveb to viral infection |
| Shin et al, 2021 (109) | Transcriptome data sets of human and mouse tissues 3T3-L1 adipocytes differentiated into mature adipocytes Murine adipose tissue |
Expression of the Grp78 gene:
|
| Shin et al 2022 (173) | transcriptome datasets of SARS-CoV-2-infected cells and tissues | ↑ IRF1 ↓ insulin/IGF pathway |
| Martinez-Colon et al, 2022 (174) | Human autopsies Adipocytes and ATMs from human EAT, VAT, SAT |
SARS-CoV-2 RNA in EAT, VAT, and SAT of individuals with COVID-19 Mature adipocytes permissive to SARS-CoV-2 infection ACE2 not detected in freshly isolated mature adipocytes ATM abortively infected (no production of infectious particles) Infection of SVC and adipocytes (VAT and SAT): ↑ ↑ ↑ IP-10, PDGFAA, PDGFAB/BB, I-4, IL-13 (SVC > adipocytes) |
| Saccon et al, 2022 (108) | Primary stromal-vascular cells from SAT or VAT differentiated into adipocytes | SARS-CoV-2 infects and replicates in mature adipocytes (VAT and SAT) Susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection: VAT > SAT adipocytes (↑↑↑ production of infectious particles) ACE2 expression: VAT > SAT adipocytes Proinflammatory markers after SARS-CoV-2 infection: VAT > SAT HSL expression: ↓ in SAT |
| Zickler et al, 2022 (175) | Human mesenchymal stem cells differentiated into mature adipocytes Golden hamsters |
↑ ACE2 expression on adipocyte differentiation SARS-CoV-2 replication only detected in lipid-laden adipocytes Viral replication ↓ by tetrahydrolipstatin (lipase inhibitor) and atorvastatin Lipogenic gene (Fasn, Acly, and Acaca) expression ↓ in AT of infected hamsters |
| Bogard et al, 2023 (176) | Golden hamsters (young adult [2 mo] and aged [22 mo]) | 7 dpi ↓ SAT and VAT masses (absolute and relative) ↓ mean adipocyte size in SAT and VAT ↓ expression of lipogenic genes (Fasn and Scd1) in SAT and VAT (young adults) ↑ expression of FAO gene Acadvl in VAT Cell infiltrates and CLSs in SAT, not VAT 22 dpi ↓ absolute and relative SAT and ↓ absolute VAT (aged) ↓ mean adipocyte size in SAT and VAT (aged > young adults) Cell infiltrates and CLSs in SAT, not VAT (aged > young adults) |
Abbreviations: AT, adipose tissue; ATM, adipose tissue macrophages; CLS, crown-like structures; dpi, days postinfection; EAT, epicardial adipose tissue; FAO, fatty acid oxidation; HSL, hormone-sensitive lipase; hpi, hours postinfection; IP-10, interferon-γ–induced protein-10; IRF1, interferon regulatory factor 1; LD, lipid droplet; PDGFAA, platelet-derived growth factor AA; PDGFAB/BB, platelet-derived growth factor AA; SAT, subcutaneous adipose tissue; SVC, stromal vascular cells; VAT, visceral adipose tissue; XBP-1s, stress-responsive transcription factor X-box binding protein 1.
a Granulocyte activation, phagocytosis, adaptive immune response.
b Production of infectious particles.