Background A more severe course of COVID-19 was associated with low levels of Vitamin D (VitD). Moreover in vitro data showed that VitD up-regulates the mRNA of the Angiotensin Converting Enzyme 2 (ACE-2), the SARS-COV-2 receptor in different type of cells. ACE-2 is expressed in several type of tissues including thyroid cells, on which its mRNA was shown to be up-regulated by interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma). The aim of the present study was to investigate if treatment with VitD alone or in combination with IFN-gamma would increase ACE-2 both at mRNA and protein levels in primary cultures of human thyrocytes. Materials and methods Primary thyroid cell cultures were treated with VitD and IFN-gamma alone or in combination for 24 h. ACE-2 mRNA levels were measured by Real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR). The presence of ACE-2 on thyroid cell membrane was assessed by immunocytochemistry basally and after the previous mentioned treatments. Results ACE-2 mRNA levels increased after treatment with VitD and IFN-gamma alone. The combination treatment (VitD + IFN-gamma) showed an additive increase of ACE-2-mRNA. Immunocytochemistry experiments showed ACE-2 protein on thyroid cells membrane. ACE-2 expression increased after treatment with VitD and IFN-gamma alone and further increased by the combination treatment with VitD + IFN-gamma. Conclusions VitD would defend the body by SARS-COV2 both by regulating the host immune defense and by up-regulating of the expression of the ACE-2 receptor. The existence of a co-operation between VitD and IFN-gamma demonstrated in other systems is supported also for ACE-2 up-regulation. These observations lead to an increased interest for the potential therapeutic benefits of VitD supplementation in COVID-19.

Vitamin D and interferon-γ co-operate to increase the ACE-2 receptor expression in primary cultures of human thyroid cells

Coperchini, F;Ripepi, F A;Grillini, B;Bertini, J;Magri, F;Croce, L;Cappelli, C;Chiovato, L;Rotondi, M
2022-01-01

Abstract

Background A more severe course of COVID-19 was associated with low levels of Vitamin D (VitD). Moreover in vitro data showed that VitD up-regulates the mRNA of the Angiotensin Converting Enzyme 2 (ACE-2), the SARS-COV-2 receptor in different type of cells. ACE-2 is expressed in several type of tissues including thyroid cells, on which its mRNA was shown to be up-regulated by interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma). The aim of the present study was to investigate if treatment with VitD alone or in combination with IFN-gamma would increase ACE-2 both at mRNA and protein levels in primary cultures of human thyrocytes. Materials and methods Primary thyroid cell cultures were treated with VitD and IFN-gamma alone or in combination for 24 h. ACE-2 mRNA levels were measured by Real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR). The presence of ACE-2 on thyroid cell membrane was assessed by immunocytochemistry basally and after the previous mentioned treatments. Results ACE-2 mRNA levels increased after treatment with VitD and IFN-gamma alone. The combination treatment (VitD + IFN-gamma) showed an additive increase of ACE-2-mRNA. Immunocytochemistry experiments showed ACE-2 protein on thyroid cells membrane. ACE-2 expression increased after treatment with VitD and IFN-gamma alone and further increased by the combination treatment with VitD + IFN-gamma. Conclusions VitD would defend the body by SARS-COV2 both by regulating the host immune defense and by up-regulating of the expression of the ACE-2 receptor. The existence of a co-operation between VitD and IFN-gamma demonstrated in other systems is supported also for ACE-2 up-regulation. These observations lead to an increased interest for the potential therapeutic benefits of VitD supplementation in COVID-19.
File in questo prodotto:
Non ci sono file associati a questo prodotto.

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11571/1461864
Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? 2
  • Scopus 4
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? 3
social impact