Mechanisms and pathophysiology of SARS-CoV-2 infection of the adipose tissue

Jill Moser; Marloes Emous; Peter Heeringa; Izabela A Rodenhuis-Zybert

doi:10.1016/j.tem.2023.08.010

Mechanisms and pathophysiology of SARS-CoV-2 infection of the adipose tissue

Trends Endocrinol Metab. 2023 Nov;34(11):735-748. doi: 10.1016/j.tem.2023.08.010. Epub 2023 Sep 4.

Authors

Jill Moser¹, Marloes Emous², Peter Heeringa³, Izabela A Rodenhuis-Zybert⁴

Affiliations

¹ Department of Critical Care, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands; Department of Pathology and Medical Biology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands. Electronic address: j.moser@umcg.nl.
² Center Obesity Northern Netherlands (CON), Department of Surgery, Medical Center Leeuwarden, Leeuwarden, the Netherlands.
³ Department of Pathology and Medical Biology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands.
⁴ Department of Medical Microbiology & Infection Prevention, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands.

PMID: 37673763
DOI: 10.1016/j.tem.2023.08.010

Abstract

Obesity is an independent risk factor for severe COVID-19, yet there remains a lack of consensus on the mechanisms underlying this relationship. A hypothesis that has garnered considerable attention suggests that SARS-CoV-2 disrupts adipose tissue function, either through direct infection or by indirect mechanisms. Indeed, recent reports have begun to shed some light on the important role that the adipose tissue plays during the acute phase of infection, as well as mediating long-term sequelae. In this review, we examine the evidence of extrapulmonary dissemination of SARS-CoV-2 to the adipose tissue. We discuss the mechanisms, acute and long-term implications, and possible management strategies to limit or ameliorate severe disease and long-term metabolic disturbances.

Keywords: COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; adipose tissue; metabolic dysfunction; obesity.

Publication types

Review