Evidence for SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus particles in heart tissue

Researchers in Milan, Italy, found that severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was found in the heart tissue of patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) who died without signs of respiratory failure. Identified the presence of heart involvement.

The virus is present in cardiomyocytes of all 6 patients and active viral transcription of RNA for the virus Spike protein Had occurred. Spike proteins are surface structures used by SARS-CoV-2 to bind and access host cells.

Damage to cardiomyocytes ranged from lack of cell death and no intracellular changes to structural abnormalities and intracellular edema.

Gaetano Pietro Brufamante (University of Milan) and colleagues say the findings show that COVID-19 survivors need to be revised to monitor guidelines once they are discharged from the hospital.

Long-term cardiovascular outcomes may be similar to those seen in survivors of the SARS-CoV-1 outbreak from 2002 to 2003, with 40% of individuals recovering during the 12-year follow-up period. The team warns that they have developed cardiovascular abnormalities.

A preprinted version of the paper is available on the server medRxiv* Articles undergo peer review.

COVID-19 can contain the cardiovascular system

As the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic continues to dominate the world, the virus continues to infect hundreds of thousands of people every day and COVID-19 mortality rates continue to increase worldwide.

In addition to virus-induced respiratory disease, research has shown that it may be involved in several other organs, including the cardiovascular system.

Twenty to forty percent of hospitalized patients experience heart symptoms ranging from chest pain to arrhythmias and cardiogenic shock.

In addition, up to 7% of COVID-related deaths are associated with myocarditis, said Brufamante and the team.

However, so far it is not clear whether cardiovascular involvement is due to cells directly damaged by the virus or secondary to the involvement of hyperreactive immune responses. Hypoxia due to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) can also cause myocardial damage.

On the other hand, SARS-CoV-2 has been confirmed in vascular endothelial cells of patients and cardiac macrophages of patients with myocarditis. In addition, viral RNA has previously been identified throughout heart tissue, regardless of heart phenotype, the researchers say.

“Nevertheless, immunohistochemistry for the detection of viral antigens in cardiomyocytes has never been demonstrated,” the team wrote.

What was included in the study?

The researchers tested the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in the heart tissue of six COVID-19 patients (54 to 69 years old) who died of respiratory failure without showing signs of heart failure.

Using chip-based digital PCR, the team detected SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA in cardiomyocytes from heart tissue samples taken from all six patients. Virus spike proteins in cardiomyocytes were also identified using Western blot, immunohistochemistry, and immunofluorescence, and electron microscopy revealed the presence of intact virus particles.

Interestingly, the researchers found that spike protein expression varied between patients and hypothesized that the viral genome was actively transcribed in cardiomyocytes.

To test the presence of SARS-CoV-2 as a transcriptionally active virus in cells, the team performed an RNAScope assay using two probes that recognize spike protein sense and antisense RNA, I made it possible to distinguish the transcript. Signals were obtained with both probes in all patient samples, but the most abundant staining was observed with probes that detected actively transcribed virus.

The researchers say this is the first study to identify SARS-CoV-2 RNA localization in cardiomyocytes and active viral transcription of both sense and antisense RNAs of the viral spike proteins.

“Premature, asymptomatic signs of cell damage”

The patterns of cardiomyocyte injury varied. Virus-containing cells did not appear to undergo apoptosis, but showed intracellular changes such as increased intracellular volume and intracellular edema.

Some cardiomyocytes, including SARS-CoV-2, appeared normal, whereas other myocytes showed excessive intracellular regions between the sarcolemma and sarcomeric structures, explaining the observed intracellular edema. The authors say it may be.

“Some cardiomyocytes show altered cell structure with increased cell area and intracellular edema, suggesting cardiomyocyte swelling,” the team wrote. “This microscopic event could be interpreted as an asymptomatic sign of premature cell damage, leading to the formation of myocardial interstitial edema.”

Post-Discharge Monitoring Guidelines Need Revision

Researchers say that heart tissue containing contractile cell compartments can be infected with SARS-CoV-2, which initially causes microscopic cardiomyocyte changes that do not lead to clinically relevant macroscopic heart damage Researchers say research has shown that

“Our key study specifically suggests the need to redefine post-discharge monitoring guidelines to survive follow-up in COVID-19 patients without a pronounced cardiac phenotype.” Brufamante and colleagues say.

“The long-term cardiovascular outcomes of patients with COVID-19 may reflect those with SARS who developed cardiovascular abnormalities in 40% of those who recovered at a long-term follow-up of 12 years,” they conclude. I will.

*Important Notices

medRxiv It publishes preliminary, non-peer reviewed scientific reports and should not be considered conclusive and should not guide clinical practice/health-related behavior or be treated as established information.