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bioRxiv · 10.1101/2021.04.07.438843

SARS-CoV-2 infection in the Syrian hamster model causes inflammation as well as type I interferon dysregulation in both respiratory and non-respiratory tissues including the heart and kidney

Francis, M.·Goncin, U.·Kroeker, A.·Swan, C.·Ralph, R.·Lu, Y.·Etzioni, A.·Falzarano, D.·Gerdts, V.·Machtaler, S.·Kindrachuk, J.·Kelvin, A. A.
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Abstract

COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) caused SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) infection is a disease affecting several organ systems. A model that captures all clinical symptoms of COVID-19 as well as long-haulers disease is needed. We investigated the host responses associated with infection in several major organ systems including the respiratory tract, the heart, and the kidneys after SARS-CoV-2 infection in Syrian hamsters. We found significant increases in inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-1beta, and TNF) and type II interferons whereas type I interferons were inhibited. Examination of extrapulmonary tissue indicated inflammation in the kidney, liver, and heart which also lacked type I interferon upregulation. Histologically, the heart had evidence of mycarditis and microthrombi while the kidney had tubular inflammation. These results give insight into the multiorgan disease experienced by people with COVID-19 and possibly the prolonged disease in people with post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 (PASC).

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Francis, M., Goncin, U., Kroeker, A., Swan, C., Ralph, R., Lu, Y., Etzioni, A., Falzarano, D., Gerdts, V., Machtaler, S., Kindrachuk, J., Kelvin, A. A.. 2021-04-08. SARS-CoV-2 infection in the Syrian hamster model causes inflammation as well as type I interferon dysregulation in both respiratory and non-respiratory tissues including the heart and kidney. https://doi.org/10.1101/2021.04.07.438843

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