Background: Different ocular alterations have been described in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Our aim was to determine whether COVID-19 affected retinal cells and establish correlations with clinical parameters.
Methods: Retinal sections and flat-mount retinas from human donors with COVID-19 (n = 16) and controls (n = 15) were immunostained. The location of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and the morphology of microglial cells, Müller cells, astrocytes, and photoreceptors were analyzed by confocal microscopy. Microglial quantification and the area occupied by them were measured. Correlations among retinal and clinical parameters were calculated.
Results: ACE2 was mainly located in the Müller cells, outer segment of cones and retinal pigment epithelium. Cell bodies of Müller cells in COVID-19 group showed greater staining of ACE2 and cellular retinaldehyde-binding protein (CRALBP). The 81.3% of COVID-19 patients presented disorganization of honeycomb-like pattern formed by Müller cells. Gliosis was detected in 56.3% of COVID-19 patients compared to controls (40%) as well as epiretinal membranes (ERMs) or astrocytes protruding (50%). Activated or ameboid-shape microglia was the main sign in the COVID-19 group (93.8%). Microglial migration towards the vessels was greater in the COVID-19 retinas (P < 0.05) and the area occupied by microglia was also reduced (P < 0.01) compared to control group. Cone degeneration was more severe in the COVID-19 group. Duration of the disease, age and respiratory failure were the most relevant clinical data in relation with retinal degeneration.
Conclusions: The retinas of patients with COVID-19 exhibit glial activation and neuronal alterations, mostly related to the inflammation, hypoxic conditions, and age.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
---|---|
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9974399 | PMC |
http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s40662-023-00329-2 | DOI Listing |
Arch Med Res
July 2019
Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain.
Chronic inflammatory liver disease with an acute deterioration of liver function is named acute-on-chronic inflammation and could be regulated by the metabolic impairments related to the liver dysfunction. In this way, the experimental cholestasis model is excellent for studying metabolism in both types of inflammatory responses. Along the evolution of this model, the rats develop biliary fibrosis and an acute-on-chronic decompensation.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCells
June 2019
Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
Portal hypertension is a common complication of liver disease, either acute or chronic. Consequently, in chronic liver disease, such as the hypertensive mesenteric venous pathology, the coexisting inflammatory response is classically characterized by the splanchnic blood circulation. However, a vascular lymphatic pathology is produced simultaneously with the splanchnic arterio-venous impairments.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFClin Res Hepatol Gastroenterol
October 2019
Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain. Electronic address:
Introduction: Splanchnic mast cells increase in chronic liver and in acute-on-chronic liver diseases. We administered Ketotifen, a mast cell stabilizer, and measured the mast cells in the splanchnic organs of cholestatic rats.
Material And Methods: These groups were studied: sham-operated rats (S; n = 15), untreated microsurgical cholestasic rats (C; n = 20) and rats treated with Ketotifen: early (SK-e; n = 20 and CKe; n = 18), and late (SK-l; n = 15 and CK-l; n = 14).
Inflamm Res
February 2019
Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, Complutense University of Madrid, Plaza de Ramón y Cajal s.n., 28040, Madrid, Spain.
Background: In mammals, inflammation is required for wound repair and tumorigenesis. However, the events that lead to inflammation, particularly in non-healing wounds and cancer, are only partly understood.
Findings: Mast cells, due to their great plasticity, could orchestrate the inflammatory responses inducing the expression of extraembryonic programs of normal and pathological tissue formation.
Inflamm Res
February 2018
Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, Complutense University of Madrid, Plaza de Ramón y Cajal s.n., 28040, Madrid, Spain.
The inflammatory response expressed after wound healing would be the recapitulation of systemic extra-embryonic functions, which would focus on the interstitium of the injured tissue. In the injured tissue, mast cells, provided for a great functional heterogeneity, could play the leading role in the re-expression of extra-embryonic functions, i.e.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEnter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!