SARS-CoV-2 infection is associated with anti-desmoglein 2 autoantibody detection.

Abstract

Post-acute cardiac sequelae, following SARS-CoV-2 infection, are well recognized as complications of COVID-19. We have previously shown the persistence of autoantibodies against antigens in skin, muscle, and heart in individuals following severe COVID-19; the most common staining on skin tissue displayed an inter-cellular cement pattern consistent with antibodies against desmosomal proteins. Desmosomes play a critical role in maintaining the structural integrity of tissues. For this reason, we analyzed desmosomal protein levels and the presence of anti-desmoglein (DSG) 1, 2, and 3 antibodies in acute and convalescent sera from patients with COVID-19 of differing clinical severity. We find increased levels of DSG2 protein in sera from acute COVID-19 patients. Furthermore, we find that DSG2 autoantibody levels are increased significantly in convalescent sera following severe COVID-19 but not in hospitalized patients recovering from influenza infection or healthy controls. Levels of autoantibody in sera from patients with severe COVID-19 were comparable to levels in patients with non-COVID-19-associated cardiac disease, potentially identifying DSG2 autoantibodies as a novel biomarker for cardiac damage. To determine if there was any association between severe COVID-19 and DSG2, we stained post-mortem cardiac tissue from patients who died from COVID-19 infection. This confirmed DSG2 protein within the intercalated discs and disruption of the intercalated disc between cardiomyocytes in patients who died from COVID-19. Our results reveal the potential for DSG2 protein and autoimmunity to DSG2 to contribute to unexpected pathologies associated with COVID-19 infection.

• Authors: Kerensa E Ward, Lora Steadman, Abid R Karim, Gary M Reynolds, Matthew Pugh, Winnie Chua, Sian E Faustini, Tonny Veenith, Ryan S Thwaites, Peter J M Openshaw, Mark T Drayson, Adrian M Shields, Adam F Cunningham, David C Wraith, Alex G Richter
• Journal: Clinical and experimental immunology (Clin Exp Immunol) Vol. 213 Issue 2 Pg. 243-251 (07 21 2023) ISSN: 1365-2249 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 37095599 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: © The Author(s) 2023. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the British Society for Immunology.

Chemical References

• Autoantibodies

Topics

• Humans
• Autoantibodies (metabolism)
• COVID-19
• COVID-19 Serotherapy
• SARS-CoV-2
• Myocardium