Publication date: Jun 21, 2025
SARS-CoV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2) infects the gastrointestinal tract; however, its effects on the stomach and underlying mechanisms remain unknown. The presence of ACE2 (angiotensin-converting enzyme 2) receptors in the gastric mucosa suggests that the stomach is vulnerable to infection. This study is the first to examine SARS-CoV-2’s impact on distinct cell types within gastric tissue, alongside the involvement of protective mechanisms and cell death pathways. K18-hACE2 transgenic mice (n = 20) were divided into control and SARS-CoV-2 groups, and their gastric tissues were analyzed on day 8 post-infection to represent the acute phase. Epithelial degeneration, hemorrhage, glandular cell damage, inflammatory infiltration, and muscle injury were assessed and scored, alongside apoptosis, pyroptosis, necroptosis, and Galectin-3 expression levels. Ultrastructural changes were identified using transmission electron microscopy. The SARS-CoV-2 group exhibited significant epithelial desquamation, extensive tissue damage (P
| Concepts | Keywords |
|---|---|
| Coronavirus | Cell death |
| Gastric | Galectin-3 |
| K18 | Pyroptosis |
| Mucosa | SARS-CoV-2 |
| Necroptosis | Stomach |
Semantics
| Type | Source | Name |
|---|---|---|
| disease | MESH | causes |
| disease | MESH | infection |
| disease | IDO | cell |
| disease | MESH | hemorrhage |
| pathway | REACTOME | Apoptosis |
| pathway | REACTOME | Pyroptosis |
| pathway | KEGG | Necroptosis |