Publication date: Jun 24, 2025
SARS-CoV-2, a β-coronavirus, primarily affects the lungs, with non-specific lesions and no cytopathic viral effect in the skin. Cutaneous antiviral mechanisms include activation of TLR/IRF pathways and production of type I IFN. We evaluated the antiviral mechanisms involved in the skin of COVID-19 patients, including skin samples from 35 deceased patients who had contracted COVID-19 before the launch of the vaccine. Detection of SARS-CoV-2 in the skin was performed using transmission electron microscopy and RT-qPCR. Microscopic and molecular effects of the virus in skin were evaluated by histopathology, RT-qPCR, and immunohistochemistry (IHC). The results revealed the presence of SARS-CoV-2 and microscopic changes, including microvascular hyaline thrombi, perivascular dermatitis, and eccrine gland necrosis. There was increased transcription of TBK1 and a reduction in transcription of TNFα by RT-qPCR in the COVID-19 group. IHC revealed reduced expression of ACE2, TLR7, and IL-6, and elevated expression of IFN-β by epidermal cells. In the dermis, there was decreased expression of STING, IFN-β, and TNF-α and increased expression of IL-6 in sweat glands. Our results highlight the role of type I IFN in the skin of COVID-19 patients, which may modulate the cutaneous response to SARS-CoV-2.
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Semantics
| Type | Source | Name |
|---|---|---|
| disease | MESH | Infection |
| disease | IDO | role |
| disease | IDO | production |
| disease | MESH | COVID-19 |
| disease | MESH | dermatitis |
| disease | MESH | necrosis |
| drug | DRUGBANK | Coenzyme M |
| disease | IDO | ribonucleic acid |
| pathway | REACTOME | Budding |
| drug | DRUGBANK | Serine |
| disease | MESH | urticaria |
| disease | MESH | livedo vasculitis |
| disease | MESH | viral infection |
| disease | MESH | death |
| disease | IDO | replication |
| disease | IDO | host |
| disease | IDO | protein |
| disease | MESH | overweight |
| disease | MESH | hypertension |
| disease | MESH | diabetes mellitus |
| disease | MESH | neoplasia |
| disease | MESH | multiple myeloma |
| disease | MESH | chronic myeloid leukemia |
| pathway | KEGG | Chronic myeloid leukemia |
| disease | MESH | leukemia |
| disease | MESH | deep vein thrombosis |
| disease | MESH | stroke |
| disease | MESH | asthma |
| pathway | KEGG | Asthma |
| disease | MESH | HIV infection |
| pathway | REACTOME | HIV Infection |
| disease | MESH | leukocytosis |
| disease | MESH | lymphopenia |