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

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1009705
• Publication Date: 2021-07-15T17:27:20Z
• Authors: Magen Ellen Francis; Una Goncin; Andrea Kroeker; Cynthia Swan; Robyn Ralph; Yao Lu; Athema Louise Etz...; Darryl Falzarano; Volker Gerdts; Steven Machtaler; Jason Kindrachuk; Alyson Ann Kelvin
• Keywords: Inflammation; Male; 0301 basic medicine; Mesocricetus; QH301-705.5; SARS-CoV-2; Myocardium; Respiratory System; COVID-19; Down-Regulation; RC581-607; Kidney; 3. Good health; Disease Models, Animal; 03 medical and health sciences; Cricetinae; Interferon Type I; Animals; Humans; Immunologic diseases. Allergy; Biology (General); Research Article

COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) caused by 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 myocarditis 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).