Gene expression of ACE2 gene in patients infected with COVID-19 and comparing them with vaccine recipients

Abstract

COVID-19 virus caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS-Cov-2) poses a great threat to human life and public health as it enters the body through ACE2 receptors in lung and spreads through respiratory droplets and close contact. The present study aimed to investigate the role of ACE2 and some biomarkers of COVID-19 patients and vaccine recipients. In total , 80 samples divided into 4 groups (healthy, Patient , healthy vaccinated, Patient vaccinated) were studied, with 10 males and 10 females for each group. RNA was extracted from blood and ACE2 gene expression was measured by qRT-PCR , as well as some biomarkers were measured, including CRP, D.dimer, LDH, Ferritin, Urea, and Creatinine, for all study groups. The results also showed that there were significant differences at the level (P ≤ 0.05) of some biochemical variables in males and females in the healthy group, and in the group of patients, and the group of patients receiving the vaccine, the values of vital signs increased to predict the severity of infection, as for kidney functions, which included (Urea, Creatinine). The results showed a high significant difference of Urea level in females compared to males in the healthy and patients groups at the level (P ≤ 0.05), and the results of Creatinine showed a significant difference for males in the patients group at the level (P ≤ 0.05) compared to females. Significant differences for females at the level (P ≤ 0.05) compared to males in the group of those who received the vaccine, the virus caused kidney impairment in severe cases due to its binding to ACE2 found in kidney tubes, causing tissue and kidney damage in general due to the high level of both creatinine urea, and there is a high positive significant relationship between the angiotensin-converting enzyme ACE2 and some biomarkers in cases of Covid-19 and between the biomarkers each other.