Eye Washing Downregulated Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 in Conjunctival Tissue Samples from Smokers
This study aimed to (1) determine whether the expression of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and transmembrane protease serine 2 is increased in tobacco smokers, which potentially increases their susceptibility to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, and (2)...
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MDPI AG
2023-12-01
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| Series: | International Journal of Molecular Sciences |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/24/24/17526 |
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| author | Hiroshi Fujishima Hiroyuki Yazu Eisuke Shimizu Naoko Okada Kazumi Fukagawa |
| author_facet | Hiroshi Fujishima Hiroyuki Yazu Eisuke Shimizu Naoko Okada Kazumi Fukagawa |
| author_sort | Hiroshi Fujishima |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This study aimed to (1) determine whether the expression of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and transmembrane protease serine 2 is increased in tobacco smokers, which potentially increases their susceptibility to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, and (2) assess whether eye rinsing can reduce susceptibility. This prospective study included 20 eyes of 10 smokers and 18 eyes of nine healthy non-smokers (control) for reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction. This study also included 28 eyes of 14 smokers and 16 eyes of eight healthy non-smokers (control) for enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Tear and impression cytology samples were collected from the right eye of each patient. The left eye was then rinsed for 30 s, and after 5 min, the tear and impression cytology samples were collected in the same manner. The expression of the <i>ACE2</i> gene was significantly higher in the conjunctiva of smokers (<i>n</i> = 17; median 3.07 copies/ng of total RNA) than in those of non-smokers (<i>n</i> = 17; median 1.92 copies/ng of total RNA, <i>p</i> = 0.003). Further, mRNA expression and protein levels of ACE2 were weakly correlated in smokers (r = 0.49). ACE2 protein levels in Schirmer’s strip samples were significantly reduced from 5051 to 3202 pg/mL after eye washing (<i>n</i> = 10; <i>p</i> = 0.001). Ocular surface cells are susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Smoking may be a risk factor for SARS-CoV-2 infection, and eye rinsing may reduce the risk of infection. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-08T20:41:18Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-e673894e00ae454694420ec1bf103363 |
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| issn | 1661-6596 1422-0067 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-08T20:41:18Z |
| publishDate | 2023-12-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | International Journal of Molecular Sciences |
| spelling | doaj.art-e673894e00ae454694420ec1bf1033632023-12-22T14:14:58ZengMDPI AGInternational Journal of Molecular Sciences1661-65961422-00672023-12-0124241752610.3390/ijms242417526Eye Washing Downregulated Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 in Conjunctival Tissue Samples from SmokersHiroshi Fujishima0Hiroyuki Yazu1Eisuke Shimizu2Naoko Okada3Kazumi Fukagawa4Department of Ophthalmology, Tsurumi University School of Dental Medicine, Yokohama 230-8501, JapanDepartment of Ophthalmology, Tsurumi University School of Dental Medicine, Yokohama 230-8501, JapanKeio Allergy Center, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo 160-8582, JapanDepartment of Ophthalmology, Tsurumi University School of Dental Medicine, Yokohama 230-8501, JapanKeio Allergy Center, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo 160-8582, JapanThis study aimed to (1) determine whether the expression of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and transmembrane protease serine 2 is increased in tobacco smokers, which potentially increases their susceptibility to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, and (2) assess whether eye rinsing can reduce susceptibility. This prospective study included 20 eyes of 10 smokers and 18 eyes of nine healthy non-smokers (control) for reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction. This study also included 28 eyes of 14 smokers and 16 eyes of eight healthy non-smokers (control) for enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Tear and impression cytology samples were collected from the right eye of each patient. The left eye was then rinsed for 30 s, and after 5 min, the tear and impression cytology samples were collected in the same manner. The expression of the <i>ACE2</i> gene was significantly higher in the conjunctiva of smokers (<i>n</i> = 17; median 3.07 copies/ng of total RNA) than in those of non-smokers (<i>n</i> = 17; median 1.92 copies/ng of total RNA, <i>p</i> = 0.003). Further, mRNA expression and protein levels of ACE2 were weakly correlated in smokers (r = 0.49). ACE2 protein levels in Schirmer’s strip samples were significantly reduced from 5051 to 3202 pg/mL after eye washing (<i>n</i> = 10; <i>p</i> = 0.001). Ocular surface cells are susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Smoking may be a risk factor for SARS-CoV-2 infection, and eye rinsing may reduce the risk of infection.https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/24/24/17526angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2)transmembrane protease serine 2 (TMPRSS2)SARS-CoV-2 infectionsmokingeye rinsing |
| spellingShingle | Hiroshi Fujishima Hiroyuki Yazu Eisuke Shimizu Naoko Okada Kazumi Fukagawa Eye Washing Downregulated Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 in Conjunctival Tissue Samples from Smokers International Journal of Molecular Sciences angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) transmembrane protease serine 2 (TMPRSS2) SARS-CoV-2 infection smoking eye rinsing |
| title | Eye Washing Downregulated Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 in Conjunctival Tissue Samples from Smokers |
| title_full | Eye Washing Downregulated Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 in Conjunctival Tissue Samples from Smokers |
| title_fullStr | Eye Washing Downregulated Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 in Conjunctival Tissue Samples from Smokers |
| title_full_unstemmed | Eye Washing Downregulated Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 in Conjunctival Tissue Samples from Smokers |
| title_short | Eye Washing Downregulated Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 in Conjunctival Tissue Samples from Smokers |
| title_sort | eye washing downregulated angiotensin converting enzyme 2 in conjunctival tissue samples from smokers |
| topic | angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) transmembrane protease serine 2 (TMPRSS2) SARS-CoV-2 infection smoking eye rinsing |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/24/24/17526 |
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