Potential Resistance Mechanisms Exhibited by Cystic Fibrosis Patients Against SARS-CoV-2
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the causative agent of the 2019 coronavirus disease pandemic. The virus primarily spreads through person-to-person contact via aerosols and droplets, contributing to high case numbers and related morbidities. SARS-CoV-2 targets the resp...
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2025-06-01
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| author | Yasmin K. Elsharabassi Nuha T. Swaidan Mohamed M. Emara |
| author_facet | Yasmin K. Elsharabassi Nuha T. Swaidan Mohamed M. Emara |
| author_sort | Yasmin K. Elsharabassi |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the causative agent of the 2019 coronavirus disease pandemic. The virus primarily spreads through person-to-person contact via aerosols and droplets, contributing to high case numbers and related morbidities. SARS-CoV-2 targets the respiratory tract, causing acute respiratory distress syndrome, particularly in immunocompromised individuals such as those with cystic fibrosis (CF). CF is a life-threatening genetic disorder caused by mutations in the CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene, leading to impaired respiratory function and recurrent severe respiratory symptoms. Despite their potential vulnerability, CF patients have shown a lower incidence of severe COVID-19, suggesting protective factors against SARS-CoV-2. Differential expression of the ACE2 receptor, crucial for viral entry, and other host factors, such as TMPRSS2, may play a role in this resistance to SARS-CoV-2. Analyzing the genomics and transcriptomics profiles of CF patients could provide insights into potential resistance mechanisms. The potential resistance mechanisms include blood and extracellular ATP levels, a deleted/dysfunctional CFTR gene, ACE and ACE2 regulation and expression, ACE and ACE2 polymorphism effects, host proteins and SARS-CoV-2 interactions, and SMN1 and ACE/ACE2 interactions. This review discusses the underlying factors and potential resistance mechanisms contributing to CF patients’ responses to SARS-CoV-2 infection. The review provides an opportunity to further investigate future therapy and research through understanding the underlying potential resistance mechanisms exhibited by CF patients against SARS-CoV-2, including ACE and ACE2 polymorphisms. |
| format | Article |
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| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1999-4915 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
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| spelling | doaj-art-15ac6543b6ca4e51ad613a54c62c12d12025-08-20T03:32:19ZengMDPI AGViruses1999-49152025-06-0117791910.3390/v17070919Potential Resistance Mechanisms Exhibited by Cystic Fibrosis Patients Against SARS-CoV-2Yasmin K. Elsharabassi0Nuha T. Swaidan1Mohamed M. Emara2Basic Medical Sciences Department, College of Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha 2713, QatarBasic Medical Sciences Department, College of Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha 2713, QatarBasic Medical Sciences Department, College of Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha 2713, QatarSevere acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the causative agent of the 2019 coronavirus disease pandemic. The virus primarily spreads through person-to-person contact via aerosols and droplets, contributing to high case numbers and related morbidities. SARS-CoV-2 targets the respiratory tract, causing acute respiratory distress syndrome, particularly in immunocompromised individuals such as those with cystic fibrosis (CF). CF is a life-threatening genetic disorder caused by mutations in the CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene, leading to impaired respiratory function and recurrent severe respiratory symptoms. Despite their potential vulnerability, CF patients have shown a lower incidence of severe COVID-19, suggesting protective factors against SARS-CoV-2. Differential expression of the ACE2 receptor, crucial for viral entry, and other host factors, such as TMPRSS2, may play a role in this resistance to SARS-CoV-2. Analyzing the genomics and transcriptomics profiles of CF patients could provide insights into potential resistance mechanisms. The potential resistance mechanisms include blood and extracellular ATP levels, a deleted/dysfunctional CFTR gene, ACE and ACE2 regulation and expression, ACE and ACE2 polymorphism effects, host proteins and SARS-CoV-2 interactions, and SMN1 and ACE/ACE2 interactions. This review discusses the underlying factors and potential resistance mechanisms contributing to CF patients’ responses to SARS-CoV-2 infection. The review provides an opportunity to further investigate future therapy and research through understanding the underlying potential resistance mechanisms exhibited by CF patients against SARS-CoV-2, including ACE and ACE2 polymorphisms.https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/17/7/919SARS-CoV-2COVID-19cystic fibrosisACE2 receptorTMPRSS2CFTR gene |
| spellingShingle | Yasmin K. Elsharabassi Nuha T. Swaidan Mohamed M. Emara Potential Resistance Mechanisms Exhibited by Cystic Fibrosis Patients Against SARS-CoV-2 Viruses SARS-CoV-2 COVID-19 cystic fibrosis ACE2 receptor TMPRSS2 CFTR gene |
| title | Potential Resistance Mechanisms Exhibited by Cystic Fibrosis Patients Against SARS-CoV-2 |
| title_full | Potential Resistance Mechanisms Exhibited by Cystic Fibrosis Patients Against SARS-CoV-2 |
| title_fullStr | Potential Resistance Mechanisms Exhibited by Cystic Fibrosis Patients Against SARS-CoV-2 |
| title_full_unstemmed | Potential Resistance Mechanisms Exhibited by Cystic Fibrosis Patients Against SARS-CoV-2 |
| title_short | Potential Resistance Mechanisms Exhibited by Cystic Fibrosis Patients Against SARS-CoV-2 |
| title_sort | potential resistance mechanisms exhibited by cystic fibrosis patients against sars cov 2 |
| topic | SARS-CoV-2 COVID-19 cystic fibrosis ACE2 receptor TMPRSS2 CFTR gene |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/17/7/919 |
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