Journal Article

Type I Interferons in SARS-CoV-2 Cutaneous Infection: Is There a Role in Antiviral Defense?

Orfali, Raquel Leão, Pereira, Natalli Zanete, Yendo, Tatiana Mina, Pereira, Naiura Vieira, Sotto, Mirian Nacagami, Kawakami, Joyce Tiyeko, Sato, Maria Notomi, Ramos, Yasmim Álefe Leuzzi, Duarte-Neto, Amaro Nunes, Silva, Luiz Fernando Ferraz, Duarte, Alberto José da Silva, Aoki, Valeria

2025

Overview

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.

• Publisher: MDPI AG
• Subject: Adult / Aged / Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 - genetics / Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 - metabolism / Coronaviruses / COVID-19 - immunology / COVID-19 - pathology / COVID-19 - virology / COVID-19 vaccines / Cytokines / Dermatitis / Disease transmission / Enzymes / Exocrine glands / Female / Genes / Health aspects / Humans / Immunohistochemistry / Immunology / Infections / Interferon / Interferon Type I - immunology / Interferon Type I - metabolism / Interferon-beta - metabolism / Interleukin-6 - genetics / Interleukin-6 - metabolism / Kidneys / Kinases / Leukemia / Leukocytes / Male / Membrane Proteins / Middle Aged / Pandemics / Proteins / Ribonucleic acid / RNA / SARS-CoV-2 - immunology / Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 / Skin / Skin - immunology / Skin - metabolism / Skin - pathology / Skin - virology / Toll-Like Receptor 7 - genetics / Toll-Like Receptor 7 - metabolism / Transmission electron microscopy / Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha - genetics / Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha - metabolism / Tumor necrosis factor-TNF / Vaccines / Viral infections