Chronic neuroinflammation after acute SARS-Cov-2 infection induces retinal damage in the hACE2 transgenic mouse model

초록

Background: A number of patients infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) show a wide range of systemic complications. Previous studies have shown that acute SARS-CoV-2 infection can be accompanied by conjunctivitis, various forms of ocular inflammation and retinal vasculitis. However, longterm changes of the retina after SARS-CoV-2 infection have not been examined. In this study, we investigated neuroinflammation in the retina and optic nerve. Methods: hACE2 Tg mice, serologically negative for SARS-CoV-2, were infected via intranasal installation with SARS-CoV-2. Protein expression was confirmed by immunofluorescence and western blotting. The activation of microglia and astrocytes was confirmed using quantitative real-time PCR. Results: SARS-CoV-2 infection induced a decrease in inner retinal thickness and an increase in RGC death after 60 days. Activation of microglia and astrocytes was observed in the retina. Expression of the inflammatory cytokines Il-1 beta and TNF-alpha increased in the optic nerve, whereas microglial and astrocyte expression decreased. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that chronic neuroinflammation in the retina post SARS-CoV-2 infection contributes to retinal degeneration, potentially resulting in long-term visual disturbance.

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