Role of sex hormone metabolism in long COVID
Project leader: Prof. Dr. Gülşah Gabriel
Research field
- Basic and translational research on post COVID
Who is involved?
- Prof. Dr. Gülşah Gabriel (Project leader, TiHo/LIV)
- Prof. Dr. Franziska Richter (TiHo)
- Prof. Dr. Lothar Kreienbrock (TiHo)
- Dr. Isabell Pink (MHH)
What is the aim?
There is ample evidence that SARS-CoV-2 disease outcome differs in males and females. While male sex is a risk factor for severe COVID-19, female sex seems to increase the risk for long COVID. Underlying mechanisms that contribute to the observed sexual dimorphism in COVID-19 are largely unknown. However, several independent studies - including our own - highlight a potential role of sex hormones in COVID-19. Sex hormones play a key role in maintaining overall homeostasis in the body, including reproductive and cognitive health.
We herein hypothesize that SARS-CoV-2 infection induced dysregulation of sex hormone metabolism is a pathomechanistic contributor to long COVID. Therefore, in this proposal, using a long COVID cohort, we will systematically analyze sex hormones, sex hormone metabolizing enzymes as well as sex hormone receptors in the regulatory context of the HPG (hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal) axis.
To seek whether potential alterations in the endocrine profile in COVID-19 patients might have a causal origin, we will perform the same analysis in the SARS-CoV-2 golden hamster model. In female and male hamsters infected with SARS-CoV-2, we will longitudinally determine and quantify sex hormone levels, sex hormone metabolizing enzymes and sex hormone receptors covering the acute and the recovery phase of infection.
Thus, combining association-oriented patient derived data with data obtained from the causal SARS-CoV-2 preclinical animal model, we expect to get new insights into potential pathomechanisms contributing to long-term consequences of acute virus infections in males and females.