ArticleMolecular biology reports2025
Spatiotemporal and demographic patterns of SARS-CoV-2 entry gene expression in a Lebanese cohort.
Article in Molecular biology reports, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.
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Who cites it
2 citing papers in PubMed.
- Gene Expression Profiling of SARS-CoV-2 Host Entry Factors in Nasal and Oral Cavities: Evidence from Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients.Current microbiology · 2026Article
- Transcriptomic profiling reveals immune signatures associated with potential COVID-19 susceptibility and a predictive framework in a Chinese cohort.Frontiers in immunology · 2026Article
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Authors and funding
4 authors.
Funding
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Abstract
backgroundSARS-CoV-2 infection relies on host entry factors, including ACE2, TMPRSS2, FURIN, and CTSL, which are expressed in the nasal epithelium. Characterizing variations in their expression according to demographic factors and infection stage can offer valuable insights into differential susceptibility and disease progression.
objectivesThe aim was to evaluate the baseline nasopharyngeal expression of SARS-CoV-2 host entry genes in a healthy Lebanese population, stratified by age, sex, and smoking status. We also investigated their dynamic regulation throughout the course of mild COVID-19 infection.
methodsWe assessed nasopharyngeal expression of ACE2, TMPRSS2, FURIN, and CTSL in 173 COVID-19-negative individuals stratified by age, sex, and smoking. In 84 mild COVID-19 cases, a longitudinal design was applied to evaluate gene expression at four infection stages using RT-qPCR and promoter analysis.
resultsBaseline expression of ACE2, FURIN, and CTSL decreased significantly with age, especially after adolescence, while TMPRSS2 showed a biphasic pattern. Females exhibited higher expression of ACE2, FURIN, and CTSL than males; smokers showed a trend toward upregulation without statistical significance. During infection, ACE2, TMPRSS2, and FURIN showed a bell-shaped expression pattern-upregulated in early infection, followed by downregulation during late infection and return to baseline post-infection. CTSL expression remained unchanged. Promoter analysis identified binding sites for immune- and hormone-regulated transcription factors (IRFs, STATs, and ESRs) explaining the observed expression differences.
conclusionsEntry gene expression differs across age, sex, and infection stage; elevated baseline levels in children and females may promote early immune activation and protection, highlighting their complex role in COVID-19 pathogenesis.
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