NCT04640610

Angiotensin-converting Enzyme 2 (ACE2) Expression in Tonsils and Adenoids

Study of the Expression of Angiotensin-converting Enzyme 2 (ACE2), a Cell Membrane Receptor for SARS-CoV-2 and the TMPRSS2 Serine Protease in Tonsils and Adenoids of Children and Adults

• Status: Withdrawn
• Phase: —
• Study type: Observational
• Enrollment: 0 (actual)
• Sponsor: Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: —
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

The objective of the research is to study the expression of the ACE 2 receptor and the TMPRSS2 serine protease in the tonsils and adenoids of children and adults.

Detailed description

The entry point for SARS-CoV-2 into the body is the nasal and pharyngeal mucosa. Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE 2) was quickly identified as the functional receptor for SARS-CoV-2. Furthermore, the TMPRSS2 serine protease is required for the anchoring of the S protein in cell lines. In addition, the most commonly used screening test is a test for viral RNA by RT-PCR on a nasopharyngeal sample because the viral load is high. The tonsils and adenoids could be a target organ of the virus. In order to study this hypothesis, the expression of ACE 2 and the serine protease TMPRSS2 will be sought in these tissues. In addition, children, generally at high risk of severe viral respiratory infections (RSV, influenza), have milder symptoms than older patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection. The reason for this difference remains elusive. But one of the hypotheses formulated is that the level of expression of ACE 2 and / or TMPRSS2 may differ between adults and children, the viral load seeming to be correlated with the severity of the attack. In order to study this hypothesis, we will therefore compare the level of expression of ACE 2 in the tonsil tissue of children and adults.

Conditions

• Adenoidectomy
• Tonsillectomy

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	Storage of operating waste	Storage of operating waste of adenoidectomy / tonsillectomy

Timeline

• Start date: 2021-06-30
• Primary completion: 2021-06-30
• Completion: 2021-06-30
• First posted: 2020-11-23
• Last updated: 2026-03-12

Locations

9 sites across 1 country: France