@article{3078462,
    title = "Are cystic fibrosis mutation carriers a potentially highly vulnerable group to COVID-19?",
    author = "Sarantis, P. and Koustas, E. and Papavassiliou, A.G. and Karamouzis, M.V.",
    journal = "Journal of Cellular and Molecular Medicine",
    year = "2020",
    volume = "24",
    number = "22",
    pages = "13542-13545",
    publisher = "Blackwell Publishing Inc.",
    issn = "1582-1838, 1582-4934",
    doi = "10.1111/jcmm.15941",
    keywords = "ABC transporter;  angiotensin converting enzyme 2;  aspartate aminotransferase;  bleomycin;  cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator;  galectin;  gamma glutamyltransferase;  gamma interferon;  immunoglobulin E;  immunoglobulin enhancer binding protein;  interferon;  interleukin 10;  interleukin 1beta;  interleukin 6;  interleukin 8;  monocyte chemotactic protein 1;  STAT1 protein;  toll like receptor 2;  toll like receptor 3;  transforming growth factor beta;  tumor necrosis factor;  tumor necrosis factor receptor 1;  tumor necrosis factor receptor associated factor 3;  vasculotropin;  ACE2 protein, human;  CFTR protein, human;  cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator, angiotensin II-induced cardiac fibrosis;  Article;  asthma;  bronchiectasis;  cell ultrastructure;  chronic pancreatitis;  coronavirus disease 2019;  Coronavirus infection;  cystic fibrosis;  cytokine release;  cytokine release syndrome;  death;  disease severity;  enzyme activity;  gene mutation;  gene silencing;  geographic distribution;  human;  immune response;  inflammation;  lung disease;  lung fibrosis;  multiple organ failure;  nonhuman;  priority journal;  pyroptosis;  respiratory tract infection;  risk factor;  SARS coronavirus;  Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2;  signal transduction;  virus replication;  cystic fibrosis;  genetic predisposition;  genetics;  isolation and purification;  mortality;  mutation;  virology;  vulnerable population, Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2;  COVID-19;  Cystic Fibrosis;  Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator;  Genetic Predisposition to Disease;  Humans;  Inflammation;  Mutation;  SARS-CoV-2;  Vulnerable Populations",
    abstract = "Undoubtedly, the new SARS-CoV-2 virus poses a grave health threat, plaguing the health and socio-economic sectors. COVID-19 disease must be treated quickly and effectively as soon as possible. The main axes in this direction are establishing vaccines, drugs, diagnostic tests, as well as identifying the most vulnerable groups. Probably, there is a correlation between COVID-19 and cystic fibrosis. Our interest is focused on cystic fibrosis carriers that, due to limited tests, remain undetectable. There is an activation of the inflammatory response in the carriers, as well as in cystic fibrosis patients. First of all, a striking similarity lies between the inflammatory response in COVID-19 and cystic fibrosis carriers. Notably, ACE-2 plays the same role in both cases and a similar geographical distribution is observed in both diseases. In conclusion, we suggest that cystic fibrosis mutation carriers are potential members of a certain vulnerable group and the detection of such mutations in the population might be vital for the prevention of SARS-CoV-2 virus, and more specifically to limit its serious complications. © 2020 The Authors. Journal of Cellular and Molecular Medicine published by Foundation for Cellular and Molecular Medicine and John Wiley & Sons Ltd."
}