Metabolism

Researchers from Osaka University have found that infection with SARS-CoV-2 activates the expression of IRF1, a key regulator of insulin/IGF signaling in multiple tissues, leading to disruption of blood sugar metabolism and, in some cases, new onset of diabetes. Treating infected cells with hormonal factors that decreased IRF1 expression enhanced insulin/IGF signaling, suggesting that this approach could be used to mitigate some of the more severe side effects of COVID-19 in the future.