# Assessing the Impact of SARS-CoV-2 on Adipose Tissue Function and Glucose Homeostasis

> **NIH NIH R01** · WEILL MEDICAL COLL OF CORNELL UNIV · 2024 · $666,810

## Abstract

Project Summary/Abstract
COVID-19 has proven to be a metabolic disease resulting in adverse outcomes disproportionally afflicting
individuals with diabetes or obesity. Patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 and hyperglycemia suffer from longer
hospital stays, increased need for mechanical ventilation and mortality compared to those without
hyperglycemia. We found that insulin resistance rather than beta cell failure is the predominant cause of
hyperglycemia in acute COVID-19. The insulin sensitizing hormone adiponectin is diminished in the circulation
of COVID-19 patients compared to controls. Furthermore, we demonstrate that SARS-CoV-2 can directly infect
adipocytes. Importantly, we find replicating virus in adipose tissues of both autopsy samples from COVID-19
patients and in mouse and hamster experimental models of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Together these data suggest
that SARS-CoV-2 triggers adipose tissue dysfunction to drive insulin resistance and adverse outcomes in acute
COVID-19. In this proposal, we seek to follow up on these studies and assess the mechanisms driving adipose
tissue dysfunction in acute and recovered models of COVID-19. We will pursue the following specific aims: 1.
Assess the impact of acute SARS-CoV-2 infection on glucose homeostasis in obese and non-obese mice. 2.
Map the spatiomolecular interactions and dissect the molecular mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2 infection in
adipose. 3. Determine the long-term glycometabolic consequences of SARS-CoV-2 infection. The overall goal
of these studies is to assess how COVID-19 can drive adipose tissue dysfunction and hyperglycemia and will
shed light on novel targets to combat metabolic complications induced by COVID-19.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10829483
- **Project number:** 5R01DK132879-02
- **Recipient organization:** WEILL MEDICAL COLL OF CORNELL UNIV
- **Principal Investigator:** James C Lo
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $666,810
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2023-05-01 → 2028-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10829483

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10829483, Assessing the Impact of SARS-CoV-2 on Adipose Tissue Function and Glucose Homeostasis (5R01DK132879-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-02 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10829483. Licensed CC0.

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