[HTML][HTML] SARS-CoV-2 entry factors are highly expressed in nasal epithelial cells together with innate immune genes

W Sungnak, N Huang, C Bécavin, M Berg, R Queen… - Nature medicine, 2020 - nature.com
Nature medicine, 2020nature.com
We investigated SARS-CoV-2 potential tropism by surveying expression of viral entry-
associated genes in single-cell RNA-sequencing data from multiple tissues from healthy
human donors. We co-detected these transcripts in specific respiratory, corneal and
intestinal epithelial cells, potentially explaining the high efficiency of SARS-CoV-2
transmission. These genes are co-expressed in nasal epithelial cells with genes involved in
innate immunity, highlighting the cells' potential role in initial viral infection, spread and …
Abstract
We investigated SARS-CoV-2 potential tropism by surveying expression of viral entry-associated genes in single-cell RNA-sequencing data from multiple tissues from healthy human donors. We co-detected these transcripts in specific respiratory, corneal and intestinal epithelial cells, potentially explaining the high efficiency of SARS-CoV-2 transmission. These genes are co-expressed in nasal epithelial cells with genes involved in innate immunity, highlighting the cells’ potential role in initial viral infection, spread and clearance. The study offers a useful resource for further lines of inquiry with valuable clinical samples from COVID-19 patients and we provide our data in a comprehensive, open and user-friendly fashion at www. covid19cellatlas. org.
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