[PDF][PDF] SARS-CoV-2 cell entry factors ACE2 and TMPRSS2 are expressed in the microvasculature and ducts of human pancreas but are not enriched in β cells

KC Coate, J Cha, S Shrestha, W Wang, LM Gonçalves… - Cell metabolism, 2020 - cell.com
KC Coate, J Cha, S Shrestha, W Wang, LM Gonçalves, J Almaça, ME Kapp, M Fasolino…
Cell metabolism, 2020cell.com
Isolated reports of new-onset diabetes in individuals with COVID-19 have led to the
hypothesis that SARS-CoV-2 is directly cytotoxic to pancreatic islet β cells. This would
require binding and entry of SARS-CoV-2 into β cells via co-expression of its canonical cell
entry factors, angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and transmembrane serine protease
2 (TMPRSS2); however, their expression in human pancreas has not been clearly defined.
We analyzed six transcriptional datasets of primary human islet cells and found that ACE2 …
Summary
Isolated reports of new-onset diabetes in individuals with COVID-19 have led to the hypothesis that SARS-CoV-2 is directly cytotoxic to pancreatic islet β cells. This would require binding and entry of SARS-CoV-2 into β cells via co-expression of its canonical cell entry factors, angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and transmembrane serine protease 2 (TMPRSS2); however, their expression in human pancreas has not been clearly defined. We analyzed six transcriptional datasets of primary human islet cells and found that ACE2 and TMPRSS2 were not co-expressed in single β cells. In pancreatic sections, ACE2 and TMPRSS2 protein was not detected in β cells from donors with and without diabetes. Instead, ACE2 protein was expressed in islet and exocrine tissue microvasculature and in a subset of pancreatic ducts, whereas TMPRSS2 protein was restricted to ductal cells. These findings reduce the likelihood that SARS-CoV-2 directly infects β cells in vivo through ACE2 and TMPRSS2.
cell.com