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

Journal Article (Journal Article)

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.

Full Text

Duke Authors

Cited Authors

  • Sungnak, W; Huang, N; Bécavin, C; Berg, M; Queen, R; Litvinukova, M; Talavera-López, C; Maatz, H; Reichart, D; Sampaziotis, F; Worlock, KB; Yoshida, M; Barnes, JL; HCA Lung Biological Network,

Published Date

  • May 2020

Published In

Volume / Issue

  • 26 / 5

Start / End Page

  • 681 - 687

PubMed ID

  • 32327758

Pubmed Central ID

  • PMC8637938

Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)

  • 1546-170X

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.1038/s41591-020-0868-6

Language

  • eng

Conference Location

  • United States