Tropism of SARS-CoV-2 for human cortical astrocytes.

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) readily infects a variety of cell types impacting the function of vital organ systems, with particularly severe impact on respiratory function. Neurological symptoms, which range in severity, accompany as many as one-third of COVID-19 cases, indicating a potential vulnerability of neural cell types. To assess whether human cortical cells can be directly infected by SARS-CoV-2, we utilized stem-cell-derived cortical organoids as well as primary human cortical tissue, both from developmental and adult stages. We find significant and predominant infection in cortical astrocytes in both primary tissue and organoid cultures, with minimal infection of other cortical populations. Infected and bystander astrocytes have a corresponding increase in inflammatory gene expression, reactivity characteristics, increased cytokine and growth factor signaling, and cellular stress. Although human cortical cells, particularly astrocytes, have no observable ACE2 expression, we find high levels of coronavirus coreceptors in infected astrocytes, including CD147 and DPP4. Decreasing coreceptor abundance and activity reduces overall infection rate, and increasing expression is sufficient to promote infection. Thus, we find tropism of SARS-CoV-2 for human astrocytes resulting in inflammatory gliosis-type injury that is dependent on coronavirus coreceptors.

Interventional Radiology in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic: Impact on Practices and Wellbeing.

PURPOSE: To report the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on interventional radiology (IR). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A 78-question survey was distributed to practicing interventional radiologists and IR trainees. The survey consisted of demographic and practice environment queries. Anxiety symptoms were evaluated using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) screener, and coping strategies were assessed using the Brief-Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced (Brief-COPE) questionnaire. RESULTS: There were 422 respondents including 333 (78.9%) attending interventional radiologists and 89 (21.1%) interventional radiologists-in-training from 15 counties. Most respondents were from academic medical centers (n = 218; 51.7%). A large majority (n = 391; 92.7%) performed a procedure on a patient with confirmed COVID-19 infection. An N95 mask was the most common (n = 366; 93.6%) safety measure employed. Cancellation or limitation of elective procedures were reported by 276 (65.4%) respondents. Many respondents (n = 177; 41.9%) had self-reported anxiety (GAD-7 score >5) with an overall mean GAD-7 score of 4.64 ± 4.63 (range: 0-21). Factors associated with reporting anxiety included female gender (p = 0.045), increased call coverage (p = 0.048), lack of adequate departmental adjustments (p <0.0001), and lack of adjustments in a timely manner (p <0.0001). The most utilized coping strategy was acceptance (mean of 5.49 ± 1.88), while the most employed dysfunctional coping strategy was self-distraction (mean of 4.16 ± 1.67). The odds of reporting anxiety increased by >125% with adoption of dysfunctional strategies. CONCLUSION: The COVID-19 pandemic induced practice alterations and high rates of self-reported anxiety in IR. Female gender, increased call coverage, and lack of adequate or timely departmental adjustments were associated with increased anxiety levels.