Determinants of SARS-CoV-2 entry and replication in airway mucosal tissue and susceptibility in smokers.
Cell Rep Med
; 2(10): 100421, 2021 10 19.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1440413
ABSTRACT
Understanding viral tropism is an essential step toward reducing severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) transmission, decreasing mortality from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and limiting opportunities for mutant strains to arise. Currently, little is known about the extent to which distinct tissue sites in the human head and neck region and proximal respiratory tract selectively permit SARS-CoV-2 infection and replication. In this translational study, we discover key variabilities in expression of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and transmembrane serine protease 2 (TMPRSS2), essential SARS-CoV-2 entry factors, among the mucosal tissues of the human proximal airways. We show that SARS-CoV-2 infection is present in all examined head and neck tissues, with a notable tropism for the nasal cavity and tracheal mucosa. Finally, we uncover an association between smoking and higher SARS-CoV-2 viral infection in the human proximal airway, which may explain the increased susceptibility of smokers to developing severe COVID-19. This is at least partially explained by differences in interferon (IFN)-ß1 levels between smokers and non-smokers.
Keywords
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Serine Endopeptidases
/
Respiratory Mucosa
/
Viral Tropism
/
Smokers
/
Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2
/
COVID-19
Limits:
Aged
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
/
Middle aged
Language:
English
Journal:
Cell Rep Med
Year:
2021
Document Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
J.xcrm.2021.100421
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