Expression of SARS-CoV-2 entry receptors in the respiratory tract of healthy individuals, smokers and asthmatics

Respiratory Research

Magdalena Matusiak¹  Christian M. Schürch² 

[1] Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA;Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA;Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA;

关键词: SARS-CoV-2;    COVID-19;    ACE-2;    TMPRSS2;    Basigin;    Furin;    Smoking;    Asthma;    Respiratory epithelium;    Coronavirus;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s12931-020-01521-x

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

SARS-CoV-2 is causing a pandemic with currently > 29 million confirmed cases and > 900,000 deaths worldwide. The locations and mechanisms of virus entry into the human respiratory tract are incompletely characterized. We analyzed publicly available RNA microarray datasets for SARS-CoV-2 entry receptors and cofactors ACE2, TMPRSS2, BSG (CD147) and FURIN. We found that ACE2 and TMPRSS2 are upregulated in the airways of smokers. In asthmatics, ACE2 tended to be downregulated in nasal epithelium, and TMPRSS2 was upregulated in the bronchi. Furthermore, respiratory epithelia were negative for ACE-2 and TMPRSS2 protein expression while positive for BSG and furin, suggesting a possible alternative entry route for SARS-CoV-2.

【 授权许可】

CC BY