Human ACE2 protein is a molecular switch controlling the mode of SARS-CoV-2 transmission.
J Biomed Sci
; 30(1): 87, 2023 Oct 12.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-37828601
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (hACE2) is the receptor mediating severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. hACE2 expression is low in the lungs and is upregulated after SARS-CoV-2 infection. How such a hACE2-limited pulmonary environment supports efficient virus transmission and how dynamic hACE2 expression affects SARS-CoV-2 infection are unclear.METHODS:
We generated stable cell lines with different expression levels of hACE2 to evaluate how the hACE2 expression level can affect SARS-CoV-2 transmission.RESULTS:
We demonstrated that the hACE2 expression level controls the mode of SARS-CoV-2 transmission. The hACE2-limited cells have an advantage for SARS-CoV-2 shedding, which leads to cell-free transmission. By contrast, enhanced hACE2 expression facilitates the SARS-CoV-2 cell-to-cell transmission. Furthermore, this cell-to-cell transmission is likely facilitated by hACE2-containing vesicles, which accommodate numerous SARS-CoV-2 virions and transport them to neighboring cells through intercellular extensions.CONCLUSIONS:
This hACE2-mediated switch between cell-free and cell-to-cell transmission routes provides SARS-CoV-2 with advantages for either viral spread or evasion of humoral immunity, thereby contributing to the COVID-19 pandemic and pathogenesis.Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
SARS-CoV-2
/
COVID-19
Limite:
Animals
/
Humans
Idioma:
En
Revista:
J Biomed Sci
Assunto da revista:
MEDICINA
Ano de publicação:
2023
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Taiwan