PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - David Brann
AU  - Tatsuya Tsukahara
AU  - Caleb Weinreb
AU  - Darren W. Logan
AU  - Sandeep Robert Datta
TI  - Non-neural expression of SARS-CoV-2 entry genes in the olfactory epithelium suggests mechanisms underlying anosmia in COVID-19 patients
AID  - 10.1101/2020.03.25.009084
DP  - 2020 Jan 01
TA  - bioRxiv
PG  - 2020.03.25.009084
4099  - http://biorxiv.org/content/early/2020/03/27/2020.03.25.009084.short
4100  - http://biorxiv.org/content/early/2020/03/27/2020.03.25.009084.full
AB  - Recent reports suggest an association between COVID-19 and altered olfactory function. Here we analyze bulk and single cell RNA-Seq datasets to identify cell types in the olfactory epithelium that express molecules that mediate infection by SARS-CoV-2 (CoV-2), the causal agent in COVID-19. We find in both mouse and human datasets that olfactory sensory neurons do not express two key genes required for CoV-2 entry, ACE2 and TMPRSS2. In contrast, olfactory epithelial support cells and stem cells express both of these genes, as do cells in the nasal respiratory epithelium. Taken together, these findings suggest possible mechanisms through which CoV-2 infection could lead to anosmia or other forms of olfactory dysfunction.