RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Non-neural expression of SARS-CoV-2 entry genes in the olfactory epithelium suggests mechanisms underlying anosmia in COVID-19 patients
JF bioRxiv
FD Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
SP 2020.03.25.009084
DO 10.1101/2020.03.25.009084
A1 David Brann
A1 Tatsuya Tsukahara
A1 Caleb Weinreb
A1 Darren W. Logan
A1 Sandeep Robert Datta
YR 2020
UL http://biorxiv.org/content/early/2020/03/27/2020.03.25.009084.abstract
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.