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bioRxiv · 10.1101/2020.05.08.084996

Elevated ACE2 expression in the olfactory neuroepithelium: implications for anosmia and upper respiratory SARS-CoV-2 entry and replication

Chen, M.·Shen, W.·Rowan, N.·Kulaga, H.·Hillel, A.·Ramanathan, M.·Lane, A. P.
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Abstract

The site of SARS-CoV-2 entry and replication critically impacts strategies for COVID-19 diagnosis, transmission mitigation, and treatment. We determined the cellular location of the SARS-CoV-2 target receptor protein, ACE2, in the human upper airway, finding striking enrichment (200-700 folds) in the olfactory neuroepithelium relative to nasal respiratory or tracheal epithelial cells. This cellular tropism of SARS-CoV-2 may underlie its high transmissibility and association with olfactory dysfunction, while suggesting a viral reservoir potentially amenable to intranasal therapy.

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Chen, M., Shen, W., Rowan, N., Kulaga, H., Hillel, A., Ramanathan, M., Lane, A. P.. 2020-05-09. Elevated ACE2 expression in the olfactory neuroepithelium: implications for anosmia and upper respiratory SARS-CoV-2 entry and replication. https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.05.08.084996

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