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bioRxiv · 10.1101/2020.05.28.122374

ACE2 expression in human dorsal root ganglion sensory neurons: implications for SARS-CoV-2 virus-induced neurological effects

Shiers, S.·Ray, P. R.·Wangzhou, A.·Tatsui, C. E.·Rhines, L.·Li, Y.·Uhelski, M. L.·Dougherty, P. M.·Price, T. J.
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Abstract

SARS-CoV-2 has created a global crisis. COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus, is characterized by pneumonia, respiratory distress and hypercoagulation and is often fatal1. An early sign of infection is loss of smell, taste and chemesthesis - loss of chemical sensation2. Other neurological effects of the disease have been described, but not explained3,4. We show that human dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons express the SARS-CoV-2 receptor5,6, ACE2. ACE2 mRNA is expressed by a subset of nociceptors that express MRGPRD mRNA suggesting that SARS-CoV-2 may gain access to the nervous system through entry into neurons that form free-nerve endings at the outer-most layers of skin and luminal organs. Therefore, sensory neurons are a potential target for SARS-CoV-2 invasion of the nervous system.

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Shiers, S., Ray, P. R., Wangzhou, A., Tatsui, C. E., Rhines, L., Li, Y., Uhelski, M. L., Dougherty, P. M., Price, T. J.. 2020-06-01. ACE2 expression in human dorsal root ganglion sensory neurons: implications for SARS-CoV-2 virus-induced neurological effects. https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.05.28.122374

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