Site-Specific Entry Factors Define Cellular Susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 in Human Tissues

Vivas-Roca, M.; Mancebo-Perez, C.; Abdalfttah, M.; Balafkir, I.; Benitez-Martinez, A.; Montal, V.; Gonzalez, A.; Mota-Gomez, I.; Grau-Exposito, J.; Pieren, D. K.; Planas, B.; Rosado, J.; Semidey, M. E.; Landolfi, S.; Espin-Bassany, E.; Trilla, E.; Falco, V.; Curran, A.; Burgos, J.; Buzon, M. J.; Guallar, V.; Heyn, H.; Genesca, M.

doi:10.64898/2026.05.07.723425

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bioRxiv · 10.64898/2026.05.07.723425

Site-Specific Entry Factors Define Cellular Susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 in Human Tissues

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Abstract

SARS-CoV-2 primarily infects the respiratory epithelium through entry factors ACE2 and TMPRSS2. However, alternative viral entry receptors and/or modulators of viral entry factors expression may contribute to infection in respiratory as well as non-respiratory tissues, including the kidneys and colon. Using single-cell analyses, we identified novel candidates for spike-mediated viral entry in epithelial cells from diverse fresh human tissues exposed to a labeled spike-pseudotyped virus. Systematic viral tracking revealed tissue-specific membrane receptors that contribute to viral entry, functionally validated in human tissues and partially predicted by molecular modeling. We found ADAM17 and IL1R1, together with canonical molecules, to significantly facilitate viral entry in the lung parenchyma, while entry into the renal cortex was less dependable on canonical factors, but strongly modulated by JAK1/2 engagement. These findings uncover distinct viral entry mechanisms across tissues and suggest novel organ-specific therapeutic targets for patients at risk.

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Vivas-Roca, M., Mancebo-Perez, C., Abdalfttah, M., Balafkir, I., Benitez-Martinez, A., Montal, V., Gonzalez, A., Mota-Gomez, I., Grau-Exposito, J., Pieren, D. K., Planas, B., Rosado, J., Semidey, M. E., Landolfi, S., Espin-Bassany, E., Trilla, E., Falco, V., Curran, A., Burgos, J., Buzon, M. J., Guallar, V., Heyn, H., Genesca, M.. 2026-05-08. Site-Specific Entry Factors Define Cellular Susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 in Human Tissues. https://doi.org/10.64898/2026.05.07.723425

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