A new analysis of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, reveals that the pathogen can infect and replicate in cells that line the inside of the human intestines. The results show that the intestines are a target organ for the virus and could explain why some patients with COVID-19 experience gastrointestinal symptoms.
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to unfold across the world, scientists have prioritized understanding how exactly SARS-CoV-2 infects and damages human cells. Studies have shown that the virus enters epithelial cells in the lungs by exploiting an enzyme called ACE2, allowing the virus to replicate and spread further. The ensuing damage results in some of the respiratory symptoms that COVID-19 is known for, which can range from coughing and shortness of breath to pneumonia in more severe cases.
Preliminary observations suggest that the virus may also infect cells in the gut: patients sometimes show gastrointestinal symptoms like diarrhea, and researchers know that gut epithelial cells also harbor ACE2.
The authors generated 3D structures that display all cell types of the human small intestinal epithelium and grew them in four different culture conditions. The human small intestinal organoids grown in different conditions expressed varying amounts of ACE2 and could be infected with SARS-CoV-2.
Using electron microscopy, the authors discovered that the virus infected both mature and progenitor enterocytes, which are intestinal absorptive epithelial cells that line the inner surface of the intestines.
They also found that the virus provoked the activity of genes involved with antiviral responses. Notably, the rates of infection were similar across the organoid models, indicating that even low quantities of ACE2 may be enough for the virus to infect epithelial cells.
The authors suggest that human organoid models will offer a useful resource for researchers studying the basic biology of SARS-CoV-2 and other coronaviruses.
https://science.sciencemag.org/content/early/2020/04/30/science.abc1669
http://sciencemission.com/site/index.php?page=news&type=view&id=publications%2Fars-cov-2-productively&filter=22
COVID-19 virus infects human intestinal cells
- 1,569 views
- Added
Edited
Latest News
Wiring of the human neocortex
By newseditor
Posted 24 Apr
Abusive drugs hijack natura…
By newseditor
Posted 23 Apr
Mechanism of action of the…
By newseditor
Posted 23 Apr
Role of fat in rare neurolo…
By newseditor
Posted 23 Apr
How protein synthesis in de…
By newseditor
Posted 22 Apr
Other Top Stories
A protein that promotes brain metastasis identified!
Read more
Hypoxic memory promotes tumor spread!
Read more
Glutamine-blocking drug slows tumor growth and strengthens anti-tum…
Read more
Long non-coding RNA in childhood brain cancer!
Read more
Astronauts prep may help multisystem toxicity in cancer patients
Read more
Protocols
A programmable targeted pro…
By newseditor
Posted 23 Apr
MemPrep, a new technology f…
By newseditor
Posted 08 Apr
A tangible method to assess…
By newseditor
Posted 08 Apr
Stem cell-derived vessels-o…
By newseditor
Posted 06 Apr
Single-cell biclustering fo…
By newseditor
Posted 01 Apr
Publications
Harnessing gastrointestinal…
By newseditor
Posted 24 Apr
Sex-specific modulation of…
By newseditor
Posted 24 Apr
Exploiting pancreatic cance…
By newseditor
Posted 23 Apr
Structure of antiviral drug…
By newseditor
Posted 23 Apr
Type-I-interferon-responsiv…
By newseditor
Posted 23 Apr
Presentations
Hydrogels in Drug Delivery
By newseditor
Posted 12 Apr
Lipids
By newseditor
Posted 31 Dec
Cell biology of carbohydrat…
By newseditor
Posted 29 Nov
RNA interference (RNAi)
By newseditor
Posted 23 Oct
RNA structure and functions
By newseditor
Posted 19 Oct
Posters
A chemical biology/modular…
By newseditor
Posted 22 Aug
Single-molecule covalent ma…
By newseditor
Posted 04 Jul
ASCO-2020-HEALTH SERVICES R…
By newseditor
Posted 23 Mar
ASCO-2020-HEAD AND NECK CANCER
By newseditor
Posted 23 Mar
ASCO-2020-GENITOURINARY CAN…
By newseditor
Posted 23 Mar