How Macrophages Get Infected by SARS-CoV-2
Author Information
Author(s): Lee Cadence, Khan Rachel, Mantsounga Chris S., Sharma Sheila, Pierce Julia, Amelotte Elizabeth, Butler Celia A., Farinha Andrew, Parry Crystal, Caballero Olivya, Morrison Jeremi A., Uppuluri Saketh, Whyte Jeffrey J., Kennedy Joshua L., Zhang Xuming, Choudhary Gaurav, Olson Rachel M., Morrison Alan R.
Primary Institution: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
Hypothesis
Can macrophages be infected by SARS-CoV-2 and what mechanisms regulate ACE2 expression in these cells?
Conclusion
Macrophages can be infected by SARS-CoV-2, and IL-1β-driven NF-κB transcription of ACE2 increases their susceptibility to infection.
Supporting Evidence
- The study developed a humanized ACE2 mouse model to investigate macrophage infection by SARS-CoV-2.
- Infected hACE2 mice showed a unique inflammatory signature compared to other models.
- Macrophages in infected mice exhibited evidence of viral replication.
Takeaway
This study shows that a type of immune cell called macrophages can get infected by the virus that causes COVID-19, and a specific process in these cells makes them more likely to be infected.
Methodology
The study developed a humanized ACE2 mouse model to assess susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection and analyzed the inflammatory response in macrophages.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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