ACE2-independent infection of T lymphocytes by SARS-CoV-2

• DOI: 10.1038/s41392-022-00919-x
• Publication Date: 2022-03-11T08:02:59Z
• Authors: Xu-Rui Shen; Rong Geng; Qian Li; Ying Chen; Shu-Fen Li; Qi Wang; Juan Min; Yong Yang; Bei Li; Ren-Di Jiang; Xi Wang; Xiao-Shuang Zheng; Yan Zhu; Jing-Kun Jia; Xing-Lou Yang; Mei-Qin Liu; Qian-Chun Gong; Yu-Lan Zhang; Zhen-Qiong Guan; Hui-Ling Li; Zhen-Hua Zheng; Zheng-Li Shi; Hui-Lan Zhang; Ke Peng; Peng Zhou
• Keywords: Coronavirus

Abstract SARS-CoV-2 induced marked lymphopenia in severe patients with COVID-19. However, whether lymphocytes are targets of viral infection is yet to be determined, although RNA or antigen has been identified T cells from patients. Here, we confirmed that could detected patient peripheral blood (PBCs) postmortem lung cells, and the infectious virus also antigen-positive PBCs. We next prove infects lymphocytes, preferably activated CD4 + vitro. Upon infection, RNA, subgenomic protein particle can cells. Furthermore, show spike-ACE2/TMPRSS2-independent through using ACE2 knockdown receptor blocking experiments. Next, demonstrate undergone pronounced apoptosis. In vitro cell death likely mitochondria ROS-HIF-1a-dependent pathways. Finally, demonstrated LFA-1, exclusively expresses multiple leukocytes, more entry molecule mediated compared a list other known receptors. Collectively, this work spike-ACE2-independent manner, which shed novel insights into underlying mechanisms SARS-CoV-2-induced COVID-19