The SARS-CoV-2 receptor ACE2 expression of maternal-fetal interface and fetal organs by single-cell transcriptome study

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0230295
• Publication Date: 2020-04-16T18:23:46Z
• Authors: Mengmeng Li; Liang Chen; Jingxiao Zhang; Chenglong Xiong; Xiangjie Li
• Keywords: Syncytiotrophoblasts; Cytotrophoblast; Decidua

The new type of pneumonia caused by the SARS-CoV-2 (Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) has been declared as a global public health concern WHO. As April 3, 2020, more than 1,000,000 human infections have diagnosed around world, which exhibited apparent person-to-person transmission characteristics this virus. capacity vertical in remains controversial recently. Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is now confirmed receptor and plays essential roles infection transmission. In present study, we collected online available single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data to evaluate cell specific expression ACE2 maternal-fetal interface well multiple fetal organs. Our results revealed that was highly expressed cells including stromal perivascular decidua, cytotrophoblast syncytiotrophoblast placenta. Meanwhile, also types heart, liver lung, but not kidney. And study containing series post-natal mouse observed dynamically changed over time, extremely high neonatal mice at day 1~3. summary, widely spread thus, both placenta dysfunction/abortion need be further carefully investigated clinical practice.