SARS-CoV-2 Infectivity and Neurological Targets in the Brain

• DOI: 10.1007/s10571-020-00947-7
• Publication Date: 2020-08-25T08:03:42Z
• Authors: Walter J. Lukiw; Aileen Pogue; James M. Hill
• Keywords: Rhinovirus; Human brain; Coronavirus; Cell type; Coronaviridae; Infectivity

The gateway for invasion by the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) into human host cells is via angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE2) transmembrane receptor expressed in multiple immune and nonimmune cell types. SARS-CoV-2, that causes disease 2019 (COVID-19; CoV-19) has unusual capacity to attack many different types of simultaneously clathrin- caveolae-independent endocytic pathways, becoming injurious diverse cells, tissues organ systems exploiting any weakness host. elicitation this multipronged explains part severity extensive variety signs symptoms observed CoV-19 patients. To further our understanding mechanism pathways SARS-CoV-2 infection susceptibility specific cell- tissue-types communication we analyzed ACE2 expression 85 including 21 brain regions, 7 fetal 8 controls. Besides strong respiratory, digestive, renal-excretory reproductive high was also found amygdala, cerebral cortex brainstem. highest level pons medulla oblongata brainstem, containing medullary centers brain, may explain patients distress.