heparitin-sulfate and Severe-Acute-Respiratory-Syndrome

Understanding the factors that contribute to efficient SARS-CoV-2 infection of human cells may provide insights on SARS-CoV-2 transmissibility and pathogenesis, and reveal targets of intervention. Here, we analyze host and viral determinants essential for efficient SARS-CoV-2 infection in both human lung epithelial cells and ex vivo human lung tissues. We identify heparan sulfate as an important attachment factor for SARS-CoV-2 infection. Next, we show that sialic acids present on ACE2 prevent efficient spike/ACE2-interaction. While SARS-CoV infection is substantially limited by the sialic acid-mediated restriction in both human lung epithelial cells and ex vivo human lung tissues, infection by SARS-CoV-2 is limited to a lesser extent. We further demonstrate that the furin-like cleavage site in SARS-CoV-2 spike is required for efficient virus replication in human lung but not intestinal tissues. These findings provide insights on the efficient SARS-CoV-2 infection of human lungs.

Topics: Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2; Animals; Caco-2 Cells; Cell Line, Tumor; Chlorocebus aethiops; COVID-19; Cricetinae; Furin; HEK293 Cells; Heparitin Sulfate; Humans; Intestinal Mucosa; Intestines; Lung; SARS-CoV-2; Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome; Sialic Acids; Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus; Vero Cells; Virus Attachment; Virus Internalization; Virus Replication