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COVID-19, cilia, and smell
Wei Li1, Ming Li2, Guangshuo Ou2
1School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China.
The FEBS Journal
|July 22, 2020
Summary
The novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) may cause loss of smell by infecting and damaging olfactory cilia in the nasal epithelium. Understanding this virus-cilium interaction is key to fighting COVID-19.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Cell Biology
- Otorhinolaryngology
Background:
- COVID-19, caused by SARS-CoV-2, presents with various symptoms, including anosmia.
- The mechanism linking coronavirus infection to olfactory dysfunction (anosmia) is not fully understood.
- Olfactory cilia defects are known to cause anosmia.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the connection between coronavirus infection and anosmia.
- To summarize findings on cilia in virus-infected cells.
- To investigate the virus-cilium interface in the context of COVID-19.
Main Methods:
- Review of transmission electron microscopic studies of cilia in virus-infected cells.
- Analysis of SARS-CoV-2-human protein-protein interactions.
- Examination of the role of the mucociliary escalator.
Main Results:
- Coronaviruses infect human nasal epithelium ciliated cells, leading to deciliation.
- Viruses like influenza and Sendai virus attach to and can enter cilia.
- SARS-CoV-2 protein Nsp13 may interact with centrosome components, suggesting a molecular link.
Conclusions:
- Coronavirus infection of nasal ciliated cells may explain COVID-19-associated anosmia.
- The virus-cilium interface is a critical area for future research.
- Further investigation can aid in combating COVID-19.
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