Conjunctival epithelial cells resist productive SARS-CoV-2 infection

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Virology
• Cell Biology

Background:

• Conjunctival epithelial cells express viral entry receptors ACE2 and TMPRSS2.
• The ocular surface is the largest exposed epithelium and a potential route for viral entry.
• Understanding SARS-CoV-2 interaction with ocular tissues is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the permissiveness of conjunctival epithelial cells to SARS-CoV-2.
• To characterize the innate immune response of conjunctival cells to SARS-CoV-2.
• To evaluate the ocular surface as a potential viral entry route.

Main Methods:

• Generation of an organotypic air-liquid-interface model of conjunctival epithelium.
• Single-cell RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) for transcriptomic analysis.
• Complementary imaging and virological assays to assess infection and immune response.

Main Results:

• All conjunctival cell types supported SARS-CoV-2 genome expression.
• Productive SARS-CoV-2 infection did not occur in conjunctival cells.
• A robust innate immune response involving NF-κB signaling was observed, without interferon activation.

Conclusions:

• Conjunctival cells are permissive to SARS-CoV-2 genome expression but restrict productive infection.
• The ocular surface mounts a specific innate immune response to SARS-CoV-2.
• Findings inform strategies for preventing ocular viral infections and inform conjunctival transplantation.