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Updated: Aug 28, 2025

Live Imaging and Quantification of Viral Infection in K18 hACE2 Transgenic Mice Using Reporter-Expressing Recombinant SARS-CoV-2
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SARS-CoV-2 can infect human embryos.

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Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) can infect early human embryos. This finding reveals a new target tissue for the virus, impacting reproductive health and pregnancy establishment.

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Area of Science:

  • Reproductive Biology
  • Virology
  • Embryology

Background:

  • The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by SARS-CoV-2, has raised concerns about its potential impact on human reproduction.
  • While SARS-CoV-2 affects various organs, its effects on early human embryogenesis and pregnancy establishment are not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the susceptibility of early human embryos to SARS-CoV-2 infection.
  • To determine if key viral entry factors are present in preimplantation embryos.

Main Methods:

  • RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) and immunofluorescence were used to detect SARS-CoV-2 entry factors (ACE2 and TMPRSS2) in blastocyst-stage embryos.
  • Fluorescent reporter virions and live SARS-CoV-2 were used to assess viral entry and infection in human embryos.
  • Blocking antibodies targeting the Spike (S) glycoprotein or ACE2 were employed to evaluate infection attenuation.

Main Results:

  • ACE2 and TMPRSS2 were found to be co-expressed in trophectoderm cells of blastocyst-stage human embryos.
  • Trophectoderm cells demonstrated robust infection by SARS-CoV-2 reporter virions, which was reduced by blocking antibodies.
  • Exposure to live SARS-CoV-2 resulted in infection and compromised the health of human blastocysts.

Conclusions:

  • Early human embryos, specifically trophectoderm cells, are susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection.
  • This susceptibility has potential implications for reproductive health during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • The findings identify the early embryo as a novel human target tissue for SARS-CoV-2.