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Coronavirus infection in chemosensory cells
Martina Donadoni1, Rafal Kaminski1, Shuren Liao1
1Center for Neurovirology & Gene Editing, Temple University Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, 19140, USA.
Journal of Neurovirology
|January 31, 2023
Summary
Human coronaviruses (HCoVs) can affect smell and taste. This study shows SARS-CoV-2 infects both olfactory and taste cells, potentially explaining sensory loss in COVID-19 patients.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Cell Biology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Human coronavirus (HCoV) infections primarily affect the respiratory system.
- Symptoms like anosmia (loss of smell) and ageusia (loss of taste) are reported secondary complications.
- The mechanism of HCoV infection in chemosensory cells is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the susceptibility and replication of HCoV-OC43 and SARS-CoV-2 in human olfactory and taste cells.
- To understand the potential mechanisms behind chemosensory dysfunctions observed in HCoV infections, particularly COVID-19.
Main Methods:
- In vitro culture of human olfactory epithelial cells (hOECs) and fungiform taste papilla (HBO) cells.
- Assessment of HCoV-OC43 and SARS-CoV-2 infection rates and viral replication.
- Analysis of viral release from infected cells using secondary infection assays.
- RT-qPCR-based gene array to study gene expression changes in response to SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Main Results:
- Both hOECs and HBO cells were susceptible to HCoV-OC43, but HBO cells showed reduced viral replication and limited infectious virus release.
- SARS-CoV-2 infected both hOECs and HBO cells with comparable efficiency.
- SARS-CoV-2 infection significantly altered the expression of key genes involved in taste and olfactory functions in both cell types.
Conclusions:
- Human olfactory and taste cells are targets for HCoV infections.
- SARS-CoV-2 infection of chemosensory cells may underlie the observed anosmia and ageusia in COVID-19 patients.
- HBO cells appear to have a more restricted capacity for viral replication and release compared to hOECs for HCoV-OC43.
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