Immune Netw.
2021 Feb;21(1):e3. 10.4110/in.2021.21.e3.
SARS-CoV-2 Infection of Airway Epithelial Cells
- Affiliations
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- 1Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Soonchunhyang University College of Medicine, Cheonan 31151, Korea
- 2Obstructive Upper airway Research (OUaR) Laboratory, Department of Pharmacology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Korea
- 3Department of Biomedical Sciences, Seoul National University Graduate School, Seoul 03080, Korea
- 4Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Korea
- 5Ischemic/Hypoxic Disease Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Korea
- 6Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul 03080, Korea
- KMID: 2513569
- DOI: http://doi.org/10.4110/in.2021.21.e3
Abstract
- Coronavirus disease 2019 caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARSCoV-2) has been spreading worldwide since its outbreak in December 2019, and World Health Organization declared it as a pandemic on March 11, 2020. SARS-CoV-2 is highly contagious and is transmitted through airway epithelial cells as the first gateway. SARS-CoV-2 is detected by nasopharyngeal or oropharyngeal swab samples, and the viral load is significantly high in the upper respiratory tract. The host cellular receptors in airway epithelial cells, including angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 and transmembrane serine protease 2, have been identified by single-cell RNA sequencing or immunostaining. The expression levels of these molecules vary by type, function, and location of airway epithelial cells, such as ciliated cells, secretory cells, olfactory epithelial cells, and alveolar epithelial cells, as well as differ from host to host depending on age, sex, or comorbid diseases. Infected airway epithelial cells by SARSCoV-2 in ex vivo experiments produce chemokines and cytokines to recruit inflammatory cells to target organs. Same as other viral infections, IFN signaling is a critical pathway for host defense. Various studies are underway to confirm the pathophysiological mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Herein, we review cellular entry, host-viral interactions, immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 in airway epithelial cells. We also discuss therapeutic options related to epithelial immune reactions to SARS-CoV-2.
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