Endothelial cells are not productively infected by SARS-CoV-2.

Lilian SchimmelKeng Yih ChewClaudia J StocksTeodor E YordanovPatricia EssebierChamindie PunyadeeraJames MonkmanAnna Flavia Ribeiro Dos Santos MiggiolaroCaroline CooperLucia de NoronhaKate Schroder Anne Karine Lagendijk Larisa I Labzin Kirsty R Short Emma J Gordon

Published in: Clinical & translational immunology (2021)

Taken together, these data suggest that in vivo, endothelial cells are unlikely to be infected with SARS-CoV-2 and that infection may only occur if the adjacent pulmonary epithelium is denuded (basolateral infection) or a high viral load is present in the blood (apical infection). In such a scenario, whilst SARS-CoV-2 infection of the endothelium can occur, it does not contribute to viral amplification. However, endothelial cells may still play a key role in SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis by sensing adjacent infection and mounting a pro-inflammatory response to SARS-CoV-2.

Keyphrases

sars cov
endothelial cells
respiratory syndrome coronavirus
high glucose
nitric oxide
pulmonary hypertension
vascular endothelial growth factor
deep learning
machine learning