Strain-Specific Variability in Viral Kinetics, Cytokine Response, and Cellular Damage in Air-Liquid Cultures of Human Nasal Organoids After Infection with SARS-CoV-2.

ABSTRACT: SARS-CoV-2 variants have demonstrated distinct epidemiological patterns and clinical presentations throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Understanding variant-specific differences at the respiratory epithelium is crucial for understanding their pathogenesis. Here, we utilized human nasal organoid air-liquid interface (HNO-ALI) cell cultures to compare the viral replication kinetics, innate immune response, and epithelial damage of six different strains of SARS-CoV-2 (B.1.2, WA, Alpha, Beta, Delta, and Omicron). All variants replicated efficiently in HNO-ALIs, but with distinct replication kinetic patterns. The Delta variant exhibited delayed replication kinetics, achieving a steady state at 6 days post-infection compared to 3 days for other variants. Cytokine analysis revealed robust pro-infla

SUBMITTER: Aloisio GM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12567804 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature