The role of nicotinic receptors in SARS-CoV-2 receptor ACE2 expression in intestinal epithelia.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Recent evidence demonstrated that severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) propagates in intestinal epithelial cells expressing Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 (ACE2), implying that these cells represent an important entry site for the viral infection. Nicotinic receptors (nAChRs) have been put forward as potential regulators of inflammation and of ACE2 expression. As vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) activates nAChRs, we aimed to investigate whether VNS can be instrumental in affecting intestinal epithelial ACE2 expression.

Methods

By using publicly available datasets we qualified epithelial ACE2 expression in human intestine, and assessed gene co-expression of ACE2 and SARS-CoV-2 priming Transmembrane Serine Protease 2 (TM

SUBMITTER: Ten Hove AS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7592135 | biostudies-literature | 2020

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature