SARS-CoV-2 causes severe epithelial inflammation and barrier dysfunction.

ABSTRACT: Infections with SARS-CoV-2 can be asymptomatic, but they can also be accompanied by a variety of symptoms that result in mild to severe coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) and are sometimes associated with systemic symptoms. Although the viral infection originates in the respiratory system, it is unclear how the virus can overcome the alveolar barrier, which is observed in severe COVID-19 disease courses. To elucidate the viral effects on the barrier integrity and immune reactions, we used mono-cell culture systems and a complex human chip model composed of epithelial, endothelial, and mononuclear cells. Our data show that SARS-CoV-2 efficiently infected epithelial cells with high viral loads and inflammatory response, including interferon expression. By contrast, the adjacent endothelial la

SUBMITTER: Deinhardt-Emmer S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8139673 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature