Endothelial glycocalyx shields the interaction of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein with ACE2 receptors.

ABSTRACT: Endothelial cells (ECs) play a crucial role in the development and propagation of the severe COVID-19 stage as well as multiorgan dysfunction. It remains, however, controversial whether COVID-19-induced endothelial injury is caused directly by the infection of ECs with SARS-CoV-2 or via indirect mechanisms. One of the major concerns is raised by the contradictory data supporting or denying the presence of ACE2, the SARS-CoV-2 binding receptor, on the EC surface. Here, we show that primary human pulmonary artery ECs possess ACE2 capable of interaction with the viral Spike protein (S-protein) and demonstrate the crucial role of the endothelial glycocalyx in the regulation of the S-protein binding to ACE2 on ECs. Using force spectroscopy method, we directly measured ACE2- and glycocalyx-depen

SUBMITTER: Targosz-Korecka M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8190434 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature