Non-productive exposure of PBMCs to SARS-CoV-2 induces cell-intrinsic innate immune responses

ABSTRACT: Cell-intrinsic responses mounted in PBMCs during mild and severe COVID-19 differ quantitatively and qualitatively. Whether they are triggered by signals emitted by productively infected cells of the respiratory tract or result from physical interaction with virus particles, remains unclear. Here, we analyzed susceptibility and expression profiles of PBMCs from healthy donors upon ex vivo exposure to SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2. In line with the absence of detectable ACE2 receptor expression, human PBMCs were refractory to productive infection. RT-PCR experiments and single cell RNA-sequencing revealed JAK/STAT-dependent induction of interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs), but not pro-inflammatory cytokines. This SARS-CoV-2-specific response was most pronounced in monocytes. SARS-CoV-2-RNA-positive

SUBMITTER: Julia Kazmierski 

PROVIDER: S-SCDT-MSB-2022-10961 | biostudies-other |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-other