SARS-CoV-2 induces inflammation and intracranial infection through the olfactory epithelium-olfactory bulb pathway in non-human primates

We examined the histopathological changes in the olfactory mucosa of cynomolgus and rhesus macaque models of SARS-CoV-2 infection. SARS-CoV-2 infection induced severe inflammatory changes in the olfactory mucosa. A major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II molecule, HLA-DR was expressed in macrophage and supporting cells, and melanocytes were increased in olfactory mucosa. Supporting cells and olfactory neurons were infected, and SARS-CoV-2 N protein was detected in the axons of olfactory neurons and in olfactory bulbs.

Source: Journal of Neuroimmunology - January 8, 2024 Category: Allergy & Immunology Authors: Shino Shimizu, Misako Nakayama, Cong Thanh Nguyen, Hirohito Ishigaki, Yoshinori Kitagawa, Fumihiko Yasui, Yoshiki Yagi, Tomoe Kusayanagi, Michinori Kohara, Yasushi Itoh, Ichiro Tojima, Hideaki Kouzaki, Takeshi Shimizu Source Type: research