Gene expression and in situ protein profiling of candidate SARS-CoV-2 receptors in human airway epithelial cells and lung tissue

We present confirmatory evidence for the presence of TMPRSS2, CD147 and GRP78 protein in vitro in airway epithelial cells and confirm broad in situ protein expression of CD147 and GRP78 in the respiratory mucosa.
Collectively, our data suggest the presence of a mechanism dynamically regulating ACE2 expression in human lung, perhaps in periods of SARS-CoV-2 infection, and also suggest that alternative receptors for SARS-CoV-2 exist to facilitate initial host cell infection.

Source: European Respiratory Journal - September 2, 2020 Category: Respiratory Medicine Authors: Aguiar, J. A., Tremblay, B. J.-M., Mansfield, M. J., Woody, O., Lobb, B., Banerjee, A., Chandiramohan, A., Tiessen, N., Cao, Q., Dvorkin-Gheva, A., Revill, S., Miller, M. S., Carlsten, C., Organ, L., Joseph, C., John, A., Hanson, P., Austin, R. C., McManu Tags: Respiratory infections and tuberculosis Original Articles: Infectious disease Source Type: research