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The scRNA-seq Expression Profiling of the Receptor ACE2 and the Cellular Protease TMPRSS2 Reveals Human Organs Susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 Infection

Author

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  • Jing Qi

    (School of Mathematics, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150001, China
    These authors contributed equally to the work.)

  • Yang Zhou

    (School of Mathematics, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150001, China
    These authors contributed equally to the work.)

  • Jiao Hua

    (School of Mathematics, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150001, China
    These authors contributed equally to the work.)

  • Liying Zhang

    (School of Mathematics, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150001, China)

  • Jialin Bian

    (School of Mathematics, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150001, China)

  • Beibei Liu

    (School of Mathematics, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150001, China)

  • Zicen Zhao

    (School of Mathematics, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150001, China)

  • Shuilin Jin

    (School of Mathematics, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150001, China)

Abstract

COVID-19 patients always develop multiple organ dysfunction syndromes other than lungs, suggesting the novel virus SARS-CoV-2 also invades other organs. Therefore, studying the viral susceptibility of other organs is important for a deeper understanding of viral pathogenesis. Angiotensin-converting enzyme II (ACE2) is the receptor protein of SARS-CoV-2, and TMPRSS2 promotes virus proliferation and transmission. We investigated the ACE2 and TMPRSS2 expression levels of cell types from 31 organs to evaluate the risk of viral infection using single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data. For the first time, we found that the gall bladder and fallopian tube are vulnerable to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Besides, the nose, heart, small intestine, large intestine, esophagus, brain, testis, and kidney are also identified to be high-risk organs with high expression levels of ACE2 and TMPRSS2. Moreover, the susceptible organs are grouped into three risk levels based on the ACE2 and TMPRSS2 expression. As a result, the respiratory system, digestive system, and urinary system are at the top-risk level for SARS-CoV-2 infection. This study provides evidence for SARS-CoV-2 infection in the human nervous system, digestive system, reproductive system, respiratory system, circulatory system, and urinary system using scRNA-seq data, which helps in the clinical diagnosis and treatment of patients.

Suggested Citation

  • Jing Qi & Yang Zhou & Jiao Hua & Liying Zhang & Jialin Bian & Beibei Liu & Zicen Zhao & Shuilin Jin, 2021. "The scRNA-seq Expression Profiling of the Receptor ACE2 and the Cellular Protease TMPRSS2 Reveals Human Organs Susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 Infection," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(1), pages 1-17, January.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:1:p:284-:d:473766
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    SARS-CoV-2; COVID-19; scRNA-seq; susceptible organs; ACE2; TMPRSS2;
    All these keywords.

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