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Lookup NU author(s): Robert Jackson, Catherine Hatton, Dr Jarmila SpegarovaORCiD, Dr Maria Georgiou, Dr Anjam Khan, Dr Rachel Queen, Dr Christopher DuncanORCiD, Professor Majlinda LakoORCiD
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Although tropism of SARS-CoV-2 for respiratory tract epithelial cells is well established, an open question is whether the conjunctival epithelium is also a target for SARS-CoV-2. Conjunctival epithelial cells, which express viral entry receptors ACE2 and TMPRSS2, constitute the largest exposed epithelium of the ocular surface tissue, and may represent a relevant viral entry route. To address this question, we generated an organotypic air-liquid-interface model of conjunctival epithelium, composed of progenitor, basal and superficial epithelial cells and fibroblasts, which could be maintained successfully up to day 75 of differentiation. Using single-cell RNA Seq, with complementary imaging and virological assays, we observed that while all conjunctival cell types were permissive to SARS-CoV-2 genome expression, a productive infection did not ensue. The early innate immune response to SARS-CoV-2 infection in conjunctival cells was characterised by a robust autocrine and paracrine NF-Kβ activity, without activation of antiviral interferon signalling. Collectively, these data enrich our understanding of SARS-CoV-2 infection at the human ocular surface, with potential implications for the design of preventive strategies and conjunctival transplants.
Author(s): Jackson RM, Hatton CF, Spegarova JS, Georgiou M, J Collin, E Stephenson, B Verdon, IJ Haq, R Hussain, JM Coxhead, H-S Mudhar, B Wagner, M Hasoon, T Davey, P Rooney, A Khan, C Ward, M Brodlie, M Haniffa, S Hambleton, L Armstrong, F Figueiredo, Queen R, Duncan CJ, Lako M
Publication type: Article
Publication status: Published
Journal: Stem Cell Reports
Year: 2022
Volume: 17
Issue: 7
Pages: 1699-1713
Print publication date: 12/07/2022
Online publication date: 23/06/2022
Acceptance date: 20/05/2022
ISSN (electronic): 2213-6711
Publisher: Cell Press
URL: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.stemcr.2022.05.017
DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2022.05.017
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