Cytokine induced modulation of ACE2 and TMPRSS2 expression in primary
human nasal epithelial cells
Abstract
Viral entry of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2
(SARS-CoV2) via the spike protein enables endocytosis into host cells
using the ACE2 receptor and TMPRSS2. The frequent upper respiratory
tract symptoms of COVID-19 and the localization of the virus to the
nasopharynx, the most common site of swabbing, indicate that the
sinonasal mucosa may play an important role in SARS-CoV2 infection and
viral replication. This paper investigates the presence of ACE2 Receptor
and TMPRESS2 expression in the primary human nasal epithelial cells
(HNECs) from Control, CRSsNP, and CRSwNP and maps the expression changes
when exposed to Th1, Th2, Th17 associated cytokines. We found that ACE2
and TMPRSS2 expression is higher in control HNECs than CRSwNP HNECs, and
that both ACE2 and TMPRSS2 are downregulated further by Th2 cytokines in
CRSwNP HNECs. This indicates an immune dysregulated state of CRSwNP
mucosa, which normally contributes to a chronic inflammatory state,
might support an altered susceptibility to SARS-CoV2 infection and
transmission.