SARS-CoV-2 Productively Infects Human Gut Enterocytes

  1. Mart M. Lamers
  2. Joep Beumer
  3. Jelte van der Vaart
  4. Kèvin Knoops
  5. Jens Puschhof
  6. Tim I. Breugem
  7. Raimond B.G. Ravelli
  8. J. Paul van Schayck
  9. Anna Z. Mykytyn
  10. Hans Q. Duimel
  11. Elly van Donselaar
  12. Samra Riesebosch
  13. Helma J.H. Kuijpers
  14. Debby Schipper
  15. Willine J. van de Wetering
  16. Miranda de Graaf
  17. Marion Koopmans
  18. Edwin Cuppen
  19. Peter J. Peters
  20. Bart L. Haagmans
  21. Hans Clevers
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Abstract

COVID-19, caused by SARS-CoV-2, is an influenza-like disease with a respiratory route of transmission, yet clinical evidence suggests that the intestine may present another viral target organ. Indeed, the SARS-CoV-2 receptor angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is highly expressed on differentiated enterocytes. In human small intestinal organoids, enterocytes were readily infected by SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 as demonstrated by confocal- and electron-microscopy. Consequently, significant titers of infectious viral particles were measured. mRNA expression analysis revealed strong induction of a generic viral response program. We conclude that intestinal epithelium supports SARS-CoV-2 replication.

One Sentence Summary

SARS-CoV-2 infection of enterocytes in human small intestinal organoids

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