ACE2 expression in human dorsal root ganglion sensory neurons: implications for SARS-CoV-2 virus-induced neurological effects

SARS-CoV-2 has created a global crisis. COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus, is characterized by pneumonia, respiratory distress and hypercoagulation and is often fatal ¹ . An early sign of infection is loss of smell, taste and chemesthesis - loss of chemical sensation ² . Other neurological effects of the disease have been described, but not explained ^3,4 . We show that human dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons express the SARS-CoV-2 receptor ^5,6 , ACE2. ACE2 mRNA is expressed by a subset of nociceptors that express MRGPRD mRNA suggesting that SARS-CoV-2 may gain access to the nervous system through entry into neurons that form free-nerve endings at the outer-most layers of skin and luminal organs. Therefore, sensory neurons are a potential target for SARS-CoV-2 invasion of the nervous system.