Non-neuronal expression of SARS-CoV-2 entry genes in the olfactory system suggests mechanisms underlying COVID-19-associated anosmia

Altered olfactory function is a common symptom of COVID-19, but its etiology is unknown. A key question is whether SARS-CoV-2 (CoV-2) - the causal agent in COVID-19 - affects olfaction directly, by infecting olfactory sensory neurons or their targets in the olfactory bulb, or indirectly, through perturbation of supporting cells. Here we identify cell types in the olfactory epithelium and olfactory bulb that express SARS-CoV-2 cell entry molecules. Bulk sequencing demonstrated that mouse, non-human primate and human olfactory mucosa expresses two key genes involved in CoV-2 entry, ACE2 and TMPRSS2. However, single cell sequencing revealed that ACE2 is expressed in support cells, stem cells, and perivascular…

• NS
  National Science Foundation

  Award: P30NS072030
• AP
  Alfred P. Sloan Foundation

  Award: 2013-10-27
• GA
  Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation

  Award: GBMF3834
• BA
  Belgian American Educational Foundation
• LT
  Leverhulme Trust

  Award: RPG-2016-095
• FW
  Fonds Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek

  Award: 1246220N
• VR
  Vlaamse regering
• NI
  National Institutes of Health

  Awards: RO1DC007235, RO1DC016859, RO11DC016222, R01DC014423, U19NS112953, P30NS072030
• MR
  Medical Research Council

  Awards: K013807, M008924
• BA
  Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council

  Awards: BB/CCG1720/1, BB/P022073/1, BB/P022073/1
• ER
  European Research Council

  Award: 725729