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Expression of SARS-CoV-2 receptor ACE2 and the protease TMPRSS2 suggests susceptibility of the human embryo in the first trimester.
Open Biol. 2020 08; 10(8):200162.OB

Abstract

While initially recognized as causing respiratory disease, the SARS-CoV-2 virus also affects many other organs leading to other complications. It has emerged that advanced age and obesity are risk factors for complications but questions concerning the potential effects on fetal health and successful pregnancy for those infected with SARS-CoV-2 remain largely unanswered. Here, we examine human pre-gastrulation embryos to determine the expression patterns of the genes ACE2, encoding the SARS-CoV-2 receptor, and TMPRSS2, encoding a protease that cleaves both the viral spike protein and the ACE2 receptor to facilitate infection. We show expression and co-expression of these genes in the trophoblast of the blastocyst and syncytiotrophoblast and hypoblast of the implantation stages, which develop into tissues that interact with the maternal blood supply for nutrient exchange. Expression of ACE2 and TMPRSS2 in these tissues raises the possibility for vertical transmission and indicates that further work is required to understand potential risks to implantation, placental health and fetal health that require further study.

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Authors+Show Affiliations

Weatherbee BAT
Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EG, UK.
Glover DM
Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EH, UK. Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, Caltech, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA.
Zernicka-Goetz M
Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EG, UK. Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, Caltech, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA.

MeSH

Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2BetacoronavirusCOVID-19Coronavirus InfectionsEmbryo, MammalianFemaleHumansPandemicsPeptidyl-Dipeptidase APneumonia, ViralPregnancyPregnancy Trimester, FirstSARS-CoV-2Serine EndopeptidasesSingle-Cell AnalysisTrophoblasts

Pub Type(s)

Journal Article
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Language

eng

PubMed ID

32750256

Citation

Weatherbee, Bailey A T., et al. "Expression of SARS-CoV-2 Receptor ACE2 and the Protease TMPRSS2 Suggests Susceptibility of the Human Embryo in the First Trimester." Open Biology, vol. 10, no. 8, 2020, p. 200162.
Weatherbee BAT, Glover DM, Zernicka-Goetz M. Expression of SARS-CoV-2 receptor ACE2 and the protease TMPRSS2 suggests susceptibility of the human embryo in the first trimester. Open Biol. 2020;10(8):200162.
Weatherbee, B. A. T., Glover, D. M., & Zernicka-Goetz, M. (2020). Expression of SARS-CoV-2 receptor ACE2 and the protease TMPRSS2 suggests susceptibility of the human embryo in the first trimester. Open Biology, 10(8), 200162. https://doi.org/10.1098/rsob.200162
Weatherbee BAT, Glover DM, Zernicka-Goetz M. Expression of SARS-CoV-2 Receptor ACE2 and the Protease TMPRSS2 Suggests Susceptibility of the Human Embryo in the First Trimester. Open Biol. 2020;10(8):200162. PubMed PMID: 32750256.
* Article titles in AMA citation format should be in sentence-case
TY - JOUR T1 - Expression of SARS-CoV-2 receptor ACE2 and the protease TMPRSS2 suggests susceptibility of the human embryo in the first trimester. AU - Weatherbee,Bailey A T, AU - Glover,David M, AU - Zernicka-Goetz,Magdalena, Y1 - 2020/08/05/ PY - 2020/8/5/entrez PY - 2020/8/5/pubmed PY - 2020/8/13/medline KW - SARS-CoV-2 KW - TMPRSS2 KW - receptor ACE2 SP - 200162 EP - 200162 JF - Open biology JO - Open Biol VL - 10 IS - 8 N2 - While initially recognized as causing respiratory disease, the SARS-CoV-2 virus also affects many other organs leading to other complications. It has emerged that advanced age and obesity are risk factors for complications but questions concerning the potential effects on fetal health and successful pregnancy for those infected with SARS-CoV-2 remain largely unanswered. Here, we examine human pre-gastrulation embryos to determine the expression patterns of the genes ACE2, encoding the SARS-CoV-2 receptor, and TMPRSS2, encoding a protease that cleaves both the viral spike protein and the ACE2 receptor to facilitate infection. We show expression and co-expression of these genes in the trophoblast of the blastocyst and syncytiotrophoblast and hypoblast of the implantation stages, which develop into tissues that interact with the maternal blood supply for nutrient exchange. Expression of ACE2 and TMPRSS2 in these tissues raises the possibility for vertical transmission and indicates that further work is required to understand potential risks to implantation, placental health and fetal health that require further study. SN - 2046-2441 UR - https://www.unboundmedicine.com/medline/citation/32750256/Expression_of_SARS_CoV_2_receptor_ACE2_and_the_protease_TMPRSS2_suggests_susceptibility_of_the_human_embryo_in_the_first_trimester_ DB - PRIME DP - Unbound Medicine ER -