Pathogenicity, tissue tropism and potential vertical transmission of SARSr-CoV-2 in Malayan pangolins

SARS-CoV-2 is having severe impact on public health at a global scale. Malayan pangolin SARS-CoV-2-related coronavirus (SARSr-CoV-2) is closely related to SARS-CoV-2. We show that CT scans of virus-positive pangolins reveal bilateral ground-glass opacities in lungs in similar manner to COVID-19 pati...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:bioRxiv 2020-06
Main Authors: Shen, Yongyi, Chen, Wu, Holmes, Edward C
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
ACE2
Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2
Chemokines
Coronaviruses
COVID-19
Disease transmission
Fetuses
Gene expression
Interferon
Microbiology
Pathogenicity
Pregnancy
Public health
Ribonucleic acid
RNA
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2
Tropism
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Summary:SARS-CoV-2 is having severe impact on public health at a global scale. Malayan pangolin SARS-CoV-2-related coronavirus (SARSr-CoV-2) is closely related to SARS-CoV-2. We show that CT scans of virus-positive pangolins reveal bilateral ground-glass opacities in lungs in similar manner to COVID-19 patients. The virus infected multiple organs in pangolins, with the lungs being the major target. Histological expression showed that ACE2 and TMPRSS2 are co-expressed with viral RNA. Transcriptome analysis revealed an inadequate interferon response, with different dysregulated chemokines and cytokines responses in pregnant and non-pregnant adults and fetuses. Viral RNA and protein were detected in three fetuses providing evidence for vertical virus transmission. In sum, our study identifies the biological framework of SARSr-CoV-2 in pangolins, revealing striking similarities to COVID-19 in humans. Competing Interest Statement The authors have declared no competing interest.
ISSN:2692-8205
DOI:10.1101/2020.06.22.164442