iPSC-derived neuronal cultures to study SARS-CoV-2 neurotropism
December 2020
Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, USA(1)
University of California, Los Angeles, USA(2)
University of California, Los Angeles, USA(2)
In vitro models are critical for understanding the mechanism of diseases. Using the hiPSC differentiation technology, neurons, astrocytes and brain organoids were generated to study neurotropism and the cellular response to SARS-CoV-2. While the viral infection of hiPSC-derived neurons and astrocytes was low, a boosted infection in neuron-astrocyte co-cultures and organoids was observed. ApoE4/4 hiPSCs-derived neurons and astrocytes had an increased rate of SARS-CoV-2 infection. ApoE4, a strong genetic risk factor for Alzheimer's disease, has been associated with an increased risk for severe COVID-19. Remdesivir treatment inhibited SARS-CoV2 infection of hiPSC neurons and astrocytes. The findings from the present study reveal the potential role of ApoE4 in COVID-19 severity. They give also insight into the impact of COVID-19 on different patient populations.
ApoE-isoform-dependent SARS-CoV-2 neurotropism and cellular response
Yanhong Shi(1), Vaithilingaraja Arumugaswami(2)
Added on: 10-24-2022
[1] https://www.cell.com/cell-stem-cell/fulltext/S1934-5909(20)30602-0#relatedArticles
