Summary The cellular targets of SARS-CoV-2, the novel coronavirus causing the COVID-19 pandemic, is still rudimentary. Here, we incorporated the protein information to analyze the expression of ACE2, the SARS-CoV-2 receptor, together with co-factors, TMPRSS2 and Furin, at single-cell level in situ , which we called protein-proofed single-cell RNA (pscRNA) profiling. Systemic analysis across 36 tissues revealed a rank list of candidate cells potentially vulnerable to SARS-CoV-2. The top targets are lung AT2 cells and macrophages, then cardiomyocytes and adrenal gland stromal cells, followed by stromal cells in testis, ovary, and thyroid, whereas the kidney proximal tubule cells, cholangiocytes, and enterocytes are less likely to be the primary SARS-CoV-2 targets. Actually, the stomach may constitute a physical barrier against SARS-CoV-2 as the acidic environment (pH < 2.0) could completely inactivate SARS-CoV-2 pseudo-viruses. Together, we provide a comprehensive view on the potential SARS-CoV-2 targets by pscRNA profiling. Graphical Abstract Highlights • A novel method of protein-proofed single-cell RNA (pscRNA) profiling was developed • A rank list of 10 potential SARS-CoV-2 target cells were proposed • The intestinal enterocytes are less likely to be the primary SARS-CoV-2 targets Virology; Microbiology; Transcriptomics
【저자키워드】 Microbiology, Virology, transcriptomics, TMPRSS2, 【초록키워드】 SARS-CoV-2, ACE2, macrophages, COVID-19 pandemic, Novel coronavirus, RNA, kidney, Protein, cells, target, targets, receptor, Thyroid, information, expression, single-cell, cellular, Analysis, systemic, target cell, stromal cell, tissue, Acidic, proximal tubule cells, comprehensive view, single-cell level, Cell, less, Enterocyte, intestinal enterocyte, lung AT2 cell, physical barrier, the SARS-CoV-2, 【제목키워드】 SARS-CoV-2, ACE2, target, Profiling,