Premium
Expression of ACE2 , TMPRSS2 , and Furin in Mouse Ear Tissue, and the Implications for SARS‐CoV ‐2 Infection
Author(s) -
Uranaka Tsukasa,
Kashio Akinori,
Ueha Rumi,
Sato Taku,
Bing Han,
Ying Gao,
Kinoshita Makoto,
Kondo Kenji,
Yamasoba Tatsuya
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
the laryngoscope
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.181
H-Index - 148
eISSN - 1531-4995
pISSN - 0023-852X
DOI - 10.1002/lary.29324
Subject(s) - furin , cochlea , organ of corti , spiral ganglion , biology , inner ear , microbiology and biotechnology , cytoplasm , tmprss2 , middle ear , stereocilia (inner ear) , pathology , anatomy , hair cell , medicine , biochemistry , disease , covid-19 , infectious disease (medical specialty) , enzyme
Objectives/Hypothesis Intracellular entry of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) depends on the interaction between its spike protein with the cellular receptor angiotensin‐converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and depends on Furin‐mediated spike protein cleavage and spike protein priming by host cell proteases, including transmembrane protease serine 2 (TMPRSS2). As the expression of ACE2, TMPRSS2, and Furin in the middle and inner ear remain unclear, we analyzed the expression of these proteins in mouse ear tissues. Study Design Animal Research. Methods We performed immunohistochemical analysis to examine the distribution of ACE2, TMPRSS2, and Furin in the Eustachian tube, middle ear spaces, and cochlea of mice. Results ACE2 was present in the nucleus of the epithelium of the middle ear and Eustachian tube, as well as in some nuclei of the hair cells in the organ of Corti, in the stria vascularis, and the spiral ganglion cells. ACE2 was also expressed in the cytoplasm of the stria vascularis. TMPRSS2 was expressed in both the nucleus and cytoplasm in the middle spaces, with the expression being stronger in the nucleus in the mucosal epithelium of the middle ear spaces and Eustachian tube. TMPRSS2 was present in the cytoplasm in the organ of Corti and stria vascularis and in the nucleus and cytoplasm in the spiral ganglion. Furin was expressed in the cytoplasm in the middle ear spaces, Eustachian tube, and cochlea. Conclusions ACE2, TMPRSS2, and Furin are diffusely present in the Eustachian tube, middle ear spaces, and cochlea, suggesting that these tissues are susceptible to SARS‐CoV‐2 infection. Level of Evidence NA Laryngoscope , 131:E2013–E2017, 2021