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SARS ‐CoV‐2 targets neurons of 3D human brain organoids
Author(s) -
Ramani Anand,
Müller Lisa,
Ostermann Philipp N,
Gabriel Elke,
AbidaIslam Pranty,
MüllerSchiffmann Andreas,
Mariappan Aruljothi,
Goureau Olivier,
Gruell Henning,
Walker Andreas,
Andrée Marcel,
Hauka Sandra,
Houwaart Torsten,
Dilthey Alexander,
Wohlgemuth Kai,
Omran Heymut,
Klein Florian,
Wieczorek Dagmar,
Adams Ortwin,
Timm Jörg,
Korth Carsten,
Schaal Heiner,
Gopalakrishnan Jay
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
the embo journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 7.484
H-Index - 392
eISSN - 1460-2075
pISSN - 0261-4189
DOI - 10.15252/embj.2020106230
Subject(s) - biology , organoid , covid-19 , human brain , betacoronavirus , virology , mammalian brain , coronavirus infections , microbiology and biotechnology , neuroscience , infectious disease (medical specialty) , medicine , disease , pathology , outbreak
Abstract COVID ‐19 pandemic caused by SARS ‐CoV‐2 infection is a public health emergency. COVID ‐19 typically exhibits respiratory illness. Unexpectedly, emerging clinical reports indicate that neurological symptoms continue to rise, suggesting detrimental effects of SARS ‐CoV‐2 on the central nervous system ( CNS ). Here, we show that a Düsseldorf isolate of SARS ‐CoV‐2 enters 3D human brain organoids within 2 days of exposure. We identified that SARS ‐CoV‐2 preferably targets neurons of brain organoids. Imaging neurons of organoids reveal that SARS ‐CoV‐2 exposure is associated with altered distribution of Tau from axons to soma, hyperphosphorylation, and apparent neuronal death. Our studies, therefore, provide initial insights into the potential neurotoxic effect of SARS ‐CoV‐2 and emphasize that brain organoids could model CNS pathologies of COVID ‐19.