Open AccessBinding of the SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein to the Asialoglycoprotein Receptor on Human Primary Hepatocytes and Immortalized Hepatocyte-Like Cells by Confocal Analysis
Author(s) -
Daniel P. Collins,
Clifford J. Steer
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
hepatic medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 1179-1535
DOI - 10.2147/hmer.s301979
Subject(s) - biotinylation , spike (software development) , hepatocyte , receptor , microbiology and biotechnology , antibody , asialoglycoprotein receptor , biology , chemistry , biochemistry , in vitro , immunology , management , economics
The SARS-CoV-2 virus may have direct or indirect effects on other human organs beyond the respiratory system and including the liver, via binding of the spike protein. This study investigated the potential direct interactions with the liver by comparing the binding of SARS-CoV-2 spike proteins to human AT2-like cells, primary human hepatocytes and immortalized hepatocyte-like hybrid cells. Receptors with binding specificity for SARS-CoV-2 spike protein on AT2 cells and hepatocytes were identified.