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Infection of bat and human intestinal organoids by SARS-CoV-2

Authors :
Zhou, Jie
Li, Cun
Liu, Xiaojuan
Chiu, Man Chun
Zhao, Xiaoyu
Wang, Dong
Wei, Yuxuan
Lee, Andrew
Zhang, Anna Jinxia
Chu, Hin
Cai, Jian-Piao
Yip, Cyril Chik-Yan
Chan, Ivy Hau-Yee
Wong, Kenneth Kak-Yuen
Tsang, Owen Tak-Yin
Chan, Kwok-Hung
Chan, Jasper Fuk-Woo
To, Kelvin Kai-Wang
Chen, Honglin
Yuen, Kwok Yung
Source :
Nature Medicine; July 2020, Vol. 26 Issue: 7 p1077-1083, 7p
Publication Year :
2020

Abstract

A novel coronavirus—severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)—emerged in humans in Wuhan, China, in December 2019 and has since disseminated globally1,2. As of April 16, 2020, the confirmed case count of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) had surpassed 2 million. Based on full-genome sequence analysis, SARS-CoV-2 shows high homology to SARS-related coronaviruses identified in horseshoe bats1,2. Here we show the establishment and characterization of expandable intestinal organoids derived from horseshoe bats of the Rhinolophus sinicusspecies that can recapitulate bat intestinal epithelium. These bat enteroids are fully susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection and sustain robust viral replication. Development of gastrointestinal symptoms in some patients with COVID-19 and detection of viral RNA in fecal specimens suggest that SARS-CoV-2 might cause enteric, in addition to respiratory, infection3,4. Here we demonstrate active replication of SARS-CoV-2 in human intestinal organoids and isolation of infectious virus from the stool specimen of a patient with diarrheal COVID-19. Collectively, we established the first expandable organoid culture system of bat intestinal epithelium and present evidence that SARS-CoV-2 can infect bat intestinal cells. The robust SARS-CoV-2 replication in human intestinal organoids suggests that the human intestinal tract might be a transmission route of SARS-CoV-2.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
10788956 and 1546170X
Volume :
26
Issue :
7
Database :
Supplemental Index
Journal :
Nature Medicine
Publication Type :
Periodical
Accession number :
ejs53235216
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41591-020-0912-6