The SARS-CoV-2 targets by the pscRNA profiling of ACE2, TMPRSS2 and Furin proteases

Zhou, Lulin; Niu, Zubiao; Jiang, Xiaoyi; Zhang, Zhengrong; Zheng, You; Wang, Zhongyi; Zhu, Yichao; Gao, Lihua; Huang, Hongyan; Wang, Xiaoning; Sun, Qiang

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 analyse 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.