The authours have investigated SARS-CoV-2 potential tropism by surveying expression of viral entry-associated genes in single-cell RNA-seq data from multiple tissues from healthy human donors. They co-detected these transcripts in specific respiratory, corneal, and intestinal epithelial cells, potentially explaining the high efficiency of SARS-CoV-2 transmission. These genes are co-expressed in nasal epithelial cells with genes involved in innate immunity, highlighting the cells’ potential role in initial viral infection, spread and clearance. The study offers a useful resource for further lines of inquiry with valuable clinical samples from COVID-19 patients, providing this data in a comprehensive, open, and user-friendly fashion at covid19cellatlas.org.
