The Virus: 

SARS-COV-2

Sungnak, W., Huang, N., Bécavin, C., Berg, M., Queen, R., Litvinukova, M., Talavera-
Lopez, C., Maatz, H., Reichart, D., Sampaziotis, F., Worlock, K., Yoshida, M., Barnes,
J., & HCA Lung Biological Network. (2020). SARS-CoV-2 entry factors are highly
expressed in nasal epithelial cells together with innate immune genes. Nature Medicine,
26, 681–687. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41591-020-0868-6

Sungnak and his colleagues are a diverse group of individuals from around the world
with backgrounds in Pathology, Genetics, Bioinformatics, and Respiratory fields. They
investigated two essential transmembrane genes (ACE2 and TMPRSS2) involved in the
entry of SARS-CoV-2 into the human body. More specifically, they looked at the
expression of these genes in different tissues of the body to assess which part of the
body is mainly responsible for the initiation and proliferation of SARS-CoV-2. They
found that these genes are mostly co-expressed in nasal cells lining the nasal cavity
with genes involved in innate immunity. More specifically, they found that the SARS-
CoV-2 entry receptor, ACE2, and viral entry-associated protease TMPRSS2 are highly
expressed in nasal goblet and ciliated cells. The intended audience are researchers
who are using this information to conduct further studies. More details on Covid-19 entry
into the body can also be found in Achar et al.’s report. 

(Tahj Stewart)
 Blood-Brain Barrier

Achar, A., & Ghosh, C. (2020). COVID-19-Associated Neurological Disorders: The

Potential Route of CNS Invasion and Blood-Brain Relevance. Cells, 9(11), 2360.
https://doi.org/10.3390/cells9112360

Achar and Ghosh, two Cerebrovascular researchers, review two pathways Covid-19
takes to reach the Brain. One pathway is the Blood-Brain Barrier (BBB) and the second
is retrograde axonal transport. Also, they discuss how Covid-19 enters the respiratory
tract via ACE2 receptors, associated proteases, and the Spike protein. Lastly, Achar
and Ghosh discuss two pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6 and IL-8) that affects the
integrity of the BBB and various neurological issues that arose in some individuals
following Covid-19 infection like ischemic stroke, encephalitis, and others. They
concluded Covid-19 primarily affects the respiratory system, however, cases of Covid-
19 effecting neurological physiology is more present than previously thought. Studies
presume that neuroinvasion, neuroinflammation, and Blood brain barrier dysfunction
contribute in the development of these neurological developments. The intended
audience are individuals who are doing conducting further research with this
information. More information on how Covid-19 enters the brain via the BBB can be
found in the Boldrini et al. article on Covid-19 and the brain.
 
(Tahj Stewart)