Researchers identify cells likely targeted by Covid-19 virus

MIT News  April 22, 2020
Using existing data on the RNA found in different types of cells, an international team of researchers (MIT, Harvard University, and from around the world) was able to search for cells that express the two proteins that help the SARS-CoV-19 virus enter human cells. They found subsets of cells in the lung, the nasal passages, and the intestine that express RNA for both proteins much more than other cells. MIT with partners at the Broad Institute has been building an open source database and storing a huge collection of these dataset in one place, allowing researchers to study potential roles for particular cells in a variety of infectious diseases. According to the researchers it is hard to make any broad conclusions about the role of interferon against this virus…read more. Open Access TECHNICAL ARTICLE