Fig. 1 | Signal Transduction and Targeted Therapy

Fig. 1

From: Motile cilia and microvillar: accomplices of SARS-CoV-2 in penetrating mucus barrier and infecting airway epithelium

Fig. 1

The step-by-step model of SARS-CoV-2 penetrating the mucus barrier and infecting human nasal epithelium. Air-liquid interface culture of primary human nasal epithelial cells to form nasal epithelial organoids composed of ciliated, goblet, and basal cells. Firstly, small amount of virus penetrates the peri-ciliary layer, along the cilia, after binding to ACE2 on cilia. Activation of various kinases such as PAK1/4 and phosphorylation of several actins such as EZR occur in the infected ciliated cells immediately. The microvilli then form dome-shaped alienated structures and high degree of extension. Cytoplasmic vesicle-encapsulated viral progeny pass through the PCL layer along alienated microvilli and exit at the mucus layer. Mucus flow, which depends on ciliary movement, assists the spread of viral progeny to other surrounding cells

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