Single-cell RNA sequencing of SARS-CoV-2 cell entry factors in the preconceptional human endometrium.

Abstract STUDY QUESTION Are SARS-CoV-2 canonical cell entry machinery, consisting of ACE2, TMPRSS2, NRP1 and LY6E, or alternative potential cell entry machinery, consisting of BSG, ANPEP, CD209, CLEC4G, TMPRSS4, TMPRSS11A, FURIN, CTSB, CTSL and IFITM1, expressed in the human endometrium across the menstrual cycle? SUMMARY ANSWER Analysis of cell entry factors for SARS-CoV-2 by single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNAseq) in the preconceptional human endometrium reveals low risk of infection. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Gene expression datasets from bulk endometrial tissue show no significant expression of the SARS-CoV-2 receptor ACE2 and TMPRSS2. This is in contrast to reported expression of ACE2 at the…