RNA-seq analysis of bronchial organoids reveals ACE2 expression levels before and after SARS-CoV-2 infection
The SARS-CoV-2 virus invades human cells via the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2)receptor. ACE2 expression in the lung cells creates a target for the SARS-CoV-2 virus, andconsequently infected individuals often see respiratory symptoms. Here, RNA sequencing(RNA-seq) datasets from in vitro human bronchial organoids (hBO) are analyzed to identifyunderlying gene expression changes as a result of an infection by SARS-CoV-2. Throughdifferential expression analysis, it was found that ACE2 expression levels did not changesignificantly after SARS-CoV-2 infection, but other genes that encode for major immunesignaling pathways were upregulated. This study can lend insight into potential targets for drugdevelopment and treatment for the COVID-19 disease.