Article Synopsis
- This study investigates how SARS-CoV-2 affects the eyes and nervous system in K18-hACE2 transgenic mice using different infection methods.* -
- Mice infected through their noses showed ocular inflammation and cytokine production, while intratracheal infection allowed the virus to travel from the lungs to the brain and eyes.* -
- The research confirms that the virus can affect the eyes and nervous system but eye drops do not lead to lung infection, offering insights that may enhance understanding of COVID-19's transmission and symptoms.*
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Article Abstract
Although ocular manifestations are reported in patients with COVID-19, consensus on ocular tropism of SARS-CoV-2 is lacking. Here, we infect K18-hACE2 transgenic mice with SARS-CoV-2 using various routes. We observe ocular manifestation and retinal inflammation with production of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the eyes of intranasally (IN)-infected mice. Intratracheal (IT) infection results in dissemination of the virus from the lungs to the brain and eyes via trigeminal and optic nerves. Ocular and neuronal invasions are confirmed using intracerebral (IC) infection. Notably, the eye-dropped (ED) virus does not cause lung infection and becomes undetectable with time. Ocular and neurotropic distribution of the virus in vivo is evident in fluorescence imaging with an infectious clone of SARS-CoV-2-mCherry. The ocular tropic and neuroinvasive characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 are confirmed in wild-type Syrian hamsters. Our data can improve the understanding regarding viral transmission and clinical characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 and help in improving COVID-19 control procedures.
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| http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9743116 | PMC |
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41467-022-35225-1 | DOI Listing |
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