Ancestral, Delta, and Omicron (BA.1) SARS-CoV-2 strains are dependent on serine proteases for entry throughout the human respiratory tract.
MED 2023;
4:944-955.e7. [PMID:
37769654 DOI:
10.1016/j.medj.2023.08.006]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2023] [Revised: 07/30/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
The SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.1 variant emerged in late 2021 and became the globally dominant variant by January 2022. Authentic virus and pseudovirus systems have shown Omicron spike has an increased dependence on the endosomal pathway for entry.
METHODS
We investigated the entry mechanisms of Omicron, Delta, and ancestral viruses in cell models that represent different parts of the human respiratory tract, including nasal epithelial cells (hNECs), large-airway epithelial cells (LAECs), small-airway epithelial cells, and embryonic stem cell-derived type II alveolar cells.
FINDINGS
Omicron had an early replication advantage in LAECs, while Delta grew to higher titers in all cells. Omicron maintained dependence on serine proteases for entry in all culture systems. While serine protease inhibition with camostat was less robust for Omicron in hNECs, endosomal entry was not enhanced.
CONCLUSIONS
Our findings demonstrate that entry of Omicron BA.1 SARS-CoV-2 is dependent on serine proteases for entry throughout the respiratory tract.
FUNDING
This work was supported by The Medical Research Future Fund (MRF9200007; K.S., J.M.P.) and the DHHS Victorian State Government grant (Victorian State Government; DJPR/COVID-19; K.S, J.M.P.). K.S. is supported by a National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia Investigator grant (APP1177174).
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