This study used transmission electron microscopy and tomography to examine human airway epithelium infected with three SARS-CoV-2 isolates, including the B.1.1.7 variant. The virus infected ciliated but not goblet cells. Entry molecules ACE2 and TMPRSS2 were localized to the plasma membrane and microvilli but not cilia. Viral fusion at the plasma membrane was observed, releasing nucleocapsids. Intracellular virions were found in single-membrane compartments, with tomography suggesting budding into these compartments, explaining envelope acquisition. No differences in infection characteristics were observed between isolates.
Publisher
Nature Communications
Published On
Mar 25, 2022
Authors
Andreia L. Pinto, Ranjit K. Rai, Jonathan C. Brown, Paul Griffin, James R. Edgar, Anand Shah, Aran Singanayagam, Claire Hogg, Wendy S. Barclay, Clare E. Futter, Thomas Burgoyne
