The impact of SARS-CoV-2 on nasal respiratory epithelial cell differentiation

Olfers, Jowi (2022) The impact of SARS-CoV-2 on nasal respiratory epithelial cell differentiation. Bachelor's Thesis, Biology.

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Abstract

Since December 2019 there has been a global outbreak of the coronavirus severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). SARS-CoV-2 infection varies from patients being asymptomatic to experiencing severe respiratory destress and/or multi organ failure. Generally, the lower airways are marked as SARS-CoV-2’ main target for infection, replication and transmission, leading to the nasal respiratory epithelium (NRE) to be overlooked. However, the NRE could also be a main target site since this area is in closest contact to the outside world and therefore has great potential for viral transmission. Hence, it is of interest to examine the viral tropism of SARS-CoV-2 within the NRE and its pathogenesis. Numerous studies showed high expression of entry-related host factors and the detection of the virus or its related content in the ciliated and secretory cells. Once SARS-CoV-2 infects these cells, it may exert several effects on cellular morphology and physiology. Research showed a significant increase in transcripts in clusters of basal- and secretory cells and dedifferentiation of ciliated cells. The dedifferentiation leads to loss and abnormal structures of cilia, resulting in reduced mucociliary clearance. Moreover, the cellular composition of the NRE showed significant differences of certain cell populations between healthy controls and Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) patients. Arguably, indicating critical amounts of cell death of ciliated and secretory cells.

Item Type:	Thesis (Bachelor's Thesis)
Supervisor name:	Hylkema, M.N.
Degree programme:	Biology
Thesis type:	Bachelor's Thesis
Language:	English
Date Deposited:	31 Jan 2022 09:39
Last Modified:	31 Jan 2022 09:39
URI:	https://fse.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/26516

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