Age-dependent appearance of SARS-CoV-2 entry sites in mouse chemosensory systems reflects COVID-19 anosmia-ageusia symptoms

Abstract

Brechbühl et al characterise the gene and protein expression of ACE2/TMPRSS2 in the mouse olfactory and gustatory cells, which reveals that SARS-CoV-2 target cells are of basal and sensory origin. They also demonstrate an age-dependent appearance of viral entry-sites, which could inform the use of mouse models in the investigation of SARS-CoV-2 effects on olfaction.