Potential of Ocular Transmission of SARS-CoV-2: A Review

Purpose of review: to provide a prospective on the current mechanisms by which SARS-CoV-2 enters cells and replicates, and its implications for ocular transmission. The literature was analyzed to understand ocular transmission as well as molecular mechanisms by which SARS-CoV-2 enters cells and repl...

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Published inVision (Basel) Vol. 4; no. 3; p. 40
Main Authors Barnett, Brad P., Wahlin, Karl, Krawczyk, Michal, Spencer, Doran, Welsbie, Derek, Afshari, Natalie, Chao, Daniel
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Basel MDPI AG 01.09.2020
MDPI
Subjects
ACE2
Angiotensin
Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2
Cathepsin L
CD147 antigen
Cell surface
conjunctivitis
coronavirus
Coronaviruses
COVID-19
Disease transmission
Disseminated infection
Epithelium
Gene expression
Glycoproteins
Immunohistochemistry
Infections
Inoculation
Medical research
Middle East respiratory syndrome
Molecular modelling
ocular transmission
Peptidyl-dipeptidase A
Proteins
Retina
Review
SARS-CoV-2
Serine
Serine proteinase
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2
Tears
Viruses
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Summary:Purpose of review: to provide a prospective on the current mechanisms by which SARS-CoV-2 enters cells and replicates, and its implications for ocular transmission. The literature was analyzed to understand ocular transmission as well as molecular mechanisms by which SARS-CoV-2 enters cells and replicates. Analysis of gene expression profiles from available datasets, published immunohistochemistry, as well as current literature was reviewed, to assess the likelihood that ocular inoculation of SARS-CoV-2 results in systemic infection. Recent findings: The ocular surface and retina have the necessary proteins, Transmembrane Serine Protease 2 (TMPRSS2), CD147, Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 (ACE2) and Cathepsin L (CTSL) necessary to be infected with SARS-CoV-2. In addition to direct ocular infection, virus carried by tears through the nasolacrimal duct to nasal epithelium represent a means of ocular inoculation. Summary: There is evidence that SARS-CoV-2 may either directly infect cells on the ocular surface, or virus can be carried by tears through the nasolacrimal duct to infect the nasal or gastrointestinal epithelium.
Bibliography:ObjectType-Article-2
SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1
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ISSN:2411-5150
2411-5150
DOI:10.3390/vision4030040