COVID-19: Elucidating the Role of the NasalEpithelium in SARS-CoV-2 Infection, Transmission, and Prevention

ABSTRACT Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, the causative agent of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has led to a pandemic with a mortality of approximately 3.5% and a wide range of morbidity outcomes negatively impacted by pre-existing conditions. Given the prevalence of pre-existing

comorbid conditions in Veterans, it is imperative to understand the mechanisms of how SARS-CoV-2 invades and replicates within the barrier defense cells of the nose, which is the primary portal for viral entry. Furthermore, current data suggests that the nasal carriage functions as a potential reservoir for viral persistence and

transmission (i.e., shedding) at times that are both prior to and during the manifestation of severe respiratory symptoms. This project utilizes a unique biobank of cryopreserved nasal cells collected from over 1000 individuals over 15-years to understand the critical issues surrounding SARS-CoV-2 interaction with the human

nasal epithelia. Paradoxically, while SARS-CoV-2 can be detected in nasal swabs prior to its detection in sputum, there is a paucity of rhinologic symptoms (