ThinCert Cell Culture Inserts as a Useful Tool for COVID-19 Research
In this study, the authors utilize ThinCert® permeable supports to cultivate bronchial cells at the air liquid interface and subsequently characterize their transcriptome. From their experimental results the authors could conclude that mainly a transient secretory cell type seems to be targeted by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Recently, the study "ThinCert-Air liquid interface cultures for COVID-19 research" was published in the renown EMBO journal. This paper showcases the use of ThinCert cell culture inserts as a useful tool for COVID-19 research. A summary of the paper, as well as a link to the full publication is linked below.
Coronavirus infections caused by SARS-CoV (2002/2003), MERS-CoV (since 2012) and SARS-CoV-2 (currently)have severely affected global health in the 21st century. Although being closely related, these three viruses differ in their contagiousness – SARS-CoV-2 shows by far the highest human-to-human transmission. Consequently,global research focuses on mechanisms underlaying the human SARS-Cov-2 infection and pathways the virususes to enter the human body.
This study emphasizes the possibilities and advantages of air lift cultures for COVID-19 research and may inspire COVID researchers to expand their spectrum of methodology. Scientists may consider to utilize organotypic cultures instead of/ in addition to real lung tissue.
Conclusion and relevance
In this study, the authors utilize ThinCert® permeable supports to cultivate bronchial cells at the air liquid interface and subsequently characterize their transcriptome. From their experimental results the authors could conclude that mainly a transient secretory cell type seems to be targeted by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Furthermore,the authors could presume that the specific gene expression patterns of these cells including the expression of TMPRSS2, ACE2 and genes of RHO GTPase pathways are important factors for their increased vulnerability to SARS-CoV-2.
This study provides a rich resource for future research on the COVID-19 pathogenesis and emphasizes the advantage of utilizing in-vitro tissue models in addition to real lung tissue. Permeable membrane supports such as ThinCert® cell culture inserts are the first-choice if organotypic, tissue-like cell culture conditions are required. The opportunity to cultivate cells at the air-liquid-interface qualifies these devices for the generation of fully differentiated airway-epithelia in-vitro and their application in COVID-19 research.
From their experimental results the authors could conclude that mainly a transient secretory cell type seems to be targeted by the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
Soeren Lukassen*, Robert Lorenz Chua*, Timo Trefzer*, Nicolas C Kahn*, Marc A Schneider*, Thomas Muley, Hauke Winter, Michael Meister, Carmen Veith, Agnes W Boots, Bianca P Hennig, Michael Kreuter**, Christian Conrad** & Roland Eils**
*/** equally contributing first and senior authors respectively
