Skip to main content

Table 2 Stem cell models for SARS-CoV-2

From: When stem cells meet COVID-19: recent advances, challenges and future perspectives

Stem cell model

Cell types

Culture method

Immune response

Key findings

References

ASCs

Liver bile duct-derived progenitor cells

3D

Not discussed

The liver damage in COVID-19 patients might result from direct cholangiocyte injury and consequent bile acid accumulation induced by viral infection

Zhao et al. [98]

ASCs

Alveolar type 2 cells

3D

Type I response in both studies with an MOI of 1 and ISG stimulation

WNT activity is crucial for hAT2 maintenance; AT2s express a SARS-CoV-2 receptor, ACE2, and are sensitive to virus infection; Low-dose IFN pre-treatment blocks SARS-CoV-2 replication in alveolospheres

Youk et al. [26], Katsura et al. [99] and Tindle et al. [100]

ASCs

Intestinal stem cells

2D

IFNL2 and IFNL3 were highly induced and type I-III IFN response at 24 h after inoculation with an MOI of 3

Established the first expandable organoid culture system of bat

intestinal epithelium

Zhou et al. [101]

ASCs

Primary gut endothelial stem cells

Pseudo-stratified layer

Increase in interferon genes 72 h post infection with an MOI of 0.1

Intestinal epithelium supports SARS-CoV-2 replication; SARS-CoV-2 induces a stronger interferon response than SARS-CoV in HIOs

Lamers et al. [103]

ASCs

Hepatocytes

3D

Chemokine, IL-17, TNF and NFκB signaling at MOI 0.1 at 24 h

Human hepatocyte organoids are permissive to SARS-CoV-2 infection

Yang et al. [112]

ASCs

Cholangiocytes

3D

Chemokine and IL-17 signaling pathway activated at MOI 0.1 at 24 h

Human cholangiocyte organoids are permissive to SARS-CoV-2 infection

Yang et al. [112]

hPSC derived

colonoids

3D

TNF and IL-17 signatures reported after 24 h with an MOI of 0.1

Identified FDA-approved drug candidates, including imatinib and mycophenolic acid, as inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 entry

Han et al. [104]

hPSC derived

alveolar type II-like cells; enterocytes

 

TNF, IL-17 signaling, and cytokine-cytokine

Receptor interaction at MOI 0.01 at 24 h

Identified entry inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2, including imatinib, mycophenolic acid (MPA), and quinacrine dihydrochloride (QNHC)

Chen et al. [105]

hPSC derived

Airway cells

3D

IL-6 and IL-18 significantly up-regulated at MOI 0.01 at 24 h

Synergistic Effects of Anti-inflammatory Macrophages with ACE2 Inhibition Against SARS-CoV-2

Duan et al. [106]

iPSC derived

Alveolar type 2 cells

3D

Delayed type I interferon response with an MOI of 5 and ISG stimulation

SARS-CoV-2 infection of pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Human Lung AT2 Cells Elicits a Rapid Epithelial-Intrinsic Inflammatory Response

Huang et al. [107]

hPSC derived

Cardiomyocytes

2D

Type I interferon response and ISG stimulation at MOI 0.01

Androgen Signaling Regulates SARS-CoV-2 10

Receptor Levels and Is Associated with Severe COVID-19 Symptoms in Men

Samuel et al. [108]

iPSC derived

Neurons

2D/3D

Not discussed

Neurospheres were permissive to SARS-CoV-2 infection and supported productive virus replication

Zhang et al. [110]

Ramani et al. [111]

hPSC derived

Microglia

2D

Not discussed

hPSC-derived microglia cells are permissive to SARS-CoV-2 infection. hPSC-derived cells or organoids show similar chemokine responses as COVID-19 tissues

Yang et al. [112]

hPSC derived

Endocrine

3D

Chemokine induction at 24 h after MOI 0.01

hPSC-derived pancreatic endocrine cells are permissive to SARS-CoV-2 infection

Yang et al. [112]

hPSC derived

Cardiomyocytes

3D

IL-11, IL-1B significantly up-regulated at MOI 0.1 at 72 h

hPSC-derived cardiomyocytes are permissive to SARS-CoV-2 infection

Perez-Bermejo et al. [113], Bojkova et al. [114], Sharma et al. [115] and Yanagida et al. [116]

iPSC derived

Capillary; kidney

3D

Not discussed

SARS-CoV-2 can directly infect engineered human blood vessel organoids and human kidney organoids. hrsACE2 can significantly block early stages of SARS-CoV-2 infections

Monteil et al. [117]

  1. ASCs, adult stem cells; iPSC, induced pluripotent stem cell; MOI, multiplicity of infection; hAT2, human lung alveolar type 2; ISG:IFN-stimulated gene; ACE2, angiotensin converting enzyme 2; hrsACE2, human recombinant soluble ACE2; hSIOs, human small intestinal organoids