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Beverly A. Purnell, Mattia Maroso, Sacha Vignieri, Valda Vinson, Tage S. Rai, Stella M. Hurtley, Phil Szuromi, Caroline Ash, Jesse Smith
2020 Science  
Modeling coronavirus infection Initially, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection was largely associated with respiratory issues. However, we now know that clinical presentation is complex and varied, with complications also seen in the cardiac, neurological, and gastrointestinal systems. Stem cell and organoid systems provide useful model systems with which to better understand the mechanisms of action. Yang et al. developed a human pluripotent stem cell-based
more » ... tform for modeling virus infection and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Adult human pancreatic a and b cells and liver hepatocyte and cholangiocyte organoids are permissive to SARS-CoV-2 infection with resultant strong chemokine induction. These model systems should show clinical relevance (for example, by providing an understanding of the correlation between COVID-19 and diabetes) and potentially identify drug treatment. -BAP
doi:10.1126/science.2020.369.6504.twil fatcat:pnl4agki2ffj7c7iryinrws3fu