Human Cardiac Pericytes Are Susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 Infection

COVID-19 is associated with serious cardiovascular complications, with incompletely understood mechanism(s). Pericytes have key functions in supporting endothelial cells and maintaining vascular integrity. We demonstrate that human cardiac pericytes are permissive to SARS-CoV-2 infection in organotypic slice and primary cell cultures. Viral entry into pericytes is mediated by endosomal proteases, and infection leads to up-regulation of inflammatory markers, vasoactive mediators, and nuclear factor kappa-B-dependent cell death. Furthermore, we present evidence of cardiac pericyte infection in COVID-19 myocarditis patients. These data demonstrate that human cardiac pericytes are susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection and suggest a role for pericyte infection in COVID-19.

Automated summary

COVID-19 is associated with serious cardiovascular complications, and this study demonstrates that human cardiac pericytes are susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Viral entry into pericytes is mediated by endosomal proteases, leading to up-regulation of inflammatory markers and cell death. Evidence of cardiac pericyte infection was also found in COVID-19 myocarditis patients, suggesting a potential role for pericyte infection in COVID-19.