- less than 10% of the cells coexpress TMPRSS2 and ACE2
- coexpression primarily in type II pneumocytes and ciliated cells of the lungs
- coexpression also observed in the absorptive enterocytes in the ileum

Coexpression of TMPRSS2 and ACE2 in respiratory and intestinal cells

State University of New York at Stony Brook

- comparing expression levels in different tissues
- comparing expression levels by sex
- coexpression of TMPRSS2 and ACE2 

Comparing TMPRSS2 and ACE2 Expression

Expression values were obtained from the Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx) Project (https://gtexportal.org).  Data are reported in transcripts per million (TPM) which is a normalized metric for comparing RNA sequencings.  * indicates a tissue that is associated with common COVID-19 symptoms.

- TMPRSS2 is expressed more in the lungs than ACE2
- both ACE2 and TMPRSS2 are expressed in the gastrointestinal (GI) system which could contribute to the GI symptoms that COVID-19 patients experience
- ACE2 was most expressed in the testes
- TMPRSS2 was most expressed in the prostate

Comparing TMPRSS2 and ACE2 Expression in Different Tissues

Expression values were obtained from the Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx) Project (https://gtexportal.org). Data are reported in transcripts per million (TPM) which is a normalized metric for comparing RNA sequencings.  These tissues are among those with the highest TMPRSS2 and ACE2 expression levels.

- only ACE2 expression in subcutaneous adipose tissue significantly differed by sex
- no significant different was observed in lung tissue despite the fact that COVID-19 morbidity and mortality has a male dominance

TMPRSS2 and ACE2 Expression are Similar Across Sexes

It was hypothesized that IBD patients would be at a higher risk for developing severe COVID-19 because of their overactive immune responses and chronic gut inflammation which would result in increased ACE2 expression.  However, a recent study shows that neither inflammation nor medication related to IBD increase ACE2 and TMPRSS2 expression in the gut.  While soluble ACE2 expression may increase, which actually has a protective effect against SARS-CoV-2 infections, full length ACE2 that acts as the cellular receptor for the virus does not.  

Learn Before

Related

Learn After