BRD2 inhibition blocks SARS-CoV-2 infection by reducing transcription of the host cell receptor ACE2

SARS-CoV-2 infection of human cells is initiated by the binding of the viral Spike protein to its cell-surface receptor ACE2. We conducted a targeted CRISPRi screen to uncover druggable pathways controlling Spike protein binding to human cells. Here we show that the protein BRD2 is required for ACE2 transcription in human lung epithelial cells and cardiomyocytes, and BRD2 inhibitors currently evaluated in clinical trials potently block endogenous ACE2 expression and SARS-CoV-2 infection of human cells, including those of human nasal epithelia. Moreover, pharmacological BRD2 inhibition with the drug ABBV-744 inhibited SARS-CoV-2 replication in Syrian hamsters. We also found that BRD2 controls transcription of several other genes induced upon SARS-CoV-2 infection, including the interferon response, which in turn regulates the antiviral response. Together, our results pinpoint BRD2 as a potent and essential regulator of the host response to SARS-CoV-2 infection and highlight the potential of BRD2 as a therapeutic target for COVID-19. Samelson et al. report that BRD2 inhibition suppresses SARS-CoV-2 infection in epithelial cells and Syrian hamsters via reducing the transcription of host cell surface receptor ACE2.

Automated summary

The protein BRD2 is found to be crucial for ACE2 transcription and SARS-CoV-2 infection in human lung epithelial cells and cardiomyocytes. BRD2 inhibitors can effectively block endogenous ACE2 expression and viral infection in human cells, including nasal epithelial cells. Furthermore, inhibiting BRD2 with a drug called ABBV-744 can suppress SARS-CoV-2 replication in Syrian hamsters. BRD2 also controls the transcription of several other genes induced by SARS-CoV-2 infection, including the interferon response, which regulates the antiviral response.