The aging transcriptome and cellular landscape of the human lung in relation to SARS-CoV-2

Age is a major risk factor for severe coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19). Here, we interrogate the transcriptional features and cellular landscape of the aging human lung. By intersecting these age-associated changes with experimental data on SARS-CoV-2, we identify several factors that may contribute to the heightened severity of COVID-19 in older populations. The aging lung is transcriptionally characterized by increased cell adhesion and stress responses, with reduced mitochondria and cellular replication. Deconvolution analysis reveals that the proportions of alveolar type 2 cells, proliferating basal cells, goblet cells, and proliferating natural killer/T cells decrease with age, whereas alveolar fibroblasts, pericytes, airway smooth muscle cells, endothelial cells and IGSF21(+) dendritic cells increase with age. Several age-associated genes directly interact with the SARS-CoV-2 proteome. Age-associated genes are also dysregulated by SARS-CoV-2 infection in vitro and in patients with severe COVID-19. These analyses illuminate avenues for further studies on the relationship between age and COVID-19. Age is one of the strongest risk factors for severe illness from COVID-19. By integrating human lung transcriptomes with experimental data on SARS-CoV-2, the authors pinpoint specific age-associated factors that could contribute to the heightened severity of COVID-19 in older populations.

Automated summary

Age is a major risk factor for severe illness from COVID-19, and the heightened severity of COVID-19 in older populations may be related to age-associated changes in the transcriptome and cellular landscape of the aging lung. Specific age-associated cells and genes interact with the SARS-CoV-2 proteome and are dysregulated by SARS-CoV-2 infection in vitro and in patients with severe COVID-19.