LRRC15 inhibits SARS-CoV-2 cellular entry in trans

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection is mediated by the entry receptor angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). Although attachment factors and coreceptors facilitating entry are extensively studied, cellular entry factors inhibiting viral entry are largely unknown. Using a surfaceome CRISPR activation screen, we identified human LRRC15 as an inhibitory attachment factor for SARS-CoV-2 entry. LRRC15 directly binds to the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of spike protein with a moderate affinity and inhibits spike-mediated entry. Analysis of human lung single-cell RNA sequencing dataset reveals that expression of LRRC15 is primarily detected in fibroblasts and particularly enriched in pathological fibroblasts in COVID-19 patients. ACE2 and LRRC15 are not coexpressed in the same cell types in the lung. Strikingly, expression of LRRC15 in ACE2-negative cells blocks spike-mediated viral entry in ACE2+ cell in trans, suggesting a protective role of LRRC15 in a physiological context. Therefore, LRRC15 represents an inhibitory attachment factor for SARS-CoV-2 that regulates viral entry in trans.

Automated summary

LRRC15 is identified as an inhibitory attachment factor for SARS-CoV-2 entry, which directly binds to the receptor-binding domain of spike protein and inhibits viral entry. It is mainly expressed in fibroblasts, particularly in pathological fibroblasts in COVID-19 patients. Expression of LRRC15 in ACE2-negative cells blocks spike-mediated viral entry in ACE2+ cells, suggesting a protective role of LRRC15 in a physiological context.