The olfactory route is a potential way for SARS-CoV-2 to invade the central nervous system of rhesus monkeys

Neurological manifestations are frequently reported in the COVID-19 patients. Neuromechanism of SARS-CoV-2 remains to be elucidated. In this study, we explored the mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2 neurotropism via our established non-human primate model of COVID-19. In rhesus monkey, SARS-CoV-2 invades the CNS primarily via the olfactory bulb. Thereafter, viruses rapidly spread to functional areas of the central nervous system, such as hippocampus, thalamus, and medulla oblongata. The infection of SARS-CoV-2 induces the inflammation possibly by targeting neurons, microglia, and astrocytes in the CNS. Consistently, SARS-CoV-2 infects neuro-derived SK-N-SH, glial-derived U251, and brain microvascular endothelial cells in vitro. To our knowledge, this is the first experimental evidence of SARS-CoV-2 neuroinvasion in the NHP model, which provides important insights into the CNS-related pathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2.

Automated summary

This study investigated the neurotropism of SARS-CoV-2 in a non-human primate model and found that the virus primarily invades the central nervous system via the olfactory bulb, then quickly spreads to different functional regions, possibly inducing inflammation. This experimental evidence provides important insights into the CNS-related pathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2.