Human embryonic stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes express SARS-CoV-2 host entry proteins: screen to identify inhibitors of infection

Williams, T. L.; Colzani, M. T.; Macrae, R. G.; Robinson, E. L.; Bloor, S.; Greenwood, E. J.; Zhan, J. R.; Strachan, G.; Kuc, R. E.; Nyimanu, D.; Maguire, J. J.; Lehner, P. J.; Sinha, S.; Davenport, A. P.

doi:10.1101/2021.01.22.427737

bioRxiv · 10.1101/2021.01.22.427737

Human embryonic stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes express SARS-CoV-2 host entry proteins: screen to identify inhibitors of infection

Williams, T. L.·Colzani, M. T.·Macrae, R. G.·Robinson, E. L.·Bloor, S.·Greenwood, E. J.·Zhan, J. R.·Strachan, G.·Kuc, R. E.·Nyimanu, D.·Maguire, J. J.·Lehner, P. J.·Sinha, S.·Davenport, A. P.

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Abstract

Patients with cardiovascular comorbidities are more susceptible to severe infection with SARS-CoV-2, known to directly cause pathological damage to cardiovascular tissue. We outline a screening platform using human embryonic stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes, confirmed to express the protein machinery critical for SARS-CoV-2 infection, and a pseudotyped virus system. The method has allowed us to identify benztropine and DX600 as novel inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 infection.

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Williams, T. L., Colzani, M. T., Macrae, R. G., Robinson, E. L., Bloor, S., Greenwood, E. J., Zhan, J. R., Strachan, G., Kuc, R. E., Nyimanu, D., Maguire, J. J., Lehner, P. J., Sinha, S., Davenport, A. P.. 2021-01-22. Human embryonic stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes express SARS-CoV-2 host entry proteins: screen to identify inhibitors of infection. https://doi.org/10.1101/2021.01.22.427737

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