For this purpose, the scientists generated capillary endothelial cells of the brain from induced pluripotent stem cells of deceased persons, infected them with the SARS-CoV-2 virus, and sequenced mRNA. In their model, they demonstrated that the virus can actively replicate in the cells and be transported transcellular across the blood-brain barrier into the brain.
They observed that genes responsible for the innate immune response and the type I interferon response were significantly upregulated. In contrast, genes regulating phosphorus-dependent metabolic and ATP-generating signaling pathways were significantly downregulated.
Original publication:
Krasemann, S., Haferkamp, U., Pfefferle, S., et al. (2022). The blood-brain barrier is dysregulated in COVID-19 and serves as a CNS entry route for SARS-CoV-2. Stem Cell Reports 17, February 8, 2022.
Source and further information:
https://www.aerzteblatt.de/nachrichten/131125/Zellen-der-Blut-Hirn-Schranke-dienen-als-Eintrittspforte-fuer-SARS-CoV-2-ins-Gehirn?rt=8b1a674cf080a3174d3d19d876630244