Sci Rep . Ultrastructural analysis of SARS-CoV-2 interactions with the host cell via high resolution scanning electron microscopy

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Sci Rep


. 2020 Sep 30;10(1):16099.
doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-73162-5.
Ultrastructural analysis of SARS-CoV-2 interactions with the host cell via high resolution scanning electron microscopy


Lucio Ayres Caldas ^{1 2 3} , Fabiana Avila Carneiro ⁴ , Luiza Mendon?a Higa ⁵ , F?bio Luiz Monteiro ⁵ , Gustavo Peixoto da Silva ⁶ , Luciana Jesus da Costa ⁶ , Edison Luiz Durigon ⁷ , Amilcar Tanuri ⁵ , Wanderley de Souza ^{8 9}



Affiliations

• PMID: 32999356
• DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-73162-5

Abstract

SARS-CoV-2 is the cause of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Here, we investigated the interaction of this new coronavirus with Vero cells using high resolution scanning electron microscopy. Surface morphology, the interior of infected cells and the distribution of viral particles in both environments were observed 2 and 48 h after infection. We showed areas of viral processing, details of vacuole contents, and viral interactions with the cell surface. Intercellular connections were also approached, and viral particles were adhered to these extensions suggesting direct cell-to-cell transmission of SARS-CoV-2.