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. 2021 May;18(2):101-104.
doi: 10.1002/osi2.1085. Epub 2020 Sep 28.

Brief communication: Immunohistochemical detection of ACE2 in human salivary gland

Yu Usami  1 , Katsutoshi Hirose  1 , Masashi Okumura  1   2 , Satoru Toyosawa  1 , Takayoshi Sakai  3
Affiliations

Brief communication: Immunohistochemical detection of ACE2 in human salivary gland

Yu Usami et al. Oral Sci Int. 2021 May.

Abstract

The novel, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) was firstly reported in late December of 2019 and subsequently caused a global outbreak. It has been shown that SARS-CoV-2 uses ACE2 (Angiotensin Converting Enzyme 2) as a cellular receptor for host cell entry through the surface unit of SARS-CoV spike glycoprotein. In this brief report, we analyze ACE2 protein expression and localization in human salivary gland, and propose a possible role of saliva in the pathogenesis of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Keywords: COVID‐19; SARS‐CoV‐2; aspiration pneumonia; salivary gland.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Pretreatment for immunohistochemistry using anti‐ACE2 antibody. (A) Renal tubules, (B) bronchiole and (C) bronchi of C57Bl/6 mouse were used as positive control. Untreated: without any pretreatment before applying the primary antibody, Pro‐K: protease K‐induced antigen retrieval method, Negative: negative control. Heat‐induced antigen retrieval before applying the primary antibody induced strong endogenous biotin in both (D) mouse kidney and (E) human minor salivary gland tissue of the lower lip. HIAR, heat‐induced antigen retrieval method; MSG, minor salivary gland
Figure 2
Figure 2
ACE2 expression in salivary gland. ACE2 expression in ductal epithelium of (A) minor salivary gland of lower lip and (B) submandibular gland. Lower panel: membranous expression of ACE2 in ductal cells. Inset: negative control. (C and D) ACE2 expression was undetectable in squamous epithelium of the tongue. (C) Dorsal epithelium. (D) Lateral epithelium. (E) Possible role of saliva in COVID‐19. SARS‐CoV‐2 infected saliva will be a reservoir of the virus. In individuals with risk of aspiration, SARS‐CoV‐2 in saliva will induce severe respiratory condition of COVID‐19
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