Link to bioRxiv paper: http://biorxiv.org/cgi/content/short/2020.07.29.227462v1?rss=1 Authors: Gao, C., Zeng, J., Jia, N., Stavenhagen, K., Matsumoto, Y., Zhang, H., Li, J., Hume, A. J., Muehlberger, E., van Die, I., Kwan, J., Tantisira, K., Emili, A., Cummings, R. D. Abstract: The spike (S) glycoprotein in the envelope of SARS-CoV-2 is densely glycosylated but the functions of its glycosylation are unknown. Here we demonstrate that S is recognized in a glycan-dependent manner by multiple innate immune receptors including the mannose receptor MR/CD206, DC-SIGN/CD209, L-SIGN/CD209L, and MGL/CLEC10A/CD301. Single-cell RNA sequencing analyses indicate that such receptors are highly expressed in innate immune cells in tissues susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Binding of the above receptors to S is characterized by affinities in the picomolar range and consistent with S glycosylation analysis demonstrating a variety of N- and O-glycans as receptor ligands. These results indicate multiple routes for SARS-CoV-2 to interact with human cells and suggest alternative strategies for therapeutic intervention. Copy rights belong to original authors. Visit the link for more info