Link to bioRxiv paper: http://biorxiv.org/cgi/content/short/2020.05.28.122374v1?rss=1 Authors: Shiers, S., Ray, P. R., Wangzhou, A., Tatsui, C. E., Rhines, L., Li, Y., Uhelski, M. L., Dougherty, P. M., Price, T. J. Abstract: SARS-CoV-2 has created a global crisis. COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus, is characterized by pneumonia, respiratory distress and hypercoagulation and is often fatal1. An early sign of infection is loss of smell, taste and chemesthesis - loss of chemical sensation2. Other neurological effects of the disease have been described, but not explained3,4. We show that human dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons express the SARS-CoV-2 receptor5,6, ACE2. ACE2 mRNA is expressed by a subset of nociceptors that express MRGPRD mRNA suggesting that SARS-CoV-2 may gain access to the nervous system through entry into neurons that form free-nerve endings at the outer-most layers of skin and luminal organs. Therefore, sensory neurons are a potential target for SARS-CoV-2 invasion of the nervous system. Copy rights belong to original authors. Visit the link for more info