February 5, 2020

Specific ACE2 Expression in Cholangiocytes May Cause Liver Damage After 2019-nCoV Infection

Category: Article Summary

Topic: Clinical Characteristics and Health Care Setting

• Liver function abnormalities have been observed in some 2019-nCoV patients. Chai, et al. assess potential pathways for this damage given the presumed role ACE2 expression in 2019-nCoV infection. 
• They found liver abnormalities of 2019-nCoV patients could involve cholangiocyte dysfunction more than hepatocyte damage. Drug induced and systemic inflammatory response may also have a role. 

Chai X, et al. (Feb 4, 2020). Specific ACE2 Expression in Cholangiocytes May Cause Liver Damage After 2019-nCoV Infection. Pre-Print downloaded on 5 Feb, 2020 from, https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.02.03.931766v1