July 23, 2020

Chloroquine Does Not Inhibit Infection of Human Lung Cells with SARS-CoV-2

Category: Article Summary

Topic: Testing and Treatment

• TMPRSS2 is a cellular protease gene that activates SARS-CoV-2 for entry into lung cells. Hoffmann et al. report that the engineered expression of TMPRSS2 in ex-vivo Vero cells renders SARS-CoV-2 infection insensitive to chloroquine. Moreover, chloroquine did not block SARS-CoV-2 infection in TMPRSS2-positive lung cells. The authors conclude results indicate that chloroquine targets a pathway for viral activation that is not operative in lung cells and is unlikely to protect against SARS-CoV-2 spread in and between patients. 

Hoffmann et al. (July 22, 2020). Chloroquine Does Not Inhibit Infection of Human Lung Cells with SARS-CoV-2. Nature. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-020-2575-3