[Detection of the mRNA expression of human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 as a SARS coronavirus functional receptor in human femoral head].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the mRNA expression of severe acute respiratory syndrome-associated coronavirus (SARS-COV) functional receptor, angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), in human femoral head and conjunctiva, and explore the possible entry route of SARS-COV in human femoral head.


METHODS
ACE2 mRNA in human femoral head was detected by nested RT-PCR with human beta actin gene as the positive control.


RESULTS
The mRNA of human beta actin gene could be amplified efficiently in all the tissue samples. The mRNA of human ACE2 was expressed efficiently in the normal lung tissue, but not in the cartilage and cancellous bone under the weight-bearing area of the femoral head.


CONCLUSIONS
SARS-COV can not infect the femoral head tissue and lead to avascular necrosis of the femoral head directly by the spike glycoprotein, and mechanism of the virus for causing avascular necrosis needs further investigation.
Dong
Wei-qiang
WQ
Department of Orthopedic Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical College, Guangzhou 510120, China.
Bai
Bo
B
Lin
Yong-ping
YP
Gao
Jun
J
Yu
Nan-sheng
NS
D000085962:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2; D005265:Femoral Neck Fractures / Q000378:metabolism; D005270:Femur Head / Q000378:metabolism*; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D007703:Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A / Q000235:genetics*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D000085064:Receptors, Coronavirus; D011991:Receptors, Virus / Q000235:genetics*; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D045473:Severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus / Q000378:metabolism*
D012333:RNA, Messenger; D000085064:Receptors, Coronavirus; D011991:Receptors, Virus; D007703:Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A; C000705307:ACE2 protein, human; D000085962:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2