GSE159556
scRNA-seq analysis of SARS-CoV-2 infected human islets
Recent clinical data has suggestedsed a bi-directional relationship  between Coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) and diabetes. Here, we showdemonstrateed the detection of SARS-CoV-2 in pancreatic endocrine cells in autopsy samples derived fromof COVID-19 patients. Single cell RNA-seq and immunostaining confirmed that multiple types of pancreatic islet cells can be infected byare susceptible to SARS-CoV-2, eliciting a cellular stress response and the induction of chemokines. SARS-CoV-2 infection causes the increase of chemokine response, cell stress, and interferon signal. Upon SARS-CoV-2 infection, beta cells show a the decreased expression of insulin and the increased expression of alpha and acinar cell markers, including glucagon and , and acinar cell markers, including PRSS1/trypsin1, respectfully, suggesting which suggests that infected beta cells undergocellular dedifferentiation. This was furtherCorroboration of these findings could be further validated using theinex vivo using single cell sequencing of pancreatic tissue from autopsy of COVID-19 patients autopsies.  Trajectory analysis identifiedindicated that the EIF2 pathway that changess along withmediates beta cell dedifferentiation. Furthermore, a, and a high content screen identified trans-integrated stress response inhibitor (trans-ISRIB) that as decreasinges poly-hormonal cells. Finally, trans-ISRIB treatmentwhich rescueds beta cell dedifferentiation upon SARS-CoV-2 exposure. Together, it, suggestings that SARS-CoV-2 infection causes EIF2 pathway-mediated beta cell dedifferentiation. Altogether, tThis study provides a potential mechanism of new onset diabetes in upon the development of COVID-19. Overall design: Human islets were infected with SARS-CoV-2 and analyzed using scRNA-seq