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Differential Expression of the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus Receptor in the Upper Respiratory Tracts of Humans and Dromedary Camels |
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| Authors: | W. Widagdo V. Stalin Raj Debby Schipper Kimberley Kolijn Geert J. L. H. van Leenders Berend J. Bosch Albert Bensaid Joaquim Segalés Wolfgang Baumg?rtner Albert D. M. E. Osterhaus Marion P. Koopmans Judith M. A. van den Brand Bart L. Haagmans |
| Abstract: | Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) is not efficiently transmitted between humans, but it is highly prevalent in dromedary camels. Here we report that the MERS-CoV receptor—dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP4)—is expressed in the upper respiratory tract epithelium of camels but not in that of humans. Lack of DPP4 expression may be the primary cause of limited MERS-CoV replication in the human upper respiratory tract and hence restrict transmission. |
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