Pathogenesis and Immunity

Differential Expression of the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus Receptor in the Upper Respiratory Tracts of Humans and Dromedary Camels

W. Widagdo, V. Stalin Raj, Debby Schipper, Kimberley Kolijn, Geert J. L. H. van Leenders, Berend J. Bosch, Albert Bensaid, Joaquim Segalés, Wolfgang Baumgärtner, Albert D. M. E. Osterhaus, Marion P. Koopmans, Judith M. A. van den Brand, Bart L. Haagmans
S. Perlman, Editor
DOI: 10.1128/JVI.02994-15

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.

FOOTNOTES

    • Received 26 November 2015.
    • Accepted 8 February 2016.
    • Accepted manuscript posted online 17 February 2016.
  • Address correspondence to Bart L. Haagmans b.haagmans{at}erasmusmc.nl.

  • Citation Widagdo W, Raj VS, Schipper D, Kolijn K, van Leenders GJLH, Bosch BJ, Bensaid A, Segalés J, Baumgärtner W, Osterhaus ADME, Koopmans MP, van den Brand JMA, Haagmans BL. 2016. Differential expression of the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus receptor in the upper respiratory tracts of humans and dromedary camels. J Virol 90:4838–4842. doi:10.1128/JVI.02994-15.

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