Brief communication: Immunohistochemical detection of ACE2 in human salivary gland

The novel, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) was firstly reported in late December of 2019 and subsequently caused a global outbreak. It has been shown that SARS-CoV-2 uses ACE2 (Angiotensin Converting Enzyme 2) as a cellular receptor for host cell entry through the surface unit of SARS-CoV spike glycoprotein. In this brief report, we analyze ACE2 protein expression and localization in human salivary gland, and propose a possible role of saliva in the pathogenesis of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

新型严重急性呼吸综合征冠状病毒（SARS - CoV - 2）于2019年12月下旬首次被报道，随后引发了全球疫情。已有研究表明，SARS - CoV - 2通过SARS - CoV刺突糖蛋白的表面单位，利用血管紧张素转换酶2（ACE2）作为宿主细胞进入的细胞受体。在这份简短的报告中，我们分析了ACE2蛋白在人唾液腺中的表达和定位，并提出了唾液在2019冠状病毒病（COVID - 19）发病机制中可能发挥的作用。