![](https://www.coronaheadsup.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Intranasal-delivery-of-SARS-CoV-2-Spike-protein-is-sufficient-to-cause-olfactory-damage-inflammation-and-olfactory-dysfunction-in-zebrafish-.jpg)
Preprint: Intranasal delivery of SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein is sufficient to cause olfactory damage
We hypothesize that SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) protein is sufficient to cause olfactory damage and olfactory dysfunction.
Using an adult zebrafish model, we report that intranasally delivered SARS-CoV-2 S RBD mostly binds to the non-sensory epithelium of the olfactory organ and causes severe olfactory histopathology characterized by loss of cilia, hemorrhages and edema.
Combined, our results demonstrate that intranasal SARS-CoV-2 S RBD is sufficient to cause structural and functional damage to the zebrafish olfactory system. These findings may have implications for intranasally delivered vaccines against SARS-CoV-2.
Photo by David Clode on Unsplash
** This post was originally published on March 23, 2022 **