Pluto Bioinformatics

GSE153277: Global transcriptomic analyses of pluripotent stem cell-derived type II alveolar epithelial-like cells at 1 and 4 days after infection with SARS-CoV-2

Bulk RNA sequencing

We performed transcriptomic profiling of cells derived from human pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) using our previously described distal lung directed differentiation protocol to generate alveolar type II epithelial-like cells (iAT2s). We used the SPC2 human iPSC line containing a SFTPC-tdTomato knock-in reporter. SFTPC-tdTomato+ iAT2s were sorted on day 41 and again on day 69 of differentiation. iAT2s were single-cell passaged in self-renewing 3D alveolosphere culture approximately every 2 weeks through day 194 of differentiation. On day 208, iAT2s were single-cell passaged onto Transwell inserts. Apical media was removed on day 210 to initiate air-liquid interface culture. On day 218, 6 replicate wells of iAT2s were exposed to SARS-CoV-2 in an apical inoculum and 3 replicate wells were exposed to mock. On day 219, three mock and three post-infection samples (1 dpi) were collected. Three additional post-infection samples (4 dpi) were collected on day 222. We find that SARS-CoV-2 infected iAT2s express a rapid global transcriptomic change characterized by a shift to an inflammatory phenotype, time-dependent epithelial interferon responses, and rapid loss of the mature lung alveolar epithelial program. SOURCE: Carlos Villacorta-Martin Center for Regenerative Medicine at Boston University