Odor-Sensing Cells in Nose Are Key Entry Point for Coronavirus

We determined the cellular location of the SARS-CoV-2 target receptor protein, ACE2, in the human upper airway, finding striking enrichment (200–700 folds) in the olfactory neuroepithelium relative to nasal respiratory or tracheal epithelial cells. This cellular tropism of SARS-CoV-2 may underlie its high transmissibility and association with olfactory dysfunction, while suggesting a viral reservoir potentially amenable to intranasal therapy.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7263519/

https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/news/articles/study-adds-to-evidence-that-odor-sensing-cells-in-nose-are-key-entry-point-for-coronavirus