Supporting data for PhD thesis "Investigation on the host determinants and underlying mechanisms for the pathogenesis of MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2"

This PhD thesis first investigated the binding process of coronavirus spike proteins to the host cell receptors during virus entry. Carcinoembryonic antigen-related cell adhesion molecule 5 (CEACAM5) was identified as a novel cell surface binding target of MERS-CoV using the viral overlay protein binding assay (VOPBA). This finding was validated using multiple experimental assays including overexpression, siRNA knockdown, antibody blocking assay, and recombinant protein blocking assay.

Next, we further investigated on the pathogenic mechanism of MERS-CoV infection and revealed that MERS-CoV infection triggered necroptosis in the infected cells.

This thesis also investigated the replication, cell tropism, and immune activation profile of SARS-CoV-2 infection in ex vivo human lung tissues and ex vivo human intestine tissues using SARS-CoV-1 as a control.

Overall, this thesis revealed important host and viral determinants for the infection and pathogenesis of MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2. Our studies substantially advanced our knowledge on the biology of these highly pathogenic coronaviruses and provided potential targets of interventions for the treatment of these important viral pathogens.