SARS-CoV-2 Omicron entry is type II transmembrane serine protease-mediated in human airway and intestinal organoid models

Abstract excerpt

ABSTRACT SARS-CoV-2 can enter cells after its spike protein is cleaved by either type II transmembrane serine proteases (TTSPs), like TMPRSS2, or cathepsins. It is now widely accepted that the Omicron variant uses TMPRSS2 less efficiently and instead enters cells via cathepsins, but these findings have yet to be verified in more relevant cell models. Although we could confirm efficient cathepsin-mediated entry...