{
  "abstract": "Previous work demonstrated that ectodermal cells exhibit greater susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 than endodermal and mesodermal cells, raising concerns about potential vulnerability of the developing nervous system. We hypothesized that neural stem cells (NSCs) derived from human ectoderm are susceptible to SARS-CoV-2. Using pseudotyped viral particles representing both wild-type and Omicron spike variants, we confirmed efficient transduction in NSCs, with Omicron variants preferentially utilizing endocytosis-mediated entry. Inhibition of endocytosis with filipin and OcTMAB significantly reduced viral entry across all spike variants. Low glycosylation levels on NSCs facilitated viral entry, and enzymatic removal of glycosylation increased their susceptibility. Ectodermal infection by SARS-CoV-2 raises serious concern for potential teratogenic effects on the nervous system, possibly causing latent or subclinical anomalies not immediately evident at birth. Therefore, future clinical studies and long-term surveillance of infants and children exposed in utero are necessary to investigate and identify potential neurodevelopmental deficits.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "Department of Molecular, Cell, and Systems Biology, University of California, Riverside, California, United States of America.",
    "Department of Neuroscience, University of California, Riverside, California, United States of America."
  ],
  "article_type": "Research Article",
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 3,
  "authors": [
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Ann Song"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        1
      ],
      "name": "Cori Zuvia"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Prue Talbot",
      "orcid": "0000-0001-8833-0845"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/d0cvc3wb6e762.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.1371/journal.pone.0360734",
  "fulltext_url": "https://europepmc.org/articles/PMC13686471",
  "id": "d0cvc3wb6e762",
  "issns": [
    "1932-6203"
  ],
  "landing_url": "https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0360734",
  "language": "eng",
  "licence": "CC-BY",
  "licence_label": "CC BY",
  "licence_source": "article",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "openalex",
      "2725|SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 Research"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Biology and life sciences/Biochemistry/Glycobiology/Glycosylation"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Biology and life sciences/Biochemistry/Proteins/Post-translational modification/Glycosylation"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Biology and life sciences/Cell biology/Cell processes/Endocytosis"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Biology and life sciences/Cell biology/Cell processes/Secretory pathway/Endocytosis"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Biology and life sciences/Cell biology/Glycocalyx"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Biology and life sciences/Developmental biology/Cell differentiation"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Biology and life sciences/Developmental biology/Embryology/Ectoderm"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Biology and life sciences/Microbiology/Medical microbiology/Microbial pathogens/Viral pathogens/Coronaviruses/SARS coronavirus/SARS CoV 2"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Biology and life sciences/Microbiology/Virology/Viral transmission and infection/Viral entry"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Biology and life sciences/Organisms/Viruses/RNA viruses/Coronaviruses/SARS coronavirus/SARS CoV 2"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Biology and life sciences/Organisms/Viruses/Viral pathogens/Coronaviruses/SARS coronavirus/SARS CoV 2"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Medicine and health sciences/Pathology and laboratory medicine/Pathogens/Microbial pathogens/Viral pathogens/Coronaviruses/SARS coronavirus/SARS CoV 2"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Physical sciences/Chemistry/Chemical compounds/Organic compounds/Carbohydrates/Monosaccharides/Sialic acids"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Physical sciences/Chemistry/Organic chemistry/Organic compounds/Carbohydrates/Monosaccharides/Sialic acids"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": "W7223099728",
  "pdf_url": "https://europepmc.org/articles/PMC13686471?pdf=render",
  "pmcid": "PMC13686471",
  "pmid": "42905720",
  "published": "2026-10-21",
  "publisher": "Public Library of Science",
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/d0cvc3wb6e762.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:17:23Z",
      "native_id": "10.1371/journal.pone.0360734",
      "source": "plos",
      "url": "https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0360734"
    },
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:19:53Z",
      "native_id": "MED:42905720",
      "source": "europepmc",
      "url": "https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42905720"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "biology",
      "origin": "plos:cell biology",
      "subfield": "cell-biology"
    },
    {
      "field": "biology",
      "origin": "plos:developmental biology",
      "subfield": "developmental-biology"
    },
    {
      "field": "biology",
      "origin": "plos:microbiology",
      "subfield": "microbiology"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Susceptibility of human neural stem cells to SARS-CoV-2: Entry mechanisms and glycocalyx influence",
  "title_text": "Susceptibility of human neural stem cells to SARS-CoV-2: Entry mechanisms and glycocalyx influence",
  "type": "peer-reviewed",
  "updated_at": "2026-10-30T12:19:53Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/d0cvc3wb6e762",
  "venue": "PLOS One",
  "versions": []
}