SARS-CoV-2 infection of human pluripotent stem cell-derived vascular cells reveals smooth muscle cells as key mediators of vascular pathology during infection
Using stem-cell-derived vascular cells, researchers found SARS-CoV-2 infects smooth muscle cells (SMCs), not endothelial cells.
Infected SMCs cause inflammation and clotting factors, explaining vascular issues seen in severe COVID-19 cases.