From zoonotic spillover to endemicity: the broad determinants of human coronavirus tropism
Saskia Westhoven, Luca D. Bertzbach, Mara Kloehn, Cedric Mahncke, Natalie Heinen, Richard J. P. Brown, Stephanie Pfaender
Abstract
Given the recurring threat of coronavirus outbreaks, understanding the specificity of coronaviruses in terms of their host, tissue, and cell tropism is crucial. This review consolidates and critically assesses the current literature on the tropism of endemic, epidemic, and pandemic coronaviruses. We explore different levels of tropism, including species tropism (virus preference for specific host species), host cell tropism (virus specificity for particular cell types), and tissue tropism (specificity for certain tissues or organs). This review compiles extensive basic research, particularly from recent years, to provide critical insights into the viral mechanisms that are key to improving future pandemic preparedness.