Hydroxychloroquine treatment on SARS-CoV-2 receptor ACE2, TMPRSS2 and NRP1 expression in human primary pterygium and conjunctival cells

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the pathogen for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Its infection depends on the binding of spike protein to the host cell receptor angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), type II transmembrane serine protease (TMPRSS2) and neuropilin-1 (NRP1). Hydroxychloroquine has been applied as one of the COVID-19 treatment strategies. Here we aimed to evaluate hydroxychloroquine treatment on SARS-CoV-2 receptor expression in human primary pterygium and conjunctival cells and its potential influences. Expression of ACE2, TMPRSS2 and NRP1 proteins were found in the epithelial layer of both primary pterygium and conjunctiva tissues as well as in their isolated fibroblasts. High concentration of hydroxychloroquine treatment significantly reduced the viability of both primary pterygium and conjunctival cells. ACE2 protein expression was significantly decreased in both pterygium and conjunctival cells after hydroxychloroquine treatment. Hydroxychloroquine also reduced NRP1 protein expression in conjunctival cells. In contrast, TMPRSS2 protein expression showed slightly increased in conjunctival cells. Notably, ROS production and SOD2 expression was significantly elevated in both pterygium and conjunctival cells after hydroxychloroquine treatment. In summary, this study revealed the reduction of ACE2 and NRP1 expression by hydroxychloroquine in human primary pterygium and conjunctival fibroblasts; yet with the increase in TMPRSS2 expression and oxidative stress and decrease in cell viability. Implementation of hydroxychloroquine for COVID-19 treatment should be carefully considered with its potential side effects and in combination with TMPRSS2 inhibitor.