Irina V. Budunova

This study shows that inflamed skin is more susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection, as cytokine-treated skin organoids and explants show increased ACE2 and TMPRSS2 expression and enhanced viral entry.

The paper identifies increased activation of the IL1A/IRAK1 axis and downstream proinflammatory signaling in healthy African American skin compared to White Non-Hispanic skin, potentially contributing to higher risk of inflammatory skin diseases.