What the study found
A heart-nosed bat alphacoronavirus, CcCoV-KY43, was able to enter human cells by using the human receptor CEACAM6. The study also found direct interactions with human CEACAM3, CEACAM5, and CEACAM6, and showed that the virus’s receptor-binding domain binds the amino-terminal IgV-like domain of CEACAM6.
Why the authors say this matters
The authors frame this work as relevant to identifying viruses with zoonotic potential, meaning viruses that may be able to move from animals to humans. The findings indicate that alphacoronaviruses using CEACAM6 may be geographically widespread, and that viruses from East Africa show potential for transmission to humans.
What the researchers tested
The researchers used a computational approach designed to keep maximum phylogenetic diversity, selecting a subset of alphacoronavirus spike proteins to screen against broad coronavirus receptor libraries. They then used a recombinant CcCoV receptor-binding domain and a human receptor screening platform, along with a crystal structure analysis and immune surveillance studies using sera from people in the Taveta region of Kenya.
What worked and what didn't
Most of the selected spike proteins did not use any established coronavirus receptors. In contrast, the pseudotyped spike protein of CcCoV-KY43 could enter human cells, and overexpression of human CEACAM6 conferred permissivity to otherwise refractory human cells. Wider characterization found that two other CcCoVs collected in Kenya also used human CEACAM6, while viruses from Rhinolophus bats from Russia and China showed more restricted nonhuman CEACAM6 tropism.
What to keep in mind
The immune surveillance studies did not show significant evidence of recent spillover in the Taveta region of Kenya. The abstract does not describe additional limitations beyond the scope of the viruses and samples tested.
Key points
- CcCoV-KY43, a heart-nosed bat alphacoronavirus, could enter human cells using CEACAM6.
- Human CEACAM3, CEACAM5, and CEACAM6 directly interacted with the virus’s receptor-binding domain.
- A crystal structure showed binding to the amino-terminal IgV-like domain of CEACAM6.
- Two other alphacoronaviruses collected in Kenya also used human CEACAM6.
- Serum studies from the Taveta region of Kenya did not show significant evidence of recent spillover.
Disclosure
- Research title:
- Heart-nosed bat alphacoronavirus uses human CEACAM6
- Authors:
- Giulia Gallo, Antonello Di Nardo, Doreen Lugano, Adam J. Roberts, Bernadette Ataku Kutima, Moses Okombo, Aghnianditya Kresno Dewantari, Florence M. M. Buckley, Gavin J. Wright, James Nyagwange, Bernard Agwanda, Stephen C. Graham, Dalan Bailey
- Institutions:
- The Pirbright Institute, University of Cambridge, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Hull York Medical School, Imperial College London, National Museums of Kenya
- Publication date:
- 2026-04-22
- OpenAlex record:
- View
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