The study investigates the specific expression of ACE2, the host cell receptor for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV), in cholangiocytes using single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data from two independent cohorts. The researchers found that ACE2 is predominantly expressed in cholangiocytes, with low expression in hepatocytes and other immune and stromal cells. This suggests that the liver damage observed in patients infected with 2019-nCoV may not be primarily due to viral infection of hepatocytes but rather to cholangiocyte dysfunction. The findings indicate that special care should be taken to monitor liver function in 2019-nCoV patients during hospitalization and post-treatment to address potential cholangiocyte-related liver abnormalities. The study highlights the importance of understanding the mechanisms behind liver damage in 2019-nCoV patients and calls for further research to optimize patient care.The study investigates the specific expression of ACE2, the host cell receptor for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV), in cholangiocytes using single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data from two independent cohorts. The researchers found that ACE2 is predominantly expressed in cholangiocytes, with low expression in hepatocytes and other immune and stromal cells. This suggests that the liver damage observed in patients infected with 2019-nCoV may not be primarily due to viral infection of hepatocytes but rather to cholangiocyte dysfunction. The findings indicate that special care should be taken to monitor liver function in 2019-nCoV patients during hospitalization and post-treatment to address potential cholangiocyte-related liver abnormalities. The study highlights the importance of understanding the mechanisms behind liver damage in 2019-nCoV patients and calls for further research to optimize patient care.