The efficient infection of Caco-2 cells could be related to the expression of an HEV-1Sar55-specific receptor or entry factor, e.g. the 78-kDa glucose-regulated protein, ATP synthase subunit β, asialoglycoprotein receptor, heparan sulfate proteoglycans, integrin α3, and the EGF receptor have been shown to play a role in HEV entry (Kinast et al., 2022; Oechslin et al., 2020b; Schrader et al., 2023; Wissing et al., 2021). Here, CD44 is linked to infection.