SARS-CoV-2 is the seventh known coronavirus that can infect humans. Although the global pandemic has ended, it may continue to affect human life and health in the future. Quantitative description and prediction of SARS-CoV-2 infection and evolution processes in vivo or vitro are crucial. Based on the mechanism of SARS-CoV-2 invasion of target cells, we divided the target cells into \(n\) subpopulations considering the heterogeneity of target cell receptor expression. A delay differential equation model containing the target cells, infected cells, SARS-CoV-2 particles and ACE2 expressed by target cell is established. The threshold dynamics of the model is obtained by calculating the basic reproduction number \(\mathscr{R}_0\) , that is, when the basic reproduction number \(\mathscr{R}_0\leq1\) , the virus-free equilibrium is globally asymptotically stable; when the basic reproduction number \(\mathscr{R}_0 > 1\) , the virus infection equilibrium is globally asymptotically stable. Numerical simulations indicate that synergistic effects do not occur without considering heterogeneity. However, considering heterogeneity reveals synergistic effects even between two subpopulations. Further calculations indicate a Bliss index is greater than zero, suggesting a potential role of heterogeneity in enhancing drug synergy. This may provide a theoretical framework for the prediction of virus infection and the development of targeted drugs.
