According to researchers, “the virus makes a massive remodeling of the lung cells.” (Representative)
Boston:
After months of interdisciplinary study evaluating tens of thousands of lung cells called the novel coronavirus, scientists have created one of the most complete maps to date of the side-stimulated molecular functions. within these cells at the onset of viral infection, such progression may lead to the development of new drugs to counteract COVID-19.
From their study, the scientists, including those from Boston University in the U.S., found nearly 18 pre-existing drugs approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). may be re-exposed to COVID-19 shortly after a person becomes infected.
They said five of these drugs could reduce the spread of the coronavirus in human lung cells by more than 90 percent.
In the research, published in the journal Molecular Cell, the scientists simultaneously injected tens of thousands of human lung cells with the SARS-CoV-2 virus, and found what happens in those cells in the times after infection.
They said that these engineered cells are not entirely identical to the living, breathing cells inside our bodies, but are the “closest thing to it.”
“What makes this research unusual is that we looked at time points very early on [of infection], at just one hour after the virus has infected lung cells. It was frightening to see that the virus is already starting to damage the cells so early on from infection, “said study co – author and virologist Elke Muhlberger of Boston University (BU).
According to the researchers, “the virus makes a massive remodeling of the lung cells.”
“The extent to which the virus infects the cells it infects is amazing,” said Andrew Emili, another co-author of the study from BU.
Since viruses cannot reproduce themselves, they take over the host cell machine to make copies of their genetic material.
In the study, the scientists found that when SARS-CoV-2 is taken over, it completely alters the metabolic processes of the cells.
The virus even damages the nuclear organs of the cells within three to six hours of infection, which the team said was a big surprise.
In contrast, “cells infected with the deadly Ebola virus do not show obvious structural changes at these early stages of the disease, and even at later stages of the disease, the nuclear membrane remains intact. , “Muhlberger said.
The scientists explained that the nucleus of the cell surrounds the nucleus, holds most of the genetic information, and controls and regulates normal cell functions.
With the nucleus implanted by the coronavirus, they said “things quickly turn bad for the whole cell.”
The lung cells – which normally play a role in maintaining the essential gas exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide that occurs during breathing – die under the sun. siege this, the study noted.
According to the researchers, the cells also release distress signals that trigger inflammation as they die, inhibiting biological activity that accelerates further cell death.
This eventually leads to pneumonia, severe respiratory distress, and lung failure, they explained.
“I didn’t expect a lot of those tracks, most of them were news to me. That’s why our [experimental] such a valuable model, “said Andrew Wilson, one of the study ‘s lead authors.
(This story was not edited by NDTV staff and is automatically extracted from syndicated feedings.)