COVID-19 could cause mind cells to fuse, research finds

Infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus could cause mind cells to fuse, initiating malfunctions that result in continual neurological signs, in response to a research. SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, has been detected within the brains of individuals with “long COVID” months after their preliminary an infection. The new analysis, revealed within the journal Science Advances. explored how SARS-CoV-2 alters the perform of the nervous system. (Also learn: ‘Even deadlier…’: WHO chief warns of next pandemic as Covid-19 cases dip)

“We discovered COVID-19 causes neurons to undergo a cell fusion process, which has not been seen before,” stated Professor Massimo Hilliard from The University of Queensland, Australia.

“After neuronal infection with SARS-CoV-2, the spike S protein becomes present in neurons, and once neurons fuse, they don’t die. They either start firing synchronously, or they stop functioning altogether,” Hilliard stated.

The researcher likened the position of neurons to that of wires connecting switches to the lights in a kitchen and a toilet.

“Once fusion takes place, each switch either turns on both the kitchen and bathroom lights at the same time, or neither of them,” Hilliard stated.

“It’s bad news for the two independent circuits,” he added.

The discovery affords a possible rationalization for persistent neurological results after a viral an infection, the researchers stated.

“In the current understanding of what happens when a virus enters the brain, there are two outcomes—either cell death or inflammation,” stated Ramon Martinez-Marmol from The University of Queensland.

“But we’ve shown a third possible outcome, which is neuronal fusion,” Martinez-Marmol stated.

The researchers famous that quite a few viruses trigger cell fusion in different tissues, but additionally infect the nervous system and could possibly be inflicting the identical downside there.

“These viruses include HIV, rabies, Japanese encephalitis, measles, herpes simplex virus and Zika virus,” Martinez-Marmol stated.

“Our research reveals a new mechanism for the neurological events that happen during a viral infection. This is potentially a major cause of neurological diseases and clinical symptoms that is still unexplored,” he added.

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