How a Single Viral Protein Hijacks Immune Cells to Supercharge COVID-19 Infection
2 Articles
2 Articles
How a single viral protein hijacks immune cells to supercharge COVID-19 infection
In the sickest COVID-19 patients, SARS-CoV-2 doesn't just cause severe damage by directly infecting airway cells. The virus can also trigger hyperinflammation—a cycle in which immune cells themselves become infected, stop fighting the virus and instead trigger high levels of inflammation throughout the lungs.
In severe COVID-19, not only lung cells are affected by virus, but also misguided immune reactions can cause massive damage to the tissue. Experiments now show that the SARS-CoV-2 protein ORF8 makes macrophages more susceptible to infection and thus incites a chain reaction from cell damage, inflammation and further virus reproduction. A blockade of the receptor IL-17RA slowed down this circulation in the mouse model. San Francisco (U.S.A.). SAR…
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