New study describes multifaceted SARS-CoV-2 attack and widespread COVID-19 infection

Transmission electron micrograph of SARS-CoV-2 virus particles isolated from a patient. Color-enhanced image captured at the NIAID Integrated Research Facility (IRF) in Fort Detrick, MD. Credit: NIAID

Research on gateway receptors SARS-CoV-2 A wide variety of symptoms and organs associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection led by Dr. Walter J. Rukiu, Professor of Neuroscience, Neurology and Ophthalmology at Neuroscience Center of Excellence and School of Medical at LSU Health New Orleans May be helpful for explanation. COVID-19 (New Coronavirus Infection) (# If there is no character limit, add parentheses when first appearing.. The results suggest that multi-organ infection with SARS-CoV-2 may be mediated by angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptors found throughout the body. Findings are published in the journal Cellular and molecular neurobiology..

To better understand the mechanisms and pathways of SARS-CoV-2 infection, specific cell and tissue types, and susceptibility to organ systems, the research team analyzed 85 human tissues for the presence of the ACE2 receptor. ACE2 is a protein on the surface of many immune and non-immune cell types. Enzymes, part of a system that regulates blood pressure and the balance of fluids and electrolytes. It also helps regulate cardiovascular, neurovascular and renal function as well as fertility. The ACE2 receptor acts like a lock on the cell, and the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein acts like a key that opens the lock that allows the virus to enter the cell and multiply rapidly. Similar to controls, the tissues tested included lung, digestive, renal excretory, reproductive, ocular tissues, and 21 different areas of the brain.

“In addition to strong ACE2 expression in cells of the respiratory system, digestive system, renal excretory system, and reproductive system, high expression of ACE2 was also found in the amygdala, cerebral cortex, and brain stem,” Dr. Rukiu reported. I am. “This may help explain the cognitive impairment associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Some of the highest ACE2 expression levels are found in the anatomical regions of the brain, including the human brain stem and the medulla oblongata respiratory center. And in the medulla oblongata, which may partially explain the susceptibility of many CoV-19 patients to severe dyspnea.”

The team further noted that the activity of the ACE2 receptor was also easily detected by eye, and the visual system provided an additional entry point for SARS-CoV-2 intrusion, and under certain conditions eyeglasses or face shields Suggested that it could be as important as the face SARS-CoV-2 infection and a mask to reduce the infection.

“There are some important research gaps remaining,” concludes Lukiw. “The real risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection is not only its highly contagious nature and lethality, but also many human cells, including life and critical respiratory, immune, vascular, renal excretion and It is also a simultaneous and multifaceted attack on tissue types, not only in the nervous system, but also in the complex neurophysiology, neurochemistry, neurobiology, and cells of the central nervous system (CNS) that normally control these multiple physiological systems. The unprecedented coordinated destruction of neurology.”

Reference: “SARS-CoV-2 Infectious and Neurological Targets of the Brain” by Walter J. Rukiu, Eileen Pogue, and James M. Hill, August 25, 2020, Cellular and molecular neurobiology..
DOI: 10.1007 / s10571-020-00947-7

The authors found after working with Dr. James M. Hill (formerly Professor of Microbiology, Ophthalmology and Pharmacology at LSU Health New Orleans School of Medicine) for many years on ACE2 receptor expression. Alzheimer’s disease Sick brain. Aileen Pogue of Alchem ​​Biotech Research in Toronto also participated in research data aggregation, bioinformatics and statistical analysis.

This study was supported by a grant from the Blindness Prevention Study (RPB). Louisiana Biotechnology Research Network (LBRN); NIH grants NEI EY006311, NIA AG18031, and NIA AG038834.