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Research is currently underway at high pressure on vaccines and medications against coronavirus and the resulting disease Covid-19. At the same time, however, a great deal of basic research must be done to better understand the relatively new virus. The Berlin Charité researchers have now taken a closer look at which cells are particularly easy to infect with the virus. The coronavirus is already known to use its protruding spike protein to couple with human cells. Other studies have also shown that the so-called angiotensin-converting enzyme 2, in short: ACE2, must be present on the other side. Other cofactors are also required for the virus to enter the host cell. Berlin researchers have now looked at where the combination of ACE2 receptor and cofactors is particularly common.
Investigators discovered two entrance doors.
To do this, they used tissue samples from the lungs and bronchi. However, these were not taken specifically for the study. Rather, they are biopsies that were done on the basis of suspected cancer. The patients were also not affected by Covid-19. In total, nearly 60,000 cells could be examined using RNA analysis. The researchers found two particular areas in which the factors sought occur especially frequently. First, it is a cell type called type 2 alveocytes (AT2). This is mainly found in the alveoli and is tasked with moistening the transition area between the lungs and blood vessels with a special liquid. The researchers’ analyzes seem to indicate that AT2 cells are a kind of gateway for the virus to enter the lungs.
Men die of Covid-19 more often than women
The results of the samples examined from the bronchi were also very interesting. Because here the precursor cells of the respiratory mucous membranes have the best prerequisites for the virus to dock. These cells develop later and are then tasked with removing mucus and bacteria from the lungs. In this context, the researchers also pointed out a special feature: the coupling sites for the virus increased with age in these cells. Furthermore, the number is significantly higher for men than for women. This would coincide with previously known practice figures. This also shows that older people and men are particularly affected by Covid 19 diseases. In contrast, the risk for boys is comparatively low. However, researchers so far have only examined 16 tissue samples. The number of cases is still too low for a final statement.
Via: Medicalxpress
