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Scientists have identified two types of cells in the nose that are likely a point of infection for the Sars-CoV-2 virus, which causes Covid-19, in the body.
The respiratory tract is full of numerous cells, among which are goblet cells and hair cells. While goblet cells secrete mucosa to trap pathogens and foreign matter, hair cells have hair-like structures that transport trapped matter out of the body.
According to a study published in Nature Medicine, these cells also have high levels of the ACE2 protein, which acts as a receptor for the virus’s spike protein to bind to, and TMPRSS2 that helps the virus enter the cell, and then replicate and causes infection Experts noted that the study’s conclusions emphasize the importance of wearing masks to prevent infection and also to reduce disease transmission.
Under normal circumstances, ACE2 is recognized as a potential therapeutic strategy in hypertension and cardiovascular disease, diabetes, lung injury, and fibrotic disorders. TMPRSS2 is understood to be involved in a variety of biological processes, the malfunction of which often leads to human disease and disorders.
The researchers analyzed multiple Human Cell Atlases (HCA), which provide reference maps of all cells in the body. These included cells from the lung, nasal cavity, eye, intestine, heart, kidney, and liver. They searched for cells that expressed the two key entry proteins and found them in the nose, eyes, and intestine.
This suggests infection through the tear ducts and eyes, and a potential for fecal-oral transmission, according to the study.
“Previous studies have also pointed out that the ACE2 receptor is more expressed in epithelial cells in the nose, but this study shows that the protease that helps the spike protein binding of the virus is co-expressed in the nose and, therefore, These cells are more likely to become infected. This study shows that the upper respiratory tract is affected first by the infection. That is why its transmissibility increases multiple, making SARS-CoV-2 more infectious than SARS, “said Dr. Shobha Broor, former head of AIIMS’s virology department who has read the study.
Dr. Martijn Nawijn, from the University of Groningen Medical Center in the Netherlands and co-author of the study, said in a statement published on ScienceDaily, a website for the latest research: “While there are many factors that contribute to transmissibility of the virus, our findings are consistent with the rapid rates of virus infection seen so far. The location of these cells on the surface of the inside of the nose makes them highly accessible to the virus and may also help with transmission to other people. “
