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Magnus Evander, professor of virology at Umeå University, has read the studies and believes the results are important.
– The more we know about SARS-CoV-2 and how it infects our cells, the easier it will be to take countermeasures in the future. So it’s very important, he says.
Previous research has showed that the coronavirus enters the body with the help of the ACE2 protein, which is found in some of our cells. Now, researchers have found another so-called receptor, the neuropilin-1 protein, that appears to “let the virus in” into cells in a similar way.
Researchers have seen this through several different methods, including in virus-infected laboratory cell cultures.
How important is Here, the new receptor for the spread of infection is still unclear, and there may be even more ways the virus uses to enter.
– Viruses have the ability to use many ways to enter the cell, so there may be other ways as well. But this is an important discovery, says Magnus Evander.
According to Magnus Evander it is the next step is to move forward with more studies, including animal studies, to really see that the results are correct. But this is a step on the road to developing a better treatment for the disease, he says.
– A neuropilin blocker could be developed, which could then stop or prevent the severe disease SARS-CoV-2. But this is later than, of course.
Reference:
JL Daly et al. “Neuropilin-1 is a host factor for SARS-CoV-2 infection.” Science, 2020. DOI: 10.1126 / science.abd3072.
L. Cantuti-Castelvetri et al. “Neuropilin-1 facilitates the infectivity and entry of SARS-CoV-2 cells”. Science, 2020. DOI: 10.1126 / science.abd2985.
