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The longer Crown pandemic the more scientists learn about it Virus. And these research results are anything but reassuring. At first it was said SARS-CoV-2 be a Pulmonary virus and Covid-19 one Lung infection, currently seems to change weekly.
With observations in patients it turns out more and more that this new type Corona virus can harm the body more sustainably than expected including that Heart muscle Similarly, you can Blood clotting affect what Thrombosis and embolism she drives. Furthermore, the Nerves to be attacked Researchers from the Hubrecht Institute in Utrecht, the Erasmus MC University Medical Center in Rotterdam and the University of Maastricht in the Netherlands have now been able to demonstrate that the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus can also infect cells of the intestine and reproduce there.
Scientists have the virus with the help of the most modern. Cell culture models from the human intestine, the virus was multiplied in vitro and the reaction of the cells was monitored. The results of the observations of this new cell culture model showed why around a third of the patients with COVID-19, as well as the symptoms known as Cough, sneezing, shortness of breath, and fever. also about gastrointestinal symptoms how Diarrhea complains AND why the virus is also common in Stool samples can be shown. This fact in turn suggests that the virus can also be spread through so-called “fecal-oral transmission”.
SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus (dark circles) at the edge of an intestinal cell (lower left corner). © Kèvin Knoops, Copyright University of Maastricht
Although the respiratory and gastrointestinal organs may seem very different, there are some essential similarities. Especially the ACE2 receiver, the receptor through which the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19 can enter cells. There are a large number of these ACE2 receptors within the intestine. However, it was not previously known whether the intestinal cells are actually infected and can produce virus particles.
Research from the home office
To answer this question, the Dutch researchers used human intestinal organoids, that is, tiny versions of the human intestine that can be grown in the laboratory. “These organoids contain the cells of the human intestinal mucosa, making them a compelling model for investigating a SARS-CoV-2 infection,” explains Hans Clevers of the Hubrecht Institute.
The virus, when added to organoids, was found to rapidly invade a subset of cells in the intestinal organoids and the number of infected cells increased over time. With the help of electron microscopy, an advanced method for the detailed representation of various cellular components, virus particles were found inside and outside the organoid cells, says Peter Peters of Maastricht University. “Due to the blockage, we examined all the virtual slides of the infected organoids far from home.
Using RNA sequencing, a method that can be used to investigate which genes are active in cells, the scientists examined the response of intestinal cells to the virus. So-called interferon-stimulated genes have been shown to turn on. “These genes are known to fight a viral infection. Future work will take a closer look at these genes and how they could be used to develop new treatments, “the researchers explain.
Organoids were also cultured under various conditions, leading to cells with increasing concentrations of the ACE2 receptor, through which SARS-CoV-2 can penetrate cells, according to the study, published in the scientific journal Science. It was. “To their surprise,” they discovered that the virus infected cells with high and low concentrations of the ACE2 receptor. Ultimately, these studies could lead to new ways to block the virus from entering our cells.
Intestinal organoids, the right one is infected with the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus. The coronavirus is white, the organoids themselves are blue and green. © Joep Beumer, Copyright Hubrecht-Institut
More tests
“The observations made in this study provide clear evidence that SARS-CoV-2 can multiply in cells of the gastrointestinal tract,” said Bart Haagmans of Erasmus MC. “However, we still do not know whether SARS-CoV-2, which is found in the intestines of COVID-19 patients, plays an important role in transmission. Our results suggest that we should take a closer look at this possibility.”
Since not all people with COVID-19 always have all the symptoms and viruses have been found in the feces of patients who did not have respiratory symptoms, the scientists emphasize that “patients with gastrointestinal symptoms may need special attention.” More extensive testing may be required, using not only nose and throat swabs, but also rectal swabs or stool samples.
Researchers are investigating the differences between lung and intestinal infections by comparing SARS-CoV-2 infected lung and intestinal organoids.
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