Cells infected with SARS-CoV-2 virus can “explode”

Daily Mail On May 14, scientists reported that some cells infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus appeared to “explode”. This could help them come up with radical new treatments to tackle the Covid-19 pandemic.

The reaction is thought to occur in about eight out of 10 patients hospitalized with Covid-19, demonstrating how the SARS-CoV-2 virus causes severe damage to the lungs and other organs.

The researchers found that when the immune system tries to clear the SARS-CoV-2 virus, certain dangerous particles can be released into the bloodstream, causing inflammation in vulnerable parts of the body. body.

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A similar phenomenon known as “cytokine storms” – in which the immune system releases too many infection-fighting proteins called cytokines, which then attack healthy tissue – has long been known to cause severe damage. For Covid-19 patients, it often leads to multi-organ failure.

However, the discovery that cells infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus can “explode” opening up new treatment possibilities to stop the infection process instead of targeting the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

Dr Gautam Mehta, a consultant at the Royal Free hospital in North London, England, where the study was carried out with Boston Children’s Hospital, said: “‘Inflammation and cell death are important factors in the development of cancer. severe Covid-19 disease. Our study shows that pyroptosis (pro-inflammatory programmed cell death by cell lysis) is often the culprit.”

“It’s an important finding because currently, our Covid-19 treatments are targeting the SARS-CoV-2 virus. If we can target the pathogenic process, we might be able to develop one. The treatment is effective even in patients who have not been effective with the Covid-19 vaccine,” the research team emphasized.

Sensing danger, the immune system initiates pyroptosis in liver cells. When cells “explode,” they release chemicals that are then attacked by the immune system, leading to liver failure.

There are several medications thought to be used to treat pyroptosis, including disulfiram (to treat alcohol abuse) and dimethyl fumarate (to treat multiple sclerosis).