A study entitled ‘Possible role of the CD47-SIRPalpha axis in the pathogenesis of COVID-19’ has been published in the scientific journal Current Issues in Molecular Biology.
SARS-CoV-2 is a coronavirus that causes COVID-19. Although many individuals develop only mild or no symptoms with SARS-CoV-2 infection, others develop serious, life-threatening illnesses.
Researchers have found that infection of cells with SARS-CoV-2 results in an increase in a protein called CD47 on the cell surface.
CD47 is a so-called “don’t eat me” signal for the defense of the immune system, which protects cells from destruction. Virus-induced CD47 on the surface of infected cells is likely to protect them from recognition by the immune system, allowing for higher viral load production, leading to more serious disease.
Known risk factors for severe COVID-19, such as older age and diabetes, are associated with higher CD47 levels. High CD47 levels also contribute to high blood pressure, which is a high risk factor for COVID-19 complications such as heart attack, stroke, and kidney disease.
Data suggest that age and high viral CD47 levels contribute to severe COVID-19 disease by inhibiting an effective immune response and increasing disease-related tissue and organ damage.
As drugs targeting CD47 are under development, this finding may lead to improved COVID-19 therapies.
Professor Martin MichaelisThe University of Kent said: “This is exciting. We may have identified a major factor in the serious COVID-19 disease. This is a huge step in the fight and we can now expect progress in drug design.”
Professor Jindrich CinatlGoethe University of Frankfurt said: “This additional information on the underlying disease processes of COVID-19 can help us design better therapies and understand the importance of the scope of the research done. Achieved a major breakthrough and was an example that the fight against the fight continues.”
Source: ANI
Source: The Nordic Page