COVID-19 Can Trigger Mind Cells To Fuse – Resulting in Power “Lengthy COVID” Neurological Signs

Scientists found that viruses like SARS-CoV-2 could cause mind cells to fuse, resulting in continual neurological signs. This course of, the place neurons both begin firing collectively or cease working fully, gives a brand new perspective on the long-term results of viral infections on the mind and should apply to different viruses that infect the nervous system. Credit score: The Authors

Researchers have found viruses akin to SARS-CoV-2 could cause mind cells to fuse, initiating malfunctions that result in continual neurological signs.

Scientists at The College of Queensland have found viruses akin to SARS-CoV-2 could cause mind cells to fuse, initiating malfunctions that result in continual neurological signs.

Professor Massimo Hilliard and Dr. Ramon Martinez-Marmol from the Queensland Mind Institute have explored how viruses alter the perform of the nervous system.

SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19has been detected within the brains of individuals with ‘lengthy COVID’ months after their preliminary an infection.

Picture of fused neurons (yellow) expressing Spike S fusogen from the SARS-CoV-2 virus and the human receptor hACE2. Credit score: The Authors

“We found COVID-19 causes neurons to endure a cell fusion course of, which has not been seen earlier than,” Professor Hilliard mentioned.

“After neuronal an infection with SARS-CoV-2, the spike S protein turns into current in neurons, and as soon as neurons fuse, they don’t die. They both begin firing synchronously, or they cease functioning altogether.”

As an analogy, Professor Hilliard likened the position of neurons to that of wires connecting switches to the lights in a kitchen and a toilet.

“As soon as fusion takes place, every swap both activates each the kitchen and loo lights on the similar time, or neither of them,” he mentioned.

“It’s unhealthy information for the 2 unbiased circuits.”

Film at 10 fps, with frames being acquired each 30 min. Photographs had been recorded 24 h after transfecting hippocampal neurons with p15 and GFP. Every body represents the utmost depth projection, with GFP depth adjusted to facilitate the visualization of newly showing GFP-positive neurons. Credit score: The Authors

The invention presents a possible clarification for persistent neurological results after a viral an infection.

“Within the present understanding of what occurs when a virus enters the mind, there are two outcomes – both cell demise or irritation,” Dr. Martinez-Marmol mentioned.

“However we’ve proven a 3rd potential end result, which is neuronal fusion.”

Dr. Martinez-Marmol mentioned quite a few viruses trigger cell fusion in different tissues, but additionally infect the nervous system and might be inflicting the identical downside there.

“These viruses embody HIV, rabies, Japanese encephalitis, measles, herpes simplex virus, and Zika virus,” he mentioned.

“Our analysis reveals a brand new mechanism for the neurological occasions that occur throughout a viral an infection.

“That is probably a serious explanation for neurological ailments and medical signs that’s nonetheless unexplored.”

The researchers acknowledge the collaborative efforts of Professor Lars Ittner and Affiliate Professor Yazi Ke from Macquarie College, Affiliate Professor Giuseppe Balistreri from College of Helsinki, and Affiliate Professor Kirsty Brief and Professor Frederic Meunier from The College of Queensland.

The analysis was printed in Sciences Advances.

Reference: “SARS-CoV-2 an infection and viral fusogens trigger neuronal and glial fusion that compromises neuronal exercise” by Ramon Martinez-Marmol, Rosina Giordano-Santini, Eva Kaulich, Ann-Na Cho, Magdalena Przybyla, Md Asrafuzzaman Riyadh, Emilija Robinson , Keng Yih Chew, Rumelo Love, Frederick A. Meunier, Giuseppe Balistreri, Kirsty R. Brief, Yazi D. Ke, Lars M. Ittner and Massimo A. Hilliard, 7 June 2023, Sciences Advances.
DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adg2248