Study investigates the pathophysiological mechanisms of PASC after COVID-19

By Neha MathurSep 4 2023Reviewed by Sophia Coveney In a recent article published in bioRxiv* server, researchers used a preclinical animal model to investigate early pathophysiological mechanisms potentially underlying post-acute sequelae of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection , especially its neurological symptoms.

SARS-CoV-2 ribonucleic acid has been found in brain tissues of patients who died due to COVID-19. It has been postulated that brain cells expressing angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 and transmembrane serine protease 2 are an entry route for SARS-CoV-2 invading the central nervous system . The team autopsied the SARS-CoV-2 infected test animals to collect tissue from the pyriform cortex/amygdala and olfactory epithelium for further analysis. The olfactory epithelium may be uniquely prone to SARS-CoV-2 invasion as a result of its neuroanatomical location.

Next, they dual-labeled the tissues derived from the pyriform cortex/amygdala for SARS-CoV-2 mRNA and platelet-derived growth factor receptor beta . The latter is a biomarker exclusively expressed by pericytes in the adult brain. It helped them directly visualize each SARS-CoV-2 mRNA transcript in the brain, represented by a single-dot staining pattern.

They had undetectable viral loads, and no clinical pathology by the end of the experimentation window, i.e., 21-28 days post-infection. These results confirmed that a non-human primate model is apt for studying early pathophysiological changes occurring during PASC post-acute SARS-CoV-2 infection. Notably, they also found SARS-CoV-2 mRNA in the olfactory epithelium but at much lower levels compared to the pyriform cortex/amygdala. These observations further favor the notion that SARS-CoV-2 persists in the CNS.

United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

Study explores the biology of post-COVID-19 cognitive deficitsResearchers explored the biology of cognitive deficits following acute COVID-19.
Source: NewsMedical - 🏆 19. / 71 Read more »

Intensive fasting boosts red blood cells' immune powers against COVID-19, study findsResearchers found that short-term intensive fasting enhances the immune function of red blood cells, including their ability to combat SARS-CoV-2, without affecting their oxygen-carrying capacity. The study reveals that this fasting regimen popular in Asia could offer a multifaceted benefit by amplifying the body's defenses without compromising essential functions.
Source: NewsMedical - 🏆 19. / 71 Read more »

Study suggests increased frequency of emotional overeating during university closures due to the COVID-19 pandemicResearchers conducted an online survey to assess the frequency of overeating episodes during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Source: NewsMedical - 🏆 19. / 71 Read more »

Lung conditions will be made worse by climate change, say researchersRespiratory experts are calling on governments to reduce emissions and improve air quality using the same policies.
Source: Glasgow_Times - 🏆 76. / 59 Read more »

Researchers design machine learning models to better predict adolescent suicide and self-harm riskArtificial intelligence can help to identify risk factors for suicide and self-harm, according to new research from UNSW Sydney.
Source: medical_xpress - 🏆 101. / 51 Read more »

Lung conditions will be made worse by climate change, say researchersRespiratory experts are calling on governments to reduce emissions and improve air quality using the same policies.
Source: Observer_Owl - 🏆 18. / 72 Read more »