Researchers at The College of Queensland have found viruses reminiscent of SARS-CoV-2 may cause mind cells to fuse, initiating malfunctions that result in persistent 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-19, has been detected within the brains of individuals with ‘lengthy COVID’ months after their preliminary an infection.
We found COVID-19 causes neurons to endure a cell fusion course of, which has not been seen earlier than. After neuronal an infection with SARS-CoV-2, the spike S protein turns into current in neurons, and as soon as neurons fuse, they do not die. They both begin firing synchronously, or they cease functioning altogether.”
Massimo Hilliard, Professor, Queensland Mind Institute
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 is unhealthy information for the 2 unbiased circuits.”
The invention gives 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 have proven a 3rd doable final result, which is neuronal fusion.”
Dr Martinez-Marmol mentioned quite a few viruses trigger cell fusion in different tissues, but in addition infect the nervous system and might be inflicting the identical drawback there.
“These viruses embrace 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 doubtlessly a serious explanation for neurological illnesses and medical signs that’s nonetheless unexplored.”
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Journal reference:
MartÃnez-Mármol, R., et al. (2023) SARS-CoV-2 an infection and viral fusogens trigger neuronal and glial fusion that compromises neuronal exercise. Science Advances. doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.adg2248.
