Contents
In line with its mission, the Editorial Board of MedTvoiLokony makes every effort to provide reliable medical content supported by the latest scientific knowledge. The additional flag “Checked Content” indicates that the article has been reviewed by or written directly by a physician. This two-step verification: a medical journalist and a doctor allows us to provide the highest quality content in line with current medical knowledge.
Our commitment in this area has been appreciated, among others, by by the Association of Journalists for Health, which awarded the Editorial Board of MedTvoiLokony with the honorary title of the Great Educator.
Scientists from the US Duke University have created a model of a living organoid (a miniaturized and simplified version of an organ produced in vitro) equipped with human alveoli and investigate how SARS-CoV-2 attacks the organ responsible for breathing.
- The model has many uses. Not only in relation to SARS-CoV-2, but also in influenza research, the researchers explain
- They observed a virus-induced “cytokine storm” in the lungs. It causes hyperinflammation, and as a result the patient’s condition worsens and even leads to death
- Next, scientists will test the latest mutant, more contagious strain of the coronavirus D614G, originating in Italy, on the mini-lungs.
- You can find more about the coronavirus on the TvoiLokony home page
The most dangerous infection with SARS-CoV-2 occurs in the lungs: the pathogen destroys alveoli, the number of which in humans ranges from 300 to 500 million.
The result is pneumonia and acute respiratory failure – the leading cause of death in COVID-19 patients. While this knowledge is not new, experimental models mapping human lung tissues were lacking.
Therefore, scientists from the American Duke University have created a human model of a living organoid equipped with alveoli.
- Lungs – anatomical structure, the most common diseases and functions in the body [EXPLAINED]
The team led by biologist Purushotham Rao Tata called this artificial organ “mini lungs in a dish” and said that thanks to it they can conduct many experiments in parallel, including the effects of drugs on infected tissues.
«Our flexible model has many uses. Not only for SARS-CoV-2, but also for influenza research, ”Rao Tata explained in the“ Cell Stem Cell ”journal.
The authors of the analysis emphasize that the most important thing in their research is the use of human tissues only, because so far it was possible to conduct experiments between cell multiplication only in cow serum.
And this fact could have influenced the results of the research.
The new mini-lungs, when infected with SARS-CoV-2, showed an interferon-mediated inflammatory response. In a healthy person, groups of proteins called interferons protect against infections and are able to activate intracellular processes and intercellular interactions in such a way as to provide the body with immunity.
And American scientists have observed a virus-induced “cytokine storm” in the lungs. What is this? For example, when SARS-CoV-2 enters the lungs, the response is a local immune response, i.e. cytokine production. In some patients, excessive levels of cytokines are released, and they activate more immune cells. This causes hyperinflammation. As a result, the patient’s condition deteriorates significantly and even leads to death.
What is the discovery of the researchers? “The cells in the organoid formed interferons and then committed suicide,” explains Rao Tata.
“Suicide” of proteins
The same phenomenon was noted during the autopsy of people who died from COVID-19.
- See more: Scientists discovered something unusual during an autopsy of those who died from COVID-19
Cells from nearby, but not yet affected by the virus, areas of the lungs also received a signal about the need to “commit suicide”.
«It looks like a race to kill tissues where the virus may be in a moment. By creating this safety buffer, the body unfortunately damages itself a lot »- explain the scientists.
Rao Tata and his colleagues will now test the latest mutant, more contagious strain of the coronavirus D614G, originating in Italy, on mini-lungs.
This may interest you:
- A doctor from Przemyśl caused a storm by writing that COVID-19 can be cured in 48 hours. What do we know about this drug?
- Now COVID-19 Will Be Less Deadly? Here’s what the virologist says
- National quarantine throughout Poland from November 12? This is one of the scenarios
The content of the medTvoiLokony website is intended to improve, not replace, the contact between the Website User and their doctor. The website is intended for informational and educational purposes only. Before following the specialist knowledge, in particular medical advice, contained on our Website, you must consult a doctor. The Administrator does not bear any consequences resulting from the use of information contained on the Website. Do you need a medical consultation or an e-prescription? Go to halodoctor.pl, where you will get online help – quickly, safely and without leaving your home.