Martin michaelis, Researcher

A protein that may critically contribute to severe forms of COVID-19 has recently been identified by the University of Kent's School of Biosciences and the Institute of Medical Virology at Goethe-University.The study titled 'A potential role of the CD47-SIRPalpha axis in COVID-19 pathogenesis' has been published by the scientific journal Current Issues in Molecular Biology.SARS-CoV-2 is the coronavirus that causes COVID-19. While many individuals develop only mild or no symptoms upon SARS-CoV-2 infection, others develop severe, life-threatening diseases.Researchers have found that the infection of cells with SARS-CoV-2 results in increased levels of a protein called CD47 on the cell surface.CD47 is a so-called "do not eat me" signal to the immune system's defences that protect cells from being destroyed. Virus-induced CD47 on the surface of infected cells is likely to protect them from immune system recognition, enabling the production of larger amounts of virus, resulting in more severe disease.Well-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 large risk factor for COVID-19 complications such as heart attack, stroke, and kidney disease.The data suggest that age and virus-induced high CD47 levels contribute to severe COVID-19 by preventing an effective immune response and increasing disease-associated tissue and organ damage.Since therapeutics targeting CD47 are in development, this discovery may result in improved COVID-19 therapies.Professor Martin Michaelis, University of Kent, said, "This is exciting. We may have identified a major factor associated with severe COVID-19. This is a huge step in combatting the disease and we can now look forward to further progress in the design of therapeutics."Professor Jindrich Cinatl, Goethe-University Frankfurt, said, "These additional insights into the disease processes underlying COVID-19 may help us to design better therapies, as well as an appreciation for the importance of the breadth of research being conducted. Through this avenue, we have achieved a major breakthrough and exemplified that the fight against the disease continues."( With inputs from ANI )Disclaimer: This post has been auto-published from an agency feed without any modifications to the text and has not been reviewed by an editor

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Martin Michaelis, NewsFOLLOW

Martin michaelis, Latest News

Health :Researchers identify potential new treatment for COVID-19

Researchers during a recent study identified a potential new treatment that suppresses the replication of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. ...

International :New potential factor contributing to severity of Covid identified

London, Sep 26 A team of researchers has identified a protein that may critically contribute to severe forms ... ...

Technology :Study identifies potential factor contributing to severity of COVID-19

A protein that may critically contribute to severe forms of COVID-19 has recently been identified by the University of Kent's School of Biosciences and the Institute of Medical Virology at Goethe-University. ...