ACS Chem Neurosci: Why do some COVID-19 patients lose their sense of smell? That's the reason!

2020 May 14 News /BioValleyBIOON / - Numerous clinical studies have reported partial or complete loss of smell is usually infected with SARS-CoV-2 virus Early symptomsSARS-CoV-2 is the virus that causes COVID-19'sNow, researchers published in the journal ACSChemicalNeuroscience report shows that in mice, the two enter the SARS-CoV 2-protein needed is help from the nasal cavity odor detection of cellsIn addition, older animals produce more protein than younger animalsnovel coronavirus there are still many secrets, one of which is how it can lead to loss of sense of smell - even in the absence of other symptoms COVID-19 infected peopleSARS-CoV-2 the two proteins hijacked invasion of human cells: cell surface receptor ACE2 and protease TMPRSS2However, scientists still can not determine the olfactory epithelium (tissue inside the nasal cavity) in which cells expressing these proteins, and cells which are likely to be infected with the virusSource: NIAIDThis finding may help explain the symptoms, and help develop more accurate diagnostictestTherefore, RafalButowt and his colleagues studied the expression of these proteins in mice, as well as how their levels with age changesby various methods, the researchers found TMPRSS2 expression of ACE2 in the nasal cavity and supporting cells, these cells will help odors from the air passed to the neuronsOlder mice produce more of these two proteins in the nasal cells than young miceThe researchers said that if the results are applicable to humans, it may explain why older people are more susceptible to SARS-CoV-2They also noted that future research should examine whether the support cells to neurons can transmit the virus, thereby providing a way for the brain infection SARS-CoV-2a (Biovalley Bioon.com) References:ExploringwhysomeCOVID-19patientslosetheirsenseofsmellKatarzynaBilinskaetalExpressionoftheSARS-CoV-2EntryProteins, ACE2andTMPRSS2, inCellsoftheOlfactoryEpithelium:.IdentificationofCellTypesandTrendswithAge, ACSChemicalNeuroscience ( 2020) .DOI: 10.1021 / acschemneuro.0c00210