Divert attention from the virus to avoid infection: des researchers from Boston University (United States) have managed to use this method for Covid-19. In Nano Letters, they explain how they managed to trap the new coronavirus. “I was skeptical at first because it seemed too good to be truei ”, says Anna Honko, one of the authors of the research. She says she was amazed by the results.
Scientists discovered how to stop the coronavirus infection in its tracks by diverting its attention away from living lung cells. This new “nanosponge” technology:
⏺️ mops up the virus like a sponge,
⏺️ spares lung cells, &
⏺️ prevents lung inflammation.https://t.co/jjCgZz5uZf pic.twitter.com/uZzVD98HdY— BU Experts (@BUexperts) June 18, 2020
Nano-sponges, a thousand times narrower than a hair
The researchers made small drops of polymer, covered with a membrane made up of lung and immune cells. “It looks like a nanoparticle wrapped in bits of cell membranes ”, specifies the researcher. “These are small pieces of plastic, which contain only the outer parts of a cell, adds Anthony Griffiths, co-author of the study. This allows the virus to be trapped as in a sponge. ” Each of these nanosponges is a thousand times narrower than a human hair. “Our assumption is that it acts like a decoy ”, ajoute Anthony Griffiths.
A double action
In an experiment, Anna Honko mixed these “fake” cells with lung cells and with SARS-CoV-2 to observe the results. Nanosponges are more attractive to the virus than lung cells. Then, when trapped in this artificial cell, the virus dies. This system helps prevent SARS-CoV-2 from attacking cells and duplicating themselves in the body.
Anna Honko sees a second interest in the use of this device: it would reduce the inflammatory response to the virus. Inflammation in the lungs is one of the serious consequences of Covid-19, but nanosponges help attract inflammatory cells and maintain the immune system.
A treatment adapted to humans?
For now, the tests have been conducted in a laboratory, with cultured cells, but the researchers speculate that it could work in the human body. The immune system would then be able to naturally eliminate the nanosponges.
The research team will conduct other experiments on animals before they can test on humans. Scientists are already considering what form this treatment could take. “We should be able to drop it directly in the nose, précise Anthony Griffiths, it might look like a nasal spray. ” Her colleague talks about a safe and effective method of administration. “If you want to treat patients who are intubated, you can act directly on the lungs. ” The two researchers are also interested in other diseases that could be treated with this method such as Ebola for example. “I’m curious to see how far we can push this technology ”, concludes Anna Honko.
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