Thursday, April 23, 2020, 2:19 PM
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Researchers at the UMCG are involved in the discovery of two cell types that probably serve as the ‘gateway’ for the COVID-19 virus in our body.
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This discovery may reduce the spread of the virus.
Cilia cells
These are so-called goblet cells and cilia in the nose. Many proteins are made in these cells to which the coronavirus attaches. In addition, epithelial cells in other organs, such as eyes, lungs and intestines, would also serve as a gateway.
Fast transfer explained
The study was led by the British Wellcome Sanger Institute. The researchers will write in the scientific magazine on Thursday Nature Medicine that the identification of these cells in the nose helps explain the high transmission rate of the new coronavirus.
Defense reactions
In the article, this is the first time that these specific cells in the nose have been associated with the coronavirus: biologist Martijn Nawijn and pulmonologist Maarten van den Berge of the UMCG:
“The location of these cells on the surface of the inside of the nose makes them highly accessible to the virus. The study also shows that the cells in the nose, which carry the receptor, play a role in immune responses. Whether this function has changed after virus infection is currently being investigated. ‘
Also read:
– Everything about the corona crisis
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