Study shows that there is a protein in the lung that works as a natural barrier to COVID-19. New drugs may emerge.
Let’s recover a lesson on the most famous pandemic of the century: the COVID-19caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, enters the human body through its protein spikewhich connects to a receiver specific to our cells.
SARS-CoV-2 uses angiotensin-converting enzyme type 2 (ACE-2) as an entry receptor into the cell, a molecule expressed in abundance on the surface of endothelial cells, kidneys, lungs and other organs. It is the gateway for human cells.
It’s in the lung cells what is there high levels of ACE-2 receptors. In fact, that’s why this disease affects mainly the lungs.
But what if there was a proteinin the lungs, which functioned as a natural barrier to COVID-19?
This was precisely the main conclusion of a study published in the scientific journal PLOS Biology.
Scientists at the University of Sydney, Australia, have identified the LRRC15 – protein 15 which has leucine-rich repeats in the lungs. And that’s the blockade to the virus.
The coronavirus can also bind to the LRRC15 receptor; but, unlike ECA-2, the LRRC15 does not help the infection. Adheres, connects to the virus, but stops immobilize him. And so it protects the other cells, explains the portal tech explorer.
LRRC15 isn’t just in the lungs. It is also found in the skin and tongue, for example.
But it is in the lungs that controls antiviral responses and fibrosis and may link COVID-19 infection with pulmonary fibrosis during long-term COVID.
By blocking COVID-19, the receptor simultaneously activates the body’s antivirus response and suppresses the body’s fibrosis response.
With this study, it is expected that new medicineseither against COVID or against pulmonary fibrosis.
It is a natural immune receptor that gives hope. It is our body’s natural response to fight infection.
LRRC15 is expected to develop two strategies against COVID-19: one focused on the nose (preventive treatment) and the other focused on the lungs (severe cases.)
On the other hand, scientists from Imperial College London found that the absence of LRRC15 in the blood is associated with more severe cases of COVID.
More LRRC15 protein means milder cases.
ZAP // 
