What if SARS-COV-2 MANIPULATED US, to SPREAD BETTER ?
2) There is always the risk with such hypotheses of being accused of anthropomorphism, i.e. lending human behaviors to a virus which cannot have any.
However, there have been several interesting studies on this subject and particularly in the field of behavioral neurovirology.
3) In fact, such behaviour-changing effects of viruses – so-called behavioural host manipulation – are not new, and have previously been reported for some viruses.
The theory is that pathogens do this to maximise their reproduction rate and in turn, their spread and survival.
4) The example of rabies virus :
"When a host is infected with the rabies virus it gets into the host’s central nervous system and triggers hyper aggression. The virus is also present in the rabid animal’s saliva ...
5) ... so being bitten transmits the infection to a new host and the old host is left to eventually die if untreated."
6) In a first study, they "hypothesized that the novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV2, which produces the COVID-19 disease may produce host manipulations that maximize its transmission between humans." ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/P…
7) First hypothesis :
The virus may act on an area of the brain called the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), which is involved in social behaviour and emotional regulation. By manipulating the ACC, instead of observing distancing rules, people would be drawn to "gather socially"
8) Second hypothesis :
"While there are effects on behaviour through virus-induced changes in the nervous system, Covid has the potential also to change the endocrine system that produces hormones that regulate many functions, from sleep to reproduction and social behaviour"
9) In another study, they show that SARS-COV-2 "bind to the host receptor neuropilin-1 in order to gain entry into the cell" but also can cause "interferon suppression and the resulting reduction in sickness behavior ...
10) ... enhanced transmission through neurally mediated cough induction, and reduction in sense of smell." link.springer.com/article/10.100…
11) We had already mentioned this hypothesis in particular because of the impact of the virus on dopamine.
12) Of course, these remain hypotheses but clearly the virus has more than one trick up its sleeve.
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What if SARS-COV-2 MANIPULATED the AUTOPHAGIC mechanism, to INFECT us BETTER ? (mega-thread)
(credit Autophagy journal)
2) SUMMARY (layman)
Autophagy is a cellular process that involves the degradation and recycling of cellular components. It plays an important role in maintaining cellular homeostasis.
"Here we show that Omicron subvariants were effectively inactivated by green tea, Matcha, and black tea and strongly suppressed infectivity of BA.1 and XE subvariants, while effect on BA.2.75 was weaker" nature.com/articles/s4159…
2) Decrease in infectivity of omicron subvariants by treatment with tea
Fig. Analysis of inactivation effects of tea and green tea catechins on SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variants.
3) Inhibition of the interaction of BA.1 RBD with ACE2
Fig. Structure of EGCG binding with the Omicron RBD of the BA.1 and BA.2.75 lineages
BRAIN and COVID-19 ! 😨
"SARS-CoV-2 neurotropism-induced anxiety and depression-like behaviors require Microglia activation" biorxiv.org/content/10.110…
2) SUMMARY (layman)
Neurotropism refers to the ability of a virus to infect and replicate within nerve cells.
SARS-CoV-2 can infect and replicate in the central nervous system, including the brain. This can lead to the activation of microglia, which are immune cells in the brain
3) ... which are immune cells in the brain that play a crucial role in the brain's defense against infections.
Microglia activation is associated with the release of inflammatory molecules, such as cytokines, which can have detrimental effects on brain function.
Synthesis, Insertion and Characterization of SARS-CoV-2 MEMBRANE PROTEIN Within Lipid Bilayers biorxiv.org/content/10.110…
2) SUMMARY
The SARS-CoV-2 membrane protein is responsible for forming the viral envelope and interacting with host cells during infection.
The insertion of the SARS-CoV-2 membrane protein into lipid bilayers, such as liposomes or supported lipid bilayers ...
3) ... allows researchers to mimic the natural cellular environment. This reconstitution process enables the examination of the protein's interactions with lipids, other proteins, and potential drug molecules.
With Omicron, there was an incredible number of mutations of the SARS-CoV-2 proteins, particularly of the Spike, but only 1 key mutation of the envelope.
A moon in a multitude of stars.
2) This mutation is E:T9I which changed the face of the pandemic