LARGEST MULTI-ANCESTRY GENOME-WIDE ASSOCIATION STUDY (GWAS) of Long COVID
...using data from over 53,000 cases and 120,000 controls from the 23andMe research cohort
H/t @VirusesImmunity medrxiv.org/content/10.110…
2) This study looked at the genetics behind "Long COVID" - the persistent symptoms some people experience after recovering from COVID-19. Using data from over 53,000 Long COVID patients and 120,000 healthy controls, the researchers conducted the largest genetic analysis ...
3) ...of Long COVID to date.
They identified three key genetic regions linked to Long COVID risk:
▶️ Genes involved in the immune system's response to infection. This suggests immune dysfunction plays a role in Long COVID.
4)▶️ The ABO gene, which has previously been associated with COVID-19 severity. This indicates that factors affecting the initial COVID-19 infection may influence the development of Long COVID.
▶️ Genes related to viral suppression and inflammation pointing ...
5) ... to underlying biological pathways that could contribute to Long COVID.
Interestingly, the study also found strong genetic connections between Long COVID and other chronic conditions with similar symptoms, like chronic fatigue and depression.
6) This implies that some people may be genetically predisposed to developing post-viral syndromes after COVID-19.
Overall, these findings provide important insights into the genetic basis of Long COVID.
7) This could help identify individuals at high risk and guide the development of targeted treatments for this debilitating condition.
Thanks for reading 🙏 and thanks to @23andMeResearch and @ninaadsc for this study
8) And safeguard yourself from COVID-19, avoid reinfection, as even mild cases can pose significant risks.
2) The study focused on understanding how the internal genomic segments of this virus have adapted to bovine cells. The researchers generated 45 reassortant viruses and found that multiple segments of the B3.13 viruses contribute to their faster replicative fitness ...
3) ...in bovine cells, compared to other influenza A viruses. Additionally, the B3.13 recombinants were less susceptible to the bovine interferon response, but still restricted by the human MX1 protein.
The SARS-COV-2 "HIJACKOME"
explained in a few figures
(Part 1)
The "hijackome" refers to the set of host cell components and processes that the SARS-CoV-2 virus exploits or "hijacks" to enable its own replication and spread within the infected cells.
2) The figure 1c shows the levels of key SARS-CoV-2 viral proteins (e.g. nucleocapsid, spike) over the course of infection in the host cells. The Omicron BA.1 and BA.5 variants had slower initial increases in viral protein levels compared to other variants, but ...
3)...reached similar high levels by the later 36-hour timepoint.
Potential explanation for slower early kinetics: The study suggests this slower early infection progression for Omicron BA.1 and BA.5 may be due to differences in their replication and entry mechanisms compared ...
GENETIC FACTORS play a MAJOR ROLE in how the IMMUNE SYSTEM RESPONDS to COVID-19. biorxiv.org/content/10.110…
2) The researchers found thousands of genetic variants that influence gene expression in immune cells, and many of these were specific to COVID-19 patients. They also discovered that the effects of these genetic variants depend on the functional state of the immune cells.
3) Importantly, the genetic risk factors for severe COVID-19 were linked to these patient-specific genetic effects on gene expression. Overall, the results highlight how an individual's genetics can significantly shape their immune response and ...
2) The study found that H5N1 is remarkably stable in raw milk, with a half-life of 2.1 days at 4°C. This means infectious virus could persist for over a month in refrigerated raw milk from infected cows. Even at room temperature (22°C), the half-life was 0.74 days ...
3) ...retaining infectivity for up to 3 weeks. The high protein content of milk appears to stabilize the virus.
In contrast, H5N1 had a much shorter half-life of only 0.48 days (12 hours) at 22°C in wastewater. The rapid inactivation of the virus in wastewater likely ...
2) The dominant factors that contributed to the emergence and spread of new SARS-CoV-2 variants in Spain appear to be:
▶️ Relaxation of control measures: The study links the increased introductions and spread of Delta and Omicron-BA.1 to the "lifting of certain control measures"
3)..and "easing of travel restrictions," suggesting relaxed public health interventions were key.
▶️ Seasonal factors and human mobility: The Delta wave coincided with the "summer period, when Spain receives a considerable number of tourists," indicating seasonal changes and...
The DANGER THEORY of IMMUNITY revisited
(A fascinating study 💯👍)
This theory proposed by Polly Matzinger in 1994, suggests that the immune system responds primarily to signs of tissue stress or damage rather than just recognizing foreign invaders. nature.com/articles/s4157…
2) This means that for the immune system to react effectively, it needs two things: the ability to recognize harmful substances (antigenicity) and signals that indicate tissue damage (adjuvanticity).
3) Research shows that cancer cells and viruses can trick the immune system by hiding these damage signals. Additionally, imbalances in gut bacteria can weaken the immune system's response to infections.