Scientists Discover Bat Cells Have Specific Molecular Barriers for Sars-Cov 2 Replication

According to a study published in the Journal of Virology - a publication of the American Society of Microbiology - Jordi Serra-Cobo, lecturer of the Faculty of Biology and the Biodiversity Research Institute (IRBio) of the University of Barcelona, and expert on Eco epidemiological studies, bat cells have specific molecular barriers to deal with SARS-CoV-2 replication.

How are bats immuned to Sars-Cov 2

(Photo : James Wainscoat/Unsplash)

Coronaviruses are found in numerous animal species across the world, including bats (chiropteans). In this regard, the scientific literature has long highlighted the high resilience of several chiropteran species to viral infection.

The immune system in these flying animals is on pre-alert, which allows for speedier response to viral infections.

Most animals would experience inflammatory issues if their immune systems were always on high alert, but this is not the case for bats, which is why they are the subject of several worldwide epidemiological and immunological research.

The scientists examined the potential of primary cells from several bat species to sustain SARS-CoV-2 replication as part of the study, as per ScienceDaily.

"The results show that none of these cells were permissive to infection, not even those expressing detectable levels of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), a metallopeptidase that serves as a viral receptor in many mammalian species," says Jordi Serra-Cobo, a member of the UB's Department of Evolutionary Biology, Ecology, and Environmental Sciences and the study's sole expert in Spain.

In humans, it is known that the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein interacts to the cell membrane receptor ACE2, causing the virus to infect the cell. "In the case of chiropteran cells, either the amount of ACE2 enzyme is tiny and it no longer penetrates the cell, or the virus binds to ACE2 and is unable to infect the cell," Serra-Cobo emphasizes.

Globally, this work leads to a better knowledge of the defense systems against viral infections. This is a line of study that has been pursued for many years by the team led by Serra-Cobo at the UB and IRBio, and which is currently gaining traction within the scope of the EvoDevo-Cat research group at the UB's Faculty of Biology.

Read more: Record Breaking: Cancer Survivor Carries COVID-19 for 335 Days - the Longest Duration Known

The amazing immunity response of bats

Despite the global deployment of COVID-19 vaccinations, the discovery of novel variations has emphasized the ongoing need for medicines that can alleviate severe respiratory distress in patients.

Monash University researchers investigated the function of the microbiome in the immune response to respiratory infections earlier this year.

Based on their findings, they hypothesized that the chemical L-tyrosine may be used to treat acute respiratory distress syndrome in COVID-19 patients.

Monash researchers analyzed seven types of COVID-19 treatments that have been researched and, in some cases, authorized for use in patients, including direct antivirals like Gilead's Veklury (remdesivir), convalescent plasma, and kinase inhibitors.

They emphasized that hundreds of therapeutic therapies for the virus are now being tested in preclinical and clinical studies and that the area "will continue to change."

The researchers also observed that understanding bats' immune responses to coronaviruses has identified research gaps.

According to the researchers, the biochemistry underpinning SARS-capacity CoV-2s to elude the human immune system is currently poorly known.

They emphasized that much more might be done to investigate the possible relationships between SARS-CoV-2 and the microbiota.

Related article: COVID-19: Moderna Vaccine Booster Also Effective Against Omicron Variant