Researchers from the University of Queensland in Australia proved that the COVID-19 virus can pass through the membranes of neurons and glia cells in the brain by fusion.
In experiments, mouse and human brain cultures obtained in vitro were infected with COVID-19 virus (SARS-CoV-2), after labeling with green fluorescent protein (GFP).
It has been observed that the virus can pass through the membranes of neurons and glia cells by fusion and establish intercellular bonds.
“We’ve proven a third possibility. That’s neural fusion.”
One of the researchers, Martinez-Marmol, stated that the general belief in the literature is that when a virus enters the brain, either cell death occurs or infection can be observed, adding, “However, we have proven a third possibility. This is neural fusion.” made a statement.
The researchers note that understanding the behavior of COVID-19 is an important step towards understanding the neuropathology and functioning of HIV, rabies, measles, Zika and other viruses that also attack the nervous system.
The research was published in the journal “Science Advances”.