Scientists have found out why some people carry COVID-19 without symptoms
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In a study, scientists from the University of California in San Francisco found that one in five people who had asymptomatic COVID-19 had a gene mutation. This is written by Science Alert with reference to research in the journal Nature. It is a variant of the human gene HLA-B*15:01. “The study of asymptomatic infection provides a unique opportunity to consider early immunological features that contribute to rapid elimination of the virus,” the researchers note. Photo: HayDmitriy/Depositphotos Scientists also studied carriers of this gene who were not infected with the virus. In them, immune cells were found that responded to fragments of the SARS-CoV-2 protein. This indicates the development of immunity after contact with other infections. Humans have a special leukocyte antigen (HLA). It produces proteins that support the immune system. Some of them are on the surface of the cell. Their main function is to kill viruses. This antigen helps the immune cells, the so-called T-killers. “If you have an army that can recognize the enemy early, that’s a huge advantage. It’s like having soldiers who are ready for battle and already know what to look for and can tell by their shape that these are bad guys,” explained researcher Hollenbach. Scientists analyzed the genetic data of almost 30,000 bone marrow donors. There were 1,428 unvaccinated donors who reported testing positive for SARS-CoV-2, and of these, 136 reported being asymptomatic. The scientists also found that having one mutation halved the likelihood of developing symptoms of COVID-19. And in a person with two such genes – eight times. “Asymptomatic people with COVID-19 can help us identify new ways to protect against SARS-CoV-2 infection by mimicking this immune ‘shield’ seen in individuals who can avoid COVID-19,” said biochemist Stephanie Grass of La Trobe University in Australia. The scientists did not stop there and conducted an experiment with the blood of these donors. Samples were collected even before the pandemic. T cells from people with HLA-B*15:01 who had never been exposed to SARS-CoV-2 had a strong immune response to fragments of this virus. Scientists assume that the reason for this is the similarity of the causative agent of COVID-19 with seasonal coronaviruses that cause colds. This is probably why their T cells were able to recognize different variants of COVID-19, including the Omicron variants. “So even if the bad guys changed their uniforms, the Army could still identify them by their boots or maybe by a tattoo on their arms. That’s how our immunological memory works to keep us healthy,” explains University of North Carolina immunologist Danilo Augusto. We will remind. quarantine due to COVID-19 ended in Ukraine on July 1. However, the cause of the pandemic remains unclear. According to the latest data, there is no direct evidence of the emergence of the COVID-19 virus in laboratory conditions. Read also: Is it necessary to get vaccinated and continue the validity of the COVID certificate after the cancellation of the quarantine – explains the Ministry of Health
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