Study finds COVID-19 virus protein triggers attack on healthy cells

A study conducted by researchers from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem has made a striking observation about the attack on healthy cells by the COVID-19 virus. 

As per the study, a protein from the SARS-CoV-2 virus could be a reason for the immune system to attack healthy cells mistakenly. 

The protein called nucleocapsid present in the Covid19 virus is the main culprit behind this. Nucleocapsid protein (NP) which normally helps package the virus’s genetic material inside infected cells, can spread to nearby uninfected cells.

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From the moment the virus is on the surface of these healthy cells, the study says the immune system mistakenly identifies NP as a threat and deploys antibodies that would aim at the uninfected cells for destruction. As per experts, this process triggers a response that is responsible for the inflammation and tissue damage, contributing to severe COVID-19 symptoms and possibly long COVID. 

The study also found that the drug enoxaparin — a common blood thinner and heparin analogue — blocks NP from sticking to healthy cells. This, as per the researchers, may offer new hope for reducing immune-related complications in COVID and potentially other viral infections. 

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Meanwhile, India is facing a surge in Covid cases, driven by sub-variants of Omicron. Apart from the JN.1, a newly emerging XFG variant has been detected in the country causing a rise in infections. XFG variant, which is a descendant of the Omicron subvariant, was first detected in Canada

Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Gujarat, West Bengal and Andhra Pradesh have reported XFG cases with Maharashtra leading with the highest number of cases of the virus. 

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