SARS-CoV-2, the virus causing Covid-19, infects immature red blood cells (RBC), reducing oxygen in the blood and impairing the immune response, say researchers.
The study, published in the journal Stem Cell Reports, sheds light on why many Covid-19 patients, even those not in hospital, are suffering from hypoxia -- a potentially dangerous condition in which there is decreased oxygenation in the body's tissues. The study also shows why anti-inflammatory drug dexamethasone has been an effective treatment for those with the virus.
"Low blood-oxygen levels have been a significant problem in Covid-19 patients," said study lead Shokrollah Elahi, Associate Professor in the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry at University of Alberta, Canada.
"Because of that, we thought one potential mechanism might be that Covid-19 impacts red blood cell production," Elahi added.
Elahi's team was the first in the world to demonstrate that immature RBCs expressed the receptor ACE2 and a co-receptor, TMPRSS2, which allowed SARS-CoV-2 to infect them.
For the study, the team examined the blood of 128 patients with Covid-19. The patients included those who were critically ill and admitted to the ICU, those who had moderate symptoms and were admitted to hospital, and those who had a mild version of the disease and only spent a few hours in hospital.
The researchers found that, as the disease became more severe, more immature RBCs flooded into blood circulation, sometimes making up as much as 60 per cent of the total cells in the blood. By comparison, immature RBCs make up less than one per cent, or none at all, in a healthy individual's blood.
Further, the team also found the dexamethasone drug suppresses the response of the ACE2 and TMPRSS2 receptors to SARS-CoV-2 in immature RBCs, reducing the opportunities for infection. The drug also increases the rate at which the immature RBCs mature, helping the cells shed their nuclei faster. Without the nuclei, the virus has nowhere to replicate, the researchers said.
Air India Express strike: Air India to operate on AIX 20 routes
The Tata-owned Air India will operate 20 Air India Express (AIX) routes to help the latter amid an ongoing strike by cabin crew members, said an airline official on Thursday.
Tripura CM urges Railway Minister to resume train services hit by landslides in Assam
“The Chief Minister is personally monitoring the situation. He has asked the state officials to maintain close contact with the NFR engineers and officials to know the progress of the ongoing work,” an official said.
CCTV pictures of suspected terrorists behind Poonch attack surface
In the attack on the two-vehicle IAF convoy at Surankote tehsil in Poonch district, one air warrior named Corporal Vikky Pahade was killed, while four other IAF personnel were injured.
CMs of northeastern states slam Sam Pitroda's colour of citizens' remark, demand apology
Several Chief Ministers and leaders from the northeastern states condemned Congress leader Sam Pitroda's remark on the 'colour of citizens' and demanded his apology.
Students, faculties of BTVM observes Rabindra Jayanti
The Bhavan's Tripura Vidya Mandir on Wednesday observed Rabindra Jayanti in remembrance of world poet Rabindranath Tagore's birthday, where students and faculties of both the shifts participated.
Rajasthan resident held in state with cannabis worth Rs 1 lakh
A joint operation by the Government Railway Police (GRP) and Railway Protection Force (RPF) recovered 25 kg of ganja from Agartala railway station and arrested one person hailing from Rajasthan.
CM to campaign for BJP candidates in West Bengal on May 09
Chief Minister Prof. Dr. Manik Saha is set to actively participate in campaigning on May 09 for BJP candidates in the Lok Sabha elections in West Bengal, as confirmed by party sources today.
Congress wants to snatch reservation from backward classes and give it to Muslims: PM Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday alleged that the Congress wants to bring a legislation to snatch reservations for Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), and Backward Classes (BCs) and give them to Muslims.