New molecular targets in perspective
When it attacks the lungs, SARS-CoV-2 induces rather classic immune system responses. This is not the case, in the gastrointestinal tract, where the responses involve new biomarkers and inspire new treatment strategies. A perspective that might concern many patients, since more than one out of every person diagnosed with COVID develops this type of symptom and gastrointestinal response.
The study led by Diana Mechtcheriakova, researcher in pathophysiology at MedUni Vienna focused on the specificities and commonalities of the impact of COVID on the 2 systems, pulmonary and gastrointestinal. Using complex analyzes of datasets, the researchers are indeed identifying different molecular mechanisms at work in the 2 systems.
The fact that SARS-CoV-2 infections manifest not only in the lungs, but also frequently in other organs, such as the heart, kidneys, skin or intestine, can be attributed to the structure specific to the virus. The identification of specific responses, pathways and receptors in organs other than the lungs, such as the colon here, points to new molecular targets not targeted by current treatments. which will be the subject of future follow-up studies.
