A group of German scientists from the Institute of Biomolecular Medicine Max Planck and Westphalian University named after Wilhelm has discovered another negative consequence of coronavirus infection. This is stated in the article with the results of a study published in the Biorxiv.org repository.
Specialists subjected to mature retinal organoids by the effects of SARS-COV-2 and studied its activity. They came to the conclusion that the coronavirus can penetrate the eyes, infect photoreceptors, as well as penetrate the ganglion cells of the retina.
Scientists believe that the virus affects inflammatory genes, including interleukin 33 (IL33), a gene, which is associated with the acute course of COVID-19 and the degeneration of the retina. In their opinion, the increased expression of genes is the answer to the infection of the virus.
Researchers clarified that special treatment and medicines are not required for such states. It is necessary to use the means that are aimed at blocking the angiotensin glossy enzyme 2 (ACE2).
Previously, a group of scientists from Sweden, Italy, Germany, Switzerland and China stated that the patients suffered by coronavirus lose the antibodies in the first six months after the disease. As part of the study, experts collected about 190 blood samples from 136 people who have COVID-19 in light or severe form.