This new coronavirus, present in bats, uses a process similar to that of SARS-COV-2 to enter human cells. The pandemic risk would remain low.
- A new strain of coronavirus has been discovered in bats in China.
- It would have the potential to infect human cells, but the risk remains measured.
- Therapeutic targets have already been identified.
Five years after the identification of the COVID-19, Chinese researchers discover another coronavirus. In the journal Cellscientists from the Wuhan Institute of Virology announce that they have identified a new strain in bats, called HKU5-COV-2, capable of infecting human cells.
SARS-COV-2 and new coronavirus: similar processes of infection of human cells
“”We have reported the discovery of a new HKU5-COV (HKU5-COV-2) line in bats that effectively uses human ACE2 as a functional receiver “indicate the authors. The latter is also necessary for SARS-COV-2 to enter human cells. “”To infect its host, the Sars-Cov-2 virus is attached to a protein present on the surface of the cells, especially pulmonary: the ACE2 receiver “specifies as well Inserm. Researchers from the Wuhan Virology Institute specify that this new virus has a mechanism similar to that of SARS-COV-2 which allows it to fix this receiver: the Furine cleavage site. “”This cleavage site promotes in particular the entry of the virus into the respiratory epithelial cells (in particular those of the lungs) “indicates thePasteur Institute. These points in common with the virus responsible for the COVVI-19 epidemic let fear a possible human contamination. Chinese scientists point out, however, that HKU5-COV-2 fails to penetrate so easily into human cells, compared to SARS-COV-2.
Coronavirus in bats: should we fear a new epidemic?
In the first part of their experience, they observed the contamination of human cells by the new coronavirus in tests in tubes, then on modeling of intestinal cells and airways. In a second step, they identified therapeutic targets capable of acting against HKU5-COV-2. The authors therefore conclude that the risk of emergence of the virus among human populations should not be exaggerated.
This observation is shared by various experts. In the Montreal Journal,, Christian Jacob, ex-president of the Association of Microbiologists of Quebec, calls for caution. “”We must continue to study it, he underlines. Maybe he’s not the one going to be [d’une grande] Importance, but if one finds one in 5 years which has the same mechanism of action, having studied this one, we will already have avenues of solutions. ” In the Mirroranother scientist, Dr. Michael Osterholm, specialist in infectious diseases at the University of Minnesota, believes that concern about this study are “are”exaggerated“He recalls that the human population has developed more immunity from coronavirus from the pandemic, which could reduce the risk of global spread of this new virus.
