The new coronavirus may infect brain cells

in the early stages of the neo-coronary pneumonia outbreak, studies have reported that some patients exhibit neurological symptoms, but scientists do not know whether the new coronavirus will infect human brain cells. Brain organs can be infected with the new coronavirus, according to a new US study. This means that the new coronavirus can infect human brain cells. The discovery adds to scientists' concerns about the effects of the new coronavirus.The study was carried out by a multidisciplinary research team at Johns Hopkins University. Researchers used human-induced ernipotent stem cells (iPSCs) to create a "mini-brain" of about 30,000 cells, known as the BrainSphere. Brainball is a highly standardized model of organoids developed four years ago by researchers at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and used in the study of a variety of viral infections, including Zika, dengue, HIV and John Cunningham. In the new study, researchers incubate "brain balls" with the new coronavirus. They found that six hours after incubation began, some nerve cells were infected; Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test results show that the number of copies of the virus increased by at least 10 times.The finding that the new coronavirus can infect human brain cells and replicate in brain tissue has also added to scientists' concerns about the effects of the virus. Dr. Thomas Halten of the Bloomberg School of Public Health says that while the human brain has a blood-brain barrier that prevents multiple viruses and bacteria from entering brain tissue through the blood, it remains to be seen whether it can stop the new coronavirus. In addition, the effects of the new coronavirus on the developing brain are also of concern. Although there is no evidence that the new coronavirus causes brain development disorders, previous studies have shown that the virus can pass through the placenta, and embryos do not have a blood-brain barrier during early development. Therefore, Halten warns pregnant women to take extra care during the outbreak.The findings were published online in the journal ALTEX: Animal Experimental Alternatives.
(Science and Technology Daily)