Scientists from Cleveland Clinic found the critical role a viral gene, ORF8, plays in infection and disease outcomes of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the virus that causes COVID-19.
The study provides a greater understanding of molecular mechanisms that can accelerate immune cell activation and could suggest treatments for patients with COVID-19.
The research is published in mBio and was conducted by Jae Jung et al.
While previous studies have shown that those with severe cases of COVID-19 often develop signs of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), many basic aspects of the SARS-CoV-2 virus remain unknown.
In the study, the team found SARS-CoV-2 Open reading frame 8 (ORF8), a viral inflammatory protein, contributes to the severity and spread of COVID-19.
They studied the triggers for cytokine meditated inflammation and identified the ORF8 as a stand-out viral gene showing its mutations that were related to the virus’s ability to inflame and spread.
Previous research found that patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 variants that lacked ORF8 were associated with milder infection outcomes.
The study showed that SARS-CoV-2 ORF8 is a viral mimic of another inflammatory protein that contributes to severe inflammation.
The team says understanding the role of ORF8 can lead to new treatments that could provide benefits for patients with severe COVID-19.
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