Background: Epigenetics and clinical observations referring to Betacoronavirus lead to the conjecture that Sarbecovirus may have the ability to infect lymphocytes using a different way than the spike protein. In addition to inducing the death of lymphocytes, thus drastically reducing their population and causing a serious immune deficiency, allows it to remain hidden for long periods of latency using them as a viral reservoir in what is named Long-Covid Disease. Exploring possibilities, the hypothesis is focused on that N protein may be the key of infecting lymphocytes.
Method: The present article exhibits a computational assay for the latest complete sequences reported to GISAID, correlating N genotypes with an enhancement in the affinity of the complex that causes immune deficiency in order to determine a good docking with the N protein and some receptors in lymphocytes.
Results: A novel high-interaction coupling of N-RBD and CD147 is presented as the main way of infecting lymphocytes, allowing to define those genotypes involved in their affinity enhancement.
Conclusion: The hypothesis is consistent with the mutagenic deriving observed on the in-silico assay, which reveals that genotypes N/120 and N/152 are determinant to reduce the Immune Response of the host infecting lymphocytes, allowing the virus persists indefinitely and causing an Acquire Immune Deficiency Syndrome.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
---|---|
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11332989 | PMC |
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.bj.2023.100650 | DOI Listing |
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!