Scientists from Yale University have identified a feature of immunity that complicates the course of COVID-19. Reported by The Guardian.
It is noted that a large number of “wrong” antibodies (autoantibodies) in the blood target organs, tissues and the immune system itself, rather than fighting an invading virus. This not only provokes complications when infected with coronavirus, but also causes a long course of the disease.
The specialists analyzed the immune responses in infected and healthy people. As a result, the infected were found to have many abnormal antibodies. They blocked the antiviral defense and destroyed useful immune cells. They also attacked the body, including the brain, blood vessels and liver.
The study found that the more autoantibodies in the patients' blood, the harder they tolerated COVID-19. At the same time, more such antibodies were found in those infected with coronavirus infection than in people with an autoimmune disease – lupus.
It was previously reported that genes are present in patients with severe COVID-19 that can worsen the course of the infection. Scientists at the University of Edinburgh examined 2,200 patients with COVID-19 from more than 200 UK intensive care units. They found the same gene modifications OAS1, OAS2, OAS3, as well as TYK2, DPP9, and IFNAR2. Variations in five genes have been associated with the development of severe COVID-19.
