Identification of COVID Proteins Responsible for Damaging Blood Vessels to Help Develop Targeted Drugs for COVID-19
|
By HospiMedica International staff writers Posted on 08 Nov 2021 |
|
Image: Illustration of Coronavirus in blood vessel (Photo courtesy of Tel Aviv University)
For the first time since the outbreak of COVID-19, researchers have been able to identify five of the 29 proteins which make up the SARS-CoV-2 virus that are responsible for damaging blood vessels.
The findings of the study conducted by a team of experts at Tel Aviv University (Tel Aviv, Israel) has raised hopes that the identification of these proteins will help develop targeted drugs for COVID-19 that reduce vascular damage. Two years into the global pandemic, we still do not know which of the proteins in the SARS-CoV-2 virus are the ones responsible for cases of severe vascular damage. The novel coronavirus is a relatively simple virus – it comprises a total of 29 different proteins (compared to the tens of thousands of proteins produced by the human body). For their study, the researchers used the RNA of each of the COVID-19 proteins and examined the reaction that occurred when the various RNA sequences were inserted into human blood vessel cells in the lab; they were thereby able to identify five coronavirus proteins that damage the blood vessels.
“We thoroughly examined the effect of each of the 29 proteins expressed by the virus, and were successful in identifying the five specific proteins that cause the greatest damage to endothelial cells and hence to vascular stability and function,” said Dr. Ben Maoz of TAU’s Department of Biomedical Engineering and Sagol School of Neuroscience. “In addition, we used a computational model developed by Prof. [Roded Sharan of the Blavatnik School of Computer Science] which allowed us to assess and identify which coronavirus proteins have the greatest effect on other tissues, without having seen them ‘in action' in the lab.”
According to Dr. Maoz, the identification of these proteins may have significant consequences in the fight against the virus. “Our research could help find targets for a drug that will be used to stop the virus’s activity, or at least minimize damage to blood vessels.”
Related Links:
Tel Aviv University
Gold Member
Real-Time Diagnostics Onscreen Viewer
GEMweb Live
Gold Member
Disposable Protective Suit For Medical Use
Disposable Protective Suit For Medical Use
Silver Member
Wireless Mobile ECG Recorder
NR-1207-3/NR-1207-E
New
Illuminator
Trimline Basic
Latest COVID-19 News
- Low-Cost System Detects SARS-CoV-2 Virus in Hospital Air Using High-Tech Bubbles
- World's First Inhalable COVID-19 Vaccine Approved in China
- COVID-19 Vaccine Patch Fights SARS-CoV-2 Variants Better than Needles
- Blood Viscosity Testing Can Predict Risk of Death in Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients
- ‘Covid Computer’ Uses AI to Detect COVID-19 from Chest CT Scans
- MRI Lung-Imaging Technique Shows Cause of Long-COVID Symptoms
- Chest CT Scans of COVID-19 Patients Could Help Distinguish Between SARS-CoV-2 Variants
- Specialized MRI Detects Lung Abnormalities in Non-Hospitalized Long COVID Patients
- AI Algorithm Identifies Hospitalized Patients at Highest Risk of Dying From COVID-19
- Sweat Sensor Detects Key Biomarkers That Provide Early Warning of COVID-19 and Flu
- Study Assesses Impact of COVID-19 on Ventilation/Perfusion Scintigraphy
- CT Imaging Study Finds Vaccination Reduces Risk of COVID-19 Associated Pulmonary Embolism
- Third Day in Hospital a ‘Tipping Point’ in Severity of COVID-19 Pneumonia
- Longer Interval Between COVID-19 Vaccines Generates Up to Nine Times as Many Antibodies
- AI Model for Monitoring COVID-19 Predicts Mortality Within First 30 Days of Admission
- AI Predicts COVID Prognosis at Near-Expert Level Based Off CT Scans
Channels
Artificial Intelligence
view channel
AI-Powered Algorithm to Revolutionize Detection of Atrial Fibrillation
Atrial fibrillation (AFib), a condition characterized by an irregular and often rapid heart rate, is linked to increased risks of stroke and heart failure. This is because the irregular heartbeat in AFib... Read more
AI Diagnostic Tool Accurately Detects Valvular Disorders Often Missed by Doctors
Doctors generally use stethoscopes to listen for the characteristic lub-dub sounds made by heart valves opening and closing. They also listen for less prominent sounds that indicate problems with these valves.... Read more
Critical Care
view channel
On-Skin Wearable Bioelectronic Device Paves Way for Intelligent Implants
A team of researchers at the University of Missouri (Columbia, MO, USA) has achieved a milestone in developing a state-of-the-art on-skin wearable bioelectronic device. This development comes from a lab... Read more
First-Of-Its-Kind Dissolvable Stent to Improve Outcomes for Patients with Severe PAD
Peripheral artery disease (PAD) affects millions and presents serious health risks, particularly its severe form, chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI). CLTI develops when arteries are blocked by plaque,... Read more
AI Brain-Age Estimation Technology Uses EEG Scans to Screen for Degenerative Diseases
As individuals age, so do their brains. Premature aging of the brain can lead to age-related conditions such as mild cognitive impairment, dementia, or Parkinson's disease. The ability to determine "brain... Read more
Surgical Techniques
view channel
Novel Rigid Endoscope System Enables Deep Tissue Imaging During Surgery
Hyperspectral imaging (HSI) is an advanced technique that captures and processes information across a given electromagnetic spectrum. Near-infrared hyperspectral imaging (NIR-HSI) has particularly gained... Read more
Robotic Nerve ‘Cuffs’ Could Treat Various Neurological Conditions
Electric nerve implants serve dual functions: they can either stimulate or block signals in specific nerves. For example, they may alleviate pain by inhibiting pain signals or restore movement in paralyzed... Read more
Flexible Microdisplay Visualizes Brain Activity in Real-Time To Guide Neurosurgeons
During brain surgery, neurosurgeons need to identify and preserve regions responsible for critical functions while removing harmful tissue. Traditionally, neurosurgeons rely on a team of electrophysiologists,... Read more.jpg "Image: Lightning Flash 2.0 features advanced computer assisted vacuum thrombectomy software (Photo courtesy of Penumbra)")
Next-Gen Computer Assisted Vacuum Thrombectomy Technology Rapidly Removes Blood Clots
Pulmonary embolism (PE) occurs when a blood clot blocks one of the arteries in the lungs. Often, these clots originate from the leg or another part of the body, a condition known as deep vein thrombosis,... Read morePatient Care
view channel
First-Of-Its-Kind Portable Germicidal Light Technology Disinfects High-Touch Clinical Surfaces in Seconds
Reducing healthcare-acquired infections (HAIs) remains a pressing issue within global healthcare systems. In the United States alone, 1.7 million patients contract HAIs annually, leading to approximately... Read more
Surgical Capacity Optimization Solution Helps Hospitals Boost OR Utilization
An innovative solution has the capability to transform surgical capacity utilization by targeting the root cause of surgical block time inefficiencies. Fujitsu Limited’s (Tokyo, Japan) Surgical Capacity... Read more
Game-Changing Innovation in Surgical Instrument Sterilization Significantly Improves OR Throughput
A groundbreaking innovation enables hospitals to significantly improve instrument processing time and throughput in operating rooms (ORs) and sterile processing departments. Turbett Surgical, Inc.... Read more
Health IT
view channel
Machine Learning Model Improves Mortality Risk Prediction for Cardiac Surgery Patients
Machine learning algorithms have been deployed to create predictive models in various medical fields, with some demonstrating improved outcomes compared to their standard-of-care counterparts.... Read more
Strategic Collaboration to Develop and Integrate Generative AI into Healthcare
Top industry experts have underscored the immediate requirement for healthcare systems and hospitals to respond to severe cost and margin pressures. Close to half of U.S. hospitals ended 2022 in the red... Read more
AI-Enabled Operating Rooms Solution Helps Hospitals Maximize Utilization and Unlock Capacity
For healthcare organizations, optimizing operating room (OR) utilization during prime time hours is a complex challenge. Surgeons and clinics face difficulties in finding available slots for booking cases,... Read more
AI Predicts Pancreatic Cancer Three Years before Diagnosis from Patients’ Medical Records
Screening for common cancers like breast, cervix, and prostate cancer relies on relatively simple and highly effective techniques, such as mammograms, Pap smears, and blood tests. These methods have revolutionized... Read morePoint of Care
view channel
Critical Bleeding Management System to Help Hospitals Further Standardize Viscoelastic Testing
Surgical procedures are often accompanied by significant blood loss and the subsequent high likelihood of the need for allogeneic blood transfusions. These transfusions, while critical, are linked to various... Read more
Point of Care HIV Test Enables Early Infection Diagnosis for Infants
Early diagnosis and initiation of treatment are crucial for the survival of infants infected with HIV (human immunodeficiency virus). Without treatment, approximately 50% of infants who acquire HIV during... Read more
Whole Blood Rapid Test Aids Assessment of Concussion at Patient's Bedside
In the United States annually, approximately five million individuals seek emergency department care for traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), yet over half of those suspecting a concussion may never get it checked.... Read more
New Generation Glucose Hospital Meter System Ensures Accurate, Interference-Free and Safe Use
A new generation glucose hospital meter system now comes with several features that make hospital glucose testing easier and more secure while continuing to offer accuracy, freedom from interference, and... Read moreBusiness
view channel
Johnson & Johnson Acquires Cardiovascular Medical Device Company Shockwave Medical
Johnson & Johnson (New Brunswick, N.J., USA) and Shockwave Medical (Santa Clara, CA, USA) have entered into a definitive agreement under which Johnson & Johnson will acquire all of Shockwave’s... Read more
