Species is skip That viruses sometimes, is nothing Unusual: The majority of emerging viral diseases in humans originate from animals. In the case of the Influenza birds, pigs are often or rodents pathogens, the source of disease. However, many of the most dangerous viruses such as Ebola, Marburg, Sars and the new Coronavirus Sars-CoV-2 have evolved originally in bats as a reservoir host, it is clear from studies. By the contact of the people with bats or any other animal as between carriers of the jump on the people managed to these pathogens.
infection test to bat cells
Why bat viruses are particularly aggressive and proliferate, the researchers examined to Cara Brook of the University of California, Berkeley. “Bats can Harbor viruses, which are for non-flying mammals are highly virulent, for a long time without showing obvious disease symptoms,” says Brook. What makes the animals so resistant and, as the aggressiveness of the pathogen could affect you and your colleagues have investigated in cell cultures of the Black flying Fox (Pteropus alecto) and the Nilflughunds (Rousettus aegyptiacus). Both are known to be natural reservoirs of aggressive viruses. In the Experiment, the researchers infected the cell cultures and control cultures of cells of the Green sea cat with different Marburg – and Ebola-like viruses.
It was The virus in the monkey cells got within a few days. In the case of the bat cell cultures, however, was not the case: the Fort slowed the infection progresses significantly. Although many cells were infected, seemed to some to be successful against the attack, fighting back: they remained even after several days still healthy and not infected. “It’s like a fire that burns through a forest,” explains Brook. “Some of the trees – here bat cells – have cover protection, so that the fire is over grid, without harming them.” At the same time glowing coals remain in the forest, but continue to lie, of which, at any time, a new fire may go out. In cell culture this is the equivalent of bat cells that continue to carry active viruses.
Sharp defense breeds “Turbo virus”
A model of the bat immune system, the researchers, the infection is simulated, showed what the protection strategy of the bat cells is based: During the first contact with the virus, the entire System is flooded with the messenger substance Interferon-Alpha. This activates the cellular defence and lead to the cells against the pathogen isolate. At the same time of the messenger prevents an excessive inflammatory reaction and attenuates the symptoms of the disease. “Would be to try our immune system, the same anti-viral strategy, it would trigger a system-wide inflammation,” explains Brook. Because humans and most other mammals, the strong Interferon-Alpha secretion and the strong anti-inflammatory immune response. Ultimately, the immune system of bats is regulated highly and is accordingly effective against pathogens, conclude the researchers.
The results explain why bat viruses can be so dangerous. “If you have a strong immune response and some of the cells are protected from the infection, then the Virus can regulate its propagation without his host is dying,” explains Brook. This makes the virus pathogenic, gets you owners but your Reservoir. “Our study demonstrates how the immune system of bats can boost the virulence of such pathogens,” says Brook. If a Virus jumps to humans or other mammals, it can develop a threatening potential. Because of their far weaker immune systems can oppose this “Turbo Virus” then only a little.
source: University of California – Berkeley, technical article: eLife, doi: 10.7554/eLife.48401
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