Two related “wild” ideas, as I think we probably have the basic technology and knowledge but probably not something we can quite do now.
My understanding is that the virus is attacking the ACE2 molecules. These actually form a gateway between the interior of the cell and the external environment.
If so, in theory, we might be able to create a number of artificial “bodies”—thinking just a lipid bilayer sack with some ACE2 elements attached. Any virus that binds with that will “infect” the dummy cell but have no way of replicating so effectively die and not infect the body.
Similarly, a mask, even one that is not quite as fine filtered as others, which is impregnated with such compounds might prove effective as a filter for this specific virus.
Anyone know of any virological sources that are might be digestible by non-experts that might discuss such approaches?
This is very interesting information. I was wondering (but not enough to actually research it) why diabetes mellitus (DM) was a bigger risk factor of severe disease than I would have associated with the “normal” increased risk with infections in patients with DM.
A quick search led me to this article in the Lancet.
The expression of ACE2 is substantially increased in patients with type 1 or type 2 diabetes, who are treated with ACE inhibitors and angiotensin II type-I receptor blockers (ARBs).
Hypertension is also treated with ACE inhibitors and ARBs, which results in an upregulation of ACE2.
ACE2 can also be increased by thiazolidinediones and ibuprofen.
(has a) functional receptor for the spike glycoprotein of the human coronavirus HCoV-NL63 and the human severe acute respiratory syndrome coronaviruses, SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19 virus)
Two related “wild” ideas, as I think we probably have the basic technology and knowledge but probably not something we can quite do now.
My understanding is that the virus is attacking the ACE2 molecules. These actually form a gateway between the interior of the cell and the external environment.
If so, in theory, we might be able to create a number of artificial “bodies”—thinking just a lipid bilayer sack with some ACE2 elements attached. Any virus that binds with that will “infect” the dummy cell but have no way of replicating so effectively die and not infect the body.
Similarly, a mask, even one that is not quite as fine filtered as others, which is impregnated with such compounds might prove effective as a filter for this specific virus.
Anyone know of any virological sources that are might be digestible by non-experts that might discuss such approaches?
This is very interesting information. I was wondering (but not enough to actually research it) why diabetes mellitus (DM) was a bigger risk factor of severe disease than I would have associated with the “normal” increased risk with infections in patients with DM.
A quick search led me to this article in the Lancet.
I believe there was also an issue related to glucose levels as well, which then results in worse infection outcomes with this virus.
I just came across the following that might be of interest as well: https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-02/msa-arc022620.php
That was from late February and I’ve not seen anything providing any update on the trials they were starting.
Not sure if that is working as I was thinking, a decoy to get the virus to bind with something other then the cell and so neutralizing it.