Research reveals that SARS-CoV-2 and similar viruses can trigger brain cells to fuse, resulting in chronic neurological symptoms. This fusion, which can cause neurons to either synchronize their firing or cease to function, sheds light on the potential long-term impacts of viral infections on the brain and could be relevant for other neuro-invasive viruses. Credit: Study Authors
Studies have found that viruses like SARS-CoV-2 can prompt brain cells to merge, leading to operational defects that result in enduring neurological symptoms.
Researchers at The University of Queensland found that viruses like SARS-CoV-2 can prompt the fusion of brain cells, causing malfunctions that manifest as persistent neurological symptoms.
Exploring how viruses influence the nervous system’s functionality, Professor Massimo Hilliard and Dr. Ramon Martinez-Marmol from the Queensland Brain Institute discovered the presence of SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19, in the brains of individuals suffering from ‘long COVID’ months post their initial infection.
An image of combined neurons (in yellow), expressing Spike S fusogen of the SARS-CoV-2 virus along with the human receptor hACE2. Credit: Study Authors
According to Professor Hilliard, they uncovered a previously unseen process where COVID-19 prompts neurons to fuse. “Following a neuronal infection with SARS-CoV-2, the spike S protein appears in neurons, and upon fusion, these neurons don’t die. Instead, they either synchronize their firing or completely stop functioning.”
Drawing a parallel, Professor Hilliard likened neurons to wires that link switches to lights in a kitchen and bathroom. “Post fusion, a single switch simultaneously controls the lights in both rooms, or neither, which is detrimental to the independence of the two circuits.”
24 hours post transfecting hippocampal neurons with p15 and GFP, images were recorded at 10 fps, with frames acquired every 30 minutes. Each frame demonstrates maximum intensity projection, with adjusted GFP intensity to ease the visualization of new GFP-positive neurons. Credit: Study Authors
This novel finding provides a potential explanation for the neurological aftereffects post a viral infection.
“The prevalent understanding of viral brain invasion includes two outcomes – either cell death or inflammation,” explained Dr. Martinez-Marmol. “However, we’ve demonstrated a third possible result: neuronal fusion.”
He suggested that many viruses, while causing cell fusion in different tissues, also invade the nervous system, potentially causing similar issues. “These include HIV, rabies, Japanese encephalitis, measles, herpes simplex virus, and the Zika virus.”
Their research unveils a fresh perspective on neurological events occurring during a viral infection. “This could be a major, yet unexplored, source of neurological illnesses and clinical symptoms,” added Dr. Martinez-Marmol.
The researchers extend gratitude to their collaborators: Professor Lars Ittner and Associate Professor Yazi Ke from Macquarie University, Associate Professor Giuseppe Balistreri from the University of Helsinki, and Associate Professor Kirsty Short and Professor Frederic Meunier from The University of Queensland.
The research findings were published in Sciences Advances.
Reference: “SARS-CoV-2 infection and viral fusogens cause neuronal and glial fusion that compromises neuronal activity” by Ramón Martínez-Mármol, Rosina Giordano-Santini, Eva Kaulich, Ann-Na Cho, Magdalena Przybyla, Md Asrafuzzaman Riyadh, Emilija Robinson, Keng Yih Chew, Rumelo Amor, Frédéric A. Meunier, Giuseppe Balistreri, Kirsty R. Short, Yazi D. Ke, Lars M. Ittner and Massimo A. Hilliard, 7 June 2023, Sciences Advances.
DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adg2248
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Table of Contents
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Neuronal Fusion in Long COVID
What does the research by the University of Queensland reveal?
The research by the University of Queensland reveals that viruses such as SARS-CoV-2 can cause brain cells to fuse, leading to chronic neurological symptoms.
What is neuronal fusion and why is it important in the context of COVID-19?
Neuronal fusion is a process where brain cells or neurons merge. This process, which was discovered in the context of COVID-19, can cause neurons to either synchronize their firing or cease functioning. It provides a new perspective on the long-term effects of COVID-19 on the brain, contributing to the condition known as “long COVID.”
What is ‘long COVID’?
‘Long COVID’ refers to the situation where people continue to experience COVID-19 symptoms for an extended period of time, even after recovering from the acute phase of the illness. These symptoms can include fatigue, cognitive difficulties, and persistent neurological symptoms, among others.
How does the neuronal fusion relate to other viruses?
The researchers suggest that numerous viruses, such as HIV, rabies, Japanese encephalitis, measles, herpes simplex virus, and Zika virus, while causing cell fusion in other tissues, could also infect the nervous system and potentially cause similar issues.
Who were the collaborators on this research?
The research was conducted by scientists at The University of Queensland, with collaboration from researchers at Macquarie University, University of Helsinki, and additional researchers from The University of Queensland.
Where was the research published?
The research was published in Sciences Advances.
More about Neuronal Fusion in Long COVID
- Long COVID: What is it, and what do we know?
- Understanding Neurological Complications Of COVID-19
- Neurons and Brain Cells: Understanding the Basics
- Sciences Advances Journal
