SARS-CoV-2 Can Infect the Retinal Pigment Epithelium and Impair Vision Over Time
Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Dec 04, 2024 11 hours, 19 minutes ago
Medical News: A groundbreaking study has revealed new insights into how the SARS-CoV-2 virus, responsible for COVID-19, affects the eyes, particularly the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). The study was conducted by researchers from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)-USA, including the Stein Eye Institute and the David Geffen School of Medicine, in collaboration with the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center-USA.
SARS-CoV-2 Can Infect the Retinal Pigment Epithelium and Impair Vision Over Time
The findings shed light on the virus's ability to infect the RPE and its potential to cause long-term visual impairments. The researchers highlight the role of the virus's Spike protein in facilitating entry into retinal cells and the inflammatory processes that follow. This
Medical News report delves into these findings, exploring how the virus impacts eye health and the broader implications.
How SARS-CoV-2 Reaches the Eyes
The retina is part of the central nervous system, which makes it susceptible to viral infections. The RPE, a critical layer in the retina, maintains photoreceptor function and overall eye health. The researchers confirmed that SARS-CoV-2 can infect RPE cells in transgenic mouse models engineered to express human ACE2 receptors - the key gateway for the virus.
Upon infection, the virus induced complement activation and inflammation within the RPE, processes similar to those observed in age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a leading cause of blindness. By using both mouse models and human cell cultures, scientists have demonstrated that the virus compromises the RPE's barrier function and phagocytic capacity - essential activities that keep retinal cells healthy.
Inflammatory Responses and Visual Impact
One striking finding was the intense inflammatory response triggered by SARS-CoV-2 infection. The infected cells produced cytokines and chemokines, substances involved in inflammation. This response can lead to prolonged inflammation across the retina, akin to that seen in Age-related macular degeneration or AMD.
Even more concerning is the virus's effect on the physical structure of the RPE. Researchers observed the loss of microvilli, essential structures that facilitate nutrient exchange with photoreceptors. Such damage could impair vision significantly over time.
What the Research Means for Long COVID and Vision
For individuals recovering from COVID-19, the risk of "long COVID" includes neurological and visual symptoms. The study highlights that even mild cases of COVID-19 could have lasting effects on vision due to SARS-CoV-2's ability to reach and damage the retina. This risk is compounded for older adults, who are already susceptible to conditions like AMD.
By comparing different variants of the virus, the team also noted that while all variants studied (including Delta and Omicron) could infect the RPE, their impact varied. The Omic
ron variant, for example, exhibited a slower inflammatory response but still caused significant cell damage.
Conclusions
The findings underscore the potential of SARS-CoV-2 to cause long-term visual impairments by directly infecting the RPE and triggering inflammation. The study raises concerns about an accelerated onset of AMD in people infected with the virus, posing a serious public health issue given the widespread nature of COVID-19.
Early intervention, continuous monitoring of visual health in COVID-19 survivors, and further research into protective measures are crucial to mitigate these risks. Public awareness and additional studies can help address the visual consequences of this ongoing pandemic.
The study findings were published in the peer-reviewed journal: PNAS Nexus.
https://academic.oup.com/pnasnexus/article/3/12/pgae500/7911947
For the latest COVID-19 News, keep on logging to Thailand
Medical News.
Read Also:
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/serpiginous-choroiditis-a-rare-and-potentially-blinding-eye-condition-surfaces-as-a-result-of-covid-19-infection
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/visual-complications-linked-to-covid-19-infection
Share
Tweet
Share
