United States: Amid the pandemic’s upheaval, a notable portion of individuals remained unscathed by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, adhering to stringent preventative measures. Intriguingly, others contracted the virus but exhibited no symptoms.
Recently, health authorities have delved into the genetic blueprints of those who remained uninfected. A ground-breaking study has surfaced, shedding light on this phenomenon. According to CBS News, a team of researchers scrutinized a specific gene’s heightened activity in individuals who evaded COVID-19 infection.
Potential for Novel Vaccine Development!
The researchers assert that these genetic insights could streamline the creation of a nasal spray vaccine against coronavirus, akin to the FluMist spray used for influenza.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported that in April alone, the virus claimed approximately 2,600 lives. The global tally of confirmed cases has surged to 775 million, with seven million fatalities.
In March 2021, a UK-based research team deliberately exposed 36 healthy adults, who had neither encountered the virus nor received vaccination, to a minimal amount of the original SARS-CoV-2 virus nasally. The objective was to meticulously monitor their immune response and discern why certain individuals exhibit higher resistance, as noted by CBS News.
The study participants were categorized into three groups, with rigorous monitoring of both blood and nasal responses:
1. Seven individuals consistently tested negative via PCR, demonstrating infection avoidance during the pandemic’s peak.
2. Six participants contracted the virus and endured severe illness.
3. Three individuals tested positive but recovered swiftly.
Expert Comments
Christopher Chiu, a professor of infectious diseases at Imperial College London, and his team observed pronounced activity in a gene identified as HLA-DQA2. They posit that this gene is instrumental in priming the immune system to detect and eradicate the virus promptly.
This research offers a comprehensive understanding of the immune system’s response to the virus in nasal passages and blood, and how these responses interrelate, as reported by CBS.
Immunologists not involved in the UK study remain puzzled over the protective mechanism of this specific gene.
Professor Dawn Bowdish, Canada Research Chair in Aging and Immunity at McMaster University, remarked, “If you had asked me to wager on the genes involved in protection, these would not have been my top choices.”
Bowdish further elucidated that the immune responses of the nose, blood, and lungs are distinct, analogous to the real estate adage: location, location, location.
For instance, vaccines administered in the arm are designed to mobilize our immune system for a robust response.
HLA genes function as sentinels, presenting threats to immune cells.
Dr Lynora Saxinger, an infectious diseases expert at the University of Alberta, explained that while the studied HLA gene proved effective against COVID-19 infections, its universal benefit might be limited due to associations with conditions like lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.
Saxinger noted that participants with prolonged infections took longer for their immune systems to target nasal areas, whereas those with rapid responses could catalyze advancements in nasal vaccine research.
Bowdish expressed optimism about transitioning to inhaled or nasal vaccines, which could harness specific immune genes for protection, as cited by CBS News.
Saxinger emphasized the potential to halt infections early, underscoring the importance of understanding how to eliminate the virus swiftly to prevent asymptomatic spread.
Since the study’s inception, the landscape with emerging variants and vaccine-induced immunity has evolved. Some individuals experience recurrent COVID-19 infections as new variants circumvent immune defenses. Notably, the virus remains perilous for the elderly and vulnerable, often resulting in hospitalization, as noted by CBS News.
British researchers now aim to evaluate several nasal spray vaccines against a spectrum of viruses, including SARS-CoV-2, MERS, and common cold viruses, in future human challenge trials.
Saxinger suggested, “Identifying common features could pave the way for preventative measures or early treatments.”