SARS-CoV-2 S1 protein causes brain inflammation by reducing intracerebral acetylcholine production.

ABSTRACT: Neurological complications that occur in SARS-CoV-2 infection, such as olfactory dysfunction, brain inflammation, malaise, and depressive symptoms, are thought to contribute to long COVID. However, in autopsies of patients who have died from COVID-19, there is normally no direct evidence that central nervous system damage is due to proliferation of SARS-CoV-2. For this reason, many aspects of the pathogenesis mechanisms of such symptoms remain unknown. Expressing SARS-CoV-2 S1 protein in the nasal cavity of mice was associated with increased apoptosis of the olfactory system and decreased intracerebral acetylcholine production. The decrease in acetylcholine production was associated with brain inflammation, malaise, depressive clinical signs, and decreased expression of the cytokine degrad

SUBMITTER: Oka N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10208654 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature