Metal ions help COVID-19 virus to disguise itself
Positively charged atoms steady the machinery that the virus uses to trick the system
Published 2021-06-02 · Original archive entry · Explore research explainers
SAN ANTONIO (June 2, 2021) -- Scientists from The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio have discovered a mechanism by which SARS-CoV-2 exploits changes in metal ion concentrations to disguise itself in the body. Varying concentrations of metal ions -- positively charged atoms such as magnesium, manganese and calcium -- are observed in hospitalized COVID-19 patients.
"This is a newly described metal-dependent mechanism by which these ions help the virus to evade immune surveillance," said END
"This is a newly described metal-dependent mechanism by which these ions help the virus to evade immune surveillance," said END