The role of α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in post-acute sequelae of covid-19

Int J Biochem Cell Biol. 2024 Mar;168:106519. doi: 10.1016/j.biocel.2024.106519. Epub 2024 Jan 11.ABSTRACTPost-Acute Sequelae of COVID-19 or Long COVID becomes evident some weeks to months following acute COVID-19. Symptoms include cognitive impairment and varying degrees of memory loss with no definitive etiologies or efficacious therapies forthcoming even after four years of the SARS-Cov2 pandemic virus. The aim of this review is to demonstrate the important role of α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in both acute COVID-19 and Long COVID. Evidence presented implicates immune mechanisms stimulated by SARS-Cov-2 S-protein fragment 674-685 that possesses homology with α7-specific ligands. Cognitive dysfunctions observed in Long COVID patients may be derived from anti-idiotypic α7-specific antibodies stimulated by (674-685)-specific antibodies. Therapeutic interventions capable of neutralizing these antibodies and restoring full functions of α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors appear to be of paramount importance in post-acute sequelae of COVID-19.PMID:38218363 | DOI:10.1016/j.biocel.2024.106519
Source: The International Journal of Biochemistry and Cell Biology - Category: Biochemistry Authors: Source Type: research