Laboratory study links HIV and SARS-CoV-2 co-infection in brain cells to ALS-associated pathways
Original source
In-Vitro Evaluation of HIV/SARS-CoV-2 Co-Infection Mediated Proteomic Changes in Astrocytes and Pericytes Reveals Altered Signaling Pathways Associated With Neurodegenerative Disorders. (opens in a new tab)Compass summarised this from the study's abstract.
Study details
- Studied in
- Human
In a cell-culture study, HIV and SARS-CoV-2 co-infection altered protein activity in astrocytes and pericytes, including pathways linked to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Media from infected cells was also neurotoxic in laboratory tests. The study did not test people or an ALS treatment.
Why this matters
The findings suggest one possible mechanism connecting these infections with neurological dysfunction. They may be relevant to researchers studying infection-related effects on brain cells, but they do not show that co-infection causes ALS, worsens ALS in people, or changes treatment.
Limitations and context
This was an in-vitro study using cultured brain cells, not a clinical study in people. The reported links to ALS came from pathway analysis rather than evidence of ALS disease or symptoms. Further research would be needed to determine whether these laboratory findings occur in people with HIV, COVID-19, or both.