Researchers believe that one specific protein in a person is what determines the severity of the virus when they contract COVID-19.
It appears that individuals with higher levels of the CD47 protein present on the surface of infected cells blocks the immune system from fighting the virus.
The issue is that the CD47 protein signals the immune system to not harm it, and if it’s in the way then the immune system can’t get around it.
The job of the protein is to signal the immune system to not attack healthy cells. Researchers are finding that when the virus infects human cells, more of that protein appears on the surface.
This is stopping the immune system from recognizing the threat, allowing the virus to replicate, create more symptoms, and possibly destroy the body.
Risk factors like old age and diabetes show a link to CD47; those individuals have more of that protein.
High blood pressure also has large amounts of CD47 as a contributing factor, which also happens to be a risk factor in COVID infections.
Researchers are optimistic that by making this discovery, they can find a way to diminish the severity of symptoms in most people.
Want the latest headlines in your inbox each morning? Click here to sign up for our Morning Edition and Sunday Insight newsletters. They are dedicated to keeping you in the know. You can also download the FingerLakes1.com App for Android (All Android Devices) or iOS (iPhone, iPad)
