U of M scientists discover cells that SARS-CoV-2 infects first, confirm effectiveness of remdesivir treatment
A new study shows the virus likes to infect the cells in our airways, and remdesivir effectively reduced viral replication in those cells. Author: Jennifer Hoff Updated: 6:08 PM CST February 15, 2021
MINNEAPOLIS Doctors at the University of Minnesota are announcing major discoveries about COVID-19 and their research focuses on treating the virus.
Doctors agree that vaccines are the best line of defense in a pandemic.
Part of the new study shows how SARS-CoV-2 infects two main cells in our airway and quickly. The ciliated cells and goblet cells are responsible for moving things out of your air space and the other cells produce mucus.
You see the numbers and you see that we have the highest age-adjusted mortality rate, so you know what s happening,” Owen said. “But then when you start touching base even more closely, it s easy to think about COVID in the abstract, but when you start to bring it home, it s a little harder.”
The growing statistics are one thing, she said but in tight-knit communities, knowing the people and the families behind those numbers is entirely another. Our communities are so small that one death impacts so many more people, because we re so interrelated and support one another so much, she said.