The Omicron variant virus has amazing transmissibility, triggering multiple transmission chains for the fifth wave of the epidemic in Hong Kong, but there are not many serious cases for the time being.
A new study by the Department of Microbiology of the University of Hong Kong found that the virus replication ability and pathogenicity of the Omicron variant virus are lower than other variants of the new coronavirus, and the study also explains the mechanism behind the reduction of virus toxicity.
Yuan Guoyong, chair professor of the Department of Microbiology of the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Hong Kong, who is in charge of the research, said that the study found that the human body stimulates the immune system to fight the virus because of vaccines or infections, and thus oppresses the new coronavirus genetic variants to try to get rid of the human immune system, but these genetic mutations also reduce the virus's ability to survive. The reproductive efficiency of the lungs, expect Omicron to continue on this evolutionary trajectory into a mild coronavirus that only causes the common cold.
The researchers used a series of cell and mouse models to understand the replication ability and pathogenicity of Omicron in cells.
It was found that in the experiments of human lung and intestinal epithelial cells, the replication amount of Omicron live virus was lower than that of the original strain (ie, wild type) and Alpha, Beta and Delta.
Omicron replicates substantially less efficiently in human lung epithelial cells compared to wild-type virus.
Studies have shown that the replication levels of Alpha, Beta and Delta variant viruses are similar to or higher than those of the wild type.
Yuan Guoyong's research found that Omicron virus replication ability and pathogenicity are lower than other variants of the new coronavirus.
(File photo/Photo by Ou Jiale)
Epithelial cells cover the inner and outer layers of human organs, including the respiratory tract and intestine.
Epithelial tissue is responsible for various body functions such as protection, secretion, filtration, and sensory reception.
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The study found that when mice were infected with the virus, Omicron replicated less in both the upper and lower respiratory tract than wild-type and Delta viruses.
In the analysis of mouse lung tissue, infection with Omicron resulted in lower lung inflammation and damage compared to wild type and Delta.
The research believes that the global vaccination strategy has forced SARS-CoV-2 into a new trajectory by reducing replication fitness in exchange for better immune escape.
Based on this development, vaccination including additional boosters may further induce mutation and weakening of the virus.
Omicron｜The old man in Yak Kwai House, Kwai Chung Village, isolated his daughter alone and watched his father enter the building to cry. Disinfection stalls to reopen tomorrow
