Pangolins hold clues to how COVID-19 began--and might end

[Mike 03]

MedicalXpress
MAY 8, 2020

So why doesn't the virus sicken and kill pangolins?

Excerpt:

In a new study, researchers at the Medical University of Vienna in Austria analyzed the genomic blueprint of pangolins and compared it to other mammals including humans, cats, dogs and cattle.

In most mammals, certain genes detect when a virus enters the body, triggering an immune response against the invader.

But pangolins lack two of these virus-sensing genes, the research team reported in the May 8 issue of the journal Frontiers in Immunology. Whether or not that difference shields the creatures from COVID-19 isn't known, but warrants further investigation.

The Austrian scientists believe their findings are important because it means that while pangolins can be carriers of the new coronavirus, they may have ways to keep its nastier effects at bay.

Learning more about this evolutionary advantage in pangolins may suggest possible treatments for coronavirus in humans, the team said.

"Our work shows that pangolins have survived through millions of years of evolution without a type of antiviral defense that is used by all other mammals," study co-author Dr. Leopold Eckhart said in a journal news release.

Read the article here: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2020-05-pangolins-clues-covid-beganand.html

[dawg day]

1. confused- how could not mounting an immune response protect them from viruses?

I guess it's just that despite this they don't get viruses indicates they have some other protection?

Seems a bit of a longshot, but more research is better, certainly.

[Igel]

2. Perhaps the defense is worse than the disease.

In other words, the body steps up defenses to the extent that it destroys tissue in order to kill the virus. Sort of like burning a village to save it.

[dawg day]

4. That is why we have allergies...

Too drastic an immune response.

[MineralMan]

3. Pangolins are one of Earth's most interesting animals, I think.

I hope enough of them are left alone to continue to exist on our little planet.

Pangolins and monotremes. We need to protect those unusual creatures. They are both survivors from the distant past.

[Calista241]

5. They're critically endangered. I hope this desire for research doesn't give them the final push

into extinction. They're awesome animals.

[MineralMan]

6. They are fascinating.

An armored mammal. Now, the armadillo is also armored, and is also an ancient species. There are so few ancient mammal species still represented on the planet that it would be a terrible shame to see them go extinct. They need protection, not research on their corpses.

[superpatriotman]

7. Pangolins have survived through millions of years

Only to be wiped out because of bullshit folk medicine for small, soft wangs.