Lab-grown skin organoids could serve as a great drug discovery platform for the ongoing battle against the mpox virus.
Skin Organoids For Mpox Study
A new study model system for understanding these infections in the laboratory could offer vital insights regarding how the virus attacks skin cells. This could potentially serve as a catalyst to knowing more drugs for fighting this virus.
A global research team displayed that lab-grown skin, which were derived from human stem cells, could be effective in facilitating the mpox virus' active replication. Bioinformatician Intikhab Alam, who was a contributor of the study, explains that the model can be used by researchers to study the causal mechanisms of the mpox virus and to test innovative therapeutics.
Alam and Roberto Incitti, who are both from KAUST, worked with Qiuwei Abdullah Pan and his Erasmus MC-University Medical CEnter team to report that the mpox virus dwells in keratinocytes, which is the predominant type of cells in the outer layer of the skin. This is where the mpox virus goes through its four stages of assembly, which researchers could directly observe under microscopes that are high-powered.
The researchers also performed gene expression analysis, which revealed that several viral genes were activated a few days post-infection. This activation could induce host cell changes and result in activity alterations across several genes linked to cell death and immunity.
The alterations in the genes are likely to compromise the protective barrier of the skin, which could lead to the hallmark lesions that are typically observed among those who are infected.
The effects that were observed may be reversed through the use of tecovirimat, which is a type of antiviral drug. In the skin organoids that are infected, this drug was seen to be effective in stopping the replication of the virus and thwarting the host cells' subversion.
These findings support the potential of tecovirimat to inhibit the virus. They also show how the organoid system could be a potential and versatile platform for screening substances that have similar qualities.
As a whole, the organoid model efforts could help combat the ongoing outbreak against mpox and boost future preparedness for pandemics.
ALSO READ: Monkeypox Now Called Mpox To Destigmatize the Disease, WHO Declares
Mpox Virus
Mpox virus, previously called monkeypox, is a viral condition that is caused by the monkeypox virus. It may lead to enlarged lymph nodes, painful rashes, and fever. While most people end up fully recovering from the infection, some end up getting extremely sick.
Anyone is susceptible to getting mpox. The virus is spread when one gets into contact with infected people, animals, and materials. Even pregnant women could end up passing the virus to their baby. People who have multiple sexual partners have a higher risk of getting infected.
The virus goes into the body via mucosal surfaces, broken skin, or respiratory tract.
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