Scientists Reveal Bats May Provide Important Clues In Fighting Coronavirus

The flying mammals, long suspected by scientists as the carrier of the deadly coronavirus, may offer clues for the treatment of the disease.

Scientists believed that the coronavirus, the bug that causes COVID-19, originated from bats and somehow infected humans through an intermediary species, perhaps a pangolin. These scaly animals that resemble anteaters are prized in China for its scales which are reportedly used in Chinese medicine.

Aside from SARS-CoV-2, scientific researchers also identified them as natural reservoirs for other fatal viruses like rabies and Ebola. The ability of bats to resist or succumb to viruses has always fascinated scientists.

"Although humans experience adverse symptoms when afflicted with these pathogens, bats are remarkably able to tolerate viruses, and, additionally, live much longer than similar-sized land mammals," researchers from the University of Rochester explained in a statement.

In an article published in the scientific journal, Cell Metabolism, researchers studied why deadly viruses like the SARS-CoV-2 do not adversely affect bats. They also analyzed their unusual lifespans. In a statement, scientists said that in general, the lifespan of a species relates to its body mass. This means that the smaller the species, the shorter its lifespan is supposed to be. Researchers, however, say a lot of bat species can live from 30 to 40 years, which is a lot, given their size.

Andrei Seluanov and Vera Gorbunova, biology professors at the University of Rochester, first thought about conducting this particular research on bats when they were in Singapore, back when coronavirus-linked travel bans were not yet in effect. When the country imposed its lockdown measures, the scientists stayed at the home of Brian Kennedy, their colleague and director of the Centre for Healthy Aging at the National University of Singapore. Kennedy co-authored the research paper of the two biology professors for the duration of their quarantine.

Inflammation Goes Haywire

According to Gorbunova, one characteristic of COVID-19 is that the inflammation goes haywire. In her opinion, it is the inflammatory response that is killing the victim, more so than the virus itself. She revealed that the human immune system works just like that.

Once infection sets in, the body sounds an alarm and its initial response is a fever and inflammation. The objective, according to the biology professor, is to fight the infection and kill the virus. However, such a response can also be detrimental as the bodies can overreact to the threat.

Mechanisms That Reduce Viral Replication

The professor also stated that bats have particular mechanisms that minimize viral replication and at the same time, reduce their immune response to a virus. As a consequence, the flying mammals' immune systems regulate viruses but do not mount a tough inflammatory response, according to scientists.

The scientists reveal the bat's flight offer clues. They said bats are the only mammals that can fly, which require them to adapt to sudden surges in body temperature, as well as abrupt increases in metabolism and molecular damage. "These adaptations may also assist in disease resistance," the scientists said.

Constantly Exposed To Viruses

According to Seluanov, it is important to note that bats thrive in huge and dense colonies where viruses and pathogens are easily transmitted. They are constantly exposed to viruses and are always bringing back something new to their nests, which they easily transfer to others because they live closely.

This means the bats' immune systems are in a relentless "arms race" with pathogens. Gorbonuva said that oftentimes, the strongest catalyst of new qualities in evolution is an arms race with pathogens. "Dealing with all of these viruses may be shaping bats' immunity and longevity," the biology professor said.