ABOVE: This illustration shows SARS-CoV-2 (right) binding to a genetically engineered vesicle (left) that has many ACE2 receptors, which the virus uses to gain entry into human cells.
LANG RAO & XIAOYUAN CHEN, NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH
Scientists have summoned every trick in the book to develop a COVID-19 treatment over the last few months, from stem cells and synthetic antibodies to common over-the-counter medications and tried-and-true steroids. Some have even attempted to lure SARS-CoV-2 away from human cells by using molecular decoys. But few have tried to distract the novel coronavirus with fake human cells. Scientists reported in PNAS last week (October 6) that genetically engineered cells can bind and neutralize the coronavirus in vitro. They envision that such cellular decoys could be deployed to combat infections.
“It’s a very elegant study,” says Karolinska Institute molecular toxicologist Bengt Fadeel, who was not involved in this study. “Provided that you know ...
