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Viruses hidden in urine: How does JC virus reproduce quietly in the kidneys?
JC virus, or human polyomavirus type 2, has become a major focus of attention in the medical community because of its amazing concealment and harmfulness. The virus usually remains latent in healthy people, but in cases of compromised immune systems it can cause a fatal disease called progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML). As the research deepens, scientists have discovered how mysterious and hidden the JC virus's reproduction process in the human body is, especially its behavior in the kidneys. What secrets are hidden behind all this?
Human polyomavirus type 2 was first identified in 1965 using electron microscopy and was named after a patient named John Cunningham, whose infection with the virus led to PML.
Infection and Pathology
The initial site of infection by JC virus may be in the tonsils or intestines, where it then remains dormant and can also infect tubular epithelial cells in the kidneys. These cells provide a breeding ground for the virus to multiply and eventually excrete viral particles into the urine. Recent studies have also shown that the virus may lurk in human semen and can even be detected in the chorionic villus tissue of some women.
Brain infection and reactivation
JC virus can cross the blood-brain barrier and enter the central nervous system, mainly infecting oligodendrocytes and astrocytes. The specific mechanism of this process is not yet fully understood, but some studies have shown that the virus may enter cells through the 5-HT2A serotonin receptor. Notably, when JC virus was found in brain tissue of PML patients, it was often accompanied by different promoter sequences, differences that may affect the virus's ability to adapt to the central nervous system and promote the development of PML.
When the immune system is impaired or suppressed, the latent state of the JC virus may be reactivated, causing the fatal neurological disease PML.
Infectious Diseases
In the general population, JC virus infection is very common, with up to 70% to 90% of the population being infected during childhood or adolescence. As high concentrations of JC virus have been found in municipal sewage, researchers speculate that contaminated water sources may be a major route of transmission. In addition, JC virus genotypes vary slightly between different geographic regions, making genetic analysis of this virus an important tool for tracing human migration history.
Drugs and the risk of JC virus reactivation
With the progress of medicine, many immunosuppressants have been used in different treatments, but these drugs also increase the risk of JC virus reactivation. For example, drugs such as rituximab (Rituxan) and natalizumab (Tysabri) have been directly linked to the development of PML and are therefore contraindicated in patients who have been infected with the JC virus. As a result, the medical community has increased its warnings about the use of these drugs, reminding professionals to think carefully before using them.
The use of some medications has been strongly associated with the development of JC virus-induced progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy, greatly increasing the risk to patients.
Human migration and JC virus
As scientists gain a better understanding of JC virus diversity, they are discovering the prevalence of specific subtypes in different regions, providing a new tool for studying human migration patterns. Of the more than 30 genotypes currently known, many are closely associated with specific geographic areas, providing important information for tracing the migration history of ancient peoples.
ConclusionHow the JC virus lurks and reproduces in the kidneys, affects human health, and causes hidden dangers to gradually emerge, remains a mystery to be solved. Future research may reveal more about the hidden behaviors of this virus and its subtle relationship with the human immune system. But in the process of exploring this virus, we can't help but ask, does the JC virus herald new challenges in future health risks?
