Scientists discover new "gateway" via which COVID-19 can enter lungs

The "gateway" to the cells of the lungs and bronchi for the COVID-19 can be not only the ACE2 protein but also the AXL enzyme, said scientists in their new study on Cell Research.

AXL is a membrane protein that is responsible for many physiological processes, including cell survival, differentiation, and immune responses.

However, as it turned out, the same protein can facilitate the penetration of COVID-19 into the lungs.

Scientists have also found that disabling these receptors can significantly reduce the number of viral copies of RNA in human lung epithelial cells.