Bat genomes reveal mechanisms for viral tolerance
A study in the journal Nature identifies specific immune gene adaptations in bats that allow them to carry coronaviruses without developing symptoms.
An international research team has sequenced the high-quality genomes of ten bat species as part of the Bat1K project. The study, published in Nature, reveals that bats possess significantly more genetic adaptations in their immune systems compared to other mammals, enabling them to tolerate infections that cause severe disease in other species.
A central finding involves the ISG15 gene, which is linked to severe COVID-19 outcomes in humans. Experimental testing demonstrated that ISG15 from certain bats could reduce SARS-CoV-2 production by 80 to 90 percent in cell lines. In contrast, the human version of the gene showed minimal antiviral activity in the same experiments.
Professor Michael Hiller of the Senckenberg Research Institute noted that these adaptations appear to have evolved in parallel with the physiological demands of flight. The research suggests that the unique evolutionary history of bats has optimized their immune response to manage viral loads without triggering pathogenic symptoms.
These results provide a basis for future research into medical therapies. By decoding how bats regulate their immune systems, scientists hope to develop new strategies to combat viral diseases in humans.