A new study from UCLA shows that a viral protein other than the well-known spike protein may play an important role in severe COVID-19 and possibly even long-term COVID. The protein, called the nucleocapsid protein, is found inside the virus and is responsible for protecting its genetic material.
The researchers discovered that this protein affects the immune system in two opposite ways. Early in the infection, it suppresses the body’s antiviral defenses, which helps the virus establish itself. At the same time, it can later overactivate immune cells called macrophages. These release large amounts of inflammatory signaling substances, which can lead to severe inflammation and damage to the body’s tissues.
In laboratory experiments, the researchers saw that the severe inflammation caused the protective barriers of the blood vessels to become more permeable, especially in models of the blood vessels of the heart. This could help explain why some people with COVID-19 suffer from heart problems and other complications. The variant of the virus that had the strongest inflammatory effect was the delta variant.
The researchers believe that the results may help explain some of the long-term complications seen after COVID-19, where persistent overactive inflammation is thought to play an important role. They also believe that future treatments or vaccines that target the nucleocapsid protein, rather than just the spike protein, could reduce harmful inflammation more specifically and thereby protect, among other things, the heart and blood vessels.
The study was conducted on cell models in the laboratory and shows a possible biological mechanism. It does not prove that this alone causes long-term COVID in humans, but provides a new and important piece of the puzzle in understanding how SARS-CoV-2 can cause long-term symptoms.
Credit: Explaining text by Patrik Andersson (Facebook group “SARS-CoV-2 Omvärldsbevakning”)
Category: Research
A new large study of over 1,150 people hospitalized for COVID-19 shows that an infection with SARS-CoV-2 can activate viruses that had previously been dormant in the body. Almost half of the patients experienced such a virus reactivation, even though they had no known compromised immune system.
The researchers found that Epstein–Barr virus (EBV), cytomegalovirus (CMV) and so-called anelloviruses, among others, became active during different stages of the disease. People in whom these viruses were reactivated more often had a more severe COVID-19 in the first few weeks.
The study also investigated whether virus reactivation could be linked to long-term COVID. Unlike some previous studies, no clear connection was found between Epstein–Barr virus and long-term symptoms. However, a connection was seen between activation of anelloviruses and persistent symptoms such as fatigue and reduced physical strength. However, the researchers emphasize that the study cannot prove that the viruses cause the symptoms – only that they occur together.
The results also suggest that activated anelloviruses can affect the immune system and contribute to impaired immune regulation, but this needs to be confirmed in more studies.
The researchers point out that the participants in the study were unvaccinated and were infected with the early variants of the coronavirus before mid-2021. Therefore, it cannot be said that the results apply in the same way to people who have been vaccinated or infected with later virus variants.
The next step will be to investigate whether drugs that can prevent dormant viruses from activating can also reduce the risk of or alleviate long-term symptoms after covid-19. This could provide a better understanding of why some people develop long-term covid while others recover completely. (Translated from Swedish text written by Patrik Andersson in FB group SARS-CoV-2 Omvärldsbevakning )
A large randomized trial investigated whether vitamin D3 supplementation can improve the course of COVID-19. The study included 1,747 people who had recently been diagnosed with COVID-19 and their household contacts. Participants were given either high doses of vitamin D3 for one month or a placebo.
The results showed that vitamin D did not reduce how often patients needed healthcare, such as hospital visits, emergency room visits or doctor visits. It also did not reduce the severity of symptoms, and it did not affect the risk of family members in the same household becoming infected.
However, the researchers saw a slight trend towards fewer persistent symptoms after two months in those who received vitamin D. Around 21% in the vitamin D group reported long-term symptoms compared to 25% in the placebo group. However, the difference was small and not statistically significant.
The researchers therefore believe that vitamin D is unlikely to reduce acute illness or the need for care in COVID-19, but that it may be worth studying further whether vitamin D can affect the risk of long-term symptoms after infection. No safety concerns with the treatment were reported.
Credit: Patrik Andersson
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What SARS-CoV-2 Does to the Body (2nd Edition, July 2023)
An extensive compilation of links to studies and statistics on what SARS-Cov-2 does to your body, brain etc. And it is way worse than most people know.
https://www.panaccindex.info/p/what-sars-cov-2-does-to-the-body
When a cell gets infected by SARS-Cov-2 it causes chaos in the cells RNA functions in many different ways and ultimately creates havoc in how the cell functions.
https://www.gu.se/en/news/coronavirus-causes-chaos-in-infected-cells-rna
Covid-19 widely affects your brain. Might explain why some people’s personalities changes.
Hre is a easier to understand article about the study on Pegylated Interferon Lambda that was published here earlier. And yep. 50% reduction in risk for severe covid and death.
Results for early treatment with pegylated interferon lambda shows improved outcome for majority of patients.
Why heart lesions in children happens as a result of Covid-19 infection.
Nasal spray vs Covid-19? Yes, this is a preprint of a study of a broad-spectrum antibody against COVID-19 as a nasal spray. The result is protection of above 70%. Read more via the link below.