BREAKING! SARS-CoV-2 spike protein found to alter eye development in fetuses and the effects are likely to be observed later in life!
Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Apr 13, 2025 1 day, 13 hours, 43 minutes ago
Medical News:
Spike Protein Exposure Found to Interfere with Fetal Eye Formation During Pregnancy
Scientists in China have uncovered disturbing evidence that the spike protein from the SARS-CoV-2 virus - the same protein used by the virus to enter human cells - can negatively influence the development of the human retina during early and late stages of pregnancy. The research, conducted using lab-grown human retinal organoids derived from embryonic stem cells, suggests that even short-term exposure to the spike protein could trigger inflammation and disturb gene expression essential for healthy eye development.
SARS-CoV-2 spike protein found to alter eye development in fetuses and the effects
are likely to be observed later in life! Image: AI-Generated
This
Medical News report is based on a study conducted by researchers from Southwest Hospital and Southwest Eye Hospital at the Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, along with collaborators from the Key Lab of Visual Damage and Regeneration & Restoration of Chongqing and The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University.
A Model for Studying How COVID Affects Fetal Eyes
The scientists developed human retinal organoids (hEROs) in the lab—three-dimensional mini-eye structures grown from embryonic stem cells—to mimic the retina's natural growth during pregnancy. These organoids were exposed to the spike protein at two different developmental stages: day 90, representing an earlier stage of development, and day 280, a more mature phase.
The spike protein, which is known for its role in allowing the virus to invade human cells by binding to ACE2 and TMPRSS2 receptors, was administered at a concentration similar to that found in infected patients' blood. Researchers used advanced gene analysis methods including RNA sequencing and RT-PCR to examine changes after the exposure.
Spike Protein Disrupts Normal Development but In Subtle Ways
One of the first important findings was that the ACE2 and TMPRSS2 receptors—key for viral entry—are present throughout different stages of retinal development in the organoids. However, after exposure to the spike protein, there were no significant changes in the number or types of retinal cells such as photoreceptors, amacrine cells, or ganglion cells, nor were there visible structural abnormalities in the tissue. This might initially seem reassuring, but deeper genetic analyses told a different story.
The real disruption was seen at the molecular level. At the early stage (day 90), spike protein exposure activated genes related to inflammation and metabolism. Specifically, it increased the expression of TLR4 and MYD88, both involved in the body’s immune response, and genes linked to glycolysis like HK2 and LDHA, which can fuel inflammation.
Even more concerning was the suppression of key genes involved in lipid metabolism, such
as DHCR24, LDLR, and INSIG1. Disruptions in lipid metabolism are known to impair retinal function, particularly affecting cone photoreceptors responsible for color vision.
Late-Stage Exposure Alters Tissue Structure Genes
At the later stage of development (day 280), the spike protein’s effect shifted toward genes involved in the extracellular matrix (ECM)—the support structure for cells. Several important ECM-related genes, including COL1A1, COL6A3, FN1, ITGA1, and THBS2, were downregulated. This downregulation could impact the structural stability of the retina and affect how cells migrate, adhere, and interact, potentially leading to long-term developmental issues.
Interestingly, the study found that different biological processes were affected depending on the stage of development. While early exposure disrupted nuclear-related and metabolic pathways, late exposure interfered more with structural and immune-related genes, suggesting time-sensitive vulnerabilities in fetal retinal development.
Pathways Linked to COVID Disease Also Activated
Further analysis showed that several well-known disease-related pathways were triggered by spike protein exposure. In early-stage organoids, genes associated with the COVID-19 disease pathway, inflammation (NF-kappa B), hypoxia (HIF-1), and even neutrophil extracellular trap formation were activated. For the late-stage group, genes involved in ECM-receptor interaction, PI3K-Akt signaling, TGF-β signaling, and JAK-STAT pathways—all of which are essential in immune regulation and cell development—were significantly altered.
This complex network of disrupted pathways paints a troubling picture of how the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein might be able to disturb eye development in utero, even without the full virus being present or infecting the retina directly.
Real World Implications and Limitations
Although the study was conducted in a controlled lab environment, and the spike protein was introduced artificially, the findings raise serious concerns about the potential effects of maternal COVID-19 infection on fetal eye development. Some clinical reports have already documented retinal anomalies in infants born to mothers who had COVID-19 during pregnancy, including hemorrhages and structural malformations.
The study also acknowledges limitations, such as the lack of immune and vascular systems in organoids, which are vital components in real fetal development. Furthermore, it remains unknown what actual levels of spike protein might reach fetal tissues during maternal infection.
Nevertheless, the research opens a vital window into how even small fragments of the virus, like its spike protein, could play a role in long-term developmental complications in children exposed to SARS-CoV-2 in the womb.
Unanswered Questions About mRNA Vaccines Usage in Babies
Thailand Medical News would to add that these study findings also raises questions about the safety of the COVID-19 mRNA vaccines in babies and children. These vaccines not only contain the SAR-CoV-2 spike proteins but they also stimulate the host to produce spike proteins. So far, no studies have been conducted to assess the damage that the spike-proteins from these proteins causes on the eye development and health in babies and children.
Conclusion
The study clearly shows that the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein can influence the development of retinal cells in human embryonic organoids. Early-stage exposure primarily disrupted genes related to inflammation and lipid metabolism, while late-stage exposure impacted the structure and integrity of the retinal support systems. Although no visible structural abnormalities were observed, the underlying genetic disturbances hint at possible developmental complications that may only manifest later in life. These findings underscore the importance of monitoring children exposed to SARS-CoV-2 in utero and call for more in-depth studies using advanced in vivo models. It also raises further concerns about the spike protein’s biological activity, especially in vulnerable populations like pregnant women and fetuses.
The study findings were published in the peer reviewed journal: Cell & Bioscience.
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13578-025-01383-0
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