SARS-CoV-2 spike protein found to be the main culprit behind Long COVID symptoms
Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Apr 26, 2025 2 hours, 58 minutes ago
Medical News: SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein Found to Be Driving Force Behind Devastating Long COVID Symptoms
A team of Brazilian researchers from the University of Brasília has revealed compelling evidence that the infamous spike protein of the SARS-CoV-2 virus may play a central role in causing the complex, persistent symptoms of Long COVID. In the first installment of a two-part scientific review, these scientists—Bruno Pereira de Melo, Jhéssica Adriane Mello da Silva, Mariana Alves Rodrigues, Julys da Fonseca Palmeira, Felipe Saldanha de Araujo, Gustavo Adolfo Argañaraz, and Enrique Roberto Argañaraz—have shed light on how this viral protein continues to wreak havoc in the body long after the initial infection has cleared.
SARS-CoV-2 spike protein found to be the main culprit behind Long COVID symptoms
This
Medical News report outlines how up to 40 percent of people who recover from COVID-19 go on to suffer from long-term health issues, collectively known as Long COVID or post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC). This syndrome includes a bewildering range of symptoms that impact nearly every system in the body—from the brain and lungs to the heart and gastrointestinal tract.
Long COVID A Global Health Crisis
The World Health Organization estimates at least 65 million people around the world now suffer from Long COVID, many of whom were never hospitalized. These individuals often experience fatigue, breathlessness, brain fog, joint pain, heart issues, and even neurological disorders such as seizures and stroke. Alarmingly, studies show that symptoms may last for years, and in some cases, the risk of death remains elevated for more than three years after initial infection.
One of the most troubling aspects of Long COVID is the persistence of viral components in the body. The researchers emphasize that the spike protein, especially the S1 subunit, continues to circulate in the blood of affected individuals for up to 12 months or more. This persistent spike protein may be stored in various tissue reservoirs like fat cells and released periodically in extracellular vesicles—microscopic packages that deliver the protein to other cells and organs, potentially causing damage.
The Spike Protein’s Alarming Effects on Blood Vessels and the Immune System
The spike protein doesn’t just hang around harmlessly. It can trigger a chain reaction of health problems by interacting with various receptors on cell surfaces, such as ACE2 and CD147. These interactions lead to endothelial dysfunction—damage to the lining of blood vessels—which causes inflammation, blood clots, and impaired circulation.
In experimental studies, the spike protein alone (even without the rest of the virus) was found to damage the brain and heart, trigger immune dysregulation, and activate harmful pathways that result in oxidative stress, tissue injury, and mitochondrial dysfunction. This may explain why some people continue to feel unwell long after the viru
s is gone.
The review also revealed that the spike protein can fool the immune system into attacking the body’s own tissues, creating conditions ripe for autoimmune disorders. In some individuals, the presence of viral proteins may even reactivate dormant viruses like Epstein–Barr Virus (EBV), further complicating recovery.
Persistent Viral Fragments Found in Key Organs
Another alarming discovery involves how deeply the virus—and specifically the spike protein—can infiltrate the body. Researchers found viral RNA and spike proteins in many organs, including the brain, intestines, liver, and lungs, even months after recovery. For example, gut biopsies taken four to six months post-infection still showed traces of viral material in one-third of patients—even in those who had negative nasal swab tests.
Such findings suggest that Long COVID is not merely a psychosomatic condition or result of deconditioning but rather a serious, multi-organ disease with biological underpinnings that require urgent attention.
Spike Protein and Vaccine Complications
While the review strongly supports the role of the spike protein from natural infection in driving Long COVID, it also touches on controversial findings regarding spike-based vaccines. Some rare but serious vaccine adverse effects—such as myocarditis, blood clotting, and autoimmune issues—have been linked to the spike protein encoded in mRNA and vector-based COVID-19 vaccines. However, the authors stress that vaccination still appears to reduce the overall risk of developing Long COVID and that booster doses should be used wisely, particularly among high-risk populations.
Conclusion
This groundbreaking review makes a compelling case that the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein is not only the key to the virus’s ability to infect cells but also a major driver of the long-term health issues that plague millions globally. By persisting in the body and attacking various systems through multiple pathways, the spike protein plays a central role in the development and maintenance of Long COVID. The researchers call for urgent studies to better understand how this protein contributes to each specific symptom and to develop strategies to neutralize its harmful effects. Understanding these molecular mechanisms could unlock new therapies that relieve suffering and restore health for those living with this chronic condition.
The study findings were published in the peer reviewed journal: Viruses.
https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/17/5/617
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Medical News.
Read Also:
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/new-study-warns-of-neurological-damage-by-sars-cov-2-spike-proteins-from-both-covid-19-infections-and-covid-19-vaccines
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/spike-proteins-continue-to-be-produced-for-over-a-year-after-covid-19-mrna-shots-causing-persistent-inflammation
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/sars-cov-2-spike-protein-detected-in-brain-arteries-of-43-8-percent-of-vaccinated-individuals-even-17-months-after-mrna-vaccination
https://www.thailandmedical.news/articles/long-covid
https://www.thailandmedical.news/pages/thailand_doctors_listings
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