Using stem-cell-derived vascular cells, researchers found SARS-CoV-2 infects smooth muscle cells (SMCs), not endothelial cells.
Infected SMCs cause inflammation and clotting factors, explaining vascular issues seen in severe COVID-19 cases.
“Navigating social distancing requirements that complicated lab work, Akassoglou and her collaborators conducted a series of experiments in mice to explore the pernicious role of the coronavirus’s spike protein.
They discovered that beyond serving as the virus’s “key” to enter cells, spike binds with a blood clotting factor called fibrinogen, creating structurally abnormal, inflammation-promoting clumps of fibrin — the insoluble material that forms the mesh-like structures essential for wound healing.
High levels of these abnormal clots not only push the body’s clotting system into overdrive, increasing clot formation and inflammation, but also suppress natural killer cells — the immune system’s virus-clearing soldiers.”
SARS-CoV-2 infection triggers pro-atherogenic inflammatory responses in human coronary vessels
Autopsy study in patients with COVID shows that: SARS-CoV-2 infects, replicates and persists in Macrophages within the coronary vasculature Since CARDIAC MACROPHAGES have a half-life of 8.8years they would act as VIRAL RESERVOIRS in Atherosclerotic plaques
Great analysis thread:
“SIGNIFICANT NEW STUDY PUBLISHED TODAY IN NATURE!
Fibrin ‘binds to the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein,’ forming clots that ‘drive systemic thromboinflammation and neuropathology,’ and it happens ‘independently of active infection.’
Simplified breakdown of the paper below!
