In this video, Roger Seheult, MD of MedCram explains a study that was presented at the American Heart Association that suggests that the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein is directly toxic to the heart without utilizing the ACE2 receptor to cause damage. This study was done in New York and looked at a mouse model.
Mouse cells and ACE2 receptor
The study used mice cells which also have an ACE2 receptor but unlike the human ACE2 receptor, the mouse ACE2 receptor does not interact with SARS-CoV-2. Scientists took a viral vector and for one arm of the study they cloned the SARS-CoV-2 virus spike protein (it was not specified which variant was cloned) and then put it into the viral vector to infect the heart mouse cell. They did this again in the second arm with another coronavirus spike protein that was only associated with a cold or mild respiratory symptoms but was not known to cause any heart issues. Both of these spike proteins used again are capable of interacting with human ACE2 receptors but not mouse ACE2 receptors.
What was noted in the study was that in the heart mouse cells infected with the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, there were additional proteins that were found such as the TLR4 (toll like receptor) along with the spike protein. It was noted that there was an increase in inflammation that was occurring along those areas. In the non-SARS-CoV-2 infected mouse heart cell (ie the “regular” coronavirus) it was not noted to have any increase in inflammation.
SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and ACE2 receptor
The study implies there is something about the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein after it is created in the cell that causes a reaction and inflammation that has nothing to do with the activation of the ACE2 receptor. Dr. Seheult speculates that it may be a protein or pathogen association pattern that could be triggering the inflammatory response from the immune system that is not related to the ACE2 receptor. It is not clear if this is due to the spike protein itself or other proteins associated with it.
Not everyone who gets SARS-CoV-2 via a natural infection or who has received a vaccine gets heart inflammation. The spike protein that is sequenced and placed in vaccines is significantly different than the spike protein in the SARS-CoV-2. The vaccine spike protein was specifically engineered to stay in the pre-fusion state to keep the spike protein fused in a specific conformation. Jason McLellan describes this process.
SARS-CoV-2 and delayed immune response
To get inflammation in the heart cells requires for the virus to get into them to cause inflammation. It also appears there is something about the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein that delays the immune response that is not found with other coronaviruses. Studies have shown that individuals who have had severe disease with SARS-CoV-2 infections have had a lower interferon response compared to individuals who have had mild to moderate disease which may signify a slower or delayed response with the immune system.
This article hasn’t been yet published but has presented a lot of data. There are still a multiple of unanswered questions that need more research.
LINKS / REFERENCES:
Jason McLellan: “Structure-based Design of Vaccine Antigens for SARS-CoV-2” (HHMI) | https://youtu.be/EH2QIxmZIWA?t=1324
Coronavirus Spike Protein Activated Natural Immune Response, Damaged Heart Muscle Cells (DAIC) | https://www.dicardiology.com/content/…
Toll-Like Receptors in Natural Killer Cells and Their Application for Immunotherapy (Hindawi) | https://www.hindawi.com/journals/jir/…
Development of an Adeno-Associated Virus-Vectored SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine and Its Immunogenicity in Mice (Frontiers) | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/…
All coronavirus updates are at MedCram.com (including more discussion on delta variant covid, COVID Delta, COVID children, natural immunity COVID 19, and more).
MedCram Update 46: https://youtu.be/EFRwnhfWXxo
MedCram Update 47: https://youtu.be/H1LHgyfPPQ8
MedCram Update 132: https://youtu.be/9OZZ6_M4OB0
Stay Tuned for More Updates
Our COVID-19 videos are always available for free (and ad-free) at MedCram.com. In addition, check out our full library of courses and lectures on subjects ranging from Hypertension Explained Clearly to Sleep Apnea Explained Clearly Course and many more!
Meanwhile, you can find all of our COVID-19 videos compiled here.
Visit MedCram.com for updates on Monkeypox virus infectious disease and more.