American Researchers Warn That the COVID-19 Spike Protein is Seriously Damaging Human Blood Vessels
Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Jan 27, 2026 2 hours, 13 minutes ago
Medical News: COVID-19 was first seen as a lung infection, but scientists now know it is also a disease that seriously affects blood vessels. A major new review study explains how the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein alone can injure the lining of blood vessels, even without the whole virus actively infecting cells. This
Medical News report highlights why these findings matter for both acute COVID-19 and long-term post-COVID complications.
New research shows the COVID-19 spike protein can directly harm blood vessels and trigger long-term
health complications
Who Conducted the Research
The American researchers are from the Department of Surgery and Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery at Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, the Cardiovascular Research Center at Rhode Island Hospital in the United States, and the Department of Surgery at the University of South Florida.
Why Blood Vessel Health Matters
Blood vessels are lined by endothelial cells that control blood flow, prevent clotting, and regulate inflammation. Damage to these cells, known as endothelial dysfunction, can lead to clot formation, leaky vessels, organ injury, heart attacks, strokes, and long COVID symptoms. The study explains that COVID-19 is not just a respiratory illness but a widespread vascular disease.
How The Spike Protein Causes Damage
The spike protein binds to a receptor called ACE2 found on endothelial cells. This binding disrupts a protective system that normally keeps blood vessels relaxed and inflammation under control. Instead, harmful signals increase, leading to inflammation, narrowing of blood vessels, and clot formation. The spike protein also interacts with integrins, which are surface molecules that help cells sense their environment. These interactions weaken the tight connections between endothelial cells, making blood vessels leaky.
Calcium Imbalance and Vessel Leakage
Another key discovery involves calcium channels inside endothelial cells. The spike protein overstimulates these channels, causing excess calcium to flood the cells. This overload damages mitochondria, increases oxidative stress, and triggers inflammatory pathways. The result is weakened vessel walls and increased risk of fluid leakage into organs such as the lungs and brain.
Inflammation And Clot Formation
The study also shows that the spike protein activates strong inflammatory signals, even without full viral infection. It increases the release of clot-promoting factors and reduces natural anti-clot defenses. This helps explain why COVID-19 patients face higher risks of blood clots, heart inflammation, and strokes during and after infection.
Implications For Long COVID and Treatment
Importantly, circulating spike protein fragments have been detected in some patients long after the initial infection. This may help explain persistent symptoms su
ch as fatigue, brain fog, chest pain, and shortness of breath. The researchers suggest that therapies aimed at protecting endothelial cells, stabilizing calcium signaling, or blocking harmful spike protein interactions could reduce both immediate and long-term complications.
Conclusion
This extensive review makes it clear that the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein plays a central role in damaging blood vessels throughout the body. By disrupting protective ACE2 signaling, increasing inflammation, causing calcium imbalance, and promoting clot formation, the spike protein alone can drive serious vascular injury. Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for developing better treatments for acute COVID-19, preventing long COVID complications, and improving overall patient recovery outcomes.
The study findings were published in the peer reviewed journal: Cells
https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4409/15/3/234
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Read Also:
https://www.thailandmedical.news/articles/coronavirus
https://www.thailandmedical.news/articles/long-covid
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