Scientists from Singapore Find That SARS-CoV-2 Nucleocapsid Protein is the Major Cause of Inflammation
Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Jul 28, 2025 6 months, 4 weeks, 1 hour, 37 minutes ago
Medical News: Researchers Warn of Key Viral Protein Driving Severe COVID and Long COVID
Scientists from the National University of Singapore have unveiled new findings that point to the SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid (N) protein as a powerful trigger of harmful inflammation in the human body. Unlike the more familiar spike protein, which helps the virus enter human cells, the N protein plays an essential role inside infected cells and may be one of the leading causes of severe COVID-19 complications and lingering symptoms associated with long COVID.
Scientists from Singapore Find That SARS-CoV-2 Nucleocapsid Protein is the Major Cause of Inflammation
This
Medical News report highlights how the N protein doesn't just help the virus replicate—it also actively interferes with the body's immune responses, provoking inflammation that can spiral out of control.
How the N Protein Fuels the Immune Overreaction
The N protein is released inside human cells once the virus enters, where it binds to viral RNA and helps assemble new virus particles. But it does much more than that. The study found that it disrupts a wide range of immune defense mechanisms. It blocks the body's ability to detect the virus, shuts down important antiviral signals, and suppresses the formation of stress granules—structures that normally help cells fight infections.
In addition, the N protein triggers the NF-κB signaling pathway and inflammasomes, both of which are known to drive the production of cytokines like IL-6 and TNF-α. These molecules are responsible for the dangerous cytokine storms seen in severe COVID-19 cases. In mice, exposure to N protein led to acute lung injury, while human studies showed strong correlations between high N protein levels in the blood and disease severity.
Link to Long COVID and Other Conditions
One of the most disturbing aspects of the study was the N protein's long-lasting presence in the body, even weeks after initial infection. It was found in multiple organs—including the brain, heart, kidneys, liver, and intestines—and has been linked to worsening of pre-existing conditions like diabetes and neurodegenerative diseases.
Patients with long COVID showed elevated N-specific T cell activity and persistent immune activation, even after testing negative. The N protein may be responsible for lingering symptoms like brain fog, fatigue, and gastrointestinal issues. It was even detected in the eyes and linked to visual problems post-recovery.
A Possible Target for Future Treatments
While current COVID-19 vaccines focus on the spike protein, researchers now suggest that targeting the N protein could provide broader protection and reduce complications. Experimental antibodies against the N protein have shown promise in blocking its damaging effects in animal models.
Given its critical role in inflammation and immune disru
ption, the N protein might be the key to preventing both severe illness and long-term health issues in COVID-19 patients.
The study findings were published in the peer reviewed journal: Viruses.
https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/17/8/1046
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https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/sars-cov-2-envelope-protein-found-to-damage-lung-barrier-and-fuel-severe-inflammation
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/spike-protein-diversity-enables-sars-cov-2-to-evade-full-neutralization-paving-the-way-for-viral-persistence
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/how-prolonged-exposure-to-tnf-alpha-and-il-6-impacts-neural-activity-and-cognitive-function-in-long-covid
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