Post-acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 Cardiovascular Symptoms Are Associated with Trace-level Cytokines That Affect Cardiomyocyte Function

Overview

Journal Nat Microbiol

Specialties Microbiology
Parasitology

Date 2024 Oct 31

PMID 39478108

Authors

Jane E Sinclair

Courtney Vedelago

Feargal J Ryan

Meagan Carney

Meredith A Redd

Miriam A Lynn

Branka Grubor-Bauk

Yuanzhao Cao

Anjali K Henders

Keng Yih Chew

Deborah Gilroy

Kim Greaves

Larisa Labzin

Laura Ziser

Katharina Ronacher

Leanne M Wallace

Yiwen Zhang

Kyle Macauslane

Daniel J Ellis

Sudha Rao

Lucy Burr

Amanda Bain

Anjana Karawita

Benjamin L Schulz

Junrong Li

David J Lynn

Nathan Palpant

Alain Wuethrich

Matt Trau

Kirsty R Short

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

An estimated 65 million people globally suffer from post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC), with many experiencing cardiovascular symptoms (PASC-CVS) like chest pain and heart palpitations. This study examines the role of chronic inflammation in PASC-CVS, particularly in individuals with symptoms persisting over a year after infection. Blood samples from three groups-recovered individuals, those with prolonged PASC-CVS and SARS-CoV-2-negative individuals-revealed that those with PASC-CVS had a blood signature linked to inflammation. Trace-level pro-inflammatory cytokines were detected in the plasma from donors with PASC-CVS 18 months post infection using nanotechnology. Importantly, these trace-level cytokines affected the function of primary human cardiomyocytes. Plasma proteomics also demonstrated higher levels of complement and coagulation proteins in the plasma from patients with PASC-CVS. This study highlights chronic inflammation's role in the symptoms of PASC-CVS.

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