Research indicates that the tiny protein spikes that cover the SARS-CoV-2 virus cells can lead to long-term changes in your genes.* This may help explain the ongoing symptoms, such as shortness of breath, skin problems, and loss of taste or smell senses, experienced by some patients, called COVID long-haulers, even after the infection has cleared.

What role do protein spikes play?

During the infection process, the proteins bind with receptors located on our cells. When binding occurs, the virus releases its genetic material into the healthy cell for replication.

“We found that exposure to the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein alone was enough to change baseline gene expression in airway cells,” said Nicholas Evans, a master’s degree student working in the laboratory of Dr. Sharilyn Almodovar, Ph.D., at the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. 

What the study found

The research team grew (cultured) human airway cells in their lab under specific conditions that allowed the cells to mature appropriately. This involved mimicking the physiological conditions that naturally exist in the human lung airway. 

The team discovered that, when exposed to the spike protein, the cultured human airway cells showed differences in gene expression that lingered after the cells recovered from the exposure. The cultured cells were compared with actual human cells collected from COVID-19 patients, and their behavior was the same. 

What it means for COVID long-haulers

This new approach can be used to better study the duration and long-term consequences of genetic changes associated with cases of chronic COVID-19 symptoms. 

“Our work helps to elucidate changes occurring in patients on the genetic level, which could eventually provide insight into which treatments would work best for specific patients,” said Evans.

Additional information on this topic can be found on Studyfinds.org in the article “COVID-19 alters human genes, explaining mystery behind coronavirus ‘long hauler.”

*EurekAlert! (2021, April 27). Gene Changes Might Explain Long-Haul COVID-19 Symptoms [Press Release]. https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2021-04/eb-gcm041621.php 

This content is only meant to serve as information and should not, in any way, be taken as medical advice. Patients should discuss all issues regarding vaccines, treatment, symptom management, and other condition-related factors with their physician or a qualified healthcare provider before making a decision regarding their care.

Much about the novel coronavirus, i.e., COVID-19, is still not fully understood. As research progresses and our knowledge of the virus increases, information can change rapidly. We strive to update all of our articles as quickly as possible, but there may occasionally be some lag between scientific developments and our revisions.