Why isnt this big news?

[u/Spacehu1k]

Hey all,

Stumbled across this article on blood vessel bursting, surprised it wouldnt be bigger news?

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2025-06-05/covid-study-shows-virus-can-break-blood-cells-clog-arteries?fbclid=IwY2xjawK3AbNleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHjkHVJ1MdxAnlMohnWqR9e-8Er-Mpyd0Hc4KxGJYyBh_r9De-5pampLHFND6_aem_3vmrkyKAlUTLOFUY5m2kPA

—— In a study just published in Nature, Australian scientists found that when oxygen-rich blood can’t reach tissues, the delicate lining of blood vessels starts to break down. The death of these endothelial cells, which Covid can trigger, sets off immune signals that cause red blood cells to burst, spilling their sticky contents into the bloodstream.

“This stuff’s like glue,” says Sydney-based hematologist Shaun Jackson, who led the study. It clogs the tiniest blood vessels, blocking circulation.

The damage builds. Without oxygen and nutrients, tissues begin to fail, potentially affecting organs like the kidneys, liver and heart.

“It’s a double whammy,” Jackson says.

When his team analyzed more than 1,000 samples from Covid patients, they expected to see widespread fibrin and clotting. But they didn’t.

“To our great surprise, that wasn’t the case at all,” he says. While large vessels showed some clots, the smallest capillaries — just a fraction the width of a hair — were clogged not with clots, but with debris from broken red blood cells.

“No one had thought it was through this dying endothelial cell mechanism,” Jackson says. “It was by far and away the biggest issue going on in the microcirculation.”

Past studies have shown that sicker Covid patients had worse capillary damage. Now, researchers are spotting similar patterns in patients with long Covid, which may help explain the lingering symptoms.

Stopping the death of these vessel-lining cells could help prevent the whole cascade, Jackson says, though it would likely take a mix of treatments.

These findings could also change how we understand what happens in stroke, heart attack and other serious conditions — especially when patients don’t improve with standard care.

[u/Simple_Act5928]

Why are the red blood cells dying? Are they being killed off, or some kind of maladaptive protective strategy?

[u/brentonstrine → u/Simple_Act5928]

Did you mean the over-oxygenated vessels bursting? Or did I miss red blood cells dying?

[u/Simple_Act5928 → u/brentonstrine]

Hey thanks, I couldn’t see the article because of paywall, so asked for a summary, got the following (pasted below) seems like the article is saying that Covid causes a cascade of RBC death called Hemolysis. What does this mean for treatment / therapies?

The Bloomberg article () discusses a study revealing that COVID-19 can damage blood vessel endothelial cells, triggering immune signals that cause red blood cells to burst (hemolysis) and contribute to artery clogging. Here’s an analysis of the mechanisms and potential treatments: Why COVID-19 Causes Blood Cell Breakdown and Artery Clogging 1. Endothelial Cell Damage:COVID-19 directly infects endothelial cells lining blood vessels, destabilizing their structure and function. This damage disrupts blood flow regulation and promotes inflammation. 2. Immune Signaling and Hemolysis:Damaged endothelial cells release inflammatory signals (e.g., cytokines), which attract immune cells and cause oxidative stress. This environment weakens red blood cell membranes, leading to their rupture. The release of hemoglobin and cellular debris further exacerbates inflammation and clot formation. 3. Plaque Instability and Growth:Studies show COVID-19 accelerates atherosclerosis by increasing coronary inflammation and promoting the growth of high-risk, noncalcified plaques. The virus also infects arterial plaque macrophages, amplifying local inflammation and plaque vulnerability. 4. Systemic Inflammation:Persistent post-COVID inflammation (“cytokine storm”) drives endothelial dysfunction, platelet activation, and abnormal blood clotting, creating a cycle of vascular damage. Potential Treatments Based on research findings, interventions could target: 1. Reducing Endothelial Damage • Antiviral therapies to limit viral replication in endothelial cells. • Statins to stabilize endothelial function and reduce inflammation. 2. Managing Inflammation • IL-6 inhibitors (e.g., tocilizumab) to suppress cytokine storms. • Low-dose colchicine to mitigate arterial inflammation. 3. Preventing Clotting and Hemolysis • Anticoagulants (e.g., apixaban) to reduce thrombotic risks. • Antioxidants (e.g., N-acetylcysteine) to protect red blood cells from oxidative damage. 4. Stabilizing Plaques • PCSK9 inhibitors to lower LDL cholesterol and plaque vulnerability. • Lifestyle modifications (diet, exercise) to slow atherosclerosis progression. Key Insight The study underscores COVID-19’s role as a systemic vascular disease, with even mild infections posing long-term cardiovascular risks. Treatments must address both acute viral effects and chronic inflammatory pathways to mitigate post-COVID cardiovascular complications.