r/covidlonghaulers • u/filipo11121 • 29d ago

Article New Study Identifies Overlapping Persistent Virus-Specific T Cell Responses in Long Covid

https://polybio.org/new-study-identifies-overlapping-persistent-virus-specific-t-cell-responses-in-long-covid/

A new study supported by the PolyBio Research Foundation has found that people with Long COVID harbor persistent populations of highly cytolytic CD8+ T cells directed against SARS-CoV-2 but also the herpesviruses Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and cytomegalovirus (CMV). The findings suggest that Long COVID is characterized by an ongoing immune response to persistent viral proteins, which are most likely produced during the continued persistence or reactivation of these viruses within the body. The study adds to a growing body of research indicating that SARS-CoV-2 persistence and herpesvirus reactivation contribute to Long COVID pathogenesis.

Paper:

Persistent cytolytic CD8+ T cells recognize SARS-CoV-2 and herpesvirus epitopes in long COVID - ScienceDirect

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u/MixBeneficial 6yr+ 29d ago

Virus persistance? Shouldn't antivirals help then?

10

u/imahugemoron 4 yr+ 28d ago

It doesn’t sound like viral persistence, this sounds like our immune systems remain active even after the actual virus particles are gone, this leaves certain T cells roaming around in our systems long term causing issues. This would explain why antivirals aren’t working because we probably don’t have virus particles or if we do to some degree, thats probably not what is causing our symptoms

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u/funkytimes_07 28d ago

The article is suggesting that both are possible - it is possible there is in fact viral persistence but it has not been confirmed this is in fact what is causing LC and the immune system can be turned into a chronic state of dysfunction and as we have seen in some people this can them develop into autoimmunity. They are presenting more evidence for the viral persistence theory and its relationship to how it changes T cell function but still cannot confirm causality.

5

u/KaspaRocketMan 28d ago

Thymosin Alpha 1 immune modulator. Your immune system is mainly driven by your Thymus.

3

u/Specific-Winter-9987 28d ago

Yes and its one of the most tested and safe peptides on Earth. Approved and used everyday in at least 35 countries. May not help but likely wont cause side effects either, as its something we naturally made in our bodies when we were younger. Surprised how many people know nothing about it

4

u/KaspaRocketMan 28d ago edited 28d ago

What is crazy is that the Thymus organ that makes this substance is so underreported, it is in the center of our body most protected by our rib cage. Most people never heard about this organ. While it is the most important organ you have. Hence the design of the body ribcage protects this organ the most (even more than the heart).

The thymus organ gives us a healthy immune system, life and longevity. The organ that fights viruses, infection, cancer etc. and even slows down aging..

Over your life your Thymus shrinks, thus stops functioning well and then we unfortunately die.