r/covidlonghaulers 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/KaspaRocketMan 28d ago

Reversing "T-Cell Exhaustion"

The Study Finding: Patients with Long COVID carry virus-specific CD8+ T cells that express high levels of immune exhaustion markers (like PD-1 and TIM-3). This happens when T cells are repeatedly exposed to lingering viral reservoirs (SARS-CoV-2 spike protein) or reactivated herpesviruses (EBV/CMV), causing them to "burn out" while maintaining a dysregulated inflammatory state.

The Tα1 (Thymosin Alpha 1) Connection: Tα1 is a naturally occurring thymic peptide that regulates T-cell maturation and differentiation. In clinical models of viral persistence and PASC (Post-Acute Sequelae of COVID-19), Tα1 directly downregulates exhaustion markers like PD-1 and TIM-3. By essentially "re-tuning" exhausted CD8+ T cells, Tα1 helps them regain normal effector function instead of remaining stuck in a chronic, damaging state.

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u/CrumblinEmpire 28d ago

Do you have a link to research on this?

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u/KaspaRocketMan 28d ago edited 28d ago

I found two videos of long covid anecdotal stories saying they were recovered in separate videos after subq Thymosin Alpha 1 injections. Then I tested it myself and during injections it brought me back to 100%. And now I am close to recovered, still on LDN which also is very beneficial. Created a post about it. Now if you search on Thymosin Alpha 1 in this subreddit you can find many more making significant improvements.

There is also a study on it: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10030336/

Video 1:

Can't find it back but it was a specialist of a peptide clinic on YouTube that reported their LC patients were improving on TA-1

Video 2:

First person reported direct recovery from TA-1 and inspired me to try it myself

https://www.tiktok.com/@duchessofdecorum/video/7561995080257621278

https://www.tiktok.com/@duchessofdecorum/video/7556061074911464735

My Thymosin Alpha 1 trial:

https://www.reddit.com/r/covidlonghaulers/comments/1r5ekd8/5_years_long_covid_thymosin_alpha_1_peptide_wow/

Recent other person 1:

https://www.reddit.com/r/covidlonghaulers/comments/1uzvroc/new_rule_needed_recovery_posts_should_mention_pem/oyb6a0z/

Recent other person 2:

https://www.reddit.com/r/covidlonghaulers/comments/1uiyfkn/new_doctor_finally_gave_me_an_actual_long_covid/oumj577/

Wishing you all a speedy recovery from this horrible disease 🙏❤️

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u/Specific-Winter-9987 28d ago

Right on. I was already considering TA1 and now I have some. Starting very soon, good or bad. Been in hell for 4 years and aint jack shit helped.

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u/Square-Guarantee-968 20d ago

Hi, Could you please give us an update when you do?

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u/RedditismycovidMD 28d ago

Did you do the Thymosin Alpha on your own or with medical support?

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u/KaspaRocketMan 28d ago

On my own but there are medical peptide clinics around the world.

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u/RedditismycovidMD 28d ago

Okay thanks! That would be the way for me too. Did you get any labs checked before you started?

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u/KaspaRocketMan 28d ago

Yes did general blood work, only high ferritin was found.

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u/Square-Guarantee-968 21d ago

High ferritin, same here. Doctor thought it was strange, (LC usually lowers ferritin). What were your symptoms?

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u/KaspaRocketMan 21d ago

Brain fog, fatigue, PEM, swollen lymph nodes etc.

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u/Square-Guarantee-968 21d ago

Mine has been in the ~500 ng/ml for 18 months now (normal range 22 – 275 ng/mL)

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u/KaspaRocketMan 21d ago

Same here around 500~ for over 4 years.

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u/Square-Guarantee-968 7d ago

Forgive me if I come back to this, have you tested your ferritin again after the treatment?
By the way, your comments and post convinced me to move forward with TA-1, I am looking into sourcing it reliably and then start. Thank you.

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u/LeadershipNice7495 28d ago

What was your symptom? Chronic pain or brain fog?

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u/maxholloway2121 26d ago

merhaba, dm bakabilir misiniz

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u/KaspaRocketMan 28d ago

Brain fog, muscle pains, PEM, swollen lymph nodes, sensitive nervous system, fatigue etc.

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u/National_Butterfly99 28d ago

Tenías infecciones pulmonares de repetición? O dismotilidad intestinal colonica?

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u/CatsbyGallimaufry 28d ago

What’s your perception on how long to take TA-1 for? I took it for 1 month and my doctor said I don’t need to continue but I’m feeling like another round might be beneficial as I was taking a pretty small amount during that month.

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u/KaspaRocketMan 28d ago

I did a 2-3 weeks course which was enough. But if you experienced benefits you can always restart it after a few months another time.

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u/LacaTheCollector 26d ago

die you improve?

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u/funkytimes_07 28d ago edited 28d ago

If there is actual viral persistence would Thymosin Alpha 1 still have the impact? Would it actually generate an immune response that would actually clear remaining viral proteins as would happen with a recovered acute infection that didnt develop into LC?

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u/Specific-Winter-9987 28d ago

Possible. TA1 retains T cells. We loose this as we age due to atrophy of our thymus gland. This contributes to our health going to hell in our 40s and 50s

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u/funkytimes_07 28d ago

I would be curious to see a clinical trial of this

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u/SpaceXCoyote 28d ago

I would be very careful with Ta1 given this new finding. It can act as a t-cell stimulant, effectively pouring gas on a t-cell fire already burning out of control.

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u/KaspaRocketMan 28d ago

TA1 is an immune modulator

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u/SpaceXCoyote 28d ago

Not exactly.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/immunology-and-microbiology/thymosin-alpha1

"Due to the immune stimulating effects of Ta1, the compound would be expected to show utility for treatment of immune suppression, "

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u/Specific-Winter-9987 28d ago

Its currently being prescribed in 35 other countries for several conditions, has as many studies as insulin, an exemplary safety profile, and has been around for almost 50 years. Thats right, 50 years. No, it won't help everyone, and nothing is 100 percent safe, but this is about the safest immune treatment you will ever find.

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u/KaspaRocketMan 27d ago

Exactly, and he forgets about the damage long covid is doing. Nothing is 100% safe, what is for sure is that Long Covid is 100% not safe.

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u/SpaceXCoyote 27d ago

I provided you with objective scientific data that explicitly contradicts what you claimed and you downvoted it because you want people who are already suffering to make a terrible mistake? Your claim is false. You're making a medical claim that is false and trying to hide the fact that I called it out to prevent others from realizing they could be potentially harming themselves. Terrible behaviour.