Since the COVID-19 pandemic, many people have reported long-term symptoms known as long COVID. A new study co-led by Yale researchers found strong evidence that, in a subset of patients, the immune system produces autoantibodies that attack brain and nerve tissues. These autoantibodies often targeted regions involved in pain signaling, memory, balance, sensory processing and control of the autonomic nervous system.
To reach these findings, the team analysed blood from people with long COVID, healthy volunteers and people who recovered without lasting symptoms. They purified antibodies and tested them on human and mouse tissues, and then screened samples against more than 21,000 human proteins. Antibodies from long COVID patients reacted more strongly with certain brain regions and nerve tissues than those from control groups.
In live tests, researchers transferred patient antibodies into healthy mice. The mice developed increased pain sensitivity, fatigue, impaired balance and small-nerve-fiber damage. The authors say the results could link long COVID to autoimmune processes and might point toward treatments used for some autoimmune diseases, but they stress that more research is needed.
Difficult words
- autoantibody — an antibody that attacks the person's own tissuesautoantibodies
- antibody — a protein made by the immune systemantibodies
- immune system — the body's cells and organs that fight infection
- autonomic nervous system — part of the nervous system controlling automatic body functions
- fatigue — a strong feeling of tiredness and low energy
- screen — to test many samples for specific proteins or reactionsscreened
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- How could a link between long COVID and autoimmune processes change possible treatments?
- Would you be willing to take part in research that tests patient antibodies in animals? Why or why not?
- Which symptoms described in the article worry you most, and why?
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