Lesser-Known SARS-CoV-2 Protein May Hold Key to Understanding Long COVID

A new UCLA study published in Science Advances reveals how the SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein—a structural component different from the well-known spike protein—can trigger an excessive immune response linked to long COVID symptoms. Unlike the spike protein that has been the focus of vaccine development, this nucleocapsid protein activates dangerous immune pathways that may explain persistent health problems in COVID-19 survivors. The discovery provides crucial insights into why some patients experience prolonged symptoms months or years after infection. Understanding this mechanism could lead to new therapeutic approaches for managing long COVID's debilitating effects on patients' quality of life.