Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is causing the current pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). SARS-CoV-2 uses its viral membrane fusion protein, the spike protein, to enter the host cells. COVID-19 vaccines introduce the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein into the human body to acquire immunity.

The article by Suresh & Suzuki [1] describes the finding of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein affecting human lung vascular cells and explains how the spike protein possibly increases the incidence of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH).

In addition to facilitating the membrane fusion and viral entry, the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein (without the rest of the viral components) promotes cell growth signaling in human lung vascular cells [2]. Patients who died of COVID-19 have been shown to exhibit thickened pulmonary vascular walls [2]. Lung vascular cell growth and vascular wall thickening are pathogenic features of PAH, a fatal disease that can affect people of any age.

Like the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, gp120, the viral membrane fusion protein of HIV, has also been reported to promote cell signaling. Long-term surviving HIV-positive patients are known to have a high incidence of developing PAH.

Thus, viruses whose viral membrane fusion proteins elicit cell signaling are linked to PAH.

Further experimentation and careful clinical observations for PAH in relation to SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 vaccines are thus warranted. Since the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein will be administered to millions of people as vaccines, it is critical to understand the effects of this protein on human cells to ensure that it does not promote long-term adverse health consequences.

REFERENCES

[1] Suresh, S.J.; Suzuki, Y.J. SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and lung vascular cells.  J. Respir. 2021, 1, 40-48; https://doi.org/10.3390/jor1010004

[2] Suzuki, Y.J.; Nikolaienko, S.I.; Dibrova, V.A.; Dibrova, Y.V.; Vasylyk, V.M.; Novikov, M.Y.; Shults, N.V.; Gychka, S.G. SARS-CoV-2 spike protein-mediated cell signaling in lung vascular cells. Vascul. Pharmacol. 2020; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vph.2020.106823