Molecular Mimicry between the SARS-CoV-2 and the Breathing Center

This article talks about one possible cause of respiratory arrest in people exposed to the SARS-CoV-2 virus or antigens.

A previous article, COVID-19, Autoimmunity, and Vaccination, discussed molecular mimicry between the spike protein of the SARS-CoV-2 and humans’ genetic makeup.

As you probably know, the SARS-CoV-2 virus causes COVID-19.

Molecular similarities between SARS-CoV-2 and humans can potentially cause the body’s immune system originally formed to fight the virus also to attack itself. A condition called an autoimmune response.

The theoretical risk also exists in those who might receive a COVID-19 vaccine.

The Pre-Bötzinger complex

The Pre-Bötzinger complex is located in the brain and controls our breathing. It is essential in producing spontaneous rhythmic breathing.

If damaged, the breathing stops. The medical term is respiratory arrest. If not detected, a respiratory arrest can lead to brain death in five minutes.

Molecular mimicry of SARS-CoV-2 and Breathing Center

In the spike protein of the SARS-CoV-2, there is a hexapeptide called LNEVAK. LNEVAK has the same peptide sequence or a molecular mimic of the human protein AIFM1, present in the Pre-Bötzinger complex.

The central part of the SARS-COVID-1 is called the nucleo-capsid. There are two hexapeptides, GSQASS and SAAEAS, that mimics the human proteins DAB1 and SURF1, respectively. They are also in the respiratory centers.

Since they are molecularly similar, the immune response towards a COVID-19 infection can also cause an autoimmune response to the brain stem and cause respiratory arrest and death.

The vaccines available now for COVID-19 contain only the mRNA sequence of the spike protein of the SARS-CoV-2.

The mRNA is the genetic instruction on making all the peptides of the spike glycoprotein of the SARS-CoV-2.

The body aims to produce an immune response to all the spike peptides, which includes the LNEVAK.

Remember this article if you hear or read about someone who dies after being exposed to the peptides of SARS-CoV-2.

Knowledge about Covid-19 is rapidly evolving. Information may update as new researches are done. Stay current by subscribing. Feel free to share.

Don’t Get Sick!

Reference:

Lucchese G, Flöel A. Molecular mimicry between SARS-CoV-2 and respiratory pacemaker neurons. Autoimmun Rev. 2020;19(7):102556. doi:10.1016/j.autrev.2020.102556

Image Credit: By Image: Brain human sagittal section. svg by Patrick J. Lynch; Image: Brain bulbar region.PNG by DO11.10; present image by Fvasconcellos. – Image: Brain human sagittal section. svg by Patrick J. Lynch, modified to match Image: Brain bulbar region.PNG by DO11.10., CC BY 2.5, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=3046626

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