SARS-CoV-2 spike proteins detected in the plasma following Moderna shots

The goal of COVID-19 vaccination is to make the body produce the SARS-CoV-2 spike proteins anchored in the outer membrane of the skeletal muscle cells. The body will then make antibodies and other immune cells against it to protect future SARS-CoV-2 infections.

A study from Harvard detected spike proteins in the blood produced following a Moderna COVID-19 shot. The results of this study can be viewed from two opposite standpoints. But first, let’s have some background.

SARS-CoV-2 antigens

Antigens are substances that elicit an immune response from the host, and the SARS-CoV-2, the cause of COVID-19, has several. The spike protein, the S1 subunit, and nucleocapsid are featured in this study.

The spike protein has the S1 and S2 subunits. The S1 has the Receptor-Binding Domain (RBD) that attaches to the ACE2 receptor of the host cells. The nucleocapsid is in the middle of the virus that contains its genetic material.

After a coronavirus infection or vaccination, antibodies or immunoglobulins (Ig) will be produced against the nucleocapsid, spike, and S1. However, in mRNA vaccines like the Moderna, the nucleocapsid is not included; thus, the body has no anti-nucleocapsid antibodies.

In this study, IgG and IgA were also measured. IgGs are specific to each antigen, and that is why you will see anti-spike IgG and anti-S1 IgG.

The Research

The Moderna (mRNA-1273) vaccine is given in two doses 28 days apart. It has the messenger RNA (mRNA) that is the instructions for the body to make the spike protein.

Thirteen healthcare workers from the Brigham and Women’s Hospital vaccinated with the mRNA-1273 vaccine were included. None of them had a previous COVID-19 infection.

The research used an ultrasensitive single-molecule assay called Simoa to detect the antigens of SARS-CoV-2 and antibodies.

Results

First moderna dose

Spike protein was detected in three out of thirteen subjects at an average of 15 days after the first injection. S1 antigens were detected as early as day one post-vaccination, and peak levels were five days after the first injection. The S1 declines after that and becomes undetectable by day 14. The resulting immune response is responsible for getting rid of the S1 and spike protein.

The nucleocapsid antigen was not detected, which means that the spike and S1 antigens detected are produced from the shots and not a previous COVID-19 infection.

After the first injection, IgG levels against the spike, S1, and RBD increased. After the first injection, IgA was detected against spike, S1, and RBD. But it cleared after a few days.

Spike protein Detection

Why were the spike proteins only detected in a few volunteers? The Simoa test detects a whole spike protein, and once cut into S1 and S2, it cannot be observed. The authors hypothesized that the S1 is released from the spike protein by enzymes that cut up proteins.

Another reason is that some spike protein concentrations may be too low to be detected. If you look at the figure above, there is a dotted line called detection limits. From the study,

The Simoa antigen assays for the full spike protein are designed to require antibody binding to both the S1 and S2 units for detection, resulting in a cleaved spike protein to be undetectable.

Additionally, the spike protein concentrations in the plasma of vaccinated participants may be below our assay limit of detection.

I want to advance a proposal that some people may have the protease enzymes to cut the spike proteins from their anchor to the cell membranes and make them mix with the blood. Some people may have these enzymes, making them prone to side effects of the shots.

Addendum Jan 13, 2021: Another mechanism is when spike peptides attached to Major Histocompatibility Complex I (MHC1) that are sticking out of cell membranes are cut by metalloproteinases. This results in the MHC1s floating around in the bloodstream with the spike peptides. Rijkers and colleagues described this, and the illustration is shown below. [6]

In the figure below, the authors said,

“Schematic presentation of conventional and non-conventional antigen-presenting molecules major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I and class II. The molecules are shown with (different) Spike peptides in the antigen-presenting groove. MHC class I-related molecules A and B (MICA, MICB) and CD1 are non-conventional antigen-presenting molecules consisting of a single α chain. The purple domain in the MICA, MICB α chain can be cut by metalloproteases, resulting in soluble MICA and MICB.”[6]

Second moderna dose

No spike or S1 was detectable through day 56. One participant had a detectable spike protein at day 29, a day after the second shot, and was undetectable two days later. Antigens were most likely produced after the second dose too, but they were not detected as the antibodies produced from the first dose destroyed them quickly.

All participants had a boost in the antibody levels after the second shot.

Interpretations of the Study

As in all things, there is the good and the bad.

The good news is that the Moderna shots elicit an effective immune response against several SARS-CoV-2 antigens and prevent severe COVID infections. However, we now know that it declines after six months.[2]

The bad news is that the spike proteins that float in the bloodstream can elicit an immune response wherever they end up. Inflammation and blood clot formation inside the arteries are usually the results. Blood clots happen in a cascade, and only a tiny one is needed for a big clot to form.

Once a blood clot blocks blood flow to an organ, that organ cannot function anymore. Deadly heart attacks, pulmonary embolisms, and strokes can happen.

In this study, the spike protein was detected in three out of thirteen subjects at an average of 15 days after the first injection. In a survey by Pantazatos and Seligmann, COVID vaccination and age-stratified all-cause mortality risk, they found that most deaths occur within the first weeks after vaccination. [3] I presented that paper in Vaccine-induced deaths in the US and Europe are way higher than the VAERS reports!

Two other investigations also showed that the spike proteins from vaccination could be found in the blood. Avolio and others [4], and Kowartz and colleagues. [5]. I presented them at:

Study shows spike proteins affect cardiac pericytes and explain why soccer players collapse, and RNA splice study shows why AstraZeneca and Janssen jabs are clot shots

The SARS-CoV-2 spike protein is the most disease-causing antigen among the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Find out at 13 ways that the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein causes damage

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References:

Ogata AF, Cheng CA, Desjardins M, et al. Circulating SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine Antigen Detected in the Plasma of mRNA-1273 Vaccine Recipients [published online ahead of print, 2021 May 20]. Clin Infect Dis. 2021;ciab465. doi:10.1093/cid/ciab465
Pegu et al. Durability of mRNA-1273 vaccine-induced antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 variants. SCIENCE • 13 Aug 2021 • Vol 373, Issue 6561 • pp. 1372-1377 • DOI: 10.1126/science.abj4176
Pantazatos, Spiro & Seligmann, Herve. (2021). COVID vaccination and age-stratified all-cause mortality risk. 10.13140/RG.2.2.28257.43366.
Avolio E et al. The SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein disrupts human cardiac pericytes function through CD147 receptor-mediated signaling: a potential non-infective mechanism of COVID-19 microvascular disease. Clin Sci (Lond). 2021 Dec 22;135(24):2667-2689. doi: 10.1042/CS20210735. PMID: 34807265; PMCID: PMC8674568.
Kowarz E, Krutzke L, Reis J, et al. “Vaccine-Induced Covid-19 Mimicry” Syndrome: Splice reactions within the SARS-CoV-2 Spike open reading frame result in Spike protein variants that may cause thromboembolic events in patients immunized with vector-based vaccines. Research Square; 2021. DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-558954/v1
Rijkers GT, et al. Antigen Presentation of mRNA-Based and Virus-Vectored SARS-CoV-2 Vaccines. Vaccines (Basel). 2021;9(8):848. Published 2021 Aug 3. doi:10.3390/vaccines9080848

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