Salk Institute study shows “spike” protein used in vaccine causes severe vascular damage to healthy cells

A new study by researchers at Salk Institute for Biological Studies shows that the distinctive “spike” proteins of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, play a key role in the disease itself.

Published on April 30 in Circulation Research, the also study shows conclusively that COVID-19 is a vascular disease, demonstrating exactly how the SARS-CoV-2 virus damages and attacks the vascular system on a cellular level.

The study provides clear confirmation and a detailed explanation of the mechanism through which the protein damages vascular cells. It helps explain COVID-19’s wide variety of seemingly unconnected complications and could open the door for new research into more effective therapies.

Scientists studying other coronaviruses have long suspected that the spike protein contributed to damaging vascular endothelial cells, but this is the first time the process has been documented.