SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein and Reactivation of human herpesvirus 6 and 7

10 % of the SARS-CoV-2 infected patients are not fully recovering from the viral infection and are developing post-viral chronic illnesses (long COVID). Herpesvirus reactivation is frequently documented in long COVID patients. Small subset of individuals develops similar clinical conditions after SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccination without having any COVID-19. The spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 is a common denominator to both these conditions and is found in various tissues months after the virus infection. Spike protein is known to reactivate endogenous retrovirus sequences in human cells. This led us to hypothesize that the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein might interact with proteins from host immune cells that directly alter innate immunity and allow frequent virus reactivations. Host cell genetics and physiology potentially play a key role in spike protein interactions. This also explains why only a small subset of individuals react adversely to SARS-CoV-2 infection or vaccination. Preliminary experimental results support this hypothesis. This project aims to apply systems biology-based approaches, including inter-disciplinary methodologies at single-cell level and 3D tissue models, to understand the molecular mechanism(s) behind Spike-induced cellular alterations and herpesvirus reactivation. The obtained results will uncover crucial insights into the interplay between SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and the reactivation of HHV-6 and HHV-7, potentially leading to new therapeutic strategies.

Planned results

• Original research articles published in the Q1 or Q2 publications listed in the Web of Science or SCOPUS databases – 2
• Other peer-reviewed original research articles in other scientific journals and collections of articles (including conference article collections), with an international editorial board – 2
• Scientific databases and datasets prepared according to the FAIR principles – 2
• Other new product or technology, software copyrights (including methods, prototypes, treatment and diagnostic methods not to be commercialised, etc.) – 1
• Policy recommendations and reports on the impact of policies – 1
• Project proposal submitted in an international call for research and development projects (competition abroad or submitted by an international consortium) – 1
• Project proposal submitted in a Latvian call for research and development projects – 1

Scientific Team

• Bhupesh Kumar Prusty – lead researcher, principal investigator
• Zaiga Nora-Krūkle – project lead
• Manoj Jana – implementer (student)
• Trushnal Waghmare – implementer