However, the genes in the lungs did not stay suppressed after the infection cleared. Once the virus was cleared from the body, those genes stayed suppressed in tissue samples from the heart, kidney, liver, and lymph nodes, indicating potential long-term damage in those organs. The researchers found that during acute SARS-CoV-2 infection, mitochondrial genes were suppressed in the nasopharynx (the uppermost part of the nose and throat). The researchers also compared mitochondrial function in autopsy samples from the hearts, kidneys, livers, lungs, and lymph nodes of 35 people who died from COVID-19 and 5 people who died from other causes. Researchers compared mitochondrial gene expression (when genes are activated) in tissue samples from the throats of 216 people with COVID-19 and 519 uninfected people. In a study supported by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), researchers found that SARS-CoV-2 can cause lasting damage to the energy production of mitochondria in many organs of the body. As it became clear that parts of the virus bind to proteins in the mitochondria - the parts of the cell that produce most cellular energy - researchers realized that compromised mitochondria may also play a role in organ damage from SARS-CoV-2 infection. Inflammation was first thought to be the main source of this damage.

SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, can damage the lungs, heart, brain, kidneys, and blood vessels. Researchers have found that SARS-CoV-2 can cause lasting damage to the energy production of cells in many organs and organ systems. Researchers have found that SARS-CoV-2 can cause lasting damage to the energy production of cells in many organs and organ systems.Ī cell’s mitochondria (illustrated above) produce most of its energy. A cell’s mitochondria (illustrated above) produce most of its energy.

Are there any after effects of covid