polybiorf.bsky.social
501(c)3 transforming how #LongCovid, #ME/CFS & Lyme+ are studied, diagnosed, and treated. Leading the #LongCovid Research Consortium.
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“By identifying the proteins that are elevated in affected patients, we’re creating a platform from which to develop diagnostic tools and new targeted therapies,” Dr. Buggert says. “This is especially important since there are no specific biomarkers and treatments for long COVID.”
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Using advanced techniques, the researchers out of the Karolinska Institute and Cardiff University measured thousands of proteins in the blood plasma, which they related to the patients’ symptoms. They also used flow cytometry to conduct immunological analyses. polybio.org/polybio-supp...
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6/ This has implications for Alzheimer’s & other diseases tied to persistent viral/bacterial infections.
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5/ allowing for extremely high resolution images of spike protein in tissue to be produced. If the project team can successfully image SARS-CoV-2 reservoirs in patients with long COVID, they can potentially radiolabel therapeutics that target other pathogens implicated in chronic disease.
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4/ In the UCSF project, the EXPLORER PET scanner used in this study is the first FDA-approved full-body PET scanner & was created by two members of the project team. It has 40x the sensitivity of commercial scanners,
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3/ It will be great to compare findings between the two imaging teams as both projects continue to move forward.
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2/ This PolyBio-supported project at UCSF is working to develop similar imaging methods. The goal is to detect spike protein associated with SARS-CoV-2 reservoirs throughout the body & brains of long COVID patients: polybio.org/projects/use...
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3/ Dr. Chan’s talk was a part of PolyBio’s Fall 2024 symposium. Watch the full presentation here (3:34:07): youtu.be/nzwH556GsuU?...
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2/ PolyBio is supporting this project that will determine if SCV2 infection of human brain cell models changes protein/gene expression, leading to AD and Parkinson’s. The team will measure how coinfection with HSV1 exacerbates neurodegenerative disease.
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4/ Read the full study summary here: polybio.org/projects/cov...
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3/ 🦠What is the prevalence of persistent tissue SCV2 in deaths supposedly unrelated to COVID-19?
🦠What are the transcriptional/proteomic host responses in various tissue regions & cell types in acute vs. convalescent COVID-19, & how do these responses correlate with potential SARS-CoV-2 persistence?
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2/ The project is expanding the PolyBio-supported POstmortemSystematic InvesTigation of Sudden Cardiac Death autopsy study to examine key questions regarding Long COVID:
🦠What’s the tissue distribution and burden of SCV2 RNA/proteins in tissues of sudden death victims with and without Long Covid?
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3/ This presentation was a part of PolyBio’s Fall 2024 Symposium, available here: youtu.be/nzwH556GsuU?...
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2/ Supported by PolyBio, Dr. Price & colleagues will analyze lung tissue & blood samples by cutting-edge methods for immune cell activity and SCV2 proteins & viral persistence. The lung microbiome composition is also being characterized & associated with any SCV2 persistence.
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3/ This presentation was a part of PolyBio’s Fall 2024 symposium, available here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=nzwH...
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2/ PolyBio is supporting Dr. Brodin’s current search for genetic mechanisms underlying impaired cellular immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 infections. The team is performing whole genome sequencing in relation to >3000 whole genomes obtained from patients with variable presentations.
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4/ Dr. Iwasaki’s full presentation is available here, from PolyBio’s Fall 2024 symposium: youtu.be/nzwH556GsuU?...
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3/ PolyBio is supporting Dr. Iwasaki’s current research that probes the relationship between HERV activity, viral and bacterial pathogen reactivation, and Long Covid pathogenesis.
Read more: polybio.org/projects/pro...
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2/“We’re now collaborating to understand whether antibodies specific to Epstein Barr Virus can engage a pathological impact [in LC] when bound to this [HERV] cognate antigen.”
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3/ This @coresinai trial of Rapamycin is supported by PolyBio. In our Fall 2024 symposium, Dr. Proal explained the premise and design of the study, which can be viewed here: www.youtube.com/embed/nzwH55...
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2/ Patient samples will be sent to Dr. Akiko Iwasaki’s lab for infectious & immune testing to help determine the biological parameters of patients who may respond to the drug. “We can use that data to ‘select-in’ those patients that show those biological characteristics of responders.”
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The CoRE team hosts patient education sessions discussing pathology & treatment of infection-associated chronic conditions every month. Watch February’s session here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=3QsJ...
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3/ Dr. Breitschwerdt’s presentation was a part of PolyBio’s Spring 2024 Symposium, available here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=NvAE...
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2/ The project is supported by the Cohen Foundation, but amplified and directed by PolyBio and the CoRE clinic at Mount Sinai, which collects and ships the LC, ME & EDS blood samples for the study.
Read more here: polybio.org/projects/imp...
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The article outlines several therapies that can be used right now by clinicians, but also require further research. More details available under this thread: bsky.app/profile/poly...
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18/ “We know what long COVID clinical trials to run - and we have a plan to do it," says Peluso. “Now we need everyone on board to collaborate and expand funding and industry support to make it happen. The health of millions is at stake.”
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17/ "Advancing such tests represents a major opportunity for the biotech sector," says report first author Amy Proal PhD, who serves as President of the PolyBio Research Foundation.
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16/ The report also highlights the urgent need to develop validated biomarkers capable of detecting persistent virus in accessible fluids like blood and saliva—an effort with immense potential to accelerate clinical trials, but one that remains underdeveloped.
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15/ "We believe that combining therapies targeting both the virus and the immune system may be the best way forward, especially if dealing with persistent viral reservoirs in immune-protected tissues."
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14/ "Our approach recognizes the importance of a multifactorial strategy," says report senior author Michael Peluso MD, an infectious disease researcher at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) School of Medicine.
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13/ Combination Trials: Combining therapeutics - such as antivirals together with mAbs or immune system therapies - may be needed to most effectively target viral reservoirs.
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12/ Viral RNA Targeting: Novel approaches such as CRISPR-based treatments could potentially deactivate persistent viral RNA, but further validation is needed.
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11/ Immunotherapies: Restoring effective immune function with therapies like cytokine treatments or immune modulators could improve reservoir clearance.
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10/ Antivirals: Short-term antiviral trials for long COVID have shown mixed results, but longer treatment durations - similar to those used in hepatitis C - may be necessary.