A recent study from Japanese researchers, disclosed on December 23, sheds light on a concerning aftermath of COVID-19. Even in the absence of evident heart disease, patients who have battled the virus might face a heightened risk of heart failure due to lingering viral presence in their hearts.
The team, comprising experts from Riken, Japan’s esteemed scientific institution, highlights an alarming prospect of a potential “heart failure pandemic” looming on the horizon. They stress the urgent need for proactive measures to mitigate this looming threat.
COVID-19 gains entry into the body by binding its spike protein to ACE2 receptors on human cell surfaces. Notably, the heart houses a higher concentration of these ACE2 receptors compared to other organs, potentially explaining the virus’s affinity for cardiac tissue. While some COVID patients exhibit reduced cardiac function, the intricate mechanisms behind these effects are yet to be fully comprehended.
In a pioneering approach, the research group engineered heart tissue using induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells. They observed a decline in cardiac function upon infecting the tissue with varying amounts of the virus. Interestingly, when the infection level was reduced to 10%, a certain level of cardiac function persisted, albeit with the infection lingering for up to four weeks. This suggests the possibility that some individuals might not succumb to heart failure despite a persistent viral presence.
Moreover, under hypoxic conditions designed to diminish cardiac function, uninfected cells displayed signs of recovery within a specific timeframe. However, cells housing a residual amount of the virus showcased a compromised ability to recuperate, indicating that persistent viral infection weakens their regenerative capabilities.
Hidetoshi Masumoto, the lead researcher at Riken well-versed in regenerative medicine, underscored the potential for lingering viral infections in the hearts of COVID-19 survivors. He emphasized the critical imperative of establishing robust testing systems and treatment protocols in anticipation of a potential surge in heart failure cases—a precautionary measure essential to brace against what might unfold as a ‘heart failure pandemic.’
