Proteomic Analysis of Small Extracellular Vesicles Uncovers Ongoing Inflammatory and Coagulation Abnormalities in Long-COVID

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Post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 (PASC) affects approximately 45% of COVID-19 survivors, with a global prevalence of about 36% among confirmed cases.
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PASC is characterized by diverse symptoms, including fatigue, shortness of breath, brain fog, and mood changes, affecting multiple physiological systems.
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Proteomic analysis identified 269 dysregulated proteins in small extracellular vesicles from PASC-positive individuals, indicating ongoing inflammation and coagulation abnormalities.
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Significantly altered proteins in PASC-positive SEVs included FN1, HGF, and IL-17RA, which were more pronounced in SEVs than in matched plasma samples.
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The study highlights the potential of small extracellular vesicles as biomarkers for understanding the mechanisms underlying long COVID.

Frontiers In Immunology

by Sivasankar Chandran, Ling Chen, Anil Kumar Ram, Leslie Spikes, Prabhakar Chalise, Navneet K. Dhillon
July 20, 2026

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