Fibrinogen's negative charge electrostatically attracts the virus's positively charged spike protein, masking it from antibody detection while anchoring it to endothelial cells. Molecular docking studies suggest fibrinogen reshapes the spike protein, redirecting the virus away from ACE2 receptors toward integrin-mediated entry linked to inflammation and vascular injury.
Fibrinogen may help SARS-CoV-2 evade immunity while damaging blood vessels
Long COVID patients experience tissue hypoxia and neurocognitive symptoms potentially linked to fibrin microclots carrying viral spike protein.