Could a method of treating Coronavirus infections in cats be used to treat Long Covid in humans?

[andyguitar]

It is being proposed in this paper that a method of treating Coronavirus infections (not Covid 19) in cats could be used to treat LongCovid in humans. Very long paper, here as a pdf, and a screenshot of the basics.

 

[andyguitar]

pdf

 

[hapl808]

Cats get stem cells and antivirals. Humans get positive thinking and mind-body pseudoscience.

Because cats won't put up with that BS, but humans will.

 

[andyguitar]

Cats get stem cells and antivirals.

From what I've read in the paper it seems to me that the important part here is the Stem Cells. There has been some research in the last few years about their potential for treating Covid 19 and it sounds fairly solid. Their full name is... Allogenic Mesenchymal Stem/Stromal Cells. They can modulate the immune system and regenerate damaged tissue.

 

[andyguitar]

From what I've read in the paper it seems to me that the important part here is the Stem Cells. There has been some research in the last few years about their potential for treating Covid 19

There are about 70 clinical trials going on into their use to treat Covid 19. Preliminary results are said to show promise. Not found anything about trials to treat Long Covid yet.

 

[andyguitar]

Not found anything about trials to treat Long Covid yet.

Just found this...

 

[Wayne]

Full Paper:

Mesenchymal stem/stromal cell therapy improves immune recovery in a feline model of severe coronavirus infection​

Significance Statement​

​

This study demonstrates the potential of MSC-based therapy to address immune dysfunction in severe coronavirus infections, using a naturally occurring feline disease as a model. The research highlights how MSC treatment can rejuvenate immune responses, promote long-term immune memory, and restore balance to an imbalanced and dysfunctional immune system.​

​

These findings provide valuable insights into developing advanced treatments for complex viral diseases in both animals and humans. By bridging veterinary and human medicine, the study underscores the power of translational research to inform therapies for persistent and inflammatory conditions like post-acute sequelae of COVID-19.​

Spoiler: What is mesenchymal stem/stromal cell (MSC) therapy? How much might it cost?

ChatGPT said:​

Mesenchymal stem/stromal cell (MSC) therapy is a form of regenerative medicine that uses stem-like cells—typically derived from bone marrow, adipose (fat) tissue, or umbilical cord—to help repair or modulate damaged or dysfunctional tissues, especially in immune and inflammatory conditions.​

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What Are MSCs?​

• MSCs are multipotent cells that can:
  • Differentiate into bone, cartilage, fat, and muscle cells
  • Secrete anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory factors
  • Promote tissue repair and regulate immune responses
• Unlike embryonic stem cells, MSCs do not form tumors and are considered relatively safe for clinical use.

---

What Is MSC Therapy?​

• MSC therapy involves injecting or infusing MSCs—either autologous (from the patient) or allogeneic (from a donor)—into the body, often intravenously.
• The goal is not to replace cells, but to modulate inflammation, reduce immune overactivation, and support tissue healing.
• It's being investigated for diseases like:
  • Autoimmune disorders (e.g., lupus, Crohn’s)
  • Long COVID and ME/CFS
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Graft-vs-host disease
  • Lung injury and fibrosis

---

Cost of MSC Therapy​

• Not yet FDA-approved for most conditions, so costs vary widely depending on country, provider, and treatment type.

Setting​	Approximate Cost (per treatment or course)​
Clinical trials (U.S.)​	Usually free or low cost (if eligible)​
Private clinics (U.S./abroad)​	$5,000 – $25,000+​
Medical tourism (e.g., Mexico, Panama, Thailand)​	$10,000 – $20,000 for a full course​
Single-dose therapy (U.S., investigational use)​	$3,000 – $10,000​

Note: Because MSC therapy is not FDA-approved for ME/CFS or long COVID, treatment is often paid out-of-pocket, and regulation varies by country.​

---

Bottom Line​

• MSC therapy offers promise in treating immune-related diseases through immune modulation and tissue repair.
• It’s still considered experimental for ME/CFS and long COVID.
• Costs range from several thousand to tens of thousands of dollars, with limited insurance coverage.

Spoiler: Implications For People with ME/CFS

The findings of this study—demonstrating that mesenchymal stem/stromal cell (MSC) therapy can alleviate immune exhaustion and promote immune homeostasis in a model of chronic viral infection—have several potential implications for people with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS), particularly because ME/CFS is thought to involve immune dysregulation, post-infectious onset, and chronic inflammation.​

​

Here are the key implications:​

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1. Relevance of Immune Exhaustion and Dysregulation​

• ME/CFS and FIP/SARS-CoV-2share characteristics such as:
  • T-cell exhaustion
  • Persistent low-grade inflammation
  • Altered cytokine profiles (e.g., elevated IL-6, TNF-α)
  • Impaired immune memory and regulation
• This study shows that MSC therapy can reduce T-cell exhaustion markers (PD-1, TIM3, LAG-3) and promote regulatory T cells—potentially restoring immune balance.
• For ME/CFS patients with evidence of immune exhaustion, this suggests a therapeutic pathway to rebalance immune function.

---

2. MSC-Induced Cytokine Modulation​

• The feline study found that MSC therapy shifted cytokine profiles toward those of healthy controls, though some residual inflammation persisted.
• ME/CFS has been associated with cytokine imbalances (especially early in the disease), and the ability of MSCs to normalize cytokine patterns could help ameliorate systemic symptoms like fatigue, malaise, and cognitive dysfunction.

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3. Long-Term Immune Remodeling​

• MSCs not only reduced inflammation but also supported the development of long-term memory T cells, which is important for ongoing immune resilience.
• If ME/CFS results from a failure to fully recover from viral illness (as in some post-COVID syndromes), MSC therapy might help “reset” immune memory and restore adaptive responses.

---

4. Relevance for Post-viral Fatigue and Long COVID​

• Since long COVID and ME/CFS share overlapping symptoms and immunologic features, the MSC therapy benefits observed in this FIP model could translate to both populations.
• Indeed, the authors highlight the connection to post-acute COVID syndromes—suggesting a broader role for MSCs in treating viral sequelae with persistent immune dysfunction.

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Caveats and Limitations​

• While promising, this was a small animal study in cats with a specific type of coronavirus; human trials are necessary.
• ME/CFS is heterogeneous, and not all patients may share the same immune profile (e.g., some may have autoimmunity rather than exhaustion).
• The long-term safety and durability of MSC therapy in humans, especially with repeated dosing, still requires study.

---

In Summary:​

MSC therapy may be highly relevant to ME/CFS, especially in patients with:​

• Evidence of T-cell exhaustion
• Persistent inflammation post-infection
• Features overlapping with long COVID

This study supports further clinical trials of MSCs in post-viral fatigue syndromes like ME/CFS to assess immune modulation, symptom relief, and quality of life improvement.​

Spoiler: ChatGPT Summary

ChatGPT said:​

Summary:​

The study investigates the use of mesenchymal stem/stromal cell (MSC) therapy in combination with antiviral treatment for improving immune recovery in cats with effusive feline infectious peritonitis (FIP), a naturally occurring model of severe coronavirus infection that mirrors human diseases like COVID-19 and MIS-C. The authors found that MSC therapy was safe and well-tolerated, with no severe adverse effects.​

Key findings include:​

• Immune Recovery: MSC-treated cats exhibited enhanced immune restoration, characterized by reduced T-cell exhaustion, increased regulatory T cells, and restoration of immune homeostasis.
• Molecular and Cellular Improvements: Single-cell RNA sequencing of mesenteric lymph nodes showed that MSC therapy shifted immune cell populations toward memory T and B cells and away from hyperactivated or exhausted states. Cytotoxic T-cell exhaustion markers (e.g., PD-1, TIM3, LAG3) were downregulated, while memory-associated markers (e.g., IL7R, GZMK) were upregulated in MSC-treated cats.
• Cytokine Modulation: Inflammatory cytokines were reduced across all treatment groups, though some residual elevations persisted—mirroring chronic immune dysregulation in conditions like long COVID.
• PDGF-bb Association: Higher levels of PDGF-bb, a tissue repair marker, correlated with increased lymphocyte counts, suggesting a role in immune recovery.
• Translational Potential: These findings support MSCs as promising candidates for managing immune dysfunction in chronic or severe viral infections, with relevance to human diseases such as severe COVID-19 and post-viral inflammatory syndromes.

In conclusion, MSC therapy modulates immune dysfunction, alleviates T-cell exhaustion, and promotes long-term immune recovery in FIP, highlighting its translational relevance for treating chronic coronavirus-induced inflammation and immune imbalance in both animals and humans.​

 

[cfs since 1998]

I've been thinking of doing a stem cell infusion, and so far it only seems like a 5-figure lottery ticket. Hopefully more research will be done so we can figure out if this is really worth pursuing.

This last study andy posted looks especially interesting to me especially in light of my IgM deficiency. Will be trying to access the full paper, which is currently paywalled.

 

[SWAlexander]

this paper that a method of treating Coronavirus

I recently read about Cat-scratch theory and found it to be a compelling and insightful approach. Given that SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 are associated with systemic inflammation and T-cell exhaustion, a blood test measuring lymphocyte subsets—including T-cells, B-cells, and natural killer (NK) cells—should be considered essential.

However, very few primary care providers (PCPs) were willing to order such tests (see image). In the meantime, a combination of antihistamines and cortisone has significantly relieved many, including me, of my debilitating symptoms—a topic I wrote about back in 2023. In 2024 I asked again:
CD8+ T Cells: A Vital Component of Immunity and the Unanswered Questions in ME/CFS Research

As a first line of defense, these medications may also help prevent long-term immune damage, potentially reducing the risk of autoimmune conditions like lupus.

 

[Wayne]

Will be trying to access the full paper, which is currently paywalled.

Full Paper: -- Mesenchymal stem/stromal cell therapy improves immune recovery in a feline model of severe coronavirus infection

 

[andyguitar]

Hopefully more research will be done so we can figure out if this is really worth pursuing.

There is some reasearch taking place at a hospital in Shanghai. Results are due in August 2026. About 70 patients, half get the stem cells, half a placebo. Looks like a good study.

Patients have Long Covid so it might not be the answer to the question is stem cell treatment the solution to me/cfs. But that said we do have some members with me/cfs who also got much worse after getting Covid like @sunshine44

 

[andyguitar]

Also a trial in the USA- not started yet.

 

[linusbert]

Because cats won't put up with that BS, but humans will.

oh boy, this is so true. our cat is refusing pills, you have to give her everything through creme so she can lick it, she likes liking things.
maybe thats what i gonna tell my next doc, "aint your cure for liking, i am not buyin!"

 

[SWAlexander]

our cat is refusing pills

My cat also refused to take pills. Not only that— she set the rhythm for the entire household, even the dog. Once, she even dragged the guinea pig into my son's bed. And yet, during one of my worst migraine attacks, she lay quietly beside my head, offering comfort. I love cats precisely because you can’t control or instrumentalize them. They choose for themselves—and that’s exactly what makes them so special.

 

[andyguitar]

I've been thinking of doing a stem cell infusion, and so far it only seems like a 5-figure lottery ticket.

Can be as high as $25k but it depends how many treatments you have. Not sure about this but it might be a lot cheaper if instead of an infusion it is nebulized. I see that the Chinese research project will be using both infusion and nebulization.

 

[Rufous McKinney]

Or: come to Mexico. Somewhere they are doing Stem Cell treatments. I should try harder to look around my local area. See if that is available.

 

[andyguitar]

Somewhere they are doing Stem Cell treatments. I should try harder to look around my local area.

Are you near Tijuana? Place there called ProgenCell. Fair few clinics in Mexico for Stem Cell treatment. Lot cheaper than USA or UK.