The studies listed below are peer reviewed papers on the topic of the mRNA produced spike persistence and its widespread distribution post vaccination. Please check back from time to time as this list is expanded with the release of new papers.
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Papers are listed by date, the most recent appearing at the top of the page. Click to expand for a full text link, author details, correspondence and abstract. Where a paper is published in multiple journals, the link provided is to a full text version. If we have missed important validated research, please log in and use the comment box below to send us a link. Acceptance of submitted links is at the discretion of the editors.
Please note that on occasion, a retracted study will still be listed. This is an editorial decision, based on the reasons for the papers retraction. Clear attempts to discredit research with a view to censorship does not warrant retraction. These papers are highlighted in red and where possible PDF versions exist on our servers.
The persistence of COVID-19 vaccine artifacts in bodily fluids and tissues: a systematic review
Study Details
| FULL TEXT PREPRINT LINK: View Paper |
| PUBLICATION DATE: February, 2026 |
| PUBLICATION: Springer |
| AUTHORS |
| Edgar Selem, Mikolaj Raszek, Joseph Varon & Matthew Halma |
| CORRESPONDENCE TO |
| [email protected] |
| DOI: 10.1186/s43094-026-00939-2 |
| PMID: Not indexed |
| ABSTRACT |
| Background Early assumptions about COVID-19 vaccine components suggested that modified messenger RNA and spike protein would be rapidly cleared from the body, consistent with the known degradation pathways of natural RNA. However, multiple studies have identified these vaccine-derived components in human tissues and bodily fluids for unexpectedly prolonged periods after vaccination. This persistence challenges initial expectations and raises important questions about the mechanisms enabling such long-term presence. Main body This review systematically examines the evidence for enduring COVID-19 vaccine components, including modified messenger RNA, spike protein, and lipid nanoparticles, in the human body long after administration. We evaluate the techniques used to detect these substances, highlighting the sensitivity and specificity of various assays, and summarize the specific tissues and fluids where these components have been found. Special attention is given to methodological considerations that may influence detection and interpretation. Furthermore, this review explores potential biological explanations for the prolonged presence of vaccine-derived material. Possible mechanisms include altered RNA stability due to chemical modifications, slow clearance of lipid nanoparticles, and the formation of stable complexes or reservoirs within tissues. The evidence for each hypothesis is discussed, with an emphasis on distinguishing between true persistence and assay artifacts. Conclusion The reported persistence of COVID-19 vaccine components in the body is a phenomenon that warrants deeper investigation. While methodological factors must be carefully considered, the available data suggest that certain vaccine derivatives may remain detectable for extended periods. Understanding the underlying mechanisms is important for assessing vaccine safety and optimizing future mRNA-based therapeutics. |
Unprecedented Persistence of Vaccine mRNA, Plasmid DNA, Spike Protein, and Genomic Dysregulation Over 3.5 Years Post-COVID-19 mRNA Vaccination
Study Details
| FULL TEXT PREPRINT LINK: View Paper |
| PUBLICATION DATE: February, 2026 |
| PUBLICATION: Zenodo |
| AUTHORS |
| Nicolas Hulscher, MPH, Vanessa Schmidt, PhD, Michael Mörz, MD, Claire Rogers, PA-C, Natalia von Ranke, PhD, Wei Zhang, PhD, John A. Catanzaro ND, PhD, & Peter A. McCullough MD, MPH |
| CORRESPONDENCE TO |
| DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.18460099 |
| PMID: PREPRINT |
| ABSTRACT |
| The long-term bio-distribution and persistence of components from COVID-19 RNA vaccines remain insufficiently characterized. Emerging evidence suggests that prolonged spike protein expression, residual RNA, and plasmid DNA fragments may contribute to multi-system post-vaccination syndromes. |
Synthetic messenger RNA vaccines and transcriptomic dysregulation: Evidence from new-onset adverse events and cancers post-vaccination
Study Details
| FULL TEXT LINK: View Paper |
| PUBLICATION DATE: December, 2025 |
| PUBLICATION: PubMed Central, World Journal of Experimental Medicine |
| AUTHORS |
| Natalia Lidmar Von Ranke, Wei Zhang, Philipp Anokhin, Nicolas Hulscher, Kevin McKernan, Peter Mccullough, John Catanzaro |
| CORRESPONDENCE TO |
| [email protected] |
| DOI: 10.5493/wjem.v15.i4.113869 |
| PMID: 41497694 |
| ABSTRACT |
| This study demonstrates that individuals experiencing new-onset adverse events or cancer after messenger RNA (mRNA) coronavirus disease 2019 vaccination exhibit widespread transcriptomic dysregulation. Bulk RNA sequencing revealed hallmarks of mitochondrial dysfunction, systemic inflammation, proteasome and ribosomal stress, and nonsense-mediated decay, with additional genomic instability and epigenetic reprogramming in cancer patients. Notably, myelocytomatosis oncogene activation and heightened immune signaling via toll-like receptors and type I interferons were observed. These findings highlight shared and distinct molecular signatures, underscoring the need for further investigation into long-term mRNA vaccine safety and host variability. |
Spike protein-related proteinopathies: A focus on the neurological side of spikeopathies
Study Details
| FULL TEXT LINK: View Paper |
| PUBLICATION DATE: June 2025 |
| PUBLICATION: PubMed |
| AUTHORS |
| Andreas Posa |
| CORRESPONDENCE TO |
| [email protected] |
| DOI: 10.1016/j.aanat.2025.152662 |
| PMID: 40254264 |
| ABSTRACT |
| The spike protein (SP) is an outward-projecting transmembrane glycoprotein on viral surfaces. SARS-CoV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2), responsible for COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019), uses SP to infect cells that express angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) on their membrane. Remarkably, SP has the ability to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) into the brain and cause cerebral damage through various pathomechanisms. To combat the COVID-19 pandemic, novel gene-based products have been used worldwide to induce human body cells to produce SP to stimulate the immune system. This artificial SP also has a harmful effect on the human nervous system.. |
Expression of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein in cerebral Arteries: Implications for hemorrhagic stroke Post-mRNA vaccination
Study Details
| FULL TEXT LINK: View Paper |
| PUBLICATION DATE: June 2025 |
| PUBLICATION: Elsevier, Journal of Clinical Neuroscience |
| AUTHORS |
| Nakao Ota, Masahiko Itani, Tomohiro Aoki, Aki Sakurai, Takashi Fujisawa, Yasuaki Okada, Kosumo Noda, Yoshiki Arakawa, Sadahisa Tokuda, Rokuya Tanikawa |
| CORRESPONDENCE TO |
| [email protected] |
| DOI: 10.1016/j.jocn.2025.111223 |
| PMID: 40184822 |
| ABSTRACT |
| The rapid deployment of mRNA vaccines for SARS-CoV-2, such as BNT162b2 (BioNTech-Pfizer) and mRNA-1273 (Moderna), provided a critical tool in combating the COVID-19 pandemic. While their short-term safety and efficacy were demonstrated in clinical trials, rare adverse events, including hemorrhagic strokes, have been reported after widespread use. However, the long-term biodistribution and effects of mRNA vaccines remain underexplored. This study aimed to investigate the long-term presence of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein in brain tissues of patients with hemorrhagic strokes, examining its potential association with mRNA vaccination. |
Detection of S1 spike protein in CD16+ monocytes up to 245 days in SARS-CoV-2-negative post-COVID-19 vaccine syndrome (PCVS) individuals
Study Details
| FULL TEXT LINK: View Paper |
| PUBLICATION DATE: May, 2025 |
| PUBLICATION: Taylor and Francis |
| AUTHORS |
| Bruce K Patterson, Ram Yogendra, Edgar B Francisco, Jose Guevara-Coto, Emily Long, Amruta Pise, Eric Osgood, John Bream, Mark Kreimer, Devon Jeffers, Christopher Beaty, Richard Vander Heide, Rodrigo A Mora-Rodríguez |
| CORRESPONDENCE TO |
| [email protected] |
| DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2025.2494934 |
| PMID: 40358138 |
| ABSTRACT |
| Despite over 13 billion SARS-CoV-2 vaccine doses administered globally, persistent post-vaccination symptoms, termed post-COVID-19 vaccine syndrome (PCVS), resemble post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC). Symptoms like cardiac, vascular, and neurological issues often emerge shortly after vaccination and persist for months to years, mirroring PASC. We previously showed the S1 subunit of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein persists in CD16+ monocytes after infection, potentially driving PASC. Approved vaccines (Pfizer, Moderna, Janssen, AstraZeneca) deliver synthetic S1 to elicit immunity, suggesting a shared mechanism. We hypothesized that vaccine-derived S1 persistence in CD16+ monocytes sustains inflammation akin to PASC, contributing to PCVS. We studied 50 individuals with PCVS symptoms lasting over 30 days post-vaccination and 26 asymptomatic controls, using (1) machine learning-based immune profiling to compare cytokine signatures with PASC, (2) flow cytometry to detect S1 in CD16+ monocytes, and (3) LC-MS to confirm S1 across vaccine types. We correlated S1 persistence with symptom duration and inflammation. Prior infection was excluded via clinical history, anti-nucleocapsid antibody tests, and T-detect assays, though definitive tests are lacking. Preliminary findings suggest S1 persistence in CD16+ monocytes and an associated inflammatory profile may contribute to PCVS. Further studies are needed to confirm causality and prevalence. |
Immunological and Antigenic Signatures Associated with Chronic Illnesses after COVID-19 Vaccination
Study Details
| FULL PREPRINT TEXT LINK: View Paper |
| PUBLICATION DATE: February, 2025 |
| PUBLICATION: medRxiv |
| AUTHORS |
| Bornali Bhattacharjee, Peiwen Lu, Valter Silva Monteiro, Alexandra Tabachnikova, Kexin Wang, William B. Hooper, Victoria Bastos, Kerrie Greene, Mitsuaki Sawano, Christian Guirgis, Tiffany J. Tzeng, Frederick Warner, Pavlina Baevova, Kathy Kamath, Jack Reifert, Danice Hertz, Brianne Dressen, Laura Tabacof, Jamie Wood, Lily Cooke, Mackenzie Doerstling, Shadan Nolasco, Amer Ahmed, Amy Proal, David Putrino, Leying Guan, Harlan M. Krumholz, Akiko Iwasaki |
| CORRESPONDENCE TO |
| No contact provided |
| DOI: 10.1101/2025.02.18.25322379 |
| PMID: PREPRINT |
| ABSTRACT |
| COVID-19 vaccines have prevented millions of COVID-19 deaths. Yet, a small fraction of the population reports a chronic debilitating condition after COVID-19 vaccination, often referred to as post-vaccination syndrome (PVS). To explore potential pathobiological features associated with PVS, we conducted a decentralized, cross-sectional study involving 42 PVS participants and 22 healthy controls enrolled in the Yale LISTEN study. Compared with controls, PVS participants exhibited differences in immune profiles, including reduced circulating memory and effector CD4 T cells (type 1 and type 2) and an increase in TNFα+ CD8 T cells. PVS participants also had lower anti-spike antibody titers, primarily due to fewer vaccine doses. Serological evidence of recent Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) reactivation was observed more frequently in PVS participants. Further, individuals with PVS exhibited elevated levels of circulating spike protein compared to healthy controls. These findings reveal potential immune differences in individuals with PVS that merit further investigation to better understand this condition and inform future research into diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. |
Long-lasting, biochemically modified mRNA, and its frameshifted recombinant spike proteins in human tissues and circulation after COVID-19 vaccination
Study Details
| FULL TEXT LINK: View Paper |
| PUBLICATION DATE: June, 2024 |
| PUBLICATION: British Pharmacological Society |
| AUTHORS |
| László G. Boros, Anthony M. Kyriakopoulos, Carlo Brogna, Marina Piscopo, Peter A. McCullough, Stephanie Seneff |
| CORRESPONDENCE TO |
| [email protected] |
| DOI: 10.1002/prp2.1218 |
| PMID: 38867495 |
| ABSTRACT |
| According to the CDC, both Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines contain nucleoside-modified messenger RNA (mRNA) encoding the viral spike glycoprotein of severe acute respiratory syndrome caused by corona virus (SARS-CoV-2), administered via intramuscular injections. Despite their worldwide use, very little is known about how nucleoside modifications in mRNA sequences affect their breakdown, transcription and protein synthesis. It was hoped that resident and circulating immune cells attracted to the injection site make copies of the spike protein while the injected mRNA degrades within a few days. It was also originally estimated that recombinant spike proteins generated by mRNA vaccines would persist in the body for a few weeks. In reality, clinical studies now report that modified SARS-CoV-2 mRNA routinely persist up to a month from injection and can be detected in cardiac and skeletal muscle at sites of inflammation and fibrosis, while the recombinant spike protein may persist a little over half a year in blood. Vaccination with 1-methylΨ (pseudouridine enriched) mRNA can elicit cellular immunity to peptide antigens produced by +1 ribosomal frameshifting in major histocompatibility complex-diverse people. The translation of 1-methylΨ mRNA using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry identified nine peptides derived from the mRNA +1 frame. These products impact on off-target host T cell immunity that include increased production of new B cell antigens with far reaching clinical consequences. As an example, a highly significant increase in heart muscle 18-flourodeoxyglucose uptake was detected in vaccinated patients up to half a year (180 days). This review article focuses on medical biochemistry, proteomics and deutenomics principles that explain the persisting spike phenomenon in circulation with organ-related functional damage even in asymptomatic individuals. Proline and hydroxyproline residues emerge as prominent deuterium (heavy hydrogen) binding sites in structural proteins with robust isotopic stability that resists not only enzymatic breakdown, but virtually all (non)-enzymatic cleavage mechanisms known in chemistry. |
Transplacental transmission of the COVID-19 vaccine messenger RNA: evidence from placental, maternal, and cord blood analyses post vaccination
Study Details
| FULL TEXT LINK: View Paper |
| PUBLICATION DATE: June, 2024 |
| PUBLICATION: American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology |
| AUTHORS |
| Xinhua Lin, Bishoy Botros, Monica Hanna, Ellen Gurzenda, Claudia Manzano De Mejia, Martin Chavez, Nazeeh Hanna |
| CORRESPONDENCE TO |
| [email protected] |
| DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog. 2024.01.022 |
| PMID: 38307473 |
| ABSTRACT |
| SARS-CoV-2 infection presents substantial challenges to global health, necessitating effective interventions such as COVID-19 vaccination. The initial clinical trials for the COVID-19 messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines excluded pregnant women, leading to a knowledge gap concerning the potential biodistribution of the vaccine’s mRNA to the placenta and/or the fetus after maternal vaccination. The Pfizer and Moderna Assessment Reports that were provided to the European Medicines Agency concluded that in animal models, a fraction of the administered mRNA dose is distributed to distant tissues, mainly the liver, adrenal glands, spleen, and ovaries. Another animal study showed that lipid nanoparticle (LNP) mRNA injections, similar in composition to COVID-19 mRNA vaccines, delivered functional mRNA to the placenta and other fetal organs. Our recently published study demonstrated that the COVID-19 vaccine mRNA administered to lactating mothers can spread systemically from the injection site to breast milk, indicating that it could cross the blood-milk barrier. Another study that evaluated the effects of maternal COVID-19 vaccination on the hematopoietic stem progenitor cells in the umbilical cord blood suggested that the LNP mRNA vaccines might reach the fetus following maternal vaccination. This report presents 2 unique cases of pregnant individuals who were vaccinated with the COVID-19 mRNA vaccine shortly before delivery. This study aimed to assess the presence of the COVID-19 vaccine mRNA in the placenta and umbilical cord blood following maternal vaccination during human pregnancy. |
Immune imprinting, breadth of variant recognition, and germinal center response in human SARS-CoV-2 infection and vaccination
Study Details
| FULL TEXT LINK: View Paper |
| PUBLICATION DATE: March 2022 |
| PUBLICATION: Cell |
| AUTHORS |
| Katharina Röltgen, Sandra C.A. Nielsen, Oscar Silva, Sheren F. Younes, Maxim Zaslavsky, Cristina Costales, Fan Yang, Oliver F. Wirz, Daniel Solis, Ramona A. Hoh, Aihui Wang, Prabhu S. Arunachalam, Deana Colburg, Shuchun Zhao, Emily Haraguchi, Alexandra S. Lee, Mihir M. Shah, Monali Manohar, Iris Chang, Fei Gao, Vamsee Mallajosyula, Chunfeng Li, James Liu, Massa J. Shoura, Sayantani B. Sindher, Ella Parsons, Naranjargal J. Dashdorj, Naranbaatar D. Dashdorj, Robert Monroe, Geidy E. Serrano, Thomas G. Beach, R. Sharon Chinthrajah, Gregory W. Charville, James L. Wilbur, Jacob N. Wohlstadter, Mark M. Davis, Bali Pulendran, Megan L. Troxell, George B. Sigal, Yasodha Natkunam, Benjamin A. Pinsky, Kari C. Nadeau, Scott D. Boyd |
| CORRESPONDENCE TO |
| [email protected] |
| DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2022.01.018 |
| PMID: 35148837 |
| ABSTRACT |
| During the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, novel and traditional vaccine strategies have been deployed globally. We investigated whether antibodies stimulated by mRNA vaccination (BNT162b2), including third-dose boosting, differ from those generated by infection or adenoviral (ChAdOx1-S and Gam-COVID-Vac) or inactivated viral (BBIBP-CorV) vaccines. We analyzed human lymph nodes after infection or mRNA vaccination for correlates of serological differences. Antibody breadth against viral variants is lower after infection compared with all vaccines evaluated but improves over several months. Viral variant infection elicits variant-specific antibodies, but prior mRNA vaccination imprints serological responses toward Wuhan-Hu-1 rather than variant antigens. In contrast to disrupted germinal centers (GCs) in lymph nodes during infection, mRNA vaccination stimulates robust GCs containing vaccine mRNA and spike antigen up to 8 weeks postvaccination in some cases. SARS-CoV-2 antibody specificity, breadth, and maturation are affected by imprinting from exposure history and distinct histological and antigenic contexts in infection compared with vaccination. |
