Erythroid-hormonal axis in long COVID
1Division of Foundational Sciences, Mike Petryk School of Dentistry, Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2E1, Canada; Li Ka Shing Institute of Virology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2E1, Canada; Women and Children Health Research Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2E1, Canada; Cancer Research Institute of Northern Alberta, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2E1, Canada; Glycomics Institute of Alberta, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2E1, Canada; Alberta Transplant Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2E1, Canada.
Abstract:
Long COVID may reflect a failure of coordinated physiological recovery rather than persistent infection. Emerging evidence identifies inflammation-driven disruption of erythropoiesis and hormonal balance as central mechanisms linking immune dysregulation, metabolic stress, and persistent symptoms. This framework positions erythroid-endocrine pathways as key determinants of recovery and promising therapeutic targets.
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