The Role of Molecular Mimicry and Autoimmunity in the SARS-CoV-2-Induced Diseases: An a Posteriori Analysis

In 2020, at the outbreak of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic, SARS-CoV-2-derived epitopes were analyzed for peptide sharing with human proteins in order to assess the autoimmune cross-reactive potential related to the coronavirus exposure. It was found that the immunoreactive epitopes present in SARS-CoV-2 are mostly composed of peptide sequences also present in human proteins that-when altered-can associate with a wide range of disorders, from respiratory distress to multi-organ failure. Worthy of note, the peptide sharing also included tumor suppressor proteins and antigens related to fetal/infantile diseases. Scientifically, the data indicated that molecular mimicry and the consequent cross-reactivity can induce autoimmunity following SARS-CoV-2 passive/active infection. Clinically, the data recommended vaccine formulation based on unshared viral peptide sequences to avoid autoimmune reactions. Today, in 2022, the data explain the massive wave of severe adverse events predicted in 2020 and now occurring following global anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccination based on customary vaccine formulations.