biostudies-literatureToro AMinistry of Science, Technology and Productive Innovation, Argentina | Agencia Nacional de Promoción Científica y Tecnológica (National Agency for Science and Technology, Argentina)Ministerio de Ciencia, Tecnología e Innovación Productiva (Ministry of Science, Technology and Productive Innovation, Argentina)863https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC11605097biostudies-literatureUnknown15(11)Recent developments have broadened our perception of SARS-CoV-2, indicating its capability to affect the body systemically beyond its initial recognition as a mere respiratory pathogen. However, the pathways of its widespread are not well understood. Employing a dual-modality approach, we integrated findings from a Murine Hepatitis Virus (MHV) infection model with corroborative clinical data to investigate the pervasive reach of Coronaviruses. The novel presence of viral particles within red blood cells (RBCs) was demonstrated via high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, with computational modeling elucidating a potential heme-mediated viral entry mechanism via Spike protein affinity. Our data affirm viral localization in RBCs, suggesting heme moieties as facilitators for cellularCell death & diseaseBlood matters: the hematological signatures of Coronavirus infection.PMC11605097PICT 2019-03215PICT-2021-III-A-00080Gueron GPorfido JLSabater AOlivero-Deibe NRodriguez FCrispo MCotignola JToro AAchinelli IFajardo ALabanca EPerbolianachis PNin NLeyva ACostabile AOlivera AMarti MPascual GAnselmino NZizzi EAArevalo APGentile FMoratorio GPereira-Gomez MLage-Vickers SAlonso DFCherkasov ASanchis PCarrion FVazquez EBizzotto JFlo MSeniuk RMoreno PValacco MPfalseBlood matters: the hematological signatures of Coronavirus infection.Recent developments have broadened our perception of SARS-CoV-2, indicating its capability to affect the body systemically beyond its initial recognition as a mere respiratory pathogen. However, the pathways of its widespread are not well understood. Employing a dual-modality approach, we integrated findings from a Murine Hepatitis Virus (MHV) infection model with corroborative clinical data to investigate the pervasive reach of Coronaviruses. The novel presence of viral particles within red blood cells (RBCs) was demonstrated via high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, with computational modeling elucidating a potential heme-mediated viral entry mechanism via Spike protein affinity. Our data affirm viral localization in RBCs, suggesting heme moieties as facilitators for cellular2024-01-01T00:00:00Z2024 Nov2026-06-02T03:48:11.377Z2026-04-14T03:12:17.734ZS-EPMC116050973960942310.1038/s41419-024-07247-8