Researchers at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences say they have discovered an antibody that may be the cause of long-term COVID-19 symptoms.

The study shows some patients who contract COVID-19 have responses where their bodies produce a second antibody called autoantibody. The antibody then attacks an enzyme called ACE2 that balances the body's response to the virus. When the second antibody attacks ACE2, it causes organs to not function properly.

Dr. John Arthur, director of nephrology at UAMS and one of the lead researchers, said he and his team focused on the enzyme because they estimated there was an increase in immune system activation.

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/post/uams-study-antibody-could-be-cause-long-term-covid-symptoms