Exploring the Link Between Spike Protein from Vaccination and ER Stress in ALS

Could Spike Protein from Vaccination — Not Natural Infection — Cause ER Stress Linked to ALS and Protein Misfolding?

When considering neurodegenerative diseases like amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a key factor often identified is protein misfolding. Proteins within our cells must fold into precise shapes to function correctly, and the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) serves as the cellular factory facilitating this process. When the ER becomes overloaded or stressed, proteins can misfold, potentially leading to cell damage or death—a mechanism implicated in ALS and other neurodegenerative diseases (Hetz, 2012).

Spike Protein and ER Stress

Both natural SARS-CoV-2 infection and mRNA vaccination involve the spike protein, but the manner in which our body encounters it differs significantly:

• Virus infection: The spike protein is produced by replicating virus inside infected cells. The amount varies widely depending on viral load and infection severity. For mild infections, the spike protein exposure is relatively limited.

• mRNA vaccination: Our cells temporarily produce the spike protein after receiving the mRNA. This controlled dose is designed to provoke a strong immune response, often resulting in much higher antibody titers than natural infection. From my own lab results and experience, antibody titers after vaccination can exceed 25,000 units/mL, while natural infection rarely surpasses 1,000 units/mL. This suggests that the spike protein load from vaccination is likely higher than what the virus produces in most mild infections.

Personal Observations and Vaccine Injury

I have observed firsthand the potential impact of neurological and systemic stress following vaccination. After receiving my second dose of Pfizer (lot EK5730), I noticed severe adverse effects approximately two and a half weeks later, including symptoms consistent with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP), unexpected initiation of dialysis, congestive heart failure (CHF), dysautonomia, and blurry vision.

Additionally, a coworker I knew well began showing signs of ALS 3 weeks to 1 month after their second dose of the COVID vaccine, and I observed rapid disease progression with devastating effects on motor function and daily life. While I cannot claim direct causation, these experiences underscore how sensitive neurons and other cells are to stressors such as protein misfolding. My co-worker who is vaccinated the same time with me could probably receive the same bad lot number of Pfizer EK5730. We are both now paralyzed.

Dose and Probability of Protein Misfolding

Just as antibody responses are dose-dependent, ER stress is influenced by the amount of spike protein present in cells. The higher the spike protein load—as may occur with vaccination compared to a mild infection—the higher the probability of transient protein misfolding, which could theoretically affect cells prone to degeneration. This does not mean everyone will develop ALS, but it highlights why vaccine-induced spike protein exposure may be more relevant for protein folding stress than natural infection.

Key Takeaways

• Vaccines produce spike protein transiently but in higher amounts per immune exposure than mild natural infection.

• ER stress occurs when the cell’s protein-folding machinery is overloaded, potentially increasing misfolded proteins temporarily.

• Neurons or other sensitive cells could theoretically experience stress from repeated or high spike protein production, warranting further research.

• High antibody titers after vaccination reflect strong immune memory, not ongoing spike protein or permanent ER damage.

• Observing my own vaccine injury and my coworker’s rapid ALS progression shortly after vaccination underscores the importance of studying these mechanisms in vulnerable populations.

While vaccination remains crucial for preventing severe COVID-19, understanding how vaccine-induced spike protein interacts with cellular machinery can help researchers explore long-term consequences for protein misfolding disorders like ALS.

References
Hetz, C. (2012). The unfolded protein response: Controlling cell fate decisions under ER stress and beyond. Nature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology, 13(2), 89–102. https://doi.org/10.1038/nrm3270