Reduction and Exhausted Features of T Lymphocytes Under Serological Changes, and Prognostic Factors in COVID-19 Progression

Overview

Journal Mol Immunol

Specialties Allergy & Immunology
Molecular Biology

Date 2021 Aug 15

PMID 34392110

Citations 20

Authors

Ata Mahmoodpoor

Maryam Hosseini

Sadegh Soltani-Zangbar

Sarvin Sanaie

Leili Aghebati-Maleki

Seyed Hadi Saghaleini

Zohreh Ostadi

Mahsa Hajivalili

Zhinous Bayatmakoo

Mostafa Haji-Fatahaliha

Zohreh Babaloo

Sima Shahmohammadi Farid

Javad Ahmadian Heris

Leila Roshangar

Reza Rikhtegar

Hossein Samadi Kafil

Mehdi Yousefi

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Aims: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a novel viral infection threatening worldwide health as currently there exists no effective treatment strategy and vaccination programs are not publicly available yet. T lymphocytes play an important role in antiviral defenses. However, T cell frequency and functionality may be affected during the disease.

Material And Methods: Total blood samples were collected from patients with mild and severe COVID-19, and the total lymphocyte number, as well as CD4+ and CD8 + T cells were assessed using flowcytometry. Besides, the expression of exhausted T cell markers was evaluated. The levels of proinflammatory cytokines were also investigated in the serum of all patients using enzyme-linked immunesorbent assay (ELISA). Finally, the obtained results were analyzed along with laboratory serological reports.

Results: COVID-19 patients showed lymphopenia and reduced CD4+ and CD8 + T cells, as well as high percentage of PD-1 expression by T cells, especially in severe cases. Serum secretion of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-2 receptor (IL-2R) were remarkably increased in patients with severe symptoms, as compared with healthy controls. Moreover, high levels of triglyceride (TG) and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), were correlated with the severity of the disease.

Conclusion: Reduced number and function of T cells were observed in COVID-19 patients, especially in severe patients. Meanwhile, the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines was increased as the disease developed. High level of serum IL-2R was also considered as a sign of lymphopenia. Additionally, hypercholesterolemia and hyperlipidemia could be important prognostic factors in determining the severity of the infection.

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