Secreted ORF8 Induces Monocytic Pro-inflammatory Cytokines Through NLRP3 Pathways in Patients with Severe COVID-19

Despite extensive research, the specific factor associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection that mediates the life-threatening inflammatory cytokine response in patients with severe COVID-19 remains unidentified. Herein we demonstrate that the virus-encoded Open Reading Frame 8 (ORF8) protein is abundantly secreted as a glycoprotein and in symptomatic patients with COVID-19. ORF8 specifically binds to the NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) in CD14 monocytes to induce inflammasomal cytokine/chemokine responses including IL1β, IL8, and CCL2. Levels of ORF8 protein in the blood correlate with severity and disease-specific mortality in patients with acute SARS-CoV-2 infection. Furthermore, the ORF8-induced inflammasome response was readily inhibited by the NLRP3 inhibitor MCC950 . Our study identifies a dominant cause of pathogenesis, its underlying mechanism, and a potential new treatment strategy for severe COVID-19.