4 research outputs found
Dynamic alterations in monocyte numbers, subset frequencies and activation markers in acute and convalescent COVID-19 individuals
Monocytes are thought toĀ play an important role in host defence and pathogenesis of COVID-19. However, a comprehensive examination of monocyte numbers and function has not been performed longitudinally in acute and convalescent COVID-19. We examined the absolute counts of monocytes, the frequency of monocyte subsets, the plasma levels of monocyte activation markers using flowcytometry and ELISA in seven groups of COVID-19 individuals, classified based on days since RT-PCR confirmation of SARS-CoV2 infection. Our data shows that the absolute counts of total monocytes and the frequencies of intermediate and non-classical monocytes increases from Days 15ā30 to Days 61ā90 and plateau thereafter. In contrast, the frequency of classical monocytes decreases from Days 15ā30 till Days 121ā150. The plasma levels of sCD14, CRP, sCD163 and sTissue Factor (sTF)āall decrease from Days 15ā30 till Days 151ā180. COVID-19 patients with severe disease exhibit higher levels of monocyte counts and higher frequencies of classical monocytes and lower frequencies of intermediate and non-classical monocytes and elevated plasma levels of sCD14, CRP, sCD163 and sTF in comparison with mild disease. Thus, our study provides evidence of dynamic alterations in monocyte counts, subset frequencies and activation status in acute and convalescent COVID-19 individuals
Unique cellular immune signatures of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children
The clinical presentation of MIS-C overlaps with other infectious/non-infectious diseases such as acute COVID-19, Kawasaki disease, acute dengue, enteric fever, and systemic lupus erythematosus. We examined the ex-vivo cellular parameters with the aim of distinguishing MIS-C from other syndromes with overlapping clinical presentations. MIS-C children differed from children with non-MIS-C conditions by having increased numbers of naĆÆve CD8(+) T cells, naĆÆve, immature and atypical memory B cells and diminished numbers of transitional memory, stem cell memory, central and effector memory CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells, classical, activated memory B and plasma cells and monocyte (intermediate and non-classical) and dendritic cell (plasmacytoid and myeloid) subsets. All of the above alterations were significantly reversed at 6ā9 months post-recovery in MIS-C. Thus, MIS-C is characterized by a distinct cellular signature that distinguishes it from other syndromes with overlapping clinical presentations. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov clinicaltrial.gov. No: NCT04844242
Elucidating systemic immune responses to acute and convalescent SARSāCoVā2 infection in children and elderly individuals
Abstract Background Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirusā2 (SARSāCoVā2), a causative pathogen of the COVIDā19 pandemic, affects all age groups. However, various studies have shown that COVIDā19 presentation and severity vary considerably with age. We, therefore, wanted to examine the differences between the immune responses of children with COVIDā19 and elderly COVIDā19 individuals. Methods We analyzed cytokines, chemokines, growth factors, and acute phase proteins in acute and convalescent COVIDā19 children and the elderly with acute and convalescent COVIDā19. Results We show that most of the proāinflammatory cytokines (interferon [IFN]Ī³,Ā interleukinĀ [IL]ā2, tumor necrosis factorāĪ± [TNFĪ±], ILā1Ī±, IFNĪ±, IFNĪ², ILā6, ILā12, ILā3, ILā7, ILā1Ra, ILā13, and ILā10), chemokines (CCL4, CCL11, CCL19, CXCL1, CXCL2, CXCL8, and CXL10), growth factors (vascular endothelial growth factorĀ and CD40L) and acute phase proteins (Cāreactive protein,Ā serum amyloid P,Ā and haptoglobin) were decreased in children with acute COVID 19 as compared with elderly individuals. In contrast, children with acute COVIDā19 exhibited elevated levels of cytokinesā ILā1Ī², ILā33, ILā4, ILā5, and ILā25, growth factorsāfibroblast growth factorā2, plateletā derived growth factorsāBB, and transforming growth factorĪ± as compared with elderly individuals. Similar, differences were manifest in children and elderly with convalescent COVIDā19. Conclusion Thus, COVIDā19 children are characterized by distinct cytokine/chemokine/growth factor/acute phase protein markers that are markedly different from elderly COVIDā19 individuals
Alterations of adipokines, pancreatic hormones and incretins in acute and convalescent COVID-19 children
Abstract Background The Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), accountable for Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), may cause hyperglycemia and additional systemic complexity in metabolic parameters. It is unsure even if the virus itself causes type 1 or type 2 diabetes mellitus (T1DM or T2DM). Furthermore, it is still unclear whether even recuperating COVID-19 individuals have an increased chance to develop new-onset diabetes. Methods We wanted to determine the impact of COVID-19 on the levels of adipokines, pancreatic hormones, incretins and cytokines in acute COVID-19, convalescent COVID-19 and control children through an observational study. We performed a multiplex immune assay analysis and compared the plasma levels of adipocytokines, pancreatic hormones, incretins and cytokines of children presenting with acute COVID-19 infection and convalescent COVID-19. Results Acute COVID-19 children had significantly elevated levels of adipsin, leptin, insulin, C-peptide, glucagon and ghrelin in comparison to convalescent COVID-19 and controls. Similarly, convalescent COVID-19 children had elevated levels of adipsin, leptin, insulin, C-peptide, glucagon, ghrelin and Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) in comparison to control children. On the other hand, acute COVID-19 children had significantly decreased levels of adiponectin and Gastric Inhibitory Peptide (GIP) in comparison to convalescent COVID-19 and controls. Similarly, convalescent COVID-19 children had decreased levels of adiponectin and GIP in comparison to control children. Acute COVID-19 children had significantly elevated levels of cytokines, (Interferon (IFN)) IFNĪ³, Interleukins (IL)-2, TNFĪ±, IL-1Ī±, IL-1Ī², IFNĪ±, IFNĪ², IL-6, IL-12, IL-17A and Granulocyte-Colony Stimulating Factors (G-CSF) in comparison to convalescent COVID-19 and controls. Convalescent COVID-19 children had elevated levels of IFNĪ³, IL-2, TNFĪ±, IL-1Ī±, IL-1Ī², IFNĪ±, IFNĪ², IL-6, IL-12, IL-17A and G-CSF in comparison to control children. Additionally, Principal component Analysis (PCA) analysis distinguishes acute COVID-19 from convalescent COVID-19 and controls. The adipokines exhibited a significant correlation with the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Conclusion Children with acute COVID-19 show significant glycometabolic impairment and exaggerated cytokine responses, which is different from convalescent COVID-19 infection and controls