Immune characterization of a Colombian family cluster with SARS-CoV-2 infection

Introduction: Immunological markers have been described during COVID-19 and persist after recovery. These immune markers are associated with clinical features among SARSCoV- 2 infected individuals. Nevertheless, studies reporting a comprehensive analysis of the immune changes occurring during SARS-C...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Aguilar Jiménez, Wbeimar, Flórez Álvarez, Lizdany, Rincón, Daniel S., Marín Palma, Damariz, Sanchez Martinez, Alexandra, Martínez Moreno, Jahnnyer, Zapata Cardona, María Isabel, Loaiza Durán, John Darío, Cardenas, Constanza, Guzman, Fanny, Velilla Hernandez, Paula Andrea, Taborda, Natalia Andrea, Zapata Builes, Wildeman, Hernández López, Juan Carlos, Diaz, Francisco Javier, Rugeles López, María Teresa
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Estado:Versión publicada
Fecha de publicación:2021
País:Colombia
Institución:Universidad Cooperativa de Colombia
Repositorio:Repositorio UCC
OAI Identifier:oai:repository.ucc.edu.co:20.500.12494/43606
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12494/43606
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Coronavirus infections
Inflammation
Killer cells, natural
T-lymphocytes
Antibodies
Neutralizing
Descripción
Sumario:Introduction: Immunological markers have been described during COVID-19 and persist after recovery. These immune markers are associated with clinical features among SARSCoV- 2 infected individuals. Nevertheless, studies reporting a comprehensive analysis of the immune changes occurring during SARS-CoV-2 infection are still limited. Objective: To evaluate the production of proinflammatory cytokines, the antibody response, and the phenotype and function of NK cells and T cells in a Colombian family cluster with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Materials and methods: Proinflammatory cytokines were evaluated by RT-PCR and ELISA. The frequency, phenotype, and function of NK cells (cocultures with K562 cells) and T-cells (stimulated with spike/RdRp peptides) were assessed by flow cytometry. Anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies were determined using indirect immunofluorescence and plaque reduction neutralization assay. Results: During COVID-19, we observed a high proinflammatory-cytokine production and a reduced CD56bright-NK cell and cytotoxic response. Compared with healthy controls, infected individuals had a higher frequency of dysfunctional CD8+ T cells CD38+HLA-DR-. During the acute phase, CD8+ T cells stimulated with viral peptides exhibited a monofunctional response characterized by high IL-10 production. However, during recovery, we observed a bifunctional response characterized by the co-expression of CD107a and granzyme B or perforin. Conclusion: Although the proinflammatory response is a hallmark of SARS-CoV-2 infection, other phenotypic and functional alterations in NK cells and CD8+ T cells could be associated with the outcome of COVID-19. However, additional studies are required to understand these alterations and to guide future immunotherapy strategies.