CD151 identifies a NK cell subset that is enriched in COVID-19 patients and correlates with disease severityRunning title: CD151 NK cells in COVID- 19

Severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) often lead to acute respiratory distress syndrome and multi-organ dysfunction, driven by a dysregulated immune response, including a cytokine storm with elevated proinflammatory cytokine levels. Natural killer (NK) cells are part of the innate immune system...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Amarilla Irusta, Ainhoa, Zenarruzabeitia Belaustegui, Olatz, Sevilla Mambrilla, Arrate, Sandá Mera, Víctor, López Pardo, Ainara, Astarloa Pando, Gabirel, Pérez Garay, Raquel, Pérez Fernández, Silvia, Mejide, Susana, Imaz Ayo, Natale, Arana Arri, Eunate, Amo Herrero, Laura, Borrego Rabasco, Francisco
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Fecha de publicación:2024
País:España
Institución:Universidad del País Vasco
Repositorio:Addi. Archivo Digital para la Docencia y la Investigación
OAI Identifier:oai:addi.ehu.eus:10810/70045
Acceso en línea:http://hdl.handle.net/10810/70045
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:COVID-19
NK cells
CD151
CD9
IL-15
TGF-β
GDF-15
SARS-CoV-2
Descripción
Sumario:Severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) often lead to acute respiratory distress syndrome and multi-organ dysfunction, driven by a dysregulated immune response, including a cytokine storm with elevated proinflammatory cytokine levels. Natural killer (NK) cells are part of the innate immune system with a fundamental role in the defense against viral infections. However, during COVID-19 acute infection, they exhibit an altered phenotype and impaired functionality contributing to the immunopathogenesis of Journal Pre-proof 2 the disease. In this work, we have studied a cohort of patients with COVID-19 (ranging from mild to severe) by analyzing IL-15, TGF-β, PlGF and GDF-15 plasma levels and performing multiparametric flow cytometry studies. Our results revealed that severe COVID-19 patients exhibited high levels of IL-15, PlGF and GDF-15, along with an enrichment of a NK cell subset expressing the CD151 tetraspanin, which correlated with IL-15 plasma levels and disease severity. In patients, these CD151+ NK cells displayed a more activated phenotype characterized by an increased expression of HLA-DR, CD38 and granzyme B, a distinct receptor repertoire, with lower levels of CD160 and CD31 and higher levels of CD55 and, remarkably, a higher expression of tissue-resident markers CD103 and the NK cell decidual marker CD9. Last of all, in individuals with severe disease, we identified an expansion of a CD151brightCD9+ NK cell subset, suggesting that these cells play a specific role in COVID-19. Altogether, our findings suggest that CD151+ NK cells may have a relevant role in COVID-19 immunopathogenesis.