Single-cell multi-omics analysis of the immune response in COVID-19
Publication: Nature Medicine
Cambridge Institute of Therapeutic Immunology and Infectious Disease-National Institute of Health Research (CITIID-NIHR) COVID-19 BioResource Collaboration, Sarah A. Teichmann, Menna R. Clatworthy et al
20 April 2021
Analysis of human blood immune cells provides insights into the coordinated response to viral infections such as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, which causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
The researchers looked at blood samples from a cross-sectional cohort of 130 patients in Newcastle, Cambridge and London with varying severities of COVID-19.
They found raised levels of specific immune cells in asymptomatic people to help fight infection – but that patients with more serious symptoms had lost these protective cell types and instead gained inflammatory cells. In severe cases this led to lung inflammation, blood clotting difficulties and hospitalisation.
While it is not yet understood how the infection stimulates these immune responses, the study gives a molecular explanation for how COVID-19 could cause an increased risk of blood clotting and inflammation in the lungs, which can lead to the patient needing a ventilator.
This also uncovers potential new therapeutic targets to help protect patients against inflammation and severe disease.
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