A modular framework for the development of targeted Covid-19 blood transcript profiling panels.

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Genomics
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Covid-19 is linked to immune system dysregulation, impacting patient morbidity and mortality.
• Current immune profiling tools require enhancement for effective Covid-19 patient assessment.
• Understanding the immune response is crucial for managing severe coronavirus disease 2019.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop an approach for designing targeted blood transcriptome panels.
• To enhance immune profiling capabilities for patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection.
• To support the analysis of immune responses in Covid-19.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a repertoire of blood transcriptional modules for candidate pool design.
• Incorporated existing Covid-19 blood transcriptome data for selection guidance.
• Employed expert curation and custom web applications for candidate evaluation.

Main Results:

• Successfully designed three targeted blood transcript panels.
• Panels were developed with distinct translational relevance: immunological, therapeutic, and SARS biology.
• Demonstrated a proof-of-principle for targeted transcript panel design.

Conclusions:

• The developed approach can expand immune profiling capabilities for Covid-19.
• Targeted profiling of blood transcript abundance offers a path forward.
• This work supports enhanced understanding and management of Covid-19 immune responses.