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Expansion of Human Peripheral Blood γδ T Cells using Zoledronate
Published on: September 9, 2011
The phenotypic changes of γδ T cells in COVID-19 patients
Lei Lei1, Hongbo Qian2, Xiaofang Yang1
1Department of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, China.
Insights
Researchers analyzed γδ T cells in COVID-19 patients, finding decreased percentages and increased activation markers. Upregulated CD4 expression in these cells may serve as a biomarker for SARS-CoV-2 infection assessment.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Virology
- Respiratory Medicine
Background:
- Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19), caused by SARS-CoV-2, emerged in late 2019.
- No specific antiviral treatments or vaccines are currently available for SARS-CoV-2.
- Limited understanding exists regarding the immunological features of COVID-19 patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate alterations in the γδ T cell population in individuals with COVID-19.
- To identify potential immunological biomarkers for SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Main Methods:
- Blood samples were collected from 38 COVID-19 patients and 18 healthy donors (HD).
- Flow cytometry was used to analyze γδ T cell populations and their activation markers.
Main Results:
- A decrease in the percentage of γδ T cells was observed in COVID-19 patients compared to HD.
- Increased expression of the activation marker CD25 was noted on γδ T cells in infected individuals.
- Upregulation of CD4 expression on γδ T cells was identified, suggesting a specific effector cell population.
Conclusions:
- SARS-CoV-2 infection is associated with significant changes in γδ T cell populations.
- The observed changes in γδ T cells, particularly CD4 upregulation, may indicate a distinct effector cell response.
- Upregulated CD4 expression on γδ T cells could potentially serve as a biomarker for assessing SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Abstract:
A novel pneumonia-associated respiratory syndrome named coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19), which was caused by SARS-CoV-2，broke out in Wuhan, China, in the end of 2019. Unfortunately, there is no specific antiviral agent or vaccine available to treat SARS-CoV-2 infections. The information regarding the immunological characteristics in COVID-19 patients remains limited. Here, we collected the blood samples from 18 healthy donors (HD) and 38 COVID-19 patients to analyze changes on γδ T cell population. In comparison with HD, the γδ T cell percentage decreased, while the activation marker CD25 expression increased in response to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Interestingly, the CD4 expression was upregulated in γδ T cells reflecting the occurrence of a specific effector cell population, which may serve as a biomarker for the assessment of SARS-CoV-2 infection.
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