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Updated: Nov 18, 2025
Single-cell Analysis of Immunophenotype and Cytokine Production in Peripheral Whole Blood via Mass Cytometry
Published on: June 26, 2018
Peripheral Inflammatory Cytokines and Lymphocyte Subset Features of Deceased COVID-19 Patients
Nan Jiang1, Zhijun Li2, Bo Yang3
1Department of Emergency, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China.
Insights
COVID-19 patients who died showed higher inflammatory cytokines and lower lymphocyte subsets, including suppressor T (Ts) cells. These factors, particularly IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, and Ts cells, may predict poor outcomes in COVID-19.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Virology
- Critical Care Medicine
Background:
- COVID-19 is associated with significant immune dysregulation.
- Understanding immune markers can aid in predicting patient outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare inflammatory cytokines and lymphocyte subsets between deceased and survivor COVID-19 patients.
- To identify immune markers predictive of COVID-19 mortality.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective study of 254 COVID-19 patients.
- Analysis of laboratory and immunologic features, focusing on cytokines and lymphocyte subsets.
Main Results:
- Deceased patients exhibited higher inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-8, IL-10) and lower lymphocyte subsets (T cells, B cells, NK cells) compared to survivors.
- Decreased Ts cells and elevated Th/Ts ratio were observed in non-survivors.
- Higher IL-6, IL-8, IL-10 correlated with shorter survival; Ts cell count negatively associated with mortality risk.
Conclusions:
- SARS-CoV-2 infection leads to lymphopenia and hyperinflammation.
- IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, and Ts cell counts are potential independent predictors of poor COVID-19 outcomes.
Objective:
To compare the difference of inflammatory cytokines and lymphocyte subsets between deceased patients and survivors with COVID-19.
Methods:
This retrospective study included 254 confirmed patients from 10 January to 11 March, 2020, at Tongji Hospital of Wuhan, China. Laboratory and immunologic features were collected and analyzed, and the main outcomes focused on inflammatory cytokines and lymphocyte subsets.
Results:
A trend of markedly higher levels of inflammatory cytokines as well as lower lymphocyte subset levels in deceased patients was observed compared with survivors. ROC curve analyses indicated that inflammatory cytokines and the decrease levels of T cell, Th (helper T cells) cell, Ts (suppressor T cells) cell, B cell, and NK cell along with Th/Ts ratio increase could be used to predict the death of COVID-19. Multivariate analyses showed that higher levels of IL-6, IL-8, and IL-10 remained significantly correlated with shorter survival time and that the amount of Ts cells was negatively associated with the possibility of death in COVID-19 patients. In conclusion, SARS-CoV-2 would cause lymphopenia and result in decreased lymphocyte subset cells, particularly in Ts cell counts, which further induces hyperinflammatory response and cytokine storm. IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, and Ts cell might be independent predictors for the poor outcome of COVID-19.
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