SARS-CoV-2 immune complex triggers human monocyte necroptosis
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Updated: Aug 8, 2025

Isolation Protocol of Mouse Monocyte-derived Dendritic Cells and Their Subsequent In Vitro Activation with Tumor Immune Complexes
Published on: May 31, 2018
Leonardo Duarte Santos1, Krist Helen Antunes1, Gisele Cassão1
1Laboratory of Clinical and Experimental Immunology, Infant Center, School of Life and Health Science, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil.
Abstract:
We analyzed the ability of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) itself and SARS-CoV-2-IgG immune complexes to trigger human monocyte necroptosis. SARS-CoV-2 was able to induce monocyte necroptosis dependently of MLKL activation. Necroptosis-associated proteins (RIPK1, RIPK3 and MLKL) were involved in SARS-CoV-2N1 gene expression in monocytes. SARS-CoV-2 immune complexes promoted monocyte necroptosis in a RIPK3- and MLKL-dependent manner, and Syk tyrosine kinase was necessary for SARS-CoV-2 immune complex-induced monocyte necroptosis, indicating the involvement of Fcγ receptors on necroptosis. Finally, we provide evidence that elevated LDH levels as a marker of lytic cell death are associated with COVID-19 pathogenesis.
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