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Elevated CD4+ T Cell Senescence Associates with Impaired Immune Responsiveness in Severe COVID-19
Jie Zhang1,2,3, Chun Chang1, Zhaoyuan Liang2
1Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China.
Aging and Disease
|February 20, 2024
Summary
Senescent T cells (Tsens) are elevated in severe COVID-19 among the elderly, correlating with poorer outcomes and reduced vaccine response. Targeting Tsens may improve immunity in older adults.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Gerontology
- Virology
Background:
- Aging is a major risk factor for severe COVID-19 and reduced vaccine effectiveness.
- The role of T cell senescence in COVID-19 severity among older adults remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between senescent T cells and severe COVID-19 outcomes in elderly patients.
- To explore the relationship between T cell senescence, antibody response, and immune cell function in COVID-19.
Main Methods:
- Flow cytometry analysis of T cell senescence markers in 100 elderly COVID-19 patients.
- Assessment of spike-specific antibody levels, neutralizing capacity, cytokine production, and plasma soluble factors.
Main Results:
- Higher CD4+ T cell senescence (Tsens) levels were observed in severe/critical COVID-19 cases compared to mild/moderate.
- Elevated Tsens correlated with decreased survival rates, particularly in breakthrough infections.
- T cell senescence negatively impacted antibody titers, neutralization ability, and T cell cytokine production, linked to impaired B cell support.
Conclusions:
- CD4+ T cell senescence is a potential biomarker for predicting severe COVID-19 prognosis in the elderly, especially for breakthrough infections.
- Restoring senescent T cell function could be crucial for enhancing vaccine efficacy and preventing severe illness in older populations.
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