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ABSTRACT: Background
Severe immunopathology may drive the deleterious manifestations that are observed in the advanced stages of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) but are poorly understood.Objective
Our aim was to phenotype leukocyte subpopulations and the cytokine milieu in the lungs and blood of critically ill patients with COVID-19 acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).Methods
We consecutively included patients less than 72 hours after intubation following informed consent from their next of kin. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid was evaluated by microscopy; bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and blood were assessed by 10-color flow cytometry and a multiplex cytokine panel.Results
Four mechanically ventilated patients (aged 40-75 years) with moderate-to-severe COVID-19 ARDS were included. Immature neutrophils dominated in both blood and lungs, whereas CD4 and CD8 T-cell lymphopenia was observed in the 2 compartments. However, regulatory T cells and TH17 cells were found in higher fractions in the lung. Lung CD4 and CD8 T cells and macrophages expressed an even higher upregulation of activation markers than in blood. A wide range of cytokines were expressed at high levels both in the blood and in the lungs, most notably, IL-1RA, IL-6, IL-8, IP-10, and monocyte chemoattactant protein-1, consistent with hyperinflammation.Conclusion
COVID-19 ARDS exhibits a distinct immunologic profile in the lungs, with a depleted and exhausted CD4 and CD8 T-cell population that resides within a heavily hyperinflammatory milieu.
SUBMITTER: Ronit A
PROVIDER: S-EPMC7581505 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jan
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Ronit Andreas A Berg Ronan M G RMG Bay Jakob T JT Haugaard Anna K AK Ahlström Magnus G MG Burgdorf Kristoffer S KS Ullum Henrik H Rørvig Sara B SB Tjelle Klaus K Foss Nicolai B NB Benfield Thomas T Marquart Hanne Vibeke HV Plovsing Ronni R RR
The Journal of allergy and clinical immunology 20201023 1
<h4>Background</h4>Severe immunopathology may drive the deleterious manifestations that are observed in the advanced stages of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) but are poorly understood.<h4>Objective</h4>Our aim was to phenotype leukocyte subpopulations and the cytokine milieu in the lungs and blood of critically ill patients with COVID-19 acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).<h4>Methods</h4>We consecutively included patients less than 72 hours after intubation following informed consen ...[more]