Peripheral innate and adaptive immune cells during COVID-19: Functional
neutrophils, pro-inflammatory monocytes, and half-dead lymphocytes
Abstract
A better understanding of the innate and adaptive cells in the COVID-19
disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus is a necessity for the
development of effective treatment methods and vaccines. We studied
phenotypic features of innate and adaptive immune cells, oxidative
burst, phagocytosis and apoptosis. One hundred and three patients with
COVID-19 grouped according to their clinical features as mild (35%),
moderate (40.8%), and severe (24.3%) were included in the study.
Monocytes from all COVID-19 patients were CD16+ pro-inflammatory
monocytes. Neutrophils were mature and functional. No defect has been
found in ROS production of monocytes and neutrophils as well as no
defect in their apoptosis. As bridging cells of the innate and adaptive
immune system; the percentage of NK cells was in normal range whereas
the percentages of CD3-CD8+CD56+ innate lymphoid and CD3+CD56+ NK like T
cells were found to be high in the severe cases of COVID-19. Although
absolute numbers of all lymphocyte subsets were low and showed a
tendency for a gradual decrease in accord with the disease progression,
in all COVID-19 patients, the lymphocyte subset with the most decreased
absolute number was B lymphocytes, followed by CD4 + T cells in the
severe cases. The percentages of regulatory, CD3+CD4-CD8-; HLA-DR+CD3+
and CD28-CD8+ cells were found to be significantly increased.
Importantly, we demonstrated spontaneous caspase-3 activation and
increased lymphocyte apoptosis. Altogether our data suggest that
SARS-CoV- 2 primarily affects lymphocytes not innate cells. So that, it
may interrupt the cross-talk between adaptive and innate immune systems.