Background:The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic is a global health problem. Beside the specific pathogenic effect of SARS-CoV-2, incompletely understood deleterious and aberrant host immune responses play critical roles in severe disease. Rheumatologists have the best experience of studying and treating these complicated hyperinflammatory processes.Objectives:To summarize the available information on pathophysiology of COVID-19.Methods:As part of a EULAR taskforce, two systematic literature reviews were performed one on pathophysiology and one on immunomodulatory therapies. Two reviewers independently identified eligible studies according to the following PICO framework: P (population): patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection; I (intervention): any intervention/no intervention; C (comparator): any comparator; O (outcome) any clinical or serological outcome including but not limited to immune cell phenotype and function and serum cytokine concentration. The results pertaining to pathophysiology of COVID-19 are presented here.Results:Of the 55496 records yielded, 85 articles were eligible for inclusion. Included studies were at variable risk of bias and exploring various aspects of disease pathogenesis from immune to non-immune cells (Table 1). Pro-inflammatory cytokines’ expression including IL-6, was increased, especially in severe COVID-19, although not as high as other states with severe systemic inflammation. Innate and adaptative immune cell compartments were differentially affected by SARS-CoV-2 infection: neutrophils displayed an immature differentiation state and also increased neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) formation. Dendritic cell number was reduced and classical monocytes was increased although displaying a reduced expression of HLA-DR. The lymphoid compartment was also affected: lymphopenia was present with a reduced number of CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes and more frequent PD1+CD8+ T cells corresponding to an exhausted phenotype. Antibody response to SARS-CoV-2 infection showed a high variability across individuals and disease spectrum. Multiparametric algorithms showed variable diagnostic performances in predicting survival, hospitalization, disease progression or severity, and mortality. Differences in SARS-CoV-2 manifestations in adults and children were highlighted.Conclusion:Overall, SARS-CoV-2 infection affects both innate and adaptative immune responses in a variable way, according to both disease severity and individual parameters. This SLR informs the EULAR points to consider on pathophysiology and use of immunomodulatory therapies in COVID-19.Table 1.Studies on SARS-CoV-2 infection pathogenesisResearch questionNCytokines profile7Immune profile18Algorithm17Children3Comorbidities1Endothelial dysfunction and platelets8Gut and microbiota3Genetics and variants8Histology7Antibodies profiles8Viral load and immune response4Interferon3Immunosenecsnce3Total90**Some manuscripts were including in several research questions. Total number of studies included n=85.Disclosure of Interests:Aurelie Najm Speakers bureau: BMS, Consultant of: BMS, Alessia Alunno: None declared, Xavier Mariette Speakers bureau: BMS, Eli Lilly, Galapagos, Gilead, GSK, Janssen, Novartis, Pfizer, Servier and UCB, Consultant of: BMS, Eli Lilly, Galapagos, Gilead, GSK, Janssen, Novartis, Pfizer, Servier and UCB, Benjamin Terrier Speakers bureau: Roche, Chugai, Vifor Pharma, GSK, AstraZeneca, Terumo BCT, LFB and Grifols, Consultant of: Roche, Chugai, Vifor Pharma, GSK, AstraZeneca, Terumo BCT, LFB and Grifols, Gabriele De Marco: None declared, Laura Mason: None declared, Jenny Emmel: None declared, Dennis McGonagle Speakers bureau: Abbvie, BMS, Celgene, Eli Lilly, Janssen, MSD, Novartis, Pfizer, Roche and UCB, Consultant of: Abbvie, BMS, Celgene, Eli Lilly, Janssen, MSD, Novartis, Pfizer, Roche and UCB, Pedro M Machado Speakers bureau: Abbvie, BMS, Celgene, Eli Lilly, Janssen, MSD, Novartis, Orphazyme, Pfizer, Roche and UCB, Consultant of: Abbvie, BMS, Celgene, Eli Lilly, Janssen, MSD, Novartis, Orphazyme, Pfizer, Roche and UCB.
The Crossroads of Glycoscience, Infection, and Immunology
