scholarly journals COVID-19, T Cells, Cytokines and Immunotherapy: Review

Author(s):  
Nesrin I. Tarbiah

In December 2019, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), a novel coronavirus (COVID-19), materialized in the city of Wuhan and quickly spread to form a global pandemic. An essential role in the immune system is undertaken by lymphocytes, which defend against bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. Previous study found that very severe COVID-19 patients had suppression of the immune response enabling the virus to spread and cause more damage. This was evident by the changes in their white blood cell and lymphocyte count. Early clinical findings suggest that those suffering from severe COVID-19 have reduced numbers of lymphocytes, monocytes, and other granulocytes. One of the most efficient responses for a variety of viral infections is cellular immune response activation, especially via T cells. Viruses can be eliminated by T cytotoxic (CD8+) (Tc) in the host body, these secrete a variety of molecules, including interferons (IFNs), granzyme, and perforin. T helper (CD4+) (Th) cells help by assisting cytotoxic T cells and B cells to eliminate viral infection. CD8+ and CD4+ work together in a coordinated immune response with other constituents to primarily resolve acute viral infections, and after to produce protection against any reinfection. Also, COVID-19 causes dramatic changes in cytokine profiles and serological markers. Therefore, the subsets of immune cells and the level of the pro-inflammatory cytokines are crucial evidence to determine the severity of COVID-19. The disease severity has already been proved to be associated with the disruption in the proinflammatory chemokine response, this eventually leads to a cytokine storm and progression of cytokines release syndrome (CRS). This review aimed to demonstrate a full understanding of the alterations to the immune response by determining the T-cell expression and cytokine levels against the pathological processes of COVID-19, which can be a significant step in early treatment and diagnosis of this disease, in reduction of COVID-19 mortality cases, and to emphasize the most recent and current studies to try to identify new immuno-therapeutics for COVID-19.  

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandra J. Spencer ◽  
Paul F. McKay ◽  
Sandra Belij-Rammerstorfer ◽  
Marta Ulaszewska ◽  
Cameron D. Bissett ◽  
...  

AbstractSeveral vaccines have demonstrated efficacy against SARS-CoV-2 mediated disease, yet there is limited data on the immune response induced by heterologous vaccination regimens using alternate vaccine modalities. Here, we present a detailed description of the immune response, in mice, following vaccination with a self-amplifying RNA (saRNA) vaccine and an adenoviral vectored vaccine (ChAdOx1 nCoV-19/AZD1222) against SARS-CoV-2. We demonstrate that antibody responses are higher in two-dose heterologous vaccination regimens than single-dose regimens. Neutralising titres after heterologous prime-boost were at least comparable or higher than the titres measured after homologous prime boost vaccination with viral vectors. Importantly, the cellular immune response after a heterologous regimen is dominated by cytotoxic T cells and Th1+ CD4 T cells, which is superior to the response induced in homologous vaccination regimens in mice. These results underpin the need for clinical trials to investigate the immunogenicity of heterologous regimens with alternate vaccine technologies.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandra J Spencer ◽  
Paul F McKay ◽  
Sandra Belij-Rammerstorfer ◽  
Marta Ulaszewska ◽  
Cameron D Bissett ◽  
...  

AbstractSeveral vaccines have demonstrated efficacy against SARS-CoV-2 mediated disease, yet there is limited data on the immune response induced by heterologous vaccination regimens using alternate vaccine modalities. Here, we present a detailed description of the immune response, in mice, following vaccination with a self-amplifying RNA (saRNA) vaccine and an adenoviral vectored vaccine (ChAdOx1 nCoV-19/AZD1222) against SARS-CoV-2. We demonstrate that antibody responses are higher in two dose heterologous vaccination regimens than single dose regimens, with high titre neutralising antibodies induced. Importantly, the cellular immune response after a heterologous regimen is dominated by cytotoxic T cells and Th1+ CD4 T cells which is superior to the response induced in homologous vaccination regimens in mice.


Author(s):  
Saurabh Kumar ◽  
Sandeep Kumar ◽  
Adil Karim ◽  
Kamlesh Bisht ◽  
Abdul Ghani ◽  
...  

: Novel Coronavirus-2019 (nCoV-2019) emerged as a potentially infectious respiratory disease caused by newly discovered β-coronavirus. nCoV-19 has emerged as a global pandemic due to the rapid transmission and high infection rate commonly involved in acute respiratory illness. Literature search includes various databases like Google Scholar, PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Scopus for studies published using a different combination of keywords “coronavius”, “COVID-19”, “SARS”, “MERS”, “antiviral drugs”, “vaccines”, and “immunity”. We collected epidemiology data from the Worldometer portal (data available till 9 October, 2020). Fever, dry cough, dyspnea, sore throat, or fatigue are common clinical symptoms of the infection. Cytotoxic T-cells and T-helper cells Cytotoxic T cells (CD8+) accounts for maximum (approximately 80%) of total infiltrate in the pulmonary region of the affected nCoV individuals and acts as a significant contributor in the clearance of the infection. This review intends to outline the literature concerning the mode of actual transmission, immune response, and possible therapeutic approach against the virus.


2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Viganò ◽  
M. Perreau ◽  
G. Pantaleo ◽  
A. Harari

The immune system has evolved to allow robust responses against pathogens while avoiding autoimmunity. This is notably enabled by stimulatory and inhibitory signals which contribute to the regulation of immune responses. In the presence of a pathogen, a specific and effective immune response must be induced and this leads to antigen-specific T-cell proliferation, cytokines production, and induction of T-cell differentiation toward an effector phenotype. After clearance or control of the pathogen, the effector immune response must be terminated in order to avoid tissue damage and chronic inflammation and this process involves coinhibitory molecules. When the immune system fails to eliminate or control the pathogen, continuous stimulation of T cells prevents the full contraction and leads to the functional exhaustion of effector T cells. Several evidences bothin vitroandin vivosuggest that this anergic state can be reverted by blocking the interactions between coinhibitory molecules and their ligands. The potential to revert exhausted or inactivated T-cell responses following selective blocking of their function made these markers interesting targets for therapeutic interventions in patients with persistent viral infections or cancer.


2021 ◽  
Vol 07 ◽  
Author(s):  
Saurabh Kumar ◽  
Sakshi Sudha ◽  
Madhu Chopra ◽  
Famida Khan ◽  
Kanupriya Sharma

Background: Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), a highly contagious ssRNA +Ve sense virus that emerged in late 2019, has created a global panic. With no effective therapy available, the virus has significantly affected the world population causing millions of death. Therefore, it is the utmost need to look towards all the possible strategies to benefit the community. Objectives: In view of the current global pandemic, we tried to discuss the potential benefits of two cost-effective alternative approaches, i.e., physical exercise and yoga. Method: The editorial is based on a literature search available on PubMed, Google Scholar, and WHO portal. Search terminologies include “yoga”, “physical exercise”, “COVID-19”, “viral infections”, and a combination of these words. Results: A literature search defines yoga and physical exercise efficacy in different viral diseases, including HIV, influenza, and HSV. It ameliorates the quality of life (QoL) by improving both the physical and mental wellbeing of an individual. This is mainly done by promoting the better functioning of the immune system (increases CD4+ and CD8+ cells and reduces pro-inflammatory response). Conclusions: Regular involvement of these activities in day-to-day life may limit latent virus reactivations and reduce infection chances.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Dina Soliman ◽  
Sherin Sallam ◽  
Susanna Akiki ◽  
Deena Mudawi ◽  
Feryal Ibrahim

T-cell large granular lymphocytic leukemia is characterized by clonal expansion of a CD3+/CD57+ subpopulation, which are typically CD8+ positive cytotoxic T- cells, and can only be diagnosed if there is a persistent, greater than 6 months, elevation of LGL in the blood (usually 2–20 × 109/L), in the absence of an identifiable cause. T-LGLL has been associated with reactive conditions such as autoimmune diseases and viral infections and has also been reported in association with hematologic and non-hematologic malignancies. We report a case of asymptomatic CD4/CD8 double-positive T-LGLL. Flow cytometry on peripheral blood revealed a subpopulation of CD4/CD8 double-positive T cells expressing CD57 and cTIA. Clonality was established by flow cytometric analysis of T-cell receptor V(â) region repertoire which showed that >70% of the cells failed to express any of the tested V(â) regions. Clonality was further confirmed by PCR with the detection of clonal TCR beta and TCR gamma gene rearrangements. Six months later, she presented with persistent lower back pain and diagnosed with IgG kappa multiple myeloma. CD4/CD8 double-positive T-large granular leukemia is the first case reported in the literature. This rare phenotype is either underreported or a truly rare clinical entity. More studies are warranted to characterize the pathogenesis and clinical characteristics of this group of patients and to further assess the relationship between multiple myeloma and T-LGLL as a cause-and-effect relationship or simply related to the time at which diagnosis has been made.


Pathogens ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 147 ◽  
Author(s):  
Retamal-Díaz ◽  
Covián ◽  
Pacheco ◽  
Castiglione-Matamala ◽  
Bueno ◽  
...  

Worldwide, human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the most common etiological agent for acute lower respiratory tract infections (ALRI). RSV-ALRI is the major cause of hospital admissions in young children, and it can cause in-hospital deaths in children younger than six months old. Therefore, RSV remains one of the pathogens deemed most important for the generation of a vaccine. On the other hand, the effectiveness of a vaccine depends on the development of immunological memory against the pathogenic agent of interest. This memory is achieved by long-lived memory T cells, based on the establishment of an effective immune response to viral infections when subsequent exposures to the pathogen take place. Memory T cells can be classified into three subsets according to their expression of lymphoid homing receptors: central memory cells (TCM), effector memory cells (TEM) and resident memory T cells (TRM). The latter subset consists of cells that are permanently found in non-lymphoid tissues and are capable of recognizing antigens and mounting an effective immune response at those sites. TRM cells activate both innate and adaptive immune responses, thus establishing a robust and rapid response characterized by the production of large amounts of effector molecules. TRM cells can also recognize antigenically unrelated pathogens and trigger an innate-like alarm with the recruitment of other immune cells. It is noteworthy that this rapid and effective immune response induced by TRM cells make these cells an interesting aim in the design of vaccination strategies in order to establish TRM cell populations to prevent respiratory infectious diseases. Here, we discuss the biogenesis of TRM cells, their contribution to the resolution of respiratory viral infections and the induction of TRM cells, which should be considered for the rational design of new vaccines against RSV.


2002 ◽  
Vol 76 (23) ◽  
pp. 11911-11919 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jie Zhang ◽  
Nicole Silvestri ◽  
J. Lindsay Whitton ◽  
Daniel E. Hassett

ABSTRACT Neonates are thought to mount less vigorous adaptive immune responses than adults to antigens and infectious agents. This concept has led to a delay in the administration of many currently available vaccines until late infancy or early childhood. It has recently been shown that vaccines composed of plasmid DNA can induce both humoral and cell-mediated antimicrobial immunity when administered within hours of birth. In most of these studies, immune responses were measured weeks or months after the initial vaccination, and it is therefore questionable whether the observed responses were actually the result of priming of splenocytes within the neonatal period. Here we show that DNA vaccination at birth results in the rapid induction of antigen-specific CD8+ T cells within neonatal life. Analyses of T-cell effector functions critical for the resolution of many viral infections revealed that neonatal and adult CD8+ T cells produce similar arrays of cytokines. Furthermore, the avidities of neonatal and adult CD8+ T cells for peptide and the rapidity with which they upregulate cytokine production after recall encounters with antigen are similar. Protective immunity against the arenavirus lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus, which is mediated by CD8+ cytotoxic T cells, is also rapidly acquired within the neonatal period. Collectively these data imply that, at least in the case of CD8+ T cells, neonates are not as immunodeficient as previously supposed and that DNA vaccines may be an effective and safe means of providing critical cell-mediated antiviral immunity extremely early in life.


2006 ◽  
Vol 203 (11) ◽  
pp. 2461-2472 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mette Ejrnaes ◽  
Christophe M. Filippi ◽  
Marianne M. Martinic ◽  
Eleanor M. Ling ◽  
Lisa M. Togher ◽  
...  

A defining characteristic of persistent viral infections is the loss and functional inactivation of antiviral effector T cells, which prevents viral clearance. Interleukin-10 (IL-10) suppresses cellular immune responses by modulating the function of T cells and antigen-presenting cells. In this paper, we report that IL-10 production is drastically increased in mice persistently infected with lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus. In vivo blockade of the IL-10 receptor (IL-10R) with a neutralizing antibody resulted in rapid resolution of the persistent infection. IL-10 secretion was diminished and interferon γ production by antiviral CD8+ T cells was enhanced. In persistently infected mice, CD8α+ dendritic cell (DC) numbers declined early after infection, whereas CD8α− DC numbers were not affected. CD8α− DCs supported IL-10 production and subsequent dampening of antiviral T cell responses. Therapeutic IL-10R blockade broke the cycle of IL-10–mediated immune suppression, preventing IL-10 priming by CD8α− DCs and enhancing antiviral responses and thereby resolving infection without causing immunopathology.


2002 ◽  
Vol 76 (12) ◽  
pp. 6093-6103 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eishiro Mizukoshi ◽  
Michelina Nascimbeni ◽  
Joshua B. Blaustein ◽  
Kathleen Mihalik ◽  
Charles M. Rice ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT The chimpanzee is a critical animal model for studying cellular immune responses to infectious pathogens such as hepatitis B and C viruses, human immunodeficiency virus, and malaria. Several candidate vaccines and immunotherapies for these infections aim at the induction or enhancement of cellular immune responses against viral epitopes presented by common human major histocompatibility complex (MHC) alleles. To identify and characterize chimpanzee MHC class I molecules that are functionally related to human alleles, we sequenced 18 different Pan troglodytes (Patr) alleles of 14 chimpanzees, 2 of them previously unknown and 3 with only partially reported sequences. Comparative analysis of Patr binding pockets and binding assays with biotinylated peptides demonstrated a molecular homology between the binding grooves of individual Patr alleles and the common human alleles HLA-A1, -A2, -A3, and -B7. Using cytotoxic T cells isolated from the blood of hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected chimpanzees, we then mapped the Patr restriction of these HCV peptides and demonstrated functional homology between the Patr-HLA orthologues in cytotoxicity and gamma interferon (IFN-γ) release assays. Based on these results, 21 HCV epitopes were selected to characterize the chimpanzees' cellular immune response to HCV. In each case, IFN-γ-producing T cells were detectable in the blood after but not prior to HCV infection and were specifically targeted against those HCV peptides predicted by Patr-HLA homology. This study demonstrates a close functional homology between individual Patr and HLA alleles and shows that HCV infection generates HCV peptides that are recognized by both chimpanzees and humans with Patr and HLA orthologues. These results are relevant for the design and evaluation of vaccines in chimpanzees that can now be selected according to the most frequent human MHC haplotypes.


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