Defining the CD39/CD73 Axis in SARS-CoV-2 Infection: The CD73- Phenotype Identifies Polyfunctional Cytotoxic Lymphocytes.
Cells
; 9(8)2020 07 22.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-669617
ABSTRACT
The ectonucleotidases CD39 and CD73 regulate immune responses by balancing extracellular ATP and adenosine in inflammation and are likely to be involved in the pathophysiology of COVID-19. Here, we analyzed CD39 and CD73 on different lymphocyte populations in a small cohort of COVID-19 patients and in healthy individuals. We describe a significantly lower level of expression of CD73 on cytotoxic lymphocyte populations, including CD8+ T, natural killer T (NKT), and natural killer (NK) cells, during COVID-19. Interestingly, the decrease of CD73 on CD8+ T cells and NKT cells correlated with serum ferritin levels. Furthermore, we observed distinct functional differences between the CD73+ and CD73- subsets of CD8+ T cells and NKT cells with regard to cytokine/toxin secretion. In COVID-19 patients, the majority of the CD73-CD8+ T cells were capable of secreting granzyme B, perforin, tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) or interferon-gamma (IFN-γ). To conclude, in this first study of CD39 and CD73 expression of lymphocytes in COVID-19, we show that CD8+ T cells and NKT cells lacking CD73 possess a significantly higher cytotoxic effector functionality compared to their CD73+ counterparts. Future studies should investigate differences of cellular CD39 and CD73 expression in patients at different disease stages and their potential as prognostic markers or targets for immunomodulatory therapies.
Keywords
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Apyrase
/
Pneumonia, Viral
/
Killer Cells, Natural
/
T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic
/
5'-Nucleotidase
/
Coronavirus Infections
/
Natural Killer T-Cells
Type of study:
Cohort study
/
Observational study
/
Prognostic study
Limits:
Adult
/
Aged
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
/
Middle aged
Language:
English
Year:
2020
Document Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Cells9081750
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