Decreased Naïve T-cell Production Leading to Cytokine Storm as Cause of Increased COVID-19 Severity with Comorbidities.
Publication/Presentation Date
7-1-2020
Abstract
Aging, type 2 diabetes, and male gender are major risk factors leading to increased COVID-19 morbidity and mortality. Thymic production and the export of naïve T cells decrease with aging through the effects of androgens in males and in type 2 diabetes. Furthermore, with aging, recovery of naïve T-cell populations after bone marrow transplantation is delayed and associated with an increased risk of chronic graft vs. host disease. Severe COVID-19 and SARS infections are notable for severe T-cell depletion. In COVID-19, there is unique suppression of interferon signaling by infected respiratory tract cells with intact cytokine signaling. A decreased naïve T-cell response likely contributes to an excessive inflammatory response and increases the odds of a cytokine storm. Treatments that improve naïve T-cell production may prove to be vital COVID-19 therapies, especially for these high-risk groups.
Volume
11
Issue
4
First Page
742
Last Page
745
ISSN
2152-5250
Published In/Presented At
Schwartz, M. D., Emerson, S. G., Punt, J., & Goff, W. D. (2020). Decreased Naïve T-cell Production Leading to Cytokine Storm as Cause of Increased COVID-19 Severity with Comorbidities. Aging and disease, 11(4), 742–745. https://doi.org/10.14336/AD.2020.0619
Disciplines
Medicine and Health Sciences | Pediatrics
PubMedID
32765940
Peer Reviewed for front end display
Peer-Reviewed
Department(s)
Department of Pediatrics, USF-LVHN SELECT Program, USF-LVHN SELECT Program Faculty
Document Type
Article