Title of article :
Immunologic Profile of Severe COVID-19 Patients in Alborz Province, Iran
Author/Authors :
Shafiee ، Arman Clinical Research Development Unit - Student Research Committee, School of Medicine - Alborz University of Medical Sciences , Rezaian ، Somaye Department of Internal Medicine - Alborz University of Medical Sciences , Aliyu ، Mansur Department of Immunology - School of Public Health - Tehran University of Medical Sciences, International Campus , Shayeghpour ، Ali Student Research Committee, School of Medicine - Alborz University of Medical Sciences , Mokhames ، Zakiye Department of Molecular Diagnostics - Emam Ali Educational and Therapeutic Center - Alborz University of Medical Sciences , Mohammadi ، Hamed Department of Immunology - School of Medicine, Non-communicable Disease Research Center - Alborz University of Medical Sciences , Yaslianifard ، Somayeh Department of Microbiology - School of Medicine, Dietary Supplements and Probiotic Research Center - Alborz University of Medical Sciences , Soleimani ، Alireza Department of Infectious Diseases - School of Medicine - Alborz University of Medical Sciences , Soleimanifar ، Fatemeh Department of Medical Biotechnology - Dietary Supplements and Probiotic Research Center, School of Medicine - Alborz University of Medical Sciences , Tojari ، Taranom Department of Biotechnology - Faculty of Biological Sciences - Alzahra University , Qorbani ، Mostafa Non-communicable Disease Research Center - Alborz University of Medical Sciences , Mozhgani ، Hamidreza Department of Microbiology - Non-communicable Disease Research Center, School of Medicine - Alborz University of Medical Sciences
Abstract :
Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has prompted researchers to look for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pathogenicity in depth. Immune system dysregulation was one of the major mechanisms in its pathogenesis. The evidence regarding the levels of interferons (IFNs) and pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in COVID-19 patients is not well-established. Objectives: This study evaluated the expression level of type-I, II, III IFNs, along with interleukin-1 (IL-1), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-10 (IL-10), and FOXP3 genes in patients with severe COVID-19 to provide additional insights regarding the regulation of these cytokines during COVID-19 infection. Methods: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated from two groups, including severe COVID-19 patients and healthy controls. Ribonucleic acid was extracted to evaluate the expression level of IFN-a, IFN-b, IFN-g, IFN-la, IL-1, IL-6, IL-10, and FOXP3 genes using real-time polymerase chain reaction. The correlations between the expression levels of these genes were also assessed. Results: A total of 40 samples were divided into two groups, with each group consisting of 20 samples. When comparing the severe COVID-19 group to the controls, the expression levels of IFN-g, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), IL-6, and IL-10 genes were significantly higher in the severe COVID-19 group. The two groups had no significant differences in IFN-a, IFN-b, IFN-la, IL-1, and FOXP3 expression. The correlation analysis revealed a negative correlation between type I and type III IFNs (i.e., IFN-a and IFN-la) and pro-inflammatory cytokines (i.e., IL-1 and IL-10). Conclusions: This study suggests the possible upregulation of IFN-g, IL-6, IL-10, and TNF-α during SARS-CoV-2 pathogenicity. The preliminary findings of this study and those reported previously show that the levels of IFNs and pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines are not uniformly expressed among all COVID-19 patients and might differ as the disease progresses to the severe stage.
Keywords :
COVID , 19 , SARS , CoV , 2 , Immunologic Profile , Cytokine , Personalized Medicine
Journal title :
Jundishapur Journal of Microbiology (JJM)
Journal title :
Jundishapur Journal of Microbiology (JJM)
