1
|
Yoon H, Dean LS, Jiyarom B, Khadka VS, Deng Y, Nerurkar VR, Chow DC, Shikuma CM, Devendra G, Koh Y, Park J. Single-cell RNA sequencing reveals characteristics of myeloid cells in post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 patients with persistent respiratory symptoms. Front Immunol 2024; 14:1268510. [PMID: 38259488 PMCID: PMC10800799 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1268510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Although our understanding of the immunopathology and subsequent risk and severity of COVID-19 disease is evolving, a detailed account of immune responses that contribute to the long-term consequences of pulmonary complications in COVID-19 infection remains unclear. Few studies have detailed the immune and cytokine profiles associated with post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC) with persistent pulmonary symptoms. The dysregulation of the immune system that drives pulmonary sequelae in COVID-19 survivors and PASC sufferers remains largely unknown. Results To characterize the immunological features of pulmonary PASC (PPASC), we performed droplet-based single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) to study the transcriptomic profiles of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from a participant naïve to SARS-CoV-2 (Control) (n=1) and infected with SARS-CoV-2 with chronic pulmonary symptoms (PPASC) (n=2). After integrating scRNA-seq data with a naïve participant from a published dataset, 11 distinct cell populations were identified based on the expression of canonical markers. The proportion of myeloid-lineage cells ([MLCs]; CD14+/CD16+monocytes, and dendritic cells) was increased in PPASC (n=2) compared to controls (n=2). MLCs from PPASC displayed up-regulation of genes associated with pulmonary symptoms/fibrosis, while glycolysis metabolism-related genes were downregulated. Similarly, pathway analysis showed that fibrosis-related (VEGF, WNT, and SMAD) and cell death pathways were up-regulated, but immune pathways were down-regulated in PPASC. Further comparison of PPASC with scRNA-seq data with Severe COVID-19 (n=4) data demonstrated enrichment of fibrotic transcriptional signatures. In PPASC, we observed interactive VEGF ligand-receptor pairs among MLCs, and network modules in CD14+ (cluster 4) and CD16+ (Cluster 5) monocytes displayed a significant enrichment for biological pathways linked to adverse COVID-19 outcomes, fibrosis, and angiogenesis. Further analysis revealed a distinct metabolic alteration in MLCs with a down-regulation of glycolysis/gluconeogenesis in PPASC compared to SARS-CoV-2 naïve samples. Conclusion Analysis of a small scRNA-seq dataset demonstrated alterations in the immune response and cellular landscape in PPASC. The presence of elevated MLC levels and their corresponding gene signatures associated with fibrosis, immune response suppression, and altered metabolic states suggests a potential role in PPASC development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hyundong Yoon
- Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Logan S. Dean
- Hawaii Center for AIDS, University of Hawai’i at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI, United States
- Tropical Medicine, Medical Microbiology, and Pharmacology, John A. Burns School Medicine, University of Hawai’i at Manoa, Honolulu, HI, United States
| | - Boonyanudh Jiyarom
- Hawaii Center for AIDS, University of Hawai’i at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI, United States
| | - Vedbar S. Khadka
- Bioinformatics Core, Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii, Mānoa, Honolulu, HI, United States
| | - Youping Deng
- Bioinformatics Core, Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii, Mānoa, Honolulu, HI, United States
| | - Vivek R. Nerurkar
- Tropical Medicine, Medical Microbiology, and Pharmacology, John A. Burns School Medicine, University of Hawai’i at Manoa, Honolulu, HI, United States
| | - Dominic C. Chow
- Hawaii Center for AIDS, University of Hawai’i at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI, United States
- Department of Medicine, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawai’i at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI, United States
| | - Cecilia M. Shikuma
- Hawaii Center for AIDS, University of Hawai’i at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI, United States
- Tropical Medicine, Medical Microbiology, and Pharmacology, John A. Burns School Medicine, University of Hawai’i at Manoa, Honolulu, HI, United States
- Department of Medicine, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawai’i at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI, United States
| | - Gehan Devendra
- Department of Medicine, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawai’i at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI, United States
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care, Queen’s Medical Center, Honolulu, HI, United States
| | - Youngil Koh
- Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Juwon Park
- Hawaii Center for AIDS, University of Hawai’i at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI, United States
- Tropical Medicine, Medical Microbiology, and Pharmacology, John A. Burns School Medicine, University of Hawai’i at Manoa, Honolulu, HI, United States
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Pollack B, von Saltza E, McCorkell L, Santos L, Hultman A, Cohen AK, Soares L. Female reproductive health impacts of Long COVID and associated illnesses including ME/CFS, POTS, and connective tissue disorders: a literature review. Front Rehabil Sci 2023; 4:1122673. [PMID: 37234076 PMCID: PMC10208411 DOI: 10.3389/fresc.2023.1122673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Long COVID disproportionately affects premenopausal women, but relatively few studies have examined Long COVID's impact on female reproductive health. We conduct a review of the literature documenting the female reproductive health impacts of Long COVID which may include disruptions to the menstrual cycle, gonadal function, ovarian sufficiency, menopause, and fertility, as well as symptom exacerbation around menstruation. Given limited research, we also review the reproductive health impacts of overlapping and associated illnesses including myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), connective tissue disorders like Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS), and endometriosis, as these illnesses may help to elucidate reproductive health conditions in Long COVID. These associated illnesses, whose patients are 70%-80% women, have increased rates of dysmenorrhea, amenorrhea, oligomenorrhea, dyspareunia, endometriosis, infertility, vulvodynia, intermenstrual bleeding, ovarian cysts, uterine fibroids and bleeding, pelvic congestion syndrome, gynecological surgeries, and adverse pregnancy complications such as preeclampsia, maternal mortality, and premature birth. Additionally, in Long COVID and associated illnesses, symptoms can be impacted by the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and menopause. We propose priorities for future research and reproductive healthcare in Long COVID based on a review of the literature. These include screening Long COVID patients for comorbid and associated conditions; studying the impacts of the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and menopause on symptoms and illness progression; uncovering the role of sex differences and sex hormones in Long COVID and associated illnesses; and addressing historical research and healthcare inequities that have contributed to detrimental knowledge gaps for this patient population.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Beth Pollack
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | | | - Lisa McCorkell
- Patient-Led Research Collaborative, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Lucia Santos
- Patient-Led Research Collaborative, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Ashley Hultman
- Patient-Led Research Collaborative, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Alison K. Cohen
- Patient-Led Research Collaborative, Washington, DC, United States
- Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Letícia Soares
- Patient-Led Research Collaborative, Washington, DC, United States
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Park J, Dean LS, Jiyarom B, Gangcuangco LM, Shah P, Awamura T, Ching LL, Nerurkar VR, Chow DC, Igno F, Shikuma CM, Devendra G. Elevated circulating monocytes and monocyte activation in COVID-19 convalescent individuals. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1151780. [PMID: 37077911 PMCID: PMC10106598 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1151780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Monocytes and macrophages play a pivotal role in inflammation during acute SARS-CoV-2 infection. However, their contribution to the development of post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC) are not fully elucidated. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted comparing plasma cytokine and monocyte levels among three groups: participants with pulmonary PASC (PPASC) with a reduced predicted diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide [DLCOc, <80%; (PG)]; fully recovered from SARS-CoV-2 with no residual symptoms (recovered group, RG); and negative for SARS-CoV-2 (negative group, NG). The expressions of cytokines were measured in plasma of study cohort by Luminex assay. The percentages and numbers of monocyte subsets (classical, intermediate, and non-classical monocytes) and monocyte activation (defined by CD169 expression) were analyzed using flow cytometry analysis of peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Results Plasma IL-1Ra levels were elevated but FGF levels were reduced in PG compared to NG. Circulating monocytes and three subsets were significantly higher in PG and RG compared to NG. PG and RG exhibited higher levels of CD169+ monocyte counts and higher CD169 expression was detected in intermediate and non-classical monocytes from RG and PG than that found in NG. Further correlation analysis with CD169+ monocyte subsets revealed that CD169+ intermediate monocytes negatively correlated with DLCOc%, and CD169+ non-classical monocytes positively correlated with IL-1α, IL-1β, MIP-1α, Eotaxin, and IFN-γ. Conclusion This study present evidence that COVID convalescents exhibit monocyte alteration beyond the acute COVID-19 infection period even in convalescents with no residual symptoms. Further, the results suggest that monocyte alteration and increased activated monocyte subsets may impact pulmonary function in COVID-19 convalescents. This observation will aid in understanding the immunopathologic feature of pulmonary PASC development, resolution, and subsequent therapeutic interventions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Juwon Park
- Hawaii Center for AIDS, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawai’i at Manoa, Honolulu, HI, United States
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Medical Microbiology, and Pharmacology, John A. Burns School Medicine, University of Hawai’i at Manoa, Honolulu, HI, United States
| | - Logan S. Dean
- Hawaii Center for AIDS, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawai’i at Manoa, Honolulu, HI, United States
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Medical Microbiology, and Pharmacology, John A. Burns School Medicine, University of Hawai’i at Manoa, Honolulu, HI, United States
| | - Boonyanudh Jiyarom
- Hawaii Center for AIDS, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawai’i at Manoa, Honolulu, HI, United States
| | - Louie Mar Gangcuangco
- Hawaii Center for AIDS, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawai’i at Manoa, Honolulu, HI, United States
- Department of Medicine, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawai’i at Manoa, Honolulu, HI, United States
| | - Parthav Shah
- Department of Medicine, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawai’i at Manoa, Honolulu, HI, United States
- John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawai'i at Manoa, Honolulu, HI, United States
| | - Thomas Awamura
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Medical Microbiology, and Pharmacology, John A. Burns School Medicine, University of Hawai’i at Manoa, Honolulu, HI, United States
| | - Lauren L. Ching
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Medical Microbiology, and Pharmacology, John A. Burns School Medicine, University of Hawai’i at Manoa, Honolulu, HI, United States
| | - Vivek R. Nerurkar
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Medical Microbiology, and Pharmacology, John A. Burns School Medicine, University of Hawai’i at Manoa, Honolulu, HI, United States
| | - Dominic C. Chow
- Department of Medicine, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawai’i at Manoa, Honolulu, HI, United States
| | - Fritzie Igno
- Department of Medicine, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawai’i at Manoa, Honolulu, HI, United States
| | - Cecilia M. Shikuma
- Hawaii Center for AIDS, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawai’i at Manoa, Honolulu, HI, United States
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Medical Microbiology, and Pharmacology, John A. Burns School Medicine, University of Hawai’i at Manoa, Honolulu, HI, United States
- Department of Medicine, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawai’i at Manoa, Honolulu, HI, United States
| | - Gehan Devendra
- Department of Medicine, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawai’i at Manoa, Honolulu, HI, United States
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care, Queen’s Medical Center, Honolulu, HI, United States
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Dean LS, Devendra G, Jiyarom B, Subia N, Tallquist MD, Nerurkar VR, Chang SP, Chow DC, Shikuma CM, Park J. Phenotypic alteration of low-density granulocytes in people with pulmonary post-acute sequalae of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Front Immunol 2022; 13:1076724. [PMID: 36591237 PMCID: PMC9797994 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1076724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Low-density granulocytes (LDGs) are a distinct subset of neutrophils whose increased abundance is associated with the severity of COVID-19. However, the long-term effects of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection on LDG levels and phenotypic alteration remain unexplored. Methods Using participants naïve to SARS-CoV-2 (NP), infected with SARS-CoV-2 with no residual symptoms (NRS), and infected with SARS-CoV-2 with chronic pulmonary symptoms (PPASC), we compared LDG levels and their phenotype by measuring the expression of markers for activation, maturation, and neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) formation using flow cytometry. Results The number of LDGs was elevated in PPASC compared to NP. Individuals infected with SARS-CoV-2 (NRS and PPASC) demonstrated increased CD10+ and CD16hi subset counts of LDGs compared to NP group. Further characterization of LDGs demonstrated that LDGs from COVID-19 convalescents (PPASC and NRS) displayed increased markers of NET forming ability and aggregation with platelets compared to LDGs from NP, but no differences were observed between PPASC and NRS. Conclusions Our data from a small cohort study demonstrates that mature neutrophils with a heightened activation phenotype remain in circulation long after initial SARS-CoV-2 infection. Persistent elevation of markers for neutrophil activation and NET formation on LDGs, as well as an enhanced proclivity for platelet-neutrophil aggregation (PNA) formation in COVID-19 convalescent individuals may be associated with PPASC prognosis and development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Logan S. Dean
- Hawaii Center for AIDS, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawai’i at Manoa, Honolulu, HI, United States
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Medical Microbiology, and Pharmacology, John A. Burns School Medicine, University of Hawai’i at Manoa, Honolulu, HI, United States
| | - Gehan Devendra
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care, Queen’s Medical Center, Honolulu, HI, United States
- Department of Medicine, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawai’i at Manoa, Honolulu, HI, United States
| | - Boonyanudh Jiyarom
- Hawaii Center for AIDS, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawai’i at Manoa, Honolulu, HI, United States
| | - Natalie Subia
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Medical Microbiology, and Pharmacology, John A. Burns School Medicine, University of Hawai’i at Manoa, Honolulu, HI, United States
| | - Michelle D. Tallquist
- Center for Cardiovascular Research, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawai’i at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI, United States
| | - Vivek R. Nerurkar
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Medical Microbiology, and Pharmacology, John A. Burns School Medicine, University of Hawai’i at Manoa, Honolulu, HI, United States
| | - Sandra P. Chang
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Medical Microbiology, and Pharmacology, John A. Burns School Medicine, University of Hawai’i at Manoa, Honolulu, HI, United States
| | - Dominic C. Chow
- Hawaii Center for AIDS, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawai’i at Manoa, Honolulu, HI, United States
- Department of Medicine, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawai’i at Manoa, Honolulu, HI, United States
| | - Cecilia M. Shikuma
- Hawaii Center for AIDS, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawai’i at Manoa, Honolulu, HI, United States
- Department of Medicine, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawai’i at Manoa, Honolulu, HI, United States
| | - Juwon Park
- Hawaii Center for AIDS, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawai’i at Manoa, Honolulu, HI, United States
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Medical Microbiology, and Pharmacology, John A. Burns School Medicine, University of Hawai’i at Manoa, Honolulu, HI, United States
| |
Collapse
|