Effector memory T cell subset CD45RA−CCR7−CD27−CD28− EM3 increases in direct proportion to the disease severity of COVID-19

Abstract

COVID-19, which emerged in December 2019 and continues to wreak havoc, has led to the death of many people around the world. In this study, we aimed to uncover the variables underlying the exacerbation of the disease by considering the changes in T cell subsets in adults and juveniles with different disease severity of COVID-19. Peripheral blood samples of 193 patients (128 adults and 65 juveniles) diagnosed with COVID-19 were evaluated in a flow cytometer, and a broad T cell profile was revealed by examining T cell subsets in terms of exhaustion and senescence. We found remarkable differences in the effector memory (EM; CD45RA−CCR7−) cell subsets of severe pneumonia cases. The frequencies of EM2 CD4+ T, EM3 CD4+ T, EM3 CD8+ T, EM2 DN T and EM3 DN T cells were found to increase in severe pneumonia cases. Consistently, these cells were found in juveniles and uncomplicated adults in similar or lower proportions to healthy controls. The findings of our study provide a view of the T cell profile that may underlie differences in the course of COVID-19 cases in juveniles and adults and may provide new insights into the development of effective treatment strategies.