Type 2 Immunity and Its Impact on COVID-19 Infection in the Airways

Abstract

Type 2 immune responses are characterized by elevated type 2 cytokines and blood eosinophilia. Emerging evidence suggests that people with chronic type 2 inflammatory lung diseases are not particularly susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Intriguingly, recent in vitro, ex vivo research demonstrates type 2 cytokines, particularly IL-13, reduce the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection in the airway epithelium. IL-13 treatment in airway epithelial cells followed by SARS-CoV-2 diminished viral entry, replication, spread, and cell death. IL-13 reduces the expression of the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor in the airway epithelium and transmembrane serine protease 2 (TMPRSS2), particularly in ciliated cells. It also alters the cellular composition toward a secretory-cell-rich phenotype reducing total ciliated cells and, thus, reducing viral tropism. IL-13 enhances Muc5ac mucin and glycocalyx secretion in the periciliary layer, which acts as a physical barrier to restrict virus attachment. Moreover, type 2 airway immune cells, such as M2 alveolar macrophages, CD4+ tissue-resident memory T cells, and innate lymphoid 2 cells, may also rescue type 2 airways from SARS-CoV-2-induced adverse effects. In this review, we discuss recent findings that demonstrate how type 2 immunity alters immune responses against SARS-CoV-2 and its consequences on COVID-19 pathogenesis.