RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Monocyte migratory signatures identify acute and convalescent COVID-19 patients, and are associated with long COVID-19 symptoms
JF ERJ Open Research
JO erjor
FD European Respiratory Society
SP 172
DO 10.1183/23120541.LSC-2022.172
VO 8
IS suppl 8
A1 Laurence Pearmain
A1 Nicholas Scott
A1 Sean B Knight
A1 Oliver Brand
A1 David J Morgan
A1 Chris Jagger
A1 Saba Khan
A1 Pamela Hackney
A1 Lara Smith
A1 Madhvi Menon
A1 Joanne E Konkel
A1 Halima A Shuwa
A1 Miriam Franklin
A1 Verena Kästele
A1 Sarah Harbach
A1 Seema Brij
A1 Andrew Ustianowski
A1 Alexander G Mathoudiakis
A1 Christopher E Brightling
A1 Pilar Rivera Ortega
A1 Nawar Diar Bakerly
A1 Paul Dark
A1 Kathryn Gray
A1 Graham M Lord
A1 Timothy W Felton
A1 Circo
A1 Karen Piper Hanley
A1 Angela Simpson
A1 John R Grainger
A1 Tracy Hussell
A1 Elizabeth R Mann
YR 2022
UL http://openres.ersjournals.com/content/8/suppl_8/172.abstract
AB Background: Monocytes regulate the development and resolution of lung injury. We previously demonstrated dysregulation of blood monocytes in hospitalised COVID-19 patients. It is unknown whether monocyte abnormalities persist after discharge and their clinical significance to long COVID symptomsAims: We aimed to assess if monocyte dysfunction in COVID-19 is associated with long COVID symptoms.Methods: Clinical data were collected from 72 patients with acute COVID-19 pneumonitis, 147 COVID-19 convalescent patients (range 8-36 weeks), and 38 healthy controls. Blood monocytes were characterised by flow cytometry.Results: Monocytes from hospitalised, acute COVID-19 patients aberrantly expressed adhesion/migration molecules, including increased monocyte chemoattractant protein 1, chemokine receptor CXCR6 and adhesion molecules integrinβ7, PSGL-1. Notably chemokine receptor CXCR2 (decreased) and CD62L (increased) expression stratified with acute COVID-19 severity. In convalescence, increased monocyte CXCR6 and PSGL1 persisted; associating with patient breathlessness. Cyclo-oxygenase 2 expression was decreased on monocytes during acute COVID-19, stratifying with disease severity, and remained low during convalescence in patients with persistent fatigue. TNFα monocyte production was enhanced in patients with mild disease during the acute phase, and in patients without long COVID symptoms.Conlusions: Persistent changes in monocytes during COVID-19 convalescence are associated with long COVID symptoms, where traditional tests of lung recovery are not. Targeting aberrant monocyte phenotypes throughout the COVID-19 time-course has biomarker & immunomodulatory therapy promise.FootnotesCite this article as ERJ Open Research 2022; 8: Suppl. 8, 172.This article was presented at the 2022 ERS Lung Science Conference, in session “Poster Session 2”.This is an ERS Lung Science Conference abstract. No full-text version is available. Further material to accompany this abstract may be available at www.ers-education.org (ERS member access only).