Background. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is characterized by immune-mediated lung injury and complex alterations of the immune system, such as lymphopenia and cytokine storm, that have been associated with adverse outcomes underlining a fundamental role of host response in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection and the pathogenesis of the disease. Thymosin alpha 1 (T alpha 1) is one of the molecules used in the management of COVID-19, because it is known to restore the homeostasis of the immune system during infections and cancer.Methods. In this study, we captured the interconnected biological processes regulated by T alpha 1 in CD8+ T cells under inflammatory conditions.Results. Genes associated with cytokine signaling and production were upregulated in blood cells from patients with COVID-19, and the ex vivo treatment with T alpha 1-mitigated cytokine expression, and inhibited lymphocyte activation in a CD8+ T-cell subset specifically.Conclusion. These data suggest the potential role of T alpha 1 in modulating the immune response homeostasis and the cytokine storm in vivo.[GRAPHICS].
Matteucci, C., Minutolo, A., Balestrieri, E., Petrone, V., Fanelli, M., Malagnino, V., et al. (2021). Thymosin Alpha 1 Mitigates Cytokine Storm in Blood Cells From Coronavirus Disease 2019 Patients. OPEN FORUM INFECTIOUS DISEASES, 8(1), ofaa588 [10.1093/ofid/ofaa588].
Thymosin Alpha 1 Mitigates Cytokine Storm in Blood Cells From Coronavirus Disease 2019 Patients
Matteucci, C;Minutolo, A;Balestrieri, E;Malagnino, V;Iannetta, M;Giovinazzo, A;Di Cesare, S;Toschi, N;Bernardini, S;Rogliani, P;Sarmati, L;Andreoni, M;Grelli, S;Garaci, E
2021-01-01
Abstract
Background. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is characterized by immune-mediated lung injury and complex alterations of the immune system, such as lymphopenia and cytokine storm, that have been associated with adverse outcomes underlining a fundamental role of host response in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection and the pathogenesis of the disease. Thymosin alpha 1 (T alpha 1) is one of the molecules used in the management of COVID-19, because it is known to restore the homeostasis of the immune system during infections and cancer.Methods. In this study, we captured the interconnected biological processes regulated by T alpha 1 in CD8+ T cells under inflammatory conditions.Results. Genes associated with cytokine signaling and production were upregulated in blood cells from patients with COVID-19, and the ex vivo treatment with T alpha 1-mitigated cytokine expression, and inhibited lymphocyte activation in a CD8+ T-cell subset specifically.Conclusion. These data suggest the potential role of T alpha 1 in modulating the immune response homeostasis and the cytokine storm in vivo.[GRAPHICS].I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
