Severe COVID-19 infection may lead to long-term changes in the body’s immune system, according to a new study funded by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). These alterations to the immune system could explain why the disease can cause damage to multiple organs and why individuals with long COVID often experience high levels of inflammation throughout their bodies.
Researchers analyzed rare stem cells taken from individuals who were recovering from COVID-19 and found significant changes in gene expression. These changes resulted in increased production of inflammatory cytokines in immune cells known as monocytes. Remarkably, these gene expression alterations and heightened cytokine production were observed up to a year after participants had contracted COVID-19.
As part of the study, researchers tested the hypothesis that the inflammatory cytokine IL-6 played a role in the gene expression changes. To do this, they conducted experiments on mice and patients with COVID-19. The results showed that individuals who received antibodies blocking IL-6 had lower levels of altered gene expression, monocyte production, and cytokine production.
These findings suggest that the SARS-CoV-2 virus can induce changes in gene expression that lead to increased cytokine production, with IL-6 potentially being a key driver of long-term inflammation in severe cases of COVID-19. This further emphasizes the importance of staying up to date with recommended COVID-19 vaccines, as they have been proven to protect against serious illness and death.
The research, published in the journal Cell, provides valuable insights into the long-lasting effects of COVID-19 on the immune system. Dr. Joy Liu, a program officer in the NIAID Division of Allergy, Immunology, and Transplantation, is available to discuss the research in more detail.
NIAID’s primary goal is to investigate the causes of infectious and immune-related diseases while developing improved methods of prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. The NIH, on the other hand, acts as the primary federal agency responsible for conducting and supporting medical research.
This study adds to the growing body of evidence highlighting the potential long-term consequences of COVID-19 and underscores the importance of ongoing research to fully understand the virus’s impact on the immune system.
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