Journal Article

DKFZ-2023-02047

http://join2-wiki.gsi.de/foswiki/pub/Main/Artwork/join2_logo100x88.png Immune-epithelial cell cross-talk enhances antiviral responsiveness to SARS-CoV-2 in children.

Magalhães, V. G. (First author)DKFZ* ; Lukassen, S. ; Drechsler, M.DKFZ* ; Loske, J. ; Burkart, S.DKFZ* ; Wüst, S.DKFZ* ; Jacobsen, E.-M. ; Röhmel, J. ; Mall, M. A. ; Debatin, K.-M. ; Eils, R. ; Autenrieth, S.DKFZ* ; Janda, A. ; Lehmann, I. ; Binder, M. (Last author)DKFZ*

2023
Wiley Hoboken, NJ [u.a.]

This record in other databases:  

Please use a persistent id in citations: doi:10.15252/embr.202357912

Abstract: The risk of developing severe COVID-19 rises dramatically with age. Schoolchildren are significantly less likely than older people to die from SARS-CoV-2 infection, but the molecular mechanisms underlying this age-dependence are unknown. In primary infections, innate immunity is critical due to the lack of immune memory. Children, in particular, have a significantly stronger interferon response due to a primed state of their airway epithelium. In single-cell transcriptomes of nasal turbinates, we find increased frequencies of immune cells and stronger cytokine-mediated interactions with epithelial cells, resulting in increased epithelial expression of viral sensors (RIG-I, MDA5) via IRF1. In vitro, adolescent peripheral blood mononuclear cells produce more cytokines, priming A549 cells for stronger interferon responses to SARS-CoV-2. Taken together, our findings suggest that increased numbers of immune cells in the airways of children and enhanced cytokine-based interactions with epithelial cells tune the setpoint of the epithelial antiviral system. Our findings shed light on the molecular basis of children's remarkable resistance to COVID-19 and may suggest a novel concept for immunoprophylactic treatments.

Keyword(s): RIG-I like receptors ; SARS-CoV-2 ; age-dependence of disease ; children ; interferon response

Note: 2023 Dec 6;24(12):e57912 / #EA:F170#LA:F170#

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Contributing Institute(s):

1. F170 Virus-assoziierte Karzinogenese (F170)
2. Dentritische Zellen bei Infektionen und Krebs (F171)

Research Program(s):

1. 316 - Infektionen, Entzündung und Krebs (POF4-316) (POF4-316)

Appears in the scientific report 2023

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Database coverage:
; BIOSIS Previews ; Biological Abstracts ; Clarivate Analytics Master Journal List ; Current Contents - Life Sciences ; DEAL Wiley ; Essential Science Indicators ; IF >= 5 ; JCR ; PubMed Central ; SCOPUS ; Science Citation Index Expanded ; Web of Science Core Collection

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