MedUni Vienna study provides new insights for a better understanding of the disease - and possible biomarkers for vaccine development.
In a study recently published in the
top journal "Allergy", a team of
MedUni Vienna scientists led by
immunologist Winfried F. Pickl and
allergologist Rudolf Valenta (both
from the Center for Pathophysiology,
Infectiology and Immunology) showed
that there are seven "forms of
disease" in COVID-19 with mild
disease course and that the disease
leaves behind significant changes in
the immune system, even after 10
weeks. These findings could play a
significant role in the treatment of
patients and in the development of a
potent vaccine.
At the same time, the scientists
established that COVID-19 leaves
behind long detectable changes in
the blood of convalescents, very
similar to a fingerprint. For
example, the number of granulocytes,
which are otherwise responsible in
the immune system for fighting
bacterial pathogens, is
significantly lower than normal in
the COVID-19 group. Pickl explains:
"However, both the CD4 and CD8 T
cell compartment developed memory
cells and CD8 T cells remained
strongly activated. This indicates
that the immune system is still
intensively engaged with the disease
several weeks after initial
infection. At the same time, the
regulatory cells are greatly
diminished – and that is likely a
dangerous mix, which could lead to
autoimmunity." Furthermore,
increased levels of
antibody-producing immune cells were
detected in the blood of
convalescents – the higher the fever
of the affected patient during the
mild course of the disease, the
higher were the antibody levels
against the virus.
Release:
Mag. Thorsten
Medwedeff,
Communications and Public Relations, Medical University of Vienna
|
November 02, 2020 |