Deep immune cell phenotyping and induced immune cell responses at admission stratified by BMI in patients hospitalized with COVID-19: An observational multicenter cohort pilot study

Adin Sejdic*, Hans Jakob Hartling, Jon G Holler, Lars Klingen Gjærde, Arnold Matovu Dungu, Maria Elizabeth Engel Møller, Rebecca Svanberg Teglgaard, Carsten Utoft Niemann, Patrick Terrence Brooks, Trine H Mogensen, Nina Weis, Daria Podlekareva, Marie Louise Baum Jørgensen, Anne Ortved Gang, Ditte Stampe Hersby, Annemette Hald, Susanne Dam Nielsen, Anne-Mette Lebech, Marie Helleberg, Jens LundgrenKristina Træholt Franck, Thea K Fischer, Zitta Barrella Harboe, Hanne Vibeke Marquart, Sisse Rye Ostrowski, Birgitte Lindegaard

*Corresponding author for this work

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Overweight and obesity are linked to increased hospitalization and mortality in COVID-19 patients. This study aimed to characterize induced immune responses and deep immune cell profiles stratified by BMI in hospitalized COVID-19 patients.

METHODS AND RESULTS: This observational multicenter cohort pilot study included 122 adult patients with PCR-confirmed COVID-19 in Denmark, stratified by BMI (normal weight, overweight, obese). Inflammation was assessed using TruCulture® and immune cell profiles by flow cytometry with a customized antibody panel (DuraClone®). Patients with obesity had a more pro-inflammatory phenotype with increased TNF-α, IL-8, IL-17, and IL-10 levels post-T cell stimulation, and altered B cell profiles. Patients with obesity showed higher concentrations of naïve, transitional, and non-isotype switched memory B cells, and plasmablasts compared to normal weight patients and healthy controls.

CONCLUSIONS: Obesity in hospitalized COVID-19 patients may correlate with elevated pro-inflammatory cytokines, anti-inflammatory IL-10, and increased B cell subset activation, highlighting the need for further studies.

Original languageEnglish
Article number110336
JournalClinical immunology (Orlando, Fla.)
Volume267
Pages (from-to)110336
ISSN1521-6616
Publication statusE-pub ahead of print - 6 Aug 2024

Keywords

  • Adaptive immunity
  • B cells
  • BMI
  • COVID-19
  • Cytokines
  • Inflammation
  • Innate immunity
  • Obesity
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • T cells

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