Expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-18, IL-33) at the level of the mucous membrane, the entry point of infection, in persons who have experienced COVID-19 disease
- Authors: Rasskazova N.D.1, Abramova N.D.1, Soshchenko T.D.1,2, Kalyuzhnaya N.O.1, Meremianina E.A.1,3, Shatokhin M.N.3, Zaitseva T.A.2
-
Affiliations:
- I. Mechnikov Research Institute of Vaccines and Sera
- I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University)
- Russian Medical Academy of Continuous Professional Education
- Issue: Vol 14, No 3 (2024)
- Pages: 423-428
- Section: SHORT COMMUNICATIONS
- URL: https://journal-vniispk.ru/2220-7619/article/view/262059
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.15789/2220-7619-EOP-16804
- ID: 262059
Cite item
Full Text
Abstract
Introduction. The mucous membrane of the upper respiratory tract is the entrance gate for a large number of infections, including the SARS-CoV-2 virus. That is why the main task of the immune system of the mucous membranes of the entrance gate of infection is to maintain respiratory function. High production of proinflammatory cytokines, which play a key role in the development of severe COVID-19 infection, leads to detrimental consequences for all body systems. Their long-term influence can not only aggravate chronic pathologies, but also significantly increase the recovery period, leading to a decrease in the quality of life of patients. Therefore, the purpose of this work is to study the expression of IL-18 and IL-33 genes at the level of the mucous membranes of the upper respiratory tract in patients who have had COVID-19 disease. Materials and methods. The present study involved patients who had moderate or severe COVID-19. The control group consisted of relatively healthy individuals. The expression levels of IL-18 and IL-33 were detected using RT-PCR. Results. During the entire period of rehabilitation after suffering from COVID-19, patients showed a tendency to increase the level of IL-18 expression at the level of the mucous membranes of the nasopharynx and oropharynx. The level of IL-33 production was also increased, but varied depending on the location and period of sample collection. Conclusion. This increase in the level of IL-18 during the rehabilitation period of patients after COVID-19 may be explained by the fact that the virus, by activating glia through olfactory receptor neurons, triggers a powerful immune response and promotes the production of a large number of pro-inflammatory cytokines. On the contrary, overexpression of IL-33 in the late stages of rehabilitation is most likely associated with its ability to restore barrier tissues of the mucous membranes of the upper respiratory tract. Thus, we can conclude that the virus promotes excessive production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, the amount of which increases maximally at the 6th month of rehabilitation after suffering from COVID-19.
Full Text
##article.viewOnOriginalSite##About the authors
Nadezhda D. Rasskazova
I. Mechnikov Research Institute of Vaccines and Sera
Author for correspondence.
Email: neonovita@mail.ru
Junior Researcher, Laboratory of Molecular Immunology
Russian Federation, 105064, Moscow, Maly Kazenny lane, 5aN. D. Abramova
I. Mechnikov Research Institute of Vaccines and Sera
Email: neonovita@mail.ru
Junior Research Associate, Laboratory of Molecular Immunology
Russian Federation, 105064, Moscow, Maly Kazenny lane, 5aT. D. Soshchenko
I. Mechnikov Research Institute of Vaccines and Sera; I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University)
Email: neonovita@mail.ru
Research Laboratory Assistant, Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, 6th year Student at the International School “Medicine of the Future”, Department of Biological Chemistry
Russian Federation, 105064, Moscow, Maly Kazenny lane, 5a; MoscowN. O. Kalyuzhnaya
I. Mechnikov Research Institute of Vaccines and Sera
Email: neonovita@mail.ru
Junior Research Associate, Laboratory of Molecular Immunology
Russian Federation, 105064, Moscow, Maly Kazenny lane, 5aE. A. Meremianina
I. Mechnikov Research Institute of Vaccines and Sera; Russian Medical Academy of Continuous Professional Education
Email: neonovita@mail.ru
PhD (Medicine), Researcher, Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, Senior Lecturer, Department of Virology
Russian Federation, 105064, Moscow, Maly Kazenny lane, 5a; MoscowM. N. Shatokhin
Russian Medical Academy of Continuous Professional Education
Email: neonovita@mail.ru
Russian Federation, Moscow
T. A. Zaitseva
I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University)
Email: neonovita@mail.ru
PhD (Medicine), Associate Professor, Vorobiev Department of Microbiology, Virology and Immunology, Erisman Institute of Public Health
Russian Federation, MoscowReferences
- Свитич О.А., Филина А.Б., Давыдова Н.В., Ганковская Л.В, Зверев В.В. Роль факторов врожденного иммунитета в процессе опухолеобразования // Медицинская иммунология. 2018. Т. 20, № 2. С. 151–162. [Svitich O.A., Filina A.B., Davydova N.V., Gankovskaya L.V., Zverev V.V. The role of innate immune factors in the process of tumor formation. Meditsinskaya immunologiya = Medical Immunology (Russia), 2018, vol. 20, no. 2, pp. 151–162. (In Russ.)] doi: 10.15789/1563-0625-2018-2-151-162
- Хашукоева А.З., Свитич О.А., Маркова Э.А., Отдельнова О.Б., Хлынова С.А., Фотодинамическая терапия — противовирусная терапия? История вопроса. Перспективы применения // Лазерная медицина. 2012. Т. 16, № 2. C. 63–67. [Hashukoeva A.Z., Svitich O.A., Markova E.A., Otdel’nova O.B., Hlynova S.A. Photodynamic therapy — antiviral therapy? History of the issue. Prospects for use. Lazernaya meditsina = Laser Medicine, 2012, vol. 16, no. 2, pp. 63–67. (In Russ.)]
- Alboni S., Cervia D., Sugama S., Conti B. Interleukin 18 in the CNS. J. Neuroinflammation, 2010, vol. 7: 9.
- Bartee E., McFadden G. Cytokine synergy: an underappreciated contributor to innate anti-viral immunity. Cytokine, 2013, vol. 63, no. 3, pp. 237–240.
- Fathi F., Sami R., Mozafarpoor S., Hafezi H., Motedayyen H., Arefnezhad R., Eskandari N. Immune system changes during COVID-19 recovery play key role in determining disease severity. Int. J. Immunopathol. Pharmacol., 2020, vol. 34: 2058738420966497.
- Gao Y., Cai L., Li L., Zhang Y., Li J., Luo C., Wang Y., Tao L. Emerging Effects of IL-33 on COVID-19. Int. J. Mol. Sci., 2022, vol. 23, no 21: 13656.
- Gaurav R., Poole J.A. Interleukin (IL)-33 Immunobiology in Asthma and Airway Inflammatory Diseases. J. Asthma, 2022, vol. 59, no 12, pp. 2530–2538.
- Gea-Mallorquí E. IL-18-dependent MAIT cell activation in COVID-19. Nat. Rev. Immunol., 2020, vol. 20, no 12: 719.
- Schooling C.M., Li M., Au Yeung S.L. Interleukin-18 and COVID-19. Epidemiol. Infect., 2021, vol. 150: e14.
- Schultheiß C., Willscher E., Paschold L., Gottschick C., Klee B., Bosurgi L., Dutzmann J., Sedding D., Frese T., Girndt M., Höll J.I., Gekle M., Mikolajczyk R., Binder M. Liquid biomarkers of macrophage dysregulation and circulating spike protein illustrate the biological heterogeneity in patients with post-acute sequelae of COVID-19. J. Med. Virol., 2023, vol. 95, no 1: e28364.
- Yasuda K., Nakanishi K., Tsutsui H. Interleukin-18 in Health and Disease. Int. J. Mol. Sci., 2019, vol. 20, no. 3: 649.
- Zizzo G., Cohen P.L. Imperfect storm: is interleukin-33 the Achilles heel of COVID-19? Lancet Rheumatol., 2020, vol. 2, no. 12, pp. e779–e790. doi: 10.1016/S2665-9913(20)30340-4
Supplementary files
