SARS-CoV-2 Induces Cytokine Responses in Human Basophils

Abstract

Basophils play a key role in the orientation of immune responses. Though the interaction of SARS-CoV-2 with various immune cells has been relatively well studied, the response of basophils to this pandemic virus is not characterized yet. In this study, we report that SARS-CoV-2 induces cytokine responses and in particular IL-13, in both resting and IL-3 primed basophils. The response was prominent under IL-3 primed condition. However, either SARS-CoV-2 or SARS-CoV-2-infected epithelial cells did not alter the expression of surface markers associated with the activation of basophils, such as CD69, CD13 and/or degranulation marker CD107a. We also validate that human basophils are not permissive to SARS-CoV-2 replication. Though increased expression of immune checkpoint molecule PD-L1 has been reported on the basophils from COVID-19 patients, we observed that SARS-CoV-2 does not induce PD-L1 on the basophils. Our data suggest that basophil cytokine responses to SARS-CoV-2 might help in reducing the inflammation and also to promote antibody responses to the virus.

Eosinophils and basophils in severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome patients: Risk factors for predicting the prognosis on admission

“…Previous studies have suggested that the primary role of eosinophils (EOS) and basophils (BAS) is associated with anti-parasitic and allergic reactions. Later, antiviral effects of EOS and BAS were confirmed, which were mainly reported in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-COV-2), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), influenza A viruses, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) [ 16 – 22 ]. Our retrospective study found significant differences in EOS% and BAS% of patients who were weakened compared with those who survived.…”

Clinical and immunological data from chronic urticaria onset after mRNA SARS‐CoV‐2 vaccines

“…A type 3 hypersensivity has also been evoked in these patients as repeated doses of SARS-CoV2 mRNA vaccine could lead to an immune complex-linked complement activation with a continuous C3a-and C5a-driven basophil activation. 9 In conclusion, our observation of persistent urticaria fulfilling criteria for CSU in close temporal relation with repeated vaccination against SARS-CoV2 suggests a link between the two, which could be of allergic nature. The potential sensitization to vaccine excipients highlighted by the CD63 activation on basophils in some patients not only to the whole vaccine, but frequently also to polysorbate-80, urges the need for more studies investigating the possibility of sensitization to vaccine excipients by repeated immunization in predisposed individuals.…”

“…A type 3 hypersensivity has also been evoked in these patients as repeated doses of SARS‐CoV2 mRNA vaccine could lead to an immune complex‐linked complement activation with a continuous C3a‐ and C5a‐driven basophil activation. 9 …”

Pathogenic accumulation of T follicular helper cells in lupus disease depends on PD-L1 and IL-4 expressing basophils

“…PD-L1 expression by basophils is known in humans and may be induced by IFNγ 37 . PD-L1 upregulation on human basophils has recently been described during SARS-CoV2 infections 38 although it is not directly induced by the virus 39 . Interestingly, basopenia occurs in acute SARS-CoV2 infection suggesting putative recruitment of basophils to SLO 40 .…”