Serum extracellular vesicles profiling is associated with COVID‐19 progression and immune responses

Abstract

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has transformed very quickly into a world pandemic with severe and unexpected consequences on human health. Concerted efforts to generate better diagnostic and prognostic tools have been ongoing. Research, thus far, has primarily focused on the virus itself or the direct immune response to it. Here, we propose extracellular vesicles (EVs) from serum liquid biopsies as a new and unique modality to unify diagnostic and prognostic tools for COVID-19 analyses. EVs are a novel player in intercellular signalling particularly influencing immune responses. We herein show that innate and adaptive immune EVs profiling, together with SARS-CoV-2 Spike S1 + EVs provide a novel signature for SARS-CoV-2 infection. It also provides a unique ability to associate the co-existence of viral and host cell signatures to monitor affected tissues and severity of the disease progression. And provide a phenotypic insight into COVID-associated EVs.

Exploring extracellular vesicles as mediators of clinical disease and vehicles for viral therapeutics: Insights from the COVID-19 pandemic

“…In another study by Yim et al ., small EVs carrying endothelial marker CD31 were also observed to carry spike S1 [ 111 ] . However, the authors did not find viral RNA in EVs by PCR detection [ 111 ] .…”

“…In another study by Yim et al ., small EVs carrying endothelial marker CD31 were also observed to carry spike S1 [ 111 ] . However, the authors did not find viral RNA in EVs by PCR detection [ 111 ] . Nonetheless, these data support the hypothesis that SARS-CoV-2 may be capable of infecting endothelial cells.…”

“…Nonetheless, these data support the hypothesis that SARS-CoV-2 may be capable of infecting endothelial cells. Not only this, but the virus might be exploiting EV biogenesis by incorporating spike S1 into EVs which may serve as decoys that bind to neutralizing antibodies and protect SARS-CoV-2 virions from immune detection and destruction [ 111 ] . However, the authors went on to observe that patients with EVs carrying spike S1 also demonstrated high levels of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 and less of an anti-inflammatory immune profile [ 111 ] .…”

“…Not only this, but the virus might be exploiting EV biogenesis by incorporating spike S1 into EVs which may serve as decoys that bind to neutralizing antibodies and protect SARS-CoV-2 virions from immune detection and destruction [ 111 ] . However, the authors went on to observe that patients with EVs carrying spike S1 also demonstrated high levels of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 and less of an anti-inflammatory immune profile [ 111 ] . Therefore, it is unclear if it is SARS-CoV-2 exploiting EVs to protect itself or if the incorporation of spike S1 into EVs is an intentional attempt by infected cells to warn surrounding cells of viral infiltration.…”

Update on Extracellular Vesicle-Based Vaccines and Therapeutics to Combat COVID-19

“…So far, researchers have focused on not only the pathogenicity of the virus itself but also the counter-immune response to it. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are now considered one of the important entities in fighting against COVID-19 due to their roles in SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis and their usefulness as novel therapeutics, delivery vehicles for drugs, and vaccine platforms [ 6 , 7 , 8 ].…”