The modulatory action of C-Vx substance on the immune system in COVID-19

Abstract

The modulatory effect of C-Vx, a novel therapeutic agent, on the immune system of COVID-19 patients was investigated. The functions of T and NK cells of COVID-19 patients with different disease severity were evaluated by flow cytometry in response to C-Vx stimulation. The levels of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines were detected by multiplex assay in supernatants after cell culture with C-Vx. Bradykinin, IRF3, and IFN-α levels were also measured by ELISA in the presence or absence of C-Vx stimulation. As a result, increased CD107a expression was observed on NK cells in response to C-Vx addition. The proliferation of T cell subsets was increased by C-Vx, decreasing by disease severity. IL-4 and IL-10 levels were elevated while IFN-γ and IL-17 levels were reduced in T cells following C-Vx stimulation. However, the levels of pro-inflammatory IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IFN-γ and GM-CSF were significantly increased upon C-Vx stimulation. IFN-α levels tended to increase after incubation with C-Vx. These findings support an immunomodulatory action of C-Vx on the immune system of patients with a mild and moderate phase of COVID-19.

Therapeutic Effect of C-Vx Substance in K18-hACE2 Transgenic Mice Infected with SARS-CoV-2

“…As a result of receptor interaction, various transcription factors such as the intracellular Nuclear Factor Kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NFκB) are activated and cause the expression of pro-inflammatory factors. In COVID-19 disease, increased levels of proand anti-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, which induce a high degree of immune response that causes cytokine release syndrome (CRS), were reported [18]. Many studies showed that there were defects also in the functions of innate and adaptive immune cells and reduced cell numbers in patients infected with COVID-19.…”