Researchers first in world to profile the body’s immune response to COVID-19
The virus that causes COVID-19 grows and replicates within cells, particularly the cells of the respiratory system. Research is showing that part of what makes the virus so deadly is that the body mounts an overreactive immune response as the virus grows and replicates. This response releases inflammatory molecules in order to fight the virus, but also destroys healthy cells and organs in the process.
In an effort to target these harmful processes and protect the body while still allowing the virus to be eradicated, a team from Lawson Health Research Institute and Western University are the first in the world to profile the body’s immune response to COVID-19. By studying blood samples from critically ill patients at London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC), the research team identified a unique pattern of six molecules that could be used as therapeutic targets to treat the virus. The study was published in Critical Care Explorations.
“Clinicians have been trying to address this hyperinflammation but without evidence of what to target,” explains Dr. Douglas Fraser, lead researcher from Lawson and Western’s Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry and Critical Care Physician at LHSC. “Our study takes away the guessing by identifying potential therapeutic targets for the first time.”
The study included 30 participants: 10 COVID-19 patients and 10 patients with other infections admitted to LHSC’s intensive care unit (ICU), as well as 10 healthy control participants. Blood was drawn daily for the first seven days of ICU admission, processed in a lab and then analyzed using statistical methods and artificial intelligence.
The team also used artificial intelligence to validate their results. They found that inflammation profiling was able to predict the presence of COVID-19 in critically ill patients with 98 per cent accuracy. They also found that one of the molecules (heat shock protein 70) measured in blood early during the illness was strongly associated with an increased risk of death.
“Understanding the immune response is paramount to finding the best treatments. Our next step is to test drugs that block the harmful effects of several of these molecules while still allowing the immune system to fight the virus,” says Dr. Fraser.
Patient samples and data generated from this study are also being used to inform other COVID-19 research studies at Lawson and Western. This includes studies looking at new treatments.
“I’m honoured to be part of this global research response,” adds Dr. Fraser.
This study was made possible through generous donor support. London Health Sciences Foundation is the lead funder with an investment of $90,800 through a significant estate donation and existing funds, designated for research purposes. Additional funding came from Lawson, Western and the AMOSO Innovation Fund.
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