SARS-CoV-2 spike protein induces the cytokine release syndrome by stimulating T cells to produce more IL-2.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Cytokine release syndrome (CRS) is one of the leading causes of mortality in patients with COVID-19 caused by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus. However, the mechanism of CRS induced by SARS-CoV-2 is vague.

Methods

Using spike protein combined with IL-2, IFN-γ, and TNF-α to stimulate human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) to secrete CRS-related cytokines, the content of cytokines in the supernatant was detected, and the effects of NK, T, and monocytes were analyzed.

Results

This study shows that dendritic cells loaded with spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 stimulate T cells to release much more interleukin-2 (IL-2,) which subsequently cooperates with spike protein to facilitate PBMCs to release IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-8. These effects are achieved via IL-2 stimu

SUBMITTER: Niu C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11445618 | biostudies-literature | 2024

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature