Local and systemic responses to SARS-CoV-2 infection in children and adults.

ABSTRACT: It is not fully understood why COVID-19 is typically milder in children^1-3. Here, to examine the differences between children and adults in their response to SARS-CoV-2 infection, we analysed paediatric and adult patients with COVID-19 as well as healthy control individuals (total n = 93) using single-cell multi-omic profiling of matched nasal, tracheal, bronchial and blood samples. In the airways of healthy paediatric individuals, we observed cells that were already in an interferon-activated state, which after SARS-CoV-2 infection was further induced especially in airway immune cells. We postulate that higher paediatric innate interferon responses restrict viral replication and disease progression. The systemic response in children was characterized by increases in naive lymph

SUBMITTER: Yoshida M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8828466 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature