Immune cells that drive harmful autoantibody responses after COVID-19 identified
When the immune system encounters a virus, it produces antibodies designed to recognize and eliminate the invader. But in some people infected with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, the immune response goes awry, producing autoantibodies—antibodies that mistakenly attack the body's own tissues.
Scientists have discovered specific immune cells that trigger harmful autoantibody responses following COVID-19 infection. In some people, the immune system mistakenly produces antibodies that attack the body's own tissues, leading to severe COVID-19, Long COVID, and a higher risk of autoimmune diseases. Researchers at the Institute for Systems Biology (ISB) identified that a subset of B cells called atypical memory cells, particularly DN2 cells, are responsible for producing these autoantibodies during SARS-CoV-2 infection.
These cells, which are normally part of the immune system, show an altered biological program in individuals with high autoantibody levels. This altered response is associated with weaker virus-neutralizing antibodies and a higher risk of autoimmune diseases. The study, published in the journal Immunity, suggests that SARS-CoV-2 infection can activate an immune program similar to those seen in autoimmune disorders such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, and inflammatory bowel disease.
Understanding this process may help identify patients at higher risk and guide the development of therapies to prevent or reduce harmful autoimmune responses following infection.
Written by urgent.news from Medical Xpress's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
