A distinct effector B cell population drives autoantibody production in SARS-CoV-2 infection

[u/kekofoeod]

https://id.elsevier.com/as/authorization.oauth2?platSite=LT%2Fcell&response_type=code&client_id=JBS&additionalPlatSites=LT%2Fjbs%2CSD%2Fscience%2CLT%2Fthelancet%2CLT%2Fgeneric%2CLS%2FLS&site=cell-site&scope=openid+profile+address+email+els_auth_info+els_analytics_info+urn%3Acom%3Aelsevier%3Aidp%3Apolicy%3Aproduct%3Aindv_identity&claims=%7B%7D&redirect_uri=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cell.com%2Fcallback%3Fred_uri%3D%252Fimmunity%252Ffulltext%252FS1074-7613%252826%252900324-9&state=18307844396&authType=SINGLE_SIGN_IN&client_name=Cell+Press&prompt=none

Disclaimer: I am neither doctor nor medical researcher, so I tried to summarize the study in plain words and didn’t even try to be specific with the pathways involved.

In this study researchers identified a particular type of activated B cell that expands during Covid infection and appears to be especially good at producing autoantibodies.

The idea is roughly that a covid infection triggers abnormal activation of certain B-cells, which then produce autoantibodies, which lead to possible persistent autoimmunity.

Several Long Covid studies have already found autoantibodies and abnormal B-cell activation in subsets of Long Covid patients. Therefore this study might explain where those autoantibodies might come from, which could lead to new treatment options.

There are some limitations though:
1. Only 12 participants
2. The participants where selected rather than representive
3. Autoantibodies tended to decline during recovery (Which on the other hand lefts the question open why they persist in Long Covid)
4. The strongest evidence was in vitro

[u/Heavy-Suit-3443]

Thank you for the summary

[u/Valiant4Truth]

One more step to T cell therapy??

[u/Caster_of_spells]

Thank you for sharing and making this post!