The neurotransmitter TGFβ normally acts among other tasks on the innate immune system and dampens it. In the case of severe covid-19 disease, however, this is fatal, as cells of the innate immune system - in that case - natural killer (NK) cells - are prevented from fighting the virus quickly and adequately. This is what the team of scientists has now discovered.

For the study, the researchers isolated NK cells from the blood of men and women with varying degrees of COVID-19, examined their functionality in the laboratory, and analyzed the genes of immune cells. In contrast to other inflammatory infections, the messenger TGFβ is produced early in covid-19.

Based on their findings, the researchers believe that a timely inhibition of TGFβ may prevent severe courses of COVID-19.

Original publication:
Witkowski, M., Tizian, C., Ferreira-Gomes, M. et al. Untimely TGFβ responses in COVID-19 limit antiviral functions of NK cells. Nature (2021).
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-021-04142-6.

Source:
https://www.charite.de/en/service/press_reports/artikel/detail/nature_article_sars_cov_2_disrupts_timing_of_immune_response/