Analysis of mitochondrial function in lymphocytes obtained from COVID-19 patients

Abstract

Objectives There is a significant decline in the lymphocyte subset counts in the peripheral blood of COVID-19 patients. However, the mitochondrial function of lymphocytes obtained from COVID-19 patients has rarely been studied. Methods A case-control study was conducted in 115 COVID-19 patients and 50 healthy controls from December 2022 to February 2023. The extent of lymphocytic mitochondrial damage in these patients using mitochondrial fluorescence staining and flow cytometry. Clinical symptoms were evaluated using the SOFA and APACHE II scores. Results The mitochondrial function of lymphocytes was severely impaired in the peripheral blood of COVID-19 patients, compared to healthy controls, and was characterized by an increased single-cell mitochondrial mass (SCMM) and increased percentage of low mitochondrial membrane potential. The increase in the SCMM of T cells was more notable in patients with severe COVID-19 and was positively correlated with the SOFA and APACHE II scores. When the SCMM-CD8 cutoff value was 38.775, the AUC for distinguishing between severe and mild COVID-19 was 0.740, and the sensitivity, specificity, and Youden index were 65.8%, 82.1%, and 0.478, respectively. Conclusion SCMM-CD8 could act as a diagnostic biomarker of COVID-19 progression. However, this needs to be verified in other multi-center studies with a larger sample size.

Abnormal Serum Biochemical Results and Mitochondrial Damage of Lymphocytes in Patients with Schizophrenia and SARS-CoV-2 Infection: A Retrospective Study

“…Recent studies have shown that the CD3 + CD8 + SCMM may act as a diagnostic biomarker of COVID-19 progression. 19 According to our study, mitochondria may represent critical mediators and serve as strategic therapeutic targets in schizophrenia patients who were infected with SARS-CoV-2.…”

“… 34 Recent studies have demonstrated that mitochondrial function was severely impaired in lymphocytes of COVID-19 patients. 19 The higher SCMM in peripheral blood T lymphocytes reflects abnormal mitochondrial metabolism, which can result in decreased energy generation.…”

Post-Acute Sequelae And Mitochondrial Aberration In SARS-CoV-2 Infection

“…During the early stages of infection, cells exhibit modifications in mitochondria characterized by thinner and elongated structures, suggesting morphological and dynamic fusion-fission related change [77]. The virus induces a rise in mitochondrial transmembrane potential resulting in elongated mitochondria and increased ATP synthesis, potentially contributing to viral replication and disease progression [78]. The virus therefore exacerbates the severity of disease by promoting the fusion and elongation of mitochondria, more effectively replicating within the host cells [76].…”