Temporal Dynamics of Serum Perforin and Granzyme during the Acute Phase of SARS-CoV-2 Infection

Abstract

Background: As many SARS-CoV-2 infections are asymptomatic, it could be useful to be able to determine how much time has passed since infection. We explored the changes in the temporal levels of T cell-related proteins (including perforin and granzymes) in the sera of patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection using a commercially available assay. Methods: This study enrolled 36 patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 and 20 healthy control participants. Blood samples were collected at three different times based on the number of days since symptom onset (early phase: 1–5 days, mid-phase: 6–10 days, late phase: 11–18 days). We assessed the temporal changes in the serum levels of perforin and granzymes in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection by comparing the results with those obtained in the healthy control group. Results: We identified a significantly low level of perforin in the early phase of SARS-CoV-2 infection (p < 0.01), which was restored to normal during the mid- and late phases of the infection. However, there was no difference in the temporal change in the level of granzymes in SARS-CoV-2-infected patients compared to the healthy control group. Conclusions: This finding suggests that SARS-CoV-2 infection paralyzed the perforin expression in the early period immediately after infection. Thus, serum perforin is a potential marker for identifying the acute phase of SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Longitudinal analysis of genomic mutations in SARS-CoV-2 isolates from persistent COVID-19 patient

“…It has been reported that natural killer (NK) cells and CD8-positive T cells contribute to virus clearance in COVID-19 patients. 14 , 15 When we measured the cytolytic granules in serum from this patient ( Figure 2 B), high concentrations of perforin and granulysin were detected, suggesting that NK cells and CD8-positive T cells are likely functional in this patient. However, the virus was not eliminated in this patient, suggesting NK cells and CD8-positive T cells alone are insufficient to eliminate the virus under conditions where there are almost no antibodies against the virus.…”

Pediatric humoral immune responses and infection risk after severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection and two-dose vaccination during SARS-CoV-2 omicron BA.5 and BN.1 variants predominance in South Korea

“…However, it also has several limitations. First, the information of exact timing of SARS-CoV-2 infection is limited ( 33 ). Therefore, the reported anti-N and anti-S IgG titers could have been affected by the time of report.…”