Cytokine profiles associated with persisting symptoms of post-acute sequelae of COVID-19

作者：Ji‐Soo Kwon, Euijin Chang, Hyeon Mu Jang, Ji Yeun Kim, Woori Kim, Ju Yeon Son, Junho Cha, Choi Young Jang, Seongman Bae, Jiwon Jung, Min Jae Kim, Yong Pil Chong, Sang‐Oh Lee, Sang‐Ho Choi, Yang Soo Kim, Sung‐Han Kim · 发表于：The Korean Journal of Internal Medicine · 年份：2025 · DOI：10.3904/kjim.2024.217 · 被引用次数：8 · 研究领域：Long-Term Effects of COVID-19、Autoimmune Neurological Disorders and Treatments、Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Research

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC) are highly heterogeneous; therefore, the pathophysiological mechanisms for PASC remain unclear. In this study, we aimed to examine the immunologic aspects of various PASC symptoms. METHODS: We prospectively enrolled adults aged ≥ 18 years who were diagnosed with COVID-19 between August 2022 and September 2023. Blood samples were collected from all participants, who were interviewed using a questionnaire for PASC symptoms at least once between 1 and 6 months after the COVID-19 diagnosis. For immunological evaluation, plasma concentrations of SARS-CoV-2 spike subunit 1-specific IgG and 33 cytokines were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays and multiplex-based immunoassay, respectively. RESULTS: In total, 156 pairs of blood samples and symptom reports from 79 participants were eligible for analysis. The most frequent symptom was fatigue, followed by post exertional malaise, chronic cough, thirst, and brain fog. Gastrointestinal symptoms, chest pain, post exertional malaise, smell/taste change, fatigue, brain fog, abnormal movement, and palpitation were accompanied by significant increases in IL-10, VEGF, and inflammatory cytokines like MIP-1α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, MIG, granzyme A, and CX3CL1 levels, while chronic cough, dizziness, dyspnea, and hair loss were not accompanied by significant differences in cytokine levels. CONCLUSION: Symptoms classified into different categories based on the dysfunctional organs ma...