Preprint Unveiling the Immune Landscape of COVID-19 and prolonged Long-COVID through Single-Cell RNA Sequencing, 2025, Spriņģe et al.

Unveiling the Immune Landscape of COVID-19 and prolonged Long-COVID through Single-Cell RNA Sequencing
Marta Līva Spriņģe; Kristīne Vaivode; Rihards Saksis; Nineļa Miriama Vainšeļbauma; Laura Ansone; Monta Brīvība; Helvijs Niedra; Vita Rovite

Long-COVID affects at least 10% of COVID-19 survivors, displaying debilitating symptoms across multiple organ systems. Despite the increasing prevalence, the underlying causes remain unclear. This study presents a unique analysis of the PBMC transcriptomic landscape of COVID-19 and Long-COVID patients at a single-cell resolution.

We reconstructed the cell state and communication using differentially expressed gene profiling and ligand-receptor interaction analyses.

Our results reveal altered T and NK cell subset proportions, diminished proliferating lymphocyte and B cell signalling capacity, and the expression of exhaustion and cytotoxicity associated genes 1.5 -2 years post-infection, suggesting incomplete immune recovery.

Collectively, these findings provide insights into the immune processes underlying the progression of COVID-19 into a chronic Long-COVID state.


Link | PDF (Preprint: BioRxiv) [Open Access]