Contagious - Project
Project
A broad consortium of UZLeuven clinical experts was set up together with the VIB Center for Cancer Biology to procure samples from critically ill and mild COVID-19 infected patients. In a most exceptionally short timeframe during the first weeks of the COVID-19 crisis, a clinical trial was organized and regulatory approval acquired. Most of the precious but infectious samples have been effectively procured and analyzed. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) samples were prioritized, in contrast to most other COVID-19 trials in which these infectious and hence logistically challenging samples were neglected. This offers a unique opportunity to study immune trajectories at the site of infection. The scientific added value of this project is deciphering the underlying molecular responses and the downstream immune responses to a COVID-19 infection .
Discerning mild from severe COVID-19 infections
In this co-funded Grand Challenge project, a clinical trial at UZ Leuven was initiated to investigate why COVID-19 patients develop mild or severe COVID-19 pneumonia.
BAL samples are collected
To investigate this, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) samples were prioritized, in contrast to most other trials in which these infectious and hence logistically challenging samples were neglected. This offers a unique opportunity to study immune trajectories at the site of infection.
Single-cell studies reveal the role of neutrophils
These BAL samples were investigated at the single cell level to find out which cells contribute most to severe COVID-19 symptoms. Neutrophils were shown to play an important role in the inflammation after infection, by expressing cytokines and attracting other immune cells (monocytes). When these monocytes fail to differentiate into macrophages, patients end up with excessive inflammation in the lungs.