Frontiers in Pediatrics (Dec 2023)

Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children characterized by enhanced antigen-specific T-cell expression of cytokines and its reversal following recovery

  • Nathella Pavan Kumar,
  • Kadar M. Abbas,
  • Rachel M. Renji,
  • Aishwarya Venkataraman,
  • Arul Nancy,
  • Poovazhagi Varadarjan,
  • Elilarasi Selladurai,
  • Thankgavelu Sangaralingam,
  • Ramya Selvam,
  • Akshith Thimmaiah,
  • Suresh Natarajan,
  • Ganesh Ramasamy,
  • Syed Hissar,
  • Uma Devi Ranganathan,
  • Thomas B. Nutman,
  • Subash Babu,
  • Subash Babu

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fped.2023.1235342
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 11

Abstract

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BackgroundMultisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS) in children is considered to be a post-infectious complication of COVID-19. T-cell responses in children with this condition have not been well-studied.MethodsWe aimed to study the immune responses in children with MIS in comparison to children with acute COVID-19 and children with other infections. Whole blood was stimulated with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2)–specific antigens and flow cytometry was performed to examine CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell responses.ResultsChildren with MIS had higher frequencies of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells expressing cytokines at baseline and upon SARS-CoV-2 antigen–specific stimulation in comparison to children with COVID-19 and/or other infections. Children with COVID-19 also exhibited higher frequencies of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells expressing cytokines at baseline and upon SARS-CoV-2 antigen–specific stimulation in comparison to children with other infections. At 6–9 months following treatment and recovery, this enhanced response against SARS-CoV-2 antigens was down modulated in children with MIS.ConclusionOur study, therefore, provides evidence of enhanced activation of CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell responses in children with MIS and reversal following recovery.

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