Type I interferon response and vascular changes in frostbite like lesions during COVID-19 outbreak

First published: October 5, 2021 https://doi.org/10.1111/bjd.20707

Commentary

The purpose of this study was to investigate the activation of the skin, blood endothelium and immune system in CLL compared to healthy controls and seasonal frostbite (SC).

The study was conducted from April 9-16, 2020 at the Saint-Louis Hospital in Paris, France, and patients with CLL seen during this period of the COVID-19 pandemic were included in the study.

Patients with a history of frostbite or frostsores were excluded and 50 patients were included in the study.

As a result, the histological patterns were similar and the transcriptomic signatures overlapped in both the CLL and SC groups, with type I interferon polarization and cytotoxic-natural killer gene signatures.

CLL was characterized by higher IgA tissue deposition and more significant transcriptomic activation of complement and angiogenic factors compared to SC.

A systemic immune response associated with IgA antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies was observed in 73% of patients with CLL, and blood signatures of type I interferon were elevated compared to healthy controls.

Finally, endothelial dysfunction and activation of the endothelium, as well as blood biomarkers associated with angiogenesis or mobilization of endothelial progenitor cells, were used to confirm endothelial dysfunction in CLL.