The modulatory action of C-Vx substance on the immune system in COVID-19

• Published in: Emerging microbes & infections Vol. 11; no. 1; pp. 2698 - 2710
• Main Authors: Tahrali, Ilhan, Akdeniz, Nilgun, Yilmaz, Vuslat, Kucuksezer, Umut C., Oktelik, Fatma B., Ozdemir, Ozkan, Cetin-Aktas, Esin, Ogutmen, Yelda, Ergen, Arzu, Abaci, Neslihan, Tuzun, Erdem, Oncul, Oral, Deniz, Gunnur
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Taylor & Francis 31.12.2022; Taylor & Francis Ltd; Taylor & Francis Group
• Subjects: C-Vx; Coronaviruses; COVID-19; cytokines; cytotoxicity; Immune system; inflammation; lymphocytes; proliferation
• ISSN: 2222-1751; 2222-1751
• DOI: 10.1080/22221751.2022.2125347

The modulatory effect of C-Vx, a novel therapeutic agent, on the immune system of COVID-19 patients was investigated. The functions of T and NK cells of COVID-19 patients with different disease severity were evaluated by flow cytometry in response to C-Vx stimulation. The levels of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines were detected by multiplex assay in supernatants after cell culture with C-Vx. Bradykinin, IRF3, and IFN-α levels were also measured by ELISA in the presence or absence of C-Vx stimulation. As a result, increased CD107a expression was observed on NK cells in response to C-Vx addition. The proliferation of T cell subsets was increased by C-Vx, decreasing by disease severity. IL-4 and IL-10 levels were elevated while IFN-γ and IL-17 levels were reduced in T cells following C-Vx stimulation. However, the levels of pro-inflammatory IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IFN-γ and GM-CSF were significantly increased upon C-Vx stimulation. IFN-α levels tended to increase after incubation with C-Vx. These findings support an immunomodulatory action of C-Vx on the immune system of patients with a mild and moderate phase of COVID-19.