Immune and Neurovascular Signatures of Psychiatric Post-acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 Infection

Introduction: SARS-CoV-2 infection, in addition to causing an acute respiratory syndrome (COVID-19), can lead to psychiatric post-acute sequalae in a significant portion of patients.

Objective: Our proposal seeks to contribute to the goals of RECOVER by identifying peripheral immune-mediated mechanisms underlying the emergence of depression in post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 (PASC) infection.

Methods: We perform o-link proteomics and cell-type specific RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) of monocytes and T lymphocytes to investigate relationships between peripheral immune function and depressive symptoms. We will compare data from PASC infection subjects with our established cell-type specific RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) of monocytes and T lymphocytes and proteomics using established bioinformatic analysis.

Results: Pending.

Conclusion/Discussion: Discussion and conclusions pending final analysis and results. This study seeks to reveal essential, previously unrecognized mechanisms of COVID-19 induced immune hyper-reactivity important for the pathogenesis of psychiatric PASC. This work will provide new insights into the association of COVID-19 with psychiatric symptoms and provide targets for developing immunomodulatory treatments of psychiatric PASC.

Key Topics:

• Assay and in vitro studies to gain mechanistic insights
• Biomarker, in-depth phenotyping assays and in vitro studies using tissue and other biospecimens
• Chronic immune dysfunction
• Long COVID and other chronic conditions