Vettori, M.; Dima, F.; Henry, B.M.; Carpenè, G.; Gelati, M.; Celegon, G.; Salvagno, G.L.; Lippi, G. Effects of Different Types of Recombinant SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein on Circulating Monocytes’ Structure. International Journal of Molecular Sciences 2023, 24, 9373, doi:10.3390/ijms24119373.
Vettori, M.; Dima, F.; Henry, B.M.; Carpenè, G.; Gelati, M.; Celegon, G.; Salvagno, G.L.; Lippi, G. Effects of Different Types of Recombinant SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein on Circulating Monocytes’ Structure. International Journal of Molecular Sciences 2023, 24, 9373, doi:10.3390/ijms24119373.
Vettori, M.; Dima, F.; Henry, B.M.; Carpenè, G.; Gelati, M.; Celegon, G.; Salvagno, G.L.; Lippi, G. Effects of Different Types of Recombinant SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein on Circulating Monocytes’ Structure. International Journal of Molecular Sciences 2023, 24, 9373, doi:10.3390/ijms24119373.
Vettori, M.; Dima, F.; Henry, B.M.; Carpenè, G.; Gelati, M.; Celegon, G.; Salvagno, G.L.; Lippi, G. Effects of Different Types of Recombinant SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein on Circulating Monocytes’ Structure. International Journal of Molecular Sciences 2023, 24, 9373, doi:10.3390/ijms24119373.
Abstract
Background: This study investigated the biological effects on circulating monocytes after challenge with SARS-CoV-2 recombinant spike protein. Methods: Whole blood collected form seven ostensibly healthy healthcare workers was incubated for 15 min with 2 and 20 ng/mL recombinant spike protein of Ancestral, Alpha, Delta and Omicron variants. Samples were analyzed with Sysmex XN and DI-60 analyzers. Results: Cellular complexity (i.e., presence of granules, vacuoles and other cytoplasmic inclusions) increased in all samples challenged with the recombinant spike protein of Ancestral, Alpha and Delta variants, but not in those containing Omicron. The cellular content of nucleic acids was constantly decreased in most samples, achieving statistical significance in those containing 20 ng/mL of Alpha and Delta recombinant spike proteins. The heterogeneity of monocyte volumes significantly increased in all samples, achieving statistical significance in those containing 20 ng/mL of recombinant spike protein of Ancestral, Alpha and Delta variants. The monocyte morphological abnormalities after spike protein challenge included dysmorphia, granulation, intense vacuolization, platelet phagocytosis, development of aberrant nuclei and cytoplasmic extrusions. Conclusions: The SARS-CoV-2 spike protein triggers important monocyte morphological abnormalities, more evident in cells challenged with spike protein of the more clinically severe Alpha and Delta variants.
Medicine and Pharmacology, Epidemiology and Infectious Diseases
Copyright:
This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
,
,
,
*
